Advertise on podcast: Tell Craig Your Story

With the NRL 2026 season about to kick off in Las Vegas next month, I couldn’t think of a better person to welcome onto the podcast than Dean Smith. Born in Maitland, Australia, Dean is the host of the KTP Podcast, recorded live every Tuesday night from their studio, where they break down all things Rugby League. I was lucky enough to jump on the show last year and had an absolute blast. Beyond the mic, Dean is the founder of the Smita Foundation, a charity focused on mental health, anti-bullying, and domestic violence awareness. His work reaches far beyond the Rugby League community, making a real impact locally as he tackles some incredibly challenging issues head-on. In recognition of this, Dean was recently named a 2026 City of Maitland Service Award Nominee — well deserved. 📲 Follow Dean & KTP Podcast Instagram: @10smita14 | @ktp_podcast_ YouTube: @KTPPodcastAU 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #NRL2026 #RugbyLeague #NRLinVegas #PodcastLife #RugbyLeagueCommunity #MentalHealthAwareness #SmitaFoundation #AustralianSport #TellCraigYourStory #KTPPodcast #DeanSmith #NewcastleKnights 

🎉 Happy New Year and welcome to a new season of the Tell Craig Your Story podcast! Let’s kick off 2026 with our first guest, Chloe Trujillo. Chloe is a multidisciplinary artist, vocalist, and designer, best known as the frontwoman of the heavy alternative band BLVD OF EYES. She recently released her new single “Lies,”, showcasing her powerful vocals and emotionally driven song writing. Known for her striking stage presence and bold visual style, Chloe blends music, art, and fashion into a deeply personal creative vision. Chloe is married to Robert Trujillo, bassist of Metallica. Their son, Tye Trujillo, is an accomplished bassist and a member of Suicidal Tendencies, while their daughter, Lullah, has performed on stage alongside Chloe. Creativity and music run strongly through the Trujillo family. In this episode, we talk about: BLVD OF EYES’ tour of Australia last November and life on the road, Why Lullah didn’t play drums on the Australian tour, Chloe’s take on Australian slang, Her work designing custom surfboards, Her 3rd magic deck. 📱 Follow Chloe: Instagram: www.chloetrujillo.com photograph @mortyvision 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #ChloeTrujillo #BLVDOFEYES #TellCraigYourStory #NewMusic2026 #PodcastEpisode #AustraliaTour #SurfboardArt #RockMusic #MusicFamily #FemaleVocalist #Metallica #RobertTrujillo #TyeTrujillo #LullahTrujillo

It’s an absolute honour to welcome Bernard (Barney) Haas from the Blue Man Group to the podcast. Barney was in Shanghai for a four-month residency, and I was lucky enough to attend one of the shows. I went in not knowing what to expect and came away completely blown away by the talent of the Blue Man Group performers — from drumming on bongos to create exploding paint, to catching marshmallows in their mouths, to creating art live on stage. The audience was a perfect mix of young kids through to grandparents, all equally captivated. In this episode, Barney and I talk about working in Shanghai and learning not just Chinese, but other languages along the way. We dive into his life in Ireland, busking on the streets, forming bands, and eventually landing acting roles. He shares how he first discovered Blue Man Group in an Indian restaurant, the intense audition process, meeting the original members, and travelling the world as part of one of the biggest live music productions in the world. We also talk about navigating the entertainment industry during COVID, his time with Le Wagon, his passion for tackling insomnia, and many unforgettable experiences from a truly unique career. Please welcome Barney Haas from the Blue Man Group. 📸 Instagram: @brednad_flex 💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/barneyhaas 🌐 Website: www.bluemangroup.com 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #BlueManGroup #PodcastLife #LivePerformance #MusicPodcast #PerformingArts #BehindTheScenes #CreativeLife #ArtistJourney #ShanghaiLife #TellCraigYourStory

Today on Tell Craig Your Story, I’m joined by Thomas Cleary — a writer, poet, comic creator, and radio storyteller whose journey has taken him from hospital radio and community airwaves in the UK to a creative life here in Shanghai. After losing his father during lockdown, Thomas began revaluating his life, which led him to write and self-publish a deeply personal short book titled Kelsey Left A Mark — a reflective piece about gratitude, memory, and the lasting impact of a childhood friendship. Writing Kelsey Left A Mark became a turning point, lifting a weight he’d carried for years and giving him the push to close old chapters and open new ones. Now living abroad, performing poetry, writing comics purely for the love of it, and lending his voice to an upcoming game promo, Thomas’s story is about creativity, grief, closure, and moving forward. This is Thomas Cleary… and this is his story.” 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory 📱 Connect with Thomas Cleary: 💬 WeChat: @THOMASCLEARY 📸 Instagram: @doubting_thomas88 #TellCraigYourStory #ThomasCleary #KelseyLeftAMark #Podcast #Storytelling #Poetry #CreativeJourney #LifeStories #ShanghaiCreatives

🎙️ Tell Craig Your Story – Episode 181 (Part 2) In Part 2 of my chat with Clint Lovering — front man of Damage Inc. (@damageincmetallica) — we get into the roots of Australia’s ultimate Metallica tribute band. Clint talks about how Damage Inc. was formed, the ups and downs of booking shows in the early days, and what it really takes to step into the shoes of James Hetfield. We dive into how the band carved their place in the Sydney music scene, how they finally landed on their name, and the Metallica songs Clint loves most to play live. He also shares his love and respect for his bandmates, and answers a big question: will Damage Inc. ever release an original song in the future? 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory Follow Clint on Instagram: @dadzbod And follow the band: @damageincmetallica #DamageInc #MetallicaTribute #TellCraigYourStory #Metallica #ClintLovering #AUSAETERNATour #HeavyMetal #MetallicaFans #ThrashMetal #MetalCommunity #LiveMusic #MetalHeads #PodcastInterview #RockPodcast #MetalPodcast #JamesHetfield #LarsUlrich #HowardStern #MasterOfPuppets

🎙️ Episode 180 – Part 1 “Today on Tell Craig Your Story, I’m thrilled to welcome Clint Lovering — front man of Damage Inc, Australia’s ultimate Metallica tribute band. For over 20 years, Clint and the band have brought Metallica’s music to life with passion and precision. Along the way, they’ve shared the stage with the Sydney Symphony, performed the Last Post on ANZAC Day, and even received a shout-out from Lars Ulrich on the Howard Stern Show. Damage Inc. is headlining the Official Night Before Party as a part of Metallica’s Australia and New Zealand M72 Tour this November — with shows across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, and Auckland. This is Part 1 of my conversation with Clint — a story about dedication, tribute, and keeping the flame of Metallica and heavy metal alive.” 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory Follow Clint on Instagram: @dadzbod And follow the band: @damageincmetallica #DamageInc #MetallicaTribute #TellCraigYourStory #Metallica #ClintLovering #AUSAETERNATour #HeavyMetal #MetallicaFans #ThrashMetal #MetalCommunity #LiveMusic #MetalHeads #PodcastInterview #RockPodcast #MetalPodcast #LarsUlrich #JamesHetfield #MasterOfPuppets #Meatloaf #HowardStern

Episode 179 – Tell Craig Your Story Podcast | Billie Blue Blackstone In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Billie Blue Blackstone, a Malaysian-American singer-songwriter who first rose to prominence as the frontwoman of Billie Blue & The Nowhere Men before stepping out on her own as a solo artist. We talk about her brand-new single “Persimmon Tree,” the creative process of recording in the studio, her pre-show rituals, and her unforgettable tours across India and Japan. Her decision to go solo. Billie also talks about seeing Green Day This is a conversation about reinvention, artistry, and the journey of a musician finding her own voice. 🔗 Follow Billie Blue Blackstone on Instagram: @billieazelea 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #BillieBlueBlackstone #TellCraigYourStory #PersimmonTree #IndieMusic #SingerSongwriter #JapanMusicScene #WomenInMusic #MusicPodcast #IndieArtist #LiveMusic #AkitaJapan #TourLife #BehindTheMusic #NewMusic2025 #PodcastInterview #GreenDay #KualaLumpur #Singapore #Malaysia

Episode 178 🎙️ Today on Tell Craig Your Story, I’m excited to welcome Hayley Zhao — editor, writer, and multimedia journalist with The World of Chinese. Hayley has a passion for bridging cultures through storytelling, whether it’s in print, podcasts, or multimedia projects. A graduate of Columbia Journalism School, her focus includes education, environmental reporting, and investigative journalism. We first met at the MKW Pro Wrestling Battle of the Decade show in Beijing — an unforgettable night of action, energy, and incredible people. Since then, I’ve followed her work closely, and I’m thrilled to finally have her here to share her journey, experiences in journalism, and insights into life and culture in China. 📸 Instagram: @HayleyYiming 👉 Listen here: 🎧 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 🌐 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory ▶️ YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #HayleyZhao #TellCraigYourStory #PodcastInterview #TheWorldOfChinese #CulturalStories #ChinaPodcast #JournalismJourney #StorytellingMatters #MKWProWrestling #BeijingLife #GlobalVoices #AdrianGomez

Today I’m joined by a truly incredible guest Luke Preece—an artist whose work you’ve probably seen even if you didn’t realise it. He’s a UK-based illustrator and art director, celebrated for blending the dark, powerful aesthetics of heavy metal with the imagination of science fiction and fantasy. Luke’s art has been commissioned by some of the biggest names in music and entertainment—Metallica, Slipknot, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Pearl Jam—as well as video game giants like Gears of War, DOOM, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Described by Kerrang! as one of Britain’s pre-eminent illustrators, he creates everything from limited-edition posters to album artwork and even custom guitars. His unique style—born from a love of comics, sci-fi, and metal—is instantly recognizable and loved by fans worldwide. It’s an absolute honour to welcome to the podcast… Luke Preece. 👉 @lukepreeceart | www.lukepreece.com 👉 Listen here: Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #LukePreece #Illustration #PodcastInterview #TellCraigYourStory #DCMarvel #MetalArt #HeavyMetalArt #DigitalArt #AlbumArt #PosterArt #ComicArt #FantasyArt #SciFiArt #MusicArt #Metallica #Slipknot #OzzyOsbourne #PearlJam #Mastodon #AvengedSevenfold #JudasPriest #ArtPodcast

🎙️ Episode 176 – Tell Craig Your Story This week, I’m joined by Qin Qin, author of the memoir Model Minority Gone Rogue. In this powerful and deeply personal story, Qin Qin reflects on navigating identity, cultural expectations, and the journey of breaking free from the “model minority” label. Born in China, now residing in Canberra Australia, Qin Qin shares her experiences growing up under the shadow of the “Tiger Mother” stereotype — and how she challenged those expectations to discover her true self. Her memoir is a bold exploration of resilience, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to write your own narrative — and it’s now available at all good bookstores. 👉 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 👉 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory 👉 YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #TellCraigYourStory #QinQin #ModelMinorityGoneRogue #Memoir #AuthorInterview #BreakingStereotypes #AsianVoices #IdentityMatters #InspiringStories #PodcastLife #HarvardUniversity #lawyer #China #Australia

🎙️ Episode 175 – Tell Craig Your Story This week, I’m joined by Hope White, a dynamic midcourter for the Sydney Giants in the Suncorp Super Netball League. Born in Newcastle, Hope’s journey began at the Newcastle Netball Association before moving to the Central Coast Heart, where she developed under coaches Amber Cross. Her dedication led her to represent NSW and then Australia at U19 and U21 levels, making history as one of the youngest players in Australian netball. Now a full-time Giant under coach Nerida Stewart, Hope has re-signed with the team through 2026 and continues to inspire young athletes with her passion, agility, and resilience. 🔥 Don’t miss this inspiring chat about her journey, resilience, and passion for the game 📲 Guest: @hopewhhite *Spoiler Alert- Hope mentions that she will find out about making the Under 21's Australian Netball Team tomorrow, and as we are writing, Hope did make the team, so congratulations to her!!!!!* 🎧 Listen here: 👉 Podbean: https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com 👉 Linktree: https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory 👉 YouTube: @tellcraigyourstory #TellCraigYourStory #PodcastGuest #InspiringStories #AthleteJourney #SportsPodcast #HopeWhite #SydneyGiants #GiantsNetball #SuncorpSuperNetball #NSWNetball #AustralianNetball #NetballLife #RisingStar #YoungAthlete #SportsInspiration #WomenInSport 

Episode [174] – Daria Vedenskaya (Fitness Coach, Zumba on the Bund) Please welcome to the podcast, Daria Vedenskaya, joining us all the way from Vladivostok, Russia. Daria studied in Shanghai, China, where she works as an Import-Export Agent. But her true passion lies in the world of fitness and personal training. She offers online classes as well as one-on-one personal coaching, tailoring each program to individual needs. In Shanghai, Daria is well-known for her popular Zumba on the Bund sessions and her Pulse Revolution workouts—guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Daria has also taken the stage as a speaker at PechaKucha events in Shanghai, where she shared her story and inspired others. In this episode, we dive into her journey: growing up in Russia, the challenges she faced as a teenager, diet and nutrition, Russian food culture, and the moment someone suggested she head to Shanghai to follow a new path. Join me on this inspiring conversation with Russian-born fitness coach, trainer, and entrepreneur, Daria Vedenskaya. 📲 Instagram: @daria_vedenskaya 📲 WeChat: dariavedenskaya https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory @tellcraigyourstory #dariavedenskaya #personaltrainer #fitnesscoach #tellcraigyourstory #shanghaichina #pulserevolution #zumba #athlete #diet #training #podcast #PechaKucha #Pilates 

🎙️ Episode 173 – Gavin Malone (That Sound Podcast) Please welcome to the podcast Gavin Malone, co-host of That Sound Podcast based in Ireland. Gavin dives deep into album reviews, live concert experiences, and the latest news from the world of rock. We immediately connected over our mutual love for Metallica—a recurring theme in this episode. Gavin's recent podcast work includes reviewing iconic Thin Lizzy albums and an insightful interview with the owner of Slane Castle, one of Ireland’s most legendary live music venues. Although still new to the podcasting scene, That Sound Podcast is quickly gaining traction and respect in the rock community. 🎸 In this episode, we chat about: Gavin’s passion for Metallica The fascinating Slane Castle interview His thoughts on Ozzy Osbourne The rumoured Metallica residency at The Sphere, Las Vegas, And much more... 🎧 Check out That Sound Podcast: linktr.ee/thatsoundpodcast 📲 Follow: @that_sound_podcast @mogleymalone https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory @tellcraigyourstory #GavinMalone #ThatSoundPodcast #TellCraigYourStory #Ireland #UK #Metallica #Oasis #ThinLizzy #LarsUlrich #JamesHetfield #FIFAWorldCup #LasVegas #WrexhamFC #KirkHammett #OzzyOsbourne #RIP #podcast #SlaneCastle #TheSphere #rockmusic #heavymetal #applepodcast #spotifypodcast

Episode 172 – Xiaojiemen: China’s International Wrestling Influence In this episode, Craig sits down with Xiaojiemen, one of China’s most influential figures in the world of professional wrestling. Known for his dynamic presence on Bilibili—with over 34,000 followers and 11 million+ total views—Xiaojiemen has become a trailblazer in promoting and celebrating wrestling culture in China. We dive deep into his journey from participating in the WWE China Tryout in 2019, to becoming the official commentator for WWE on Huya (2021) and Bilibili (2023). He shares behind-the-scenes stories from interviewing WWE superstars like Ricochet, Shozi, and Xia Li, and talks about the booming growth of wrestling fandom across Asia. Xiaojiemen also opens up about his creative work—ranging from entrance music covers, wrestling documentaries, live game commentary, to designing custom championship belts and collaborating with AEW x Street Fighter/Tekken on limited edition merchandise. We also explore his contributions to MKW, KOPW, OWE, and NTW, and how he's helping bridge international wrestling with Chinese audiences through live commentary, graphic design, and fan-focused media. Instagram @xiaojiemen  X/ BiliBili @小解闷  https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory @tellcraigyourstory #WWE #ProWrestling #AEW #TellCraigYourStory #podcast #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingCommunity #ChineseWrestling #BiliBili #Xiaojiemen #WrestlingContentCreator #WWEChina #HulkHogan #OzzyOsbourne 

Episode 171 – Please welcome to the podcast, Author and Ring Announcer James Murray! James is a multi-talented creator whose work spans across comics, poetry, and live entertainment. His impressive bibliography includes Classic Horror Comics, Frankenstein: The Illuminatus Complex, and a poetry collection titled Almost Normal. He's also the author of Billy the Kid Meets the Masked Striker, published under his independent label, Hard Coal Studios. Originally from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, USA, James now resides in Zhuhai, China. He studied at Bloomsburg University and was an active member of the River Poets group in Bloomsburg, PA. In addition to his literary work, James is widely recognized in the world of professional wrestling as a Ring Announcer, most notably with MKW Pro Wrestling in China. I had the pleasure of meeting James in person last Saturday night at MKW’s Battle of The Decade, where he lit up the crowd and helped kick off an unforgettable live event. Catch James Murray in person at these upcoming events in 2025: July 5–6: Komiket International Comics Convention, Megamall, Manila, Philippines July 19–20: Hershey Comic Con, USA August 9: Nittany Comic Con, State College (Penn State), PA August 16: Lehigh Valley Comic Con, Allentown/Bethlehem, PA October 17–19: Baltimore Comic Con, Maryland November 21–23: Monster Mania, Oaks, PA (Philadelphia area) December 6: Lehigh Valley Comicon, Pennsylvania Tune in to hear James talk about storytelling, wrestling, comics, poetry, and his journey from the coal region of Pennsylvania to the wrestling rings of China! @hardcoolstudios http://www.hardcoalstudios.com/ https://globalcomix.com/c/billy-the-kid-meets-the-masked-striker/ #jamesmurray #billythekidmeetsthemaskedstriker #writer #author #hatdcoalstudios #ringannouncer #wwe #aew #newjapan #tellcraigyourstory #wwenxt #mkwprowrestling #frankenstein #almostnormal #shamokinpennsylvania #beijingchina #adriangomez #rocky #hulkhogan #zhuhaichina #poetry https://tellcraigyourstory.podbean.com https://www.linktr.ee/tellcraigyourstory @tellcraigyourstory