This is part 2 of my chat with Sue Powell.

At 72 years old, Sue still can't sleep through the night because of what happened in her childhood. In this episode, she reveals why domestic violence doesn't end when the violence stops—and why the children who survive it often carry the scars for a lifetime.

As the conversation unfolds, host Di also shares her own experience of surviving an abusive relationship as a young woman, offering a deeply personal perspective on the challenges of leaving and rebuilding a life.

This episode is raw, confronting, and deeply moving. It challenges some of the common misconceptions about domestic violence and answers important questions many people may have such as:

What happens to the children who survive it?

Why can’t the victims just ‘leave’?

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, child abuse, trauma, self-harm, grief, miscarriage, and suicide. Viewers discretion is required, & it’s only recommended for viewers/listeners over 18yrs of age.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please seek support from a trusted service or professional.

#DomesticViolence #FamilyViolence #DomesticAbuse #DomesticViolence #DV #ChildhoodTrauma #TraumaRecovery #BreakingTheCycle #SurvivorStory #HealingJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #PTSD #ComplexPTSD #ChildAbuseAwareness #FamilyTrauma #WomenSupportingWomen #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #PodcastLife #TrueStories #AustralianPodcast
#WomenEmpoweringWomen #DiMcMath #LetsTalkAboutItPodcast #Taboo

Sue's Story of Surviving Domestic Violence: The War We Called Home — The Battlefield Behind Closed Doors (Part 1)

What happens when home is the place you fear most?

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Let's Talk About It, Sue Powell shares her story of growing up in a home ruled by domestic violence, coercive control, and fear. Raised in a small fishing village in New South Wales, Sue spent her childhood navigating a world where violence could erupt without warning and survival depended on constant vigilance.

Sue speaks candidly about the extraordinary courage of her older sister, who repeatedly put herself in harm's way to protect her siblings and mother, the secret language they developed to stay safe, and the devastating impact of living in what felt like a war zone behind closed doors.

This is not just a story about abuse. It is a story about resilience, survival, family loyalty, and the lifelong effects of trauma. More than fifty years later, Sue reflects on how those experiences shaped her relationships, her health, and her decades-long commitment to helping other women and children escape domestic violence.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Growing up with domestic violence and coercive control
-The hidden realities of family violence
-Childhood trauma and hypervigilance
-The role of siblings in surviving abuse
-Why leaving an abusive situation is far more complex than many people realise
-The lasting impact of trauma across generations

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, family violence, coercive control, physical abuse, trauma, and threats of violence. Listener and viewer discretion is advised. Recommended for audiences aged 18+.

This is Part 1 of Sue's remarkable story. In Part 2, Sue shares how she navigated adulthood after years of trauma, the loss and grief that followed, and how her lived experience inspired her to spend decades helping other survivors find safety and hope.

If this conversation resonates with you, please like, subscribe, follow, and share to help raise awareness about domestic and family violence.

DV is not just violence against women. It can also happen against men.
If you or someone you know needs help - please reach out to 1800RESPECT or call Lifeline on 131114, or call 000 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger.

This podcast is not for any other purpose than personal views on topics, and should not be taken as professional advice.

#DomesticViolence #FamilyViolence #TraumaRecovery #CoerciveControl #SurvivorStory #LetsTalkAboutItPodcast #DomesticAbuseAwareness #BreakingTheCycle #MentalHealthAwareness #PodcastAustralia #letstalkaboutitpodcast #dimcmath #resilience #strength

Today's story is with Tattooist Justin Wildig who has an extraordinary fight in him to defy the odds and not settle for a limiting diagnosis from doctors after a tragic accident left him in a coma and badly injured - & told he might never walk again.

From self destruction to his new found love of competitive boxing.

He also shares the story of when he was just a child, and discovering something that you only hear about in crime shows!

Find Justin on Instagra @fine_detail_ink (Gold Coast - Qld based).

His next fight is on the 27th June 2026

Music licence purchased from Silverman Sound: - Song used in intro/outro - 'Precious Memories'

From a soldier in the British Army, to being one of the first Paramedic's in the UK, to moving to Australia & serving many years in the Qld Ambulance Service, to running his own First Aid training business; Nigel Stamp has had a life of service.

He's a loving husband, father, and grandfather - and then tells of the devastating loss of his son to brain cancer in 2024.

Nigel shares his perspective on life, his career of service, family, & loss.

A genuinely 'top bloke' who I have the utmost respect for. He's the one person who helped me get into the QAS and become a Paramedic!

Join me as we chat about it all!

#paramedic #soldier #britisharmy #FirstAidStudentTraining #NigelStamp #DiMcMath #LetsTalkAboutItPodcast

Music - licence purchased from Silverman Sound:- Song used in intro/outro - Precious Memories

Video content inserted = from 'Allycat TV' (Facebook).

'The Last Post' - is played by Nigel Stamp on the bugle.

What happens when the ground beneath you collapses — and you’re forced to rebuild not just your surroundings, but yourself?

In this powerful episode, Di's cousin Fi, shares her first hand account of working in Christchurch during the devastating 2011 earthquake that claimed 185 lives.

With raw honesty and unexpected humour, she takes us inside the chaos of that day and the emotional aftershocks that followed: rebuilding her livelihood, navigating trauma and alcoholism, as well as chats about her journey of adoption and identity.

Summary

In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, Di McMath interviews Sue Neale, a seasoned paramedic with over 21 years of experience in the ambulance service. Sue shares her unique journey from vet nursing to becoming a paramedic, highlighting the challenges and joys of her career. The discussion delves into the importance of compassion in healthcare, the impact of personal loss on one's professional life, and the rewarding experiences of volunteering in palliative care. Through laughter and poignant stories, Sue emphasizes the significance of human connections and the emotional toll of working in emergency services.

#paramedic, #emergencyresponse, #veterinarynurse, #volunteering, #palliativecare, #humourinhealthcare, #SueNeale, #DiMcMath, #healthcare, #nursing, #paramedics, #finalwishes, #mentalhealth #brownbrothers

Today I chat with my hairdresser 'Seona', who is the granddaughter of Nancy Crick - the first person in Australia to go through with 'assisted dying' at a time when it was not yet legalised in Australia.

Seona tells the story of how Nancy's routine colonoscopy ended up in her making the decision to choose to 'die with dignity', and how the possible legal ramifications were avoided.

The discussion also touches on the impact of the senseless murder of her brother, injustice, the family impact, as well as the spiritual connections that can arise from loss.

Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion in navigating these difficult topics.

Disclaimer Some topics in this discussion may be triggering for some, therefore viewers discretion is recommended. In Australia, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 131114.

This discussion is not recommended for viewers/listeners under 18yr of age.

Keywords euthanasia, assisted dying, grief, family support, life choices, death, dignity, personal stories, mental health, resilience

What would make someone walk away from a 17-year career as an Intensive Care Paramedic to become a full-time Psychic Medium and Energy Healer?

In this episode of Let’s Talk About It, I sit down with my friend and former paramedic colleague, Lynne Heuermann, to explore her extraordinary journey — from the frontlines of emergency care to communicating with the spirit world.

Together we dive into the big questions of life, death, and what lies beyond the physical.