Panel Discussions

What it means to truly belong when living with a disability

“Diversity is being invited to the party, but inclusion is being asked to dance,” begins Dr. Louise Gosbell, on answering the question, What does it mean to be inclusive?

Louise is a disability researcher and advocate. She also lives with a disability, as do panellists Laura Cowell, Australian CEO of TLC Disability Services, and Jamieson Leeson, who is a Boccia Champion and Paralympian.

Do Australians understand what it means to live with a disability?

Laura Cowell, the Australian CEO of TLC Disability Services, says there is room for improvement.

Laura is joined by disability advocate, Dr. Louise Gosbell; and Paralympic silver medalist, Jamieson Leeson in this episode of Helping Hands to discuss how we can better understand the disability sector, and play our part in making the world a better place for people who are living with disability.

Great expectations - our desire to be known and loved

“Unmet expectations are usually around relationships,” explains psychologist, Collett Smart. “You feel really let down and unloved, often because you think … they should have known, and they didn’t know, and now you feel hurt.”

Collett is joined in this episode of Helping Hands by Ian Barnett, founder of the National Grandparent Movement; and Nathan Brewer, youth worker, to discuss what unmet expectations are, why they occur and how to avoid them.

Respect and authority - can they co-exist?

“I’ve interviewed the CEOs of Bunnings, ANZ and Microsoft … they really are humble people. And I think that humility allows other people to copy that approach, but also it’s inclusive,” explains mental health speaker and advocate, Graeme Cowan.

Graeme is speaking about his observations while speaking with successful CEOs for his podcast, The Caring CEO. He is joined in this Helping Hands panel discussion by psychologist, Collett Smart; and CEO of Charitabl., Mike Gore, to discuss what it looks like to respect authority figures and be respectful in a role of authority at home, in social settings and in the workplace.

Friendship - one of life's greatest treasures

“More than a handful of good friends is nearly too much because we can’t do the give and take,” says Raewyn Elsegood, a chaplain in sport and self-confessed seeker of friendships and community.

Raewyn is joined in this Helping Hands panel discussion by psychologist, Collett Smart; and teacher, Rod Braine, to discuss why friendships are so important to us.

Finding your unique self to flourish

“Offering up your best self happens best and most naturally when people are leaning into their strengths,” says Max Jeganathan.

Max is a former advisor to the Federal Government. He is joined in this Helping Hands panel discussion by Joce Goto, Chief Operations Officer at Charitabl.; and Mark Jones, Chief Storyteller at the ImpactInstitute, to discuss how and why it’s important for us to recognise our strengths.

Finding the right fit for healthy community

“What does a good fit look like in community? Just like a good shoe,” says Raewyn Elsegood.

Raewyn is a sports chaplain and a panellist on this episode of Helping Hands. She joins psychologist, Collett Smart; and teacher, Rod Braine, to discuss what it looks like to find and live in healthy community.

Why taking responsibility matters

“We’re like a boat in a harbour,” says Joce Goto, a panellist on this week’s episode of Helping Hands. “There’s this wake behind us, and what we do has ripple effects into the people around us … You need to have an awareness of what’s behind you as you take steps forward.”

Is change really as good as a holiday?

“Change is necessary,” says psychologist, Collett Smart. “It’s what we all go through, whether it’s moving from adolescence, to middle age, to old age, to moving jobs, we’re all going to go through it.”

The key to dealing with change, says Collett, is to learn and implement healthy ways to cope with it.

7 Ways to help your child settle into school

Starting a new school year can be daunting for students. But according to the panellists on this week’s episode of Helping Hands, Collett Smart (Psychologist), Kiran Skariah (Youth Worker and Online Gamer) and Sarah Crawford (Teacher) there are some practical things we can do, to ensure we support our kids through this transition.

Business - the promising leaders of social change

Social responsibility is a perpetual hot topic of conversation. Australia is historically a nation who gets behind a good cause — we back the underdog, rally for equality and call for action on important issues, most recently, the rising cost of living. But whose responsibility is it to provide answers for the social issues we face here in Australia and around the world?

Social enterprise - a catalyst for public good

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, Jess Moore, CEO of Social Enterprise Australia; Adam McCurdie, founder of Humanitix; and Prof. Kristy Muir, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation; discuss social enterprise, and explain why this business model has the potential for positive impact both in our local communities and in the lives of the less fortunate.

“Social enterprise is a business for good,” explains Jess. “They trade like any other business but exist specifically to make the world a better place. Two things about them are essential; they put people and planet first and they trade to do this.”

Business and social change

Change is a constant of the world we live in, and wherever possible, Australians love to embrace change for the better. Within Australian business, this drive for positive impact is creating a tangible shift from valuing only the financial bottom-line to finding purpose in the form of social change, namely, developing a social conscience.

The joy of being selfish for good

“There is a deep, deep value in being good for nothing,” quips Jon Owen, CEO of Wayside Chapel, when talking about volunteers.

Speaking on Helping Hands, Jon says volunteers gift an estimated $1.5 million worth of waged time to Wayside Chapel, and without them, the Chapel would not able to break even. The volunteer workforce at Wayside Chapel cover 250 shifts each week, and ensure their doors stay open.

Finding a Joy-Filled Christmas

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory? Perhaps a time when the world appeared to glow a little brighter? Or your footsteps became a little lighter, and the spirit of the season filled the air? What is it that sparked your experience of joy?

In this Helping Hands panel discussion, social commentator, Mark McCrindle; podcaster, speaker and minister Rev. Dr. Megan Powell du Toit, and former CEO of Parramatta Mission, Davyn De Bruyn, join Laura Bennett to help us recapture the joy of Christmas.