So...Podcast John Mckenna
By So... John Mckenna Podcast
Conversations with everyday people. Social workers and CEOs. Activists and politicians. Artists and accountants. Everyone with a story to tell.
Diversity.
Learning more about who’s in our community, what they do, and why they do it.
Asking unique questions.
Questions that are non-judgmental but probing. Getting to the heart of the matter.
Focusing on individuals.
Giving them a platform to pitch their initiatives for helping people, their organisation, or even the planet.
Not being afraid.
Allowing people to tell their story without reservation. Embracing controversial topics from all sides of the equation.
So...Podcast John MckennaOct 16, 2020
Hey Max, what's it like being Grace Tame's partner?
Max Heerey didn’t know what he was getting into when he invited a fellow Hobart (Aust) runner out for a jog late in 2020.
As it turned out, he had just organised a date with Grace Tame, who was named Australian of the Year 2021 just a couple of months later.
In this So...podcast episode, Max talks publicly for the first time about his relationship with Grace, an advocate for survivors of sexual assault, particularly those who were abused in institutional settings.
From the age of 15, Grace was groomed and raped by her maths teacher, who was later jailed for his crimes.
Grace also fought and won for the reform of laws in Tasmania – Australia’s island state - that gagged survivors from speaking publicly and identifying themselves.
Max has been by her side the whole time, despite their relationship being so new when she received the award.
He reveals how he copes with hearing Grace discuss the abuse she suffered, his pride when she won the award, and how he prefers to keep a low profile.
This couple bounce off each other in this relaxed – and often funny - conversation that even includes a discussion about Grace’s tasty banana bread.
This episode contains references to grooming, sexual abuse, and mental health issues. If you feel that you need any support, please use one of the below resources.
Brett Ashby - a Rolling & Flowing Contemporary Artist
Melbourne based public, performance and contemporary artist, Brett Ashby talks to John McKenna on ‘So…’ podcast about flowing, ‘rolling’, and growth through art, creation, and connection.
In his 15-year journey as both a local and international artist, Ashby opens up about how his artistic practice and connections helped him to discover his own story and healing.
Using his childhood love of surfing and skating in a flow-state artistic process he calls ‘rolling’, Ashby explores how art can be created through interpreting energy and vibrations.
Maybe that sounds a bit different – but that’s his story, and Ashby’s art has become an energetic therapy and avenue to connect with others.
In a conversation with John that rolls and flows like Ashby’s art, they discuss his unique skateboard-riding-portrait-painting-process, and how connecting with young people through public art helped him to learn and rediscover his own journey, as well as produce public artworks that made a positive contribution to community.
Stay connected with Brett on Instagram
How to Lose Friends & Influence White People
Why are all television newsreaders blonde?
This is something Antoinette asked herself when she was at the gym almost 4 years ago and confronted with a sea of blonde newsreaders across every news show that was being broadcast. She looked from the TV to the people in the gym and saw people of all cultural backgrounds. She saw that the media was failing to represent Australia’s diverse community.
In that moment, Antoinette conceived the idea of Media Diversity Australia, a not-for-profit that advocates for more meaningful diversity within Australian media.
Antoinette Lattouf is a Senior Journalist at Network 10, the Co-Founder/Director of Media Diversity Australia and is in the process of adding author to the list. She has built a successful career in Australian media, and as a woman of colour, has experienced firsthand the need for more cultural diversity within the industry.
‘We pat ourselves on the back for being a multicultural country, but we’re only multicultural to a certain point. There are certain institutions where that diversity isn’t allowed to prosper.’ Antoinette Lattouf
She believes that the Australian media needs to do more work to reflect its audience and is a vocal advocate for increased diverse cultural representation.
An exciting element of her advocacy is the upcoming release of her book How to Lose Friends and Influence White People. Antoinette’s ‘cheeky’ take on a book that has been read by generations of people is set to upheave some cultural tension, raise more than a few eyebrows, and make lots of people uncomfortable.
And why? Because it’s important to provide a guide on how to navigate this complicated conversation, to challenge the status quo, and to provide the voice the Australian media has neglected.
Is Antoinette scared of the potential backlash? Nope. She’s charging forward, brave and ready. She says, ‘If I don’t push myself out of my comfort zone, how can I ask others to do the same?’.
The Power of Representation and Role Modelling
International students in the Australian news and media often carry the negative connotations of being "foreign", "problems" that are "exploited".
Belle Lim is here to challenge that stereotype.
Coming from Malaysia at the age of 17, Belle completed a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with honours as the Gold Medallist, received the prestigious Victorian Premier Award for International Students of the Year in 2019, and is currently pursuing a PhD degree in cancer genetics. Driven by her personal experience, Belle is also a passionate advocate for international students and women of colour. She is the founder of Future Female conference in Victoria and the national president of Council of International Students Australia.
Belle joined the So…Podcast to explore her journey so far. From a shy, reserved girl whose culture praised her for being obedient, to a young woman confident in her quest to empower other women from culturally diverse backgrounds. Belle shared the inner thoughts, confusion and breakthroughs that she had throughout this journey of discovering her real abilities, whilst also unpacking the cultural transition that international students are confronted with and how the burden of assimilating is placed solely on international students.
Belle strongly believes in the power of representation and role modelling to expand what young people from diverse cultural backgrounds expect from themselves. On tips to ambitious women, she emphasized on the power of knowing your values and having the right attitude - adversities and challenges will come, but it is how you approach them that will ultimately define your journey.
Women's Experiences of Violence Across the Lifespan
Violence against women is a major global public health problem. In Australia, one in six women have experienced violence from an intimate partner and more than one woman a week dies as a result of violence against women.
PhD candidate Amy Warren and John discuss how this important issue is being addressed in Australia, around the world and what we can do to further these efforts. They look at the impact of fear and stigma, culture, and disability on experiences of abuse.
Amy's PhD project, 'Violence against women across the lifespan', explores violence against women across three categories of abuse: child abuse, domestic/family violence, and elder abuse.
The project also explores how we can better support women whose experiences don't fit into any of these categories, and how anyone can be a victim/survivor of violence.
This episode may cover sensitive or triggering topics. If you feel that you need any support please use one of the below resources.
www.lifeline.org.au/
www.1800respect.org.au/
To keep up with Amy's research, you can follow The WEVAL Project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Disability Advocacy & Counselling, Working together
Mary Mallet is the CEO of the Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA), which is the peak body for independent disability advocacy in Australia.
Dr Cathy Kezelman AM is the President of Blue Knot Foundation which is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. Blue Knot operates the National Counselling and Referral Service for people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
The Disability Royal Commission emerged in response to the years of advocacy and self-advocacy work that aimed to create a platform where people could share their stories and have them heard.
It's not surprising that a Royal Commission of this nature can cause many different reactions. Some people may feel empowered to make a submission, some may feel retraumatised as the Royal Commission opens up old wounds, and some may just feel confused and unsure of how to engage with it.
Mary Mallet and Dr Cathy Kezelman represent two modes of support that currently exist for people who are affected by the Disability Royal Commission: advocacy and counselling.
Mary says that "advocacy is doing the 'doing' work". It's supporting people with practical actions such as making a submission, or a phone call, or reading through a document.
Counselling offers support of a different kind, the emotional.
So how do you know what is right for you?
There is no one answer. Trauma can present itself in many different ways, and affects each person differently. What is important to know is that each service exists to understand an individual's complex needs and support them as best they can.
It's about providing trust, understanding and somebody to walk alongside you.
This episode may cover sensitive or triggering topics. If you feel that you need any support please use one of the below resources.
www.blueknot.org.au/
www.lifeline.org.au/
www.beyondblue.org.au/
Shedding leaf light with Trace Balla
Growing up, if she felt lonely she found companionship and comfort in the tree that grew in her garden. She called this her 'tree friend'.
Trees, Trace says, have seen a lot and felt a lot. They carry a natural wisdom that is difficult for humans to tap into. Trace overcomes this by 'tree connecting', using a physical experience such as a hug to surrender her body into trees and let them hold her and her emotions.
This relationship with trees has informed her work as an author and illustrator. Her children's book Rivertime showcases the beautiful wisdom of the natural Australian landscape that Trace is now surrounded by in her home country town in - Dja Dja Wurrung Country - Southern Australia.
Trace's love for trees has gifted her with friendships, lessons and support that are completely unique, shedding 'leaf light' upon all aspects of her life and walking alongside her as she experiences the world.
The strength in being vulnerable - Rugare Gomo
Rugare Gomo, founder of the Gomo Foundation, joins the So...Podcast to bring some of these voices to listeners everywhere.
Rugare grew up in Zimbabwe, in a context where white people were considered better than black people, where being gay could get you put in jail and where men were considered more valuable than women. Even though the women in his life were smart, entrepreneurial and driven, they were deprived of opportunity.
He came to Australia when he was 16 with just a suitcase and the dream of having an education he would never have in his home country.
Rugare lets us in on the ups and downs of his journey, from raising over $100,000 for his university education, to becoming a lawyer, to feeling alone and unhappy and eventually founding the Gomo Foundation.
He started this not-for-profit to unleash the potential of girls in Africa through education. It has now grown into an organisation that gives young girls a voice and empowers them to create opportunity for themselves.
His story is a unique one, that has seen many different sides of the world and significant tests and challenges. But, through the power in vulnerability, Rugare was able to accomplish everything he had ever wanted and more.
SHHHH! Can we talk for a moment about turning down the noise?
Christine's 20-year career as a journalist took her to New York as a foreign correspondent and Canberra, where she worked in Australia's National Press Gallery, covering federal politics. Then she was headhunted to corporate communications where she gave advice to some of Australia's top business and political leaders.
Along the way, her life got very noisy and her health and family relationships suffered. So she quit her job and went on a journey to find out what was creating the "noise" in her life, what it was doing to her (according to scientific and medical research) and whether there were ways to reduce the unhealthy impacts of living in a noisy modern world.
John and Christine chat about what she discovered: about the noise in our heads, as well as the noise around us; the distraction of the news and social media; the healing power of Nature and meditation; and the challenges of going on a 10-day silent retreat.
Christine also gives some tips about how to incorporate more quiet places and practices into your own life.
Her book Turning Down the Noise was published in Australia in September 2020 by Murdoch Books, and will be released in the United Kingdom in early 2021
Danielle Matthews "How do I tell stories?...I sing"
After taking inspiration from the viral Facebook page 'Bin Isolation Outing', which encouraged individuals in lockdown to fancy dress while taking the bin out, Danielle Matthews decided to put her spin on 'dressing up' to take the bin out.
She wrote a parody of I've Never Been to Me by Charlene, exploring what it felt like to be in lockdown in Victoria.
After 48 hours her video had 1 thousand views. Danielle realised that her parody did more than make people laugh, it connected with other people who have also been struggling in lockdown.
And Danielle is not only an internet sensation. She is a 'born singer', working professional for over 20 years. She says that she grew up singing, and there was never a question of what path she would follow.
This path has taken her around the world, seeing incredible things and meeting incredible people, eventually bringing her back to Melbourne where she is the Co-Artistic Director of the Choir of Hard Knocks.
This Choir displays the power and beauty of music. A choir for people who experience all kinds of disadvantage, it has shown Danielle that no matter what people go through, the music never leaves and it can always bring back joy.
Danielle brings her warmth and vibrant love for music to the So...Podcast... if you listen closely there might even be a surprise tune!
Drawing the talk with Simon Kneebone
Find out exactly what a cartoon or an illustration is, and what its purpose should be. Creating a cartoon is about conveying a message, sometimes quite complex, in a very short time. We discover listening is an important ingredient in getting it right when creating a cartoon for someone else.
Simon tells us the cartoonist must consider the idea being communicated, political correctness, and who the intended recipient of the message is, to help craft the cartoon.
Finally, what is the future of cartooning in the media and video age?
A key takeaway - you don't have to be a great drawer to be cartoonist.
Listening or pretending to?
Oscar is an expert in communication whose goal is to create 100 million deep listeners worldwide. He highlights how listening starts with you, and not with the speaker.
Discover how you can listen better, how you can prepare yourself to listen, even when you don't feel like it, and what the purpose of listening really is.
They also delve into the difference in speech between cultures, listening and communication within families, and much more.
Find a number of resources at Oscars website - www.oscartrimboli.com.
Violence against women, walking without fear
Brunswick Sole Mates, was an idea that Alix "birthed organically" in response to issues that had been challenging her local community.
She loves to walk around her neighbourhood, before work, after work, usually when the sun is coming up or going down.
But lately, Melbourne has felt unsafe for people walking alone, especially women.
Several violent attacks against women had made not only Alix, but many members of the community feel unsafe when going for walks.
For Alix, the answer was not to simply stay indoors. Nothing was going to stop her from doing what she wanted to do. So she took things into her own hands (or feet?) and created safety for herself and her community; a local walking group.
Brunswick Sole Mates has since flourished into a group that is almost 1000 members strong.
"All genders, faiths, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, identities, ages, levels of ability and fitness are welcome." Brunswick Sole Mates Facebook Group Description (Alix Sampson)
It's not only a group for the socially inclined, the Sole Mates also love to go on 'antisocial walks' where people can walk alongside each other and feel no pressure to talk with others.
It has become an inclusive space that fosters community connection and empowers personal autonomy. It allows for all members of the community to come together and feel safe, free to walk without fear.
Take off your clothes, look at your skin
Dr Edward Upjohn talks about the three different types of skin cancers and how to potentially identify them:
· Melanoma
· Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC)
· Basel cell carcinoma (BCC)
Your General Practitioner (GP) is the best starting point if you notice something different on your skin. They use a device called a dermatoscope to examine skin spots and are trained in biopsy which means removing a sample of your skin to test, and if required your GP may refer you to a dermatologist.
A skin cancer known as a melanoma can look like a mole and can be serious. Talk to your GP if you notice a new spot on your skin or an existing spot that has changed in shape, colour or is feeling uncomfortable.
Non--melanoma cancers can cause soreness and can look like a pimple.
Dr Edward Upjohn spoke about advancements in treatments over the past 20 years, such as creams and new drugs.
Dr Edward Upjohn specialises in MOHs surgery, which is a type of surgery that can give immediate confirmation that all the skin cancer has been removed.
Normally it is a day procedure involving a local anaesthetic.
During this procedure a tissue sample is removed and then immediately checked in a laboratory so that the surgeon knows where the skin cancer is located and further tissue can then be removed if required, instead of waiting for test results which can take a number of days.
Dr Edward Upjohn quoted a well-known phrase - "early diagnosis can save lives" which he says is especially true for skin cancers. While it may be embarrassing to get undressed in front of your doctor, the skin cancer doesn't stop, so continuous skin checks with your GP is a must.
www.edwardupjohn.com/
Reclaim, Reform, Restore
Meg Renou doesn't just see a pile of junk, she sees inspiration. She describes herself as a bowerbird due to her love of collecting discarded objects and giving them a new and different life
John talks to Meg about her reclaimed, reformed and restored art business that she runs in Melbourne. A kitchen table project she started a few years ago has become a creative passion, an outlet for letting go.
Meg finds and reclaims objects that other people would consider junk, she reforms them into something different and restores life into it. From dragonflies made out of venetian blinds to mushrooms made out of teapot lids, for Meg the possibilities are endless.
'I want to keep its history and recognition of what it was while also showing how it has been transformed' - Meg
And it's not just about the objects, it's a form of meditation for Meg. When she uses her hands to create, her mind is able to switch off and just breathe for a moment.
She puts love and care into her pieces, her ideas and feelings to take a physical form allowing her to let go.
What is your outlet? How do you find time to breathe?
Meg Renou's Instagram: www.instagram.com/meg.renou/?hl=en
It's Okay to Talk About Suicide
John talks with Shayne Connell, the CEO of LivingWorks.
LivingWorks is an organisation that has been running for over 40 years and is focussed on suicide prevention.
Shane believes in the principles of community development, the LivingWorks training model focusses on training people from within the communities they are working with and using co-design to design their modules.
This means that their work is directly tailored for the communities they are working with, allowing these groups to decide what is important for them.
At the heart of their work is empowering individuals to have choice over how and when they talk about suicide.
"Suicide is a human condition, anyone can fall into crisis and distress where suicide becomes an option" Shayne Connell
Suicide can effect the community in a multitude of ways, it is a silent killer that can impact anybody.
Because of this Shane believes that it is everyone's responsibility and opportunity to learn the skills to identify suicide and keep people safe.
A key takeaway message for me was that suicide prevention training is just as important (if not more) as basic First Aid training in keeping the community safe.
So it's great that LivingWorks is here to walk alongside us and educate the community on suicide prevention.
If this topic has brought up anything for you, it's okay. Look after yourself as best you can.
If you need further support:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Wake up Aged Care Providers: Technology can help
John O'Callaghan from Acsess Health talks about his game-changing products in Aged Care support.
Acsess Health was founded in 2004 and are innovative leaders in using technology to improve accessibility.
In this episode we dive into the world of technology, how it can empower us to support our loved ones and take the pressure off the hardworking carers.
John O'Callaghan talks us through two of his revolutionary products:
· Safe and secure screening technology
o An easier way to protect your loved ones from the impact of COVID that doesn't sap resources and gives us a good sense of security
· Staying connected during COVID
o A magic box that connects to your loved one's TV in the aged care facility and lets them video chat, look at your
photos and, it's controlled and set up remotely by family members from their home.
In a time where health resources are under pressure, it's great to see technology provide the solutions.
Good & bad experiences for International Students in Australia
Collective messages from Disability Service Providers across Australia
This is one of the quotes that stuck in my mind, as I was producing this episode you are about to experience.
It's a response from a client who was interacting with a Chief Executive Officer from an Australian Disability Service Provider.
The CEO acknowledged "that sometimes you just got to stop and reflect, so that we can be reminded that when we need to do things rightly, advice can come from people we wouldn't normally expect."
No matter what business you are in, I believe there are many takeaway messages that you will relate to, with this episode.
My takeaway message after listening to this episode is that organisations are responding quickly as situations are continuingly changing.
There are hopefully now less boxes to be ticked before things can be approved.
Right now, it's all about being responsive when creating innovative ways to support people.
Whist at the same time continue to listen to the people who are being supported.
I would like to thank the 11 CEO's from Disability Services Providers from around Australia who contributed by leaving short recorded messages of innovation, support, and creativity during COVID-19 period.
Another great highlight for me was understanding how each organisation is uniquely different.
Thank you to the National Disability Services for assisting in finding organisations who chose to be a part of this episode.
These are the names of the organisations that participated.
SelfHelp - Donna Bain
Multicap - Joanne Jessop
Activ Foundation - Danielle Newport
Aruma - Andrew Richardson
OCConnections - Therese Desmond
Wallara - Phil Hayes-Brown
Helping People Achieve - Tony Burns
genU - Graeme Kelly
Community Living Australia - Mark Kulinski
Mambourin - Rohan Braddy
SCOPE - Jennifer Fitzgerald
Disability, it's a joke, for some
(From his website cheekymonkeycomedy.com) Tim is a widely acclaimed comedian, writer and producer. He's toured the world performing stand-up and musical comedy, co-writing dozens of live stage comedy shows and light entertainment programmes.
What made this conversation meaningful for me was that we spoke heart to heart as two people with disabilities and how we use humour when we interact with the rest of the world.
Tim has multiple sclerosis and I've had a physical disability since birth.
A lot of the discussion was also focused on what is humour and does it really matter if it offends others?
Supporting those who are missing out on podcasts
Christina's insights into understanding the podcast audience enriched our conversation which focused on people who are not listening to podcasts and why.
Christina and I shared different strategies for podcast listeners who are interested in helping others connect with podcasts.
Existing barriers include accessible formats for the Deaf community, and senior members of our community missing out due to not having a good understanding of technology.
Social isolation is not new to us
Lawyer lottery, will yours take a risk?
In this interview we talk about the importance of lawyers stepping into the shoes of their clients, the role of open questions and deep listening to build empathy, and the role of coaching and mentoring to create better culture in legal teams.
We also discuss the role that technology can play to address unmet legal needs. We hear about online guided client interviews that allow ordinary people to get legal information targeted to their circumstances - without giving away personal information.
He sells words because his words sell
He writes words for businesses, not-for-profit, and more so they can get their point across as effectively as possible.
In this intriguing interview we touch on how making writing simple means more people can understand. That, and anyone can be a writer!
We covered topics such as how if you can talk you can write; subtle mistakes that can cost your business; why being concise is king; some rules aren't what they used to be; and how to cultivate a practice of writing.
You can also contact Tom for his course on better business writing; more at the end of the episode.
Deaf and Proud
Is a conscious death a perfect death?
Need more space for a sneaky kiss & cuddle? Try the Accessible Toilet!!
What motivates some people to be on not for profit boards?
Yes, organisations should have a Vision and Mission that feeds a strategic plan, but it shouldn't override the purpose of fairness and human rights.
Dorothy, Geoff and Graeme give their unique perspective on how important it is to weave Human Values into Good Governance
Dorothy Graff
Dorothy Graff's consultancy, Career Futures, provides career coaching for people seeking to make a significant job move either voluntarily or through retrenchment. Specialties: coaching at any organisational level for both for-profit and not-for profit organisations
See Dorothy's LinkedIn profile for more details. www.linkedin.com/in/dorothy-graff-oam-64429728/
Geoff Donovan
Throughout my legal career I came to appreciate that when you have purpose, you can achieve. I believed in collaboration not competition and the joint creation of economic and social value with my clients through shared purpose. I was the Founder and Director of Purpose Law, a commercial law firm that was client focused and purpose driven.
See Geoff's LinkedIn profile for more details. www.linkedin.com/in/geoffdonovan/
Graeme Kelly
An experienced, successful C-Suite executive, governance leader and consultant with organisations that make an important social impact. The organisations include major health and emergency services as well as significant "for purpose" organisations in the disability, mental health and education sectors.
See Graeme's LinkedIn profile for more details. www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-kelly-8609a120/
Holiday Accessible Accommodation, no longer in the "Too Hard Basket"
Kerry also shared with me how her Facebook page is being used as a great communication tool for travelers with physical disabilities wanting to inquire or share their own accessible accommodation experiences.
*Transcript of this interview is also available*
Is Divorce a dirty word?
Eliza shared how her journey about the support she had and how writing played an important role in having a amicable divorce outcome.