Shows
Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#32 - No One Left Behind: Transforming Community Health in the Nepean Region with Tripti DeswalSend us a textThe fractures in our healthcare system aren't just statistics – they're people waiting months for knee surgeries, children losing developmental progress, and families watching loved ones suffer unnecessarily. In this powerful conversation, frontline social worker Tripti Deswal shares her eight years of experience witnessing the actual human cost of healthcare delays in the rapidly growing Nepean region.Drawing from countless patient stories, Tripti reveals how waiting lists not only delay treatment but also fundamentally alter recovery trajectories. When people miss their optimal recovery windows, conditions worsen, independence diminishes, and psychological well-being deteriorates. Ye...2025-07-3123 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#31 - The Hidden Power of Early Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence with Sophie FirmagerSend us a textWhat if the leadership skills our world desperately needs aren't being taught in schools at all? Sophie Firmager, founder of the Realised Potential Group, reveals why the foundation of authentic leadership begins much earlier than most realise – often before the age of seven, when our core belief systems are formed.Drawing from her extensive experience coaching CEOs and executives across global organisations, Sophie explains how the same principles that transform corporate leaders can revolutionise how we raise our children. The conversation challenges conventional wisdom about child development, highlighting how emotional intelligence, re...2025-07-2029 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#30 - The Fighter's Journey: David Fox on Living Beyond Parkinson's DiagnosisSend us a textWhen you meet David Fox, you might first notice the calm strength of a lifelong martial artist. What you might not see right away is the courage it takes to live each day with Parkinson’s disease — a condition he’s faced for nearly 15 years. Once a fierce competitor on the karate mat, David’s battles today are far more profound. This isn’t about trophies anymore — it’s about navigating life with dignity, confronting stigma, and offering hope to others walking a similar path.David's story begins not with a doctor's diagn...2025-07-0126 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#29 - Orange Ribbons and Second Chances: A Birthday Interview in Kalipay with Astrid HockingSend us a textWhat happens when compassion crosses continents? Astrid Hocking, Lake Macquarie's Woman of the Year, joins us live from the Philippines to share her extraordinary journey of protecting the vulnerable and building resilient communities.From the orphanage that rescues children from trafficking to teaching young mothers income-generating skills, Astrid reveals how small acts of kindness create profound change. Her stories are breathtaking – finding an abandoned baby in a plastic bag who's now thriving with adoptive parents, watching disabled adults flourish on self-sustaining farms, and seeing traumatised children grow into successful adults simply be...2025-06-1039 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#28 - Rising from Ashes: How Brotherhood Heals Men's Trauma with Dave MartinSend us a textWhat happens when men finally find a space where they can be vulnerable without judgment? Lives transform, connections form, and healing begins.Dave Martin, Director at Survivors R Us and founder of Sons of the Phoenix, knows firsthand the devastating silence that surrounds men's trauma. After experiencing profound loss, including three children, and spiralling into depression that nearly ended his life, Dave discovered something crucial: men desperately need safe spaces to connect with others who understand.Sons of the Phoenix was born from this realisation. Named for the mythical...2025-05-1817 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#27 - Solar Sense: Maximisng Your Energy Potential with Samuel CulhaciSend us a textSolar power isn't just for sunny summer days—it's a year-round investment that transforms your roof into your personal power plant. Samuel Culhaci, a trusted expert from DNR Air Conditioning and Electrical, breaks down the surprising realities of solar energy that most salespeople won't tell you.Did you know solar panels don't need direct sunlight to generate electricity? They work with photons in light, meaning even on cloudy days, you're still producing power. Sam clarifies that this is just one of many misconceptions as he shares his passion for helping homeowners mak...2025-05-0335 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#26 - Leading with Purpose: How to Attract, Engage, and Retain Talent in Business with Trudy MacDonaldSend us a textTransforming workplace culture isn't about quick fixes but fundamentally understanding what drives human performance. Trudy MacDonald, award-winning global keynote speaker and founder of Talent Code HR, brings over two decades of organisational psychology expertise to this illuminating conversation on building high-performance teams, particularly in regional areas.Trudy unveils the psychology behind what motivates young professionals in today's challenging economic landscape. She dismantles the false dichotomy between supportive leadership and accountability, revealing how the most engaging workplaces seamlessly blend both. "If we have high levels of empathy and support without accountability, we...2025-04-1743 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#25 - Service Above Self: A Legacy of Community Impact with Vincent De Luca OAMSend us a textVincent De Luca OAM doesn't just talk about community service—he embodies it. From starting advocacy work at just nine years old to becoming one of Australia's youngest Order of Australia Medal recipients, his journey reveals what happens when someone refuses to look away from society's most challenging issues.Growing up under the guidance of remarkable women activists, Vincent learned early that meaningful change requires courage and persistence. His grandmother (the first woman to surf at Dee Why Beach) and mother (a founding member of Mundaring Netball Association) showed him that se...2025-04-0739 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#24 - Words That Wound: How Everyday Language Shapes Gender Respect with Rachael NatoliSend us a textWhat we say reveals who we are—especially when we think no one's listening.Rachael Natoli, founder of Lokahi Foundation, brings raw honesty and practical wisdom to our conversation about the language that shapes attitudes toward women and ultimately fuels violence. As a mother raising twin boys and leading a foundation supporting abuse survivors, Rachel occupies a unique position at the intersection of personal experience and professional advocacy.We explore how casual phrases like "boys will be boys" create the foundation for disrespect that can escalate to abuse. Rachael sh...2025-03-2836 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#23 - How One Op Shop Gave Back $1 Million—and Changed Lives Forever with Theo Van BezouwenSend us a textThe Hillview Op Shop demonstrates how a social enterprise can harness community spirit to create a remarkable impact by transforming donated goods into life-changing community initiatives. Manager Theo Van Bezouwen shares the inspiring evolution of what locals affectionately call "the David Jones of op shops" — a 2,000-square-metre operation that generated over $1 million for community projects in the past year alone.What began as one church member's vision in 2018 has grown into a bustling hub powered by more than 150 volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Throughout our conversation, Theo reveals how these volunteers — many arri...2025-03-1823 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#22 - Beyond The Paycheck: How Hunter Adults Financial Collaborative Transforms LivesSend us a textWhen someone finds meaningful employment, they gain more than a paycheck—they discover dignity, purpose, and the ability to contribute to their community. This transformative journey sits at the heart of Hunter Adults Financial Collaborative (HAFC), where Cherylin Beever and her team help refugees and disadvantaged individuals overcome the invisible barriers standing between them and financial independence.From the remarkable story of refugees establishing a successful commercial cleaning company to empowering women through tailored computer literacy programs, HAFC's approach recognises that employment support must go beyond traditional job placement. They address th...2025-03-1229 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#21 - Empowering Communities through Ethical Investment with Niaz CannothSend us a textStep into the world of ethical finance with our guest, Niaz Cannoth, whose remarkable journey reflects how financial investments can spark real change in communities. From his beginnings in Australia to becoming a leader in NDIS accommodation partnerships, Niaz demonstrates that success in finance goes beyond numbers. It's about uplifting those around us. He shares powerful stories of first-home buyers overcoming barriers, illustrating how tailored financial solutions create opportunities where none seemed possible. Niaz's commitment to ethical investments shines through as he advocates for transparent and responsible real estate strategies. H...2025-03-0331 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#20 - From Bondi to the World Embracing Ocean Conservation with Anita KolniSend us a textWhat drives someone to transform a personal passion into a movement with global impact? Join us as Anita Kolni, the visionary founder of the Ocean Lovers Festival, reveals how her commitment to ocean conservation inspired the creation of a vibrant festival that captivates and educates.Anita's story is a testament to how an individual's love for the ocean can blossom into a platform merging ideas, art, music, and tangible actions to combat climate anxiety, particularly among younger generations. Discover how, by partnering with universities, environmental organisations, and well-known figures, Anita has...2025-02-1232 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#19 - From Vision to Reality: Inspiring Global Change with Julian (Jolly) DaySend us a textDiscover the incredible journey of Julian (Jolly) Day, the visionary behind the Consensus Awards, as he shares his insights into innovation. These awards have spotlighted transformative technologies with a unique blend of rigour and support for over two decades.Join us as Julian recounts his path from the UK computer scene to shaping Australia's tech landscape, armed with experiences from the British and Australian Computer Societies and his editorial role at Software Magazine. You'll learn how the Consensus Awards have become a hallmark for identifying innovations with remarkable global potential and...2025-02-0534 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#18 - Uniting for Melanoma Awareness Through Small Actions with Claudia TolhurstSend us a textClaudia Tolhurst's journey from melanoma survivor to passionate advocate with the Hunter Melanoma Foundation is an inspiring tale of resilience and purpose. Claudia takes us through her personal story and highlights the urgency of raising awareness about this preventable disease. This episode brings to light Bec's heartwarming success story—a testament to the power of early detection after being motivated by a patient story at a fundraising event. We navigate the landscape of skin checks, stressing the importance of regular monitoring through general practitioners, specialized skin clinics, and dermatologists. Claudia offers practical advice to...2025-01-2819 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#17 - Empowering Hearts: Astrid Hocking’s Impactful Journey in Child Protection and Community BuildingSend us a textAstrid Hocking, the inspirational powerhouse of the not-for-profit world, shares her incredible journey and insights from two decades of empowering vulnerable children. Astrid has become a beacon of hope for local and international communities through her dynamic leadership at Hearts and Hands. Her tireless advocacy, through initiatives like the Umbrella Hearts campaign, strives to break cycles of child abuse. At the same time, her commitment to the Butterfly Hearts program uplifts those with mobility challenges. Astrid's collaborative work with orphanages in the Philippines, offering trauma-informed training for caregivers, paints a picture of compassion...2025-01-1931 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#16 - Nourishing Communities: The Transformative Journey of Our Big Kitchen (OBK) with Rabbi Dr Dovid SlavinSend us a textRabbi Dr. Dovid Slavin and his wife, Laya, transformed a simple idea into a heartwarming reality that feeds thousands. From Leah's journey from hairdresser to a beacon of hope for women undergoing chemotherapy to the establishment of Our Big Kitchen (OBK) in Bondi, Sydney, this episode captures their incredible story.Discover how OBK evolved into a non-denominational industrial kitchen, making over 250,000 meals yearly to combat food waste and hunger in Australia. This isn't just about meals; it's about connecting people and creating a community where no one feels alone, especially during...2025-01-1120 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#14 - Melanoma Awareness: Understanding and Protecting Your Skin with Claudia TolhurstSend us a textUncover the alarming truth behind melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, in our compelling conversation with Claudia Tolhurst, Executive Officer at the Hunter Melanoma Foundation. Join us as we shine a light on why melanoma is referred to as Australia's "national cancer" and explore the foundation's dedicated mission to combat this aggressive disease. Claudia shares eye-opening statistics and invaluable insights into the importance of early detection and the role of sun-safe practices in reducing skin cancer fatalities.Equip yourself with essential sun protection knowledge in this episode that could save...2024-12-1733 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#13 - The Automation Advantage: Reclaiming Time and Redefining Work with Brad WoollettSend us a textEver wondered how artificial intelligence can transform your workplace and give you back precious time? Join us as we chat with Brad Woollett, CEO of Definiti, on Newcastle’s sunny Honeysuckle foreshore.Brad reveals how Definiti is revolutionising work with automation, introducing digital co-workers like Vinnie—AI-powered helpers designed to boost business efficiency, especially during crunch times. Amid the hum of lawnmowers, blowers, whipper-snippers and the warmth of coastal breezes, we delve into AI’s incredible potential, from simplifying everyday tasks to driving groundbreaking innovations.Brad’s passion...2024-12-0725 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#12 - Empowering Voices: Wendi's Journey from Banking to Disability AdvocacySend us a textDiscover the inspiring journey of Wendi Czislowski, a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. She shares her remarkable transition from the world of banking to the heart of disability support. Wendi opens up about the transformative power of words and the critical role communication plays in advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Listen as Wendi emphasises the profound impact of language and challenges us to choose our words carefully, creating a culture of respect and dignity for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities.Embark on a journey through the challenges...2024-11-2630 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#11 - Driving Regional Prosperity Through Targeted Strategies with Robert ScottoSend us a textUnlock the secrets of regional marketing success with Robert Scotto, the mastermind behind Retail Media Hub. Discover how targeted marketing can be a game-changer for regional businesses, boosting visibility, sales, and job creation in areas like the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle.Robert shares an inspiring story of how one furniture retailer used strategic marketing to expand from Sydney to the Central Coast, illustrating the transformative power of effective advertising. Gain insights into how Retail Media Hub is helping local economies thrive and get ready to be inspired by the...2024-11-1623 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#10 - Celebrating Genuine Connections and Inspiring ChangeSend us a textEver wondered what makes a conversation genuinely engaging? Journey with me, Leon Goltsman, as we celebrate a special milestone—the 10th episode of Engaging Conversations. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on the art of listening and the profound impact of genuine human connection. From insights from my books, Engaging Conversations and Referral Mastery, to the inspiring stories of guests like Maria Martin from Survivors R Us and John Jones from Darby Street Pharmacy, this episode highlights the power of small gestures and genuine conversations that leave a lasting impact. Looking for...2024-11-0305 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#9 - Crafting New Paths in Community Healthcare with John JonesSend us a textJoin us as we uncover the inspiring journey of John Jones, a former aspiring rugby league player turned successful pharmacist and dietitian in Newcastle, New South Wales. John's path from sports to healthcare reveals the incredible impact of passion and perseverance. Influenced by his mother's dedication as a pharmacy assistant, John embraced the challenges of becoming an independent pharmacy owner, making financial sacrifices to build a community-focused business. His story is a testament to the power of risk-taking in pursuing meaningful change, demonstrating how dedication to healthcare and trust-building with customers can overcome...2024-10-2319 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#8 - Electric Dreams and Community Themes with Lake Macquarie's "Guru" Gary McCleaySend us a textWhat does building a successful business grounded in genuine community spirit take? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Gary McCleay, a well-respected electrician from Lake Macquarie whose career journey began in the most unexpected of places—a chicken farm.With no need for flashy advertising, Gary's story is one of dedication, hard work, and the power of word-of-mouth. His deep roots in Morrissette and the Peninsula have shaped his career, allowing him to maintain a thriving business for decades. Throughout our chat, Gary reflects on his starting challenges, from work un...2024-10-1624 minEngaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities#7 - Enhancing Local Ties Through Digital Innovation with Mitch TonerSend us a textCurious about how technology can reshape your local business landscape? Join me, Leon Goltsman, and our enlightening guest, Mitch Toner of Elaris Technologies, as we unlock the secrets to leveraging tech for community growth and personal connections.Mitch shares his nuanced understanding of businesses' unique challenges when transitioning from more extensive corporate settings to regional areas. Discover practical strategies to enhance productivity and work-life balance, highlighted by a real-world transformation. Mitch's people-centred approach ensures that technology isn't just a tool but a conduit for building trust and saving resources....2024-10-1026 min