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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.
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Today on our Energising Your Life segment our theme is Transformation, Taking the Steps to Change. I replay an interview from October 2019 with Gabrielle Conescu, Artist, Speaker and Mentor about her decision to change her life and pursue her dream of being an artist. How many of us wish that we could follow our passion? How many of us wish that we could embrace our true selves and come more fully back to inner balance through doing what we love and what feeds our well-being? Four years ago Gabrielle Conescu was working as a professional bookkeeper, when she recognised that she could no longer sustain her well-being within an unhealthy work environment. Gabrielle shares her experiences and how she took the first tentative steps to making the significant changes that set her on a new path. Gabrielle believes that there is opportunity for everyone to step into what they love. Gabrielle is passionate about helping others living to their highest potential. She mostly works from home and exhibits her gorgeous artworks in various locations, including 2Mad Sisters, Sandgate and Optimal Life Solutions, Enoggera in Brisbane QLD.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
This is an on air conversation I had with my father Jim Tierney and Baoxuan Ong, a young Singaporean student in January 2014. I did this interview with Jim and Baoxuan when he was visiting to attend a performance of the Celtic Woman who were travelling Australia at that time. I wanted to honour my father, who passed away a few years after the interview was undertaken and have now produced this podcast.
Jim loved music, especially Irish traditional music and he played the Violin. He hailed from a very musical family from the west coast of Ireland, in Kilfenora, County Clare. Baoxuan is from Singapore and her native tongue is Mandarin. She talks about the music and culture of Singapore and together they discuss and compare the power of music, the way their different cultures share and make music and what it means to them and for their well-being.
OCTOBER is Mental Health Month in the ACT and we are celebrating 10 years on air working to promote the de-stigmatisation of mental illness. Transforming Perceptions will be showcasing some of our best of shows from our archives as well as new interviews on topics relevant to today's sector.
Saturday 3rd October 2020 2 pm - 3:30 pm (AEST) we are bringing you an extremely relevant interview from our archives which first went to air 11th August 2012 where David Lovegrove, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi Head of Psychiatry at the ANU discuss the topic of Bullying and Workplace Bullying and it's impacts on mental well-being.
What is Bullying? - "Bullying happens when a person or a group of people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions to cause distress and harm to another person’s wellbeing. It isn’t the same as a ‘normal’ conflict between people (such as having an argument or a fight) or simply disliking someone. It’s more about repeated behaviour by someone who has power or control over someone else"
(https://au.reachout.com/bullying/workplace-bullying)
"At work, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace, which means one that's free of bullying. This means that by law if you report bullying behaviour, your employer has to go through a proper process for handling your complaint".
Transforming Perceptions, bringing you news, views, updates and information from the lived and living perspective, community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Energising Your Life - Áine Ní Tighearnaigh chats with Naeem Zaman about 'Conscious Living' - Themes for Recovery as part of our first Energising Your Life segment for 2020. Naeem shares his personal experience and discovery of how to live a conscious life. As a Bengali boy growing up in Australia, Naeem had a range of experiences which brought him to the point where he began to examine the conditioning from his cultural and religious backgrounds as well as the pressures to acculturate within the Australian society. He dove deep into exploring the creation of his identity formed by these various forces. Naeem talks about the importance of good communication as the foundation of relationship building, concepts of masculinity and the need to be vulnerable and authentic in relationship with others. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work. At the end of the today's show Naeem takes us through a 10 minute meditation. Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, mainstream and multicultural mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Naeem Zaman is a member of the Transforming Perceptions Team assisting with discussions around health, mental health and well-being, sharing insights from his own experience and as part of our Energising Your Life segments. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work.
Naeem used this meditation after our first exploration on the topic of Shame. It is a short and relaxing 11 minute meditation. Music by Sean McVitty, music for healing. To hear the full discussion on Shame and Naeem's post discussion commentary and meditation go the Podcast - Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Naeem Zaman talk about Shame.
Naeem Zaman is a member of the Transforming Perceptions Team assisting with discussions around health, mental health and well-being, sharing insights from his own experience and as part of our Energising Your Life segments. Naeem works as a fitness instructor teaching body balance and is studying Psychology with a view to undertaking a Masters in Social Work.
In this episode Naeem takes us through a short and relaxing 12 minute meditation. Music by Sean McVitty, music for healing. This meditation followed our Energising Your Life segment where Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Naeem Zaman discussed ''Themes around Conscious Living'. You can hear that full episode and Naeem's pre and post meditation comments in the episode dated 13th June 2020.
On Transforming Perceptions on Saturday 28th September 2019, Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and David Lovegrove are in conversation with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, ANU and Dr Tony Schumacher Jones, Churchill Fellow Award Winner 2013 on the topic - The Politics of Loneliness – Humane Aged Care: Robot or Human? Tony and Jeff discuss the politics around dealing with loneliness in our communities, especially as how loneliness affects older people who are living in aged care and new innovations to address their needs. But is their needs or the need to reduce or not make financial and emotional investment into humane care? Are robots and artificial intelligence the solutions to the challenges we face with an aging population? And, if so, how far do we want to take it?
What do we gain and lose by taking it all the way to having robots running facilities? And, if we don’t want to take it all the way – that is, having robots run the entire facility, then why not? At what point do you say too much? To what extent will we allow the technological tail to wag the ethical dog?
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, updates and diverse views on social, emotional and mental well-being from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural, mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
'The Tin Man and Does He Have a Heart and does it matter?' Ãine brings you an interview she recorded in December 2016. She speaks with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi, Acting Head of the School of Psychiatry at the ANU and Dr Tony Schumacher Jones, winner of the 2013 Churchill Fellowship and independent behaviour consultant in dementia care.
The topic of aged care and the aged care reform is one that is not adequately addressed in health policy. Jeff and Tony discuss the need for proper resourcing for the aged care sector; the possibility of technological changes in aged carer provision and the ethics of robots and artificial intelligence providing care in aged care units. Transforming Perceptions, bringing you mental health and well-being updates, news, views and diverse perspectives from the national, local and mainstream and multicultural sectors, and music from round the world
On the 9th November 2019 on Transforming Perceptions Áine Ní Tighearnaigh and Rodney Stanton chatted with Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and Churchill Fellow Dr Tony Schumacher Jones on the topic - When will Australia provide effective mental healthcare for the aged?
In light of the impact of Covid-19 and the high number of infections and transmissions in aged care homes in Victoria and NSW we share this conversation with Jeff and Tony from the 9th November 2019, critiquing the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report which had almost daily media coverage in late 2019. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety’s Interim Report detailed how the aged care system "fails to meet the needs of its older, vulnerable, citizens ... does not deliver uniformly safe and quality care, is unkind and uncaring towards older people and, in too many instances, it neglects them". We discussed the recommendations in depth with Jeff and Tony providing a number critical comments and further recommendations on how aged care system and workforce could be improved. As Tony stated "if you want a 21st Century Aged Care Service you're going to have to pay for it. That's the reality isn't it. Your'e going to have to put money into it, not take money out it".
Jeff and Tony are experts working in Dementia care and research. They have been regular guests on Transforming Perceptions for many years providing expert advice on support and care for people living Alzheimer's Disease and mental health issues. This discussion follows on from our last show in September 28th where we discussed The Politics of Loneliness – Humane Aged Care: Robot or Human? Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates and diverse perspectives from the lived and living experience, community, multicultural, mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
Gerry speaks at great length and depth about the issues affecting the homeless and those at risk of homelessness and suicide in Perth, Northern Territory, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and America. He shares his insights from his role as National Coordinator, National Suicide Prevention and Trauma Recovery Project and his wealth of experience of working with homeless populations which encompass first nations peoples, those of who are migrant and Australian born. There are approximately 100,000 people with complex needs living on the streets who may have mental health, drug and alcohol issues, trauma experience, domestic and family violence, or socio-economic issues that have led to homelessness. Many people during the Covid-19 crisis are at risk of becoming homeless through job loss and lack of financial support as visa holders or as international students. Gerry shares the steps that he and his organisation and other organisations are taking in Perth and Darwin to address and help homeless people who are at risk of contracting Covid-19 to find shelter off the streets; and the urgent action that desperately needs to be taken in what is an humanitarian crisis.
Transforming Perceptions bringing you news, views, updates, in-depth discussion and diverse lived and living perspectives on social, emotional and mental well-being from the community, multicultural and mainstream mental health sectors; and music from round the world.
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 mentored and supported many local kids who had a passion for performing. His increasing interest in writing and his own reflections on his childhood experiences brought Albert to explore men’s development, attending men’s retreats and men’s circles. Albert is now documenting his insights in a new book titled Shaping Tomorrow’s Man, which is due out in July 2026.
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 Bipolar Australia, advocating for those living with and caring for those with bipolar in the community and working to influence change and policies within local and federal government. We also shares his personal experience and recovery from bipolar.James has a background in data analysis and hands-on experience across volunteer organisations. He's skilled at turning complex information into practical insights that promote growth and deliver real outcomes for people and communities.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.”
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