A warm afternoon in Sydney’s Chinatown sets the stage for a reflective stroll with Todd Sampson, the Canadian-born Australian television personality known for his engaging storytelling. As he reminisces about a restaurant that no longer exists, he gestures toward Dixon Street, recalling his first date with his wife, Neomie, at a dumpling joint. “What we have is roughly where it was,” he says, smiling at the memory. The waiter had described one particular dumpling as a “combination,” to which Sampson quipped, “A combination of what?” Neomie’s reaction, he recalls, was one of uncertainty about him.
Sampson, who has lived in Sydney for over 20 years, has built a multifaceted career spanning advertising and television. He and Neomie, who is Burmese, have two children: Coco, 19, and Jet, 16. “They’re 50% Canadian, 50% Burmese, and 100% Australian,” he jokes, adding that they enjoy Chinatown but prefer its vibrant nightlife, leaving him to wonder what they are up to.
The streets of Chinatown perceive quiet this afternoon, with a few tourists wandering about. As decorations for the Lunar New Year begin to adorn the streets, Sampson reflects on his journey through life and the unique experiences that have shaped his perspective.
Exploring the Edges of Human Experience
Most Australians recognize Sampson from panel shows like Gruen and The Project, as well as from his immersive science series Redesign My Brain, BodyHack, Mirror Mirror, and Life on the Line. In his latest ABC series, Why, he delves deeper into the unknown, engaging with doomsday preppers, UFO-worshipping congregants, and base jumpers who flirt with danger in the name of living more fully. “I’ve cried with more people on camera than off,” he admits. “Probably more than with my own family.”
As the weather begins to turn drizzly, Sampson suggests they accept refuge in a nearby Japanese tea shop. He orders grapefruit and mango drinks for both of them, and they settle at a small round table. “I choose to talk to people at the edges,” he explains of his creative process. “The idea is to drop viewers into these worlds and show how normal ‘strange’ people are. Under every extreme group, there’s a human need, often for belonging.”
Family Life and Personal Struggles
Interestingly, Sampson shares that his family does not watch his shows. “Neomie once told me she has better things to do than watch me play out my childhood fantasies on TV. I like that at home my TV work doesn’t exist,” he reflects, almost relieved by the separation.
His journey has led him to turn into a human laboratory for television. He has been shot at underwater, walked high wires between skyscrapers, attempted Houdini-style escapes, and embedded himself with elite fighters and remote tribes. He even climbed Mount Everest alone, with a Sherpa, and when asked if he is an adrenaline junkie, he retorts, “No. People find that hard to believe, but I don’t feel it as adrenaline anymore. I think I’m driven more by curiosity and, deeper than that, worthiness.”
Sampson’s upbringing plays a significant role in his worldview. He describes coming from a family with a history of addiction and little education. “My mum was an addict and suicidal, and it got her ” he reveals. This history of trauma has made him feel like an outsider. “I think I like being on the outside with people who are on the outside,” he says. “The crying on camera is intimacy without risk. I get to be deeply in their world, and then I get to walk away.”
Conversations with the Unconventional
His working-class background sets him apart from other documentary makers, such as Louis Theroux, with whom he is often compared. “People compare my style to Louis Theroux’s. I’m flattered, but we come from very different worlds,” he explains. “I don’t come into these communities looking down on people. If anything, I’m looking straight ahead or slightly up.”
In Why, Sampson interacts with various individuals, such as Ari, a New York City math professor and a serial sperm donor. “He doesn’t do it for money; he’s helping people who can’t afford IVF,” Sampson explains, revealing deeper motivations rooted in family dynamics. The series also portrays American doomsday preppers, exploring their fears of unbreathable air and cyber-attacks. “With preppers, the shared human need is control—or at least the belief in control in an uncontrollable world,” he remarks. “I argue that we’re all preppers to some degree.”
Sampson’s observations lead him to reflect on the nature of faith and belonging. His encounters with UFO worshippers, whom he describes as “incredibly loving, gentle people,” challenge his beliefs. “Their practice centers around praying into a box filled with crystals and magnets, sending that energy to a spaceship,” he states. “When I joined in the prayer, it weirdly felt good, which gave me cult vibes afterwards.”
Looking Ahead
As they exit the tea shop, Sampson expresses his longing for another adventure. “I spent 20 years dreaming of Everest and training for it,” he recalls. “When I finally reached the summit, all I wanted to do was get down.” He acknowledges his fear of heights and an “extreme optimism bias,” a combination that he says sums up his life.
Sampson is poised for future explorations, driven by curiosity and a deep-seated insecurity from his upbringing. His work continues to reflect the complexities of human relationships and the essential human need for belonging. As he contemplates the next chapter, he remains eager to share the stories of those on the fringes of society, inviting viewers to understand the diverse tapestry of human experience.
What stories will Sampson uncover next? Share your thoughts and comments below!
