Category: Podcast

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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 to them.”

Lofty ambitions considering the vastness of the Autism Spectrum.

Understanding Autism is key to raising awareness and creating that safe and inclusive society, which means speaking to people living with Autism and caring for those who are affected. All of whom will tell you a different story unique to them…

Raised on a property in rural Australia, Mandy Jeppesen is ever grateful for the farming lifestyle, providing the building blocks of her values that continue to serve her through life’s challenges and rewards. She and her husband Tony continue to farm, whilst raising two boys on the spectrum.

Mandy credits her father for her hard work ethic and appreciation of nature. Qualities that formed the foundation of her grit and gratitude that she’s passed on to her children.

If you’d like to more information about Autism support in Australia:
https://www.autismawareness.com.au/
https://www.aspect.org.au/

USA
https://www.autismspeaks.org/our-work

Canada
https://www.autismcanada.ca/

UK
https://www.autism.org.uk/

Connect with me via my website or through Mimi’s Children’s Books on Facebook. I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions.

If you care about creating a better future for humanity and want to be part of a movement for change, join our community by subscribing on my website and follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and new releases.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact—one story at a time.

Please share this podcast that supports real change for humanity.

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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 cook food, I learned this also activated curiosity in the natural world and links to food systems crucial for survival.

Curiosity is a vital component for critical thinking and the connection between nutrient density in our food and the health of the soil it grows in is widely researched.

Soil is also a key source of microorganisms that are important for gut health. These microorganisms help regulate health, hormones, mood, and memory.

To gain an understanding of the connection I spoke with soil health expert and regenerative farming advocate, Simon Mattsson.

In this episode he shares how the elements, minerals, and chemicals required to grow plants already exist in natural systems. Systems that we have inactivated through conventional farming with NPK, that can be re-activated by implementing rotational cropping and plant diversity.

Simon’s curiosity led him to an in-depth study of soil health, something he implemented on his former sugarcane farm and now shares with others as a soil health consultant.

Want to know more about Simon and his work?

Recent profile of work and credentials
https://soillandfood.com.au/about-us/

Central Qld Soil Health Systems – Profile
https://www.cqshs.farm

Dual cropping video: sugarcane + sunflowers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-hu7FtDPs

Connect with me via my website or through Mimi’s Children’s Books on Facebook. I’d love to hear your feedback and suggestions.

If you care about creating a better future for humanity and want to be part of a movement for change, join our community by subscribing on my website and follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and new releases.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact—one story at a time.

Please share this podcast that supports real change for humanity.

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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 have you heard a story about that one teacher in someone’s life, who took the time to understand, listen, and encourage? Dr Kathryn Murray told us in EP 6, it takes a calm brain to learn, therefore one would think a calm and dedicated teacher is required.

Karen Argus is one of those teachers, also the Principal at Eungella State Primary School, she has experienced the full gamut of small schools in more than 30 years of education.

From cities to small country towns and the Queensland outback, her careers choices have led her to appreciate the smaller regional schools – where she has expanded her skills to a trauma-based approach.

In episode 10 Principal Karen Argus shares a vision of a future we can all aspire to.

What’s more important than nurturing our future leaders? What we teach our children needs to be holistic and well rounded. A balance of life skills, critical thinking, and an understanding of accepting our differences.

Do you know someone who has a story to share about their childhood, parenting, world views, or expertise that shapes a better world?

If you care about creating a better future for humanity and want to be part of a movement for change, join our community by subscribing on my website and follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and new releases.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact—one story at a time.

Please share this podcast that supports real change for humanity.

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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 books. Enid Blyton, Beatrix Potter, AA Milne, and Hans Christian Anderson. Thanks to my mother who loves to read, to this day she goes to bed with a good book and a green apple every night, reading until 2 and 3 am.

Reading and being read to, is a fundamental part of communication, both written and verbal. Unfortunately, there are many children in the world growing up without access to books and educational texts.

Fiona Lüth is working to change that for the children of Fiji, in fact over the last 13 and half years Fiji Book Drive has delivered 348,504 books to 238 schools and kindergartens, which they continue to serve.

In the spirit of Christmas and giving let’s all think about how we can support Fiona to reach more schools and kindergartens in Fiji. Perhaps you could give the gift of a donation to your child’s teacher next year instead of another mug.

Connect with Fiona on LinkedIn

Follow Fiji Book Drive via the social links on the website where you’ll find more stories and images.

If you care about creating a better future for humanity and want to be part of a movement for change, join our community by subscribing on my website and follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and new releases.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact—one story at a time.

Please share this podcast that supports real change for humanity.

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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. Representing diverse groups of women, they proposed that economic, psychological, and social freedom were necessary for women to progress from being second-class citizens in society.

American born journalist Betty Frieden is credited with formalising the US movement following the success of her 1963 book The Feminine Mystique, giving voice to millions of women’s discontent over limited gender-based roles.

Today, there are women represented in every workplace, and we have those early activists to thank. Whilst there is still a lot to achieve in gender equality and equity, women like Kaylene Ascough continue to advance how society determines outcomes for all.

Raised in Sydney’s western suburbs through the 70’s, Kaylene is the youngest of five and shared with me her fondest memories of growing up in a big family with community based, service minded people, where the home was a hive of activity.

Something she says created her core values underpinning a sense of gathering and collectiveness, which she based her career on. She also passed on these family traits to her children, who are now living their life for the collective good of their communities and society.

You can discover more about Kaylene and follow her on LinkedIn

If you care about creating a better future for children and want to be part of a movement for change, join our community by subscribing on my website and follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and new releases.

Together, we can make a meaningful impact—one story at a time.

Please share this podcast that supports real change for humanity.