Transforming Perceptions

Áine chats with well-known Canberra musicians and performers, Moya Simpson and John Shortis about their long performance history, music projects and how singing, creativity and humour can improve well-being. John and Moya have been honing their storytelling and particular political satire and cabaret artistry since the early 90’s. Moya is well known for her love of world music, vocal workshops; Ca...

Áine speaks with Professor Ludmila Stern founder of the Master of Interpreting and Translation in Interpreting and Translation Studies at UNSW - a professional program endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).  Professor Sternhas played a key role in shaping translation and interpreting education in Australia over the past 20 years. Professor Stern...

Áine chats with local Canberra volunteer and businesswoman, Rosemary Dupont, about the theme for National Volunteering Week 2026 – “Your Year to Volunteer.”  Rosemary shares her personal experience of volunteering and why formal and informal volunteering is so important to our communities and well-being. Statistics - According to Volunteering Australia - * Volunteering remains essential to Austral...

In light of the recent announcements about cuts to the NDIS and the use of algorithmic assessment tools, Áine chats with Dr Georgia Van Toorn to unpack and explain in plain language what algorithms are; how they are created; and how they are being used in health and disability assessments.  What is good governance?  Do ethics and ethicalframeworks have a role in ensuring safety and good outcomes f...

Áine speaks with Jarrod Sandell-Hay from PWDA following on from the Australian Federal Minister Mark Butler’s announcement on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program. How will these huge changes affect people with disability and their families? What are they most concerned about? What supports are current...

Áine speakse with Dr Evelyne Tadros, CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council. We discuss the announcement by Federal Minister Mark Butler MP on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program. Without adequate psychosocial supports currently available in the community and with huge unmet need, what will thi...

Áine chats with Kristy Turnbull, a Practice Specialist in Relationship and Sexuality Education from Interrelate. Kristy shares why the old fashioned one conversation on the "birds and bees" no longer meets the needs of young people and their families. Kristy says that its essential that sex education begins from an early age and that there are multiple conversations throughout a young pe...

“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives. Áine chats with Natalie Nguyen, mother of Edward, a 9 year old boy who has been diagnosed with multiple allergies. we discuss the challenges that Edward faces every day and how their family deals with chall...

“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives. Áine chats with Dr Sandra Vale, CEO of the National Allergy Council about the issues affecting the community and the impact on individuals and families dealing with allergic disease. Dr Sandra Vale has a ba...

In this episode Áine chats with Albert Jamae about his career in the entertainment industry working as a documentary film-maker, TV, radio, film and theatre as an actor, singer, dancer and children’s entertainer. Albert and his wife established a performing art school in their home town and mentored and supported many local kids who had a passion for performing. His increasing interest in writing...

This interview was done live-to-air on Transforming Perceptions radio show and has been edited for podcast. Áine chats with James Gray, Principal Coordinator at BiPolar Australia about the upcoming global day of awareness for BiPolar on the 30th March 2026. James discusses the important work of Bipolar Australia, advocating for those living with and caring for those with bipolar in the community a...

Áine chats with Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA) about the concerns expressed by families and those living with disability around the latest reforms to the NDIS and the Thriving Kids Initiative being rolled out across 2026 and 2027.  Key concerns expressed in feedback to PWDA and its member organisations are the lack of timely information about what peopl...

Áine chats with Tim Heffernan, about the launch of the advocacy toolkit on 12th February 2026 at Parliament House Sydney, NSW designed to assist and support individuals and organisations to argue the case for NSW to adopt a Human Rights Act.  A human rights Act would not only provide protections for vulnerable people living in the community, especially those living with disabilities and mental ill...

In Conversation Samantha James, Director at the Sensory Specialist: Áine chats with Sarah James, a small business commentator, Founder of the Sensory Specialist and disability advocate, who contributes to public conversations around inclusion, accessibility and consumer issues.  Sarah speaks about the concerns expressed by families around the upcoming reforms to the NDIS, changes to the Assessment...

Karen is an Author, Veterinarian and Podcaster and lover of Australian wilderness, flora and fauna. I chatted with Karen Viggers about her journey to becoming an author. She has written five novels all based in Australia and is currently working on her sixth novel. Her stories have been set on the south eastern coast of Australia; Brunei Island and Antarctica; Canberra; and also Tasmania and inclu...

Áine speaks with Dr Georgia Van Toorn. We discuss concerns about the potential negative impacts of the recently announced changes to the NDIS assessment process. The federal government has announced the introduction in mid- 2026 of computer-based algorithmic tools to standardise decision-making for individuals who are participants of the NDIS. These participants, who are living with disability, of...

Coming into the festive season when many have an expectation of spending time with family and friends, and when many others experience loneliness and dislocation, Áine speaks with Josh about family and relationship breakdown that results in an estrangement of that/those relationships. We discuss what estrangement is, how it occurs and how we can address it across the festive season to ensure that...

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Mental Health Prize, a decade of recognising Australians whose leadership, research and lived experience have transformed how we understand and respond to mental health. Established by the University of NSW (UNSW) Sydney in 2016, the Prize has honoured advocates, clinicians, researchers and community leaders who have changed lives and shaped n...

Chris discusses the findings of the recently released landmark report, the Mental Health Compass, conducted by Australians for Mental Health. The report has revealed “the diversity of attitudes towards the issue of mental health” and that the nation desire” more from their governments, communities and services.” Key findings include 59% of the population acknowledging that “Australia is experienci...

Áine speaks with Markus Fischer following up on the interview they had in October 2021.  With the proliferation of gambling ads on the TV, social media and internet they discuss the impact on younger people, youngmen and women and about the importance of raising awareness and taking action around gambling harm every day.   Markus shares updates on the changes happening in the sector and in Canberr...

In this interview from October 2025, Áine chats with Croatian-Australian, local musician, artist and creative, Michael Simic, also known as Mikelangelo from Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, about his latest solo show, 'In the Belly of the Whale' which he was touring through the eastern states and being performed at Smith's Alternative in Canberra. This rollicking and revealing...

In advance of Melbourne Cup Day Áine speaks with Kate Seselja, Founder of the Hope Project, Co-Chair Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance, Co-Chair of GHLEE-Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts, Recovery Coach, Community Educator andPublic Speaker, on the impact of gambling addiction and harm. Kate established the Hope Project in 2015 to help others in the community who were struggling with gamblin...

In Canberra and many parts of Australia we have wonderful flower and Tulip Festivals at this time of year in Spring. In this interview we shift gears and get our hands into the 'dirt' and our minds onto what energises us and helps us to more deeply connect with nature and the world around us and why that is good for our well-being. Áine chats with Vivien Sinclair of IndieGreen. Vivien is a...

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025.During a week that is globally focused on preventing suicide rates around the world through breaking stigma and raising awareness about the impact of suicide; and with the R U Okay Day campaign aiming to increase help-seeking, Áine chats with Chris about how we can create change every day for better community well-bei...

World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025. Áine speaks with author Debbie Swibel about the importance of raising awareness around suicide to help support people who are struggling and encourage them to reach out for help. Debbie is a suicidologist, counsellor; therapist, criminologist and educator whose hope is to break down stigma and deepen the understandin...