Pieces of the mind: Recent Episodes
Annie Henwood
Shining light on mental health in the bush and hearing stories from different people in the rural area. “Pieces of the mind” is here to bring stories to life and is created so stories don’t go untold. I want this podcast to bring a positive community together one I feel the bush will most definitely benefit from.
From growing up on a country property in Orange, NSW, to battling addiction, and now running marathons across the globe — Will Pattinson’s journey is one of grit, discipline, and hope.
In this episode of Pieces of the Mind, Will shares how he lost 54kg, turned his back on alcohol and drugs, and built a life fuelled by fitness, resilience, and purpose. His story is raw and relatable — from the challenges of boarding school and small-town drinking culture, to the breakthroughs that pushed him to make a complete life change.
At just 30, Will proves that no matter how far you’ve fallen, it’s never too late to take a new direction. His journey is living proof that when you dig deep and commit to change, nothing can stop you.
More information:
Men’sHealth article: https://menshealth.com.au/will-pattinson-weight-loss-365km-challenge/
Black Dod Institute: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraiser/williampattinson/365-k--s-for-365-days?enref=2efbab97cb21596037cd1e2f3e1d2c26
Joe Bobbin is from Bombala in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales who many will recognise from Farmer Wants a Wife, where he came across as genuine, community-minded, and an all-round good bloke.
He is also a proud supporter of Farm Angels, an incredible organisation dedicated to helping farming families through natural disasters, financial hardship, and the ongoing challenges of life on the land. Joe describes their mission as “where compassion meets the land; where every life matters, no matter how small or broken — it’s seen, valued, and given a second chance.” Click on Farm Angels to head to their website and learn more about the work they do.
What makes this episode so powerful is that Joe — a masculine bloke from the land who embodies resilience and strength — opens up and speaks honestly about mental health. His willingness to share his story helps break down stigma in rural communities and shows that true courage is found not just in toughness, but in vulnerability and connection.
Karen Penfold is the co-founder of Four Daughters Beef, a family-run enterprise in South West Queensland that’s as much about values as it is about quality beef. Together with her husband Dan and their four daughters — Bonnie, Molly, Jemima, and Matilda — Karen has built a business that blends tradition with innovation, keeping every step of the process in their hands, from paddock to plate. In this episode, Karen shares an unfiltered look at life on the land — the early mornings, the endless to-do lists, and the unwavering work ethic it takes to keep things moving. We talk about the power of balance, the importance of showing up for each other, and how strong family values shape not only the business, but the people behind it. It’s an inspiring conversation for anyone who knows the grit, resilience, and heart it takes to thrive in rural Australia.
Matika Carmichael – Showing Up for Community, Through Grief and Grit.
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we’re joined by Matika Carmichael — or Teek, as she’s known to many. Raised in the country town of Injune and now living on a cattle property near Condamine with her husband Ben, Teek is someone who wears many hats and wears them well. From running her own fitness program The Move Club, to working as a trainer for Dedikate, and balancing a finance job on the side, she’s a powerhouse with a passion for community.
But behind the motivation and movement is a story of love, loss, and resilience. Teek opens up about the passing of her father — a moment that shifted her world — and how she found healing through exercise, connection, and showing up for others. Her story is a beautiful reminder of the strength found in rural communities and the importance of leaning into what lifts us up.
Whether you're needing a boost of motivation or a reminder that you're not alone in your grief, this conversation will stay with you.
Follow Matika on Instagram: @teekcarmichael
Check out Dedikate: @kateiveyfitness
I am joined by James Marriott, or as most people call him, Turtle.
Turtle is one of those people who just has this positive energy about him. He’s deeply grounded, especially when it comes to the bush, and he carries that strength into all parts of his life. He’s a proud dad to four — Sophie, Elke, Alice, and Lachie — and he’s married to the wonderful Nicky. Together, they’ve built a beautiful life and run a family business up in Brisbane.
Turtle’s story actually starts back in South Australia. He went to Ag college there before making the move up to Queensland, where he’s really planted roots and built not just a life, but a strong sense of community around him.
Like so many of us, Turtle’s journey hasn’t always been straightforward. There have been tough times and a lot of uncertainty along the way. What stands out about him, though, is how he’s faced those moments — with resilience, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.
He’s incredibly relatable, and I think some of you might be surprised to hear the full story behind that calm presence.
Kerri Carmichael is a passionate dietitian and devoted foodie with deep roots in rural Queensland. Raised on a cattle property 60km outside of Augathella, Kerri developed a strong connection to the land, the outdoors, and the importance of nourishing both body and mind through wholesome food and balanced living.
With extensive experience spanning inpatient wards and outpatient clinics, Kerri now brings her expertise to her own private practice, offering flexible, online consultations to suit busy lifestyles. She is committed to helping clients overcome low energy, persistent gut symptoms, and the overwhelming confusion around food choices.
Today, we’re honoured to be joined by one of Australia’s most respected mental health advocates — Craig Hamilton.
From a high-flying career with ABC Sport to confronting his own battles with bipolar disorder, Craig's story is one of resilience, courage, and transformation.
In this powerful conversation, Craig opens up about the darkest moments of his life, the pivotal moment he chose to speak out, and the promise he made — to himself and to others — to break the silence around mental illness.
We explore his diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the turning points that shaped his recovery, and the ongoing stigma faced in rural communities.
Craig also shares the inspiration behind his deeply moving documentary The Promise and why finding strength in the middle ground has become his life's message.
This is a conversation for anyone who’s walked a hard road — and proof that even in our darkest moments, a new chapter can begin.
Topics we cover:
- What "being well" truly means after a breakdown
- Living with bipolar disorder and finding clarity
- The moment Craig knew something was wrong
- The power of diagnosis, acceptance, and speaking up
- Why silence almost cost him everything
- The making of The Promise and the conversations it sparked
- The message Craig wants every Australian to hear
In this episode, we sit down with one of Australia’s most iconic voices — Ben "Dobbo" Dobbin. You know him from Triple M’s The Rush Hour, his footy commentary, and his passion for raising the voices of rural Australians. But beyond the microphone, Dobbo is a family man of five, navigating life both in the spotlight and out in the bush, where things are never quite as easy as they seem.
Dobbo opens up about the highs and lows of living in the bush while juggling the weight of a career in media. As a proud advocate for mental health in rural communities and someone who’s seen the impact of Queensland’s devastating floods, he shares his personal journey of being the voice for people who too often remain unheard.
He also takes us through his struggle with imposter syndrome — how someone from the bush, with humble beginnings, has dealt with feelings of doubt despite his success. We dive into the stigma often felt by men in rural Australia when it comes to vulnerability and how it can feel like there’s no space to be open, especially when so many are already carrying the weight of daily survival.
Through it all, Dobbo balances the demands of his high-profile career with his deep-rooted commitment to his family and his community. It’s a raw conversation about the challenges and realities of living in the bush, and how navigating that dual identity — as both a public figure and a proud rural Australian — is a constant, evolving journey.
Join us as we go beyond the headlines, into the heart of the outback, and listen to Dobbo’s personal story of resilience, responsibility, and the voice of rural Australia that he fights to amplify every day.
Meet Jye Currie, the talented Australian filmmaker behind The Promise – a powerful documentary that brings crucial mental health issues in Australia to the forefront.
With his extensive travels across over 50 countries, Jye’s diverse experiences have shaped his passion for using film to address societal challenges. In this heartfelt discussion, he opens up about the journey of creating The Promise and how the film has sparked vital conversations on mental health, inspiring real change.
Jye’s mission is simple: through the art of filmmaking, he aims to unite these stories and create a movement that makes a positive impact for Australians facing mental health challenges. Let’s come together to break the stigma and take meaningful action.
MentalHealthAwareness #ThePromiseFilm #JyeCurrie #FilmWithPurpose #MentalHealthMatters #Documentary #TakeAction #ChangeTheConversation #BreakTheStigma #FilmmakingForChange
Welcome to the fourth season of Pieces of the Mind!
Every second Monday we will be bringing you a new episode to kickstart your week.
This season expect:
We're bringing fresh perspectives, creative minds, and guests who are willing to be vulnerable and open up in ways that will touch hearts and spark growth. This season is all about diving into the deep stuff – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It’s about mindset, and how we can all strive to be the best versions of ourselves.
After each episode we will be leaving you with "Takeaways." These will be words of wisdom or actionable practices you can apply to your life right now. Small shifts, big changes – all designed to help you grow.
So, stick with us, dive into these conversations, and let's make this season a catalyst for growth. It’s going to be a season full of breakthroughs, real conversations, and practical tools for living a more authentic, resilient life.
Listen to POTM on Spotify,Apple podcasts or any free podcast app.
You can subscribe to our new YouTube channel as well if you are more of a visual person!
Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date.
This episode is dedicated to the year 2023 (season finale of season three). Well what a year that was first of all a big thank you to the guests that were willing to come onto the podcast this year. Many insights, life stories and wisdom from each guest in different walks of their life.
This episode involves goal setting, the power of being grateful in everyday life and overall the power of giving to others that can empower ourselves in more ways than one.
Australian professional rugby league footballer Darius Boyd... one of Australia’s most decorated players to date. Darius has played for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra, Newcastle knights as well as this played many State of origin matches and has represented Australia at an International level. Many of you listening would have watched him play either from your televisions or in grandstands over the years. He is a force to be reckoned in more ways than one. His story will take you on a journey. Darius’ NRL career is the side most Australians get to see but if you are lucky enough to listen to him speak and watch his work within the mental health and wellbeing sector you are in luck.
Today we are talking about the most common cancer for women in Australia; that being Breast Cancer. Before we delve into this topic with a breast cancer survivor I would like to acknowledge the women amongst us that we have lost to this battle, those of you that have either undergone treatment or currently doing so and also to the loved ones that have come face to face with the reality of this disease.
Please remember it is vital to be proactive and get your annual checks completed because as our guest will mention early detection does save lives!
Karen Sullivan is a Breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed in December 2019.
On this episode together Karen and Annie will unpack the journey that being both the physical and mental side her of breast cancer. Karen talk about her life growing up on a fruit and vegetable property near Stanthorpe to marrying her husband, having four children and life on the land.
Dr Peter Swindle is one of Australia’s leading urologists that specialises in prostate cancer. Dr Swindle has helped many men within Australia and many of them being famers. This topic was bought to my attention as I have seen the effects it can not only have on the person struggling but also loved ones around them. Prostate is a serious and deadly disease that not only effects the body but also ones mental health.
This episode with provide you with knowledge and explain the overall effects it can have on a person both mentally and physically.
Important:
It is extremely important to get PSA testing completed and overlooked by professionals. To find out more head to https://qprostate.com.au/
Warren Davies is also known as "The Unbreakable Farmer" a mental health advocate, keynote speaker, farmer and family man.
Warren talks all things today from bullying in his younger years, financial struggles, family struggles relating to business, pressures of life on the land and more. This episode is extremely relatable for many country people as well as many others.
If you would like to contact Warren or listen to him speak simply type into your search bar "The Unbreakable Farmer" or follow on intagram.
This episode we have Olivia Soha the director of a mental health and
eating disorder service called Uncovery. Olivia is one of Australia’s certified eating
disorder coach based in Melbourne. This phenomenal service offers a wide range of
support and education around the eating disorders. Olivia is a Carolyn Costin
institute certified eating disorder coach and from her own struggles has used this to
help many other Australians in the same situation.
- On this episode of POTM our guest will talk all things such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her experience with Sexual Assault and ADHD.
Ella Kolomyjec is the guest on episode 2 of season 3.
Ella has used her mental health struggles as a "silver lining" in order to share her knowledge and passion for mental health across Australia. A Perth based author along with a lovely being she will talk to us all about her experience with mental health the hospital systems and Edition 2 of the Forth Magazine.
This is a monologue written by Ella:
“Earlier this year I began working on an idea of mine that at the time appeared nothing more than
a dream.
During three years of psychiatric hospitalization for PTSD and depression, I dreamed of many
things that I couldn't seem to find whilst battling my way to find normality and recovery. I
experienced a number of gaps in our society and in our healthcare system - the accessibility and
affordability of multidisciplinary treatment, lack of transitional treatment post-crisis care or
hospitalization and a lack of exposure to the practical life-skills of impatient therapy. These came
closely tied to an endless stream of failures, in a society where mental illness was and continues to
rapidly devastate the lives of so many individuals and families.
Once a dream for recovery, this blossomed into a dream to make change.”
Attention (In this episode Dobbo talks about his personal mental health battles with depression, marriage breakdowns and finding ways to deal with past trauma in a healthier manner).
To kick start Season three of Pieces of the Mind we have the one and only Ben Dobbin. Most people would call him the voice of Rural Queensland having been on our radios for a number of years. Having spoken myself with Dobbo prior to this interview on “Rural Queensland Today” and over the phone it is evident what a big heart and the passion he has for the community as a whole but first and foremost the rural communities. Dobbo has a passion for mental health and is prepared to open up and tell his story from family life, change in careers, his marriage breakdown and moments in life that have caused him pain.
Today on pieces of the mind we have a guest that I know will bring a light-hearted and charismatic presence to the podcast. David Graham is our guest today; some of you may know him as Farmer Dave from Big Brother on the channel 7 show or Dave the founder of the life-changing charity “Rufftrack”.
Dave is a bushie having grown up in rural Australia; much like many bushies he has seen the worst of droughts, floods and the impact mental health can have on everyday people. Dave took to our screen to change Australia’s view on being gay and to raise awareness having come out about his sexuality on national TV. Dave is also a world renowned dog trainer and has opened up his own charity “Rufftrack” that helps troubled kids get back on track. (We will talk more about as we get into the episode). Lets just say there is not much that Dave has not done and I know I am a huge fan so I’m thrilled he has put some time aside to record.
Our guest today does not need much of an introduction as she is one Australia’s golden girls. A gold medallist at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 summer Olympics as well as this competing at commonwealth games and representing Australia many times in her career. Have you guessed it yet? Libby Trickett!
Libby is an author as she published her own book called “Beneath the surface” which talks about her career, highs and lows; and overall is captivating story. Last but most definitely not least Libby is a mother to three beautiful daughters and wife to former swimmer Luke Trickett. Libby is now focusing on pursuing her work around mental health by studying “a bachelor degree of counselling”.
Throughout this episode we will unpack Libby’s life as a young one, what it was like for her being bought up and the career that ultimately changed her life forever. We will talk struggles, triumph, mindset, post-natal depression as well as her own experiences in the bush helping others. Well I don’t know about you but I think I should let the women speak for herself.
On todays episode Ally talks about her experience with baby-loss and the still birth experience.
Ally and her partner now have a little angle that will forever look over them and be a part of her lives. Ally Lost Florence due to her baby being a stillborn baby- a very tough card to be dealt and one that is quite frankly not often spoken about near enough. Possibly this is because it is such a heart breaking, grief stricken and confusing time for a family or because people tip toe around the topic… I am not sure and to answer a few of these questions Ally Walker is joining forces with pieces of the mind. Ally is a spokesperson for stillborn and the baby loss community which should be commended – I thank you Ally.
On this episode of pieces of the mind Dave Woods is back to cover and unwrap the world of toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is the root cause of many mental health issues and that is why we felt it was very important that we cover this topic. Dave talks about what toxic masculinity is, how it has been developed and what we can do to overcome the vortex of this topic.
On this episode of "Pieces of the mind" we have Kerri Carmichael a dietitian on the platform. Kerri talks all things related to food, gut health, hydration and all of the above. This intriguing conversation was was highly requested by the pieces of the mind community. If you have any further questions reach out and follow @kerri_nourish_notebook instagram page.
Today on pieces of the mind we are going for a coastal vibe having the founder of “The good human factory” Cooper Chapman join us. “The good human factory” hosts highly engaging workshops at schools, sporting clubs and in workspaces. Alongside the workshops Cooper hosts his own podcast called “good humans” podcasts, and overall advocates for positive mental health across Australia. Cooper has been a professional surfer for many years; we will delve further on into this in the episode. For younger people this will be an episode that you may find really relatable as Cooper is in his 20’s and is one extremely proactive advocate in the world of mental health.
https://www.thegoodhumanfactory.com/
Check out the 1% club on instagram via the good humans podcast
Julie McDonald is the guest on this episode.
Julie is an integral part of MDH a woman of substance and mother to four daughters. Julie lives in central Queensland and has had to overcome hurdles in her life. One being loosing her husband, life partner and father to her four daughters in 2013.
In this episode we talk grief, the way in which Julie has navigated through these challenging times. We talk successes and life on the land.
"Talking the talk" is here to bring you more of an insight into certain topics.
Every couple of months I will release a bonus episode called “Talking the talk” in this bonus episode we can discuss topics all related to mental health. I have noticed lately that people around us are becoming overwhelmed with all of the information relating to mental health and wellbeing because there is just so much of it out there which is epic but in this space lets discuss it and break it down.
Enjoy!
This story is one about triumph, the importance of family, community and mental resilience. Alexa Leary had defined all of the odds, after having a horrific bike accident one morning going about her normal training session as a triathlete almost took her life. The doctors were not sure lex would survive let alone walk, talk or even could imagine the things she is doing now just seven months after her accident. This story is one about mental resilience and the power of the mind. Alexa talks about her mental health prior to her accident and how it heavily impacted her life. In this episode both Belinda and Russell Alexa’s parents join me and they get real tracing back to the time of the accident; what incredible people they truly are.
*TRIGGER WARNING - SELF HARM ***
Welcome back to season 2 of Pieces of the mind. First episode back up and running we have Clauia Hiscox a rural photographer, jillaroo, big sister to three little young one's and all round a top woman at the ripe age of 20. Claud like many other women her age has undergone serious mental health battles which lead to suicidal thoughts. Claudia has struggled with an eating disorder, anxiety and self harm. Her mental health battles starter off in her younger years facing very serious anxiety attacks, depression and well it is all in the podcast. My gosh I was lucky to have her first episode back because it is powerful and Claudia should be so proud of how willing she was to tell her story in order to help others. Thank you Claudia.
This is 2021 in a nutshell! This episode will take you on a roller coaster of emotions as Annie gets real, raw and practices what she preaches. Along with that a recap on what was a year of challenges and growth in 2021 is discussed. Annie Henwood discusses the 12 episodes of season one and provides the listeners with a recap of “R U OK” day video.
In this episode we talk about season 2 and what is to come. This is one you want to wrap your ears around. Get listening and be sure to check in with yourself!! Thank you to the pieces of the mind guests, supporters and bring on an even better 2022.
Find ya feet is an organisation that helps break down the stigma of mental health targeting the younger generation of men. Tommy herschell is the founder and hosts workshops across Australia. This is a great one for the younger and older generations to listen to.
This episode is based on youth mental health and promoting awareness for our younger generation. This episode educates our older generation in mental health as a whole and helps people understand warning signs and ways to go about helping our friends in need. Mark carey is the guest on this episode; Mark is a highly regarded phycologist who has years of experience.
Mental health in lockdown.
This episode is dedicated to all of our fellow Australians that have had to adapt to a life living in lockdown. Johnny Henwood is the guest on this episode as he has been in the thick of lockdown in Sydney for 11 weeks now. The discussion is based around strategies to cope in lockdown and tips and tricks to help with ones mental health.
Are you bogged mate? Discussing men’s mental health with Mary O’Brien.
We are calling all men to chime into this one!!!
@areyouboggedmate has taken time to speak on pieces of the mind! Mary O’brien is the founder of this organisation. Mary knows just how men work having worked along side them in the agricultural industry for a number of years. (I won’t disclose to much more.. as this episode sums it up).
Enjoy the listen and would love to hear you feedback via DM’s or email at piecesofthemindpodcast@gmail.com
Sam Bailey is the guest today; Sam is a farmer, grazhier, pilot, husband to Jenny Bailey, family man, public speaker, best selling author and overall inspiration to many.
Sam travelled up north to the Northern Territory on his gap year as a 19 year old. Sam was a jackaroo on a station in the northern territory. Whilst Sam was up north he found himself in a car very serious car accident which as a result left him as a C6/C7 quadriplegic.
In this episode of Pieces of the mind we are talking Domestic Violence. This topic is very sobering yet something we have a lot to learn about and educate each other on. The guest is the very hard working and lovely Prue Forrest. Prue has been a victim of domestic violence. In this episode we delve into Prue’s story.
This week on POTM Annie chats with a local farmer called Dave Woods. Dave is a father and husband and has created a meaningful life for his family along side his wife on a property near Toobeah QLD.
Tracing back in time; Dave has suffered from the mental illness “depression”. He has pushed himself to overcome these hurdles in his life and has undertaken an immense amount of self-discovery in order to get to the route cause of what was causing this overwhelming feeling of depression.
Dave has a very insightful overview of what he believes can be done in order to overcome mental illnesses. Dave’s sense of hope and motivation when talking about mental battles is very encouraging to say the least. This episode goes to show there is an immense amount of light at the end of the tunnel when feeling “stuck”.
TRADEMUTT men Ed Ross and Dan Allen. Two men with hearts of gold that have created the ultimate conversation starter along side TIACS foundation which provides professional Psychologists allowing people to have a chat whenever needed!
In this episode we delve into the driving force behind trademutt and talk about and touch on the men’s close friend that struggled with mental health. Alongside these two entrepreneurs many laughs a had and fantastic conversation was had.
If you feel like you are up for a chat or want to check out TIACS and what it is all about call 0488 846 988 or checkout the website “ TIACS”.
This episode of pieces of the mind has Britney Adams as the guest. Brittney is a qualified dance teacher, a popular person in the Goondiwindi community and is currently studying child Phycology.
Brittney talks about owning her own dance school, her battles with mental health and we touch on the younger generations in regards to trigger with social media. Well worth the listen.
TIE UP THE BLACK DOG
Annie Henwood interviews the founders of “Tie Up The Black Dog” Mary Woods, Liz Wood and Mary Carrigan.
Together these ladies discuss all things about TUTBD organisation, from forums, guest speakers, small communities, everyday people and how this selfless work has positively impacted rural QLD.
In the first episode of "Pieces of the mind"; Greg Blake founder of the Media Marketing company interviews Annie Henwood. When Greg interviews Annie the audience is able to better understand who she is as a person. Annie discusses everything from her serious battle with an eating disorder how she coped with her fathers cancer and her journey so far as a 22 year old.
Having Greg Blake interview Annie in the first episode of Pieces of the mind enables her to carry on and interview others in the upcoming episodes.