Max's Island
Self-Improvement
About
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
- "If the business and I don't do something dramatically different, then we're pretty much screwed."
Former survival instructor Mike House explains how he adapted his leadership consulting business during the COVID-19 lockdowns by applying survival training principles. He pivoted to offering pro-bono support, which led to long-term commer…
- "I know that there is a person inside me ... that I hadn't met yet"
Nadia Lopez describes her 14-day solo trip to Japan after a breakup, highlighting how embracing discomfort, like getting lost and facing challenges, led to personal growth and a realization of self-reliance. She encourages embracing chaos…
- "I want to reach that kid ... I want to know how to support them ... and engage them"
Claire McGlew shares her journey from training as an opera singer to becoming a music therapist. She discusses overcoming discrimination to pursue her career and her current research on the benefits of music therapy for FIFO families.
- Ali Horriyat Ep 2 - Redux ... "Philanthropy should be brought to your heart, not just your wallet"
Ali Horriyat discusses the decentralized organizational structure of Compassiviste and his philosophy on collective versus individual mindsets. He critiques modern top-down philanthropy, advocating for engaged, grassroots-focused support a…
- Ali Horriyat Ep 1 - Redux ... "He gave it all away … over $100 million dollars worth."
This episode revisits the story of Ali Horriyat, who in 2016 gave away almost $100 million. The decision stemmed from a belief in shifting social impact and connecting with people beyond wealth. The discussion uses his actions as a counter…
- "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…
- "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…
- "its my quest for 2026"
Welcome to Max’s Island, 2026. This year I have a quest. Just like all my guests on Max’s Island, I aim to be more relaxed and open with my lead-ins to each episode. I want to feel like I’m talking directly to you and not at you. So, I’m g…
- "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…
- "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 event…
- "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…
- "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…
- "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 v…
- "I think you've notice by now ... risk and uncertainty does not phase us as a family"
In 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 highl…
- "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…
- "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…
- "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…
- "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 unti…
- "The mechanic refused to service my bike ... because my Japanese wasn't very good"
When Dylan Lamb last visited the Island, he described an experience he encountered in Queensland Aust, as a “spiritual emergency”. It was mentally challenging and probably influenced by something sinister … or it may have been influenced b…
- "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…
- "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. Ho…
- "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 subur…
- "I came home one day, when I was 15 ... and Robert de Castella was sitting on the couch."
This is part 2 of Brad Cecin’s visit to the island. 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…
- "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 communit…
- "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 W…
- "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…
- "I'd stopped being ME ... and I'd stopped being a human."
The final lines in the early 20th century poem, by Robert Frost … The Road Not Taken … says:- Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. Paul Skewes admits that over…
- "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. Ca…
- "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 el…
- "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 alig…
- "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 a…
- "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 rel…
- "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 s…
- "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…
- "Drive the van off the road Davy … and the pain will stop"
Part 1 :- 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 purp…
- "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 o…
- "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 someon…
- "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…
- "People were so judgy ... that I was a single woman, on my own, on the road"
When faced with the emotional pressure of a long term relationship break-up it would seem natural to find the security of a safe space, in the company of loved ones and looking for stability in your life. But for Alexis Naylor, when this h…
- "I was very proud of my spreadsheets ... that were essential to bootstrapping ..."
After only 3 and half years knowing each other, Seb and Rhys chose to leave the professional comfort of Not for Profit organisations working in the disability sector, to create a business for themselves. They had a vision to create an enti…
- "I was on a walk ... and I found myself running back home so I could sign up"
Yvette Thomas and her husband had well established, long term careers. But they were forced to make a considered decision, during the worldwide pandemic, to seek a new life … and future. This involved a move to regional Western Australia t…
- "Our programs are designed in that way ... to bring philanthropy to your heart"
Ali Horriyat established Compassiviste to unite individuals into collectives that can make real change to the world. Following a self described “ mindset experience “ with a homeless person who shared food with him when he was “on the stre…
- "It's not a matter that philanthropy starts with a billionaire ... it starts with a mindset"
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…
- "I often tell people, when your mum stops listening that's when you're in trouble"
Ryan Honschooten has been on Max’s Island before … when he has shared stories about his world renowned blind sailing expertise and his “later in life” interest in playing blind cricket that has also seen him travel the world with his ‘bagg…
- "Southerners forever more"
In Western Australia where Max’s Island is recorded, we are in the midst of another exciting Aussie Rules football season. At the highest level of AFL, the local scene has featured the strong “on-field” improvement of the Fremantle Dockers…
- "It was physically the most difficult thing I've ever done ... it was dangerous ..."
Following a casual comment at work a few years ago, Dott Dacey and Odette Jordan discovered they both had a hidden desire to not only walk the Kokoda Trail but also absorb the spiritual experiences of those who had gone before them … espec…
- and he said ... "the girl wants to create"
In her later teen years, Jayne Bryant was given a positive affirmation that she was good at singing and performing. It came from a comment made by her brother, to her dad, whilst they were on a family summer holiday. From that moment she h…
- "Don't worry, he's her favourite dog ... and she doesn't think you're good enough"
Being a lover of pets, and dogs in particular, is something familiar to many of us on Max’s Island. However, few of us go so far as to dedicate a big part of our lives to making sure ALL dogs have the best possible life. Karen Rhodes was i…
- "He's the only boy in the world with Duchenne and PHPV ... there is no other person in the world ...got both conditions"
Barry Mone is just like any dad … he’ll do anything for his children. Since late 2017, when his son Charlie had just turned 8, Barry and his family have been on a crusade. Around this time, through a series of circumstances and even observ…
- "It was the 9/9/99 ... as Dame Edna would say ... a very spooky date, darling"
Charlie Gunningham was a little uncertain about the long term future of his teaching career in the late 1990’s. But, like many changes in life, there was a sequence of events … some unplanned and generally not expected, that eventually cat…