WHAT I'VE LEARNT

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Dr Alison Thompson OAM 

When the planes flew into the twin towers in New York City on September 11 2001, rather than lock her doors and stay inside, Dr. Alison Thompson packed a backpack with medical supplies, put on her rollerblades and skated into ground zero as a first responder. It was at this tragedy that Dr. Thompson realized her true calling – to be at the wrong place at the right time and do something. 

She has just been one of the first Australians Awarded the American Presidential award. The Australian paramedic receives US presidential award for 'outstanding' volunteer work

For more than two decades, specialist paramedic Alison Thompson has been volunteering her services in some of the world's most dangerous locations.

Her award-winning documentary The Third Wave, chronicles her volunteer experience in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in a Presidential Jury Screening presented by Sean Penn and Bono. 

Since 2001, Alison has covered the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti (where she worked with the actor Sean Penn), the 2015 Nepal earthquake and now the refugee camps in Greece. Dr. Thompson made an award-winning documentary entitled The Third Wave about her experiences during the 2004 tsunami, later wrote the book The Third Wave: A Volunteer Story.

She founded Third Wave Volunteers as a first responder on Sept 11th, 2001 in NYC which has grown to over 30,000 first responders worldwide. Alison has worked at the grassroots level in Sri Lanka, Haiti, Philippines, Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Africa, Nepal, 12 USA hurricanes, Venezuela, The Bahamas,  the Syrian and Venezuelan Crisis and numerous other disasters around the world. 

In 2005 she founded CTEC-the first Tsunami Early-Warning Disaster Center in Sri Lanka along with a Children’s Learning Center and Tsunami Museum. In 2008 Alison stepped up with Sean Penn, inspiring 200 Coachella concert-goers to join them on volunteering, cross-country camping trip, helping run a Luekemia drive, AIDS and May Day marches and cleaning up the environment. The “Dirty Hands Caravan” ended in New Orleans to assist in rebuilding the Ninth Ward—three years after Katrina. 

In 2010, Alison flew to Haiti along with Sean Penn and ten doctors to help after the earthquake. Together, they managed a 70,000-person IDP camp and field hospital where she was honored with the US Commanders ‘Medal of Excellence’ Award. 

In 2010 Alison was also awarded the Order of Australia for her volunteerism, bravery and contributions to mankind. In 2012 she was appointed as the first official Ambassador to the Haitian Ministry of Environment where she still works in reforestation, sustainable energy and cholera initiatives.  

 Most recently, Alison worked on the front lines of Covid-19 with Third Wave first responders organizing the delivery of 1.5 million N95 masks to first responders and underserved communities nationwide. 

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

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 “Whoever saves a single life is considered by Scripture to have saved the whole world.”

Dr. Rick Hodes is JDC’s medical director in Ethiopia.

JDC is the leading Jewish humanitarian organization, working in 70 countries to lift lives and strengthen communities.  Initially arriving in 1984 to help famine victims, he returned in 1985 to teach at Addis Ababa University Faculty of Medicine, and has worked for JDC since 1990.

Dr. Hodes is a graduate of Middlebury College, the University of Rochester Medical School and trained in internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins University. 

Dr. Hodes was in charge of the health care of all Ethiopian immigrants to Israel from late 1990 until 2016, about 1% of the Israeli population.  He also participated in Operation Solomon, the historic airlift of over 14,000 Ethiopians to Israel in 36 hours.

Today, Dr. Hodes directs JDC’s non-sectarian medical programs, including cardiac care and treatment of spine disease. He also sees patients at the Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa’s Mission).   His patients cannot afford medical care, so Dr. Hodes raises funds to send heart patients to India for surgery, and spine patients to Ghana for traction and surgery. He has a large network of physicians worldwide he consults with and sometimes donate free care.

During more than 30 years with JDC, Dr. Hodes has also worked with refugees and victims of famine, war, and disease outbreaks in Ethiopia, Albania, Rwanda, Zaire (Congo), Tanzania, Albania, and Somalia.

Dr. Hodes was inducted into the Medical Mission Hall of Fame in 2006, and the following year was selected as a “CNN Hero” in the “Championing Children” category. In 2008, the American College of Physicians awarded him the rare title of “Mastership,” in recognition of “exceedingly stellar career accomplishments.” He was ABC’s “Person of the Week” in 2010. 

He is the subject of the book "This is a Soul", by Marilyn Berger, as well as the Sue Cohn Rockefeller documentary, Making the Crooked Straight, Sam Shnider’s documentary, Bewoket, and Melissa Donovan’s new film Zemene. 

Sometimes there are angels sent from above to heal save and revive and Dr Hodes is one of them.

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

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Hi, Welcome to the What I’ve Learnt podcast

I am Luke, one of the producers for the show. As a producer I love our  work and helping Deborah and our team share so many wonderful stories.

From food to fashion and art to music we’ve got you covered.

In this episode, we are doing something special. As the end of the year is fastly approaching, we thought that we would highlight and showcase some of our favourite performers's from earlier in the year...

Featured with in this episode are:

Lisa Hunt is a Byron Bay based Soul singer and has performed with the likes of Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, James Brown, Joe Cocker, Miles Davis, Macy Gray, Tina Turner, Bryan May, and the cranberries Dolores O'Riordan.

Lisa Bolte: She danced with The Australian Ballet Company, 1986-2002, 2005-2007 and was promoted to Principal Artist by the revered Artistic Director, Maina Gielgud in 1993. Highlights with The Australian Ballet have included performing principal roles from the entire classical repertoire including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, LaSylphide, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Manon, Anna Karenina, Etudes, Copellia, The Merry Widow, Onegin and Theme and Variations.

Kim Krejus & Sigrid Thornton:  Kim Krejus is the Director of 16th Street Actors studio has brought some of the world's most renowned acting coaches and directors, here including Leonardo Di Caprio's acting coach, Larry Moss, Bradley Cooper's acting coach, Elizabeth Kemp and lan Rickson who directed Hugh Jackman on Broadway.

Sigrid Thornton, stellar much loved actor, now starring in her new role in the Chekhov classic The Seagull at the STC. Known for work in television shows like Seachange (1998 - 2019) and Wentworth (2016 - 2018), as well as film apperences in the films Snapshot (1979) and The Man From Snowy River (1982) and many more works.

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

Send us Fan Mail

Hi, Welcome to the What I’ve Learnt podcast

I am Luke, one of the producers for the show. As a producer I live my work and helping Deborah and our team share so many wonderful stories.

From food to fashion and art to music we’ve got you covered.

In this episode, we are doing something special. As the end of the year is fastly approaching, we thought that we would highlight and showcase some of our favourite writer's from earlier in the year...

Featured with in this episode are:

Janice Breen Burns: a highly respected fashion journalist, editor and features writer of more than 30 years experience in metro daily newspapers and more recently, digital media.

Natasha Sholl: the Author of Found, Wanting  telling the story of Natasha’s attempt to rebuild her life in the wake of Rob’s sudden death, stumbling through the grief landscape and colliding with the cultural assumptions about the ‘right way’ to grieve.

Lahra Carey: running Lahra Carey Media & Communications, for 18 years and in 2020 established PR firm, narrative, dedicated to help people in media crises and provide media training, Lahra and her amazing children started Parachute a charity to help support other young people suffering loss after the loss of Lahra's Husband Ben Cowen co-founder of the anaconda group.

Madonna King: An Australian journalist, author and media commentator.  Author of  'L Platers: How to support your teen daughter on the road to adulthood.'

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

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Australians actors have always been Uber talented but they’re having a big moment in the sun with the likes of Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Hugh Jackman and Rebel Wilson spearheading some trailblaising productions and featuring centre stage in some of the most awarded and revered global films.

Baz Luhrmann, Russell Crowe, Chris Hemsworth and a stream of internationals like Matt Damon and Tom Hanks are filming big budget movies here so we need the best educators to train prepare and equip the next generation of in demand Aussie actors.

Patron Deborra Lee Furness and stellar much loved actor Sigrid Thornton, now starring in her new role in the Chekhov classic The Seagull at the STC, are just two of the wonderful actors supporting what many dub “one of the best acting schools in Australia” - the 16 th Street Actors Studio.

16th Street, director Kim Krejus has brought some of the world's most renowned acting coaches and directors, here including Leonardo Di Caprio's acting coach, Larry Moss, Bradley Cooper's acting coach, Elizabeth Kemp and lan Rickson who directed Hugh Jackman on Broadway.

She has elevated what training means in this country and exposed actors at all levels of their artistic development to the world's best.

Global guru Russell Brand was so impressed when he visited to speak at the Studio he donated his large fee to the Studio supporting their vision to teach actors.

In 2023, 16th Street is planning to bring Jennifer Aniston's acting Coach, Nancy Banks and Actor. Willem Dafoe to conduct masterclasses.

So thrilled to have two wonderful talented women I adore to join me on the Pod to talk about their passion for acting teaching mentoring and why Australians have become such precious respected and in demand artists globally.

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

Send us Fan Mail

Hi, Welcome to the What I’ve Learnt podcast

I am Luke, one of the producers for the show. As a producer I live my work and helping Deborah and our team share so many wonderful stories.

From food to fashion and art to music we’ve got you covered.

In this episode, we are doing something special. As the end of the year is fastly approaching, we thought that we would highlight and showcase some of our favourite artists from earlier in the year...

Featured with in this episode are:

Sarah Andrews: Best selling Author, Scientist, Stylist and iconic Teacher of The Hosting Masterclass and Captains Rest.

Melissa LaBozetta: Melbourne based artist and a Global Ambassador for the Non-Violence Project Foundation.

Professor Natalie King OAM is an Australian arts leader, cultural producer and curator with more than two decades of experience in international and Australian contemporary art and visual culture.

Ling Ang: A visual artist and philanthropist with over ten years of experience across a diverse array of international productions. Writing a written archive of lucid dreaming over the last few years, which has manifested into large scale, experimental installations from Melbourne to London.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

Send us Fan Mail

Hi, Welcome to the What I’ve Learnt podcast

I am Luke, one of the producers for the show. As a producer I live my work and helping Deborah and our team share so many wonderful stories.

From food to fashion and art to music we’ve got you covered.

In this episode, we are highlighting some of our favorite moments from this past October...

Featured with in this episode are:

Peter & Suparna Cooper:  Peter Cooper from Cooper Investors is one of Australia’s most highly regarded investors and has in excess of 30 years market experience and is highly regarded for his passion, integrity and purpose.
Suparna Cooper is a force of nature dedicated to wellness at every level facilitating Silent Retreats both in Byron Bay and India and is spearheading the new Be Well community in Melbourne - a hub of wellness warriors determined to give back and honour self care.

Natassia Nicoloa: Conserving Beauty, Australia's first water-responsible beauty brand, in 2021. Inspired by her belief that waterless formulas could offer more – both for us and the planet – Natassia set out to create a range of pure, potent beauty products that were completely free from water, to boost efficacy, protect our planet and positively impact the community.

Lisa Bolte: She danced with The Australian Ballet Company, 1986-2002, 2005-2007 and was promoted to Principal Artist by the revered Artistic Director, Maina Gielgud in 1993. Highlights with The Australian Ballet have included performing principal roles from the entire classical repertoire including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, LaSylphide, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Manon, Anna Karenina, Etudes, Copellia, The Merry Widow, Onegin and Theme and Variations.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy


Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

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Lisa Bolte

Who hasn’t swooned watching ballets Swan Lake and recently I saw Romeo and Juliet so breathtaking .. now featuring on at The Australian Ballet at The Vic Arts Centre.

Lisa Bolte is one of those rare talented people who’s life as a Principal Ballet dancer has taken her across the globe.

Mesmerising audiences with her stunning and elegant performances she is truly a national treasure.

She danced with The Australian Ballet Company, 1986-2002, 2005-2007 and was promoted to Principal Artist by the revered Artistic Director, Maina Gielgud in 1993.

Highlights with The Australian Ballet have included performing principal roles from the entire classical repertoire including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, LaSylphide, Raymonda, Don Quixote, Manon, Anna Karenina, Etudes, Copellia, The Merry Widow, Onegin and Theme and Variations.

As a guest artist Lisa performed with Nureyev’s Farewell Australian Tour (1991); with The National Ballet of Canada in Swan Lake and The Merry Widow (1994); with The Maryinsky Ballet as Giselle and as Kitri in Don Quixote (1996); with The Royal Danish Ballet as Odette/Odile, Swan Lake (1998); with Queensland Ballet, pas de deux from Edge of Night and Raymonda (2007).

In 1998 Lisa was awarded the ‘Mo’ award for Best Female Dancer after her performances in Romeo and Juliet. Scholarship winner of the Erik Bruhn Award 1987; the Lissa Black Award 1994; Nominated  for The Dancing Times’ ‘Young Dancer of the Year’ following The Australian Ballet’s performances of The Sleeping Beauty at Covent Garden in London 1988.

Assistant to Maina Gielgud, in staging and coaching Giselle for The Boston Ballet.

Working in Philanthropy as Patron Manager at The Australian Ballet 2011-2016, the role included leading tours for Renaissance Tours to Tasmania, New York and Houston.

Currently she is Southern Chapter Chair of The Australian Ballet Foundation Board.

In the years since her retirement as a Principal Artist, Lisa has enjoyed opportunities performing as a Guest Artist with The Australian Ballet, including as the Mother is Maina Gielgud’s Giselle, and as the Queen in both Stephen Baynes’ Swan Lake and David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty. She now shares her knowledge learnt through years of being coached by wonderful Artists herself, mentoring full-time ballet students in Melbourne.

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

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If you ever thought about the daily use of makeup wipes and their impact on the environment then get ready … each wipe takes 100 years to dissolve in landfill!

That alone is enough to inspire groundbreaking science based wellness guru Natassia who founded Conserving Beauty, Australia's first water-responsible beauty brand, in 2021. Inspired by her belief that waterless formulas could offer more – both for us and the planet – Natassia set out to create a range of pure, potent beauty products that were completely free from water, to boost efficacy, protect our planet and positively impact the community. 

Without water, the gentle ingredients chosen for Conserving Beauty's powerful formulas aren't diluted, which means they can be delivered directly to the skin – so our precious natural resources are never wasted, and your results are never watered down.

With a background in science and a passion for social justice, Conserving Beauty allowed Natassia to merge her long-term love for beauty products with her unique commercial experience. After completing a Bachelor of Science, Natassia went on to work with some of Australia's leading beauty and wellness companies, including Swisse Wellness, Elle Macpherson's WelleCo, and private equity fund The Foundry. 

During this time, Natassia strengthened her biochemistry foundation with diverse commercial experience across product development, sustainable sourcing, supply chain, operations, sales, and marketing. Coupled with her understanding of environmental, social and government (ESG) principles, Natassia started Conserving Beauty to redefine what it means to be a conscious beauty brand.

Natassia's journey highlighted the importance of uniting the beauty industry with ESG principles to help conserve water, which she believes is essential for all beauty to exist.

Conserving Beauty launched with MECCA in May of this year, making it the first Australian beauty start-up to do so. We are also launching into the UK this week with Cult Beauty and expanding to more retailers in Q1 next year.


Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: ...

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850

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Carlton player Chris Judd is just one of the many fans of one of Australia’s most highly regarded investors, Peter Cooper from Cooper Investors.

Peters CI Brunswick Fund of which he is still charged with managing directly has returned investors an annualised gain of 16.79% since inception in 2004.

However, Peter’s influence across the Australian investing landscape is much greater than the single performance of any of the Cooper Investors funds. Countless successful fund managers have cut their teeth learning how to invest the “Cooper’s way" before going on to start high performing funds of their own, speaking volumes about the culture that Peter and his team have been able to create.

As well as their flagship Australian Equities Fund, the team at CI manage Global and Asian Equities, Endowment style Funds and specialist funds.

Peter has in excess of 30 years market experience and is highly regarded for his passion, integrity and purpose.

It's fair to say that Peter Cooper is not your ordinary stock picker.

The daily meditator, yoga devotee has almost single-handedly built a $10 billion investment powerhouse with little of the fuss and none of the media profile that comes with the territory.

"We are Toyota Land Cruiser people and not Range Rover types" Cooper responded in an Aus Financial Review piece about his success.

It’s On His own personal journey of life balance wellness and connection that he met his wife Suparna Bhasin Cooper.

Suparna is a force of nature dedicated to wellness at every level facilitating Silent Retreats both in Byron Bay and India and is spearheading the new Be Well community in Melbourne - a hub of wellness warriors determined to give back and honour self care.

An inspirational speaker, philanthropist and longtime meditator. Her goal is to bring ancient Vedic practices such as meditation, breath-work and yoga, to different communities around the globe. Suparna holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University.

Suparna is co-founder of the MaiTri Foundation along with her husband, Peter Cooper. The MaiTri Foundation is the private family foundation of Peter and Suparna with a focus on helping to solve the mental health crisis as well as spreading the philosophy of individual rights and freedom.

In 2018, Suparna made the decision to dedicate her time and resources to making a meaningful impact and creating lasting change through her charitable activities.  

Suparna is a sought-after speaker and has presented at the Deepak Chopra Summit.

When I Attended their beautiful wedding in India recently it was an exemplification of everything they are.

Set against the awesome landscape of The Art of Living 200 acre ashram in Bangalore, their Union was an ode to self care, spirituality mental wellness and ageing gracefully - one of the most connecting inspiring and special experiences I’ve been part of - the colour the music, meditation, food the people it was quite life changing culturally immersive and enlightening.

Encompassing meditation yoga intuition science collaborations with global universities and fostering an incredible educational facility .. there was a strong lense of philanthropy as the nuptials reflect on their life balance, global mission and hope in doing so they can engage and connect others too.


Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330<

Deborah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/what.ive.learnt/

Mind, Film and Publishing: https://www.mindfilmandpublishing.com/

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/what-ive-learnt/id153556330

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3TQjCspxcrSi4yw2YugxBk

Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1365850