Curveball Season 3 Is Here Revealing High Profile Australians Lessons From Life
Deadset Studios and ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia announced the eagerly anticipated return of the podcast series Curveball, where high-profile Australians reveal how they confront their toughest moments in life and share stories of grit, determination and the triumph of the human spirit.
Host and executive producer Kellie Riordan (pictured) is the former head of podcasts at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and creative force behind award-winning podcasts Conversations, Ladies We Need to Talk, Unravel, The Pineapple Project, and Fierce Girls.
Her production house Deadset Studios developed and produced Hooked, Hitched, and Hung Up with Britt Hockley and Laura Byrne (for iHeartPodcast Network Australia) and has produced podcast series for the University of Queensland, the Judith Neilson Institute, and PinnaFM.
Each episode of Curveball features a candid, in-depth interview with an influential person who takes you through a challenging time, one where they’ve struggled at a crossroads, or come entirely and unexpectedly unstuck. They offer rare, unfiltered and inspiring insights into tackling life’s tricky and traumatic moments, making difficult choices, and showing courage in the face of fear.
Series three kicks off with SAS Australia star, Olympian, doctor and mother-of-six Jana Pittman, who opens up about the moment she chose a surgical room over athletics training, how changing careers impacted her identity and finding balance as a lifelong overachiever.
Pittman said: “I pushed too hard, but it wasn’t my nature to turn that switch down. And this year having twins … I finally had to sit back and go, ‘Right, what can I take away? I’ve got to live a more measured existence or my children are going to miss out.’”
Celebrity fitness trainer Michelle Bridges reflects on the self-belief that helped her turn a teenage passion into a multi-million-dollar empire. She also discusses her evolving leadership style, and how she grappled with a very public relationship breakdown. “I learned a lot about how beautiful vulnerability can be,” she said. “It’s true what they say, when trauma hits or tragedy strikes you soon work out who’s got your back.”
You’ll meet Kath Koschel, who’s at the heart of an extraordinary story. She taught herself to walk again – more than once – and experienced some devastating personal losses, yet the founder of The Kindness Factory still considers herself to be the luckiest person alive. “I say that because I’m not my family or my closest friends. I think a much harder thing to do would be to support someone to go through the things I have. For that, I just think they’re the toughest and strongest and most incredible people I’ll ever know.”
FinTech entrepreneur Dom Pyne, the co-founder of digital bank Up, shares never-before discussed lessons from an international deal that almost took him to the brink of collapse. He gives you a glimpse into an ‘overnight success’ that was 20 years in the making. He said: “We always thought it was going to work, but we also knew it could fail. Having permission to fail, and having failed before, gives you sort of a good foundation for success.”
You’ll also hear how leadership expert and author Kirstin Ferguson honed her skills in the cutthroat military culture of the 1990s. She said: “We were definitely outnumbered by men but everything around surviving at ADFA had a real masculine sort of sense to it. That need to fit in became sort of core to my ability to succeed there.”
Former Sydney Swans player Brandon Jack reveals where relations are at with his estranged family, following his decision to walk away from an elite sporting career in AFL.
And in a unique twist, podcast superstar Richard Fidler, host of the ABC’s Conversations (the very first podcast Kellie Riordan produced) will have the tables turned as Kellie puts him under the spotlight to discuss his career behind the microphone.
Said Riordan: “Curveball leans into life’s messy moments. We rip back the curtain to show you what it’s really like for some of Australia’s most inspiring leaders and entrepreneurs… The people at the top are in their most vulnerable moments. They reveal how to thrive in challenging times.”
Curveball is available now available on the free iHeart app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the Curveball newsletter on LinkedIn.
Latest News
Enjoy A Hahn Solo… And May The Fourth Be With You
This May the fourth Hahn will celebrate alongside Star Wars fans rewarding their passion via a giant Hahn travelling solo through the sky. It’s the one day of the year when all sci-fi fans rejoice and giggle to themselves and Hahn in partnership with Thinkerbell, UM and Affinity is celebrating with an out of this […]
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.