Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change

Joining me is Laura Pettenuzzo, a passionate Cerebral Palsy advocate and gifted writer whose voice is reshaping how we understand disability, identity, and mental health. Laura brings a fierce commitment to inclusion and emotional honesty, weaving her personal journey with broader advocacy for systemic change. Her work challenges stereotypes, celebrates neurodiversity, and invites us to listen mor...

Leah Harding is a trauma survivor who was born into a cult and has become a passionate aged care advocate. Her interview is a celebration of strength, courage and resilience, sharing her journey and the wisdom she has gained along the way. If you need support, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Want to share your own story? Be a Guest and add your voice to the...

Kerri-Anne is a naturopath and spiritual healer dedicated to supporting women through the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of midlife, especially perimenopause. She blends evidence-based natural medicine, nutrition, and energy healing to help women find balance, vitality, and empowerment in their health. Inspired by her own healing journey, Kerri-Anne believes every woman deserves to fee...

In this inspiring episode, host Susan Day speaks with Aislinn Sharp , musician, songwriter, and proud R U OK? Day Ambassador . Aislinn blends her passion for music with her commitment to mental health advocacy, using her voice and creativity to spark conversations that matter. Through her songs and community work, she encourages people to check in with one another, reminding us that a simple quest...

In this special episode, host Susan Day speaks with Anne Tudor OAM , writer, advocate, and dementia awareness champion. Anne is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work in storytelling and community engagement, sharing her lived experience of dementia alongside her late partner, Edie Mayhew. Their journey was not only marked by courage and honesty, but also by the gentle presence of Melvin, E...

In this heartfelt conversation, host Susan Day sits down with psychologist Jordan Whitehead, whose work specializes in grief counselling and supporting women through life’s most challenging transitions. Together, they explore the tender realities of loss, the unique ways women experience and process grief, and the empowering strategies that can help transform pain into resilience. Listeners will g...

In this episode of Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, Susan sits down with Terri Pollock and Gillian Mercer to explore how creativity can inspire healing, connection, and change. Together, they share stories and insights that highlight the transformative role art plays in our lives and communities. Discover more: Terri Pollock Art: https://www.terripollockart.com/ Creative Australia: https:/...

In this episode, Susan speaks with Tony Macer from the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group. Tony shares insights into the challenges facing local not‑for‑profits, the exciting outcomes of recent forums and training, and how the MVRG is working to ensure volunteering remains a vibrant and sustainable part of community life in the Central Goldfields. The Maryborough Volunteer Resource Group (MVRG),...

Welcome to Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change , the podcast where we explore the stories, insights, and practices that help us build emotionally safe and empowering lives. I’m your host, Susan Day, and today we’re diving into a timely conversation about the holiday season. Christmas can be a season of joy, but it can also bring stress, pressure, and emotional challenges. To help us unpack the...

In today’s episode, we step into the paddock — both literally and emotionally — with Natasha Whitwell, founder of Seen and Herd Equine Assisted Therapy. Natasha shares how horses, with their intuitive presence and gentle strength, can guide us toward healing, emotional regulation, and personal growth. From her tranquil base in Kulnura, NSW, Natasha offers a unique therapeutic approach that blends...

Today we share a heartfelt conversation with Amanda Cops from Mental Health Foundation Australia. Amanda’s lived experience brings depth and authenticity to her advocacy, and her leadership in coordinating peer support groups across the country is extraordinary. With lived experience of bipolar disorder, Amanda shows the power of community care. She leads 34 online peer support groups nationwide,...

In this episode, Susan speaks with Jackie Lindsay — widely known as Anxiety Girl — about her journey through severe anxiety and panic attacks, and how she found peace, resilience, and a voice of change in mental health advocacy. Jackie brings a powerful and relatable voice to conversations about mental health. After years of living with intense anxiety and panic — episodes so overwhelming they imp...

Lou Chalmer is a former Environmental Scientist who, after facing her own mental and physical health challenges, found a new path as an Integrative Natural Medicine Practitioner and Counsellor. Today, she works with people from all walks of life, supporting those with complex trauma and chronic illness to reclaim their health and wellbeing. She also shares her knowledge and passion through writing...