The Podcast

Ros Cardinal lives and breaths women’s empowerment. She is a workplace culture guru with a passion for smashing the glass ceiling.

This podcast episode has it all.

From a dynamic corporate human resources career, to surviving a life-threatening illness, to embracing a new career direction – Ros truly embodies a woman who shines.

She heads up her own consultancy - Shaping Change. She describes her work as equipping leaders and employees with the skills, tools, and strategies they need to be more resilient in the face of change and thrive in new environments. She coaches, mentors and develops people, using science-based approaches drawn from neuroscience, emotional intelligence, human behaviour, human instincts, and organisational behaviour to help create thriving constructive cultures, great leaders, and engaged and productive teams. Ros specialises in developing woman leaders and this podcast episode includes a fascinating discussion on why so many women exit the corporate world at the middle rungs of the ladder.

After working for so long with female leaders, Ros developed a Women’s Leader Archetypes model and assessment for women in leadership roles. Over 10,000 women have completed the assessment, and many more have provided additional insights into women’s leadership issues via email and interviews. Ros takes us through the archetypes and provides a fascinating insight into the difference between gendered management styles.

If you’re a female leader, you aspire to become one or you want to understand female leader styles, this podcast episode is for you. Donna ordered 14 (yes 14) books to further research some discussion after this interview. This episode will blow your mind!

Mish Wright is a fitness educator, speaker and a much revered women's health advocate. She won the Fuel Woman of the Year for women’s health advocacy in the fitness industry and has created EVEolution™. This course addresses the critical gaps in fitness education by debunking harmful myths and setting new standards that recognise women’s unique health needs. It has become a cornerstone in fitness education, empowering professionals to better serve their female clients. Mish has created over 30 online courses and runs her own fitness education and consulting business.

In this SHINE podcast episode Mish tells us her remarkable story. From nearly having it all, to chronic illness and how she embraced the transformative power of exercise in her healing journey. Mish understands adversity and cultivates perseverance. She discussed the program she created to help women understand how to incorporate their pelvic floor in exercise and she talks us through exercise and menopause - and how we can manage the transition.

This is a highly informative and frank episode full of practical tips and real life examples. Mish is deeply passionate about being an advocate for women’s health and this episode is a must listen if you want to know about our transition to menopause.

Mish has generously offered all listeners a free Perimenopause checklist. You can claim it at the link below:

https://go.mishwright.com/mailing-list/

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Karen Stuart’s life fell below rock bottom. She found herself standing at the train station, putting her bag down and about to take the step to end her life in front of a train. She had reached the end of the line. A kind, observant stranger pulled her back. She sat Karen down and listened. That was the pivotal moment. The turning point. The rock bottom she needed. What happened next will amaze and delight you.

Fast forward nine years and Karen is on the brink of turning 60. She is about to compete in another bodybuilding competition and is enjoying a new career as a Healthy Life Coach. She left her toxic marriage and she left that version of herself behind. She used exercise, habit stacking and goals to achieve the life she wanted.

Karen proudly proclaims that she is absolutely the best version of herself at 59. She is in control, happy and healthy and rock bottom seems a lifetime ago.

Karen's journey is fascinating and what she has achieved is remarkable. She shares her story to help other women not only share their stories but own their stories. To become the best versions of themselves.

Listen to Karen Stuart, Healthier Life Coach from www.healththerealwealth.com tell her story.

This is an enlightening episode. Ex-Financier and Money Mindset Coach Deirdre Keely talks to Donna about empowering women through changing their money story.

Deirdre declares that transforming your money mindset requires a fundamental shift in your thinking and ultimately reshapes your financial wellbeing.

Deirdre talks about how money is simply energy exchange and creating abundance is in our power. Rather than money being the root of all evil, Deirdre sees our money story as symptomatic of our past. She discusses the seven money wounds and how it is in our power to change our relationship with money.

Deirdre discusses her back story growing up in Ireland and talks about her passion for working with women especially. Financial insecurity is fast rising in our society and its prevalence in middle aged women (women 50+ are the fastest growing homeless sector in the western world) is one of the reasons she is so passionate about her work. Helping woman take control of their financial situation is also about helping them own their story and build their self-worth.

As a financial mindset coach Deirdre works one and one and in groups with women who have struggled with their money story.  Deirdre states: I believe that everyone has the potential to live an emotionally balanced financial life but for many reasons, the topic of financial wellbeing is way down the list after physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. She believes that having an emotionally balanced money mindset is a critical part of experiencing overall holistic health.

Deirdre’s mantra - your financial wellbeing is the critical starting point for increasing your self-worth and your net worth. When you make the decision to invest in yourself, you will transform your life and live that life you desire.

If you’re struggling to control your finances – this episode is a must listen. Take your power back and own your money story!

This is a confronting and thought-provoking episode. When women support women, amazing things happen. What happens when we don’t support each other? Our mental health and our very sense of being is impacted. This is the story of a woman who reveals all.

Becky Hurst is a community engagement thought leader and practitioner, a keynote speaker, a best-selling author, a podcast host, a tech developer, a business owner and a dancer. She is effervescent and magnetic and oozes enthusiasm and vitality. Her keynote addresses are commanding and compelling. Her book For the Love of Community Engagement is a journey into our much-misunderstood profession and strongly advocates for the grassroots practises that firmly place the power into the hands of the communities we work with. Becky is deeply passionate about the community’s voice and governance that delivers for empowerment of communities. She is not afraid to voice her opinion, but that braveness has cost her a great deal.

In this raw and revealing episode Becky details her journey to date. She discusses how she started in performing arts and found her passion in the early days of community development and engagement in the United Kingdom. Her career development whilst interesting, is not the real story here. The real story is how she has survived the multiple attacks on her shine and how she has curated and developed her voice while dancing through the tall poppy fields.

This episode is candid and some of the anecdotes are uncomfortable to hear. The routine hibernation that Becky seeks solace in when (as she puts it) she is inevitably attacked. The highly regarded industry professional who told her that all she was good for was self-promotion. The blockages by the status quo. Becky talks about coming back from each attack stronger and more determined. It’s that resilience that truly makes her shine.

Becky’s depth and humanity is palatable in this story. This is truly a woman who shines, in spite of the numerous hurdles she has faced.

Season two of the SHINE podcasts shines the spotlight on remarkable stories from women who shine in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In this episode, Donna chats with the formidable Kirsty O'Connell – a woman whose connection to the community and sheer determination to stand up for what she believes in is more than admirable!

Kirsty is a fifth-generation resident of NSW's beautiful Hunter Valley. She is a community engagement specialist with her own practice, and she is the Industry Director of The Next Generation Engagement Program – the ground-breaking Australian National University program addressing the social license risks in delivering infrastructure in Australia.

When coal mines threatened to engulf her local area, Kirsty helped to organise a community action group to challenge the ever-escalating approvals. Despite a highly activated and well supported grassroots campaign, the community’s concerns were largely ignored. When the local Nationals candidate suddenly resigned in controversial circumstances, Kirsty dropped everything to stand for parliament as an independent. Her platform represented not only the community’s concerns about mining and the environmental consequences (including the worst air quality in the country) – it included improving local health services and other local issues, to ensure her community’s concerns were heard.

Kirsty fought the good fight and through sheer grit and determination and can lay claim to achieving some outstanding outcomes for her community.

Kirsty's backstory includes becoming a journalist at 16 years old, starting a publishing house at 21 and travelling the world. Her career in community engagement has both invigorated her and frustrated her and when she felt she wasn't feeling valued or fully listened to, she armed herself with an MBA, Diploma in Project Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors qualification. Her aim was to fight the good fight from an evidence base.

Kirsty’s mantra and the lessons she teaches her daughters include STAND UP, be authentic, fight for what you believe in, surround yourself with good people, do the hard work and listen, really, truly listen and learn.

This is one hell of a good yarn, and you will be left with admiration for a woman believes in standing up for what she believes in.

This is a joyous and hopeful episode.  Jan Winslade describes her life as like being constantly on holidays. She enthusiastically proclaims her love for life and her work.

An intuitive healer, Jan started her career as a nurse. She completed a four-year yoga diploma nearly 30 years ago – when yoga was far from the mainstream. She is an also a Reiki Master, a Clinical Hypnotherapist, a meditation teacher and she runs beautiful restorative retreats. Jan’s focus is on holistic health.

A beach lover and a daily swimmer, through out the summer months, Jan runs beach yoga classes on Victoria’s Mount Martha beach. A local icon, she warmly embraces the community she is a pivotal member of. Her new years eve celebration is a much-loved local event when culminates in over a hundred people joining hands and collectively wishing the universe well. Jan is natural connector and sees this as her purpose in life.

While some might think Jan incredibly lucky, the truth is much more palatable. She has created her own luck, manifested her own joy through doing the hard work. She has faced many obstacles in her life, and it was through facing those obstacles that she found her path.

Jan’s mission is to help other people feel as wonderful as she does. You won’t be able to stop yourself from smiling when you listen to the pure joy and kindness that Jan evokes. She truly shines bright.

This is a very deep and powerful episode.  Michelle owns a rapidly growing psychotherapy and counselling practise in the Hawkesbury Valley of NSW. With deep ties to her semi-rural community, Michelle started this episode after completing group grief counselling sessions for the colleagues of a young local woman who had just passed away in a tragic accident. Michelle dropped everything to take her work colleagues through a group grief counselling session. She embraced the experience and expressed gratitude at being invited to be part of the healing journey. This is truly a lady who shines bright especially in the darkest moments.

In this episode Michelle delved deep into the process of grief. Her empathy is almost palpable, and you can feel the deep consideration that is integral to her approach.

Michelle started her career as a nurse and as an intensive care specialist she has cared for and nursed many individuals through the end of life process. In her personal life, Michelle has also had the privilege of nursing her father-in-law and a close friend as they navigated their cancer journey and was deeply pivotal in the orchestrating a beautiful passing for our much loved Grandmother. Michelle believes that we do birth really well, we celebrate It beautifully, we generally speaking do life well, how ever collectively we could do much better with the process at the end of life. With gentle encouragement, our much-loved grandmother passed to sounds of her family singing Vera Lyns – ‘We'll meet again'. Family members stated after our grandmother died that they didn’t know death could be so beautiful.

Michelle talks candidly and powerfully about the privilege of being present when an individual dies, the existential experience of death, the opportunities that come with being able to plan your death and the main regrets people have about their lives. After delving deeply into the grieving process, we discuss Michelle’s eleven pillars for living and her alcohol-free journey.

Michelle Fitzgerald doesn’t call herself a “healer” – she believes that as humans we have the power contained within to move through every emotion including grief so that we evolve and grow for the experience of loving and being loved. Michelle works beside her clients to empower them and show them how they shine brightly all on their own, how they can heal themselves - she just holds the beacon so they can see the way. We need more Michelle’s in this world to empower more humans to shine their own lights.

In our eighth episode of season two, Donna talks to Tracy Wilcox - a true phoenix. Discrimination, bullying, illness and burnout – this is the story of a true survivor.

Tracy is a technical leader with a background in simulation. She has achieved extraordinary career success and when you understand where she came from, it is not surprising.

Tracy’s divorce didn’t destroy her – instead it was the impetus for a courageous change. She moved half across the world from her native Canada with her three and five-year-old daughter to make a new life in Australia and dramatically accepted a new role in the field of simulation. What followed was an impressive career culminating in Project Director and General Management roles. Tracy was often the large women in large project teams.

Throughout her career Tracy has been bullied, harassed, belittled, been stolen from, ignored, locked in buildings, stalked and regularly put down. The majority of this was gender related. Yet she doesn’t blame men, she blames character, lack of confidence and her own insecurities. The patriarchal beliefs that still dominate these industry sectors (whilst lessening their hold) do get much of the blame but of course those old systems are perpetuated by both genders. Tracy has fought back by being a relentless campaigner for change. Her exhaustive list of giving back includes membership of two National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC) inclusion committees, past Property Council committees, numerous mentorships of young and emerging women engineers and project staff and support roles and all of this is in addition to her day job.

It all came to a head though, as the body really does keep score. Tracy was again subject to this type of inappropriate behaviour which, coupled with a chronic illness - has made her reevaluate everything. Her dark night of the soul saw her question everything and she valiantly shares her story on this podcast. She is vulnerable and raw and oh so honest. In some ways it’s a hard story to hear but it is said from the heart and with the genuine hope of helping others.

Tracy is on her way back from both the bullying and her illness, but rather than lick her wounds, this amazing woman wants to help others.

This episode is raw and true and for every woman that has been bullied or belittled in the workplace or elsewhere – it’s hard to hear but it’s validating to know we aren’t alone.

Tracy most certainly shines bright – her kindness, her empathy and her bravery in being so vulnerable, raw and honest make her shine like the true diamond she is.

This is a very emotional interview, it broke our hearts a little, but it also restored our faith in a better future.

In our seventh episode of the second season of Shine! Donna chats with Tech Entrepreneur and Founder of the revolutionary mindful drinking app - Mind The Sip - Ange Chappel. 

Are you sober curious or perhaps you want to moderate your drinking? Then this is the episode for you! Alcohol is the topic of the moment. We discuss its prevalence in the Australian and New Zealand cultures and explore different approaches to the difficult task of reducing or eliminating alcohol from our lives.

Ange has successfully moderated and reduced her alcohol consumption over a period of a couple of years. It had such an impact on her life that she converted the toolkit she used and developed it into a revolutionary app. She launched Mind The Sip just under a year ago and now works full time in her business as well as being a mother to two high school students.

Hear about Ange’s remarkable story. From being raised in New Zealand to earning her English Literature degree and working in education to now being a tech entrepreneur and helping fight the good fight. Ange’s warmth and humour as well as her dedication to truly help come through loud and clear in this podcast.

She truly is a woman that shines.

Mind The Sip is an app that supports you in reducing or eliminating your alcohol consumption through a number of tools including education and mindfulness. There are tracking and journalling tools within the app, a sharing community and numerous resources. Including but not limited to links to podcasts and books. Ange has ensured that @Mindthe.Sip is a free app so that she can truly help other people on their mindful drinking journeys.

Don’t miss this must listen to episode.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations’ peoples today. 

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast!

In our sixth episode of the new season Donna speaks to Education Consultant and Disability Advocate Irene Anderson.

As well as a fifty plus year teaching career, Irene is a mother to a severely disabled 43-year-old man, Sean. At 73 Irene is still working – as an Education consultant for the Australian Catholic University and still caring for Sean full time with her husband Ron. Irene discusses her amazing career and some of the obstacles she has overcome personally.

Irene very openly discusses their journey raising Sean, her disability advocacy and the failures of the disability system. Irene and her husband Ron are strong advocate for disability awareness and Irene has made it her mission to help others understand their experience, in order to pave the way for others to have better journeys. The plan was for Sean to go into assisted living as they got older, and indeed the couple did try this about five years ago – with horrific outcomes. They have been consistently let down by the disability system and now in their 70s remain the primary caregivers for Sean.  

Above all, and despite the many challenges, Irene sees her role as Sean's Mother as a privilege and both her and Ron have always wanted to give Sean the very best opportunities while they can, for as long as they can. This includes taking him to every Melbourne Storm home game, State of Origin Rugby League matches and lots and lots of concerts. Mention John Farnham and Irene's eyes roll to the heavens. Sean is obsessed with John Farham to the point that he buys a new Farham CD each week and has multiple copies of all his albums. Irene says she can tolerate a lot, but many more replays of John Farham and she may just reach her threshold.

Irene’s main message and what she wants most for Sean and other disabled people was for them to be seen, heard and valued. Not pitied but seen and included. Truly included.

Irene Anderson is an exceptional woman of substance who has no idea how wonderful she is. This episode pulls on the heart strings and leave you feeling extreme gratitude that there are women like Irene in this world.

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast!

In our fifth episode of the new season Donna speaks to the CEO of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), Marion Short.

Donna and Marion started off the episode with a deep dive into their own stories and the impact of their heritage and backgrounds on those stories. They discussed the joy and wisdom that comes with middle age. Marion discussed the philosophy of Kintsugi, which is the Japanese art of repairing, reminding women that there is beauty in our imperfections, and true perfection involves leaning into and embracing our imperfections.

Marion is a highly educated CEO with an MBA and a Finance background. She forged her path in the finance sector when very few women held roles (aside from administrative). She discussed her career progression with reference to her gender, her home life, having children and her emerging philosophies. Marion shared lessons learnt and then gave a mini masterclass on her impression leadership style. Marion values people as people above everything else and she is most proud that feedback from her staff includes agreement that she fosters an environment where staff feel empowered both to do their jobs and to learn.

While Marion is a kind and respected leader, she is also fiercely determined and operations from a solutions perspective. This podcast is a fascinating insight into a highly successful woman, who after a thirty year career is far from done. Marion's enthusiasm for life and business make this a must listen to episode. She is frank and fearless and very generous with sharing her knowledge.

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast!

In our fourth episode of the new season Donna speaks to Prep Teacher turned Fashion Stylist Helen James.

Growing up on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula as the children of Greek Immigrants, Helen grew up embodying the good girl persona. She studied education and fashion at university, but family preference was for her to work as a teacher. She fell in love with guiding the transformative journey of prep students and has a successful career as a Prep Teacher. Then COVID descended and Helen found the time to do further education in fashion and completed a styling course. Then came Helen James Style, her boutique styling business.

While many consider fashion frivolous, Helen sees it as an opportunity for building confidence, as a vehicle for self-acceptance and self-expression and a time to shine.

Her philosophy is to embrace who you are, focus on your best attributes and be you.

Donna and Helen discuss how a styling session runs, the challenges Helen helps her clients overcome and women’s relationship with their bodies. Helen talks about following her true passion for fashion and her experience being a teacher through Covid-19. She also sheds light on her experience guiding her tween daughter to feel comfortable with her changing body and the transformative session they had when she treated her daughter like a styling client.

Helen also discusses how the body keeps score and her wellness strategies. This is a feel-good episode you don’t want to miss!

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast!  

In our fourth episode of the new season Donna speaks to Naturopath Kate O’Brien.

After graduating from an Applied Science in Naturopathy degree, Kate began her 17 year career as a clinic owner and naturopath. She has broken down barriers and used gentle but deliberate strategies to ensure naturopathy is part of a holistic approach to healing. Along the journey she did a masters degree in acupuncture, doubled the size of her practice and has challenged traditional medical thought.

Kate is a true pioneer. Her generosity of spirit and her firm belief in the powers of natural healing are in synergy with her deep respect for both Chinese and Western medicine. Kate is all about collaboration, about the personal journey and about embracing new learnings and teachings in our quest for wellness.

Kate shares some valuable tips in this episode (nut butter and apples anyone?) as well as some insights into how we can achieve purpose without overdosing on Yang energy. Kate is the perfect example of a Yin approach achieving brilliant results.

This episode is both informative and inspirational.

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Welcome back to the SHINE podcast! Donna is back with a new season of the Shine podcast where she shines a spotlight on amazing women living extraordinary lives. In Season two, you will hear remarkable stories from women who shine in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In our second episode, the thoughtful Shelley Christie is back by popular demand. Shelley is the Participation Officer for Football Australia and Football Victoria as well as Vice President of the Mount Martha Soccer Club, and Director of Shelley Christie Millinery. Shelley also runs the Soccer Mums program that Donna is part of and is in the Over 35s women’s soccer team that Donna plays.

Following on from the last episode Shelley and Donna delve into the importance of inclusivity, modelling good behaviour for their daughters and the importance of wellbeing. They share why they value sport so much, especially for girls and women.

Shelley discusses the life changing stroke she suffered just before she turned 40. She details the actual stroke, her recovery and her feelings of guilt about her near full recovery. You can participate in Stride4Stroke this November and raise funds for the Stroke Foundation, find out more here.

Join us in this insightful episode featuring two empowered women as they share in life's challenges and the lessons they have learnt along the way.

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast! Donna is back with a new season of the Shine podcast where she shines a spotlight on amazing women living extraordinary lives. In Season two, you will hear remarkable stories from women who shine in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In our first episode of the new season Donna chats with the incredible Teresa Ariel – a woman whose connection to the community and determined optimism is heartwarming. Teresa is a Project Manager in the construction industry, a true pillar of her community who volunteers in numerous capacities, a mother of three, including a severely disabled daughter who she bore at 16 and she has recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.

Donna and Teresa discuss connection as the hallmark to a life well lived. Teresa discusses the joy she derives from giving back and how connection with the community helped her raise her severely disabled daughter. We hear about her career journey as she navigated the male dominated infrastructure sector and the changes she has noticed, especially in terms of gender equity.

Teresa then very openly discusses her recent breast cancer diagnosis and shares tips for what to look for. She is facing a barrage of treatment in the near future, yet her positive mindset and determination is at the forefront of everything she says. Her mantra for life, the tools that she uses to remain optimistic in the face of such adversity and her philosophy on living are truly inspiring. This is a heart warming and inspiring episode.

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast! Donna is back with another amazing episode, and she is joined with the wonderful Shelley Christie – Participation Officer for Football Australia and Football Victoria as well as Vice President of the Mount Martha Soccer Club, and Director of Shelley Christie Millinery. Shelley also runs the Soccer Mums program that Donna is part of and is in the Over 35s women’s soccer team that Donna plays.

Together, they share their deep love for sports and explore the significant impact the sports industry and coaching can have on young people and women. Additionally, Shelley courageously opens up about her personal journey of resilience and recovery after experiencing a stroke.

Join us in this empowering episode featuring two remarkable women who discuss their shared love for sports and share their inspiring health journeys.

Shine on!

The day has finally come, folks! SHINE is out now!

What a journey it has been - Donna is incredibly thankful and humbled for all the support she has received! In this mini special edition episode, Donna reflects on her journey, on writing Shine and what she hopes readers get out of her story!

Stay tuned for details of upcoming events to come - we cannot wait to reveal all!

For now, keep an eye out for future episodes, join our FREE SHINE 30-day challenge (see Donna's official social media to find out more), and SHINE ON!

Welcome back to the SHINE podcast! Donna and Angela are back and sit down to explore mental health, self-care and overall wellbeing. In this special edition, we dedicate our episode to an important annual event: RUOK? Day – a day of raising awareness about mental health and encouraging open conversations about the wellbeing of ourselves and the people around us.

In this episode, Donna and Ange delve into our own stories and provide practical tips to foster a culture of connection and support. They discuss their personal wellness routines and things that didn’t quite work out for them. A must-listen moment is Donna’s encounter with a tree-humper whilst seeking solace from forest bathing. Very funny and just a little poignant. Join Donna and Ange and let’s all find our OK!

We hope you enjoyed this episode!

Shine on!

Welcome back to the Shine podcast! We are back with Donna Groves as she shares her path to going alcohol free. Donna opens up about the pivotal moments that led her to confront her relationship with alcohol and make the life-changing decision to go alcohol-free. Donna sheds light on the challenges she faced, the support she received, and the remedies she took to completely remove alcohol from her life.

Later in the episode, she dives deeply into the profound positive changes that occurred in her physical and mental wellbeing, as a result of removing alcohol from her life.

We hope you enjoy this inspiring episode!

Shine on!

Welcome back to the ninth episode of the SHINE podcast! In this episode, Donna is back from her European trip (part business and part holiday) and shares with ⁠Angela Veljanoska⁠ all about her experiences.

Donna worked with the Comacon London, Paris and Rome teams and has some interesting insights into engagement evolution and best practice communications. She was really impressed with the Italian rail network and the London underground maintenance works. Donna also visited the Hague where we are working on a large-scale planning reform project. 

Despite all the busy- ness that Donna encountered, there was time for a holiday too. From roaming the cobblestone streets along historical buildings to attending big sporting events, Donna and her family had a grand time!  

Donna and Angela also both speak about their love of travel and share stories of their own European holiday experiences. Truly an episode not to be missed! 

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Don't forget to SHINE!

Welcome back to the eighth episode of the SHINE podcast. In this episode, Donna Groves and Shantelle O'Riordan bond over their passion for sport – chatting about their involvement in sport and the role it plays in their lives. The pair join in on the Women’s World Cup conversation and deliver a nuanced look at women’s representation in sport.

For Donna and Shantelle, the big sporting matches are a small fraction of the sports journey. Sport really is a metaphor for life – the hard work and dedication off the field is more meaningful than the ‘big’ moments.

We hope you enjoy the episode!

Don't forget to SHINE!

Welcome back to the seventh episode of the SHINE podcast. This episode delves deep into all things wellness – Donna and Shantelle discuss the importance of mental health, wellbeing in the construction industry and workplace more broadly, as well as Comacon’s Wellbeing Division. Donna also highlights the encouraging results from Comacon’s pilot Wellbeing Program and the lessons she has learnt from projects to date.

Donna and Shantelle also provide a sneak peek into their upcoming wellbeing talk at the National Community Engagement for Infrastructure Forum (NCEIF). This is a thought provoking and topical episode, and Donna and Shantelle loved speaking about a topic close to their hearts.

We hope you enjoy the seventh episode.

Don't forget to SHINE!

Welcome back to the sixth episode of the SHINE podcast. We have a very interesting episode for you – Donna and Angela dig deep into the health and fitness realm, and chat more about nutrition, sports and community building within this arena. Donna also discusses her health journey thus far and what she is doing now to maintain her wellbeing, and shares more about her love of sports.  

Donna gives her top tips on how one can make a start on their fitness journey: the main one being just simply getting up and giving everything you can a go, and working your way up from there. This is an incredibly inspiring and heartfelt episode, and Angela and Donna greatly enjoyed speaking about this topic.

We hope you enjoy the sixth episode.

Don’t forget to SHINE!

Welcome back to the fifth episode of the SHINE podcast. Donna Groves is back and has the wonderful Coral Reynolds on the show. Donna and Coral have been friends since way back when working together on projects. Since then, Coral has come onboard Comacon Pty Ltd and has been working with Donna and managing the team ever since.

The two women share their story on how their friendship has grown since they first met, and speak about how women should empower each other more to live the best authentic life possible. Coral also touches on how she shines and her top tip son taking risks and giving things a go. You can tell from this episode how strong their dynamic is together!

We hope you enjoy the fifth episode.

Don’t forget to SHINE!

Welcome back to the forth episode of the SHINE podcast. Donna Groves is back with another valuable episode. Donna and Angela Veljanoska dive deep into women empowerment. Donna brings her unique perspectives and experiences of being a woman working for a male-prevalent industry. Donna and Angela also explore how women should empower each other and support one another in solidarity.

Donna explores the practical strategies on how women can overcome obstacles and shatter the Glass Ceiling, and ensure thatvarious forms of empowerment include from personal development and self-belief to fostering inclusive work environments. Through personal anecdotes, Donna thoroughly shares her experience in her career as a female founder, and highlighted the challenges she faced along the way.

Finally, Donna and Angela discuss the strategies for overcoming bias, speaking to someone you trust about having your voice heard, negotiating for equal opportunities, and building supportive networks.

We hope you enjoy the forth episode.

Don’t forget to Shine!

Welcome back to the third episode of Shine. Our host, Donna Groves, Founder and Managing Director of Comacon Pty Ltd, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the National Community Engagement for Infrastructure Forum (NCEIF) and the author of Shine, speaks with Angela Veljanoska about the wide concept of leadership, the importance of having role models and mentors, and how to adopt leadership into living an authentic life.

Donna and Angela also speak about the feeling of being a role model in one’s life and avoiding imposter syndrome. We hope you enjoy the third episode.

Don’t forget to Shine!

Welcome back to the second episode of SHINE. Our host, Donna Groves, Founder and Managing Director of Comacon Pty Ltd, Co-Founder and Chairperson of the National Community Engagement for Infrastructure Forum (NCEIF) and the author of Shine, is back for another BONUS episode. Angela Veljanoska chats with Donna all about how she first founded Comacon Pty Ltd, which dates back all the way to 1998. We explore her journey in communications and engagement in the infrastructure, natural resources and construction industries, and how she continues to work hard to ensure her team are taken care of and communities are genuinely engaged.

Donna also speaks more about co-founding the NCEIF, which has successfully increased awareness of and capacity in community/stakeholder engagement and communications in the infrastructure and natural resources fields. Lastly, Donna touches on the lessons she has learnt along the way about being a founder. We hope you enjoy our second episode.

Don’t forget to Shine!

Welcome to the first episode of Shine. Meet your host, Donna Groves, Founder and Managing Director of Comacon Pty Ltd, and the author of Shine, the definitive guide to saving yourself and living your best life. In this episode, Angela chats with Donna all about her upcoming book, which will be released September 1^st, and we dig deep into why she created Shine and her background.

Donna and the team look forward to creating a space all about wellness and health in this podcast, and hope you enjoy all the future episodes to come.

Don’t forget to Shine!