UThink

What happens when education becomes more than academics? In this inspiring episode of UThink, Rose Garofano sits down with Aaron McDonald, Principal at Youth Off The Streets, to explore how compassion, connection, and belief can transform the lives of young people facing some of life’s toughest challenges. Aaron shares his journey from the world of sport into education and reflects on the powerful...

What if the biggest risk our children face isn’t what they do — but what they don’t know? In a world where one photo, one party, one decision, or one conversation can shape a young person’s reputation, wellbeing and future, knowledge isn’t optional — it’s protection. In this episode of the UThink Podcast, we sit down with Adair Donaldson — lawyer, educator and one of Australia’s leading voices on...

In Part 2 of our special UThink episode, Rose continues the conversations she recorded live at the Retirement, Leisure and Health Expo in Sydney. A free community event dedicated to helping Australians navigate the next chapter of life with confidence, clarity and community. In this episode, Rose speaks with mental health advocates, transformational leaders, health educators, storytellers and more...

In this special two-part UThink episode, recorded live at the Retirement, Leisure and Health Expo in Sydney, Rose brings together voices from across the community — charities, experts, exhibitors and everyday Australians — all exploring what it means to live well in the next stage of life . In Part 1, you’ll hear conversations that are honest, practical, and deeply human. From organisations suppor...

In this episode of UThink , Rose sits down with personal trainer and strength coach Jake Moody to explore a topic that affects everybody —but especially women navigating their 40s, 50s and 60s: body literacy . Together, they unpack what it truly means to “know your body,” how to interpret the signals it sends, and why individualised approaches to food, training, sleep, and health matter more than...

In this powerful episode of UThink , Rose Garofano sits down with Tracy Hall — author, keynote speaker, and the last victim of one of the world’s most notorious con men, Hamish McLaren — to explore what it takes to rebuild after unimaginable betrayal. From financial and emotional devastation to reclaiming her story and empowering others, Tracy shares how she turned her pain into purpose through he...

In this heartfelt episode of UThink , Rose Garofano sits down with Tim Hewson, CEO and Founder of Mongrels Men , to explore what it truly means to connect, listen, and lead with empathy. After nearly three decades in banking, Tim shifted his focus to building spaces where men can talk openly, support one another, and challenge the stigma around mental wellbeing. Together, Rose and Tim discuss:  💡...

In this powerful episode of UThink , Rose sits down with Tracy Adams, CEO of YourTown, the organisation behind Kids Helpline. With more than 35 years of experience walking alongside young people, Tracy shares her journey from starting as the most junior employee at YourTown to leading one of Australia’s most impactful youth organisations. Together, Rose and Tracy explore the challenges facing youn...

Why are so many boys disengaging from reading and writing — and what can we do to change that story? In this powerful episode of UThink , we sit down with literacy advocate and educator Tanya Grambower to unpack the persistent literacy gap between boys and girls in Australian schools. From her early teaching days in boys’ education settings to presenting at the World Literacy Summit in Oxford, Tan...

In this moving episode of UThink , we sit down with storyteller and retired educator Ross Cleary — a man whose passion for history and humanity has found a home within the walls of the Australian War Memorial. What begins as a conversation about war history quickly becomes a deeper reflection on storytelling, family legacy, and the personal cost of conflict. Ross shares how his own lifelong fascin...

In this enlightening episode, host Rose Garofano sits down with Jane Langof, one of Australia’s most respected Feng Shui masters, to explore how the spaces we live and work in profoundly shape our wellbeing, mindset, and success. From her surprising career pivot as a corporate accountant to becoming a sought-after Feng Shui expert, Jane shares her personal journey, practical wisdom, and actionable...

In this powerful episode of UThink , Rose sits down with Abhishek Malik—engineer, cancer survivor, and ultra-endurance athlete—who went from feeling like an "average" teenager to becoming one of the few Australians to swim the English Channel. Diagnosed with tongue cancer at just 22, Abhishek shares how a life-altering diagnosis reshaped his purpose, sparked his drive, and inspired his m...

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Annabelle Daniel OAM, CEO of Women's Community Shelters, to unpack the human stories behind domestic and family violence in Australia. From the emotional weight of deciding who gets the last available bed in a crisis shelter, to the grassroots impact of education programs like Walk the Talk , Annabelle shares raw, real, and inspiring insights in...

In this episode of UThink , Rose sits down with Russell Garnett in part two of her chat — urban planner, mentor, and former Olympic handballer — for an unfiltered, inspiring conversation about chasing big dreams and learning from failure. Russell takes us back to his earliest Olympic memories, from a school library TV screen to standing on the world stage at the Sydney 2000 Games. He shares the ra...

In this episode of UThink , we dive into the art of productivity with industry powerhouse Chris Cusack. With over 25 years of experience in construction, Chris has mastered the principles of execution, risk management, and efficiency—skills that apply far beyond the job site. Inspired by David Allen’s Getting Things Done , he shares practical strategies to overcome procrastination, break tasks int...

In this episode of UThink , host Rose sits down with Emily Milton Smith, New South Wales and ACT Engagement Manager for OzHarvest — Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. Emily shares her powerful journey from community volunteer to United Nations youth advocate to a champion for sustainability and food security. Together, they unpack the shocking realities of food waste and food insecurity...

In this powerful episode of UThink , we sit down with Joe Grima, a renowned rugby league coach and passionate mentor, to discuss his transformative work in Papua New Guinea. Joe takes us on an inspiring journey, sharing how he’s helping to build not just elite rugby players, but future leaders through the PNG NRL bid. Discover how sport is reshaping lives, fostering education, and creating hope in...

In this episode of UThink , we sit down with award-winning Australian author Felicity Castagna to explore the power of storytelling and the voices often left unheard. From the streets of Western Sydney to the pages of her acclaimed novels, Felicity unpacks how place, culture, and identity shape her work. We dive into the role of literature in challenging perspectives, representing diverse experien...

In this episode of UThink , we sit down with visionary urban planner and developer Russell Garnett to explore his groundbreaking work in reshaping the future of housing. From his early days in a family-run business to pioneering innovative living solutions with Vuvale, Russell shares the inspiration behind his mission to create affordable, sustainable, and community-driven spaces. We dive into the...

What does it take to build a long-term culture of success? In this episode of UThink , we sit down with Matt Cameron, CEO of the Penrith Panthers, to explore the foundations of the club’s incredible rise to dominance in the NRL. From his early days as a woodwork teacher to shaping one of the most successful rugby league academies in the country, Matt shares his insights on leadership, alignment, a...

In this powerful second part episode of UThink , host Rose continues the conversation with Allan Sparkes, a decorated former police officer and mental health advocate, to explore the journey from crisis to recovery—and why endurance matters more than resilience. Allan shares his deeply personal experiences, from a harrowing child rescue that led to his Cross of Valour, to his own battle with PTSD...

In this powerful two part episode of UThink , host Rose sits down with Allan Sparkes, a decorated former police officer and mental health advocate, to explore the journey from crisis to recovery—and why endurance matters more than resilience. Allan shares his deeply personal experiences, from a harrowing child rescue that led to his Cross of Valour, to his own battle with PTSD and mental health st...

In this thought-provoking episode of UThink , we sit down with literacy powerhouse Gabrielle Mace, whose groundbreaking Just Read Project is transforming reading habits in schools and workplaces alike. Gabrielle shares her insights on why young people are reading less, how digital distractions are impacting literacy, and why reading is the key to confident communication, cognitive health, and life...

UThink dives into the thoughts, ideas, and conversations that influence the way we see the world. We challenge the everyday and offer new perspectives with the help of fresh voices and thought-provoking guests who have dared to innovate, question conventions, and carve out their own unique paths. Through their stories, we’ll uncover fresh insights, discover new possibilities, and inspire YOU to em...

We hear from Kirstene, a passionate educator and entrepreneur who is positively disrupting in the education space of schools with her myDesign philosophy. The Australian curriculum has remained heavily content focused since it's inception and while we need foundational knowledge and skills across multi disciplinary subject areas, we also need to ensure out students exit their schooling career...