Interested in having a successful online business? Or maybe you just want to live life in a healthier, happier way. Ian Freestone and business entrepreneur James Schramko from Superfast Business discuss the critical ingredients for both these things in this final episode for 2021.

From 10 years of age the "elusive night Parrot" had fired John Young's imagination. "What if.....??" And so, later in life, one of Australia's best known bushmen, set out on a quest to find a living Night Parrot and to prove its existence to others. This story is that quest.This interview would not have been possible without the trusted friendship between John Young and President of Rotary Parkes, Robert Shore.If you would like to support this cause then you can do so through the Rotary Club of Parkes. 100% of funds received will go to supporting the cause of conservation. Please ensure that you reference "John Young" when making your online donation. Send donations to ‘Rotary Club of Parkes’ BSB: 802394 A/N: 1000 52981Many thanks to John Young for sharing his story.Producer: Ian Freestone

As we move from crisis to “learn to live with the virus” it begs the question, “how do you simply do life?” Because, like it or not, crises are a fact of life and our unique personal challenges make global issues insignificant (for us, at that time). Catherine DeVrye was twice voted Australian Keynote Speaker of the Year, has been Australian Executive Woman of the Year and is a #1 best-selling author on customer service, change, teamwork and resilience. Here she discusses with Ian Freestone how her own personal crises caused her to mine those experiences for treasures that can now be passed onto others.

Ian Sheppard is 4WD expert. Working with Great Divide Tours in Braidwood, Southern NSW, Ian trains corporate clients (emergency services, military personnel, and others), as well as the regular ‘mums and dads’  He has helped to lead ‘tag along’ 4WD expeditions right around the country and overseas. A skilled bushman with a heart for adventure, Ian’s inspiration and advice come at a perfect time for those of us preparing to jump in our cars and ‘go bush’ for our next holiday.

Change is never instant, but it is possible. The "big three" - sleep, diet and exercise, are not only integrated with each other but impact upon the whole of life. Small simple consistent steps in the right direction lead to lasting habit formation and change. Ian Freestone's 5 keys will help along the way.

“Strength”, “Resilience”, “Compassion”. These three words sum up Libby Bleakley. Libby served with the NSW Police Force for 19 years with a special focus in helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Libby then served with the Australian Federal Police in remote indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, before being deployed to work with the U.N police, firstly in Sudan and then East Timor (Timor Leste). Libby’s interview with Ian Freestone is a beautiful, honest and inspiring story of how personal and national crises can yield transformative and positive outcomes.

For nearly one hundred years the ‘Manly Daily’, a community newspaper, was delivered to peoples homes in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Then at the height of the pandemic local news was no more, except online behind a pay wall. Local woman, and former newspaper editor, Kim Smee, had a hunch that hyperlocal, non-sensationalised news, might be of value. After a tentative and uncertain start, the ‘Manly Observer’ is now getting over half a million views a month, has tens of thousands of followers on social media and has brought the community together at an important time. Born out of personal adversity, Kim Smee’s ‘Manly Observer’ is a classic case study in bringing things to life.

When Ian Freestone “unplugged” 10 years ago he started to see and hear things that he’d never heard before. It led him down a path of discovery and reflection that changed the orientation of his whole life. ‘Wisdom from Birds’ is another step along that journey - a story for anyone who loves nature and likes the idea of discovering life lessons that are embedded in our environment.

In this WORLD FIRST  [tongue firmly in cheek] Ian Freestone is zooming live in the kitchen, guided around, GoPro on head, by decluttering guru, Nici Stanford. A portion of the kitchen is decluttered during this short podcast. Nici’s process can be replicated right around your house, 20 minutes each day for a month and you will be sorted! Just remember: A decluttered life is an Animated Life!

The “Greatest Living Keyboard Player in the World Today” ??? - That’s a BIG call, but it came as no surprise to Lachy Doley fans when Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple) made the claim about Lachy some years back. Lachy has collaborated with not only Glenn Hughes, but was the touring keyboard player for one of Australia’s greatest rock bands, Powderfinger. Lachy has been a staple in Jimmy Barnes’s band for many years and fronts his own band, ‘The Lachy Doley’ group, launching his latest album, ‘Studios 301 Sessions’. Ian Freestone's interview with one of Australia’s most animated personalities, covers everything from homeschooling in lockdown, to what is happening for the performer when they let rip into an electrifying solo. Enjoy the podcast! Preorder the album!!

Welcome to one of the most animated and inspiring conservationists you are ever likely to meet. Tim Faulkner is co-founder of Australian Reptile Park and General Manager of Aussie Ark. Aussie Ark rescues critically endangered species and runs a successful breeding and release program. Even kids in lockdown might enjoy this one!

This is such an important message right now - and who better to deliver it, than Australian nurse Esther Scarborough working with Hohidiai in Maluku, Indonesia. She has seen first hand the skyrocketting cases of Covid in Indonesia and the deadly impact of the Delta strain. Her message to Australians is forthright and passionate.

Soft resets can be helpful. If some aspect of life is glitching and needs a tweak, you can power down, give it a rest and power up again. A hard reset is a little more painful. You stand to lose some precious data, but the future ends up being clearer, easier to navigate, and bears long lasting fruitfulness.

Ever feel overwhelmed by all the needs and unsure how you can help at all? Perhaps you have a specific practical or emotional need and just need a simple connection with someone who is offering to help. CRISIS HEROES co-founder Mark Acheson has developed a very simple online platform that connects those in need with those willing to help in any local community. It’s Simple. And it’s Working! Listen to this great story, about how a crisis can unleash the hero in all of us, get involved if you like, and help spread this pandemic of kindness! (As featured in The Sydney Morning Herald).

Accused during lockdown hysteria of allegedly creating a ‘pop up party’ on Manly’s beachfront and fined $1000, Andrew Riis has recently had his face splashed across various media outlets. But who is Andrew Riis and why does he sit on top of his van creating bubbles and making music?? This podcast gives an inside look into one man’s quest to have joy and kindness go viral.

Dr Hugh Mackay is the author of 22 books that have been helping us understand ourselves personally and as a nation for the last 40 years. Hugh’s latest book, “The Kindness Revolution”, steps behind the world of viruses and ‘lockdowns’ to recognise the seeds of kindness that germinate in difficulties. Its an enthralling conversation with Australia’s foremost social researcher. Hearing Hugh Mackay’s insights on ‘the kindness revolution’ will help you to approach the weeks and months ahead in a positive frame of mind as well as equip you in your interactions with others for many years to come.

We have been told to STAY. “Stay” safe. “Stay” indoors. No-one much during this current crisis is showing us how to “stay” positive’. Meanwhile, groups like Lifeline are receiving a record number of calls. This isn’t just a respiratory issue, or a vaccination issue, or an economic issue. It’s a serious mental health issue.In this podcast Ian Freestone gives 10 simple, actionable steps that you can take towards having a positive well-being. These are steps that will be of help to anyone, whether they are in ‘lockdown” or just “down”.

Ian Freestone sits down with Chair of Hope Media and ex-NSW politician in the portfolios of education, community services and treasury, Stephen O’Doherty, to discuss everything from Sydney’s extended Covid lockdown to mindfulness. Stephen gives his thoughts on the current status of the teaching profession, the place of creativity in a sea of demands, why retirement is a misnomer for someone with passion and why belonging to community groups is essential to an animated life. It’s an engaging and informative chat that even includes an excerpt from one of Stephen’s musical compositions!

Tom Wilson has a bold mission to “enable the surf community to embrace sustainable solutions and reduce its environmental impact.” Easier said than done. The surf industry has (for decades!) grown a global business on the back of materials and products that are harmful for the environment. So Tom founded Wavechanger - a purpose-driven, not for profit movement supported by the likes of 7 time world champion, Layne Beachley. Tom’s story is one of how education and innovation can have a global impact. It is “Animation” in action - bringing change and movement to something static and stuck.

Join Ian Freestone in a cooking podcast (slightly tongue in cheek)! Up until 12 months he could count on one hand the number of meals he had made (not including snags on the barbie!). Learning to cook was long overdue and certainly, for most listeners, hardly a podcast worthy event. However, the experience represents a shift that anyone can make from “I can’t” and “I don’t”, to “I do, and I love to”