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.

Bruce 'Hoppo' Hopkins' life may look glamorous to most - spending his days in the sun and surf. But the true cost of lifeguarding is far greater than most realise.

In this episode, the star of the hugely popular Bondi Rescue opens up about the toughest parts of the job, the toll it's taken on his life and how things are changing for the better.

In this episode, there is a mention of suicide. If this topic is triggering for you, please seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS

• Check out Hoppo's podcast at lifesabeach.co
• 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 the firefighting world, Greg Mullins is a legend. He's the former commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales, a Climate Councillor with the Climate Council, and the founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.

With over 50 years experience in fire-fighting, he is an internationally recognised expert in responding to major bushfires and natural disasters.

In this episode, he joins Ant to speak about the terrifying task of firefighting during Australia's 'Black Summer' of 2019, and the toll that has taken on him to this day.

LINKS

• Check out 'Firestorm' by Greg Mullins 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.

Military and army personnel are regularly pushed to the limits of the human body and mind.

From Ant's time in the military, he knows first-hand what toll this can take on your physical and mental health.

In this special episode, we're revisiting some of these powerful conversations we've had in the last year.

CW: This episode contains discussions of alcohol and substance abuse. Support is available from The Alcohol and Drug foundation at https://adf.org.au/

LINKS

• Listen to Ollie Ollerton's episode in full here
• Listen to Damien Thomlinson's episode in full here
• Listen to Brian Udell's episode in full here
• Purchase a copy of Ant's latest book, Military Mindset here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.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

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, you'll hear from three women who have had to endure unimaginable heartbreak. Dr Lucy Hone, Gina Chick and Safiyya Vorajee each lost a precious daughter, and they share their powerful stories of grief and resilience today.

LINKS

• Listen to Dr Lucy Hone's episode in full here
• Find out more about Lucy's work with Coping With Loss at copingwithloss.co
• Details of Lucy's book, Resilient Grieving, can be found here
• Listen to Gina Chick's episode in full here
• Gina's memoir, We Are the Stars, is out now. Find out more and purchase a copy here.
• Listen to Safiyya Vorajee's episode in full here
• Donate to The Azaylia Foundation here: https://theazayliafoundation.com/
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.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

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we take a short break, we're looking back at some of the most powerful episodes of 2024. In this special, you'll hear from three guests who thought their lives were heading in one direction, and then one tumultuous day changed everything for them.

LINKS

• Listen to Simon Kennedy's episode in full here
• Listen to Sam Bloom's episode in full here
• Listen to Nigel Brennan's episode in full here
• Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
• Learn more about Ant on his website https://www.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

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.