Podcasts Archives - Befriend https://befriend.org.au/page-category/podcasts/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:58:28 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://befriend.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/favicon-150x150.png Podcasts Archives - Befriend https://befriend.org.au/page-category/podcasts/ 32 32 Ep 1. The Builder https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-builder/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:53:15 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2386 Alyssa Nixon-Lloyd has always had a keen interest in community. Growing up in a small country town, community-building was second nature to her family who were actively involved in community life. In this episode, Alyssa talks about how she creates community – whether through hobbies or interests or simply her day-to-day interactions.

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Episode 1: The Builder

Alyssa Nixon-Lloyd

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Alyssa Nixon-Lloyd has always had a keen interest in community. Growing up in a small country town, community-building was second nature to her family who were actively involved in community life. In this episode, Alyssa talks about how she creates community – whether through hobbies or interests or simply her day-to-day interactions.

Interview with Alyssa

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]]> Ep 2. The Sociologist https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-sociologist/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:52:53 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2387 2020 will always be known as the year we all jumped on online to socialise. But we had a question; what do we gain from face-to-face social connection that we can’t replicate through digital connection? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Roger Patulny, a sociologist at the University of Wollongong who studies the importance of social connection and impact on those of us who are isolated.

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Episode 2. The Sociologist

Dr. Roger Patulny

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2020 will always be known as the year we all jumped on online to socialise. But we had a question; what do we gain from face-to-face social connection that we can’t replicate through digital connection? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Roger Patulny, a sociologist at the University of Wollongong who studies the importance of social connection and impact on those of us who are isolated.

Interview with Dr Roger Patulny

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]]> Ep 3. The Researcher https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-researcher/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:50:49 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2388 We see a lot in the media about the downside of online connections and the superiority of face-to-face friendships. But is it all bad? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Loretta Baldassar whose research into online relationships finds that the digital world actually has a lot to offer in terms of social connection.

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Episode 3. The Researcher

Dr. Loretta Baldassar

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We see a lot in the media about the downside of online connections and the superiority of face-to-face friendships. But is it all bad? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Loretta Baldassar whose research into online relationships finds that the digital world actually has a lot to offer in terms of social connection.

Interview with Dr. Loretta Baldassar

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]]> Ep 4. The Dreamer https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-dreamer/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:50:30 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2389 Valerie Weyland dreams big. In her early 20’s she moved by herself to Australia, a place where she knew no-one, to play basketball. In this episode, we hear how Valerie fell in and out of connection, experienced prejudice and judgement, navigated migration and changed careers, all whilst on her inner journey to find belonging with herself. Her journey today is an expression of her connected life, as she creates spaces for women of colour to come together, connect and thrive.

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Episode 4. The Dreamer

Valerie Weyland

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Valerie Weyland dreams big. In her early 20’s she moved by herself to Australia, a place where she knew no-one, to play basketball. In this episode, we hear how Valerie fell in and out of connection, experienced prejudice and judgement, navigated migration and changed careers, all whilst on her inner journey to find belonging with herself. Her journey today is an expression of her connected life, as she creates spaces for women of colour to come together, connect and thrive.

Interview with Valerie Wayland

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]]> Ep 5. The Optimist and the Listener https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-optimist-and-the-listener/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:49:55 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2381 Fee has a happy knack of seeing the best in everyone. As a woman with an intellectual disability and autism, her fearless view of the world empowers her to make connections wherever she goes. She’s navigated her connected world and learnt a lot along the way, often sharing her discoveries with Leslie, her support worker of six years. In this episode, we hear from both Fee and Leslie, as they share their perspectives on human connection.

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Episode 5. The Optimist and the Listener

Fee and Leslie

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Fee has a happy knack of seeing the best in everyone. As a woman with an intellectual disability and autism, her fearless view of the world empowers her to make connections wherever she goes. She’s navigated her connected world and learnt a lot along the way, often sharing her discoveries with Leslie, her support worker of six years. In this episode, we hear from both Fee and Leslie, as they share their perspectives on human connection.

Interview with Fee and Leslie

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]]> Ep 6. The Empowerer https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-empowerer/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:49:25 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2383 In this episode, we talk with occupational therapist and disability rights advocate, Dr. Bec Waters. Bec teaches a unit about disability at Curtin University and is well known for her strong views on how much of our “help” actually helps keep people with disability in a position of disempowerment. In this truly eye-opening discussion, we discover what genuine connection with people with disability looks like (hint: it looks a lot like genuine connection with anyone else).

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Episode 6. The Empowerer

Dr Bec Waters

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In this episode, we talk with occupational therapist and disability rights advocate, Dr. Bec Waters. Bec teaches a unit about disability at Curtin University and is well known for her strong views on how much of our “help” actually helps keep people with disability in a position of disempowerment. In this truly eye-opening discussion, we discover what genuine connection with people with disability looks like (hint: it looks a lot like genuine connection with anyone else).

Interview with Dr Bec Waters

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]]> Ep 7. The Facilitator https://befriend.org.au/podcasts/the-facilitator/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:48:29 +0000 https://befriend.org.au/?page_id=2382 Dave Lindner is Befriend’s Community Connector – he’s the guy who helps Befriend members create new communities and connections. In this episode we chat with Dave about the challenges inherent in kickstarting community and why you don’t need to feel that you’re alone in trying to figure it all out.

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Episode 7. The Facilitator

Dave Lindner

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Dave Lindner is Befriend’s Community Connector – he’s the guy who helps Befriend members create new communities and connections. In this episode we chat with Dave about the challenges inherent in kickstarting community and why you don’t need to feel that you’re alone in trying to figure it all out.

Interview with Dave Lindner

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