Podcast gets Ballarat talking

PERSONAL trainer and gym owner Josh Driscoll has always enjoyed meeting new, interesting people, valuing any opportunity to create connections and build networks in Ballarat.

But in more recent times, he didn’t feel comfortable to message someone and ask if they wanted to meet over a coffee.

“It felt really weird, and that they weren’t going to get much out of it, so I thought, if I had a place where we could meet, record a podcast, and they could tell their story, it would be a lot nicer,” he said.

Twenty-seven weeks ago, Mr Driscoll harnessed his curiosity and began producing the Ballarat Talks podcast. Regularly, he has a one-on-one, relaxed conversation with a guest; a new connection who is making a difference in the community.

“If I am curious to know about a person, their life, what they do and how they do it, that’s why I get them on.

“It’s just a normal conversation that’s taped, without a plan, and at the end I ask five questions; what’s something people would be surprised to know about you? What do you love the most? What are you most afraid of? What’s something someone has said to you that has never left you, and who do you want to see on the podcast next?” he said.

“I’m enjoying learning things about Ballarat that you might not otherwise know about. There are so many people out there that you wouldn’t expect are in Ballarat.”

With 27 episodes in the back catalogue, guests have included Revolution Print’s Leon Wilson, Plate Up Ballarat’s Kate Davis, Mitchell Harris Wines’ John Harris, and The Little Cupcake’s Madeleine Witham.

Ballarat Talks is recorded on the top level of the Regent Cinemas. The Regent’s owner, Steve Anderson, offered this space to Mr Driscoll for free and he has created his own fit-for-purpose mini studio.

“The building is incredible, and one of the most iconic in Ballarat so it’s an experience for people to get to come up. It’s a really cool spot.”

Visit instagram.com/ballarat_talks for more information, photos and short video clips from the podcast.

If you would like to hear a particular person on the show, Mr Driscoll encourages you get in contact and make the suggestion via the Instagram page. Ballarat Talks is available on most major podcast streaming platforms.