Shows
Room for AllRoom for All - S2 E10 - Jenny CrosbieSend us a textInnovations in Disability Employment: An Insightful Discussion with Dr. Jenny CrosbieJoin co-hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell from Hotel Etico as they welcome Dr. Jenny Crosbie, a principal industry fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, to discuss the WISE (Work Integration Social Enterprises) model and the unique WISEability model. The conversation includes an in-depth look at social enterprises, the evolution and funding of supported employment in Australia, and the importance of bridging the employment gap for people with...2025-06-2257 min
Dear Dyslexic PodcastEp 76: Why Dyslexic Leaders Hide—And How to Change It (Ft. Saraya O’Connell)What happens when a dyslexic woman who was told she’d "never be anything" becomes a trailblazing leader in disability inclusion? In this raw and powerful episode, Saraya O’Connell from Hotel Etico—Australia’s first social enterprise hotel—opens up for the first time about her dyslexia, ADHD, and how she turned workplace struggles into superpowers.Saraya is the General Manager of Hotel Etico, a groundbreaking not-for-profit hotel in the Blue Mountains that trains and employs young adults with disabilities in hospitality. A dyslexic and ADHD leader, she’s spen...2025-05-2941 min
The CUSP PodcastDisability Work Has Changed So Much! w / Saraya o'Connell | The CUSP Podcast Ep. 73Subscribe to our channel for more expert insights and actionable tips. Hit the Like button if you find this video valuable and leave a comment with your thoughts or questions!Follow us on social media to stay updated on upcoming content on the The CUSP Podcast!Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/4P0WbE8Skg7dLVhWjT8IlL?si=afa4367d195a485a Apple Music- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cusp-podcast/id1780248820 Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/purplepatchconsult/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-patch-consulting-recruitment/ (Purple Patch Consulting) https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cusp-podcast/ (The CUSP Podcast)https://www.linkedin...2025-05-2825 minRoom for AllRoom For All - S2E9 - Quinn JonesSend us a textQuinn's Inspirational Journey: From Trainee to Accomplished ChefIn a special episode of 'Room For All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell celebrate Andrea's birthday with an extraordinary guest, Quinn Jones. Quinn, one of the original trainees from the first intake back in 2021, shares his inspiring journey from a shy, reserved individual to a confident apprentice chef at the Fairmont. The episode delves into Quinn's unique upbringing by activist parents, his struggles and successes in various roles at Hotel...2025-05-171h 15Room for AllRoom for All - S1 E8 - Nathalie Kasselis, Hotel Etico Training ManagerSend us a textTraining for Inclusion: Interview with Hotel Etico's Training ManagerIn this episode of Room for All, hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell welcome special guest Nathalie Kasselis, the Training Manager at Hotel Etico. They discuss Nathalie's personal background, her passion for fitness, nature, and poetry, and her professional journey from finance to training. The conversation delves deep into the individualized training methods developed by Nathalie, focusing on strength-based, practical, and accessible approaches for trainees with disabilities. They also cover the importance of employer...2025-01-2440 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E7 - Samantha CoxSend us a textCustomer Service and Guest Experience - Featuring Samantha CoxIn this episode of 'Room for All,' Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell, hosts from Australia's first social enterprise hotel, Hotel Etico, dive into the world of inclusive employment. They discuss the importance of creating opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly in customer-facing roles within the hospitality industry. Joined by Samantha Cox, former EA to Sir Richard Branson and founder of Samantha Cox International, they explore leadership, guest experience, and the impactful...2025-01-1553 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E6 - Sally McGeoch, Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISE)Send us a textExploring Social Enterprise with Sally McGeoch - Inclusion in Hospitality PodcastJoin hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell on the Room for All - Inclusion in Hospitality podcast as they welcome special guest Sally McGeoch. In this episode, Sally shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a family business committed to inclusive employment to becoming a Senior Advisor at Westpac Foundation. Learn about her work supporting social enterprises, including her involvement with the Bread and Butter Project and her ongoing PhD research on collaboration and scale in the sector. Discover...2024-12-2859 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E5 - Mariella Cuttonaro and Program ElevateSend us a textWelcome to Room for All! Join hosts Saraya O'Connell and Andrea Comastri as they discuss Hotel Etico's innovative Program Elevate with guest Mariella Cuttonaro. This initiative focuses on transitioning individuals with disabilities from supported employment to open employment in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Learn about Mariella's extensive experience in the field, the genesis of the program, challenges faced, and the positive impact of inclusive hiring. The episode delves into the specifics of Program Elevate, its phases, and goals, providing invaluable insights for...2024-12-1445 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E4 - Scott Bear, a young leader's perspectiveSend us a textCreating Inclusive Employment: Hotel Etico's Journey with Scott BearIn this episode of 'Room for All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell delve into inclusive employment for people with disabilities, featuring Scott Bear, General Manager of Mercure Sydney Manly Warringah. They discuss the success of Hotel Etico, a social enterprise providing career opportunities in hospitality, and highlight Scott's passion for inclusion influenced by his upbringing and experiences. Scott shares insights on starting the Young Hotel Leaders group, his professional...2024-11-3049 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E3 - Wine and Whining - Reflecting on Podcasts, Leadership, and Overcoming FearsSend us a textIn this reflective episode of 'Room for All,' hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell discuss their journey with the podcast, personal challenges, and their mission for inclusion in the hospitality industry. They delve into their demanding schedules, touching on personal life pressures, leadership struggles, and the importance of self-care. The episode includes light-hearted moments, such as planning a wine tasting, celebrating small wins, and recounting humorous interactions with guests. Andrea and Saraya also announce upcoming episodes and fundraising challenges, including a nerve-wracking skywalk and a...2024-11-2152 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E2 - Sophia Ballone, Hotel Etico’s Employment ManagerSend us a textEmpowering Inclusive Careers in Hospitality: Insights and StrategiesIn this insightful episode of Room for All, hosts Andrea and Saraya engage in an enlightening discussion with Sofia Ballone, Employment Manager at Hotel Etico, about the importance of inclusive hiring practices in the hospitality industry. The episode delves into Sofia's background, her passion for human rights, and her commitment to aiding trainees with disabilities in securing meaningful employment. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of employment, tackling barriers such as staff shortages, immigration policies, and outdated recruitment processes. Emphasizing practical...2024-11-1649 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E1 - Tracylee Arestides, The founder’s storySend us a textEmpowering Through Hospitality: The Story of Hotel EticoThis episode of Room For All features hosts Andrea and Saraya O'Connell alongside guest Tracylee Arestides, delving into the inspiring journey of Hotel Etico. The conversation spans from Tracy's personal story as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome to the establishment of Hotel Etico, a pioneering initiative that trains and employs individuals with disabilities in the hospitality sector. It covers the key contributions of figures like Niccolo, Trevor Graham, and strategic partnerships with entities like the University of Technology...2024-10-1847 minRoom for AllRoom for All - S1 E0 - Intro - Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'ConnellSend us a textEmbracing Inclusion: The Journey and Mission of Hotel EticoIn this series, hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell introduce listeners to 'Room for All,' a podcast dedicated to sharing the mission and vision behind Hotel Etico, Australia's first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel. They explore the origins of Hotel Etico, its Italian roots, and how it serves as a pathway to independence for young adults with disabilities through employment and training programs. The hosts also delve into the broader objective of creating the most inclusive...2024-10-1747 minRoom for AllIntroSend us a textWelcome to Room for All, the podcast dedicated to exploring inclusive employment, particularly for people with disabilities. Hosted by Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell from Hotel Etico, Australia’s first not-for-profit social enterprise hotel, this episode delves into breaking barriers in the workplace, with a focus on hospitality and customer-facing roles. Listeners will hear success stories, best practices, and interviews with industry leaders from various sectors, all sharing a commitment to inclusion. Perfect for business owners, inclusion advocates, and anyone interested in the future of wo...2024-10-1601 min
AblequestSaraya O'Connell - Hotel Etico Independence ProgramHotel Etico in the Blue Mountains offers a training program in hospitality for young people with disabilities. Elaine Wziontek spoke to Saraya O'Connell, hotel manager, about the program and the achievements of her trainees. Original broadcast date: 22.03.24Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2024-03-2214 min