Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta.  In this episode, host Shaun sits down with the CEO of Mary's House Services, Yvette.  This episode might be confronting for some people. However, its a conversation that needs to be heard by all to build awareness around domestic and family violence and the significant impact it is having on our communities.  Yvette talks about the incredibl...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta.  Prepare to be inspired, motivated and simply amazed by Lisa Cox and her display of courage and resilience.  At 24 years old, Lisa was in the prime of her life, thriving in her career and completely unaware of how her life was about to change in an instance.  Lisa now lives with multiple health conditions, both visible and invis...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. It's not everyday you get to sit down with one of the worlds most recogniseable brands to learn about their passion and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.  In this episode, host Shaun meets Michelle from Amazon Australia to discuss the wonderful collaboration between atWork Australia and Amazon Australia.  Miche...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta.  In this episode, we have our first returning guest in Sharon, from Team Cohesion to discuss some of the differences in communication styles between neurotypical and neurodivergent communication styles.  Sharon outlines that in order to create effective communication channels it is the responsibility of both parties to be aware and understanding o...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta.  How much do you know about Tourette's Syndrome? In this episode, host Shaun meets atWork Australia client, Georgia, who speaks openly about her experience living with tourettes.  Georgia talks us through the difficult time of receiving her diagnosis, the challenges she has faced due to other people's limited knowledge...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta.  In this episode, we shine the light on one of atWork Australia's employer partners, ahs hospitality, in recognition of their commitment to creating a truly inclusive workplace that is supportive of people from all backgrounds.  ahs hospitality are one of Australia's largest providers of outsourced housekeeping service...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversation with Shaun Pianta.  In this episode, host Shaun chats with atWork Australia's Principal Advisor - Health and Wellness Services, Galit Bailey. Galit has spent multiple decades working in employment services, supporting people with mental health concerns to work through their challenges to find life changing employment. Throughout Galit's c...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun chats with Job Coach, Suzan about her journey with atWork Australia. Suzan came to atWork Australia at a challenging time in her life. Due to her health concerns, she was forced to re-evaluate her working career. Suzan came to atWork Australia as a client, but soon realised she would be well suited as...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun meets Kerryn, the founder and director of Ktalk. At the age of 30, Kerryn was diagnosed with Autism. Kerryn openly talks about the challenges she has face in her life, through her school years and the barriers she's faced trying to find employment. Due to the challenges she faced trying to find a...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. Every client who comes to atWork Australia has had a unique journey. The support and guidance they receive must be tailored to their individual experience and career goals. In this episode, host Shaun is joined by atWork Australia client, Guy. Guy has had a long and successful working career and has held senior positions in the...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun is joined by atWork Australia client, Ryan. Employment plays a significant role in our lives. It can provide structure, routine and creates a foundation which allows us live our life on our own terms. For a person who has spent time in incarceration, employment can play a large role in a persons rehab...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun is joined by atWork Australia's Registered Psychologist and Wellness Advisor, Sarah, to discuss anxiety. We can all experience anxiety in different aspects of our lives and healthy anxiety can have a positive influence on performance. However, when anxiety reaches unhealthy levels, it can quickly...

Welcome to a special episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. This episode is to recognise International Women's Day, 8th March. International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the incredible contributions that women make in our workplace, communities and to making the world a better place. By engaging in these celebrations, it contributes towards creatin...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, Shaun speaks with atWork Australia client, Josh, and WOW, this man has a story to tell. From the very beginning of Josh's life, he was forced to be resilient and faced challenges that no child should ever have too. Not long after birth, Josh was sent to live with his grandparents in New Zealand. He was then...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta, the first of 2025! Shaun chatted with Job Coach Katy about her new role with atWork Australia. Katy has an extensive employment history across a number of industries from landscaping, mechanic, supermarkets, cheese factory and even working at the zoo! Katy opens up about her choice to share information about the disabilities she...

Thank you for listening! As we prepare to wrap up the first year of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta, the atWork Australia podcast team would like to thank everyone for listening, sharing our episodes on social media and continuing to support us while we launch this podcast. We have had a lot of fun sharing the inspiring stories of our clients and employer partners throughout the year. Thank...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. For the last episode of 2025, Shaun sat down with Belinda from OzHarvest to learn more about the organisation. OzHarvest is one of Australia's leading food rescue organisations, providing relief to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Belinda shares her journey with OzHarvest, how the organisation has grown to be bigger than...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun is joined by Dress for Success Western Australia CEO, Natalie. Dress for Success Western Australia is a registered charity that is part of a global movement of change, empowering women to obtain economic independence by providing them with work-appropriate attire, job support mentoring, access to career development work...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, atWork Australia client, Natalie, speaks openly about her challenges with diabetes. From being diagnosed as a young adult, her fears of the unknown and how this diagnosis was going to impact her future. Natalie shares some terrifying situations that led her to being hospitalised learning how to manage her health condition. Natalie...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. Today, November 19 marks International Men's Day. November is widely known as men's health awareness month with multiple initiatives such as Movember and International Men's Day being special dates in the calendar. Both initiatives have a similar vision - promoting the health challenges that men face, encouraging...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun sits down with neurodiversity expert, Sharon, from Team Cohesion to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace. After spending many years working across a variety of projects related to supporting people living with neurological developmental disorders in the workplace and from her personal experience as a mother to an aut...

Welcome to Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, host Shaun sits down with Stacey from Compass Group, who are one of Australia's largest food and support service companies. From this discussion it was clear that both atWork Australia and Compass Group have a shared goal - to support people from all backgrounds into meaningful and sustainable employment. Compass Group are pa...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. Todays guest is atWork Australia client, Raymond, is a proud Indigenous man who is very passionate about his work in the Aged Care industry. Raymond has worked a variety of jobs through out his life, but his true passion lies with supporting others. In 2021 he was diagnosed with a rare eye disease and within months he was forced...

Welcome back to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. Today's guest, Shane, has made remarkable changes in his life. After experiencing some challenging times throughout his life, as a coping strategy Shane resorted to substance abuse, only making his situation worse. As Shane's life spiraled out of control, he wound up in prison, he was involved in a serious car acc...

Welcome to another episode of Candid Conversations with Shaun Pianta. In this episode, Shaun speaks with one of atWork Australia's incredible Job Coaches, Rozy. Throughout the episode you can hear the passion, and genuine excitement that Rozy has for her job. She loves being able to support others to find employment they love. Her dedication to her job does not go unnoticed by her clients, sh...