A Better World Blueprint

When Australia’s wildlife needed help most, Ben Dessen quit his job. Ben shares how a childhood fascination with animals grew into a mission to transform The Hills Wildlife Sanctuary into a world-class wildlife rescue and conservation centre. He talks about the risks, setbacks and moments of doubt along the way, and explains why stories like the remarkable return of the once-extinct Parma Wallaby...

Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things, but you’re still feeling tired? Amy Green could have been the poster child for the wellness industry. She followed all the advice, did all the things… but all she felt was run down. After finding herself napping in her car as a reward for all her hard work, Amy realised something had to change - and it unravelled everything she thought she knew a...

Motherhood changes everything—but not always in the ways we expect. Life coach and author Benita Bensch joins us to explore matrescence : the profound transformation that happens when we become mothers. Her work unpacks the exhaustion, joy, identity shifts and emotional complexity of parenthood, helping women navigate this life-changing season with greater self-understanding and compassion. For mo...

Feeling the pressure to “live your best life” can make healthy eating seem overwhelming, time-consuming and expensive. Naturopath, author and founder of The Staple Store, Catie Gett, is on a mission to change that. She believes that simple, nourishing and affordable cooking can be within everyone’s reach. For more information about Catie and her book, check out her website: https://thestaplestore....

Dr Kat Page has helped lots of different workplaces create healthy working environments for their employees. Along the way she discovered that staying true to her own path - her desire to help others got lost along the way. She talks about how she found her way back to her purpose, and why she believes everyone can thrive at work. You’ll find Kat’s book Good Work, Transforming your work from the i...

Families can often be a place of painful conflict, but Dr Jenny Brown believes they also hold the key to healing. Jenny believes that lasting change begins in relationships. Drawing on years of clinical experience, she shares how family systems therapy looks beyond individual behaviour to uncover the patterns, histories, and connections that shape our lives. Find out more about Jenny’s book The Pa...

Play might feel like something you left behind in childhood, but Dara Simkin believes it’s exactly what we need more of—especially at work. Dara is co-author (with Tane Hunter) of Full Stack Human, How to stay human in a world increasingly shaped by technology . Her view is simple: when we genuinely embrace play, we unlock deeper connection, creativity, and joy. If you know someone who is making t...

For more than 25 years, Simon Marnie was the warm, familiar voice of weekend breakfast on ABC Sydney — a companion to millions as the city woke up. Across a sprawling, fast‑paced metropolis, he managed to cultivate something rare: a genuine sense of community. His secret was simple but powerful — an attitude of openness, curiosity, and humour that he carried into every corner of his life. If you k...

Nearly 40 years ago, Diana Patterson became the first woman to manage a research station in the Antarctic, leading with resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth. Later, she brought that same strength to Southern Africa, co-founding a boarding house called Bosele House, creating a lifeline for vulnerable children by providing meals, stability, and a safe place to stay so they can...

Jessica Chapnik Kahn was celebrating Hanukkah with her young daughter Shemi when two terrorists opened fire on the gathering. She shielded Shemi with her own body. Fifteen people were killed. In the aftermath, as political discourse dominated the headlines, Jessica turned to Instagram to share her words. Raw, heartfelt, and deeply human, her writing cut through the noise—offering connection and li...

Andrew Sloan wants you to know that you’re not the problem, the world is. His book Why Things Feel F*cked, your practical guide to getting unstuck - unpicks the way the world around us have evolved out of step with the basic human need for connection. It feels like a fitting end to the year, at a time when many of us can feel alone amid the chaos of the holiday cheer. A Better World Blueprint is t...

Toxic masculinity has dominated conversations in recent years — especially since the rise of the Me Too movement. But alongside this cultural shift sits a heartbreaking reality: suicide remains the leading cause of death for young men in Australia. Adam DeMamiel is working to change that. As Co-Founder and CEO of Boys to the Bush, he’s helping boys build connection, purpose, and a sense of belongi...

Music shapes our lives — from the songs that power us through the day to the melodies that help us unwind. Milly Petriella is a lifelong champion of songwriters. After nearly 30 years at APRA AMCOS and initiatives like the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition and SongHubs, Milly was awarded an OAM in 2024 for her contribution to music. Now, as co-founder of The Volume Foundation, she’s wor...

Before fitness influencers and YouTube workouts, there was Aerobics Oz Style — Australia’s original morning fitness craze. It ran for an incredible 23 years, and Wendi Carroll was there the entire time. She’s been inspiring Australians to move since the 70s and is still passionate about keeping people healthy and active for life. If you know someone who is making the world a better place - tell me...

What if a music festival could do more than entertain? Jessie McLachlan, CEO and Co-founder of Altru , has reimagined the festival experience — replacing merch tents with care providers, and creating spaces where music meets meaningful connection. After years developing the concept in the U.S., Jessie’s back in Australia with bold plans to bring her vision home. For more information on Altru check...

Do you truly love your body—imperfections and all? Psychotherapist and body positivity advocate Lana Sussman has spent over a decade supporting new parents through life’s big changes. Along the way, she discovered the power of self-acceptance, starting with her own journey. In this conversation, Lana shares how embracing yourself—inside and out—can transform the way you live and love. To find out...

Natasha Janssens never planned to become a money coach—but what started as a simple mothers’ group conversation grew into Women With Cents and a new purpose. In this episode of A Better World Blueprint , Natasha shares how shifting from financial literacy to money coaching helps women break free from self-doubt, transform their relationship with money, and live with greater confidence and intentio...

Is there any more joyful feeling than singing? It’s one of the simplest, yet most profound ways to lift your spirits. For Nadav Kahn, singing is also a powerful tool for spiritual connection. An award-winning singer/songwriter, producer, music therapist and mantra meditation teacher, Nadav weaves music with mindfulness to guide people towards peace and presence. In this episode, he shares how the...

What happens when style meets care? For registered nurse and stylist Maia Willow, the right outfit isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling alive. That belief inspired her to create Our Timeless Threads , a fashion experience bringing joy, dignity and connection to people living in aged care. Imagine: a red carpet, music in the air, a photo booth, and a wardrobe brimming with clothes and a...

From advising the Rudd and Gillard governments on gender, early childhood, media, and employment, to leading Mamamia as editor-in-chief and becoming a familiar face on The Project , Jamila Rizvi has worn many hats. She’s an author, presenter, and a fierce advocate for equality. Now, as Deputy Managing Director at Future Women, she’s driving change for gender equality in workplaces across Australia...

Beau Brummell Introductions is a matchmaking agency founded by Vinko Anthony and his husband Andrea Zaza. But as Vinko will tell you - there’s so much more to finding true love than you’ll find on a dating app. Find out more about Beau Brummell at their website: https://beaubrummellintroductions.com/ If you know someone who is making the world a better place - tell me about them! My email is: shev...

Toni Lukic used to have a career where financial profit was a measure of success. Now she cultivates a more human kind of capital. As manager of the Blacktown Youth Services Association (or BYSA) Toni spends her days teaching young people skills and helping them feel safe and connected. Find out more about BYSA (and perhaps donate!) at: https://bysa.org.au/ This is a public episode. If you would l...

While most of us were still working out what electives to take, Lisa Searle had decided she was going to be a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Fast forward seventeen years and Lisa has worked in some of the most challenging places on Earth. From Pakistan to the DRC, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Haiti, her work with MSF—known to many as Doctors Without Borders—has taken her to communities grap...

Ren Fernando trained as an architect, but it was pounding the pavement for charity that led her to a career that has changed her life. When she saw families finally finding safe housing—only to face empty rooms and no essentials—she knew something had to change. Along with her friend Ben Stammer she founded Re-Love , a charity turning houses into homes for people rebuilding after domestic violence...

Sylvia Arotin is a fearless child development expert whose passion for Montessori education is transforming families and communities worldwide. Winner of the 2025 Woman of the Year Award, Sylvia’s mission is clear: empower parents, unlock every child’s potential, and change the world—one child at a time. To find out more about Sylvia and her work check out her website: https://www.sylviaarotin.com...