Picture this: Adelaide in the 1970s, a melting pot of intrigue, colour, and complexity.

Our guest, Mark Aiston, takes us down memory lane, sharing stories about his father's gym on Hine Street – a hub that played host to Greek and Italian property owners, nightclubs, drug dealers, and prostitutes.

Amidst the rawness of life, young Mark absorbed invaluable life lessons, learning to engage with a diverse array of characters without judgment or assumption. This immersive experience shaped the empathetic, open-minded individual he is today.

Mark's incredible journey took an unexpected twist when he was presented with an opportunity to evolve from a penciler for bookmakers to a sports journalist.

Through a friendship with Bruce McAvaney, and a job offer from ABC, Mark's passion for sports found a perfect outlet. In a career marked by race calling and presenting, he embodies traits that every aspiring journalist should strive for - perseverance, optimism, and passion.

His narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our passions can indeed be our driving force to success.

Ever wondered about the hustle and bustle of a newsroom? Mark pulls back the curtain, providing an insider's perspective into the high-pressure, ever-evolving dynamics of a newsroom.

From the adrenaline rush of last-minute changes to the art of story prioritization, Mark's insights are eye-opening and engaging. Our discussion also offers a sneak peek into our next episode, where we'll welcome Mark and Paul and delve deeper into the intriguing Laughter Project.

So, buckle up for a deep dive into journalism, personal growth, and emotional intelligence in an upcoming edition of our podcast.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------

(0:00:06) - Learn From Challenging Environments,

Mark's father's 1970s gym in Adelaide reveals a diverse environment of property owners, nightclubs, drug dealers, and prostitutes that shaped Paul's ability to talk to anyone.

(0:06:08) - Career Journey in Sports Journalism

Mark's career journey included race calling, sports journalism, presenting, and a passion for the sport, leading to success.

(0:11:33) - Insights Into Working in a Newsroom

We discuss newsroom pressure, story prioritization, and the experience of working in a newsroom.

(0:22:43) - Mark's Journey

Mark's journey is discussed, with a focus on staying positive