Towards Better

Creating Inclusive Futures Through STEM: Sarah Chapman on Empowering Girls and Communities in Regional Australia    In this episode of Towards Better , Ricky is joined by Sarah Chapman, Founder of STEM Changemakers, Founder of the Townsville STEM Hub, and Co-Chair of Women in STEMM Australia, for a rich conversation about inclusion, opportunity, and community-led change through STEM.   Together, t...

In this episode of the Towards Better Podcast , we sit down with Liam Thomas from All Access Education Group (AAE Group) to explore inclusive education, neurodivergent learning, and how stronger connections between education and local businesses can create better pathways from learning to careers. Liam shares the story behind AAE Group, the three businesses under its umbrella, and the mission driv...

Episode Title: Digitising Dreams: Rob Birnie on Bridging the Digital Divide with LiteHaus International Description: From a single laptop donated from a garage in 2017 to a mission of digitising a million dreams by 2027 , LiteHaus International has transformed access to technology for hundreds of thousands of students across Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia. In this episode, we s...

Episode Title: Work, Life & IBD: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Invisible Conditions Episode Description: Living with an invisible illness like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comes with unique challenges—misunderstandings, stigma, and a constant battle for proper care. In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Hobson , a passionate advocate, author, and founder of IBD Hub . After nine years...

Welcome to this episode of the Towards Better Podcast ! I’m excited to have Margaret Rodgers , the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Resource Unit (CRU) , joining us today. CRU is a remarkable organization dedicated to creating and promoting positive change, ensuring people with disabilities can belong to and actively contribute to social and economic life. With over forty years of experien...

Welcome to today’s episode of the Towards Better Podcast ! We’re excited to be joined by Kosta and Jules , the passionate owners of King Konz School of Music , Townsville’s largest dedicated private music school. King Konz is not only about helping students play music like their idols but also about creating a community of growth and support for musicians of all ages and skill levels. In this epis...

Podcast Episode Title: Redefining Roles: How Explore Property Munro & Co's Customized Employment Partnership is Transforming Work Podcast Episode Description: In this episode, we explore the innovative collaboration between Munro & Co Explore Property and Towards Better, showcasing how customized employment can redefine roles and create impactful opportunities. Join us as Jools Munro...

"Welcome to today's episode of the Towards Better Podcast titled 'Fostering Cultural Safety and Inclusion: A Conversation with CIC.' I'm your host, Ricky Esterquest, and today we're honored to have with us Theresa Hudson, an experienced Community Coordinator and Connector with a rich background in non-profit organization management. Theresa has a wealth of experience...

OVERVIEW   In this three-episode series, I have the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Schubert and Michael Bromage about the fascinating world of makerspaces in North Queensland.   Andrew, a Technical Project Manager and founder of Urban Maker in Townsville, is dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM experiences for kids and young adults with Autism through the Innovation for ASD Initiative. With his...

OVERVIEW In this three-episode series, I have the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Schubert and Michael Bromage about the fascinating world of makerspaces in North Queensland.   Andrew, a Technical Project Manager and founder of Urban Maker in Townsville, is dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM experiences for kids and young adults with Autism through the Innovation for ASD Initiative. With his b...

🌟 Discover the power of Customized Employment! 🌟 In a recent podcast episode, Ricky delved into the concept of customized employment—a game-changer in creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with significant disabilities. Learn practical steps for implementation, success stories from North Queensland, and upcoming resources to revolutionize your organization's approach to talent acqui...

Laura Carcary, founder of My Money Means. Laura teaches children all about money.  She have developed some resources for children and families to use to help them teach children all about money.   Laura is a qualified accountant and primary school teacher and believes learning about money is an essential skill needed in life.  Starting with the basics of earning, saving, spending, sharing and bein...

Kate Pearce, founder of Nutrition Queensland and Healthy Little Eaters, has a unique story. With over a decade of experience as a registered nurse, Kate decided to pursue further studies to become a registered nutritionist. Her passion for understanding the effects of food on our bodies led her to create Healthy Little Eaters, a pioneering children's game that teaches kids to enjoy fruits and...

On todays episode I am joined by Luke Harlen from The Wellbeing Trainer The Wellbeing Trainer helps individuals and companies grow their wellbeing muscles so they can be proactive with their mental health and get mentally fit.  He likes to think of himself similiar a coach or trainer at the gym, except Luke helps people grow their wellbeing muscles. This is done through his wellbeing workout which...

Mike Dyson Mike teaches social and emotional intelligence to educational and corporate leaders. Over the last 10 years  he has facilitated group conversations with all kinds of people on all kinds of difficult topics - from mental health and suicide prevention, to educational wellbeing, to healthy masculinity, corporate culture and collaborative wellbeing. His great passion is the art and science...

Website:  NDE Collective Instagram: NDE Collective (@nde_collective) • Instagram photos and videos Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NDE.Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-scammell-12b44429a?originalSubdomain=au  Support the show Love the podcast?! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. . Want to connect further, check us out on socials: . Facebook: https://www.facebook...

Meet Natalie Siagian; A Creative rebel with a cause, Creator, Community Builder & Fun ADHD Founder of The Personhood, a humanistic and colourful creative community for creators who want to connect, accelerate passion projects and generate paychecks as humanly as possible.  Nat left the corporate 9-5 creative advertising world in the middle of a pandemic and spontaneously moved to a tropical is...

On today’s podcast we’re joined by Fiona Pilchowski. Fiona runs a local business called Messages on Hold Townsville, but her history of work in the community sector and a passion for community development recently led her to start a new social enterprise called The Kindness Catalyst. The Kindness Catalyst uses innovative ideas to spread kindness across Townsville and beyond, while increasing socia...

Shakira completed her Bachelor of Science (Zoology) degree at James Cook University in 2010 and holds a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management. She has over 15 years experience in environmental management, conservation and land management, and project management. Shakira has worked as an Environmental Scientist, Zoologist, Park Ranger and Project officer/manager in a variety of enviro...

On this short episode, we have Ricky Esterquest, Founder & Principal Community Development Worker at Towards Better sharing a bit about his Social Traders Certified Social Enterprise including: An Intro from QLD Social Enterprise 'QSEC Stories' in 2022 Their impact model Their mission and vision Who they work alongside A snapshot of the impact they measure To find out more about thei...

Todays Podcast Guest: "Lydia is an economist with an MBA and a PhD in business management, specialising in innovation, entrepreneurship and investment operations. She is deeply passionate about supporting and advocating for entrepreneurs and social impact businesses. Over the past decade, Lydia has been actively involved in launching and investing in startups. She has also lent her support to...

On Today's Episode, we chat to professional wrestlers, Trent O'Day & Seth Tylers, both wrestling out of the QLD Wrestling Alliance. QLD Wrestling Alliance Website:  Queensland Wrestling Alliance (qldwa.com.au) Facebook:  Facebook YouTube:  QWA wrestling - YouTube Email: contact@qldwa.com.au UPCOMING EVENTS:  Queensland Wrestling Alliance (qldwa.com.au) Trent O'Day Instagram: Tre...

Facebook: Facebook LinkedIn:  Happy Vibes Cafe: Overview | LinkedIn Instagram: Happy Vibes Cafe & Nursery (@happyvibes_cafe) • Instagram photos and videos Support the show Love the podcast?! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. . Want to connect further, check us out on socials: . Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TowardsBetterCo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towardsbetterco...

Who is David David is a dad to four kids and loves to see people reach their full potential.  He has spent most of his professional career creating better opportunities with and for people with disability in Australia in the areas of employment and education.  He is a regular content advisor and contributor for the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training, a current committee...

Show Notes, Links and Resources to be posted soon. Support the show Love the podcast?! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. . Want to connect further, check us out on socials: . Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TowardsBetterCo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/towardsbetterco LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/37535138 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCukUKGkOylJNNt...