Brainwaves
Health, Fitness & Longevity
About
Challenging the mainstream, negative stereotypes of people with a mental illness, Brainwaves actively engages those living with a mental illness as researchers, interviewers, performers and program designers while promoting community mental health awareness.
Episodes
- Sarah from Progressive Therapeutic Collective talks to Brainwaves about AI Intimacy and Digital Relationships
Sarah Newbold, Practice Director of Progressive Therapeutic Collective, talks about AI and digital relationships on today’s episode of our radio show, Brainwaves. She is deeply passionate about having informed, caring and considered conver…
- The Good Brick with Andrew Kitchen
Mark catches up with Andrew Kitchen, Founder and Creative Director of The Good Brick AUS. Andrew founded the organisation to provide purpose-driven employment for neurodivergent people, combining creativity, precision, and inclusivity acro…
- Singer Songwriter Curtis Yates
Singer and Songwriter, Curtis Yates started singing when he was just eight-years-old. Based in Newcastle, he continues to work on his demos and perform live at local open mic events. Curtis, who also lives with bipolar disorder, is today’s…
- Danny Diesendorf talks about accessibility and circus skills
Danny Diesendorf has a background in performing and creating theatre, street theatre and clowning. He's also taught these skills to young people with disabilities and mental health challenges for over twenty years. Danny manages Circus Nex…
- John O'Shea on his book, Neurospicy
John O’Shea is the author of 'Neurospicy', a candid and honest exploration of his experience living with dyslexia and ADHD that blends travel stories, entrepreneurial highs, and catastrophic failures.
- Nathan Bell on Loneliness
Nathan Bell is a writer and artist from Newcastle. From a young age Nathan aspired to a creative career. He produces content in a variety of mediums including writing, digital media, painting and film. Today, Nathan will return as a guest…
- Emilia McSherry on art, and their upcoming endurance piece
Queer and disabled artist and performer, Emilia McSherry’s upcoming show explores her personal experiences with mental health challenges, domestic abuse and sexual violence. “Every part of myself is on display in this exhibition,” the Naar…
- A chat with writer and therapist, Katie K May
“Teen behaviour is communication, not manipulation or defiance, and misreading it keeps families stuck in crisis," says Katie K. May, an author and therapist who helps parents and professionals decode teen behaviour to prevent harm. U.S.-B…
- A chat about grief with musician Angus Legg
Musician Angus Legg will discuss how his lived experience of grief influences his music, today on our radio show Brainwaves. Raised in a musical family, Angus' father's passing in 2014 deepened his devotion to the craft. His latest work ho…
- Paul Guiton reads from his upcoming novel, 'Conaipara'
I’m a laid-back bloke who tries not to worry about matters I can't control,” says Writer Paul Guiton. Paul grew up on a sheep farm in Southwest NSW and lives with mental health challenges.Paul’s new book called 'Conaipara' centres around a…
- Mental health and disability in the performing arts with Rosie Roulette
Drag, burlesque, and cabaret artist, Rosie Roulette is proudly queer, disabled and living with AuDHD. They talk about their lived experience and new show 'POKÉLESQUE'.
- A discussion about youth mental health with Will Dobud
Adolescents and families expert, Dr. Will Dobud talks about 'Kids These Days', which is also the title of his new book. Based in the US. and Australia, he has researched troubled teens in America and advocates to protect youth from institu…
- Adolescent & Youth Inpatient Services
Eleanor Doran and Shehelah Dassenaike from Impact Co join Brainwaves to discuss their recent Adolescent and Youth Inpatient Service Experience Design Project. They talk about the importance of involving young people in service design and r…
- Franceyne from Vacro
Today on Brainwaves, we’re joined by Franceyne from Vacro to discuss mental health and imprisonment, including the criminalisation of mental health, support in prison, and the reintegration journey for people returning to the community. Yo…
- Beyond the Visual Part 2
Beyond the Visual is the UK’s first major sculpture exhibition where blind and partially blind practitioners are central to its curation, and make up most of the exhibitors. The work is based on ground-breaking research that challenges the…
- Beyond the Visual Part 1
Beyond the Visual is the UK’s first major sculpture exhibition where blind and partially blind practitioners are central to its curation, and make up most of the exhibitors. The work is based on ground-breaking research that challenges the…
- Osher Günsberg joins Brainwaves to talk about his new book "So What, Now What?"
When life hits you with wave after wave of problems, you either start going under, or you learn how to surf. At this point, media personality Osher Günsberg asks ‘So What? Now What? — it's also the title of his new book and his guide to ge…
- Writer Nathan Bell joins us on Brainwaves this week
Writer and artist Nathan Bell explores his lived experience of mental health challenges including psychosis, combined with his spiritual beliefs, through his work. This includes mysticism and shamanism. You can discover Nathan's other work…
- A chat with clinical psychologist Natalie from Bayside Psychotherapy about mental health in the AFL
Mark catches with with clinical psychologist Natalie from Bayside Psychotherapy to discuss growing up with the AFL and why she believes a dedicated mental health round ought to be introduced to the game. The article referred to in the podc…
- A chat with singer-songwriter Jen Frank
Mark sits down with singer-songwriter Jen Frank to discuss all things mental health and her upcoming EP 'Friend Zone'. More music and news about Jen Frank can be found in the linktree below:Linktree
- Sasha from Trans Action Network
Sasha is a trans advocate with the Trans Action Network (TAN) in Naarm. They will have a chat with Mark about the lesser known challenges facing transgender people, especially those in the early stages of medical transition.
- Woodcock Lecture - Reimagining Mental Health: Dignity, Humanity and the Power of Lived Experience - Part 4
Part 2 of a panel discussion led by Mary o'Hagen, Director of Lived Experience at Wellways, on the shared role we play in building a more compassionate mental health system. The panellists of this discussion include Giancarlo de Vera, Mari…
- Woodcock Lecture - Reimagining Mental Health: Dignity, Humanity and the Power of Lived Experience - Part 3
Part 1 of a panel discussion led by Mary o'Hagen, Director of Lived Experience at Wellways, on the shared role we play in building a more compassionate mental health system. The panellists of this discussion include Giancarlo de Vera, Mari…
- Woodcock Lecture - Reimagining Mental Health: Dignity, Humanity and the Power of Lived Experience - Part 2
Last month, we held our 24th Annual Woodcock Lecture in Melbourne. The evening brought together mental health advocates, peer workers, clinicians, and people with lived experience around a central theme: how to centre dignity and humanity…
- Woodcock Lecture - Reimagining Mental Health: Dignity, Humanity and the Power of Lived Experience - Part 1
Last month, we held our 24th Annual Woodcock Lecture in Melbourne. The evening brought together mental health advocates, peer workers, clinicians, and people with lived experience around a central theme: how to centre dignity and humanity…
- A chat with music therapist, Carrie Henschell
Professional Music Therapist, Carrie Henschell, has worked in social services, community and the health sector for more than a decade. Her portfolio includes mental health, brain injury rehabilitation, disability services, youth homelessne…
- A chat with Jennifer Scoullar
Bestselling author, Jennifer Scoullar joins Brainwaves to talk about her new novel ‘Wild Horses’ — and the powerful role animals, nature, and storytelling can play in supporting mental wellbeing.
- A chat with Megan Del Borello, the founder of We Are Emersyn and the We Are Emersyn Foundation
Megan Del Borello is the founder of We Are Emersyn and The We Are Emersyn Foundation. Megan knows first-hand how challenging being a women founder is. It’s this reason that she is changing the narrative on women founders and creating an ec…
- RoadzofLife - Michael and Janelle
Michael and Janelle are life partners who have undergone various challenges, mainly learning how to live with Michael's brain injury and cognitive failures. Through Michael's recovery, he found he was drawn to others with similar stories a…
- A conversation with author Nadine Muller
Following more than a decade of military service as a Critical Care Nurse, Nadine Muller became a high-performance coach, mentor and international best-selling author. In her book ‘A Reason to Rise’ she shares her journey of overcoming imm…
- Dr Cathy Kezelman, President of Blue Knot Foundation
Content warning: This episode contains topics relating to sexual abuse and can be activating for some. Blue Knot Foundation is a national scentre for complex trauma. Blue Knot advocates for and provides support to people who have experienc…
- Sue from Blue Knot
Content warning: This episode contains topics relating to sexual abuse and can be activating for some. Blue Knot Foundation is a national scentre for complex trauma. Blue Knot advocates for and provides support to people who have experienc…
- Castlemaine Safe Space
Content warning: This episode contains topics relating to suicide and can be activating for some. Castlemaine Safe Space is a community led, non-clinical, inclusive, and comfortable sanctuary. It is a space for people who are experiencing…
- Migraines and Managing Multiple Disabilities
In this episode Jasmine McLennan interviews Hannah Bloxigde about her experience with chronic Migraine and other disabilities such as Endometriosis. Hannah explains how her disabilties interact and effect her mental health. She also talks…
- Art and the artist - OCD and its role in Amy Bodossian's life
Join host Ananya Sharma as she talks to Amy Bodossian about all things being an artist and performer living with OCD. This episode discusses Amy's love for performance and how she navaigates her OCD whilst being in the public eye. Amy's sh…
- Jana Firestone - New Book 'Plot Twist: a personal guide to surviving life's unexpected curveballs'
Join host Flic Manning as she chats with author and therapist Jana Firestone about her latest book. Jana, a therapist who has worked with homicide cases, sudden deaths, and Black Saturday bushfire survivors, often shares her insights on mo…
- Antek Benedyka - Coming Full Circle Part 2
Welcome to the second part of Antek Benedyka's story - Coming Full Circle.Antek is a proud genderqueer person from the LGBTI community, a social and political activist, and has worked with refugee settlements as a social worker for the pas…
- Antek Benedyka - Coming Full Circle
Antek Benedyka is a social worker who uses his own experiences with mental health to inform his work. This is the first part of a 2 part series where we discuss the work he does with refugees in Australia, his own mental health journey and…
- The Intersection between music, disability and mental health: with Eliza Hull
“I definitely have anxiety, and probably just naming it felt really good because I’ve probably had it all my life. I’ve just never known what it was, known what it feels like,” says singer and songwriter, and disabled musician advocate, @M…
- Mental Health and Zines
Mark talks to artist, author, and publisher, Annie Huang about zines and the role they have played in their mental health journey.
- Woodcock Public Lecture 2024: Understand trauma; understand mental health Part 1
This week on Brainwaves we will be airing part of of the Woodcock Public Lecture, proudly presented by Wellways in May this year.As this week is Naidoc week we have taken part 1 to be alol about the poignont Welcome to Country by Stacie Pi…
- Radiothon 2024 - Sound on for Solidarity
Jasmine welcomes Mark and Ananya, the newest additions to our Brainwaves crew. They discuss their views on stigma around mental health and how it is most times a 'silent struggle'. Each of them provides their take on what solidarity can lo…
- Queer Town: Inclusion and Allyship
Jasmine McLennan talks to Archie Beetle, founder and director of Queer Town, an Australian-based startup delivering LGBTIQA+ inclusion and allyship training in workplaces throughout Australia and beyond. Archie discusses the mental health…
- Peace Poem by Stephen Hall
Poet and artist Stephen Hull has had a interest in the war ever since his grandfather told him stories of what it was like to serve in world war II. Wanting the answer the question 'why do we march for Anzac Day and why do we still remembe…
- Orion Kelly - That Autistic Guy
Tonight on Brainwaves Suzie Leach will chat to our guest Orion Kelly - That Autistic Guy. Based in Victoria, Orion is proudly autistic, and an author, advocate and actor. He hosts the podcast 'My Friend Autism - and is all about validation…
- Mental Health Issues for Trans and Gender Diverse People: Feat. Yves Rees
Yves Rees, a writer, historian, podcaster and trans advocate talks candidly about the highs and lows of their own trans journey and the challenges that other trans and gender diverse people experience. It is an unfortunate fact that trans…
- My Journey with Mental Health: A Spiritual Crisis Feat. Evan Douglas-Smith
Evan, Brainwaves producer, talks about his journey with mental health, beginning with a spiritual awakening that turned his world upside down. He describes the challenges of medication, stigma, and maintainging relationships whilst going t…
- Turning Challenges into Community Support Feat: Leah Turton & Flic Manning
‘My drive is to raise awareness of invisible illness, the need for inclusivity, diversity and equality. My motivation is to inspire others facing an invisible or visible illness or disability,’ says mental health advocate, Leah Turton.Leah…
- Women and Mental Health- Feat. Jamila Rizvi
Jamila Rizvi is a keynote speaker, best-selling author, podcast presenter, and gender equality advocate. She is Deputy Managing Director of FutureWomen — a company that champions gender equity in Australian workplaces through professional…
- Eating disorders and OCD with Isabella Fels
Staying healthy and in shape can be a difficult task for anyone at the best of times, but try keeping trim when you have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). Today on Brainwaves we examine what drives people to binge eat with our special g…