Love, Laughter, and Belonging: How One Mentoring Program is Transforming the Lives of At-Risk Youth with John Godwin.

What if the root cause of disadvantage isn't a lack of money—it's a lack of love?In this deeply moving episode, Mark McConville sits down with John Godwin, founder and CEO of Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, to unpack a values-first mentoring model that is changing lives. John shares the story of how his organisation has grown to over 600 volunteer mentors across Queensland, working with at-risk youth, domestic violence survivors, ex-offenders, and long-term unemployed individuals through their evidence-based Onward and Upward program.• laughter as prevention and treatment for stress and disconnection • humour rituals to build team trust and safety • self‑love, belonging, and values as core protective factors • founder’s journey from teacher to CEO and program architect • the eight‑session mentoring structure and journalling • values, role models, and reframing negative thoughts • outcomes in schools, apprenticeships, and graduation • mentor selection, training, safeguarding, and debriefs • limits of mentoring and when to refer to clinicians • scaling through principals, private support, and local networks • a ten‑year vision for school‑to‑work pathwaysTo Learn More about Inspiring Brighter Futures FoundationVisit: https://inspiringbrighterfutures.comFollow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiringbrighterfuturesFollow on Instagram: @InspiringBrighterFuturesWebsite: www.thelaughterclinic.com.auYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."Lifeline AustraliaPhone: 13 11 14 (24/7)Web: lifeline.org.auSuicide Call Back ServicePhone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.auBeyond BluePhone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)Web: beyondblue.org.auKids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)Web: kidshelpline.com.auMensLine AustraliaPhone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)Web: mensline.org.auSANE Australia (complex mental health issues)Phone: 1800 18 7263Web: sane.orgQLife (LGBTIQ+ support)Phone: 1800 184 527 Web: qlife.org.auOpen Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)Web: openarms.gov.au1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)Web: 1800respect.org.auHeadspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)Phone: 1800 650 890 Web: headspace.org.au13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)Web: 13yarn.org.auMusic by Hayden Smithhttps://www.haydensmith.com