Shows
It Takes Heart33. From Overseas to Aged Care: How Neha Built a Nursing Career in AustraliaNeha arrived in Brisbane from Nepal with good grades, high hopes, and a postcard-perfect image of Australia, but the reality was tougher. Cultural shocks, unfamiliar accents, and the quiet weight of starting over left her searching for solid ground. Nursing became her anchor and in time, aged care quietly captured her heart. Now a registered nurse, Neha supports aged care residents through a mix of bedside care and telehealth. She shares what good care really looks like: calm, consistent, and deeply human. She also shares lifestyle and nursing content online, offering insight, encouragement, and connection, especially for in...
2025-11-1136 min
It Takes Heart32. “I Just Wanted the Pain to Stop”: Erin Barnett on Endo & EmpowermentYou might know Erin Barnett from Love Island or I'm a Celebrity…, but her most powerful story isn’t one that played out on screen. A registered nurse living with endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS, Erin opens up about what it’s taken to be heard in a system that too often overlooks women’s pain.From a tough start in the health system to becoming the kind of nurse she wished she’d had, Erin shares the personal journey behind her book Endo Unfiltered and what led her to make the life-changing decision to have a hysterectomy in her 20s...
2025-10-2836 min
It Takes Heart31. Behind Recruitment Special: Curiosity in Every Interaction with Sophie RobertsonWhat happens when you flip the mic from healthcare workers to the people who help place them? In this Behind Recruitment Special of It Takes Heart, we sit down with global recruitment coach Sophie Robertson to explore what 'good' really looks like in recruitment and why it matters more than ever.With three decades in the industry, Sophie shares how curiosity, consistency and care separate truly impactful recruiters from the rest. From asking better questions to creating 'moments of truth' in every interaction, Sophie invites us to rethink recruitment as a relationship, not a transaction. She explains...
2025-10-1442 min
It Takes Heart30. Dr Chris G on Finding Freedom in the ChaosWhat happens when the path you’ve worked so hard for starts to wear you down? In this honest episode, UK-trained doctor and content creator. Dr Chris G, opens up about burnout, sabbaticals, and building a version of medicine that actually feels sustainable.Dr Chris takes us from the intense pace of under-resourced NHS wards to new rhythms of practice in Australia, and the surprising clarity he found during two ten‑day silent meditation retreats. We talk rural placements, lifestyle shifts, and why success isn’t a title but something you can feel in your day-to-day. Along the wa...
2025-09-3045 min
It Takes Heart29. Three Hard Truths from Bek Woodbine on Burnout, Nurse Culture & Ethical AestheticsContent warning: This episode includes discussions of alcoholism, depression, and occasional course language, which may be sensitive for some listeners.What happens when a nurse known for looking after everyone else hits her own breaking point? For Bek Woodbine (Nurse Practitioner, host of podcast Tenderness for Nurses, and founder of a successful aesthetic clinic), it started with shaking hands and overwhelming anxiety. In a healthcare culture that rewards overwork and masks burnout with 'just one more drink,' Bek chose a different path.Bek shares how she stepped away from clinical work, navigated anxiety and...
2025-09-1652 min
It Takes Heart28. What Your Body’s Been Trying to Tell You with Dr Anthea Todd – Part 2What if the way you walk, rest, or hydrate could shift your entire nervous system? In Part 2 of our chat with Dr Anthea Todd, we explore how to apply the Fundamentals Framework, offering practical, everyday ways to reconnect with your body’s wisdom.We dive into what hair testing can reveal (including Sam and Kate’s own results), how minerals mirror stress, and why beliefs like 'resting is lazy' may be doing more harm than you think. You’ll also hear why morning sunlight matters, how hydration plays a bigger role than we realise, and why pleasure isn’t...
2025-09-0952 min
It Takes Heart28. What Your Body’s Been Trying to Tell You with Dr Anthea Todd – Part 1What if dry skin, headaches or exhaustion weren’t just annoying symptoms, but messages your body’s trying to send? In this two-part episode, we sit down with Dr Anthea Todd, women’s health expert and author of What’s My Body Telling Me, to explore the space between: that frustrating place where test results are “normal,” but you still don’t feel well. Drawing from her background in chiropractic care, women’s health and functional medicine, Anthea shares why common doesn’t mean normal and how conventional healthcare often overlooks chronic, low-grade symptoms. Her Fundamentals Framework flips the script: f...
2025-09-0226 min
It Takes Heart27. Surviving NDIS Changes with My Therapy Crew’s Judy ScottWhen the government announced sudden changes to the NDIS with only weeks’ notice, allied health business owners across Australia were thrown into crisis mode. For Judy Scott, occupational therapist and founder of My Therapy Crew, it meant pivoting her business while staying true to the values-led culture she’s nurtured over years of practice.From starting out in a converted garage after redundancy, Judy has grown My Therapy Crew into a thriving multidisciplinary service with more than 80 staff. In this episode, she shares what the recent policy shifts mean for providers and clients alike – from systemic frustrations that p...
2025-08-1944 min
It Takes Heart26. Why Oral Health Therapist Karli Says Taking Risks Led to Her Most Fulfilling LifeWhat happens when you say yes to adventure, purpose, and the unknown? In this episode, we meet oral health therapist Karli Grace, whose journey from private practice to working in Australia’s most remote Indigenous communities is as inspiring as it is impactful.Karli shares what it’s really like delivering oral healthcare across Central Australia, East Arnhem Land and the Torres Strait, setting up mobile clinics in remote communities and building long-term relationships in places that often go months without dental services. And in true locum life fashion, her story includes unexpected twists, including a car acci...
2025-08-0550 min
It Takes Heart25. Burnout or Worn Out? Ruth Limkin on the Six Pillars of WellbeingWhat happens when rest doesn’t work? When even after sleep, time off, or a holiday, you still feel depleted? That’s the reality of burnout and it’s something Ruth Limkin has seen up close. As Founder of The Banyans, Ruth shares how burnout often hides in plain sight - from professionals quietly struggling with addiction to healthcare workers pushing through chronic fatigue. She explains the difference between being worn out and being burnt out and why recovery takes more than just a good night’s sleep. We explore the early signs many overlook, the six di...
2025-07-2246 min
It Takes Heart24. Can a Digital Passport Fix Healthcare Shortages? Dr. Nick Yim from AMA Weighs InWhat does it take to truly fix healthcare in Queensland? According to Dr. Nick Yim, it starts with smarter systems, not just more funding. In this episode, we sit down with the AMA Queensland President to unpack a bold new idea: a statewide digital passport for clinicians. It’s a simple solution with the power to break down bureaucratic barriers and supercharge workforce flexibility across hospitals and communities.But Dr. Yim doesn’t just talk policy, he brings lived experience. His winding path from would-be pharmacist to rural GP and now state advocate, reminds us that careers (and...
2025-07-0837 min
It Takes Heart23. How Speech Pathologist Nikki Wells Helps Stroke Survivors Reclaim Their VoiceWhat would life look like if you couldn’t speak? No way to order your morning coffee, tell someone you love them, or ask for help. For people recovering from strokes or neurological conditions, this loss of communication can be one of the most isolating parts of their journey and it’s where speech pathologist Nikki Wells steps in with purpose and compassion.Nikki shares how her unexpected start in a teenage sign language class sparked a lifelong commitment to adult rehabilitation. Unlike many who gravitate toward paediatrics, she’s drawn to supporting people through some of life’s...
2025-06-2441 min
It Takes Heart22. Where the System Fails, Dr Juergen Landmann Shows UpWhat drives a doctor to leave the safety of private practice and instead offer care inside prisons and homeless shelters? For Dr Juergen Landmann, it all started with a simple mindset: “Why not?” In this powerful conversation, Juergen shares how burnout led him to rethink the way he worked and opened the door to a more energising, purpose-led path.Now splitting his time between general practice, correctional facilities, and Emmanuel City Mission, Juergen’s work is rooted in connection, trust, and consistency. He speaks openly about the realities of working with people who’ve experienced deep stigma - those...
2025-06-1037 min
It Takes Heart21. The Rural Doctors Foundation: Redefining Care for Those Who Give ItWho cares for the carers? Discover how one foundation is quietly reshaping rural healthcare.In this heartfelt episode, we speak with Fran Avon, CEO of the Rural Doctors Foundation, and rural GP Dr. John Buckley. Together, they reveal the hidden struggles faced by rural doctors who serve as the backbone of their communities. From responding to catastrophic floods to managing everyday burnout, we explore why supporting rural doctors is essential to sustaining healthcare in remote Australia. You’ll hear the inspiring origin story of the Rural Doctors Foundation, born out of crisis and driven by com...
2025-05-2750 min
It Takes Heart20. Escaping Burnout: How Midwives Jess & Millie Found Freedom and FriendshipEver felt like your career was running on empty? Travelling Midwives Jess and Millie did and they chose the open road over burnout.In this episode, we sit down with Jess and Millie, two Dual-Registered Midwives who turned burnout in healthcare into a journey of rediscovery, purpose, and friendship. They open up about the emotional toll of permanent roles and what finally pushed them to make bold moves into rural and remote contract work. From quitting multiple jobs to buying a caravan on a whim, their decisions may have been daring, but they were exactly what they...
2025-05-1344 min
It Takes Heart19. From Disney to the Outback: Emergency Medicine with Dr Tim TurkWhat do Disney cruise ships, rural hospitals, and music festivals have in common? For Dr. Tim Turk, they’ve all been part of his incredible medical journey. In this episode of It Takes Heart, Tim chats with hosts Sam and Kate about how saying “yes” to unique opportunities has led him across continents, specialties, and communities - creating a career rich in purpose, adventure, and impact.Tim shares how rural medicine offers unparalleled hands-on experience, often accelerating learning and confidence in ways metropolitan placements can’t match. His insights reveal how a values-driven approach - shaped in part by...
2025-04-2958 min
It Takes Heart18. Shaylee Mills: Busting Myths as The Rural PharmacistWhat do you get when a fourth-generation farm girl swaps her ballet slippers for blister packs? You get Shaylee Mills (better known as The Rural Pharmacist) who shares why she chose to take her pharmacy career off the beaten track and into the heart of rural Australia. Based in Karratha, Western Australia, Shaylee sheds light on what rural pharmacy really looks like, dispelling the myths of outdated clinics and highlighting the modern facilities, advanced technologies, and close-knit teams that make rural practice so rewarding. From working in Aboriginal Health Services to community pharmacies, she highlights how connection an...
2025-04-1549 min
It Takes Heart17. Wine, Wit & Travel Midwifery with Lorraine EvansLorraine Evans is the kind of midwife who turns every experience into a story worth telling. With a larger-than-life personality and a passion for adventure, Lorraine has built a career that’s taken her from the bustling streets of London to some of the most remote communities in Australia. As a travel midwife, she’s delivered babies in outback hospitals, managed high-risk births via telehealth, and tackled emergencies as the sole midwife on call - all with her signature humour and warmth.Before healthcare, Lorraine’s career path was as varied as her travels, but nothing fulfilled her qu...
2025-04-0153 min
It Takes Heart16. Air Force to Outback: Dr Karyn Matterson’s Unconventional Path to MedicineContent warning: This episode discusses suicide and may be distressing for some listeners. If you feel you could be triggered by this content, you may want to skip this episode.Dr. Karyn Matterson’s path to medicine was anything but typical. Building a career first in tourism, a devastating personal tragedy shifted her purpose entirely, leading her to study clinical dietetics before ultimately pursuing medicine. Determined to create security for her family while making a real impact, Karyn joined the Australian Defence Force, balancing medical studies with family life. Her journey was far from easy, and in th...
2025-03-1855 min
It Takes Heart15. Finding Purpose after Injury with Award-Winning Rehab Counsellor Chantelle WoodJoin us for an eye-opening episode on occupational rehabilitation with Chantelle Wood, a leading rehabilitation counsellor and founder of Restorative. As the Australian Rehabilitation Counsellor of the Year at the Allied Health Awards, Chantelle shares her journey in allied health, offering insights into the complex process of recovery and reintegration into the workforce after life-changing injuries. From stories of individuals overcoming trauma to the essential role of rehabilitation counsellors, this episode highlights how holistic support empowers people to reclaim their lives and careers.We explore the significance of employer involvement in the return-to-work process and why mental...
2025-03-0451 min
It Takes Heart14. TikTok Star Hamish Briggs: Nurse by Day, Viral Sensation by NightHamish Briggs is a viral TikTok star and healthcare professional whose career has taken some unexpected turns. Growing up in outback Kalgoorlie, his journey led him from professional dancing - including performing at Disneyland Paris - to working as a COVID marshal, becoming a mining medic, and finally to becoming a registered nurse. Hear how Hamish leveraged social media to build an audience, attended the TikTok Awards, and balanced content creation with his nursing career. He opens up about the challenges of transitioning between vastly different roles, the resilience needed to navigate career shifts, and the unexpected s...
2025-02-181h 06
It Takes Heart13. Season One Wrap UpEver wondered what it takes to create a podcast series that not only tells stories but makes a real impact? Join us on a journey through the transformative world of 'It Takes Heart,' as we wrap up an incredible first season filled with inspiring tales from healthcare professionals across Australia and beyond. From attracting healthcare workers to rural areas to discovering diverse paths like working at the Olympics, our conversations have uncovered the heart and soul of the healthcare field. The power of community, candid storytelling, and an evolving narrative have shaped our series, and we couldn’t be...
2024-12-1329 min
It Takes Heart12. Olympic Athlete to Olympic Physio: Marguerite King on High PerformanceJoin us as Marguerite, an accomplished sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist, shares her incredible journey. Fresh from the Paris Olympic Games, she reflects on her role as team physio for the Aussie Stingers, Australia’s women’s water polo squad. With a career spanning leadership at Water Polo Australia and PhD studies at the University of Queensland, Marguerite's story is one of passion, resilience, and balancing elite sports with family life.Step behind the scenes of elite sports through Marguerite’s eyes. She reveals the adaptability needed to manage athletes' physical demands, especially water polo players prone to hip an...
2024-11-2641 min
It Takes Heart11. Building Stronger Communities with Lesley Woolf OAMJoin us on a captivating journey to the heart of Australia's remote healthcare landscape with Lesley Woolf OAM, a distinguished healthcare professional whose exemplary 50-year career has earned her the Order of Australia Medal. Lesley is the Executive Health Manager at Mala'la Health Service, where she does everything from manage the local morgue to launching critical child health programs - the challenges are both unique and challenging. But Lesley is all about the positive changes brought about by transitioning healthcare to community control. She highlights the importance of collaboration with her team and the journey towards creating a...
2024-11-1255 min
It Takes Heart10. Dreams Come True: Marie's Journey in Remote NursingMarie Davey, an inspiring figure in the world of remote area nursing, joins us to share her extraordinary journey. From starting her nursing career in New South Wales in the 1980s to embracing the challenges and adventures of remote area nursing in Australia, Marie has become a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Listen as she recounts her memorable experiences, such as navigating to a placement by mail truck and tinnie during the wet season. Marie brings to life the diverse responsibilities of remote nurses, who often serve as the sole healthcare resource in their communities. With hands-on e...
2024-10-2928 min