The R4R Podcast: Road to Zero

Running for Resilience
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The R4R Podcast shares honest conversations about mental health, resilience, community and the moments that shape us. Hosted by Running for Resilience, each episode brings together people with lived experience, community leaders, athletes, advocates and everyday humans with powerful stories to tell. Recorded at Lonsdale Street Studio, the podcast explores grief, hope, connection, suicide prevention, personal growth and the importance of showing up for one another. These are conversations about life, struggle and resilience, created to help build a more connected community and remind people

  1. 6d ago

    Better, Not Bitter | Grief, depression & the slow climb back to yourself

    Paulina Young has done a remarkable amount of work on herself. After 17 years of marriage, her relationship ended. With two young boys and no idea who she was outside of being a wife and mum, she found herself in a very dark place. What followed was a period of depression, survival mode, and slowly — painfully — finding her way back. 11 years on, and her reflection on that journey is as honest and generous as it gets. Timestamps: [00:00] — Welcome & intro — Paulina, head of the R4R SUP community [00:41] — How Paulina ended up on the podcast [01:01] — Ben's research: struck by how much Paulina had reflected on her own story [01:54] — 17 years of marriage, separated at 39 with two young boys [02:44] — The morning they told the kids — and realising life wasn't going where she thought [03:31] — Why was it so hard? Loss of identity, loss of a future [04:53] — Survival mode: single parenting on week on week off, the hole getting darker [07:27] — Pulling the covers over her head — and the boys pulling her out [08:13] — Grief and depression — and postnatal depression with Louis years earlier [09:00] — A year to two years of darkness; seeking support early [10:04] — "Who am I outside of being a wife and a mum?" [11:45] — Walking past the boys' empty rooms on week off — the emptiness [12:52] — Going from full-on single parenting to suddenly, completely alone [14:20] — How did you find yourself? Curiosity, growth mindset, "what is this here to teach me?" [15:00] — The Reality Slap by Dr Russ Harris — the book that helped change her thinking [16:19] — Pain into purpose; doing small things that brought joy; discovering her values [17:59] — When her ex re-partnered early; learning "I am not my thoughts" [18:47] — "The only way out is through" — feeling all the feels [20:04] — The Johann Hari parallel: you need to feel it before you can understand it [21:27] — How her boys inspired her to show up even when she didn't want to [22:13] — "Better, not bitter" — her North Star through the whole thing [23:24] — The shift from external focus (him) to internal focus (herself) [25:40] — Protecting the boys; not letting them get caught in the middle [26:35] — "If it's hysterical, it's historical" — understanding what's really being triggered [28:22] — Advice for someone in a dark place: you don't have to go through it alone [30:07] — Drop the shoulds; self-compassion; "what would you say to a friend?" [32:14] — What would have helped most: someone just sitting there, holding space [33:41] — Why silence is sometimes the most powerful thing; why R4R works [34:56] — The SUP community — showing up, building connections, September season starting [36:52] — Rinse and repeat: how healthy habits help you find yourself [37:09] — Who Paulina would love to interview on the R4R podcast [38:31] — Closing thoughts: "better, not bitter" [38:55] — Book recommendation: The Reality Slap — Dr Russ HarrisLinks:The Reality Slap — Dr Russ Harris (ACT): https://www.actmindfully.com.au/books/the-reality-slap/ If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au Connect with Running for Resilience Website: https://www.runningforresilience.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningforresilience/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningforResilience/Strava: https://www.strava.com/clubs/runningforresilience

  2. Jun 25

    AI | Mental Health | Yash Varma

    Yash Varma is a high performance coach, founder of Empress Capital — one of Australia's first AI-focused venture capital firms — and an early investor in Anthropic. Born in India and raised in Canberra, Yash spent 20 years building a global software business before turning his focus to backing the next generation of AI founders. Grateful to have him on the pod for what turned into a really honest, wide-ranging conversation about AI and mental health — the potential, the risks, and the fine line between technology that helps and technology that harms. Timestamps: [00:00] — Welcome & intro[01:02] — Canberra roots, rugby league, and growing up between cultures[02:00] — Starting a business on his honeymoon — and building across the world[02:38] — How 18-hour days taught Yash that health is everything[03:15] — 20 years in software, coaching with Tony Robbins & Brendan Bouchard[04:55] — Discovering AI at Stanford and launching Empress Capital[05:15] — What is venture capital? (And why Empress has a different philosophy)[07:52] — How AI can help not-for-profits do more with less[08:56] — Augmenting humans, not replacing them[10:35] — Fundraise AI: a real example helping nonprofits at scale[11:21] — AI helping families navigate overwhelming challenges[12:36] — When AI goes wrong: the risks we can't ignore[13:18] — Anthropic and the Constitutional AI approach to safety[16:30] — AI's potential role in mental health support[17:20] — The Character.AI lawsuit and the teen suicide case[19:19] — CBT-based AI tools vs talking to a general chatbot[20:02] — Ben's personal experience using AI for mental health support[21:01] — Filling the gap: cost and access to mental health care[22:05] — The danger of AI that always agrees with you[23:14] — Parasocial relationships with AI and the Character.AI warning[24:00] — Why community and human energy can't be replicated[26:07] — Is AI quietly making us less resilient?[26:56] — Yash's tips for using AI well[27:35] — How to stay adaptable without getting overwhelmed[29:44] — AI is a tool, not a product to chase[30:00] — Yash's parents: using AI to help them stay at home longer[33:19] — Technology as a neutral tool: can plant trees or drop bombs[35:03] — Earbuds, wearables, and the rise of ambient computing[36:20] — Avoiding AI slop: think critically, don't follow blindly[37:40] — Give AI context — and get dramatically better results[39:13] — NotebookLM and learning on the go[43:22] — Why stepping away from the screen might be the most important thing you do[47:12] — The disconnection paradox[47:59] — Being there for people who are struggling[55:40] — Empress Capital: what they do and how to get involved Links: Ben Alexander — AI, stigma & mental health conversations: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-31/ben-alexander-ai-stigma-mental-health-conversations-therapists/103644542 High Performance Life (Yash's coaching): https://www.highperformancelife.com.au/about Empress Capital (Yash's VC firm): https://empresscapital.vc/empress-capital/ Other interviews by Ben:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3zzrEDklf8xW6RbZdMgj4d?si=_ZfFEBBFTduZyiuH1JRDXg https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RurmSItoKCMhb8BWvahRC?si=BLSVH1kISgaqF-oM5rtS5Q https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nOSSSbd6YpgALamkCV5Kn?si=DfmlQ16jQ7GxJcnIEwn4SQ If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can:Call Lifeline on 13 11 14Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au

  3. Jun 16

    The Man Who Slows Down the Least

    Ben Wilson is a Canberra-born ultra runner now based in Brisbane. He grew up running fire trails in Tuggeranong, spent a decade living life to the fullest, and when he moved to Brisbane he lost his social network and found himself in a pretty dark place. A psychologist told him to start moving again... and it changed everything.What followed was years of patient, consistent training that took him from mid-pack to winning the 241km Capital to Coast, via spinal surgery, a Covid diagnosis on the eve of his crew role, and two failed entry attempts. He talks us through all of it, including what it actually takes to run 241km and why he believes whoever wins is simply the one who slows down the least. A really honest conversation about movement, community, and what resilience actually looks like in practice. Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome & intro 00:52 — Growing up in Tuggeranong, early family life 04:49 — First steps in running — fire trails, training logs & dad's marathon 08:32 — The party years: cricket, travel & burning the candle at both ends 10:51 — 18 months sober — and why everything changed 12:38 — Moving to Brisbane, losing his network & sliding into depression 14:06 — The psychologist's advice: start moving again 16:28 — Building community in Brisbane through running 19:35 — Family, kids, and running 60km a week with a pram 21:27 — Defining success: from mid-pack to the front 26:52 — What is a Backyard Ultra? 29:07 — First backyard, breaking through self-perceived limits, 37-yard PB 30:54 — Capital to Coast: a decade-long dream 32:19 — Selected for 2023 — then sciatica, surgery & withdrawal 34:43 — 2024: accepted again, flies down to crew... and tests positive for Covid 37:06 — 2025: finally on the start line 38:10 — The training block that changed everything (+40% mileage) 46:10 — Race day: solving problems on the run (the sumo moment) 46:37 — Hitting the front by Jindabyne at 2am 50:19 — Taking the lead with 30km to go 52:03 — The women on the snow pass & a fall near the summit 55:59 — Crossing the finish line in 26:25 — in tears 58:38 — Race presentation: "whoever wins will be the one who slows down the least" 59:09 — World Championships qualifier at the AIS — what's next for Ben Other episodes hosted by Murray https://open.spotify.com/episode/08YNRCSAZ7WzdBrNkBzKlz https://open.spotify.com/episode/1kRZpljsOtxObSCSyKsPzX If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au

  4. Jun 9

    Building Connection at Recess: How Canberra Schools Are Changing School Culture

    Stephe sits down with Georgie MacDiarmid (Canberra Grammar), Mark Nicholson (Torrens Primary), and Mark Robson (Forrest Primary) — the teachers behind Recess for Resilience in Canberra. They unpack how a simple walk at recess is transforming school culture, building emotional language in kids, and supporting teacher wellbeing too. From student captains to a selectively mute student finding her voice, this episode is full of real stories about what happens when connection becomes a priority. Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome & Introductions 01:24 — What is Recess for Resilience? 02:32 — How it looks at Torrens & Forest Primary 05:16 — Four Canberra schools now running the program 05:51 — Key lessons learned (keeping it simple & optional) 09:15 — Check-in tools: rose/thorn/banana, 1–5 scale & emotional language 13:44 — Introducing student captains 16:33 — A selectively mute student finds her voice 22:12 — What are the non-negotiable core elements? 26:36 — Why teachers benefit too: "taking off the coat" 31:26 — Student stories & feedback 36:44 — Parent responses 40:16 — If every Canberra school did this... a vision for 10 years 44:09 — How to get Recess for Resilience started at your school Recess for Resilience: https://www.runningforresilience.com/recess-for-resilience Previous Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmg6CZEWPgA If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au

  5. May 19

    If you can't find your purpose... give it to someone else

    It’s National Volunteer Week, and to celebrate, Running for Resilience co-founder Matt Breen sits down with Stuart Coates and Renee Watson for a powerful conversation about volunteering, community, purpose and the impact of simply showing up. Big Stu is an R4R stalwart who contributes more time, energy and care than we could ever hope for. Renee Watson is the CEO of Rise Above, a local Canberra charity supporting people and families impacted by cancer.Both Stu and Renee are passionate champions for volunteering, dedicating much of their lives to helping others and strengthening the communities around them. In this episode of the Running for Resilience Podcast, we explore what volunteering really gives back, why community matters more than ever, and how giving your time can create a ripple effect far beyond what you might ever see. From R4R’s Wednesday night runs to Rise Above’s work supporting local families, this conversation is a reminder that volunteering is not just about filling a role. It is about connection, purpose, generosity and being part of something bigger than yourself. Whether you already volunteer, have been thinking about getting involved, or are simply looking for a way to make a difference, this episode is your sign to start.If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | https://www.beyondblue.org.au

  6. May 12

    Crusade for Connor: We wanted to honour our mate

    Connor Hogan was diagnosed with schizophrenia, anxiety and depression in 2019. In December 2022, he tragically took his own life. Since then, Connor’s mates have honoured who he was by bringing people together to raise money and awareness for schizophrenia research. What struck me most about this conversation was the amount of love I could see in these blokes’ eyes. It was clear Connor was a special person, and it was obvious he continues to live on in their thoughts. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterised by a disconnection from reality, affecting how a person thinks, feels and behaves. In the research I did before this episode, I was almost intimidated by the disease and how it takes hold of the people it affects. The way the boys described the impact it had on Connor reminded me of one reason suicide can feel like such a taboo subject: because it is bloody confronting. But conversations like this matter. These fellas sharing their stories and honouring their mate’s legacy are helping shape the conversation around schizophrenia. They are giving people a blueprint they so wish they had. They are giving people a perspective they wish Connor had. This is a powerful conversation about loss, love, resilience and creating a future with zero blue-collar suicides. If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can contact: Lifeline: 13 11 14Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra: 1800 595 212Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or visit their website beyondblue.org.au Follow Crusade for Connor on Instagram

  7. May 4

    Pip Sheldon: Losing a Brother

    Matt Breen sits down with Pip Seldon, founder of The Healthy Tradie Project, to talk about grief, suicide prevention, blue-collar mental health, and the legacy of her brother Dale.Pip shares the heartbreaking story of losing Dale to suicide in 2009, the shock and unanswered questions that followed, and how that loss became the driving force behind her mission to help prevent suicide in the construction and trades industries.Together, Matt and Pip explore the masks people wear, the importance of starting conversations before crisis point, and how practical tools like movement, sleep, nutrition, breath work, mindfulness, yoga, play and connection can support mental health and wellbeing.This is a powerful conversation about loss, love, resilience, and creating a future with zero blue-collar suicides.If this episode brings anything up for you, please reach out to someone you trust. In Australia, you can: Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.Medicare Mental Health Centre Canberra – 1800 595 212Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636Learn more about the Health Tradie Project on their Website or Pip's Ted Talk

  8. Apr 27

    Losing a son | What I wish I knew | Andrew Logan

    On the 10th of November 2025, Andrew Logan received the news no parent ever wants to hear... that no parent should ever hear... that his Son, Johannes Logan had died.In this deeply moving episode of the Running for Resilience Podcast, Matt Breen sits down with Andrew Logan to talk about the life and loss of his son, Johannes Logan. Johannes was a talented rugby player, artist, friend and deeply sensitive young man whose death by suicide changed Andrew’s life forever. In the months since losing his son, Andrew has openly documented his grief, reflections on parenting, and what he has learned about mental health, connection, and the warning signs too many families miss. Together, Matt and Andrew discuss grief, suicide prevention, parenting boys, emotional safety, chronic sleep deprivation, belonging, masculinity, and the importance of creating environments where young men feel safe enough to say: “Hey, I’m not okay.” This conversation is raw, compassionate, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. If you are a parent, coach, mentor, teacher, or someone supporting young people, this episode may genuinely change the way you think about connection.If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need it. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

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About

The R4R Podcast shares honest conversations about mental health, resilience, community and the moments that shape us. Hosted by Running for Resilience, each episode brings together people with lived experience, community leaders, athletes, advocates and everyday humans with powerful stories to tell. Recorded at Lonsdale Street Studio, the podcast explores grief, hope, connection, suicide prevention, personal growth and the importance of showing up for one another. These are conversations about life, struggle and resilience, created to help build a more connected community and remind people

Information

  • Creator
    Running for Resilience
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Running for Resilience
  • Show Website
    The R4R Podcast: Road to Zero