Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo joins Talal Yassine for a no-holds-barred conversation about medicine, power, and staying true to his convictions, even when it cost him everything.

Charlie reflects on growing up in a Chinese-Singaporean household obsessed with British tradition, learning the bagpipes as a kid, and the intense pressure to succeed under a tiger dad. He opens up about the early years of his medical career, his obsession with brain surgery, and how a love for high-risk procedures made him both revered by patients and reviled by peers.

From being celebrated as a medical pioneer to becoming the target of anonymous complaints, hostile media campaigns, and regulatory backlash, Charlie shares how a system meant to protect patients was weaponised against him. He also talks about the fallout (losing his license to operate in Australia) and how that forced pause led him to a breakthrough, mapping the brain for psychiatric and neurological disorders using cutting-edge tech and TMS.

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Episode Running Order
Playing the bagpipes and growing up “more British than the British” (02:00)
Delayed speech and early struggles in school (06:13)
Pressure to succeed and getting into medicine (10:35)
Discovering neurosurgery and the thrill of risk (16:42)
Building a reputation and the backlash that followed (21:57)
The media storm, character assassination, and professional fallout (34:10)
Leaving Australia and finding support overseas (47:26)
Mapping the brain and launching a new frontier in mental health (53:05)
The myth of happiness, motorcycle therapy, and what he’d tell his younger self (1:00:12)

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo joins Talal Yassine for a no-holds-barred conversation about medicine, power, and staying true to his convictions, even when it cost him everything.
Charlie reflects on growing up in a Chinese-Singaporean household obsessed with British tradition, learning the bagpipes as a kid, and the intense pressure to succeed under a tiger dad. He opens up about the early years of his medical career, his obsession with brain surgery, and how a love for high-risk procedures made him both revered by patients and reviled by peers.
From being celebrated as a medical pioneer to becoming the target of anonymous complaints, hostile media campaigns, and regulatory backlash, Charlie shares how a system meant to protect patients was weaponised against him. He also talks about the fallout (losing his license to operate in Australia) and how that forced pause led him to a breakthrough, mapping the brain for psychiatric and neurological disorders using cutting-edge tech and TMS.
Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform.
Episode Running Order
<ul>
<li>Playing the bagpipes and growing up &ldquo;more British than the British&rdquo; (02:00)</li>
<li>Delayed speech and early struggles in school (06:13)</li>
<li>Pressure to succeed and getting into medicine (10:35)</li>
<li>Discovering neurosurgery and the thrill of risk (16:42)</li>
<li>Building a reputation and the backlash that followed (21:57)</li>
<li>The media storm, character assassination, and professional fallout (34:10)</li>
<li>Leaving Australia and finding support overseas (47:26)</li>
<li>Mapping the brain and launching a new frontier in mental health (53:05)</li>
<li>The myth of happiness, motorcycle therapy, and what he&rsquo;d tell his younger self (1:00:12)</li>
</ul>

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a monthly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s about who they are when things get difficult.

Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.
What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a monthly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren&rsquo;t afraid to challenge the status quo.
In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It&rsquo;s not just about what they&rsquo;ve done, it&rsquo;s about who they are when things get difficult.
Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

Uncommon Ground with Talal Yassine

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.

What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a fortnightly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It’s not just about what they’ve done, it’s about who they are when things get difficult.

Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Real leaders. Real conversations. Real opinions.
What drives someone to speak up, stand out, and keep going when the pressure hits hard? Uncommon Ground is a fortnightly podcast hosted by entrepreneur and philanthropist Talal Yassine, where he sits down with high-profile Australians who aren&rsquo;t afraid to challenge the status quo.
In each episode, Talal goes beyond the headlines to explore the values, convictions, and personal struggles that shape public figures. It&rsquo;s not just about what they&rsquo;ve done, it&rsquo;s about who they are when things get difficult.
Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is Uncommon Ground. Subscribe now and be part of the conversation.

Charlie Teo talks with Talal about his upbringing, the passion that drives him and dealing with public backlash

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