In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with acclaimed Australian actor, playwright and screenwriter Kate Mulvany to talk about the craft of storytelling, the challenges of living and working with chronic pain, and what it means to reimagine Shakespeare through the lens of disability — all the way to sharing the screen with Al Pacino.

Topics discussed:

1. Tim Minchin sleeping on her couch
2. Workign with superstars Baz Luhrman, Robbie WIlliams and Al Pacino
3. Embodying Richard III and reframing disability as strength
4. What makes a great performance
5. What it truly means to be a storyteller - telling her truth around agent orange, cancer and accoutnability
6. Living and wokring with chronic pain
7. Advocacy for disability representation in the arts

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

On this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer welcomes Marina Prior—the first lady of Australian musical theatre, whose voice and artistry have defined a generation of stage and concert performance.

From her star-making turn in The Phantom of the Opera to a remarkable career spanning the country’s biggest productions, Marina reflects on the natural arc of her journey—moving from ingénue roles sung with youthful clarity to embracing the depth and texture of complex character parts as her career matured.

It’s a conversation about artistry, adaptation, and the enduring magic of storytelling through song.

Topics Discussed:

1. Discovering music and performance as a young girl in Melbourne
2. Breaking through with The Phantom of the Opera and other landmark roles
3. The transition from ingénue to character roles
4. The discipline and daily rituals behind maintaining a world-class instrument
5. How motherhood and family shaped her artistry and perspective
6. Why live theatre remains her truest creative home

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

McLaren Versus is your ‘Access All Areas’ pass to meet the people behind the stories through candid conversations with household names that reveal life lessons, triumphs, and challenges, showcasing the humanity behind public personas. It’s a new Australian podcast that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the stories that define a life well-lived.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with actor, filmmaker, and passionate change agent Damon Gameau, whose journey from beloved screen star to globally recognised impact storyteller is nothing short of remarkable.

From the runaway success of That Sugar Film to the world-building optimism of 2040, Damon shares his insights into the craft of storytelling with purpose—and what it means to be an artist who refuses to stay in their lane.

It’s a conversation about courage, creativity, and the belief that stories can quite literally change the world.

Topics Discussed:

1. From the hills iof Adelaide to a boat ride with Sophia Loren
2. What sparked Damon’s pivot from acting to impact filmmaking
3. How storytelling can reframe complex global challenges
4. The emotional intelligence behind his approach to documentary
5. The risks and rewards of telling stories that challenge the status quo
6. Why hope is a strategy—and how to keep it alive

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://futurecouncil.global/

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In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with acclaimed Australian actor, author and 'Toast' artist (yes vegemite and toast...) Heather Mitchell to talk about strength, stagecraft, and stepping into the shoes of one of history’s most formidable women.

Topics discussed: 1.Building a career in Australian film, TV, and theatre

1. Longevity, leadership, and lifting others as you go
2. Making space for joy, grief, and everything in between

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the trailblazing singer, actor, and cultural icon Christine Anu to talk about the power of representation, the responsibility of platform, and the joy of telling stories through music, stage, and screen.

Christine reflects on a lifetime of breaking ground as a proud Torres Strait Islander woman in the Australian arts industry, the personal meaning behind her most iconic performances, and how she continues to evolve as an artist, activist, and mother. It’s heart, heritage, and a little bit harmony.

Topics discussed:

1. The legacy of My Island Home and singing for a nation
2. Juggling fame, family, and cultural responsibility
3. The power of music to drive change and connect community

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the multi-hyphenate performer, composer, and writer to talk about what drives his creativity, the challenges of making work that divides opinion, and the thrill (and chaos) of taking on Broadway with Beetlejuice and King Kong.

Eddie reflects on the highs and heartbreaks of showbiz, the importance of holding your nerve as an artist, and how he balances family life, personal growth, and staying creatively fed. It’s a little bit rock and roll.

Topics discussed: 1.The bold leap from Aussie TV to Broadway musicals

1. What it really takes to build a life in the arts
2. Writing Beetlejuice: pressure, praise, and persistence

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

From Perth to Primetime, Murray Bartlett has carved a career defined by quiet intensity, emotional depth, and unflinching honesty. In this deeply engaging conversation, Spencer sits down with the Emmy-winning actor behind The White Lotus, Looking, and The Last of Us to unpack the journey behind the performances.

Murray shares the realities of life as a working actor before the big break, how he navigated identity in the public eye, and what it means to find success—and peace—later in life. It’s a conversation about craft, queerness, and carving your own path in an industry that often resists change.

In this episode:

1. From Sydney to New York—Murray’s long road to recognition
2. Behind The White Lotus and the role that changed everything
3. Queer storytelling and why it still matters
4. How home keeps him balanced

Links & Mentions:

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In this heartfelt episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the unforgettable Pia Miranda—an actress who became a national treasure after portraying Josie in the landmark Australian film Looking for Alibrandi.

Now, decades on, Pia reflects on the career-defining role that launched her, the challenges of navigating fame at a young age, and how she’s embraced reinvention through motherhood, reality TV (yes, she won Survivor), and continued creative growth.

Spencer and Pia talk about identity, resilience, and the deeply personal moments that have shaped her as both an artist and a woman.

In this episode:

1. The enduring impact of Looking for Alibrandi
2. What fame felt like as a young woman in the spotlight
3. Get thee to a nunnery... or not!
4. Surviving SURVIVOR
5. Unemployment and creative reinvention in the arts

Links & Mentions:

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Follow Pia Miranda Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_piamiranda/

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This week, from humble beginnings to national stardom, Shane Jacobson talks with Spencer McLaren about the roles that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and why staying grounded is his greatest success.

Topics discussed:

1. Busiest Man in Showbiz
2. Kenny and the heart of comedy
3. Crafting Edna (Hairspray)
4. The family legacy
5. The advise from Hoges and Bryan Brown he still lives by

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In this special bonus drop, Spencer takes a moment to reflect on one of the most revealing questions from McLaren Versus: "Do you have any mistakes you regret?"

Across the season, guests have offered personal and surprising answers but with a consistent theme. Now, Spencer shares his own perspective—on regret, growth, and why our mistakes might be the most valuable part of the journey.

Short, sweet, and honest—this 6-minute episode is a quiet pause in the noise.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

This week on McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with legendary producer Amanda Higgs and celebrated writer Judi McCrossin to unpack how The Secret Life of Us came to life, the creative risks that defined a generation of Australian drama, and why the emotional heartbeat of the series still resonates 25 years on.

Topics discussed:

1. Where Amanda and Judi were emotionally when Secret Life first began
2. How the characters were created
3. How St Kilda shaped its soul
4. The production and industry hurdles getting the show made
5. The storylines that made networks nervous and sparked difficult phone calls
6. The moment they realised the show was not just popular — but emotionally important
7. How The Secret Life of Us changed the landscape for Australian drama
8. What still surprises them 25 years later — the timeless and the very 2001 Follow Us instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mclarenversus facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mclarenversus

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In this fun reunion episode, Spencer sits down with Claudia Karvan, Deborah Mailman and Samuel Johnson to rewind the clock 25 years and revisit The Secret Life of Us — the show that made a generation fall in love, argue loudly at dinner parties, and feel slightly better (or worse) about their own lives.

What follows is pure chaos in the best way: unfiltered memories, on-set gossip, affectionate roasting, and a healthy dose of “we probably shouldn’t be saying this… but here we are.” From cast crushes and cultural impact to the strange experience of becoming that famous that fast, this is a reunion that feels more like mates at the pub than a polite trip down memory lane.

If you loved the show, this episode delivers the stuff you always wanted to know — and a few things you definitely didn’t expect to hear out loud.

In this episode we cover:

• The lightning-in-a-bottle energy that made the show explode
• Cast chemistry, crushes and the original auditions
• Becoming overnight household names (and coping with it)
• Why the show hit a nerve — and still does
• The legacy of The Secret Life of Us 25 years on

Links mentioned in this episode:

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Spencer McLaren sits down with actor and musician Abi Tucker for a nostalgic, heartfelt reunion celebrating 25 years of The Secret Life of Us. From early auditions and unforgettable St Kilda nights to the creative risks that made the series groundbreaking, Abi reflects on her journey from Heartbreak High and Wildside into Miranda’s world — and how music, friendship and authenticity shaped her performance.

Together, Spencer and Abi revisit iconic scenes, casting chemistry, and the cultural impact of the show’s bold storytelling — including its early exploration of queer relationships and complex female narratives. The conversation also looks forward, touching on Abi’s work on Play School, her evolving creative life, and why the themes of identity, love and finding your place still resonate 25 years later.

A personal, funny and deeply reflective chat about craft, connection, and the magic of a golden era in Australian television.

Topics discussed:

1. Abi’s casting and early memories of joining The Secret Life of Us
2. Chemistry reads, auditions and building the original ensemble
3. Life in Melbourne during filming — St Kilda, music and friendships
4. Creating Miranda: music, character evolution and onscreen relationships
5. Same-sex storylines and authentic representation ahead of their time
6. The show’s lasting relevance and cultural legacy
7. From McLeod’s Daughters to Play School — Abi’s career journey
8. The importance of trust, collaboration and creative risk in long-form TV audiences grow alongside the characters

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In this episode, Spencer sits down with Michael Idato, Cultural Editor-at-Large at Sydney Morning Herald, to unpack the cultural moment that The Secret Life of Us landed in — and why it still resonates 25 years on.

Together, they explore how the series helped reshape Australian television at the turn of the millennium, capturing a generation on screen in a way that felt immediate, intimate, and unapologetically local. Michael offers sharp insight into the broader Aussie TV landscape of the late ’90s and early 2000s, and why Secret Life marked a shift in tone, storytelling, and ambition.

The conversation also digs into representation — particularly from queer and Indigenous perspectives — examining what the show got right, where it pushed boundaries for its time, and how those portrayals sit when viewed through a contemporary lens.

Thoughtful, candid, and culturally rich, this episode is less about nostalgia and more about impact: how one series reflected a changing Australia, and helped change it in return.

Topics discussed:

1. The cultural moment The Secret Life of Us emerged into
2. How the series helped shift the Australian TV landscape
3. Why the show felt radically honest and contemporary at the time
4. Representation on Australian television in the late ’90s and early 2000s

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In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer heads upstairs — literally — to revisit the chaotic, flirtatious share-house energy of The Secret Life of Us, with a deep dive into the residents who lived just above : Gabi and Jason.

From thin walls and questionable boundaries to friendships, hook-ups and emotional near-misses, this conversation unpacks how the “upstairs apartment” became its own pressure cooker of desire, drama and very early-2000s messiness. Spencer, Sibylla Budd and Damian de Montemas reflect on the freedom (and chaos) of playing young, horny, emotionally undercooked characters at a time when Australian TV was pushing boundaries — on screen and off.

It’s a nostalgic, naughty look back at a time when everyone knew everyone’s business, privacy was optional, and the neighbours were never just neighbours.

Topics include:

• Bad Haircuts
• Getting famous
• How the show captured a very specific moment in youth culture
• What it was like living in each other’s pockets — creatively and socially

Affectionate,reflective and a bit cheeky — Naughty Neighbours is a reminder that some walls are thinner than others… and that was half the fun.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer pulls up a seat on the casting couch with the original series casting agent behind The Secret Life of Us — Wizzy Evans. And yes, the room was very full.

We dive into the wild energy of the audition process, the sheer number of actors circling the show, and the buzz that surrounded Secret Life before anyone realised it would become a cultural touchstone. From instant chemistry and gut instincts to the organised chaos of casting a young ensemble, this is an unfiltered look at how one of Australia’s most beloved casts came together.

It’s funny, honest and mildly unhinged — a reminder that some shows arrive fully charged, long before the cameras start rolling.

Topics discussed:

• What the casting process actually looked like behind closed doors
• Why everyone wanted to be part of Secret Life
• Chemistry reads that crackled (and why they mattered)
• The pressure of shaping a show that already felt “special”
• How instinct, timing and taste drive casting decisions

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm