That Shit Show

Keith knows more than anyone what it’s like to run towards trouble. During his time as an undercover police officer, he dealt with some of Australia’s most violent criminals, drug lords and crooked cops. He is also one of the most highly decorated police officers to have ever come out of the Qld police force and has dealt with his fair share of trauma – his own and other people’s – resulting in undiagnosed PTSD. 

Keith shares some of the stories from his career, as well as the ways he came to terms with those incidents, the power of martial arts, the healing power of the writing process and the moment he finally forgave himself. 

Resources: Drugs, Guns and Lies

Petrea King is CEO of the Quest for Life Foundation which she established in 1989. She is a well-known author, inspirational keynote speaker, teacher and facilitator. She is also qualified as a naturopath, herbalist, clinical hypnotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher.

In this interview, Petrea shares her own experiences of trauma, explains the new five-day PTSD workshops Quest for Life is running and delivers a frank and uplifting look at the hard work of living in service to others.  

Resources: www.questforlife.com.au

Janelle says that she started grieving the day her mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

This incurable disease – and the heartbreaking experience of watching her beloved mother succumb to its effects – became the pivot point of Janelle’s life.

But there were other issues that arose – the caring commitments and how to best manage them, tensions between Janelle and her siblings, and the inevitability of planning a funeral.

Resources: www.mndaust.asn.au

Three kids and many years of marriage down the track, yoga teacher and nutritionist Monica realised that her marriage was over. She made the scary decision to leave her husband and has had to navigate her way out of the relationship, with all the financial, legal and emotional hurdles that entails.

But rather than sinking into a quagmire of alcohol and pizza, Monica called upon her many years of yoga training and nutrition education to stay afloat, practicing what she preaches.

This journey has taught her how to help other women who find themselves in the same boat. Hear her story and be inspired by her enlightened approach to heartache.

Resources: www.moorenourishinglife.com

Host: Emma Castle

Producer: Pip Rae

Did you know that car accidents have a particular smell? Ex-police officer Brett says that it’s one of the things that will stay with him forever.

According to Brett, a normal day in the life of a first responder involves attending the scenes of car accidents, domestic violence incidents and suicides and, that when he first joined the force, the preferred organisational method of coping with this daily trauma was a trip to the pub.

Brett’s interview sheds light on the toxic culture of the police force, the psychological fallout from extended exposure to it, and the lifesaving healing he found in long distance running.

Resources: Trail Run Magazine article

Host : Emma Castle

Producer : Pip Rae

Event producer Harry was attending an industry exhibition in Melbourne when he headed out on a day trip that was part of the program. He greeted the driver as he boarded the bus but little did he know that this driver would almost kill him 15 minutes later.

Harry was one of 13 passengers who were involved in the accident, and one of six who ended up in ICU when the 3.8m high bus went under a 3m overpass.

Suffering devastating injuries, amnesia and, later, depression and PTSD, Harry’s story takes a remarkable turn when he becomes involved in an appeal for the driver.

Resources: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/22/passengers-trapped-after-bus-crashes-into-overpass-in-melbourne

Virginia’s brother was a bit left of centre and at times, their relationship was strained by his constant demands for help. But that doesn’t change the fact that they were deeply connected - by family history, by a love of music, a shared post code and a mutually creative outlook on life.

So when the police knocked on Virginia’s door four days before Christmas, it blindsided her. Her brother's neighbours had alerted the authorities that something didn’t seem right - and it wasn’t. His body was found inside his apartment - but that’s not all they found.

Listen to hear Virginia’s story about uncovering the truth about her brother’s double life.

More Episodes show notes available at www.emmacastlewriter.com/thatshitshow

Host: Emma Castle

Producer: Pip Rae

A bizarre and devastating incident in a Florida church set Stephanie’s life off on a different course, one that very nearly ended with her speeding towards a tree on a highway.

But that wasn’t the end for this child advocate and foster mum. She found a way through the fog of PTSD, alcohol and depression to start a new life in a new country – and now she is at the forefront of helping parents have better relationships with their children, while also actively caring for kids who have nowhere else to go.

Stephanie shares what happens when you become the toxic friend no-one wants to hang out with, and how sometimes angels wear police uniforms.

Resources: stephaniewicker.com.au

For more information : www.simplykids.live

Host: Emma Castle

Producer: Pip Rae/ShirePOD

Annmarie is the epitome of grace and composure, an image that doesn’t hint at the great sorrow she has suffered: the premature death of her brother in an accident when she was just 20.

But this is not the only trauma she has grappled with throughout her life. When she was in high school, she began her battle with an eating disorder that shrank her body while at the same time it improved her sense of control and confidence.

Following her brother’s death, this desire for control arose again - this time, with the autonomy of adulthood to enable it. Hear how Annmarie was able to kick the habit, all the while living with the sorrow of missing her big bro.

Host: Emma Castle/That Shit Show

Producer: Pip Rae

Journalist John was in Tangalle in Southern Sri Lanka on Boxing Day, 2004. He says he heard the tsunami before he saw it - like the low roar of a jet engine. Initially it lapped against the steps of his shack and slowly receded, only to return with a cataclysmic force that decimated nearly everything - and everyone - on the beach.

Find out how John and his wife Cheryl managed to survive a tsunami that killed over 30,000 people in Sri Lanka alone, where you go when everything around you is destroyed, and what happened when he returned to Australia and had to deal with what he’d experienced. 

Resources: Against the Odds (link to https://www.bookdepository.com/Against-Odds-John-Maddocks/9781925739947)

Host: Emma Castle/That Shit Show

Producer: Pip Rae