Short Black with Sandra Sully

There's a lot more poverty in Australia than people realise, according to Yolanda Saiz. And she should know. As CEO of the St Vincent De Paul Society in New South Wales, Yolanda sees first-hand every day the toll the current cost of living crisis is taking on everyday Australians. One of the largest providers of homeless and domestic services in NSW, Vinnie's is now more needed than ever, with a staggering one in three people turning to the organisation for help. And with a high number of the people who were making donations now in need of those donations themselves, how hard is it to raise funds? Yolanda talks about being the first-ever female CEO of the organisation in NSW, and how she stays on top of innovation and best practice to lead Vinnie's to be able to help those who need it most. You can find out more about St Vincent's, and how you can help, here - https://www.vinnies.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tara Moss had it all. A former model and the successful author of 14 bestselling books, hers was a glamorous life. Until eight years ago when she was struck down by Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, a debilitating chronic pain condition for which there is no cure. She was told by numerous doctors that she would never recover, that being wheelchair bound and unable to do anything by herself was the way it would always be. But Tara has never been one to resist a challenge and now, after eight long years – and against all the odds – she is in remission. In one of the first interviews she has given in Australia since receiving the good news, she opens up to Sandra about how tough the last eight years have really been for her and her family, and the sheer joy of being able to walk unaided once more and do the things that she thought she never would again. You can find out more about Tara, her books, and her disability and pain advocacy here - https://www.taramoss.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sandra had the privilege recently of being the Master of Ceremonies for the first day of the Women in Media conference held in Sydney. The day was a source of great inspiration, with an array of remarkable speakers, and here are some of Sandra's highlights. First we hear from Taryn Brumfitt, whose 10-year campaign into body positivity resulted in her being named the 2022 Australian of the Year. You can find out more about Taryn's Body Image Movement here: https://bodyimagemovement.com. Later there was a panel discussion about the Business of Media with four powerhouses of the Australian media industry, namely: - Beverley McGarvey, EVP, Chief Content Officer and head of Paramount plus and Paramount ANZ - Jane Huxley, CEO of Are media - Amanda Lang, Chief Commercial and Content Officer of the Foxtel group - Mia Freedman, co founder and Chief Creative Officer of Mamamia And asking the tough questions is renowned journalist and author Anita Jacoby AM   You can find out more about Women in Media and the work it does, here: https://www.womeninmedia.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jelena Dokic had a phenomenal tennis career. But it was what happened off the court and her decision, years later, to talk openly about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father that has seen her constantly in the public eye. Having been raised to be silent, Jelena found her voice six years ago and wrote her first book, Unbreakable. Since then, she has made it her mission to speak up for those who can't. There is no denying her courage, her tenacity and her drive to open up the conversation around mental health and domestic abuse. As her second book hits the shelves, she sits down with Sandra for an open, honest and raw conversation, in which Jelena not only shows us how our story makes us stronger, but also that she is, in fact, Fearless. If you are in Australia and need support, please reach out to any of the following: 1800Respect - 1800 737 732 / 1800respect.org.auLifeline - 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue - 1300 22 4637 / beyondblue.org.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sally Dowling SC is the first woman to be appointed Director of Public Prosecutions for New South Wales. Sally is only the fourth person to hold this role, and one of only a few female DPPs in Australia. Previously she served as a Crown Prosecutor and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2013. In that role she appeared as lead counsel in more than 300 appeals in the High Court and the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal. Two years into her 10-year term, she sits down with Sandra to talk about the impact of sexual harassment on her career, the role of the media – and social media - in justice, her focus on the First Nations community, and why managing the mental health of her prosecutors is key. And what advice does she have for young lawyers just starting out?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the challenges and setbacks she has faced over the last few years, including seeing her beloved business collapse not once, but twice, Kristina Karlsson has managed to find a new sense of purpose and passion. Previously known for revolutionising the stationery world through her successful Scandi-inspired company kikki.k, Kristina has come bouncing back with even more determination and a new venture that encourages us all to live our Dream Life. She talks Sandra through what she describes as the perfect storm of events and how she managed to turn the most challenging of times into an opportunity, and reminds us why it's important to remember to dream big and aim high. Find out more about Kristina and her latest venture here: https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On average men in Australia retire with a lot more superannuation than women, about 35% more. That's a staggering amount. But it seems that money is still a taboo subject, and most women would rather talk to their friends and colleagues about sex than about their finances. Someone who is trying to break that taboo is Christina Hobbs, who has made it her mission to make us better with our money. Christina is the CEO and co-founder of Verve Super, which is Australia's first ethical super fund established by women for women. Through Verve she is opening up the conversation and providing support to help women take control of their finances, build their wealth and ultimately close the savings gap. You can find out more about Christina and Verve Super here - https://vervesuper.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Karla Lopez is a forensic psychologist and is currently using her skills to track down fugitives on the Australian version of the popular TV show Hunted. But what does a forensic psychologist do? Karla and Sandra tackle a range of topics from Australia's youth crime crisis to AI to coping mechanisms, as well as her top tips for staying safe – and keeping our children safe – online. And what are the things we do that give us away every time? Are we really creatures of habit? Karla knows what makes us tick, find out what makes her tick. https://10play.com.au/huntedSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's all about Mary today! Mary Konstantopoulos is a passionate advocate for women in sport. Ten years ago she founded sport media company Ladies Who League, and since then she has broadened the conversation with Ladies Who Leap, Ladies Who Legspin, Ladies Who Lineout and Ladies Who W-League. She's also a lawyer and sits on the board of Hockey Australia. Mary opens up about dealing with the pressures of social media, finding the courage to tackle the difficult issues, and levelling the playing field to elevate more women to board level. Find out more about Mary and Ladies Who here: https://ladieswho.com.au/league/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Returning to Australia a decade ago, Maryjane McKibbin-Schwenke saw many changes. With her husband Fred she established the Matavai Cultural Arts Centre in Sydney to promote community and connection to Pacific culture, helping people of all ages learn about themselves and their history through dance and music and sharing stories. As well as strengthening identity and confidence through cultural arts Maryjane is a strong advocate for issues that affect the Pacific community both in Australia and abroad, including climate change, education and loss of cultural knowledge. Maryjane talks to Sandra about everything from the importance of community, the stress and trauma of living through the harsh Covid lockdowns in Western Sydney and the impact that had on the younger community, her role in the new Bilas exhibition at the Australian Museum, and the realities of feeling unseen. Find out more about Maryjane and Matavai here: https://matavai.com.au And the Bilas exhibition here: https://australian.museumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andie Halas is one of the unsung heroes of the fashion industry. With fashion waste continuing to be a massive issue worldwide, Andie saw the potential in giving unsold clothing that would normally end up in landfill to people in need – providing the most ethical solution to fashion excess. Just over a decade ago she set up Thread Together to make that happen in Australia, giving those in need the dignity and choice to get on with their lives by giving them access to new clothing. Fast forward to today, and more than 1,000 partners have come on board, to date repurposing 5.6 million pieces of clothing waste to the men and women who need it most. More than one million items were distributed in 2022 alone. Find out more about Andie and Thread Together, and how to donate or become a volunteer, here - https://threadtogether.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Manasi Mittinty's interest in pain management and living with pain started as a child, after suffering an accident which left her with third-degree burns and ongoing chronic pain. Dr Mittinty now leads benchmark research in a number of key areas including developing scales for improved assessment and management of chronic pain for Indigenous Australian communities. She talks to Sandra about what Western civilisation can learn from studies like these, the spiritual connection between pain and trauma and how you can separate emotional pain from physical pain. Dr Mittinty is also passionate about achieving mental health equity through individualised patient care programs, especially with children and younger people. Her outstanding work has led to her being recognised in Australia and overseas, and last year she was named the Emerging Leader in Health at the 2022 Women's Agenda Leadership Awards.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kat Stewart has been a familiar face on Australian stage and screen for a number of years now. The award-winning actress is probably best known for her roles in the television series Offspring, Underbelly and Five Bedrooms, which is just starting its fourth season. But who is Kat Stewart when she's not being someone else? Kat opens up to Sandra about the fame game, the pain of losing her mum, and the importance of telling women's stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josie Clarke is a true force of nature. She's on a mission to give people from regional and rural areas with a disability a voice, and create opportunities for them to be able to work in the agricultural industry. Josie's dad became a paraplegic as a result of an accident on the family's farm when she was five and it was this, together with the realisation years later that there was a lack of disability support groups in the ag industry, that led to her founding Ability Agriculture. Her dream is for Ability Agriculture to one day be recognised as the representative voice for disability in the agriculture sector. Find out more about Josie and Ability Agriculture here - https://abilityagriculture.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What kind of leader are you? Do you lead with your head or your heart? From joining the Royal Australian Air Force at 17 to being acting chair of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Kirstin Ferguson has learnt a thing or two about what it takes to be a good leader. Kirstin, an author, company director and columnist, talks to Sandra about how you can work out your own leadership style, what the attributes of a great leader are, the importance of perspective, and why it's not just how you are at work but your leadership at home that counts too. As she says – you are a leader, you probably just don't know it yet! You can find out more about Kirstin, her work, and her book Head & Heart: The Art Of Modern Leadership here - https://www.kirstinferguson.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Faith Agugu could never understand the negativity surrounding ageing for women in Western society, especially as in her native Africa the oldest person is always the most revered. She decided to do something about it, and Silver Sirens was born. Silver Sirens is all about redefining ageing, and provides a platform for women to rewrite this negative narrative and redirect energy to themselves. In this frank, funny and honest look at ageing, Faith talks to Sandra about topics including what she's enjoying about getting older, how psychotherapy works, the importance of community, and how we can change the stigma around menopause and ageing. You can find out more about Faith and her work here – https://www.silversirens.org and https://www.thehealingprocess.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You could say Buds & Beads was born out of love and friendship. Founders Jo Thomas and Karina Barry have been best buddies for more than half their lives and, when the opportunity presented itself, jumped at the chance to try something new. Launching the business in late 2022 with a range of 17 loose-leaf teas and three sparkling, their sparkling tea is the first of its kind in Australia and is already winning awards. They talk to Sandra about everything from choosing the right tea varieties to finding the first major customer, what it's like going into business with your best friend, and what they have learned about themselves along the way, Find out more about Buds and Beads here - https://budsandbeads.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Season 5 of Short Black! Rosemary Kariuki's joie de vivre is infectious. She is so vivacious it's hard to believe that she fled her native Kenya to escape from family abuse and political unrest. Now happily settled in Australia, she is the Multicultural Liaison Officer for NSW Police and spends her time helping migrants overcome situations including isolation, financial stress, domestic violence and, of course, language barriers. Her remarkable work in this field has led to her being named the 2021 Local Hero in the Australian Of The Year Awards, and the following year she was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Rosemary has a big heart and a big smile, and we are very excited to share her story with you as we launch the new season of Short Black.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Best Interview podcast will be back in 2023See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natassia Nicolao is a young woman who's making waves – without water. Natassia is the winner of this year's Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future award and the founder and director of Conserving Beauty, Australia's first waterless beauty brand. She is using her background in science to generate less waste and reduce the beauty industry's water footprint. With most beauty products currently made up of 70-90 per cent water, that's no small task. Conserving Beauty creates products that use no water and leave no waste and the company has recently launched the world's first disposable make-up wipes. Natassia has also formed Australia's first all-female board of directors, and counts Elle MacPherson as one of her closest friends. And she's only 28! You can find out more about Natassia's vision here: https://www.conservingbeauty.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruna Papandrea is an Australian success story. From humble beginnings in South Australia, her love of telling stories has seen her become one of the most successful producers in Hollywood today. She is a master of adaption and, with her production company Made Up Stories, has brought us hits including Penguin Bloom, Anatomy Of A Scandal and Nine Perfect Strangers. Always on the lookout for something different, Bruna recently made her first foray into unscripted television with the reality show Undressed. So what did she learn about herself along the way?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Veena Sahajwalla is the queen of recycling. The 2022 NSW Australian of the Year pioneers research into waste destined for landfill, literally turning trash into treasure. Her revolutionary green steel and green ceramics are being used in building and construction developments around Australia and overseas. A materials scientist, engineer and inventor, Professor Veena also developed the world's first e-waste micro factory. She is the founding director of the Sustainable Materials Research & Technology (SMaRT) Centre at the University of New South Wales. You can find out more about Professor Veena's work and the SMaRT Centre here: https://www.smart.unsw.edu.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erica Berchtold moved from the bricks and mortar world of fashion to take over the reins as CEO of one of Australia's top online retailers, The Iconic. In the few short years Erica has been there, The Iconic has dealt with covid and doubled the size of its business. She talks to Sandra about the importance of customer service, and why curiosity plays a big part in progress. You can find out more about The Iconic here: https://www.theiconic.com.au/playbook/storySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Rebecca Johnson is one of Australia's most valuable exports. A scientist whose passions include STEM and wildlife conservation, Rebecca was the first woman to hold the Chief Scientist role at the Australian Museum. She is currently Chief Scientist and Associate Director of Science at The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The Smithsonian is the largest museum of natural history in the world and houses an incredible 148 million specimens and objects. So how did a girl from South Australia's Yorke Peninsula end in up Washington DC? You can find out more about Rebecca here: https://www.drrebeccaj.com  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Livingstone is one of Australia's most decorated swimmers, winning the 50m, 100m and 200m Australian long-course backstroke titles when she was only 15. She has represented Australia at three Olympic Games and also won a record-breaking 10 consecutive 100m backstroke titles between 1987 and 1996. After retiring from competitive swimming Nicole moved into commentating and sports administration, and in 2017 she was appointed General Manager of Women's Football (AFLW). She is the first woman to lead the sport and in five years it has grown from eight teams to a record 18 this year, making it currently the single biggest employer of professional female athletes in the country. As she says, AFLW is turning the dream of women playing elite football into a reality.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anita Jacoby is one of Australia's top TV producers. From producing iconic shows including 60 Minutes, Enough Rope, Weekend Sydney, Today and The Gruen Transfer to heading up ITV Studios in Australia, she has been exposing the truth about other people for more than 30 years. A born storyteller, Anita had the surprise of her life to find the most fascinating tale she'd ever heard was actually her own father's. This episode contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TV presenter and radio host Myf Warhurst is arguably one of the most respected music experts in Australia and is probably best known for her role as team captain on the much-loved music quiz show Spicks and Specks, but her voice can also be heard in an iconic animated children's series. From regional Victoria to Eurovision, she opens up to Sandra about her illustrious career, her love of architecture and how she recently discovered she was very nearly related to the singer John Farnham.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stacy Jane is an incredibly inspiring and courageous woman. Moving countries after fleeing an abusive relationship, she used her experiences to help others by founding Escabags. Escabags provides ‘escape bags', handmade tote bags containing essential items that a victim and his or her children would need when first leaving a dangerous or abusive situation. In two short years, about 5,000 escape bags have been collected. Escabags are now available in 1,000 locations around Australia, a figure that's growing by the week. Stacy talks openly about her experiences, and how what began as therapeutic sewing to help her PTSD turned into a successful charity. You can find about more about Escabags and how you can help here: www.escabags.org CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses domestic violence. We acknowledge this can be triggering for some listeners. If you are in Australia and need support, please reach out to any of the following: 1800Respect - 1800 737 732 / 1800respect.org.auLifeline - 13 11 14 / lifeline.org.auBeyond Blue - 1300 22 4637 / beyondblue.org.au In an emergency, or if you are not feeling safe, call the police on 000.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa McGuigan is a fourth-generation winemaker from Australia's Hunter Valley.  A true force of nature, she is known for her distinctive Gothic style and her unique metallic wine labels. From finishing school in Switzerland to opening the cellar door of her dreams (in a pandemic), Lisa opens up about how winemaking wasn't her first love and the challenges of being recognised as a winemaker in her own right. As she says, life's too short not to drink good wine. You can find out more about Lisa and her wines here: www.lisamcguiganwines.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Launched just before Covid brought the world to a standstill, the timing actually proved just right for Jessica Brown's Warrior Woman Foundation. Through the Foundation Jessica is making a massive difference to the lives of at-risk and vulnerable women, providing mentoring and education programs to help them live safely and independently. Jessica's goal is for every Australian woman to achieve independence through, among other things, financial wellbeing, especially younger women transitioning out of the welfare and education systems. Jess opens up about starting a charitable organisation from scratch, the extra challenges brought about by being in lockdown for so long, and the overwhelming support she has received from other women. As she says, magic happens when women work together. https://warriorwoman.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who is Nicola Forrest? Mother, philanthropist and country girl at heart, Nicola has largely flown under the radar – until now. From walking two steps behind her husband, mining magnate Andrew ‘Twiggy' Forrest, Nicola has now stepped out into her own light. The co-founder and co-chair of the Minderoo Foundation is passionate about bettering the lives of our children and helping them reach their full potential, and through her Women For Progress and Thrive By Five initiatives is campaigning for, among other things, affordable early childhood learning and an end to the gender pay gap. This episode does talk about the loss of a child which may be upsetting for some listeners. If you, or anyone you know, is in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can find out more about the Minderoo Foundation, Women For Progress and Thrive By Five on these websites: www.minderoo.org https://thrivebyfive.org.au  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 15 years in the corporate space, Michelle Bowditch went from being an employee to running her own business. She created Door 20a after seeing a need to help women understand the tech side of business. A self-confessed tech lover, Michelle now uses her passion for technology to help women in business and Executive Assistants to get ahead. A former EA herself, she recently founded the Australian Admin Awards to celebrate these unsung heroes of the business world. Find out more about Michelle here - https://door20a.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lenore Taylor is one of Australia's best-known journalists. In this open and honest conversation, the two-time Walkley winner opens up about her illustrious career, from meeting Sandra in the Press Gallery in Canberra 30 years ago to her current role as editor of Guardian Australia, overcoming impostor syndrome (is that possible?) and the changing face of media. And what role does Tik Tok play in the future of journalism? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natalie Walker has an impressive resume and has held positions in human rights and Indigenous affairs in the not-for-profit, corporate and government sectors. The founder of Inside Policy, she was the inaugural CEO of Supply Nation, has represented Australia in the G20 Women Business Leaders Taskforce and was recently appointed Social Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission. Natalie also holds non-executive director positions with Goodstart Early Learning and the Paul Ramsay Foundation, among others. She is passionate about universal childcare and believes it should be accessible to all children. After all it is, as she says, the best investment in the future of our country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are some of your friendships actually bad for you and your health? Neuropsychologist Dr Hannah Korrel has spent the last 10 or so years figuring out why our brain makes us do the things we do. Drawing on some of her own experiences, Hannah has written a book about navigating friendships - and knowing when to let go. She talks to Sandra about toxic friendships, what makes a good friend, and why some friendships are more emotionally draining than others. How many friends do you really need? https://hannahkorrel.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Colleen Callander started her first job in fashion retail at 16, she had no idea it would be the start of a 30-year career that would lead to her being CEO of two of Australia's most iconic fashion brands, Sussan and Sportsgirl. Now a successful mentor and author, Colleen has made it her mission to help shape the new era of female leadership. https://www.colleencallander.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since founding Australia for UNHCR 20 years ago, Naomi Steer has certainly made her mark on the world of philanthropy. Naomi is a passionate advocate for refugees, and under her leadership the agency has grown to be one of the UNHCR's 10 top private-sector contributors worldwide. She talks to Sandra about philanthropy and the detrimental affect the pandemic has had on already-difficult situations for refugee women and their families. Find out more about Australia for UNHCR here: https://www.unrefugees.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the last episode of our special series highlighting the finalists of this year's Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future Awards, Sandra talks to Hannah Diviney from Missing Perspectives. Missing Perspectives was formed as a global publication platform with one mission - to address the under-representation of women and girls in news worldwide by teaching them journalistic skills and helping them find their voice. Here's where you can find out more about Missing Perspectives: https://www.missingperspectives.com You can find out more about some of the causes mentioned in this podcast here: https://cerebralpalsy.org.au https://www.krazykosciklimb.com.au https://www.change.org/p/disney-create-a-disney-princess-with-disabilities See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the penultimate episode of our series highlighting the finalists of this year's Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future Awards, Sandra talks to Mannie Kaur Verma from Veera.   Taking its name from the Punjabi term meaning ‘brave girl', Veera was set up to assist migrant women in Australia who are the victims of domestic and family violence    Find out more about Veera here: www.veera.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the fourth of our series highlighting the finalists of the Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future Awards, Sandra talks to Angelique Wan, co-founder and director of Consent Labs. Identifying the growing need to change the culture around sexual consent, Consent Labs‘ mission is to help reduce the high rates of sexual harassment and assault on young people in Australia. The not-for-profit organisation does this through education, delivering programs to schools and tertiary institutions around the country, as well as to parents and educators. Find out more about Consent Labs here: https://www.consentlabs.org.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing our series highlighting the finalists of this year's Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future Awards, this time Sandra talks to the founders of JAM The Label, Emma Clegg and Molly Rogers. It was through their work as occupational therapists that Emma and Molly realised there was a real need for inclusive clothing for young people with disability. They set up JAM The Label to ensure that young people with disability have access to clothing that's fashionable as well as functional. Find out more about JAM here - https://jamthelabel.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second of our series highlighting the finalists of this year's Australian Women's Weekly Women Of The Future Awards, Sandra talks to the founders of She Runs, Martina Ucnikova & Jessica Smith.   Based in Western Australia, She Runs is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to empower women to be at the forefront of political life and civil society in Australia, by providing the skills they need to run their own successful campaigns.   Find out more about She Runs here - https://www.sheruns.org.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.