Radio Western Port

Episode # 97 | Laura | Living Authentically, Building Community & Supporting Others

In Episode 97 of Inspired to Soar with Hannah, Hannah sits down with Laura, a disability support professional with more than 20 years of experience and the founder of Trans Women Society.

Originally from the United Kingdom and now living in Frankston, Laura shares her remarkable journey of supporting others while finding the courage to live authentically as a transgender woman.

Together they explore:

• Laura's journey from the UK to Australia

• More than 20 years working in disability support

• Mental health and resilience

• Coming out and transitioning

• Family, relationships and personal growth

• Supporting participants through COVID-19

• Building Trans Women Society into one of Australia's largest online support communities

• Why kindness, belonging and acceptance matter

This is an honest conversation about courage, identity, community and hope.

If you've ever questioned where you belong or needed the confidence to embrace who you truly are, this episode is for you.

Inspired to Soar with Hannah

Real stories. Real resilience. Real inspiration.

Remember:

The more you believe in yourself, the more things you can achieve.

In this episode, Hannah Swinnerton speaks with Cherie Wanat, Deputy Mayor at Frankston City Council, long-time Frankston local, urban planner, business owner, and community-focused leader.

Together, they explore Cherie’s leadership journey, the realities of working in male-dominated industries, workplace pressure, burnout, resilience, mental health, tall poppy syndrome, youth connection, and the importance of creating communities where people feel they belong.

This is a conversation about courage, authenticity, community, and continuing to rise through life’s challenges.

In this very special episode of Inspired to Soar with Hannah, Hannah welcomes her first-ever young guest onto the podcast… 11-year-old Reuben.

Reuben is bright, funny, creative, footy-mad, and passionate about making a difference. Living with cerebral palsy, he shares honest conversations about school life, family, kindness, inclusion, creativity, AFL, TV shows, and the anti-bullying and cyber safety project he’s currently working on at school.

This episode is packed with humour, heart, important life lessons, and meaningful conversations around supporting young people to feel safe, heard, and included.

Listeners will walk away inspired by Reuben’s confidence, positivity, and powerful reminder that kindness truly matters.

💛 Topics covered:

• Anti-bullying & cyber safety

• Growing up with cerebral palsy

• AFL & pop culture

• Family & friendship

• Inclusion & kindness

• Confidence & creativity

🎧 Hosted by Hannah Swinnerton

Mental health & anti-bullying advocate.

Because every story matters. ✨

Episode 2 of Acacia Conversations – Growing Well on the Peninsula explores the theme of growing community.

This week’s conversation reflects on community gardens, Indigenous plants, libraries, countryside storytelling, creativity, and the quieter spaces that help people feel connected during the cooler months on the Mornington Peninsula.

The episode explores how shared green spaces bring people together naturally through conversation, slowing down, kindness, learning, and community connection.

Featuring reflections on local spaces including Balnarring Beach, Saltbush at Balnarring, Hastings and Mornington libraries, Indigenous plants, and the emotional value of gardens and nature in everyday life.

A calm and thoughtful conversation about wellbeing, belonging, and reconnecting with community.

In this inspiring episode, Hannah welcomes Benjamin, Director and Principal Therapist at Watkins Therapy Group, for an honest conversation about mental health, counselling, workplace wellbeing, resilience, and the importance of human connection.

Benjamin shares his personal and professional journey into the mental health space, what led him to establish Watkins Therapy Group, and why creating practical and down-to-earth mental health support is helping people feel more comfortable reaching out for help.

Together, they discuss:

• Workplace mental health and burnout

• Breaking down counselling stigma

• Staying grounded during challenging times

• Human connection and resilience

• Recognising when someone may be struggling

• The importance of support and open conversations

This episode is a reminder that mental health conversations matter and that nobody should feel alone in what they’re facing.

Thank you for listening to Inspired to Soar with Hannah 🌿

In this episode, we chat with Mike, leader of the Hastings U3A Musos group, along with August, the group’s musical director.

The Musos group is a welcoming and social gathering for musicians who simply enjoy playing music together. Mike shares what members can expect, the fun atmosphere of the group, and the friendships built through music.

The group is currently welcoming new members, especially musicians who play:

🎹 Keyboards

🥁 Drums

🎷 Saxophone

A relaxed conversation about community, creativity, and the power of music to connect people.

#HastingsU3A #Musos #WesternPortVibes #CommunityPodcast #MusicLovers

In this raw and inspiring episode, Hannah sits down with Victoria Cox, founder of 24 Seven Pilates Club on the Mornington Peninsula.

Victoria opens up about her journey through anxiety, depression, grief, postpartum struggles, motherhood, separation, financial hardship, and rebuilding her life during some of her darkest seasons.

At just 8 weeks postpartum, she made the courageous decision to create a 24/7 self-access Pilates studio designed to support women physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This episode is an honest conversation about resilience, faith, identity, mental health, starting over, and finding strength when life feels uncertain behind the scenes.

✨ A powerful reminder that healing is not always linear and strength does not always look perfect.

Listen now and be inspired to keep showing up for yourself, one step at a time. 💛

#InspiredToSoar #Podcast #MentalHealth #Motherhood #Pilates #Resilience #WomenInBusiness #HealingJourney #Faith #MorningtonPeninsula

In this episode, Hannah speaks with Sam Jones, owner of Bittern Automotive, passionate racer, husband, father, and lifelong local from Bittern.

Sam shares his journey from starting in the automotive industry through work experience over 20 years ago to eventually owning the business and recently moving into a brand-new workshop in Hastings.

This conversation explores much more than business and cars. Sam opens up about grief, losing his mum to cancer, balancing work and family life, men’s mental health, resilience, and what continues to drive him through life’s challenges.

A raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about perseverance, passion, family, mental wellbeing, and continuing to show up even during difficult times.

Thank you for listening to Inspired to Soar with Hannah. Your story matters here.

In this deeply personal solo episode of Inspired to Soar, Hannah Swinnerton shares her own journey through bullying, self-doubt, mental health struggles, healing, and rebuilding confidence.

With honesty and vulnerability, Hannah reflects on the experiences that shaped her life and the strength it took to slowly find her voice again.

A raw and heartfelt conversation about resilience, personal growth, emotional wellbeing, and learning that your story still matters.

🎙️ Proudly supported by Radio Western Port.

#InspiredToSoar #MentalHealth #Healing #Resilience #Wellbeing #Community #RadioWesternPort

Welcome to the very first episode of Acacia Conversations on Radio Western Port hosted by Dennice Breeschoten.

In this opening conversation, Dennice shares the heart behind the programme and explores why slower, more meaningful conversations still matter in a busy and noisy world.

This episode reflects on:

• wellbeing and community connection

• local stories from the Mornington Peninsula

• creativity, gardening, volunteering, and everyday life

• the importance of calm spaces and human connection

• finding hope in ordinary moments

Dennice also introduces the “Growing Well” segment, focusing on planting seasonal bulbs and the quiet lesson gardens teach us about patience, growth, and life itself 🌱

You’ll also hear about the wonderful work happening at the Hastings Free Community Garden and the people quietly making a difference across the Peninsula.

Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the simplest ones.

🎙️ Produced by Dennice Breeschoten

📍 Mornington Peninsula, Victoria