Show Notes
Cris Cross is back for his second appearance on the Better Bloke Project Podcast. Cris is more than a friend of the project. He is a personal mate, and this episode was as much about catching up as it was recording a podcast. We chat about what Cris has been up to since his last appearance, including his art exhibition, the latest happenings in his creative world and a quick reminder for new listeners about who he is and what he does. There is plenty of shit talk and banter between mates, but there is also a reason I wanted Cris back in the chair. The conversations we have had off camera are the kind you need when you are stuck in a rut and things are not quite adding up. It is important to have blokes around you who you can lean on, talk things through with and trust to tell you what you need to hear. One idea that stayed with me from the conversation was that the mundane keeps you sane. When we compare our lives to what we see on social media, we are usually looking at someone else’s one percent. We do not see the ordinary days, the boring jobs or the everyday routines that keep everything moving. But often, that boring stuff is what puts fuel in the tank and gives us the drive to keep going. This is a conversation between mates about art, AI, renovations, self doubt, life and a whole heap of other shit in between. It is honest, loose and exactly the kind of chat I needed.
Help us help the blokes who need it: https://www.betterblokeproject.org/pages/donate-now
Follow Cris Cross: https://www.instagram.com/cris.cross.art/
Find us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/betterblokeproject/ https://www.facebook.com/thebetterblokeproject/ https://www.tiktok.com/@betterblokeproject
More from Better Bloke
This week’s solo episode is a recap of a massive weekend on the road and a reminder of why being boots on the ground matters. The Older But Not Wiser annual charity ride brought together more than 70 bikes, with incredible support from local businesses and everyone who attended. After the ride, Rob caught up with Ash and Thommo, who were stoked with how the day unfolded, particularly the conversations that happened along the way. The Thunder Run also took place, with Rob and Brock joining the crew at the Anglers Inn. The atmosphere was unreal, and the afternoon included one of the biggest meat tray raffles you will ever see, with 30 meat packs up for grabs. Across both rides, blokes opened up to Rob and Brock about what was happening in their lives. Many of them are not the type to normally talk about what they are carrying, but sometimes speaking with someone outside your usual circle makes it easier to take that first step. Those conversations can become a bridge to opening up with loved ones or seeking professional support. Seeing that happen firsthand reinforced why Better Bloke Project is needed and why showing up in person remains such an important part of the work. Rob also addresses the elephant in the room and clears up some confusion surrounding the charity & podcast. Better Bloke Project and Blokes Advice are separate and have no affiliation. Their shared history can make that unclear at times, but Rob and Brock are moving Better Bloke Project forward while Matty continues with Blokes Advice. The episode also looks ahead to the Burnouts for Better Blokes raffle, launching October 21. It gives supporters the chance to win incredible money cannot buy memorabilia while helping the charity continue its work.
Episode 131 is a solo catch up on everything that has been happening around the Better Bloke Project. Rob reflects on the recent Ride for Tim and Podcast Royale events, the conversations that came from both, and the impact of bringing good people together around a shared purpose. It is often the chats before, during and after these events that remind us why the project exists in the first place. With October being Mental Health Month, Rob also talks about pressure. Pressure can make diamonds, but it can also burst pipes. Sometimes staying busy only delays what is building underneath. This episode is a reminder to find your pressure release valve, whatever that looks like for you, and to reach out before things become too much. He also looks ahead to a massive weekend on the road, with the Thunder Run and the Older But Not Wiser Podcast annual charity ride both coming up. A short and honest update on recent events, meaningful conversations, mental health, community and what is next for Better Bloke. Upcoming events: Older But Not Wiser Podcast annual charity ride: https://www.facebook.com/share/19sEFbv3es/
Michael Forrest, better known as Mic Power, is the voice behind Podcast Royale and quite possibly the greatest ring announcer in Australia by a country mile.
This week’s episode is a little different. I sit down with my 11 year old son, Hemi, to recap the entire Podcast Royale 3.0 weekend through the eyes of a young boxer watching his dad step into the ring. I was lucky enough to have Hemi beside me for the whole experience, from the walkthrough on Friday and the press conference, to walking me out and standing in my corner alongside a world class team consisting of the Moloney twins, Ben Savva, Viviana Ruiz and Shane Morrissey. It is a heartfelt chat between a father and son about what the weekend looked and felt like from his perspective. We talk about the atmosphere, the fight and what it was like watching his dad box after agreeing to face two very capable blokes who had actually been training. Unlike me. Kyle thankfully carried a big load of the fight thanks to his training. There are a few lessons buried among the chat, including a healthy dose of "do what I say, not what I do". But the biggest lesson is simple. If you say you are going to do something, you follow through. Even when you feel underprepared, doubt yourself or realise you may have bitten off more than you can chew. Sometimes standing on business means showing up, backing your word and doing the thing before you feel completely ready. This is a short, honest and special conversation with my son about boxing, commitment and an unforgettable weekend we were lucky enough to share. Help us help the blokes who need it: https://www.betterblokeproject.org/pages/donate-now Find us on socials: https://www.instagram.com/betterblokeproject/ https://www.facebook.com/thebetterblokeproject/ https://www.tiktok.com/@betterblokeproject
James Blackmore is one of the Better Bloke Project’s biggest supporters, not only financially, but through the time, energy and effort he puts into bringing people together. Through The Angler’s Inn in Wallaroo, where he is the manager, James has helped host multiple events in support of the project, including the annual Thunder Run. Despite meeting James in Adelaide a few months ago and having countless conversations online, I realised I did not actually know much about the bloke behind the fundraisers. While James and his family were travelling through multiple states, it felt like the perfect opportunity to sit down, get to know him properly and hear his story. We talk about the role a pub can play beyond serving drinks. Being part of The Angler’s Inn gives James the opportunity to create space for conversations that many blokes might not have anywhere else. Sometimes it is easier to open up while sitting at the bar, attending an event or simply having a yarn with someone who is willing to listen. Blokes do not often put this much work into supporting their community without having their own experiences, motivations and reasons for wanting to help others. This episode goes beyond the events, fundraising and support to meet the bloke behind it all, and to understand why creating space for other blokes matters so much to him. Help us help the blokes who need it: https://www.betterblokeproject.org/pages/donate-now