Q&A with True Story festival author Josh Piterman

Prepare to be inspired by one of Australia's most accomplished musical theatre stars. One of True Story festival's special guests next month will be Josh Piterman, host of the Behind The Mask podcast and now a book by the same name.

"My intention is not only to give you a backstage VIP tour of my musical theatre world," Josh says of his new book, "but also to provide you with some useful tools to help navigate life, find deeper meaning, explore a growth mindset, and ensure it’s all done with a touch of humour."

In a career spanning 20 years, Josh has been in the spotlight on stages around the world – he is the only Australian to have played both Jean Valjean in Les Misérables and the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on London's West End. But beyond the stage, his passion lies in helping others achieve peak performance.

Josh works as a holistic high-performance coach, guiding athletes, corporate leaders, and other high-achievers through breathwork, mindset training, and meditation. His dedication to this work is the inspiration for both the Behind The Mask podcast and book.

At True Story festival on Sunday, November 16, at 2:50 pm, Josh will join social researcher Dr Rebecca Huntley for the "Head On" panel, where the authors will speak candidly with Dr Jackie Bailey about their struggles with trauma and anxiety. This is a rare opportunity to hear about the man behind the mask and discover how he found the tools to cope and thrive.

True Story's theme for 2025 is ‘But Seriously’ and the festival will be held over Saturday, 15 November and Sunday, 16 November at Coledale Community Hall. Early-bird single day and weekend passes are available via Humanitix.

Thanks to Josh for taking the time to tell us more about the books he loves.

What are you currently reading?

Breath by James Nestor. It’s an incredible book about the power of the breath. And offers insights many people would have no idea about – but should learn about – given breathing in and out is something we all do 20- to 25,000 times a day.

What is your earliest reading memory?

Probably Possum Magic and There’s a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake. But I think the first book I remember reading cover to cover was James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl.

Who is the writer that changed your mind?

Eckhart Tolle. Both The Power of Now and A New Earth have been fundamental to shifting the way I approach life. 

Which book do you re-read?

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. I first read it at age 21 and it's been a book I’ve kept close to me for almost 20 years. It always has a way of grounding me.

What are you currently re-reading?

Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I love ancient, indigenous and mythic stories, how we see ourselves in them and learn about life from them. She has a beautiful way with words, and I enjoy how she approaches much of her work through a Jungian psycho-spiritual lens.