Ortus Talent's 2022 Favourites

It's official, he’s written his list and checked it twice… Santa Claus is coming to town!

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As we head into the final few weeks of this year, we thought we would share a few of our favourite things we watched, read or listened to in 2023!

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Toni:

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Audiobook: The Midnight Library

This year, Toni listened to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. A really enjoyable book that makes you think a lot about your perspective and outlook on life. The story follows a woman called Nora whose life has been full of misery and regret, but the discovery of the Midnight Library gives her the opportunity to undo every regret in order to live the perfect life. The real question is what is the best way to live?

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Series: A Trip To Infinity

Toni loved A Trip To Infinity on Netflix this year. Once again a show not for the faint-hearted, this show makes you think a lot about perspective and how tiny and insignificant we are compared to the size of the universe, all that's come before us, and all that will come after us. It also poses an interesting question about there being infinite permutations of our lives, think Dr Strange Multiverse of Madness but fewer superheroes!

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Simona:

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Audiobook: Shantaram

From first reading a few years ago to falling in love all over again via audiobook this year -  Simona was hooked from the first word of Shantaram, an autobiographical novel written by Gregory Roberts. Starting with his 19-year sentence for a series of armed robberies, Greg writes about how he managed to escape and proceed to spend 10 years as a fugitive in Bombay. From working as a counterfeiter, establishing a free medical clinic and so much more, this book is one not to miss.

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Series: Rotten

Rotten is an informative series about the realities of the global supply chain and the challenges that go on that we aren’t even aware of. Initially released in 2018, the show dives deep into the food production underworld to expose the corruption, waste and real dangers behind your everyday eating habits. Simona loved seeing the behind-the-scenes and felt influenced to start making smarter purchasing choices!

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Abby:

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Podcast: Crime Junkie

Now for all our true crime fanatics, our girl Abby has you covered. The Crime Junkie Podcast, hosted by Ashley Flowers, is a weekly podcast that focuses on a different crime every week. The storytelling is straightforward and free of rabbit holes so the cases stay suspenseful and are easy to follow. It’s the podcast version of sitting in a room with your best friends and discussing whatever your new true crime obsession is.

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Series: Shantaram

Making its second appearance on the list, the newly released Shantaram series on Apple TV was Abby’s favourite watch of the year. So if you don’t fancy reading or listening to the book but want to hear about Gregory Roberts's story, this is one you don't want to miss!

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Georgia:

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Podcast: The Fellas + Pitchside

This year the podcast that stuck out to our resident Gen Z was The Fellas Podcast, hosted by YouTubers Callum Airey and Josh Larkin. In its simplest form, the podcast is two best friends keeping you entertained as they go through life and try to figure it all out. Between touring Australia in a caravan and launching their third season on the 165th floor, The Fellas are sure to leave you crying with laughter. Special shoutout to the Pitchside Podcast, produced by The Fellas Studios.

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Series: Drive To Survive

Apart from watching F1 religiously from Thursday to Sunday, season 4 of Drive To Survive was Georgia's top pick for 2022. Being able to not only enjoy the sport and competition but getting an insight into the fastest people in the world's minds and lives always feels like a privilege. If you are new to the sport, or just need something to keep you busy during winter break, Drive To Survive is an amazing look into the lives of the F1 circus.

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Shea:

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Podcast: Full Send x Mr Beast

Shea's podcast of the year was the Full Send podcast, more specifically the Mr Beast episode. Hosted by Kyle Forgeard, the Full Send podcast is designed to be able to have open and honest conversations with some of the world's most successful minds. The Mr Beast episode stuck out to Shea as Kyle and his team were able to encourage Jimmy to quite literally spill the tea on how he cracked YouTube.

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Series: Earn Your Leisure

Earn Your Leisure is a weekly show that Shea never missed in 2022. EYL gives you the raw status of our economy and how to navigate through it and work your way to financial freedom through investing. They have created a revolutionary network to inspire emerging and established content creators from the world of business, finance and entrepreneurship whose perspective, expertise and in-depth insight have been undervalued and overlooked.

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Claudia:

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Podcast: The High Performance Podcast

Interviewing the planet's highest performers, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes offer a glimpse into the lives of successful individuals. With features from people like George Russell, Tyson Fury and Alex Scott, Claudia listened every week. Whether the guest excelled in sport, entertainment or business, High Performance is a look into what non-negotiable behaviours they employed to get them to the top and keep them there.

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Series: The White Lotus

Jennifer Coolidge… Need we say any more?

Having just been renewed for a third season, the show follows guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus chain, whose stay is affected by various dysfunctions. With an absolutely star-studded cast and 20 awards under its belt, The White Lotus was by far the best series Claudia watched this year.

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