The Brink Podcast

By: Matthew Ridge and David Ring
  • Summary

  • Ex-All Black Matthew Ridge and his quirky sidekick David Ring team up from the sunny South of France to push boundaries and tackle the tough stuff. Expect unfiltered opinions, humor, and chaos as they dissect norms, challenge stereotypes, and ask the awkward questions. Buckle up for a cheeky antidote to cancel culture and a wild ride through the madness of the modern world. Join the odd couple nobody knew they needed—it's a car crash you won't want to miss.
    2025 Matthew Ridge and David Ring
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Episodes
  • #37 - Diane Foreman: Heels, Hustle & Having it All
    Mar 27 2025

    Ringo and Ridgey are joined by the one and only Diane Foreman—a woman who went from secretary to CEO, built an international ice cream empire, and somehow managed to stay fabulous through it all. If you're thinking "wow, that’s impressive," just wait 'til you hear her talk about risk appetite, parenting, and why no one actually has it all (except maybe the dog).

    Diane takes us through her journey from typing memos to running boardrooms. She talks candidly about the realities women face in business—how being well-dressed is more than just a fashion choice, how women often judge themselves (and each other) too harshly, and why mentorship is key if we’re going to build a world where more women climb the ladder—and then leave it down for the next one.

    She dives into why entrepreneurship offers more than a paycheck: it’s about freedom, choices and building something that matters. We also talk about the myth of the perfect work-life balance, the importance of backing yourself even when no one else does, and why a solid business plan beats a vision-board any day.

    This episode is full of honesty, laughs and some top-shelf business advice. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just here for the sass and success stories, Diane Foreman delivers the goods—heels, hustle, and all.

    Listen now, and maybe rethink your LinkedIn profile.

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    53 mins
  • #36 -Paddy F#$%ING Gower: The Man. The Brand. The Legend.
    Mar 20 2025

    Paddy Gower steps up to The Brink with Ringo and Ridley for an unfiltered conversation about journalism, addiction, and the pursuit of self-understanding. With his trademark honesty, Gower opens up about the highs and lows of his career, the unexpected weight of fame, and the self-confidence struggles that lurked beneath his public persona. He reflects on his relationship with alcohol—once a crutch to navigate the pressures of his profession—and the misconceptions surrounding addiction. His recent book tour became a journey of personal reckoning, exposing the deep-rooted stigma around alcoholism and challenging society’s arbitrary distinctions between accepted and illicit substances. In a world where drinking is normalized but dependency is shamed, Gower’s story is a reminder that addiction is far more complex than we like to admit.

    The conversation takes a broader look at addiction, not just in terms of alcohol but also through the lens of technology. With the same raw honesty that defined his take on drinking, Gower and the hosts discuss the addictive nature of smartphones and social media, questioning whether our hyper-connected world has actually left us more disconnected than ever. They explore the unspoken pressures of sobriety in a culture that glorifies drinking and the lack of support for those who choose to step away from it. As society grapples with rising loneliness and detachment, Gower shares his belief that real human connection—away from screens and substances—needs to be reclaimed before it’s too late.

    Looking ahead, Gower remains committed to journalism, but with a sharpened perspective on the stories that truly matter. He speaks about his evolving relationship with his craft, his desire to tell stories that create impact, and his hope for a future where people push back against the forces that keep them distracted and disconnected. As he navigates personal growth and professional aspirations, he offers a glimmer of optimism—proof that change, though difficult, is always possible. This episode is an invitation to rethink our habits, reassess our relationship with addiction in all its forms, and rediscover the power of genuine human connection.

    🔔 New episodes every Friday morning! Subscribe and never miss a conversation that takes you to The Brink.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • #35 -Us Boys Need Love Too: The Modern Man & Mental Health: w/ Nimbus Co founder Neil O’Sullivan
    Mar 13 2025

    On this episode of The Brink, we sit down with Neil O’Sullivan for a raw and insightful chat about men’s mental health, vulnerability and breaking down the outdated ideas of masculinity. Before stepping into the wellness space, Neil spent over a decade in digital marketing, working with brands like Special Olympics, Oxfam, and ViacomCBS, honing his skills in branding and creative direction. That journey led him to co-found Nimbus Co., Australia’s first exclusive infrared sauna studio and wellness space, built on the idea that health should be in people’s own hands. In this conversation, we dive into how his entrepreneurial path has shaped his perspective on balance, restoration and what it really means to take care of yourself.

    Neil also opens up about his own mental health journey, including his battles with anxiety and talks about the practices that have helped him along the way, from meditation and breath work to cold therapy and finding balance in everyday life. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental well-being and Neil shares practical insights on how small, intentional habits can make a big difference.

    We talk about gratitude, managing stress and the unexpected lessons that come from life’s curveballs. Whether it’s learning to embrace the discomfort of an ice bath or realising you don’t actually miss alcohol that much, this conversation is all about finding what works for you.

    Links:

    https://nimbusco.com.au/pages/nimbus-co-infrared-sauna?srsltid=AfmBOooirY03UYA4DRSjSBz0cBzOOPi1hUyd2JYOrd1FYGQ2-sTEvk96

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    55 mins

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