The Bold Platform

Maddy Buchner grew up caring for her younger brother, who had a range of chronic illnesses, and her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. At nine years of age, she identified a gap in the support system for Young Carers and began to raise awareness through fundraising events and stalls. This eventually culminated in a business plan for an organisation called Little Dreamers, way back in 2009.

More than ten years later and over 5,000 young people reached, Little Dreamers is now Australia's leading Young Carer organisation. Across a range of key support programs co-designed with young people in caring roles, they are breaking down barriers and empowering youths, with a vision to ensure that every Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by the year 2030.

Maddy is one of the boldest young women I have had the pleasure of chatting with for the podcast. Whether you are a young carer or not, there is much to be learned from Maddy's story and her attitude to the work she does.

You can learn more about Maddy and Little Dreamers at www.littledreamers.org.au

Working in beauty salons during her early twenties introduced Laura to a number of women who felt comfortable confiding their personal stories and current situations with her during their appointments. In a safe space, often relaxed, and with a degree of anonymity, women often disclosed details with Laura about financial difficulties, domestic violence, illness, and abuse against their children by a loved one.

​

Having experienced domestic abuse in her own life, Laura resonated with these women who just needed some kind of outlet for what they were going through, but the hardest aspect was that not only was she not qualified to counsel them, but that at the end of the day they would often leave the salon and Laura would never see them again. She had no way of knowing if they escaped violence, protected their children, their illness treated or terminal, or destined for bankruptcy.

​

Laura wanting to find a way to establish her own business where women could still feel safe enough to confide in her, but have access to a range of resources to help them through whatever they were facing.

In partnership with Women's Safety NSW, Makeup for Change is a project initiated Laura to help raise awareness of domestic abuse in its many forms, support those who have experienced abuse during their lifetime, and guide women to resources and organisations that can assist them.

​

The Makeup for Change project will be providing a complimentary hair and makeup session to women who have previously experienced domestic abuse to:

•Improve their sense of self worth

•Spoil and provide a memorable, enjoyable experience

•Allow a safe space in which to tell their story

•Contribute to raising awareness for domestic abuse

You can learn more about Laura and the Makeup for Change project at www.morganelwood.com/makeup-for-change

If you or anyone you know needs help please contact 1800 RESPECT or visit www.1800respect.org.au/

At the age of 23, Danielle lost her mother to a rare form of gynaecological cancer. Staring down the barrel of life's milestones without the support of her Mum, Danielle began searching for support groups where she could connect with other Australian women in their 20's who had also lost their Mum. Through the power of social media, Danielle connected with a local girl called Eloise who had also lost her mother. They planned to have a quick coffee catch up to meet face to face and six hours later in that Melbourne café, Motherless Daughters Australia was born.

Motherless Daughters Australia now provides support to over 4,000 women and children who have lost their Mums through various events, an online support group and beautiful children's journals. Their goal is to connect and unite women in the same shoes to show them that they are not alone, facilitate and conduct research, and to raise awareness and provide education to the wider community.

You can learn more about the special work of Motherless Daughters Australia at www.motherlessdaughters.com.au

In today's episode I am chatting with Ari who is one half of ARNA, her sister Natasha being the other half. ARNA's was born in ARNA in 2018 with the idea that they could create something that would help women make bold decisions every single day. That was their first bold decision into business.

When I heard about ARNA and their motivatation to highlight bold stories, I couldn't wait to get them on the podcast! There is so much alignment in what we both do and I always believe, we are better together.

These two sisters are passionate about women's empowerment, especially in equality and parity in the workforce.

Check out their BOLD moves here.

You can learn more about Ari and ARNA at www.arnaonline.com.au

Helen Black is the CEO of workRestart, a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to empower people in gaol to re-start their lives and positively contribute to the community they live in.

They do this by providing training, employment and business building skills. The real-world jobs provide a pathway that prepares incarcerated people for a new life upon release. The aim is to improve prisoners' chances of securing stable employment, significantly reducing the rate of re-offending and helping to build a safer community.

This episode will absolutely challenge your thinking about those who 'do time' - please listen with an open heart and mind.

You can learn more about Helen and workRestart at www.workrestart.com.au

After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2006, Stephanie struggled to find a wire free bra made from natural fibres that she could wear during her cancer treatment. Fast forward to current day where Stephanie has now created the world's first zero-waste bra. What happened between then and now is nothing short of a whirl wind start up story!

During our conversation, Stephanie and I chat about what it really takes to make a bra, all the ups and downs she has experienced as a small business owner and why gelato on the beach might be the best solution to a bad day

You can learn more about Stephanie from The Very Good Bra at www.theverygoodbra.com

Since Andrée was a little girl she had a strong love of animals and had dreams of starting her own pet accessory business. After a volunteer stint at an animal shelter in Bali, she discovered a need for additional support in vaccinating and sterilising animals in developing countries. With a couple of hundred dollars in her bank account and an unwavering passion for animals, Andrée moved to Bali and set off on the business adventure of a life time!

The Bandana Love Project is now a wonderfully successful business which is helping to create a long-term, sustainable and kind approach to reducing the overpopulation and suffering of so many animals.

Check out Andrée gorgeous products at www.thebandanaloveproject.com

In this episode of The Bold Platform I am chatting with Katie from The Underground Collaborative in Perth.

The Underground Collaborative is a social enterprise that provides employment and housing solutions for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Their first employment initiative Ground+Co launched recently, a micro-café that provides training and employment for people who are marginalised to become baristas.

You can learn more about the amazing work Katie is doing at www.theunderground.org.au

When Jade was 7 years old, she heard a story on the radio about a young girl who had cut all her hair off and donated it to charity. Jade asked her Mum Alice if she could do the same thing and now two years on and about 38cm of hair growth later, Jade is preparing for her big chop on Saturday 7th December!

Jade has formed part of a national campaign through Variety called Hair With Heart. The hair that Jade donates will be turned into a wig for a sick young child who has lost their own hair. Jade is also raising money to allow Variety to turn her donated hair into the wig. The cost of a wig for children in need can be up to $6,000!

If you can help Jade please visit hairwithheart.everydayhero.com/au/jade-s-big-chop

Primer is a social enterprise - Australia's first digital media social enterprise, in fact - which means that Felicity and Anna deliver 50 per cent of their profits to organisations that help women in desperate need.

This means that every time you click on a story or share it with a friend through Primer, you're helping fund projects that make women's lives better. What's not to love!

During my chat with Felicity we talk about her days at Marie Clare, the need for meaningful journalism, how they choose which NGO's they support and how piano lessons can help you chill out!

You can learn more about Primer at www.primer.com.au