Dropped Balls and Big Calls

This conversation explores the journey of Kiwi musician Gray Vickers, from early influences and experiences to the formation of These Four Walls and navigating the music industry. In this conversation, Gray discusses the differences in the music industry between New Zealand and Australia, reflecting on the challenges and opportunities faced by bands in both markets. He shares his personal journey of rebuilding after a difficult period, emphasizing the importance of collaboration within the band and the impact of COVID-19 on their momentum. Gray highlights the joy of creating music and the longevity of the band, as well as their plans for the future, including new music and tours.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make music your life or come back stronger when it nearly breaks you, this one’s for you.For more, please visit: Dropped Balls & Big Calls | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Paul Rourke is a musician, husband, a father, and a bloke who’s faced things most of us couldn’t imagine.In this episode, Paul opens up about his journey through music, family dynamics, mental health, and the life changing experience of surviving not one, but two cardiac arrests in just seven days, with no clear answer as to why.We dive into his relationship with alcohol, overcoming imposter syndrome, learning to communicate more openly, and the lessons that come from hitting pause on life in the hardest possible way.This chat is about resilience, vulnerability, and figuring out what really matters when everything else is stripped away.Thanks for tuning in to Dropped Balls & Big Calls.For more please visit Dropped Balls & Big Calls | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Tommy Flanagan’s that mate who somehow knows every sporting stat, every story behind it, and somehow, he's made a career out of it.From calling Footy as a kid to building a media career that’s seen him work with Sportsbet, overseas cricket tours and Clubby Sports, Tommy’s journey is one built on passion, persistence, and the people he surrounds himself with. In this chat, we cover everything from footy commentary and acting gigs to life lessons learned through resilience, family, and just showing up when it counts.If you’re chasing a career in sport, media, or content creation, or just love a good story, this one’s for you.For more, please visit Dropped Balls & Big Calls | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Ross Niven is a man of many talents, Flight Attendant and Inflight Trainer, musician, ice hockey fanatic, and devoted family man. He’s also someone I’m proud to call a dear friend. In this deeply personal conversation, Ross opens up about his journey through grief, mental health, and personal transformation following the death of his mother. He reflects on childhood, a life altering accident, and the evolution of his identity, particularly in his role as a father.Ross shares how the COVID-19 pandemic became both a challenge and a catalyst for growth, how therapy helped him navigate PTSD, and why he's now more intentional than ever about expressing love and presence. This episode is a moving reflection on healing, spirituality, and what truly matters in the face of loss.Thanks so much for listening to this Podcast. For more information, please go to: Dropped Balls & Big Calls | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree#DroppedBallsAndBigCalls #BigCallsPod #TheSetbackCollective #TheGriefDiaries #MentalHealth #Grief #Healing #Fatherhood #RossNiven #Resilience #RealTalkPodcast #PTSDRecovery #podcast #newpodcast

Chris Bull is a family man, singer and guitarist of The Snake Behaviour, Southern Zone Rugby League board member, office worker and an all-round legend. In this heartfelt first interview on Dropped Balls and Big Calls, Chris Bull opens up about his journey from childhood in Nelson to the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence, losing both parents, and becoming a father himself. He reflects on music as a lifeline, the influence of family and friends, and how grief shaped his worldview. With humour, honesty, and grit, Chris shares what it means to grow through loss, and why simple moments with his loved ones mean the most.Now side note, we had a few audio issues throughout this chat so apologies in advance! You can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Linkedin! Just search @bigcallspodLike what you hear? Dont miss future episodes, please like and subscribe or leave a review :) #Droppedballsandbigcalls #bigcallspod #thesetbackcollective #Resilience #mentalhealth #grief #fatherhood #music

In this inaugural episode of Drop Balls and Big Calls, host Jason Beardsley sets the tone for a raw and honest podcast about resilience, grief, and growth. Jason opens up about his own mental health journey and the driving force behind launching the show, a desire to create a space where authenticity, vulnerability, and the messiness of life are not just accepted but embraced.This is more than a podcast. It's a movement built on stories, setbacks, and the people who shaped us.Follow us wherever you are listening to this Podcast and find us on social media @bigcallspod

I’ve spent years pretending I had it together. Truth is, I was falling apart, quietly, deeply, and often alone.Dropped Balls & Big Calls is a podcast about the stuff we don’t talk about enough, grief, failure, Identity, mental health, setbacks… and how we find our way forward.This isn’t expert-led or polished for perfection. It’s real talk from someone who's lived it, a father, a mate, a runner, a creative soul who’s still working it out. My daughter is my why. This is about making meaning from pain and finding purpose through connection.If you've ever felt like the walls were closing in while your feed was full of filters, this is for you.Welcome to the start of something raw, human, and hopefully helpful.Let’s make the big calls together!