Best Jimmy Thomson Podcasts (2025)

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Backstage Chronicles with Carl Miller 53:00

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4d ago53:00

53:00

Carl Miller is a veteran tour manager and rock-and-roll raconteur whose memoir Backstage Chronicles offers an unfiltered look at the legends and loopholes of touring. As the author and compiler of the book, Miller draws from his decades of experience on the road—working with major figures such as Cat Stevens, Ginger Baker, and Iron Maiden. Through …

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Fake hosts - our scariest podcast ever 14:37

24d ago14:37

14:37

We’re back. Or at least, one of us is for real, but the other one is fake, thanks to an Artificial Intelligence app. This week I fed two articles from the Flat Chat website into an AI app called Jellypod. I chose the one about NSW Premier Chris Minns’ visit to the Netstrata offices and the other about the NSW Fair Trading minister’s announcement th…

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Surfboard Design Elements - Foil / Flex 1:12:27

23d ago1:12:27

1:12:27

In this episode, Luke Howarth from Howie shapes and I discuss the subtleties of a surfboard foil or profile. The distribution of foam in a surfboard is often overlooked but it can have a big impact on how your board performs. We chat about the evolution of foil in a surfboard and how it relates to the different styles of boards. I ask Luke about wh…

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Iain Mckell - Photographer 46:30

1M ago46:30

46:30

Iain McKell is a distinguished British photographer and filmmaker celebrated for his powerful portraits and social-documentary work, particularly his chronicling of British youth subcultures since the late 1970s. His prints will be exhibited in the upcoming show Blitz – The Club That Shaped the 80s, which opens on September 20th and runs until Marc…

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Shaper Interview with Scott James 2:08:40

1M ago2:08:40

2:08:40

In this episode I chat with Scott James from SJS Custom. Scott first appeared on my radar through social media. The boards he was creating and the way he was presenting them really stood out amongst the many. It piqued my interest. I was keen to chat with Scott to hear more about his back story and it did not disappoint. Scott grew up in the town o…

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Deniece Pearson of Five Star 49:45

1M ago49:45

49:45

Deniece Pearson—best known as the powerhouse lead singer of Five Star—was the voice behind some of the slickest pop-R&B hits of the 1980s. As frontwoman of Britain’s answer to the Jacksons, she helped the sibling group dominate the charts with platinum albums and a string of infectious singles like System Addict and Rain or Shine. With a Brit Award…

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Steve Blacknell - The Man with the Child in his Eyes 1:03:23

2M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

A veteran British broadcaster, music industry insider, and self-proclaimed "serial thrill-seeker", Steve Blacknell's life has zigzagged through some of pop culture's most iconic moments. Born in Peckham in 1952 and raised in Dartford, Blacknell rose from humble beginnings—working as a hospital cleaner—to becoming a dynamic force in radio, televisio…

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Producer Steve Levine 1:21:53

2M ago1:21:53

1:21:53

Steve Levine: The Hitmaker Behind Culture Club, The Beach Boys & More | Music Producer Legend #cultureclub #boygeorge #stevelevine #recordproducer He’s the man behind the mixing desk who helped define the sound of a generation. My guest today is a Grammy Award-winning producer and one of the true architects of ‘80s pop. He shaped the global success…

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Too slow for easy low-cost housing fix 17:25

2M ago17:25

17:25

It’s a problem with any bureaucracy, anywhere in the world – and it’s also the reason strong figures in politics prevail – doing the right thing the “right way” takes a lot longer than just getting stuff done when it’s most needed. The principle of “it’s easier to apologise than it is to get permission” gets things moving but it also leaves the doo…

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Gered Mankowitz 1:16:18

2M ago1:16:18

1:16:18

Gered Mankowitz; Photographing Kate Bush, The Rolling Stones, Billy Idol, Suzi Quatro, Jimi Hendrix #GeredMankowitz #photography #katebush #therollingstones #billyidol #Suziquatro #jimihendrix As someone who’s spent years speaking with some of the most fascinating figures in music and culture, few conversations have excited me as much as the one yo…

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Shaper Interview with Gary McNeill 1:26:11

2M ago1:26:11

1:26:11

In this episode I catch up with Gary McNeill from Gary McNeill Concepts. I first met Gary when I was working on the Gold Coast nearly 20 years ago. From the very first meeting I found him to be friendly, dedicated, talented and a real individual pursuing his own path. Gary grew up surfing competitively, but a few changes in life would motivate him …

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Andrew Roachford 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

As someone who has interviewed many influential artists over the years, Andrew Roachford stands out as a truly unique voice in British music. Rising to fame in the late 1980s with his band Roachford, he broke onto the charts with the unforgettable hit “Cuddly Toy”, a track that fused soul, rock, and funk in a way that felt completely fresh at the t…

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Simple but significant rewards for our key workers 21:15

3M ago21:15

21:15

Don’t be put off by a tinkle or two of classical music at the start of this week’s podcast. It’s just a small acknowledgement of the fact that we are in Warsaw, where Polish-born piano master composer Frederic Chopin was raised. What do Warsaw and Gdansk have to do with apartments? Heaps as it turns out. Having been flattened by the Nazis during th…

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Going Dutch on rent controls 12:45

3M ago12:45

12:45

This week we’ve taken the podcast overseas as we’re recording on a cruise ship off the coast of Norway. But it gives us an opportunity to look at one of the vexed questions of living in strata in Australia. You may not know this but there is already one city in Australia that has rent controls. Do they work? Do they keep rents low or just set a ben…

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Outside The Bay with Damien Cole from Varuna Surfboards 2:10:46

3M ago2:10:46

2:10:46

In this episode we catch up with Damien Cole, former CEO of Varuna surfboards. The surfboard industry is a fickle beast; it owes nobody anything and we are regularly reminded of this. Earlier this year Varuna surfboards closed its doors for the last time. Varuna surfboards was a new type of wooden construction with a focus on reducing the environme…

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Is this the end of balcony laundry bans? 24:05

3M ago24:05

24:05

Last week Sue dropped a bomb into a discussion about new strata laws in NSW, one of which will invalidate by-laws that block sustainability changes because they would alter the look of the building. Does this mean the end of by-laws that forbid drying laundry on balconies? Surely not using a tumble dryer and instead using the wind and sun is a sust…

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Designer Keanan Duffty 1:15:50

3M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

Designer Keanan Duffty; Fashion meets Music, David Bowie, Sex Pistols; The University of Failure I’m thrilled to introduce Keanan Duffty—this isn’t just an intro, it’s your VIP pass into the mind of a true blend of fashion, music, and education. Keanan is a British-born creative powerhouse (b. 1964, Doncaster) who's been rocking stages and runways …

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New strata laws tested - the best and the rest 24:46

3M ago24:46

24:46

If you've been hiding under your bed - and who isn't tempted these days? - you may not have heard that NSW is about to see a second tranche of strata law reforms become a reality on July 1. What are the new laws and what do they mean? We invited Robert Anderson, President of SCA-NSW, the state's professional body for strata managers and service pro…

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Shaper Interview with Sergio Gomez 1:27:57

3M ago1:27:57

1:27:57

In this episode I chat with Sergio Gomez from Gomez surfboards. Sergio grew up on the coast of Argentina. The town was rather large, but surfing was considered counterculture and there were only two surf shops. Sergio fell in love with surfing and on one occasion when his board was being repaired, he borrowed his friend's brother's board. The board…

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Sue Clowes 1:02:17

3M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Sue Clowes; Designer of Boy George/Culture Club's iconic clothes; She help Shape 80's Fashion Legacy Photo; (c) Samuel Guerrier Pioneering British textile and fashion designer, Sue Clowes, is renowned for her influential role in shaping 1980s pop and street fashion.⁠ ⁠ It was her collaboration with Boy George and Culture Club in the early 1980s tha…

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It's real! Building faster, cheaper, better apartments 23:59

4M ago23:59

23:59

Imagine if you could build apartments in half the time at 15 per cent less cost and a guarantee of no waterproofing, fire safety or structural defects. ‘Tell ’im he must be dreamin’,” say strata’s Darryl Kerrigans. Apartment blocks take longer to build than ever, cost more, and fire and waterproofing are still endemic defects across the industry. E…

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Martin Green; DJ & Curator 42:06

3M ago42:06

42:06

Martin Green is a pioneering DJ, curator, and cultural archivist, best known as the founder of Smashing, the legendary 1990s Soho club that became a cornerstone of Britpop-era nightlife. He toured with Pulp and has DJ-ed for Blur, Suede, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and fashion houses like Chanel and Prada. A passionate collector, he compile…

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On ABC radio Afternoons with James Valentine 25:23

3M ago25:23

25:23

As many of you may already know, every second Tuesday, JimmyT goes on ABC Radio with James Valentine on his Afternoon show to chat about apartments. Last week, Jimmy and James took calls from listeners about what you can and can't put on balconies, compulsory training for strata committees, tradies who block car spaces, and car lifts that break dow…

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Shaper Interview with Dylan Perese 1:21:08

4M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

In this episode I chat with Dylan Perese from DP surfboards and inventor of the soon to be released 'Leashbar'. Dylan caught the bug for shaping in his early teens and instantly knew this was what he wanted to do. A couple of years later he left school to focus on surfboards and never looked back. A member of a thriving surf community south of Sydn…

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Limahl 53:45

4M ago53:45

53:45

Limahl; From Kajagoogoo's Too Shy to Giorgio Moroder's Never Ending Story! Limahl (born Christopher Hamill) is a British pop singer best known as the lead vocalist of the 1980s band Kajagoogoo, whose global hit "Too Shy" topped charts in 1983. After going solo, he gained further success with the international hit "The NeverEnding Story", the theme …

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Hot seat part 2 - Vexatious litigants and embedded networks 27:31

4M ago27:31

27:31

In this second part of Lawyer in the Hot Seat, recorded last week, strata legal eagle David Bannerman fields questions from Flat Chat's Jimmy Thomson about a range of issues, starting with what is vexatious litigant and how do you deal with them? Then there's the matter of disputes between neighbours and whether or not the strata committee should g…

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Swing Out Sister 1:05:16

4M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Swing Out Sister: From ‘Breakout’ to Timeless – The Evolution of Style and Sound Certain Shades Of Limelight — an 8CD box set celebrating a dazzling decade of Swing Out Sister’s sophisticated pop brilliance is out on June 27th 2025. Spanning 1994 to 2004, this beautifully curated collection captures the creative evolution of one of Britain’s most s…

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Lawyer in the Hot Seat 2025 - Part 1 34:42

4M ago34:42

34:42

In what has become an annual event here on Flat Chat, this week we were invited on to a webinar run by leading strata lawyer (and Flat Chat sponsor) David Bannerman for the Q&A session that we call Lawyer in the Hot Seat. In it we discuss such diverse issues as Lithium battery safety, a Vegepod balcony plant system that's been banned becasue it's n…

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Training wheels and strata manager myths 26:45

5M ago26:45

26:45

The week’s podcast covers a wide array of topics, from your thoughts on strata committee training, and the ups and downs of the property market to common myths about strata managers. And we’ll throw in a reference to photography as well. We have a look at Amanda Farmer’s survey into strata owners’ thought on training for strata committee members. W…

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Outside The Bay with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective NZ 1:04:06

4M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

In this episode, I chat with Daniel Hawes from Shapers Collective, New Zealand. Howie and I recently discussed the feedback we received about the difficulties currently facing shapers around the world. Shortly after hearing our chat, Daniel reached out to share a business model he is implementing. An Australian expat living in a town named Mangawha…

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Why green flats are good buys 26:04

5M ago26:04

26:04

The Wrap is back with a look at sustainable apartments and the reality of spending a bit more to make a unit cheaper to live in. The latest message is that even if the average ‘green’ unit costs $11k more, it will save you heaps of money… and salve your conscience too. We also uncover two worrying trends in one of our states where developers are lo…

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Alan G. Parker on John Lennon 52:43

5M ago52:43

52:43

Director Alan G. Parker on Borrowed Time; The Truth Behind John Lennon's Final Years REVEALED! Alan G. Parker, director of Hello Quo Love Kills: The Story of Sid and the Pistols and It Was Fifty Years Ago Today... Sgt Pepper and Beyond, BORROWED TIME: LENNON'S LAST DECADE explores the final decade of Lennon's life in extraordinary detail. Alan G. P…

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All the strata stats that matter 20:51

5M ago20:51

20:51

Did you know that getting on for 4.5 million Australians live in strata? And who do you think comprises the single largest demographic group, from singles and couples through to one-parent families? Can you even take a wild guess at the total value of strata properties in Oz, or what percentage of strata schemes don’t have strata managers? This wee…

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Chris Bostock of JoBoxers 48:12

5M ago48:12

48:12

Chris Bostock; JoBoxers, Style Council and Dave Stewart; The life of a Bass Guitar Player Chris Bostock is an English musician, songwriter, and music producer, best known as the bassist for the 1980s new wave band JoBoxers. Born in Bristol in 1962, Bostock began his musical journey with classical piano at age six before transitioning to guitar and …

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Lee Swillingham 1:01:06

5M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Lee Swillingham; Inside The FACE Magazine; a style Revolution That Changed British Culture! To watch the interview go here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZAmkcJC4k Lee Swillingham, former Art Director of The Face magazine and co-curator of The Face; Culture Shirt Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London, is a distinguished British…

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Defects, solar snub and commissions 23:45

6M ago23:45

23:45

There's a lot going on in the strata sphere this week, starting with the Sydney Morning Herald's big expose on building defects. It's well worth reading but it's funny how every time a new reporter writes about this stuff, it's treated as if it's just been discovered. Speaking as people who have been on this beat for two decades, we are just glad t…

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Shaper Interview with Wayne Roach 2:31:25

5M ago2:31:25

2:31:25

In this episode, I chat with Wayne Roach from Roach Approach surfboards. Wayne's story is a classic tale about a boy that fell in love with surfing at a young age and developed a passion for surfboards. Wayne or 'Roachy' as he is more commonly known, was a product of the bustling surf industry in Cronulla during the 70's and 80's. Roachy worked und…

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Election fever, defects call and rents on the rise 26:12

6M ago26:12

26:12

We’d love to ignore the election but we can’t, so this week we look at what our nation’s political parties are offering apartment buyers and renters as we hurtle towards polling day. Everybody agrees we need more housing – and that means more apartments – but the policies differ, including one that an economist has dubbed “the worst economic policy…

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Dig Wayne 1:03:33

5M ago1:03:33

1:03:33

Dig Wayne (JoBoxers) Interview, Just Got Lucky, Boxer Beat, 80s Icon Status. Best known as the charismatic frontman of JoBoxers, the British new wave and soul-influenced pop band that made a splash in the early 1980s, DIg Wayne was born and raised in the United States, Dig first gained recognition as part of the rockabilly revival scene with his ba…

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Tenants' pets unleashed and flat-finding for a friend 22:32

6M ago22:32

22:32

We are getting into two of the topics that cause most angst in apartment living, this week: pets and buying property. Firstly, we take a spin around the question of landlords in NSW no longer being able to ban renters’ pets for no good reason – and how that will affect the more than 50 per cent of apartment residents who are tenants. This is a ques…

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Gaz Whelan 1:00:23

6M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Best known as the drummer and co-founder of the iconic Manchester band Happy Mondays, Gaz Whelan was diagnosed at 11 years of age with a phobia of faults. His distinctive drumming style helped shape the band's signature blend of indie rock and dance music. ⁠ ⁠ To watch this interview go here; https://youtu.be/fo-ZxR5R1i8⁠ ⁠ Today Gaz, as the foundi…

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Surfboard Design Elements - Rails 59:28

6M ago59:28

59:28

In this episode, Luke 'Howie' Howarth and I discuss the alluring and sexiest design aspect of a surfboard... Rails. Rails come in all shapes and sizes to best satisfy the shaper's accompanying design ideas. The perfect rail is different for different styles of surfboards. We discuss some of the shaper's rails that we like as well as what makes a ba…

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Strata managers 'not in disarray' says prez 30:24

6M ago30:24

30:24

Last week we said that Strata Community Association NSW - the states' strata managers' professional body - was in disarray. Objecting to that negative characterisation, NSW President Robert Anderson agreed to come on to the podcast and answer a few questions. We had no shortage of those. For instance, we asked what the changes at SCA-NSW are. Has S…

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Lucy O'Brien 42:02

6M ago42:02

42:02

Author Lucy O'Brien reveals the real story of Karen Carpenter in her book; Lead Sister. All the interviews at http://www.popthehistorymakers.com Karen Carpenter was one half of the sibling duo The Carpenters, who rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like Close to You and We've Only Just Begun. Known for her rich, melancholic voice and exceptional dr…

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Precious Wilson 1:05:23

6M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Precious Wilson; Eruption's One Way Ticket & I Can't Stand the Rain The Disco & Soul Diva's Journey. Precious Wilson is a British soul and disco singer who gained prominence in the late 1970s as the lead vocalist of the group Eruption. Born in Jamaica, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she joined Eruption and contributed to their international…

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Five years on, strata pets are here to stay 25:04

6M ago25:04

25:04

This week we look back at what has been described by some lawyers as one of the most significant legal decisions of the 21st Century – right up there with Donald Trump’s court losses. We are talking about the “Jo Cooper” decision five years ago which said strata schemes couldn’t impose blanket bans on pets. So many strata schemes have pets these da…

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Wolfgang Flür & Peter Duggal 1:28:05

6M ago1:28:05

1:28:05

With Peter Duggal & collaborators U96, Boris Blank, Thomas Vangarde, Juan Atkins, Anthony Rother, Emil Schult, Peter Hook! More interviews at http://www.popthehistorymakers.com Wolfgang Flür, former member of Kraftwerk, who has worked with collaborator Peter Duggal since 2015, is set to release his new album, Times, on March 28, 2025, and a new sin…

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Netstrata: The facts and the frictions 24:29

7M ago24:29

24:29

The long-awaited report into what has become known as the Netstrata Scandal came out last week – too late for the podcast – so we bring it to you in all its glory this week. Fair Trading NSW have, unusually for them, hopped in with a fairly strident comment and Netstrata has responded with vehement denials of wrong-doing and assurances that anythin…

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Fast track flats and Airbnb tax 23:16

7M ago23:16

23:16

This week’s podcast looks at the renewed concern about the effect of short-term holiday lets on affordable housing, following City of Sydney’s request to the state government to change the laws to curb Airbnb and its ilk. Last week CoS said about 1000 homes would come back into the residential rental market in central Sydney alone if the government…

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U96 52:43

7M ago52:43

52:43

The story of an unforgettable techno anthem! U96; the German band that commercialized techno with their anthem Das Boot! To watch on YouTube go here; https://youtu.be/_kXrac0By2w U96 is a German electronic music project best known for their 1991 hit Das Boot, a techno adaptation of the theme from the 1981 war film of the same name. Originally the b…