Uncommon Ground with Talal Yassine

From arriving in Australia unable to speak English to becoming one of the youngest mayors in the country, Bilal Hayek’s story is one of resilience, service and deep community connection. 

In this episode of Uncommon Ground, Bilal reflects on his migration journey from Lebanon, the challenges of adapting to a new country, and the teachers and mentors who shaped his path. He shares how an unplanned career in youth work led...

In this powerful episode of Uncommon Ground, Professor Talal Yassine sits down with Shaun Christie-David, a social enterprise leader, restaurateur, and the founder of Colombo Social, Kabul Social, Kyiv Social, and the Plate It Forward Foundation.

From his humble beginnings in Western Sydney to launching some of Australia's most socially impactful dining venues, Shaun is reshaping what hospitality means. His mission? Use food as a f...

In this episode of Uncommon Ground, Talal Yassine sits down with Andrew Robb, former Trade and Investment Minister and one of the most influential political strategists of his generation for a rare and deeply personal conversation.

Andrew reflects on his journey from a childhood on dairy farms as one of nine children, to helping deregulate Australia’s economy and negotiating major trade deals across Asia. He also speaks candi...

In this episode of Uncommon Ground, Talal sits down with OzHarvest Founder and social entrepreneur Ronni Kahn to explore the personal journey behind one of Australia’s most impactful purpose-led organisations.

From growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to living on a kibbutz in Israel, Ronni reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her understanding of inequality, community and responsibility. She shares how a suc...

From homelessness to hope, from law school dropout to CEO of a purpose-driven disability services organisation, this is the extraordinary journey of Yasser Zaki, Global CEO of TLC Disability Services.

In this powerful episode of Uncommon Ground, hosted by Professor Talal Yassine, Yasser opens up about his early life in Egypt, migrating alone to Australia, and experiencing homelessness at just 24. But it's what came after, a life-ch...

From Redfern ovals and Canterbury streets to world-title nights under bright lights, Anthony “Choc” Mundine has lived more than one lifetime in Australian sport. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Choc sits down with Talal to trace the full arc of his journey – from precocious footy kid and Australian Schoolboy who walked away at the peak of his powers, to becoming a world-title winning boxer who refused to ...

In the latest episode of Uncommon Ground, Talal Yassine speaks with veteran journalist Hugh Riminton about a life spent reporting from the world’s flashpoints. Hugh reflects on his childhood in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the unlikely path that led him into journalism, and the coup in Fiji that first exposed him to danger in the field.

He shares powerful memories from covering Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa and the collapse of ...

From humble beginnings in Western Sydney to leading one of Australia’s largest structural package firms, Nabil Hafza’s story is one of grit, sacrifice and long-term belief.

In this episode of Uncommon Ground, Nabil reflects on his upbringing, leaving school early to pursue a trade, starting Future Form with just a few thousand dollars, and building it into a major player on some of the country’s biggest projects.

World champion boxer and cancer survivor Billy Dib sits down with Talal to trace an extraordinary life. From a corner shop in Engadine and schoolyard racism to the bright lights of world titles, celebrity promoters, heartbreak, and healing. Billy shares how his father’s “kill them with kindness” philosophy and a devoted English teacher (who taught him to read with boxing magazines) shaped the resilience that carri...

At just 27, Fatima Payman made history as the first hijab-wearing Muslim woman elected to the Australian Parliament. Her election was more than symbolic, it was a moment of visibility that resonated deeply across Australia, especially for young people who had never seen themselves represented in public life. 

In this candid conversation with Talal Yassine, Fatima shares her extraordinary journey, from refugee roots in Afghanis...

Season 2 of Uncommon Ground opens with David Campbell, one of Australia’s most versatile performers, an actor, singer, television presenter, and proud father.

In this intimate conversation with Talal Yassine, David reflects on the complexities of identity, from a childhood raised by his grandmother in Adelaide to discovering the truth about his parents and navigating the weight of being Jimmy Barnes’ son. He speaks cand...

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 a...

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 s...

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 ...

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...

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 lead...

Former Socceroo, broadcaster, and human rights advocate Craig Foster joins Talal Yassine for a conversation about sport, leadership, and the courage to stand up for others, no matter the cost.

From an idyllic childhood in country NSW to captaining the Socceroos, Craig shares how football shaped his worldview, took him deep inside multicultural Australia, and taught him the difference between positional authority and true leadership...

In a candid conversation spanning politics, love, grief, and the shifting ground of global affairs, NSW’s longest-serving Premier, Bob Carr, joins Professor Talal Yassine for this special episode.

From his childhood in post-war Maroubra to becoming NSW Premier and later Foreign Minister, Bob reflects on the drive that took him from anxious schoolboy to political heavyweight. He shares how journalism honed his communication sk...

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo joins Talal Yassine for a no-holds-barred conversation about medicine, power, and staying true to his convictions, even when it cost him everything.

Charlie reflects on growing up in a Chinese-Singaporean household obsessed with British tradition, learning the bagpipes as a kid, and the intense pressure to succeed under a tiger dad. He opens up about the early years of his medical career, his obsession with...