This episode of the Mind Matters Podcast is something a little different. We’re looking at the courage it takes to realise and follow your purpose in life.

Rex is chatting to Emmanuela Shinta, a 26-year-old Dayak woman from Kalimantan, Borneo, about her role in this world and the power of taking action, even when you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Emmanuela is an activist, film producer and director, founder of the Ranu Welum Foundation and a leader for young people. 

She’s gained notice over the years, speaking before the United Nations and a number of other international platforms about the deforestation of the Bornean rainforest and the overall destruction of her beloved country and her Dayak culture.

She has trained more than 100 young indigenous people to use a camera to share their cause, and continues to raise awareness of the Dayak people and Kalimantan through the use of short videos and documentaries. 

Episode highlights: 

Useful Links: 

Emmanuela Shinta on LinkedIn

Emmanuela Shinta Website

Emmanuela Shinta Instagram

Emmanuela Shinta Twitter

Emmanuela Shinta YouTube

Mind Matters Link: 
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a beautifully honest interview, Donna Thistlethwaite talks to Catherine about managing stress and mental health in the workplace. 

After working as an HR professional for a corporate organisation for around 15 years, and with a small child, Donna found herself leading a small team for a new controversial project. 

After a series of challenges, Donna’s mental health suffered to the point where she tried to take her own life. 

Now, she’s an international mental health and resilience speaker and has presented for QSuper, Connexus Financial, Aurecon, Seqwater, Queensland University of Technology, Powerlink Queensland, and Western Downs Regional Council, among others. 

She’s also a Career Coach and co-founder of Career Vitality, which provided career services to individuals, parents and organisations.  

Episode highlights: 

Useful links: 

Donna Thistlethwaite Website

Donna Thistlethwaite on LinkedIn

Career Vitality Website

Donna on Facebook 

Donna on Twitter

Mind Matters Link: 
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rex chats to long-time friend and fellow Kiwi, David Metcalf, about the courage it takes to change your life - to move from the familiar into the unknown and into your dream life.

David is a corporate manager-turned photographer and activist, who moved to Bali in 2012 after falling in love with Indonesia. His passion for activism means he’s heavily involved in working with indigenous people including the Dayak people, using the power of photographs to tell their story and encourage positive social change. 

He also embarks on photography and activist tours to other lesser known areas including Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi Nagaland (NE India), Odisha Tribal area in India and Vietnam. 

Episode highlights: 

Useful Links: 

David Metcalf Photography Website

David Metcalf on Instagram

David Metcalf on Twitter

David Metcalf Photography on Facebook

Mind Matters Links: 

Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode comes to you from just outside Ubud in Bali, where I (Rex) am soaking up the Balinese culture. 

I’m blessed to be able to spend time in Bali, as I have done for many years now. From my journey that I’ve travelled so far, I’ve also come to know the native Dayak people of Kalimantan, Borneo, and the people devoting their lives to supporting others and things they believe in. 

One thing I’ve come to realise is that all these people have complete ownership and absolute commitment to the cause they believe in. 

We’ll be exploring this in more detail with a series of interviews. But for now, we want to take a look at selflessness and the human spirit and the correlation with your business, career and families. 

Episode highlights:

Useful Links

Staying On Top Of The Mountain Retreat
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re a leader or a business owner, chances are you spend your time running around trying to get everything done. Being busy is good, but it’s important to take time out for yourself.

We often find that people don't give themselves enough time to stop. Being constantly busy can lead to stress and an inability to take the time your body and mind needs and your emotions need to take time out too.

Fail to do that, and you won’t be thinking effectively and your business could suffer. 

When you first get into business, or even just start a new career path, it’s easy to join the rat race. There will always be common stopping points along the way - like weekends or at the end of each day - but what about stopping altogether?

We’re taking a look at what it really means to stop and just be still and the effects it can have on your role as a leader. 

Episode highlights: 

Useful Links 

Staying On Top Of The Mountain Retreat
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we prepare for our upcoming September retreat, Staying On Top Of The Mountain, we’re taking a look at what it means in relation to business. 

The concept of ‘staying on top of the mountain’ is poignant in all areas of life, but especially when it comes to starting, maintaining and leading a small business. 

Once you have your business up and running, you build on that and grow and establish a solid share in your chosen market. As with anything though, it needs to be maintained if you want to remain stable and successful.

But what is actually at the top of the mountain? And how do we get there? Is it based on one achievement in life or in business? Or is it a series of continuous, never-ending achievements?

Let’s take a look...

Episode highlights:

Useful links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creating a business is basically like an endurance test. A lot of things need to be considered before you get going in order to make it work. It also takes a huge amount of effort, attention and energy to get something underway and your mindset plays a key part in its success or otherwise. 

Sometimes we stay in the same mindset and activity that started the business when its way into a growth stage or even into longevity. No matter what stage you are at in your business, whether it's a startup or you've been in business for many years, it can be very useful to take note of your mindset and think about whether you’ve upgraded it or not over time. 

In this episode, Catherine Connolly explores weathering the seasons of building a business. 

Episode highlights: 

Useful Links: 

Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Catherine chats to Juliette Wright, a long-term Mind Matters client and the founder and director of GIVIT, a not-for-profit with the aim of helping alleviate the effects of poverty across Australia.

She shares her secrets to success and the challenges she’s had to overcome in order to get there.

An experienced director and CEO, Juliette started the free online donation platform in 2009 with the hope of connecting those who have with those who need. The website has grown from just 15 charities onboard to more than 2,600 charities, government agencies and schools in just under 10 years. The website has seen more than 1.2 million items donated to people in need.

GIVIT also provides an award-winning Disaster Recovery Service to help manage donation flow after disasters like the Brisbane and Bundaberg Floods, Tropical Cyclones Marcia, Ita and Debbie, and the Gladstone and Tasmanian fires.

GIVIT is the only non-profit funded by the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industry for drought recovery in New South Wales, because GIVIT buys locally in disaster and drought recovery, ensuring the right people, get the right things in the right way.

Juliette has won numerous awards for disaster recovery, business and innovation, and was awarded Australia’s Local Hero in 2015. More recently, she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.

Episode highlights:

Useful Links

Juliette Wright on LinkedIn

GIVIT Website

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the third instalment of a three-part series based on the stories we tell ourselves and how they affect the results we achieve in life.

In the first of the series, we looked at recognising your own story, and in the second part we explored the process of dismantling it. Now, we’re looking at how to rewrite your story.

Episode highlights:

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Rex chats to friend and client Neil Macdonald owner of Fairway Financial, who has been running his own financial planning business for the past 23 years, specialising in people insurance.  

He entered the industry somewhat by default, following in his father’s footsteps. His first role was with National Mutual (AXA) on a graduate program in 1990, which led him through a number of roles to become an adviser in 1997.

Now, he spends his days helping veterinarians and SME business owners improve their financial wellbeing and explore their financial options.

In the discussion Neil shares how important mindset has been in his work and the role Mind Matters has had in his development.

Episode Highlights:

Useful Links:
Neil Macdonald on LinkedIn
Fairway Financial Website
Fairway Financial on Facebook
Fairway Financial on Twitter

Useful Links:
Mind Matters Website
Catherine Connolly on LinkedIn
Rex Urwin on LinkedIn
Mind Matters Twitter 
Mind Matters Facebook
[email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.