Transforming Perceptions

Transforming Perceptions
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Transforming Perceptions offers a range of views on subjects that may have direct or indirect links to social, emotional and mental well-being and aims to promote de-stigmatisation of mental illness in the community, especially for people of multicultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds. Discussion links self-care and mental well-being with issues including mental health research, health, education, life style choices, or to activities such as gardening, yoga, meditation or spirituality. The opinions expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the Transforming Perceptions team.

  1. NDIS Reforms – Community Calls for Clarity - In Conversation - Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO, People with Disabilities Australia.

    3H AGO

    NDIS Reforms – Community Calls for Clarity - In Conversation - Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO, People with Disabilities Australia.

    Áine chats with Megan Spindler-Smith, Acting CEO of People with Disability Australia (PWDA) about the concerns expressed by families and those living with disability around the latest reforms to the NDIS and the Thriving Kids Initiative being rolled out across 2026 and 2027.  Key concerns expressed in feedback to PWDA and its member organisations are the lack of timely information about what people can expect and what is being proposed and how that may change eligibility and access to support; funding for foundational supports, including psychosocial supports; the introduction of algorithmic tools to assess participants, and whether the NDIS system is ready to transition at scale.   Megan is a strategic, innovative and influential Executive Leader with over two decades of driving highly successfulinclusion, culture and change initiatives across the not-for-profit, public and private sectors.  They are currently theActing CEO of People with Disability Australia, the national cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation.   As a proud Disabled person, they are passionate about developing and implementing profound intersectional-focused strategic change for people with disability at a national level, to foster widespread accessibility and integrated inclusion. Megan creates cultures ofrespect, inclusivity and intersectionality.  Through their lived experience, clinical and human-centred/organisational development background, they have driven change atthe national level for accessible media and inclusion of people with disability networks across multiple sectors. They were named as a finalist and the top 8 Disability Inclusion Changemaker 2024 and a finalist for the DLI Change Maker2022 and 2023.   PWDA has been a peak national cross-disabilityand advocacy organisation in Australia since 1981.  They not only represent the needs and issues of people with a range of disabilities, but demonstrate inclusivity through theengagement of people with disabilities in their staffing, board management and membership.  ”They represent Australianswith disability at the United Nations, particularly in relation to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and are a designated Disabled Persons Organisation”.  PWDA area founding member of Disabled People’s Organisations Australia, with First Peoples Disability Network, National Ethnic Disability Alliance and Women with Disabilities Australia.  PWDA’s “vision is for a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which the human rights, belonging, contribution, potential and diversity of all people with disability are recognised, respected and celebrated with pride”.

    30 min
  2. The Campaign for a Human Rights Act for NSW - In Conversation with Tim Heffernan, Former Deputy Mental Health Commissioner for NSW, Chair of ‘Being’, Long-Term Peer worker.

    MAR 3

    The Campaign for a Human Rights Act for NSW - In Conversation with Tim Heffernan, Former Deputy Mental Health Commissioner for NSW, Chair of ‘Being’, Long-Term Peer worker.

    Áine chats with Tim Heffernan, about the launch of the advocacy toolkit on 12th February 2026 at Parliament House Sydney, NSW designed to assist and support individuals and organisations to argue the case for NSW to adopt a Human Rights Act.  A human rights Act would not only provide protections for vulnerable people living in the community, especially those living with disabilities and mental illness, but would also strengthen and support frameworks and structures that already exist in legislation and provide a human rights lens through which to create new legislation. Tim is an experienced Peer Worker with a demonstrated history of working from a lived experience perspective mental health.  He is skilled in Peer work, non-profit organisations, Social Services, Coaching, and Crisis Intervention.  Tim is a strong communityand social services professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in English and Australian History from University of NSW (UNSW) and a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work from MHCC.

    45 min
  3. Thriving Kids and I Can Assessments – What Do The NDIS Changes Mean for Families and Neurodiverse Kids? In Conversation with Sarah James, The Sensory Specialist.

    JAN 21

    Thriving Kids and I Can Assessments – What Do The NDIS Changes Mean for Families and Neurodiverse Kids? In Conversation with Sarah James, The Sensory Specialist.

    In Conversation Samantha James, Director at the Sensory Specialist: Áine chats with Sarah James, a small business commentator, Founder of the Sensory Specialist and disability advocate, who contributes to public conversations around inclusion, accessibility and consumer issues.  Sarah speaks about the concerns expressed by families around the upcoming reforms to the NDIS, changes to the Assessment tools and the introduction of Thriving Kids Program which are scheduled for mid-2026. As a former Psychology teacher, Sarah has worked closely with children of all needs and abilities.  This lived experience hashelped her to curate and develop inclusive tools that actually work for children and adults with a range of abilities.  The Sensory Specialist is an NDIS registered provider which opened in 2020 and is based in Melbourne.  Sarah has recently been featured in The Age, The Herald Sun, The Sydney MorningHerald, 9Honey and ABC Radio Melbourne.

    28 min
  4. In Conversation with Karen Viggers, Australian Author, Veterinarian and Podcaster – Australian Stories for Glorious Holiday Reading.

    12/18/2025

    In Conversation with Karen Viggers, Australian Author, Veterinarian and Podcaster – Australian Stories for Glorious Holiday Reading.

    Karen is an Author, Veterinarian and Podcaster and lover of Australian wilderness, flora and fauna. I chatted with Karen Viggers about her journey to becoming an author. She has written five novels all based in Australia and is currently working on her sixth novel. Her stories have been set on the south eastern coast of Australia; Brunei Island and Antarctica; Canberra; and also Tasmania and include - The Stranding (2008), The Lightkeeper’s Wife (2011), The Grass Castle (2014), The Orchardist’s Daughter (2019) and Sidelines (2024). Her work is set in Australian landscapes and communities, and explores contentious issues, such as dying with dignity, displacement of First Peoples, wildlife conservation, clear-felling of native forests, and now, modern parenting and junior sport. She also co-hosts a podcast Secrets From the Green Room where she interviews writers and other book industry colleagues about books and writing. I really enjoyed chatting with Karen about her work. It made me think about my own love of writing and storytelling and how luxurious it might be to enjoy reading her stories across the festive season, either reading at home, on a beach, in the bush, or early on Christmas morning in bed.

    33 min
  5. In Conversation with Dr Georgia Van Toorn, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales – The Potential Impacts of Computer-based decision-making on NDIS Participants.

    12/18/2025

    In Conversation with Dr Georgia Van Toorn, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales – The Potential Impacts of Computer-based decision-making on NDIS Participants.

    Áine speaks with Dr Georgia Van Toorn. We discuss concerns about the potential negative impacts of the recently announced changes to the NDIS assessment process. The federal government has announced the introduction in mid- 2026 of computer-based algorithmic tools to standardise decision-making for individuals who are participants of the NDIS. These participants, who are living with disability, often have complex and very unique experiences and needs. It is unknown whether these changes will live up to the expectations of the disability community and the underpinning principles of the NDIS which was created to provide choice and control for people living with disabilities. Dr Van Toorn is a senior lecturer at the School of Social Sciences at the UNSW, and an associate investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society. Her research explores the growing impacts of data analytics and algorithmic decision-making in the public sector, with a particular focus on disability and social justice.

    39 min
  6. In Conversation with Josh Hewitt, Client Services Director at EveryMan, Canberra – ‘Estrangement, What Is It and How Can We Address It’.

    12/08/2025

    In Conversation with Josh Hewitt, Client Services Director at EveryMan, Canberra – ‘Estrangement, What Is It and How Can We Address It’.

    Coming into the festive season when many have an expectation of spending time with family and friends, and when many others experience loneliness and dislocation, Áine speaks with Josh about family and relationship breakdown that results in an estrangement of that/those relationships. We discuss what estrangement is, how it occurs and how we can address it across the festive season to ensure that we are making wise and healthy choices for ourselves. Josh has extensive experience working with community members and over a decade of frontline and leadership roles across the mental health and community sector. At EveryMan Australia, he leads the Violence Prevention Services, Counselling Service and Men’s Accommodation Support Services; and manages multidisciplinary teams delivering trauma-informed, evidence-based interventions to men with high and complex needs. He is also a skilled psychologist and family therapist.

    55 min
  7. In Conversation with Professor Pat Dudgeon, 2025 Recipient, Australian National Mental Health Prize - First Nations Mental Health, Well-being and Suicide Prevention.

    12/01/2025

    In Conversation with Professor Pat Dudgeon, 2025 Recipient, Australian National Mental Health Prize - First Nations Mental Health, Well-being and Suicide Prevention.

    This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Mental Health Prize, a decade of recognising Australians whose leadership, research and lived experience have transformed how we understand and respond to mental health. Established by the University of NSW (UNSW) Sydney in 2016, the Prize has honoured advocates, clinicians, researchers and community leaders who have changed lives and shaped national conversation. The 2025 winners reflect that legacy, by celebrating two national trailblazers and two emerging change-makers whose work is strengthening care, culture and connection across Australia. Áine speaks with Professor Pat Dudgeon (Perth, WA), prize winner in the category of Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander. Pat was Australia’s first Aboriginal psychologist and a national leader in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention. She was born and raised in Darwin, descending from the Bardi people of Kimberley. “As Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia, she has been instrumental in embedding cultural, strengths-based and lived experience perspectives into policy and services. She led the landmark Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), whose 2016 report ‘Solutions That Work’ reframed national understanding of suicide prevention by centring Indigenous-led and culturally grounded responses. A founding chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association, her work continues to shape research, policy and frontline practice across Australia”.

    39 min
  8. In Conversation with Chris Gambian, Executive Officer, Australians for Mental Health - Compass Landmark Report – Australians Attitudes towards Mental Health.

    11/15/2025

    In Conversation with Chris Gambian, Executive Officer, Australians for Mental Health - Compass Landmark Report – Australians Attitudes towards Mental Health.

    Chris discusses the findings of the recently released landmark report, the Mental Health Compass, conducted by Australians for Mental Health. The report has revealed “the diversity of attitudes towards the issue of mental health” and that the nation desire” more from their governments, communities and services.” Key findings include 59% of the population acknowledging that “Australia is experiencing a mental health crisis that requires urgent action”, and “76% believing that it can be addressed through the right approach, investment and leadership”. Better policy development and legislation with a focus on a whole-of government approach was seen as a solution; with loneliness being widely experienced and how that is impacting mental well-being. Other factors such as the cost of living crisis; and critically the impact of the rise of AI and other technology based mental health supports were also key issues of concern. Australians for Mental Health, is a grassroots mental health advocacy group who are urging governments to get serious about the root causes of mental-ill-health. As Chris said “the public wants policy decisions weighed against their mental health consequences, and they want systems and environments that make it easier to live well. It’s very clear what needs to happen. Governments must make mental health outcomes part of every major policy decision.”

    41 min
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About

Transforming Perceptions offers a range of views on subjects that may have direct or indirect links to social, emotional and mental well-being and aims to promote de-stigmatisation of mental illness in the community, especially for people of multicultural, migrant and refugee backgrounds. Discussion links self-care and mental well-being with issues including mental health research, health, education, life style choices, or to activities such as gardening, yoga, meditation or spirituality. The opinions expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the Transforming Perceptions team.

Information

  • Creator
    Transforming Perceptions
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Transforming Perceptions
  • Show Website
    Transforming Perceptions