Roll With The Punches

Rachel Berger is one of Australia's leading comedians, and being the daughter of holocaust survivors, she has an acute awareness of trauma, both in a physical sense and a mental sense, and therefore a knack for turning even the most serious topics into opportunities for a good laugh.

As we discuss the nuances of comedy, Rachel delves into the heart of what makes something truly funny and ponders the question 'do we really need to avoid taboo topics for fear of offending these days?' According to Rachel, it's all about the intention behind the words. From challenging topics like mental health to the everyday absurdities of life, she demonstrates how humor can be a powerful tool for connection and healing.

The episode isn't just about laughs, though. It’s a deep dive into the transformative power of humor, especially for those who have faced trauma or difficult experiences. Rachel talks about her workshops where she empowers individuals, including first responders and others, to use stand-up comedy as a way to reclaim their stories and find strength in their voices.

 

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

RACHEL BERGER

Website: rachelberger.com

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Kelly Humphries shares her powerful and deeply personal journey. Opening up about her experiences as a survivor of child sexual abuse, she reflects on the challenges she faced and overcame.
The unfortunate reality is that in Australia, almost 30% of people experience sexual abuse by the age of 18. Our conversation delves into the complexities of building friendships and maintaining relationships while grappling with past trauma. Kelly also discusses her former career in the Queensland police service, highlighting the impact of her work on her mental health and her eventual transition into advocacy and support for other abuse survivors. The episode touches on important topics such as creating safe spaces for conversation, understanding the nuances of trauma response, and the importance of self-compassion and healing.
Kelly's story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of speaking one's truth. I chime in with some of my insights and experiences and aim to ask Kelly questions that can empower survivors, allies, and parents not to feel like they need to grapple with these experiences swamped in shame, silence, or isolation. 

 

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

KELLY HUMPHRIES

Website: kellyhumphries.com

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's chat with Harps was a perfect blend of humor and insight, potentially topping my list of favorite conversations with him. After we enjoyed some light-hearted banter about his lavender keep-cup and my tendency to relate to food much like a frantic Golden Retriever, the conversation took an intriguing turn. I'd gone full grown-up for this ep and proudly put in a solid three minutes of prep, armed with thought-provoking questions inspired by 'Tools of Titans' by Tim Ferriss - a must-read, I might add, for those who haven't yet!

While I'm keeping Harps's answers under wraps, I can share that the questions led us down a path of resourceful tips, practical advice, and some meaningful life lessons. More than that, they paved the way for Harps to offer deeply honest reflections into the world of Harps as he's known it. 

 

CRAIG HARPER

Website: craigharper.net

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches/

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, I had the pleasure of connecting with Cat Mahon in an unexpected way. Our Facebook paths crossed just prior to my first motorcycle track training day – a nerve-wracking experience for me. But there was Cat, a fellow enthusiast who I threw the invitation out to come along with me and she grabbed it with both hands. Just like that we were like kids in a sandpit, instantly besties. It got me thinking – why does making friends seem so much more complicated as we grow older? I remember giving up biking 11 years ago, feeling isolated without any rider friends, never considering the simple solution of nabbing myself some new shared interest friends.

Our conversation, initially about the challenges of adult friendships, naturally flowed into deeper territories of Cat's life. I learned about her journey through parenthood, and then something more somber. Cat had been a witness to a tragic, fatal incident – a coward punch attack that left an indelible mark on her. This experience catalysed her involvement with the Pat Cronin Foundation, a testament to how such moments can redefine our paths.

New friends are great, get out there and keep making them!

 

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

CATHRYN MAHON

Website: facebook.com/cathrynmahon

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Lee is EXTRAORDINARY. She's an everyday life-enthusiast who's achieved remarkable feats in ocean rowing, being the first Australian woman to solo row any ocean. In her chat with me today she shares her experiences rowing across the Atlantic in 2018, a challenging 68-day voyage, followed by the even crazier solo row across the Pacific Ocean in 2022, a quick trip that took a mere 240 days... No assistance whatsoever, encounters with sharks, and a plethora of challenges, like running out of chocolate WAY too soon which sure isn't a selling point in my books!

As a fitness enthusiast but, as Michelle describes herself, not a natural born athlete it's her mindset, philosophies and attitude that landed with me most in this chat. I absolutely loved this chat as we riffed on embracing challenges, managing fear and anxiety, and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone.

 

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

MICHELLE LEE

Website: solorower.com

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're listening to this on the day that it hits the airwaves (Saturday March 30th) then today is the day that Jem is picking up his new puppy, Bonnie! Amongst the puppy love and usual life-management banter I ask Jem to share a little about how it is today to have lost a brother suddenly (shortly after losing his father to illness). As always, it's a pleasure and for me always an insightful chat with Jem, enjoy!

JEM FULLER

Website: jemfuller.com

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wouldn't it be great to make a difference in this world? To have a cause that really gives you a sense of purpose and to be able to create an organisation that actually makes a difference to peoples lives. That's what 5-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker John Marshall did. He took off on what became a 'voluntouring' escape and connected with orphaned girls in India whom he realised he could not turn his back on. His filmmaking was shunted to the side, a seed was planted, money was raised and Teach Her was born. Putting 150 girls through education so far has defined 'success' for more than another industry award ever could for John. Today we talk about how he evolved the organisation from idea to reality and how the power of story-telling can connect us all with the ability to make a difference. 

Maybe this will inspire you to get out there and make a difference to that thing that tugs at you... Enjoy!

 

JOHN MARSHALL

Website: teachher.org

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we can all agree, being bullied is sh*t. In fact, bullying injures the brain and can leave a mark on us long after the bully moves on. We might even feel like we become a bit of a bully-magnet. Evelyn Field is a practicing psychologist, an author and speaker whose expertise are highly regarded in this space. Evelyn was awarded her OAM for her initiatives for school and workplace bullying. 

So here we are talking all things bullying and unpacking some strategies that can help us loosen the grip those bullies have on us. Conversations like this sure can make many peoples world a better place, I hope that's the case for you. Enjoy!

EVELYN FIELD

Website: bullying.com.au

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Harps and I dive into a thought-provoking chat about our individual significance within our own worlds, while also recognising that we are, essentially, one among 8 billion people on this planet. A perspective that can be particularly grounding when we find ourselves catastrophizing our problems or challenges. Alongside this, we dig into our personal experiences with somewhat addictive, obsessive and sometimes irrational behaviors, from exercise to chocolate and the usual suspects. Our chat is both a reality check and a reflection on the common threads binding us in our human experiences.

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

CRAIG HARPER

Website: craigharper.net

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us are born with what some might call an attitude 'problem'. For some, this attitude lands us in hot water, for others, it’s smoothed over by life's experiences and expectations, but sometimes, just sometimes, it's this very 'problem' that catapults us to success. Justin Herald is a perfect example of this. His unapologetic attitude wasn’t just a personal trait, it was the driving force behind his entrepreneurial success. Embracing his so-called attitude 'problem', Justin printed this bold declaration on a t-shirt, kickstarting his first business venture that eventually raked in millions at its peak.

Dubbing himself 'the accidental business guy', Justin’s story is one of repeatedly falling into business opportunities, often motivated by (in his words) being pissed off. So, if you’ve ever felt like an outsider to the conventional 'businessperson' mold yet sense an untapped entrepreneurial spirit within, you might just want to hit play on this episode, and scribble 'How's that working for you?' in bold letters on your bathroom mirror!

 

SPONSORED BY TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS

Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au

JUSTIN HERALD

Website: justinherald.com

TIFFANEE COOK

Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches

Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/

Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.