The World’s Gone Potty: Surfer Belén Álvarez Kimble and more highlighted in new podcast

How one North Coast resident is remaining socially connected in a time of physical distances – and highlighting some of our region’s most incredible stories.

Mark Lubens (right) gives voice to the stories of incredible Pottsville residents like Deslee (top left) and surfer Belén Álvarez Kimble (bottom left) on his podcast, The World’s Gone Potty.

Remain physically distant but socially connected – that is the adage behind one North Coast resident’s plunge into podcasting and documenting the untold lives of his neighbours.

Pottsville resident Mike Lubans moved to the small Tweed Shire town in 2017 from Brisbane, prompted to make the sea-change after spotting the region’s beautiful locale and its eclectic characters.

But when the pandemic hit, Mr Lubans saw the community-minded village forced inside their homes and views become sometimes polarised.

“I thought ‘what can I do to share the stories about the local community that we can’t have at the pub at the moment’,” he said.

“While it’s really easy to see what was separating us as a community, I said ‘well there’s still heaps of things that will connect us’.”

“Podcasting is a really interesting and valuable way to do that – it’s not clickbait, it’s not 140 characters, not a meme.

“With conversations in longform, you’ll always find something you can agree on rather than something you disagree on.”

Armed with an Amazon microphone kit and some beers, Mr Lubans gathered some friends and started chatting – the result is the fortnightly podcast The World’s Gone Potty.

As the podcast grows so does Mr Lubans’ desire to seek out people from the community to share their incredible stories.

“You can live in a small seaside setting and you can get pizza from the local pizza guy for 15 years and all you know about him is his first name,” he said.

“Everyone here in Potty has got a story to tell, they just need a platform to share it.”

Over the course of his episodes so far, here are just some of the incredible stories Mr Lubans has shared:

Surfing talent Belén Álvarez Kimble.

Belén Álvarez Kimble

The founder of Salty Girls Surf School, Ms Kimble is also a professional surfer who travelled across the globe promoting women’s surfing.

After graduating high school she worked at Water Girl, the world’s first all-female surf shop, later teaching surfing at Surf Diva, the first all-girls surf school.

Her passion for the sport also led her to a career as a Billabong-sponsored professional surfer/free surfer.

Dylan Cooper

Talented artist Dylan Cooper is luxe hotel Halcyon House’s artist in residence, stunning many with his acrylic art inspired by his surroundings.

Mr Cooper has also recently collaborated with Carlene Duffy and Toby Simms to bring the ‘Feels Like home’ collection – a series of recognisable, Australian scenes reimagining the beauty of the Australian landscape.

Halloween Queen Deslee

Known around Pottsville for her truly impressive Halloween display, Mr Lubans says Deslee’s attention to ghoulish detail is incomparable.

The week of Halloween, you can find her dressed up in spooky garbs walking the streets of Coronation Ave and thrilling onlookers.

To check out the other fantastic stories and people, tune in fortnightly on Wednesdays to The World’s Gone Potty, available here.