About the Guest

Colleen Hirst is an accomplished psychologist and family therapist affiliated with Merrylands Counselling. With a rich professional history in psychology and therapy, Colleen specialises in helping individuals understand and break negative relationship patterns. She is proficient in applying various therapeutic models and theories, such as attachment theory and John Gottman's methods, to enhance relationship dynamics and promote personal growth. Her insights are particularly valuable for developing secure attachments and improving interpersonal connections.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Patterns: Each individual has emotional blueprints shaped by upbringing and life experiences that govern relationship behaviors and attachment styles.
• Importance of Self-awareness: Identifying negative patterns is crucial; individuals must recognise their contributions to relationship dynamics to effect change.
• John Gottman's Principles: The Four Horsemen model provides insights into destructive relationship behaviors, underscoring the need to replace criticism with soft startups and stonewalling with self-soothing techniques.
• Connection Over Communication: True relationship resilience is built on connection and shared meaning, not just communication skills or conflict resolution.
• Therapeutic Interventions: Even entrenched patterns can be altered with intentional actions, as therapy can provide a framework for developing more positive interaction cycles.

Notable Quotes:

1. "We are all patterns, all of us. We've all got these internal working models for how we emotionally connect." — Colleen Hirst
2. "Good communication is a fantastic and vital skill, but when we lose connection, that's when the conflict comes." — Colleen Hirst
3. "Every time we say no to our automatic pilot, we're starting to change the internal script." — Colleen Hirst
4. "My top tip is connection… How can we build this relationship because I want a future with you?" — Colleen Hirst
5. "The main thing is not about active listening; it's about being there for your partner." — Colleen Hirst

Resources:

• Maryland's Counselling: Merrylands Counselling Psychology Practice (Gaining additional insights and support)
• John Gottman: Various models discussed, including the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Sound Relationship House Model.
• Attachment Theory: Explored in relation to early life experiences affecting adult relationships.

Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About the Guest:

Jo Starling is the President of the Women’s Recreational Fishing League, Australia’s only nationwide women-focused recreational fishing community. A creative consultant and strategist, Jo uses fishing as a platform to empower women, build confidence, and support personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Jo Starling's recovery from trauma was significantly bolstered by the empowerment and community found in women's only fishing leagues.
• The Women's Recreational Fishing League encourages women to break traditional gender roles and learn skills typically associated with men, fostering a sense of self-reliance and confidence.
• Fishing serves as a strategic and engaging activity that allows women to manage stress and remain in the present moment.
• The league's initiatives aim to address the gender imbalance in recreational fishing by offering a supportive environment where women can grow and thrive.
• Personal growth and professional success can result from challenging limiting beliefs and tackling perceived male-dominant spaces.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Fishing prowess is not sexually transmitted. It is not something that you can just plug and play."
2. "The power of recreational fishing is that as a woman, you are gaining the capacity to be self-reliant in every way, which allows you to know that your circumstances are yours."
3. "You cannot have self-esteem if you do not have control over your circumstances. Fishing gave me back control of my life."
4. "Women need to stop playing to the masculine and embrace our own leadership styles. It's not about out-menning the men."
5. "The transformational power of the Women's Recreational Fishing League is demonstrated in how women can now do things they once thought were impossible."

Resources:

• Women's Recreational Fishing League on Facebook
• Jo Starling's professional mentoring course, "Hooked"

Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest:

Tori Sanderson is the Managing Director of Avian, an Canberra based, consultancy focused on human-centred design, digital strategy, accessibility, and digital service delivery. She has more than 15 years’ experience in digital strategy and product consulting, and holds an Arts (Honours) degree in Chinese Studies as well as a Masters of Development Studies. Her work sits at the intersection of design, technology, and strategy, helping organisations improve and transform their digital services.

Key Takeaways:

• AI's Gender Impact: AI threatens roles largely held by women, particularly in entry-level and procedural jobs.
• Government's Role: Government intervention is essential to regulate AI's integration into the workforce and protect entry-level opportunities.
• Engagement Gap: Women are less engaged with AI technologies compared to men, risking further exclusion from tech advancements.
• Career Shifts: More flexible career pathways are emerging, though existing disparities in senior roles remain a challenge.
• Value of Human Connection: Fields dependent on human-to-human interaction, like counseling, hold a unique resilience against AI takeover.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I think if we don't start engaging, particularly as women, we run a real risk of entrenching some of these disparities."
2. "We’re still exploring whether the technology lives up to the hype, and it’s anyone’s game still a little bit."
3. "AI always wants you to feel like you're right and wants you to feel like it's right."
4. "We need to support those who are coming up…so that we're not just the isolated exception."
5. "I think that is a space that government can do a great job on, is actually kind of tempering some of those impacts."

Resources:

• Avian: Avian helps teams design, deliver, and sustain better digital services. For people, systems, and public good.

Support the show, a product of Hope Media: https://hope1032.com.au/donate/2211A-pod/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.