In The Heart Of The Vault

Lindsay Taylor

Welcome to 'In the Heart of the Vault!' I'm Lindsay Taylor and each week, we'll uncover the powerful stories of incredible guests who have faced unimaginable challenges. Join me as we explore their raw moments of courage and vulnerability, revealing the strength we all carry inside. So, pour yourself a cheeky drink, get cozy, and let's unlock the heart's vault together-where resilience shines in the face of adversity

  1. 5d ago

    The Courage to Choose Yourself with Brontë Edmunds

    Bronte met her childhood sweetheart at 15. They married at 19, had their first baby at 21, followed by another child and then twins. Four beautiful children. A home they were building. A life she had always dreamed of. But somewhere along the way, Bronte lost herself. She felt like a failure because she’d always wanted her children to have both parents together. When she reached out for support, she was made to feel like the problem was hers — and if it was her problem, then it was her responsibility to fix it. This was also the only relationship she’d ever known, so she had nothing to compare it to. She questioned herself, withdrew, and found herself crying alone at night, sometimes hiding in her wardrobe while her husband slept. She tried. She asked for couples therapy. She tried to hold everything together while raising three children under 18 months and a four-year-old, navigating work, financial pressure and a marriage where she felt increasingly alone. Eventually, she made the incredibly difficult decision to leave. Not because there wasn’t still love. Not because it was easy. But because she knew she couldn’t let her children grow up believing that this was what a healthy relationship looked like. Now, years later, Bronte shares the realities of separation and 50/50 co-parenting, the challenges that came with her decision, and the peace she has found on the other side. Because sometimes sadness and happiness can coexist. And sometimes choosing to walk away isn’t choosing yourself over your children. It’s choosing a healthier, happier life for them too. This is Bronte’s story — of losing herself, finding her courage, and finally learning to trust what she knew in her heart.

  2. Aug 24

    Through Her Eyes: What My 19-Year-Old Daughter Is Teaching Me About Life

    There’s something I’ve always loved about being a mum…Seeing the world through my children’s eyes.This is actually the third time Evie has joined me on the podcast, but this conversation was completely different.We sat down and talked about what it’s actually like to be 19 — almost 20 — today.Dating. Friendships. Social media. Going out. Drinking (or not drinking). Growing into yourself. The conversations we have as mum and daughter. The things she thinks about that I never would have thought about at her age.And what I loved most was hearing her perspective.Because sometimes, as parents, we think our job is to teach our children.But I honestly believe our kids are some of our biggest teachers.They challenge the way we see the world. They open our minds. And they give us a perspective we simply can’t get anywhere else.And I feel incredibly lucky that Evie and I have always had such open communication. That openness even extends to her friends, who will sit and talk to me about things too.But I also know that not every young person has that person they feel safe enough to talk to.So this conversation isn’t just for mums and daughters.It’s for parents, carers, siblings, grandparents — anyone who loves a young person and wants to understand a little more about the world they’re growing up in.Just a really honest, funny and sometimes surprising conversation about LIFE at 19.And I think you’ll love hearing it through her eyes. ❤️ evie's social media: @eviebellahayes on tiktok and instagram

  3. Jun 4

    Forever Five: Ozzies Legagy - A Life Measured in Love, Not Years with Maria Raggio

    🎙️ Forever Five: Ozzies Legacy — A Life Measured in Love, Not Years with Maria Raggio This week, Maria Raggio opens the vault to share the story of her beautiful son, Oskar — known and loved by everyone as Ozzie. Born with the ultra-rare Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome, Ozzie faced more challenges in his five years than most people will face in a lifetime. Yet despite countless hospital stays, procedures, and unimaginable hurdles, he continued to light up every room he entered with his smile, his spirit, and his zest for life. But this episode isn’t about a diagnosis. It’s about a little boy who was deeply loved. It’s about a family who refused to let adversity define their son. It’s about parents who fought tirelessly for every opportunity, every milestone, and every precious moment. It’s about siblings who adored their brother. And it’s about a family whose love grew stronger through the very challenges that could have torn them apart. In this deeply moving conversation, Maria shares the realities of raising a child with an ultra-rare genetic syndrome, the sacrifices made behind closed doors, the strain of hospital life, the strength found in family, and the extraordinary legacy Ozzie continues to leave behind. Some lives aren’t measured by the number of years they spend with us. They’re measured by the love they leave behind. Ozzie was only five years old, yet he touched more hearts than many lifetimes ever could. His life may have been short, but his impact was immeasurable.

  4. May 28

    From Shame to Hope: Kate Seselja’s Fight Against a Gambling Crisis

    At 18 years old, Kate Seselja walked into a pokie room for the first time. What started as a night out with friends quickly became a secret battle that would consume the next 12 years of her life. Over that time, Kate lost approximately $500,000 through refinanced mortgages, credit cards, and years of gambling losses. Alongside the financial toll came overwhelming shame, secrecy, and a desperate search for help that simply wasn't there. Despite countless attempts to stop, gambling addiction tightened its grip. Kate eventually found herself in such a dark place that she contemplated ending her life. Then she discovered she was pregnant with her sixth child. Knowing that any decision she made would also affect the life she was carrying, she couldn't go through with it. In what had become her darkest chapter, her unborn baby became the reason she held on — and the turning point that would lead her toward recovery, advocacy, and hope. But this is not where her story ends. In this powerful conversation, Kate shares the reality of gambling harm, the devastating impact it has on families, the stigma that keeps so many suffering in silence, and why she believes the burden of responsibility cannot sit entirely with those struggling with addiction. Real change, she says, requires governments, regulators and the gambling industry to step up and do more to protect vulnerable Australians. Today, Kate is a speaker, advocate, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Hope Project, helping others move from surviving to thriving. She speaks openly about mental wellbeing, resilience, recovery, and the changes needed to protect future generations from gambling harm. This conversation is raw, courageous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful. Because when we bring our stories into the light, shame loses its power. 🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 📖 Kate's new book is available for pre-order. 💜 Learn more about The Hope Project. ✍️ Support the campaign calling for mandatory poker machine loss limits across Australia. Links below. https://www.thehopeprojectaustralia.com.au/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio https://www.change.org/p/losslimitsnotlostlives-enforce-loss-limits-on-all-australian-poker-machines/actions

  5. Apr 22

    They Told Us to Prepare for Palliative Care… But we chose to fight for Louie

    In this episode of In the Heart of the Vault, Nicola shares the deeply personal journey that began when her baby boy Louie was born prematurely at 32 weeks. Just days after his birth, Louie’s intestine twisted and strangulated, leaving only 8cm of small intestine able to be saved after multiple emergency surgeries. Nicola and her husband were told to prepare for palliative care. They were warned that continuing treatment could prolong suffering and that letting him go may be the kinder option. But Nicola trusted her instinct as a mother. What followed was eight months in hospital, navigating life in survival mode, making impossible decisions, and learning how to advocate for their son while holding their family together. Today, Louie is exceeding expectations. This conversation explores the raw reality of motherhood in medical crisis, the grief parents carry behind closed doors, the strength it takes to advocate for your child, and the deep trust that can grow when you learn to listen to your intuition. Nicola shares what it means to walk through uncertainty, resilience, and the parts of motherhood that are rarely spoken about. Disclaimer The experiences shared in this episode reflect the personal journey and perspectives of the guest. This conversation is intended to share lived experience and raise awareness and should not be considered medical advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. Listener discretion is advised as this episode includes discussion of neonatal illness, medical trauma, and hospitalisation.

About

Welcome to 'In the Heart of the Vault!' I'm Lindsay Taylor and each week, we'll uncover the powerful stories of incredible guests who have faced unimaginable challenges. Join me as we explore their raw moments of courage and vulnerability, revealing the strength we all carry inside. So, pour yourself a cheeky drink, get cozy, and let's unlock the heart's vault together-where resilience shines in the face of adversity