Rae Bonney - Men's Health

Michael Ray was thrust into solo dad life at the tender age of 51, and (ironically) the experience opened his eyes to outdated gender expectations which ignited an unbridled passion to advocate for equality and change that includes everyone.

His commitment to parental fairness is fierce, as it is inspiring, and he challenges social narratives to serve our positively evolving communities.

During this show, I helped Michael unpack ideas around misinformed gender roles, when it comes to raising kids, and how societal value/support of ALL parents/carers is so important.

In his very spare time, Michael penned an award winning and widely recognised book “Who Knew?” It celebrates modern day dads, where he openly discusses issues of mental health and ideas for raising our next generation – in light of the wonderful diversity of contemporary families.

What does it feel like, being you, today?

#raisingkids #genderroles #moderndads #mentalhealth #menshealth #nextgeneration #diversity #parenting #dads #daughters #parentalalienation

November 20th was INTERNATIONAL MEN'S DAY 😀 - and what better way to celebrate than honour one of our most talented and magnificent male mortals, Ken Lyons.

Ken joined me at the 94.1FM 3WBC studios, a place he's known so well for many, many years - special because it's where we met. In true Ken style, he told tales of his incredible 98 years and what it's felt like, being a man, for almost an entire century 💯💯💯

I'm incredibly fortunate to be loved by Ken, and many times, take for granted, his wisdom, enthusiasm and boundless energy. So, it was all hats off during this most special show, cherishing a man who truly has, and continues to make the world a better and more interesting place.

What does it feel like, being you today? and Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #mensmentalhealth #menshealthawareness #warveteran #menshealth #malesuicide #InternationalMensDay

Earlier this year, I witnessed Mike Hagan speaking about workplace burnout and the need for a systematic approach, at Melbourne’s Managing Burnout and Fatigue in the Workplace Conference. (Me) a fellow speaker and ever curious audience participant, wondered what the General Manager for HR, CC & HS&E of leading global supplier of technology and services at Bosch Australia would have to say about this matter. So ..... if Mike's extensive role description wasn’t mouthful enough, what he had to say (in a very unexpectedly broad, northern English accent) was a head full of awesome and inspiration for everyone in the audience. Later that day, I had my own turn share about burnout, relating to the state of mental health in male dominated workplaces - and that’s when Mike and I truly connected, cemented, collaborated and conspired to conjure up initiatives that could really bring about positive action and change for everyone. Deciding to kick off with a stint on the old radio show, my research quickly uncovered that Mike’s talents, kindness, care and respect for the human condition, extend well beyond his day job (spoiler alert: Rock Star). He joined me, live in the studio to share what it feels like, being Mike Hagan … and so much more.

Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! What does it feel like, being you, today?

#mentalhealth #burnout #fatigue #workplacementalhealth #musicindustry #mensmentalhealth #menshealth #griefandloss #rockstar #friends #covid #whatdoesitfeellikebeingyoutoday #distantconspirators

https://mikehaganandthedistantconspirators.com/

Ben Shewry was 5 years old when he decided to be a chef - which is pretty cool for a farming kid, growing up in New Zealand, during the early 80’s. Fast forward to 2022, where Ben has lead Australia’s number 1 restaurant, Attica, since 2015 to be celebrated at the top 50 in the whole wide world. He joined me, alongside life/business partner, Kylie Staddon and daughter Ella, to talk about what it feels like, being them. There was talk questions about lasagna recipes, European vacations, hospo mental health, 100-hour weeks at Summer Camp, adaptability, agility, gender balance, the difference between character and reputation - an unforgettable and emotional show.

#workplacementalhealth #hospitalityindustry #chefs #restaurants #menshealth #womenshealth #whatdoesitfeellikebeingyoutoday? #itsokaynottobeokay #beyondblue

Back on July 17 2022, I colluded with co-host and dear friend, Mark Brown for his live radio debut. Mark helped unpack my recent “Lap of Tasmania” adventure, chatting with special Taswegian guests, Bec Mace and James Rowlands who I'd met along the way. Bec gave us an amazing insight into convict characters who created the Strahan railway with bare hands and full hearts. James Rowlands kicked off his segment with a poetic dedication to yours truly, followed by hilarious stories including one about a close encounter with an elephant. Mark Brown was the quintessential co-pilot - adding some great questions, a dash of hilarity and an l stellar first ever radio performance. #tasmania #mentalhealth #friends #wineglassbay #freycinet #colesbay #strahan #coolclimaterainforest #radiodebut

It was exactly 4 years ago, today that I had the pleasure of speaking alongside AFL Women's Champion Al Downie at the Sandringham Zebras President's Ladies Day and Beyond Blue Round. Alison captivated the room, as she described her experience as an elite sports person, coupled with managing some significant mental health challenges. Back then, Alison wore number 30 for Carlton AFLW, playing in the first-ever women's match - Carlton v Collingwood - in front of a packed house on Friday 3rd February 2017. Going on to notch up 31 games for Carlton, the Blues opted not to renew Alison’s contract for 2022, but Collingwood AFLW were on the hunt for a gun ruck and this superstar was not ready to hang up her boots.

We went to air on Sunday, 15 May, to hear Alison’s remarkable story of achievement and demonstration of true grit and resilience at https://www.3wbc.org.au/ Remember, it really is OK to not be OK!! #mentalhealth #aflw #womeninsport #womenshealth

After starting her career as a user experience researcher in “San Francisco’s vibrant tech start-up community alongside some of the industry’s brightest visionaries”, my friend, Liz Chase moved home to Melbourne to commence legal practice. This, she said, “was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream marred with frustration and dismay at the amount of busy work undertaken by junior lawyers and paralegals which could easily be automated with better outcomes in terms of accuracy, efficiency and resource allocation”.

After holding various roles as a legal professional (lawyer, partner and business owner, having started her own firm, Chase Legal), it dawned on her that the practice of law no longer got her out of bed in the morning. What did, however, was “the business of law and the opportunity to transform it”.

So Liz, being Liz got out of her bed and co-founded a design thinking consultancy Law DesignED and now couples this with being a lawyer and mentor at Leo Cussen Centre for Law – spending her days developing the next generation of legal professionals and imbibing design thinking into their modes of practice.

Design thinking (or human-centred design), she explained, is a “problem-solving methodology originally used by web designers and software developers to make digital environments more intuitive, useful and engaging”.

A few weeks ago, after many reschedules, I finally lured the great and gorgeous George Donikian into the 3WBC studios, for some much needed on-air merriment.

Minutes into the show, I met George, head on, challenging him on the popular and largely uniformed narrative around men and domestic violence. That done we, quickly moved to yacking about the early days of SBS, where it is now and Georges feelings about this.

There were very fond mentions of mutual buddies Steve Carey and Paul Guerra where we acknowledged their roles - providing valuable voices of reason within the media, especially around the pandemic.

I particularly enjoyed our address to Diana Ashley, who played an important part in a TV revolution that provided access to news in Auslan for the Deaf Community. She was the first Deaf interpreter, who sat alongside George (originally at Channel 0 which became SBS) and translated the 6.27pm news into Auslan for deaf viewers.

If you missed the show, or want to listen again, click on the link and hear George regal us with many colourful and comical stories that so aptly illustrate his incredibly accomplished and impressive career.

Remember, it really is OK to not be OK and ask anyone that potentially, lifesaving question

"What does it feel like, being you today?”

@stevevizard @georgenegus @partenaireintroductions #menshealth #malesuicide #mentalhealth #domesticviolence #auslan #deafcommunity #Armenia #Greece #newsreading

Who gets to be an autism entrepreneur, whilst living on the spectrum, themselves? This guy does - Jeremy Samson. During the past 14 years, he’s singlehandedly smashed stigma, opened doors and created untapped possibility through his staggered start-up @Time to Train. 14 years in, Jeremey has changed hundreds of lives and contributed to the enablement of those living in the Asperger's and autism space. It really is time to train, time to drive and time to move. Listen to our show, in its entirety at my YouTube channel, along with many more like it. Remember, it really is OK to not be OK and ask anyone that potentially, lifesaving question - "What does it feel like, being you today?