Serving the community, and the importance of blood donations with John Breda
John grew up in the western suburbs near Parramatta, playing footy, learning a trade as a sparky and always wanting to become a police officer, inspired by his grandfather’s advice. His early lessons in communication as a sparky on job sites shaped how he approached policing and helped him connect with others. In 1997, John […]
How you can learn from the wisdom of wolves with Dr Amanda Beer • Animals & Us E10
In this episode of Animals and Us, Natalie speaks with Dr Amanda Beer, licensed psychologist, educator, and Executive Director of Wolf Connection – a sanctuary and wilderness retreat in California where rescued wolves play a vital role in trauma recovery and personal transformation. Amanda’s work sits at the intersection of clinical psychology and the natural […]
From Refugee to Women’s Advocate: Maryam’s Inspiring Journey
In this insightful episode, Maryam Zahid shares her powerful journey from being a refugee in Afghanistan to becoming a community leader and advocate for women’s rights in Australia. She reflects on her childhood experiences during the war, the challenges of resettling in a new country, and her mission to empower Afghan women. Through her work, […]
How pets can become a reminder that life is worth living with Rachael McDermott • Animals & Us E09
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of abuse, sexual assult, suicide, death, grief, and loss. Please consider whether listening may impact your wellbeing. If you need support, reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14. Rachel’s story is one of resilience shaped by both visible and hidden traumas. Outwardly, Rachel grew up in a loving […]
Karen Humphries’ Unique Journey Through Chronic Illness
Karen was born in England to Irish parents and moved to Australia as a baby, growing up with a childhood full of change and learning to adapt to new situations. Early on, she faced undiagnosed medical challenges with clumsiness, gastrointestinal issues and hypermobility, always feeling there was something different and relying on instinct and persistence. […]
Creating Safe Spaces for First Responders with Nick White
Nick is a 50-year-old single dad. He always wanted to join the military and dreamed of becoming a helicopter pilot. He decided instead to join the infantry and later trained as a paratrooper in Australia He was based at Holsworthy. He was eventually medically discharged after injuring his spine in a truck accident. After leaving […]
Healing relationships between humans and dingos with Dr Julie Funnell • Animals and Us E07
Julie grew up in the bushland of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, where her love for animals began with a rescued kitten at age two and a childhood spent exploring nature. That early connection with the environment led her to study Environmental Biology and complete a PhD on bird migration. After working for […]
The Power of Perspective and Gratitude: Dinesh’s Path to Making a Difference
In this episode, the host interviews Dinesh Palipana, an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success as a doctor, lawyer, researcher, and disability advocate. Dinesh shares his life story, starting from his childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka, the challenges he faced after moving to Australia, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He […]
Pushing the boundaries of modern medicine to create change with Ben Bravery
Ben was raised by a single mother in Southeast Queensland, who instilled ambition and curiosity, setting the foundation for his diverse and driven future journey. After studying zoology, Ben worked in environmental policy with the Australian Government, but he became disillusioned, realising that meaningful environmental impact required more than policy work. He moved to China […]
From Boat Escape to Refugee Advocate: Mahshid Babzartabi’s Journey to Reclaiming her Next Chapter
In this episode, we explore the harrowing and inspirational journey of Mahshid Babzartabi, a refugee who fled Iran at age 52, as she was unable to endure the constraints of a society that silenced her voice. Confronted with limited legal options for safe emigration, she ultimately embarked on a perilous boat journey to Australia. Despite […]