The Hair Therapist

Norm grew up knowing that his father had spent his final years homeless on the streets of London - a fact he didn’t fully comprehend as a child, but one that stayed with him as a quiet, defining thread. That early awareness shaped his understanding of how quickly people can fall through the cracks, and it planted the conviction that safety and dignity should never be out of reach for anyone.

Years later, that conviction crysta...

Norm grew up knowing that his father had spent his final years homeless on the streets of London - a fact he didn’t fully comprehend as a child, but one that stayed with him as a quiet, defining thread. That early awareness shaped his understanding of how quickly people can fall through the cracks, and it planted the conviction that safety and dignity should never be out of reach for anyone.

Years later, that conviction crysta...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Janelle and Penny from Respect Inc, Queensland’s sex worker–led organisation advocating for safety, rights, and dignity in an industry long shaped by stigma and criminalisation. It’s a conversation arriving at a historic moment: after decades of campaigning by groups like Respect Inc and DecrimQLD, Queensland has now passed laws to decriminalise sex work, a reform designed to improve safety, work...

A conversation with Tiffanee Cook is never just a conversation, it’s an invitation to step into the ring with your own story, to face the parts of yourself you’ve outrun, and to discover what strength really feels like when it’s earned from the inside out.

Tiffanee’s early years shaped her in ways she wouldn’t fully understand until much later. She carried unspoken pain, unprocessed experiences, and a quiet determination that ...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Heidi Horne, speaker, author, traveler, coach, stress strategist and the creator of the One‑Minute Reset™, a simple but powerful method for shifting your state of mind in just 60 seconds.

Heidi’s story is one of movement, across countries, careers, and inner landscapes. For years, she was the woman who could do everything, juggling work, family, and life at full speed. But it was a single mome...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Jools Purchase, the creative force behind Haus of Jools, whose path has taken her from the salon floor to the stage and back again, returning to hair with a renewed sense of artistry, purpose, and connection.

Jools began her career as a hairdresser, but it was dance that pulled her into a world of movement, discipline, and self‑expression. When she eventually found her way back to hair, she ...

A raw, redemptive, and deeply human conversation with Jason Blyth, a motivational speaker and youth advocate whose journey from chaos to purpose now fuels his mission to inspire change.

In this episode, Mel sits down with Jason Blyth, whose life story moves from childhood trauma and instability through addiction, violence, and rock bottom, and then into a profound, self‑driven transformation. Jason speaks with unfiltered hones...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Laura Valenti, Director at McGrath North Lakes and Moreton Bay, to explore the unique role property managers play in shaping safer communities. With years of experience leading teams in real estate, Laura brings both professional expertise and a deep commitment to community wellbeing. Their conversation highlights how property managers, often overlooked as frontline professionals, are uniquely po...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Sally Pymer - empowerment coach, speaker, and the driving force behind a movement that proves the simplest human gestures can create extraordinary change. Sally’s work centres on one powerful idea: a genuine smile can shift energy, soften stigma, and reconnect people who’ve forgotten what it feels like to be acknowledged.

Drawing from more than two decades across psychology, AOD counselling,...

Kylie Dwyer’s story is one of artistry, leadership, and heart. Beginning her career in 1986, she quickly rose from stylist to salon owner, educator, and mentor, shaping the hairdressing community with her vision and dedication. Her work has taken her from local apprenticeships to international stages, representing Australia at the World Skills Olympics and Mondial Paris, while also showcasing her talent at Sydney and Melbourne Fash...

Mel sits down with Salli Cohen, founder of The Policy Room and a seasoned policy practitioner with over three decades of experience, for a powerful conversation about advocacy, resilience, and the role of good policy in shaping communities. Salli shares her personal journey, the tribulations she has faced, and the lessons learned from working across government, the not‑for‑profit sector, and community organisations. With a backgrou...

Today’s episode brings us into the heart of what community care looks like when it’s done with courage, creativity, and an unwavering belief in people. And there’s no one who embodies that more fully than Mim O’Flynn.

For more than two decades, Mim has dedicated her nursing career to walking alongside people who are too often pushed to the margins, those experiencing homelessness, stigma, incarceration, or the heavy weight of ...

In this powerful episode, Mel sits down with PJ Humphreys, Community Development Officer at Sunshine Coast Council and the driving force behind Street Up - a grassroots homelessness initiative built on one simple but transformative belief: nothing about us, without us. Street Up was established in 2023 to harness the strength, insight, and leadership of people with lived experience of homelessness, ensuring their voices shape the p...

In this episode, Mel speaks with Martine Richards, founder Freedom Wigs Australia and a leading alopecia wig specialist. Martine’s journey began when she started losing her hair as a young child. Misdiagnosed at the time, she faced years of confusion and isolation before learning she had alopecia, a turning point that shaped her resilience and her mission to help others.

Today, Martine channels that lived experience into her w...

In this episode, Melissa welcomes Megan Evans, an award-winning hairdresser, salon owner, and founder of In Awe Education - to share her inspiring journey and vision for the future of the hairdressing industry. Megan has built a career defined by creativity, leadership, and a passion for education. From winning SA/TAS Hairdresser of the Year in 2019 to being recognised internationally for her collections, she has consistently pushe...

In this episode, Mel speaks with Josh Wilkins, the inspiring founder of One Voice, about the moment that changed his life - the first time he truly saw how homelessness does not discriminate. Josh shares how witnessing people from all walks of life without a roof over their heads revealed a truth that many overlook: no one is immune to the possibility of losing their home.

From that experience grew One Voice, a movement dedica...

In this episode, Mel sits down with Yasmin Khan, founder of The Bangle Foundation, to discuss her groundbreaking work supporting South Asian women who have immigrated to Australia and are facing domestic abuse, coercive control, and the complex challenges of rebuilding their lives in a new country. Yasmin shares the story behind creating a safe, culturally responsive space where women can seek help without fear of stigma or isolati...

What does it mean to rewrite your story and then help others do the same? In this episode, Mel sits down with Tahlia Isaac, founder and CEO of Project:herSELF, a transformative initiative supporting women impacted by incarceration. Tahlia’s journey from navigating the criminal legal system to becoming a fierce advocate for justice is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the power of lived experience.

Through raw honesty and...

What does it take to rebuild a life after prison? For Vincent Siahaan, it began with a brutal awakening, a nine-year sentence for drug trafficking, and the crushing reality of being separated from his young family. But his story didn’t end there, it transformed.

In this deeply honest conversation, Vincent shares how his time behind bars reshaped his understanding of justice, identity, and community. He opens up about the emot...