Uncommon Ground with Talal Yassine

Journalist, author and academic Stan Grant joins Talal Yassine for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about identity, faith, and the cost of speaking out. From a childhood of poverty and constant movement across rural New South Wales, to interviewing world leaders and reporting from some of the globe’s most dangerous conflict zones, Stan’s story is one of resilience, grit, and unflinching honesty. He opens up about growing up Wiradjuri, the hard love of his father, and the strength of family that carried him through homelessness and hardship. Stan reflects on his meteoric rise through journalism, the toll of frontline reporting, and the burden of being one of Australia’s most visible Indigenous voices. He speaks candidly about racism, burnout, and his controversial departure from the ABC, but also about the things that sustain him: faith, philosophy, music, and the enduring power of love. This episode moves between the personal and the profound, from childhood memories tied to songs on a transistor radio, to the philosophy of history and modernity, and finally his vision for a more generous Australia rooted in respect and hope. Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform. Episode Running Order Opening: The art of conversation vs. interview (00:00) Earliest memories: music, hats and a travelling childhood (04:00) Life on the move: cars, caravans and sawmills (09:00) Hard love, resilience and lessons from his father (15:00) The wider family and responsibility beyond his years (20:00) Discovering books, philosophy and a world beyond poverty (25:00) From mail boy to university: the turning point (32:00) Breaking into journalism: copy boy, cadetship and the fast rise (38:00) Reporting Canberra politics and hosting prime-time TV by 27 (45:00) CNN years: the world stage, conflict zones and PTSD (50:00) Returning home: ABC, Sky and disillusionment with hosting roles (58:00) Family life: meeting Tracey, raising four children and following bliss (1:05:00) Race, identity and the unfinished business of Australia (1:12:00) Faith, philosophy and the last sigh of Christ (1:18:00) Yindyamarra Trust: giving, love and building respect (1:25:00) Quickfire round: misconceptions, guilty pleasures, advice to young Stan (1:28:00) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cameron Kerr has spent 25 years at the helm of Australia’s Taronga Zoo, transforming it from a traditional attraction into a global conservation powerhouse. A zoologist and conservationist at heart, Cameron’s story begins in the rock pools of Collaroy and the paddocks of rural NSW, where a pet donkey and injured rabbits sparked a lifelong love of animals. In this conversation, Cameron reflects on a career that bridges science, business and ethics. He shares candid stories, from rescuing rabbits as a boy to running one of Australia’s most complex conservation organisations. We also hear about the moral dilemmas of keeping animals in zoos and how Taronga is leading world-first efforts to save species from platypuses to corals. Cameron also opens up about leadership, values, and resilience, including what it takes to guide a thousand-strong team through crises like COVID, and how passion, patience and persistence can drive systemic change. Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trailblazing business leader, arts patron and advocate for women in leadership, Catherine Harris joins Talal Yassine for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about business, family and purpose. From growing up as one of ten children in a loud, loving Italian–Irish household, to co-founding Harris Farm Markets and guiding it through more than 50 years of highs, lows and reinvention, Catherine shares stories that shaped her values: integrity, fairness, and lifting others as you lead. She reflects on resilience through tough times, including near-bankruptcy, 17% interest rates and even a mafia threat, while highlighting the lessons of transparency, courage, and compassion in business. Beyond Harris Farm, Catherine discusses her decades of public service: leading affirmative action at a national level, serving on boards from the NRL to the National Gallery, and even representing Bhutan as Consul-General. With humour, humility, and a lifetime of experience, she shows how business, family and values can intertwine to shape modern Australia. Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform. Episode Running Order Childhood and family roots (02:00) Her mother: Australia’s first woman on TV (07:00) Schooling, Florence, and finding her own path (10:00) University struggles, dyslexia and discovering commerce (14:00) Meeting David Harris and the origins of Harris Farm (20:00) Starting out in Villawood and early hardships (25:00) Near-collapse, 17% interest rates and resilience (30:00) The mafia contract and surviving the 1990s (34:00) Lessons from 50 years in business (38:00) Family in business: succession, mentoring, and fairness (43:00) Raising five boys and reflections on gender equity (50:00) Serving as Consul-General for Bhutan (56:00) Arts, culture, rugby league and public service (1:00:00) Quickfire questions: misconceptions, guilty pleasures, advice (1:07:00) Closing reflections: the power of listening to stories (1:10:00) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Test cricketer and trailblazer Usman Khawaja joins Talal Yassine for an unfiltered conversation about sport, faith, and the courage to stay true to yourself, even when the world pushes back. From a childhood split between Sydney’s east and Western Sydney, to the elite ranks of Australian cricket, Usman reflects on the challenges of growing up between cultures, breaking through racial barriers, and rising to the top of a game that wasn’t built for players like him. He shares how discipline, resilience, and a deep Islamic faith helped him find balance on and off the field, and why he’s never been afraid to speak out. They talk about the realities of racism in elite sport, Usman's quiet leadership, and how he navigates fame, family, and public scrutiny with grace. He opens up about standing firm on humanitarian issues, the backlash he faced for calling out double standards, and the personal cost of using his platform to challenge the status quo. Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform. Episode Running Order Early days: from Pakistan to Paddington and Parramatta (02:15) Navigating two worlds—white cricket and a conservative Muslim home (08:20) What Western Sydney teaches you about resilience (14:10) Discipline over talent: the real secret to making it (19:40) Fitting in, standing out—and making it on your own terms (31:15) Religion, identity, and being the only one in the room (37:05) A story about his mother, mercy, and the meaning of faith (45:30) Islamophobia, Gaza, and the fight for equality in cricket (52:15) Direct messages, hate, and how he protects his peace (1:01:10) Quickfire questions (1:05:30) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Urbanist, business leader and former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about power, public life, and why good cities don’t just happen, they’re built with care and with community at their core. Lucy reflects on her early fascination with urban environments, the lessons from her childhood in Potts Point, and how a sense of purpose, has guided her through decades of leadership across government, planning, business and philanthropy. From growing up in a legal dynasty to building her own legacy in city-making, Lucy opens up about partnership, privilege, and staying grounded when the spotlight is on. She also talks about Sydney’s housing crisis, the hard truths behind affordability, and the bold planning reforms she believes are needed to make Australian cities liveable for future generations. Subscribe to Uncommon Ground on your favourite podcast platform. Episode Running Order Childhood memories, place and perception (02:15) From elite schools to legal studies and marriage at 21 (06:50) Studying law at Sydney, switching gears with an MBA (11:00) Life and partnership with Malcolm Turnbull (15:30) Finding purpose through city-making and public service (20:45) First steps into politics and becoming Lord Mayor (25:00) Council leadership during Sydney’s transformation (30:15) Reflecting on 9/11 and civic leadership in crisis (35:10) Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission (39:00) The housing affordability crisis: causes and cures (43:00) Radical ideas, TODs, and rethinking city planning (48:20) Growing up in a political and legal dynasty (54:00) Maintaining humility, purpose and empathy (57:15) Quickfire questions: myth, guilty pleasure, advice (1:02:00) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.