Hi, I’m Lisa and I am inviting you to The Strength of Us podcast where you will hear the stories of incredible strength from a diversity of guests who remind us that we are not alone. We discuss parenting, divorce, mental health, disability, LGBT issues and more. As a teacher, my guests and I aim to educate our listeners on topics like flesh eating bacteria, living with a disability, the experience of psychosis and how to avoid dating a narcissist. We also interview people who are making a r ...
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Talking about race can be tricky for many of us. So how can we do it in an inclusive, mindful and positive way? Thankfully there is a new book that includes a short history of race and racism in Britain, from the Romans through to the present day, including the history of slavery and the abolition movement. Ruth Hill and Loretta Andrews chat about …
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Brooke Coleman and Mark Chapman both work in the Mental Health Hub at Wellways in Warrnambool, Australia. Like so many people who work in the care industry, they have their own lived experience and stories that led them to to the important work that they do today. In this episode, you will not only learn about their paths but how Wellways is making…
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Local Australian of the Year, Vicki Jellie & how the Warrnambool community built its Cancer Centre
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1:06:05Vicki Jellie is currently serving as the Mayor of Warrnambool but before she entered into this role, Vicki was already considered a local hero, not only in our eyes but was officially named The Australian Local Hero of 2017 receiving her award from, then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. This interview is the first time that Vicki Jellie has told h…
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Co-Parenting after Separation and Divorce with Jasmin Newman
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1:06:27Jasmin Newman was awarded the 2021 Mediator Peacemaker of the Year. She is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, also known as a Family Mediator for couples and families that need support when navigating separation and divorce. Jasmin helps parents to make child-centred decisions as they go through the changes in their family structure and is a…
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Darren Mort: Barrister, Actor & Philanthropist talks about kids amidst divorce court
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1:18:32
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1:18:32People may recognise Darren Mort from shows such as Neighbours and Blue Heelers, but it's his real-life role that continues to make such a great impact on Australian families. As a barrister, Darren Mort has worked in the family law courts for almost 30 years and has seen what happens to children during this difficult time. In this episode, Darren …
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Let's Talk: Suicide, Mental Illness & more with John Parkinson
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1:01:45John Parkinson grew up near Port Fairy & one of his first jobs was at Warrnambool’s Brierly Mental Hospital. He has seen a lot change in the world of mental health but wants to do more. After a shocking increase of suicide in his community and getting to know the parents of the late Sam Fitzgibbon, John and other locals got together to find a way t…
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My Mother's Strength & our Down Syndrome girl, Tanya
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1:30:00
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1:30:00In 1974, when my sister, Tanya, who has Down Syndrome was born they called her a Mongoloid. Institutions were still closing around Australia and a lot of the general public were afraid of people with intellectual disabilities because they were simply not seen. Not on the streets, not in schools, there was obviously no internet back in the day and p…
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Emily Quattrocchi had been a competitive cheerleader, netballer, keen film student and was just beginning her career when everything changed on that terrifying day when she was driving to work. Lisa chats with her baby cousin Emily about her accident and injuries and how the failed airbags and her seatbelt contributed to her spinal injury but also …
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"I left my arm in Adelaide!" Kerryn Harvey, Paratriathlete
1:12:19
1:12:19
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1:12:19Kerryn Harvey was a triathlete and after a 2013 cycling accident in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, she contracted a flesh eating bacteria, referred to as Necrotizing Fasciitis resulting in a four quarter arm amputation which includes her whole arm, shoulder and some chest and back muscles. With toxic shock and organ failure, Kerryn’s loved ones had…
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The Man Cave is a preventative mental health and emotional intelligence charity that empowers boys to become great men. Behind the charity, the academy and its programs is a diverse team including Al Green who is the Head of Community and an inspiring man who gives us hope that the future for men's mental health is bright. In this episode we discus…
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Young Blood host, Callum MacPherson's truth
1:26:48
1:26:48
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1:26:48Callum MacPherson is the host of the Young Blood - Men's Mental Health podcast and isn't used to being in the interviewee chair! Raised in Adelaide by two teachers, he is a well-read, philosophical man who knew from a young age that he had the presence and ability to write and deliver stories. Callum's work in the media started at his local radio s…
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Jill Emmer's ABCs & raising a non-binary child
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1:20:59Jill Emmer's greatest lessons in life have come from raising her non-binary child in the provincial area of Long Island, New York. In her previous role as a graphic designer for UNICEF, Jill's eyes opened up to the unequal opportunities in the world and as the Arts Director at New York’s Adelphi University, Jill continued to ensure that the visibil…
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How love in Port Fairy built a Tanzanian school
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53:06When teacher, Catherine from Port Fairy in Victoria fell in love with Tanzania, it wasn't just for the fauna and flora. She fell in love with the people and one person in particular, local man Seif. This episode tells their story and what Seif thought when he first arrived in our beautiful country coastal town of Port Fairy. Within a week, Seif sta…
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How Seafarers are being treated like prisoners on our cargo ships
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31:07
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31:07Seafarers are incredibly hard working humans with a thankless job. They are at sea for weeks at a time but thanks to Covid and changing or unchanging laws, we have seafarers unable to step off ships for more than two years. Seafarers usually disembark at every port to stretch their legs, see the sites, buy some treats and necessities and most impor…
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From drugs, to psychosis, psych ward & now a doctor
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1:03:10
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1:03:10In this episode, Lisa meets a GP (doctor) with a colourful history. He knows the horrific impact of taking large amounts of drugs over an extended period as it led to him entering a psychosis. He was hearing and seeing things that weren't there and got himself into some dangerous situations. It wasn't until he finally went home that his parents ent…
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An amicable divorce: putting the kids first
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46:30In this episode, guest host Marnie shares her story of how she navigated her separation and divorce. From identifying her own mental health issues during her second pregnancy, Marnie set out to understand herself and her marriage resulting in the decision to separate. She was determined that her separation and divorce would not affect the mental he…
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BoldB: A jewellery company making a difference
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1:00:06Britta Boeckmann from BoldB jewellery tells us about her industrial design education, her creative childhood in Germany through to moving to Wangaratta in regional Victoria then starting her own family business in Melbourne. In this episode, Britta explains how she and her co-founder Michael researched and visited manufacturing sites to finally cho…
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Lindy Muto: Smashing the Italian girl stereotype
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50:42
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50:42Lindy Muto grew up in a typical Italian household with 7 older brothers. To say that her upbringing was strict and cultural limits were placed on her is an understatement. Her father's wish was for her to always live next door and look after them into their old age, but from a young age, Lindy set her sites on world travel and personal success. It …
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Host, Lisa, wasn't sure whether to release this episode. It's raw and truthful about her journey from wanting to be a mother from a young age through to abortion, marrying late, IVF and becoming childless. But so many other wonderful things, such as teaching, being a big sister, a godmother and much more, have allowed Lisa to nurture and love throu…
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Karen's authentic leadership & LGBTQIA+ inclusion
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39:48
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39:48Deloitte, Google and Energy Australia named Karen Bryant as one of the outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders of 2020. Karen Bryant received this acknowledgement because she is an example of how passion, energy, resilience, visibility, courage and authentic leadership can drive a successful career. This award was given to individuals who are changing perceptio…
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Lisa and Nigel speak with Greater Shepparton's leading senior constable, Glenn Gibson who is also part of the local crime prevention team. One prevention that Constable Glenn is passionate about is road safety and in this episode he speaks about the Cool Heads young driver program. Road safety is at the forefront of the minds of police and emergenc…
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Nigel Parsons is public figure across rural Victoria whose voice has been heard across radio, tv, on stage and now on this podcast. Nigel is joining Lisa by becoming a guest host and sharing his love of music, story telling and community. He has worked with Southern Cross, WIN tv, Prime and has his own media company, Square One digital media. He is…
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Tess was a popular girl at school and at 17 years old, had experienced a stress induced, near fatal psychosis that saw her hospitalised twice. Once in her final year of high school and the second and last time, a year later. Tess considers herself lucky that it never developed into a more serious illness like Schizophrenia. Her self esteem was shat…
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Lisa and Marnie interview Karen Bryant, Chief Executive for Midsumma Festival. When we think of festivals, we think of summer, music and large crowds. However, the Midsumma Festival is like the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory of festivals! It is a colourful world that embraces diversification and disability across the LGBTQIA+ community. Not only…
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Sarah Roberts is back to educate us on the acronym LGBTQIA+ and how it relates to gender and sexual expression. The Strength of Us Podcast is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and to do this, we need to make sure that we understand the correct terminology to use when discussing the rainbow community. Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer Intersex …
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Have you had the chat with your kids yet? You know, the one about the big guy in the scarlet suit. Or are you about to? Do you know what to say? Do you know the history so that you can explain it to your kids? Do you want some tips on how to keep the magic alive as they grow past the Santa stage? Here is an extra, fun episode that will inform and g…
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Growing up as a tomboy in regional Victoria
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54:32
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54:32The guest in this episode is Sarah Roberts. From a young age, Sarah knew that she was different. She was ‘gender non-conforming’ as a child, and growing up in Regional Victoria, in the 90s in an Italian-Maltese family, presented some challenges and opportunities. Sarah is incredibly grateful for her family’s support throughout her childhood, especi…
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How Mayor Kim O'Keeffe was raised by her own community
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54:55
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54:55When Councillor Kim O’Keeffe was re-elected as the Mayor of Greater Shepparton in October 2021, it came as no surprise to us here at The Strength of Us podcast. At 4 years old, Kim moved from Sydney to Shepparton, lived in what can be referred to as public housing or commission or government housing and had a large family. Her father suffered menta…
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Fertility Questions you might need to be asking
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43:40There are fertility and IVF questions and tests out there that most people don't even know exist. In this episode we speak with natural medicine practitioner, Doctor Robert Gentile who encourages his patients to tick all the boxes when undergoing fertility treatment. By doing this with our host, Lisa, she was able to explore all possibilities when …
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After diagnosis, one of the greatest pieces of advice that Adriana Condello was given by her doctor was, “yes, you have MS but it’s not a death sentence.” When Adriana was first diagnosed at the age of 26, there were only 4 types of medications available. Ten years later, there are 16. She is now a wife, mother, winning fundraiser and a Kiss Goodby…
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Isolation, gaslighting and financially controlling... That was not a marriage!
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44:06
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44:06Stacey didn't realise how early on her husband was isolating her from her family. This was the beginning of his coercive control over her, her money, her social life and her mental health. This is an important episode to share so that people can learn the early signs that can lead to this type of unhealthy relationship. Stacey says that 'even if th…
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Dating a Narcissist; don't ignore the red flags!
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50:43
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50:43Heather was love bombed by her new boyfriend and ignored the red flags. In this episode we listen to her story and explain to our listening community the narcissistic behaviours to look out for. This is an important episode to share with someone that you believe is in an unhealthy relationship! Write a Review https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=…
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Learn about the host, Lisa and her co-host Marnie in this chat about their lives and what has brought them to this podcast. Write a Review https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071115305193&sk=reviews Follow Us Website: https://thestrengthofus.com/ Blog: https://thestrengthofus.com/blog Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000711…
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40 seconds to tell you what it's about!By Lisa Quattrocchi
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