Grin + Bare It

On the season two finale of Grin + Bare It, we’re joined by Sophie Walker, founder and Host of Australian Birth Stories. Sophie shares how her own real-life birth story was the inspiration behind the podcast and how the community she created is empowering women by providing a space for their stories to be heard. Join us as we explore the powerful role of partners, birth teams, and doulas while exp...

Alison Harrington, founder of Resparke, shares how she’s transforming dementia care with a groundbreaking fusion of music and movement. Alison reveals the deeply personal story that inspired her work and how the incredible power of music as a therapeutic tool is revolutionising the lives of those affected by dementia. We also explore: The science behind music and its ability to revive memories in...

Vu Tran, a practicing GP and co-founder of Aussie unicorn Go1—shares his incredible journey of juggling billion-dollar startups, while caring for patients at a bulk-billing clinic in a low socioeconomic area. He reveals why he stays rooted in general practice while building life changing companies like One MRI, to his bold leap into defence technology with Black Sky Industries. We also explore: Th...

Dr. Preeya Alexander , practicing GP and healthcare influencer, joins us to share her journey from the consulting room to becoming a trusted voice in the fight against medical misinformation. Preeya reflects on the power of social media in health education, the critical role of preventive care, and how she navigates the pressures of balancing life as a doctor and public figure. In this episode we...

Professor Alan Trounson AO, CEO of Cartherics, shares his groundbreaking journey from pioneering IVF in Australia to leading advancements in stem cell research and cancer immunotherapy. Alan reflects on the challenges he faced, the future of regenerative medicine, and why he believes his greatest breakthrough is still yet to come. We also discuss: The ongoing mysteries of conception Working with A...

Professor Ian Olver, former Cancer Council CEO and one of Australia’s leading authorities in oncology, bioethics, and public health, takes us through his remarkable career and reveals how immunotherapy and AI are revolutionising the treatment of previously untreatable cancers. In this episode, we explore:  The most effective methods to prevent cancer The one vaccine that could eradicate cervical c...

Professor Tony Weiss, renowned scientist and founder of Elastagen, joins us to discuss the significance of "seizing the day” and why both curiosity and a positive mindset have been crucial to his success. This episode explores:  Why inspiration matters more than recognition  The power of trusting your gut when receiving incorrect advice Navigating the roadmap from academia to commercial succe...

Professor Fiona Wood AO is one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers - also known as one of Australia’s national living treasures. A highly skilled plastic and reconstructive surgeon and world leading burns specialist, she has pioneered research and technology development in burns medicine. This episode explores: Fiona's background and path to becoming a renowne...

To close season one of Grin & Bare It, this bonus episode combines every gem of insight that our guests shared in response to the one question at the heart of this podcast: What advice do you have for anyone who is facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge? The advice includes: The ‘FISH!’ philosophy The military approach The role of vulnerability Planning for ‘social’ retirement Why you sho...

Sally Anne Jones is President of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. She joins the podcast to explain how nursing has become a more complicated profession in the past 20 years. This episode explores:  Why the pace of nursing has increased so much How nurses & midwives balance the ‘care’ element with the science of treatment Public misconceptions about a nurse’s role Advice for nur...

Dr Michelle Garnett and Dr Tony Attwood are two of the world’s leading autism researchers who have shaped the way the disorder is diagnosed, understood and accommodated in society.  They join the podcast to explain what the ‘spike’ in Autism diagnosis – especially among women – really represents. This episode explores:  How many people have Autism in Australia – including those who are undiagnosed...

Dr Tim Sharp is a psychologist, academic and founder of The Happiness Institute. He joins the podcast to explain why we need to create, rather than find, happiness in the modern world. This episode explores: How the Rebound Effect prolongs our long-term unhappiness Why workplace unhappiness plagues healthcare workers How to model ‘happiness habits’ for your kids Dr. Tim’s personal journey to accep...

Camilla Rowland is the CEO of Palliative Care Australia. She joins the podcast to discuss the evolution of palliative care in the past 20 years, and why death should be a social experience. This episode explores:  The role of palliative care in the healthcare system When the palliative care experience should start Why it’s better for people to die at home than in hospital  The difference between p...

Craig Cowdrey is the co-founder and CEO of Sonder, a platform connecting its members with medical, wellbeing and personal safety support. He joins the podcast to discuss the burnout epidemic among healthcare workers and what it means to provide care to the carers. This episode explores:  The mental toll and physical threats faced by frontline workers Why executives need to take employee wellbeing...

The first episode in our two-part series on how to tackle one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st Century: loneliness. Dr. Michelle Lim is a researcher and scientific chair of Ending Loneliness Together. She joins the podcast to discuss why loneliness is a “wicked problem” and why modern living is making us feel so isolated. This episode explores:  How loneliness and rejection are linked...

Sarah Cohen-Woods, a professor at Flinders University and one of Australia’s leading genetics researchers, joins the podcast to discuss the nature vs nurture argument and why the powerful field of epigenetics needs better legal protections.  This episode explores:  What is epigenetics? How this field helps reduce disease Having healthy skepticism of science and health information The ethical probl...

Dr. Michael Young - co-founder of Hospital In Your Home - joins us to discuss the hospital-in-the-home model of care and how to engage patients in their treatment journey. In this episode we’ll tackle: The evolution of home-based care and treatment ‘Incidental’ rehabilitation helping patients heal at home Whether hospitals are safe place for all patients How HIYH keeps Registered Nurses from leavi...

Tim Doyle - founder of Eucalyptus - joins us to discuss the future of digital healthcare and the business strategies he’s learned along the way. In this episode we’ll tackle: - Why starting shallow before going deep is sometimes the fastest way to tackle problems in healthcare - How he’s approached making difficult business decisions in tough times - How getting telehealth right strengthens health...

“Valerie Young is to impostor syndrome what Brené Brown is to vulnerability.” [Mark Leruste]  We can think of no better way to introduce this week’s guest, Dr. Valerie Young .Dr. Young is perhaps the preeminent, internationally-recognized expert on impostor syndrome, author and co-founder of Impostor Syndrome Institute. In this episode Dr. Young takes us through: - What actually is imposter syndro...

Our nation’s leading voice in the topic, Christopher Hall - CEO of Grief Australia - joins us to talk all things grief and his lifelong goal to change how we as a society deal with it.  In the episode Chris takes us through: - What we can learn from the sex ed movement when it comes to grief - Why grief is so misunderstood - How we maintain connection to those we’ve lost and move to a ‘relationshi...