Bek Woodbine returns to It Takes Heart for a deeply honest conversation about chronic pain, recovery and finding a new way forward.

Since her last episode, Bek has undergone major back surgery and has been learning to live with the physical and emotional impact of chronic pain. As a nurse practitioner and host of Tenderness for Nurses, Bek shares what it feels like when the helper needs help, how pain can change your sense of self, and why learning to accept support has become part of her next chapter.

Bek also reflects on the future of nursing, including nurse wellbeing, boundaries, bullying, respect, the nursing shortage and the importance of returning to the basics of care.

This is a vulnerable and thoughtful episode about nursing, chronic pain, resilience and the power of honest conversations.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What does great healthcare leadership look like when teams are stretched, resources are tight, and patient care is always the priority? 

In this thoughtful conversation, Julie Quade, trained dietitian and Allied Health Manager for Northern New South Wales Health, shares how her rural upbringing and early career in allied health shaped her approach to leadership. Julie reflects on the shift from supporting patients one-on-one to influencing care at scale by growing strong teams, creating psychologically safe workplaces, and helping clinicians stay focused on the patient in front of them. 

This episode is for healthcare leaders, emerging managers, allied health professionals, and anyone who wants to better understand how calm, people-first healthcare leadership can make a meaningful difference for clinicians, teams, and the communities they care for.

Julie's organisation of choice is Angel Flight, a charitable organisation coordinating free, non-emergency flights and ground transportation so people who live in rural and regional Australia can access the specialist medical treatments they need.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

Most doctors spend their careers working within one healthcare system. Dr Justine Cain chose to take her skills across borders. Through her work with Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières/MSF), she has cared for refugee communities in Lebanon, supported emergency responses in India, and discovered lessons about medicine that can't be learned from a textbook.

Justine takes us behind the scenes of life with Doctors Without Borders, sharing the realities of humanitarian healthcare and the unexpected lessons that come from working across cultures, communities, and healthcare systems. Along the way, she reflects on the value of adaptability, teamwork, and embracing opportunities that sit outside the traditional career path.

This episode is for anyone curious about humanitarian healthcare, global health careers, or the many ways a medical degree can be used to make a difference. If you've ever wondered what life is really like with Doctors Without Borders, or you're inspired by healthcare professionals who choose the road less travelled, this conversation is not to be missed.

Justine's organisation of choice is Médecins Sans Frontières/MSF, an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

Some nurses treat symptoms. Others help people feel truly seen. First Nations Nurse Rachel McLeod, shares why healing is about far more than clinical care. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience across rural and multi-purpose health services, Rachel explains how story, trust, spirituality, and cultural understanding shape the way she cares for people in their most vulnerable moments.

Rachel reflects on growing up on Country, the grief that shaped her nursing journey, and the realities of working in rural emergency settings where nurses often lead in high-pressure situations. She also shares powerful insights into Indigenous healthcare, communication barriers, cultural safety, and why listening matters more than simply ticking boxes.

This episode is for anyone passionate about rural healthcare, culturally safe practice, and the human side of nursing. If you believe healthcare works best when people feel heard, understood, and cared for, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Rachel's organisation of choice is Nourish Street Inc., a grassroots charity powered by the local community, providing essential support to people sleeping rough. Their work is entirely funded by the community, enabling their volunteers to deliver food, supplies, and dignity to those most in need.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What does it look like to swap the intensity of the ward for the unpredictability of a comedy stage? In this episode, we sit down with Georgie Carroll — an ICU nurse of 18 years turned comedian — for a refreshingly honest and wide-ranging conversation about career, identity, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Georgie shares the story behind her shift into stand-up, what she loves about life on stage, and the behind-the-scenes reality of comedy that most people never see. From her first improvised gig to building a career that still honours her healthcare roots, we explore how humour, connection, and curiosity have shaped her journey — along with a glimpse into her podcast The Swab and what’s coming up next.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered “what if?”, anyone craving a lighter take on life in healthcare, or anyone who simply wants to feel seen, understood, and maybe have a laugh along the way.

Please note: this episode contains some strong language. 

Follow Georgie over on Instagram and find out about her upcoming shows here Georgie Carroll, UK-born Comedian & registered nurse in Australia

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What happens when your clinic looks busy, but the bank balance tells a very different story? In this honest conversation, Podiatrist, multi-clinic owner, and business coach Troy Parsons shares the reality of healthcare business ownership - from payroll stress and overdrafts to the pressure of carrying everyone else while quietly burning out yourself.

Troy unpacks why so many healthcare practices struggle, not because of poor clinicians, but because of unsustainable business models. Drawing on lessons from building his own clinics and coaching practice owners through The Hive, he shares practical insights on pricing, profit, leadership, and the key metrics that help practices become more sustainable, scalable, and enjoyable to run. 

This episode is for current clinic owners feeling stretched thin, healthcare leaders building better workplaces, and clinicians dreaming of one day running their own practice. 

Troy's organisation of choice is Our Rescue. Our Rescue work with partners and communities around the globe to provide essential services to people who have been or could be sex trafficked and exploited. Their unique approach lies in the way they integrate support and resources for law enforcement during rescue efforts AND provide survivor care at scale - a critical differentiator that amplifies our impact.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What does it really take to deliver safe, high-quality care when you’re hundreds of kilometres from backup? 

Tune in as Dr Marian Dover takes us inside the reality of rural medicine, where clinical decisions carry a different kind of weight and 'support' looks nothing like it does in the city. As a District Medical Officer, Rural Generalist Obstetrician, and founder of the Australian Rural Maternity Association, Marian shares what it truly means to work at the edge of scope - safely, confidently, and with deep connection to community. 

This conversation reframes what capability looks like in remote settings, while also unpacking the critical role of rural maternity services, the impact of closing local birthing units, and why protecting these services is essential for equitable healthcare. 

This episode is for anyone curious about rural medicine, passionate about healthcare equity, or inspired by people who are redefining what’s possible in challenging environments.

Dr Marian's organisation of choice is the Australian Rural Maternity Association, a not-for-profit organisation with all proceeds going towards recruitment, retention, professional development and support for rural maternity teams across the country.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

Why does your body feel so different in your 40s and why is no one really talking about it? 

In this episode of It Takes Heart, we sit down with Angelique Clark, an accredited practising Dietitian and exercise physiologist, to unpack the often-misunderstood stage of perimenopause. Ange explains why so many women feel like something has shifted long before menopause officially arrives and why those symptoms are often dismissed. She also shares why perimenopause isn’t just a phase to survive, but a powerful prevention window for long-term health, with implications for cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance, bone density and muscle loss.

Together, we explore the practical foundations that actually make a difference: strength training, realistic protein targets, and why fibre and gut health become even more important during perimenopause.

This episode is for anyone curious about what’s changing in midlife, wanting practical guidance from a trusted dietician, or looking for clear, evidence-based insight into navigating perimenopause with confidence.

Ange's organisation of choice is the Monash Women's Research Centre, who undertake research and provide education about common health issues that affect women throughout adult life, the impact of menopause and the role of sex hormones (oestrogen and testosterone) on health and wellbeing. Their aim is to enable women to experience the best possible quality of life through research, critical evaluation of available information and professional and community education

If you’d like to dive deeper, you can connect with Ange on Instagram, explore her perimenopause playbook, and try her choc nut protein bar recipe. Or catch us cooking with Ange in the kitchen here!

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What if the only real measure of cultural safety was the voice of the person receiving care?

In this episode of It Takes Heart, Sam and Kate sit down with Dr Sarah Jane Springer - proud First Nations woman, award-winning rural generalist, and passionate advocate for community-led healthcare. Drawing on her lived experience and career across rural and remote Australia, Sarah Jane shares why true cultural safety can’t be written into policy alone - it must be shaped, guided, and defined by the communities receiving care.

Together, they explore identity, leadership, and the responsibility of building systems that genuinely centre First Nations voices. This episode is for anyone working in healthcare, leadership, or reform who believes better outcomes begin with listening and who feels called to help create a safer, stronger, more community-led future for healthcare.

Sarah Jane's organisation of choice is The Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association. AIDA’s purpose is to grow ethical and professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors who will lead and drive equitable and just health outcomes for all our peoples.

Follow Dr Sarah Jane on Instagram

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment

What if the thing that saves your nursing career isn’t leaving healthcare… but saying yes to a completely different way of working?

In this episode of It Takes Heart, ED nurse Tessa shares how travel nursing transformed her life after hitting a wall with burnout in a busy metro hospital. Feeling exhausted, disconnected, and questioning her future in healthcare, she took a leap into rural contracts and everything shifted. From working solo in outback emergency departments to embracing the freedom of contract work, Tessa explains how flexibility, autonomy, and exploration reignited her confidence and clinical capability.

She also takes us inside one of the most extraordinary chapters of her career: volunteering aboard Mercy Ships, a floating hospital delivering life-changing surgeries off the coast of Madagascar — and why sometimes the most powerful career move is simply saying, “If you can, you must.”

This episode is for any nurse feeling the weight of burnout, curious about agency nursing, or wondering whether travel nursing could be the fresh start they didn’t know was possible.

Tessa's organisation of choice is The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, a national charitable healthcare organisation providing primary healthcare and 24/7 emergency services to those in rural and remote Australia. RFDS uses advanced aviation and medical technology to deliver vital care where traditional services are unavailable. 

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr’s Samantha Miklos and Kate Coomber and recorded at cmr’s head office in Brisbane.

We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

Get to know It Takes Heart & cmr better!
Instagram: @ittakesheartpodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
YouTube: @ItTakesHeartPodcast and @cornerstonemedicalrecruitment
TikTok: @cornerstonemedicalrec
LinkedIn: @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment
Facebook: @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment