Podcast: Transitioning our children with Autism into adulthood; a parent's perspective. Special Guest Dr Karen Glasby.

Karen wears so many hats when it comes to this topic. She is an academic, and an advocate for parents, but most importantly she is a mother of a young man with Autism. Karen, like many parent's, has been to hell and back with her son. Her family have watched helplessly as their son struggled with his adult independence, without the cognitive capacity to match this new life stage. As their son was an adult, he theoretically could make his own choices, but they as a family were left to pick up the pieces again and again. 

Karen took her search for answers beyond her own front door, and into academia. Her research findings humble us even further. I will let her explain. Thank you immensely for your time Karen and for sharing your story and your wisdom. I truly appreciate the fire in your belly in trying to open everyone's eyes to this issue. 

Are you critically judgmental or compassionate judgemental, there is a difference. 

I have clients come into session worried that they are judgemental, that they are critical of others. This opens up a fascinating topic of what it means to observe your world and how you respond to what you see. 

I thought I would add this topic out of interest because it always creates such interesting responses. 

Have a think, where do you sit?

Podcast: The gender roles that have shaped you.  Co-Presenter Kristen Coggan

Have you ever thought about who your role models are with regard to your masculinity and femininity? With regard to your sense of your gender? It's a fascinating personal question. Are there adults who you swore you'd wouldn't turn out like, or other's in your personal world or in a more far off role that have inspired you? Where do you get a sense of what kind of man or woman you want to be? What is your yard stick? 

I surprised poor Kristen with this topic with not much notice, and she didn't disappoint. I really loved us chewing through our personal experiences here. Fun and thought provoking...

Podcast: It's nice to be nice; why volunteering is amazing. Special Guest 'Krazy Kevin' Howarth.
 
Kevin is one of those big personalities that leaves a lasting impression. Kevin is a man of many talents, he is 'Krazy Kevin' radio and DJ personality, he is Toowoomba's Town Crier, he's officially the loudest person in Australia, he has won the 'Best DJ in the UK' and he is an active member of our community who seems to pop up all over the place. But what people might not know about Kevin is that he has an impressive history of contributing truly meaningful volunteer work in the most varied and bizarre places and international situations. Kevin is a huge advocate of volunteering (the second biggest workforce he educated me), and Kevin is involved in acknowledging this vital role of volunteers.

Kevin is such a kind hearted enthusiast in life. I'm sure you'll find his energy contagious. 

Thank you so much Kevin for sharing your experiences and your passion. We are all spoilt!

Do you know the difference between OCD and OCPD?

Over my 25 years as a Clinical Psychologist, I've seen this misunderstanding come up time and time again. A client comes in complaining that they or their partner has OCD, but they actually have OCPD, and vice versa. One presentation is a debilitating anxiety condition, the other is a personality type. 

Have a listen. You might recognise these conditions in people in your life?

Podcast: What do your pet peeves say about you? Co-presenter Kristen Coggan

You know those things that irritate you, and drive you nuts? We all have pet peeves. We can I'm sure all list them easily. What is interesting is that our pet peeves are unique to each of us and this is a very interesting thing. Our pet peeves actually say a lot about us. They are a reflection of our personality traits, our values and our previous experiences. 

So have a listen. I wonder what your pet peeves say about you? It's a glance in the mirror...

Podcast: Murder of my 8 year old brother - Change in DOCS legislation. Special Guest: Chantelle Deetlefs

The media made a living off this 1982 tragedy, but up until now, Chantelle Deetlefs, the key witness has never told her story. 

This tragic story is about so many things; mental health, dangerous critical assumptions and decisions, ignoring multiple cries for help, duty of care, risk assessment procedures and dismissal of a youth's voice. Chantelle tells me that for herself personally, it was about learning to survive. 

This is a powerful historical story that sadly still resonates today. 

Chantelle, I am honoured that you chose this platform to finally set the story straight. It was brave of you. I hope it was yet another step toward healing. 

Quick Chat: Can parents tell their children not to smoke if they are smokers? 

This controversial topic comes up surprisingly often in session. Parents don't want their children to smoke, but what if they themselves are smokers? What if they are modelling smoking as a normal way of life to their children? 

This is super tricky issue and I have loads of empathy for adults caught in this situation as quitting smoking is argued to be the most difficult addiction to overcome. More the reason to desperately try to discourage our children from smoking right? But then the child says 'Yeah, but you do it...' 

Jump on and see what you think about this controversial topic. 

Podcast: Why should we cry? Our chemical release. Co-Presenter Kristen Coggan

Do you know what happens to your neurochemical self when you cry? Our bodies are pretty clever in their design. When you hear what the physical perks are of releasing a good cry you might just embrace the opportunity when next it comes up.

I personally feel extremely comfortable with tears. I don't feel unsettled when my clients cry in session, I give them all the space they need to be in that moment and release. And when I feel a tearful release, I really value how good it is for me. Find out why for yourself. 

Hope you enjoy. 

When Suzie Holt wins the Federal election in 2025 for the seat of Groom (come on Toowoomba... surely!), our region is in for a much needed shake up. I never put my hat in the ring for politics, but with Suzie Holt I'll make an exception. I've known Suzie for perhaps 18 years, and I can tell you she's got brains, a strong community conscience, brilliant communication skills and the warrior heart of a pioneer. The reason that I'm so confident for a win is that in the last election, before Toowoomba had much time to get to know Suzie, she came second place on two-party preference. That's truly extraordinary for a new comer! But now that Suzie has proven that she's a woman of action, I'm busting to see Toowoomba step out of the cobwebs and embrace some fresh initiative in 2025.

Now onto our podcast...  'The Justice Response to Sexual Violence.' This topic was chosen as Suzie excitedly informed me that there is currently a review happening  into how our Justice channels respond to sexual violence. What is working for sexual abuse survivors, and what is not? Unfortunately the report card is not a good one, and Suzie is grabbing the opportunity to look to international justice practices (Spain!) to see alternative models we can embrace. 

I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Suzie about how she came to politics, and what has fuelled the incredible fire in her belly to advocate for the community's needs. We circled through some great topics, with sexual violence reform being our punchline. 

Thanks Suzie for your time, your thoughts and your passion. 

Everyone... jump on Suzie's website (attached in comments) and check her out. You can't get a more determined, practical and relatable Federal candidate for our region of Groom. Grab her for a chat. She'd love that!

linktr.ee/suzieholt4groom