The Glitter Effect

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Emma Rose Parsons—a passionate psychologist, mum, and the powerhouse behind Mountain to Melbourne, a grassroots fundraising movement bringing critical support to local children’s hospitals in Victoria.

Emma Rose combines her professional insight into childhood anxiety with her personal experience as a mother to champion better care for kids—especially neurodivergent children—who often face overwhelming hospital environments. Shocked to discover that major fundraising often bypasses local hospitals, she decided to do something bold: run over 100km in just 12 hours, from Healesville Hospital to Eastland Town Square, passing through key Eastern Health sites along the way.

Her mission? To raise vital funds for facilities that serve over 36,000 children each year—ensuring they have the tools, resources, and environments needed to ease anxiety and deliver better care.

This episode is a powerful story of community-driven change, personal courage, and how one determined woman is reminding us that local kids deserve world-class care too.

Mountain to Melbourne website: https://eastland.qicre.com/articles/community/mountain-to-melbourne

In this deeply moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jason Sotiris, founder of SuperTee—a superhero-inspired medical garment transforming the hospital experience for children across Australia.

Jason shares the heartbreaking journey of his daughter’s cancer battle and how one moment of frustration and helplessness led to a life-changing idea. Tired of hospital gowns that made children look and feel sick, Jason imagined something better—garments that offered comfort, dignity, and courage.

What started as a desperate Dad’s solution has grown into a national movement, replacing clinical gowns with colourful, easy-to-use SuperTees that help kids feel strong in the face of serious illness. With deep compassion, creativity, and a drive to rewrite the narrative of what it means to be in hospital, Jason is helping thousands of families feel seen, supported, and super.

This is a powerful story of resilience, purpose, and how even in the darkest moments, love can ignite change.

SuperTee website: https://www.supertee.org.au/

In this heartwarming episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Ruth Lazerson, founder of Art of Hope—a creative initiative that transforms handcrafted heart-shaped pendants into powerful symbols of kindness, connection, and healing.

Ruth shares the story behind her colorful creations and the philosophy that drives her: that even the smallest acts of kindness, like a tiny light in a dark room, can illuminate the lives of those in pain or isolation. Originally trained as a textile designer, Ruth rediscovered her life’s purpose in her 40s, channeling her creativity into a movement that touches hearts—literally and metaphorically.

Each handcrafted pendant is paired with a heartfelt message and gifted to people during tough times, offering a moment of recognition, beauty, and hope. From nurses pinning them to their scrubs, to young men treasuring them on keyrings, these tiny hearts are bringing light wherever they go.

Kate and Ruth also share the beautiful connection between The Glitter Effect and Art of Hope, with each guest receiving a handcrafted heart made by Ruth as a token of appreciation.

This is a story of creativity, empathy, and quiet transformation—one heart at a time.

The art of hope: https://artofhope.com.au/

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Kirsty Porter, founder of Umbrella Dementia Cafés — a grassroots initiative providing safe, inclusive spaces for people living with dementia and their loved ones.

Kirsty shares the personal story that inspired her to shift from a career in aged care nursing to becoming a powerful community advocate. From a serendipitous visit to a dementia café in the UK to launching a now-vital network of support back home in Australia, Kirsty unpacks the urgent need for more dementia-friendly environments and open conversations.

Together, they explore:

The rising prevalence of dementia in Australia — now impacting nearly 500,000 people.

The often-overlooked challenges faced by carers, particularly in cases of younger-onset dementia.

Why community-based care and connection are crucial — long before aged care becomes necessary.

How Umbrella Dementia Cafés are helping reduce stigma, isolation, and burnout for both individuals and families.

This episode is a moving reminder of the power of compassion, small actions, and grassroots leadership in changing lives.

☕ Grab a cuppa and tune in — Kirsty’s glitter truly shines.

Umbrella Dementia Cafés https://umbrelladementiacafes.com.au/

In this insightful and heart-led episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Wendy Coombe, founder of Animal Therapies Limited (ATL) — a pioneering Australian not-for-profit reshaping the landscape of therapeutic support through the healing power of animals.

Wendy takes us on the inspiring journey behind ATL’s creation, born from personal experience and grown into a national movement advocating for the formal recognition, education, and integration of animal-assisted services across health, education, disability, and aged care sectors.

With warmth and clarity, Wendy explains the vital differences between simply owning a pet and animal-assisted therapy, highlighting the deep science, structure, and professional collaboration behind this growing field. From guinea pigs helping children build empathy to dogs working alongside occupational therapists, ATL is leading the way — not just in Australia, but globally — in promoting accessible, evidence-based care through human–animal connection.

Tune in to hear:

Animal Therapies Limited https://animaltherapies.org.au/

#TheGlitterEffect #AnimalTherapiesLimited #WendyCoom #AnimalAssistedTherapy #DisabilitySupport #MentalHealthMatters #TherapyAnimals #CompassionInAction #PetTherapy #SocialImpact #AustralianPodcast #HealingTogether

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