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Really Good Conversations: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Amy Faulkner
In our hyperconnected world, it feels like we are becoming more disconnected than ever, so we are on a mission to bring people together through conversation.Welcome to 'The Really Good Conversations Podcast', where we delve into the minds of the wonderful people and businesses we have met in the processes of launching our card game. We will be uncovering their secrets, learning about their biggest mistakes, and sharing the key lessons they have taken from it all.So, if you're looking for an engaging chinwag mixed with business insights and a good pinch of fun, you're in the right place.Let's have a really good conversation...
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- 1 weeks ago38 min
Gut Health, Food Myths & Why Inflammation Isn't Just About What You Eat with Lee Holmes
Summary How much of our health starts with what's happening in the gut? In this episode, Amy speaks with Lee Holmes, clinical nutritionist, bestselling author and founder of Supercharged Food and Supercharge Your Gut. Lee shares her own health journey, from autoimmune symptoms and fibromyalgia to discovering the role food, gut health and lifestyle can play in healing. They discuss the connection between trauma, chronic stress, the nervous system and inflammation, as well as the food marketing myths we're sold, what to watch out for in supermarkets, and why healing isn't always about having the perfect diet. Guest Lee Holmes is a clinical nutritionist, yoga and meditation teacher, wholefoods chef, bestselling author and founder of Supercharged Food and Supercharge Your Gut. After experiencing autoimmune symptoms and fibromyalgia, Lee began exploring food as medicine and went on to build a global wellness platform, product range and collection of health-focused books. Her latest book, Eat to Heal, explores the connection between trauma, the nervous system, inflammation and chronic illness. Overview Lee Holmes joins Amy to discuss her latest book, Eat to Heal, and the bigger conversation behind it: how food, stress, gut health and the nervous system all connect. Lee shares why symptoms such as bloating, tiredness, inflammation and brain fog shouldn't always be dismissed as "normal", and why the body often gives us clues long before we listen. The conversation also dives into misleading supermarket labels, the low-fat myth, ultra-processed "health" foods, children's food marketing, and why Lee would remove protein bars from the health food aisle. Lee also reflects on building Supercharged Food across Australia, the UK and the US, and shares the wisdom she wishes she had known sooner. Key outtakes Why gut symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and tiredness after eating can be signs your body is trying to communicate with you How chronic stress, trauma and nervous system dysregulation may contribute to inflammation and long-term health issues Why "low fat", "natural", "heart healthy" and "high protein" labels can sometimes be misleading The supermarket section Lee would cull first Why healing isn't about perfection, and why food fear and self-criticism can become part of the problem Find out more: Lee Holmes Supercharged Food https://www.superchargedfood.com/ Eat to Heal - https://superchargedfood.myshopify.com/collections/books/products/eat-to-heal-book-by-lee-holmes Supercharge Your Gut - https://www.superchargeyourgut.com/ Transcript Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today I am joined by Lee Holmes, a clinical nutritionist, bestselling author and founder of Supercharged Food and Supercharge Your Gut. After her own experience with autoimmune symptoms and fibromyalgia, Lee built a career around helping people use food, gut health and lifestyle tools to support healing. Her latest book, her 12th, Eat to Heal, explores the connection between trauma, the nervous system and inflammation. It asks whether chronic illness needs to be understood not just through the body, but through our stress responses, our microbiome and our lived experiences. In this conversation, we'll go beyond the book and speak to Lee about the wellness myths we're sold, the supermarket habits that are keeping us stuck and what she wishes more people understood about healing. Welcome to the podcast, Lee. Lee Thank you so much for having me. It's great to be here. Amy Thank you so much for your time. I've already been diving into the
- 4 weeks ago38 min
Live by your standards, not your excuses with Matt Formston
Summary What does it really take to stop making excuses and become someone you can trust? This conversation isn't just about blindness, sport or breaking records. Matt Formston AM joins Amy to explore identity, trust, accountability and what it really takes to stop making excuses and become someone you can trust. Guest Matt Formston AM is a world champion surfer, world champion cyclist, Paralympian, Guinness World Record holder, business leader, keynote speaker, husband and father of three. Overview Matt Formston AM has built an extraordinary life across elite sport, business and leadership. Diagnosed with macular dystrophy at the age of five, Matt was told he would lose most of his sight and face a life of limitation. Instead, he went on to become a world champion athlete, business leader and author. In this conversation, Amy and Matt explore why blindness was never his biggest fight, how bullying and anger shaped his early years, and what it took to rebuild himself through trust, accountability and what Matt calls his hard standards. They discuss the difference between genuine limitations and inherited excuses, why "standards without consequences are just wishes", and how self-trust is built one small promise at a time. Key outtakes Why blindness can be deeply isolating, and what people often misunderstand about it The difference between genuine limitations and inherited excuses How Matt's parents helped shape his "Why Not?" mindset Why standards, consistency and time are essential to building trust How one small non-negotiable helped Matt rebuild self-trust For more information: Matt Formston https://www.mattformston.com/ Pre-order the book 'Why not?' https://www.mattformston.com/books/why-not-pre-sale Transcript Amy: Welcome to the Really Good Conversations Podcast. Today I am joined by Matt Formston. Matt is a world champion surfer, world champion cyclist, Paralympian, Guinness World Record holder, business leader, keynote speaker, husband and father of three. At the age of five, Matt was diagnosed with macular dystrophy and told he would lose most of his sight. He now has less than three per cent peripheral vision and no central vision, but has gone on to build an extraordinary life across elite sport, business and leadership. His story is featured in the Netflix documentary The Blind Sea, and his new book Why Not? explores what he calls his eight Hard Standards: the principles that helped him rebuild his life from the inside out. This conversation isn't just about blindness, sport or breaking records. It's about identity, trust, accountability and what it really takes to stop making excuses and become someone you can trust. Welcome to the podcast, Matt. Matt: Thank you, Amy. That was a bit of a mouthful, so I appreciate you getting through all that. Amy: There is certainly a lot to include in your bio, across life, work and sport, so thank you for joining me. People hear about your achievements, the Guinness World Record and the Netflix documentary, but in your book Why Not? you have the opening line: "Blindness was never my biggest fight." So we'll start there. What was? Matt: People often assume that because I'm blind, that is my biggest challenge in life. And there can be an excuse for that. But actually, I went through school and got bullied a lot. Kids would say, "How many fingers am I holding up?" I was one of the first kids in Australia to have a laptop, and I'd write stuff on my laptop, walk away, come back, and they'd highlight everything and delete all my work. It was endless bullying. It escalated to the point where, if I was running after someone, they'd run under a tree branch and duck, and I wouldn't see it, so I'd run straight into it. It was full on. Because of all that, I found that the way to resolve bullying was through physical altercation. If someone bullied me, I would end up fighting them. I learnt that if I hurt someone, they would not bully me again. So I had this learned behaviour that if you fight someone, you get an outcome. Talking never got an outcome. The teachers would say, "It's okay, Matt, they only just did this," because they didn't see the mountain of little things that built up to th
- Jun 16, 202611 min
What is one piece of wisdom you want to pass on to future generations?
What is one piece of wisdom you want to pass on to future generations? In this special compilation episode, Amy shares how a family loss helped inspire Really Good Conversations and why it is so important to ask meaningful questions while we still have the opportunity. Hear the varied responses from this year's podcast guests as they reflect on the lessons, values and advice they hope future generations will carry forward. It may leave you considering the wisdom you have received, the stories you still want to hear and the answer you would give yourself. Key takeaways: Why meaningful questions can unlock stories that may otherwise go untold The importance of learning from people across different generations Wisdom and life lessons from this year's podcast guests Why we should not wait to ask those closest to us about their experiences A question to consider and share with your own friends and family Guests include: Maz Farrelly Isiah McKimmie Jodie Whelan and Jodie de Vries Andrew Sloan Phillip di Bella Maku Fenaroli Kylee Dennis Dara Simkin Nova Eden Trancript: Amy Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today, I'm going to invite you to consider one question: What is one piece of wisdom you want to pass on to future generations? It is a question from our first edition pack of Really Good Conversations cards, and one I have been asking all of our podcast guests this year. It has been fascinating to hear the different answers people have shared, so in this special compilation episode, I'm bringing those responses together. This is a shorter episode, but it is centred around a question that has been on my mind quite a lot recently. I have seen a growing amount of content online, particularly on social media, where people stop strangers in the street and ask them questions such as what advice they would give to their younger selves, what they would do differently if they were in their twenties again, or whether they have any regrets. It is amazing to hear the responses from people of different ages, backgrounds and walks of life. Seeing these conversations has reminded me why we started Really Good Conversations in the first place. Many of you will already know our story, but for those who do not, the idea began after Alex's grandad passed away in 2019. He was in his nineties, from the north of England, lived in Leeds and had served during the war. After he passed away, we found ourselves talking about how, when older generations are no longer with us, we lose the opportunity to ask them questions, hear their stories and learn from their experiences. For Alex in particular, it raised the question of how much he had ever really asked his grandad. It made us realise how easily we can move through life without having these deeper conversations with our friends and families. At different stages of life, we naturally have different priorities. When you are a teenager, you often want to spend most of your time with your friends rather than your parents or grandparents. Then, perhaps, you go to university, move away, travel or begin meeting people from different parts of the world. We were fortunate enough to travel and meet people from all sorts of places. It was incredible to hear their stories and learn about their lives. But sometimes, while we are busy learning about new people, we do not always take the opportunity to hear the stories of those closest to us. My great-grandad started our family business in 1920, and I remember wondering what it must have been like to start a business at that time compared with today. Why did he start it? What was he hoping to achieve? I asked my dad, who has been involved in the business himself since he was ten years old, whether he had ever asked his grandad those questions. He said no. I think that is often the case. These conversations do not always arise naturally. Sometimes, we need to make a conscious effort to ask. That is why I wanted to share this episode now, in the middle of the year, and bring together the wisdom our guests have shared so far. It is clearly a topic that is resonating with a lot of people, and I would encourage you to ask this question of the older people in your own family. But I would also invite you to consider your own answer. What wisdom would you want to pass on?<
- Jun 2, 202634 min
Why Children Need An Analogue Childhood
Summary What's disappearing from childhood & why children need an analogue childhood in a digital world In this episode, Amy speaks with Nova Eden from One Collective Power and the Smartphone Free Childhood movement about how smartphones, social media, iPads, EdTech and AI are reshaping modern childhood. They explore what children may be losing to screens, from boredom and play to imagination, attention and real-world connection, and share practical ways families can build healthier digital habits at home. Guest Nova Eden is a leadership and systems change advocate, founder of One Collective Power, and a campaigner with the Smartphone Free Childhood movement. Her work focuses on children's wellbeing, digital habits, smartphone-free schools and parenting in the digital age. Nova works with parents, schools, organisations and policymakers to help create healthier relationships with technology, and has presented her work in Parliament as part of the growing conversation around children, smartphones, social media and digital wellbeing. Overview Smartphones, social media and digital devices are now woven into childhood, family life and education. But did we move too quickly? In this conversation, Amy and Nova Eden explore the impact of screens on children's wellbeing, development, attention and relationships. Nova shares the personal moment that led her into this work, why she believes children are living through a global digital experiment, and how parents, schools and policymakers can start to rethink the role technology plays in modern childhood. The conversation covers smartphone-free schools, EdTech, early years screen use, social media safety, dopamine, sleep, boredom, analogue childhood and the emerging risks of AI. It is a thoughtful and practical discussion for parents, educators and anyone interested in what children need to thrive in the digital age. Key Outtakes • Why children are living through a digital experiment • What screens are replacing in childhood • Why boredom, play and imagination still matter • Why "digital literacy" isn't the same as digital wellbeing • Simple ways families can build healthier screen habits • Why AI may change the conversation again More Information Collective Power https://onecollectivepower.co.uk/ Smartphone Free Childhood https://www.smartphonefreechildhood.org/ Transcript Amy Welcome to the Really Good Conversations podcast. Today, I am joined by Nova Eden, who has been at the centre of one of the biggest conversations facing parents right now: children, technology and modern childhood. Through her work with One Collective Power and the Smartphone Free Childhood movement, Nova has been working with parents, schools and policymakers to rethink how and when children engage with smartphones, social media and digital life. This isn't just about screen time. It's about what kind of childhood we're designing and what role we as adults, parents and educators need to play in that. Welcome to the podcast, Nova. Nova Thank you so much, Amy. It's lovely to be here this morning. Amy Even before we've hit record, we have already been talking about so many elements of this. It's been a busy year in the UK as well with this topic of conversation around social media, phones and bans. But what I first wanted to ask you was how you got into this space of digital awareness, digital wellness, education, and the use of devices for children and in education. Nova I've always worked with children, and my speciality has been children's mental health and wellbeing. A few years ago, my eldest son came to me and said, "Mum, everyone's getting a smartphone. I'm the only one without a phone." Of course, like every parent, I felt that pressure to conform to the social norm of giving my son a smartphone. I was worried about him being socially isolated during that crucial stage of his development. So I gave in to the peer pressure and realised very quickly I had made a mistake, because I saw him change. I saw that he didn't want to play anymore. All he wanted to do was look at his phone. Around the same time, I was having conversations with parents and friends, and everybody k
- May 18, 202636 min
Why Adults Forgot How to Play
Summary Amy speaks with Dara Simkin about why adults forget how to play and what we lose when life becomes too focused on productivity, achievement and keeping up. Dara explores play as a mindset, not just an activity, and shares why it can help us reconnect with curiosity, creativity, joy and each other. Guest Dara Simkin is the founder of Culture Hero and co-author of Full Stack Human. Her work explores play, creativity and human connection, helping people and teams build the human skills that technology cannot replace. Overview From achievement syndrome and success amnesia to the pressure to always be doing, this conversation looks at why play is not childish, but deeply human. Dara explains how small, low-stakes moments of play can help us feel more present, connected and alive in a world that often asks us to optimise everything. Key Outtakes: *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a015108-756c-83ec-bb9b-91fabc1ac4c0-5" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a015108-756c-83ec-bb9b-91fabc1ac4c0-5" data-testid= "conversation-turn-60" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Why play is a mindset, not just something children do How achievement can stop us enjoying the life we've built Why adults need permission to be less serious How play helps us reconnect with joy, curiosity and other people Simple ways to bring play back without adding more to the to-do list For more information: Dara Simkin - https://www.culturehero.co/ The book Full Stack Human - https://www.culturehero.co/full-stack-human-book <div class= "markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-wo
- May 5, 202626 min
"We touch our phones more than our loved ones": Dr Niraj Lal on Life Behind The Screens
Summary "We touch our phones more than our loved ones." It's a jarring statement from scientist and broadcaster Dr. Niraj Lal, but the data backs it up. In this episode, we go "Behind the Screens" to understand why our biology is no match for the modern algorithm. From the "junk food" of digital connection to the looming challenges of AI and deepfakes, we explore how to build guardrails that protect our attention, our children, and our human relationships. Guest Dr. Niraj Lal is a scientist, ABC presenter, and host of the Imagine This podcast, which has reached over 16 million listeners. With a background in solar cell physics and science communication, Niraj is dedicated to sparking critical thinking in the next generation. His new book, Behind the Screens, serves as a guide for young people (and adults) to navigate the ones and zeros of our digital world. Overview Why do we find it so hard to put our phones down, even when we know the content we're consuming isn't good for us? Dr. Niraj Lal joins Amy to pull back the curtain on the economic and biological structures that keep us hooked. We dive into the "Awareness Trap"; the idea that simply knowing how an algorithm works isn't enough to change our behavior because these platforms are designed to hijack our most basic social needs for validation and connection. Niraj explains the "frictionless" design of the internet and why we need to move beyond simple screen-time limits toward true digital agency. As global conversations ramp up around social media bans for children, Niraj offers a timely perspective on how to prepare the next generation. We discuss the rise of AI, the death of "seeing is believing," and why, in an increasingly automated world, the most valuable thing we can hold onto is the direct evidence of our human relationships. Key Outtakes The 2,000-Touch Reality: Why we touch our phones more than our loved ones and how to reset that balance The Awareness Trap: Why simply "knowing" how algorithms work isn't enough to stop the scroll Digital Junk Food: How to identify "low-nutrition" content that hijacks your social needs Beyond the Ban: Practical "guardrails" for kids that go deeper than just setting screen-time limits How to navigate a world of AI, deepfakes, and computer-generated truth The Ultimate Happiness Hack: Why scientific data proves human connection is still our greatest currency For more information: Dr. Niraj Lal website https://nirajlal.org/ The book 'Behind the Screens' https://www.uqp.com.au/books/behind-the-screens Transcript: "We Touch Our Phones More Than Our Loved Ones" Amy: Today I'm joined by Dr. Niraj Lal, scientist, ABC presenter, and host of the Imagine This podcast, which has gained over 16 million listens. His new book, Behind the Screens, helps young people understand how the digital world really works. It covers everything from algorithms and AI to social media, gaming, and online behavior. This conversation isn't just about kids and screens. It's about how all of us are learning to live, think, and connect in a world shaped by technology. Welcome to the podcast, Niraj. Dr. Niraj Lal: You can call me Nidge, Amy, if you'd like! But yeah, great to be with you. Thanks for having me. Amy: Fantastic. Now, I have your recent book here, Behind the Screens. It feels like such a topical
- Apr 21, 202636 min
Why Smart People Still Get Scammed
Summary Scams are no longer just about dodgy messages or obvious red flags. In this episode, Amy talks to scam investigator Kylee Dennis about the human side of online deception; how trust gets built, why loneliness can make people more vulnerable, and how AI is changing what feels believable online. From romance scams to voice cloning, this is a timely conversation about manipulation, digital safety and the conversations families need to be having now. Overview Kylee Dennis is the founder of Two Face Investigations and Scam Prevention Australia. With 14 years in law enforcement behind her, she was drawn into this work after her own mum became the victim of a romance scam. In this conversation, Kylee shares what that experience revealed, how scammers use persuasive language to build trust, why intelligent people still get caught out, and what all of us should be more aware of in a world shaped by loneliness, technology and AI. Guest Kylee Dennis is a scam investigator and digital safety specialist, and the founder of Two Face Investigations and Scam Prevention Australia. Her work focuses on exposing online deception, supporting victims, and helping people better understand how scams really work; from romance scams and sextortion through to emerging AI threats. Key Outtakes Scams are often less about technology and more about trust, timing and emotional vulnerability Persuasive language is one of the biggest tools scammers use to create connection quickly Loneliness and isolation can make people far more vulnerable than many realise AI is making scams more convincing, with voice cloning and deepfake video adding new risks One of Kylee's clearest messages For more inofrmation: Two Face Investigations www.twofaceinvestigations.au
- Apr 7, 202628 min
How Maku Fenaroli Quit Finance & Built an Art-led Fashion Brand
Summary Maku Fenaroli went from a career in finance to building Maku The Label — an art-led fashion brand from Melbourne that scaled fast and forced her to back herself sooner than expected. In this episode, we talk about the real tipping points, the behind-the-scenes challenges of rapid growth, and what it takes to turn creativity into a sustainable business. Guest Maku Fenaroli is the founder and creative force behind Maku The Label, an art-led fashion brand known for bold, wearable designs. With a background in teaching and finance, Maku now combines hand-made creativity with modern e-commerce to build a fast-growing label with a loyal community. Overview Maku Fenaroli, founder of Maku The Label, shares the leap from "safe job" to building a brand in public. Maku originally trained as a teacher, then fell into the world of superannuation when she moved to Melbourne; a role that felt comfortable, if not aligned. Creativity was always there in the background, but like many people, she didn't believe it could become her full-time life. Everything shifted when she finished breastfeeding her second child and found herself living in T-shirts - but unable to justify the designer price tags or support fast fashion. So she did what most people only think about: she made her own. Starting with a low-risk print-on-demand model, Maku tested designs in real time and quickly discovered what customers were truly craving. We unpack the point where the business became "real": the six-figure Boxing Day sale, the strain of juggling a full-time job alongside late-night production work, and the moment she knew she had enough data to step away from corporate life. Maku also shares the cost of rapid growth, from customer service pressure to product development setbacks, and why building something meaningful requires both resilience and humility. Visit Maku The Label https://makuthelabel.com/ Transcript Today, I'm joined by Maku Fenaroli, founder of Maku the Label, a bold art-led brand that's built serious traction in a short space of time. Maku started the business while working in finance, created a few t-shirts when she felt she had nothing to lose, and within four months, the momentum was strong enough for her to quit her job. Recently named in the top 50 people in e-commerce, she is building, navigating growth, marketing, self-doubt and the realities of backing yourself. Welcome to the podcast! Maku Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. Lovely intro. Amy It's a fascinating journey that you've been on and different worlds from your finance background to now fashion. And I thought it would be great to tap into that journey a bit more and for listeners to get a bit of an insight of how a change can happen in your life or direction. So firstly, take us back because before launching Maku, which is a fashion brand, you started in finance. So how did you end up in the financial world? Maku Yeah. So I had a job in a superannuation company and actually back in New Zealand, I was a teacher. So I'd moved to Melbourne thinking I would get another teaching job. I couldn't get the position that I wanted. So one of my friends worked in HR for the superannuation company. And I went in for an interview thinking this would just be like a short term thing. And then I was there for 13 years. Amy It's crazy where the years go. Maku Yeah. And I think I just remember thinking when I started, wow, this is so easy. Like, it's such an easy job from teaching, you just go in, do emails and all that stuff, have your lunch and then go home and you're not there still thinking about the children and the program that you're going to teach for the next day. So yeah, I ended up just staying because it was quite comfortable at the time, but it was obviously never my passion. Amy Have you always had a creative… Maku <
About Really Good Conversations
In our hyperconnected world, it feels like we are becoming more disconnected than ever, so we are on a mission to bring people together through conversation.Welcome to 'The Really Good Conversations Podcast', where we delve into the minds of the wonderful people and businesses we have met in the processes of launching our card game. We will be uncovering their secrets, learning about their biggest mistakes, and sharing the key lessons they have taken from it all.So, if you're looking for an engaging chinwag mixed with business insights and a good pinch of fun, you're in the right place.Let's have a really good conversation...
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