Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change

In this episode, we’re joined by a remarkable guest whose journey spans nursing, farming, and now holistic nutrition. After a career as a nurse and life running a farm with herhusband, John, she witnessed firsthand how many people in ICU were struggling with preventable illnesses. This sparked her passion to study nutrition—not only to support her own health and her husband’s, but to empower other...

Today on Mental Health Matters, I’m joined by Patricia Gordon Stevens — counsellor, advocate, and author of the powerful memoir Madness in Memphis . Patricia’s work sits at the intersection of lived experience and professional insight, and she brings a rare honesty to conversations about mental health, trauma, and recovery. In Madness in Memphis , Patricia opens a window into her own journey with...

Johannah Ashley is a Chinese medicine practitioner andacupuncturist serving the Castlemaine and Maryborough communities with a calm, grounded presence and a deeply holistic approach to wellbeing. Drawing on years of clinical experience, she weaves together traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and gentle lifestyle support to help people reconnect with balance, vitality, and a sense of ease in...

Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Meredith Hyde, an energy healer whose work invites people back into balance, clarity, and deeper self‑connection. Meredith brings a calm, intuitive presence to her practice, helping clients release what no longer serves them and reconnect with their own inner wisdom. Her approach is gentle, grounded, and deeply human—reminding us tha...

Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Delma Todd, the founder of Infinite Thinking and a practitioner who blends mindset coaching with the gentle, transformative power of hypnotherapy. Delma’s work helps people shift old patterns, reconnect with their inner resources, and open up new possibilities for wellbeing. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and deeply practic...

Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Professor Andrew Scott, a respected scholar whose work has helped shape national conversations about social policy, equity, and community wellbeing. Professor Scott is widely known for his research into Scandinavian policy models, exploring how their approaches to fairness, social connection, and long‑term planning create the conditi...

Today we’re shining a light on Brisbane singer‑songwriter Tiahn Berg, an artist who brings a vibrant blend of jazz, classical, pop, rock, and country into her own powerful keyboard‑driven sound. Tiahn’s voice is something special — described as both angelic and a true powerhouse — and she has a way of drawing listeners in from the very first note. She’s performed right across Queensland at venues,...

This week on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change , I’m joined by Angie Ingram, a thoughtful and deeply grounded trans woman whose story reflects resilience, self‑understanding, and the quiet courage it takes to live as your whole self. Angie brings a rare blend of honesty and insight to conversations about identity, belonging, and mental health. Her lived experience is a powerful reminder tha...

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist Jordan Whitehead for an honest, compassionate conversation about navigating divorce. Together, we explore the emotional landscape of separation — the grief, the identity shifts, the rebuilding — and the very human need for support during such a life‑altering transition. Jordan offers grounded insights into how people can move through this experience wi...

In this episode, we sit down with author Luna Westish for aconversation that moves gently through creativity, identity, and the courage it takes to make art that feels real in a world that often rewards sameness. Together, we explore the grounding power of storytelling, the lessons learntfrom traveling abroad.   Luna shares how writing became both a refuge and a form ofresistance, offering insight...

This episode, we’re joined by Ben Drysdale — a singer‑songwriter whose music is as real and vulnerable as the life behind it. Ben is a father, a storyteller, and an artist who openly shares his journey with ADHD, a story that featured on ABC’s Four Corners . His honesty has resonated deeply with audiences across Australia.   Alongside his music, Ben runs songwriting workshops that help people tap...

Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change ,we’re joined by Michelle Steiner — a woman who has spent her life proving that an invisible disability does not define her limits. From a young age, Michelle was told she wouldn’t make it to college, earn a degree, get published, or build the career she dreamed of. She went on to do every one of those things. Michelle graduated from Slippery Rock U...

Nicole Gammie is a gifted textile artist whose delicate mastery of bobbin lace and embroidery brings timeless traditions into vibrant contemporary focus. Based in Victoria, Nicole teaches workshops that invite participants of all skill levels to explore the meditative beauty of lacemakingand hand stitching. Her creations blend precision with poetic detail, often transforming thread into miniature...

Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, I’m joined by the remarkable Greg Gould — a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose voice carries both power and deep emotional truth. Greg’s music has a raw authenticity and extraordinary vocal range captured hearts across the country. Since then, Greg has built a career anchored in honesty, vulnerability, and using music as a bridge toward heal...

In this episode of Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , we sit down with Sam Mitchell—the inspiring creator of Autism Rocks and Rolls . Discover more about Sam's amazing work here - https://autismrocksandrolls.com/ Sam is a powerful advocate and storyteller who uses his platform to challenge stereotypes, celebrate neurodiversity, and share what life on the autism spectrum is really like. Thro...

Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , I’m joined by country and rock singer–songwriter James Keith , an artist whose music carries a rare kind of optimism, gratitude and a genuine connection to life. James has a gift for writing songs that don’t shy away from life’s challenges, yet somehow leave you feeling lighter, steadier, and more connected to hope. His storytelling reminds us tha...

On today’s episode of Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , we’re joined by Sharon Grocott, CEO of WayAhead and a passionate advocate for mental health reform. Sharon brings a deeply personal lens to her work, shaped by her lived experience navigating family mental health challenges and her own breast cancer journey. With decades of leadership in social services and a fierce commitment to syst...

Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , I’m joined by emerging singer–songwriter MUKI , an artist whose work is shaped by honesty, dedication, and a deep commitment to growth. In this conversation, we explore how mental health weaves its way into his songwriting process, influencing the emotional depth behind tracks like “Gasoline” and “Reflections.” MUKI opens up about the perseverance...

I’m delighted to share a very special interview with Leanne Sheargold from Puregold Holistic Wellbeing . Leanne brings a wealth of wisdom and compassion to her work, guiding people toward balance and vitality through holistic practices that nurture both body and spirit. In our conversation, we dive into her journey from trauma and abuse and her healing journey; from the philosophy behind Puregold...

This week on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , I’m joined by the luminous Chloe Violette —singer, songwriter, and the creative force behind the stunning debut album Colourfast . Chloe brings a rare blend of honesty, vulnerability, and artistic courage to her music, weaving stories that sit right at the intersection of emotion, identity, and lived experience. Her new album is a powerful fir...

I’m honoured to introduce a guest whose advocacy isas bold as it is compassionate. Saranna Schultz is a powerful voice for disability rights, a person living with cerebral palsy, and a passionate advocate with CP Active —a movement led by people with lived experience, working to create systemic change and amplify disabled voices across Australia. Saranna brings insight, humour, and fierce determin...

Today, my guest is Jason Kenner from Melbourne Music Therapy, a passionate practitioner who brings rhythm, melody, and creativity into the heart of healing. Jason has dedicated his work to showing how music can open doors to emotional expression, resilience, and connection—especially for those navigating mental health challenges. From clinical practice to community outreach, he’s helping people di...

Today we meet Sally-Ann Charnock, who guides us through holistic counselling and women’s workshops designed to nurture resilience and self‑discovery. She shares how you can find pathways through grief, drawing from her own journey of healing after the loss of her son, Guy. Her work shows you that even in the deepest pain, there is room for growth, connection, and gentle restoration. You are invite...

Dr. Julie M. Lane, survivor, educator, scholar, musician, and advocate, is launching two innovative collectives this March: the Empowered Parent Collective and the Redeemed Collective. Each initiative offers intentional guidance, community, and practical resources, addressing the specific needs of two distinct audiences while reflecting Dr. Lane’s lifelong commitment to empowerment, resilience, an...

Welcome to today’s episode of Mental Health Matters—wherecreativity meets heart, and stories unfold through art, music, and healing. I’m thrilled to be joined by a truly inspiring guest: Simone Keane, singer-songwriter, educator, and creative force from Albany, Western Australia. Simone’s music is rich with storytelling and emotionaldepth, weaving together folk, blues, and poetic lyricism that spe...