Wine with Wita

Hi everyone, This week’s episode of Wine with Wita is a little different. It’s not about children. Or disability. It’s about us. Us as women. Us as mothers. Us as humans who spend so much time doing, we forget to be. I sat down with my breath-work coach and dear friend, Nicola Laye. I first met Nicola when I was deep in transition, between phases of motherhood, between who I was and who I was beco...

Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita, I sat down with someone many of you know – Ben, the friendly face behind the coffee machine at Wattle Grove. Beyond his great coffee and warm smile is a powerful story of resilience, fatherhood, and mental health. Episode Highlights: ✨ Ben shares his journey with depression, anxiety, and self-harm starting from age 12. ✨ We discuss the stigma around men’...

Hi everyone, This week’s episode is so much more than just a conversation. It’s the story that started it all - from a bottle of wine to " Wine with Wita ". Episode 57 of Wine with Wita marks three beautiful, humbling, life-changing years since I opened the doors to RS Speech Pathology. And to honour that milestone, I’m sitting down with the person who made it all start: Nicky, the very...

Hi everyone, What would you do if two of your children needed more support than the system was designed to offer? In this week’s episode of Wine with Wita , I sit down with Crizli Martins, a mother of four, two of whom have additional needs. What began as early signs with her son Frank evolved into years of advocacy, therapy, learning, and eventually, doing it all over again with her youngest daug...

Hi everyone, If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t care what you eat, just eat something…” this episode is for you. This week on Wine with Wita , I’m joined by the incredible Rachel Zabel. She’s a PhD-qualified clinical dietitian, neuro-affirming feeding therapist, and mum of four. We’re talking all things feeding and neurodivergence. Because as Rachel explains, feeding is never just ab...

Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita , I’m sharing a solo episode that’s very close to my heart. As a speech pathologist, I’ve spent the past 15 years supporting children with communication disorders. What I’ve seen, time and time again, is how often these children (and their families) are misunderstood, judged, or dismissed simply because their challenges aren’t visible. We don’t talk enough...

In this surprise follow-up, Fatima Tomoum returns to share more of her powerful journey through motherhood, advocacy, and raising neurodivergent children.   We delve deeper into the emotional side of parenting, navigating early diagnoses, and using your voice when it matters most.    There was more to share, and this episode holds some of the most powerful moments yet.   Listen now and connect wit...

Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita, I sat down with Fatima Tomoum, a woman whose story crosses countries, careers, and incredible challenges. Born in New York, raised in Brisbane, and now living in the UAE, Fatima built a stellar international career across Japan, China, France, the UK, India and beyond. But behind the success, she faced a deeply personal battle: ten rounds of IVF before wel...

Hi everyone, When I first received Jenny’s email, I honestly felt like acelebrity. She found Wine With Wita after watching my BizCover grant video and reached out with a simple message: “ I’d love toshare my story. ” What unfolded from there felt like a love story between two women passionate about supporting families navigating the world of disability. Jenny is an Early Childhood Teacher with ove...

Hi everyone,  What happens when you’re five years old, and your baby brother is diagnosed with autism?   In this episode of Wine with Wita, I sat down with Emily Hanlon, a Clinical Psychologist, mum of three, and the proud big sister of Richard, who was diagnosed with autism as a baby. Emily shares her powerful story of growing up as a sibling to someone with high support needs, from the guilt she...

Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita , I sat down with Lynda Tran – a proud mum of two boys, both diagnosed with autism, and a former catering business owner known for her love of good food and community. Lynda shares the raw and emotional journey of steppingaway from her career to support her family, the financial and emotional challenges of navigating the NDIS system, and the ongoing s...

Hi everyone, Sometimes the most meaningful support comes from someone who’s walked the same path. In this episode of Wine with Wita , I sit down with Atilio Brito, a devoted father, finance professional, and founder of Dads Speak , a support network for fathers raising children with special needs. Atilio opens up about the moment his son Alexis was diagnosed with Level 3 autism and ADHD, and how t...

Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita , I sat down with Jessica Labban – a devoted mum of two, passionate teacher, and one of the most determined and warm-hearted parents I’ve had the honour of working alongside. Jessica shares her deeply personal journey navigating earlysigns of autism in her son Jacob, the trauma of his birth , and the emotional toll of seeking support when the system d...

Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita , I had the absolute honour of sitting down with Ruby Storm — Australian Paralympian, medal winner, and an all-around superstar. Ruby has earned gold and silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. But what’s even more inspiring? She was once terrified of water. From a shy toddler afraid to get into th...

Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita , we take a deeper dive into the story of Connor Bailey, the Swim Teacher of the Year for Learners with Disabilities, but from a new perspective—his mother, Linda. Behind every incredible success story, there’s often a pillar of strength, and for Connor, that’s his mum, Linda. She’s been his unwavering support through his diagnosis, education, and car...

Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita , I had the privilege of sitting down with Natalie Flintrop-Clarke , founder of Swim 4 All. As both a dedicated swim teacher and a mother of a neurodivergent child, Natalie has built a swim school that welcomes children of all abilities , ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill. In this powerful episode, we discus...

Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita , I had the privilege of speaking with Rhiannon Kocmar, the National Educational Manager at SWIM Australia. With a 27-year career spanning teaching, coaching, and advocating for water safety, Rhiannon is at the forefront of initiatives supporting neurodivergent children in swimming . She is deeply passionate about water safety , drowning prevention , and cr...

Hi everyone, ✨ Magic isn’t just abouttricks—it’s about connection. This week on Wine with Wita , I had thepleasure of chatting with the incredible Michael Webb—better known as Magic Mike (no, not that Magic Mike 😆). Michael is a magician, but his story goes far beyondillusions and sleight of hand. If you’re a Hamish & Andy fan, you might know Michael from their podcast or Hamish’s legendary...

Hi everyone, This week’s episode of Wine with Wita continues the conversation with Dr. Shereen Lim. In Part 2, we explore surprising factors that can shape your child’s development and health. Dr. Lim sheds light on: ✨ How teeth grinding signals underlying airway issues. ✨ The impact of everyday habits like sippy cups, dummies, and thumb sucking. ✨ Practical steps parents can take to support be...

Hi everyone, In this week’s episode of Wine with Wita , I’m joined by Dr. Shereen Lim, author of Breathe, Sleep, and Thrive. Together, we delve into the crucial topic of airway health and its profound impact on children’s development. Dr. Lim explains why good nasal breathing is the cornerstone of thriving health and how it supports better sleep, attention, and learning outcomes. We also discuss:...

Hi everyone, In this solo episode of Wine with Wita, I’m sharing one of my favourite strategies for supporting children’s communication—the Black Dress Analogy . Think about how you feel in a black dress: confident, comfortable, and validated. Now, compare that to how you might feel in a white dress—anxious, self-conscious, and unsure. The way we give feedback to our children can have the same eff...

Hi everyone, This week on  Wine with Wita , I'm speaking with the amazing  Malia Hollowell , founder of Play Doh to Plato and host of The Science of Reading Formula. Together, we discussed the magic of literacy, the challenges of early reading development, and how teachers and parents can work together to create confident, joyful learners. Our conversation explores: ✨ The foundations of oral...

This week on Wine with Wita, I am bringing you a genuinely impactful conversation with Lorna Genoud, founder of The Safe Space Educator. Lorna is a dedicated and compassionate advocate for young people, especially those in out-of-home care. With over a decade of experience in education and social services, she has devoted her career to creating trauma-informed, inclusive environments that empower...

Hi everyone, I’m excited to bring you the first interview of the year on Wine with Wita! This week, I’m joined by the incredible Nisrine El-Choueifati—a dear friend, talented speech pathologist, clinical educator, and children’s author. Our conversation explores: ✨ The power of reflection as a speech pathologist ✨ Supporting new graduates entering the profession ✨ The joy of connecting through...

Hi everyone, Happy New Year! I'm so excited to kick off 2025 with an incredible season of Wine with Wita. This year, I'm bringing you even more powerful conversations to support you and your child on your journey. But this year is extra special... because for the first time ever, I'll be hosting solo segments Wita's Words -once a month! In this debut solo episode, I share the story...