Transforming Perceptions

Dale Barlow, is an internationally renowned Australian Jazz Saxophonist, Multi-Instrumentalist, Clarinettist, Flautist and Composer. He is winner of several ARIA Awards, Album of the Year/ Jazz performer of the year/ International Artist of the Year/ Bicentennial Artist of the Year and has four Mo Awards and grants.   Áine chats with Dale about his life and experience of playing and creating music...

Áine speaks with Howard Conkey, author the book Tad’s Legacy.  The book documents the tragic death of his long-time friend Tad Kahsai who was experiencing psychotic symptoms after many years of alcohol misuse.  It raises questions about the supports available to vulnerable people living with both alcohol and mental health issues; the drug and alcohol support systems in ACT and the need for reforms...

 Áine speaks with Vesna about her multicultural women’s project - An Unexpected Life, a collection of personal stories of migrant woman.  The project was a labour of love and collaboration with the wonderful women she met over the years through the process of establishing herself in Canberra Australia after leaving Serbia 34 years ago.  A few years ago Vesna became involved in writing and performi...

Áine speaks with Amanda Hughes a registered music therapist about music therapy as a career pathway for musicians.  Amanda completed her Master of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne in 2023, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Canberra majoring in Counselling.  She brings her own lived experiences with mental ill health and first-hand encounters with the power...

Áine speaks with Maree Patsouras about her research on the experiences of working mums drinking during Covid.  The new studies by La Trobe University have shed light on the impact of additional responsibilities women assumed by ‘default’ during the COVID-19 pandemic, influencing a spike in drinking among working mothers.  Participants noted the lack of control they felt over their everyday lives a...

Áine speaks with Mel Greenhalgh, Neuro-coach, Collective Wisdom Coaching and Consulting. Mel is presenting workshops for women, as a part of the Women’s Safety Program running from February - June 2024. The workshops are funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Mel has 30 years of experience working in the community, youth work, in policy, research and higher education. S...

Ben opens up to Áine about his personal lived experience of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He discusses his recovery journey, his work with Rebus Theatre as a community arts worker and how music creation helps him to raise awareness about ADHD as well as be who he truly is - a talented writer and composer. Please Note - This interview features two original songs by Ben Drysdale w...

Lorena Flawn speaks with Dr Susanne Ilschner, Australian National University (ANU) School of Medicine and Psychology. Dr Ilschner has a BA in Visual Art and is currently a PhD Candidate pulling together her experience in lab, clinic and art to evaluate pathways to and meaning of a diagnosis of endometriosis, and gaining deeper insight into the socio-political context of disease. Her current projec...

World Sexual Health Day is the 4th September 2023 and this year’s global theme is ‘Consent’.    Áine Ní Tighearnaigh speaks with Jessica Grahame, Lecturer Sociology and Gender Studies to discuss the World Sexual Health Day Theme - Consent – Unpacking Affirmative Consent, power dynamics in sexual and intimate relationships.   Jessica discusses why it is important to engage in an open dialogue in ou...

Áine speaks with Thomas McIntyre, Executive Director of Service Strategy and Growth at ‘Act for Kids’. Recent research shows that 40% of young people aged between 14- 17 don’t speak to anyone when they are worried. Thomas shares about the Act for Kids campaign ‘Get Comfy Switching On by Switching Off’ which provides tips and ideas for kids, parents and carers to get conversations happening to ensu...

Transforming Perceptions brings its segment Energising Your Life. This month Matt and Erin Pepar team up to bring you an interview with Kellie Hermes a certified birth and postpartum doula. Kellie Hermes a certified birth and postpartum doula. https://www.adorabirth-kelliehermesdoula.com/about Kellie's motto is: "What the mind believes, the body achieves." Her business aims to suppor...

Andrew Aspinall, veteran of the Australian Navy speaks with Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar from Transforming Perceptions about his experience of recovery from PTSD through participation in the Veteran Surf Project on the south coast of NSW. Andrew rides out on a lone bike adventure to raise funds for the Veteran Surf Project on Saturday the 15th July 2023 and will spend 4 months traversing Au...

Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt is a member of the stolen generations. Four generations of her family were stolen. She grew up under segregation and government control in Western Australia as part of the White Australia Policy and away from her family and without any human rights. She shares her personal story of survival, recovery through writing children’s books, creating art and poetry. We chat abo...

Matt Pepar interviews Neil Shepherd on Mindfulness as part of the 'Energising Your Life' segment. What is mindfulness and how can it help me manage difficult emotions and improve my wellbeing? Neil Shepherd at Inner Synergy has professionally trained thousands of people in corporate and public programs for over 7 years. As his passion, he's also been learning and growing various practi...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Sarah Wilson, Executive Operations Manager at Multicultural Communities Council of the Illawarra MCCI about the services and supports they provide to multicultural communities in the ACT, Queanbeyan and the Illawarra. I also speak with Sarah about her experience of working in the UK prior to migrating the Australia, especially focusing on the differences in support...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh is in conversation with Hamza Vayani, Chair of the World Wellness Group about the national multicultural health line - Multicultural Health Connect. The phone line was an initiative of the World Wellness Group who are based in Brisbane. When the Covid Pandemic struck many international students and community members found themselves stranded without support, access to quality...

There is currently a world wide shortage of Ozempic, a drug used by people with diabetes but also popular with others who want to lose weight.  The drug is extremely important to those living with type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.  There are concerns that the drug may not be available in Australia until mid-2023.   Áine chats with  with Professor Cowley about  ...

In our first show for 2023, trainee presenter with Transforming Perceptions Matt Pepar, brings you our Energising Your Life segment featuring Tapping Practitioner Emmalee Pepar. Disclaimer: Tapping is an alternative therapy which can be used in conjunction with traditional medical, counselling and talking and clinical therapies.  In showcasing Tapping it is not the intent of Transforming Perceptio...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Alan Woodward Australian National Mental Health Commissioner, Founder of Lifeline Research, Board Member of Grand Pacific Health and involved with Lifeline International.  The award recognised and celebrated the outstanding mental health leadership in the clinical, academic or professional sectors at a national level. Alan discusses how he travers...

Donna Stanley, Proud Gungarri Umby Woman; Acting Executive Director Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD). Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Donna Stanley, Indigenous Mental Health Clinician about her award and work in supporting people of aboriginal backgrounds and her passion for lowering suicide rates and improving social, emotional and mental health and well...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Broadcaster Gary Thorpe OAM, Manager of 4MBS Classic FM Brisbane, Silver Memories and MBS Light about his recent national mental health award for his work on Silver Memories Radio which is broadcast via satellite to over 200 nursing homes across Australia. Gary founded Silver Memories 15 years ago and travelled overseas, researching extensively on Reminiscence Music...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Scientia Professor Jill Bennett Director of the Big Anxiety REsearch Centre (BARC) UNSW founder of the Big Anxiety Festival about the upcoming launch of the BARC and their work that is transforming mental health through cultural innovation.  “The [BARC] is a unique transdisciplinary enterprise, dedicated to transforming thinking and practice in mental health th...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Craig Anderson, father of three about his personal lived experiences of post-natal depression. The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each. Craig is a Gidget Angel and was diagnosed with p...

Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Matt Pepar chat with Cathy Ngo, mother of two about her personal lived experiences of post-natal depression as a person from a culturally diverse background. The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each. "Cathy...

The need for perinatal mental health support at an all-time high, with one in five new mums and one in ten new dads experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety, equating to around 100,000 Aussie parents each year we chat with Dr Yvonne Luxford CEO of the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre here in the ACT. The centre is a community based non-government organisation providing support to families in the AC...