Podcasts about Auslan

Sean Sweeney on the complications and joys of growing up as a a hearing child in a deaf family, using Auslan, a distinctively Australian sign language.In his twenties, Sean rebelled against the deaf world, and began to look for a new life in the hearing one.But after eighteen years, he returned. He found work as an interpreter at TAFE, and he met his future wife.In 2019, Sean became well known for interpreting from English to Auslan for Australia's Rural Fire Service during Australia's Bushfire Emergency.The episode of Conversations explores family, Auslan, interpreting, bushfire emergency, family, CODA

This Week At Windsor, we sit down with Janelle Keys—photographer, newly published author, graphic designer, and business owner! Janelle shares her journey of working for herself for so many years, stepping into a graphic design role at church, and how creativity has shaped her life. We talk about her deep admiration for Walt Disney, her recent trip to Disneyland, and the joys and challenges of watching her children grow up while trusting God with their future.

Sam speaks to Associate Professor Louisa Willoughby, senior lecturer in linguistics at Monash University, about tactile Auslan and a series of workshops run by Monash through a short course for practitioners of Auslan looking to better serve the needs of the deafblind community. We also hear from Powerd Media's Emma Myers, who catches up with CEO of Children and Young People with Disability, Skye Kakoschke-Moore, to give her thoughts on what she hopes to see in this week's federal budget regarding measures to benefit Australians with disabilities.Support this Vision Australia Radio program: https://www.visionaustralia.org/donate?src=radio&type=0&_ga=2.182040610.46191917.1644183916-1718358749.1627963141See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deaf Connect is Australia's largest provider of Auslan, Australian Sign Language, and the largest employer of deaf Australians. Marni Roper spoke with the CEO of Deaf Connect, Brett Casey, with the assistance of his Auslan interpreter, Duke Moolenaar. Support the show: https://donate.2rph.org.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After four wonderful, insightful, fun years full of many great converstaions between ourselves and some incredible guests we have decided the time has come to take a break!! In todays episode we catch up on where we are at, what has been happening and the reason for a much needed holiday from the pod!! Thanks for listening to us and joining us on this wild journey :) Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  YoutubeMore about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast, Dr Carly Lassig (DSQ's Lead Education Consultant) interviews Dr Emma Watkins, also known as Emma Memma (previously known as the Yellow Wiggle). This interview came about in response to the increasing interest from schools in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and Key Word Sign (a visual communication approach that adds signs, borrowed from Auslan, to spoken words), and the DSQ's Education Team's observations of how music is such an effective way to teach children signing. Emma tells us about the development of Emma Memma, which teaches Auslan through music and movement, and is based on her PhD research. We learn about what first motivated Emma to learn to sign and how she continues to develop her Auslan skills and understanding of Deaf culture. We also discuss some considerations for introducing signing in schools.This podcast is a production of Down Syndrome Queensland.If you have a question, would like more information on any of our episodes, or have suggestions for future topics, send us an email - engagement@downsyndrome.qld.org.au.For more information please visit the DSQ website, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.Mentioned in this episode:Down Syndrome Queensland

In this week's episode, Erin West speaks about her PhD research relating to phonology in Auslan, the sign language in Australia. Erin talks about her research and the steps we still need to take for language equity.   Resources:  Sign bank- https://auslan.org.au/ ASL users How Many People Use ASL in the United States? https://gallaudet.edu/wp-content/uploads/gcloud/gal-media/Documents/Research-Support-and-International-Affairs/ASL_Users.pdf BSL users Help & Resources - British Deaf Association https://bda.org.uk/help-resources/ Fieldsteel et al. (2020) (open access) Nouns and verbs in parent input in American Sign Language during interaction among deaf dyads - PubMed (nih.gov) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33505227/ Stokoe (2005; reprint of 1960 work) (open access) Sign Language Structure: An Outline of the Visual Communication Systems of the American Deaf | The Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education | Oxford Academic https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/article/10/1/3/361306?login=false Gallaudet University- https://gallaudet.edu/ International Week of Deaf People- https://wfdeaf.org/iwdeaf2024/ Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.  Free access to audio transcripts for all Speak Up Podcast episodes are available via the Association's Learning Hub, you will need to sign in or create an account. 1. Go to: www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Public/…e616542. 2. Filter – Format – Podcast – Search 3. Select the podcast of your choice 4. Enroll (you will need to sign in or create an account) 5. Add to cart – Proceed to checkout – Submit 6. You will receive an email Order Confirmation with a link back to the Learning Hub 7. The Podcast and transcript will be available in your Learning Centre For further enquiries, please email learninghub@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Well, today I got to sit down with the amazing Rebecca Adam, CEO of Expression Australia. And let me tell you, this episode was a first for me - I had my very first Auslan-interpreted conversation, and I was like a kid in a candy shop! Rebecca's story blew me away. She's profoundly deaf, but that hasn't stopped her from smashing through glass ceilings. She's the first deaf CEO of her organization in 140 years and she's also a lawyer to the Supreme Court of Victoria using Auslan.  We talked about everything from her experiences growing up in a deaf household, to leading a national organisation, to the ways technology is helping (and sometimes falling short) when it comes to deaf inclusion. I even learned that one in six Aussies is actually affected by hearing loss. Rebecca's got such a calm, yet powerful presence, and she's been breaking barriers in education, sports, law - you name it.. I adore her! Her resilience and the way she's used adversity as fuel to become a leader and an advocate for the deaf community is such a legendary achievement. Plus, huge thanks to Mark Quinn, the Auslan interpreter. This conversation was one of my favourites! TESTART FAMILY LAWYERS Website: testartfamilylawyers.com.au REBECCA ADAM Website: expressionaustralia.com.au TIFFANEE COOK Linktree: linktr.ee/rollwiththepunches/ Website: rollwiththepunches.com.au LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffaneecook/ Facebook: facebook.com/rollwiththepunchespodcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/rollwiththepunches_podcast/ Instagram: instagram.com/tiffaneeandco    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of #mensexpleasure, I chat with Katia Schwartz. Katia is a disability and sex worker rights activist, with a career in the sex industry spanning over 16 years. As a profoundly deaf, queer sex worker, Katia navigates unique intersections and is passionate about advocating for the destigmatisation and inclusion of marginalised groups. Episode transcript: CLICK HERE Key points: Introductions and background Katia introduces herself as a deaf, disabled sex worker who lives on Gadigal land in Sydney and does advocacy work for the disabled and sex worker communities. Cam shares that he previously wrote a blog post about the appropriation of sex worker aesthetics, in which he quoted Katia. Katia's experience on SBS Insight Katia describes being approached by the producers of the SBS Insight TV show to appear on an episode about "Convenient Relationships" and transactional relationships. She made her access needs clear, including requiring an Auslan interpreter and accurate closed captions, which the producers agreed to. However, when the episode aired, the captions were poor quality and not synced properly, making it inaccessible for Katia. She tried to resolve the issue with the network but faced dismissive responses. Misconceptions about disability and sex work Katia discusses common misconceptions people have about disabled people and sex workers, including the assumption that disabled people cannot or should not engage in sexual activity. She shares examples of inappropriate questions she's received, like "How do you have sex if you're deaf?" Katia explains how her disability informs and enhances her sex work in positive ways, like her heightened sensory awareness and communication skills. Advice for allies and advocates Katia provides advice for allies and advocates, emphasizing the importance of listening to marginalized voices, being open to feedback, and amplifying the perspectives of those with lived experiences. She encourages people to diversify their social media feeds and be mindful of the representation and narratives they consume. Wrap-up and resources Katia shares how to find and connect with her online, including her Instagram handle and website. Cam thanks Katia for the insightful conversation and the opportunity to learn. Relevant links: Katia's website: www.thegingerdoll.com Katia's Instagram: www.instagram.com/katiaschwartz

In today's bonus episode we chat with kid's psychologist, internet, screen & gaming disorder expert Brad all about managing healthy screen use with kids, online safety, red flags to look out for when screen use becomes an addiction and so much more!! This is a must listen for any parent to feel more informed and confident with the crazy tech world we live in!  Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  YoutubeMore about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do signed languages have in common? How do oral languages influence signed languages? How do they influence each other? Here to answer these questions and many more, it's Dr Adam Schembri of the University of Birmingham. You can watch our chat with Adam Schembri on video, with Christy Filipich doing Auslan interpretation. That video is here: https://youtu.be/GcV0218VJ2k Also joining us as a special guest: Dr Mark Ellison. Timestamps Intros: 0:38 News: 3:33 Related or Not: 54:15 Interview with Adam Schembri: 1:05:31 Words of the Week: 2:08:27 Comments: 2:27:56 The Reads: 2:31:21 Listener comment: 2:39:33

In Part two of this episode we get the final birth details right up to the moment of Soph's water birth. We talk about the early postpartum period and what it's like having a newborn at home with other little-ies to care for. We chat about managing 3 kids and their different needs, things we do to help with the morning rush, communication in our relationships during the chaotic times and so much more…! Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  YoutubeMore about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part one of this episode we get the low down on Soph's recent birth experience with her third baby. Talking everything from early labour signs, managing two other kids, getting to a hospital an hour away, some sexy details and all the lead up to her meeting the baby! What have pancakes at 2.30am a foot massage and a school tour have to do with it? You'll have to tune in and find out! Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  YoutubeMore about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are back today with a bonus episode updating you all on what we have been up too and our plans for the coming months!! We talk all about what the jump from 2 to 3 kids has been like with Kate and all about how Soph is feeling about her upcoming birth of baby number 3. Enjoy friends and we hope to be back in your ears again very soon!! Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  YoutubeMore about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explore the world of sound, music and deafness with writer and music critic Fiona Murphy. Peta and Fiona discuss Fiona's memoir, 'The Shape of Sound,' discussing challenges,  over achievement, deaf culture, mental health, and the beauty of Auslan. Buy Fiona's Book Shape of Sound: https://www.readings.com.au/ Connect with Fiona Website: http://www.fimurphywriter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fi-murphy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fi.murphy/ Connect with Peta: Instagram: @petahooke Website: www.icantstandpodcast.com Email: icantstandpodcast@gmail.com Episode Transcript: https://www.icantstandpodcast.com/post/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're chatting with Dr Howard (Howie) Manns, Senior Lecturer in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics at Monash University. We were so excited to have the chance to speak with Howie, because we are fascinated by his language story and his academic work - from growing up in a monolingual environment and then (unexpectedly) becoming a linguist through joining the US Navy, to working as a researcher who now studies Australian English, Indonesian, tactile (deafblind) Auslan and intercultural communication. We hope you enjoy this great Language Chat - we could have spoken with Howie for hours (but have made sure that we didn't take up more than an hour of his precious time)! Have any questions for Howie or for us? Get in touch or join our Facebook group, Language Lovers AU Community, to connect with us and other like-minded language lovers in Australia and abroad. Episode Links Howie has kindly provided us with an excellent set of notes and additional links for those interested in finding out more! We have included these below in addition to any relevant links/work referenced in the episode. US Defense Language Institute, Monterey, Ca Howie's plane in the US Navy (ES-3A Shadow) Howie discusses language and idioms and how they impact our view of the world on Episode 1 of the SBS Audio podcast The Idiom, hosted by Rune Pedersen Our interview with Rune Pedersen: Language Chats Ep #098 - Hit the nail on the head: A chat with Rune Pedersen, host of The Idiom podcast An open-access book Howie co-wrote about language in post-Suharto Indonesia: Style and Intersubjectivity in Youth Interaction by Dwi Noverini Djenar , Michael C. Ewing and Howard Manns Some downloadable papers Howie has written on language in Indonesia: https://monash.academia.edu/HowieManns Howie and colleagues reviews the decline of Indonesian, what Australia gets wrong about language and what we can do about it: https://theconversation.com/the-number-of-australian-students-learning-indonesian-keeps-dropping-how-do-we-fix-this-worrying-decline-216348 Howie and colleagues report on discussions with Victorian Indonesian educators and argues for more collaboration in the second language space. He also points to successful second language efforts in other parts of the world and how these might hold some answers for Australia: https://www.melbourneasiareview.edu.au/invigorating-indonesian-studies-in-australia-through-collaborative-online-education-practices/ Howie promotes multilingualism and community language-learning on ABC Radio National with Hoang Tran Nguyen, project manager, community advocate, co-founder, ViệtSpeak: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/languages-of-our-community/103163890 ViệtSpeak - a community-based, non-profit advocacy organisation situated in Melbourne's west An Auslan-interpreted introduction to Howie's Deafblind communication project (led by Louisa Willoughby): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIu7ltZ51R4 Here's a written introduction to Australian Deafblind communication (behind a paywall but get in touch with Howie for a pre-print version): https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-15-6430-7_15 This is a 30-minute lifestyle documentary about the amazing Heather Lawson, who Howie mentions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjFOtIqjmxg These are a pair Auslan signs Howie referenced, which sometimes cause confusion for Heather: “pub” https://auslan.org.au/dictionary/words/pub-1.html “know” https://auslan.org.au/dictionary/words/know-1.html *Errata: in the podcast, Howie said it was “pub” and “think”. This is incorrect. It is “pub” and “know” that cause confusion. “Pub” and “know” are clearly differentiated in visual Auslan, but this distinction is not always clear in tactile Auslan. Howie presenting on the hidden power of language and misconceptions about English “errors”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjC39sfgbrY&t=376s Howie reviews the history of Standard English and how the collective grammar of World Englishes may be challenging the standard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUry0z_BVU4 Howie, Kate Burridge and Simon Musgrave present on “Truth, truthiness and public science discourse”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktsFxREFZU8 Howie's articles on Australian language and society for The Conversation (many co-written with Kate Burridge): https://theconversation.com/profiles/howard-manns-111255/articles Howie and colleagues introduce their project on Australian slang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPhb-_52XGc Howie and colleagues write about their project on Australian slang: https://auslanguage.net/slanguage/ Howie appears on the ABC Kids podcast “Imagine This” to answer the question, “Where do words come from?”: https://www.abc.net.au/kidslisten/programs/imagine-this/how-people-make-words/13929010 A few Indonesian language articles from Howie: Howie menulis tentang menurun Bahasa Indonesia di Australia dan bagaimana bisa diatasinya: https://theconversation.com/jumlah-pelajar-australia-yang-belajar-bahasa-indonesia-terus-menurun-bagaimana-mengatasinya-217444 Howie menjelaskan mengapa orang-orang di negara lain berbicara dalam bahasa yang beda: https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-mengapa-orang-orang-di-negara-lain-berbicara-bahasa-yang-berbeda-133940 Find Howie at Monash University | The Conversation

Today we are joined by the iconic Emma Watkins, formerly known as Emma Wiggle and more recently known as Emma Memma. Emma is a singer, dancer, film maker and is fluent in French and Auslan. Combining all these wonderful passions she has completed a PHD in sign language, dance and film. You can find Emma here: https://www.instagram.com/emmawatkinsofficial/ Produced by Head On Agency headon.agency

Kate and Mandy talk to Bec, a mad Carlton (boo) supporter and Pea partner and mum to a husband and two boys with disabilities. Her husband Luke has a a congenital deformity of his left hand, plus lived with an undiagnosed dislocated elbow for decades. Her eight-year-old boy Henry has autism and ADHD and is also gifted. Her younger son Kieran is profoundly deaf in one ear and has developmental coordination disorder, formerly known as dyspraxia. Bec talks about the diagnosis journey for her boys, their experiences at school, particularly the Auslan program for Kieran, and the challenges of keeping a gifted child engaged in learning. Bec also chats about Luke's experience with the NDIS as an adult, and the success they had in getting their local MP involved to help with getting plans approved. She also talks about the things her boys love to do - Henry's an accomplished Irish dancer who enjoys the routine and order of learning the dance steps, and Kieran loves singing, dancing, acting and being an extroverted entertainer. Thanks for sharing your family's story with us Bec!Plus: Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeBuy our book The Invisible Life Of UsLeave us a speakpipe Melbourne forecast for Thursday April 11 - Showers easing, 18 degrees Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jody Barney is a proud Birri-Gubba/Urangan woman, first deaf Aboriginal to receive a business degree, an Atlantic Fellow for social equity, consultant, community developer and strong advocate.Timestamps added below if you want to skip to your juice.Want to become a Keep Rolling Patron and help further support the channel, hit the Patreon link below and Roll with the Squad!https://www.patreon.com/street_rolling_cheetahAdd, Follow or Contact  Jody Barney:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-b-0746b8117/Add, Follow or Contact me: Email: streetrollingcheetah@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/street_rolling_cheetah/?hl=enTwitter: https://twitter.com/st_rollcheetahFace book: https://www.facebook.com/StreetRollingCheetah/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-briggs-77b867100/Timestamps00:04:35 Life as a fair skinned Aboriginal, my disability and barriers p00:08:00 Advocacy and cultural isolation 00:13:00  Education and access to AUSLAN interpreters00:20:55 First deaf Aboriginal to receive a business degree00;24:15 First Nations Sign Language00:30:16 Justice System00:32:10 Inspiration 00:38:55 Deaf Aboriginals in Jail, is there access to communication or Assistive Tech00:44:00  Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity 00:48:05 NDIS, does it work for you and what do think of the scheme in its current state   00:52:30 Disability Royal Commission, was it effective?

Marni who will be the Auslan interpreter at Taylor Swift's Eras Shows this weekend in Sydney, dropped a huge tour secret. Despite signing an NDA Marni let it slip that she may or may not know the secret songs of each concert date before anyone else in order for her to prepare accordingly. Talk about jealous!!!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I'm speaking with Mary Li, ballet mistress and principal répétiteur at the Queensland Ballet. Mary's story to the stage is an unlikely one—one of eight children, Mary grew up in a small town in Central Queensland called Rockhampton. She was the first person in her family to try ballet, but by the age of 16—the day after completing her Solo Seal exam—she flew to London after being accepted into Royal Ballet School. Her star continued to rise, on graduation Mary was accepted into London Festival Ballet, now the English National Ballet—and was made principal within four years. But it was a chance move to Houston Ballet in the United States that saw the course of her life change again—when she crossed paths with another principal dancer, Li Cunxin—they would go on to marry, and dance together all over the globe. In this wonderfully brave conversation, Mary opens up about her career, meeting her husband and learning of his life, and their decision to have children. But Mary also talks about the devastating decision to leave her career after her eldest child was found to be hearing impaired, the grief she suffered knowing her child would never hear music, reuniting with the stage at the Queensland Ballet, and now choosing to learn AUSLAN with her eldest daughter Sophie.Mary continues to train and teach the principal artists of Queensland Ballet, all the while juggling life with Li and their three grown up children, Sophie, Tom and Bridie. Mary continues to learn AUSLAN, and her book Mary's Last Dance is available on Audible and in all good bookshops. If you'd like to listen to Li's conversation with me, please scroll down to Episode 5 of Talking Pointes, and we'll also pop the link in the show notes—and finally, to continue to follow all of Mary's adventures, you'll find her on Instagram.Mary and I recorded remotely, with Mary dialling in from Brisbane. This episode was produced in Sydney on the land of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation to whom we pay our greatest respects.

We've spoken about access to large scale events such as music festivals, concerts, Susan may have mentioned something about the weird inclusion issue in running events, but what about smaller scale events like attending a play, or hang on – what if you are a playwright with a disability and you want to stage a production, what if you are a stage actor with a disability and want to perform? Do you get a fair chance?Jacqueline Tooley is the former Accessibility Manager of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company in Sydney, a queer disabled emerging playwright and currently living in the UK studying her Masters in Dramagurty and Writing for Performance at Goldsmith's College at the University of London. They talk about everything from basic access for someone viewing a play to access on the stage to her thoughts on how people in the LGBTQI+ community perceive people with disabilities, and disability itself. We cover a lot, so strap in!Information in this episode:Darlinghurst Theatre Company: https://www.darlinghursttheatre.com/Ali Stroker - Actress, author singer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_StrokerRUH Global Impact - Disability influences a trillion dollars in disposable income?: https://www.ruhglobal.com/disability-influences-trillion-dollars-david-perez/The Dan Daws Show: https://dandawcreative.com/productions/the-dan-daw-show/Auslan with David (Instagram):  https://www.instagram.com/auslanwithdavid/CreditsThis episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

In today's final episode for the season we reflect back on the wonderful conversations we have had with our guests! We are so grateful that we got to connect with so many fascinating people and delve deep into some great topics, plus Soph has some pretty special news to share :) Thanks for listening and coming along with us for the journey throughout season 4. Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube  More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In todays episode we discuss why with modern comforts, modern technology, modern facilities does parenting these days feel so bloody HARD? There's so many factors contributing to it that we talk through in todays episode. Isolation, the career juggle, finding a village, comparison, access to too much information, breaking down the patriarchy. Enjoy friends :)  Thanks to our episode sponsor T-form Pilates and their online prenatal program, tailored to your due date to help you feel confident and informed from 5 weeks to full term. To find out more and book yourselves in today, head to  www.tformpilates.com.au For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Queering The Air, we're excited to introduce you a long time volunteer from SlutWalkMelbourne, Mev. Mev discussed the significance of the event and provided us with a comprehensive overview of its history. Sasja and Mev delved into why this rally is so important.Mev (she/they) is a neurodivergent queer creative and activist living and working here on stolen Wurundjeri land. They've been volunteering with the SlutWalk Naarm/Melbourne collective for years, motivated and informed by a history of trauma.They believe in the importance of continuously learning and improving, valuing human rights, consent education, intersectional feminism, anti-racism, decolonisation, LGBTQIA+ rights, decriminalisation of sex work, accessibility, mental health, environmental sustainability and animal rights.Join SlutWalk Naarm/Melbourne on 25 November 2023 to march against slut-shaming, victim-blaming, and rape culture in the CBD. This global movement started in Canada in 2011 after offensive comments by a police officer. SlutWalks have since taken place worldwide, including annually in Naarm/Melbourne for 12 years. The demands are simple: end slut-shaming, victim-blaming, and rape culture. We fight against all forms of bigotry and hierarchy. Let's prioritise survivors and our lives over profit. We've seen the prevalence of rape culture in recent news stories, and it's time to stop using rape and assault as weapons of control. Meet outside the State Library Victoria at 12pm, with speakers from diverse backgrounds and Auslan interpreters.https://www.facebook.com/slutwalkmelbourneSLUTWALK NARRM/MELBOURNE25 NOVEMBER 2023 - 12:00PMSTATE LIBRARY VICTORIAMusic:Papi (Bhabi) by Eden ShalevEderlezi feat Dikanda by Dj Dark & MD DJUrfa'nin Etrafi Dumanti Daglar (Anatolian Sessions Remix) by DJ Kaikhan 

It's pure audio sunshine for your earholes today because the incredible Emma Watkins is joining Yvie today!! They chat about Auslan, the joys of working in children's entertainment, and of course - The Amazing Race!  LINKS Yvie Jones @yvie_jones Emma Watkins emmawatkinsofficial  Watch The Amazing Race: Celebrity Edition – https://10play.com.au/the-amazing-race-australia  Learn more about The Leonie Jackson Memorial Fund – https://deafconnect.org.au/ljmf  Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Don't forget you can ask us a question anytime by emailing twogirls@novaentertainment.com.au CREDITSHost: Yvie Jones Guest: Emma Watkins  Executive Producer: Rachael Hart Producer: Amy Kimball Editor: Adrian Walton Supervising Producer: Ricardo Bardon Show Artwork By: @ellymalone Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered about the appropriate way to approach gender identity, use language in a way to make people feel comfortable and even more so - how to explain and guide your kids in all of this?? We certainly have! So today we have the best person to guide us through gender identity, inclusivity and ultimately how we can raise our children to be their authentic selves in a gendered world. Our guest Adrienne Harper-Pike shares her lived experience with feeling 'othered' and as a bit of outsider in the way she was raised in a conservative bible belt, mid-west American community. She's now a mother of 5-year-old twins living in Victoria, Australia, in a queer relationship with a non-binary partner. She practices an 'aware parenting' style to raise her children and works as an ‘aware parenting' educator. In this episode she shares her wonderful and inclusive insight to language, labelling, gender identity and raising children. A fascinating and informative chat. We hope you enjoy. Thanks to our episode sponsor. Help at Hand Education delivers you (the parents, grandparents, carers, nannies and friends) fun, simple and engaging, evidence-based health education by trained professionals. Giving you the skills and knowledge to feel confident and empowered to care for your babies and children in any situation. To find out more and book yourselves in today, head to www.helpathandeducation.com.au For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever feel overwhelmed, underachieved and frazzled by the daily grind? We get it, we do too sometimes. In today's episode we go over some of the challenges we've faced in staying on top of things with work, household chores and well...kids. But, we come with the solutions we've found that help support these challenges as well! We talk getting prepared, being a step ahead, reevaluating what works for changing situations and environments and the tools we use to do so! Communication tactics, shared calendars, meal planning, avoiding niggling conversations like money, kids routines and so much more! Hope this helps you with one or two struggles you share. Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube  More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's show, we're off to the zoo! To meet a baby gorilla and his zealous zookeeper. We'll hear about a special surgery giving an Auslan speaker back their voice. Then we're headed underwater, to hear the ways that crocodiles communicate. Before learning about some new schools being named from some of Australia's oldest languages. Quiz Questions What is the baby gorilla's name? What did Tracy say it felt like when she couldn't sign properly? How are they going to record the crocodiles? Which state is introducing the new school names? How old did Catherina turn? Bonus Tricky Question What is the name of the disease that makes Tracy's hands sore and stiff? Answers Kaius Like losing her voice Hydrophones (underwater microphones), and they'll film them too Victoria 111 Bonus Tricky Answer Rheumatoid Arthritis

We're so happy to be sharing Kate's birth story with you guys today! We chat through all the details of her 3rd (and as she keeps trying to convince us....FINAL!!) birth. Kate talks through how it all went down, the top things that helped her get through and all the ups and downs. We answer your listener questions and also get a taste of what early postpartum is looking like for Kate and her family. All the good stuff! It's so nice to share birth stories, we have learned so much from listening to others and find comfort in commonalities with others experiences, so we hope you do too. Another little human safely in the world. A true miracle ❤️ Thanks to our episode sponsor. mumamoo, a 3 stage range of premium infant nutrition that has been Developed by Science and Backed by Mums.  For more information on their range check it out here. https://mumamoo.com.au/ For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've got a sexy episode for you today everybody and we're here for it! We noticed that you were all rather interested last time we spoke with a sexologist so here we are again to unpack some more on the sex front. Let's be honest, once we go through pregnancies, having babies and raising children there's a lot to unpack. Today we talk to psychologist and sex therapist Emma St John. We chatted about sexual desire and the meaning around it, the seasons in our relationships that change the landscape of sex. Emma shares her approach to sexual well-being and how she merges psychology and sexuality to foster a holistic approach and we mostly talk about our relationships and how we navigate not just sex but connection, intimacy, communication and so much more.  Thanks to our episode sponsor. Still beauty, explore stillness through movement and find the massage for you. For more information on their divine treatments or to book yourself in head to www.stillbeauty.com.au/booking For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like it's been forever since we had a good old chat and catch-up on life's challenges and triumphs (let's celebrate the wins, hey!) So, here we are with our current sitch on kids, family life, pregnancies, babies and everything in between. The in between being mum rage, sassy kids, pizza for dinner... You know, the important stuff. We also reflect on our recent mini-series 'Being' and what well-being means to us and why we even went down the path to explore it. It's so nice to back with a Kate and Soph ep. We hope you guys enjoy it :) Thanks to our episode sponsor. Help at Hand Education delivers you (the parents, grandparents, carers, nannies and friends) fun, simple and engaging, evidence-based health education by trained professionals. Giving you the skills and knowledge to feel confident and empowered to care for your babies and children in any situation. To find out more and book yourselves in today, head to www.helpathandeducation.com.au For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Kirkness on her luminous childhood with her grandparents Melvyn and Phyllis, who were both profoundly deaf

Jessica Kirkness on her luminous childhood with her grandparents Melvyn and Phyllis, who were both profoundly deaf

"I think we are a long way to the hearing world fully embracing myself and other deaf artists" A picture paints a thousand words but Gonketa's art pieces share his identity through his first language ‘Auslan' in hopes to excite and inspire his audience to learn to sign. In this episode Jaycob Campbell a.k.a Gonketa (an onomatopoeia of a ball in a spray can) tells his story of identity and inclusion when it comes to the hearing art world and why he is so passionate about the next generation of Deaf artists. Jaycob talks about his initial resistance going into the art world and confrontation of attending a University that made accessibility difficult. Jaycob talks about his personal experience with his Deaf Identity and his connection/exposure to Deaf Culture from a young age. Join us for our conversation with Jaycob as he teaches us secrets of the Deaf community including how to avoid being arrested by the police. Follow Jaycob's instagram https://www.instagram.com/gonketa_/?hl=en Get in contact with him: iam@gonketa.com Check out his art and story on his website: https://www.gonketa.com/ Watch this video with captions and AUSLAN https://youtu.be/awBf5leogFQ Join the 10,000+ legends on Instagram: @ListenABLE_ Podcast https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/ Grab our first merch release at our website From Your Pocket https://fromyourpocket.com.au/work/listenable/merchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is the 3rd and final guest of our 'being' series and it's with the wonderful Yahna Fookes! Yahna is the founder of birth education workshop Radiant Birth, she's a trained dancer, qualified Vinyasa, Yin and Prenatal Yoga Teacher and Mother to her daughter Sunday. Yahna's vision is to demystify the journey through motherhood and create a strong community of like-minded women and she is certainly on a path of doing so. We loved hearing her personal stories, her passionate opinions and her take on community and inclusivity. A great chat! Enjoy :) Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to  www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube  More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh is a fascinating person with so much drive and dedication to social responsibility and helping people. We can all take out a leaf out of his book! Founder of the 'Just be nice' project Josh aims to change the way that people help people; until they are housed, employed and have positive mental health outcomes. In this episode he shares some of his personal experiences that led him to where he is, what others have gained and also what he has gained from spreading his word and passion. Along with some great ideas on how we can all gain better mental health outcomes by helping others! We loved this one. Enjoy! Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube  More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Li Cunxin, artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, joins us today on Talking Pointes. Most of you will know Li from his early life. He is Mao's Last Dancer. Li was born into complete poverty in rural China, where he was plucked from obscurity to join the Beijing Dance Academy. He was put through years of brutal training, up to 16 hours a day, to become a dancer. However, his life was meant to be one of twists and turns. He was chosen to undergo an exchange to the United States to dance with the Houston Ballet and while he was there he fell in love and married an American dancer. The resulting standoff between the USA and China made Li a global name, and with it, a ballet superstar. But with that success also came pain. In this wonderfully personal and at times emotional interview, Li shares stories from his early life, and the trauma of being banned from China, but he also shares the highs, reuniting with his parents, finding enduring love and to learning Auslan for his eldest daughter, Sophie. Hosted by Claudia LawsonFor the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com and follow us on Instagram at @fjordreview and @byclaudialawson

Sometimes in life you meet some truely inspiring and just simply great people. Katie Thompson is one of those people. We talk to her about her life and love for the outdoors, physical education and the joy of movement. She sheds some light on the needs of our young first nations women and the incredible 'girls on country' program that she facilitates in Mparntwe, Alice Springs. We talk about the link between movement and mind and the positive outcomes just moving more can have on our overall well-being. This was a great chat, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!  Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube  More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We recently chatted to Melbourne Mum & entrepreneur Adele Barbaro. Adele delivers an honest and raw insight into her beautifully busy life as a wife, mother of 2 and business owner. But let's not forget to mention her huge and highly engaged online following that she shares the ins and outs and ups and downs of life in a totally honest, authentic and effortless way. How refreshing! We chatted about meeting her man, her fertility journey, her unexpected career pivot, what she gets from her online community and where she's at now. A great story, a great listen. We're sure you'll enjoy this one :) Thanks to our episode sponsor. We'd like to say a big thank you to today's wonderful episode sponsor “bare mum” and their beautiful range of birth recovery and breastfeeding essentials. Check out their beautiful range of postpartum products at: baremum.com.au https://www.instagram.com/baremum/?hl=en For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back friends, we're so happy to be back in your ears and eyes for season 4! It's been a minute so today we catch up on Kates pregnancy with babe number 3! Soph's life now with 2 kids and what we've been up to while we've been gone. We've got a great season planned with a video series in the mix so we share all about what lead us to that as well. So happy to be back! Thanks to our episode sponsor. Our lovely friends at Swisse Wellness, making people around the world healthier and happier. For more information about today's guest's, topics and any brands, business's or products discussed as well as our Auslan interpreted video's head to www.incommonprojects.com.au or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwU0qaDvFSCfoXaApMRqhEg Follow us + join the conversation: Instagram  Youtube Facebook More about the show: https://www.incommonprojects.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communicating is about more than the literal, dictionary-entry-style words that we say -- it's also about the many subtle ingredients that go into a message, from how you keep your audience in mind to how you portray the actions of the people you're talking about. In this episode, your host Gretchen McCulloch interviews Dr. Gabrielle Hodge, a deaf researcher and writer based in Melbourne, Australia. She specialises in research relating to d/Deaf people, signed languages, and communication, and has worked with Auslan and British Sign Language (BSL) in Australia and the UK. We talk about Gab's work analysing how people tell stories using a mixture of conventional signs (such as “book”) and enactment, aka showing what another person or character did using your body, such as depicting how someone is carrying a heavy book. We also talk about collaborations in multiple countries and assessing what makes a translation accessible to deaf people. We're excited to bring you this bilingual episode in Auslan and English! For the full experience, make sure to watch the captioned video version of this episode at youtube.com/lingthusiasm (and check out our previous bilingual episode in ASL and English with Dr. Lynn Hou while you're there). Read the transcript here - https://lingthusiasm.com/post/711999152213590016/transcript-episode-78-bringing-stories-to-life-in Announcements: Since we filmed this interview, Gab has accepted a position as Senior Lecturer in Sign Language Linguistics at the University of Edinburgh. We're excited to see more great work from her there! In this month's bonus episode we get enthusiastic about four science fiction books/series we're read recently that project interesting future versions of English. We also talk about reading books set in the future but written in the past, and how several of these books now exist in a future that's in some ways more similar to their imagined futures than the time when they were being written. Join us on Patreon now to get access to this and 70+ other bonus episodes, as well as access to the Lingthusiasm Discord server where you can chat with other language nerds. It's thanks to our patrons that we're able to occasionally bring all of you bilingual video episodes like this one. Find us at patreon.com/lingthusiasm For the links mentioned in the episode: https://lingthusiasm.com/post/711999142266912768/episode-78-bringing-stories-to-life-in-auslan

Australia's most disability inclusive, accessible music festival will be held in Melbourne once again in 2023 featuring more than 50 Australian bands and DJs, including performers with disabilities. The one-day music festival provides elevated platforms, accessible pathways and ramps, Auslan interpreters, dedicated quiet zones, disability inclusive training delivered to staff and volunteers and companion card ticketing. “Ability Fest is proudly Australia's most accessible music festival, and this investment will make our state the accessible music capital of the world. Ability Fest Supports talented local artists and the work of the Dylan Alcott Foundation, empowering young people with disabilities to realise their ambitions across sports, education and employment.” - Dylan Alcott Get your Ability Tickets here:                            https://megatix.com.au/events/ability-fest-2023 Check out our new ListenABLE Podcast Partner The Field Check out our YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@ListenABLEpodcast Join the 10,000+ legends on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/listenable_podcast/?hl=en Grab our first merch release at our website From Your Pocket https://fromyourpocket.com.au/work/listenable/merch  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to Talking Pointes. This season we're back with another 10 beautiful conversations with some of the world's most extraordinary dancers, choreographers, and artistic directors. I'm your host Claudia Lawson.For our summer season bonus episode, we're catching up with the divine Emma Watkins. In season one, Emma and I spoke about her life growing up in Sydney. We spoke about her early dance years, about injuries and auditions, and then being selected to be the first ever female Wiggle. We spoke about Emma's passion for Auslan, her PhD, and we also spoke about love, surviving endometriosis, and fertility. To hear that conversation, just scroll back to episode six of season one, and we'll also put the link in the show notes.Today, nearly 18 months on, Emma and I speak about what her life is following her departure from The Wiggles. We speak about her new character, Emma Memma, and what it's like to be on the precipice of handing in her PhD. We also speak about her marriage to new husband Olly, and her plans for the future.We're just quickly interrupting this episode to let you know that we're delighted that Emma's bonus episode of Talking Pointes is sponsored by Energetiks. Energetiks are a sustainable, Australian-made brand that specialize in creating world-class dance wear for the stars of tomorrow. Perform and feel your best at every stage of your dance journey in Energetiks premium, high performance fabrics. You can see their entire range online at energetiks.com.au. For all Talking Pointes listeners, there's a 20% discount on all Energetiks products. Just use the code EMMA20 at the checkout. The offer's available until the end of August, 2023.Host @byclaudialawsonTranscript:Claudia Lawson: Hello.Emma Watson: Hello.CL: In the lead-up to this interview, I was trying to get the timing of our last chat, which was about 18 months ago. You were newly engaged to Olly, and happily dancing as a Wiggle.EW: That's so long ago. It feels like a whole nother lifetime ago now.CL: Yeah. I think our chat was sort of mid-2021, so we were in the deep dark Sydney lockdown. A few things have changed since then.EW: Yeah, lots of things have changed, and it really does feel like a completely different chapter now.CL: I bet. Can you talk us through, I assume, an epic decision to leave The Wiggles? Can you talk us through the decision-making process and your head space leading up to that call?EW: I think through the lockdown, multiple times, I had a lot of time to focus on my thesis, which essentially was going on the whole time I was touring and performing. It's been part of my life for most of the time anyway. But because we weren't touring as much, I did have a little bit more time to sit and think, and reflect, and write. It really started to make sense for me that this particular part of research that I had been embarking on was needing to be finished. Probably 18 months ago when we spoke last time, it probably should have been finished then.CL: How long have you been doing your PhD?EW: I guess when you ask anyone that's doing a PhD, it's a bit more extended than what was originally planned. I'm doing my PhD through Macquarie University, so it's a bundle approach where you do a master's and then you do your PhD.CL: Oh, I see. Yeah.EW: The master's is helpful, yeah, because you're kind of doing a little bit of the PhD first.CL: So you sort of step up. Yeah. Okay.EW: Yeah. Currently, it's probably been about five years altogether, which probably isn't as long as some people do their thesis for. But it does feel like most of the research that we have been doing has been going on for over a decade anyway, so it has been a real conscious decision to put the line down now, which I've been told many times in the last month.CL: When is the line?EW: The line is at the end of March. I feel like I shouldn't say that in case I don't get there.CL: Oh, Dr. Watkins.EW: It feels positive yet. Yeah.CL: Okay, so lockdown happens. It's the first time that really you haven't toured with The Wiggles in almost really a decade. It was an extensive touring program that they had. Is it sort of like COVID gives you this moment to pause?EW: Absolutely. Of course, the pandemic is positive and negative. It has different effects on lots of different people. I really can't talk for everybody, but in terms of my situation and stopping traveling after 10 years constantly, I think my body just didn't know what to do with itself. For the first time, it was like, “I think we're on a body holiday.” That was actually something that I needed so much, but I didn't realize. Not just for a dancer and having a moment to stop, which kind of feels contradictory because you don't really ever want to stop your body, because then sometimes it can go into breakdown, which has happened to me as well, but at times it does release you and give you some sort of freedom to start again. I mean, now, 18 months on … Even just the original stopping during the pandemic, my body felt a sigh of relief, but now, 18 months on, it's completely different again.CL: Is it really? In what way?EW: Look, I'm probably not as fit as I used to be in terms of show fitness, but my body is definitely reacting differently because it's not under pressure of being in a car for a million hours, driving, on a plane every second day. There's definitely something different about … my body feels that it is not as restricted. That, in a way, I feel like I'm learning ballet back at square one. I'm training online with a beautiful teacher over Zoom. Which, we met through the pandemic, over Zoom. I've been training with her ever since. So ever since we started talking, that's when I met her.CL: Wow. So, what, you're taking weekly ballet classes?EW: Essentially, three times a week with her.CL: Wow.EW: Because I live now in the country, which is also very different to where we were 18 months ago in a really tiny apartment in Sydney. Because we were in the lockdown in there, that was a real time. Not for us as a couple, but you just get so cramped if your body can't move more than 10 meters and you can't go outside. I think now that we've moved south of Sydney and we have a little bit of a backyard, it's instantly completely different.CL: Okay, hang on. I feel like we are-EW: I know. Sorry.CL: … PhD. No, we are country moving. It's all the topics I want to hear about. But first of all, let's head back to that word retirement, from The Wiggles. I mean, it's an epic word to say out loud. When did it start creeping in?EW: The word itself?CL: Yeah. Just even to make that announcement or to think this could be a reality.EW: I guess I never thought about the word retirement, even though it was yelled at me over the street. I'd be taking the dogs for a walk and people were like, “Congratulations on your retirement.” I'm like, “Really?” I guess I understand the use of the term because I was stepping away from that particular role. But for me, it more felt like an internship that was really important to the way that I was forming my critical thinking and performance mode. I was like, “Okay, that's that chapter, but I think some of the research that we've been working on is really important, that we need to focus on now so that we can act on it in the future if we ever want to make children's content, or any content, really, for that sake, from this point forward.” So I understand that retirement, I guess it was a bit overused because I'm certainly probably too young to be retired, and couldn't retire anyway. We need to work. Certainly retiring from the role, but it more felt like a chapter, for me.CL: Yeah. Maybe that's a perception from the outside. Because your personality and the character Emma Wiggle, there was so much overlap, that perhaps from the outside, it was like, “How difficult must it have been to step away?” But maybe not so much from the inside.EW: No, definitely hard. Yeah. I think for me as a person and a personal journey, it's taken this long for me to separate myself from that personality as well. You don't realize how inextricably embroiled they become. Because we were so fortunate to bring our own characteristics and hobbies and interests to the role, it was a part of me, and it will always be a part of me. Absolutely.CL: Was it scary?EW: Yeah, I think it always is. We had lots of discussions, particularly with Olly and I. We ended up reflecting on a lot of people in the performance industry, particularly dancers who might have grown up only dancing and having that as their one goal. Because a dancer's life, in some schools of thought, is quite short, when they don't perform anymore, or when they have retired from the company, they're still so young. Because that becomes such a big part of their identity, yeah, how do you move on from that? I think for some people it can be quite debilitating.CL: Oh, absolutely. That passion that they've had, where do they go? Yeah.EW: Yeah. But actually, I think it might be the opposite. I just feel completely free, as in …CL: So good.EW: I feel like, now, there was … There's lots of different thoughts in my head about this next chapter. It's not just specifically about work or career, it's also about having time to spend with family, and having time to spend at home and sit down and have a cup of tea. Some of those things I forgot about over the 10 years. So being able to reconnect with friends that I hadn't seen for over a decade was also something that I never had time for. It's been an eye-opening experience. Also, that we now have time to talk to people. Just take a moment to connect with families, through our work as well, but also in the new neighborhood that we are a part of, and find out what people are really looking for in the world now.CL: Yeah, it's interesting that you say that about the retirement because I suppose you also had a second passion bubbling along in the background with your PhD. Some of the people I've spoken to who have found retirement so difficult is because ballet or dance or performance has been there.EW: Is everything.CL: Yeah, they're everything. And then when they stop or their body stops, where do they put that energy or that passion?EW: Absolutely. Emma Wiggle was everything to me. I didn't think about anything else but her. I was just infatuated with that experience and the journey, and always wanting to try and improve her. I had such a good chunk of time to really work on it, as well. It's not really normal for people to play one character for a decade.CL: Yeah, that's so true, isn't it?EW: Yeah. I had to really think about that as well. It's also not normal to be photographed in the same outfit for decades. I didn't realize that either. So, all of a sudden stepping away from that role, and then initially, obviously, focusing on the thesis. And then all of a sudden being approached to do other projects, and wearing different costumes and being a different … I just was like, “Wow, I didn't know that this was possible.”CL: You step away to do the PhD or to focus more on the PhD, does Emma Memma feature in that thought process?EW: Not at the time when I stepped away. We knew that … One of the outcomes of the research is to practically put in place what we've been researching.CL: Okay, can you summarize?EW: Yeah.CL: Just for your supervisor's approval. What is your PhD looking into?EW: My supervisor's going to be crying right now. I love her to pieces. She's the best thing since slice bread. For some reason I can't articulate it, which is probably the reason why it's still going. My PhD is about creative integration of dance, sign language, and film editing. Really, it's about a comparison between people who use sign language and people who might grow up as trained dancers, and what are the similar skills that they both have? Sometimes they are in our subconscious or they're not known, they become techniques of intuition. Essentially, we have really similar qualities, but there is not a lot of crossover between people who use sign language and dance, and not a lot of dancers who use sign language.But I feel like it's really silly, this is not in the PhD, the word silly, I feel like it's really strange that we don't have more crossover in those fields because we could really learn from each other. From a dancer's point of view … This is too long, obviously, for a clarification. For a dancer's point of view, if your career is very short, then you can apply your skills as visual detailed professionals to be learning sign language, and actually help in the workforce where we have such a lack currently right now in the deaf workplace.CL: As you say that, I'm thinking of those classic scenes from the ballet where the princess comes on. She invites the entire courtroom to dance. And then there's that classic arms above your head, spin the-EW: Yes, roly-poly.CL: Roly-poly.EW: Yeah, “Come and dance with us.”CL: “Come and dance with me.” And then there's the bow to say, “Thanks, everyone.” You're so right, they communicate through their use of their hands, their arms, their face. And yet, why is that not translated into skills with Auslan? Because actually-EW: Unbelievable.CL: Yeah. I mean, of course, I imagine people who are hearing impaired completely understand what those dancers are gesturing, but why wouldn't we integrate that?EW: One of the challenges is music. I think music becomes a really big barrier for both sides. People that are deaf and people that are hearing, I think people that are hearing, this is a generalization, will think that it's not possible for somebody who's deaf to join in. Whereas people that are deaf don't really … There are some schools of thought that music isn't part of the community, but that actually is not quite true for everybody. It's not really about music in the aural sense, but music is actually movement. Even if you were playing an instrument, you have to move your body to play the instrument. Essentially, my argument is that, “Music is movement, so let's get rid of the barrier, bring down the wall, and let's have a party because we know things that each other knows. We use them without thinking about it, so let's embrace it.”CL: Emma Memma is your new children's character that you have launched. Did she evolve out of the PhD as almost like a test case?EW: Yes, that's right. Yep.CL: That's your data collection, isn't it?EW: Yeah.CL: I love that.EW: Yes, Emma Memma is an outcome of the thesis, but it wasn't known to me at the time when I decided to leave. I just knew that I needed to do the thesis, essentially.CL: With Emma Memma, what are you hoping to bring to your audiences with her?EW: It's really interesting that we're even doing this interview at the time because I'm definitely writing the thesis now. I'm definitely a hundred pages in. It's-CL: This is a discussion, right?EW: I really honestly feel that this is just a piece of sand in a very big beach. I don't think that Emma Memma solves all the problems for integrating these visual elements. The reason why we chose this avenue is because, A, we have experience in children's entertainment, but B, also because it's the easiest platform to try a very simplistic test. With Emma Memma, some of our music, well most, is only based on two words and two signs. You can't really do a test without having such strict controls. Again, I'm talking about a test, but it's not really. We have given ourselves the boundary to create music with very little English, spoken English or sung English, so that we can make sure that the sign that's matching it is completely understood. And then we just go from there. So all of the songs on our first album … We only have two.CL: So Wednesday and Wombat, and then going on an airplane. Okay, I'm starting to see the theme here.EW: Yeah. There's some reviews like, “Ah, why is this so simple? It's so boring.” I completely understand that viewpoint, but that was actually our goal. We're like, “How simple do we need to go for everyone to understand this sign?”CL: Wow.EW: Essentially. Yeah.CL: I love that. That the songs are too simple, and you're like, “No, no, no, no, no. This is for the PhD.”EW: Yeah, this is a goal. What's interesting touring … we're not really touring, but performing in front of a group of people, which at most times was only about a hundred people at a time, just so that we could … I mean, for me, all I'm doing is watching people. In that space of time, which might have been an hour, we were doing a few songs and then meeting every single family that was in the room. For most of the time, it just shocked me how many people in the audience picked up the signs straight away without knowing the song. That's the key. Because all of these songs that we've put out in the last 12 months are not very … It's not widespread. A lot of people don't know them. It's not like singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” or “Baa Baa Black Sheep,” a nursery rhyme that is quite common.We were bringing completely new songs to an audience that some of the people obviously had listened because they had followed us, but some people, you think parents, particularly dads who … they just happened to be there, they obviously are not listening to me on social media, and that is fine. But in the space of the room, they could join in because they knew that it was only one or two signs, and then did it straight away. That's what I was watching the whole time. I was like, “Wow, everyone's copying.” It's only two signs. And then, for us, it's really about that movement or that dance choreography that's embedded in Emma Memma, or in any of the songs, is actually a sign. It's not just an irrelevant dance move. That's become very clear to me over the last 12 months.CL: Sorry. I remember in our last chat you had said … I think it was that you were hopeful that every person could just sign, “Do you need help?”EW: Yeah. We haven't done that song.CL: Yeah, that's the next album.EW: See how many words that is, do you … Yes.CL: You can't get to four yet.EW: Not yet.CL: Was it hard? I mean, you came into The Wiggles in an established brand, and then you sort of took it to far higher highs with Emma. Was it a tricky process or was it difficult to launch from scratch on your own?EW: I've actually just found it really interesting. I guess I don't really have any expectations of being some sort of a success, or worldwide success. It's not really about that for us. It really-CL: Kind of surprising to hear you say that because you're obviously so well loved around the world as Emma Wiggle. No thoughts that it might go well?EW: I mean, we'd love it to, but I think that's got to be dependent on whether the content is usable. Yeah, of course, we totally could have decided to just do children's entertainment for the sake of it, or work in any other region. I mean, what's interesting about the last year was that I worked on so many different projects that weren't even related to children's entertainment. I went back and taught at my high school. I was tutoring online. I've been doing sign language interpreting course. I was so lucky to do Lego Masters. None of that stuff is in the same region, really.CL: No. And then you did The Masked Singer. You've done Reef School.EW: Yeah, Reef School. Some really beautiful projects that that's also been alongside this. This really, it has been such an amazing, I guess it's almost like a workshop. Honestly, we've met some incredible families that I guess have been hungry for some content that provides accessibility within their family structure. We met a beautiful … we met lots of amazing families, but we met a family in Perth. The grandmother came with her grandchildren. I think she came with her daughter as well. She was signing to our deaf consultant who was there, Sue. Sue was horridly waving at me across the room. I came over, and then we were signing with the grandmother. The grandmother signed to me. She's like, “You have no idea, I've not been able to watch a show with my grandchild prior to this.” I was like, “Oh, wow, that means a lot.” I think that's something that hasn't left us, because now we've realized how important it is to embed sign language foundation in this movement. Because it should be. It just doesn't make sense to me why it …CL: Are you fully fluent in Auslan?EW: No, but I have … That was very quick, wasn't it? I don't know if you can … You'd have to be signing for decades, I think. I just know so many people who sign beautifully that I wouldn't be able to call myself fluent. But I have my diploma in Auslan, and I'm doing my interpreter's course. Essentially, one of the criteria is fluency, so I can have a conversation quite easily. All of our classes are in sign language for three hours at a time.CL: Wow.EW: So yes, we can converse in sign language, as we should be able to, but I still forget signs. I can't express myself sometimes. I think that's the frustration with being a student. Maybe ask me again in 10 years.CL: What actually sparked your initial interest in signing and Auslan as a non-deaf person?EW: Yeah, that's a good question. I've been asked that question a lot this year. Because mostly, people are exposed to somebody that is deaf through their family. 95% of deaf children are born to hearing parents. So for those parents, that's the first deaf person they might meet. The reality is quite weird, but there are lots of people who learn sign language just because they are interested in the culture and the community. I happened to have a friend at my primary school, we were probably about seven or eight, and her brothers are deaf. We would go to their house and play. That's my first exposure to sign language. I think I was just infatuated with it then. Because I was like, “Oh, what are they saying? What are they doing?” Watching my best friend sign to them, I was like, “Oh, can you show me?” so it just really snowballed from there.I tried to learn sign language through high school, and after high school and through touring. It was so difficult because you needed to be there in person. I'd enrolled so many times and wasn't able to complete the course because I then went away on tour. So through the pandemic, again, another really strange positive to this story, was that the course was changed to be online. Then I completed an assessment test and was really, I guess, quite lucky, because I'd also been continuing discussions with my deaf friends and my deaf network. So I didn't have to start from scratch. I was able to go to certificate three and four and do them at the same time. And then did my diploma. And then here we are in the interpreter's course.CL: It's so incredible what you're going to bring to that community, but also to the entertainment and the dance community. It's just so incredible because, actually, you're bringing something to both. Actually, it's funny that you just mentioned dance [inaudible 00:26:35]. As I was looking at all the things that you've done last year, and especially going on The Masked Singer, remember our chat about all your auditions singing? I just was actually … I had a wry smile, and I thought, “Now you're being really recognized as a singer.”EW: Okay, this is just … Okay, when they approached me to do The Masked Singer, I was like, “Great. I think I can do that in the mask because then I don't have to face anyone.” The whole time we were filming, I was nervous as ever, but I knew that nobody knew who I was. Well, that's what I thought, but obviously I was way too obvious. And that's okay. That's okay. I wasn't clever enough to change my voice because I was so stressed about the singing, and that's fine. But then when you take the mask off, the head off, I didn't remember that you had to sing. So when I was revealed and I took the mask off, having a chat with Osher, and like, “Everything's cool,” then they're like, “Okay, here's the microphone,” I think I did nearly wee my pants, and I wasn't really ready. Yeah, I wasn't ready.CL: So you thought the zombie head was just hiding your …EW: Absolutely.CL: But it was so cute because you had the turned out little first position.EW: So silly. Why did I do that? Why? I look back now, I'm like, “What was I doing? Why?”CL: Personal life. Obviously huge amounts of change as well since we last spoke. You've married Olly. Can you tell us about that day?EW: Well, it was pretty lovely. But as Olly and I are, we're pretty casual. The wedding was in very regional Victoria at a homestead that was quite close to Olly's grandfather, who was the eldest participant at our wedding. We wanted to make sure he could be there, so we were asking a lot of other people, friends and family, to travel past Warrnambool, which is very far away in our eyes, when you live in Sydney. Or Brisbane for that matter. It was just a lovely … It was just a really lovely day. It just felt like a garden lunch.CL: You've moved out of Sydney.EW: We have.CL: Good? What's it like?EW: It's so good. We've moved to the Southern Highlands to a place called Robertson. I guess I can probably name the town because it sounds like everybody knows that I live here now.CL: Yeah, I think it's fairly widely reported in the media, I've got to say.EW: It is such a beautiful part of the country. We moved down here for so many different reasons, but my parents are down here, my sister's down here. We're all a lot closer than we were before. Particularly after the tour, we wanted to make sure that we could see each other more often. And we love animals and nature, and we do have lots of animals at home. Yeah, it's basically a farm stay.CL: Wow. Was there any adjustment moving out of the city?EW: You don't realize how weird it is until you go back to the city. During 2022, I was driving to Sydney to do some filming and some work, The Masked Singer and the like.CL: Oh, yeah. Yeah.EW: Every time I drove into Sydney, my shoulders would raise up near my ears. I'm like, “Oh, the traffic and people.” I just became a grandmother instantly, within about two months. I was like, “There's so many people.” You just don't …CL: So noisy, no parking.EW: The Robertson post shop is basically the highlight of my life, where you can drive straight up to it and walk in and talk to the person and then drive away. There's no line. There's no issue. You get parking every time. You don't have to even pay for parking. It's completely different.CL: And then you said at the start when we were chatting that you thought your body had gone through a sort of … Did you say breakdown since …EW: Oh, as in it had a break. My body was happy. But then it also, I think as dancers have, when you're not doing as much as you used to do physically, your body starts to go into a bit of … I can't describe it. I've basically realized that my feet strength and some of my bones were starting to have a moment. I do now have arthritis in one of my feet.CL: Do you?EW: It's actually starting to heal, surprisingly. So I think it was just a moment where it was like, “We need to stop. Now we're going to turn into a snowman, and now we're okay.”CL: Also, you were touring eight plus months a year and performing every day. I mean, there's just no way you can even maintain any training regime.EW: You can't.CL: You can't maintain.EW: You actually can't.CL: No.EW: No, it's just not possible. But obviously, now, with a different training regime, not doing as much physical things that I was doing before, but different things that are helping my body stay at least flexible and strong, my body's so different. My body's moving better now than it was before.CL: Really?EW: And I'm just not moving it as much as I used to.CL: Wow. And the endometriosis?EW: Well, that's the same thing. It's just unbelievable.CL: Is it really?EW: I must have had so much stress on my body, not just physically doing things, but I think that the traveling was really knocking my body around. Of which I kind of knew, but didn't really know. It was only sometimes in the last year when I'd catch a plane. I haven't really been on a plane that much in the last 12 months. And then getting off the plane and my body absolutely going into meltdown.CL: Really?EW: Like, “Wow, okay. It really doesn't like a plane.” So now I know that it doesn't like a plane.CL: Right. That extended sitting and just everything that comes with that.EW: I think it's the pressure. I think it's the cabin pressure. Yeah. So now, again, there's more controls. Now I can actually work out what the problem … what setting it off all the time.CL: You've got that time to watch how your body responds.EW: You've got that time to have a moment after a plane. Whereas before, I'd get off the plane, and then instantly be on stage. My body would be like, “Help, help, help, help.”CL: Wow.EW: But now I know what's going on. Obviously, I've got on a plane this year. It's okay. You just have to manage it and know. You just have to be nice to yourself.CL: Yeah. I often thought of that when the Emma Memma costume launched. I remember you saying when … Emma Wiggles costume, none of us knew that you had endometriosis. And I don't think you knew.EW: No.CL: So just managing that behind the scenes in a career that is so performance based.EW: Yeah. My costume is a lot cooler now. It's just a whole different material.CL: Perfect. Breathable.EW: It's amazing. Yeah. Completely different. Yeah.CL: Amazing. What are your hopes for this year?EW: Oh, there's so many hopes. I mean, the first hope is submitting the thesis.CL: Dr. Watkins. I love it.EW: Oh, I can't even think about it. I just know that it's going to come back with revisions. That's okay. You just have to accept that. It's not about that. It's just about doing a good job in terms of presenting the research. So that hopefully we can build on it in the future, or it helps other people acquire some other skills. But for Emma Memma, we're hoping to film our very first TV series, as in a long-form TV series. So we've been in lots of different discussions with different parties across the world. It's just been trying to make the right decision about who we might want to partner with, that's going to understand the nuances of sign languages around the world as well. We want to make sure that we partner with the right people.CL: Because around the world, they don't speak Auslan. Auslan is …EW: Auslan is only used in Australia. There are some similarities with New Zealand sign language and British sign language. But for most of it, that's the beauty about sign language because the culture is embedded in the language. You can see the different culture when you watch different sign languages across the world. So that's really important for us. But also, we are very, very fortunate. We're in a pre-literal audience space where we can use iconic shapes as well, gestures, mime, dance. So that mixture and that balance is what we're trying to write now into proper video scripts to prepare us for a TV series. Yeah.CL: Wow. Any other post-doctoral …EW: What do you do with it? I mean, again, all of the research that's part of the PhD is really informing us about Emma Memma, but also other projects. We have been very fortunate, again, to be approached to do lots of different creative collaborations. As soon as I receive any kind of email, you just look at it straight away and you're like, “Is this accessible to my friend?” And then that gives us a really good indication about whether we should choose it or not as well. I wouldn't want to do anything that … For example, Sue, my friend, I wouldn't want to do anything that she couldn't have access to as well. That's really important for me.CL: Wow. This is a strange question to perhaps end with, but you are just such a delight. Every time I've spoken with you, had any interaction, the way that you must have to hold yourself when you're in public because children recognize you. Does Emma Watkins ever have a moment of angst? Do you get cranky, Emma?EW: I really only get upset if my animals are sick. I literally go to the goats every morning. If one of them's having a moment, I come, I'm like, “Why are they sick?” That's really my only moment of frustration is having animals that are sick when I don't know what's gone wrong.CL: Wow. Because you just seem to have such a positive outlook on life. You have such … it would seem, such beautiful relationships with everyone that you deal with. It's just, what an asset to all the communities that you work with.EW: Thank you. I guess we can't really complain. We're very lucky.CL: Emma Watkins, thank you so much. I can't wait to see what you do this year. Just all the best for you and Olly as well.EW: Thank you so much.CL: If you'd like to hear more about Emma's life, you can find our full conversation in the show notes. For Emma Memma tour dates, songs and updates, you can find her on Instagram @emmamemmamemma. To continue to follow all of Emma's life adventures, you'll find her on Instagram as well @emmawatkinsofficial.Emma and I recorded remotely, with Emma dialing in from Robertson, the land of the Gundungurra and Thaua people, with recording and production on the land of the Awabakal and Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, to whom we pay our greatest respects. Talking Pointes is produced by Fjord Review. Remember to subscribe to get the episodes as soon as they're released. And if you like us, please leave a five star review. Your host and producer is me, Claudia Lawson, with additional production by Penelope Ford and Clint Topic. Sound production and editing by Martin Peralta at Output Media.This is our final episode of our summer season. We cannot thank our guests enough for sharing their stories and lives, and all of their vulnerabilities. To our beautiful audience, thank you once again for your overwhelming response. Season three of Talking Pointes is in the works and will be available wherever you get your podcasts later this year. In the meantime, if you've enjoyed the series, please hit five stars, and subscribe or follow to be notified of when new episodes are released. If you'd like to follow along, you'll find me on Instagram @byclaudialawson. For all your ballet and dance news, head to fjordreview.com.Images: Emma Watkins as Emma Memma. Images courtesy of Emma Watkins.

Squiz Kids is an award-winning, free daily news podcast just for kids. Give us ten minutes, and we'll give you the world. A short podcast that gives kids the lowdown on the big news stories of the day, delivered without opinion, and with positivity and humour. ‘Kid-friendly news that keeps them up to date without all the nasties' (A Squiz Parent)   This Australian podcast for kids easily fits into the daily routine - helping curious kids stay informed about the world around them. Fun. Free. Fresh.  LINKS Kids + Media Survey: Are you a parent, guardian or teacher of primary school kids? Then help us paint a picture of Aussie kids and their media habits by filling out this quick, two-minute survey. Thank you in advance! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZBTHR35 Episode links:  Puppy Bowl 2023: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/12/sport/puppy-bowl-2023-winner/index.html Justina Miles signs her way into Super Bowl history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdSPDK6iQ5c Dig Deeper:  What is a cyclone? BOM explainer and video: http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/tropical-cyclone-knowledge-centre/understanding/tc-info/  How to spot a fake video: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/03/19/how-spot-fake-video/ Origins of Roman numerals: https://www.livescience.com/32052-roman-numerals.html#:~:text=Roman%20numerals%20originated%2C%20as%20the,essential%20to%20communications%20and%20trade. Roman numerals - Why were the Romans bad at maths? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cj1BZzsY-g Differences between Auslan and American Sign Language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGVjoCM2PQ8  Auslan Storybook Library: https://www.auslanstorybooks.com/the-storybook-library.html #Sponsored Search For The Ultimate $5 Lunchbox Rosie's Recipes: Brilliant Burrito Lunch Box:https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/recipes/black-bean-burrito-lunch-box?icmpid=sm-ffk-article-best-lunch-box-foods Classroom Companion Teachers! Want to access free, curriculum-aligned classroom resources tied to the daily podcast? Sign up to be a Squiz Kids Classroom and download the Classroom Companion each day. Made by teachers for teachers, differentiated to suit all primary school ability levels. And did we mention it's free? Newshounds Get started on our free media literacy resource for classrooms www.squizkids.com.au/newshounds Stay up to date with us on our Squiz Kids Instagram!   Got a birthday coming up and you want a shout-out? Complete the form on our Squiz Kids website. Link: SHOUT OUTS or / send us an email at squizkids@thesquiz.com.au  

Many of you will know Emma Watkins as the supremely talented Emma Wiggle. Emma grew up like many aspiring dancers, dreaming of becoming a ballerina, but her dreams took an unexpected change after sustaining an injury as a teenager. Her dreams changed direction and she embarked on a different path, one that led her to university, film editing, and to ultimately becoming the iconic Yellow Wiggle. In this wonderfully generous and personal interview, Emma talks about her years of ballet training in Sydney, how she auditioned to join the Wiggles first as a dancer, and then being selected to become a Wiggle. But Emma also shares so much more, how she coped with endometriosis while under intense pressure to be pregnant, the PhD she's studying, her passion for every child to learn Auslan and what it was like to become the first female Wiggle.To continue to follow Emma's adventures, you can find her on Instagram at either @Emma_Wiggle or @EmmaWatkinsOfficial

Li Cunxin, artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, joins us today on Talking Pointes. Most of you will know Li from his early life. He is Mao's Last Dancer. Li was born into complete poverty in rural China, where he was plucked from obscurity to join the Beijing Dance Academy. He was put through years of brutal training, up to 16 hours a day, to become a dancer. However, his life was meant to be one of twists and turns. He was chosen to undergo an exchange to the United States to dance with the Houston Ballet and while he was there he fell in love and married an American dancer. The resulting standoff between the USA and China made Li a global name, and with it, a ballet superstar. But with that success also came pain. In this wonderfully personal and at times emotional interview, Li shares stories from his early life, and the trauma of being banned from China, but he also shares the highs, reuniting with his parents, finding enduring love and to learning Auslan for his eldest daughter, Sophie.For the latest in all things dance, head to fjordreview.com and follow us on Instagram at @fjordreview

Mandy and Kate talk to Michelle and Jane, peas and lawyers from Your Story Disability Legal Support. Your Story Disability Legal Support offers free, independent, confidential legal support to make submissions to the Disability Royal Commission, which is currently open until 31 December 2022. The Commission wants to hear from people with disabilities, carers, families, support workers, peafessionals – anyone with lived experience that has feedback and a contribution to make. Michelle and Jane encourage Peas to particularly get in touch with their service if they'd like legal advice and support prior to making a submission. It's not compulsory to do so, but could be useful if you're concerned about privacy and confidentiality, or naming a service provider or other agency that you need to maintain a relationship with, such as a school or an employer. The service can also advise you if you have existing legal concerns such as current court proceedings, non-disclosure agreements, other contracts and more. Michelle and Jane outline some of the common issues they're finding in submissions - discrimination and exclusion, barriers to accessing community services, issues with NDIS, children and young people being excluded from school, discrimination and lack of support in the workplace and the disproportional impact of family violence for women with a disability The service can also link you to free counselling and support, interpreting and Auslan services and specific support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Peas, you're encouraged to contact Michelle, Jane and their colleagues at Your Story Disability Legal Support to make a submission or assist your child to make a submission and take the opportunity to make an important contribution to positive change through the Disability Royal Commission. Contact Your Story Disability Legal Support via their website Learn more about the Disability Royal Commission Plus: Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us!Listen to our Spotify playlist –Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas LoveMelbourne forecast for Thursday November 24 –Partly cloudy, 19 degreesJoin our Facebook HangoutFind us on YouTubeThank you for supporting Too Peas In A Podcast! Don't forget to rate and reviewContact us here:Website: www.toopeasinapodcast.com.auEmail: toopeaspodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoom has a 'Speaker' setting which records the person 'talking' during your conversation. Drisana Levitzke-Gray was speaking using Auslan however the end file never showed her demonstrating her use of language and instead focused on her interpreter. That was our mistake. 2 years later we get to right that wrong and showcase our former Young Australian Of The Year award winner sharing her lived experience as a fifth generation proud deaf advocate. Book Drisana for keynotes, motivational speaking, Auslan and Accessibility Consultant plus much more here: www.drisanalg.com Follow Drisana on Twitter here  Want to learn more about 'Deaf Gain' watch the visual podcast explanation here: Deaf Gain: the benefits of being Deaf Watch this interview captioned and in full on our Youtube page here  Join the 10,000+ legends on Instagram: @ListenABLE_ Podcast Grab our first merch release at our website From Your PocketSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There aren't many things that evoke more YAY than the Wiggles, especially a sunshine-coloured one!!! While she has now officially hung up her yellow Wiggle shoes, Emma Watkins still radiates like a sunbeam and we are so lucky to have her here today.  As always, it was such a delight to trace back to a younger Emma who never could have dreamed of where she'd end up and with whom I have an earlier very intense dancer's life in common. You might have guessed that her love for the arts has been lifelong, but you might NOT know she's also a skilled filmmaker, has been in Bollywood films, won Miss Granny Smith Apples AND learnt Auslan all before becoming the first ever female Wiggle. Now, she is doing some incredible work with artistic integrations of sign language through her PhD which you will hear all about in the episode. PLUS Emma's also stepping into some beautiful frocks this month as an ambassador for the OCRF's incredible Frocktober Campaign – I've popped links below to this incredible initiative. OCRF'S FROCKTOBER 2022 Follow Emma here! + Announcements on Insta at @spoonful_of_sarah + Join our Facebook community here + Subscribe to not miss out on the next instalment of YAY!