McLaren versus

Kate Mulvany: Story, Strength & Shakespeare

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 20:00:00 +0000

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:

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

Follow Kate Mulvany https://www.instagram.com/katemulvany/

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Kate role.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Marina Prior: Voice of a Generation | McLaren Versus

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000

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:

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

Follow Marina Prior Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_marina_prior

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Damon Gameau: Stories for a Living Planet

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:00:00 +0000

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:

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

Links mentioned in this episode:

https://futurecouncil.global/

Follow Damon Gameau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damon.gameau/

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Damon film or doco.

DamonGameau #FutureCouncil #McLarenVersus #SpencerMcLaren

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - Abi and Me

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000

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:

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

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite episode of The Secret Life of Us.

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Heather Mitchell: A Portrait of Quiet Courage

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 20:30:00 +0000

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

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

Follow Heather instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyheathermitchell

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories from real Aussie talent, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Heather Mitchell role.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Christine Anu: Between Two Worlds

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 19:35:00 +0000

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:

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

Follow Christine Anu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anuchristine/

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories from real Aussie talent, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Chrsitnie Anu role.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - TV That Changed Us

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000

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:

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

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite SLOU episode.

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Eddie Perfect: Broadway. Beetlejuice. Bloody brilliant. | McLaren Versus with Spencer McLaren

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000

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

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

Follow Eddie Perfect Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edmundperfect/

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories from real Aussie talent, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Eddie Perfect role.

EddiePerfect #McLarenVersus #SpencerMcLaren

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - Naughty Neighbours

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer heads upstairs — literally — to revisit the chaotic, flirtatious share-house energy of The Secret Life of Us, with a deep dive into the residents who lived just above : Gabi and Jason.

From thin walls and questionable boundaries to friendships, hook-ups and emotional near-misses, this conversation unpacks how the “upstairs apartment” became its own pressure cooker of desire, drama and very early-2000s messiness. Spencer, Sibylla Budd and Damian de Montemas reflect on the freedom (and chaos) of playing young, horny, emotionally undercooked characters at a time when Australian TV was pushing boundaries — on screen and off.

It’s a nostalgic, naughty look back at a time when everyone knew everyone’s business, privacy was optional, and the neighbours were never just neighbours.

Topics include:

Bad Haircuts
Getting famous
How the show captured a very specific moment in youth culture
What it was like living in each other’s pockets — creatively and socially

Affectionate,reflective and a bit cheeky — Naughty Neighbours is a reminder that some walls are thinner than others… and that was half the fun.

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite episode of The Secret Life of Us.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Murray Bartlett: Fame, Freedom & Finding Home | McLaren Versus

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000

From Perth to Primetime, Murray Bartlett has carved a career defined by quiet intensity, emotional depth, and unflinching honesty. In this deeply engaging conversation, Spencer sits down with the Emmy-winning actor behind The White Lotus, Looking, and The Last of Us to unpack the journey behind the performances.

Murray shares the realities of life as a working actor before the big break, how he navigated identity in the public eye, and what it means to find success—and peace—later in life. It’s a conversation about craft, queerness, and carving your own path in an industry that often resists change.

In this episode:

From Sydney to New York—Murray’s long road to recognition
Behind The White Lotus and the role that changed everything
Queer storytelling and why it still matters
How home keeps him balanced

Links & Mentions:

Follow Murray Bartlett Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murray.bartlett/

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - The Casting Couch

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In this episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer pulls up a seat on the casting couch with the original series casting agent behind The Secret Life of Us — Wizzy Evans. And yes, the room was very full.

We dive into the wild energy of the audition process, the sheer number of actors circling the show, and the buzz that surrounded Secret Life before anyone realised it would become a cultural touchstone. From instant chemistry and gut instincts to the organised chaos of casting a young ensemble, this is an unfiltered look at how one of Australia’s most beloved casts came together.

It’s funny, honest and mildly unhinged — a reminder that some shows arrive fully charged, long before the cameras start rolling.

Topics discussed:

What the casting process actually looked like behind closed doors
Why everyone wanted to be part of Secret Life
Chemistry reads that crackled (and why they mattered)
The pressure of shaping a show that already felt “special”
How instinct, timing and taste drive casting decisions

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite episode of The Secret Life of Us.

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Pia Miranda: The Girl Who Grew Into Herself

Aspect Entertainment — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this heartfelt episode of McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with the unforgettable Pia Miranda—an actress who became a national treasure after portraying Josie in the landmark Australian film Looking for Alibrandi.

Now, decades on, Pia reflects on the career-defining role that launched her, the challenges of navigating fame at a young age, and how she’s embraced reinvention through motherhood, reality TV (yes, she won Survivor), and continued creative growth.

Spencer and Pia talk about identity, resilience, and the deeply personal moments that have shaped her as both an artist and a woman.

In this episode:

The enduring impact of Looking for Alibrandi
What fame felt like as a young woman in the spotlight
Get thee to a nunnery... or not!
Surviving SURVIVOR
Unemployment and creative reinvention in the arts

Links & Mentions:

Follow Pia Miranda Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_piamiranda/

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories from real Aussie talent, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Piua Miranda role

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This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - Dish The Dirt

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000

In this fun reunion episode, Spencer sits down with Claudia Karvan, Deborah Mailman and Samuel Johnson to rewind the clock 25 years and revisit The Secret Life of Us — the show that made a generation fall in love, argue loudly at dinner parties, and feel slightly better (or worse) about their own lives.

What follows is pure chaos in the best way: unfiltered memories, on-set gossip, affectionate roasting, and a healthy dose of “we probably shouldn’t be saying this… but here we are.” From cast crushes and cultural impact to the strange experience of becoming that famous that fast, this is a reunion that feels more like mates at the pub than a polite trip down memory lane.

If you loved the show, this episode delivers the stuff you always wanted to know — and a few things you definitely didn’t expect to hear out loud.

In this episode we cover:

The lightning-in-a-bottle energy that made the show explode
Cast chemistry, crushes and the original auditions
Becoming overnight household names (and coping with it)
Why the show hit a nerve — and still does
The legacy of The Secret Life of Us 25 years on

Links mentioned in this episode:

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite episode of The Secret Life of Us.

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The Secret Life Of Us - 25yrs on - Meet The Makers

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 19:00:00 +0000

This week on McLaren Versus, Spencer sits down with legendary producer Amanda Higgs and celebrated writer Judi McCrossin to unpack how The Secret Life of Us came to life, the creative risks that defined a generation of Australian drama, and why the emotional heartbeat of the series still resonates 25 years on.

Topics discussed:

Where Amanda and Judi were emotionally when Secret Life first began
How the characters were created
How St Kilda shaped its soul
The production and industry hurdles getting the show made
The storylines that made networks nervous and sparked difficult phone calls
The moment they realised the show was not just popular — but emotionally important
How The Secret Life of Us changed the landscape for Australian drama
What still surprises them 25 years later — the timeless and the very 2001 Follow Us instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mclarenversus facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mclarenversus

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Kate role.

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Shane Jacobson: Beyond Kenny — The Man Behind the Laughs

Aspect Entertainment — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 20:00:00 +0000

This week, from humble beginnings to national stardom, Shane Jacobson talks with Spencer McLaren about the roles that shaped him, the mentors who guided him, and why staying grounded is his greatest success.

Topics discussed:

Busiest Man in Showbiz
Kenny and the heart of comedy
Crafting Edna (Hairspray)
The family legacy
The advise from Hoges and Bryan Brown he still lives by

Follow Shane Jacobson Instagram: https://instagram.com/theshanejacobson Website: https://shanejacobson.com.au

Like, Comment & Subscribe If you love real stories from real Aussie legends, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and drop a comment about your favourite Shane Jacobson role.

ShaneJacobson #McLarenVersus #SpencerMcLaren

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

BONUS EPISODE: McLaren Vs ABC

Aspect Entertainment — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:46:00 +0000

I popped into ABC to spill the tea with Mary Gearin about McLaren Versus — turns out I talk as much as my guests!

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm

Trailer | McLaren Versus with Spencer McLaren

Aspect Entertainment — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:49:15 +0000

McLaren Versus is your ‘Access All Areas’ pass to meet the people behind the stories through candid conversations with household names that reveal life lessons, triumphs, and challenges, showcasing the humanity behind public personas. It’s a new Australian podcast that celebrates resilience, creativity, and the stories that define a life well-lived.

BONUS EPISODE: McLaren on Mistakes

Aspect Entertainment — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 03:06:48 +0000

In this special bonus drop, Spencer takes a moment to reflect on one of the most revealing questions from McLaren Versus: "Do you have any mistakes you regret?"

Across the season, guests have offered personal and surprising answers but with a consistent theme. Now, Spencer shares his own perspective—on regret, growth, and why our mistakes might be the most valuable part of the journey.

Short, sweet, and honest—this 6-minute episode is a quiet pause in the noise.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm