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 […]
Overcoming trauma through storytelling therapy with Catherine Maguire-Donvito • Connecting Seniors
In this conversation, Catherine Maguire-Donvito, Co-founder and Director of Treehouse Theatre, shares the program’s unique approach to supporting refugee adolescents through storytelling and theatrical performance. The initiative is designed to facilitate trauma recovery and raise awareness about the refugee experience among high school students. Catherine emphasizes the importance of building trust and connection among participants […]
Dancing amongst life’s chaos and adventures with Robyn Catchlove • Connecting Seniors
Growing up in Adelaide, Robyn was a fiercely curious child, devouring books from the library and mastering puns, all while driving her parents mad with endless questions. Bored with school, Robyn discovered a love for adventure by exploring forbidden coffee clubs and later worked for the weapons research establishment, becoming a steno secretary for a […]
Creating a holistic healing sanctuary for people who’ve experienced trauma with Sharna Teresa Bowers
Sharna is the Founder of Kindred Spirits a not-for-profit organisation with the vision to create a holistic healing sanctuary for children who’ve experienced trauma. As a transformation coach she helps people overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and people-pleasing through her signature Reclamation process, holistically reclaiming the mind, body, emotions and spirit. As a child, she was sexually […]
Why every dog deserves to be loved with Lya Battle • Animals & Us E19
Lya Battle Bonilla is the Founder of Territorio de Zaguates, a sanctuary in Costa Rica with over 15 years of experience. More than 1,800 rescued dogs now live in freedom, safety, and love. What started as a small rescue effort from her own home slowly grew into a lifelong mission, to give every dog, no […]