In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with acclaimed Australian actor, playwright and screenwriter Kate Mulvany to talk about the craft of storytelling, the challenges of living and working with chronic pain, and what it means to reimagine Shakespeare through the lens of disability — all the way to sharing the screen with Al Pacino.

Topics discussed:

1. Tim Minchin sleeping on her couch
2. Workign with superstars Baz Luhrman, Robbie WIlliams and Al Pacino
3. Embodying Richard III and reframing disability as strength
4. What makes a great performance
5. What it truly means to be a storyteller - telling her truth around agent orange, cancer and accoutnability
6. Living and wokring with chronic pain
7. Advocacy for disability representation in the arts

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

On this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer welcomes Marina Prior—the first lady of Australian musical theatre, whose voice and artistry have defined a generation of stage and concert performance.

From her star-making turn in The Phantom of the Opera to a remarkable career spanning the country’s biggest productions, Marina reflects on the natural arc of her journey—moving from ingénue roles sung with youthful clarity to embracing the depth and texture of complex character parts as her career matured.

It’s a conversation about artistry, adaptation, and the enduring magic of storytelling through song.

Topics Discussed:

1. Discovering music and performance as a young girl in Melbourne
2. Breaking through with The Phantom of the Opera and other landmark roles
3. The transition from ingénue to character roles
4. The discipline and daily rituals behind maintaining a world-class instrument
5. How motherhood and family shaped her artistry and perspective
6. Why live theatre remains her truest creative home

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with actor, filmmaker, and passionate change agent Damon Gameau, whose journey from beloved screen star to globally recognised impact storyteller is nothing short of remarkable.

From the runaway success of That Sugar Film to the world-building optimism of 2040, Damon shares his insights into the craft of storytelling with purpose—and what it means to be an artist who refuses to stay in their lane.

It’s a conversation about courage, creativity, and the belief that stories can quite literally change the world.

Topics Discussed:

1. From the hills iof Adelaide to a boat ride with Sophia Loren
2. What sparked Damon’s pivot from acting to impact filmmaking
3. How storytelling can reframe complex global challenges
4. The emotional intelligence behind his approach to documentary
5. The risks and rewards of telling stories that challenge the status quo
6. Why hope is a strategy—and how to keep it alive

Links mentioned in this episode:

• https://futurecouncil.global/

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Spencer McLaren sits down with actor and musician Abi Tucker for a nostalgic, heartfelt reunion celebrating 25 years of The Secret Life of Us. From early auditions and unforgettable St Kilda nights to the creative risks that made the series groundbreaking, Abi reflects on her journey from Heartbreak High and Wildside into Miranda’s world — and how music, friendship and authenticity shaped her performance.

Together, Spencer and Abi revisit iconic scenes, casting chemistry, and the cultural impact of the show’s bold storytelling — including its early exploration of queer relationships and complex female narratives. The conversation also looks forward, touching on Abi’s work on Play School, her evolving creative life, and why the themes of identity, love and finding your place still resonate 25 years later.

A personal, funny and deeply reflective chat about craft, connection, and the magic of a golden era in Australian television.

Topics discussed:

1. Abi’s casting and early memories of joining The Secret Life of Us
2. Chemistry reads, auditions and building the original ensemble
3. Life in Melbourne during filming — St Kilda, music and friendships
4. Creating Miranda: music, character evolution and onscreen relationships
5. Same-sex storylines and authentic representation ahead of their time
6. The show’s lasting relevance and cultural legacy
7. From McLeod’s Daughters to Play School — Abi’s career journey
8. The importance of trust, collaboration and creative risk in long-form TV audiences grow alongside the characters

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In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with acclaimed Australian actor, author and 'Toast' artist (yes vegemite and toast...) Heather Mitchell to talk about strength, stagecraft, and stepping into the shoes of one of history’s most formidable women.

Topics discussed: 1.Building a career in Australian film, TV, and theatre

1. Longevity, leadership, and lifting others as you go
2. Making space for joy, grief, and everything in between

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the trailblazing singer, actor, and cultural icon Christine Anu to talk about the power of representation, the responsibility of platform, and the joy of telling stories through music, stage, and screen.

Christine reflects on a lifetime of breaking ground as a proud Torres Strait Islander woman in the Australian arts industry, the personal meaning behind her most iconic performances, and how she continues to evolve as an artist, activist, and mother. It’s heart, heritage, and a little bit harmony.

Topics discussed:

1. The legacy of My Island Home and singing for a nation
2. Juggling fame, family, and cultural responsibility
3. The power of music to drive change and connect community

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

In this episode, Spencer sits down with Michael Idato, Cultural Editor-at-Large at Sydney Morning Herald, to unpack the cultural moment that The Secret Life of Us landed in — and why it still resonates 25 years on.

Together, they explore how the series helped reshape Australian television at the turn of the millennium, capturing a generation on screen in a way that felt immediate, intimate, and unapologetically local. Michael offers sharp insight into the broader Aussie TV landscape of the late ’90s and early 2000s, and why Secret Life marked a shift in tone, storytelling, and ambition.

The conversation also digs into representation — particularly from queer and Indigenous perspectives — examining what the show got right, where it pushed boundaries for its time, and how those portrayals sit when viewed through a contemporary lens.

Thoughtful, candid, and culturally rich, this episode is less about nostalgia and more about impact: how one series reflected a changing Australia, and helped change it in return.

Topics discussed:

1. The cultural moment The Secret Life of Us emerged into
2. How the series helped shift the Australian TV landscape
3. Why the show felt radically honest and contemporary at the time
4. Representation on Australian television in the late ’90s and early 2000s

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In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the multi-hyphenate performer, composer, and writer to talk about what drives his creativity, the challenges of making work that divides opinion, and the thrill (and chaos) of taking on Broadway with Beetlejuice and King Kong.

Eddie reflects on the highs and heartbreaks of showbiz, the importance of holding your nerve as an artist, and how he balances family life, personal growth, and staying creatively fed. It’s a little bit rock and roll.

Topics discussed: 1.The bold leap from Aussie TV to Broadway musicals

1. What it really takes to build a life in the arts
2. Writing Beetlejuice: pressure, praise, and persistence

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm