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Pebble in the Pond

Pebble in the Pond

By Sam Stewart

Pebble in the Pond is a podcast that hopes to create a ripple of change for mental health. Listen in as we interview the most fascinating and accomplished people in mental health, from lived experience speakers through to researchers, academics and influential industry leaders. Hosted by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association, we are committed to progressing the understanding of mental health for the benefit for all.
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Currently playing episode

S3:E25 | Tania Raghavan: Developing a Mental Health Framework for Police Services

Pebble in the PondAug 04, 2021

00:00
39:46
S5:E51 | Shivani Gupta

S5:E51 | Shivani Gupta

After moving with her family to Australia at age 11, Shivani completed her engineering degree then her MBS to pursue a career in leadership. Shivani then experienced a life changing trek to Nepal, came home and quit her corporate job and quit her relationship.   


Now, over the last 21 years of running her own business', Shivani has presented to over a quarter of a million people across 18 countries, coached over 1500 leaders globally and authored 8 books. In today’s episode we chat about Shivani’s travels, her experiences running multiple businesses and the mental health challenges that come along with that as well as her current work, passion projects with education and plans for the future.  
 
Welcome Shivani.  

Jan 15, 202437:07
S5:E50 | Fiona McCallum & Keeva Mostyn

S5:E50 | Fiona McCallum & Keeva Mostyn

Today we chat with Fiona McCallum, General Manager, MacKillop Seasons and Keeva Mostyn, Seasons for Life Lead. 

MacKillop Seasons evidence-based programs build knowledge and capacity of professionals to provide safe space for children, young people and adults to learn knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand and respond to experience of change, loss and grief. Today we chat with Keeva and Fiona about the impacts of grief, loss and change with our young people and some of the training programs available at MacKillop Seasons.   

 

Thank you and welcome Keeva and Fiona.  

Jan 08, 202434:59
S5:E49 | Sarah Morse

S5:E49 | Sarah Morse

A former Young Australian of the Year, Sarah’s twenty years as a nurse and humanitarian have taken her around the globe.

This has given her a uniquely human perspective to the way we think, work and behave. She has seen the power of human connection to literally save lives. By cultivating a culture of courage, we all have the power to make an impact.

Tune in as we talk with Sarah about her humanitarian travels, her coping mechanisms for mental wellbeing in challenging situations and tackling burnout in the workplace and cultivating a culture of COURAGE. 

Welcome Sarah.  


Dec 26, 202326:14
S5:E48 | Lateesha Jeffrey
Dec 19, 202335:27
S5:E47 | Dr Kaushik Ram

S5:E47 | Dr Kaushik Ram

From brain surgery on sharks to the highlands of Papua New Guinea, to living in a cave and writing a book, Dr Kaushik Ram has many stories to tell. Abandoning a career in Australia and writing a book in a Thailand jungle in over just two months, Dr Ram experienced a transformative experience.  

In this episode we talk about the fight or flight response with people experiencing anxiety or depression, we also discuss the research behind it, and our trust in our own bodies. We talk about AI and the innovation in AI within mental health, in which Dr Ram has experience.  

Thank you for this incredible episode, and welcome Dr Ram.  

Dec 11, 202345:34
S5:E46 | Georgeina Whelan AM CSC and Bar

S5:E46 | Georgeina Whelan AM CSC and Bar

Georgeina was not prepared for the inequality found in the Defence Force in the mid eighties when she enrolled in the armed forces. However she persevered, finished basic training and was allocated to the army psychology core. After officer training she was selected for a officer exchange in New Zealand, and applied to the Australian Army Medical Core as a health administrator. Thirty years later, ended up the Director of Army Health. 

Through her long and varied career, Georgeina was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 2004 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2006 and awarded a Bar to her Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2016.   

She was named ACT Telstra Businesswoman of the year in 2015 and awarded the ACT Public Service Award for Leadership in 2019.  

In this episode we discuss Georgeina’s career, including her important pivot points, observations and challenges she’s found and her super power. “My super power is making the best use of everything that is available to me and I work very hard to collaborate.” 

Dec 04, 202351:20
S5:E45 | Leanne Hall

S5:E45 | Leanne Hall

Leanne is a psychologist, author, presenter and advocate. In this episode we talk about the digital service delivery of mental health support during the pandemic as well as the advances in AI as well as the role technology will play in the future of mental health.  

Leanne’s also the author of Head First Health Fast, the Smart Approach to Outwitting Body Issues and Sustaining Achievable Health and we touch on the importance of health body image in today’s society.  

Welcome Leanne.  

Nov 21, 202336:21
S5:E44 | Professor Susan Danby

S5:E44 | Professor Susan Danby

Distinguished Professor Susan Danby is recognised internationally as one of Australia’s leading experts in early years language and social interaction, childhood studies, and young children’s engagement with digital technologies.  

As Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child, Susan leads a collective of national and international researchers and partners across government, business and the community to work towards the Centre’s vision – ensuring young children are healthy, connected and educated in a rapidly changing digital age. 

In today’s episode we discuss the mission for The Centre of Excellence for Digital Child, what the latest research says and the role of parents, teachers and educators in the space. 

Welcome Susan.  

Nov 13, 202326:34
S5:E43 | Jacqui Watt

S5:E43 | Jacqui Watt

Growing up with family violence, Jacqui says it was in the stars that she ended up leading the largest peak body in Australia for organisations and individuals who work with men to end family violence.  Over her eight years as CEO of No to Violence, Jacqui saw the organisation grow from a team of 20 in Melbourne to more than 90 staff across five states. No to Violence offer a Men’s Referral Service and is the central point of contact for men taking responsibility for their violent behaviour. They also work with the family violence sector and governments to develop and advocate for best practice policy in stopping men’s use of family violence, as well as providing training and workforce development for sector workers.   

(Since this episode was recorded, Jacqui has stepped down as CEO from No to Violence). 

Thank you Jacqui for an interesting and insightful chat.  

Nov 07, 202322:17
S5:E42 | Peta Dampney

S5:E42 | Peta Dampney

Educator, truth-talker and natural disruptor, Peta has a strong background in training and consulting and a profile in mental health and suicide prevention. In today’s episode we speak about Peta’s presentation at the 2023 Australian and New Zealand Addiction Conference on the impact of the current rise of vaping and e-cigarettes use in Australia. Every state has different rules and regulations about vaping use and it’s the lack of education and information that are seeing consumers ingesting quite dangerous toxins as well as children and young people having easy access to vapes. Thank you Peta for an interesting yarn today.  

Nov 01, 202342:44
S5:E41 | Matthew Steans

S5:E41 | Matthew Steans

After witnessing a suicide, losing another friend to suicide and working through his own mental health challenges, Matthew Steans established a New Zealand charity: Hope Upstream Charitable Trust. The charity aims to work towards zero suicide communities in Aotearoa. The charity researches, evaluates and develops suicide prevention initiatives. We chat today about Matthew’s start in the sector, the challenges he’s faced so far and what he sees for the future in the mental health space. 

Thank you Matthew for your time and energy.  

Oct 24, 202321:50
S5:E40 | Megan Kingham

S5:E40 | Megan Kingham

Today’s episode features Megan Kingham.   From Nursing to OH&S to starting the first national corporate health and wellbeing program at AGL, Megan Kingham is now the Director Staff Health, People & Culture at NSW Ambulance. In this episode we talk about mental health and wellbeing strategies at a corporate level and how starting a big new role at NSW Ambulance just before COVID struck saw Megan learn fast adaptability. An insightful and interesting episode - welcome Megan.  

Oct 10, 202338:53
S5:E39 | Nicole Gibson

S5:E39 | Nicole Gibson

Nicole Gibson is a Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur, Systems Architect, Author & Philosopher. 
 
From supporting communities with emotional infrastructure with a not-for-profit foundation; Love Out Loud, to working on meaningful and complex system change within the tech field, Nic Gibson is a powerhouse.  

In today’s episode, we cover a lot of ground. From Nic’s personal story with anorexia, and how her introspection bought her to a new path and journey to what the future of mental health could mean for individuals.  

We talk about our natural disposition to want to heal, and how a lot of us struggle with that. We touch on our cultural changes over the last century has allowed for less time for self and introspection as our addiction and reliance on technology takes hold.   

Welcome Nic.  

Oct 03, 202348:55
S5:E38 | Neavin Broughton

S5:E38 | Neavin Broughton

Neavin descends from the Taranaki region and many of the Taranaki iwi.  


Work wise, he provides Māori cultural support and advice to a range of organisations ranging from government to private through to community groups.  


With a background in education, health promotion and the Treaty of Waitangi he works on projects that are designed to inspire passion in peoples’ culture. Neavin is currently a board member of New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation.  

In today’s episode we talk about revitalisation of language and culture, the value of culturally appropriate services and what Neavin is excited about for the future of the social and emotional wellbeing of Māori people.  

Welcome Neavin.  

Sep 26, 202332:43
S5:E37 | Dr Nicole Milburn

S5:E37 | Dr Nicole Milburn

Dr Nicole Milburn is a Clinical Psychologist with two-and-a-half decades of experience working with infants, children, adults and families in private practice, public mental health and therapeutic services.

Nicole’s vision is for a community that respects and values the perspective of all its members, where problems are identified early in life as well as early in the problem. Nicole’s work is trauma-informed with a particular focus on the experience of infants, whose voices are often overlooked or otherwise not heard.

Dr Nicole Milburn, thank you for an incredibly insightful chat and thank you for sharing your story.

Sep 21, 202335:09
S5:E36 | Dr Karen Hart

S5:E36 | Dr Karen Hart

Karen knew she wanted to be a social worker from a young age and has spent a career focusing on children and adolescents. Now as, Director of Operations – Clinical Transformation at Oxygen, Karen supports and enables the integration and efficiency of clinical services, programs and projects to deliver successful outcomes, in both an operational and strategic capacity.


In this episode, Karen touches on life as a social worker, and why it’s important to employ self-resilience and self-care whilst taking care of other people in times of need. We also speak about the challenges facing the sector right now, where the current areas of improvement lie and why collaboration is so important.

Sep 11, 202323:42
S5:E35 | Dr Brian McKenny

S5:E35 | Dr Brian McKenny

Dr Brian McKenny is the Clinical Director, Rural and Remote Mental Health Service, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network - SA Health 

After having an interest in mental health whilst studying Medicine, Dr McKenny has extensive experience in psychiatry and became an early adopter of tele-psychiatry and traveling to rural and remote areas as a travelling mental health professional.  

Today we speak about the differences in service delivery between rural and remote areas vs the metro areas, as well as the demand and supply of services, attracting the workforce of the future, and the reasons why he thinks the work is incredibly rewarding.  

 

Welcome Dr Brian McKenny. 

Sep 04, 202323:31
S5:E34 | Pip Rae

S5:E34 | Pip Rae

Pip is an author, investigative journalist, radio presenter, podcast producer/host and content architect of ‘creative ideas all-rounder’.

After spending eighteen years in the Police Force, Pip left the force in 2011 to raise her children and work on new projects. She has spent years in recovery from PSTD, in which she continued her research in treatments for mental illness, advocacy for stigmas in society and in particular a focus on – the impact of insurance investigations on those with an invisible illness.

With her trademark activism and calm enthusiasm, Pip strategically unpacks the themes, topics and life changing stories of women and men who are looking to share life lessons and empower others using the power of their own voice.

On today’s episode, Pip talks about overwhelm and overload, the mental health of victims of family and sexual violence and how her own experiences help to shape her work, her writing and now her future.

Welcome Pip.

Aug 28, 202340:51
S5:E33 | The Hon Margaret McMurdo AC

S5:E33 | The Hon Margaret McMurdo AC

In 1991, the honourable Margaret McMurdo was the first woman to be appointed a judge of the District Court of Queensland and the Childrens Court of Queensland. 
 
Justice McMurdo was appointed President of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Queensland in 1998. Her Honour was the second president and first woman appointed as a presiding judge of an appellate court in Australia. 
 
In 2001 Justice McMurdo was awarded the Centenary Medal and later appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (2007) for service to the law and judicial administration in Queensland, particularly in the areas of legal education and women's issues. In 2006 her Honour was presented the Agnes McWhinney Award for outstanding professional contribution by a woman lawyer. 
 
Her Honour retired as President of the Court of Appeal on 26 March 2017. On 5 May 2017 Justice McMurdo was appointed Chair of the Legal Aid Board of Queensland.  
 
In today’s episode we talk with Justice McMurdo about her start in law, her incredible experience in championing change for women’s safety and justice and her more recent appointment as the Chair of the Queensland Women’s Safety Justice Taskforce.  

Aug 22, 202339:54
S5:E32 | Dr Clifford Lewis

S5:E32 | Dr Clifford Lewis

Clifford Lewis, PhD (he/him/his) is a Marketing academic at Charles Sturt University. His research focuses on Place Marketing; exploring LGBTQIA+ inclusion both within one’s community or a recreational context. Within this field, he has drawn on socio-psychological theories to explore how places and experiences can be made more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ people.  

 
Through his work he has called for a more nuanced and sensitive approach to research which considers the diversity encapsulated under the LGBTQIA+ acronym. He is passionate about using research to make the world more inclusive.  
 
Thank you to Cliff for joining us and speaking about the lack of visibility of mental health services in rural and regional communities for LGBTQIA+ people and the massive changes in education and awareness that could bring about big changes in the sector. 

Aug 09, 202327:14
S5:E31 | Dr Stephanie Kershaw

S5:E31 | Dr Stephanie Kershaw

Steph is a Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use. Steph leads an innovative program of research and translation to reduce the impact of substance use.

Her research aims to improve the health outcomes for individuals, families and communities especially among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

In today’s episode we chat with Steph about: Cracks in the Ice, which is a National Online Portal funded by the Australian Government Department of Health to develop and disseminate evidence-based resources about crystal methamphetamine (‘ice’) for the Australian Community. Steph is currently the Project Lead at Cracks In the Ice – welcome Steph.

Aug 01, 202322:55
S5:E30 | Dr Eli Kotler

S5:E30 | Dr Eli Kotler

Dr Eli Kotler is a Psychiatrist and Medical Director of Malvern Private Hospital, an addiction and trauma hospital in Melbourne. As an adjunct lecturer at Monash University, he oversees medical students on their addiction medicine rotation. Eli has an interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, and is the Australian Director of the Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies course (Mind Medicine Australia).  

In today’s episode we chat with Eli around the psychedelic treatment changes which are emerging in the addiction sector, his excitement for a more holistic and humanistic approach to mental disorders and the process he works through with his clients. 

Welcome, Eli.  

Jul 28, 202327:10
S5:E29 | Gus Worland

S5:E29 | Gus Worland

Gus Worland is a Radio presenter and TV personality. During an episode on his breakfast radio show, Gus shared a story about a close friend and mentor who took his own life. This opened up the calls from listeners who called in to share their own stories. The journey which Gus started led to him hosting a three-part mental health documentary series, Man Up and now Gotcha4Life, a charity working to prevent suicide and break the stigma around mental health issues. 

In today’s episode we talk about Gus’s personal experience, how he’s passionate about encouraging mental fitness and the fundraising efforts which drive him.  

Welcome Gus.  

Jul 24, 202323:14
S5:E28 | Michele Laurie

S5:E28 | Michele Laurie

Michele identifies as an Gumbaynggirr/Yaegl Nyami (Woman in Gumbaynggirr)-accepted on Bundjalung Country. Michele champions social justice and seeks to work hard to increase equality & equity for First Peoples. As a Targeted Early Intervention Worker with Bugil Wernbe TEI Program-Tabulam District, Michele leads with an Indigenous Feministic practice, authentic Aboriginal Leadership & Aboriginal Governance which self-empowers to show up with and for community.  

Today we talk about the challenges of the work Michele has been a part of, the power of Aboriginal people working with Aboriginal people and her passion for early intervention with children to help build strong families within the community.  

 
Welcome Michele.   

Jul 21, 202339:38
S5:E27 | Belinda Connell

S5:E27 | Belinda Connell

Belinda Connell has been a registered Social Worker for 25 years and has over 10 years’ experience in suicide prevention, delivering LivingWorks’ suicide intervention training in Australia and overseas. Belinda also served as a sworn Police Officer with the NSW Police Service and is very proud of her first responder family background.  

In today’s episode we chat with Belinda about the stigma around having conversations about suicide. We also discuss the LivingWorks programs which can empower people to learn the skills which could help someone stay safe, and the improvements which can be made to first responders and frontline worker mental health support systems. 

Thank you Belinda.  

Jul 18, 202327:44
S5:E26 | Louise Grant

S5:E26 | Louise Grant

With a Masters in International Development, a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) Louise is an inclusion engagement specialist with a background in facilitation, training and youth community development. Today we chat around empowered youth work, and what meaningful inclusive engagement with young people looks like. Louise shares five tips around truly engaging and working with young people with honesty and sincerity.  

Welcome Louise.  

Jul 14, 202337:37
S5:E25 | Ashley Gordon

S5:E25 | Ashley Gordon

Ashley is the Executive Director at NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services. 

An Aboriginal Australian from the western-New South Wales community of Brewarrina and a descendent of the Gamilaroi and Ngemba people, Ashley has dedicated much of his life and career to not only addressing the fundamental gap in services available to Aboriginal communities but also to dismantling the stigma associated with seeking help.  

Today we talk with Ashley around his belief that disadvantage in Aboriginal communities and the issues associated with it, including drug, alcohol and gambling addiction, can only be tackled through authentic engagement and collaboration with Aboriginal people. 

 

Welcome, Ashley.  

Jul 10, 202333:09
S5:E24 | Commissioner Dominic Morgan ASM

S5:E24 | Commissioner Dominic Morgan ASM

On today’s episode we speak with Commissioner Dominic Morgan. With over 30 years of ambulance experience across a broad range of roles in the areas of operations, clinical practice and leadership within Ambulance Services and the Financial Sector, Commissioner Morgan has an incredible amount of experience and insight. We chat about the recent ramifications of the pandemic on paramedics and what the future holds for the sector.  

Thank you Commissioner, and welcome.  

Jul 07, 202342:40
S5:E23 | Abi Cooper

S5:E23 | Abi Cooper

Abi Cooper is a Youth Mental Health Consultant and Lived Experience Coordinator at batyr.

Only 22, Abi has been working in the mental health sector for the last five years. By sharing her experience in help seeking and having a few missteps along the way, Abi is passionate about advocating for young people within the community who are looking for services. Today we chat around Abi’s personal story, the changes she’d like to see in the lived experience workforce and some of the power shifts she’d like to see within the greater sector.

Thank you Abi, and welcome.

Jul 04, 202335:15
S5:E22 | Dr Michael Salter

S5:E22 | Dr Michael Salter

Content warning. This episode does talk about child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material.

Dr Michael Salter is the Scientia Associate Professor of Criminology at the School of Social Sciences at UNSW and an expert in child sexual exploitation and gendered violence.  
 
Michael applies critical and feminist theory to the study of complex trauma, with a focus on intersections with technology. Michael sits on the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, and he is an advisor to the Australian Office of the eSafety Commissioner, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection and White Ribbon Australia. He is Associate Editor of Child Abuse Review and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation.  
 
In today’s episode we talk about policy failure, the lack of preparedness to recognise and respond to the impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation and a whole range of sector updates.  
Welcome Michael.  

Jun 30, 202340:21
S5:E21 | Rod Jeffries

S5:E21 | Rod Jeffries

Rod Jeffries is Wakenyahten (Turtle Clan) of the Kanyen’keha:ka Niwakitaro:ten (Mohawk) residing at home on the Kenhte:ke Nitewake:non (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario, Canada.)  
 
For the past 36 years, he has worked in the fields of substance abuse, healing, wellness and treatment as manager, workshop trainer/facilitator, program developer and evaluator.  

In the past three decades, his efforts have focused on the development & delivery of programs and staff for working with survivors of trauma, cultural oppression, sexual abuse and residential/boarding schools.  In recent years, Rod has become well known for his work on trauma, shame and lateral violence across Canada and in New Zealand. 

He is the chairperson of the International Indigenous Council for Healing Our Spirit Worldwide.  Rod’s involvement with HOSW began in 1991 prior to the First Gathering in Edmonton, Alberta in 1992.   
 
Thank you for joining us Rod.  

Jun 26, 202338:17
S5:E20 | Edward Mantler

S5:E20 | Edward Mantler

From starting in the sector as a psychiatric nurse, Ed is now Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer at the Mental Health Commission of Canada.  Ed helps to guide and advise on best and emerging practices. 

We talk about the changes he’s seen over a long career in mental health, how stigma manifests within the sector, within mental health policy and within in the community. We chat around how the pandemic has shifted conversations and the new national standard in Canada, and what that means for the future of mental health in Canada.   

An episode full of incredible insight and thank you Ed! 

Jun 12, 202348:41
S5:E19 | Dr Julie Rowse

S5:E19 | Dr Julie Rowse

Dr Julie Rowse is the Owner of Healthy Mind And Soul & a Mental Health Occupational Therapist. 

Growing up in Ballarat with a very strong work ethic which didn’t cover mental health, Dr Julie Rowse came to her current practice after a burn out moment saw her questioning her career path and searching for answers when she had some unexplained health issues.  

A passionate advocate for a holistic approach to mental health with occupational therapy, treatment and flexible approaches, Dr Rowse joins us for today’s episode.  

Welcome, Dr Julie Rowse.  

Jun 06, 202337:20
S5:E18 | Michelle Rogers

S5:E18 | Michelle Rogers

Michelle is the Partnerships and Engagement Partner at Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Child And Family Network.  


Ngunya Jarjum  was established in 1995 by Bundjalung Elders and community members to address the crisis and need for more Aboriginal kinship and foster carers. Based on the idea to keep the children on Country, within family and immersed in culture.  


We talk all things from cultural identity, working with families with addiction, inviting children to be a part of the conversation with change and how some of the exciting shifts coming from the future. 

Welcome Michelle for this incredibly insightful episode. 

May 30, 202341:54
S5:E17 | Rev Dr Rex Rigby

S5:E17 | Rev Dr Rex Rigby

Reverend Dr Rex Rigby is an Indigenous Australian – from the Bigambul clan in central southwest Queensland.  Rex is the first Indigenous national head of a denomination in Australia.  He has served for eleven years as the National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia, fourteen years as a District Superintendent, and over 17 years as a local church pastor. 

Today we talk about Rex’s story, how he got started in the church and his passionate mission for change, leadership and the challenges that come along with that. A truly powerful story and a hopeful one. Thank you Dr Rex.   

Our guest host today is Nat Heath.  

May 15, 202334:06
S5:E16 | Dr Mark Deady

S5:E16 | Dr Mark Deady

Dr Mark Deady is a UNSW Senior Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute and the research lead within the Workplace Mental Health Research Program. He has over twelve years research experience in the field of mental health and substance use disorders. In this time he has worked on a range of projects at a coronial, epidemiological, and clinical level, completing his PhD at UNSW in 2015. 

With extensive expertise in the development of digital interventions, online service delivery, clinical trial evaluation, and workplace mental health. Dr Deady joins us today to speak about how the workplace is changing, what the research is saying and what are some effective approaches to support mental health in the workplace. Welcome Dr Deady.  

May 10, 202331:49
S5:E15 | Simon Holloway

S5:E15 | Simon Holloway

From being raised on a farm to living overseas and back to Australia to working in corporate - “growing” has always been a part of Simon’s life. When he partnered with friends Matt and Paul, the innovative and now, award winning raised garden bed company: Vegepod was born.  

Simon is passionate about therapeutic horticulture and through his own story with mental ill-health, he is a big believer in the power of growing to help people overcome challenging times.  
 
The benefits from getting your hands in the soil, nurturing nature and growing your own edible garden are only now being better understood. Here to discuss it all..  
 
Welcome Simon.  

May 01, 202335:19
S5:E14 | Heather Nowak

S5:E14 | Heather Nowak

Heather is a Mental Health Commissioner in South Australia and over a dedicated career, has participated in the development of the National Qualification for Peer workers.  
She’s also assisted in co-designing the resources for the Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work and worked with the SA Mental Health Coalition to bring the qualification to SA. 
 
Heather is a strong advocate for consumers living with mental health issues at a local, state and National level. She was an inaugural member of the National Consumer and Carer Register, and now a member of the National Consumer & Carer Forum.  
 
On today’s episode, Heather discusses the role or peer work, the development of peer work training and her a-ha moments that have led to huge process and structure changes for the sector.  

It's wonderful to see Heather on the podcast – welcome Heather.  

Apr 24, 202339:08
S5:E13 | Cameron & Sharn Watts

S5:E13 | Cameron & Sharn Watts

Cameron is the Founder and Managing Director of Hemisphere East, a strategic counsel and government relations consultancy that helps clients in the tech and cyber fields engage with government and industry. 

After serving fourteen years in the Australian Federal Police, most of this time in leadership roles, and as an AFP advisor to the federal government.  

Sharn runs pre and post-natal yoga classes and together they are proud Fortem Australia Ambassadors. 


We talk about the challenges faced by first responders on the job, mental health within the sector Cameron’s journey with the AFP and PTSD and their journey together as a family. Welcome to you both.  


Apr 18, 202346:54
S5:E12 | Dean Bayliss

S5:E12 | Dean Bayliss

Dean is a proud Kamilaroi man and is the CEO of Healing Works Australia which is an Indigenous led and operating as a private social enterprise corporation that provides an array of suicide prevention services. 

Through his own journey of emotional wellbeing, Dean’s personal and professional experiences have placed him in a unique position to provide culturally competent, sensitive, and safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are at risk of suicide, or who would like to learn how to support someone who is at risk of suicide. 

Today we talk about Dean’s journey, community engagement, and the social and emotional wellbeing framework. Welcome Dean. 

Apr 10, 202343:11
S5:E11 | Lucas Finch

S5:E11 | Lucas Finch

Lucas Finch is the Global Head of Wellbeing at Xero - a cloud-based accounting software platform. He has won the Australian Psychological Societies Workplace Excellence Award for the development of an evidence-based Workplace Wellbeing Program. 

In this episode we talk through Lucas’s life changing silent meditation retreat, our modern obsession with busy-ness and achievement, and how Lucas jumped on board with Xero to develop a wellbeing strategy for their global team.  
 

Welcome Lucas.

Apr 03, 202328:25
S5:E10 | Rosemary Wanganeen

S5:E10 | Rosemary Wanganeen

As a Griefologist, Rosemary is a specialist.  She is a qualified educator & assessor, program designer and facilitator, loss & grief counselor, public speaker and a published author.   
 
The foundation to these abilities derives from her lived experiences of grieving through her personal loss and grief from 1987-1992.  During her personal grieving journey she set up the Sacred Site Within Healing Centre in 1993. 

Rosemary is a proud South Australian Aboriginal woman with ancestry and ancestral links to Kaurna of the Adelaide Plains and Wirringu from the West Coast. After the death of their beloved mother, Rosemary and six of her eight siblings became part of the Stolen Generation. It’s a traumatic story, but by reconnecting with her Spiritual Ancestors, Rosemary managed to survive the many years of loss, grief and fear. 

This episode talks about everything from Plato, to grief, to Rosemary’s personal experiences, what inter-generational grief looks like today and how we start to help Indigenous people thrive through griefology.  

Welcome Rosemary.   

Mar 28, 202341:20
S5:E09 | Eleni Psillakis

S5:E09 | Eleni Psillakis

Currently a Manager at Success Works, Eleni helps transform the lives of women effected by the criminal justice system. With a history of undiagnosed anxiety and depression, and an intense people pleasing personality, Eleni lived with anorexia in her late teens. After the breakdown of her twenty-one year marriage, a return of depression and some bad decisions, Eleni was incarcerated for 11 months. Eleni shares her story around eating disorder, depression, mental health within the prison system and what happens to women after incarceration.  

A truly insightful, raw and honest conversation and I thank Eleni for sharing her story.  

Mar 22, 202338:42
S5:E08 | Dom Barry

S5:E08 | Dom Barry

Dom Barry is a proud Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara man from the remote community of Kaltjiti (Fregon) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, and a former professional AFL player, playing for the Melbourne Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club. Dom shares his story about moving from Alice Springs to Melbourne as a teenager, boarding at Ballarat and starting his professional career.

On today’s episode we discuss Dom’s journey, his ideas about continuing education and wellbeing for Indigenous children and Dom shares some insights on how First Nations people approach, treat and heal mental ill health and what being on country means to Indigenous people. Thank you to Dom for sharing so much in this episode.

Mar 14, 202331:08
S5:E07 | Dr Ben Hamer

S5:E07 | Dr Ben Hamer

On today’s episode we talk with Dr Ben Hamer, one of the leading voices on the future of work. Ben is Doctor of Public Administration, which included time spent as a Visiting Scholar at Yale University, and is an Adjunct Fellow for Swinburne University’s Centre for the New Workforce. Ben leads the future of work market for PwC Australia and is on the Board of the Australian HR Institute (AHRI).

We discuss how the pandemic is still creating waves in workplaces across Australia, how current trends and future predictions may affect workplaces, employees and employers. I thoroughly enjoyed this fascinating conversation and hope you enjoy.

Welcome Ben.

Feb 27, 202342:09
S5:E06 | Geraldine Bilston

S5:E06 | Geraldine Bilston

Geraldine is a professional consultant and victim-survivor of family violence.

Geraldine was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Victim Survivors Advisory Council in May 2020 and she sits across a number of consulting and advisory boards including the Mornington Peninsula Primary Prevention Collaboration and White Ribbon National Advisory Council.

On today’s episode Geraldine shares details on her upbringing, her personal story and Wisdom in Practice - a reverse mentoring program. Geraldine talks about how lived experience and professionalism partner together and work along side each other to create systemic responses that meet the needs of the people who use them.

Thank you for sharing your story so honestly Geraldine and welcome to the podcast.

Feb 21, 202324:18
S5:E05 | Taimi Allan

S5:E05 | Taimi Allan

Taimi is the Tumu Whakarae (Director) at Ember Innovations and is a board member of Te Hiringa Mahara Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission of Aotearoa New Zealand. Starting her career as an air hostess with Ansett and Qantas, Taimi has become one of the leading minds in the mental health sector. With over 17 years experience in mental health and addiction services, e-Health, Suicide prevention, Leadership service and programme design and implementation Taimi is uniquely qualified to share her thoughts on the landscape of mental health services now and the value people with lived experience bring to the table.

Taimi is a firm believer that if you have a great idea the world should know about it and that experiences enable (not disable) people to innovate. It was a great pleasure to sit down for this discussion with Taimi and I hope you enjoy the episode.

Welcome Taimi Allan.

Feb 14, 202342:27
S5:E04 | Jack Buckskin

S5:E04 | Jack Buckskin

On today’s episode we talk with Jack Buckskin, a proud Kaurna and Narrunga man.

Jack tells the story of his family’s background and how after grasping the Kaurna language, he’s continued to become a teacher and leading authority on this traditional South Australian language. During our episode, we talk about Jack’s passion for the language and how dedicated he is to lifting the profile of cultural language in South Australia.

Welcome Jack.

Feb 07, 202339:14
S5:E03 | Karen Gallagher

S5:E03 | Karen Gallagher

Karen is a seasoned director in transformation, stakeholder engagement, human centred design, communications, and business strategy. She’s also the Partnerships Director at Today, which is a strategic design agency focused on purpose-based, problem solving projects.

In this episode, Karen talks about the process and facilitation of Co-Design, the resources needed and the roles and responsibilities of a Co-Design project and how the organizational support to help the planning stage move forward is so important. We learn the skills behind the design of a co-design project, how structure and process go hand in hand with the organizational support and each are equally essential to move teams and ideas forward.

Enjoy listening to this interesting episode with Karen now.

Feb 01, 202337:54
S5:E02 | Angela Martin

S5:E02 | Angela Martin

Dr Angela Martin is the founder and Principal Consultant of Pracademia.

Angela holds current part-time and honorary Professorial appointments with the Menzies Institute for Medical Research and the College of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania.

On today’s episode we look back at the last 20 years Angela has spent working in the workplace mental health sector, how employers and employees awareness around workplace mental health has grown and developed and the changes around stigma and conversations in the workplace around mental health.

We chat about the now and the future and touch on National Workplace Initiative, which is an exciting workplace mental health initiative.

Welcome Angela.

Jan 24, 202334:56