Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

What makes a child want to read? And what happens when we stop trying to make childhood perfect?
In this episode, Osher Gunsberg looks back on his chat with one of Australia’s most successful children’s authors, Andy Griffiths, the award-winning creative force behind The Day My Bum Went Psycho and the much-loved Treehouse series.
Andy reflects on his early years as a high school English teacher and the lesson that shaped much of his work: children will engage with reading when we give them something they actually want to read. He explains why books offer children more than literacy — they can open up their imagination, expand their understanding of the world and provide a private escape from the rules and expectations of everyday life.
Andy also reveals how watching children choose books helped inspire the unconventional visual style of his Treehouse series of books, and how his creative partnership with illustrator Terry Denton grew from a willingness to embrace silliness, experimentation and ideas that might otherwise have been considered too strange.
The conversation also covers parenting, where Andy challenges the pressure to create the “perfect childhood”. Drawing on his own experience raising two daughters, he argues that allowing children to experience some adversity can help them develop resilience, and that 'good enough parenting' really can be good enough.
It's a funny, thoughtful and surprisingly profound conversation about books, childhood, imagination, parenting and the importance of giving kids permission to explore the world on their own terms.
LINKS
Listen to the full episode with Andy here
More about Andy and his work here
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Climate change can feel so enormous that it’s difficult to know where to start or how to stay engaged without becoming overwhelmed.
In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg speaks with climate campaigner and Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie about the realities of climate change, the progress Australia has already made, and how we can continue fighting for a better future without burning ourselves out.
Amanda has spent more than 20 years working on climate change, and she reflects on what it’s like to dedicate your life to an issue that can feel almost impossibly large. She opens up about the loss of her friend and climate scientist Professor Will Steffen, and the emotional toll of witnessing environmental change while raising young children.
The conversation also explores Amanda’s idea of “stubborn optimism” - a deliberate choice to acknowledge the seriousness of the climate crisis while still believing that people can work together to create meaningful change.
Amanda and Osher also discuss Australia’s rapid growth in renewable energy, why the economics of clean energy are changing the conversation, the potential for Australia to become a global leader in green industries, and why progress can sometimes be difficult to see while you’re living through it.
Amanda also shares practical ways to protect yourself from doom-scrolling and climate burnout. And if you’re wondering what you can actually do about climate change, Amanda’s advice is simple: start small - because you don’t have to save the world on your own. You just have to find your part of the puzzle.
LINKS
More on the Climate Council here
Follow (@theclimatecouncil) on Instagram
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LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
Listen to Amanda's first appearance on Better Than Yesterday
The Psychology of Climate Anxiety, Climate Denial and Talking to your Kids about it with Psychologist Dr Susie Burke
The Economic Cost of Climate Inaction with the brilliant economist Nikki Hutley

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What are we actually teaching young people about consent?
In this episode, Osher looks back on his powerful conversation with Chanel Contos, where they explored how children and teenagers learn about sex, relationships, boundaries and consent — often from sources far beyond the classroom.
Chanel, whose campaign for better consent education began after thousands of young people shared their experiences of sexual assault, argues that education needs to go much further than simply teaching “no means no”. Young people need to understand empathy, recognise boundaries and learn what healthy, mutually desired relationships actually look like.
The conversation examines the influence of pornography, movies and popular culture, and how romantic storylines can normalise jealousy, coercion, obsession and controlling behaviour. Chanel also discusses the different ways boys and girls are socialised — including the pressure on girls to be accommodating and the importance of helping boys develop empathy beyond their immediate social circles.
They also explore what consent can look and sound like in real life, including the importance of paying attention to body language and creating space for someone to change their mind. As Chanel explains, consent isn't simply about hearing an explicit “no”; it is about actively checking that another person is comfortable and genuinely wants to participate.
Despite the difficult subject matter, Chanel remains hopeful. She believes sexual violence is preventable, but that doing so requires adults to have uncomfortable conversations, challenge their own assumptions and make these lessons part of everyday life.
Because teaching consent isn't a one-off conversation. It's something we teach through the small, ordinary moments in which young people learn what love, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships look like.
SUPPORT
For domestic or sexual abuse support: 1800 737 732 (1800 RESPECT)
For immediate support in a crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14
More resources are available from Beyond Blue
LINKS
Listen to the full episode with Chanel here
Follow Chanel (@chanelc) on Instagram
More from Chanel's Teach Us Consent initiative
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Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if happiness isn’t about achieving more, but learning to find inner peace wherever you are?
In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, former professional surfer and mental health advocate Cooper Chapman shares with Osher Gunsberg the mindset shifts that transformed his life — from chasing success, external validation and results, to focusing on gratitude, mindfulness, resilience and service to others.
Cooper talks openly about the pressure of high performance, the danger of tying your self-worth to achievement, and why falling into a victim mindset can leave us feeling powerless. He explains how we can instead take responsibility, learn from setbacks and focus on what is within our control.
Cooper also explains his simple approach to mental health: small, practical habits that anyone can incorporate into everyday life. From a daily gratitude practice to spending time in nature without your phone, Cooper discusses how seemingly tiny actions can gradually retrain our minds to notice the positives. Along the way, he also shares some memorable lessons, including “get curious, not furious,” “knowledge is knowing, wisdom is doing,” and his father’s reminder that “life’s about appreciation, not expectation.”
LINKS
More on Cooper's Good Human Factory here
Follow (@thegoodhumanfactory) on Instagram (and DM “Good Club” to join the free community Cooper mentioned)
Watch Cooper's 'Good Humans' podcast on YouTube
Listen to Cooper's Good Humans podcast
Cooper's book 'The 1% Good Club' is out now
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
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Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest books here
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CONTENT NOTE:Advice contained in this episode is general in nature and does not take into consideration personal circumstances. If you are concerned about a prolonged mental health challenge for yourself or someone you know, be sure to contact your health professional or Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
Why Winning Doesn’t Always Make You Happy with Ben Crowe
How Social Media And Smartphones Are Rewiring Our Brains with Dr. Mark Williams
'Comfort Is Holding You Back': Secrets to Growth and Confidence with Ant Williams

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Tom Nash knows what it means to have your life change in an instant. At just 19, he contracted meningococcal sepsis, fell into a coma and woke up to find his arms and legs had been amputated to save his life.
Looking back on his chat with me, Tom explores the power of reframing adversity, why positive thinking isn't about pretending everything is okay, and how learning to find a different perspective can become a skill that gets stronger with practice. He explains why he prefers “fear setting” to traditional goal setting, and why focusing on the next small milestone rather than an overwhelming end goal helped him learn to walk again with prosthetics.
Tom also challenges the idea that “everything happens for a reason”, arguing instead that we have the power to give meaning and purpose to what happens to us. From everyday frustrations to life-changing adversity, his philosophy is about distinguishing between what we can and can't control — and concentrating our energy on what is directly in front of us.
LINKS
Listen to the full episode with Tom here
Follow Tom (@djhookie) on Instagram
More from Tom on Substack
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.