BEING with Sally Wilson

“My intuition only wishes me to have the easiest & most joyous life… It finds every way to communicate with me. The reason it does this is that I have given it permission to… Each day I live on this earth plane, gets easier for me.”

Jennifer Cluff convinced head hunters in Papua New Guinea not to kill her crew. She frightened off machete-wielding attackers when they threatened her and her jeep full of actors. She is both earthy and ethereal. She’s quite a woman!

It’s been said of Jennifer, she is a person who not only poses questions, but finds answers. In this episode, Jennifer talks about how she found her spiritual path and her purpose (though she cringed when she did!), her perspective of life as the story we tell ourselves and she describes how being guided by her own intuition has changed her experience of life. Fortunately for us, she also shares some simple tools to help us step into the present moment, ‘switch on’ awe and learn how be guided by our own innate wisdom.

If you were Superman, what would you do? Now, there’s a question!

You’ll enjoy this one. Don’t miss it.

https://www.pgsthemovie.com/bios/ 

Sam McIntosh, in his very own unassuming, modest, quiet, sensitive way, is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. When the three-time paralympian from Ocean Grove had the accident which resulted in his disability, his words to his desperately worried mother on the accident scene were: “I’m going to be the first person in a wheelchair to base jump into the Grand Canyon.” He already had a mental list of the things he was going to do as a person in a wheelchair. Yes - he has an uncanny ability, natural and unforced, to see silver linings and turn adversity into a “fire in his belly”.

Another gift Sam gives is openness and lack of judgement. Many of us feel ignorant around the topic of disability, and that ignorance and fear of offending can then lead to impaired or blocked conversations. As Sam said, “Disability isn’t talked about enough.”

Sam covers so many aspects of being human in this episode, from understanding our privileges, to his attitude and approach to goal setting (or Disney Kingdom – you’ll get it when you listen!) to community and how to “mentally take a breath”.

Sam will have you feeling great about life. Do yourself a favour - don’t miss this one.

www.sammcintosh.com

https://www.parallelsports.org

If you sat in a doctor’s office and were told you had very little time to live, would you find a way to do the things you’ve always wanted to do? Kirsten Macdonald did and is pretty sure that you would too. She ticked everything off her bucket list in 2 years. Then, to her surprise, she was still alive and wondered… hmmm, what now?!

During our last interview in Episode 13 Kirsten talked about her extraordinary journey, but there was so much more to be said! So she joined me this time to talk about what a “Life of Permission” truly means – the layers to it, the necessity of self-kindness in order to discover it, and how to be honest with ourselves as to whether we’re truly living the life we want to be living.

She talks about inner peace not as some unattainable spiritual concept, but practically, in her irresistibly humorous, down-to-earth way. And as to intuition, she says that now, knowing what she knows, she’d be scared not to listen to it!

She talks of the things we all long for and she brings them within our reach… This is a must-listen.

www.kbeliza.com

www.ponderings.com.au

Highly awarded film maker, Bill Bennett, heard a voice which saved his life. Determined to understand this experience, Bill traveled all over the world speaking to intuition experts across science, religion and spirituality. The result was a highly acclaimed film, from which developed a book. (Links below.)

Bill realized that the main thing preventing us from tapping into our intuition (or PGS – personal guidance system, as he calls it) is fear. Following his intense natural curiosity, Bill then traveled the globe speaking to experts on fear! He interviewed people like Joe Dispenza, Judith Richards, Dean Radin and Michael Tamura. COVID got in the way of film production, but recognizing the rampant fear in the world and people’s need for help dealing with it, Bill made interviews with many of the experts available online.

In this interview, Bill generously shares insights into fear and how to either overcome it or work with it. He also shares some of what he has learned about intuition – how to access it, why to access it and the pitfalls which must be avoided in order to connect with this powerful force of nature which is available to us all.

You’ll be inspired and your life might well be profoundly transformed if you hear this. What’s your intuition telling you? “Open your mind and pay attention!”?

https://www.billbennett.com.au/books/

www.pgsthemovie.com

https://facingfearinterviews.com/

After his business premises burned to the ground, Dr. Jim Skivalidas found himself considering suicide. He could easily have become one of the six men who, each day in Australia, takes his own life. Floods of self-doubt, sense of unworthiness and self-hatred rose to the surface. He found himself thinking: “I’m a disgrace”. He felt full of shame, and his whole identity as provider for his wife and mother, as husband, son, successful health professional and business owner came crashing down around him. He shares with us how he got through it.

Growing up, he’d never learned how to show his vulnerability; he’d learned that to be strong meant never showing ‘weakness’. In a presentation several years earlier the male speaker addressed being vulnerable and what that meant, and Jim had found himself wondering: “How do you do vulnerability?” It was a completely foreign idea to him.

The fire turned out to be a catalyst for Jim’s discovery of the strength in vulnerability and allowed him to stop caring what other people thought. He developed the ability to express himself authentically – nothing to hide, no shame, no fear of judgement, and he opens the door for others to do the same.

As the founder of the I’m Just A Man Foundation, raising awareness around suicide and working towards its prevention, Jim draws together his passions – care for others, community and music. He holds an annual event – this year’s online on November 19.

The numbers of people taking their lives is staggering and devastating. It doesn’t have to be like this. Let’s all be aware and be a part of the solution.

https://www.imjustaman.com.au/home/

He grew up in a housing commission flat in poverty, became a leading chef in some of the Bellarine’s most prestigious restaurants and now, with co-founder Lana Purcell and a team of almost 200 volunteers, delivers around 7,000 meals per week to people in need. They also have a donations-only grocery story, coffee shop and restaurant, and they always have space for more volunteers!

Anthony Woodbury saw a need and did what he could to help. Far from being a soup kitchen, their motto, from the beginning, has been “no questions no agendas”. Usually, he says, people wait till they’re at rock bottom before asking for food - there’s so much shame around it. He remembers hiding behind trees so his school friends wouldn’t see him waiting for a food drop-off for his lunch. And it’s not always the people you’d expect who come forward. Sometimes it’s well-off families who’ve suffered accidents or illness, people with assets and suddenly no cash flow, or neighbours and friends asking on behalf of others.

“No questions no agendas” is a culture of respect, community and care, and it’s a culture that Lana and Anthony guard. Have they ever been taken advantage of? Sure, occasionally, but most of the time people are in desperate need.

Anthony talks about his background, how Feed Me Bellarine got its start, what they need in order to grow (they’re at capacity right now in terms of provision of meals) and how their culture and community changes people... After our interview Anthony said: “It’s changed me as a person.”...

Thinking this sounds like a great idea? He also suggests how people can start something similar in their community or how to be involved in Feed Me Bellarine.

I’ve just booked a table for dinner there this Friday. Can’t wait! See you there?

https://www.feedmebellarine.com.au/

Clinical neuroscientist and researcher, Dr. Izelle Labuschagne, has been studying the hormone oxytocin for a long time. Known as the love hack chemical, her research has shown that it’s so much more! Its administration via nasal spray can, for example, temporarily relieve extreme social anxiety in young people. It induces feelings of connectedness and promotes resilience, among other things.

In this episode Izelle talks about some of the many (wonderful!) functions and effects of oxytocin, how we can stimulate its production in ourselves and others, and she touches on some exciting research into how it can be used in sports to promote optimal team performance.

A feel-good episode, almost literally! (You'll see what I mean!)

https://www.facebook.com/izellel

https://www.linkedin.com/in/izelle-labuschagne-04699b/

Grace Kim has always known the value of making music a part of children’s lives and the crucial role it plays in brain development. But when her oldest child was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and struggled in live music settings, she saw a need to bridge the gap between comfortable performance environments and audiences with special needs.

And so, Sensory Concerts was born.

Whether it’s a sensitivity to crowds, noise, light, smell and/or touch, the top-level concerts provide a safe and accepting place to enjoy live classical music.

“We really don’t mind if people need to move around, lie on a crash mat or take time out from everyone else for a while,’’ says Grace. “I program the music especially with this in mind so that everyone can engage and benefit without feeling overwhelmed or restricted.’’

For some families, a sensory concert is the first public event they’ve been able to attend all together. Please share this episode with families and individuals you know would be grateful!

http://gracekim.com.au/index.php/creative-direction/sensory-concerts

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracekim-cf/?originalSubdomain=au

When did we come to believe that expressing ourselves musically isn’t for everyone?

When did you first believe, as so many do, that you can’t sing?

Can you imagine learning music as a child, simply through play and fun?

Music educator, Dr. James Cuskelly, has taught music to people of all ages and levels, and does just that with his young students. He talks with great passion about the far-reaching benefits of a music education for everyone, from language acquisition and literacy to self-expression and the ability to think in a creative way and complete complex tasks. He speaks of the modern understanding of ‘talent’ and what it means to be able to connect with, and give meaning to, sound. He also speaks of his experience of working with children right through their education from 3 to 18 years of age, and seeing the vast difference in those who were actively engaged in music.

Musical engagement (not only listening to it, but engaging with voice, movement etc), he suggests, allows us to become a “whole person” and to become practised at expressing ourselves. Feeling uncomfortable at the prospect? That’s ok too! James helps us to understand the importance and impact of even the simplest of ‘games’.

My guess is, you’ll want to go out and sing or dance once you’ve heard this!

https://cuskellycollegeofmusic.com/

Jo Farkas was 20, parasailing in Bali, and something went wrong. She found herself under the water with a rope wrapped around her neck. And then the most extraordinary thing happened; she experienced a sense of expansion and oneness, an unconditionally loving, neutral presence, and it seemed as though she was the only thing in the world. Jo remembers thinking, “Well, this isn’t such a bad way to go!” Then her physical survival mechanisms kicked in and she found herself gasping for breath, panicked.

Jo didn’t tell anyone of her experience for years (in fact, this is the first time she’s spoken about it publicly). It took a long time before she was ready to really confront what had happened to her and to start questioning why her life was as it was. It was then that her ’work’ really began.

Jo talks us through her journey of turning inward - explaining what that means and how to do it, resources written by others who’ve experienced something similar and their path onwards, and she talks of the effort required to gain clarity and take full responsibility for her life.

A great listen for anyone believing there’s something greater than them, and for anyone believing there’s not! Open-hearted listening recommended. This goes beyond the intellect.