Pathways To Insight

Pathways To Insight

Pathways to Insight is about learning together. Through open and reflective conversations, we’ll be exploring lived experiences across the NDIS, while also drawing on insights from professionals working across a wide range of roles . The aim is to break down silos, share practical insights, and create a space for collective learning across roles and disciplines.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Built From Love: Earl's Story of Rewriting the Rules of Care

    When Earl Schonberger's daughter Jess was diagnosed with Canavan disease as an infant, doctors told him and his wife she wouldn't live past two. She's now 34, and Earl says it's Jess who shaped everything that came after: "My daughter's never spoken, but she's my biggest teacher."In this episode of Pathways to Insight, Earl shares the honest story of raising Jess, and how her journey pushed him to get endlessly creative: building a "mini hospital" of overseas nurses, doctors and physios at home when the system couldn't meet her needs, and later using those same instincts to help other families navigate impossible situations. That resourcefulness eventually led him to leave a career in tech and found OnlyCare, alongside ConnectCare Australia, and to become President of Leukodystrophy Australia.This is a conversation about resilience, advocacy, and finding a way forward when there's no roadmap.

  2. Jul 18

    Why Dietitians Matter in Disability Support with Zoe Brain

    Pathways to Insight, with Dr Mary and Emanuel, welcomed Zoe Brain, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Co-Founder of Brain of a Dietitian, to discuss the important role dietitians play in supporting participants’ health, independence and quality of life.Zoe explains that dietetics is about more than meal plans. It involves understanding the whole person, their goals, abilities, health needs, environment and medications, to provide practical, individualised support.The conversation highlights how nutrition can affect energy, behaviour, mental health, medication and overall wellbeing, and why personalised support is so important for participants with complex needs.Zoe also shares how dietitians build capacity through hands-on support, helping participants develop cooking skills, confidence and greater independence.A key part of the discussion is the link between food and medication, including how dietitians help manage drug–nutrient interactions and tailor nutrition advice to individual needs.Thank you, Zoe, for sharing your expertise and for highlighting the value of dietetics in disability support.We also loved hearing about My Cooking Rules, an inclusive community cooking event that celebrates confidence, creativity and independence in the kitchen. It brings together participants, families, support workers and the community to recognise the role of food skills and shared meals in connection and wellbeing.My Cooking Rules – 7 August 2026To learn more about Zoe’s work or make a referral: www.brainofadietitian.com

  3. Jul 14

    Living Supports with Purpose with Kylie Bonello

    Pathways to Insight welcomed Kylie Bonello, National Head of Growth at Soteria Independent Living, for a conversation about the importance of keeping people at the centre of disability support and the decisions that shape their lives.With experience across the disability sector and a focus on living supports, Kylie shares her perspective on what it means to truly stand alongside people, not simply deliver services. She reflects on the responsibility providers hold when supporting people in their homes, their independence, their relationships and their future.Throughout the conversation, Kylie explores why disability is fundamentally a people industry, where every decision, conversation and reform has a real impact on someone’s everyday life. She discusses the importance of values-driven leadership, genuine connection and ensuring supports are designed around the person rather than the system.As Kylie reminds us, while we work within the disability sector, what we are ultimately supporting is people’s lives, and keeping that at the centre is what leads to better decisions and better outcomes.Thank you, Kylie, for sharing your experience, insights and commitment to human-centred support with our listeners.

  4. Jul 13

    Where Is Speech Pathology Heading? A Conversation About Access with Tayla Thompson

    Pathways to Insight welcomed Tayla Savill, Director and Speech Pathologist at Elara Allied Health, for a conversation with Dr Mary Girgis and Emanuel Gini about the role of paediatric allied health in supporting children, families and communities.Drawing on her experience leading a multidisciplinary practice, Tayla shares insights into delivering evidence-based, family-centred Speech Pathology services that are responsive to each child’s strengths, needs and goals.The conversation explores the importance of early support, meaningful collaboration with families, and the importance of parent lead advocacy. Thank you, Tayla, for sharing your expertise, passion and practical insights with our listeners. To learn more or make a referral, visit www.eahealth.com.au or contact Tayla at tayla@eahealth.com.au or 0422 745 606.

  5. Jul 13

    Empowering Young People Through Capability-First Practice with Yosmerys Aparicio Cuencas

    In this recent Pathways to Insight episode, Dr Mary Girgis and Emanuel Gini sat down with Yosmerys Aparicio Cuencas, Founder of Supporting Communities Australia, to discuss what it really means to build capacity in young people and why a capability-first approach is essential for creating meaningful, lasting outcomes. Drawing on her extensive experience supporting NDIS providers and community organisations, Yosmerys shares how her Elevate Youth Lab™ approach champions neuro-affirming practice, empowering young people to develop the skills, confidence and independence to shape their own futures. The conversation explores moving beyond doing for young people to working with them, ensuring they remain at the centre of every decision and opportunity for growth. Together, we discuss the importance of creating environments where young people are heard, valued and supported to reach their full potential, while equipping providers with practical strategies to deliver truly person-centred supports. Thank you, Yosmerys, for sharing your passion, expertise, and inspiring vision for empowering the next generation.

  6. Jul 13

    Plan Management Beyond Payments with Amanda Winslade

    In the latest Pathways to Insight episode, Dr Mary Girgis and Emanuel Gini spoke with Amanda Winslade, Business Relationship Manager at Plan Partners, to explore the plan management perspective and the current challenges facing participants, families and providers across the NDIS.Drawing on her extensive experience across the disability sector, Amanda shares valuable insights into the important role plan managers play in supporting participants to navigate the Scheme, the real-world impacts current NDIS changes are having on families, and the value of quality service delivery in today’s NDIS environment.The conversation also explores the importance of safeguarding participants through careful invoice checking, helping to ensure services billed align with the supports delivered and that participant funds are protected.Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your knowledge, experience, and practical insights with our listeners.

  7. Jul 7

    Beyond the Price Guide: Growing Sustainably in the New NDIS Landscape with Ivania Choi

    In the latest Pathways to Insight episode, Dr Mary Girgis and Emanuel Gini sat down with Ivania Choi, Founder of Pathways Collective Australia, to discuss the recent NDIS Price Schedule update and what it means for providers looking to grow sustainably in a changing sector.Drawing on her background in social work and provider growth strategy, Ivania brings a unique mix of social work and provider growth experience. Through strategy, research and training, she helps disability and healthcare providers clarify who they support best, strengthen referral pathways and grow in a way that is ethical, practical and relationship-led.As part of her work with Pathways Collective Australia, She also offers a complimentary 30-minute strategy call and a 3-minute online Growth Diagnostic, which generates a printable report to help providers quickly identify where their growth may be getting stuck and what to focus on next. Check out her website here: https://pathwayscollectiveaustralia.com/growth-diagnostic

  8. Jul 2

    NDIS Price Guide Changes Explained with Erica Dilworth

    Erica Dilworth joins PTI to unpack the latest changes to the NDIS Pricing Guide and what they mean for providers, participants, and the broader disability sector. Drawing on her extensive experience connecting NDIS professionals and services across Greater Sydney, Erica shares practical insights into navigating the updates, common questions arising from the changes, and what providers should be considering as they adapt to the new pricing arrangements. Whether you're a allied health professional, support coordinator, or STA provider, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on the evolving NDIS landscape.

  9. Jun 23

    Inside the NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2026–27: What You Need to Know

    The NDIS has released its 2026–27 Annual Pricing Review, outlining a range of proposed changes to NDIS pricing and claiming arrangements. Some of the key proposals include: Changes to Short Term Accommodation (STA) pricing, with consideration of moving from a bundled daily rate to separate charges for accommodation and supportRevised therapy pricing, informed by benchmarking against other health and government-funded sectorsSeparate line items for therapy travel and non-face-to-face activitiesSupport Coordination pricing proposed to remain unchangedUpdates to Plan Management pricing and a broader review of the pricing approachContinued alignment of Psychosocial Recovery Coaching pricing with Disability Support Worker-related indexationA proposed 10% reduction in pricing for unregistered providers delivering Social, Community and Civic Participation supports from January 2027A revised framework for Isolated Towns pricing arrangementsFor a more detailed discussion, listen to this week’s episode of Pathways to Insight with Dr Mary Girgis and Emanuel Gini.

  10. Apr 29

    NDIS Update: The Announcement Everyone’s Talking About

    In today’s episode, we discuss the recent NDIS related announcement by Hon Mark Butler MP. We outline the key points from the announcement and examine the information that has been shared with the sector to date. This episode focuses on providing a clear summary of the announcement and supporting listeners to understand the current developments within the NDIS landscape.

  11. Apr 21

    Turning the Spotlight on Emanuel

    In this episode, the spotlight shifts to Emanuel as Mary asks the questions. Together, they unpack his story, his motivations, and what drives his passion for the work he does in the NDIS.

  12. Apr 21

    Meet Mary: The Story Behind the Work

    In this introductory episode, Emanuel interviews Dr Mary Girgis to learn more about her professional path, values, and the passion that drives her work in the NDIS field.

  • 12 Episodes

About

Pathways to Insight is about learning together. Through open and reflective conversations, we’ll be exploring lived experiences across the NDIS, while also drawing on insights from professionals working across a wide range of roles . The aim is to break down silos, share practical insights, and create a space for collective learning across roles and disciplines.

Information

  • Creator
    Pathways To Insight
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Pathways To Insight
  • Show Website
    Pathways To Insight