Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change

Susan Day, Mindful Arts Therapy
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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. Oct 6

    Shazi Sheppard: Dissociative Identity Disorder

    In this episode of Mental Health Matters, we’re joined bysomeone whose courage, clarity, and generosity have created real change in the mental‑health landscape. Sharon “Shazi” Sheppard lives with poly‑fragmented DID - dissociative identity disorder, and through her own journey she has hadto navigate a system where understanding and expertise were often limited. The work she has done for herself, the learning, the advocacy, the persistence, has become the foundation of the support she now offers others. Shazi is a peer support worker with SANE, where herkindness, intelligence, and lived experience help people feel seen and understood in ways that clinical language alone can’t reach. She also speaks to graduating police officers, offering vital insight into how to meet people experiencing mental‑health distress on the streets with humanity, patience, and respect. Her voice helps shape safer interactions, better outcomes, and a deeper awareness of the realities people face. She brings wisdom, nuance, and a remarkable generosity ofspirit to every space she enters. I’m honoured to welcome Shazi to the show today. Learn more about Dissociative Identity Disorder at SANE 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy ⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  2. Oct 5

    Aliza Hava: Singer & Songwriter

    Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change, we’re joined by an artist whose work carries both luminosity and courage. Aliza Hava is an award‑winning singer‑songwriter, musician, and social‑impact artist whose music explores transformation, resilience, human dignity, and the powerof collective change. For more than two decades, Aliza has used creativity as abridge — advancing social justice, peacebuilding, and human connection through performances and events around the world, including at the United Nations.   Her album Into the Light reached #1 on the 2025 RootsMusic Report Folk Rock Album chart, reflecting the way her songs resonate with listeners seeking hope and renewal. Aliza brings a grounded, heartfelt presence to every spaceshe enters, reminding us that music can be both a refuge and a catalyst for change. I’m honoured to welcome her to the show and to explore the stories, insights, and lived experiences that shape her work. Discover Aliza's amazingn work here - Aliza Hava 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy - Mental Health Matters Voices of Change⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  3. Sep 29

    Steffii: The Next Chapter

    Welcome back to Mental Health Matters. Today we’re joined again by singer–songwriter Steffii, a returning guest whose honesty, creativity and emotional depth have resonated so strongly with my listeners. In this episode, we talk about her experience in the 2026 Listen Up Music Songwriting Competition, a space that celebrates artists who use their voice to shine a light on mental health and lived experience. We also exploreher beautiful new song, The Next Chapter — a piece that speaks to the quiet courage it takes to keep moving forward, even when life feels heavy or uncertain. Together, we reflect on the importance of holding onto hopein moments that feel hopeless, and how creativity can become a lifeline — a way of reminding ourselves that change is possible, that new chapters do come, and that our stories are still unfolding. It’s a gentle, uplifting conversation with someone whobrings both heart and honesty to her work. I’m so glad to have her back.   Find out Steffii's next gigs and music releases here - https://steffii.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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  4. Sep 28

    Lawrence C Harris: Mentor & Coach

    Today on Mental Health Matters, we’re joined by a young man whose courage and clarity are already making a real impact. Lawrence C. Harris, at just 20 years old, has become a powerful voice for youth mental health. He speaks to schools, youth groups, and organisations, openly sharing his own mental health journey so young people can see that their struggles don’t define them — their choices do. Lawrence’s message is all about agency, empowerment, and hope. He shows young people that taking ownership of their story is not only possible, but transformative. His honesty, his heart, and his commitment to helping others make him a truly inspiring guest. Discover more of what Lawrence does on his website - Lawrence C Harris or follow him on his socials. Just search - @lawrencec.empowers 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy - Mental Health Matters Voices of Change⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  5. Sep 22

    Ruby Barton-Taylor from navy june

    In this episode of Mental Health Matters, I’m joined by Ruby Barton‑Taylor, the lead singer of navy june and the voice at the heart of their new single, routine avoidance. Ruby and I explore the themes behind the track — those moments in life that feel easier to avoid than to face, and how the things we leave unresolved often find their way back to us. That tender, uncomfortable space between holding on and moving forward is something many of us recognise, and it’s the emotional landscape navy june navigate so beautifully in routine avoidance. Ruby and I talk about the magic, the tears, and the trials of songwriting, the places inspiration comes from, and the role music plays in supporting mental health. It’s a conversation about creativity, honesty, and the quiet courage it takes to turn lived experience into art. Find out more about navy june on their website. 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  6. Sep 21

    Samantha Wittenberg: Neurodivergent Carer's Coach

    Today on Mental Health Matters, we’re joined by someone whose work is changing the way parents and carers understand and support neurodivergent children. Samantha Wittenberg is a coach, educator, and workshop facilitator who brings a deeply human, emotionally attuned approach toher practice. Through her programs, she helps families move beyond limiting beliefs, reconnect with their own agency, and build confidence in navigating the complexities of neurodiversity. Samantha’s work centres on expression — giving peoplepermission to feel, name, and explore their emotions without judgement. She guides parents and carers to find meaning in their experiences, even the challenging ones, and to recognise the strengths and insights that emerge through them. Her philosophy is grounded in contribution: that every person, every child, and every family has something valuable to offer, and that understanding ourselves more fully allows us to show up in the world with clarity and compassion. Her workshops and coaching create spaces where people feelseen, supported, and empowered to rewrite old narratives. It’s thoughtful, intentional work — and it’s making a real difference. Discover more about Samantha's work here - Samantha Wittenberg 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy - Mental Health Matters Voices of Change⁠  🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  7. Sep 15

    Al Gabb: Rural Counselling Australia

    Today on Mental Health Matters: Voices of Change,we’re joined by someone whose story speaks directly to the heart of rural Australia. Al Gabb knows firsthand what it means to struggle in silence. As a farmer, he lived through the weight of mental health challenges that so many in our regional communities face — the isolation, the pressure, and the belief that you simply have to push through. His journey from that place of suffering to becoming a counsellor and the founder of Rural Counselling Australia is nothing short of remarkable. Al has dedicated his life to making sure no one in the bushfeels alone in their darkest moments. Through his counselling work, his advocacy, and his commitment to delivering Mental Health First Aid courses to everyday people, he’s helping build communities where support is understood, accessible, and stigma-free. He’s a voice for change, a champion for ruralwellbeing, and a powerful reminder that reaching out can transform a life. Discover more about Al's work and Rural Counselling Australia on their website - Rural Counselling 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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: ⁠⁠⁠Mindful Arts Therapy - Mental Health Matters Voices of Change⁠   🛑 Disclaimer: This episode does not replace professional mental or physical health care. Please consult a qualified therapist or medical practitioner for personalized support.

  8. Sep 14

    Jordan Whitehead: SAD & Beating the Winter Blues

    In this episode, we explore Seasonal Affective Disorder and the quiet heaviness that can settle in during the colder months. Psychologist Jordan Whitehead joins me for a compassionate conversation about why winter can feel so challenging, how SAD affects our emotional and physical wellbeing, and the small, nurturing practices that can help us find steadiness again. Together, we look at simple ways to bring more light, warmth, and connection into the season — from daily rituals that soothe the nervous system to mindset shifts that help us feel more grounded and supported. This is a gentle, reassuring discussion for anyone who finds winter a little harder to navigate, offering practical tools and a reminder that you’re not alone in how you feel. Discover more of Jordan's work here - Jordan Whitehead Psychologist 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/mental-health-matters-voices-of-change-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:⁠⁠For more information check out my website - ⁠Mindful Arts Therapy - Mental Health Matters Voices of Change⁠   🛑 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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