With 19 years in the disability sector, Brett Sams has seen it all — from the overwhelming early days of community care to becoming a behavior support practitioner shaping workplace wellbeing. In this conversation, Brett shares how personal experiences influenced his career, why understanding behavior triggers is essential, and how collaborative support plans can change lives.

We dive into the real talk on burnout, why men in the sector struggle to open up about self-care, and how building a toolbox of wellbeing strategies can protect workers and improve company culture. Whether you’re a support worker, team leader, or provider, this episode will remind you why looking after yourself is just as important as looking after others.

✨ Takeaways:

• Collaborative care = better support outcomes

• Self-care looks different for everyone

• Corporate wellbeing programs can shift workplace culture

In this episode of Support Worker, Sarah chats with Belinda Toohey — a powerhouse in the disability sector. Belinda shares her journey from the early days of deinstitutionalization to creating Including You, a service built on social justice and advocacy.

They dive into:

• How the NDIS changed disability support (for better and harder)

• Why choice and control matter for people with disability

• The real challenges support workers face every day

• Why skill development and community inclusion are key to independence

Belinda’s story is all about adaptability, leadership, and creating real change. If you care about disability support, NDIS, and building inclusive communities, this conversation is for you.

👉 Keywords: disability support, NDIS, deinstitutionalization, choice and control, skill development, community inclusion, support workers, Including You, social justice, advocacy

In this episode, we sit down with Connor Greene, a passionate support worker and ADHD advocate, to explore the realities of supporting neurodivergent children within the NDIS framework.

Connor shares his journey from aged care to working with kids with ADHD and autism, unpacking the unpredictable nature of daily support work and the importance of communication, self-regulation, and education.

We dive into:
✨ Why Connor believes ADHD should be redefined as a self-regulation disorder
✨ The changing role of schools in ADHD awareness and mental health support
✨ How parents can better understand their child’s neurodivergent needs
✨ The power of passion in creating great support workers
✨ Building community and connection in the neurodivergent space

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, support workers, and NDIS professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of ADHD, autism, and community support.

NDIS, ADHD support Australia, autism support, support worker podcast, neurodivergent community, parenting ADHD Melbourne, education ADHD awareness, self-regulation disorder, mental health NDIS, ADHD Australia 2025

Mealtime support is one of the most common tasks in disability support — and one of the most misunderstood.

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah speaks with Laura Appel about nutrition, feeding supports, and participant wellbeing.

• Supporting nutrition in disability
• Feeding support for NDIS participants
• Mealtime planning
• Complex feeding supports
• Support worker training

👉 Follow Laura Appel
👉 Subscribe to Sarah Knows Support Workers

In this episode you'll learn:

In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Amy and Aaron, the powerhouse duo behind Marco Polo Portal, to unpack their journey through entrepreneurship, disability accommodation, and the importance of neurodiversity in business.

Together, they explore:
✨ How their partnership dynamics fuel innovation
✨ The role of feedback, mentorship, and AI in shaping their platform
✨ Why empowering people with disabilities to find the right housemates is more than tech — it’s about choice, community, and dignity
✨ The future of NDIS, disability accommodation, and person-centred approaches

This conversation is equal parts real talk and inspiration — covering everything from the resilience needed to build a start-up, to the ethical imperative of putting people first.

💡 Takeaways:

• Be kind to yourself and own your uniqueness

• Empowerment is the heart of real impact

• AI works best when it strengthens human connection

• Innovation in the disability sector starts with listening

Tune in to hear how Amy & Aaron are reshaping the future of disability accommodation — one partnership, one platform, and one community at a time.

https://www.marcopoloportal.com/

NDIS providers across Australia are struggling to retain staff — and it's impacting participant outcomes.

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah speaks with Phil Hamilton about retaining support workers and improving workplace culture.

• How to retain support workers
• Building strong workplace culture
• Leadership strategies in disability
• Communication with support workers
• Reducing staff turnover

👉 Subscribe to Sarah Knows Support Workers

👉 Want to learn more about building better workplaces? Check out Human Power for practical HR solutions that actually make sense.

Running an NDIS business isn’t just paperwork and policies—it’s heart, hustle, and a whole lotta chaos (with a sprinkle of confetti).

In this episode, I sit down with Phuong, founder of Connect My Community, to talk about what it really takes to thrive as a small NDIS provider. We dig into:

✅ Why compliance should feel like a superhero’s cape, not a straightjacket

🧠 The emotional toll of running an NDIS biz (and how to avoid burnout)

👥 The power of community support and building real connections

🚀 How personal branding and word of mouth can make or break growth

🔮 The future of NDIS registration and what it means for providers

This is the unfiltered truth about compliance, trust, and staying sane while making a difference in the disability sector.

🎧 Hit play and join us for real talk, practical insights, and a reminder that you’re not alone in this biz.

What do elevator pitches, big dreams, and support workers have in common? They all come together in this feel-good convo between Sarah from the Support Worker Store and Daniel from Jigsaw Australia.

From networking wins to career twists, Daniel spills the tea on:

• What makes a great support worker 💡

• Why partnerships matter more than ever 🤝

• How Jigsaw is transforming lives through real jobs and real skills 💼

• Career advice for anyone wanting to thrive in the NDIS space 🚀

• The reality of support work—the good, the gritty, and the growth 🌱

Whether you're new to disability work or deep in the sector, this chat is packed with insight, warmth, and stories you’ll want to pass on. Hit play and get inspired.

👉 Keywords: disability, support work, Jigsaw Australia, elevator pitch, NDIS, community engagement, career advice, partnerships, transformation, support workers, social impact

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Traynor, Business Development Manager at Care Done Differently and founder of Caffeine Connections — a relaxed, relationship-first networking event changing how professionals connect in the disability support sector.

Jack shares how Caffeine Connections was born to fill a real gap in the industry: a need for casual, no-pressure meetups where NDIS providers, support workers, and community leaders can build genuine connections and collaborations. 💬

We unpack big topics like:

• Why authenticity matters more than sales talk

• How to build a personal brand that actually gets you noticed in disability care

• The real deal with shared living and participant matching

• Tips for new support workers who want to grow their impact and community

Whether you're an NDIS provider, support worker, or just curious about how we can all do care differently—this one’s for you.

☕ Want to join the next Caffeine Connections event? Follow along on socials or reach out to Jack to grab a coffee and connect with your people.

🧡 Curious about how Care Done Differently supports NDIS participants across NSW? Visit caredonedifferently.com.au to learn more about their fresh, person-first approach to support, shared living, and community care.

👉 Let's turn conversations into care—one connection at a time.

In this episode, we dive deep into the NDIS space with someone who gets it — from plan management headaches to community magic. We chat trust, ethics, networking that’s actually fun (yep, it’s possible), and why small providers are kind of a big deal.

✨ Real stories, real strategy, and a few laughs along the way.

🎧 Whether you're a support worker, provider, or just NDIS-curious, this one’s for you.

👉 Wanna connect with Stu or check out what he's building?
Visit his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-p-a5693315b
Tell him the Support Worker Store sent you 💬

https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-wizards-networking-and-fundraiser-event-melbourne