Better Than Yesterday with Osher Günsberg

Why are we so fascinated by the people on the absolute fringes of society?

When someone adopts a worldview that seems completely detached from consensus reality, what is the sequence of thoughts and experiences that led them there?
In this episode, I’m joined by the legendary journalist, author, and documentary maker Jon Ronson. For twenty-five years, Jon has been doing the hard work of looking directly at human behaviour that most of us would prefer to avoid. Jon’s career has been defined by his ability to humanise the people we’ve been taught to fear or dismiss.
Taken from the full-length episode, here’s a few tasty morsels to chew on today including:
Why we often reward psychopathic traits by making those people our CEOs and political leaders.
What happens when extreme personalities feed off each other, and how do they pull us into their orbit.
How ordinary people drift into ideological bubbles, and what it takes to understand the urge to belong to a tribe.
This is a fascinating, thoughtful, and very funny chat with one of the greats.
LINKS
Find out more about Jon here
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 books  here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
'Comfort Is Holding You Back': Secrets to Growth and Confidence with Ant Williams
How to Communicate Better in Every Conversation with Jefferson Fisher
The Reality of Living In The Outback: Brendan Cullen's Journey from Pain to Purpose

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Hughes isn't a name most people are familiar with. Some may know him better by the pseudonym QNTM - a software engineer turned acclaimed science fiction author known for groundbreaking novels including There Is No Antimemetics Division and Ra.
In this fascinating conversation, Osher Günsberg sits down with Sam/qntm to explore the intersection of imagination, mathematics, technology, and what it means to be human. Sam reveals how he transforms complex scientific concepts into gripping stories that challenge the way we think about memory, reality, time, and the future. From his early fascination with mathematics to his career in software development, he explains how curiosity, logical thinking, and a relentless habit of asking "what if?" have shaped his creative process.
The conversation ranges from the surprising lessons hidden inside game design to the promises and dangers of artificial intelligence, social media algorithms, and the responsibilities that come with creating powerful technology. Sam also shares why science fiction isn't about predicting the future, it's about exploring possibilities, exposing human nature, and helping us imagine better outcomes.
Along the way, Osher and Sam discuss the craft of writing unforgettable stories, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and why hope may be just as important as dystopia when imagining humanity's future.
Whether you're a fan of science-fiction, fascinated by AI, or simply curious about how extraordinary ideas are born, this is a thought-provoking conversation that will leave you looking at the world, and the future, a little differently. It may also inspire you to look for ideas and creativity in places you had never thought of before.
LINKS
QNTM's book There Is No Antimemetics Division is out now (AUS | worldwide)
Check out more of QNTM's work here
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
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
'Comfort Is Holding You Back': Secrets to Growth and Confidence with Ant Williams
How to Communicate Better in Every Conversation with Jefferson Fisher
The Reality of Living In The Outback: Brendan Cullen's Journey from Pain to Purpose
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher Gunsberg revisits one of his most memorable conversations with YouTuber, author and cook Nat's What I Reckon. Beyond the humour, viral videos and online success, Nat shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his life, including his ongoing mental health battles.
Together, Osher and Nat explore the quiet moments that spark lasting change, discussing how small daily decisions, rather than dramatic rock-bottom moments, can transform your life. They also unpack practical strategies for managing anxiety, the importance of asking for help, building supportive relationships, and developing simple routines that create resilience over time.
LINKS
Listen to the full chat with Nat here
Watch the full chat on YouTube
More info on Nat's live shows and books
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
The Mindset Behind Daniel MacPherson's Transformation for latest film 'Beast'
'Comfort Is Holding You Back': Secrets to Growth and Confidence with Ant Williams
Why Sometimes Being Miserable Is Actually A Good Thing (with Eamon Evans)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie Noonan is one of Australia's most acclaimed and celebrated musicians, but behind the awards, sold-out performances and extraordinary vocal talent is a story of resilience, reinvention and unwavering passion for the arts.
Having known each other for some 40 years, Katie sits down for this deeply personal conversation with Osher Günsberg, and opens up about navigating some of the hardest years of her life, including her recent and unexpected divorce. She speaks candidly about her journey with sobriety, her painful journey to an endometriosis diagnosis, navigating motherhood, and the mental and emotional challenges that come with a life spent in the spotlight.
They also explore Katie's lifelong love of music, from her earliest days growing up in Brisbane to building an internationally acclaimed career spanning jazz, opera, classical and contemporary music. Together, Katie and Osher discuss the transformative power of music education, why authentic voices matter in an age of autotune and AI, and the vital role Australian storytelling plays in shaping our national identity.
They also tackle the challenges facing Australia's creative industries, including the lasting impact of COVID-19, the decline of live music venues, arts funding, gambling sponsorships, and why supporting local artists has never been more important.
It's an honest, insightful and often hilarious conversation, and a powerful reminder that music is about far more than entertainment - it's about connection, healing, community and telling the stories that define who we are.
LINKS
Katie Noonan's powerful 30th album Alone but all one is out now
Katie is always on the road performing live, be sure to check her out
Follow Katie (@katie_noonan_music) on Instagram
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
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
The Mindset Behind Daniel MacPherson's Transformation for latest film 'Beast'
Natalie Bassingthwaighte Lifts the Curtain on Her Career & Personal Struggles
The business end of show business with the unstoppable Dannii Minogue
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Than Yesterday, Osher revisits one of his most powerful conversations, with sole survivor of the 1997 Thredbo landslide, Stuart Diver. After 65 hours trapped beneath the rubble and enduring the loss of his wife Sally, Stuart has spent decades learning not just how to survive trauma, but how to build a meaningful life beyond it.
Stuart explores three practical tools he uses to protect his mental health and cultivate ongoing resilience, including exercise, deliberately creating and preserving positive memories before life changes, and why giving yourself permission to move forward isn't a betrayal of the people or experiences you've lost.
Whether you're navigating loss, supporting someone through a difficult time, or simply looking for better ways to care for your mental health, this conversation offers actionable strategies that can help you become just that little bit better than yesterday.
LINKS
Listen to the full chat with Stuart here
Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
Get tickets for our next Story Club show
Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
Get Osher's latest book "So What? Now What?" here
Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com
LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...
How Radio Star Robin Bailey Kept Going Through Unimaginable Grief - Twice
Why Winning Doesn’t Always Make You Happy with Ben Crowe
The Skills of Being Happier, with Happiness Researcher and Expert Declan Edwards
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.