My Social Support Network

Here we are with Episode 2 of Regain Control, the guide to taking your life back, getting back out there, while helping you feel well, beat pain and more! This time, My Social Support Network's very own Paula Billig takes us through how to beat pain, and it's partly about learning how to breath. Most people find that hard to believe, but scientific pain management uses breathing as a key way to cope with pain - and here's your first level access pass! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2025 is a year of inspiration, so today we start our series on Regaining Control. How to take your life back, how to get back out there, how to feel well, beat pain and more! My Social Support Network's very own Paula Billig takes us through the first part of our programme, and along with this episode, you'll also see part 1 of there series up today as well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our second episode of Season 2, Dr Caroline Howe (founder of My Social Support Network) takes us through the very real changes we see in our bodies after an injury. This is very common, especially due to the added effects of damage to the Vagus nerve and the increase of cortisol in the systems of injured workers. This is also available through the new My Social Support Network programme "Regain Control", an 8-week reset for your mind and body. Register at www.mssn.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we hear from Dr Caroline Howe, Founder of My Social Support Network (MSSN), as she takes us through the year ahead for the podcast, how MSSN works to support and encourage our members to heal and feel safe to get back to work via the Social Cognitive Career Theory. This year we will be changing things up by bringing inspirational and lived experience stories to you, giving you strength to heal, strength to grow and strength to thrive. For more information on My Social Support Network, go to www.mssn.com.au or contact us on info@mssn.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is our third episode in the Summer Series, and this time we're revisiting Dr Caroline Howe's interview with Bernadette Redford from the Salvation Army "Money Care" Team. Originally aired as Episode 4 - Financial Support for Injured Workers, Bernadette will talk us through some practical advice around financial counselling, getting on top of debt, and acting sooner rather than later! We also have a short clip from Episode 16 - Burnout - From Wounded to Warrior where Dr Caroline Howe is in conversation with Alicia Gibbs, who takes us through the effects burnout can have on your ability to return to work, plus how to avoid burnout in the first place. For more on Salvation Army's Money Care, you can access that information here: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/financial-assistance/moneycare-financial-counselling/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the second episode of our best-of Summer Series while the MSSN Team take a break and prepare for more episodes in 2025. In this episode, Dr Caroline Howe speaks with Kevin Sawers from the Walker Law Group about worker's rights as they make their way through the Worker's Compensation Scheme. Navigating this process can be very challenging and confusing, but with Kevin's knowledge we can decode a lot of this confusion. If you would like to listen to this full episode, then this can be found as Episode 2 of the My Social Support Network podcast. We have also provided a short clip from Episode 13, where Dr Caroline Howe speaks to Scott Dougall, Personal Injury specialist from Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the first episode of our best-of Summer Series while the MSSN Team take a break and prepare for more episodes in 2025. In this episode we take a short look back at Dr Caroline Howe's conversation with Dr Tania Gardner to discuss chronic pain management and the idea of joy in recovery. We also have a short preview of another interview you may be interested in, our chat with MSSN member Alex and his journey with PTSD. To listen to the longer versions of both episodes, you can access them here: https://mssn.com.au/my-social-support-network-for-injured-workers-by-injured-workers-podcast/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caring for somone isolated through injury or illness is a full time job - and this job, more often than not, falls to family members. A wife, a husband or partner, a child or sibling, these are the silent compassionate people who care, but it's not an easy road. In this episode My Social Support Network founder Dr Caroline Howe speaks with the Mitchells and the Smiths, who despite having very different situations, find common experiences taking care of their partners, injured at work. If you would like to take part in the MSSN Carer Programme, please email us at info@mssn.com.au, as we will be running a pilot programme in 2025 for carers and partners who would like to talk, laugh and find commonality with others in their situation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stigma can play a large part in increasing the suffering of an injured or sick person. Often they feel like they are being judged, or letting the side down, and when they do return to work, will they be treated the same way. In this episode Dr Caroline Howe speaks to Libi Stone - Occupational Rehabilitation Leader and Senior Rehabilitation Consultant - in a wide ranging conversation encompassing stigma, the role of anxiety, how the medical heirarchy and Case Managers help (and sometimes don't) in Workers Compensation, plus how to combat stigma, regain your confidence and see through to the other side. They are joined by members of the My Social Support Network who share their experiences with stigma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's episode is a special presentation by Dr Caroline Howe, founder of My Social Support Network, on not only how to avoid burnout, but also an exploration of Trauma Informed Therapy. Recent studies with PTSD and trauma patients, show that both EMDR and Trauma Therapy, supported by other practises, show amazing recovery results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you feel so many things have changed in your life and that you've lost everything, it's very hard to see outside your situation, see that you are more than your job, or your former ability. In this episode, MSSN founder Dr Caroline Howe speaks to Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, about his journey about rebuilding his life from a point where he thought he had lost everything. The is a story of hope, of shifting perspectives and how to not only move forward, but to thrive!  For more on Warren Davies' story, his website www.theunbreakablefarmer.com.au has more on his story and the work he is doing to help fix communities and individuals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burnout is the modern curse of the workplace. Most often seen in the most diligent of workers, burnout is a major impediment to a happy and balanced work life. Even more so, burnout is a huge concern for people returning to work after a workplace injury who are now facing the prospect of reinjury. In this episode, Dr Caroline Howe is in conversation with Alicia Gibbs, who takes us through the effects burnout can have on your ability to return to work, plus how to avoid burnout in the first place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people go through Worker's Compensation, or any insurance claim, they are assigned a Case Manager (sometimes called a Claims Manager). Together, the injured worker and the Case Manager are supposed to work through the process together to see a healthier worker return to the workforce. So what's it like being a Case Manager, what are the pressures and how do they see working with injured workers? In this episode, Dr Caroline Howe is in conversation with Alicia Gibbs, who has a long history as a Rehabilitation Expert and also a Case Manager, who also trains Case Managers. Her insights give us an understanding that we otherwise don't get access to.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During times of injury or sickness, it is not unusual for people to turn to self-medication. The most common forms are food, alcohol and drugs - but this can be a slippery slope and end up in addiction, which as we all know can be very dangerous.   On this episode, MSSN Founder Dr Caroline Howe speaks with Zoe Cook, creator of the Pink Cloud app, which works to assist women to combat the use of alcohol addiction while also creating a community of supportive people available to help.   Pink Cloud: iOS and Android. Zoe also mentioned a screening tool - Pink Cloud would be appropriate for those with a score of 8 or more: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test  Also during the interview, Zoe mentioned an app that will assist people with opiod addiction issues called TaperMate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are so many questions when you're on Worker's Compensation - it can feel like a full time job! When it comes to doing the right thing with your Certificate of Capacity, knowing your rights with Independent Medical Consultants, and the ultimate goal of returning to work, getting good advice can be difficult, especially if it seems like a lot of legal gibberish!   In this week's episode, MSSN Founder, Dr Caroline Howe speaks with Scott Dougall, partner at Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers and a Personal Injury specialist and expert litigator about simplifying some of the more complicated aspects of making your way through these processes.   If you feel you need legal advice, the Independent Review Office is there for you: https://iro.nsw.gov.au/find-lawyers To contact Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers: https://www.codea.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recovering from an injury is, more often than not, isolating. Some people reach out at this time for companionship from an animal, a friend who can give comfort and love when the world seems all too hard. So what is the best pet for you and how do you go about choosing your new lifelong companion? Dr Caroline Howe is joined by hosts of the upcoming Yap and Yarn podcast, Nursed Angie and Dr Reiko for a fun chat about pets as therapy and finding your perfect non-human companion! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dealing with pain through injury, whether it be physical or psychological pain, is a major part of the day to day difficulties for anyone dealing with an injury. Adding pain to stress, isolation and uncertainty brings with it a bevvy of complications, but what if there was a way to work through that pain without yet more medication. Dr Tania Gardner is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at Sydney School of Health Sciences and Senior Physiotherapist in the Department of Pain Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital. She joins My Social Support Network's founder Dr Caroline Howe to discuss chronic pain management and the idea of joy in recovery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Total and Permanent Disability? If you have sustained a serious work injury and you are unable to work, are you eligible?   Today we are joined in conversation with Dr Caroline Howe and members of the My Social Support Network by David Coorey from Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers to talk about how and if you might qualify for TPD, what it is and where the money comes from...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For some workers with injury, PTSD (or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) plays a dominant part.    The Mayo Clinic in the U.S. describes PTSD thus: "The condition may last months or years, with triggers that can bring back memories of the trauma accompanied by intense emotional and physical reactions. Symptoms may include nightmares or flashbacks, avoidance of situations that bring back the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, anxiety or depressed mood."   In today's episode we are joined by MSSN member Alex in conversation with MSSN Founder, Dr Caroline Howe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During this week's episode we spoke to Siddhi Shakti from Soul Light Energetic Healing about how meditation, sound healing and yoga has been incredibly beneficial for people going through trauma and PTSD. As promised, here is the 5 minute sound healing session so you can practice sound healing any-time, any-where.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studies in the US have shown meditation, sound healing and yoga has been incredibly beneficial for people going through trauma and PTSD. In this episode, we speak with Siddhi Shakti from Soul Light Energetic Healing, and she gives us a demonstration of her guided healing session for you to try. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our second MSSN Member Chat, we hear from other members about how they have had positive change come from their injuries, plus how they find positives in the every day that help recovery and mental wellness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part Two of our series on Transition to Working, we look at the paths forward, how to regain confidence, build your self esteem and find strength. Last episode we looked at barriers like reinjury, return to bullying, fear of failure and even the very loaded term "Return To Work". In todays episode MSSN Founder Caroline Howe is joined by MSSN Career Transition Experts Vicki Simpson and Corey Williams who will take us through ways to rebuild yourself and take control of your life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For someone transition to working, there are many fears - reinjury, return to bullying, and of course fear of failure. Whether it be a physical or mental injury, the loaded term "Return To Work" can be a true impediment to the goal we all want to achieve.  In todays episode we are joined by MSSN Specialists Rhonda Kellaway and Vicki Simpson  who will take us through the common obstacles to returning to work, plus we hear the real fear and emotions as members of My Social Support Network give a rare glimpse into their raw thoughts and trepidation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing money when you have a smaller income due to injury can be difficult. Research shows the increase in stress around finances puts a strain on relationships and also stress levels - detrimental to recovery. In this episode we are joined by Bernadette Redford from the Salvation Army "Money Care" Team who will talk us through some practical advice around financial counselling, getting on top of debt, and acting sooner rather than later!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, you will meet some of the members of the My Social Support Network and hear their varied experiences. Through sharing, we hope to give encouragement and inspiration to those going through a tough time as they recover from a workplace injury. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honour of our launch this week, we present a special second episode with Kevin Sawers from Walkers Law Group in conversation with MSSN founder, Caroline Howe. Kevin uncovers some of the legal talk to give practical advice as you make your way through managing an injury while on Worker's Compensation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the first episode of the My Social Support Network podcast, a series to guide you along your path to recovery while on Worker's Compensation.   In this series we will answer questions from you and provide information from experts and people with lived experience currently going through Workers Compensation, and those who have made their way to the other side.   Through these interactions we will be giving you tools, advice, but mostly importantly encouragement on what can be a stressful time when you're also recovery from an injury sustained in your workplace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.