COACH and the DOCTOR: Recent Episodes
The Coach and the Doctor
Every so often a podcast comes along that not only turns heads but makes us sit up and take notice.Coach and the Doctor is one of those shows'This is a show about raising awareness of the NDIS.A show about the good the bad and at times the ugly of the NDIS.A show about the people who are not only involved in the industry but more importantly the participants that benefit from the scheme.The Coach(not a real coach) and the Doctor(not a real doctor) don't take themselves too seriously but what they do, very seriously.Coach and the Doctor is brought to you by gildacare.com.au Gilda Care where it takes a village!
In this special episode we chat to the players and coaches of the winning teams on FIDA Grand Final day at Coburg Oval in Melbourne, Australia.
Those who were kind enough to give us the time and not necessarily in this order:
Brady Woods, Matt Shortis, Jake Scicluna, Peter Foxall, Julian Brooks, Corey Sivestro, Shaun Dux, Peter Willoughby(Snr), Kyle Bird and Amanda Campbell.
It was a great day and as you will hear in the podcast, it was a very exciting day for those involved.
We hope you enjoyed this episode!
Looking for meaningful disability support or advocacy? Check out our partners:
JaeMan Support
Gilda Care Support Coordination
Special Guests
Ned Mannoun,Betty Boustani ,Intiyaz Ali,Sonia Aveiro,Chloe Koulizakis,Hannah & Michelle Herron,Ifty Waset,Tahrir Al Nasha,Victor Tran,Danny Staffieri
We hope you enjoyed this episode!
Looking for meaningful disability support or advocacy? Check out our partners:
JaeMan Support
Gilda Care Support Coordination
Welcome back to Coach and The Doctor! After a few subtle changes we are back bigger and better than ever.
In this episode we venture out to Ringwood in Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne where the very first tackle-free footy carnival is happening for those who live with an intellectual disability. We speak to the CEO of FIDA, a coach (a real one) and a couple of players.
Tackle-free footy is the brainchild of Victorian FIDA Football League - the organisation behind Australian all abilities footy. If you are interested donating to FIDA or joining in on the fun, please visit https://fida.org.au/ or email Mary Pozzobon at ceo@fida.org.au
We hope you enjoyed this episode!
Looking for meaningful disability support or advocacy? Check out our partners:
JaeMan Support
Gilda Care Support Coordination
Coach and the Doctor are back on the road again! This time in Australia's harbour city for the Sydney Deaf Festival.
It was a great day at Cathy Freeman Park in the Olympic Precinct. The sun was out and beaming, and we learnt a lot about Auslan, Australia's official sign language, and the future of accessibility for the deaf community.
We welcomed three inspiring guests including interpreter and Founder of Pah! App, Rachel Sperinck, the Co-Founder and CEO of Convo, Todd Wright, and last but not least Bronick Lemon from Next Sense.
This was the first podcast we have had interpreters on site, thanks to DeafConnect, and we will be releasing an accessible video with Auslan interpreters and closed captions. Stay tuned for this in the next few weeks!
Coach And The Doctor hit the road for this episode and speak to three guests at the Brimbank Disability Expo in Melbourne, presented by Able Foods and Plan Partners.
First up is Ashleigh Dolby from Able Foods who also runs @accesswithash on Instagram, reviewing Melbourne's accessible cafes, restaurants and bars. Then we've got Natasha Isherwood the State Manager for Plan Partners, and last but not least the creator of ATJ Solutions, Jodie Attard.
Content Warning: Talks of suicide and suicidal ideation.
In this episode of CATD Best Bits we venture into an area that at times is not always talked about openly and honestly: depression. I can guarantee that with our two guests, nothing is off the table.
Joe Williams is a former boxing and NRL Champion who has lived with bipolar for the majority of his life. Graeme Cowan is one of the co-founders of RUOK and has travelled a rocky road with depression and anxiety. Also with us is Ashlee Morton talking all things Travel in the NDIS.
In our second episode of CATD Best Bits we venture into the political arena with NSW Member of Parliament Liesl Tesch and Federal Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John.
We also chat with our special contributor on Sport, and the CEO of JaeMan Support, Rita (a Collingwood supporter!)
In our first episode of CATD Best Bits we go into the film space and speak to a couple of directors in the disability sector.
Cian O'Clery and Johanna Garvin.
Also making an appearance is Bela Hunter from Plan Partners.Bela will be talking finance in the NDIS.
Enjoy.
This week's episode is a special recording of Coach and the Doctor guesting on the Luke and Susie Show on 89.9 Light FM.
First up on this episode is Fleur Sharafizad speaking to us about the research she has done on Carers and their wellbeing.
Following Fleur, we have our entertainment contributor Amy speaking to us about the Screen Australia diversity report that came out this year.
Finally, we are joined by Sandhya Menon to talk about her new children's book The Rainbow Brain, which talks about both ADHD and Autism together.
On this week's episode, we speak to Tara Shekede, the founder and director of Me Plus More, which is an online platform for people with an intellectual disability or a cognitive impairment to work towards their independence or employability.
Up next is Ashlee Morton, our travel contributor, who gives us a run down of what Accessible Accommodation is.
Our final guest for the episode is Ben Walker from Garden of Vegan meal delivery service.
On this week's episode of CATD, we check back in with Kai and Nathan Ryan about Para Standing Tennis, with special guest Adam Hills. The trio have teamed up to campaign for more classifications to be added to Paralympic Tennis and let us know about the progress of the campaign, and upcoming fundraiser events.
You can get more information on the the Para Standing Tennis Alliance Facebook via the link below.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1123598937979640/
Our last podcast from the Expo features Elisha Curnow from the Wattle Tree Country Retreat, and Sue Goodhand from Felicity Health Care.
This week's episode is the second of three live recordings from the Melbourne Disability Expo 2023.
Guest include Shaun Kannemeyer from Mobility Aids, Jobby Mathew from Positive Media and Eleisha Laurent from Brain Train.
This is the first of three podcasts recorded at the Melbourne Disability Connection Expo 2023.
First up is River Night, one of the organizers of the event from Developing Australian Communities, who joins us for a chat all about the event.
Then we speak to Corinne Pegram from Perfect Care, which is an organisation that supports NDIS participants and specializes in accommodation.
Plus we finish up with a very special guest Jason, who is an NDIS participant who was on the ground, enjoying the expo.
On this week's episode, we are talking all things ME/CFS with Alice Rumble in conjunction with ME/CFS international Awareness Day coming up on the 12th May.
Following Alice, guest finance contributor Isabela Hunter from Plan Partners talks us through manual claims.
Lastly, we speak to Scott Nicholas about Paralympics Australia, and get a better idea of what the organisation does between the 4 yearly international event.
On this weeks episode, we kick it off speaking to Sonny Adorjan, the creator of Woodism, which is the unique art collaboration with his autistic son.
Following Sonny, we have Kim Henderson, who is the NDIS Transition Coordinator at Maroondah City Council, talking all things NDIS plans and supporting her community through the complex application and review process.
Finally, guest contributor Rita shares her monthly findings from the world of sport.
Coach and the Doctor is on the road again in Brisbane at the Disability Connection Expo, talking to Expo Director Mike Clark, and some of the fantastic companies that attended.
On this week's episode we speak to Mel Spencer, co-founder of Different Journeys, who tells us all about raising 3 children with Autism, her own late in life diagnosis' and everything that happens at Different Journeys.
Then we are joined by comedian Oliver Hunter, whose show 'Wheel of Fortune' has just opened at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
ON this week's episode we kick off with Sasha Job, leader of the Universal Beach Access Hub (U-BEACH) project, who speaks to us about the importance of accessibility to our beaches and the steps needed to achieve this for our community.
Following Sasha we speak to Kai Ryan and his dad Nathan about his dream to represent Australia at the Paralympics in Tennis, but the restriction they are facing due to to tennis only offering a wheelchair classification for those living with disability, and not including other classifications to include disabilities such as achondroplasia (dwarfism) that Kai lives with.
Coach and the Doctor are on the road in this week's episode, recording live from the Bayside Disability Expo.
Our first guest is Spencer Ratliff who shares his story of starting Able Foods, a specialist disability ready made meal provider that takes the guess work out of healthy eating.
Following Spencer, we speak to Annie O'Reilly from Building Mindfulness, which is the practice of using LEGO to build your mindful journey. She tells us where her love for LEGO stemmed from and how LEGO can help being present and living in the moment.
Lastly Sean Dempsey, the CEO of Plan Partners, talks about their work as Plan Managers and as the hosts of the Bayside Disability Expo.
This week’s CATD episode is jam packed with incredible conversations.
First up we have Senator Jordon Steele-John who updates us on how things are looking under the new federal government, and the changes he wants to see in the NDIS.
Then we speak to Associate Professor Des Graham, President of MS Australia, who shares all about MS, and the barriers facing people who live with Multiple Sclerosis and getting support from the NDIS.
Search Coach and the Doctor wherever you get your podcasts.
This week’s CATD is a podcaster heavy one! Firstly we speak to the host of ‘A Lot To Talk About’ Bradley Dryburgh about all things Cystic Fibrosis and the year that changed the trajectory of his life forever.
Then we have Mandy Hose and Kate Jones, the hosts of ‘Too Peas in a Podcast’ - where they laugh (a lot) and cry as they chat to each other and friends about parenting their awesome disabled and neurodiverse children.
Search Coach and the Doctor wherever you get your podcasts.
First up on this episode of Coach and the Doctor is the very passionate mental health advocate Matt Runnalls, who tells us all about what inspired him to create the not for profit mental health foundation Mindfull Aus and his book 'Nobody Can Save Me'.
Next we speak to the wonderful Melanie Dimmitt about her podcast 'NDIS Know-How', her experience as a mother of two young children - one with a profound physical disability, one medically boring - and her lifestyle magazine 'The Blend' that she created for the tube feeding community.
On this episode of Coach and the Doctor, we are joined by two fascinating guests. Up first is Katie Tonacia OAM to talk PTSD, the AFP, and Picking Up The Peaces - the organisation she founded to raise awareness and understanding about Post Traumatic Stress and associated conditions for frontline first responders.
Following Katie, we are joined by Beau Vernon, a motivational speaker who shares his experience of going through a life changing accident at 23 that left him quadriplegic.
On this week's episode of Coach and the Doctor, we firstly speak to Steve G, the head coach at G Training and Fitness in Alice Springs, who tells us about his trauma informed youth boxing program, and about some of the challenges facing the community in Alice Springs.
Following Steve, we are joined by Professor Lucas Walsh, who worked on Monash University's latest Australian Youth Barometer report, and he shares with us some of the discoveries they made about young Australians.
First up on this week's episode is Mark Heeney, the Executive Director of Housing Strategy at Mind Australia/ The Haven Foundation, speaking about independent living services in Australia for people with psychosocial disability.
Following Mark, we talk to Oliver Willford from OCD Australia, who shares about his own lived experience with OCD, and demystifies a commonly misunderstood disorder.
We are back from our summer break with an incredible episode of Coach and the Doctor.
Our first guest for 2023 is Dr. Aimee Gayed from the Black Dog Institute, speaking to us about mental health in the workplace and the global guidelines on mental health at work that the team developed with the World Health Organisation.
Next up is Knox Gibson, freshly back in Australia after shooting the Hunger Games prequel in Germany. We talk to Knox about the accident that changed his life and all things acting and working on a Hollywood blockbuster!
First up, we speak to the incredible Elly Desmarchelier, a disability right campaigner, writer and speaker, who has recently been seen on The Project, Q&A and The Drum, who talks all this NDIS with The Coach and The Doctor.
Following Elly, we are joined by Sam Willoughby, a champion BMX rider who had a life changing accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He shares with us his story, his love for his wife Alise and the new documentary about his life RIDE, that has just been released.
This week we speak to Anna Spargo-Ryan, the inaugural winner of The Horne Prize for her essay “The Suicide Gene”, who has just released a brand new non fiction book, A KIND OF MAGIC about anxiety, our minds, memory, time, love and optimism.
Then we have Andrew Whitehouse, a Professor of Autism Research who speaks to us about his work, the diagnosis process and its link to the NDIS, and the internet series sensation "60 Second Science" which you can watch on the CliniKids Facebook page, or via the link below!
https://fb.watch/hmg5tAq4QY/
In this episode of Coach and the Doctor, we speak to Jackie Mead from SANE, which is the leading national mental health organisation for people with complex mental health issues in Australia and for the families and friends that support them.
Following Jackie, we have writer Zoe Simmons on, who amongst other things, tells us of her recent experience traveling with a wheelchair on QANTAS, and spoiler alert, it doesn't go well.
We reached out to QANTAS for comment on the incident, and as of release date, have unfortunately not heard back.
On this week's episode, we firstly speak to the fascinating Carol Cooke, who is a Paralympian living with MS. She shares with us her athletic pursuits, as well as her time in the undercover drug squad in the Metropolitan Toronto Police Force.
Following Carol, we speak to Jarad McLoughlin, an incredible broadcaster, disability and LGBTQIA+ advocate, living with Asperger’s Syndrome and Ayme-Gripp Syndrome.
On this episode of Coach and the Doctor, we firstly speak to Dr. Hayley North from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) about the work they are doing in the field of Schizophrenia.
Following Hayley, we talk to Miriam Philomena about her work as a behavioural specialist at Down Syndrome NSW and personal lived experience with Down Syndrome.
This week on Coach and the Doctor, we speak to Bree Mellberg - a Champion Diver, Paralympian and PhD Candidate - about the trampoline accident that changed her life and how she adapted and thrived in new circumstances with a spinal cord injury.
Following Bree, we speak to Dr. Rob Cameron and Di Owen about the incredible work they are doing to develop co-design, co-living housing options that offer a range of benefits for people living with a disability.
On this week’s episode we speak to Karni Liddell - a former Paralympic swimmer, who was an ambassador for the NDIS amongst other things - who lives with Congenital Titinopathy.
Following that conversation, we are joined by Luke Vesnaver - an exercise physiologist - who shares his experience with the NDIS through his business Four Points Therapy.
In this week's episode, we speak to Dr Shannon Dodd and Sophie Yates about their incredible research into the treatment of disability in the prison system. Their passion is infectious and the discussion incredibly enlightening.
Following that, we have playwright Michel Tuomy speaking about his experience with Schizophreniaand his play Little Brother, Big Sister he wrote based on his life experience.
Keep an eye out for the upcoming season at La Mama Theatre in Melbourne, and you can watch Shannon and Sophie's webinar for more information on the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_15rOQBdUo
TW: Eating Disorders
This week on Coach and the Doctor, we firstly speak to Johanna Garvin, a writer and director who has also completed SEVEN marathons, in seven days, on seven continents in a wheelchair... phenomenal!!!
Following Johanna, we speak with Gabriella Springall, who is a PhD Candidate at the University of Melbourne and Research Assistant at Murdoch Children's Research Institute, about Easting Disorders and the rise of cases during COVID.
TW: Suicide.
On this week's episode, we are firstly joined by author, speaker and board member of R U OK? Graeme Cowan. It is a timely chat in the lead up to World Mental Health Day on the 10th Oct and Graeme candidly speaks to his mental health challenges and how he changed his life.
Secondly, we speak with the wonderful Elaine Nash about employment of people with an intellectual disability, and the research she is doing through her doctoral studies, around Disability, not inability.
This week we have a special episode of Coach and the Doctor with just one guest joining us. We spoke to Susan Wood, who is the content producer at Spinal Cord Injury Australia (SCIA), who speaks to us about the work they do at SCIA and her own experience living with Neonatal Flaccid Paraplegia. It's too much and too good to squeeze into our regular formatting, so enjoy this bonanza!!
This week we speak to Seamus Evans who, in amongst lots of laughter, shares his experience of accepting his Tourette Syndrome diagnosis and thriving as a presenter on television and in breakfast radio.
The we have the wonderful Nicole Mathieson, who is the Team Leader & Clinical Neuropsychologist at Autism Spectrum Australia, shining a light on Autism and the wonderful work they are doing at Aspect.
This week's Coach and the Doctor is a little less Doctor than usual as producer Amy gets a call up to the mic in the doctor's absence.
We have two special guests from Special Olympics - Anna Mezger who is the National Director of Special Olympics Australia and Peter Zapantis who is a Special Olympics athlete - who both share what lead them to Special Olympics and more about the incredible organization.
Special Olympics is so much more than sport. It is a wonderful community for the participant, as well as the families, and introduces those involved to the joy of belonging and experiencing achievement. For more information, call 1300 225 762 or visit www.specialolympics.com.au and make an enquiry to find out your local club or a program to meet your needs.
On this week's Coach and the Doctor we are joined by two vibrant guests, both performers in their own way.
Oliver Hunter is a comedian who lives with Cerebral Palsy, who is on a mission to prove stand up isn't just for people who can stand. He has the Coach and the Doctor in stitches during their conversation, leaving no doubt he will be your new favourite sit-down comedian.
Following Ollie, we speak with the incredible Rocca Salcedo who started a para-dance group called Dance N Roll to encourage people with physical disabilities to dance and enjoy music, after she was in a traffic accident that caused her to become paraplegic.
Enjoy!
In this week’s episode, we speak to Paralympian and champion athlete Blake Cochrane just before he jetted off to Birmingham for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Then we have the general manager of JobAccess, Daniel Valiente Riedl, who talks about the work they do to remove barriers for people with a disability within employment.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
TW: Suicidal ideation.
In this week’s episode, we are again joined by two insightful and intelligent guests.
First up we have Joe Williams, a former NRL player who after a suicide attempt in 2012, made it his life mission to help people struggling with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Then we speak to Professor Lars Ittner and discuss the revolutionary Alzheimer’s and MND research he and his team are doing at Macquarie University in Queensland.
In this episode of Coach and the Doctor we speak to two outstanding individuals.
First up is a
In this episode we chat blood and its affect on our mental health with Dr. William Reay and also talk to Yen Ying Lim about environmental issues that could be a contributing factor of early onset dementia
Enjoy!
In this episode of Coach and the Doctor we talk comedy and bipolar and also the relationship between alcohol and mental health.
First up is Amanda Jane Pritchard who recently had a sold out run at the Melbourne Comedy Festival with her show Google Amanda Jane Dildo!
Amanda lives with bipolar, and she opens up about what that looks and feels like and how she incorporates it into her show.
Also in this episode is Dr. Lexine Stapinski who talks about how a study she did in relationship to alcohol and how it affects our mental health.
Enjoy!
In this episode of Coach and the Doctor we have a bit of a sporty theme.
First up bowls champion Josh Thornton.
We spoke to Josh just before he headed off overseas to compete in the Commonwealth Games selection trials. What a great bloke.
After that Tim Nield pops in via Zoom to talk about his job with the AFL as Disability Inclusion Manager. A job that sees him look after many different types of programs
Another great show.
Enjoy
Another great Episode here in Season 2.
First up the Creator and Director of the hit Netflix series Love on the Spectrum Cian O'Clery.
Cian(Pron:Kee-an) .
We recorded this a little while ago before the release of the US version of the show.
Our other guest is a man who saw his life completely change after he slipped down some stairs as a 17 yr old.
Adam Deans pops in to tell us his story.
Cant wait to get stuck in.
Enjoy.
In this Episode of Coach and the Doctor we speak to the wonderful Tilly Boleyn and the very interesting Doctor Phillip Tam.
Tilly is the Head of Curatorial, Science Gallery Melbourne and she is on to talk about something very special at the gallery, the Mental Exhibition.
Part exhibition and part experiment it is not only worth learning about but also visiting.
It runs through till the middle of June.
Doctor Phillip Tam is a global pioneer in the field of internet-related psychology or more commonly known as internet addiction.
The good doctor believes that social media is changing the way young people develop their sense of identity.
Enjoy
This episode we catch up with a meditation expert in Asher Packman.
Asher talks about the link between Mental Health and Meditation.
Also another great chat this time with Piers Mitcham a candidate for the seat of Kooyong in the Federal Election.
Piers is a Greens candidate that naturally has very strong opinions and ideas on the environment but also the NDIS.
Enjoy!
In this Episode of Coach and The Doctor we talk with 2 guests from the media and entertainment field. Both are doing great things.
First is Michelle Cheng, Content and Diversity Manager from SBS and Joni Campbell who is involved with Bus Stop Films, a not for profit organisation that uses the film industry to raise the profile of people living with a disability.
Its a great show.
Enjoy!
Finally Season Two of Coach and The Doctor has landed.
This promises to be a big Season so we hope you can stay with us and enjoy the journey.
Recently it was International Bipolar day which falls on Van Gogh's birthday.
We decided to get an experts view on Bipolar in Greg Murray who is a leading professor in mood disorders.
He is a Doctor of Philosophy from Melbourne University and Master of Clinical Psychology from La Trobe. Currently amongst many other things he is a Director for Mental Health at Swinburne University.
Our second guest is Linda Minderhout a mother,grandmother and a nurse.
She has lived with Bipolar for most of her life.
Its a great listen.
On this episode of Coach and the Doctor we chat to a man that not unlike a lot of our guests has struggled with his mental health.
Tony(not his real name) suffers from Schizophrenia and has done so for around 15 years.
In this discussion he talks about what it was like when he was first diagnosed and how he has learned to not only live with it but to use it to help him make the most of his life.
He's honest, open and at times humorous as he talks about what its like to be 'Tony'
In this episode of COACH and the DOCTOR we do it with a heavy heart.
Harriet Serafim who was senior support coordinator and a valued colleague with our major sponsor Gilda Care, passed away last month.
Harriet who was a guest on our last Episode was larger than life and we will speak about the impact she had on both Coach and The Doctor, later in the show.
But up first is a young woman who has kicked many goals already, in the short time she has been on the planet.
Isabela(or as she likes to be called Bela) Hunter is definitely up for a chat as she waxes lyrically with the Doctor about the intricacies of the NDIS whilst Coach try's to stay awake!
Just kidding ,its a wonderful chat that is as entertaining as it is enlightening.
On this episode we speak to legendary AFL player Barry Mitchell.
Player, Coach and father. In fact one of his kids has won a Brownlow medal.
Barry has had his health issues since he left footy both mentally and physically.
A really interesting bloke.
Our other guest is Harriet Serafim from Gilda Care, Support Coordinators.
Harriet attempts to unravel some of the mysteries behind being a Support Coordinator.
Also The Doctor(not a real doctor)try's to be funny and fails miserably!
That in itself is funny.
In this first episode of Coach and The Doctor we chat to a man thats is not only exceptional he is truly an inspiration and gives new meaning to the motto 'never give in never surrender'.
Greg Ryan.