The Glitter Effect

🎙️ The Glitter Effect – Episode Summary Guest: Matt Cronin, Co-founder of the Pat Cronin Foundation Host: Kate Gniel Theme: From Tragedy to Legacy – Choosing Courage, Kindness, and Change In this heartfelt and powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate Gniel sits down with Matt Cronin, co-founder of the Pat Cronin Foundation and proud father of Pat Cronin, whose life was tragically cut shor...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate Gniel chats with Barbara Gill, the dynamic General Manager of Garage Sale Trail—Australia’s biggest community reuse event. What began as a spontaneous idea during a local Bondi festival in 2010 has now blossomed into a nationwide movement promoting sustainability, community connection, and the circular economy. Barbara shares the incredibl...

In this inspiring episode, host Kate is joined by Ben Duffy, a 20-year-old with a huge heart and unstoppable determination. Ben is currently taking on the challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise awareness and funds for the Pat Cronin Foundation, which works to end coward punch violence and promote a safer, kinder community. Ben shares the emotional story behind his motivation—sparke...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate sits down with Jen Waltmon — a passionate mental health advocate and suicide prevention leader whose journey from personal adversity to national impact is both moving and inspiring. Jen shares her deeply personal story, beginning with a childhood shaped by trauma, addiction, and the early loss of both parents. She opens up about he...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, a groundbreaking Australian charity tackling period poverty. Rochelle shares the powerful story behind the movement’s creation — sparked in 2015 when she read an article about homeless women using makeshift items like socks and newspaper during their periods. Outraged and mov...

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Emma Rose Parsons—a passionate psychologist, mum, and the powerhouse behind Mountain to Melbourne, a grassroots fundraising movement bringing critical support to local children’s hospitals in Victoria. Emma Rose combines her professional insight into childhood anxiety with her personal experience as a mother to champion better care fo...

In this deeply moving episode of The Glitter Effect , host Kate sits down with Jason Sotiris , founder of SuperT ee—a superhero-inspired medical garment transforming the hospital experience for children across Australia. Jason shares the heartbreaking journey of his daughter’s cancer battle and how one moment of frustration and helplessness led to a life-changing idea. Tired of hospital gowns that...

In this heartwarming episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Ruth Lazerson, founder of Art of Hope—a creative initiative that transforms handcrafted heart-shaped pendants into powerful symbols of kindness, connection, and healing. Ruth shares the story behind her colorful creations and the philosophy that drives her: that even the smallest acts of kindness, like a...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Kirsty Porter, founder of Umbrella Dementia Cafés — a grassroots initiative providing safe, inclusive spaces for people living with dementia and their loved ones. Kirsty shares the personal story that inspired her to shift from a career in aged care nursing to becoming a powerful community a...

In this insightful and heart-led episode of The Glitter Effect , host Kate sits down with Wendy Coombe , founder of Animal Therapies Limited (ATL) — a pioneering Australian not-for-profit reshaping the landscape of therapeutic support through the healing power of animals. Wendy takes us on the inspiring journey behind ATL’s creation, born from personal experience and grown into a national movement...

In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down in person with social enterprise trailblazer Jess Colgan, CEO of All Things Equal and co-founder of Ginger Snap Patisserie. Jess is transforming what inclusive employment looks like, creating real pathways for people with disabilities to thrive in award-wage jobs within the hospitality sector and beyond. Jess share...

In this heartwarming and powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Simon Braun — better known as Simmo — the unstoppable force behind The Bloody Good Tour. Simmo is a passionate storyteller and community champion on a mission to save 100,000 lives and boost the well-being of Aussies everywhere, one blood donation and one heartfelt connection at a time. After facing personal upheav...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jo Taranto, the dynamic founder of Good for the Hood, a grassroots organisation dedicated to helping people, councils, and businesses build more sustainable, connected, and resilient communities. With a background in health, sustainability, and communication, Jo shares how a simple neighbourhood initiative with her next-door...

In this heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Kylie Pussell, a mother, advocate, and the passionate CEO and co-founder of the Miracle Babies Foundation—Australia’s leading organization supporting families with premature or sick newborns. Kylie shares the deeply personal story that led her to create the foundation after her own experience navigating the Neonatal Intensiv...

In this moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Matt Runnalls, a fearless mental health advocate, founder of Mindfull Aus, speaker, author, and a deeply committed community builder. Matt’s mission is grounded in personal experience—he turned his own battle with mental health into a national movement that’s breaking down stigma and saving lives, especially in rural and regional Aus...

Amanda Mandie, founder of Koala Kids Foundation, talks about how the organisation brings happiness to children undergoing cancer treatment and supports their families. What started with small acts like providing art supplies and lollipops has grown into a network of volunteers and businesses. Mandy shares her personal journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006, and how she fo...

In this inspiring episode, host Kate reconnects with a long-time colleague and friend, Esis Tawfik, the passionate CEO of Ageing with Grace —an organization dedicated to ensuring older Australians live with dignity, independence, and joy. Esis shares the deeply personal story that sparked her mission: witnessing her own parents’ struggles with ageing, isolation, and the loss of independence....

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, the host welcomes Maurice Gleeson, OAM, a true legend in the world of community, sport, and inclusion. Maurice is the President and CEO of Blind Sports Recreation Victoria and has dedicated over 40 years to championing opportunities for people who are blind or vision-impaired. He is an advocate for accessibility in sport, recreation, and social connection. Hi...

In this heartfelt episode, Kate speaks with Sarah DeJonge, the founder of 1000 Hearts, a global kindness movement centered around hand-sewn felt hearts. Born from a time of personal healing and a deep desire to spread compassion, 1000 Hearts began in 2016 as a small personal project and has since evolved into an international community of “heartmakers.” Sarah shares the deeply personal...

In this first episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate Gniel is joined by the incredible Louise Larkin, founder and Chief Inclusion Officer of the charity Friend in Me. Lou’s work is a testament to the power of kindness and inclusion, and she’s the epitome of a community change maker. Described as someone who exudes “glitter,” Lou is a passionate advocate for creating spaces where every child feels inc...

Welcome to the Glitter Effect, a podcast dedicated to shining a light on the movers, shakers, change makers, and all round living legends of our communities who are making a real difference. We all have a little glitter to spread, whether it’s through kindness, action, or simply showing up when it matters most. This podcast is all about those who sprinkle their magic to create positive impac...