PODCAST · health
Transforming Perceptions
by Transforming Perceptions
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.
Episodes
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“New study unveils the daily reality of vaping addiction among younger Australians” - In Conversation with Professor Michelle Jongenelis, Melbourne University Centre for Behaviour change.
Áine speaks with Professor Jongenelis, senior author and Co-Convenor of the Public Health Association of Australia’s, Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Special Interest Group about a new study recently published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. The study ‘A day in the...
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In Conversation with Fred Smith OAM – ‘Unforgotten: Songs of Australians at War’ – Gigs, Festivals, Life the Universe and Everything.
Áine spoke with Fred Smith OAM, acclaimed Canberra-based folk musician, author, diplomat and storyteller prior to his performances at the Australian War Memorial on the 15th August which coincided with the 5 year anniversary of the Fall of Kabul in Afghanistan in 2021. “The show combines the…
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In Conversation with Ben Fioramonte, General Manager, Children, Families and Disability Support at Settlement Services International (SSI), and Chair of NCDRC.
Áine chats with Ben Fioramonte about the recently released report ‘No Child Left Out – Designing Thriving Kids for a Diverse Australia’ and the role of SSI in partnership with the National Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Reform Committee (NCDRC) in the research. Ben shared that the “NCDRC…
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In Conversation with Dr Piers Gooding, Director, Mental Health & Disability Law Centre La Trobe University – “People with psychosis face abuse, discrimination and early death, despite global reforms”.
Áine chats with Dr Piers Gooding, newly appointed Director of the La Trobe Mental Health and Disability Law Centre about his recently published international review. The co-authored paper published in The Lancet, reviewed “350 research papers across 35 years, finding a persistent gap between…
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In Conversation with Juliana Nkrumah AM – The Rise Project - Addressing Gender Inequity for Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) Women in the Workforce.
Áine chats with Juliana Nkrumah AM to discuss the early findings from the RISE Project, how the project came about and some of the key outcomes for Settlement Services International (SSI), its partner organisations and the women who participated. RISE stands for Realise, Inspire, Support…
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In Conversation with Moya Simpson OAM, and John Shortis OAM – Music, Singing, Humour and Well-being.
Áine chats with well-known Canberra musicians and performers, Moya Simpson and John Shortis about their long performance history, music projects and how singing, creativity and humour can improve well-being. John and Moya have been honing their storytelling and particular political satire and...
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Professor Ludmila Stern, School of Humanities and Language, University of NSW (UNSW) - "Lost in Translation" – Is Human Expertise Still Critical in Language Translation in the Age of AI –
Áine speaks with Professor Ludmila Stern founder of the Master of Interpreting and Translation in Interpreting and Translation Studies at UNSW - a professional program endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Professor Sternhas played a key role…
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In Conversation with Rosemary Dupont, Local Canberra Volunteer and Businesswoman - National Volunteer Week 18 - 24 May 2026 - 'Your Year to Volunteer'
Áine chats with local Canberra volunteer and businesswoman, Rosemary Dupont, about the theme for National Volunteering Week 2026 – “Your Year to Volunteer.” Rosemary shares her personal experience of volunteering and why formal and informal volunteering is so important to our communities and...
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In Conversation with Dr Georgia Van Toorn, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW) – Algorithms, Governance, Ethics, AI and the NDIS Reforms.
In light of the recent announcements about cuts to the NDIS and the use of algorithmic assessment tools, Áine chats with Dr Georgia Van Toorn to unpack and explain in plain language what algorithms are; how they are created; and how they are being used in health and disability assessments. What…
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In Conversation with Jarrod Sandell-Hay, Vice-President, People with Disability Australia (PWDA) – Serious concerns as the government takes for granted the needs of people with disabilities.
Áine speaks with Jarrod Sandell-Hay from PWDA following on from the Australian Federal Minister Mark Butler’s announcement on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program. How will these huge changes affect...
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In Conversation with Dr Evelyne Tadros - Psychosocial Supports and the NDIS – “No Exit without a Safety Net.”
Áine speakse with Dr Evelyne Tadros, CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council. We discuss the announcement by Federal Minister Mark Butler MP on Wednesday 22nd April 2026 of the government’s plans to make huge cuts to NDIS spending and exit 160,000 participants from the program. Without...
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In Conversation with Kristy Turnbull - “It’s time to stop the Birds and Bees talk” – Sex Education is about Bodies and Boundaries.
Áine chats with Kristy Turnbull, a Practice Specialist in Relationship and Sexuality Education from Interrelate. Kristy shares why the old fashioned one conversation on the "birds and bees" no longer meets the needs of young people and their families. Kristy says that its essential that sex...
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In Conversation with Natalie Nguyen - $14.6 million funding to strengthen responses to allergy crisis in Australia - Lived Experience Perspective.
“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives. Áine chats with Natalie Nguyen, mother of Edward, a 9 year old boy who has been diagnosed with multiple...
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In Conversation with Dr Sandra Vale - $14.6 million funding to strengthen responses to allergy crisis in Australia.
“The [Australian] Federal Government has committed $14.6 million in new funding to strengthen Australia’ response to allergic disease” and to support further research and education initiatives. Áine chats with Dr Sandra Vale, CEO of the National Allergy Council about the issues affecting the...
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In Conversation with Albert Jamae, Actor, Performer, Film Maker and Author – Shaping Tomorrows’ Man.
In this episode Áine chats with Albert Jamae about his career in the entertainment industry working as a documentary film-maker, TV, radio, film and theatre as an actor, singer, dancer and children’s entertainer. Albert and his wife established a performing art school in their home town and...
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World Bi-Polar Day 30th March 2026 - In Conversation - James Gray, Principal Coordinator BiPolar Australia.
This interview was done live-to-air on Transforming Perceptions radio show and has been edited for podcast. Áine chats with James Gray, Principal Coordinator at BiPolar Australia about the upcoming global day of awareness for BiPolar on the 30th March 2026. James discusses the important work of...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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…
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Gambling Harm Risk – ‘An Every Day of the Year Concern’ - In Conversation with Markus Fischer Lived Experience Coordinator, Relationships Australia Regions, ACT GSS.
Áine speaks with Markus Fischer following up on the interview they had in October 2021. With the proliferation of gambling ads on the TV, social media and internet they discuss the impact on younger people, youngmen and women and about the importance of raising awareness and taking action around...
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In Conversation with Michael Simic, 2025 Canberra Artist of the Year - 'In the Belly of the Whale'.
In this interview from October 2025, Áine chats with Croatian-Australian, local musician, artist and creative, Michael Simic, also known as Mikelangelo from Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen, about his latest solo show, 'In the Belly of the Whale' which he was touring through the eastern...
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‘NOT, Just Harmless Fun’ - In Conversation with Kate Seselja, Co-Chair of GHLEE- Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts.
In advance of Melbourne Cup Day Áine speaks with Kate Seselja, Founder of the Hope Project, Co-Chair Canberra Gambling Reform Alliance, Co-Chair of GHLEE-Gambling Harm Lived Experience Experts, Recovery Coach, Community Educator andPublic Speaker, on the impact of gambling addiction and harm.…
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Energising Your Life - In Conversation with Vivien Sinclair, Horticultural and Occupational Therapist – Healing through Gardening, Nature, Plants and Dirt Therapy.
In Canberra and many parts of Australia we have wonderful flower and Tulip Festivals at this time of year in Spring. In this interview we shift gears and get our hands into the 'dirt' and our minds onto what energises us and helps us to more deeply connect with nature and the world around us and...
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Creating Change for Better Community Well-Being Every Day - In Conversation with Chris Gambian, Executive Director, Australians for Mental Health.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025.During a week that is globally focused on preventing suicide rates around the world through breaking stigma and raising awareness about the impact of suicide; and with the R U Okay Day campaign aiming to increase...
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In Conversation with Debbie Swibel, Author - Suicide: Hope Beyond the Darkness.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September and R U Okay Day 11th September 2025. Áine speaks with author Debbie Swibel about the importance of raising awareness around suicide to help support people who are struggling and encourage them to reach out for help. Debbie is a suicidologist…
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In Conversation with Kate Colvin, CEO Homelessness Australia - Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2025 - Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality. In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day and R U Ok Day Áine speaks with Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia to discuss the latest data on child homelessness…
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In Conversation with John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations - Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality.
World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2025 - Changing the Narrative on Suicide, and the Child Homelessness Crisis in Australia – Vulnerability, Risk and Suicidality. In advance of World Suicide Prevention Day Áine speaks with John Macmillan, CEO Yfoundations, an expert working in…
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In Conversation - Ingrid Roche, Accredited Allergy Dietician - Keeping Kids Safe and Well-fed - National Allergy, Nutrition Training for Childcare Staff Shar
Áine speaks with Ingrid Roche, Senior Project Officer with the National Allergy Council, an Accredited Practising Dietitian with many years’ experience as a paediatric allergydietician working with lots of families with children who have been diagnosed with allergies. Ingrid shares about the...
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In Conversation with Elliott Fox, Emerging Canberra Artist – Art, Inspiration, Advocating for Rescue Greyhounds and Raising Awareness.
Áine shares an interview with local emerging Canberra artist Elliott Fox. Elliott migrated with his parents to Australia from Czechoslovakia as toddler. Growing up, he always loved art creation, but chose to pursue studies that led him to a formal career in the Human Resources industry. Elliott...
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National Homelessness Week 2025 - Shayne Herriott, Chief Operating Officer , Orange Sky Australia
It is National Homelessness Week in Australia from 4 - 10 August 2025. National Homelessness Week is a national week of awareness that shines a spotlight on the growing crisis of homelessness in Australia.Áine speaks with Shayne Herriott, Chief Operating Officer from Orange Sky about the latest...
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In Conversation with Jennifer Tierney, Executive Officer, Australia, Médcins San Frontières (MSF) Australia – The Genocide in Gaza.
I speak with Jennifer Tierney, Executive Officer, Médcins San Frontières, Australia to hear directly of the dire situation in the Gaza Strip and the urgent need for action from global powers to stop the genocide of Palestinians. The deliberate starvation of babies, women, children, elderly and...
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In Conversation with Greg Aldridge, OAM, CEO Everyman and Josh Hewitt, Manager of Justice Transitions & Violence Prevention Services – Providing Support to Men with High & Complex Needs in the ACT
Áine has a wide-ranging conversation with CEO Greg Aldridge OAM, and Josh Hewitt of Everyman Canberra. Everyman does valuable work by providing support to men in the ACT and surrounding region who marginalised and experience high and complex needs. Greg and Josh discuss the challenges of…
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In Conversation with Michael Simic, Musician and Artist - Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen – Journey Through the Land of Shadows.
Áine chats with local Canberra Artist and Musician, Michael Simic. Michael is better known to some as Mikelangelo, front man of Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentleman, which was formed over 20 years ago with Phil Moriarty of The Gadfly’s fame and the late David Branson. After a three year hiatus...
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Susi Tegen, CEO, National Rural Health Alliance – “Proposed NDIS travel allowance cuts, a blow to rural providers and people with a disability.”
Áine speaks to Susi Tegen, CEO of the National Rural Health Alliance about the proposed changes to the NDIS travel allowance which will be introduced on 1st July 2025. Service providers and people living with a disability in rural, regional and remote communities have expressed serious concerns...
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In Conversation – Koen Jansens, former Paralympian – National Wheelchair Basketball League.
Áine chats with former four-time Paralympian and medal-winning wheelchair basketball player Koen Jansens. Originally from the Netherlands, Koen was born with spina bifida. As a teenager he discovered wheelchair basketball, which led to an elite sporting career spanning over a decade. He…
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In Conversation with Shaun Pianta, Paralympian and brand ambassador for atWork Australia – Future Success for Organisations - The Critical Role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace.
Áine chats with Shaun Pianta, Disability & Inclusion Advocate, Paralympian, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Podcaster and Brand Ambassador for atWork Australia. As a Paralympian Shaun defied his visual impairment to train in Para-alpine skiing to became a member of the Australian Para National...
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Kate Colvin CEO, Homelessness Australia – The Well-being Impacts of Long-Term Housing Insecurity and Homelessness.
Áine speaks with Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia to discuss the key findings from the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council’s ‘State of the Housing System 2025 report. “The report revealed households are under growing pressure, with increasing rental stress, and a sharp…
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In Conversation - Mark Wadie, Education Program Manager Menslink – Building Community and Helping Young Men to Step Up.
Áine chats with Mark about the work of Menslink in the ACT. Menslink have been active in the ACT for over 20 years with free counselling, mentoring and education programs that they provide free and which are available to help support young men. Mark also shares about some of his early experiences...
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Hearing and Advocating the Voices of Young People Affected By Violence - In Conversation with Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, CEO, ANROWS.
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, CEO of Australia's National ResearchOrganisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS), shares some of the key discussion points from their recent national conference held on 14th - 16th May 2025 under the theme of: Listen, Learn, Act: Centring Children And Young People to End…
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What Does It Take To Make A Reader - In Conversation with Megan Daley, Teacher, Librarian and Author
Megan Daley is an award-winning children’s author and teacher-librarian, and a founding member of YourKid’s Next Read, along with fellow authors Allison Tait and Allison Rushby. In 2017, Megan and two other mother's, Allison Tait and Allison Rushby were inspired by their own challenges with…
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In Conversation with Dr Meredith Nash - Sexual Harassment and Gender Equity - The Drive to Respond to Gendered Violence
With rates of gendered violence remaining devastatingly high, more needs to be done than simply understanding the problem. Áine speaks with Dr Meredith Nash, to discuss the topic of Sexual Harassment and Gender Equity and the need for evidence-based research and leadership in our workplaces and...
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Water Safety Awareness & Education - Rivers, Creeks, Lakes, Oceans & Pools - In Conversation - Lucas Hayden, Regional Manager, Royal Life Saving Australia ACT.
Áine chats with Lucas Hayden, the regional manager for Royal Life Saving Australia about the hazards and skills required to stay safe around water in Australia, and theparticular challenges facing swimmers in our ACT and surrounding region. Royal Life Saving Australia NSW has just celebrated 130...
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In Conversation with Michael Bayliss, Sustainable Populations’ Australia (SPA) - Trump Administration Funding Cuts - Impact on Women's Rights and Global Support Agencies & Family Planning Services.
International Women's Day 2025 - 'Accelerate Action'. On International Women’s Day 2025 Áine chats with Michael Bayliss, Communications Manager and Spokesperson for Sustainable Populations’ Australia (SPA) about the recent massive funding cuts to by the Trump administration to international aid...
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In Conversation with Eryn Marshall, Local Emerging Artist - Recovery and Healing from an Eating Disorder through Art Practice.
Áine speaks with Eryn Marshall, a local emerging Canberra artist. Eryn "aims to use her art as a tool for social change by starting the conversation about eating disorders [helping] to break down the stigma". Growing up Eryn always loved art and drama. During her teenage years, as well as…
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In Conversation with Sammy Moynihan, Artistic Director - 'Stages of Empathy' Transformative Theatre Project
Áine chats with Sammy Moynihan, Artistic Director of Stages of Empathy at Rebus Theatre about their latest project and working with people with disabilities to create moving and thought provoking works. Stages of Empathy is a transformative, interactive training program designed to help community...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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.
HOSTED BY
Transforming Perceptions
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How many episodes does Transforming Perceptions have?
Transforming Perceptions currently has 135 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Transforming Perceptions 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....
How often does Transforming Perceptions release new episodes?
Transforming Perceptions publishes regularly with 135 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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You can listen to Transforming Perceptions on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Transforming Perceptions?
Transforming Perceptions is created and hosted by Transforming Perceptions.
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