Max's Island
by Meet Max Power
We’re told to always be in the present moment … we’re told to set goals and achieve them … we’re told that life’s short and to live every moment as if it where our last. Arrrgh, what does all this mean?? As one great lyricist wrote … “No-ones an island and sometimes it’s good to pretend” When was a time in your life you let yourself be ‘you’ and gave yourself the time to pretend? “Max’s Island” the podcast, exists so you can tell others WHY!
Episodes
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"If we just slow down a tiny bit and pay attention"
Returning to Max’s Island multiple times—as our guest in this episode, Rachael West, is doing—is such a powerful way to express the evolving nature of our lives. Rachael recently spent four months in Berlin testing out a new way of living. Her journey wasn't about a total life overhaul, but…
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"I'd call it a life... Life is food."
Belinda Gosden is a woman who proved that when you truly want something, no rejection or risk can stand in your way. For many years, Belinda harbored a dream of cooking on MasterChef Australia. She applied once. She applied twice…In fact, she was turned down four times But rather than giving up,...
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“Where’s the joy in your life?”
Can you imagine spending 12 to 18 months delivering devastating job news to dedicated employees during a major industry downturn. That was the reality for our guest on this episode … Leonie Murray … who after 25 years in senior HR roles across the globe, found herself burnt out, heartbroken, and...
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"the estate developed a stigma and that stigma was then extended to the people who live there and it persists"
Kate takes us through a deeply impactful childhood … painted in three distinct panels. The first is architectural—a childhood spent inside a literal panopticon, a hexagonal state-housing block in 1980s Perth, surrounded by the inward-pressing, incomplete loops of a Radburn-designed suburb. The...
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"I was interested in curiosity—curious about curiosity"
We live in an increasingly complex world. In our post-pandemic reality, many of us have quietly slipped into survival mode—feeling exhausted, insular, and struggling to imagine alternative futures. So how do we break out of this cognitive fatigue? How do we reclaim our agency when our very...
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"For a while there ... he was probably the most famous person in Australia"
Today we are revisiting the episode with Simon White and his involvement with the main character from the Fine Cotton racing affair. … not only because it’s a really good yarn … but also because next week is the 42nd anniversary of this famous part of Australian sporting folklore. Simon is a...
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"when you're in the mayhem ... you need the 'peace' to slow down"
As a second-year apprentice electrician, Keoni found himself trapped by a 240-volt electric shock. In that terrifying moment … where the world went silent … he realised that tomorrow is never guaranteed, and he had not yet taken the risk to truly bet on himself… even at that early age in life....
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"blind terror that somebody else is going to work out what your brilliant idea is"
Jeremy Cookson, proves age is no barrier. After a long, successful career delivering major projects for ad agencies and leaving a senior corporate role at LotteryWest, Jeremy finally found the time and financial freedom to pursue a passion project of his own. He is the founder of AskPro, an...
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"Stories float around the world and they find the person who's meant to tell them"
Lynsey McDonnell proves that it is never too late to chase a spark of inspiration, even if you spend your days immersed in spreadsheets and financial reports. Lynsey, is a successful Chief Financial Officer, a dedicated mother, and now, a published debut author. Her journey to publication is...
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We had a sign in the living room that mum made ... and it said "Let's get this sh*t done."
On this episode of Max's Island, 19-year-old Levi explores with us the profoundly life-altering journey that began with a shocking leukemia diagnosis at just 11 years old. Levi opens up about the physical toll of his chemotherapy, particularly how the drug Vincristine damaged his muscles and...
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"...when I'm at my best, I realise that I've always got choice"
Digby Scott shares his transformative journey from living on "autopilot" to fully embracing a life of conscious choice. Digby takes us back to a massive epiphany he experienced at age 22 while sitting outside the Colosseum in Rome. It was there he realised he wasn't bound to the linear…
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"I was working at 50% capacity."
Alan Ferris’s career journey is a masterclass in the art of reinvention and the relentless pursuit of purposeful leadership. Alan started his career in the state public service at just 17 years old, ultimately climbing the ranks to act as a Director General. But it is what he did next—and how he...
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"If the business and I don't do something dramatically different, then we're pretty much screwed."
Mike House, a former survival instructor turned leadership consultant, shares his dramatic experience during the onset of the COVID-19 lockdowns, where an 18-month pipeline of “live” consulting work vanished in just three days. Instead of giving in to panic, Mike leaned heavily on his background…
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"I know that there is a person inside me ... that I hadn't met yet"
Nadia Lopez completely shatters the idea of a picture-perfect personal growth journey. At 31, recovering from a tough breakup and admitting to being a highly anxious "people pleaser," she threw herself into a daunting 14-day solo trip to Japan. Her biggest mental breakthrough didn't happen during…
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"I want to reach that kid ... I want to know how to support them ... and engage them"
Claire McGlew’s story is a profound journey of adaptation and defying the odds. She initially studied to be an opera singer in Western Australia before transitioning into music education with a strong desire to help kids who, like her, didn't fit the traditional educational mould. However…
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Ali Horriyat Ep 2 - Redux ... "Philanthropy should be brought to your heart, not just your wallet"
Ali Horriyat describes Compassiviste through the lens of an octopus. While the "main brain" has a vision, each "tentacle" (program/initiative) has its own "mini-brain" that acts independently yet in perfect cohesion with the whole. This decentralized approach allows for specialized impact—be it…
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Ali Horriyat Ep 1 - Redux ... "He gave it all away … over $100 million dollars worth."
In 2016, businessman-turned-charity founder Ali Horriyat gave away his entire personal fortune of almost $100m. This was not just a meaningless distribution of cash to satisfy an ego charged desire for personal fulfilment, but it came from a real belief in a better way to shift the social impact...
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"There was a real lack of women on the line-ups and at the different gigs we were playing"
Feels is a duo featuring Rosie Taylor and Elise Reitze-Swensen. Together, they have over 10 years of experience writing, producing, and recording music, and then playing this music all over the world as professional musos. Recently, Rosie visited the island to share their story of where they saw…
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"Yeah, I've got a healthy amount of delusional self belief"
Flash Poetry visited the Island in late 2025 and shared the journey from having a career in copywriting, to being fully immersed in making music, sharing messages and having real impact from a creative form. Flash Poetry blends spoken word, freestyle rap & alt-rock instrumentation to concoct...
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"its my quest for 2026"
I’m talking directly to you and not at you. So, I’m going to be far more less rehearsed and just go off the cuff. This may mean I might ramble a bit, might even sound like I’m sort of looking for words, but the approach is hopefully going to make your listening experience so much more enjoyable....
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"It wasn't Beirut ... but it was pretty unpleasant"
Alex Green grew up with a nurturing, working class environment that positively influenced his approach to helping others. Guided by his grandmother and a significant example of caring for those less ‘well – off” saw him become connected to the charity … for purpose … sector, where he has spent…
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"That's why we started with this song called ... Jamerah & Her Dads"
Gaj was into hip hop and rap when growing up in Sri Lanka. At 16 years of age, and heavily influenced by the New York hip hop and rap scene, Gaj and his brother set up their “Urban Sounds” outfit to entertain crowds at clubs and live events… and then through studio recorded releases. As typical...
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"and if you don't like what I'm doing ... like, I really couldn't care"
Michael Ward faced a definitive moment during a dark time in his life. He admitted that he couldn’t see a way out. He was just ‘stuck’ ... he couldn’t find happiness or any purpose to his life. But a revelation that he should ‘try a little harder’ and make real change was the catalyst to ‘writing…
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"He accepted where he was ... and his line was ... No Regrets"
Since the introduction of legislation into the WA parliament, in 2021, the practice of Voluntary Assisted Dying (Commonly referred to as VAD) … has been accessed by many West Australians. The opportunity for patient autonomy and compassion in end-of-life care … and the relief from intolerable...
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"I remember thinking, constantly ... It's not the things you have ... it's the people around you"
As a teenager, Monique Power was exposed to the death of a friend’s father and this became an early catalyst for her to realise “Life is Short”. She felt there was a need to do things. In her early 20’s, this took her to Ghana, Africa on volunteer work … Quickly, she realised her passion was not...
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"I think you've notice by now ... risk and uncertainty does not phase us as a family"
n this final instalment of Deany Jaghdour’s visit to Max’s Island, we begin to learn a little more of her personal discovery of how she thinks and acts in stressful situations. The importance of professional mental health support is highlighted and Deany really learnt more about herself by...
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"What the "F" ... just go ... what are you doing here?"
In the first chapter of this story, Deany Jaghdour met a man, Nabil … moved to Jakarta … married him and started a family. It was a whirlwind decision … and meant a new life, away from Australia. They then moved to Bali to open their dream restaurant … unfortunately it was just as Covid hit.…
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"I'm very aware that I'm jumping into something unclear ... but it didn't bother me"
Deany Jaghdour’s visit to Max’s Island was a long one … she stayed longer than most guests … But there is a good reason why… she has a story that has many parts. So, it is split into 3 chapters … each will be released separately. They are individual experiences in their own right … but all form...
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"and at about 3 songs in, I shouted ... I'm buying a guitar"
As a returning visitor to Max’s Island, Justin Davies was keen to share the latest story of how he has embraced the creative passion of creating, playing and recording music for all the world to hear. As an acoustic singer-songwriter, he’s known for his lyrical honesty, dry wit, and ability to...
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"I actually just passed out ... face first ... onto this poor lady's lap"
Elena Brand chose to embrace the Japanese concept of Ikigai to inspire a career ‘shift’ … This was not going to be a full blown change … but more of a re-framing of her existing passions to guide her life’s vision. However, it was not until she began to have vagal faints that her actions became...
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"The mechanic refused to service my bike ... because my Japanese wasn't very good"
Now living in Osaka, Japan with his partner, Dylan is teaching English to young Japanese students and helping them to develop the language skills to enhance their career opportunities. …and, doing this without any formal teaching qualifications. But that’s not all … he spends his leisure time...
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"But, our living costs have halved ... and our lifestyle's actually better."
Eve Lameks now lives in a small town in south-west France with her husband Rickie. On the surface that may not seem dramatically special, however, to go there not only satisfied a long-term dream but it also was important for their England based business. Their transition story began following…
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"And woke up on the next Monday ... with nothing to do ... no-one called me, no-one was thinking about me."
This episode features a classic example of a person who totally adopted the Max’s Island way … and made a deliberate decision to change everything. As we say on Max’s Island, that moment in life where you made a decision … for yourself. However, in this case … for a range of reasons, it didn’t…
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"That's not any marketing genius or anything ... that's just what Gmail would let me have"
Danny Allen and his mates used getting together, over a few beers, as a way of keeping close and yakking over things that mattered to them. A chance meeting with a podcast producer and content creator … at a pub in the Perth northern suburbs … just as they were thinking about starting a podcast…
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"I came home one day, when I was 15 ... and Robert de Castella was sitting on the couch."
Previously, we learnt how Brad’s passion and commitment was pivotal in starting a successful community radio station. In this episode we continue to peel back the layers of person who has achieved so much…as an elite sportsman, talented media personality and a genuinely good bloke. Brad shares…
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"He's asking Sydney prices ... no go ... and we were devastated"
The many faces of Brad Cecins…Sports star, media personality, school teacher and community radio entrepreneur. This is part 1 … of a two part series … of Brad’s visit to The Island. Whilst sharing his primary journey of starting a community radio station, Brad unearths a story that has a...
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"I've never scrapped much in my life ... but that was a hard hit"
Simon Carabetta openly describes himself as a typical arrogant, egotistical 20 year old, back in the early 2000’s. He joined me on Max’s Island to speak about these times and his early introduction into the local ‘pro-wrestling” scene in WA. After a chance meeting with a group of guys of a…
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"I like to create space actually... where I can kind of feel into what it is that's next"
We all aim to set ourselves “Everest Events” … those personal quests that when completed, provide internal fulfilment and a sense of achievement. The impact we create for ourselves can be huge … or, it just may be the start of a series of smaller achievements that build momentum and meaning in…
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"I'd stopped being ME ... and I'd stopped being a human."
Paul Skewes admits that over his life he has regularly chosen the road less travelled and this has shaped him. From this, there have been experiences … some intuitively driven, some pragmatically driven and sometimes even driven by nothing other than a feeling for what is the right thing to do....
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"I personally believe that ... in order to go anywhere ... you need to have come from somewhere"
Tara is passionate about bringing the beauty and power of Australian Sign Language (Auslan) into early childhood education. This passion is obvious in her emotionally powerful description of the venture she has created with her partner. Called Tiny Hands Signs, it has a purpose to introduce sign...
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"I got on stage ... and basically was so fatigued that I was overcome ... and I couldn't speak"
Raff Di Bartolomeo has spent a career helping others and guiding them to find what’s important for them. Particularly, those with an interest in looking at how collaboration, connection and intentional action can address social need and elevate the voices of those most impacted. Ultimately, he…
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"5 values ... 5 stories ... endless meanings"
On Max’s Island, we’ve spent the holiday period reviewing our purpose and taking the time to really connect with our creative reason for being. It’s been exciting to re-discover that each story shared by guests to Max’s Island, can be aligned to one of the 5 values that guide our purpose. In the...
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"people don't care about how much you know ... until they know how much you care"
John Meacock has had an extensive business life in consulting and professional services. This has taken him to the boardrooms of many companies and organisations around the world and allowed him to interact with senior C-Suite executives and influential world leaders. Whilst John is well skilled,...
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"One, I was running out of money ... two, I had no back up plan"
Jamie Larson has always been one to travel afar from his native New Zealand, challenge himself and find new ways to connect with people. At one significant moment, with only a ‘basic’ high school level of Spanish, he made a decision to relocate from England and go to Argentina. With little...
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"There's not much that a good carrot cake and a pot of tea can't solve"
Shannon Ziegelaar has had some grass roots experiences in the various levels of local and federal politics. This included supporting a close friend in the City of Perth Lord Mayoral elections and then being a volunteer for Kate Chaney as she entered federal parliament at the last federal election...
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"You know, realistically mate ... you've got to forgive the guys that cheated you"
Davy Rowe was back at square one … his business was gone! So what next … especially when the advice from his brother was … "You know, realistically mate ... you've got to forgive the guys that cheated you" Was he really ready for that? The first step toward accepting any change, occurred when he...
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"Drive the van off the road Davy … and the pain will stop"
"Drive the van off the road Davy … and the pain will stop" These words came from a voice in the mind of Davy Rowe one morning, as he was travelling down the freeway in Perth. It took him many years to share this experience with anyone … but it formed a catalytic moment for drive and purpose in…
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"I went to the 'boulangerie' ... and I got into arguments with the bus drivers"
The inspired decision at a young age to study French in school, has lead Rachael West on a path of living and working in France on multiple occasions. These visits were experiences that have shaped her thinking, allowed her to take study opportunities that have fuelled her passions and ultimately...
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"It allowed me to look back on what we'd done ... which I thought was crap."
Frank Scatchard has led an interesting and varied life. During his visit to The Island, Frank shared with us some really interesting details from his original career as an industrial “kiln operator”. Yep, it’s not every day you meet someone that has operated an industrial kiln at dangerous temp’s...
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"he was like ... not Autism, and I said no, no, no ... just ADHD and he said ... Oh, that's a shame"
As a developing child, Larissa Muir’s son was being excluded from aspects of the community and faced challenges in his initial years of education. Through clinical support and a medical process of discovery, he was initially diagnosed with ADHD, and eventually this led to a recognition of autism....
About this show
We’re told to always be in the present moment … we’re told to set goals and achieve them … we’re told that life’s short and to live every moment as if it where our last. Arrrgh, what does all this mean?? As one great lyricist wrote … “No-ones an island and sometimes it’s good to pretend” When was a time in your life you let yourself be ‘you’ and gave yourself the time to pretend? “Max’s Island” the podcast, exists so you can tell others WHY!
Hosted by
Meet Max Power