Together We Grow

Mercy Connect
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Join us for the Mercy Connect podcast series as we tackle contemporary issues impacting people with disabilities and those working in the sector. Our guests, including individuals with disabilities and caregivers, share their unique experiences and insights. Sponsored by Mercy Connect, this podcast sheds light on the challenges, triumphs, and opportunities in the disability community. Tune in to learn how we can create a more inclusive world.

  1. Together We Grow: Season 2 Episode 7

    07/18/2025

    Together We Grow: Season 2 Episode 7

    Welcome to Season 2, Episode 7 of Together We Grow, recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, Traditional Custodians of this land. In this meaningful episode, Karen talks with Jon, program manager at Boys to the Bush, about the vital work this grassroots organisation does to support vulnerable boys across regional NSW and Victoria. Jon shares how Boys to the Bush began and how it has grown into a safe, welcoming space that empowers boys with practical life skills, guidance, and belonging. He offers powerful insights into how mentoring boosts boys’ confidence and resilience, and shares personal stories of challenges, triumphs, and transformation. This conversation reminds us of the simple but life-changing impact that time, compassion, and positive role models can have. Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical advice, and a hopeful message about the power of connection — and how we can help shape a brighter future for our boys. After two heartfelt seasons of Together We Grow, we're pressing pause. Thank you to all our listeners, guests and supporters who've joined us on this journey of connection and community. It’s been a privilege to share voices that inspire change and celebrate the power of care. While we take this time to reflect and explore what’s next, stay safe, stay kind, and keep growing together. 💙

    30 min

  2. 06/06/2025

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 6

    Welcome to Season 2 Episode 6 of "Together We Grow" recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. In this heartfelt episode, Karen Cronin is joined by Leah, a foster carer whose journey offers a powerful glimpse into the realities of trauma-informed care. Leah speaks candidly about the emotional challenges and deep rewards of fostering — particularly when caring for children from complex backgrounds who may have experienced trauma, and for First Nations children who are overrepresented within the system, separated from culture, country and family. She shares her personal reflections on how fostering has changed her worldview, the importance of building trust with children who carry trauma, and the vital need for systemic and community support for both carers and the children they welcome into their homes. Tune in to hear an honest, moving conversation about healing, growth, and the strength it takes to hold space for another’s pain — and transformation.

    32 min
  3. Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 5

    04/09/2025

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 5

    Welcome to Season 2 Episode 5 of "Together We Grow", recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land.In this episode, Karen Cronin is joined by Scott, one of Mercy Connect's dedicated Disability Support Workers, to further explore the incredible impact of the Meals on Wheels program. Scott shares his first-hand insights into how the program supports the community while creating meaningful opportunities for participants to engage, grow and feel empowered, as well as sharing a personal reflection on his own lived experiences with autism, and his journey growing up in a world that once lacked awareness, and how that landscape has thankfully evolved over time. Tune into this insightful episode to hear stories from the frontline, learn about the challenges and triumphs of community service, and discover how you can get involved to make a difference in your community.

    26 min
  4. Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 4

    11/19/2024

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 4

    Welcome to Season 2 Episode 4 of "Together We Grow", recorded onsite at Mercy Connect, on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land.   In this episode, Karen Cronin sits down with Karen Fraser from Meals on Wheels Albury to dive into the incredible work Meals on Wheels are doing to support the seniors and vulnerable people within our local community.   Tune into this insightful episode to hear stories from the frontline, learn about the challenges and triumphs of community service, and discover how you can get involved to make a difference in your community.   Together We Grow. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/fortune-cookie/meadows-groovetide

    16 min
  5. Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 3

    02/28/2024

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 3

    Welcome to Season 2 Episode 3 of "Together We Grow", recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. In this episode we are joined by Caroline Cummins who will soon commence as the interim CEO of Mercy Connect, and also take over hosting duties of the ‘Together We Grow’ podcast series. As a speech pathologist and specialist behaviour clinician, Caroline has over twenty years’ experience working with people with a range of abilities and is passionate about the rights of people with disability and those in need and through her work strives to ensure their voices are heard. Tune into this insightful episode with a range of topics being discussed, including current challenges and opportunities within the disability sector, restrictive practices, and the principles of ‘choice and control’. Together we grow.

    29 min
  6. Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 2

    12/18/2023

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 2

    Welcome to Season 2 Episode 2 of "Together We Grow", recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. In this episode, we are joined by Julianne Whyte, founder and CEO of AMARANTH FOUNDATION, which provides a range of services, including palliative care, across rural communities within the Riverina and Murrumbidgee regions of New South Wales. After graduating in nursing at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, Julianne then worked in the health care sector across rural and regional community settings, in acute and community-focused nursing roles. After 25 years in nursing and wanting to expand her knowledge of human behaviour and health inequity, Julianne attained a Bachelor of Social Work from La Trobe University in Wodonga. As an agent for change, Julianne established the Amaranth Foundation, which provides a range of services across rural communities situated within the Riverina and Murrumbidgee regions of NSW. She is a member and Director of the Australian Association of Social Workers and an accredited mental health social worker. Julianne is currently completing her PhD in the field of social work and palliative care, and in 2017 she was awarded an Order of Australia medal for her work in advancing palliative care in the community. Tune into this insightful episode with a range of topics being discussed, including the delivery of supports for people with disability living in regional and remote settings, the provision of palliative care to people with disability, and the essential Food Bowl program in Corowa. Together we grow.

    20 min
  7. Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 1

    11/03/2023

    Together We Grow: Season 2 - Episode 1

    Welcome to Season 2 of "Together We Grow", recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. In the first episode for season 2, we are joined by Garry Whittaker the Regional Manager for Training Services NSW, within the Department of Education, since 2014. In 2020 Garry suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury resulting in Aphasia; an acquired impairment of language which is typically characterised by errors in word retrieval and selection impacting his language use considerably. Tune in to this insightful episode as Garry shares his experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on Traumatic Brain Injuries resulting in Aphasia and the ways we can improve our overall wellbeing with the inclusion of brain fitness into every-day life, in order to maintain and enhance our cognitive capabilities. Join us on this journey of growth, compassion, and creating a more inclusive society.

    27 min
  8. Together We Grow: Season 1 - Episode 8

    09/14/2023

    Together We Grow: Season 1 - Episode 8

    Welcome to Episode 8 of "Together We Grow", recorded on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. In this episode, we are joined by Jen Tait, the Managing Director of Purple Chicken, a for-purpose organisation that explores and develops new models and opportunities for people with disability that are often only available in urban locations. Jen has been a strong advocate for innovation in the disability sector for over 25 years, with a clear focus on employment, and self-advocacy.  Jen is also a carer of a person with a disability and is very passionate about the benefits and importance of the National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS. Through the NDIS, Jen has witnessed the immense difference it can make to people with a disability, through the creation of opportunities and achievement of life goals, in line with their non-disabled peers, so that people with disabilities enjoy true equity within our community. Tune in to this insightful episode as Jen shares her experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on the NDIS and discover how the Purple Chicken has made a difference and created opportunities to people with disability achieve life goals and create equity within our community. Join us on this journey of growth, compassion, and creating a more inclusive society.

    34 min
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About

Join us for the Mercy Connect podcast series as we tackle contemporary issues impacting people with disabilities and those working in the sector. Our guests, including individuals with disabilities and caregivers, share their unique experiences and insights. Sponsored by Mercy Connect, this podcast sheds light on the challenges, triumphs, and opportunities in the disability community. Tune in to learn how we can create a more inclusive world.

Information

  • Creator
    Mercy Connect
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mercy Connect
  • Show Website
    Together We Grow