Broadcaster Christian O'Connell on panic attacks, living unscripted and making stronger connections

What happens when the version of yourself you created to succeed starts getting in the way of actually being yourself?

In this episode, broadcaster and author Christian O’Connell opens up to Osher Gunsberg about the darker side of the career he built around conversation and connection. Christian reflects on the radio persona he developed early in his career, his obsession with having the funniest show on air, and the moment that carefully constructed identity began to fall apart. In his 40s, he started having severe panic attacks in the one place he had always felt the most comfortable: the radio studio. Eventually, he sought therapy for the first time and discovered that confronting what was happening beneath the surface could change everything. He also packed up and moved his family halfway around the world from England to Australia, sparking initial backlash from radio listeners.

This conversation explores vulnerability, self-discovery and authentic human connection, including Christian's unconventional experience of physically releasing emotions during a therapy session. Christian also shares his 'WAVES' framework for better conversations, and explains why becoming less defensive, more curious and more present can transform the way we communicate with partners, children, colleagues and ourselves. There are practical tools too, including Christian's experience with breathwork and a simple breathing technique that he uses when he feels anxiety beginning to rise.

In one of the episode's most moving moments, Christian recalls how a listener named Pete sharing his bowel cancer experience on air led to a 600% rise in the return of bowel screening kits. And Christian reveals that Pete's final message became a guiding principle: “Keep up the humour, don't forget the human.”

As social media and AI increasingly changing the way we communicate, this conversation is a reminder that the things that make us human — curiosity, vulnerability, humour, presence and genuine connection — may be more important than ever.

LINKS

• Christian's book 'Unscript: The Radical Act of Being Yourself' is available now
• Follow (@mrchristianoconnell) on Instagram
• Sign up to the Better Than Yesterday newsletter
• Watch episodes of Better Than Yesterday on YouTube
• Watch full stories recorded live at Story Club on YouTube
• Get tickets for our next Story Club show
• Get Osher's latest books here
• Send a pic of what you're looking at to sendosheremail@gmail.com

LIKE THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT...

• How Radio Star Robin Bailey Kept Going Through Unimaginable Grief - Twice
• Jackie O Reveals How She and Kyle Sandilands Built Australia's Most Successful Radio Show
• Purpose, Parenting, Posca - and how you can do everything you want, with Merrick Watts
• What it's like to be Hamish Blake

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.