Leave A Light On Podcast

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What if the real question isn’t “Is tech good or bad for kids?” but “How much, when, and to what end?” We sat down with Melissa Harries again, a psychologist with a sharp eye for evidence, to unpack what decades of research actually say about phones, gaming, and social media—and why the dose often makes the poison. Rather than fearmongering, we explore the markers that matter: sleep quality, school engagement, emotional regulation, and the social skills that only grow through real-world practice.

Mel breaks down how dopamine-driven design keeps kids (and adults) hooked, why “just five more minutes” rarely works, and the simple leverage most families overlook: control the Wi‑Fi, not just the device. We get practical with black-and-white household rules that avoid grey-area arguments, term-by-term contracts that adapt as kids grow, and data caps that keep mobile access useful without undermining boundaries. We also confront the tough bits—cyberbullying, misread comments, the temptation to block instead of repair, and the reality that girls often face higher social media risks around body image and mood.

This conversation looks beyond scare stories to what builds resilient, capable humans: boredom that sparks creativity, play that demands negotiation, and communities that agree on common-sense age limits so no child is the “only one” left out. Whether you’re co-parenting across two homes or just exhausted after a long day, you’ll find steps you can try tonight—devices out of bedrooms, scheduled internet off, notifications tamed—and a mindset shift from policing to coaching. If you’re ready to swap power struggles for clear structure and more real-life wins, press play and join the conversation. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others find it.

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What if everything you thought you knew about resilience was wrong? In this thought-provoking conversation with psychologist Melissa Harries, we explore a revolutionary approach to understanding mental fortitude that might just change how you think about emotional strength.

Drawing from her 20 years of psychological practice, including her time as a military psychologist deployed to conflict zones, Harries shares profound insights that challenge conventional wisdom. Rather than viewing resilience as the absence of negative emotions or the ability to "tough it out," she reframes it as "the ability to tolerate feeling bad while still doing what's important in the course of a day." This subtle but powerful shift transforms resilience from something you are to something you actively practice.

The discussion takes us through the paradox of emotional pain – how trying to eliminate uncomfortable feelings often makes them worse – and examines why our well-intentioned efforts to protect children from challenges might actually undermine their psychological development. Harries introduces concepts like "helicopter parenting" and "lawnmower parenting" that highlight how overprotection can stunt resilience growth, while offering practical strategies for building psychological strength through appropriately calibrated challenges.

Perhaps most importantly, Harries separates mental illness from resilience, explaining that they exist on different continuums rather than as opposites. This nuanced understanding helps destigmatize mental health challenges while providing a framework for developing greater psychological flexibility regardless of your starting point. Whether you're struggling with your own resilience, supporting someone through difficult times, or simply curious about building mental strength, this conversation offers valuable insights that you can immediately apply to your life.

Listen now to discover practical strategies for developing resilience, understanding the role of community in psychological health, and learning how to embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth. Your journey toward greater mental fortitude starts here.

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When a young Australian backpacker walked into Russell Square tube station on July 7, 2005, he had no idea he was stepping into one of the darkest moments in London's history. Jim Hancock was simply heading to a job interview when he found himself at ground zero of the 7/7 terrorist bombings that claimed 52 lives and injured over 700 people.

With remarkable courage and compassion, Jim transformed from tourist to first responder in an instant. While others fled the chaos, he stepped forward, offering his limited first aid skills to help the injured emerging from the devastated Piccadilly Line train. For over two hours, he bandaged wounds, offered comfort, and stayed with critically injured survivors—including a woman who had lost her leg—until medical professionals could take over.

The psychological aftermath was profound. Claustrophobia gripped him immediately, and despite his parents' pleas to return home to Australia, Jim chose a different path to healing. He spent the next three years traveling, working outdoors as a surf instructor, and connecting with nature. "If this is as bad as it can get," he reasoned, "then it's not that bad." This perspective became his compass as he navigated the invisible wounds of trauma.

Twenty years later, Jim has transformed this life-altering experience into a mission of healing. Now running Empathy Herbal, a business focused on anti-inflammatory foods and supplements, he applies the wisdom gained through his own recovery journey to help others. Through breathwork, meditation, yoga, and conscious lifestyle choices, Jim discovered that trauma doesn't have to define us—it can become the catalyst for growth and compassion.

His story reminds us that healing isn't about erasing our wounds but integrating them into a life of meaning. As Jim says, "Everything happens for a reason... hopefully the work that I've done today can help others when they need it." Share this episode, reach out on our socials, and remember that even in our darkest moments, someone has left a light on to guide us home.

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"You don't know my God." These powerful words from fifteen-year-old Jett Dow capture the extraordinary spirit of resilience that has defined his battle against stage four brain cancer.

When doctors discovered a massive tumour and cyst crushing Jett's brain stem in October 2022, they delivered the devastating news to his mother Sam: her son had hours to live. She faced an impossible choice—attempt a risky surgery or come say goodbye. What followed was a journey that defied every medical prediction and statistic.

Through emergency neurosurgery, 33 rounds of radiation, and 170 rounds of chemotherapy—which Jett remarkably took as oral shots rather than through a port—this teenager has consistently surprised his medical team. Two years past his initial diagnosis, when most patients with his condition don't survive, Jett continues to thrive. Despite permanent blindness, he's returned to school, enjoys swimming, the gym, and has visited every Disney park worldwide (twice!).

The conversation reveals not just a medical miracle, but the profound wisdom of a young man who told his devastated mother to "cry when I'm gone and enjoy now." Sam shares raw, honest advice for parents facing similar battles and the friends who want to support them. Her perspective on what truly matters—making memories over possessions, blocking out opinions, and cherishing every moment—resonates long after the episode ends.

Jett leaves us with a powerful message for anyone facing seemingly impossible odds: "Sometimes the statistics do turn on you and you are the 70%, but don't stop believing that you won't be the 30%." His story reminds us that defiance, faith, and unwavering determination can sometimes rewrite even the most certain medical predictions. Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that hope exists even in the darkest moments.

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Kristina Cook's story will stop you in your tracks. Diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, an incredibly rare brain tumor affecting just 0.02% of the population, her journey reveals what true resilience looks like in the face of overwhelming odds.

For six years, Kristina struggled with symptoms misdiagnosed as depression and anxiety before an MRI revealed the truth. What followed was unimaginable – five brain surgeries (including two emergency operations just days apart), a stroke that left her with right-sided weakness, vision loss, and the challenge of relearning to walk. Add to this a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder combining schizophrenia with bipolar symptoms, and you begin to understand the mountains she's had to climb.

Yet sitting across from us today is a woman who radiates positivity. Working full-time as an early childhood educator, tackling CrossFit four days a week, and speaking openly about her journey, Kristina embodies what it means to refuse to be defined by your diagnosis. Particularly moving is the relationship between Kristina and her husband Dave, who serves as her "memory keeper" due to her fragmented recall of many traumatic events. His unwavering support through her darkest moments offers a profound lesson in what partnership truly means.

Kristina's wisdom is beautifully simple yet powerful: "No matter how dark it gets, just keep walking." Like Dory from Finding Nemo, she just keeps swimming, showing us that even with the heaviest burdens, forward movement is always possible. If you're facing challenges that seem insurmountable or love someone who is, Kristina's story will remind you that light exists even in the darkest places – you just need to keep walking toward it.

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When Melissa Histon was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, she made a promise to herself while lying on her bedroom floor during treatment: if she survived, her life would be different. That pivotal moment sparked a journey of transformation that would impact countless women's lives.

After recovery, Melissa's newfound perspective led her to Nepal where she photographed women rescued from sex trafficking. Confronted with such profound suffering, she returned to Australia with a burning question: How could she know about such pain and continue her comfortable life unchanged?

This restlessness birthed "Got Your Back Sister", an organisation that began literally from Melissa's living room, providing donated furniture to women fleeing violent homes. Nine years later, it's grown into a comprehensive support system helping women rebuild their lives after abuse.

The statistics are sobering—one woman killed every 11 days through domestic violence in Australia—but through practical support, healing programs, and education about relationship red flags, Melissa's organisation creates pathways to safety and independence.

What makes this story particularly powerful is how Melissa's personal health crisis transformed into purpose. From an anxious child who would vomit before swimming lessons to a confident advocate breaking cycles of violence, her journey demonstrates how our darkest moments can become catalysts for meaningful change.

Whether you're interested in domestic violence prevention, personal transformation, or how grassroots initiatives can address complex social issues, this conversation offers insight into how one woman's decision to "do something" created ripples that continue to save lives. Have you ever wondered how you might transform your own challenges into purpose?

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What if your darkest moments could become the foundation for helping others? Meet Todd Ennis, a man whose journey from childhood trauma to mental health champion will leave you speechless.

Todd doesn't hold back as he shares the brutal reality of surviving sexual abuse at six years old and how this early trauma shaped his path. With remarkable candour, he reveals how his life diverged from his brother's successful NRL career as he sought validation through violence, intimidation, and eventually addiction. The contrast between their choices—one embracing daily discipline while the other cut corners—offers profound insights into how similar backgrounds can lead to drastically different outcomes.

The turning point comes in a moment straight from a film—Todd standing at traffic lights after being called by police, facing the literal and metaphorical choice between running or facing consequences. His description of feeling relief rather than just fear challenges conventional thinking about rock bottom moments. From rebuilding himself "like a skeleton in the ocean" to developing his eight-component mental armor program, Todd's transformation demonstrates that your past doesn't determine your future.

Most powerful is Todd's philosophy on recovery—it's not about being cured but about building daily non-negotiables that shield you from depression's grip. "The day you say you're healed is the day you open yourself to relapse," he warns, emphasizing that mental health requires ongoing commitment. His 90-day program focuses on breaking destructive habits through consistent action rather than quick-fix solutions.

Ready to join Todd's mental health army? Follow @loveyamind_ on Instagram to connect with his movement and discover how daily choices can transform not just your life, but create ripple effects that help others find their way back to shore.

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What happens when we finally tell the stories we've kept locked inside? Entertainment veteran Garth Russell takes us on a captivating journey through his 67 years of life experience, revealing how sharing our authentic narratives can transform not just our mental wellbeing, but potentially our physical health too.

From his early days as a nervous radio DJ in Tamworth to acting alongside Sam Neill, Garth shares the profound insecurities that have followed him throughout his successful career. With refreshing honesty, he admits to feeling unconfident even while captivating rooms full of people – a reminder that even accomplished performers battle self-doubt.

The heart of our conversation explores Garth's remarkable business, "A Life Recording," where he captures people's life stories on film for their families. He shares the unforgettable story of Harry Power, a terminally ill veteran who experienced a mysterious remission after unburdening himself of war experiences he'd never previously shared. This powerful narrative illustrates how the simple act of telling our stories can possibly create healing that extends beyond the psychological.

Garth's own experiences with loss – particularly losing his father at just 48 years old when Garth was 22 – highlight why preserving our loved ones' stories matters so deeply. "What I'd give, even if it was just an audio, just Dad talking," he reflects, reminding us not to wait until it's too late to record the voices and stories that matter most.

For those struggling with confidence or direction, Garth offers a beautifully simple practice: speak to your seven-year-old self. By reconnecting with that inner child and honestly sharing what you've accomplished, you gain a fresh perspective on your journey that cuts through adult judgments and expectations.

Listen now and discover how telling your authentic story might be the key to unlocking something transformative within yourself.

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What does it take to run successful hospitality venues in today's challenging economic landscape? Luke Tilse, the visionary behind Happy Wombat, Young Street Hotel, and Apple Truck Cider, pulls back the curtain on his decade-plus journey through Newcastle's hospitality scene with raw honesty and philosophical depth.

When Luke established the Happy Wombat over ten years ago, he deliberately chose what he calls "a daggy name" because his vision transcended trends – he wanted to create an institution where people felt at home whether on date night or catching up with mates after work. This thoughtful approach to business permeates everything he touches, from venue design to staff culture.

The conversation takes a profound turn as Luke shares how his first son Charlie's Down syndrome diagnosis transformed not just his personal life but his entire approach to business. "He's been the best thing that's ever happened to us," Luke reveals, explaining how this unexpected journey deepened his empathy, connected him with a supportive community, and clarified his priorities. Now, much of his entrepreneurial drive stems from wanting to ensure Charlie's future care and support.

Against the backdrop of what Luke describes as an "hourglass economy" squeezing middle-market venues, he offers hard-earned wisdom about survival: maintain unwavering quality, watch costs like a hawk, understand that your real product is the space you create rather than just the food and drinks, and above all, value human connections over profit margins.

Whether you're in hospitality, running another business, or simply interested in how someone balances professional success with deep personal purpose, Luke's candid reflections will leave you pondering what truly matters in work and life. Don't miss this one!

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Heartfelt stories and critical conversations take center stage as we shine a light on men's mental health. Our special guests, Paul and Matt, co-founders of the impactful organization Spoke to a Bloke, join us to explore an issue that is often shrouded in silence. Inspired by the tragic loss of Paul’s brother, Nick, in 2021, they turned a simple idea conceived amongst friends into a movement that provides a safe haven for men to share their journeys. The initiative started with communal walks that have become a testament to the power of community and empathy in addressing mental health struggles.

As we delve into the inspiring story behind Spoke to a Bloke, Paul and Matt share how a conversation in a pub evolved into an opportunity for men to honor their own 'Nicks' and connect over shared experiences. We recount touching stories that highlight the profound impact this movement has had, from participants walking in memory of someone they barely knew to others finding solace and support in unexpected places. Beyond the walks, the organization champions various initiatives, including financial assistance projects and digital platforms like "MINDS," aimed at delivering messages of mental well-being and support.

Breaking down barriers and smashing stigma, we discuss the importance of open dialogue and effective communication in addressing mental health. With efforts like free Mental Health First Aid training and upcoming events like a 25-kilometer walk, Spoke to a Bloke is committed to fostering community engagement and empowering men to seek the help they deserve. Join us for this enlightening discussion to uncover how you can better support the men in your life and contribute to a world where mental health conversations are as normal as talking about the weather.

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