Episodes

  • The Life Lessons Pete Murray Learned From His Father's Death
    Aug 12 2025

    Pete Murray has been a fixture of the Australian music scene for two decades. With three #1 albums and multiple hit singles under his belt, Pete this year launched his biggest tour to date - with nearly 60 shows across Australia and New Zealand. Initially planning a career in rugby union, a missed call and a string of injuries ended his sporting dreams. Pete didn't pick up a guitar until he was 23, but it sparked a passion for music that saw him propelled to the top of the charts.

    In this episode, Pete reveals his struggles with the success of his hit album 'Feeler', his issues dealing with a major record label and the life lessons he took away from his father's premature passing.

    LINKS

    • See Pete's tour dates at PeteMurray.com
    • Listen to 'Better Days (Pete's Version)
    • Pete Murray's new album 'Longing' is released October 3
    • Listen to Pete's new single 'Home To Me'
    • Listen to 'I Am Fire'
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • How Jack Pitcher Ran 95 Marathons In Just 61 Days
    Aug 5 2025

    In this episode, meet the British roofer who ran the equivalent of 95 marathons across Australia in just 61 days. Jack Pitcher braved the harsh Australian outback, including the infamous Nullarbor, to set a new British record for running 4,320km from Perth to Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

    Jack reveals to Ant how he did it with almost no money and few resources, the many setbacks he suffered along the way, the mindset that helped him reach his goal, and how a packet of Tim Tams saved his life.

    LINKS

    • Follow Jack Pitcher on Instagram
    • More info on the SSAFA (UK)
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • The Brutal Reality Of Life In A Chinese Prison
    Jul 29 2025

    From a young age, Cheng Lei had dreamed of becoming a journalist. After ditching a career in finance, her dreams came true when she was hired as a business journalist in China. But that dream turned into a nightmare in 2020 when Lei was arrested by Chinese authorities and accused of sharing state secrets. Hidden away in isolation and denied due process, it would be more than 1,000 days before she would see her kids or family again.

    In this episode of Head Game, journalist and author Cheng Lei reveals to Ant Middleton what it's really like inside China's prison system, and how she kept her self mentally resilient in conditions designed to break her down.

    LINKS

    • Cheng Lei's book 'A Memoir Of Freedom' is available now
    • Watch the Sky News Australia documentary 'Cheng Lei: My Story' here
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • Inside The High Performance Mindset of AFL Legend Jonathan Brown
    Jul 22 2025

    Growing up as the son of a Victorian footy legend, it seemed inevitable Jonathan Brown would follow in his father's footsteps and play AFL. But Browny's rise from country league player to one of the best players of all time wasn't smooth sailing, and success was never guaranteed.

    In this episode, the former Brisbane Lions captain shares the advice and training that helped him become an elite athlete, kicking an astonishing 594 goals over 256 matches, and later pivot to a successful media career.

    LINKS

    • Listen to Browny's Podcast wherever you get your podcasts
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • How Fitness & Faith Saved Aussie Hip-Hop Star 360
    Jul 15 2025

    In 2017 Matt Caldwell, better known to music fans as 360, was riding high on the success of his third top five Australian album. On the outside, he had the fame, the money and the success he'd always wanted. But deep inside, the people pleaser in him was deeply insecure. Chasing that euphoria of success, he'd turned to drugs. Just two years later, Matt's addiction would result in him collapsing from an overdose during his biggest tour to date, forcing its cancellation.

    In this episode of Head Game, 360's candid conversation about how addiction gripped him for so many years, how rehab had little effect on him and what finally turned his life around.

    LINKS

    • 360's new album 'Out Of The Blue' is out now
    • 360 is touring Australia in July and August: tix and info here
    • Listen to 360 and Pez's ForthWrite podcast
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
    • Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!
    • This episode contains discussions of drug abuse. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline's National Alcohol & Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Adaptive Athlete Louise Hawkins and The Fear Bubble
    Jul 8 2025

    Louise Hawkins was born with one arm and was immediately rejected by her father. It spawned a shame that drove her to great lengths to try to hide her disability.

    At her lowest, Louise wanted to end it all. But with the help of Ant’s book ‘The Fear Bubble’ and a supportive fitness community, she finally found her way to self-confidence and is now thriving as an adaptive athlete and motivational speaker.

    This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental ill-health. If this episode raises any issues for you, help is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

    LINKS

    • Follow Louise on Instagram
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
    • Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Danni Brooke On What It Takes To Be An Undercover Cop
    Jul 1 2025

    Danni Brooke joined Britain's Metropolitan Police at 18, but was quickly recruited to join the undercover unit. Her youthful appearance and no-nonsense attitude was perfect for taking down predators and infiltrating organised crime gangs. But 10 years of living a double life eventually took its toll.

    In this episode Danni reveals what it took to become the UK's most effective female undercover cop, the delicate balance of working a dangerous job as a mother and why she's happy a serial predator attacked her.

    LINKS

    • Danni's book 'Undercover Copper' is available now
    • Follow Danni on Instagram
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
    • Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Former Soldier Heston Russell's Private Battles On The Front Line
    Jun 24 2025

    Former special forces commando Heston Russell has an impressive resume from his time in the Australian Defence Force. The fifth-generation soldier has service in his blood, with more than 100 combat missions under his belt.

    His drive and passion helped him work his way quickly through the ranks. But behind the success, self-doubt, the loss of a soldier under his command and hiding his sexuality play on Heston's mind.

    LINKS

    • Heston's book 'Forging The Will To Fight' is available now
    • Listen the Heston's podcast 'The ABCs of Heston Russell'
    • Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
    • Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
    • Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.
    • Ant Middleton is back in Australia with The Trilogy Tour, his most powerful and transformative live experience yet. Saturday 19th July 2025 - The Star Event Centre, Pyrmont NSW; Saturday 26th July 2025 - The Star Theatre, Gold Coast QLD. Visit Ticketek for tickets!

    CREDITS
    Host:
    Ant Middleton
    Editor: Adrian Walton
    Executive Producer: Damien Haffenden
    Managing Producer:
    Elle Beattie

    Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins