Head Game – Details, episodes & analysis

Damien Thomlinson has one phenomenal comeback story. The former soldier was on night patrol with the Australian Defence Force when an IED attack completely changed everything. He lost both legs in the accident, and took charge of his recovery and new life. He shares his strength, wisdom and ambition with Ant today. 

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Follow Damien on Instagram @damienthomlinson
• Find out more about Damien Thomlinson at damienthomlinson.com
• Details of Damien's book, Without Warning, can be found here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ant is joined by beloved TV host, podcaster and mental health advocate, Osher Günsberg this week. Osher opens up about his journey from addiction to sobriety, coping with 'inescapable' anxiety, and the decision he made that altered the course of his life. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of mental ill-health and substance abuse. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au. Drug and alcohol support can be found with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation at adf.org.au or on their hotline 1800 250 015.

LINKS

• Learn more about Osher Günsberg at oshergunsberg.com
• Follow Osher on Instagram @osher_gunsberg
• Osher's memoir, Back After the Break can be purchased here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
• If you enjoy listening to Head Game, you can vote for us in the 'Listener's Choice' category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Submit your vote at australianpodcastawards.com/voting

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ant looks back on three powerful conversations with three very talented surfers. Each have had their own challenges and triumphs, and reflected on these in their previous Head Game interviews. 

Today, you'll hear from Owen Wright, Layne Beachley and Blakey Johnston on the power of the waves, and how the ocean got them through. 

LINKS

• Listen to Owen Wright's interview in full here
• Listen to Layne Beachley's interview in full here
• Listen to Blakey Johnston's interview in full here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ANZAC Day 2006 was a day that changed the course of Todd Russell's life forever. Working a kilometre underground in Tasmania's Beaconsfield mine, Todd and workmate Brant Webb became trapped following a seismic event.

In one of the most extraordinary survival feats of all time, Todd and Brant remained underground for 14 days - 321 hours, before finally reaching the surface on the 9th of May, 2006. 

In this powerful conversation, Todd takes us inside what went through his mind in those 321 hours, how he and Brant found the strength to fight to be reunited with their families, and the impact the disaster has had on him today.

CW: This episode contains discussions of suicide. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au.

LINKS

• Read more from Todd Russell in 'Bad Ground: Inside the Beaconsfield Mine Disaster'
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.antmiddleton.com/ 
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beau Miles is a filmmaker, adventurer and serious bean-eater. In this episode, Beau takes Ant into his mindset during his epic journey across the coast of Africa.

He shares how he's intimidated by life, what success looks like to him, and how important it is to know when to call it quits. 

LINKS

• Subscribe to Beau's YouTube here
• Follow Beau on Instagram @beauisms
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hear part one of Nigel Brennan's story here.

In this episode we hear the second half of Nigel Brennan's phenomenal story. In part one, Nigel shared the events leading up to his capture, the moment he was abducted and the call that turned his family's world upside down.

In part two, Nigel shares how he escaped, his family's response and he reflects on how he feels about the ordeal now. 

LINKS

• Find out more about Nigel's book, The Price of Life here
• Follow Nigel on Instagram @nigelbrennan
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nigel Brennan has one phenomenal story. He was working as a Photojournalist when an opportunity came up to visit Somalia to cover the humanitarian crisis. It was supposed to be a seven day visit. But instead, he and colleague Amanda Lindhout spent 15 hellish months in captivity. 

He bravely opens up to Ant about how this nightmare unfolded, and how he survived to tell the tale today. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault. If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone about your situation, you may wish to contact one of the following services. 

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

LINKS

• Find out more about Nigel's book, The Price of Life here
• Follow Nigel on Instagram @nigelbrennan
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Mahmood Fazal, life in 2024 is great. He feels good every morning when he wakes up - not having to look over his shoulder or feel nervous when he's in a public space.

But things haven't always been this way for Mahmood - as the Walkley Award-winning Journalist shares in this eye-opening conversation with Ant.

Mahmood discloses his raw and unfiltered perspective on his experience with crime and violence in Australia - and how he's using that lived experience to create change. 

LINKS

• Follow Mahmood Fazal on Instagram @mahmoodfazal
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If there's one thing Nedd Brockmann wants to you do today, it's keep showing up. At just 25 years old, Nedd has achieved an extroadinary amount. His most well-known feat was in 2022 when he ran across Australia - from Perth to Bondi - in just 46 days. 

He joins Ant in-studio to reflect on the lessons from those long and torturous days. He shares how he harnessed his mindset to push through pain barriers, and makes the choice to be positive every single day - even in the toughest of times. 

LINKS

• To sign up for Nedd's Uncomfortable Challenge, head to neddsuncomfortablechallenge.com
• Follow Nedd Brockmann on Instagram @neddbrockmann
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelsey Waghorn's life changed forever when she, along with so many others, was caught up in the horrific Whakaari White Island eruption off the east coast of New Zealand in 2019. Kelsey, just 25 at the time, was working as a tour guide. On what should have been a regular, routine day, instead she ended up in an induced coma and sustained full thickness burns to 45% of her body. 

She speaks to Ant about the toll this had on her physical and mental health, her journey with PTSD and the loss of a very close friend. 

CW: This episode contains discussions of PTSD. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website lifeline.org.au.

LINKS

• Follow Kelsey Waghorn on Instagram @kezzelsify
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
• Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producers: Anna Henvest & Edwina Stott
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.