I'm In Control

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the remarkable Angelina Badri, founder and director of Universal Safety Wellness Abhiyan. Angelina shares her powerful journey from aspiring educator to global advocate for safety and wellness in high-risk industries.

She opens up about the pivotal moment that shaped her mission — witnessing the devastating impact of a workplace accident — and how it fuelled her passion to protect and empower workers. We dive into the realities of burnout, fatigue, and toxic workplaces, and how reframing our beliefs, building resilience, and celebrating small wins can shift the way we lead and live.

Angelina also speaks candidly about navigating bias as a woman in male-dominated industries, the importance of humour and connection, and why every worker — from executives to frontline operators — deserves to feel valued and heard.

00:00 - Introduction: Angelina’s mission to transform workplace safety and wellbeing

05:00 - Witnessing a life-changing workplace injury and becoming an advocate

10:00 - Understanding burnout, fatigue, and resilience in high-risk industries

15:00 - Reframing self-worth and taking back personal power

20:00 - Showing up differently: embodiment, leadership, and authentic presence

25:00 - Disrupting bias, building connection, and valuing every worker

30:00 - Taking control: creating your own story and future

This conversation is both practical and deeply human, reminding us that safety is about more than systems and processes — it’s about people. Angelina’s courage, humour, and vision shine through as she challenges us to live authentically, value ourselves, and take back control of our own stories.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with Diane and Michelle from Those 2 Sisters, two powerhouse women who turned adversity into a thriving million-dollar enterprise. With backgrounds as an athlete turned coach and a police sergeant turned entrepreneur, their story is one of resilience, sisterhood, and redefining what success looks like.

Diane opens up about walking away from corporate life after burnout, while Michelle shares how losing her policing career became the catalyst for stepping fully into their shared mission. Together, they’ve built bestselling books, retreats, and a vibrant community of women who are rewriting the rules of business and life.

We talk about the reality of working with family, the challenges of building a business without a roadmap, and the joy of creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. From learning to surrender control to embracing authenticity, their story is proof that anything is possible when you lead with heart and purpose.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Diane & Michelle from Those 2 Sisters

05:00 – Diane’s story: From athlete to corporate burnout to business owner

10:00 – Michelle’s journey: Losing a policing career and stepping into entrepreneurship

15:00 – Building retreats, books, and a million-dollar enterprise

20:00 – Fear, authenticity, and the courage to keep showing up

30:00 – Sisterhood, community, and the power of women supporting women

40:00 – Taking control, surrendering, and finding alignment in business and life

This episode is an inspiring reminder that setbacks can become the springboard for your greatest success — and that when women come together in authenticity and sisterhood, the ripple effect is unstoppable.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with branding powerhouse Lauren Clemett to unpack the real meaning of personal branding and how it can change your life. As the head of the Audacious Agency, Lauren has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs stand out by owning their story, embracing their niche, and becoming award-winning leaders in their fields.

We talk about the journey of self-belief, overcoming the fear of judgment, and why building a personal brand takes time—but is absolutely worth it. Lauren shares behind-the-scenes stories from her decades in the advertising world, the power of authentic storytelling, and how trust is the most valuable currency you can earn.

00:00 – Introduction: Who is Lauren Clemett and what is personal branding?

02:00 – Why it’s so hard to brand yourself—and how to break through

05:00 – From science student to speaker: Emmillia’s branding journey

08:00 – How branding worked before the internet (and the power of jingles)

11:00 – The secret to winning awards that actually matter

15:00 – Awards as validation, leverage, and long-term credibility

18:00 – Why building a brand takes three years—not three weeks

21:00 – Getting over fear of failure, rejection and “what will people think?”

24:00 – Embracing your niche and avoiding bright shiny object syndrome

27:00 – Why people buy from people, not just businesses

29:00 – What control really means: mindset, perspective and self-belief

This episode is a candid, empowering chat about owning your story, showing up as your true self, and building a brand that opens doors. Lauren’s wisdom will inspire you to ditch the fear, stand in your purpose, and take control of your reputation—one intentional step at a time.

n this powerful episode of I’m in Control, I sit down with psychologist and educator Katrina Langhorn for a deeply insightful conversation on mental health, resilience, and the importance of asking for help. With over 20 years’ experience supporting people through life’s toughest moments, Katrina brings practical wisdom and warmth to topics we all need to understand better.

We talk about why anxiety is so common, how to manage your fight-or-flight response, and the importance of journaling and gratitude. Katrina also opens up about her own journey with menopause and anxiety, reminding us that even the experts sometimes have to revisit their own advice.

00:00 – Introduction: Katrina’s background and approach to psychology

04:30 – Why anxiety is the most common issue people face

09:00 – Understanding fight, flight and how to switch it off

12:00 – The power of writing and processing trauma

14:30 – Can resilience be taught? Katrina says yes

17:30 – Coping strategies for anxiety and depression

20:00 – How gratitude journaling rewires the brain

23:00 – The power of purpose and personal growth

27:00 – Helping others who aren’t ready to be helped

31:00 – Katrina’s personal moment of taking control: facing menopause anxiety

This conversation is filled with practical tools and heartfelt reflections. Whether you’re supporting someone with mental health challenges or navigating your own, Katrina’s advice will leave you feeling more grounded and empowered.

In this raw and captivating episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the extraordinary Amanda Goff – acclaimed journalist, bestselling author, and the woman behind Australia’s most famous escort persona, Samantha X. From navigating two identities to confronting bipolar disorder, Amanda opens up about the power of reinvention and the deep healing that comes from self-awareness.

We delve into her transition from journalism to sex work, why she created an agency for women over 40, and how stepping into Samantha gave her back control after a lifetime of complicated relationships with men. Amanda also speaks candidly about the emotional cost of disassociation, getting sober, receiving a life-altering diagnosis, and rebuilding her life from the ground up.

00:00 – Introduction: Amanda’s incredible journey and multiple reinventions

05:00 – From newsroom to escort: creating Samantha X

10:00 – Living a double life and being diagnosed with bipolar

15:00 – The emotional toll and public fallout of her choices

20:00 – On stigma, shame, and learning radical compassion

25:00 – Health challenges, heart issues, and the fragility of life

30:00 – Women supporting women and finding true community

35:00 – What growth really looks like: pain, healing, and freedom

This is a powerful, unfiltered conversation about identity, courage, and refusing to be defined by your past. Amanda’s wisdom, wit, and honesty will leave you reflecting on your own journey and inspired to live with fewer regrets and more authenticity.

In this episode of I’m in Control, I chat with Byron Dempsey, founder of Driven Young—Australia’s leading community for ambitious young adults. Byron shares his own journey from failing high school exams to building a thriving platform that empowers people in their 20s and early 30s with practical life skills, deep connections and a sense of purpose.

We dive into how his viral TikTok success led to immersive weekend events, business retreats and a transformative 12-month program that’s already impacted over 1,200 people. Byron talks about confidence, resilience, mindset, and why building a strong support network can be more powerful than any self-help book.

We also unpack the power of stepping out of your comfort zone, the importance of failing forward, and how living authentically attracts the right people into your life.

00:00 – Introduction: Who is Byron Dempsey and what is Driven Young?

05:00 – From video creator to youth mentor: Byron’s personal story

10:00 – How Driven Young grew from a podcast to a national movement

15:00 – Building resilience through people, not pain

20:00 – Confidence, community and why environment is everything

25:00 – The “slingshot” method: using setbacks to launch forward

30:00 – Why your 20s are made for risk-taking and growth

35:00 – Authenticity over people-pleasing: real connections that last

This episode is packed with wisdom, laughs and raw truths about navigating your 20s with intention. Byron’s message is clear—be the driver of your life, not the passenger, and you’ll unlock a life that’s not just successful, but deeply fulfilling.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the remarkable Bradley Dryburgh—marathon runner, speaker, podcast host and health advocate. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child, Bradley was once told he wouldn’t live to adulthood. But he’s turned that prognosis on its head, pushing boundaries through marathon running, launching a successful podcast, and becoming a voice of strength and hope for many.

We talk about what it means to live with purpose, finding power in adversity, and how storytelling can change the game. Bradley opens up about the physical and mental challenges of living with CF, what drives his advocacy, and how his mindset has helped him navigate life’s toughest moments.

00:00 - Introduction: Meet Bradley and his journey with cystic fibrosis

05:00 - Discovering purpose through marathon running

10:00 - Managing CF, diabetes, and liver disease with positivity

15:00 - Resilience vs anti-fragility: a mindset shift

20:00 - The power of perspective and starting again at 30

25:00 - Taking control in love and life

30:00 - Pushing limits and living with intention

This episode is a raw and uplifting chat about mindset, self-leadership and the quiet courage it takes to show up every day. Bradley reminds us that while we can’t control the cards we’re dealt, we can choose how we play them.

In this powerful solo episode of I'm in Control, Emmilia O’Sullivan opens up about her lifelong journey with kidney disease, from childhood surgery to life-saving kidney transplant. Emmilia shares the emotional and physical toll of living with chronic kidney failure, navigating dialysis, and the transformative moment her father gave her the gift of life through organ donation.

She also dives into the challenges of life post-transplant, including her battle with cancer and sepsis, and how it all led to a renewed sense of purpose. Emmilia talks candidly about the importance of kidney health awareness, the need for early detection, and the life-saving potential of organ donation in Australia.

00:00 – Why kidney awareness matters: staggering stats and personal perspective

01:30 – Living with kidney disease since birth

03:00 – Dialysis explained: types, side effects and lifestyle impacts

04:00 – Receiving a kidney from her father and what’s involved in a transplant

06:00 – Post-transplant complications and overcoming major health battles

07:30 – Finding purpose through adversity and launching her support community

08:30 – Organ donation in Australia and why opting in matters

09:30 – Gratitude, perspective, and taking control of what you can

This is a deeply moving and educational episode that not only raises awareness but inspires action. Emmilia’s resilience and advocacy shine through as she encourages all of us to take kidney health seriously, consider organ donation, and make the most of the life we’re given.

In this deeply moving episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the incredible Suzanne Read — a widow, author, grief mentor, and founder of Colour Blind Retreat — who opens up about her husband Robert’s battle with leukaemia and the profound journey of love, loss, and healing that followed.

Suzanne shares the raw and intimate moments surrounding Robert’s final days and how she turned her grief into a powerful mission to help others. We talk about the cathartic process of writing her book Wife to Widow, the birth of her podcast Beyond the Grief, and how she now holds space for others navigating bereavement through her retreats, her animals, and the quiet strength of presence and listening.

This episode is a heartfelt exploration of what it means to survive the unimaginable, to rebuild your identity, and to hold space for others in their pain.

00:00 – Introduction: Suzanne Read’s story and Robert’s cancer journey

04:00 – The moment of loss and finding unexpected beauty in goodbye

10:00 – Writing Wife to Widow during isolation and grief

15:00 – The healing power of storytelling and Suzanne’s podcast Beyond the Grief

20:00 – The importance of holding space and truly listening to those grieving

25:00 – Crying as emotional detox and learning not to apologise for grief

30:00 – Building Colour Blind Retreat and connecting with animals for healing

35:00 – Equine connection and using nature to support emotional processing

40:00 – Suzanne’s proudest moment and reclaiming control through her sanctuary

This is a powerful conversation about reclaiming agency through loss, creating a legacy from pain, and the magic that happens when we allow ourselves — and others — to truly feel. Suzanne’s honesty, strength and gentleness are a gift to all who listen.

Let this episode be a gentle reminder: grief is not a weakness, it’s a mark of love. And in the darkest seasons, there is always light to be found.

In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the remarkable Dr Avi Charlton, a Melbourne-based GP who’s shaking up the traditional medical model with a powerful focus on lifestyle medicine. From her own personal journey of weight loss and discovery through low-carb nutrition, Avi shares how she transformed not only her own health but the lives of countless patients through practical, sustainable changes.

We chat about the six core pillars of lifestyle medicine—nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, community support, and addiction—and how her Melbourne Low Carb Clinic is leading the charge in this space. Avi also dives into the real science behind ketogenic diets, debunks myths around salt and fat, and explains how metabolic health can profoundly impact chronic conditions including diabetes, obesity, and even cancer.

00:00 – Introduction to Dr Avi Charlton and her mission

05:00 – From gym challenge to launching a lifestyle clinic

10:00 – The six lifestyle pillars and how they work in practice

15:00 – Probiotics, jet lag and gut health: what you need to know

20:00 – Personalised nutrition vs the one-size-fits-all model

25:00 – The truth about keto, insulin resistance, and metabolic flexibility

30:00 – Sugar, seed oils and silent health risks in processed foods

35:00 – Food addiction, cravings, and reprogramming your habits

40:00 – Breathwork, retreats, and what’s next for Dr Charlton

This is an eye-opening conversation that challenges the norms of conventional medicine and empowers you to take control of your own health. Dr Charlton brings compassion, clarity and real-world advice that could truly change your life—no fads, just facts.