THE BEGINNING OF US with BILLY OTTO

#9 ROB AMORUSO: Music “success”, the hellish pit of depression, and becoming free.

 

 

Father, Husband, Producer and Jakubi guitarist talks restlessness, the elusive dream, touring with Justin Timberlake, and soul freedom.

 

FOLLOW ROB AMORUSO

https://www.instagram.com/rob_amoruso/?hl=en

 

 

LISTEN TO JAKUBI

https://open.spotify.com/artist/71Mm7PHNOerxK5GkaT9ACY?si=uX15iuYdRGaldGL-dRHAmg

 

 

 

 

 

#8 Bobby Alu - The oceanic songsmith talks conversations with the heart

We go raw with Samoan-Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and conscious Byron man Bobby Alu. We converse on highschool racism, Polynesian heritage, male identity, finding flow, and the power of stillness. I was so moved from my time with this gentle giant. This human who oozes with creative genius and ecological zeal is still such a man of peace, simplicity and connection. You'll be touched by his wise and reflective word. 

 

Checkout Bobby's music -

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B76xcuHFXdA/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ZkjRupjk0iaff7ame7kZc?si=ayxjkC5kR56qUqBe0Izs3Q

 

#7 Sean Doherty: Legend surf journalist and social analyst talks climate inaction and cultural cringe

EPISODE #7 is up, with the one and only Sean Doherty @seano888. This conversation is as compelling as they come. I have a lot of love and respect for this man. As many of you know, Seano is a surfing journalist legend. He’s the author and editor of a tonne of incredible books on surf culture. I grew up reading his articulate articles in Surfer & @tracksmag. He’s one of the @patagoniaaus lords, and has even now emerged to be a rogue-punk rock social analyst renegade in his commentary on the shadows of Australian politics and climate inaction. This Dead Kennedy’s listening, Akubra wearing ageless grom has somehow become one of the foremost coastal voices on the complicated and dark system of big oil and big coal.

In early 2019 I’d just played my new activism song “Can’t Take The Ocean out of Me” in Torquay at a massive #FIghtForTheBight paddle out which involved over 3000 phenomenal ocean lovers. I was nervous, and I’d gotten words wrong and even sung the song in the wrong key, but maybe the vibe was still alright! Seano ran up to me an hour later when I was leaving and told me he vibed the track and that he wanted to collaborate on a Patagonia project with me. And thus, “Can’t take the Ocean out of Me” was used for the Patagonia film “The Head of the Bight”, and we travelled up the coast together screening the film and playing the song. It was wild! I’m really thankful for this guys belief in young creatives and his desire to see art being used for purpose.

This interview was recorded in the apex heat of the bushfire season in Australia. We go raw. Seano speaks with such an earnest intent to see his country experience a deep homecoming of its indigenous culture, and a recognizing of our custodian responsibility as we strive to protect our endangered ecology. We also talk Bra Boys, The Fight For The Bight campaign, the disappearing cicada population, cultural cringe and Seano’s decision to leave the doctor path and remain in the froth and flow; living by the ocean, writing for surf mags, and chin-wagging as a world surf tour correspondent. Proud to call you a mate Sean Doherty. Thank you for this very heartfelt and insightful conversation. Bless ya cuz. B

#6 The making of BØRN EP Part 1.

I've always wanted to dive deeply into the creation of my sophomore record, BØRN. In this episode, I chat with my dear friend Jarrah about the stories and writing and people and production involved in this body of work. This record was transformative for me. It opened up so many new revelations, opportunities, and extremely joyous moments for me; so I feel like I really want to do it some justice. It's been 5 years since I began writing this EP, so here you have it. Hear the stories of love, adventure, loneliness, family struggle, and faith as I endeavored to make something beautiful and meaningful for the world.  

#5 BEN GORDON of PARKWAY DRIVE

We go deep diving into Ben’s story of growing up in Byron and becoming part of Australia’s greatest metal band of all time.

Little did I know that we would journey into such lush conversation around conscious awakening, mindfulness practice, and alcohol abstinence.

Ben has a lot to say about the nature of brotherhood, mental health, artistic language, and learning to observe thoughts as a portal to inner freedom.

 

Follow his cafe -

https://www.instagram.com/byron_general_store/?hl=en

 

Listen to Parkway Drive -

https://www.instagram.com/parkwaydriveofficial/?hl=en

https://open.spotify.com/artist/159qqlGwzE04xyqpfAwRLo?si=3q6IbM3XS_yK29PrnZGFwg

My Story - I lost God, to find God. I left Church and found Jesus.

This week I did something a little bit different. I collaborated with my dear friends from the Ideas Digest Podcast. I love these humans. They are doing an incredible work -

Humanising controversial ideas by learning about where we found them and how they change us. Whether they be religious, political, taboo or politically incorrect. 

I share my story about being a radical fundamentalist Christian and minister, and coming out of that experience through reflection, suffering and beautiful deconstruction. We talk about literalism, heaven and hell, sex, tribal control and everything theological. 

Follow the pod at -

https://www.instagram.com/ideasdigest/

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ideas-digest/id1456290043

I wanted to pay my respects to their beloved host Cam Ferry, who tragically passed away one week ago. I want to honour his legacy, and the way he held space for me throughout this conversation, helping me come to terms with my own evolution. What a beautiful man. Thank you for holding space for me and so many others brother! 

 

 

 

 

#3 Cliff Kapono // Surfer, Scientist, Story Teller

We catch up with professional surfer and oceanographer Cliff Kapono as he unleashes his perspectives on surf science, healing his masculinity and protecting mother ocean. 

#2 KATE NELSON // The Plastic Free Mermaid herself speaking into our collective responsibility to protect Mother Ocean.

Kate Nelson is a water woman magical mermaid and yogi goddess who has been disposable plastic-free for ten years. She is the author of "I Quit Plastics: You can too."

 

Follow Kate on instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreemermaid/?hl=en

 

Checkout her website:

http://iquitplastics.com/

#1 KYLE LIONHART // The singing and songwriting iconoclast, speaking into broken masculinity, fatherhood and mental health.

We go raw with Byron Bay based singer-songwriter Kyle Lionhart - journeying into masculinity, wounds, healing and the inner child

Everyday is a new day to be reborn and to re-child. Many of us ask “What does it mean to be human?” I believe that the most monumental breakthroughs and self-revelation begin with - this - the present moment. My name is Billy Otto, a songwriter, producer, environmental activist, and mental health advocate. Come with me on a journey and join a conversation with like minds, exploring the path of curiosity, connection, creativity and re-creation with artists, philanthropists, nature lovers, change-makers and a whole host of beautiful and open minds. Life is a canvas, and today we are all artisans. And together we have the ability to posture our hearts and minds towards a more regenerative paradigm. With this trajectory, let’s pursue an adventure of cultural renewal for our ever-evolving world.

 

FOLLOW KYLE LIONHART

https://www.instagram.com/kylelionhart/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbWX5gp2cRmqYoR0qEJNxQ