Back To The Present

What if faith isn't supposed to make life easier, but instead challenge the way we see ourselves and the world?In this episode, I sit down with theologian, author and Anglican minister Michael Jensen for an open and thought-provoking conversation about Christianity, belief and the deeper questions of human existence. As someone still exploring my own understanding of Christianity, I was curious to move beyond familiar ideas and explore its history, teachings and relevance to modern life.Michael shares his perspective on the historical Jesus, the origins of the New Testament and the central message of Christianity. We discuss why people often turn to faith during difficult times, how our search for personal identity can become an obsession, and whether religion should be judged by how it makes us feel or by whether its claims are true.We also explore the meaning of forgiveness, why letting go of resentment doesn't necessarily mean abandoning justice, and the fascinating relationship between faith, free will and personal freedom.Whether you're deeply religious, questioning your beliefs or simply curious about what Christianity has to say about the human experience, this conversation offers an opportunity to consider some of life's biggest questions with an open mind.Connect with Michael Website | stmarksdp.org Substack | michaeljensen603.substack.comConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

What if the secret to a lasting relationship isn't found in the big moments, but in the small things we do every day?In this episode, I sit down with intimacy and relationship therapist Julie Tenner to explore the complexities of love, connection and what it really takes to sustain a meaningful relationship. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Julie shares her insights into the emotional patterns that shape our relationships, the balance between masculine and feminine energy, and why understanding ourselves is often the first step towards understanding our partners.We explore why couples get caught in the same arguments, how our past experiences influence the way we communicate, and the importance of creating emotional safety. Julie also challenges some common assumptions about intimacy and desire, explaining why relationships can gradually lose their spark and how seemingly insignificant moments of appreciation, affection and presence can help bring it back.From navigating the demands of parenting to understanding the different seasons of long-term relationships, this conversation is an honest and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to love and be loved. Whether you're in a relationship or simply looking to better understand yourself, Julie offers practical wisdom on building deeper connections and becoming more intentional with the people who matter most.Connect with JulieInstagram | @julietenner.loveWebsite | www.julietenner.loveConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

What if success has less to do with what you build... and more to do with who you're becoming?In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, author and Forbes contributor Jodie Cook for a conversation that goes far beyond business.We explore self-awareness, entrepreneurship, AI, emotional intelligence and the beliefs that quietly shape our lives. Jodie shares lessons from building and selling her own company, travelling the world as a digital nomad, and developing her Personal Success System to help people create a life that's genuinely aligned with who they are.This one isn't just for entrepreneurs. It's for anyone wanting to think more clearly, live more intentionally and build a version of success that actually feels like their own.Connect with JodieInstagram | @jodie.cook_Website | www.jodiecook.comConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

What if Christianity has been misunderstood by both its critics and many of its followers?In this episode, I sit down with author, speaker and founder of Olive Tree Media, Karl Faase, to explore some of the biggest questions surrounding Christianity, faith and the search for meaning. Rather than assuming prior belief, Karl unpacks the foundations of the Christian worldview in a way that's accessible to anyone, whether you're deeply religious, sceptical, or simply curious.We discuss why so many people misunderstand Christianity, the difference between religion and faith, whether freedom really means living without boundaries, and why questions of purpose, morality and human dignity continue to point people towards something greater than themselves. Along the way, Karl shares stories from decades in ministry and media, challenging some of the most common assumptions about Christianity while encouraging listeners to investigate the evidence for themselves.Whether you've been part of a church your whole life, walked away from faith, or are simply exploring life's bigger questions, this conversation is an invitation to think more deeply, ask better questions and discover why Christianity continues to shape millions of lives around the world.

What if the peace you've been searching for has been available all along?In this episode, I sit down with meditation teacher, psychotherapist and author Loch Kelly to explore his practical approach to effortless mindfulness. Rather than seeing meditation as something that only happens on a cushion, Loch explains how we can access greater awareness, clarity and freedom in the middle of everyday life.We discuss why so many of us become trapped in constant thinking, the difference between conventional mindfulness and effortless mindfulness, and how shifting our awareness can fundamentally change the way we experience work, relationships and ourselves. Loch also shares the journey that led him from years of traditional meditation to a life-changing realisation in Nepal, where he discovered what he describes as our natural state of awareness.This conversation is an invitation to explore consciousness in a practical way. Whether you're completely new to mindfulness or have been meditating for years, you'll walk away with simple ideas that may change the way you think about awareness, presence and what it means to live with greater ease.

What if the answer to one of life's biggest questions has been right in front of you all along, or rather, right where your face should be?In this episode Mitch sits down with Richard Lang, a psychotherapist, author and one of the world's leading teachers of the Headless Way, a practical approach to exploring consciousness developed by Douglas Harding. Richard shares how a single encounter at just 17 years old transformed the way he understood identity and what it means to know yourself, and he has spent five decades since sharing it with anyone curious enough to look.They walk through the simple experiments that introduce people to a direct experience of consciousness, the moment your hands seem to disappear and the world opens up with no edges, no face, no boundaries. Richard and Mitch dig into why we confuse who we are with what we look like, and why practice still matters even when the experience itself is instant and impossible to get wrong.Rather than asking listeners to adopt a new belief system, Richard invites everyone to test this for themselves through curiosity and direct experience. Grounded, genuinely funny and occasionally profound, this is a fresh crack at one of humanity's oldest questions: who am I?

What drives someone to catch 7,000 waves in a single month?In this episode, I sit down with professional surfer Josh Levey to unpack the mindset behind one of Australia's most remarkable endurance challenges. What started as a personal test on New Year's Day, with a goal of 5,000 waves, grew into something far bigger: a month long battle against the ocean, his own body, and sickness, that ultimately raised $106,000 for Newcastle homelessness charity Soul Hub and reshaped Josh's perspective on success, purpose and the impact one person can have.We talk about growing up between Japan, where he was born, and Newcastle, where he moved at age seven; the discipline of competing on the World Surf League's Qualifying Series; and the physical and mental toll of surfing up to eight hours a day, including the final stretch of the challenge, when food poisoning nearly ended it all. Josh opens up about why serving others became more important to him than chasing personal records, how his Christian faith shapes the way he approaches life, competition and community, and why he believes our greatest gifts are meant to be used for others.Whether you're an athlete, a surfer, or simply someone looking for more purpose and perspective, this conversation is full of lessons on resilience, discipline, generosity, and what it really means to live a life that leaves a positive mark on others.Connect with Josh LeveyInstagram | joshlevey_Connect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

Jacob Hodson is the owner of New Strengths in Newcastle, but this conversation goes far beyond fitness.We explore the journey from a quiet kid searching for confidence to building a thriving business, raising a family, and learning that success isn’t just about pushing harder.Jacob shares his experience competing in Strongman, chasing ambitious goals, and eventually facing a difficult question:What happens when the thing you’re striving for starts pulling you away from the person you want to be?We discuss identity, fatherhood, ambition, training, ego, balance, and the different seasons of life that require us to push, pull back, and sometimes pivot altogether.This is a conversation about understanding the true cost of our goals and having the courage to redefine success when life asks something different of us.Connect with Jacob HodsonInstagram | @jacobhodson @newstrengthhqWebsite | www.newstrength.com.auConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

Life has a funny way of reminding us that no matter how much we plan, uncertainty is always lurking around the corner. The question isn't whether it'll show up, it's whether we're ready when it does.Rich Diviney spent 21 years as a Navy SEAL officer, commanding teams in combat, running assessment and selection, and learning firsthand what separates people who fall apart under pressure from those who somehow get calmer. Since retiring, he's channelled all of that into two books, The Attributes and his latest Masters of Uncertainty, and a mission to help people understand how and why they perform the way they do, especially when the shit hits the fan.This one is jam-packed with real, practical stuff. From the difference between skills and attributes and why knowing your own performance picture is a total game changer, to the neuroscience behind how we learn faster under pressure, and a beautifully simple tool called Moving Horizons that'll change the way you think about getting through hard moments. We also get into identity, dopamine, instinct vs rational thinking, the power of breath, and how the best teams are built on trust.Rich is the real deal. Grounded, sharp, and genuinely passionate about helping people show up better. I loved every minute of this one and I think you will too.Connect with RichInstagram | rich_diviney and theattributesWebsite | theattributes.com Connect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]

Most people are chasing confidence. But that might be the wrong target.In this episode, Simon Williams joins the team to get into what's actually underneath it all — self-worth. Not the kind that spikes after a win and disappears after a loss, but the quieter, more durable thing that shapes how you experience your life regardless of outcomes.They talk about shadow work (and why you genuinely can't outrun it), what it looks like to process loss in a way that actually moves you forward, and why so many people build confidence that crumbles — because there's nothing solid holding it together.A lot of it comes through the lens of sport, but it goes way beyond that.They cover:Confidence vs. self-worth — and why the difference matters more than you'd thinkShadow work in practice, not just in theoryTurning loss into something useful (eventually)Sport as a training ground for real resilienceParenting young athletes — effort, outcomes, and not screwing them upMoving from win/lose to win/learnNo performance, no fluff. Just an honest conversation about what it actually takes to feel whole — not just look like you've got it together.Connect with SimonInstagram | mapp_lifeWebsite | mapplife.comConnect with MitchellInstagram | ⁠mitchellbastock⁠Email | [email protected]