What's Fear Got to Do With It | Fear, Growth & the Mind

Jo Wiese and Anne Wicking
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What's fear got to do with it podcast hosted by Jo Wiese and Anne Wicking explores how fear and challenges shape our lives. Through engaging conversations with diverse guests, we uncover how adversity drives growth and transformation.. whatsfear.substack.com

  1. Sep 23

    Seventy & Unstoppable: Returning to the Wild Self | Aging, Authenticity & Awe

    In this conversation, Deborah Grace shares how turning 70 became an invitation to intentional transformation. After decades chasing external achievements and burning out in a high-pressure career, she stepped away at 60. But this milestone felt different. Through a year-long meditative program and sacred personal retreat, Deborah discovered that wellness isn't a destination, but an evolving act of reharmonising with herself. She reveals how saying no kindly became liberation, how nature became homecoming, and how choosing to see the world through wonder and awe shifted everything. At 70, Deborah stepped into her power as a dangerous old woman, wild and authentically herself. Her story reminds us: we don't have to wait to reclaim ourselves. About Our Guest Deborah Grace is a wild wonderer, stepping courageously into her 70s with great daring and aplomb. Her creative expressions have been shaped by a lifelong passion for words ~ their energy, etymology, evolution, and meaning; the infinite ways in which they can be combined; and for the silence that lingers. Deborah can most often be found in the company of other wild wise elder women, scheming and dreaming. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e6 00:00 Embracing Change: The Journey to 70 02:40 Conversations with the Body: Understanding Wellness 08:27 Finding Freedom: The Power of Choice 14:48 Hope and Purpose: A New Perspective on Life 20:18 Embracing Authenticity and the Power of No 22:53 The Journey of Gratitude and Coherence 23:56 The Quest for Harmony in Life 26:43 Reflections on Life Stages and Personal Growth 29:38 The Activation of Inner Wisdom 34:01 Inspirata: The Divine Breath of Life 36:55 Messages to the Younger Self and Life's Gifts 40:10 It's A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Seventy & Unstoppable: Returning to the Wild Self | Aging, Authenticity & Awe

  2. Sep 8

    Beyond Anger & Narcissism: How Self-Love Changed Everything | Divorce, Ego & Healing.

    Vince Baloga, truck driver, and father of four, shares his journey through his most difficult chapter following the end of his long-term marriage. When everything collapsed, Vince was forced to confront a painful truth: he was a narcissist driven by anger and the need to control. Through deep inner work, Vince discovers that self-love is the key to transformation. He learns to sit with emotions without reacting to them, moves his ego to the back seat, and chooses love over being right. What's remarkable is that Vince and his ex-wife Jennifer remain best friends. This is a story about how life's most painful transitions can become opportunities for deep growth and transformation. About Our GuestVince Baloga is a lifelong truck driver, skilled mechanic, father of four, and deeply spiritual person whose greatest transformation emerged from one of the most difficult chapters of his life. Following the end of his long-term marriage, he experienced what he describes as a dark night of the soul, leading him on a journey of deep reflection, healing, and spiritual awakening. Through that experience, Vince learned to face fear, let go of attachment, lead with love, and trust that even life’s most painful transitions can become opportunities for profound growth and transformation. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e5 00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges 02:00 Navigating Divorce and Self-Reflection 03:52 Realizations and Inner Work 06:27 Childhood Influences on Behavior 08:25 Understanding Anger and Emotional Responses 10:31 The Journey to Self-Love 12:32 Transforming Ego and Emotions 14:52 Guidance and Support in Transformation 17:07 The Shift from Performance to Self-Care 19:07 Honesty and Authenticity in Daily Life 21:44 The Truck and Its Impact on Life 23:27 Facing Difficult Days and Overcoming Challenges 26:41 The Journey of Self-Love and Acceptance 29:37 Transformations Through Relationships 33:39 Embracing Intuition and Self-Care 38:37 Leading with Love and Inner Reflection 40:01 It's A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Beyond Anger & Narcissism: How Self-Love Changed Everything | Divorce, Ego & Healing.

  3. Aug 25

    Trust the Plot Twist: Rewrite the Script | Fear, Purpose & Agency

    In this conversation Toni Powell shares how multiple crises converged at once including her father's death, relocation, menopause, and walking away from her Christian faith, leading to profound despair. In her darkest moment, she made a bold decision to enter a twenty-four hour film festival with no filmmaking experience. That seven-minute film won international recognition and inspired her to create Heart of Gold, a film festival in rural Queensland, celebrating uplifting stories. Yet when the festival board removed her, despair returned. Through vulnerability, Toni shares how she discovered the power to move from deep despair to renewed purpose, not by changing her circumstances, but by changing her thoughts and response to them. This is a story about agency, resilience, and the quiet knowing that guides us forward. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicidal thoughts and mental distress. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.)About Our GuestToni Powell is a speaker, author and filmmaker who also hosts the S**t Happy podcast.  Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e4 00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges 03:04 The Leap into Filmmaking 05:20 The Unexpected Success 07:05 Creating a Film Festival 09:11 Finding Purpose in Film 10:59 The Role of Intuition 12:45 The Journey of Self-Discovery 14:34 The Impact of Community and Connection 16:40 Reevaluating Faith and Belief 21:36 The Impact of Early Messages 23:36 Navigating Community and Purpose 26:33 Challenges with Governance 28:27 Coping with Loss and Rejection 32:17 The Power of Gratitude 36:25 Embracing Change and Learning 40:59 Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts 42:36 It's A Wrap  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Trust the Plot Twist: Rewrite the Script | Fear, Purpose & Agency

  4. Aug 11

    The Gift of Now: A Journey from Trauma to Trust | Cardiac Arrest, Intuition & Gratitude

    In this conversation, Andrea Turner-Boys shares a story that changed her life. On August 12, 2006, her husband Michael collapsed with a cardiac arrest at the finish line of the Sydney City to Surf. Without a defibrillator nearby or paramedics two hundred metres away, Michael would have died. Andrea reveals how intuition guided her through uncertainty and how staying present, asking questions, and gathering information became her source of strength. She explores how this near tragedy transformed into a gift for her family and the community and how they raised funds for a defibrillator. This is a story about second chances, how to listen to the whispers within us and how living with gratitude for life itself becomes a daily practice when you've faced the edge of losing it all. About Our Guest Andrea Turner-Boys knows firsthand the power of community. As a single parent raising children with special needs, she searched for connection and found the gaps. That experience became the foundation for Women with Altitude, a thriving network empowering women through peer support, education, and meaningful connection across Sydney, Canberra, and beyond. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e3 00:00 A Life-Changing Experience 08:24 The Aftermath of Trauma 17:30 The Role of Intuition 18:36 Lessons Learned and Family Impact 23:17 Navigating Anxiety and Trust in Recovery 24:18 The Power of Intuition and Trust 26:19 Lessons from Life's Challenges 29:02 Listening to Intuition vs. Logic 31:34 Curiosity and Openness in Crisis 37:20 Gratitude and Perspective on Life 39:23 Gifts from Life's Experiences 40:30 Advice to My Younger Self 41:51 Top Tips for Trusting Your Intuition 43:30 It's A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    The Gift of Now: A Journey from Trauma to Trust | Cardiac Arrest, Intuition & Gratitude

  5. Jul 28

    Rewriting My Life From the Inside Out | Recovery, Resilience & Reinvention

    In this conversation, author and former ABC radio presenter and music director Mary-Lou Stephens shares how her band's breakup nearly thirty years ago cost her the identity she had spent her whole life building. What followed was years of fear, a phone number carried in her wallet for over a year, and the slow, courageous work of a twelve step program that taught her she was never as alone as she felt. Mary-Lou reflects on how she learned to hold fear and hope at the same time, and why letting go of external validation became the real turning point in her life. A raw, honest conversation about falling apart, reaching out, and rewriting your life from the inside out. About Our Guest Mary-Lou Stephens was born in Tasmania, studied acting at The Victorian College of the Arts, played in bands in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney and worked in radio for twenty years. She received rave reviews for her memoir Sex, Drugs and Meditation the true story of how meditation changed her life, saved her job and helped her find a husband and her historical fiction novels have all been best sellers. Mary-Lou has worked and played all over Australia. Now she travels the world with her husband, slowly, and writes, mostly. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e2 00:00 The Moment That Changed Everything 03:38 Transitioning from Music to Radio 08:01 Redefining Success 10:16 The Journey of Self-Discovery 12:00 Facing Fears and Embracing Change 17:17 The Power of Twelve-Step Programs 18:52 Self-Discovery Through Meditation 21:16 Understanding Emotions and Multi-Layered Feelings 23:22 Addiction to Fear and Emotional States 25:31 Finding Authenticity in Writing 27:26 Agency and the Journey of Change 32:10 Navigating Fear in New Experiences 34:51 Messages to My Younger Self 36:16 The Greatest Gifts of Life Experiences 37:47 Top Tips for Overcoming Fear 40:01 It’s A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Rewriting My Life From the Inside Out | Recovery, Resilience & Reinvention

  6. Jul 14

    Tragedy to Advocacy: The Cost of Silence | Grief, Judgement & Courage

    In this conversation, veteran journalist and broadcaster Nadia Mitsopoulos shares her journey from tragedy to advocacy, from decades of silence to the courage to finally tell the truth. At 61, her father took his own life. For thirteen years afterwards, she told people he'd had a heart attack, easier than facing the grief and the fear of judgement. Nadia reveals how that unspoken fear sat with her like a weight, carried quietly through work and family life. Through a Rotary breakfast where she spoke her father's story publicly for the first time, and years of advocacy on the board of Lifeline WA, she slowly found her way from silence to speaking. This is a story about breaking the silence around suicide, and showing others that reaching out, even in the hardest moments, is never a sign of weakness. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicide. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.) About Our Guest Nadia Mitsopoulos is an experienced and highly regarded journalist and broadcaster who has worked in the media for 30 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Nadia worked as a journalist at GWN and Network Ten, before moving overseas to travel and work at Associated Press in London. On her return she joined Nine News in Perth where she was the state political reporter for 13 years before moving to ABC radio. She currently presents the Mornings program covering a wide range of topical issues to a statewide audience. Nadia has held numerous board roles including Lifeline WA and is currently a director of Netball WA. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e1 00:00 A Life-Changing Moment 06:17 Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics 11:05 Understanding Mental Health and Suicide 16:16 Finding Purpose in Pain 21:12 Normalizing Conversations Around Mental Health 23:44 Understanding Grief and Its Impact 24:28 The Weight of Silence: Personal Reflections 25:47 Navigating Life's Challenges and Finding Strength 28:31 Judgment and Empathy: A Shift in Perspective 31:52 Acceptance and Healing: A Personal Journey 33:41 The Importance of Open Conversations 35:57 Finding Gifts in Difficult Experiences 37:11 Words of Wisdom for the Younger Self 38:25 It's A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Tragedy to Advocacy: The Cost of Silence | Grief, Judgement & Courage

  7. Jun 30

    Looking Back, Moving Forward: Insights from Season 2 | Fear, Insight & Growth

    In this special season finale, Anne and Jo pause together to reflect on Season 2's remarkable journey through fear, challenge, and transformation. They share personal insights from eleven powerful conversations, exploring how fear touches everyone's lives beneath our polished exteriors. From connecting the dots within our challenges to the transformative power of accepting help, they explore how each guest's challenge became an unexpected gift. They openly discuss how these deep conversations have changed their own approaches to fear and vulnerability, and why honouring who we really are matters. As they look ahead to Season 3's diverse stories, Anne and Jo remind us that there's immense value in creating space for honest conversations about fear. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e12 00:00 Season Two Reflection and Key Themes 02:01 Connecting the Dots: Personal Growth Through Challenges 03:35 The Importance of Community and Accepting Help 06:06 Forgiveness and Personal Values 08:05 Finding Joy and Small Steps in Healing 10:15 The Power of Speaking Out Against Shame 12:13 Navigating Guilt and Love in Caregiving 14:02 Looking Forward to Season Three This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    Looking Back, Moving Forward: Insights from Season 2 | Fear, Insight & Growth

  8. Jun 16

    When Shame Didn’t Win I Betrayal, Shame & Self-Worth

    In this conversation, 21-year-old Lauren Jones shares her journey from shame and isolation to self-compassion and strength. At 17, a devastating betrayal by her best friend triggered years of self-loathing, anxiety, and depression. But her story isn't just about surviving those years. It's about discovering what lies on the other side. Lauren reveals how shame lived in her body as a physical weight, intensified by the instruction to keep silent. Through solitude by the ocean, vulnerability at a leadership camp where she finally spoke her truth, and the transformative practice of writing compassionate notes to herself, Lauren slowly rebuilt her sense of self-worth. She explores how finding the right support, cultivating an inner voice of kindness, and giving herself permission to feel joy ultimately released years of carried shame. This is a story about breaking the silence, discovering you're not alone, and learning to show up for yourself with grace. About Our Guest Lauren Jones is a 21-year-old university student based in Melbourne majoring in Geography. Having been through her own struggles, she is greatly passionate about helping others, building communities, and learning more about the wonders of the Earth. Lauren spends her spare time trying to live as fantastically as possible. Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s2e11 00:00 The Life-Altering Conversation 02:44 Journey Through Self-Doubt and Anxiety 04:38 Finding Self-Worth and Acceptance 06:49 The Spiritual Awakening at Inverloch 09:08 Breaking Through Guilt and Shame 11:13 The Power of Community and Connection 17:07 Realizations at the Leadership Conference 19:20 Sharing My Story: The Importance of Vulnerability 21:24 Releasing Shame and Embracing Joy 26:00 The Transformative Power of Dance 29:30 Permission to Feel Joy 30:42 Embracing Grace and Self-Compassion 34:35 Finding Inner Strength 35:58 Key Moments of Growth 38:58 Looking Forward: Embracing the Future 43:12 Sharing Wisdom and Compassion 45:46 It's A Wrap This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit whatsfear.substack.com

    When Shame Didn’t Win I Betrayal, Shame & Self-Worth
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What's fear got to do with it podcast hosted by Jo Wiese and Anne Wicking explores how fear and challenges shape our lives. Through engaging conversations with diverse guests, we uncover how adversity drives growth and transformation.. whatsfear.substack.com

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