Dr. Shannon Kara is an Occupational Therapist, Clinical Director and Doctoral Student based in Canberra, specialising in nature-based interventions for neurodivergent and intellectually disabled populations.

In this episode of the Running for Resilience Podcast, Shannon joins Matt Breen to share her powerful story of surviving domestic violence, rebuilding her identity, navigating burnout and discovering how nature, movement and community can help regulate the nervous system.

Through her clinical work, doctoral research and programs including Nature for Life, Shannon explores how simple, accessible experiences in nature can support people living with anxiety, burnout, trauma, neurodiversity and intellectual disability. Her work sits at the intersection of lived experience and evidence-based practice, showing how the environments we spend time in can shape our recovery, wellbeing and sense of belonging.

This conversation also unpacks Shannon’s THRIVE framework, a practical roadmap designed to help people tune into their bodies, harness nature, regulate their nervous system, integrate small moments of nature into daily life, reconnect with their values and expand safely into new experiences.Together, Matt and Shannon explore:

• Surviving domestic violence and the long process of leaving
• How trauma affects the nervous system
• Why movement and walking can help us feel safe
• The connection between nature, burnout and recovery
• Supporting neurodivergent and intellectually disabled communities
• Why predictability, autonomy and belonging matter
• How Running for Resilience creates connection through movement
• The six moves of the THRIVE framework
• How nature can help shift people from survival into something more sustainable

This is a deeply human conversation about trauma, recovery, neurodiversity, nervous system regulation and the power of community. It bridges the gap between what we know helps and how people actually live, showing how identity, movement, nature and connection can reshape recovery.

Learn more about Shannon’s work and book, Thrive in Nature

Support Services

• Domestic Violence Crisis Support | whiteribbon.org.au/helplines
• Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra | 1800 595 212
• Lifeline | 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Beyond Blue | 1300 22 4636 | ⁠beyondblue.org.au⁠

In this episode of the Running for Resilience podcast, Matt Breen is joined by Tim Fulton and Lauren Geatches to explore the lived reality of rare disease in Australia through the story of Lauren’s child, Sage. They talk about diagnosis, day-to-day resilience, and what it takes for families to keep going when the path is uncertain. The conversation also looks at how advocacy and community can reduce isolation and drive better systems of care.

Tim and Lauren share the lessons they have learned, including how to hold onto hope, notice small wins, and make the most of moments of energy and clarity. Together, they connect rare disease advocacy with the idea of shared struggle, and how collaboration can create real change at scale. This is an honest, practical, and uplifting discussion about persistence, kindness, and finding meaning in hard seasons.

Links:

https://rarevoices.org.au/people/lauren-geatches/

https://rarevoices.org.au/launched-rare-metabolic-disease-workforce-white-paper/

https://runningrare.com/lifes-unpredictable-and-maybe-that-is-okay/

📞 Support ServicesMedicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au🔗 Connect with Running for Resilience🌐 Website: https://www.runningforresilience.com📸 Instagram: / runningforresilience 📘 Facebook: / runningforresilience 🏃 Strava: https://strava.app.link/eGHjt285jTb

What makes Running for Resilience more than just a run club?In this episode of the R4R Podcast, Ben Alexander sits down with Dr Joanna Wall Tweedie, Dr Andrew Flood and Dr Annaleise Naylor from the University of Canberra’s Research Institute for Sport and Exercise to unpack the research behind Running for Resilience and the role community, physical activity and social connection can play in mental health.What began as a simple idea, bringing people together to move, connect and talk, has now become the subject of academic research. Through more than 25 hours of interviews with Running for Resilience (R4R) participants, the University of Canberra (UC) research team has explored why people first come to R4R, why they keep coming back, and what makes the community feel safe, welcoming and meaningful.The conversation explores the “active ingredients” of R4R, including informal physical activity, peer support, psychological safety, mental health literacy, social identity and the powerful idea that people do not need to talk about their mental health in order to feel supported.This is a conversation about belonging, suicide prevention, community-led mental health support and what it really means to show up for yourself and others.Running for Resilience exists to save one life from suicide, as many times as possible, with the long-term goal of helping make the ACT suicide-free by 2033.

In the 20th episode of the R4R Podcast, Benny A sits down with George Vlachos from Digital Nachos. George has travelled around the world, developing is software skills, meeting people, and seeing what works elsewhere, looking for ways to create more collisions and third spaces in Canberra.He's also the man behind our Volunteer App, which has helped us immensely in unlocking volunteers desire to help R4R.Digital Nachos: https://digitalnachos.com.au/Canberra, The loneliest city that shouldn't be: https://curiousgeorgios.substack.com/p/the-loneliest-city-that-shouldnt?r=3ba2yh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true📞 Support ServicesMedicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au🔗 Connect with Running for Resilience🌐 Website: https://www.runningforresilience.com📸 Instagram: / runningforresilience 📘 Facebook: / runningforresilience 🏃 Strava: https://strava.app.link/eGHjt285jTb

In the final episode for 2025, Benny, Lili, and Breeny sit down to review this year's highlights.📞 Support ServicesMedicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au🔗 Connect with Running for Resilience🌐 Website: https://www.runningforresilience.com📸 Instagram: / runningforresilience 📘 Facebook: / runningforresilience 🏃 Strava: https://strava.app.link/eGHjt285jTb

Parkrun has become one of the great community success stories… a weekly ritual that brings people together, gets them moving, and gives them a sense of belonging they can rely on. In this episode, Benny A and Lili sit down with Tim Oberg, the founder of parkrun Australia, to talk about how the movement began, how it scaled, and what Tim's up to now.🔗 Episode Links & Guest Resourcesparkrun Australiahttps://www.parkrun.com.au/📞 Support ServicesMedicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au🔗 Connect with Running for Resilience🌐 Website: https://www.runningforresilience.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningforresilience📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningforresilience🏃 Strava: https://strava.app.link/eGHjt285jTb

Just over 15 years ago, Matt checked his phone and heard a voicemail from his dad:“Hey Matt, I just want to let you know that I love you.”Those could have been the last words his dad ever said… they would have been some of the last thoughts he ever had.In preparing for this episode, Matt wondered what could have been if instead of calling him, his dad had picked up the phone to Lifeline.In this episode, Breeny and Benny A sit down with Carrie-Ann Leeson, CEO of Lifeline Canberra, to explore what actually happens when someone reaches that point — and what happens when they call.What we cover in this conversationWhat someone can expect when they call LifelineCarrie explains the process, the humanity, and the safety of crisis support… removing the mystery so more people feel able to reach out.The weight carried by Lifeline volunteersFrom the Lifeline Gala video to real stories from the phones, we explore the impact of Canberra’s volunteer force:– 200 volunteers in Canberra– 35,000 calls answered– 18,500 hours of support delivered– 4,500 callers experiencing suicidal thoughts– 450 callers in immediate danger, redirected to critical helpCarrie also reflects on her own time as a volunteer — and what it teaches you about people, pain, and hope.Changing the conversation around suicideCarrie is often quoted on this idea. We unpack what it means in practice, why language matters, and how a community shifts from stigma to safety.What a suicide-free Canberra looks likeWe explore the idea through crisis support, community connection, and mental-health skill-building — including Lifeline’s training programs:Mental Health Awareness, Safe to Speak, The Working Mind, Accidental Counsellor, and Suicide Intervention.All of them build the mental-health IQ of a community.Sources & Further ReadingLifeline Canberra turns 50 – Region Media:https://region.com.au/as-lifeline-canberra-turns-50-its-impact-on-canberra-has-been-undeniable/473966/Lifeline Canberra Strategic Plan:https://www.lifelinecanberra.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Lifeline-Canberra-Strategic-Plan-FINAL-1-8-17-2.pdfLifeline Canberra Annual Report 2023–24:https://www.lifelinecanberra.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/23-24-Annual-report-Lifeline-Canberra-Low-Res.pdfIf You Need SupportLifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)https://www.lifeline.org.auMedicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/headtohealthBeyond Blue – 1300 22 4636https://www.beyondblue.org.auConnect with Running for ResilienceWebsite: https://www.runningforresilience.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningforresilienceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/runningforresilienceStrava: https://strava.app.link/eGHjt285jTbYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@runningforresilience

Cancer doesn’t just arrive as a medical diagnosis — it arrives as uncertainty, fear, chaos, costs, and a powerful hit to your mental health. In this episode, Matt opens with the night his mum’s world changed, and the moment he realised he couldn’t control everything.From there, the conversation turns to what so many families know too well: the ambiguity of diagnosis, the whirlwind of treatment, and the emotional, financial, and mental toll that hits everyone involved.This episode shines a light on Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief, and the quiet but life-changing work they’ve been doing for decades across Canberra and Queanbeyan.

What this episode explores

• The shock and ambiguity of diagnosis — and the fear no one talks about•
• The emotional and mental toll cancer takes on families
• The financial strain of treatment, and the relief Rise Above provides
• How exercise, community, and purpose become anchors in overwhelming times
• How shared stories reveal shared truths — and why that connection matters

If You Need Support

Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212

Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.auConnect with

Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief

Website: riseabovecbr.org.au

Facebook: facebook.com/RiseAboveCBR

What does “bouncing back” really mean after unimaginable loss?

In part two of our conversation with Heidi Prowse OAM, we explore what life looks like after losing her husband, Andrew... and how she’s found new ways to move forward through grief, purpose, and service to others.

Heidi shares how resilience isn’t about “getting over it,” but about learning to live with the ache… to say yes to coffee with a friend, to sing along in the car, to let the smallest moments stitch you back together. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes “back” looks nothing like before... and that’s okay.

Mentioned in this episode

• ⁠We Should Have Grown Old Together⁠ by Heidi Prowse
• Bouncing back isn’t about leaping into joy...” ⁠Instagram post⁠:
• Australian of the Year – ⁠Heidi Prowse OAM

What does resilience really look like after losing the person you love most?

In Part One of Episode 15 for the R4R Podcast, Heidi Prowse opens up about life with her husband, Andrew, the man she fell in love with, and the reality of living with his cystic fibrosis diagnosis. Together, they turned hardship into hope, founding the Santa Speedo Shuffle to raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis ACT, raising more than $1 million

Heidi shares stories of love, courage, and loss… from their journey through Andrew’s illness to the final months they shared together. Part two continues with how Heidi “bounced back”, her reflections on grief, resilience, and learning to move forward differently, not back.

Mentioned in this episode

• We Should Have Grown Old Together by Heidi Prowse
• Bouncing back isn’t about leaping into joy...” Instagram post:
• Australian of the Year – Heidi Prowse OAM