In this conversation, Deborah Grace shares how turning 70 became an invitation to intentional transformation. After decades chasing external achievements and burning out in a high-pressure career, she stepped away at 60. But this milestone felt different. Through a year-long meditative program and sacred personal retreat, Deborah discovered that wellness isn't a destination, but an evolving act of reharmonising with herself.

She reveals how saying no kindly became liberation, how nature became homecoming, and how choosing to see the world through wonder and awe shifted everything. At 70, Deborah stepped into her power as a dangerous old woman, wild and authentically herself. Her story reminds us: we don't have to wait to reclaim ourselves.

About Our Guest

Deborah Grace is a wild wonderer, stepping courageously into her 70s with great daring and aplomb. Her creative expressions have been shaped by a lifelong passion for words ~ their energy, etymology, evolution, and meaning; the infinite ways in which they can be combined; and for the silence that lingers. Deborah can most often be found in the company of other wild wise elder women, scheming and dreaming.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e6

00:00 Embracing Change: The Journey to 70

02:40 Conversations with the Body: Understanding Wellness

08:27 Finding Freedom: The Power of Choice

14:48 Hope and Purpose: A New Perspective on Life

20:18 Embracing Authenticity and the Power of No

22:53 The Journey of Gratitude and Coherence

23:56 The Quest for Harmony in Life

26:43 Reflections on Life Stages and Personal Growth

29:38 The Activation of Inner Wisdom

34:01 Inspirata: The Divine Breath of Life

36:55 Messages to the Younger Self and Life's Gifts

40:10 It's A Wrap

Vince Baloga, truck driver, and father of four, shares his journey through his most difficult chapter following the end of his long-term marriage. When everything collapsed, Vince was forced to confront a painful truth: he was a narcissist driven by anger and the need to control.

Through deep inner work, Vince discovers that self-love is the key to transformation. He learns to sit with emotions without reacting to them, moves his ego to the back seat, and chooses love over being right. What's remarkable is that Vince and his ex-wife Jennifer remain best friends.

This is a story about how life's most painful transitions can become opportunities for deep growth and transformation.

About Our GuestVince Baloga is a lifelong truck driver, skilled mechanic, father of four, and deeply spiritual person whose greatest transformation emerged from one of the most difficult chapters of his life. Following the end of his long-term marriage, he experienced what he describes as a dark night of the soul, leading him on a journey of deep reflection, healing, and spiritual awakening. Through that experience, Vince learned to face fear, let go of attachment, lead with love, and trust that even life’s most painful transitions can become opportunities for profound growth and transformation.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e5

00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges

02:00 Navigating Divorce and Self-Reflection

03:52 Realizations and Inner Work

06:27 Childhood Influences on Behavior

08:25 Understanding Anger and Emotional Responses

10:31 The Journey to Self-Love

12:32 Transforming Ego and Emotions

14:52 Guidance and Support in Transformation

17:07 The Shift from Performance to Self-Care

19:07 Honesty and Authenticity in Daily Life

21:44 The Truck and Its Impact on Life

23:27 Facing Difficult Days and Overcoming Challenges

26:41 The Journey of Self-Love and Acceptance

29:37 Transformations Through Relationships

33:39 Embracing Intuition and Self-Care

38:37 Leading with Love and Inner Reflection

40:01 It's A Wrap

In this conversation Toni Powell shares how multiple crises converged at once including her father's death, relocation, menopause, and walking away from her Christian faith, leading to profound despair. In her darkest moment, she made a bold decision to enter a twenty-four hour film festival with no filmmaking experience.

That seven-minute film won international recognition and inspired her to create Heart of Gold, a film festival in rural Queensland, celebrating uplifting stories. Yet when the festival board removed her, despair returned. Through vulnerability, Toni shares how she discovered the power to move from deep despair to renewed purpose, not by changing her circumstances, but by changing her thoughts and response to them.

This is a story about agency, resilience, and the quiet knowing that guides us forward.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicidal thoughts and mental distress. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.)About Our GuestToni Powell is a speaker, author and filmmaker who also hosts the S**t Happy podcast. 

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e4

00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges

03:04 The Leap into Filmmaking

05:20 The Unexpected Success

07:05 Creating a Film Festival

09:11 Finding Purpose in Film

10:59 The Role of Intuition

12:45 The Journey of Self-Discovery

14:34 The Impact of Community and Connection

16:40 Reevaluating Faith and Belief

21:36 The Impact of Early Messages

23:36 Navigating Community and Purpose

26:33 Challenges with Governance

28:27 Coping with Loss and Rejection

32:17 The Power of Gratitude

36:25 Embracing Change and Learning

40:59 Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts

42:36 It's A Wrap 

In this conversation, Andrea Turner-Boys shares a story that changed her life. On August 12, 2006, her husband Michael collapsed with a cardiac arrest at the finish line of the Sydney City to Surf. Without a defibrillator nearby or paramedics two hundred metres away, Michael would have died. Andrea reveals how intuition guided her through uncertainty and how staying present, asking questions, and gathering information became her source of strength. She explores how this near tragedy transformed into a gift for her family and the community and how they raised funds for a defibrillator. This is a story about second chances, how to listen to the whispers within us and how living with gratitude for life itself becomes a daily practice when you've faced the edge of losing it all.

About Our Guest

Andrea Turner-Boys knows firsthand the power of community. As a single parent raising children with special needs, she searched for connection and found the gaps. That experience became the foundation for Women with Altitude, a thriving network empowering women through peer support, education, and meaningful connection across Sydney, Canberra, and beyond.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e3

00:00 A Life-Changing Experience

08:24 The Aftermath of Trauma

17:30 The Role of Intuition

18:36 Lessons Learned and Family Impact

23:17 Navigating Anxiety and Trust in Recovery

24:18 The Power of Intuition and Trust

26:19 Lessons from Life's Challenges

29:02 Listening to Intuition vs. Logic

31:34 Curiosity and Openness in Crisis

37:20 Gratitude and Perspective on Life

39:23 Gifts from Life's Experiences

40:30 Advice to My Younger Self

41:51 Top Tips for Trusting Your Intuition

43:30 It's A Wrap

In this conversation, author and former ABC radio presenter and music director Mary-Lou Stephens shares how her band's breakup nearly thirty years ago cost her the identity she had spent her whole life building. What followed was years of fear, a phone number carried in her wallet for over a year, and the slow, courageous work of a twelve step program that taught her she was never as alone as she felt. Mary-Lou reflects on how she learned to hold fear and hope at the same time, and why letting go of external validation became the real turning point in her life. A raw, honest conversation about falling apart, reaching out, and rewriting your life from the inside out.

About Our Guest

Mary-Lou Stephens was born in Tasmania, studied acting at The Victorian College of the Arts, played in bands in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney and worked in radio for twenty years. She received rave reviews for her memoir Sex, Drugs and Meditation the true story of how meditation changed her life, saved her job and helped her find a husband and her historical fiction novels have all been best sellers. Mary-Lou has worked and played all over Australia. Now she travels the world with her husband, slowly, and writes, mostly.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e2

00:00 The Moment That Changed Everything

03:38 Transitioning from Music to Radio

08:01 Redefining Success

10:16 The Journey of Self-Discovery

12:00 Facing Fears and Embracing Change

17:17 The Power of Twelve-Step Programs

18:52 Self-Discovery Through Meditation

21:16 Understanding Emotions and Multi-Layered Feelings

23:22 Addiction to Fear and Emotional States

25:31 Finding Authenticity in Writing

27:26 Agency and the Journey of Change

32:10 Navigating Fear in New Experiences

34:51 Messages to My Younger Self

36:16 The Greatest Gifts of Life Experiences

37:47 Top Tips for Overcoming Fear

40:01 It’s A Wrap

In this conversation, veteran journalist and broadcaster Nadia Mitsopoulos shares her journey from tragedy to advocacy, from decades of silence to the courage to finally tell the truth. At 61, her father took his own life. For thirteen years afterwards, she told people he'd had a heart attack, easier than facing the grief and the fear of judgement.

Nadia reveals how that unspoken fear sat with her like a weight, carried quietly through work and family life. Through a Rotary breakfast where she spoke her father's story publicly for the first time, and years of advocacy on the board of Lifeline WA, she slowly found her way from silence to speaking.

This is a story about breaking the silence around suicide, and showing others that reaching out, even in the hardest moments, is never a sign of weakness.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicide. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.)

About Our Guest

Nadia Mitsopoulos is an experienced and highly regarded journalist and broadcaster who has worked in the media for 30 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Nadia worked as a journalist at GWN and Network Ten, before moving overseas to travel and work at Associated Press in London. On her return she joined Nine News in Perth where she was the state political reporter for 13 years before moving to ABC radio. She currently presents the Mornings program covering a wide range of topical issues to a statewide audience. Nadia has held numerous board roles including Lifeline WA and is currently a director of Netball WA.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e1

00:00 A Life-Changing Moment

06:17 Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics

11:05 Understanding Mental Health and Suicide

16:16 Finding Purpose in Pain

21:12 Normalizing Conversations Around Mental Health

23:44 Understanding Grief and Its Impact

24:28 The Weight of Silence: Personal Reflections

25:47 Navigating Life's Challenges and Finding Strength

28:31 Judgment and Empathy: A Shift in Perspective

31:52 Acceptance and Healing: A Personal Journey

33:41 The Importance of Open Conversations

35:57 Finding Gifts in Difficult Experiences

37:11 Words of Wisdom for the Younger Self

38:25 It's A Wrap

In this special season finale, Anne and Jo pause together to reflect on Season 2's remarkable journey through fear, challenge, and transformation. They share personal insights from eleven powerful conversations, exploring how fear touches everyone's lives beneath our polished exteriors. From connecting the dots within our challenges to the transformative power of accepting help, they explore how each guest's challenge became an unexpected gift. They openly discuss how these deep conversations have changed their own approaches to fear and vulnerability, and why honouring who we really are matters. As they look ahead to Season 3's diverse stories, Anne and Jo remind us that there's immense value in creating space for honest conversations about fear.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e12

00:00 Season Two Reflection and Key Themes

02:01 Connecting the Dots: Personal Growth Through Challenges

03:35 The Importance of Community and Accepting Help

06:06 Forgiveness and Personal Values

08:05 Finding Joy and Small Steps in Healing

10:15 The Power of Speaking Out Against Shame

12:13 Navigating Guilt and Love in Caregiving

14:02 Looking Forward to Season Three

In this conversation, 21-year-old Lauren Jones shares her journey from shame and isolation to self-compassion and strength. At 17, a devastating betrayal by her best friend triggered years of self-loathing, anxiety, and depression. But her story isn't just about surviving those years. It's about discovering what lies on the other side.

Lauren reveals how shame lived in her body as a physical weight, intensified by the instruction to keep silent. Through solitude by the ocean, vulnerability at a leadership camp where she finally spoke her truth, and the transformative practice of writing compassionate notes to herself, Lauren slowly rebuilt her sense of self-worth.

She explores how finding the right support, cultivating an inner voice of kindness, and giving herself permission to feel joy ultimately released years of carried shame. This is a story about breaking the silence, discovering you're not alone, and learning to show up for yourself with grace.

About Our Guest

Lauren Jones is a 21-year-old university student based in Melbourne majoring in Geography. Having been through her own struggles, she is greatly passionate about helping others, building communities, and learning more about the wonders of the Earth. Lauren spends her spare time trying to live as fantastically as possible.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e11

00:00 The Life-Altering Conversation

02:44 Journey Through Self-Doubt and Anxiety

04:38 Finding Self-Worth and Acceptance

06:49 The Spiritual Awakening at Inverloch

09:08 Breaking Through Guilt and Shame

11:13 The Power of Community and Connection

17:07 Realizations at the Leadership Conference

19:20 Sharing My Story: The Importance of Vulnerability

21:24 Releasing Shame and Embracing Joy

26:00 The Transformative Power of Dance

29:30 Permission to Feel Joy

30:42 Embracing Grace and Self-Compassion

34:35 Finding Inner Strength

35:58 Key Moments of Growth

38:58 Looking Forward: Embracing the Future

43:12 Sharing Wisdom and Compassion

45:46 It's A Wrap

For over 40 years, Kylie Zeal was convinced something was fundamentally wrong with her brain. She masked. She tried to fit in. Then, three years ago, a diagnosis of neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, changed everything. Not by fixing her, but by giving her permission to finally be herself.

At 41, with no permanent home and no fixed address, Kylie discovered the kind of contentment most of us spend decades searching for by simply listening to what her body and mind were telling her. She explores masking: the exhausting performance of being someone you're not. She also reflects on how her late diagnosis forced her to develop invaluable tenacity and courage.

This isn't just a story about neurodivergence and masking. It's also about listening to that quiet voice inside you that knows what you need, even when no one else understands.

About Our Guest

Kylie Zeal is a book coach and author who helps writers transform ideas, experiences, and expertise into meaningful fiction and non-fiction books. Proudly neurodivergent, she brings a distinctive perspective to manuscript analysis, helping authors strengthen clarity, structure, and authentic voice. Kylie has spent the past seven years travelling full-time while running her coaching business remotely.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e10

00:00 The Journey Begins: Embracing Change

03:05 Facing Fears: The Courage to Leave Home

05:10 Understanding Neurodivergence: A Personal Revelation

07:41 Building a Life on My Terms

09:52 The Power of Self-Advocacy

12:21 Navigating Expectations: Finding My Path

14:34 The Impact of Diagnosis: A New Perspective

16:09 Living Authentically: The Freedom of Self-Discovery

22:18 Exploring Happiness and Sensory Connections

24:37 Living with Purpose and Spirituality

26:57 Navigating Diagnosis and Personal Growth

30:15 Understanding Masking and Authenticity

34:13 Embracing Neurodiversity as Strength

37:49 The Gift of Contentment and Trusting the Journey

41:55 It's A Wrap

In this conversation, Kim Hey shares her intimate journey through a diagnosis that forced her to confront not just her mortality, but her identity. When calcifications were discovered in both breasts, Kim faced a pivotal choice: a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer.

But this isn't just a story about loss. It's a story about what happens when you refuse to let fear paralyse you. As a nurse, Kim understood the medical reality. As a woman, she wrestled with fears about her body image, her sexuality, and the self-identity she'd built through twelve years of pole dancing. Yet instead of retreating, Kim transformed her fear into action, turning to humour as a survival tool.

Through booby parties, ceremonial bra burnings, and dancing with surgical drains attached, Kim discovered something profound: strength and vulnerability aren't opposites. They're dance partners. Kim's journey reminds us that our story doesn't end with bad news. It's just entering a different chapter.

About Our Guest

Kim Hey is 55 and a sister, mum, nurse, wife, and soon-to-be personal trainer, with a passion for pole fitness, body movement, and body positivity. She is committed to making fitness fun, empowering, and accessible, even after major surgery.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e9

00:00 A Life-Changing Diagnosis

02:48 Navigating Fear and Body Image

05:10 Finding Humor and Support

07:48 Embracing Change and Self-Discovery

09:43 Reclaiming Identity Through Movement

12:27 Community and Connection

14:35 Post-Surgery Acceptance and Growth

17:02 The Journey of Self-Love and Healing

22:46 Emotional Journey Through Writing

24:18 Navigating Multiple Journeys

25:44 Discovering Strength Post-Surgery

27:36 Emotional Growth and Self-Awareness

29:53 Grief and Acceptance

31:43 Finding New Identity

33:39 Words of Wisdom for Pre-Op Self

36:31 Gifts of the Experience

38:43 It's A Wrap