For the Love of Community Engagement

In this deeply personal episode, I share my breast cancer story - from the first symptoms and diagnosis, through mastectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment, to the eve of my second mastectomy.I talk honestly about the shock of hearing the word “cancer,” navigating the public health system, saying goodbye to “lefty” in a waiting-room poem, and being wheeled into theatre singing Fame. I reflect on recovery, prostheses, radiation, and the strange emotional milestones that follow treatment - including finishing without a bell to ring.I explore identity. What does it mean to be feminine without breasts? Why is reconstruction often assumed? And why am I choosing to remove my second breast and live flat?This isn’t a pink-ribbon story. It’s honest, reflective, sometimes funny, sometimes raw - and still unfolding.This is my breast cancer story. So far.

In this unfiltered fireside chat, Sadie Goddard-Wrighton and I chat after nearly two decades of friendship - recorded at my home with a child in pyjamas, a barking dog, plenty of laughter, and absolutely no pretence.From our beginnings in local government, the conversation opens into something much deeper: midlife, menopause, breast cancer, identity shifts, and the quiet pressure so many women feel to keep holding it all together.Sadie shares her journey into menopause and wellbeing coaching, and together we explore what it means to let go of perfection, accept change, and keep moving forward with compassion, humour, and honesty.A real conversation for any woman navigating life’s messy middle. Grab a cup of tea and join us. Who is Sadie Goddard-Wrighton? Sadie Goddard-Wrighton is an HCANZA accredited Health and Wellness Coach and Menopause Coaching Specialist supporting women in midlife to navigate stress, overwhelm, and life transitions with clarity and confidence.Through coaching, workshops and events, Sadie helps women reconnect with what matters most, weaving everyday wellbeing - movement, rest, nourishment and reflection - into real life with warmth, honesty and compassion.

In this fireside chat, Becky Hirst is joined by AI strategist and health consumer advocate, Tessa Kowaliw, for a real, human conversation about how ChatGPT is quietly transforming the patient experience. From the birth stories that sparked Tessa’s lifelong advocacy, to the recent accident that left her with broken bones and a hospital stay, Becky and Tessa explore how a digital co-pilot can help us document our story once, ask smarter questions, interpret information, stay connected and feel more in control of our own care. Becky shares her own examples of using ChatGPT through cancer treatment and parenting, as the pair unpack what it means to walk into healthcare with a “robot advocate” already in your pocket - and why health systems must urgently keep up. A hopeful, practical insight into the future of being a patient, where compassion, lived experience and technology work together.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Lynne Welch, an accomplished communications and public relations professional with over 15 years’ experience driving innovative, collaborative and meaningful interaction between individuals, governments and communities.Becky and Lynne talk about the concepts of lived experience and intentional neighbouring, as well as their own experiences in being diagnosed as having ADHD - and the superpowers that this gives them.

In this powerful episode, Becky Hirst sits down with Emma Broomfield of Locale to explore the complex and growing influence of social media on local government and community engagement. Together, they unpack the impacts on elected leaders, council staff, and engagement practitioners, especially in light of growing online toxicity and public hostility.Emma shares her journey from lawyer to mediator and community facilitator, and the conversation touches on real-world challenges faced by those working in civic leadership and engagement - including mental health, conflict management, and public expectations.Listeners will hear strategies for self-care, fostering civility, and creating supportive systems that empower democratic participation while protecting those on the frontlines.

In this powerful and timely episode, Becky Hirst connects with practitioner Josh Quintero from Lynchburg, Virginia, to explore what it’s like to work in community engagement in the United States in 2025 - six months into Donald Trump’s second term as President.With democracy under pressure and words like “diversity” and “inclusion” becoming politically fraught, Josh shares a raw, insightful, and deeply personal account of navigating community engagement in an increasingly polarised environment. From his Mexican-American heritage to his creative career pivot into local government, Josh speaks about the importance of helping people thrive, staying true to your values, and finding creative ways to keep engagement alive - especially when the rules of the game are rapidly shifting.This episode is full of goosebump moments, hopeful takeaways, and grounded strategies for staying resilient in challenging times. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world or unsure how to keep showing up for your community, this fireside chat is for you.🎵 Josh’s song pick: Once a Day by Michael Franti & SpearheadLet’s keep talking, listening, and engaging - even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

In this episode, Becky Hirst is joined fireside by Anton Covino, the passionate founder of Sharkwatch SA, to unpack the story behind South Australia's community-led marine safety movement.Anton shares his personal journey and how a simple idea - born from concern and curiosity - evolved into a powerful, grassroots initiative that now plays a vital role in coastal awareness and safety. Together, they explore the gaps in official shark monitoring systems, the incredible potential of social media to mobilise community action, and the importance of listening to lived experience.This isn’t just a conversation about sharks; it’s about people power. Both Becky and Anton make a compelling call for government agencies to collaborate with community-led initiatives, recognising the deep value they bring through passion, purpose, and on-the-ground insight. It’s a story about innovation, connection, and shared responsibility - for our beaches, for each other, and for the marine life we share them with.Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to be inspired - whilst this is a truly Australian story, its message resonates with communities around the world.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Max Hardy and Sally Hussey to discuss their new book, "The Underbelly of Community Engagement - The Unspoken Realities of Community Engagement Practice." The fireside chat pulls back the curtain on the hidden challenges and emotional complexities of community engagement work. Max and Sally talk about what inspired them to create the e-book, sharing the frustrations that practitioners often face but (until now) rarely talk about - from burnout and tokenism to emotional labour and systemic constraints.The conversation explores how the sector might move forward but also provides an opportunity to simply sit with the feelings of where things are currently at and use the opportunity to reflect. Visit www.maxhardy.com.au to download the e-book.

In this fireside chat, host Becky Hirst sits down with Dr. Wendy Sarkissian and Andrew Coulson to talk about this year’s Global Community Engagement Day (28 January) and the theme: Engaging Communities to Rebuild Trust.The conversation focuses on why trust matters in community engagement - how it’s been broken in many places and what we can do to rebuild it. Wendy shares stories from her years in participatory planning, highlighting the moments when trust was built and when it fell apart. She stresses that real engagement isn’t just about ticking a box—it’s about listening, being honest, and truly working with communities.Andrew brings a practical perspective, talking about how consistency and transparency are key to keeping trust strong. He shares examples of what happens when trust is lost - and how hard it can be to regain. Both guests agree that trust doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to be upfront - even when the conversations are tough.Throughout the chat, Becky, Wendy, and Andrew give shoutouts to people and projects that have done engagement well, sharing ideas that others can learn from. They also discuss simple but powerful ways to build trust in communities, like setting clear expectations, involving diverse voices, and always following through on promises.The big takeaway? Trust is fragile but powerful. When we take engagement seriously and do it with integrity, it can bring people together, strengthen communities, and create real change.

This episode features an insightful conversation between Becky Hirst and Wendy Sarkissian in relation to this season's theme of looking after your mental health in community engagement. They share their personal experiences, reflection on the state of planet earth, and some key takeaways about community engagement and the environment. Becky Hirst and Wendy Sarkissian discuss their friendship and how they first met. They talk about the challenges and pressures faced by community engagement practitioners, especially in the post-COVID era. Wendy emphasises the importance of reconnecting with nature and incorporating appreciation for the environment into engagement processes, through taking One Earth Moment. They discuss the need for more caring and compassion in the world in general, but also in the field of community engagement. Wendy shares her new book, "Creeksong," and explores the theme of 'holding fast to the mother' and the impact of climate change.

In this episode, host Becky Hirst is joined by Dr Wendy Sarkissian. Wendy tells stories of connection to nature, her involvement in the planning profession, and shares an idea she has called One Earth Moment, where community engagement professionals would take a moment at the start of any process to consider how whatever it is they are working on is likely to impact the Earth's climate.  Tune in to be inspired!