Be That

In a world that has become increasingly accessible, visible and interconnected through platforms like the internet and social media, our daily lives are now saturated with a limitless capacity to connect and put ourselves and our lives on display. We all have this inherent desire to belong and be understood for who we are. But we also have insecurities and past experiences that can cloud our perception and cause us to incorrectly judge ourselves and others. This can cause havoc in our relationships and leave us feeling vulnerable, misunderstood and invisible.

Today's conversation explores "Conquering the Bogus Story". Discover that we all have our own version of a Bogus Story that we give permission to dictate our life. We need to identify the ways it can impact our lives and explore how we can challenge it.

Exploring a topic that many would agree is the foundation of family life and very often the reason people decide to have children. The bond between a parent and child draws powerfully from the very core of who we are as individuals - sometimes stretching us to the limits - but it is a heart to heart relationship unlike any other.

As a fairly new dad myself (Abe Andrews) and knowing many in this season also, I have seen first hand the internal and also external struggle to know how to navigate life as a new dad. I think that it is okay to be a bit unsure how to balance it all and adjust to this new life. I think it is an important conversation to have and we should be more open about the realities of becoming a dad for the first time, I think it will mean a healthier outcome for everyone.

Life is not always straight forward. It can throw us a lot of curve balls and it is up to us to decide how we are going to manage those situations. Every decision we make leads us to where we are today. When things get hard, that is not the time to give up, blame or avoid. Everyone has the ability to be successful in a chosen area of life despite challenges. It is not our talents, IQ, or socioeconomic status that determines success. Having grit, that tenacity to persevere (despite the obstacles) towards a long term goal you are passionate about, is what ultimately leads to success and greater joy in life. Jo Bouris and Sarah Harriott are joined by Lize Andrews to discuss perseverance with special guests Olympic swimmer Daniel Smith and singer Tarryn Stokes.

With postnatal depression and difficulty adjusting to motherhood being so prevalent amid the pressures of modern culture, this topic aims to normalise the common experiences (eg loneliness, inadequacy) so many women face. From initiating this conversation, it is my hope that women will adopt the approach of surrendering to this phase of life while letting go of previous expectations of themselves as they navigate mum life instead of struggling to maintain all of their pre-existing roles.

Infertility is an issue faced by many couples, and is an unpredictable journey often marked by stress, anxiety, grief and heartache. However, hope hides in unexpected places and on today's episode, we discover that infertility is not the end of the story.

Sometimes, the pain of betrayal can feel impossible to bear and can shatter trust, confidence, and hope. However, whether rebuilding ourselves or a relationship, there is always a way back to strength, wholeness and a future worth fighting for.

Modern culture has come to accept and even endorse sexual imagery for the purpose of selling and influencing people: causing social, psychological and relational impacts. Awareness is paramount to avoid normalising and begin transforming this culture.

Facing life altering events such as death, illness and trauma can completely change a persons view of the world. This can cause a major paradigm shift as people reevaluate everything in their life and can propel a person into a new way of being and interacting with the world. Artist, Jess Le Clerc's story captures how finding new meaning after escaping death has caused her to reinvent her life to find renewed purpose and authenticity. Psychologically, this process of renewal and re-creation doesn't always happen in an instant, it often involves wrestling in dark places with an unknown end. But once on the other side of the tunnel, life is viewed with a new perspective which can take time for others to adjust to.

Becoming a mother is a huge adjustment at any stage and navigating parenthood alongside other life circumstances can be incredibly overwhelming. Post Natal Depression affects 1 in 5 mothers in Australia and is an important topic that often goes unspoken. The Be That team discuss the journey through PND and how to best support those who are navigating their way to recovery. With guest, Janelle Spies.

Over 1 million Australians are currently battling a form of eating disorder. Eating disorders can take control of an individual's life and have a devastating effect, if left untreated. We hear first hand from guest Angie Cahill how eating disorders can develop and the journey to recovery.