Storytellers

Julia VoglConfidently navigating, leaning into the discomfort, playfully real Julia Vogl is breaking stereotypes of what it means to be confident. With the majority of her adult life in the spotlight, the former TV presenter, actor and model was immersed in a world where confidence is often manufactured, and has had to find her own authentic voice amongst the noise. And now she's shouting that voice from the rooftops as she helps others do the same.I spoke to this inspiring woman about how she has navigated this journey, how uprooting her life on the brink of a great opportunity was the best decision she'd made, how she has used social media to her advantage, and why she's so excited to help people become more confident on camera, and in life.For more information about Julia and her program, visit her socials.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliavogl_/ 

Personal trainer, women’s community creator, beam of shining light.A perfect day that involves a 5am wakeup, training and work – you might be reading this thinking, who on EARTH would call that a perfect day? But if you met Ange Drake, and I really hope you do, you’d not only totally understand it, but also celebrate it. Because Ange wholeheartedly loves what she does for a living, completely emanating that sentiment – if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.Personal trainer, women’s community facilitator, mother, wife, friend, and beam of shining light, Ange is the cheerleader everyone needs to live a happy, healthy and well-rounded life. But don’t think she’s not going to make you lift heavier, plank longer or skip just that little bit faster while championing you.A former school teacher, and now the proud owner and leader of women’s strength gym 23W, Ange is dedicated in her mission to help women reach their health and fitness goals, in a supportive, judgement-free environment. But it’s not been without its struggles – with a baby and a global pandemic testing that very energy that keeps her inspiring others.We spoke about taking the leap to becoming a small business owner, how she and her community rallied together to keep her gym open and spirits alive during lockdown, all whilst juggling the challenges of being a first time mother. We also spoke about the misconceptions of strength training for women and why it’s so important for long term health. Instagram@twentythreew@ange_drake

Woman in business, achieving greatness, driven to succeed.Drive, ambition, motivation. For high-performing women in the workforce, these words can often be construed as negative, even dirty. And god forbid you have an opinion or stand up for yourself, thus you be labelled aggressive, moody, or a bitch. Sarah Hutcheon has had to expertly tackle all these obstacles throughout her career as one of the top sales representatives for a multinational pharmaceutical company. I’ve known Sarah since the tender days of our early 20s, where fluro headbands and multi-coloured eyeshadow were the height of clubbing fashion. Even then, I looked up to her as someone who was exceptionally driven, who knew what she wanted out of life, as I floated along aimlessly trying to find inspiration for mine. Sarah had a strong sense, even as a kid, of what she wanted out of life, of the lifestyle she wanted to live. Not one for the quiet family setting, Sarah was driven to achieve success, to enjoy the finer things in life, and has made no apologies for pursuing her desires.A low-key brainiac, Sarah took her love of science and combined that with a Masters in Business, quickly working her way up the sales ladder thanks to her determination and fire-cracker personality, to become one of the youngest sales executives in the company before the age of 30.Usually on the road as an Oncology Territory Manager, Sarah has been adjusting to life at home. Which was the perfect opportunity to chat to her about her career path and motivation, dealing with sexism and gender roles in the workplace, and stepping away from the societal norm with her decision not to have children.

Entrepreneur, Pilates powerhouse, building communities.It takes a hell of a lot of courage to start your own business. To fill a gap in the market and create a desirable and sustainable idea that no one else has latched on to. Cat Webb has courage in spades, but also a clear vision and savvy business instincts that has seen her business flourish and look to expand only two years in.Cat’s reformer Pilates studio Good Times Pilates was never going to be your average studio. That’s just not the way Cat rolls. She knew she needed to create a space that unique and fun, as well as free from the pretence and ‘fitspo’ culture she had felt and hated in so many Melbourne studios. Throw on top of that her love for curating spaces and creating things that are just a little bit kitsch and corny, and you have an all-inclusive community for people who want to move, connect and have a good time (pun absolutely intended).It’s been such a pleasure to both watch and participate in the success of Good Times (I even made it to the 100 class board!); Cat is one of the hardest workers I know and has a cracking sense of humour to boot! So it was a great to catch-up and reminisce all things discos and dumpling clubs, her slow but solid journey to opening her own studio and the importance of creating an all-inclusive community through the death of toxic fitness culture.https://www.goodtimespilates.com.au/@catwebb_

Nature enthusiast, holistic healer, symbiotic creature.Asher Cloran didn’t have a childhood immersed in nature. Often stuck in front of a TV, with unhealthy eating habits to match, Asher suffered from a multitude of illnesses and mental health issues that consumed his happiness as a young man. And it’s precisely the reason he has spent the last eight years not only transforming his own life, but also helping educate other young adults and children on the immense value of health and nature. Asher speaks so passionately and poetically about the magic of nature that it’s abundantly clear the profound impact it has had on his life. Now the owner and program director of Life Rocks, a science-based education company, Asher is dedicated to teaching children and parents alike about the power of the natural world.https://www.liferocks.com.au/

Yogi, teacher, master of change.Amy Carmody knows how to pivot. It’s not just the 10 years of classical ballet, or over a decade as a much-loved yoga instructor that has helped her with this flex. It’s also her innate instinct to seamlessly adapt in times of change. It’s what sets her apart from many of her peers – a kind but no bullshit approach to her practice. It’s not about the music that is playing, the scent of the candles burning or the “vibe” of the studio you’re flowing in. Core to her practice, is the practice itself. Strong, slow, considered, informed. Amy Carmody Yoga is about strengthening the anatomical building blocks of the body, to help her students live a happier, pain-free life. I think Amy’s ethos is why I connected so easily to her practice. It’s smart, it’s educational, and dear god it’s hard. Just try one of her resets, I dare you!I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Amy over the past couple of months and watching her, the platform and her community flourish. We caught up again recently to discuss how it’s all going, the power of finding your niche, and the knowledge she is passionate about instilling in every one of her community members.https://www.amycarmodyyoga.com.au/https://www.instagram.com/amycarmodyyoga

Lauren SmithSurvivor, integrative practitioner, nurturer.Western society promotes a sense of pride in being busy, in being relentlessly overwhelmed and overworked. Because if you’re not, you’re not trying hard enough, you’re lazy. For Lauren Smith, being up-against it, stressed to the eyeballs, was her sense of achievement. That was, until it brought her world crashing down.For over a decade Lauren slogged it out in the competitive world of TV news and sports production, working ridiculous hours, barely sleeping, all to prove that she could make it in that male-dominated world. And while her head was determined, her body had other ideas. After two years of unbearable facial seizures, at the age of 28, she ended up in the emergency ward undergoing brain surgery.That wakeup call saw Lauren completely reassess her life and her priorities, and undertake a Pilates teacher training course, a skill with which she then got to spend a number of years running retreats in far-reaching tropical locations. Now back in Melbourne and running her (currently online) studio The Balanced Base, we caught up to discuss her previous life of chaos, her incredible story of survival, and while she will never stop convincing people to take care of their mind, their body and their soul. https://storytellers.id/2020/10/07/lauren-smith/

Diversity leader, firefighter, thriving in chaos.It takes a special type of person to be a first responder. To witness tragedy, death, injury and unspeakable horror through everything from fires and floods, to accidents and acts of terror. But like many high-stakes vocations, those who choose to take on that responsibility are those who not only also thrive in chaos, but have an unwavering dedication to help their fellow human. Dawn De Pew Hartog is one of those people.I met Dawn during my time working in communications in the emergency services space, where she was briefly my manager, and also a team leader within the State Control Centre (SCC). Dawn is also not only a volunteer at the Country Fire Authority (CFA), but also her local brigade’s Captain and on the CFA Board. For someone who is immersed in a very intense, often sober environment, Dawn is a bundle of positive energy.On top of this, Dawn’s day job is as the Senior Program Manager in Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) Culture and Diversity team, where she is working to bridge the gender gaps across the fire and emergency services space, as well as create greater cultural diversity.I spoke to Dawn, from what I shall call her forest log cabin, about her journey to the fire frontline, looking after the mental health of yourself and your team in a crisis, and being a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated world.www.ffmvic.vic.gov.au

Buyers advocate, going against instinct, first home owner angel.Stepping off the path you thought you should be on is a risk too great for some to take. For Amy Lunardi, turning her back on her higher education and a stable job to go back to the bottom of the ladder, on minimum wage, initially seemed like too many steps backwards. But thankfully, with a little push from a colleague, she took the leap and has not only found a job she is wildly passionate about, but is also exceptionally good at.This leap saw her dive into the wild world of real estate. While she did start back at that bottom rung, her drive and determination saw her quickly find her niche and cement herself as one of Melbourne’s most well-respected and reputable buyer’s and vendor’s advocates. And fortunately for anyone wanting to dip their toes in the somewhat terrifying property market, Amy’s passion is the journey of the first-home buyer and creating robust educational resources to support it. A buyer herself in her mid-twenties, she experienced the minefield that is buying your first home, filled with conflicting advice, misinformation and a general lack of resources. Recently stepping out on her own with her new business Amy Lunardi Property, Amy has dedicated these recent months to refining her education offering through her podcast The Buyer’s Bible, a future series of workshops, and of course, continuing to guide her clients through the buying and selling process. Amy has been a friend of mine for around ten years, and has always been one of the hardest working people I know, who always gives the soundest advice. We spoke about her chance move to leave behind her original career path, why she’s so passionate about helping first-home buyers and all the brilliant resources she has in the works. Website: www.amylunardiproperty.com.auInstagram: @amy_lunardi_property@thebuyersbible

Guide, empath, embracing power.Being in the presence of Claire Kenna is instantly soothing. She has this ability to make you feel at ease, to make you feel instantly seen. And therein lies her power to who she is and what she does an energy worker and a spiritual guide. Nothing is forced, nothing seems fake or insincere. It feels as though she is peering into the depths of your soul and is instantly ready to move whatever discomfort that lies within to where it needs to go.What Claire does completely relies on her empathic nature, which ironically, but unsurprisingly, came from her own personal life-experiences that required her to embark on a self-healing journey. Whilst she has done the necessary training to earn her credibility within western culture, with certifications in Kinesiology, Yoga and Reiki, it is really Claire’s innate intuitive ability that has her sharing unique and authentic offerings within the wellness community.Claire and I met through the wonderful Facebook group Tit for Tat*, and she has not only been vital in helping me through some times this year, but we have also become good friends.She and I had a beautiful chat about her journey to empowerment, giving others the tools to heal themselves, how wellness and the energy space is growing and flourishing right now, and how she is navigating the online world through her work.Instagram: @clairekennaenergyWebsite: www.clairekennaenergy.com

Welcome to Storytellers, a podcast that celebrates what it means to be human!My name is Taryn and I am your host, and I have interviewed some wonderful people in my life who are pushing boundaries, making lasting change and vibrating at their highest level.These people are of all ages, background and from all walks of life, and I hope their stories inspire you too.In this episode I give you a little background into how Storytellers came about, why I wanted to share these stories and how these people have inspired me and the people around them.I hope you enjoy!Please connect with me @story.tellersid 

Mental health advocate, heart of gold, eternal optimist.Rose Cuff is an eternal optimist. Which is hard to believe when, over the 34 years of her career working in mental health and the last 25 working with children and families where a parent has a mental health challenge, she has been the keeper of a huge number of distressing and heartbreaking stories. But stories too of hope and resilience.  Rose has only ever wanted to make a positive difference to this world and has used the diversity of these experiences to grow, to learn, to heal, and to try and support people in whatever way they want.Bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm to Australia in 1981, Rose has ended up, by fortunate accident, working primarily with families where a parent has a mental illness. In realising there was little to no support for the children, who felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation in their situation, Rose now heads up The Satellite Foundation, a not-for-profit committed to changing outcomes for children and young people where a parent has a mental illness, to futures of hope and possibility.I spoke to this kind, generous human being about the importance of sharing story to create community and a sense of belonging, changing the dialogue and stigma around mental health, and the power of how just listening can bring about your biggest lessons in life.Website: www.thesatellitefoundation.org.au

Touring agent, philanthropist, humble warrior.One moment, one witnessed experience. Sometimes that’s all it can take to define your life’s purpose. This is what happened for Mike Toner, one ordinary day back at University. One moment of witnessing the daily struggle of another human navigating the world around them – a struggle which for that young man was the norm – but for Mike has become the driving force behind everything he dedicates his energy to.Mike Toner, aka Irish Mike, aka Radiator, is a legend in the Melbourne dance music scene, not only because he is an incredible promoter, event creator, and DJ, but also as one of the loveliest and most humble human beings you’ll ever meet. Best of all, Mike uses this never-ending positivity to motivate and inspire those around him to be the best versions of themselves. And he expects as good as he gives, and so don’t try and make any excuses as to why you can’t strive just as high as he.Mike owns one of Melbourne’s most well respected touring agencies, Thick as Thieves, playing host to some of the biggest names in electronic music, including Patrick Topping, Phil Kieran, and Claptone.But it’s his philanthropic efforts – we’re talking over three quarters of a MILLION dollars raised for The Fred Hollows Foundation alone – that Mike is most passionate about. That moment, over 20 years ago, forever in his mind. I had such a great catch-up with Mike to chat about the joy he gets from pushing the people he loves to be their best, getting DJs to play for free in the name of restoring eyesight, and raising the vibration of everyone around him. Be ready to be inspired!Instagram: @mike_toner @thick_as_thievesWebsite: www.thickasthieves.com.au

Dating out loud, vulnerability as power, creating better connections This week's guest is the vivacious Jess Matthews, otherwise know as The Boy Detox. Jess is a relationship and dating coach, writer and all round real human, who I connected with over Instagram. Jess lives and dates out loud and creates content that is super real and engaging, whilst also providing advice and guidance to others out there navigating the wild world of dating!I spoke to Jess about how The Boy Detox came about, uprooting her life to live the expat life in Bali, and her tips on modern dating.The Boy Detox InstagramThe Boy Detox website 

Happy new year kin!I was reflecting a lot as the year came to a close, about the big lessons that caused a stir in my life in 2022. And whilst there were many, I thought I'd share the most poignant ones for me as we kick off this calendar year - perfectionism, change and every nuance in between.Listen to me show up perfectly imperfect and i'd love to hear your own reflections and intentions for this year ahead!@storytellers.id

I'm delighted to welcome back transformational coach and high vibrational spirit Rachel Rose to the podcast to talk about relational energetics.We decode and myth-bust the concept of the masculine and the feminine, explore the different attributes of each, how they play out in romantic and sexual relationships, and chat about Rachel's own journey through the energetics and how she brought them into alignment in her own life.Rachel can be found on Instagram hereRachel's website can be found here

Alexandra SutherlandAdvocating with experience, sexual liberationalist, inclusion-first.TW: Suicide, mental health, domestic violenceAlexandra Sutherland has lived it. She’s been down to the darkest depths and worked her way back out to be the strong, resilient and inspirational person she is today. It’s through these very lived experiences that Alex has found her life’s calling as a Counsellor and Sex Therapist. And she's recently started her own clinic, Inclusive Therapy, to help others who are struggling or who just need some guidance in their lives.I spoke to Alex about topics very close to my heart, including mental health and the sexual liberation of modern society - you know, the juicy stuff.Visit Alex's clinic, Inclusive Therapy at https://www.inclusivetherapyvic.com.au/If you're struggling and in need of urgent crisis support, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14

There’s no time in your life quite like your teens. The newness, the emotion, and dear god, the hormones! Miranda Luby not only remembers those times well, but she also embraces their subtle, and sometimes not so subtle nuances, on the pages of her recently published novel, Sadie Starr's Guide to Starting Over. It’s this type of raw honesty that avid Youth Fiction readers lap up, and which has led to this life-long storyteller becoming an Australian Young Adult writer to watch.I spoke to Miranda about the roller coaster ride that is writing and the publishing industry, her advice to anyone wanting to take create their own writing career, the highs and lows of getting your first book published, and the exciting, honest and raw world of young adult fiction.Buy Sadie Starr's Guide to Starting OverMiranda's Instagram

Welcome, happy equinox wherever you may be in the world!The equinox signifies a shift in the seasons, so I thought it was the perfect time to not only chat about big changes in life, but also my first solo episode.Four  months ago I quit my very stable, very sensible, well-paying job, without a plan, besides to step back into the world again. And I really now do think that’s something to celebrate. In this case episode I’m going to talk around themes of taking big leaps to find your own joy, taking ownership of your life, and why not having a plan can be the best plan of all.Follow me @story.tellersid

Dr Lizzie McCreadyHorse whisperer, knowledge seeker, integrative animal practitioner.I'm delighted to feature Dr Lizzie McCready on this episode of Storytellers! Lizzie is a horse veterinarian, deep thinker and exporative human. After years of traditional clinical practice, Lizzie is taking her healing practice to the next level by also training as an acupuncturist. Lizzie suffered a back injury last year as a result of burnout that almost ended her career altogether. But this temporary setback gave her the space to reevaluate her career path, and as a result she's also started her own business in equine first aid training; empowering horse owners all over the world to be the first point of call in a horse crisis. In this episode we talk about:- Her clear-directional journey to becoming a vet and the point at which that direction changed- How a back injury as the result of burnout almost derailed everything and how she overcame that- The power of working with mentors, of nature, and connecting with others Lizzie's Facebook: Empowering Equine EducationStorytellers Instagram: StorytellersStorytellers website: Storytellers