68 Cups of Blueberry Tea

Bec Jones made her ParaMatildas debut during the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football Women's World Cup 2024 in Spain, winning 6-2 victory against the United States!

This is a remarkable victory considering that she is an Autoimmune Encephalitis survivor, thanks only to plasma donors.

In early 2020, Bec got sick with Ross River fever, after which she developed post viral fatigue, headaches and flu-like symptoms, and then when she had her wisdom teeth taken out in June that year, she felt like something had changed in her brain. 12 months in-and-out of hospital, having to drop out of Uni and return home to Sydney, Bec lost all function of life. Finally she was diagnosed with Autoimmune Encephalitis, where the autoimmune system had started attacking her healthy brain cells after the inflammation received when having the teeth taken out.

Thanks to Intravenous Immunoglobulin Infusions, beautiful new anti-bodies were delivered to her body, to start the journey to recovery.

Lexi Sekuless, the Creative Producer behind the Mill Theatre at Dairy Road, offers a unique opportunity to delve into Canberra's vibrant theatre scene.

Lexi is a distinguished Canberra-based actor, director, and producer with over a decade of experience in the performing arts. A graduate of London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she earned first-class honours in their Bachelor of Acting program. During her studies, Lexi had the honour of performing as 'Lady Anne' in Richard III at the Globe Theatre's 2013 Wanamaker Festival.

In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexi demonstrated resilience and innovation by establishing the Mill Theatre. This initiative has reinvigorated Canberra's performing arts scene, providing a dynamic platform for local talent and diverse productions.

Lexi's multifaceted contributions underscore her commitment to enriching Canberra's cultural landscape, blending artistic excellence with visionary leadership.

Tune in for some behind-the-scene insight into the independent theatre realm. 

Léa Zeestraten has self-published the first book of a four part series, the Daughters of Dael, a heartwarming and exciting exploration of adventure, friendship and self discovery. It has charming characters, thrilling action and I really enjoyed easily visualising each of the scenes.

But there is more to Léa than her work as an author.  At the age of 24 she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, a heart condition that one is born with, and basically means having holes in one’s heart, like a cheese grater, that needed patching up to survive.

Her strength, resilience and determination is admirable and it seems that nothing will hold her back, whether it be a mountain to hike or moving to a new country to continue her studies.

Listen in and find out more about Léa’s journey.

Delving into the Argentinian Tango scene with an experienced dancer, Jamie, to learn about the cultural elements behind it, the structure of it (or lack thereof!) and insight into the typical accompanying instrument, the Bandoneon.

Katherine Leamy’s travel style is to casually shrug on, a well thought out 5kg backpack (give or take a few hundred grams, for hardcopy novels) and step out with confidence. If this intrigues you, have a listen and start travelling with ease!

"Do something today, your future self will be grateful for."

My first cup of blueberry tea is with Jess Redfern, a dynamic entrepreneur and community leader based in Wellington, Central West New South Wales. As the founder and director of Petal + Palm, she curates a diverse range of fashion, homewares, artworks, flowers, and edible treats, creating a unique shopping experience that reflects her powerful dynamic. Her style is characterised as "statement, pink, and chic," influencing both her personal and professional endeavours.

Beyond her business, Jess actively contributes to her community through initiatives like "Women of Wellington," aiming to empower local women and foster personal growth. She also serves as a director at National Disability Care, demonstrating her commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Balancing her professional roles with family life, Jess openly shares her experiences and challenges, inspiring others with her authenticity and dedication.

Support local business and embrace the spirit of innovation and resilience!

Delivered to you on a skateboard, getting excited for many cups of blueberry tea and a chat kinda vibe with this podcast series, to capture people being resilient, creative and amazing.