Welcome to the fourth season of Pieces of the Mind!

Every second Monday we will be bringing you a new episode to kickstart your week. 

This season expect: 

We're bringing fresh perspectives, creative minds, and guests who are willing to be vulnerable and open up in ways that will touch hearts and spark growth. This season is all about diving into the deep stuff – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s about mindset, and how we can all strive to be the best versions of ourselves.

After each episode we will be leaving you with "Takeaways." These will be words of wisdom or actionable practices you can apply to your life right now. Small shifts, big changes – all designed to help you grow. 

 So, stick with us, dive into these conversations, and let's make this season a catalyst for growth. It’s going to be a season full of breakthroughs, real conversations, and practical tools for living a more authentic, resilient life. 

Listen to POTM on Spotify, Apple podcasts or any free podcast app. 

You can subscribe to our new YouTube channel as well if you are more of a visual person! 

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This episode is dedicated to the year 2023 (season finale of season three). Well what a year that was first of all a big thank you to the guests that were willing to come onto the podcast this year. Many insights, life stories and wisdom from each guest in different walks of their life. 

This episode involves goal setting, the power of being grateful in everyday life and overall the power of giving to others that can empower ourselves in more ways than one. 

Australian professional rugby league footballer Darius Boyd... one of Australia’s most decorated players to date. Darius has played for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra, Newcastle knights as well as this played many State of origin matches and has represented Australia at an International level. Many of you listening would have watched him play either from your televisions or in grandstands over the years. He is a force to be reckoned in more ways than one. His story will take you on a journey. Darius’ NRL career is the side most Australians get to see but if you are lucky enough to listen to him speak and watch his work within the mental health and wellbeing sector you are in luck.

Today we are talking about the most common cancer for women in Australia; that being Breast Cancer. Before we delve into this topic with a breast cancer survivor I would like to acknowledge the women amongst us that we have lost to this battle, those of you that have either undergone treatment or currently doing so and also to the loved ones that have come face to face with the reality of this disease. 
 
Please remember it is vital to be proactive and get your annual checks completed because as our guest will mention early detection does save lives!

Karen Sullivan is a Breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed in December 2019. 

On this episode together Karen and Annie will unpack the journey that being both the physical and mental side her of breast cancer. Karen talk about her life growing up on a fruit and vegetable property near Stanthorpe to marrying her husband, having four children and life on the land.

Dr Peter Swindle is one of  Australia’s leading urologists that specialises in prostate cancer. Dr Swindle has helped many men within Australia and many of them being famers. This topic was bought to my attention as I have seen the effects it can not only have on the person struggling but also loved ones around them. Prostate is a serious and deadly disease that not only effects the body but also ones mental health. 

This episode with provide you with knowledge and explain the overall effects it can have on a person both mentally and physically. 

Important: 
It is extremely important to get PSA testing completed and overlooked by professionals. To find out more head to https://qprostate.com.au/

Warren Davies is also known as "The Unbreakable Farmer" a mental health advocate, keynote speaker, farmer and family man. 

Warren talks all things today from bullying in his younger years, financial struggles, family struggles relating to business, pressures of life on the land and more. This episode is extremely relatable for many country people as well as many others. 

If you would like to contact Warren or listen to him speak simply type into your search bar "The Unbreakable Farmer" or follow on intagram. 

This episode we have Olivia Soha the director of a mental health and
eating disorder service called Uncovery. Olivia is one of Australia’s certified eating
disorder coach based in Melbourne. This phenomenal service offers a wide range of
support and education around the eating disorders. Olivia is a Carolyn Costin
institute certified eating disorder coach and from her own struggles has used this to
help many other Australians in the same situation.

* On this episode of POTM our guest will talk all things such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her experience with Sexual Assault and ADHD. 

Ella Kolomyjec is the guest on episode 2 of season 3. 
Ella has used her mental health struggles as a "silver lining" in order to share her knowledge and passion for mental health across Australia. A Perth based author along with a lovely being she will talk to us all about her experience with mental health the hospital systems and Edition 2 of the Forth Magazine. 

This is a monologue written by Ella: 

“Earlier this year I began working on an idea of mine that at the time appeared nothing more than
a dream.
During three years of psychiatric hospitalization for PTSD and depression, I dreamed of many
things that I couldn't seem to find whilst battling my way to find normality and recovery. I
experienced a number of gaps in our society and in our healthcare system - the accessibility and
affordability of multidisciplinary treatment, lack of transitional treatment post-crisis care or
hospitalization and a lack of exposure to the practical life-skills of impatient therapy. These came
closely tied to an endless stream of failures, in a society where mental illness was and continues to
rapidly devastate the lives of so many individuals and families.
Once a dream for recovery, this blossomed into a dream to make change.”

Attention (In this episode Dobbo talks about his personal mental health battles with depression, marriage breakdowns and finding ways to deal with past trauma in a healthier manner). 

To kick start Season three of Pieces of the Mind we have the one and only Ben Dobbin. Most people would call him the voice of Rural Queensland having been on our radios for a number of years. Having spoken myself with Dobbo prior to this interview on “Rural Queensland Today” and over the phone it is evident what a big heart and the passion he has for the community as a whole but first and foremost the rural communities. Dobbo has a passion for mental health and is prepared to open up and tell his story from family life, change in careers, his marriage breakdown and moments in life that have caused him pain. 

Today on pieces of the mind we have a guest that I know will bring a light-hearted and charismatic presence to the podcast. David Graham is our guest today; some of you may know him as Farmer Dave from Big Brother on the channel 7 show or Dave the founder of the life-changing charity “Rufftrack”. 
Dave is a bushie having grown up in rural Australia; much like many bushies he has seen the worst of droughts, floods and the impact mental health can have on everyday people. Dave took to our screen to change Australia’s view on being gay and to raise awareness having come out about his sexuality on national TV. Dave is also a world renowned dog trainer and has opened up his own charity “Rufftrack” that helps troubled kids get back on track. (We will talk more about as we get into the episode). Lets just say there is not much that Dave has not done and I know I am a huge fan so I’m thrilled he has put some time aside to record.