WHAT I'VE LEARNT

Send us Fan Mail

Madonna King

Author of  'L Platers: How to support your teen daughter on the road to adulthood.'

Madonna King is an Australian journalist, author and media commentator.

From 2006 until 2011, King presented Mornings on ABC Radio Brisbane.

As an author, King has published several books, including the biographies of notable Australians Ian Frazer, Joe Hockey. She has also co-authored a book about the Bali Nine.

In 2018, Queensland premier Anastacia Palaszczuk appointed King as chairwoman of the Queensland Government's fledgling anti-bullying taskforce, established in the wake of the suicide of teenage cyberbullying victim Amy "Dolly" Everett.

From Social Media , Snapchat, Surgery, And School Formals her new book is a fascinating insight into the challenges facing a modern day teenager

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

In an era of #metoo #inclusivity and #diversity the notion of beauty within and without is changing .. yet the beauty pageant world is alive and well with more than 4 million followers on the miss universe Instagram. It’s interesting to explore the powerful platform it is advocating to support female empowerment and development in 2022 with the Dawn of a new era.

Who better to give us an insight than one of the recent, Winners of the Victorian Miss Universe pageant Darcy Spinks who is competing for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2022.

She grew up on a cattle and sheep farm and left to Melbourne at the age of 18 to continue a coveted modelling career that began at the age of 8 years old. She launched my first business at the age of 23 that is a digital marketing and events agency called “two evolve” and I am soon to be launching her new business in September this year focusing on ethically sourced clothing label called Ambition. It’s all about self love and empowerment, aiming to help both men and women to feel happy and confident in their own skin.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Dr Niki Vincent was appointed as Victoria’s first Public Sector Gender Equality Commissioner in September 2020. She is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Gender Equality Act 2020 and plays a key leadership role in promoting gender equality in the Victorian community and workplaces.

Dr Vincent has a wealth of experience in gender equality and organisational leadership. This includes serving as the South Australian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity from 2016-2020.

In addition, Niki is an active ambassador for Time for Kids – a respite foster care organisation – and sits on the board of InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence.

Niki is a mother of 4 adult children, a full-time foster parent, has 2 young adult stepchildren and 10 grandchildren.

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: 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 April...

Featured with in this episode are:
Sue Blashki (Repost) : Mother of four, wife, barrister, magistrate, and now a mediator Sue has been a role model for many - friends some of who went into law inspired by Sue, her children and grandchildren, and of course Deborah.

Dr. Katie Allen: Doctor And Professor with a stellar career In Medicine and academia, being a pediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital for 28 years and being the Former Member for Higgins from 2019 till 2022.

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.

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

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

Dr Maree Bilandzic is a senior research officer at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne.

She has dedicated her career to Ovarian cancer research and has a strong focus on the most significant challenges to cancer management chemoresistance and metastatic disease.

Ovarian cancer is an important yet underfunded and understudied area of women’s health.

Ovarian cancer survival rates have remained dramatically low despite the great progress we have made with other cancers and unfortunately, treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer is focused on symptom palliation.

Her team at the Hudson performs cutting edge science informed by patients and clinicians to improve the outcome and diagnosis for women with ovarian cancer.

With an all-female team, Dr Bilandzic hopes to nurture and encourage future generations of female scientists and also lead by example showing how you can balance family life with a career.

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Filmmaker, Ling Ang, has been documenting her dreams through written records across the span of three years. Combining journals with her photographs from the conscious world, she brings to life these personal subconscious narratives. Familiar landmarks turn into the locations of a sci-fi fantasy. Recurring themes revolving around her childhood, relationships, hedonism and the afterlife. 

A visual artist with over ten years of experience across a diverse array of international productions. The work is rooted in a documentary language, exploring contemporary issues with a strong narrative format. 

Ling has kept a written archive of lucid dreaming over the last few years, which has manifested into large scale, experimental installations from Melbourne to London.

If you were asked to describe a philanthropist, what would you say?

You'd probably say an older person, either retired or at the top of their field, with — most importantly — millions or billions of dollars to spare.

But young Australians such as Melbourne's Ling Ang are challenging this stereotype.

At 31 years old, the artist and documentary filmmaker has made significant donations to a number of Melbourne-based organisations and campaigns.

She recently donated $80,000 to the Melbourne International Film Festival to help it embrace "extended reality" technology, and also contributed $500,000 to the restoration of the Capitol Theatre on Swanston St in 2018.

She also funds a scholarship for her alma mater RMIT University.

Emerging technologies are now being used to develop content for further cinematic projects and installations using her skills in filmmaking, photography and a push into Extended Reality (XR) by manipulating 3D scans and virtual environments.
 

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

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

Send us Fan Mail

I’ve known Lahra a fellow journalist since we both anxiously walked through the gates to a journalism Cadetship exam. We were in our 20s eager and determined to score one of the minimal spots on the competitive Cadetship  ladder. We both walked nervously and sat the grueling exam - fortunately we were both successful !

Lahra headed to the ABC and I began a Herald Sun cadetship and then became a Melbourne Age reporter - the rest is history.

Time would see us working together in later years when Lahra took a studio space in my publishing offices and it was from there she met her future husband Ben Cowan. We attended their beautiful wedding and have been connected in so many ways.

Tragically Ben died suddenly in a paragliding accident a few years ago and I’ve watched this incredible woman navigate the complex challenging roles of mother to three beautiful children, widow, successful businesswoman and now Carlton board member as she juggles the grief, resilience, recalibration and recovery.

Our mutual friend and journalist Wendy Tuohy wrote in the Melbourne Age recently about Lahra and her amazing children who started Parachute a charity to help support other young people suffering loss.

“Ten months after her father, Ben, died in a paragliding accident on the Great Ocean Road during a family holiday, Alex Cowen, then 12, was sitting on a bus with her sports team, thinking about how lucky she was.

She, her twin sister Charley, their elder brother Mitch and mum, Lahra Carey, had lived through shocking upheaval – and had to do it in the public eye, as Ben Cowen, co-founder of the Anaconda chain and son of the former governor-general Sir Zelman, was well known. Yet Alex realised she was still fortunate to have the comfort of familiar friends doing familiar activities she loved.”

Lahra,  who ran 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, have so much to unpack and I’m so thrilled she’s joining me today on the What I've Learnt Podcast to share what she has learnt along her journey.


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

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

Send us Fan Mail

What makes a a super intelligent doctor And Professor with a stellar career In Medicine and academia, and a wife and mother of four immerse herself in the complex often tough fray of politics?

Having dedicated her life to the well being of others and navigated pivotal roles in public health including as a paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital for 28 years, she is now at the proverbial hustings united in her mission working closely with treasurer Josh Frydenberg and the Liberals on the election battleground - as the power of the independents looms large to challenge what has always been very safe Liberal seats.

Katie has lived in the Higgins electorate for 40 years after growing up in Albury NSW. 

She was sworn in as the Member for Higgins at the Opening of the 46th Parliament in Canberra, making her First Speech In 2019, where she took the opportunity to speak about her passion for her diverse local community. She outlined her vision for ensuring a healthy and educated start to life for the next generation, an environmentally and economically sustainable future for all, lower taxes and a strong economy.

There’s not much this powerhouse hasn’t done we discuss how she navigates the juggle of family and public political life? How does she do it?


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

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

Send us Fan Mail

Today I have a very special guest joining me on the podcast. Sue Blashki my beautiful mother. 

As Mothers Day is around the corner we’ve joined forces to tell her story and capture her legacy and wisdom in honor of mothers across the world.

Mother of four, wife, barrister, magistrate, and now a mediator Sue has been a role model for many - friends some of who went into law inspired by Sue, her children and grandchildren, and of course me!

Life has not always been easy for Sue suffering an illness that saw her bedridden as a young 15-year-old girl, tragically losing her own mother when Sue was only a 27-year-old young mum and later taking care of a seriously ill brother who she adored.

But for her, it’s all been about finding that piece of blue sky letting the sunshine in during the storms that at times we all often weather.

As a writer and publisher working with mum to write her memoir is one of the greatest honors. I feel such trust and responsibility to try and reflect on this incredible woman who has shaped mine and so many lives with her love, kindness intelligence, and warmth.

I’ve always had such huge respect for mum in every way - as a professional woman as well as a mother she is my guiding light on almost everything I do - there’s not much I don’t share with her as her advice is often thoughtful and very on point. 

There’s barely a day I haven’t had a catch-up call with mum. 

We discuss everything from relationships, work, politics, literature, the arts, children, friendships and there’s not a major life decision I’ve made without serious counsel with her. Often her advice is sound, sensible but always with a lateral perspective. Sometimes mum feels like a sister or a best friend!

At a time when only a few women tackled the challenges of the law mum showed how it was done. Humble, capable, and transformative with carefully honed skills there are also many families who are grateful to mum for her guidance in navigating the often challenging family law system. 

I’ve always been so proud of mum’s determination to work and have a family - it has inspired me to know you can have it all just not necessarily all at once. 

We reflect often on the balancing act and mum is always open to considering new ways of doing things - she’s very progressive and not just stuck on one way of doing things. Mum listens and is always learning even at 80!

I feel so blessed to have had such an inspirational intelligent caring woman to guide and nurture me through life’s journey - no matter what the curveball and we have both had many - it’s mums perspective to stay calm, adapt, consider carefully and you’ll get through it .. has helped me navigate the river of life so many times.

I feel she’s always there in my canoe paddling alongside me no matter where I am.

Mum has such a Joie de Vivre for theatre, music travel and always loved a party! I think that’s where I get it from! Dressed beautifully with her maroon lipstick mum loves a celebration and fortunately, we have had so many!

Also a ninth-generation Australian with convict ancestors we often joke that her family has gone from one side of the bench to the other .. as she became a successful magistrate!

So as she turns 80 we reflect on her history, wisdom and lessons learnt on the ever ebbing river of life.

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

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 April...

Featured with in this episode are:
Brendon Gale played 244 games in the (‘AFL”) with the Richmond Football Club from 1990 to 2001. Futher practicing  law with King Wood Mallesons in the Banking & Finance practice. Brendon was appointed CEO of the AFL Players Association representing the collective industrial interests of AFL players and returned to Richmond as CEO in August 2009.

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.

Natasha Sholl is 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.

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

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