Kids Love Balloons

OK so I couldn't resist using a TISM reference in my intro, despite the language being filthy, and now I'm caught somewhere in between "that's a great dad joke" or "why did you swear like that you buffoon". TISM was one of Australia's most iconic and entertaining bands and when a song title such as "I might be a ..." exists, the opportunity to use it contextually was too rare to resist.Nevertheless. Former member Damian Cowell popped around to my place and we had a great yarn for a couple of hours. He's now focused on Damian Cowell's Disco Machine - a new album to be released February 20 and subsequent shows which seem basically unmissable. Just by reading the band name you can sense the sheer fun this project exudes. It's about "giving in to the simple joys of my own twisted version of fun dance music". The album is titled Get Yer Dag On. The gist is: What a shit world we're living in - let's boogie!So we discuss the musical influences of the project, the pleasures of choreography, how his career developed o

As I say in my intro to this podcast - Michael Pope HAS entertained you, even if you aren't aware of it. If not as a host or actor in his own right from the 1980s to now, it's likely as a producer of The Price is Right or rallying up the crowd on Millionaire Hot Seat. You'll hear about his life in the Australian entertainment industry but also a few specifics of Millionaire, as that's where we got in contact in 2016. I was a contestant!In essence, his job has been to help us smile for decades. Michael is deservedly proud of this and is endeavouring to create further new ways to do so. If you're an aspiring host or MC, there are great tips here on learning your audience, overcoming nerves and even some advice for parents to be - like myself.If it's your job to make people happy, what makes you happy?Listen in to our conversation.​Michael also adds three songs to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy. I'm absolutely staggered it took over 30 episodes to get where we finally arrive today.

What an honour to have some time to sit down and chat one on one with Santa Claus!Who better is qualified to discuss enthusiastic joy, the happiness of kids, taking time to smile and feel positive?I don't need to write much here. You know who Santa Claus is. Listen to the chat, get a few answers to some of your questions and be a little inspired by the magic shared through the community at this time of year.Importantly: Which songs will Santa add to the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy?!I'd love to know which songs make you happy at this time of year. Please comment below or @TheSongNerd on Twitter, Facebook, etc.https://play.spotify.com/user/thesongnerd/playlist/1PjMUX8R9cwbvl62O0HFpT Merry Christmas!!!​If you happen to feel any sort of Christmas joy, pause on it, bottle that feeling somehow and call upon it whenever you need it during the rest of the year.

Catching up with a friend you haven't seen in 13 years. That makes me happy.What originally made me happy was stumbling across a band I liked, then realising I used to know the singer. Then determining she'd be the perfect guest for the podcast and it would be a great excuse to catch up!Sibylla Stephen has achieved so much since we last knew each other and it was a delight to discuss it and muse over what she's learned. You'll find out more about the two bands she runs with her sister Beth in this chat. One of those bands is targeted at kids (and their parents) - the songs are useful and entertaining as anything!As a mother herself, Byll shares what she loves and also doesn't love about raising children; really refreshingly. She's identified her skills and also at peace with her weaknesses. She's certainly not the first guest to admit that wine makes her happy! We discuss the pros and cons of self-doubt, how music affects your emotions, and this particular nugget which I really love: "life's little secret: no

4 days following the US election, I have a chat with an American who works for their Government!"It's an odd country in many ways, and there's people that take great offence at certain things, yet those same people don't take offence at other things so go figure!"Politics will not be the main focus of the chat... do you know anyone who thinks politics really makes them ultimately HAPPY? :-)Joan's trip to Australia this week left her with a lasting, inspirational memory before she even left the aeroplane at Tullamarine. She sheds tears just thinking about it - utterly joyful!Her radio career kicked off in the 70s - twenty of those years working with Voice of America - and has some amazing stories of artists she's interviewed, scandals she's reported, audiences she's helped. Over that career, she's used many different 'radio names' or aliases. Joan / Casey / Catherine / JJ et al shares the stories of many of those throughout this chat. Much like David Bowie, Joan says "you make up a character, it's not you. Tha

"A girlfriend once dumped me because she didn't like how enthusiastic I was about..."I love this quote from Gideon. This level of enthusiasm, as long as it's not criminal behaviour of course, should be celebrated! Sharing your enthusiasm and is the reason for this podcast and Gideon Haigh is as passionate as they come. Once the footy season ends, the Australian sporting focus turns pretty sharply straight on to cricket! I love this time of year. The smell of fresh cut grass, the extra daylight hours, and people everywhere wearing all white clothes that will, by days end, be covered in red, green, brown and who knows what other coloured stains. No man articulates everything cricket means than Gideon Haigh. A master of the English language - what blokes drinking at the bar may only exclaim as "GOT HIM! YES!", Gideon is able to contextualise and describe that moment's significance in far greater detail with supreme use of words. His latest book, Stroke of Genius, investigates the myth behind Australian cricketer

Following October 1, the day when my favourite footy team, Western Bulldogs, won their first grand final in 62 years... (I struggle to believe that's even true as I type it...)There was just SO MUCH happiness created. I don't even mean just for myself or my family. Millions of Australians were caught up in it. It was a true fairytale. If I was to publish a new podcast episode asking "What makes you happy?", I knew I had to find someone associated with the Bulldogs and discover what it means to them.So here we have Tony Liberatore - Dogs legend and amongst many other things, 1990 VFL Brownlow Medallist. He still finds happiness in footy. His son Tom is one of the premiership players, yes, but he also played footy for two clubs this year. In one, winning the premiership himself! In the other, winning the Association best & fairest. Tony is 50 years old. Just incredible.Thanks very much to Tony, his family and the Aberfeldie Football Club who helped organise our catch up.Tony's added three classics to the Ev

I ventured from Melbourne to Sydney to follow my favourite sporting team, the Western Bulldogs, play a preliminary final on 24th September. While there, why not catch up with an old mate of mine, shoot the breeze and record it?So at the time of recording, the football matches hadn't happened yet. Listening to this, you hear me unaware that the Bulldogs would not only go on to win that match in Sydney, but the Grand Final the following week, becoming the AFL Premiers for the first time in 62 years. That relates to my happiness though (I'm pretty bloody happy right now) - here are a few details about my guest.Brooklyn Ross is the newsreader for The Kyle & Jackie O Show on KIIS 106.5 in Sydney. We met while he was on work experience at Power FM Bega more than 10 years ago and it's a delight to see his career grow so successfully. He also runs what's fast becoming an empire of online radio stations. What started as a hobby has become a serious business and his boldness and bravery are paying great dividends. 

Getting more analytical in this episode, chatting with a woman who dedicates each day to understanding happiness and the effects it has on each of us. Professor Lea Waters has spent over 20 years working at Melbourne University, in recent years focusing on Positive Psychology - instrumental in establishing the Centre for Positive Psychology. So what has she learned and what is she working on that can be shared with us on Kids Love Balloons?Listen in and discover the personal struggles that Lea has battled and continues to battle. It's not all skittles and rainbows but I really hope it can help you smile today!"I don't even think I'm a very courageous person to be honest but I just drew on my courage. And all the times I got knocked back...all of those struggles along the way, they definitely knocked me down but I just got back up again and said 'OK well this just has to happen and so I just have to be brave'". This is a quote that we can all identify with and hopefully all channel when the time is right in ou

With each passing year it seems Australia's connection with the Eurovision Song Contest grows and grows. Mine too. Yesterday I met and had a lovely chat with a former finalist in the contest and couldn't be happier.Danica Radojicic, better known as Nina, represented Serbia in 2011 with the ultra-joyous song Čaroban (which translates to Magical). Amongst my friends, that's one of our all-time favourite Eurovision songs! Add to this story that Nina moved from Belgrade to Melbourne with her partner, where they are completing their own PhDs. That's an epic adventure in itself. Moving is tough, especially internationally, and she's juggling her life's passions including her music, studies and distance from her family back home in Serbia.Nina's courage, work-ethic and positive attitude are totally inspiring! As she sets out to achieve her many dreams, I wish her all the very best.Check out the Ever-growing Playlist of Joy which now contains another three happiness-delivering songs!(Two episodes in a row feature Eur

If my memory is on point, Jason-Scott Watkins and I first connected while live-tweeting some Eurovision action. That makes me happy. The Eurovision Song Contest, the live-tweeting, and thinking about the kindred spirits I've met online who have as much fun with it as I do.Jason's food blog Don't Boil the Sauce has been running for many years, featuring all sorts of creative dishes from around the world. At times he's even combined his cooking with the Eurovision theme, hosting competitions and votes to see which comes out on top! It's fun and educational! We discuss more about that in the podcast. Other nuggets of wisdom we discover:"If it doesn’t hurt anyone, do it until someone says stop.""I think we get in our own way of happiness... so just get out of the way and let it happen""You can be an arsehole to me, but you know what? I’m gonna fight you with the power of dance"And he lays the smack down to our previous guests, naming Julia Zemiro in particular. This could mean war.Check out the Ever-growing Playl

I apologise within 90 seconds of this episode and by the conclusion, I receive a heated "f*** you!" (my first and hopefully not last in this podcast series).This in no way fairly demonstrates what a lovely, honest, meaningful discussion I had with Melbourne radio personality and dead set legend, Jo Stanley.From the time I ask "what makes you happy?" and she answers "not thinking about what makes me happy", I know we're on a winner. It's thinking that causes much of the anxiety we face day to day, and learning how to react to our own thoughts is one of the keys to leading a, if not necessarily happy, peacefullife. We get down to the very nature of why I started this podcast in relation to her seven year old daughter, Willow, and how free children are from the judgement, criticism and second-guessing that grows as we "mature" in to adults. This chat with Jo is ultimately heartfelt and true. She says to me "When I speak like that, I wonder whether I sound like a crazy person...did it make sense?" It's totally he

I will not tire of listening to this episode.On June 19th this year, my wife and I made our way to Federation Square to see some live music from acts we love - Felix Riebl and The Smith Street Band. Earlier, Tripod and Waleed Aly's Robot Child had performed. It was an event to launch Refugee Week and the MC was Osamah Sami.After hearing him speak for just a few minutes on stage, I knew I would invite him to the podcast. Not only for his wit and humour, but his unique story which has seen much suffering but also fantastic success. A refugee who moves to Australia as a teenager knowing no English couldn't possibly win literary & acting awards twenty years later?? What amazing things to do in your third language! If you put your heart & soul in to anything, the goal is possible. He knows the English language better than those who've used it their entire lives. Listening to this you'll hear remarkable poetry, a few whole-hearted f bombs, real laughter, stories of war, families divided and reunited, sporti

I can’t think of a man with a more positive reputation than Peter Hitchener. Delivering the nightly news to Melbourne since 1998, and as understudy for a further 20 years prior, he has been welcomed in to family homes as a regular face and trusted friend across multiple generations.Pete’s reputation is not just for delivering reliable news. It’s based on his character. Affable, joyous, friendly, honest, GENUINE. Through the TV, he just seems like a person you’d love to have a cuppa with. Everyone I’ve spoken with who has met him has backed this up.I can guarantee that in person, this is true even more-so. We had a great afternoon at 9’s new Melbourne studios and it was fantastic to get to know the man I’ve been familiar with for decades, first via the screen in my parents’ living room.You’ll tell from this chat that he is really genuinely positive. No matter what Rob Gell, Livinia Nixon or any other weather presenter forecasts that night, I get the feeling Pete will always see the outlook as sunny! His passio

They say one idea could change the world. Georgie and her friends at Shambush! followed through on one that has been picked up and developed by thousands of people in countries all over the globe. Red dresses, wigs, flowers in hair and references to 19th century literature.In 2013, “The Ultimate Kate Bush Experience” was born where hundreds of people in England dressed up like Kate Bush to communally re-enact her dance moves in the Wuthering Heights music video.As you’ll learn in this chat, this idea has been picked up by folk in cities worldwide and July 16, 2016 will be known as The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever. I encourage you to attend your local! I’ll be at the Melbourne event https://www.facebook.com/events/943071012437369/ in full gear.It’s as insane as it sounds, but overwhelmingly joyful. In this podcast, hopefully you’re as inspired as I am by Georgie’s passion, creativity, open mind and love of dancing. Is a person ever unhappy when they dance? Try some today! Doctor’s orders.Witnessing an idea

The courageous, generous and wonderful Leila Gurruwiwi certainly seems to be using her talents to be the best person she could possibly be.NITV’s Marngrook Footy Show has inspired thousands of Australians since its inception over 250 episodes ago, both indigenous and non-indigenous. She’s now mentoring young girls through the Wirrpanda Foundation, acted last year in the Logie winning The Secret River and isn’t stopping there! Leila is understanding that hers is a powerful voice that can be a shining example to generations of Australians.Another guest who opened up on her many setbacks and challenges she has bravely overcome, Leila’s positive spirit ensures she and many others learn from these with optimism and pride.“Lots of doors and lots of opportunities open for people and sometimes you need to step through that door. Fear is normal, everyone fears something and everyone fears change in some way, shape or form. Taking that step in to that unknown and all of a sudden you’ve got more opportunities that come

Some of the first music I ever loved in my life was that of Peter Combe. My parents purchased Toffee Apple on vinyl before I was in school. I still love many songs on that record today. In the last three days I’ve both seen Peter live in concert and now spoken with him, face to face, on the virtues of happiness.It’s a brief chat, but it’s insightful. Peter’s most well known songs are targeted towards children. Over time these children grow up, and I was one of many who was able to have a couple of beers whilst dancing and singing away with songs such as Spaghetti Bolognese and Newspaper Mama.I was fascinated to hear his thoughts on happiness and how that of kids differs to that of adults. We talk songwriting, war and a whole lot more. Join us!Recorded in the foyer of the bustling Hawthorn Town Hall, I hope you perceive the cafe background ambience as pleasant! I noticed that for the second time in three episodes I’ve mentioned Andrew Bolt…….I can’t promise that it won’t happen again but it has been noted!!!Th

This is John Deeks speaking. With me. About what makes him happy!You've heard his voice, mostly through your TV, for nearly 40 years. Involved with countless game shows notably Wheel of Fortune to on camera roles hosting Tattslotto or Family Feud, voicing hundreds of commercials and often the program classifications prior to your favourite shows. He's everywhere. With 65 years of wisdom to draw from, John's learnt how to avoid what makes him unhappy, and we discuss that in detail here. John details the moment he was ready to quit his job before bouncing back up even higher. He's battled dyslexia, depression and a cancer scare, continuing to maintain an incredibly successful career. Hopefully there's some inspiration in here for you to keep fighting and working through your problems, whatever they may be.This episode bounces around a bit with structure, but who says rules can't be broken?Podcast? We've done it again! 

My latest guest is Frenzal Rhomb shredder, former Triple J radio broadcaster and self-confessed alcoholic vegan: Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall!After famously “f***ing off” from his radio gig at the end of 2014, what makes this guy happy now? Playing music is still one of them, but the pressure of full time work is no longer a stress! We discuss much, including a few of the great people he spends time with that fill his life with joy. He’s passionate about good food and red wine (I mean, who isn’t? But do you marinate tofu??) There are some great anecdotes from the Frenzal days, too.We muse over how important it is to remember that everyone has different life experiences, everyone has different points of view, and basically at the end of the day it’s important to treat everyone with respect, regardless of whether or not you agree with their ideology. One example of this is a speech he once gave titled:“Really nice meat eaters VS arsehole vegetarians: understanding the former to avoid becoming the latter”.He d

Faustina Agolley’s Twitter bio describes her as Magnet of Awesome. I love that so much! It must work, at least on some level, exhibit A being that Oprah Winfrey chose her to DJ prior to her “An Evening With Oprah” tour shows. She is positive, creative, confident and comfortable being herself; all traits you know Oprah would certainly be attracted by!My first memories of “Fuzzy” are of watching her host Video Hits. You may have also seen her on Cybershack, Channel [V], The Voice and so much more… She now splits her time between Australia, Los Angeles and London, basically living the dream!This joyful and meaningful chat covers a range of topics from underwater sea creatures and a blue guitar named Bruce, to the power of meditation and the challenges of sexuality. It’s been just over a year since Faustina came out as a gay woman and her reflections on this are wonderful. In conclusion, we attempt to answer the age-old question, “Can you have your cake and eat it, too?” and I’m still unsure if we solved it!My fa