Erika Cramer calls herself the 'Queen of Confidence', and spends her days empowering women to take control of their lives through her books, podcasts, coaching and courses. But behind Erika's infectious warmth and energy are years of struggle and heartache.

Erika grew up in the US and endured a traumatic childhood, navigating the brutal foster care system, her mother's mental illness, sexual abuse, and abandonment.

In her adult years, she lost her husband in a tragic car accident and hit rock bottom. In this important conversation, she shares how she had to dig deep to find the strength and resilience to turn her life around, and is using her story to help others.

CW: This episode contains discussions of child sexual abuse, violence and mental ill-health. If you think you need immediate assistance, call 000. If you would like to speak to someone about your situation, you may wish to contact one of the following services.

• Lifeline – Call 13 11 14, or visit www.lifeline.org.au.
• 1800RESPECT – Call 1800 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au.

LINKS

• Erika Cramer is the author of Becoming Magnetic, which is published by Penguin Books and out now. Purchase a copy here
• Find out more about Erika at thequeenofconfidence.com
• Listen to Erika's podcast 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: Anna Henvest
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.

In this episode, we meet Arnold Dix who became an unlikely hero in 2023.

In rural Victoria, Arnold Dix is known to locals as a farmer and a part-time truck driver.

But his name reached global recognition when he played a pivotal role in rescuing 41 Indian workers trapped after a deadly tunnel collapse. As a barrister, scientist and engineer, his intersection of skills made him the perfect person to ask for advice. Arnold dropped everything to help, and got on a flight. But when he reached India, he soon realised the role he'd actually need to fill would be one of leadership and hope.

LINKS

• Find out more info and purchase a copy of Arnold's new book, The Promise, 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: Anna Henvest
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.

On the 15th of December 2014, the usually bustling Martin Place in Sydney's CBD became the epicentre of chaos, as a terrorist held 18 people hostage inside the Lindt Cafe.

Ben Besant was the Tactical Operations Unit officer that brought the 16 hour ordeal to a close by eliminating the terrorist.

In the decade since that day he's been known as 'Officer A', but as of November 2024, Ben is stepping into the limelight to share his account of what happened across those brutal 16 hours.

He speaks to Ant about his role and mindset during the siege, and the 'high price' he's paid for his service as a result.

This episode contains Ben Besant’s first-hand experience of the Lindt Café Siege and includes discussions of terrorism, violence, death and PTSD. If any of these topics are triggering for you, please give this episode a miss or seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Ben's book, Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! is available to purchase at tigertigertigerbook.com
• 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: Anna Henvest
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.