The Karl Stefanovic Show

The Karl Stefanovic Show

Introducing The Karl Stefanovic Show. A chance for me to get curious. A few decades on the telly has given me a very good bullshit meter - and an an eye for a bloody great story. This show will be the people I know you want to hear from too - across politics, sport, business and culture. Unfiltered. Unscripted. Uncensored. I'll go there. Why not? No spin. Lots of fun. Ready to take a walk on the wild side? Subscribe to join us.
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Episode's summary

In this episode, racing legend Dick Johnson discusses his career, from his early childhood memories of driving at age eight to the intense drama of recent races at Bathurst. He reflects on the emotional highs and lows of the Mount Panorama circuit, including fuel crises and the legendary 'rock incident' that ended a race. The conversation also explores his transition from a mechanic to a professional racer, his deep respect for rival Peter Brock, and the evolution of racing technology. Johnson shares personal anecdotes about life on the road, his long marriage, and offers characteristic wisdom on overcoming obstacles and looking forward.

Chapters

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Highlights

Dick Johnson is 35, mortgaged to the hills and leading the great race in a car he built with money he doesn't have.

00:00:58 · The host introduces the remarkable backstory of Dick Johnson's 1980 Bathurst campaign.

It's a powerful entity of its enough and they always say the mountain decides.

00:05:24 · Johnson describes the mystical and unpredictable nature of the Bathurst racing circuit.

And he just said that for every dollar that's donated, he said, I'll match it one for one.

00:36:31 · The speaker recalls the incredible generosity of Edsel Ford during a period when the public was crowdfunding to help him get back on the track.

on the track we were competitors, but in all the years that we raced wheel to wheel, we never swapped paint once, which I think we had great respect for each other

00:45:48 · Dick Johnson describes the respectful nature of his competitive relationship with Peter Brock.

And, like I tell the young kids, you know, our generation's different because if something was broke, we didn't throw it out. We used to fix it.

01:03:35 · Dick compares his generation's approach to repair and sustainability with that of younger generations.

Episodes

112-

Dick Johnson Mortgaged His House. Then Australia Saved Him

In this episode, racing legend Dick Johnson discusses his career, from his early childhood memories of driving at age eight to the intense drama of recent races at Bathurst. He reflects on the emotional highs and lows of the Mount Panorama circuit, including fuel crises and the legendary 'rock incident' that ended a race. The conversation also explores his transition from a mechanic to a professional racer, his deep respect for rival Peter Brock, and the evolution of racing technology. Johnson shares personal anecdotes about life on the road, his long marriage, and offers characteristic wisdom on overcoming obstacles and looking forward.

23 Oct 2026
111-

How Australians Get Ripped Off On Home Insurance: An Insider Explains

This episode features an in-depth investigation into the systemic issues and predatory practices within the Australian insurance industry. Through interviews with former industry insider Luke, the discussion explores how complex policies, 'white labeling,' and cost-cutting measures leave homeowners financially vulnerable and often re-traumatized by prolonged claims processes. The conversation further examines the lack of transparency in premium pricing, the influence of reinsurance, and the inadequacy of industry self-regulation. The speakers also highlight the severe health risks posed by toxic mold following floods and the aggressive tactics used by insurers to minimize claim payouts.

21 Oct 2026
110-

How to Get Into Property With No Money: Two Self-Made Developers’ Story

In this episode, two successful business partners share the powerful story of their journey from the children of resilient immigrants to established entrepreneurs in Australia. They reflect on how the work ethic and faith of their parents provided a foundation for their own early ventures, ranging from childhood side hustles to a formal partnership formed during university. The conversation explores the evolution of their business, detailing how they scaled through property options by prioritizing learning and hands-on experience over immediate profit. The speakers discuss the importance of trust, intuition, and a deep personal investment in the success of their tenants, ultimately redefining success as the ability to create community impact and achieve professional stability.

18 Oct 2026
109-

Lawrence Bender on Tarantino, Pulp Fiction and the Secrets of Hollywood’s Biggest Movies

A producer discusses the inspiration and emotional weight behind creating a limited series about families surviving the October 7th attacks in Israel, reflecting on the intense experience of filming in a war zone and the responsibility of bearing witness to such trauma. He also details his professional journey from engineering student to Oscar-nominated producer, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from working on films like Reservoir Dogs and Inglourious Basterds. The conversation covers the logistical challenges of large-scale productions, memories of working with legends like Robin Williams, and the discipline required to sustain a long career in Hollywood.

07 Oct 2026
108-

His Cholesterol Hit 574. Then Doctors Found ZERO Plaque.

This episode explores the complexities of interpreting cholesterol levels, using a case study of extreme LDL levels without arterial plaque to argue that metabolic health and insulin resistance are more significant predictors of cardiovascular risk than cholesterol numbers alone. The discussion delves into the limitations of medical consensus, examining how institutional biases and economic incentives can suppress findings that challenge established dogmas regarding statins and CAC scans. The conversation further examines the potential for human bioengineering through peptides and compounds, including personal insights into self-experimentation with substances like retatrutide. The speakers also discuss the endocrine functions of muscle tissue and the emerging possibility of hacking biological communication networks to enhance human health and cognition.

04 Oct 2026