Shows
Towards BetterWork, Life & IBD: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Invisible ConditionsEpisode Title: Work, Life & IBD: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Invisible ConditionsEpisode Description:Living with an invisible illness like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comes with unique challenges—misunderstandings, stigma, and a constant battle for proper care. In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Hobson, a passionate advocate, author, and founder of IBD Hub. After nine years of misdiagnoses, Michelle finally found the answers she needed and turned her journey with Ulcerative Colitis into a mission to support others navigating Crohn’s Disease and IBD.Mich...2025-03-0140 minTowards BetterEmpowering Lives: Leadership and Inclusion with CRU's Margaret RodgersWelcome to this episode of the Towards Better Podcast! I’m excited to have Margaret Rodgers, the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Resource Unit (CRU), joining us today. CRU is a remarkable organization dedicated to creating and promoting positive change, ensuring people with disabilities can belong to and actively contribute to social and economic life.With over forty years of experience working with people with disabilities and their families, Margaret's career has spanned numerous roles across Queensland, and her leadership at CRU has driven significant impact in the disability sector. Fr...2024-11-1855 minTowards BetterPower of Music, Inclusion, and Employee Growth: A Conversation with Kosta and Jules from King Konz School of MusicWelcome to today’s episode of the Towards Better Podcast!We’re excited to be joined by Kosta and Jules, the passionate owners of King Konz School of Music, Townsville’s largest dedicated private music school. King Konz is not only about helping students play music like their idols but also about creating a community of growth and support for musicians of all ages and skill levels.In this episode, Kosta and Jules will share their journey in the music education industry, discuss the import...2024-11-1850 minTowards BetterRedefining Roles: How Explore Property Munro & Co's Customized Employment Partnership is Transforming WorkPodcast Episode Title:Redefining Roles: How Explore Property Munro & Co's Customized Employment Partnership is Transforming WorkPodcast Episode Description:In this episode, we explore the innovative collaboration between Munro & Co Explore Property and Towards Better, showcasing how customized employment can redefine roles and create impactful opportunities. Join us as Jools Munro discusses their journey in crafting a tailored admin and marketing assistant role, and how this partnership is transforming the way we think about work and inclusion.Episode Highlights:Introduction to Munro & Co Explore Property...2024-08-0844 minTowards BetterFostering Cultural Safety and Inclusion: A Conversation with CIC"Welcome to today's episode of the Towards Better Podcast titled 'Fostering Cultural Safety and Inclusion: A Conversation with CIC.' I'm your host, Ricky Esterquest, and today we're honored to have with us Theresa Hudson, an experienced Community Coordinator and Connector with a rich background in non-profit organization management. Theresa has a wealth of experience in community engagement, curriculum development, mentoring, team building, and leadership. She brings extensive knowledge in community and social services, coupled with a strong commitment to social support and community development.In this episode, we'll delve into CIC's Diversity & Inclusion action plan, exploring...2024-08-0538 minTowards BetterEmpowering Innovators and Inclusion Part II w/ Andrew Schubert & Michael BromageOVERVIEW In this three-episode series, I have the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Schubert and Michael Bromage about the fascinating world of makerspaces in North Queensland. Andrew, a Technical Project Manager and founder of Urban Maker in Townsville, is dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM experiences for kids and young adults with Autism through the Innovation for ASD Initiative. With his background in electronics and experience in both civilian and military environments, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for innovation.Michael, a PhD Candidate and award-winning content pr...2024-07-1039 minTowards BetterEmpowering Innovators and Inclusion Part I w/ Andrew Schubert & Michael BromageOVERVIEWIn this three-episode series, I have the pleasure of chatting with Andrew Schubert and Michael Bromage about the fascinating world of makerspaces in North Queensland. Andrew, a Technical Project Manager and founder of Urban Maker in Townsville, is dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM experiences for kids and young adults with Autism through the Innovation for ASD Initiative. With his background in electronics and experience in both civilian and military environments, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for innovation.Michael, a PhD Candidate and award-winning content p...2024-06-2358 minTowards BetterCustomised Employment: Redefining work to bring out the best in people and business🌟 Discover the power of Customized Employment! 🌟In a recent podcast episode, Ricky delved into the concept of customized employment—a game-changer in creating inclusive workplaces for individuals with significant disabilities. Learn practical steps for implementation, success stories from North Queensland, and upcoming resources to revolutionize your organization's approach to talent acquisition and inclusivity. Ricky discussed the concept of customized employment, a strategy developed to improve employment outcomes for people with significant disabilities, and its benefits for creating inclusive workplaces. He outlined practical steps for implementing this approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging with organizations connected with peop...2024-05-2527 minTowards BetterTeaching Kids Financial Savvy: A Conversation with Laura Carcary of My Money MeansLaura Carcary, founder of My Money Means.Laura teaches children all about money. She have developed some resources for children and families to use to help them teach children all about money. Laura is a qualified accountant and primary school teacher and believes learning about money is an essential skill needed in life. Starting with the basics of earning, saving, spending, sharing and being grateful are skills which can be learned from a young age. Thank you Laura for your time to share more about your enterprise, MyMoneyMeans.Website: Home - My Mone...2024-05-1944 minTowards BetterKate Pearce . From Nurse to Nutritionist: Nourishing Lives through Proper Nutrition and Food ChoicesKate Pearce, founder of Nutrition Queensland and Healthy Little Eaters, has a unique story. With over a decade of experience as a registered nurse, Kate decided to pursue further studies to become a registered nutritionist. Her passion for understanding the effects of food on our bodies led her to create Healthy Little Eaters, a pioneering children's game that teaches kids to enjoy fruits and vegetables while learning abouttheir bodies. Kate's journey took a challenging turn with her own health,undergoing extensive facial surgery. However, this experience only deepened hercommitment to helping others...2024-02-2251 minTowards BetterLuke Harlen . The Wellbeing Trainer . Improving Your Mental Fitness, Inspired by Pro Athlete ResourcesOn todays episode I am joined by Luke Harlen from The Wellbeing TrainerThe Wellbeing Trainer helps individuals and companies grow their wellbeing muscles so they can be proactive with their mental health and get mentally fit. He likes to think of himself similiar a coach or trainer at the gym, except Luke helps people grow their wellbeing muscles. This is done through his wellbeing workout which is a introductory program for people to learn and practice good mental health habits. LINKSWebsite- https://thewellbeingtrainer.com...2024-01-0240 minTowards BetterMike Dyson . Good Blokes Co & Human Skills for Thriving CommunitiesMike DysonMike teaches social and emotional intelligence to educational and corporate leaders. Over the last 10 years he has facilitated group conversations with all kinds of people on all kinds of difficult topics - from mental health and suicide prevention, to educational wellbeing, to healthy masculinity, corporate culture and collaborative wellbeing.His great passion is the art and science of making those honest conversations possible… because when we do the work to create the right conditions for collective honesty… that’s when people feel a strong sense of belonging, and that’s when communities thrive. https...2023-12-1646 minTowards BetterRick Scammell . NDE Collective . Adrenaline Fueled Apparel with a MessageWebsite: NDE CollectiveInstagram: NDE Collective (@nde_collective) • Instagram photos and videosFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NDE.Collective LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-scammell-12b44429a?originalSubdomain=au Support the showLove the podcast?! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify..Want to connect further, check us out on socials:.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TowardsBetterCoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/towardsbettercoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/37535138Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCukUKGkOylJNNtUbWKMIfHQ.Thanks for...2023-12-1057 min
Will Works PodcastE36: Advancing Disability Inclusive Employment: A Global PerspectiveIn this episode Patrick interviews Ricky Esterquest, founder of Towards Better, a social enterprise consultancy in Townsville, Australia. Ricky discusses the current workforce landscape in Australia, best practices for disability inclusion and success stories from partnerships between government, businesses, and people with disabilities. As former roommates turned international colleagues, Patrick and Ricky compare their experiences to identify both the progress made and work still needed in supporting inclusive employment.2023-11-2939 minTowards BetterNatalie Siagian . The Personhood . A Humanistic and Colourful Creative Community for CreatorsMeet Natalie Siagian; A Creative rebel with a cause, Creator, Community Builder & Fun ADHD Founder of The Personhood, a humanistic and colourful creative community for creators who want to connect, accelerate passion projects and generate paychecks as humanly as possible. Nat left the corporate 9-5 creative advertising world in the middle of a pandemic and spontaneously moved to a tropical island known as Magnetic island to transform her passion project into a business full-time remotely.She believes in creating a better world for creators which democratises opportunities and redistributes wealth having escaped the 1998 c...2023-11-0943 minTowards BetterFiona Pilchowski . The Kindness CatalystOn today’s podcast we’re joined by Fiona Pilchowski. Fiona runs a local business called Messages on Hold Townsville, but her history of work in the community sector and a passion for community development recently led her to start a new social enterprise called The Kindness Catalyst. The Kindness Catalyst uses innovative ideas to spread kindness across Townsville and beyond, while increasing social inclusion and mental health. LINKS:Web www.thekindnesscatalyst.com.auFacebook https://www.facebook.com/kindnesscatalystInstagram https://instagram.com/kindnesscatalyst?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==Email (or subscribe) fiona@the...2023-11-0740 minTowards BetterShakira Todd . Wildlife Surrounds Conservation CentreShakira completed her Bachelor of Science (Zoology) degree at James Cook University in 2010 and holds a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.She has over 15 years experience in environmental management, conservation and land management, and project management. Shakira has worked as an Environmental Scientist, Zoologist, Park Ranger and Project officer/manager in a variety of environmental roles in north Queensland and VictoriaCurrently Shakira is the Founder and Managing Director at Wildlife SurroundsLinks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shakiratodd/ https://www.facebook.com/wildlifesurrounds/ https://sites.go...2023-10-3143 minTowards BetterA Snapshot of Certified Social Enterprise Towards BetterOn this short episode, we have Ricky Esterquest, Founder & Principal Community Development Worker at Towards Better sharing a bit about his Social Traders Certified Social Enterprise including:An Intro from QLD Social Enterprise 'QSEC Stories' in 2022Their impact modelTheir mission and visionWho they work alongsideA snapshot of the impact they measureTo find out more about their social enterprise, their work or their impact, head to Home - Towards BetterSupport the showLove the podcast?! Leave us a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify..Want to connect further, check u...2023-10-2406 minTowards BetterLydia Canovas . Entrepreneurship & Innovation in North QLDTodays Podcast Guest:"Lydia is an economist with an MBA and a PhD in business management, specialising in innovation, entrepreneurship and investment operations. She is deeply passionate about supporting and advocating for entrepreneurs and social impact businesses. Over the past decade, Lydia has been actively involved in launching and investing in startups. She has also lent her support to accelerators and impactful investment groups, establishing herself as a key resource for founders and investors alike. Lydia offers valuable mentorship, guidance, and connections throughout Europe and, most recently, Australia. In the last three years alone, Lydia has...2023-10-0552 min