This week, Ex-Prison Officer and Sexual Abuse Survivor Advocate, Mel Watson is joining us on the podcast to open up about her journey.

Born into domestic violence and raised in a toxic household, Mel endured neglect and alienation, leaving her without guidance to process her traumatic childhood. She candidly shares her struggle with turning to drugs and partying as a young teenager as a means of escape. Mel also shares her experience after working as a Prison Officer in the same environment as child predators and reveals the privileged treatment they often receive behind bars.

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Ex-Prison Officer - Mel Watson

Russell Manser used to be a bank robber and prison escapee in the 80s and 90s and did 23 years in prison across 3 different states. Now having turned his life around, he talks openly to interesting people about trauma, survival, transformation and hope.

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True crime

On this week's episode of The Stick Up, Russell continues his talk with Lurata Lyon. In Part 2 we hear Lurata Lyon’s journey as a political asylum seeker and how she came to be a motivational speaker and presentation coach in the UK, after escaping a human trafficking and organ harvesting gang at the age of 17.

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Part 2 - Lurata Lyon

On this week's episode of The Stick Up, Russell talks with Lurata Lyon, a motivational speaker and presentation coach. Lurata shares her remarkable story of survival, recounting her abduction by a human trafficking and organ harvesting gang at the age of 17 during the tumultuous split of former Yugoslavia. 
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Part 1 - Lurata Lyon

This week on the podcast, Russell is joined by Andrew Papadatos, a trailblazer in sexual wellness and relationship advice. From breaking barriers to enhancing intimacy, Andrew shares his own insights and knowledge on his social platforms to educate others on the topic some might find ‘taboo’.
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Trailblazer in Sexual Wellness - Andrew Papadatos

Introducing Sydney-based Comedian, Andrew Hamilton.
After being incarcerated for selling drugs, Andrew discovered the healing power of laughter during his time behind bars. Harnessing this revelation, he has since channeled his innate sense of humor onto comedy stages with his acclaimed show, "Jokes About the Time I Went to Prison."

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Sydney-based Comedian - Andrew Hamilton

This week on the podcast, we introduce Bernie Shakeshaft, Founder of BackTrack Youth Works, a program aimed at guiding young people towards a brighter future through vocational, on-the-job training, that’s deliberately aligned with the regional job market.

In this episode, Russell and Bernie discuss the benefits of using animals in education and the incredible effect it’s had on the youth at Back Track. It’s because of this approach that the crime rates in Armidale have drastically reduced.
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Ex-Prison Officer - Mel Watson

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