The most fascinating conversations happen the moment the performance stops.
Welcome to just tak., an unfiltered interview platform hosted by Australian actor Takaya Honda. After spending over a decade navigating the rigorous landscape of Australian television, Takaya is turning the microphone around to unmask the reality of the creative industry.
Through long-form, intimate conversations with industry-leading actors, directors, and creatives, we explore the human instincts that drive the work. We discuss the reality of the daily grind, the politics of production, and the art of survival in a notoriously ruthless business.
Whether you are an industry professional looking for tactical insight, or a fan wanting to hear the stories that never make it to the press release, just tak. delivers the reality behind the screen.
No script. No character. Just the real story.
Follow on just tak in your podcast app.
You can also watch full episodes on YouTube @justtakpod, and on Instagram (Instagram.com/justtakpod), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@justtakpod) and Facebook (Facebook.com/justtakpod) @justtakpod for first looks, bonus content, and all the merch these two reprobates (and their guests) “rescued” from the set.
Watch full episodes of just tak on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Takandmatty) (and subscribe so you don't miss special live events!)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Broadcaster, writer and podcaster Rachel Corbett joins Tak for a conversation about dementia, caring for both of her parents, family, career and finding contentment. Rachel spent almost two decades with dementia as a major part of her life, first with her mum and then, almost immediately afterwards, with her dad. She opens up about how her mum’s Alzheimer’s unexpectedly helped heal their complicated relationship, the guilt she felt trying to continue building a career while caring for her parents, and the reality of caring for someone when the relationship itself hasn’t always been easy.
What we get into:
• Caring for both of Rachel’s parents through dementia
• How Alzheimer’s changed Rachel’s relationship with her mum
• Feeling guilty about working while her mum was unwell
• Almost 20 years of caring and dementia
• Turning down career opportunities to stay close to her dad
• The advice from Rachel’s therapist that stayed with her
• Why caring ultimately changed the way Rachel sees herself
• Dementia throughout Rachel’s family history
• Her fear about what that could mean for her future
• Wanting to stay healthy for her daughter
• Whether she would want genetic testing
• Her unexpected journey from law school to Big Brother and radio
• Building a career in broadcasting and podcasting
• Becoming a mum on her own
just tak. is an interview platform dedicated to unmasking the reality of the creative industry. Hosted by Australian actor and presenter Takaya Honda, the show strips away the polished PR narratives to ask the most important question in performance: Why?
Support Just Tak on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/justtak (https://www.patreon.com/justtak )
Sponsors:
BeautyBoat.com: use code BIN25 for 25% off your entire order.
https://beautyboat.com/ (https://beautyboat.com/ )
RØDE: thanks for the mics making us sound so good.
Dementia Support:
If you or someone you love is affected by dementia, support is available.
Australia — Dementia Australia
National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500
Free and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline (https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline )
United Kingdom — Alzheimer’s Society Dementia
Support Line: 0333 150 3456
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-support-line (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-support-line )
United Kingdom — Dementia UK
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-dementia-helpline/ (https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-dementia-helpline/ )
Mental Health Support:
If you’re having a tough time, please don’t struggle alone.
Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 offers 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.
If life is in danger, call 000.
United Kingdom: Text Shout to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis text support.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Watch just tak on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Takandmatty) (and subscribe so you don't miss special live events).
Catch up with all things @justtakpod on Instagram (Instagram.com/justtakpod), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@justtakpod), or Facebook (Facebook.com/justtakpod)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Sept 2026
jessica redmayne | 38
Jessica Redmayne joins Tak for a deeply personal conversation about Home and Away, acting, grief and dementia. Fresh from her final episode as Harper Matheson, Jessica reflects on leaving Summer Bay, tackling a domestic violence storyline, losing her mum to younger onset dementia and the family history that continues to shape her life.
What we get into:
· Leaving Home and Away after three years as Harper Matheson
· Why Jessica knew it was time to leave Summer Bay
· Tackling Harper’s domestic violence storyline
· Women sharing their own experiences after watching the story
· Returning to work three days after her mum’s funeral
· Jessica and Takaya share their experiences of losing their mums to dementia
· Jessica’s mum’s younger onset dementia diagnosis
· The early signs her family noticed
· Her dad’s years caring for her mum
· Grieving someone before they die
· Dementia across multiple generations of Jessica’s family
· Her fears about becoming the next generation affected
· Why she refuses to live in fear
· What she hopes comes next after Home and Away
just tak. is an interview platform dedicated to unmasking the reality of the creative industry. Hosted by Australian actor and presenter Takaya Honda, the show strips away the polished PR narratives to ask the most important question in performance: Why?
Support Just Tak on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/justtak (https://www.patreon.com/justtak)
Sponsors:
BeautyBoat.com: use code BIN25 for 25% off your entire order.
https://beautyboat.com/ (https://beautyboat.com/)
RØDE: thanks for the mics making us sound so good.
General Support:
If you’re having a tough time, please don’t struggle alone.
Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 offers 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. If life is in danger, call 000.
United Kingdom: Text Shout to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis text support. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Dementia Support:
Australia — Dementia Australia
National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500
Free and confidential support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
https://www.dementia.org.au/get-support/national-dementia-helpline
United Kingdom — Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia Support Line: 0333 150 3456
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-support-line (https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/dementia-support-line)
United Kingdom — Dementia UK
Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-dementia-helpline/ (https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-dementia-helpline/)
Watch just tak on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Takandmatty) (and subscribe so you don't miss special live events).
Catch up with all things @justtakpod on Instagram (Instagram.com/justtakpod), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@justtakpod), or Facebook (Facebook.com/justtakpod)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Sept 2026
ben hall | 37
Ben Hall joins Takaya Honda to talk Pretty Woman: The Musical, Neighbours, Better Man and the relentless drive to keep improving.
He opens up about life on tour, building chemistry with Samantha Jade, surviving live theatre disasters and the sacrifices required to make a living as an Australian actor.
What we get into:
· Playing Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman: The Musical
· Married life and travelling Australia with his wife, Prue
· Why performing eight shows a week is a marathon
· Being compared to Richard Gere
· Returning to musical theatre after swearing he never would
· Building trust and chemistry with Samantha Jade
· The backstage discipline required to protect his voice and body
· Missing his entrance during a song and entering “the white room”
· Samantha Jade running offstage to be sick mid-scene
· Completing almost 300 performances of Pretty Woman
· His upcoming role in Whispering Jack
· The uncertainty of working as an Australian actor
· Looking back on his years as Ned Willis in Neighbours
· Working on the Robbie Williams film Better Man
· Why Better Man struggled commercially despite its critical reception
· Performing Robbie Williams scenes in a motion-capture suit
just tak. is an interview platform dedicated to unmasking the reality of the creative industry.
Hosted by Australian actor and presenter Takaya Honda, the show strips away the polished PR narratives to ask the most important question in performance: Why?
Support Just Tak on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/justtak (https://www.patreon.com/justtak)
Promotion / Links:
Follow Ben Hall on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/benhall23/ (https://www.instagram.com/benhall23/)
Pretty Woman: The Musical Australia
https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au/ (https://prettywomanthemusical.com.au/)
SOAPBOXED – Melbourne
15–19 September 2026
La Mama Courthouse, Melbourne
Big tech has the capacity to replace human art. But does it have the power?
Written by Megan Herbert
Directed by Ryan Moloney
Run time: 90 minutes
Suitable for ages 15+
Tickets and information:
https://www.lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-hope-punk-climate-festival/soapboxed/ (https://www.lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-hope-punk-climate-festival/soapboxed/)
Sponsors:
BeautyBoat.com: use code BIN25 for 25% off your entire order.
https://beautyboat.com/ (https://beautyboat.com/)
RØDE: thanks for the mics making us sound so good.
Support:
If you’re having a tough time, please don’t struggle alone.
Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 offers 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention. If life is in danger, call 000.
United Kingdom: Text Shout to 85258 for free, confidential 24/7 crisis text support. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Watch just tak on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Takandmatty) (and subscribe so you don't miss special live events).
Catch up with all things @justtakpod on Instagram (Instagram.com/justtakpod), TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@justtakpod), or Facebook (Facebook.com/justtakpod)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
82 ratings
Contact just tak
Guest appearances
Books guests
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