Engaging Conversations | Inspiring Dialogue, Empowering Communities
Welcome to Engaging Conversations, the podcast that connects you with the pulse of our local communities.
Hosted by Leon Goltsman, Founder of Ecolibrium Headquarters (EcoHQ), each episode invites you on an inspiring journey into the stories that shape and uplift our neighbourhoods.
From visionary leaders and industry experts to everyday heroes making a difference, Engaging Conversations offers an exclusive look into our society’s diverse and dynamic fabric. This podcast is your gateway to broadening your perspective, building meaningful connections, and being inspired.
Please note that the views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or EcoHQ. The discussions in this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, medical, or legal advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.
Tune in, join the conversation, and discover the people, places, and purpose driving positive change.
Episodes
45 episodes
#45 - Stronger Communities, Safer Lives: Inside Suicide Prevention | Bradley Dunn
The scariest part about suicide risk is how often it hides in plain sight. People expect clear warning signs, but what shows up more often are small changes: someone goes quiet, stops turning up, withdraws from what they love, or feels like a b...
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36:10
#44 - How One Surf School Sparked Careers, Confidence, And Community Across New South Wales | Brenda Miley
Waves don’t just shape shorelines; they shape people. From the heart of the Bondi Pavilion, we sit down with surf pioneer Brenda Miley to explore how a borrowed van, a teacher’s eye, and a stubborn belief in visibility for women turned Let’s Go...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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31:08
#43 - From Sail To Sky: Performance, Leadership & Sovereign Capability | Dario Valenza
What if the habits that win America’s Cup races are the same ones that power safer, long‑range drones? We sit down with engineer and founder Dario Valenza of Carbonix to trace a line from elite yacht design to fixed‑wing VTOL aircraft that are ...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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35:17
#42 – Measuring Success by Impact Worth | Shane Muller
What if success starts with generosity, not the other way around? We sit down with entrepreneur and mentor Shane Muller to explore how people-first leadership builds cultures that last, grows B and C players into A players, and turns good ideas...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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42:13
#41 - When Numbers Tell The Truth, People Heal Faster | Dr Faisal Sheikh
What happens when rehabilitation is guided by evidence, clarity, and care — rather than assumption or delay?In this episode of Engaging Conversations, Leon Goltsman is join...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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26:00
#40 - From Shock To Purpose: Reclaiming Community After Bondi
Start with the truth: some seasons don’t end with easy optimism. We chose to pause after the Bondi tragedy, to listen rather than rush to fill the air. That decision reshaped our compass for a new year. We return with a clearer purpose, convers...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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5:26
#39 - Homes, Help, And Human Connection | Deb Worthington
A flood zone you didn’t check. An insurance premium you didn’t price. A lender policy you didn’t read until auction day. We sat down by Lake Macquarie with buyer’s advocate Deb Worthington to map a safer path through the property maze and to sp...
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Episode 39
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26:46
#38 - Chaos, Curiosity, And Courage | Zina Kaye
The background laughter wasn’t noise; it was the cue. Recorded in Paddington, surrounded by young people finding their voice. Sitting down with technologist and board member Zina Kaye to dig into a simple truth: curiosity becomes courage when y...
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Episode 38
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33:06
#37 - When Community Leads, Systems Change | Simone Stanley
What if plan management felt human, transparent, and genuinely helpful from day one? We sat down with Simone Stanley from Plan Tracker to explore how a people-first approach can transform the NDIS from a maze into a map. Simone’s story begins a...
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Episode 37
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22:38
#36 - Rethinking Rehabilitation: What Happens When Engagement Becomes the Treatment | Craig Hewat
What if the missing piece in rehabilitation isn’t a new device, but a reason to show up tomorrow? We sit down with Craig Hewat, Managing Director of Engage VR, to explore how immersive therapy shifts the focus from compliance to genuine engagem...
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Episode 36
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21:43
#35 - The Art of Connection in a Digital Age: Finding Meaning at Work | Nini Fritz
"Energy is everything and everything is energy." These words from Nini Fritz, founder of the Work Happiness Project, cut straight to the heart of our modern work dilemma. In a culture that celebrates busyness as a badge of honour, we've forgott...
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Episode 35
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27:56
#34 - If You Can't Find a Seat at the Table, Build Your Own | Nerva Kay Ghamraoui
What happens when an architect decides there's a better way to build? Nerva Kay Ghamraoui, founder of Katalyst Construction, is reshaping Sydney's luxury residential construction landscape by prioritising people over profits and quality over sh...
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Episode 34
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23:37
#33 - Koalas, Kangaroos, and Kindness: The Ultimate Aussie Remedy | Christopher Williams & Ann Victoria
What happens when creativity meets compassion? In this heartwarming episode, we discover how a poem written during Australian bushfires has transformed into a nationwide movement supporting children with special needs.Meet Christopher W...
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Episode 33
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30:38
#32 - No One Left Behind: Transforming Community Health in the Nepean Region | Tripti Deswal
The fractures in our healthcare system aren't just statistics – they're people waiting months for knee surgeries, children losing developmental progress, and families watching loved ones suffer unnecessarily. In this powerful conversation, fron...
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23:31
#31 - The Hidden Power of Early Leadership Development and Emotional Intelligence | Sophie Firmager
What if the leadership skills our world desperately needs aren't being taught in schools at all? Sophie Firmager, founder of the Realised Potential Group, reveals why the foundation of authentic leadership begins much earlier than most realise ...
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Episode 31
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29:24
#30 - The Fighter's Journey: David Fox on Living Beyond Parkinson's Diagnosis
When you meet David Fox, you might first notice the calm strength of a lifelong martial artist. What you might not see right away is the courage it takes to live each day with Parkinson’s disease — a condition he’s faced for nearly 15 years. On...
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Episode 30
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26:06
#29 - Orange Ribbons and Second Chances: A Birthday Interview in Kalipay | Astrid Hocking
What happens when compassion crosses continents? Astrid Hocking, Lake Macquarie's Woman of the Year, joins us live from the Philippines to share her extraordinary journey of protecting the vulnerable and building resilient communities.F...
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Episode 29
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39:05
#28 - Rising from Ashes: How Brotherhood Heals Men's Trauma | Dave Martin
What happens when men finally find a space where they can be vulnerable without judgment? Lives transform, connections form, and healing begins.Dave Martin, Director at Survivors R Us and founder of Sons of the Phoenix, knows firsthand ...
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Episode 28
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17:53
#27 - Solar Sense: Maximisng Your Energy Potential | Samuel Culhaci
Solar power isn't just for sunny summer days—it's a year-round investment that transforms your roof into your personal power plant. Samuel Culhaci, a trusted expert from DNR Air Conditioning and Electrical, breaks down the surprising realities ...
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35:20
#26 - Leading with Purpose: How to Attract, Engage, and Retain Talent in Business | Trudy MacDonald
Transforming workplace culture isn't about quick fixes but fundamentally understanding what drives human performance. Trudy MacDonald, award-winning global keynote speaker and founder of Talent Code HR, brings over two decades of organisational...
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Episode 26
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43:48
#25 - Service Above Self: A Legacy of Community Impact | Vincent De Luca OAM
Vincent De Luca OAM doesn't just talk about community service—he embodies it. From starting advocacy work at just nine years old to becoming one of Australia's youngest Order of Australia Medal recipients, his journey reveals what happens when ...
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Episode 25
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39:28
#24 - Words That Wound: How Everyday Language Shapes Gender Respect | Rachael Natoli
What we say reveals who we are—especially when we think no one's listening.Rachael Natoli, founder of Lokahi Foundation, brings raw honesty and practical wisdom to our conversation about the language that shapes attitudes toward women a...
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Episode 24
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36:39
#23 - How One Op Shop Gave Back $1 Million and Changed Lives Forever | Theo Van Bezouwen
The Hillview Op Shop demonstrates how a social enterprise can harness community spirit to create a remarkable impact by transforming donated goods into life-changing community initiatives. Manager Theo Van Bezouwen shares the inspiring evolutio...
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Episode 23
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23:05
#22 - Beyond The Paycheck: How Hunter Adults Financial Collaborative Transforms Lives | Cherylin Beever
When someone finds meaningful employment, they gain more than a paycheck—they discover dignity, purpose, and the ability to contribute to their community. This transformative journey sits at the heart of Hunter Adults Financial Collaborative (H...
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Episode 22
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29:33
#21 - Empowering Communities through Ethical Investment | Niaz Cannoth
Step into the world of ethical finance with our guest, Niaz Cannoth, whose remarkable journey reflects how financial investments can spark real change in communities. From his beginnings in Australia to becoming a leader in NDIS accommodation p...
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Episode 21
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31:09