Invisible Injuries - Podcast

In Part 2 and final episode of Invisible Injuries season 5 , Andy Fermo continues his conversation with Gillian Yates, diving deeper into the rehabilitation journey for veterans and first responders. The episode explores how Insight Solutions Group customises its approach to help clients overcome psychosocial barriers like social isolation. Gillian explains that recovery often starts with small st...

In part 1 of the final episode of Invisible Injuries season 5 , host Andy Fermo engages with Gillian Yates from Insight Solutions Group, a veteran rehabilitation provider specializing in psychosocial recovery. The conversation centers around the importance of vocational rehabilitation, particularly for veterans and first responders who face medical transitions that force them to leave their career...

In this second part of the Invisible Injuries podcast with Robert Kilsby, Robert and Andy Fermo continue the conversation by diving into Robert’s post-military challenges, including his struggles with unraveling mental health and finding purpose after service. Robert recounts his transition from the military and how his drive for excellence kept him going, but he eventually hit a breaking point, l...

In this first part of the Invisible Injuries podcast featuring Robert Kilsby, Andy Fermo dives into the incredible journey of a 21-year Special Forces veteran. Robert opens up about his rural upbringing, his early influences from Scouts, and the Army Reserve, which eventually inspired his path into the military. He reflects on his training, beginning at 17, and his eventual selection for the SAS....

In episode 3 and finale of the PTS Growth theme, host Andy Fermo continues his conversation with military veteran John Giampino, delving into the profound impact of his service on his mental health and the journey towards healing. John discusses the moral injury he experienced from the lack of support from his hierarchy, which significantly affected his confidence in leadership and his overall men...

In this episode of the Invisible Injuries Podcast, host Andy Fermo engages in a candid conversation with John Giampino, a military veteran, sharing his profound experiences and the impact of his service on his mental health. The episode unfolds in a conversational tone, structured around Giampino’s deployments, the challenges he faced, and his journey towards healing. John begins by reflecting on...

In this episode of the Invisible Injuries podcast, host Andy Fermo sits down with John Giampino, a 31-year veteran of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport and an ambassador for "I've Got Your Six." John's extensive military career began with his enlistment in the Melbourne University Regiment and transitioned into full-time service in 1985. He shares his experiences from ini...

In part 3, the final segment of our chat, Damien (ex NT/VIC Pol Senior Constable ) opens up about the darkest periods of his PTSD, including being housebound and overwhelmed by guilt and shame. He describes his experience with suicidal thoughts and attempts, and the profound impact of feeling like a burden to his family.  A key turning point for Damien was a moment of empathy he felt while watchin...

In part 2 of the interview with ex-Senior Constable Damien Mullen, host Andy Fermo continues to explore the intense and often dangerous situations Damien faced as a police officer in remote areas. Damien shares harrowing stories of life-threatening encounters, including a riot and a deeply traumatic incident on a remote island. He discusses the emotional toll these experiences took on him, leading...

Mindful Meditation and Breath Work with Andy | Focus & Relaxation Techniques Join Andy in this 30-minute online mindful meditation and breath work session by RSL Active. Learn techniques to increase focus, eliminate distractions, and achieve a state of deep relaxation. Practice purposeful breathing and visualization, all designed to help you calm your mind and enhance your concentration. Perfe...

The next theme of the series is "Post Traumatic Growth" In this episode of the Invisible Injuries podcast, host Andy Fermo interviews ex-Senior Constable Damien Mullen, a former first responder who served in the police forces of both the Northern Territory and Victoria. Damien shares his journey from becoming a police officer out of necessity to navigating the challenges of working in re...

In this episode of the Invisible Injuries podcast, hosts Andy Fermo and Stu McKenzie engage in a candid conversation about the journey of healing and personal growth after trauma. The discussion emphasizes the importance of clarity, accountability, and goal-setting in pursuing one's vision, drawing from their own experiences with creating the Invisible Injuries campaign.  They highlight the n...

In part 4/5  of the Road2Resilience theme the episode navigates through the complex terrain of grief, loss, and resilience, expertly guided by hosts Andy Fermo and Stu McKenzie. They draw parallels between resilience and grief, highlighting how they are two sides of the same coin. The discussion delves into the various emotional landscapes individuals traverse when dealing with loss, from the avoi...

In part 3 of their chat on "Road 2 Resilience - Unleash your inner strength" host Andy and Stu delve into the intricacies of dealing with distress, exploring the four Ds: distract, dilute, develop, and discover.  They discuss the importance of distraction as a coping mechanism to shift focus away from distressing thoughts and emotions. Moving on to dilution, they highlight techniques suc...

In part 2 of 5 in the "Road 2 Resilience - Unleash your inner strength" Host Andy and registered psychologist Stu McKenzie discuss the concept of the "relationship highway," highlighting the evolving nature of priorities and values throughout life. Stu McKenzie and Andy Fermo delve into the importance of developmental psychology beyond childhood, emphasising that growth and cha...

In this 5 part series host Andy Fermo chats with registered psychologist Stuart McKenzie where the theme is "Road 2 Resilience - Unleashing your inner strength". Having met through a veteran telehealth service during COVID Stuart brought to light his work on refining the Map of Resilience and how people suffering grief, loss and mental health issues will at (many points) visit the places...

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Breathing 01 Energise me - Circle Breath Energise me guides the viewer through a three-minute energising breathwork session, focusing on connecting with the breath, relaxing the body, and releasing tension.  It encourages deep breathing and finishes with two large sighs to complete the session. Support the show

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Breathing 02 Balance me - Square "Balance me" describes a guided breathing exercise session aimed at bringing a sense of balance. The instructor guides the viewer through breathing in a square pattern while focusing on relaxation. The session concludes with two big sighs to complete the exercise. Support the show

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Breathing 03  Coffee Shot "Coffee Shot" guides a breathing exercise session using circular and triangle shapes to energise and relax the body.  Participants are encouraged to breathe deeply and consciously, transitioning between shapes with specific breathing patterns. The session concludes with releasing tension through sighs and bringing awareness back to the ce...

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Breathing 04 Help me sleep "Help me sleep"  guides the listener through breathing exercises using shapes like a triangle and a square to help relax the body and prepare for sleep.  It includes breathing prompts and relaxation techniques to aid in falling asleep. Support the show

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Breathing 05 Relax "Relax" guides the viewer through a relaxation exercise using a triangle shape breathing technique, focusing on breathing in counts of three.  It instructs to relax the body and concludes with two big sighs to complete the session. Support the show

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Mindfulness 03 Strength & Anxiety - Acceptance for chaotic times "Acceptance for chaotic times" focuses on developing awareness by noticing and naming thoughts, emotions, and sensations, treating them as transient experiences rather than defining oneself by them.  It emphasises creating a space between experiences and the self, recognizing all thoughts and emo...

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Mindfulness 05 Presence, Acceptance & Joy - 5 minute standing meditation "5min standing meditation" provides a detailed guide on five-minute standing meditation, emphasising on focusing on breathing and being present in the moment.  It suggests using an object for balance and guiding the practitioner through steps to calm the mind and recharge energy. Support...

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Mindfulness 05 Presence, Acceptance & Joy - Awareness without fixing "Awareness without fixing" is a mindfulness practice focused on letting go of the natural habit of fixing problems.  It guides the listener to be aware of their discomfort, refrain from immediate problem-solving, and offer mindful care to themselves before calmly seeking simple solutions. Sup...

Trigger Tamer Toolkit - Mindfulness 06 Presence, Acceptance & Joy - Opening awareness to what's rising "Opening awareness to what's rising" guides the listener through an open awareness practice, focusing on letting go of distractions and being present in the moment.  It encourages labelling thoughts and feelings and concludes with a suggestion to integrate open awareness i...