Best Chris McCluskey Podcasts (2025)

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Talking Aussie Books with Karen Brooks 45:13

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3d ago45:13

45:13

I may not have previously shared with my podcast listeners that I'm a huge whisky fan! I love learning about it and have travelled extensively to sample different whiskies. So when I learnt Tasmanian-based author Karen Brooks not only co-owns a brewery/distillery in Hobart where they make their own spirits - including whisky - but has written a boo…

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Coaching Or Counseling - What's the Difference? #444 36:29

9d ago36:29

36:29

What if the very skills that make you a great counselor, pastor, or people-helper aren’t the same ones needed to help someone grow? Many professionals feel a stirring toward coaching but aren’t sure how it differs from what they already do. The overlap with counseling can feel confusing, especially when your heart is wired to support others. In thi…

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Talking Aussie Books with Matt Rogers 44:31

13d ago44:31

44:31

Matt Rogers is a Melbourne-based million copy bestselling writer who’s written more than 36 thrillers. He wrote his first novel at the tender age of 16 and published his first at 18. This year, however, Matt makes his debut in the traditional publishing world with the first instalment of a new series featuring the absolute kick arse ex-contract kil…

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Talking Aussie Books with Laura McCluskey 45:42

24d ago45:42

45:42

Laura McCluskey is a debut author whose novel was described to me as ‘the hottest debut crime novel of 2025’. Since the book’s release back in February I have watched in awe at the manner in which this book has shot to success. It was the Book of the Month for QBD Books, Dymocks, Booktopia AND WHS Smith. It’s a spooky Scottish detective mystery cal…

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Using 360 Assessments in Leadership Coaching #443 32:15

1M ago32:15

32:15

As coaches, we know that awareness is the first step toward transformation. Yet for many leaders, the awareness they most need—the way others actually experience their leadership—remains hidden just beyond their view. That’s why today’s conversation with Bryan Brown is so essential. In this insightful and practical discussion, we’ll explore: Why fe…

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Talking Aussie Books with Fleur McDonald 45:06

1M ago45:06

45:06

Fleur McDonald is the author of 24 novels clocking up more than 850 000 book sales across a career that has spanned more than 16 years. She is a best-selling rural crime author and has built a loyal fanbase of readers with her incredible cast of characters and settings - the most popular and recognisable of course is Detective Dave Burrows. But in …

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Talking Aussie Books with Hilde Hinton 31:08

1M ago31:08

31:08

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of three novels, as well as a big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson. A one-time prison officer and second hand book seller, a mother and carer of people in need of temporary housing and support, Hilde’s stories are filled with the kinds of characters that reflect her larger than life experiences and her writin…

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Talking Aussie Books with Valerie Miller 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

Valerie Miller is a Brisbane-based writer who teaches high school by day and writes stories at night. In late 2024, Valerie decided to self-publish her debut novel 'There's Something About You Olivia Bennett'. A dual-time line historical novel which flips between Sydney of the 1960s and late 1980s. This is a book that Valerie has coloured with her …

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Talking Aussie Books with Maithree Wijesekara 32:13

2M ago32:13

32:13

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne who graduated with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, and who, this year, became a published novelist with her debut novel, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' (Harper Voyager). Now, Maithree splits her time between telling people to brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by th…

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Talking Aussie Books with Natasha Lester 40:54

2M ago40:54

40:54

Natasha Lester is a international bestselling author whose novels have been translated into 21 languages. Novels which include 'A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald', 'Her Mother’s Secret', 'The Paris Seamstress', 'The French Photographer', 'The Paris Secret', 'The Riviera House', 'The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre' and "The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard'. …

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Talking Aussie Books with Chris Flynn 46:50

2M ago46:50

46:50

Chris Flynn is the author of several novels that include the astonishing novel ‘Mammoth’ - told from the point of view of a 13000 year-old fossilised mammoth. A book which was shortlisted for a number of awards in 2021 - and which drew praise from some of the brightest literary minds. His new book, ‘Orpheus Nine’, published by Hachette Australia, i…

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Talking Aussie Books with Shankari Chandran 41:10

2M ago41:10

41:10

Listeners it’s been almost 3 years since I last welcomed my next guest to the podcast. Back then we were talking about a truly remarkable novel which just over a year later went on to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award. That book was, of course, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and the author, Shankari Chandran. In the time since that f…

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Coaching Mastery with Jamie Slingerland, MCC #442 49:38

2M ago49:38

49:38

What if coaching wasn’t about having to ask the perfect question, but about trusting the space between the words? What if silence, curiosity, and presence were the most powerful tools in your coaching toolkit? In this episode, you’ll listen in on a masterfully conducted coaching session with Master Certified Coach Jaime Slingerland, joined by comme…

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Talking Aussie Books with Jackie French 50:34

2M ago50:34

50:34

Jackie French is one of Australia's best-loved, bestselling authors and earlier this year, she released another new novel. Called ‘The Whisperer’s War’ (published by HQ Fiction) it’s an incredible war-time story set in England between 1938 and 1947. A story that examines - amongst many other things - the cost of war and the quest for wealth, power …

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Talking Aussie Books with Jo Skinner 49:08

3M ago49:08

49:08

**Discussion of Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Abuse and Other Mature Themes. Please proceed with caution.** Jo Skinner is a Brisbane based author of two novels, a practising GP as well as a long-distance runner. I connected with Jo online a couple of years ago now and have watched on with delight as she achieved her publication dream last yea…

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Talking Aussie Books with Lauren K McKellar 34:28

3M ago34:28

34:28

**Discussion of some mature themes** While Lauren K McKellar is no stranger to publishing, this year marks the release of her first foray into women's fiction with a thoroughly delightful, uplifting and thought-provoking novel entitled 'The Calendar Mums'. Published by HQ Fiction, 'The Calendar Mums' is a novel about motherhood and the importance o…

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Talking Aussie Books with Cassie Hamer 46:40

3M ago46:40

46:40

Cassie Hamer is not only an Australian bestselling author of 3 novels - 'After the Party', 'The End of Cuthbert Close' and the 'Truth About Faking It' - but a colleague, a writing buddy and most importantly, a dear friend. This month, Cassie has a new novel out. And listener’s it’s an absolute cracker. ‘The Stranger at the Table’ published by HQ Fi…

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Talking Aussie Books with Sara Foster 42:48

3M ago42:48

42:48

Sara Foster is a Perth-based author of six best-selling psychological suspense novels that include ‘You Don’t Know Me’ The Hidden Hours’ and ‘All that is Lost Between Us’, along with the acclaimed dystopian thriller ‘The Hush’. Two of Sara’s novels have been optioned for TV and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ - a book I have read and absolutely loved - was ada…

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Talking Aussie Books with Victoria Brownlee 34:43

3M ago34:43

34:43

Listeners, I may have mentioned once or twice on the podcast before that I’m a huge francophile. So whenever I have the chance to read a book that takes me back to France or immerses me in the sensory heaven that is French food and wine, I’ll savour it like a glass of Moet and Chandon. And so when a book called ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ set in France cr…

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A Very Special Celebration of Christian Coaching #441 33:00

3M ago33:00

33:00

Coaching has come a long way—and today, we’re celebrating just how far. In this episode, we honor key milestones in the growth of professional coaching and Christian coach training, reflect on where the field stands today, and cast a hopeful vision for what’s ahead. Whether you’re new to coaching or have been part of the journey for decades, this c…

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Talking Aussie Books with Sal Gallaher 36:01

3M ago36:01

36:01

Listeners, if you tune in regularly, I’m sure you appreciate that I read eclectically and I’m fascinated by how books come into being - whatever path that happens to take. Indie or trad, I’m interested in it all. So when my fellow writer and friend, Sal Gallaher took the plunge and decided to self-publish her debut, I was keen to have a chat about …

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Talking Aussie Books with Maryrose Cuskelly 35:47

3M ago35:47

35:47

Listeners I last spoke to my next guest, Maryrose Cuskelly, when her debut novel ‘The Cane’ was published by Allen & Unwin back in 2022. "The Cane" was an atmospheric crime novel set in a fictional sugarcane town in North Queensland in the 1970s. A terrific story reminiscent of 'The Dry' and other Australian rural and outback noir, that became an A…

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Talking Aussie Books with Fiona Hardy 30:21

4M ago30:21

30:21

Listeners today I’m so excited to introduce you to another Aussie author whose book has simply floored me. Fiona Hardy - a writer, bookseller and reviewer from Melbourne - is the author of a new book published by Affirm Press earlier this year called ‘Unbury the Dead’. A contemporary crime fiction novel about two best friends who are hired to under…

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Talking Aussie Books with Marion Taffe 50:29

4M ago50:29

50:29

Marion Taffe is a Melbourne-based writer who after a 20 year career as a journalist, decided to turn her hand to novel-writing. A graduate of the RMIT degree in Professional Writing and Editing, Marion was named Creative Industries Student of the Year in her graduating year of 2023. She was also runner-up in the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers…

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Talking Aussie Books with Chrissie Bellbrae 35:59

4M ago35:59

35:59

When a friend that you've been toiling alongside in the writing space for years can finally call themselves a published author, there's many reasons to celebrate. Chrissie Bellbrae is a talented Australian writer who took control of her writing career by self-publishing her debut novel 'The Florentine Quilt' early in 2025. I'd had the pleasure of r…

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Coaching Work Teams #440 31:14

4M ago31:14

31:14

What makes a team thrive? If you've ever been part of a dysfunctional team, you know how frustrating it can be—miscommunication, lack of trust, and an endless cycle of unmet expectations. But what if there was a way to turn that dysfunction into deep connection and shared success? In this episode, we explore the power of team coaching, how it diffe…

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Talking Aussie Books with Penelope Janu 34:53

4M ago34:53

34:53

There are many Australian writers out there producing quality book after quality book each and every year - satisfying the voracious demands of their eager fans. Penelope Janu definitely falls into that category. And if you haven’t heard of Penelope’s work as yet, then dear listeners you’re in for a treat. Penelope is a former lawyer - a longtime l…

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Talking Aussie Books with Kate Horan 39:12

4M ago39:12

39:12

Unsurprisingly, I’m very much drawn to the work of debut Australian authors. And this year, I’m delighted to be interviewing a number of them, one of whom is my next guest. Kate Horan is Sydney-based ex-English teacher who once taught at high schools in Western Sydney loving being able to inspire teenagers with a love of reading. For the last seven…

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Talking Aussie Books with Ella Ward 38:47

5M ago38:47

38:47

Ella Ward is a Melbourne-based author of memoir '27 Letters to My Daughter' and a brilliant debut novel 'The Cicada House'. Released by HarperCollins in January 2025, 'The Cicada House' is a gorgeously uplifting, magical coming of age story that starts out one way and takes readers on an unexpected but utterly delightful journey. Following 40-year-…

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Talking Aussie Books with Kell Woods 35:29

5M ago35:29

35:29

I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a brand new season of Talking Aussie Books than with my next guest author, historical fantasy writer, Kell Woods. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Kell once before on the podcast - and that was for Kell’s debut novel ‘After the Forest’ back in 2023. I remember distinctly finishing that book and thin…

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Building Resilience and Reducing Anxiety #439 32:46

5M ago32:46

32:46

Feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to break free from the cycle of stress? In this episode, we dive into the heart of stress resilience, unpacking what stress really is, how it affects our brains and bodies, and why it’s essential to approach it with practical strategies and spiritual wisdom. If you or your clients seek simple habits to build resil…

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Leveraging Speaking to Build Your Coaching Business #438 35:31

6M ago35:31

35:31

Speaking can be a powerful tool for building your coaching business. In this episode, Dale Wilsher shares her inspiring journey from being a single mom speaking in faith-based spaces to earning five figures per keynote. From starting with simple survey cards to leveraging coaching success stories, Dale unpacks the strategies and pivotal moments tha…

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Talking Aussie Books with Kate Solly 35:55

7M ago35:55

35:55

If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you may have noticed that cosy crime is making a come back in a big way of late - certainly in Australia in any event. A sub-genre of crime that many attribute to Agatha Christie has spawned many wonderful Australian novels that recently include 'The Tea Ladies' Mysteries by Amanda Hampson, the Poppy McGowan Myster…

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Talking Aussie Books with Alexandra Almond 31:38

7M ago31:38

31:38

Alexandra Almond is a Melbourne-based author who, before turning her hand to writing, worked in a variety of roles - which included being a stable hand and a clown! Her debut novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted', was recently published by HarperCollins Australia. And what a delightful, romantic - and despite its title - enchanting novel it is. It’s abo…

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Talking Aussie Books with Emma Grey 32:41

7M ago32:41

32:41

'The Last Love Note' written by Canberra-based author Emma Grey was one of my most memorable reads for 2023 - a book that Emma wrote in the wake of her husband’s sudden death. It’s been incredibly successful both in Australia and NZ (selling more than 100,000 copies so far) and it was also picked up in the US and was selected for Book of the Month …

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Talking Aussie Books with Tigest Girma 33:47

7M ago33:47

33:47

'Immortal Dark' (Hachette Australia) by Tigest Girma heralds a new and exciting era of vampire fiction. As a debut it is a remarkable, fresh, rich and clever reimagining of a tale as old as time. An Ethiopian writer based in Melbourne, Tigest is passionate about exploring East-African stories and myths - weaving them with dark and fantastical theme…

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Talking Aussie Books with Joanne Fedler 43:17

7M ago43:17

43:17

Sydney-based Joanne Fedler is an international bestselling author of 15 books. A writing mentor, women's activist and keen ocean swimmer, Joanne's books have sold over 750,000 copies worldwide. Earlier this year, Joanne's new novel 'The Whale's Last Song' was released by HarperCollins Australia. And what a beautiful, magical and portentous book it …

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A Few of Our Favorite Things: Episode 3 #437 26:09

7M ago26:09

26:09

Join us as we wrap up the year with six of our favorite things from 2024—some practical, some inspiring, and all centered on God’s faithfulness in every season. From memorable moments to fresh insights that have shaped our lives and work, this conversation is packed with encouragement and reflection. Whether you’re looking to discover something new…

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Talking Aussie Books with Christine Wells 35:49

8M ago35:49

35:49

Brisbane-based author Christine Wells is the author of sixteen novels and is a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. Her new novel, ‘The Paris Gown’ (published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins) is about three women who meet at the Paris Cordon Blue cooking school in the 1950s and become firm friends, only to go their separate wa…

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Talking Aussie Books with Rochelle Siemienowicz 35:44

8M ago35:44

35:44

'Double Happiness' (Midnight Sun Publishing) by Melbourne-based writer, editor and arts journalist Rochelle Siemienowicz is a work of auto fiction and explores the complexities of non-monogamy and what it’s like to love two or more people - equally but differently. Set in Melbourne, the book is told from three different perspectives and spans a sev…

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Talking Aussie Books with Tania Blanchard 40:26

8M ago40:26

40:26

Listeners, it was a joy to welcome one of my favourite Aussie authors back to the podcast this week. Tania Blanchard is an Australian, bestselling author whose skill as a storyteller has gone from strength to strength in the 6 or 7 years that I have known her. From her debut novel ‘The Girl From Munich’ to her latest, Tania has cemented her place a…

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Family Vision, Purpose, and Mission #436 32:54

8M ago32:54

32:54

Looking to help your clients bring clarity and intention to their family life? In this insightful episode, Geremy Keeton, Senior Director of the Counseling Services Department of Focus on the Family and a licensed marriage and family therapist, dives deep into family values, vision, and creating a purpose-filled family mission statement. Christian …