Planting Seeds with Soul

In this episode I sit down with Kels, my partner and co host of Planting Seeds with Soul. Kels shares openly about how she has been feeling about her appearance and how that yucky feeling has pushed her into running, moving her body, and being more conscious of what she is eating and consuming. I also speak about my recent solo mushroom journey in northern New South Wales where some pretty hectic insights came through. One of the biggest realisations was around the teddy bears we carry through life. From the moment we are given a blankie or a toy to feel safe in the dark we start attaching to things outside of ourselves, even when there was never anything to be afraid of in the first place.

I first met Chris a few years back when I was climbing out of that deep dark pit I had found myself in. The universe presented the opportunity to meet his community, to sit in ceremony, and to work with the plant medicines. It was life changing. It was healing and transformative in ways I could never have imagined. There was no therapist or psychologist involved, yet everyone there was that therapist and psychologist. Life itself was that therapist and psychologist. The medicine was that therapist and psychologist. And in the end, I realised I was that therapist and psychologist. I was that medicine. I am the medicine.Chris, through his presence and through his music, has been a huge part of that transformation for me. His songs, his spirit, and the way he carries ceremony have left a lasting mark on my path. For that, there is deep gratitude.In this episode of Planting Seeds with Soul, I sit down with Christopher Mapstone. His music is a bridge between worlds. It is medicine. It is healing and transformative in itself. It is a guide that carries people into ceremony, into the heart, and into deeper states of awareness.Together we dive into the medicine of ayahuasca, and the way ceremony can guide us into the stories and programs we have carried, take us through them, and then beyond them, so we can finally see them for what they are. Christopher speaks on music as medicine, how sound itself becomes healing, and how sharing our stories is one of the most powerful medicines we have. We explore the witness, the Atman, the unchanging self that lies beyond the stories, and what it means to rewrite the program we are running in life.Christopher takes us into his own journey, from a fiery and angry teenager who ended up in juvie, to near death experiences, to finding deep healing through nature’s embrace. He opens up about feeling like an outsider growing up, about childhood wounds, and how music, medicine and community guided him back to truth.We also talk about the upcoming Kindred Spirit Mini-Fest, a unique festival of medicine music in northern New South Wales, born from the same soil and community that has shaped Christopher’s path.This is a rich conversation about healing, vulnerability, ceremony, music, and the mystery that lives beyond what we can see. A reminder that we all have a witness inside, the one who sees the stories, and that through connection, nature and sound, we can remember who we truly are.Aho 🌱

This week’s episode turned out a little different. A guest pulled out last minute, so I sat down solo, and as always, everything happens for a reason.I dive into why everyone deserves a safe space to share their truth without judgment, how precious our time really is and how we choose to use it, and the ways fear can hold us back from taking the leap we know we are ready for.I also share some personal reflections on what it feels like to be moving away from construction, learning to trust the flow of life, and letting opportunities reveal themselves when we stop trying to control everything.It is raw, unplanned, and from the heart. I hope you enjoy it

This Fathers Day we are releasing a very special episode, one that is close to our hearts and we know will resonate with many of you.Fathers Day can carry both joy and sadness. For some it is a celebration of love and presence, and for others it is a reminder of loss and longing. In this episode we honour every type of father, those walking beside us in this life and those who are no longer here.Join us as we reflect, share, and hold space for the many ways fatherhood shapes our stories.

This one hits hard.This is Bek’s story, a mother of four, raided, locked away, no record, her first time in jail.When Bek speaks, it is not just words. It is art. It is truth. And you feel every beat of it.From the moment she was taken from her kids, to the walls of Grafton, to facing fear head on… this conversation plants seeds that will stay with you long after it ends.But what she shares here, you cannot just read about it. You will have to sit with it.

Kelsie and I take you on our cruise with the kids, sharing the food, the stop offs, the staff, the people and the little moments that made it special.We also talk about gratitude and the importance of opening up conversations with our kids around the dinner table. These simple chats shape how they see themselves and the world, and they matter more than we sometimes realise.And of course there were laughs along the way. At one point I ended up spitting food at Kelsie with crumbs going everywhere, one of those moments where you just lose it together.A mix of funny, heartfelt and real. These are the conversations that matter.

In this episode I sit down with Dean and Paris to share the incredible story of their son Gunner, a brave little boy living with medication resistant epilepsy. From the shock of his first seizures to endless hospital visits, ICU stays, and being faced with a world of doctors and pharmaceuticals pushing countless medications, they found themselves overwhelmed, confused, and desperate for answers.Raised to trust the medical system, they were confronted with impossible decisions, even being told Dean could only stay in hospital accommodation during COVID if he took the vaccine. Through it all, they never stopped fighting for their boy. That fight eventually led them down a different path… using food as medicine through a strict ketogenic diet.We talk about the fear, the faith, and the relentless hope it takes to keep going when the world feels like it is closing in. This is more than a conversation about epilepsy, it is about courage, love, and refusing to give up on your child.A huge thank you to Dean and Paris for opening up and sharing their truth.

In this one, Kels and I open up about losing our family dog … 15 years of unconditional love, and man, that kind of grief hits different. We talk about what it’s like saying goodbye, especially when the bond runs deep.From there, we get into a real convo about kids, iPads, and tech… what’s healthy, what’s not, and how different every parent’s approach can be. No judgment … just some grounded thoughts and honest reflections.It all wraps up with me having a bit of a moment… I speak on some stuff from my past that I’m not proud of, but had to face in order to grow. It’s raw, it’s real, and a reminder that healing ain’t always pretty …but it’s always worth it.

Season 2 kicks off with my brothers Mitch and Tonks joining me for a raw, unfiltered conversation on Planting Seeds with Soul.We go deep — from our experiences with meth addiction and brushes with death, to the impact of COVID, lockdowns, and the political madness that unfolded in Victoria. Nothing’s off limits.We dive into the shadows of mental health, the chaos of the past few years, and even the strange world of TikTok characters like Bonnie Blue. But through the laughter, the pain, and the brutal honesty, there’s something real that cuts through it all…A spark of awareness. A seed of awakening.If you’ve ever felt lost, battled addiction, or questioned the system — this one might just hit different.

Kirsty Thomae is a passionate registered nurse, mother, law student and writer who knows what it means to defy expectations. At just fifteen, she became pregnant, facing stigma, trauma, and a future many thought was already written. But she refused to accept that narrative.Through persistence, self-reflection, and a fierce commitment to her children and her goals, Kirsty completed her nursing degree, with her main focus in psychiatric care. Her lived experience informs her professional work, allowing her to connect deeply with vulnerable populations, especially young women navigating hardship.Her debut memoir, Against the Odds: From Teenage Pregnancy to University Graduate, is a raw and honest account of surviving trauma, challenges , overcoming judgment, and finding purpose. Today, Kirsty shares her story to inspire others who feel overlooked, unheard, or underestimated. Her story is living proof that where you start does not define where you can go.

It was an absolute honour having Zac Swanton on the podcast. Thanks for making the trip down from the Sunny Coast brother. I’m proud to see you doing great things and I wish you nothing but the best on your journey. The only way you can fail is if you give up, so don’t. Embrace the hard times, let them build you, and know that I’ll always be here if you need.In this raw and powerful episode of Planting Seeds with Soul, Zac opens up about addiction, psychosis, fatherhood, breaking generational trauma, and the road to self redemption. We talk about stepping into purpose, building character through pain, what it means to leave behind a real legacy, and how life’s hardest challenges are often our greatest teachers. From the chaos of drug fuelled days to finding peace, meaning, and strength in recovery, this is one hell of a journey you don’t want to miss.We cover addiction, recovery, self discovery, facing fear, finding purpose, building character through life’s challenges, fatherhood, breaking cycles, leaving behind a legacy that matters, spiritual awakening in the storm, and the power of truth, love, and not giving up. Tap in, share it with someone who needs to hear this, and let’s keep planting those seeds.

In this episode, me and my partner Kels sit down and chat through a bit of everything… footy dramas with the kids, the weight of holding it all together, seeing signs like 33 pop up everywhere, and moments that remind us we’re not doing this life alone.We talk about being crook, juggling the day to day, and those little spiritual moments that hit when you least expect them… like a bloke next to me crying from a song, and somehow I just knew his mum was there. Stuff you can’t really explain, but you feel it.It’s a bit of a mix… real life, real feelings, a few laughs, and some of the deeper stuff that sneaks up on you.Cheers for being hereWith loveSoul

I met Tyson Hannus on a construction job well over a year ago. We got chatting, and he opened up about his story… deep, raw, and real. I shared some of mine too. From that moment, there was a connection.In this episode, Tyson shares the pain of losing his brother… the four-day wait that changed everything… and the weight that never fully leaves. We talk about grief, victim mentality, addiction, and the choice to grow… even when it hurts.He’s now pouring his story into music. We dive into his rap journey, the healing power of expression, and how he’s turning pain into purpose.This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, lost someone, or is walking their way back home.🌱 Listen, feel it, let it shift something.

This one’s just me… sharing where I’m at.I was meant to do this episode with Kels, but she was crook and needed to rest, so I sat down solo. I’d just come back from an Ayahuasca ceremony over the weekend, and honestly, I was running on two hours sleep. Got home and had a heap to do, but something in me said… just sit down and speak. So I did.In this episode, I talk about where I’m at right now, the real, the uncomfortable, the powerful. I dive into how I’ve been feeling disconnected from the boys and myself, and how I’m learning to navigate that. I speak on surrender, on jellyfish as a symbol of letting go, and the kind of gratitude that humbles you when life feels chaotic.I didn’t plan this one… I just showed up as I was.Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening. Let’s keep planting seeds.

In this powerful episode, Mitch Egger opens up about his raw and confronting journey through addiction. He shares the shocking story of a night when one of his mates shot another in the depths of drug fueled chaos, a turning point that shook him to his core.Mitch speaks candidly about the dark moments, the mateship that both lifted and broke him, and how he’s found a way to rebuild his life with purpose. This is a story of survival, accountability, and redemption.If you’ve ever struggled to find your way out of the dark or watched someone close fall into it, this episode will speak to you.

This week I sat down with Rhiannon Duke, founder of DTL ActiveWear, a brand designed by women for womenIn this powerful and personal episode Rhiannon opens up about her journey, from working two jobs in her early years to building her ActiveWear label from the ground up. She shares real insight into what it’s taken to start a business, stay true to her vision, and keep pushing even when the odds were stacked against herShe also reflects on her childhood, the years spent apart from her big sister, and the emotional reconnection they had later in lifeThis one’s for anyone out there chasing a dream, rebuilding a bond, or starting from scratch. Inspiring chat with a powerful woman.

This one’s a bit of a random episode… we were heading off camping for the weekend and wedged this chat in before we left. No real plan, just hit record and let it flow.We ended up talking about the chaos of parenting, the pressure to stay online, the state of the system, and why nature and stillness matter more than ever. It’s unfiltered, honest, and exactly what it needed to be.Aho.

In this episode, the mic flips. Dylan takes the reins and interviews me, asking the questions most people don’t.We cover growing up in chaos, the early pain that shaped me, and what it really means to find peace when you’ve lived most of your life in survival mode. We speak on brotherhood, truth, stepping into responsibility, and how I’ve learned to hold space for others by learning to hold it for myself first.One of the most emotional moments comes when I open up about the struggles of being a stepdad…what it’s like to love a child who isn’t biologically yours, the internal battles, the moments of doubt, and the deep lessons that come with showing up anyway.It’s raw, honest, and full of reflections that might just spark something in you too.

Recorded the night of the retreat… still sweaty, still half in it—blood between my toes, leech bites on my legs, and hearts cracked wide open.I ran this one with Mitch Currie down at Minyon Falls. Started before sunrise in Brunswick, opened the space with the crew, then made our way through the forest in noble silence—no talking, just walking, just being.I share what it was like holding that space, what came up, and how the day unfolded in ways we couldn’t plan for. Kels opens up about her dad… some emotion came through, real and raw.This convo is a debrief while it’s all still landing. Presence, pain, peace—and everything in between.This is one you don’t want to miss. Heaps of gold in here for anyone walking their own path.With loveSoul

BONUS EP…In this one, Kels shares what she got out of a recent 4-hour women’s retreat—diving into self-worth, empowerment, and coming back to self-love. Corey opens up about his own retreat that was just around the corner at the time. We chat about the juggle of parenthood, the shift in energy as school holidays roll in, and how the end of term can leave everyone feeling a bit stretched. Real talk, family life, and a little reminder to take care of yourself too.