Grin + Bare It

Grin + Bare It

By BareHealth & Fitness
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Grin + Bare It episodes

  • Sophie Walker: Australian Birth Stories

    On the season two finale of Grin + Bare It, we’re joined by Sophie Walker, founder and Host of Australian Birth Stories. Sophie shares how her own real-life birth story was the inspiration behind the podcast and how the community she created is empowering women by providing a space for their stories to be heard.

    Join us as we explore the powerful role of partners, birth teams, and doulas while exploring into the future of midwifery support and how to break down the taboos surrounding birth. 

    Follow Sophie on Instagram and catch the latest episodes of Australian Birth Stories on Spotify.

    Keep an eye out on our LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram to hear about what’s in store for Grin + Bare It.For feedback on this series, reach out to our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

    52 min
  • Alison Harrington: Reimagining Dementia Care

    Alison Harrington, founder of Resparke, shares how she’s transforming dementia care with a groundbreaking fusion of music and movement. Alison reveals the deeply personal story that inspired her work and how the incredible power of music as a therapeutic tool is revolutionising the lives of those affected by dementia.

    We also explore:

    • The science behind music and its ability to revive memories in dementia patients
    • The challenges of innovating in the aged care sector
    • Why social connection is critical for both patients and caregivers
    • The future of dementia care and Resparke’s role in changing the paradigm
    • How personalised, immersive experiences are making caregivers jobs easier

      • Follow Alison on LinkedIn and stay up to date with the incredible work at Resparke.

      For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

      49 min
    • Vu Tran on General Practice and Billion-Dollar Innovations

      Vu Tran, a practicing GP and co-founder of Aussie unicorn Go1—shares his incredible journey of juggling billion-dollar startups, while caring for patients at a bulk-billing clinic in a low socioeconomic area. He reveals why he stays rooted in general practice while building life changing companies like One MRI, to his bold leap into defence technology with Black Sky Industries.

      We also explore:

      • The unexpected motivation behind his commitment to practicing medicine
      • A powerful reframing technique, turning simple problems into innovative solutions
      • His predictions for how patient care will evolve in future
      • How doctors can embrace risk and step into the entrepreneurial world
      • The skepticism surrounding full-body MRI’s and why the critics are wrong
      • Why he believes working on weapons is a controversial, but necessary issue
      • How his impact will manifest long after he’s passed


        • Follow Vu on LinkedIn and stay up to date with the latest from Go1 and One MRI.

        For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

        45 min
      • Dr Preeya Alexander: From GP to Healthcare Influencer

        Dr. Preeya Alexander, practicing GP and healthcare influencer, joins us to share her journey from the consulting room to becoming a trusted voice in the fight against medical misinformation. Preeya reflects on the power of social media in health education, the critical role of preventive care, and how she navigates the pressures of balancing life as a doctor and public figure.

        In this episode we cover:

        • Championing representation and diversity in the medical industry 
        • The importance of preventive health care and doctor patient relationships 
        • Leveraging social media to improve health literacy 
        • The challenges of facing criticism with an online profile
        • Balancing the roles of both a medical influencer and a practicing GP 
        • The pervasive dangers of medical misinformation
        • Why ‘meaningful connections’ plays such an important role in life

          • Follow Preeya on LinkedIn and Instagram and tune in to her podcast Happy to Health

          For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

          42 min
        • Alan Trounson AO on Fertility, Stem Cells & Curing Cancer

          Professor Alan Trounson AO, CEO of Cartherics, shares his groundbreaking journey from pioneering IVF in Australia to leading advancements in stem cell research and cancer immunotherapy. Alan reflects on the challenges he faced, the future of regenerative medicine, and why he believes his greatest breakthrough is still yet to come.
          We also discuss:

          • The ongoing mysteries of conception
          • Working with Arnold Schwarzenegger
          • Backlash from religious, political, and scientific communities
          • Why it’s taking so long to develop effective cancer treatments
          • How being in the right place at the right time shaped his career
          • Navigating the ethical challenges in IVF and stem cell research
          • The ways AI can improve complex cancer cases
          • Ovarian cancer, and why it’s so important to find a cure

            • Follow Alan on LinkedIn and stay up to date with the latest news from Catherics: https://cartherics.com/cartherics-news/

            For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

            49 min
          • Dr Ian Olver on the Future of Cancer Research

            Professor Ian Olver, former Cancer Council CEO and one of Australia’s leading authorities in oncology, bioethics, and public health, takes us through his remarkable career and reveals how immunotherapy and AI are revolutionising the treatment of previously untreatable cancers.
            In this episode, we explore: 

            • The most effective methods to prevent cancer
            • The one vaccine that could eradicate cervical cancer
            • How AI is transforming personalised cancer treatment
            • Ethical dilemmas surrounding modern cancer treatments
            • How everyday choices can influence the risk of cancer
            • Why psycho-oncology is just as important as physical treatments
            • The fine line between helping patients and respecting their autonomy

              • Follow Ian on LinkedIn to stay up to date with his latest research.

              For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

              48 min
            • Professor Tony Weiss: The Elastagen Story

              Professor Tony Weiss, renowned scientist and founder of Elastagen, joins us to discuss the significance of "seizing the day” and why both curiosity and a positive mindset have been crucial to his success.

              This episode explores: 

              • Why inspiration matters more than recognition 
              • The power of trusting your gut when receiving incorrect advice
              • Navigating the roadmap from academia to commercial success 
              • AI’s role in experimental design within the lab
              • A hybrid approach to treatment with biodegradable solutions
              • Why great science and intellectual property are crucial for success
              • How the unexpected can lead to remarkable discoveries
              • The exhilaration of building something from the ground up
              • The influence of a positive mindset
              • Fostering innovation in Australia through knowledge sharing
              • Advice for overcoming challenges and facing adversity 

                • Follow Tony on LinkedIn, and learn more about his recent work and research at https://www.weisslab.net.

                For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

                53 min
              • Professor Fiona Wood AO on Medical Innovation in Australia

                Professor Fiona Wood AO is one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers - also known as one of Australia’s national living treasures.

                A highly skilled plastic and reconstructive surgeon and world leading burns specialist, she has pioneered research and technology development in burns medicine.

                This episode explores:

                • Fiona's background and path to becoming a renowned surgeon
                • The complexity of burn care and her multidisciplinary approach
                • The one medical advancement that may set her retirement back 10 years
                • Long-term health impacts of burn injuries and mitigation strategies
                • Advice for young people considering careers in medicine
                • Strategies for tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges
                • Fiona's desire to be remembered as a problem-solver

                  • Where you should grin and bare it, and when it’s better to walk away

                  Learn more about Professor Fiona Wood AO, her team, and the Fiona Wood Foundation at fionawoodfoundation.org.au/

                  41 min
                • Bonus Episode: How do healthcare leaders tackle adversity?

                  To close season one of Grin & Bare It, this bonus episode combines every gem of insight that our guests shared in response to the one question at the heart of this podcast:

                  What advice do you have for anyone who is facing a seemingly insurmountable challenge?

                  The advice includes:

                  • The ‘FISH!’ philosophy
                  • The military approach
                  • The role of vulnerability
                  • Planning for ‘social’ retirement
                  • Why you should de-center yourself


                    • Grin + Bare It will be back soon with more incredible, inspiring healthcare leaders already lined up for season two. Subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss new episodes. 
                    For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn.

                    10 min
                  • Sally-Anne Jones on The 20-Year Evolution of Nursing

                    Sally Anne Jones is President of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation. She joins the podcast to explain how nursing has become a more complicated profession in the past 20 years.

                    This episode explores: 

                    • Why the pace of nursing has increased so much

                    • How nurses & midwives balance the ‘care’ element with the science of treatment

                    • Public misconceptions about a nurse’s role

                    • Advice for nurses and midwives facing burnout

                    • What legislators and corporate stakeholders need to understand about healthcare

                      • Find out more about ANMF’s work on the website. For more on Grin + Bare It or to share feedback, follow the show on TikTok and Instagram or our host Cale Donovan on LinkedIn. 

                      46 min

                    About Grin + Bare It

                    From the publisher's feed

                    Welcome to Grin + Bare It. A podcast uncovering remarkable stories from those tackling some of the biggest challenges, in one of the most demanding industries: healthcare.