From humble beginnings in western Queensland to building an orphanage in Kenya, Cathy Booth has lived a story defined by hope and compassion. As a young girl, Cathy often told her mother that one day she wanted to work in an orphanage. That dream took root and grew stronger with every life experience from living …
From glossy 80s diet culture to the wellness trends of today, Fiona Tuck has seen and lived it all. The British-Australian nutritionist, author of The Forensic Nutritionist, and media myth-buster, Fiona shares her journey from eating disorders as a teen to becoming one of Australia’s most trusted voices on nutrition and skincare. We discuss the …
As the Australian Government prepares to introduce an under-16 social-media ban on December 10, many parents are wondering what it really means for our digital natives. Will it stop bullying or inappropriate content? Or do we need something deeper a culture of kindness that begins long before children go online? Robyn Simpson believes kindness is …
“This conversation is so important – we are at an inflection point, and what we do matters.” Tim Men’s mental health is in crisis and it’s time we started talking about it differently. Tim Hewson, Founder of Mongrels Men and Manbassador for Men’s Mental Health shares his very personal story of how a corporate career and traditional …
“The world’s fractured, it’s tense and I feel the anxiety.” TP When we think about what drives human behaviour, Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us that everything begins with the basics, food, water, and safety.Only when those are met can we move toward love, belonging, self-esteem, and ultimately, self-actualisation. Yet across the world today, …
Play is not just fun it’s a fundamental human right. I often hear adults and parents alike, lamenting the loss of the carefree childhood, when children had the freedom to explore, play in the street with their neighbours, and even walk to the corner store to buy an ice block in summer. What’s changed? Childhood …
How do we prepare children to thrive in a world dominated by digital media? Returning to the podcast this week is Kari Sutton, Author of Raising a Mentally Fit Generation, speaker, and internationally recognised Early Childhood Consultant. With over 30 years of experience in education, much of it focused on early childhood and diverse needs, …
Gaming prevalence among young children in Australia, is growing with high usage rates, particularly for video games where 93% of 5-14-year-olds play regularly and nearly half of 8–17-year-olds play online multiplayer games. Concerns around addiction, in-game bullying, predators, and excessive screen time exist, however there are benefits for our digital generations if we ensure protections and oversee …
Read more “EP 48 Brett Azzopardi – Information & Technology”
As a society, there is great weight in benchmarked developmental milestones, which are necessary to measure a child’s physical and cognitive abilities. Whilst we focus on raising disciplined humans with social graces and manners, spiritual guidance is often led by religious belief, which can stifle individual transformation (spiritual alchemy). Sofia Geraghty grew up surrounded …
Rites of passage are universal — every culture on earth has a way of marking the transition from child to adult. The question is: how do we guide today’s teens with purpose?” In this episode of What We Teach Our Children, I speak with Angela White, Chief Operating Officer of The Rite Journey. With deep …
What does it take to live a life of strength and independence? This week on What We Teach Our Children, meet Marja Jarvis — born in the Netherlands, adventurous from the start, she credits her mother for imprinting a wanderlust for life and travel. Leaving the motherland as a young graduate of physiotherapy, Marja lived …
With bullying statistics reaching significant highs, our youth mental health has never been more important. A 2023 study revealed that victims of bullying are at an increased risk for developing eating disorders like binge eating, anorexia, and bulimia. These psychiatric conditions take a physical and mental toll on sufferers and their families. Approximately one third …
Bullying, it’s a scourge on our societies across the globe! Described as the repeated and intentional use of words or actions against others to cause distress and isolation. Teasing, abuse, intimidation, threats, violence, and exclusion all constitute bullying. In the 70’s and 80’s most bullying was experienced in person, however technology and devices now mean …
“We’re not in a mental health crisis at the moment – it’s an emotional health crisis…” This statement stopped me in my tracks. As I thought about what I was hearing it started to make sense – emotional dysregulation is a symptom of many mental health conditions, and whilst emotional and mental health are closely …
We live in communities within a society, so why do we expect all our social issues should be addressed by governing bodies? Historically, humans have looked out for each other – the village mentality, but something has changed, and it seems we’re living in silos. Even families are disconnected, separated by distance and busyness. Generational …
Childhood trauma is more common than you think… Children who experience a distressing or harmful event can live with lasting negative effects on their emotional, mental, and physical health. These events can include abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, experiencing accidents or natural disasters. It’s crucial to recognise that a child’s response to trauma can vary, and even …
Have you ever thought about why we have an emotional reaction in certain situations? You might feel like you’re on autopilot when the stress builds and you explode over something that probably didn’t warrant an angry outburst. Emotional patterns are formed early in childhood and become deeply ingrained over our lifetime. They become habitual, shaped …
What qualities do you look for in a great leader? Historically, great leaders have demonstrated the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others towards a shared vision or goal. This often involves strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the capacity to foster collaboration. Additionally, effective leaders frequently exhibit resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to ethical conduct. In …
Over the previous episodes there’s been a clear and repeated message about identity and how, what we do tends to define us at different points in our lives. The emotional and psychological toll varies, as do the treatment methods available. What works for you may not work for someone else and it’s modelling vulnerability for …
Read more “EP 37 Andy Phanthapangna, Trent Merrin, & Jett Ferro – Vison & Values”
Trigger warning…. This episode contains conversations about mental health challenges in a child, including depression and self-harm, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening. In the 21st century I often find it difficult to understand why we continue to perpetuate traditional roles and expectations of men and women. For decades …
Modern life has created generations of digitally connected but socially isolated and often lonely people, putting pressure on health and education systems. It’s now more important than ever for us to reconnect and be present – especially for children. For humans feeling connected to others is crucial for well-being, impacting mental and physical health, social skills, …
From the ‘LOST BOYS’ report in the UK to the Anxious Generation in the US – this week we’re analysing a global breakdown in community with two siblings who’ve decided to act, helping families create their own unique culture. Family culture encompasses core values, traditions, beliefs and behaviours that define and shape interactions with community …
Read more “EP 34 Steven Shapiro & Nancy Shapiro Rapport – Family Culture”
Young men and boys are struggling in the areas of education, employment and health – just three categories recently evaluated by researchers at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the UK. With mental health in decline and a rise in suicide statistics, the CSJ is calling on the government to urgently address these issues. …
“Our parenting was largely unconscious and maybe that’s a large part of the problem, for families these days – we’re not conscious until we need to be” Deborah Fay If parenting was easy and natural, our children would have their needs met. My guest today speaks about being intentional in parenting, and how having respect …
“I’m not talking about wrapping kids in bubble wrap, I’m saying age-appropriate risk is important – allowing them to get online is important, but we have to teach them the skills in early childhood…” Kari Sutton A recent ‘Lost Boys’ report from The Centre for Social Justice in the UK has found that early online …
Gen Z have the world in the palm of their hand, which has allowed them to create their own culture and explore the endless possibilities afforded to them through digital connection. Born between 1997 and 2010/12, (there’s some debate about the cutoff) they’re generally considered to currently be aged 13-28 (2025). The first generation to …
Founder of Raq.vision, Raq the Boat Show, & Rated Gen Z Podcast.“We as adults have a responsibility – we can’t just point our fingers and blame them. They didn’t create social media, we did.” Raquel Borras Netflix latest streaming sensation ‘Adolescents’ has sparked a global conversation about our teens. The British production cinematically shot in …
We’ve all heard of IQ and understand how that’s quantified, but do you know how to evaluate your EQ? Emotional Quotient encompasses our ability to perceive, understand, use, and manage emotions. More commonly referred to as Emotional Intelligence, it’s become a hot topic in relation to our children. The core competencies that underpin our level …
“Parenthood isn’t about raising kids it’s about you – how you react, how you behave…” – Brad Stafford Butcher. The benefits of music are well researched, regulating our emotional state, reducing stress, assisting with sleep, and increasing focus. From the womb to the tomb, it often forms a cultural foundation that’s influenced by our exposure …
Read more “EP 27 – Brad Stafford Butcher – Music & Appreciation”
“If your purpose serves the greater good, the universe will move mountains for you.” Dr. Vi Tu Banh If life is difficult for our fractured families within communities in developed countries, imagine what it would be like to have your country torn apart by war leaving your family refugees. No home, no country, no community …
Read more “EP 26 – Dr. Vi Tu Banh – Skills & Self-determination”
Neurodivergent Coach serving neurodiverse families – specialising in Autism & ADHD. “Your child is not giving you a hard time – they are having a hard time.” Christian Vinceneux. In the previous episode – Heritage Farmer Jade Miles talked about how regenerating landscapes, reconnecting people with their food and the land from which it grows, …
Read more “EP 25 Christian Vinceneux – Behaviour and Regulation”
Author/Podcaster/Farmer/CEO of Sustainable Table Previously on What We Teach Our Children: We’ve been exploring the importance of creating community – contributing to something greater, feeling a sense of belonging, and building healthier cities through regenerative architecture. Why is that so important? As a species our very survival depends on us coming together cohesively to face …
Regenerative Architect & Biophilic Design Consultant Previously on What We Teach Our Children: Family Architect Philippa Scott spoke about the importance of building a community – especially parents who may not have family and a support network where they live and work. Life is transient for many, and our careers can take us places that …
The Family Architect – Therapeutic Birth and Parenting Coach Previously on What We Teach Our Children: John Cardamone’s harrowing story of being sexually abused by a family member, echoed the sentiments of Child Safety Expert Kristy McVee (EP20), to teach our children body safety. John knows nothing is more important to a child than feeling …
Disclosure Response specialist – Body Safety Educator Last time on What We Teach Our Children, Child Safety expert Kristi McVee urged us to teach our children body safety, after all we teach them water safety, road safety, energy safety – all kinds of safety…yet it’s a parent’s worst fear for their child to be abducted …
Child Safety Expert & Abuse Prevention Educator In previous episodes we’ve heard stories of courage and bravery from Beck Thompson and Neil Milton whose childhood was stripped from them by predators. Child abuse is a global issue affecting millions – the World Health Organisation last year reported one in 5 women and one in 7 …
We’re all different – sure we share many similarities as a species, but physiologically, neurologically, even spiritually we are different. So why do we expect everyone to meet a certain standard – especially children? Our brain is the body’s computer, controlling bodily functions, like breathing, heart rate and digestion, and nearly every aspect of how …
Everything we do, say, and feel is picked up on by children, whether they’re family or not, children observe us every day. How we interact is what they learn about human behaviour. Generations have been raised without a voice – “Children should be seen and not heard…” is a common phrase many people over 35 …
Human needs are basic, food & water, shelter, clothing, safety, and belonging – we want to feel protected, safe, and loved. It’s an ideal, however this isn’t always the case. In many instances relationships can determine the outcome of those needs being met – especially safety and love. Recently I encountered the term parental alienation …
Read more “EP 17 Charlie McCready – Resentment & Alienation”
In episode 15 Beck Thompson, Author of Chasing Normal, shared her story about horrific childhood trauma and the love she longed for. Love…it’s the foundation of life, creating bonds, a sense of safety, and security. Love is crucial to build confidence, respect, self-worth, and fulfillment…there’s connection, belonging, and inner peace. What our children experience can …
Last time on What We Teach Our Children – Leadership specialist Deb Rae talked about the importance of certainty and connection, both in developing healthy leadership and confident children. For those who experience trauma in childhood there can be no certainty or connection. What do we value most as children attaching to a primary caregiver? …
In the previous Episode – Entrepreneur Tim Niesler talked about how his exposure to business & finances through his parents, set him up for future success. But it hasn’t been without a lot of self-development and learning from mentors and coaches. Skills that make him a better leader and Dad. The business coaching industry is …
Read more “EP 14 Deb Rae – Connection & Certainty – Cultivating Leadership”
Language warning!! This week’s story comes with a language warning for those of you who may be listening in the presence of children or anyone offended by the F word in general conversation. From Gen X to Z society has inordinately changed – technology advancement has influenced every aspect of life and driven economies, business …
January 2025 heralded the release of the Australian Government’s first National Autism Strategy. The highly anticipated report lays out “a vision for a safe and inclusive society for all Autistic people in line with international human rights”, the goal: “to improve the quality of life for all Autistic people in a way that is meaningful …
Read more “EP 12 Mandy Jeppesen – Grit & Gratitude, Farmer and Agri Extension”
Our very existence relies on clean air, water, and healthy soil. Why? Because without these basic building blocks of life, nothing could live on this planet. So, should we know more about earth’s ecosystems and cycles? In the previous conversation with Principal Karen Argus (EP 10) about teaching children the skills necessary to grow and …
Read more “EP 11 Simon Mattsson – Curiosity & Life, Soil Health Consulting and Extension”
There’s been many conversations on this podcast about the influence one person can have in our lives. Humans need one consistent mentor to guide and champion them through the formative stages and into adulthood. Those influences come from not only within the family dynamic, but other people we spend time with, like teachers. How often …
I started this podcast because I’m passionate about stories and the power they have to change lives, share knowledge, develop language, compassion and empathy. Driven by a desire to positively shape humanity’s future, I’ve written and published 4 picture books, illustrated by my dear friend Di Skelly Heron. Some of my earliest memories are of …
Read more “EP 9 Fiona Lüth – Charity & Inclusion, Founder and CEO, Fiji Book Drive”
Can women have it all, without compromise? Probably not, but who can. In the 50’s it was uncommon to see women in the workplace, they were more likely in the home, but that all changed within a decade. The Australian women’s liberation movement (WLM) began in the late 1960’s and continued well into the 1980’s. …
Have you ever thought about the challenges sole parents face? From financial hardship to the responsibility of day-to-day decisions and discipline, feeling judged, not good enough, or even a failure. Parenting is challenging enough on so many levels, even loving couples can be unprepared for the major changes when a newborn enters the home. It …
Read more “EP 7 Michael Ray – Equality and Equity, Advocate for Change”
Founder of Future Strong Education Creator of the Brain-SET Environment Formula The importance of education and its benefits for children and young adults, is widely recognised globally. A good education provides social and emotional development, prospects for employment, national economic outcomes, and improved health rates, whilst fostering confidence, creativity, curiosity and problem solving. All relevant …
Australian Age of Dinosaurs – Collection Supervisor What did you dream of becoming when you were a child?An astronaut, artist, archaeologist, or chef?Perhaps you wanted to be on tv or the silver screen. Often parents have other ideas for a child’s future, they may see a distinct trait of success in a specific career or …
Read more “EP 5 Mackenzie Enchelmaier – Support and Nurture”
Co-Founder Minds Aligned Humans are holistic beings, meaning that we are made up of complex systems, which are integrated and rely on each other to function at optimal levels. Treating conditions based on this approach considers our physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual health. Many health practitioners are now acutely aware that an imbalance in …
The Family Architect Love and respect form the foundation of relationships, something Phillipa Scott is devoted to helping people achieve as they plan a family. As a doula with a degree in social science majoring in sociology, Philippa experienced first-hand the effects of birth trauma for new parents, recognising that those without a village of …
Andrea is a Social Scientist, Social Planner who’s worked in Legislation, Policy and policy development, projects, planning approval, and measuring social impacts – effectively understanding how to maximise benefits whilst minimising harm to individuals, groups and communities. Social scientists study society, humans, and human behaviour – so I’m keen to learn how Andrea’s knowledge can …
Explore the early years of a child’s development and understand how your child learns through what they see, hear, feel, and react to. External behaviour can be an indication of internal struggles to communicate something they may not understand. Kari is the author of Raising a Mentally Fit Generation, researcher, and teacher who has worked …
Read more “EP1 Kari Sutton – Building Resilience and Wellbeing”
How do we nurture creative, connected, resilient, emotionally intelligent, and empowered children? It takes a village, or what we call a community – so if you feel overwhelmed by the responsibility….you’re not alone. We are surrounded by people who can support us, family, friends, and professionals – who all play an influential role in shaping …