<![CDATA[Meaning of Health]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.auhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/img/substack.pngMeaning of Healthhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.auSubstackSat, 12 Sep 2026 23:56:07 GMT<![CDATA[Episode 151 - Hypertension and Research Leadership w Dr Niamh Chapman ]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-151-hypertension-and-researchhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-151-hypertension-and-researchFri, 28 Aug 2026 05:33:57 GMTIn this episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr. Ingrid Stacey and Dr. Courtney Weber explore the prevention, detection, and management of high blood pressure. They are joined by Dr. Niamh Chapman, a Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney. They discuss the global burden of hypertension and why current healthcare models struggle to detect and treat it effectively. The conversation also offers practical advice for early-career researchers on navigating academic funding, building sustainable research capacity, and driving systemic change.

Guest Information

Dr Niamh Chapman is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, and Churchill Fellow. Dr. Chapman is a public health and cardiovascular researcher specialising in hypertension implementation, community engagement, and regional health interventions.

Key takeaways

  • The silent killer: Hypertension affects approximately 1 in 3 Australian adults. Because it lacks obvious symptoms, it often goes undetected until significant cardiovascular or organ damage occurs.

  • Early detection matters: High blood pressure between the ages of 35 and 55 is strongly linked to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. We need to normalise going for routine monitoring over the age of 30.

  • Simplifying Care Protocols: Standardising treatment into structured, step-by-step algorithms (such as the WHO HEARTS program) reduces decision fatigue for healthcare providers and improves patient management.

  • Adapting for Remote Care: The OzHearts initiative adapts international models to regional, rural, and remote Australian contexts through home monitoring, nurse-led clinics, and telehealth.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

Connect With Us

Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you!

Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com

Instagram: @healthmeanswhat

Facebook: @MeaningofHealth

Website: meaningofhealth.com.au

]]><![CDATA[Episode 150 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 2: Biological Computers]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-150-grow-your-own-intelligencehttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-150-grow-your-own-intelligenceSun, 23 Aug 2026 02:45:59 GMTWe continue our celebration of National Science Week with Grow Your Own Intelligence: part 2.

Craig and Courtney chat to Chief Scientific Officer Dr Brett Kagan from CorticalLabs about combining human cells and computers to create the ultimate brain-powered external intelligence.

You can find out more about Cortical Labs here:

https://corticallabs.com/

Connect With Us

Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you!

Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com

Instagram: @healthmeanswhat

Facebook: @MeaningofHealth

Website: meaningofhealth.com.au

]]><![CDATA[Episode 149 – Grow Your Own Intelligence Part 1: Revivification]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-149-grow-your-own-intelligencehttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-149-grow-your-own-intelligenceSun, 23 Aug 2026 02:40:55 GMTWe celebrate National Science Week with a 2-part series: Grow Your Own Intelligence.

First up in part 1, Craig, Courtney and Rami chat with the artists and scientists behind Revivification:

  • Guy Ben-ary

  • Nathan Thompson

  • Stuart Hodgetts

You can read more about Revivification here: https://guybenary.com/projects/revivification.html

And see some of the brain organoids on our instagram.

You can also go see their show in Melbourne as part as the No or Never Festival - (opening on the 21st of August):

https://nowornever.melbourne.vic.gov.au/event/revivification

Connect With Us

Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you!

Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com

Instagram: @healthmeanswhat

Facebook: @MeaningofHealth

Website: meaningofhealth.com.au

]]><![CDATA[Episode 148 - Beyond Vaccines w Prof Asha Bowen, Dr Lorraine Anderson & Dr Caitlin White]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-148-beyond-vaccines-w-profhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-148-beyond-vaccines-w-profFri, 07 Aug 2026 01:32:06 GMTIn this 2-part episode of The Meaning of Health, Dr Ingrid Stacey and Leah Roberts explore the current diphtheria outbreak in Australia and its impact on Aboriginal communities.

  • Part 1 (with Prof Asha Bowen): Examines the underlying social determinants driving the resurgence of diphtheria, the critical link between environment and skin disease, and the structural barriers facing community-led solutions. The discussion dives into the dangers of healthcare normalisation of skin sores and inputs into how government fundings can be better deployed for sustainable health benefits.

  • Part 2 (with Dr Lorraine Anderson and Dr Caitlin White): Focuses on the importance of community-led responses and the need for long-term strategies addressing housing and environmental health. The conversation highlights how culturally safe care and local Aboriginal leadership are fundamental to effective public health outcomes.

Guest Information

  • Prof Asha Bowen: Clinician-scientist, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist at Perth Children’s Hospital, and Head of Skin Health at Telethon Kids Institute / Kids Research Institute Australia.

  • Dr Lorraine Anderson: Medical Director at Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS) and experienced general practitioner dedicated to Aboriginal primary health care in the Kimberley.

  • Dr Caitlin White: Public Health Medical Officer at the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) and expert in clinical and public health priorities.

Key Takeaways

  • The Current Landscape: Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease currently affecting remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

  • Vaccines Alone Are Not Enough: Strong vaccine uptake exists in Aboriginal communities; however, the resurgence of diphtheria is driven by the social determinants of health and living environments that enable transmission.

  • Community Leadership Is Key: Community-led health services and Aboriginal leadership are essential for delivering effective, trusted public health responses.

  • Overcoming Healthcare Normalisation: Skin sores in children have become so common in clinical settings that they are frequently normalized and overlooked by healthcare workers rather than treated as a critical public health priority.

  • Collaborative Efforts: Strong partnerships between government bodies and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) ensure better, more coordinated care.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

Deep‑rooted inequalities are driving the latest diphtheria outbreak. But we can fix them.

AHCWA COVID-19 Response Review

Environmental Health Model of Care Report

ACCHS Clinician Handbook

Connect With Us

Have questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you!

Email: meaningofhealth@outlook.com

Instagram: @healthmeanswhat

Facebook: @MeaningofHealth

Website: meaningofhealth.com.au

]]><![CDATA[Ep 147 - Dental Public Health w/Dr Mohammed Junaid]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-147-dental-public-health-wdr-mohammed-44dhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-147-dental-public-health-wdr-mohammed-44dFri, 22 May 2026 05:31:46 GMTIngrid and Craig chat with Dr Mohammed Junaid from the UWA Dental School and Oral Health Centre of Western Australia. Junaid is a practicing public health dentist, lecturer and researcher, who trained in India and obtained professional qualifications from Royal Colleges of Glasgow and England before completing his PhD at UWA. As part of his role, he organises the Clinics to Communities program in Perth. His previous clinical work has seen him travel different regions in India. Junaid discusses the importance of oral health, and the impact it can have on other aspects of a person’s life if it is not taken care of. He also talks through his philosophy of treating the person rather than just their teeth, as many people have a range of life challenges that impact on their oral health, and need to be understood before helping them make decisions about their oral health care. Junaid also shares his thoughts on the oral health system generally in Australia, and challenges created by funding and resourcing issues, in part due to the fact that oral health care is not funded by Medicare for a majority of Australians. You can read more about Junaid and his work here: https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/mohammed-junaid-2/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 146 - Managing Health Ageing w Jo-aine and Cheng]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-146-managing-health-ageing-aeehttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-146-managing-health-ageing-aeeThu, 23 Apr 2026 05:36:45 GMTContinuing our aged care series, Dorina chats with Jo-aine Hang, a research fellow at the University of Western Australia and private physio therapist, and Cheng, a Health sociologist at the University of Western Australia. They speak on healthy aging, managing fall risks and keeping up cognitive function. Interestingly, they discuss how hospitals can be a cautionary environment for elderly patients, as well as individual issues that arise with aging and considering cultural dimensions for exercise recommendations and diets. Research is fundamental into allowing people with concerns with activity and being stationary to find a balance. They further talk about the aging population in Australia and the importance of understanding ageing in Australia. You can read more on Jo-aine Hang and her work here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jo-Aine-Hang#:~:text=About&text=Dr%20Jo%2DAine%20Hang%20is,University%20of%20Notre%20Dame%20Australia. You can read more on Chang and her work here: https://research-repository.uwa.edu.au/en/persons/cheng-yen-loo/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 145 - Ageing, Dementia & Music w Dr Simone Marino]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-145-ageing-dementia-and-music-a9ahttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-145-ageing-dementia-and-music-a9aThu, 09 Apr 2026 03:50:54 GMTWe kick off our series looking at aged care and the health of aging populations with a conversation with Dr Simone Marino, a researcher at Edith Cowan University. Simone’s work is at the intersection of aging, dementia and cultural anthropology. Simone also serves as a Music & Cultural Engagement Consultant for WA InCasa Aged Care. Simone discusses his background working with migrant communities, and the role that music plays in helping people from these communities who live with Dementia, as well as family caregivers. You can read more about Simone and his work here: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/arts-and-humanities/staff/profiles/sage-futures/dr-simone-marino As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 144 - International Women's Day 2026 [women's health series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-144-international-womens-day-2026-4f3https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-144-international-womens-day-2026-4f3Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:26 GMTWe celebrate International Women’s Day in this special live episode, recorded at the University of Western Australia on 9 March 2026. The panel was hosted by Prof Fiona McGaughey, Pro Vice Chancellor Academic Advancement & Diversity at UWA. The panel featured UWA academics Prof Pat Dudgeon, Prof Caitlin Wyrwoll, Prof Tanya Fitzgerald and Dr Dani Barrington. You can read more about the panellists here: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/article/2026/march/meet-the-panellists-for-international-womens-day The conversation covers a range of issues that have created challenges for women in public and private life over several decades, and contributed to a gender imbalance which has made it more difficult for women to advance in their careers and across society generally. The panel share their own experiences, and their thoughts on where they would like meaningful change to be made to address the historical gender imbalances that still persist today. The event was supported by Graduate Women WA: https://graduatewomenwa.org.au As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 143 - Narrative Therapy with Marnie, Mark & Greg]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-143-narrative-therapy-with-marnie-fc2https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-143-narrative-therapy-with-marnie-fc2Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:17:43 GMTWe continue our mental health series as Courtney and Craig chat with Marnie, Mark and Greg about their work using narrative therapy to help people navigate life’s challenges. Our guests compare and contrast how narrative therapy and western medical approaches can differ. The conversation covers themes such as respectful practice, group work, addressing violent behaviour and working with people with alcohol and other drug issues. Our guests also talk through how they working with clients can help therapists to reflect on their own experiences and lives. Some useful resources: https://www.metaphortraining.com/about-5-4 https://dulwichcentre.com.au https://dulwichcentre.com.au/product/telling-our-stories-in-ways-that-make-us-stronger-barbara-wingard-jane-lester/ https://dulwichcentre.com.au/product/collective-narrative-practice-responding-to-individuals-groups-and-communities-who-have-experienced-trauma/ https://dulwichcentre.com.au/holding-our-heads-up/ And some references that support the work being talked about: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/finding-the-voice-to-speak-by-Dion-Anderson-Bea-Anderson-Mark-Hammersley-Marnie-Sather-Greg-Smith.pdf https://dulwichcentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Crossing-the-River-A-Metaphor-for-Separation-Liminality-and-Reincorporation.pdf As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 142 - Anxiety UK with Nicky and Jason]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-142-anxiety-uk-with-nicky-and-5b8https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-142-anxiety-uk-with-nicky-and-5b8Fri, 13 Feb 2026 05:50:27 GMTLeah and Craig are joined by Nicky and Jason from Anxiety UK as we continue our mental health series. Nicky and Jason talk us through how Anxiety UK came about, and the many and varied activities it carries out to help provide support for people living with various forms of anxiety in the UK. We discussed how as a peer-led organisation, Anxiety UK’s approach is informed by people who are living with anxiety themselves. We also touched on Anxiety UK’s leadership of the Global Anxiety Alliance, which brings Anxiety organisations across the world together with the aim of “furthering understanding of anxiety through sharing of good practice, knowledge, information, research, and where possible, resources”. Read more about Anxiety UK here: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ Read more about the Global Anxiety Alliance here: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/global-anxiety-alliance/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 141 - using iyarn for mental health and wellbeing w/ Lockie Cooke]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-141-using-iyarn-for-mental-health-4e6https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-141-using-iyarn-for-mental-health-4e6Thu, 29 Jan 2026 02:41:43 GMTAs we return for 2026, we kick off our mental health series with a great conversation between Dr Ingrid Stacey and Lockie Cooke, founder and CEO of iyarn. iyarn is a digital platform designed to help to support people to keep track of their health and wellbeing across a range of domains, including mental health. Lockie talks through his inspiration for developing iyarn, and discusses how the platform works, and some of its many uses, both by individuals and organisation who work with people. Lockie also shares some of his experience living and working in remote parts of Western Australia, and the special bond he has formed with the Bardi Jawi people from the Kimberley. Lockie’s experience has shaped how iyarn manages individuals’ data ethically, and consistent with principles of Indigenous Data Sovereignty. Lockie also touches on the current technological landscape, and particularly some to the risks posed by the rapid rollout of AI, with some companies prioritising growth over quality assurance. The conversation does include discussion about suicide, so if that may be upsetting to you, this may be one to skip. If listening this conversation does raise any concerns for you, you can contact Lifeline on 131144. You can read more about iyarn and Lockie here: https://iyarn.com As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 140 - Christmas 2025]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-140-christmas-2025-d70https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-140-christmas-2025-d70Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:43 GMTThis is our traditional annual Christmas episode, a rambling chat about the highs and lows of the year and some truly awful Christmas jokes with Ingrid, Leah, Dorinda and Craig, with a musical surprise from the 2025 edition of Let's Present. Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing festive period, and looking forward to brining you some more interesting conversations with people about different aspects of health in 2026. As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 139 - Developmental Disability WA with James, Georgie & Justin [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-139-developmental-disability-6d5https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-139-developmental-disability-6d5Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:29:15 GMTFor this episode Dorinda visited the offices of Developmental Disability WA (DDWA) with our practicum student Sumaya and speaks with 3 guests with experience living with developmental disability and navigating the health system as consumers. James, a member of the DDWA advisory council, discusses some positive experiences with hospitals and the support he received from his parents and doctors, as well as the need for improvements like reducing hospital wait times and providing separate areas for people with disabilities in emergency departments. Georgie, who manages a back injury along with a disability, discusses problems such as the lack of understanding and respect from hospital staff, emphasising the need for better communication and support. Justin, a disability advocate, calls for a specialised disability hospital to address the unique needs of people with disabilities, highlighting the current system's failures in providing adequate care and support, Justin calls for simple steps to be taken such as making documents such as information and consent forms more accessible for people with disability. Many thanks to Mary Butterworth, CEO of DDWA who helped make this episode possible. You can read more about DDWA here: https://ddwa.org.au As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Ep 138 - Complex Clinical Care & Disability with Caroline Yates [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-138-complex-clinical-care-and-4a9https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/ep-138-complex-clinical-care-and-4a9Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:38:53 GMTDorinda and Craig sat down for a chat with Caroline Yates, a registered nurse, educator and Director of SN Services for this episode. Caroline talks through her background as an RN, as well as an educator, and how she came to start a company that provides complex clinical care for people living at home with a disability. She also discusses the formation of the WA Complex Care Alliance, aimed at improving complex care in WA. Caroline and colleagues identified that disability support staff were being asked to handle complex clinical treatment for their clients with disability without having sufficient training or education. To address this, Caroline and her business partner decided to provide this upskilling themselves and started SN Training to help support workers develop the knowledge and skills they needed for these important tasks, culminating in SN Training becoming a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Caroline discusses her thoughts on the NDIS, and how just simply improving communication between government departments, and listening to feedback from families and carers could make a world of difference in the outcomes experienced by people with disability. You can read more about: SN Services here: https://www.snservices.com.au SN Training here: https://www.sntraining.com.au The WA Complex Care Alliance here: https://www.snservices.com.au/wa-complex-care-alliance As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 137 - Managing Complex Healthcare & Disability w/Barbara Goodwin & Mia Hagbro-Tedeschi]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-137-managing-complex-healthcare-a5ehttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-137-managing-complex-healthcare-a5eThu, 20 Nov 2025 04:55:21 GMTIn this episode Craig and Dorinda sat down with Barbara Goodwin from Care Corner and Mia Hagbro-Tedeschi from Mechanical Rock to discuss the Care Corner app, which was designed to help with care coordination for individuals with complex disabilities. Barbara, a part-time UWA employee and mother to a son with multiple disabilities, discusses the many challenges that she and many families of people with disability face while trying to manage the care of their loved ones. Barbara’s experience was the motivation behind her idea to streamline care documentation and reduce the mental load on families, which led to the creation of the Care Corner app. Mia, Director of Client Strategy at Mechanical Rock, explains how she got involved in helping to design the app's features, including real-time updates, voice-to-text progress notes, and integration with NDIS goals. The app, which has over 300 users, aims to improve care continuity and reduce hospital visits for people with disability who are also managing complex health care needs in the home. Barbara also discusses how Care Corner has been funded (self-funding, an innovation booster grant, and support from Mechanical Rock), and shares some great news about a recent decision that means that people using Care Corner can have the cost of the subscription covered under their NDIS plan now. For further information about Care Corner, you can contact: Barbara – barbara@carecorner.net.au Mia – maria@mechanicalrock.io As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 136 - Creating Opportunities for People w/Disability w/Erin Marshall [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-136-creating-opportunities-18dhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-136-creating-opportunities-18dThu, 13 Nov 2025 00:32:50 GMTIn this episode Dorinda sits down for a chat with Erin Marshall, co-Deputy Chair of Disability Assembly WA. Erin discusses her experience living with cerebral palsy among other health challenges, as well as the impact that hidden disabilities and employment challenges can have on people living with disability more broadly. She highlights the need for better disability education and support for employers. Erin shares her journey of self-awareness and the importance of joining a disability employment provider. She emphasizes the role of the Disability Assembly of WA in advocating for better opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly in employment and housing. Erin also discusses the impact of her health conditions on her daily life and future goals, including the need for support to live independently and the desire to travel. You can read more about Disability Assembly WA here: https://disabilityassemblywa.org You can connect with Erin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-marshall-jp/?originalSubdomain=au As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 135 - Doing Things Differently in Disability w/ Mark Fitzpatrick [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-135-doing-things-differently-654https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-135-doing-things-differently-654Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:49 GMTIn this episode we sit down for a chat with Mark Fitzpatrick, CEO of PeopleKind Group. Mark has an extensive career working in the disability sector, including roles as Deputy President of the Deafness Council and a member of the Executive of the Hearing Health Sector Alliance. This range of experience, along with previous CEO roles at Telethon Speech and Hearing and St Vincent de Paul Society has given Mark a unique perspective on how things can be done differently to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients with disability who have a range of disability and non-disability-related needs. This philosophy in part drives PeopleKind Group, who are a for-purpose company that act as a parent company for a range of different organisations that provide a range of different services including learning, behaviour support, housing and disability support. By taking this approach, PeopleKind Group are able to assist clients with multiple needs that they may have. Additionally, Mark discussed the importance of collaboration with others in the sector to ensure that client care remained person-centred regardless of the client’s needs. Mark also touched on the work that PeopleKind do with people who have had justice system involvement through Outcare, as well as providing us his thoughts on the NDIS in its current form. Read more about Mark here: https://peoplekind.org.au/about-us/mark-fitzpatrick/ Read more about PeopleKind here: https://peoplekind.org.au/about-us/ As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 134 – Living w/ Hidden Disability, Supporting Carers w/ Chanel & Esme [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-134-living-w-hidden-disability-157https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-134-living-w-hidden-disability-157Fri, 10 Oct 2025 05:22:35 GMTDorinda is joined by Chanel & Esme as we continue our series on disability. Chanel talks us through her journey over the last few years since she acquired a brain injury due to a traumatic event, and discusses some of the challenges she has faced, both due to her injury and the symptoms she manages, including hearing loss and balance issues, as well as the complexities navigating the health system, often out in rural areas. Chanel also talks about the successes she has had, particularly in being able to return to her work working in film production. Esme discusses her experience as a leader and advocate in a range of sectors, including health (where she worked as a registered nurse), disability and road safety. She also shares her experience as a family member carer for Chanel and the mental and physical load that comes with this important, and often unrecognised role. She also reflects on her work as Chair of the Carers Advisory Council and the role they play advising the WA government on issues affecting carers. Both Chanel and Esme share their thoughts on weaknesses in our society currently when it comes to engaging with people with disabilities and their carers and provide practical advice (based on much experience) for navigating not just health and disability systems, but everyday life for people with disability. A particular focus is on people with disabilities that are “hidden” that may not be visually obvious to people they come into contact with. Read more about Chanel and her work as a Producer, Access Coordinator and Disability Advocate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanel-bowen-b629236b/?originalSubdomain=au Read more about Esme’s work with the Carers Advisory Council: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/carers-advisory-council As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 133 - Disability & Early Childhood Education & Care w Monique Power [disability series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-133-disability-and-early-ee1https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-133-disability-and-early-ee1Fri, 26 Sep 2025 01:46:27 GMTTo kick off our new series that explores disability from a range of perspectives, Dorinda ‘t Hart sits down for a chat with Monique Power, founder and Director of Ripple Ability, a company set up to help families caring for young children with disability to navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme to ensure that both the children and their families can lead fulfilling and healthy lives. Monique discusses her lived experience as a mother and carer of a child with a rare disability, and the gaps that currently exist for early childhood education and care for young children diagnosed with complex, lifelong disabilities. She also shares examples of some of the work being done to identify the issues, and potential strategies for improving the services on offer to ensure that people diagnosed with disability at early ages are given the best possible opportunities to lead fulfilling and productive lives in the community. Read more about Ripple Ability and Monique here: https://rippleability.org As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 132 - Menstruation Goes Mainstream with Ina Jurga [women's health series]]]>https://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-132-menstruation-goes-mainstream-04dhttps://www.meaningofhealth.com.au/p/episode-132-menstruation-goes-mainstream-04dFri, 12 Sep 2025 00:08:30 GMTIn this episode we bring you a conversation with Ina Jurga, International Coordinator for Menstrual Hygiene Day and Technical Lead for Menstrual Health and Hygiene at WASH United. Ina joined hosts Leah Roberts and Dr. Dani Barrington to share her journey from working as a civil engineer to becoming a global advocate for menstrual health, shaped by her experiences in countries such as India, Uganda, and Burundi. Ina talked us through the creation of Menstrual Hygiene Day in 2014 and the importance of raising global awareness about menstruation. We discussed systemic approaches to menstrual health, including education, access to products, disposal solutions, and supportive policies. We also chatted about innovations such as reusable pads, menstrual cups, and period swimwear, and how conversations around menstruation are evolving in high-income countries. Finally, we reflected on engaging men and boys, and the importance of broadening the discussion to include perimenopause and menopause. Read more about Menstrual Hygiene Day: https://www.menstrualhygieneday.org Read more about WASH United: https://www.wash-united.org/mhm-guide/mhm-guide As always, if you want to get in touch with the podcast, you can contact us at: meaningofhealth@outlook.com Instagram Twitter/X Bluesky @healthmeanswhat FaceBook @MeaningofHealth Visit our website: https://meaningofhealth.com.au/

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