Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change

Susan Day, Mindful Arts Therapy
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  • Mental Health
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Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change is a podcast dedicated to amplifying meaningful conversations around mental health, resilience, and community. Hosted by Susan Day of Mindful Arts Therapy and first aired on Goldfields FM 99.1, each episode brings together inspiring guests who share lived experiences, practical strategies, and innovative approaches their organisations are using to raise awareness. Through these interviews, listeners gain insight into the people and ideas driving real change — offering hope, knowledge, and empowerment along the way.

  1. 2d ago

    Lilly Gonoratsky: Beyond Roots Counselling

    Today I’m joined by someone whose work feels like asteadying hand on the shoulder—Lilly Gonoratsky from Beyond Roots Counselling. Lilly is a trauma‑informed therapist with extensive experience in EMDR and Somatic Therapy, and she brings a beautifully gentle, deeply informed presence to the healing process. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and quietlypowerful. Lilly has a way of helping people reconnect with their bodies, their stories, and their inner resources without ever overwhelming them. Through EMDR, she supports clients in safely processing trauma and reshaping thepatterns that keep them stuck. And through somatic work, she helps them tune into the wisdom of the body—those subtle sensations and signals that often hold the key to real, lasting change. What I love about Lilly’s style is how accessible she makescomplex therapeutic concepts. She explains things with clarity and warmth, creating a space where people feel both informed and deeply cared for. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you.   Discover more about Lilly's work on her website: https://beyondrootscounselling.com/ Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces wherecreativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  2. Jul 13

    Craig Sotkovsky: From Survival to Transformation

    Some voices carry the weight of lived experience and thelight of hope. Craig Sotkovsky is one of those voices. His journey reflects resilience, self-discovery, and the power to turn adversity into meaningful change. A 9/11 Ground Zero volunteer and lung cancer survivor, Craighas faced profound challenges and emerged with a renewed purpose. Beyond survival, he has built success as a real estate investor and transformational coach, guiding others to unlock their potential. Through his work, Craig bridges the gap between mindset and mastery—helping people grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. His story is not only about overcoming hardship, but about inspiring transformation and empowering others to rise into their own strength.   Discover more about Craig here - https://www.craigsotkovsky.com/ Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, please comment and Susan will be in touch.   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces wherecreativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  3. Jul 6

    Jenny Elliot: Nutrition 101

    In this episode, we’re joined by a remarkable guest whose journey spans nursing, farming, and now holistic nutrition. After a career as a nurse and life running a farm with herhusband, John, she witnessed firsthand how many people in ICU were struggling with preventable illnesses. This sparked her passion to study nutrition—not only to support her own health and her husband’s, but to empower others to healthrough food. She challenges the old mantra of ‘eat less, exercise more,’showing us why it doesn’t work, and shares how dietary changes helped her overcome depression. With a strong belief in the benefits of fasting and a mission to help others reclaim their wellbeing, she founded Nutrition 101. Sheis living proof of what she preaches. Today, we’ll explore Jenny’s inspiring story, her insights into the power of diet, and how she’s helping people transform their health from the inside out. Discover more about Jenny's work here - https://nutrition101.com.au/ Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental HealthMatters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  4. Jun 29

    Patricia Gordon Stevens: Counsellor, advocate & Author

    Today on Mental Health Matters, I’m joined by Patricia Gordon Stevens — counsellor, advocate, and author of the powerful memoir Madness in Memphis. Patricia’s work sits at the intersection of lived experience and professional insight, and she brings a rare honesty to conversations about mental health, trauma, and recovery. In Madness in Memphis, Patricia opens a window into her own journey with extraordinary courage, tracing the complexities of mental illness, the impact of stigma, and the long, often nonlinear path toward healing. Her storytelling is raw, human, and deeply compassionate — the kind of narrative that helps others feel seen, understood, and less alone. Alongside her writing, Patricia has spent years working as a counsellor, supporting individuals through some of their most vulnerable moments. Her approach is grounded, empathetic, and shaped by both professional training and personal truth. She understands what it means to hold space for someone’s pain while also gently guiding them toward possibility. Today, she joins us to talk about her book, her work, and the wisdom she’s gathered along the way — wisdom that reminds us that healing is never a straight line, but a deeply human journey. Discover more of Patricia's Wonderful work on her websites - Maxwell House Counselling   Madness in Memphis Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  5. Jun 22

    Johannah Ashle: Chinese Medicine Practitioner & Acupuncturist

    Johannah Ashley is a Chinese medicine practitioner andacupuncturist serving the Castlemaine and Maryborough communities with a calm, grounded presence and a deeply holistic approach to wellbeing. Drawing on years of clinical experience, she weaves together traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and gentle lifestyle support to help people reconnect with balance, vitality, and a sense of ease in their bodies. Known for her warm, steady manner, Johannah creates a space where people feel genuinely seen and supported. Her treatments honour the whole person — physical, emotional, and energetic — and she works collaboratively with each client to understand the patterns beneath their symptoms. Whether someone is navigating pain, stress, hormonal changes, fatigue, or long‑standing imbalance, Johannah offers care that is both evidence‑informed and deeplyintuitive. Alongside her clinical work, Johannah teaches Qigong (chee‑gong), a gentle movement and breath‑based practice that supports grounding, mobility, and emotional regulation. Her classes offer a welcoming space for people of allages and abilities to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and cultivate a sense of inner steadiness. These sessions complement her therapeutic work beautifully, giving community members practical tools they can use in theirdaily lives to support their own healing. Rooted in the rhythms of regional Victoria, Johannah iscommitted to accessible, community‑centred healthcare. Her practice reflects a belief that healing unfolds most naturally when people feel safe, respected, and gently guided back to their own inner resources. Discover more of Johannah's amazing work on her website - https://www.iyashi.com.au/ Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental HealthMatters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  6. Jun 15

    Meredith Hyde: Infinity Heart Healing

    Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Meredith Hyde, an energy healer whose work invites people back into balance, clarity, and deeper self‑connection. Meredith brings a calm, intuitive presence to her practice, helping clients release what no longer serves them and reconnect with their own inner wisdom. Her approach is gentle, grounded, and deeply human—reminding us that healing isn’t just about the mind, but the subtle energies that shape how we feel, move, and show up in the world. Discover more of Meredith's work - Infinity Heart Healing Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental HealthMatters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  7. Jun 8

    Delma Todd: Hypnotherapist from Infinite Thinking

    Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Delma Todd, the founder of Infinite Thinking and a practitioner who blends mindset coaching with the gentle, transformative power of hypnotherapy. Delma’s work helps people shift old patterns, reconnect with their inner resources, and open up new possibilities for wellbeing. Her approach is grounded, compassionate, and deeply practical—inviting real change through awareness, curiosity, and the courage to think differently Discover more about Delma's fabulous work on her website - Infinite Thinking Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental HealthMatters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/   About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  8. Jun 1

    Prof Andrew Scott: Emeritus Professor at Deakin University

    Today on Mental Health Matters – Voices of Change, I’m joined by Professor Andrew Scott, a respected scholar whose work has helped shape national conversations about social policy, equity, and community wellbeing. Professor Scott is widely known for his research into Scandinavian policy models, exploring how their approaches to fairness, social connection, and long‑term planning create the conditions for healthier, more resilient communities. His insights remind us that mental health isn’t shaped in isolation—it’s deeply influenced by the structures we live within. By examining what works elsewhere, he offers a hopeful, evidence‑based vision of how thoughtful policy can support dignity, reduce stress, and strengthen collective wellbeing. Professor's Scott Books Include - Northern Lights: The Positive Policy Example of Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway  Nordic Edge: Policy Possibilities for Australia  Be My Guest If you’re interested in being a guest on Mental HealthMatters: Voices of Change, please complete the form on my website - https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/podcasts/  About Mindful Arts Therapy Mindful Arts Therapy creates safe, empowering spaces wherecreativity becomes a pathway to healing. Through art, reflection, and trauma‑informed practice, it supports mental health by helping people of all ages build resilience, express emotions, and reconnect with their inner strength.   For more information: ⁠⁠https://mindfulartstherapy.com.au/⁠⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

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Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change is a podcast dedicated to amplifying meaningful conversations around mental health, resilience, and community. Hosted by Susan Day of Mindful Arts Therapy and first aired on Goldfields FM 99.1, each episode brings together inspiring guests who share lived experiences, practical strategies, and innovative approaches their organisations are using to raise awareness. Through these interviews, listeners gain insight into the people and ideas driving real change — offering hope, knowledge, and empowerment along the way.

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