The harsh realities of caring for a loved one with Gary Watson • Connecting Seniors
Gary grew up curious and spirited, always eager to solve problems. He discovered his innate passion for helping others early on in his life. He studied business and economics and combined academic rigor with practical insights, eventually earning a doctorate. Gary entered the automotive industry, quickly rising through the ranks and became known for his […]
Rising Strong: Resilience and Rebuilding After Cerebral Malaria with Stephenie Rodriguez
Stephenie Rodriguez is a digital strategist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As an Ambassador for the Global Fund and The Women’s Resilience Centre, Stephenie leverages her voice and expertise to champion gender equality and resilience initiatives globally. Her journey is a powerful story of resilience – surviving a life-threatening battle with cerebral malaria, […]
Financial Abuse: Identifying Red Flags and Taking Action with Michael De Haan
Michael de Haan is a seasoned financial professional with more than 25 years in the industry. After a successful career as a financial planner, he transitioned into coaching and advocacy, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and human-centred support. Today, Michael is a Certified Money Behaviour Coach and a trained Financial Abuse Specialist, dedicated […]
Being a Brown Female Doctor with Sarah Arachchi
Dr. Sarah Aratchi brings a powerful and heartfelt account of migrating to Australia as a child, reflecting on the everyday realities being “othered” due to her surname and skin colour. She unpacks the lasting impact of being “the brown kid” in school and the constant questioning about where she’s “really from” that followed her into […]
Farming with respect for animals and land with Nan Bray • Connecting Seniors
Nan is the owner, manager, and shepherd for White Gum Wool, which is the name of her farm and the yarn made from fibre grown by her sheep. White Gum Wool sheep are raised on a single farm, in the high midlands of Tasmania. They graze in mostly native pastures where they can find the […]
Using sport, meditation & community to move from trauma to joy with Greg Boerma • Connecting Seniors
Greg grew up in a family of six, surrounded by love and support. This big family environment shaped his inclusive and communal mindset. Successful in various sports, including swimming and basketball, Greg achieved an elite level. His curiosity drove him to explore multiple sporting disciplines. Greg’s career began in education, progressed into architecture, and eventually […]
Discovering the power of storytelling, faith, and family with Daniel Dougherty
Daniel had a fairly normal upbringing with a supportive family, a love of nature, and a Catholic faith. He loves family, friends, community, and his dog. Daniel says his Catholic upbringing is very important to him. He holds faith sacred, has a strong sense of values, and appreciates opportunities to reflect and understand what truly […]
From Tragedy to Transformation: The Story Behind ‘Dawn Dusk’ with Blue and Jason Gerber
In this episode of The Grit Diaries, we had the pleasure of sitting down in conversation with Jason and Blue Gerber, film directors and producers from the US, on the release of the coveted film Documentary Dawn, Dusk. A story told through the eyes of Chelli Look, a creative in the luxury leather handbag space. […]
Be inspired to embrace learning, self-determination, and a brighter tomorrow with Cecilia McKenzie
A proud Wiradjuri woman and First Nations advocate, Cecilia is a dedicated connector and educator who is passionate about self-determination and learning from the past to inform a better future. Driven by a desire to empower others, Cecilia leans into her lived experience to inspire and inform with stories of recovery and renewal. With a […]
A Cultural Psychology Conversation with Deborah Ko
In this episode, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with cultural psychologist Deborah Ko for an eye-opening conversation on identity, belonging, and adaptation across cultures. Deborah shares her personal experiences growing up at the intersection of American and Hong Kong backgrounds, and reveals how cultural psychology became a lens for understanding her multiple selves. The discussion […]