In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down in person with social enterprise trailblazer Jess Colgan, CEO of All Things Equal and co-founder of Ginger Snap Patisserie. Jess is transforming what inclusive employment looks like, creating real pathways for people with disabilities to thrive in award-wage jobs within the hospitality sector and beyond.

Jess shares the inspiring origin stories behind both ventures — from a father’s determination to build a workplace for his daughter, to a sibling duo’s passion project baking up purpose alongside cookies. Under Jess’s leadership, All Things Equal is not only providing jobs, but sparking national conversations on disability inclusion and systemic change.

With compassion, clarity, and quiet strength, Jess opens up about the power of meaningful work, what true inclusion requires, and why we all benefit when everyone is invited to the table.

Listen in to learn:

The real barriers people with disabilities face in employment

How All Things Equal is flipping the script on workplace inclusion

The sweet mission behind Ginger Snap Patisserie

What drives Jess to keep showing up with purpose and heart

#TheGlitterEffect #AllThingsEqual #JessColgan #DisabilityInclusion #SocialEnterprise #InclusiveEmployment #ChangeMakers #GingerSnapPatisserie #PurposeDriven #CommunityImpact #AustralianPodcast

All Things Equal https://www.allthingsequal.com.au/

In this heartwarming and powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Simon Braun — better known as Simmo — the unstoppable force behind The Bloody Good Tour. Simmo is a passionate storyteller and community champion on a mission to save 100,000 lives and boost the well-being of Aussies everywhere, one blood donation and one heartfelt connection at a time.

After facing personal upheaval — becoming a single dad of three and navigating an emotional breakdown — Simmo transformed his pain into purpose. Packing his kids into a caravan, he’s journeyed across Australia, visiting over 75 Lifeblood donor centres and inspiring thousands to rediscover the joy of giving back.

Through raw honesty, resilience, and community spirit, this episode explores how vulnerability can forge deeper bonds, and how one man is building a legacy of kindness and connection.

Tune in to hear:

How a lunch break breakdown changed Simmo’s life

The power of mateship, blood donation, and storytelling

Why “doing good feels bloody good”

#TheGlitterEffect #BloodyGoodTour #SimonBraun #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #BloodDonation #CommunityHeroes #AustralianPodcasts #KindnessMatters #Resilience #Fatherhood #RealConversations

The Bloody Good Tour https://thebloodygoodtour.com.au/home

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jo Taranto, the dynamic founder of Good for the Hood, a grassroots organisation dedicated to helping people, councils, and businesses build more sustainable, connected, and resilient communities.

With a background in health, sustainability, and communication, Jo shares how a simple neighbourhood initiative with her next-door neighbour sparked a national movement focused on practical, local change. From reducing waste to fostering social connection, Good for the Hood empowers everyday people to take meaningful action—right where they live, work, and play.

Key takeaways from Jo’s story:
• Change doesn’t have to start big—it starts next door.
• Community wellbeing and climate action go hand-in-hand.
• A sense of purpose often emerges from personal reflection—especially in times of uncertainty.
• Everyone can do something “good for their hood.”

Jo’s heartfelt reflections on modern community disconnection—and her mission to bring people back together—shine brightly in this conversation. Her message is hopeful and clear:

“In a world full of big problems, local solutions matter more than ever.”

This episode is a celebration of small steps, local love, and the power of people to create positive ripple effects in the places they call home.

Good for the Hood https://www.goodforthehood.com.au/

In this heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Kylie Pussell, a mother, advocate, and the passionate CEO and co-founder of the Miracle Babies Foundation—Australia’s leading organization supporting families with premature or sick newborns.

Kylie shares the deeply personal story that led her to create the foundation after her own experience navigating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with her premature babies. What began as a journey of personal hardship has transformed into a national movement of compassion, advocacy, and peer support for thousands of families across Australia.

Listeners will learn:
• What Miracle Babies Foundation does and how it was born from lived experience.
• How peer support and community connection are central to their mission.
• The emotional reality of NICU parenting—and the importance of hope, remembrance, and ongoing support.
• How Kylie’s leadership has helped build a national support network including face-to-face services in hospitals and a 24-hour helpline.

Kylie exemplifies the essence of The Glitter Effect—transforming adversity into impact with empathy, courage, and unwavering drive.

“You never expect your baby to start life in the NICU. But when they do, having someone who understands can change everything.” — Kylie Pussell

Miracle Babies Foundation https://www.miraclebabies.org.au/

In this moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Matt Runnalls, a fearless mental health advocate, founder of Mindfull Aus, speaker, author, and a deeply committed community builder. Matt’s mission is grounded in personal experience—he turned his own battle with mental health into a national movement that’s breaking down stigma and saving lives, especially in rural and regional Australia.

Matt shares his raw and powerful story:
• Growing up with emotional struggles he didn’t understand.
• Following society’s guidance only to be met with a diagnosis and little direction.
• Enduring emotional trauma, homelessness, and the heartbreaking loss of 13 mates to suicide.
• And ultimately, choosing to speak up, to heal, and to help others do the same.

Through Mindfull Aus, Matt creates safe spaces for open conversations, aiming to equip individuals and communities with tools for emotional wellbeing. His message is simple but transformational:

“Healing happens in community.”

Kate and Matt also reflect on their own past collaboration and the impact of grassroots mental health work in everyday places—like local footy clubs.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of connection, courage, and compassion in mental health advocacy, and of the life-changing power of turning pain into purpose.

Mindfull Aus https://www.mindfullaus.org/team

Amanda Mandie, founder of Koala Kids Foundation, talks about how the organisation brings happiness to children undergoing cancer treatment and supports their families.

What started with small acts like providing art supplies and lollipops has grown into a network of volunteers and businesses. Mandy shares her personal journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006, and how she found purpose in volunteering.

She discusses challenges like declining volunteer numbers and funding, as well as Koala Kids’ approach to sustainability, such as intergenerational volunteering and flexible ways to contribute.

Despite the decline in grants for children’s cancer, Koala Kids continues to fundraise through events and corporate partnerships. Mandy’s advice for getting involved in community work: do something you love, find a good team, and make it work with your lifestyle.

Koala Kids Foundation https://koalakids.org.au/

In this inspiring episode, host Kate reconnects with a long-time colleague and friend, Esis Tawfik, the passionate CEO of Ageing with Grace—an organization dedicated to ensuring older Australians live with dignity, independence, and joy.

Esis shares the deeply personal story that sparked her mission: witnessing her own parents’ struggles with ageing, isolation, and the loss of independence. Combined with over 30 years of experience in aged care, disability services, and self-esteem education, Esis built Ageing with Grace to champion inclusivity, advocacy, and human connection for all, regardless of background.

Together, Kate and Esis reflect on their shared history at Vision Australia, discuss the emotional and practical challenges of ageing, and explore how community-driven support can truly change lives.

Takeaway Message: Everyone deserves to feel valued, heard, and connected—at every stage of life. Esis reminds us that it’s never too late to make a difference, and that ageing can be filled with grace, purpose, and sparkle.

Ageing with Grace https://ageingwithgrace.org.au/

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, the host welcomes Maurice Gleeson, OAM, a true legend in the world of community, sport, and inclusion. Maurice is the President and CEO of Blind Sports Recreation Victoria and has dedicated over 40 years to championing opportunities for people who are blind or vision-impaired. He is an advocate for accessibility in sport, recreation, and social connection. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards Lifetime Achievement and the Medal of Honour of Australia.

Maurice’s leadership has transformed Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria into a powerful force for inclusion, community building, and empowerment. The organization thrives on volunteers, a strong vision, and heart-driven passion. In the conversation, the host highlights Maurice as the embodiment of the “Glitter Effect”—a person who continuously shines, lifts others up, and inspires future leaders.

Maurice shares his personal journey, beginning with a life-altering incident at age 13 when he lost his vision due to a rare condition called Stickler syndrome. Despite initial setbacks and the challenges of losing his sight, Maurice’s journey eventually led him to St. Paul’s School for the Blind, a pivotal moment that opened up a new chapter in his life. Although faced with the discouraging advice that he couldn’t continue his education, Maurice persevered and found work in a factory, an experience that shaped his future. He reflects on how these early challenges, combined with his determination, ultimately led him to a career advocating for people with disabilities, particularly those with vision impairments.

This episode delves into Maurice’s inspiring journey of resilience, leadership, and his commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their ability, can participate fully in life.

Blind Sport & Recreation Victoria Sports and Recreation for people who are blind or vision impaired. – Blind Sports

In this heartfelt episode, Kate speaks with Sarah DeJonge, the founder of 1000 Hearts, a global kindness movement centered around hand-sewn felt hearts. Born from a time of personal healing and a deep desire to spread compassion, 1000 Hearts began in 2016 as a small personal project and has since evolved into an international community of “heartmakers.”

Sarah shares the deeply personal origin story of the project—sewing the first heart during a difficult period marked by separation, single parenting, and anxiety. Drawing on her background in crafting and her professional work in emotional support and grief care, she found that creating and sharing these small tokens of care was not only healing for others but for herself as well.

Together, Kate and Sarah reflect on the profound impact of small, intentional acts of kindness and how they can offer hope, connection, and comfort in a chaotic world. The episode beautifully illustrates how purpose doesn’t have to be grand or expensive to be powerful—it can be hand-stitched, heartfelt, and held in the palm of your hand.

🧵 “We all need kindness… and this was my way of giving and receiving it.” — Sarah DeJonge

1000 Hearts 1000 Hearts | A global kindness community

In this first episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate Gniel is joined by the incredible Louise Larkin, founder and Chief Inclusion Officer of the charity Friend in Me. Lou’s work is a testament to the power of kindness and inclusion, and she’s the epitome of a community change maker. Described as someone who exudes “glitter,” Lou is a passionate advocate for creating spaces where every child feels included, regardless of their abilities.

Friend in Me started with a simple, heart-wrenching story. While driving to work, Lou heard a mother on the radio in tears because no one had shown up to her son’s birthday party—a boy living with disabilities. The story deeply impacted Lou, sparking an idea. Lou and her friends quickly organized a community party for children who, like the boy, had never been to a party. What started as a single act of kindness soon blossomed into a powerful movement, with larger events and more people involved every year.

In this episode, Lou shares how Friend in Me grew from humble beginnings into a thriving community that fosters inclusion, friendship, and acceptance. Her mission has created spaces where loneliness is replaced with laughter, and where kindness is at the heart of every event. Lou reflects on how her initiative not only impacts children and families but also inspires volunteers and supporters to join in and spread their own “glitter.”

Lou’s story is a testament to the incredible impact of one person’s compassion and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. It’s a reminder of how small acts of kindness can snowball into something much bigger and far-reaching.

Friend In Me Friend In Me – My WordPress Blog