This episode of connectedly is a doozy! Hi I'm Nicole Sharanam. And in this profound conversation, Justine Martin, a Geelong Victoria-based dynamic entrepreneur, award-winning artist, resilience coach, keynote speaker, author and the driving force behind the Justine Martin Corporation, shares her transformative journey from a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2011 to becoming the happiest and healthiest she's ever been. Despite facing MS, three primary cancers, three heart conditions, and chronic pain as well as numerous other hurdles, Justine has not only found strength and a new purpose in life despite her hidden disabilities, but she does it with a huge smile on her face and blazing love in her heart. Justines story is a compelling testament to the human spirit's ability to bounce back and find happiness not just amidst life's challenges but because of them.

Thanks for joining us...

x Nicole.

Takeaways:

1. Finding Strength in Adversity: She teaches the importance of acceptance and finding the silver lining so you can let go of the anger and move forward with a smile on your face.

2. The Power of Asking for Help: Justine asks for help and says it’s a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it's through professional support, community or friends, seeking assistance is crucial for building resilience and coping with life's challenges.

3. The Importance of Self-Care: Effective time management, delegating tasks, and prioritising self-care are vital for maintaining mental and physical well-being. Justine has a strict approach to managing her time, her health and energy, businesses and personal life one that allows her to maximise her time and live a happy fulfilling life.

4. Cultivating Resilience: Justine's journey illustrates that resilience is not just about bouncing back but also bouncing forward. It involves learning from experiences, embracing support systems, and continually moving towards personal growth and fulfilment. 

What We Discuss:

01:13 Justine's Journey with Multiple Sclerosis 

04:20 Embracing Disabilities and Advocating for Awareness

06:59 Exploring Resilience

11:35 Seeking Help 

13:45 Maximising Productivity: Outsourcing and Time Management

18:12 The Power of Action and Maintaining a Decluttered Mind

21:58 Reflecting on Drive, Tenacity, and Survival Mode

25:31 The Power of Positivity and Energy Conservation

32:28 Finding New Paths

43:05 The Importance of Acceptance 

44:56 Defining Happiness and Living Authentically

51:26 Quick Fire Round

Resources:

Welcome to Connectedly. I'm Nicole Sharanam and I'm so pleased to bring this conversation to you today. Joining us is Megan Dalla-Camina the Founder and CEO of Women Rising and a world leading expert in women’s leadership. We discuss leadership and strategies for cultivating a meaningful and balanced life, one of empowerment and connection. Megan also provides actionable advice on practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and pursuing happiness.

Megan is a celebrated coach, influential writer, researcher and advocate for change and is known for her brave and refreshing approach to women’s empowerment, wellbeing and leadership.  Megan fuses a 20-year career as an executive and multi-billion dollar strategist for corporate heavyweights with deep academic credentials and more than a decade of researching, teaching and leading gender diversity and women’s leadership initiatives around the world.

Takeaways:

**Authentic Leadership**

Megan emphasises the importance of self-inquiry through two critical questions: "Who am I?" and "What do I want?" This introspection is key to overcoming self-doubt and societal biases, paving the way for authentic leadership. Recognising one's worth and dismantling societal shackles enables women to navigate their leadership journey with resilience and consciousness.

**The Foundation of Self-Worth**

Central to Megan's ethos is the undeniable importance of self-worth. She encourages women to honour their worthiness, allowing them to assert boundaries, engage in self-care, and make life choices that resonate deeply with their true selves. This shift not only cultivates self-confidence but also changes how women interact with the world.

**Spiritual Practice as a Pathway to Happiness**

Megan heralds meditation as a cornerstone for peace and happiness. This simple, yet profound practice fosters inner clarity, grounding, and a sense of calm, contributing to personal peace and, by extension, global harmony.

**Living Simply, Soulfully, and Sacredly**

Inspired by her own experiences and eloquently captured in her book *Simple, Soulful, Sacred*, Megan advocates for a life that cherishes simplicity, dives deep into the soul's journey, and recognises the sacredness of the everyday. This philosophy urges us to reflect and align our lives with what truly matters.

**The Ripple Effect of Conscious Living**

Megan Dalla-Camina's insights offer a compelling call to action for all women to journey towards self-discovery, embrace their intrinsic value, and lead lives of profound fulfilment and empowerment. Her wisdom illuminates the path to a life that not only nourishes the individual but also inspires collective transformation towards a more peaceful, empowered world.

What We Discuss:

00:00 A Personal Journey to Change: From Burnout to Empowerment

01:09 Introducing Megan Dalla-Camina: A Beacon of Women's Leadership

03:32 The Essence of Happiness and Connection

15:14 Navigating the Complexities of Authentic Leadership and Women's Empowerment

24:42 Unlocking Self-Worth and Authenticity

28:41 Redefining Success

29:55 The Essence of True Success: Family, Well-being, and Creativity

32:54 Embracing Money as a Tool for Good

34:46 Exploring Spiritual Practices for Daily Life

38:45 The Power of Simplicity

41:31 Challenges and Triumphs of Women in Leadership

46:09 The Journey to Self-Worth

50:41 Quick Fire Round

Resource Links:

Join me Nicole Sharanam as we chat with Melissa Ferrari who is one of Australia's most sought-after therapists. With over 25 years' experience in couples counselling and individual psychotherapy, she is regularly called upon as a relationship expert across national media.

We talk to Melissa about the dynamics of relationships, the importance of paying attention, repairing betrayals, and the need for unconditional love in a two-person system. Let’s get right into it team!

Takeaways:

What We Discuss:

00:00 Redefining Relationship Dynamics

00:54 Meet Melissa Ferrari: Unveiling the Secrets of Long-Lasting Relationships

02:14 The Honeymoon Phase vs. Reality: Understanding Relationship Evolution

05:50 Reviving the Spark: The Power of Paying Attention

06:26 Face-to-Face Connection: The Key to Resolving Conflict

08:58 Daily Rituals for Relationship Maintenance

10:50 Navigating Relationship Baggage with Professional Help

13:37 Recovering from Betrayal: The Path to Forgiveness and Healing

18:14 Fostering Connection: Applying Parent-Child Relationship Principles to Partnerships

20:29 Understanding Conditional vs. Unconditional Love in Adult Relationships

21:21 Navigating Relationship Challenges: Unconditional Love and Conditions

22:18 The Secure Functioning Model: A Guide to Thriving Relationships

23:47 Choosing Collaboration Over Conflict: The Power of Letting Go

26:47 The Importance of Agreements in Relationships

27:28 Addressing the One Person System: A Societal Challenge

30:23 Understanding and Healing Through Partnership

31:03 The Complex Dance of Triggers and Healing in Relationships

34:23 The Essential Shift from Self to Collective in Relationships

44:41 Reflections and Takeaways: Enhancing Connection and Safety

Show Links:

Melissas Website: melissaferrari.com.au

Melissa on Facebook

Melissa on Instagram

Nicole's Website https://www.connectedly.com.au/

Nicole's Instagram

Nicole's Facebook

In this conversation, I chat with Liz Mullinar, the founder of the Heal for Life Foundation, who discusses different aspects of trauma and its implications. She explains how the brain stores traumatic experiences and the impact it can have on individuals as they grow older. Liz proposes that acknowledging and expressing fear or anger rather than suppressing these emotions can lead to healthier mental states.

She lays emphasis on the role of parents in helping their children deal with such emotional episodes. She also talks about strategies to cope with triggers, noting how releasing the fear connected with these triggers can help in mitigating their impact.

Takeaways:

Thanks for tuning in.  Keep connecting. 

Lots of love, Nicole.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

01:26 Introduction to the Guest Speaker: Liz Mullinar

02:56 Liz Mullinar's Journey and Mission

04:53 Defining Trauma and Its Effects

06:49 Real-life Examples of Trauma and Healing

10:00 Understanding Triggers and How to Overcome Them

11:55 The Importance of Healing from Trauma

16:51 Healing Programs and Their Impact

20:08 Healing Trauma in Children

22:01 Understanding the Impact of Parenting

22:35 Addressing Childhood Fears

24:34 The Brain's Response to Fear

26:25 The Role of Trauma in Fear Response

28:33 The Importance of Acknowledging Feelings

30:26 The Impact of Suppressed Emotions

31:01 The Power of Releasing Fear

34:22 The Effects of Trauma on Prisoners

37:42 The Importance of Seeking Help

39:42 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Resources:

Heal For Life Website: https://healforlife.com.au/

Books: https://healforlife.com.au/shop/

Connect with Nicole:  https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharanam

In this episode of Connectedly, host Nicole Sharanam recounts her journey to finding love and happiness within herself and her experiences during a spiritual workshop with Sadhguru "Soak in Ecstasy of Enlightenment". She emphasises the importance of embracing pain as a stepping stone towards a brighter future and encourages listeners to face their fears and strive for a more joyful and fulfilling life.

She points out the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in everyday life, being conscious parents, and being more open and loving towards strangers. Nicole also offers inspiration and support to her listeners who may be facing difficulties or loneliness in their lives.

Thanks for joining us. And please do reach out if you want to ask a question.

Lots of love,

Nicole.

x

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction 
01:34 The Unexpected Solo Episode
02:00 Experiencing Sadhguru's Teachings in "Soak in Ecstasy of Enlightenment"
03:30 The Power of Inner Engineering
04:00 The Journey to the Workshop
07:01 The Workshop Experience
08:15 Key Takeaways from the Workshop
14:41 The Impact on Personal Life
16:55 Embracing the Fairy Tale
18:35 Reaching Out and Conclusion

Resource Links:

Reach out to Nicole HERE: https://www.connectedly.com.au/contact

Join Nicole on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharanam

Sadhgurus Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org/au/en

Today on connectedly, we are talking with Jane Caro AM, a Walkley Award winning columnist, author, novelist, broadcaster, documentary maker, feminist and social commentator.

We talk about dismantling harmful hierarchies, understanding the importance of listening, and the realisation that we are all fundamentally more similar than we are different. Addressing the challenges that women face, we discuss the pressure to conform and the anxiety for constant perfection. Jane opens up about her struggles with anxiety, her perspective on happiness not being a goal but a consequence of contentment, and the critical role of storytelling in fostering connection and happiness. 

Jane appears frequently on The Drum; Today Extra. She has created and presented 5 documentary series for ABC Compass. She is in demand as a speaker, panel facilitator and MC.

Takeaways:

What We discuss:

*Warning - some language may offend. 

00:00 Introduction

01:12 The Importance of Storytelling and Self-Expression

03:37 Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing Authenticity

08:21 The Role of Humour

10:08 Understanding and Managing Anxiety

15:09 The Power of Acceptance and Letting Go

25:21 Challenging Stereotypes and Embracing Individuality

29:10 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance

31:02 The Importance of Living YOUR Life

32:02 The Power of Acceptance 

33:05 Vulnerability in Building Connections

39:27 The Art of Letting Go and Embracing Uncertainty

45:24 The Power of Storytelling in Building Connections

48:39 The Importance of Embracing Our Shared Humanity

54:00 Quick Fire Round

1:04:00 Takeaways

Show Links:

Today I am honoured to share a beautiful conversation with Dr Fiona Enkelmann. Dr Fi is a former medical doctor (15+ years) turned transformation coach and healer who has supported hundreds of women to overcome burnout, reconnect with themselves, and embrace their bliss. She is the founder of the Bliss Sisterhood, a place to call home for women daring to be great, knowing that this starts with pouring love into themselves first.

If you have ever wanted to get the full holistic picture of how to move from a place of burnout and lack to joy and fullness, then this is the conversation for you. We explore the science behind our emotional needs and how shifting our mindset and emotions can lead to lasting changes that lead to more joy.

Dr Fi is living her bliss following a Bhakti path (one of love, devotion and surrender) and inspiring women to embrace quantum leaps in their health, love, career and life.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction
03:20 The Power of Self-Love and Transformation
07:25 The Impact of Stress and Burnout
08:22 The Path to Self-Discovery and Fulfilment
15:39 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality
19:10 The Power of Presence and Mindfulness
24:04 The Journey of Awakening and Self-Love
28:02 The Beauty of Motherhood and Love
30:18 The Science of Thoughts and Feelings
33:32 The Bliss Sisterhood 
37:57 The Importance of Self-Care
39:10 The Essence of Happiness and Joy
42:40 The Power of Community 
47:07 The Power of Gratitude
01:03:44 Takeaways

Takeaways:

Understanding the Spectrum of Emotions: The emotional spectrum is likened to a set of colourful pencils, each representing different emotions. Happiness is just one colour on this spectrum, and it's crucial to recognise and embrace the full range of emotions, including sadness and grief.

Distinguishing Between Happiness and Joy: Embracing the wholeness of life involves appreciating the beauty in all experiences, recognising that joy can be present even in moments of difficulty.

Contributing to Others' Happiness as a Source of Joy: A suggested pathway to joy is by contributing to the happiness of others. Acts of kindness, love, and bringing joy to others can serve as a source of joy for oneself, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual and collective well-being.

The Power of Emotional Healing:  Emotional healing is presented as a powerful aspect of the journey toward well-being. Shifting one's emotional state is seen as a key to breaking free from thought-feeling loops and fostering a more profound and sustainable change.

Cultivating Wisdom Through Experience: While science and logical understanding play a role, true wisdom is gained through embodying and experientially applying transformative concepts. The integration of science and spirituality is encouraged, opening the doorway to a deeper understanding of oneself and life's purpose.

Show Links:

Todays show we have Dr Kirsty Goodwin sharing the truth about our Digital habits and how we can use them without the brain drain. Dr Kristy Goodwin is an award-winning researcher, speaker, author, and mum on a mission to help parents and educators raise happy, healthy children and teens who thrive online and offline. Author of Dear Digital, We need to talk, Dr Kristy shares realistic, research-based micro habits that people can apply to tame their digital habits and thrive in the digital world. Prior to becoming a speaker and consultant, she worked as an educator for 14 years with schools in both the public and private sectors. She also lectured at Macquarie University and University of Notre Dame and has completed a PhD on the impact of digital technologies. 

Takeaways:

Digital Habits Impact Wellbeing: Unhealthy digital habits can lead to increased stress, exhaustion, and burnout. It's important to recognise the effects of technology on our mental and physical health.

Work in Alignment with Biological Rhythms: Understanding our biological rhythms, such as ultradian cycles and chronotypes, can help optimise productivity. Working in focused sprints of around 90 minutes, followed by short breaks, aligns with our natural patterns.

Digital Gender Wellbeing Gap: Women may face a more significant gender wellbeing gap due to factors like absorbing domestic responsibilities and the perception of being less ambitious. Increased digital load, particularly in managing family and school communications, can contribute to stress and burnout.

Setting Digital Boundaries: It's crucial to establish boundaries around screen time, both for ourselves and our children. This includes knowing when to put away our devices to fully engage with the people around us. Your children are watching and will learn by what you do.

Protecting Basic Needs: Screen time should not encroach on essential aspects of our well-being, such as sleep, physical activity, and human connection. Prioritising these needs helps maintain a healthy balance in our lives.

Mindful Technology Use: Being intentional and purposeful in our use of technology can lead to a more productive and fulfilling life. This involves managing notifications, choosing when and how we engage with screens, and curating our digital experiences to serve us positively.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction 

00:49 The Impact of Digital Habits on Wellbeing

01:14 Meet Dr. Kristy Goodwin

02:27 Understanding the Human Relationship with Technology

03:14 The Digital Vacuum: How Technology Affects Us All

04:30 The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Connection

06:40 The Impact of Digital Dependence

08:58 Micro Stresses and Biological Buffers

19:23 The Gender Wellbeing Gap: A Deeper Look

27:51 Digital Guardrails: Setting Boundaries in the Workplace

31:38 The Role of Digital Connection in Combating Loneliness

33:33 The Paradox of Technology: Connection and Disconnection

 34:09 The Impact of Excessive Screen Time

35:28 Regrets of the Dying: Time Spent on Devices

37:02 The Negativity Bias and Its Impact on Our Digital Lives

43:08 The Impact of Wi-Fi Exposure

44:58 Raising Children in the Digital Age

46:19 The Importance of Digital Boundaries and Boredom

47:40 The Risks of Digital Distractions

51:33 The Link Between ADHD and Multitasking

57:46 The Importance of Sleep and Digital Curfews

Resource Links:

Dr Kristy Goodwin Website - https://drkristygoodwin.com/

Book 'Dear Digital, We Need to Talk' - https://drkristygoodwin.com/deardigital/

Chronotype Assessment - https://drkristygoodwin.com/chronotype/

Dr Kristy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drkristy/

Nicole on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharanam

Connectedly Website - https://www.connectedly.com.au/

Thanks for joining us. See you next week! x

Join us for this Happy Bites segment, we look at navigating Christmas stress and tips for coping with family tensions to embracing the Christmas spirit.

The host, Nicole Sharanam, offers strategies for coping with family-related stress and tensions during the Christmas holiday season. Through acceptance, inner reflection and observation we can help to turn a normally chaotic Christmas to one with peace and joy. And it all starts with you!

Send in your questions and connect with me on www.Connectedly.com.au

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction

01:04 The Joy and Stress of the Holiday Season

03:48 The Struggles of Family Gatherings

09:16 The Power of Acceptance

10:40 Step Back from the Fireplace

13:20 Taking Responsibility for Your Reactions

14:30 Closing Remarks

15:19 Farewell and Christmas Wishes

Thanks again for joining us. Merry Christmas everyone. x

Resource Links:

Website: www.Connectedly.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolesharanam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolesharanam

Women's Happiness Movement:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenshappinessmovement

Today we are talking with Jules Haddock, an accomplished conversationalist in mental health education who shares her own struggle with mental health, rooted in a traumatic childhood experience.  Plus Jules shares tips to get through the silly Christmas season.

If you have struggled with mental illness or struggle to define what mental illness even is, this ones for you. Why are we laughing so hard? What’s so funny? And how can laughing help?!

The conversation features Jules Haddock, a mental health educator, founder and president of Art of the Minds, and a certified laughter yoga instructor. Jules shares her multifaceted career, which includes running mental health first aid workshops and a program called the 'Wheel of Recovery.'

It's a show packed with laughs, reflections and vital takeaways.

Please join us.

What We Discuss:

00:00 Introduction

01:29 Jules Haddock's Journey and Work

04:01 The Role of Art and Creativity in Mental Health

05:14 The Impact of Trauma and the Path to Recovery

09:12 The Importance of Self-Compassion and Seeking Help

14:28 The Role of Community in Mental Health

28:32 Understanding Depression and Anxiety

32:12 The Challenges Women Face in Mental Health

34:13 Advice for Mothers on Helping Their Kids

37:02 The Challenges of Single Parenthood

39:06 The Birth of Art of the Minds

42:40 The Power of Laughter Yoga

49:45 Tips for Navigating the Hectic Christmas Period

52:19 Practicing Self-Compassion

56:47 First Steps to Take When Struggling

58:51 Takeaways

Takeaways:

Resource Links:

Thanks again for joining us.  Please do review and share the show!

x