What Makes You Tick?: Recent Episodes
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Neil Mitchell takes you into the mind of some of Australia’s most influential people and finds out what makes them get out of bed in the morning. Dive into the formative years of our leaders in sport, business, entertainment and politics and discover what led them to their chosen path.
Tony Jones turns the tables on host Neil Mitchell for a rare look into the veteran broadcaster's past and private life.
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Tom Boyd was a superb junior footballer thrust into limelight with huge expectation and an even bigger pay packet at a very young age.
Despite "giving it away" at the age of 23, the Bulldogs Premiership hero says he's in a much better place, and he's opened up to Neil Mitchell on the reasons why.
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It's estimated that one in three Australian households have a Bryce Courtenay novel on their shelves.
Today on What Makes You Tick? Neil speaks with his wife, Christine, who's written a biography on her partner's remarkable life.
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The Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, has always been a high achiever, and it started with graduating from high school at the age of 16.
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Mark Bouris has forged an extraordinary career in business and media. He reveals to Neil Mitchell "the kick up the butt" that got him going in his career and the new way he defines success. Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage
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It was funny, it was serious, it was enlightening.
The much-loved Australian actor joined Neil Mitchell in the latest episode.
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Tony Jones has opened up in an extraordinary interview.
The veteran broadcaster revealed he's only met his father a couple of times, recollected stepping in to stop a man who was being violent towards his mum, shared how losing his sister to a drink-driver changed his life and opened up about the path he thinks he might have gone down if it wasn't for his wife.
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Fiona O'Loughlin's drinking has defined her life more than she would have liked, but it wasn't until her 40s that the disease really began to take hold.
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Walter Mikac is a man who lost his two daughters Allanah and Madeleine and his wife Nanette on one of the darkest days in Australian History, The Port Arthur Massacre.
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Justice Lex Lasry is one of Victoria's most senior Supreme Court Judges.
He's been defence counsel in some of Australia's most high profile cases, but his response when Neil asked him if he's ever been a ratbag?
"Oh yes!"
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Celebrity chef Adrian Richardson has opened up on the tragic circumstances of his father's death.
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Former Richmond defender and five-time All-Australian Alex Rance played 200 games of AFL football.
He didn't enjoy any of them.
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It wasn't until later in life that Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, realised he had suffered serious self-esteem issues while he was growing up.
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A familiar voice to the 3AW audience, Heidi Victoria has had a distinguished career involving politics, the media and as a professional photographer.
She spoke to Neil Mitchell about her formative years and the impact of a significant stroke suffered just before lockdown.
In What Makes You Tick?, Neil Mitchell takes you into the mind of some of Australia’s most influential people and finds out what makes them get out of bed in the morning.
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The 3AW Breakfast presenter joined Neil Mitchell on Wednesday, sharing the formative experiences of his life that have led to him becoming one of Australia's radio greats.
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Madeleine West has lived an experience not many of us can (thankfully) say we've been through — she's been hit by a bus, literally.
The actress, author, activist and mum of six opened up to Neil Mitchell about the lessons her life-changing accident taught her, the incredible act of kindness from a stranger when she revisited the collision site 17 years after the crash, and why she's thinking about a career in politics.
In What Makes You Tick?, Neil Mitchell takes you into the mind of some of Australia’s most influential people and finds out what makes them get out of bed in the morning.
(Image: Graham Denholm/Getty)
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Nicole first made the Australian swim team as a 13-year-old. She went on to compete at three Olympics, and now, she's the AFL General Manager of Women's Football.
She opened up to Neil Mitchell about being a child prodigy, raising twins and the ticking timebomb she lives with.
In What Makes You Tick?, Neil Mitchell takes you into the mind of some of Australia’s most influential people and finds out what makes them get out of bed in the morning.
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The billionaire co-founder of Harvey Norman is one of Australia's great business success stories, and he says it all stems from not wanting to be like his parents.
He opened up about what motivates him, how he spends his money and the old habits he can't quite shake.
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The AFL great shared his story with Neil Mitchell on Tuesday.
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The beloved singer, actress, dancer, stage performer and radio and television presenter joined Neil Mitchell on the latest episode.
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The well-known Melburnian shared his incredible life story with 3AW on Tuesday.
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The political editor at Nine News shared his remarkable life story with Neil Mitchell on Tuesday.
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"My mother took me to the window, and she said 'look out that window' and as long as you live, never forget it' and I haven't."
Those are the words of Professor Henry Ekert, promising his mother to never forget the atrocities he witnessed as a three-year-old boy during the Holocaust.
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The Australian sporting icon opens up about her at times tough upbringing, tennis fame, mental health battles and how religion helped her through it.
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Lisa Curry was the golden girl of the pool in the '80s. She made three Olympic teams, was touted as Australia's super-mum, and her 1986 wedding was the sports wedding of the year.
But her life hasn't always been easy.
She joined Neil Mitchell and opened up about the devastating loss of her daughter and why, on the cusp of 60, she's sharing her trauma.
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One of Australia's best-known epidemiologists, Peter Collignon, opens up about why he became an epidemiologist, how the pandemic brought fame, and what that taught him about himself and the world.
In What Makes You Tick?, Neil Mitchell takes you into the mind of some of Australia’s most influential people and finds out what makes them get out of bed in the morning.
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The footy great and entertainer shared his story with Neil Mitchell on Tuesday.
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General manager of community and charity at Crown, Ann Peacock, had a fascinating upbringing.
Her late father, Andrew, former leader of the Liberal Party, was very nearly prime minister. Her mother, Susan Peacock, was also extremely high-profile in her own right.
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Known as one of the toughest politicians of her time, Amanda Vanstone was outspoken and uncompromising as the only woman in John Howard's ministerial cabinet for many years.
She was raised by her mother in a single-parent household and attended an all-girls school, an upbringing that would shape her politics for years to come.
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The Australian tennis great opened up about his upbringing and leaving home at the tender age of 13 to pursue his career.
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Neil Mitchell describes outspoken Liberal MP Bernie Finn as a "continual irritant" to his party.
A 30 year career in politics has seen him stand up for his conservative politics and speak his mind.
Before he was known for his outspoken views, Mr Finn had a career in radio at the now defunct station 3DB where he worked as an announcer, producer and panel operator.
He describes the lasting impact his late father's fight with cancer, his mother's resilience during that time, and a "devastating" spina abifida diagnosis for his eldest son had on his life.
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There isn't a better living journalist in Australia than Andrew Rule, according to Neil Mitchell.
But how did he become the writer he is?
Andrew joined Neil on Tuesday for 3AW's What Makes You Tick segment.
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The Herald Sun cartoonist joined Neil Mitchell as this week's guest for What Makes You Tick?
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Andrew Colvin says he always had a "service calling".
The former head of Australia's federal police force has undoubtedly helped preserve the lives of many Australians over the years.
He was this week's guest on Neil Mitchell's "What Makes You Tick" segment.
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He spoke about his formative years, including a stint in the army cadets and public service job where he sat opposite Molly Meldrum.
Image: The Age
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What made you what you are?
That's the question at the heart of Neil Mitchell's new segment.
Every Wednesday, he'll speak to someone about the formative experiences that make them tick.
Up this week is Australian culinary icon Maggie Beer, who has today been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the tourism and hospitality industries, and for her work in aged welfare.
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What made you what you are?
Every Tuesday, Neil Mitchell will speak to someone about the formative experiences that led them to become the person they are.
Up first is Kate Roffey, the first female president of the Melbourne Football Club, and boy, her story took some twists and turns!
Image: Kate Roffey/Twitter
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