In this inspiring episode of the You Can Shine Podcast, join Josie as she delves into the remarkable journey of Julie Woods, a woman who redefined her life after losing her sight in 1997. Host Josie Thomson sits down with Julie, a renowned author, professional speaker, and coach, to explore the incredible milestones she has achieved despite the challenges she faced. Discover how Julie Woods, fondly known as “that blind woman,” transformed her initial despair into a life filled with purpose...

This podcast interview is part 2 of an interview that features a larger than life business man and entrepreneur who learned that comparison is the killer of all joy, and that you can get back up after the hard knocks of life. Whilst Noel Lord stands at 6ft 8” and weighs around 130kgs, he lost everything in 2008 when exposed to market conditions beyond his control, and was then blindsided by a bad business venture. Things got more challenging for Noel. Six years ago, Noel was diagnosed with...

This podcast interview (part 1 of 2 interviews) features a larger than life business man and entrepreneur who has learned that comparison is the killer of all joy. Noel Lord stands at 6ft 8” and weighs around 130kgs – an imposing presence yet he found himself incredibly vulnerable in 2008 when he lost everything he’d work hard to achieve. Shares, home, assets… all gone in a blink of the eye due to the Global Financial Crisis. Having held senior positions for over 30 years in a number of...

This podcast interview features a former banking and finance executive, Mayte Miguelez, who in July 2022 was diagnosed with an aggressive grade 4 GBM – brain cancer: glioblastoma and given 6 months to live. Originally from Mexico, Mayte knows what it’s like to fight against the odds to achieve her dreams. Growing up in an era when it was not considered appropriate for girls to play soccer, Mayte battled against much resistance to play soccer for her country… and she won! Fast forward many...

Kevin Porter’s story is the epitome of resilience, courage, determination and true grit. This episode examines what it takes to fight to live. Kevin is a research and design anthropologist, providing intelligence to companies to deliver insightful solutions to common and uncommon business problems. He served in the military from the age of 15 to 21yo. and was a stay at home dad for 14 years. He says his two sons are what kept him alive. We talk of many life themes including mental,...

Hold onto your seats as you tune into this special podcast interview with Bill Bennett. You may recognise the name – Bill Bennett is a multi-award winning Australian Producer and Director. He’s an author of Palace of Fires and also the Camino memoir: The Way, My Way. Over a career spanning four decades, he’s made sixteen feature films and numerous documentaries. He studied journalism at the University of Queensland and is a former reporter at Channel 7 and ABC Australia. What you may not...

This podcast interview features a hard-working family man whose life was tipped upside down overnight… not due to the crazy long hours he was working, nor the high pressure and high stress of leading a large successful business. This is the story of Greg Gladman, a man who at the prime of his life, super fit and healthy was suddenly propelled into an uncertain reality after discovering he had malignant thyroid cancer. The episode examines what it takes to keep your sanity, family, mental,...

This podcast interview features an inspiring father, husband, grandfather, larrikin and fun-loving construction worker – Anthony Kiely. One of 10 siblings, raised in council housing in Ireland with a backdrop of domestic abuse and alcohol addiction, Anthony describes his journey in overcoming his own battles, and an ultimate test of his strength and commitment to live his best life as the best version of himself, when he supported his own son, aged 6 at the time, through a battle with blood...

Jillianne Rixon, affectionately known as ‘Jindi’ is a survivor. Life was tough from a very young age, growing up as one of 9 children in a family of abusive behaviour. By the age of 15, Jindi found herself on the streets of Kings Cross. Strip clubs, night clubs, prostitution and drug trade characterised the Cross, epitomised for its passion and violence. At the tender age of 17, a stranger gave her 7 cents to make a phone call that would save her life again. A period of intense...

This podcast interview features a dear friend of mine, Andrea Cornwell, who I’ve known for almost 30 years. We worked together as graduates in a coal mining company and even sky dived together. More importantly, we share another special bond through a shared experience of facing a cancer diagnosis.  This episode examines what it took for Andrea to take charge of a shocking and unexpected diagnosis of breast cancer – she shares her challenges, resources and insights so graciously. We talk of...

This podcast interview features a brave hearted woman who vulnerably shares her story of love, loss, complex grief, narcissistic abuse, domestic violence and… reinvention – allow me to introduce you to Maria Roney. The episode examines what it takes to dig deep, assert strong boundaries, to love and accept yourself, and to keep life in perspective when the world around you appears to be crumbling. We talk of many life themes including surviving an abusive coercive controlling relationship,...

Strap into your seat as you listen to this special podcast interview with Nathan Cavaleri. You may recognise the name – Nathan Cavaleri began playing guitar at the tender age of 5 and was regularly featured on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. What you may not know is that by the age of 6, Nathan was diagnosed with leukaemia – he continued playing guitar to take his mind off the disease. He got to meet and play guitar with the legendary Mark Knofler from Dire Straits who described his guitar playing as...

This interview explores an extraordinary journey of a former Australian ballroom dancing champion, gracious guide, wise woman, leader, teacher, solo mother of three, who has graced world stages, and is an ordained Hindu High Priestess. Meet Nicole Phoenix Starr. Nicole was born in country NSW in Wagga Wagga and experienced years of upheaval, deep grief, abuse, alcohol addiction and suicide ideation. She’s 7.5 years sober now and lives in Bali, where she ‘navigates the sacred in every...

Born in 1956 and awarded Northern Rivers Star baby of the year in 1957, a rebellious teen and former rescue officer for Blue Mountains SES, Peter Gooley’s life was sent into chaos in 1993 by a cancer diagnosis. In this episode we explore how he dealt with the grip of uncertainty, worry about children’s futures, mortgage and what the future would hold. Peter cared for his mother in her later stages of life battling multiple myeloma cancer, and talks of the fateful day being appointed...

Meet a man who ditched the corporate blazer to become a trailblazer for men’s wellness and growth. After a successful global career spanning decades as a strategic leader, Martin Gillespie suddenly found himself face to face at death’s door.  Not only had he faced his fair share of mental challenges and traumas with the sudden loss of several family members, and his own marriage flailing, Martin’s world was turned upside down when after months of feeling constantly fatigued, unable to rest,...

Justine Roach’s life as a successful businesswoman, professional home renovator and mother changed overnight in 2005, after the sudden suicide of her beloved sister, Rachael. Struggling to come to terms with her soulmate’s death, Justine suffered a breakdown which left its mark in ongoing depression and anxiety. This episode examines her rise from other traumas including childhood abuse and a life/death surgery of her then 30 day old son, whilst riddled with anxiety attacks and post natal...

This podcast interview features cancer thriver and pioneer of Cancer Coaching in India – Vijay Bhat.   Post successful surgery, he decided against chemotherapy and turned to a holistic and integrated approach after being advised by doctors to ‘go home and pray.’ 19 years later, he is still cancer-free, and a better person than before. “Cancer healed me” he says. This episode examines practical ways of managing the emotional depths of despair, fear, confusion, anger and feeling...

This podcast interview features a deeply heart-centred, service oriented leader, husband, father, mentor and business leader – Andrew Bills.    In this episode we examine how to rise above your circumstances. Andrew was sent to boarding school at 10yo, his father died when he was 12yo, and his mother raised Andrew and his brother and sister on her own. He believes taking on more responsibility from age 12 and then leaving New Zealand at age 21 to make his way in the world has given him a...

This podcast interview features a respected Brisbane-based vocalist and actress with a voice that has captivated audiences for the past thirty years. She is a passionate performer, daughter, partner and mother with natural charisma, beauty and an honest, heart-felt delivery.   This is Barbara Fordham ‘unplugged’ – raw, vulnerable and real.   Barbara shares her story of how a choice between life over death was a significant defining moment that turned her life around from the depths of...

My fascinating interview with Dr Anthony Metivier, a former heavy metal band member and best-selling author of 52 books centred on memory improvement, will move you and inspire you to new heights of possibility.  We examine practical strategies to not only survive, but thrive in life after debilitating experiences of domestic conflict, addiction, death anxiety and family suicide attempts. We investigate what it took Anthony to say YES to life.  In this podcast we discuss various success...

This podcast interview features an effervescent, inspiring entrepreneur and business woman committed to bringing an end to premature death by burnout! Nicole Van Hattem, the youngest of 5 children from immigrant parents from Holland, learned from a young age that working hard and making a difference was what life is all about. She secured her first job at just 9yo.   As a young woman, taking rest or prioritising self care was not modelled nor encouraged. Naturally, having a strong work...

This podcast interview features a Wiradjuri/Wolgalu First Nations man, with a 15 year career in professional National Rugby League playing for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to professional Boxing in 2009. He is a best selling author, struggles with suicidal ideation and bi-polar disorder, attempted suicide in 2012 to eventually fight through his pain to realise his purpose. Meet Joe Williams.   This episode examines how Joe managed to...

Here’s a podcast interview that offers hope to all. Featuring my good friend, mentor, spiritual teacher, psychic and meditation instructor Swami Shivananda, affectionately known as Shivaji. In this episode we examine how to rise above your circumstances – especially when in his case ‘my sense of self was lower than a snake’s belly’ - raised by a 15yo mother, bikie father, constant bullying throughout schooling years, and drug addiction to numb himself, whilst nurturing huge sensitivity and...

The Covid-19 pandemic is exposing all of us to significant traumatic distress and placing us at risk for a host of stress and trauma related health consequences - even the risk of contracting the Covid-19 disease itself. By proactively addressing these risks with resilience boosting strategies we can all do our best to take care of ourselves, our families, our co-workers or employees and each other at this time. This is not just a health crisis; it’s become an economic and mental health...