In The Heart Of The Vault

There’s something I’ve always loved about being a mum…Seeing the world through my children’s eyes.This is actually the third time Evie has joined me on the podcast, but this conversation was completely different.We sat down and talked about what it’s actually like to be 19 — almost 20 — today.Dating. Friendships. Social media. Going out. Drinking (or not drinking). Growing into yourself. The conversations we have as mum and daughter. The things she thinks about that I never would have thought about at her age.And what I loved most was hearing her perspective.Because sometimes, as parents, we think our job is to teach our children.But I honestly believe our kids are some of our biggest teachers.They challenge the way we see the world. They open our minds. And they give us a perspective we simply can’t get anywhere else.And I feel incredibly lucky that Evie and I have always had such open communication. That openness even extends to her friends, who will sit and talk to me about things too.But I also know that not every young person has that person they feel safe enough to talk to.So this conversation isn’t just for mums and daughters.It’s for parents, carers, siblings, grandparents — anyone who loves a young person and wants to understand a little more about the world they’re growing up in.Just a really honest, funny and sometimes surprising conversation about LIFE at 19.And I think you’ll love hearing it through her eyes. ❤️ evie's social media: @eviebellahayes on tiktok and instagram

Some promises never end. At Josiah’s funeral, Jessica made her little boy two promises: “I will honour you by the way I live my life.” “And I will always speak your name.” Today, she keeps that promise. After a long journey through IVF, Jessica and her husband Josh welcomed their precious son, Josiah. Born tiny but deeply loved, he spent seven weeks changing their world forever. In this conversation, Jessica shares what life looks like after baby loss—the shock, the silence, the ache of empty arms, and the reality of returning to a world that keeps moving while yours has stopped. But more than anything, she speaks about something every bereaved parent deserves: Permission to keep talking about their child. So often, grieving parents swallow their words because they’re afraid of making others uncomfortable. Jessica reminds us that love doesn’t end because a life was short. Josiah is her son. His life matters. His story matters. I hope this conversation helps anyone walking the impossible road of grief feel just a little less alone. Thank you, Jessica, for trusting me with your heart. And thank you to Josh, who has walked every step of this journey beside you, carrying Josiah’s love and legacy together. Josiah’s life was seven weeks long. His impact is lifelong 🤍 Please listen and watch with care 🤍

The day before her mum passed away, everything felt completely normal. Tahnee had FaceTimed her that morning, exchanged messages throughout the day, and went to bed expecting they’d speak again the next morning. Instead, she woke at 3am to missed calls from a Brisbane hospital. Just 12 weeks after welcoming her baby girl into the world, Tahnee’s life changed forever. In this heartfelt conversation, she shares the unbreakable bond she had with her mum, the devastating phone call no one ever expects, and what it’s like navigating early motherhood while grieving the loss of the person she needed most. This episode explores the reality of holding joy and heartbreak at the same time, raising young children while carrying your own grief, and learning to live with the countless moments where someone should still be here. If you’ve ever lost your mum, your greatest support person, or found yourself grieving while life kept moving forward, this conversation will stay with you. 🎧 Full episode available now. Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube

🎙️ Forever Five: Ozzies Legacy — A Life Measured in Love, Not Years with Maria Raggio This week, Maria Raggio opens the vault to share the story of her beautiful son, Oskar — known and loved by everyone as Ozzie. Born with the ultra-rare Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome, Ozzie faced more challenges in his five years than most people will face in a lifetime. Yet despite countless hospital stays, procedures, and unimaginable hurdles, he continued to light up every room he entered with his smile, his spirit, and his zest for life. But this episode isn’t about a diagnosis. It’s about a little boy who was deeply loved. It’s about a family who refused to let adversity define their son. It’s about parents who fought tirelessly for every opportunity, every milestone, and every precious moment. It’s about siblings who adored their brother. And it’s about a family whose love grew stronger through the very challenges that could have torn them apart. In this deeply moving conversation, Maria shares the realities of raising a child with an ultra-rare genetic syndrome, the sacrifices made behind closed doors, the strain of hospital life, the strength found in family, and the extraordinary legacy Ozzie continues to leave behind. Some lives aren’t measured by the number of years they spend with us. They’re measured by the love they leave behind. Ozzie was only five years old, yet he touched more hearts than many lifetimes ever could. His life may have been short, but his impact was immeasurable.

At 18 years old, Kate Seselja walked into a pokie room for the first time. What started as a night out with friends quickly became a secret battle that would consume the next 12 years of her life. Over that time, Kate lost approximately $500,000 through refinanced mortgages, credit cards, and years of gambling losses. Alongside the financial toll came overwhelming shame, secrecy, and a desperate search for help that simply wasn't there. Despite countless attempts to stop, gambling addiction tightened its grip. Kate eventually found herself in such a dark place that she contemplated ending her life. Then she discovered she was pregnant with her sixth child. Knowing that any decision she made would also affect the life she was carrying, she couldn't go through with it. In what had become her darkest chapter, her unborn baby became the reason she held on — and the turning point that would lead her toward recovery, advocacy, and hope. But this is not where her story ends. In this powerful conversation, Kate shares the reality of gambling harm, the devastating impact it has on families, the stigma that keeps so many suffering in silence, and why she believes the burden of responsibility cannot sit entirely with those struggling with addiction. Real change, she says, requires governments, regulators and the gambling industry to step up and do more to protect vulnerable Australians. Today, Kate is a speaker, advocate, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Hope Project, helping others move from surviving to thriving. She speaks openly about mental wellbeing, resilience, recovery, and the changes needed to protect future generations from gambling harm. This conversation is raw, courageous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful. Because when we bring our stories into the light, shame loses its power. 🎙️ Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. 📖 Kate's new book is available for pre-order. 💜 Learn more about The Hope Project. ✍️ Support the campaign calling for mandatory poker machine loss limits across Australia. Links below. https://www.thehopeprojectaustralia.com.au/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio https://www.change.org/p/losslimitsnotlostlives-enforce-loss-limits-on-all-australian-poker-machines/actions

There’s so much pressure to get back to normal after something life-changing. As adults… we learn to step away. From conversations that don’t feel right. From people who say the wrong thing. From environments that feel too heavy. But kids don’t always have that choice. They sit in classrooms. They hear comments. They carry expectations they don’t understand — from people who think they’re helping. And slowly… it builds. Not because they’re not coping — but because they haven’t been given the space to. This episode is just me… talking about that pressure, and why “back to normal” isn’t always the safest place for a child to land.

In this episode of In the Heart of the Vault, Nicola shares the deeply personal journey that began when her baby boy Louie was born prematurely at 32 weeks. Just days after his birth, Louie’s intestine twisted and strangulated, leaving only 8cm of small intestine able to be saved after multiple emergency surgeries. Nicola and her husband were told to prepare for palliative care. They were warned that continuing treatment could prolong suffering and that letting him go may be the kinder option. But Nicola trusted her instinct as a mother. What followed was eight months in hospital, navigating life in survival mode, making impossible decisions, and learning how to advocate for their son while holding their family together. Today, Louie is exceeding expectations. This conversation explores the raw reality of motherhood in medical crisis, the grief parents carry behind closed doors, the strength it takes to advocate for your child, and the deep trust that can grow when you learn to listen to your intuition. Nicola shares what it means to walk through uncertainty, resilience, and the parts of motherhood that are rarely spoken about. Disclaimer The experiences shared in this episode reflect the personal journey and perspectives of the guest. This conversation is intended to share lived experience and raise awareness and should not be considered medical advice. If you have medical concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. Listener discretion is advised as this episode includes discussion of neonatal illness, medical trauma, and hospitalisation.

BONUS EPISODE : Finding Your Voice as Your Child’s Advocate Sometimes in medicine, decisions aren’t made by just one doctor. Teams come together. Surgeons, specialists, consultants — all sharing knowledge and experience to make the best possible decisions. And that matters. But there’s another voice that belongs in that room too. The parent. Because no matter how skilled the medical team is, no one knows your child the way you do. In this episode we talk about advocacy — finding the courage to speak up when something doesn’t feel right, even when you’re scared, overwhelmed, or unsure why. Not out of defiance. But out of love. Because trusting the experts and trusting your instincts can exist at the same time. Inside the Vault we share stories about navigating those moments — the uncertainty, the questions, and the strength it takes to find your voice when it matters most.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Baby loss. Some conversations stay with you long after the microphones are turned off. This was one of them. In this episode of In the Heart of the Vault, I sit down with Rochelle — a woman whose life story is layered with strength, heartbreak, love and resilience. We talk about life before everything changed. Her upbringing, relationships, marriage, and the journey that eventually led her to motherhood. After years of trying for a baby and navigating endometriosis, Rochelle and her husband were preparing to welcome their daughter Milli. But beautiful Milli’s life would last just six days. Those six days changed Rochelle forever. In this deeply honest conversation, Rochelle shares what those days looked like — the fear, the love, the moments of hope, and the unimaginable reality of saying goodbye to a child. But this conversation isn’t only about loss. It’s about remembering. Rochelle speaks about the importance of saying Milli’s name, keeping her memory alive, and creating space for other parents who have experienced the unthinkable. We also talk about how grief reshapes you. The importance and the power of trusting your own instinct . How after going through something so profound, surface-level conversations often feel impossible — and why deep, real conversations become the ones that truly matter. Out of her grief, Rochelle has created something powerful. She now runs a charity and podcast that supports families navigating baby loss — providing care packs and a safe place for parents who feel alone in their grief. Today Rochelle is also mum to beautiful Huey, who was born 10 months ago. Milli’s little brother. She shares openly about what motherhood looks like now — loving the child in your arms while still honouring Milli everyday who lives forever in your heart. This episode is raw, human and deeply moving. It’s about grief. But it’s also about love, resilience, memory and purpose. 🎧 Episode available now on In the Heart of the Vault

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Baby loss. Some conversations stay with you long after the microphones are turned off. This was one of them. In this episode of In the Heart of the Vault, I sit down with Rochelle — a woman whose life story is layered with strength, heartbreak, love and resilience. We talk about life before everything changed. Her upbringing, relationships, marriage, and the journey that eventually led her to motherhood. After years of trying for a baby and navigating endometriosis, Rochelle and her husband were preparing to welcome their daughter Milli. But beautiful Milli’s life would last just six days. Those six days changed Rochelle forever. In this deeply honest conversation, Rochelle shares what those days looked like — the fear, the love, the moments of hope, and the unimaginable reality of saying goodbye to a child. But this conversation isn’t only about loss. It’s about remembering. Rochelle speaks about the importance of saying Milli’s name, keeping her memory alive, and creating space for other parents who have experienced the unthinkable. We also talk about how grief reshapes you. The importance and the power of trusting your own instinct . How after going through something so profound, surface-level conversations often feel impossible — and why deep, real conversations become the ones that truly matter. Out of her grief, Rochelle has created something powerful. She now runs a charity and podcast that supports families navigating baby loss — providing care packs and a safe place for parents who feel alone in their grief. Today Rochelle is also mum to beautiful Huey, who was born 10 months ago. Milli’s little brother. She shares openly about what motherhood looks like now — loving the child in your arms while still honouring Milli everyday who lives forever in your heart. This episode is raw, human and deeply moving. It’s about grief. But it’s also about love, resilience, memory and purpose. 🎧 Episode available now on In the Heart of the Vault

Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide attempts, mental health, trauma and eating disorders. Please listen with care. When Ashleigh was just seven years old, her life changed forever. Her mum attempted to end her life. She survived — but the attempt caused severe brain injury, leaving her mum needing full-time care for the rest of her life. Ashleigh describes this as “the other side of suicide that nobody talks about” — what happens when the attempt doesn’t end a life, but changes many. In this deeply moving episode of In the Heart of the Vault, Ashleigh shares what it meant to grow up in the aftermath of that moment. As a child, she and her siblings were left trying to understand a reality where their mum was still alive — but no longer able to be their mum in the way they needed. Navigating childhood trauma, grief without closure. Ashleigh reflects on how those early years shaped the person she would become. Now 28years later, Ashleigh is a mother of three daughters of her own. Becoming a mum opened the door to emotions that had been stored away for more than two decades — the grief of a little girl who simply needed her mum. Through motherhood, reflection and time, Ashleigh has gained a deeper understanding of the pain her mother must have been living with, and the unimaginable darkness that can lead someone to believe the world — even their children — might be better off without them. This conversation explores: • The lifelong ripple effects of suicide attempts on families • Growing up with grief that has no clear place to land • The trauma children carry when life changes overnight • Becoming a parent while still healing from your own childhood • Finding compassion and understanding decades later Ashleigh’s story is raw, honest and deeply human. It shines a light on a part of suicide that is rarely spoken about — the lives that continue in its wake. ⸻ Support Resources If this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please reach out for support. Australia Lifeline — 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au United States 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 https://988lifeline.org United Kingdom & Ireland Samaritans — 116 123 https://www.samaritans.org

Finding Sunshine When Your World Has Fallen Apart Sometimes the hardest part of trauma… isn’t just what happened. It’s the fear of the unknown that follows. When your nervous system has lived in survival mode, it’s so easy to stay there — constantly waiting for the next thing to go wrong. In this solo episode of In the Heart of the Vault, I talk honestly about how I’ve navigated that space. People often ask me if recording these episodes makes me sad… but the truth is, this podcast has become something very different. It’s not about staying stuck in trauma. It’s about learning from extraordinary people who have faced the unimaginable and found ways to keep going. Every guest who sits in the Vault teaches me something. About resilience. About perspective. About the quiet strength humans are capable of. And the most beautiful part of this community is knowing that when someone listens and thinks “that’s exactly how I feel”… they realise they’re not alone. Sometimes that’s all we need. Just the reminder that someone else understands. And that, in itself, can feel like a big warm hug.

She Held Three Hearts Together — Through Love, Loss & Survival | Candice Randall ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide, infidelity, substance abuse, and complex medical trauma. Candice Randall was just 19 when she became a mother — and almost immediately, a medical advocate. Her eldest child has endured multiple open-heart surgeries. Her two younger children also live with heart conditions, a genetic thread running quietly through their lives. But medical trauma wasn’t the only battle Candice faced. Infidelity. Addiction. Separation. Shared parenting under strain. And then — a loss no family is ever prepared for. When her former partner died by suicide, the ripple effects reshaped everything. Including a devastating truth revealed at his funeral that added another layer of grief Candice never saw coming. In this episode, Candice opens the vault on: • Raising three children with heart conditions • Navigating betrayal and single motherhood • Addiction and its silent impact on families • Suicide loss and the long road of grief • Finding strength when life keeps asking more This is a story of endurance, truth, and a woman who kept showing up — even when her world shattered. If you’re struggling or in distress, support is available: Australia: Lifeline – 13 11 14 / https://www.lifeline.org.au/ UK: Samaritans – 116 123 / https://www.samaritans.org/ USA: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 988 / https://988lifeline.org/ Please reach out — you’re not alone.

To close out the year, I sat down with Evie. Not as a host and a guest — but as a mum with her daughter. We talk about grief, bullying, kindness, and growing up. From my perspective — and from hers, when she was right in the middle of it. This conversation is honest, raw, and full of love. FIND EVIE HERE: INSTAGRAM

NEW EPISODE — Amanda Anderson | In the Heart of the Vault 🎙️ Today’s conversation is with the incredible Amanda Anderson — public speaker, storyteller, and one of the most resilient women you will ever meet. Amanda has lived through moments that could have broken her… yet she rebuilt her life with radical honesty, humour, and a courage that hits you square in the chest. From the shock of experiencing a stroke in her 30s, to navigating life-changing family trauma, to rediscovering her voice and purpose — Amanda’s story reminds us of what the human spirit is capable of. In this episode, Amanda opens the vault on: ✨ rebuilding yourself after life shatters suddenly ✨ how trauma doesn’t define you — but it does refine you ✨ finding meaning inside the mess ✨ the power of storytelling as healing ✨ what she teaches in rooms across Australia as a public speaker ✨ how resilience is a muscle we learn to strengthen ✨ why she believes we’re all “allowed to start again” This episode is filled with gems, perspective, truth, and laughter through the pain — the kind of conversation that stays with you long after it ends. If you’re ready for a raw, uplifting, beautifully human chat… this one’s for you. https://wellbeingatwork.world/meet-the-speaker-amanda-anderson-2025/

✨ New Episode — with Amanda from @AddictionMakesthree This conversation opens the vault on the side of addiction most people never talk about — the impact it has on the partners, the families, and the people silently holding everything together behind closed doors. Amanda shares the hidden reality of living alongside someone in addiction: the chaos, the hyper-vigilance, the constant checking, the broken trust, the cancelled plans, the emotional whiplash, and the feeling of slowly losing yourself in someone else’s struggle. She speaks for anyone who has ever found themselves asking: “Is tonight going to be okay?” “Can I trust what they’re saying?” “Why do I feel like I’m the problem?” “How did their addiction turn me into someone I don’t even recognise anymore?” This episode isn’t about blaming. It’s about understanding the emotional cost of living with addiction — any addiction — and the toll it takes on your identity, your stability, and your sense of safety. It’s for the people who love deeply, carry silently, and finally reach the moment they realise: You didn’t cause it. You can’t control it. And you don’t have to lose yourself trying to fix it. 🎧 Listen now on In The Heart of the Vault Available on Spotify

This conversation hit differently. You know those episodes where it doesn’t feel like an interview — it feels like two women sitting together, soul-to-soul, honouring the truth of what life can take… and what it can give back? Phoebe Stuart’s life changed in a single moment. First year of uni. Healthy. Happy. Future laid out in front of her. Then — an unexpected medical emergency that placed her in ICU for five weeks and set off a chain of consequences most of us can’t imagine living through. Phoebe became a triple amputee. She was left legally blind. Her body was burned, traumatised, reshaped. And then… she rebuilt everything. She became a lawyer. A public speaker. A mentor. A mother. A woman who leads with grace, humour, perspective and fire. This isn’t a story about tragedy — it’s a story about choosing life every day, even when life doesn’t look like what you planned. It is one of the most open, honest, belly-to-belly conversations I’ve had inside In the Heart of the Vault . I walked away changed — and I know you will too. 🎧 Episode now live. Please listen. Please share. Someone you know needs her story. https://www.instagram.com/phoebsgram?igsh=cTd5dGpkYTZlb2Vt

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of domestic and gender-based violence, including physical assault. Please take care while listening. Support service links are provided below. In this deeply moving episode, Simone O’Brien shares her journey of survival after a brutal act of domestic violence that almost took her life. What happened to Simone is confronting — but what she’s done since is extraordinary. From fighting for her recovery to becoming a national advocate and public speaker, Simone has transformed unthinkable pain into powerful purpose. https://www.simoneobrien.com.au/ Today, she uses her voice to raise awareness, to educate, and to remind survivors that there is life after violence. Her message is one of strength, hope, and unwavering courage. This is not just a story about what was taken from her — it’s a story about what she rebuilt, and the lives she continues to touch. If this episode brings up any feelings for you, please reach out. You are not alone. 💛 This episode of “In the Heart of the Vault” was created to honour stories that matter, amplify voices that deserve to be heard, and shine light where silence once lived. ⸻ 🌏 Support Services & Helplines 🇦🇺 Australia – 1800RESPECT (https://www.1800respect.org.au/) — 1800 737 732 (24/7 National Helpline) 🇳🇿 New Zealand – Shine Helpline (https://www.2shine.org.nz/) — 0508 744 633 🇬🇧 United Kingdom – National Domestic Abuse Helpline (https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/) — 0808 2000 247 🇺🇸 United States – National Domestic Violence Hotline (https://www.thehotline.org/) — 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call emergency services (000 in Australia, 111 in New Zealand, 999 in the UK, or 911 in the US).

In this powerful episode, Margot Priestly opens up about the nightmare her family has endured. When her step-children’s mother was sentenced for murdering her partner, it might have seemed like an ending — but for Margot, the ripple effect was only beginning. Despite a life sentence, parental control remained, leaving Margot and her family to navigate the ongoing impact of domestic violence and its echoes long after the verdict

In this powerful episode, Margot Priestly opens up about the nightmare her family has endured. When her step-children’s mother was sentenced for murdering her partner, it might have seemed like an ending — but for Margot, the ripple effect was only beginning. Despite a life sentence, parental control remained, leaving Margot and her family to navigate the ongoing impact of domestic violence and its echoes long after the verdict