I Might Have A Story For You – with Matt Levinson

Kenny Sabir was playing a violin three-and-a-half. Programming a computer at four. He started Sydney’s Elefant Traks record label and the label’s flagship band The Herd; and he’s a software engineer who’s worked at Bell Labs, IBM’s Watson Lab, the Garvan and now leads R&D for the $100m livestock management startup AgriWebb. He’s pretty extraordinary, and I’ve always wanted to know more about what makes him tick. 

Shaun Christie-David has created some of Sydney’s best places to eat. In the infamously precarious world of running restaurants, he’s making opportunities for refugees and people seeking asylum, Aboriginal people, people who’ve dealt with addiction and a range of disadvantage to find their way into good work. It’s practical and extraordinary work, and yet despite knowing all that, it was a chance conversation one night that really piqued my curiosity - I had to know more about what made him tick. 

Meagan Loader is one of the most influential people in music and radio. A key player in the creation of FBI radio and Double J, she’s nudged and shaped the careers of countless talented people. Meagan is someone who creates space for people to succeed and succeed on a large scale, she’s mischievous and fun, empathetic and encouraging, she taught me so much. I feel so indebted to her, for her encouragement, leadership and disarming humour, and I’ve always wanted to sit down and get below the surface.

Jess Cook is an absolute force, one of those people who electrifies a room. She’s a leader in Sydney’s creative community with a record of building real things - particularly the big welcoming room and stage that is 107 Projects in Redfern - but go back and she’s been involved in countless shows, performances, projects and festivals. When I first met Jess I was blown away by her creative entrepreneurial spirit and energy, but I’d never had the chance to sit down and chat, until now. 

Ben Peake is an architect, responsible for playful, clever and creative work like Annandale’s photogenic Concrete Blonde house and Blacktown’s Woodcroft neighbourhood centre. He writes about architecture. He’s won awards. But he’s also kicked against the edges of the profession, pushing for change, including campaigning for the iconic Sirius building. So it might surprise you to know he came to architecture late, after plenty of surprising stops along the way including a career in IT, a tilt at electoral politics and a website devoted to the Hoff.

Sacha Coles has left his stamp on some of Sydney’s most interesting and talked about public spaces, from the Goods Line, Tumbalong Park and Pirrama Park, to the new Harbour Bridge bike ramp. He’s been deeply involved in shaping the conversation around landscape architecture and urban design, so I’ve always wanted to know more about what makes him tick. 

Dan Ilic is the most relentlessly creative person I know. Comedian, actor, TV producer, prolific on social media, podcaster and radio host, he’s driven surges of controversy for decades, stirring up front page stories, howls from politicians and passionate audiences. He’s also incredibly purposeful, often dropping everything for a crucial campaign. What’s most surprising to me is that he’s not a household name, I’ve always wanted to know more.

Gemma Smith’s work has taken shape as paintings on canvas and chessboards, architectural sculptures and a big Sistine Chapel Ceiling esque painting high above Brisbane’s Supreme Court. It’s uncontrived, yet controlled and deliberate. There’s something joyful and exhilarating, all wildly gesticulating brush strokes and colour. The process seems crucial and it’s something you don’t see in the gallery, I’ve always been intrigued to know more.