Head Noise

About Head Noise

NRL superstar James Graham discovers the truth about what football has done to his brain - and faces up to deeply confronting questions about risk, reward, masculinity and responsibility. Head Noise is exclusive for subscribers to The Australian. Join us at theaustralian.com.au/subscribe (https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?utm_medium=print&utm_source=vanity&utm_campaign=acq_fy18_generic&utm_content=various&sourceCode=TAWEB_PRS100).

Publisher

The Australian

Category

society & culture · sports

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

23 Aug 2022

Latest episode

9 Apr 2025

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Apr 2025

   Introducing Dear Rachelle

   Journalist Ashlea Hansen and retired detective Damian Loone investigate the unsolved murder of Rachelle Childs, seeking answers and hoping to bring closure to her family in this interview.

2. 

   19 Jun 2023

   From The Front: Footy’s concussion ‘loophole’

   Claire Harvey investigates the concussion protocols surrounding Australian football players Tom Trbojevic and Robbie O'Davis, revealing potential loopholes in player safety.

3. 

   26 Mar 2023

   ‘Am I going to die?’

   Rugby legend Mark 'Spudd' Carroll tells James Graham in an interview about his probable CTE diagnosis and advocates for brain scans for former NRL players.

4. 

   7 Oct 2022

   The moment of truth

   James Graham reveals the impact of his 17-year career and numerous concussions, prompting a call for player protection changes in this episode.

5. 

   2 Oct 2022

   A Dad’s dilemma

   James Graham interviews his father, John Graham, about the risks and rewards of youth contact sports, featuring insights from Matty Johns, Berrick Barnes, and Shaun Smith, as James explores the impact of his own rugby concussions.

6. 

   25 Sept 2022

   Days of Thunder

   James Graham shares his mental health struggles, while Berrick Barnes reveals the impact of concussions on his rugby career and his surprising post-retirement decision in this interview episode.

7. 

   18 Sept 2022

   Hard knocks and broken hearts

   NRL great James Graham interviews former Roosters captain Boyd Cordner about his concussion-related retirement at 29 and reveals his own brain test results with Dr. Alan Pearce.

8. 

   11 Sept 2022

   Matty Johns' badge of honour

   James Graham interviews Matty Johns, a successful ex-footballer, who reveals he suffered numerous concussions during his career but has no regrets, offering insights on player protection.

9. 

   5 Sept 2022

   What have I done to my brain?

   Rugby league superstar James Graham explores the impact of head trauma in sports, interviewing Wally Lewis and other athletes about their experiences with concussion and its effects on their mental state in this interview episode.

10. 

    23 Aug 2022

    Introduction

    NRL superstar James Graham explores the impact of football on his brain, grappling with risk, reward, masculinity, and responsibility in this episode.

Who has been a guest on Head Noise

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mark 'Spudd' Carroll
• John Graham
• Matty Johns
• Berrick Barnes
• Shaun Smith

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

43

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Head Noise

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.