When I asked Bonnie Pappas to come onto the Beyond The Back Paddock Podcast I knew that the conversation would be fantastic. The conversation is full of gold. But also Bonnie's personality shines through in the conversation, and that is what makes her good at what she does! She, above all is a caring person first!

Bonnie is a social worker who's worked across the mental health field in many situations. I met Bonnie in Rochester as part of the work that she was doing in flood recovery. Particularly, with small business support in Rochester, a small town in Northern Victoria, devastated by the October 2022 floods.

When Bonnie's contract expired in that role she's moved on to another field, working with kids in secondary school. This is a topic and field which is something I am very interested in. There are many pressures navigating the teenage years, for both children and families.

Bonnie shares some great insights into her experience in flood recovery and also from her role now working in the education sector.

This is a great conversation. Bonnie has a tremendous amount of value to share. If you are from a community recovering from disaster, a parent of a teenager or a teenager yourself, please take the time to listen. Also, if you know someone who might benefit from listening please share this conversation with them.

Please Enjoy!

This guest, 17-year-old regional NSW student, Rory Phillips. He is an aspiring (and inspiring) young guitarist/singer/songwriter with a passion for positive change. I recently had the privilege to witness his talent when he toured to Nathalia with The Bushwackers.

In 2020 he was named the Snowy Valleys Young Citizen of the Year, and more recently, the 2023 Folk Federation of NSW Young Artist of the Year (under 25 category). A two-time graduate and now staff member of the CMAA Academy of Country Music, an officially endorsed artist of Cole Clark Guitars, Buzz Box Guitars and Achilles Amps, and this year selected as a Featured Artist in the NSW Schools Spectacular, Rory continues to achieve great things with his music.

In 2022 Rory’s single ‘The Truth’ was named a finalist in the inaugural Environmental Music Prize alongside industry heavyweights such as Paul Kelly, Briggs + Tim Minchin, Lime Cordiale and Eskimo Joe to name a few.

His follow-up single, ‘Because Boys’, has really intrigued me as a mental health advocate, as it takes an insightful look into the mental health struggles of young men and tries to break down the stigma associated with asking for help. Rory also did a short video for Headspace where he sits down with a group of young men and discuss the challenges and tips to reaching out.

‘Because Boys’ was chosen by the NSW Department of Education's The Arts Unit as the repertoire piece for their 2023 Boys' Vocal Program, was a semi-finalist in the 2023 ‘Listen Up Music’ Song writing Prize (which advocates for mental health), and is being featured in the 2023 Schools Spectacular which will be broadcast on Channel 7. 2022 Toyota Star Maker Winner, Max Jackson, says “Young men will hear this song from Rory and take it like a high five from a mate, rather than a lesson from a teacher”.

This young man has a bright future in anything he will put his hand to.

Please Enjoy!

Starting this podcast, it was all about bringing you stories of interesting people that I made along the way and bringing them to the audience. This guest is no exception.

Tess Marnane hails from Cork in Ireland, found her soulmate in Shepparton after a short stint of traveling.

For 18 years of her working life has been spent in leadership roles with vulnerable groups in the care industry.

After a less than smooth 12 months with her first child and the home birth of her second child, Tess decided to put her experience into practice. She is now a Doula, focusing on providing families with support needed in childbirth and parenting, particularly with young families.

You can find out more about Tess at Nature Doula Tribe on Facebook or Tessa’s podcast.

Please enjoy!

This episode of the podcast is a replay of a short conversation I had with Justin Smith for a mental health awareness campaign Tough Times from the Heart.

This episode was broadcast on World Mental Health Day. 'Mental health is a universal human right', is this year's theme. World Mental Health Day is about raising awareness of mental health and driving positive change for everyone's mental health.

In rural and agricultural areas mental health is a major concern due to uncontrollable factors like the isolating nature of the work, natural disasters, weather, industry downturns and financial pressures.

Stigma and lack of access to resources also play a massive role in the mental health of rural communities.

In Australia rural people are 2X more likely to die as a result of suicide than the rest of the population.

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness.

In times of crisis and or uncertainty, when you feel like a conversation is too big for family or friends alone, connect with a trusted health professional like your GP, and or services like Lifeline 13 11 14 or TIACS by calling or texting

0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST or the many other local and government support services.

Beyond Blue - 1300 022 946

Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467

After spending most of his working career in the banking industry developing teams and people Nathan Carkeek took a leap of faith! He left the banking industry to follow his purpose and co founded Minds on Purpose, a business that's passionate about helping people live with purpose clarity and choice.

There is massive value to all aspects of your life particularly your mental health and wellbeing, when you discover a more balanced and in tune self.

Enjoy this podcast with a curious and open mind and I am sure you will come away with some tools to become the best version of you.

Alex is the founder of #PlantASeedForSafety

If you've checked out Alex's socials, the first thing you'll notice is her bubbly personality and her infectious delivery.

Alex is full of energy!

Inspired by her journey as a carer for her disabled Dad as a result of his life’s work in agriculture, Alex is a speaker, facilitator and consultant. She is the Chief Planter of Seeds for #PlantASeedForSafety – a rural social change initiative that spins yarns that save lives, and ultimately, brings people home to their loved ones at the end of each day.

With 17+ years’ experience in work health and safety, Alex was a national winner in the 2020 Syngenta Growth Awards, the 2018 AgriFutures Rural Woman of the Year (South Australia) and the winner of the 2018 SafeWork SA Augusta Zadow Award, amongst others.

For Alex, her work is all about challenging the status quo. About synthesising real life experience with evidence-based solutions, and about cutting to the core of what it means to be ‘compliant’ with work health and safety legislation: which put simply, is just. don’t. kill someone.

As a consultant, Alex empowers organisations to rethink policies, procedures and box-ticking, and to consider a different approach. A people-based approach.

A Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Program and a graduate of the National Farmers Federation Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program and the Safety Futures Advanced Safety Professional Practice Program, Alex’s work has been formally endorsed by the Executive Director of Safe Work SA.

Passion, professional rigor and an infectious energy for change are at the heart of everything she does.

Please enjoy my chat with Alex…

As a quick heads up this episode covers topics of suicidal ideation, so care should be taken when listening. If you are challenged by the conversation please seek help - Lifeline 13 11 14.

When I set out to create a podcast, I had a particular guest in mind. The guest on this episode is that person.

Lucy Marsh had a massive impact on what I actually do today.

Lucy probably doesn't realize the impact that she has had.

On my travels as a speaker, we met back in 2018 at an event in South Australia. The impact that Lucy had on my life has changed the way that I thought about being a speaker and how I'd share my story.

Her life hasn't been easy and has had plenty of ups and downs. I can't wait for her to share her story with us.

It’s an absolute privilege to have Lucy as a guest and hopefully those who listen can take something away from her story. Even if it is just empathy towards how those struggle with their mental health.

In times of crisis and or uncertainty, when you feel like a conversation is too big for family or friends alone, connect with a trusted health professional - like your GP, and or services like Lifeline 13 11 14

or TIACS by calling or texting

0488 846 988 Mon-Fri 8am-10pm AEST

or the many other local and government support services.

Beyond Blue
1300 022 946

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467

For most Gorgi Coghlan will need little introduction, but Gorgi as for many people I meet, there is so much more to a person than what they are known for or what they do.

Gorgi and I met at an event last year where I was a speaker and Gorgi was the MC. I was instantly taken by Gorgi's professionalism, but also the depth and level that she operates at.

Gorgi is probably best know for being a TV presenter on The Project, amongst other programs but is also a country girl at heart, who has been a science teacher, journalist, and currently a successful business owner, singer. performer, and foremost a Mother to her Daughter Molly Rose and Wife and Partner to Simon.