The Glitter Effect

In this powerful and heartwarming episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jodie Hollis, the inspirational founder and CEO of Cancer Support Angels. Jodie shares the deeply personal story behind the creation of her not-for-profit organisation, born out of her own battle with cancer and the stark realisation that far too many patients face their fight alone.

Motivated by the lack of in-person support and practical assistance, Jodie took action—starting with a humble Spyrax notebook and a vision to build something meaningful. From its grassroots beginnings, Cancer Support Angels has blossomed into a na...

In this powerful and heart-centred episode of The Glitter Effect, we sit down with Lane Stockton, a proud Wiradjuri man and co-founder of Yarn’n — Australia’s only Indigenous-owned and Australian-made toilet paper company. But Yarn’n is far more than a household essential; it’s “toilet paper with purpose,” created from a deep desire to give back, uplift culture and create long-lasting community impact.

Lane shares how he and co-founder David Croft transformed a simple idea into a national social enterprise that donates 50% of its profits to Yalari, supporting the education of Indigenous children from remote and regional c...

In this deeply moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Wayne Holdsworth—father, advocate, and founder of Smack Talk, an initiative created in the wake of unimaginable tragedy. Wayne’s beloved son, Mac, died by suicide at just 17 after being targeted in a devastating act of online sexual extortion.

Wayne courageously opens up about who Mac truly was: a natural leader, school captain, star athlete, loyal friend, and a young man with a wicked sense of humour and a heart overflowing with generosity. Through Wayne’s words, listeners are invited to see the vibran...

In this empowering episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate is joined by Samantha Gowan, the dynamic CEO of Dress for Success Victoria—an organisation committed to transforming lives through dignity, confidence, and opportunity.

Samantha shares the inspiring mission behind Dress for Success, a global movement that started in a New York basement in the 1990s and has since grown into an international network, including six affiliates in Australia. At its core, Dress for Success helps women facing hardship—whether due to long-term unemployment, domestic violence, incarceration, or displacement—by providing professional attire, job-readiness workshops, and emotional suppor...

In this powerful episode, host Kate welcomes Dr. Anthea Skinner—musician, researcher, and disability advocate—whose lived experience has inspired a groundbreaking initiative: the Adaptive Music Bridging Program.

A collaboration between the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Youth Orchestras, the program is revolutionising access to music education by providing adaptive instruments and inclusive learning spaces for children with disabilities. Anthea shares how her own journey as a disabled musician led to creating opportunities for kids to take their first music lessons and play alongside their peers in bands and orchestras.

This episode celebrates inclusion, innovation, and...

In this powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, we meet Bernadette Blair, founding board member and chair of Next Steps Australia, a compassionate force supporting women and families escaping domestic and family violence.

Bernadette shares the emotional journey behind the creation of the organization — from her early experiences as a school principal to heartbreaking stories from family members in the medical field. The defining moment came when she learned of an extreme case of violence that compelled her to take action.

Founded on the belief that everyone deserves dignity and a second chance, Next Steps Au...

In this heartwarming episode of The Glitter Effect, we shine a light on Jane Bourne — community leader, changemaker, and co-founder of Kiama Unplugged, a grassroots movement inspiring people to put down their phones and reconnect in real life.

Based in the beautiful coastal town of Kiama, New South Wales, Jane and her partner Ian have created a space for genuine human connection through music, games, conversation, and simple shared moments. Born from a growing concern about the impact of smartphones — particularly on young people — Kiama Unplugged encourages presence, belonging, and joy in the everyday.

Host [Your N...

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, host [unnamed] welcomes Nic Marchesi, co-founder of Orange Sky, the world’s first free mobile laundry and shower service for people experiencing homelessness.

Nic shares the inspiring story of how he and co-founder Lucas Patchett—two 20-year-olds from Brisbane—started Orange Sky in a garage with nothing more than a van named Sudsie, some washing machines, and a bold belief that clean clothes and conversation could restore dignity.

Originally aiming to improve hygiene for people doing it tough, they quickly discovered the true power of human connection. The simple...

In this heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, host welcomes Tina Kendall-Davies, a seasoned counsellor with over 20 years of experience helping people through grief, trauma, and mental health challenges. Tina is the founder of Anytime Counselling, a service created to reach those who often fall through the cracks of traditional support systems—especially in remote or rural communities.

Tina shares her journey from a passion for teaching to becoming a full-time counsellor. Initially aiming to be a school counsellor, she grew frustrated with the limitations of the education system—where bureaucracy often hindered real, meaningful help for stud...

🎙️ The Glitter Effect – Episode Summary

Guest: Matt Cronin, Co-founder of the Pat Cronin Foundation
Host: Kate Gniel
Theme: From Tragedy to Legacy – Choosing Courage, Kindness, and Change

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate Gniel sits down with Matt Cronin, co-founder of the Pat Cronin Foundation and proud father of Pat Cronin, whose life was tragically cut short in 2016 due to a coward punch attack.

What begins as a story of unimaginable loss transforms into a moving discussion about resilience, purpose, and advocacy. Matt shares the emotional...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate Gniel chats with Barbara Gill, the dynamic General Manager of Garage Sale Trail—Australia’s biggest community reuse event. What began as a spontaneous idea during a local Bondi festival in 2010 has now blossomed into a nationwide movement promoting sustainability, community connection, and the circular economy.

Barbara shares the incredible journey of the Garage Sale Trail, from humble beginnings with 180 local sales to now partnering with over 90 councils across Australia. Under her leadership, the initiative has diverted hundreds of tonnes of items from landfill, saved Aussies millions of d...

In this inspiring episode, host Kate is joined by Ben Duffy, a 20-year-old with a huge heart and unstoppable determination. Ben is currently taking on the challenge of running 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise awareness and funds for the Pat Cronin Foundation, which works to end coward punch violence and promote a safer, kinder community.

Ben shares the emotional story behind his motivation—sparked by a school presentation from Pat’s father, Matt Cronin—and how his love for sport and passion for purpose led to this incredible physical and mental challenge.

More than just a mara...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate sits down with Jen Waltmon — a passionate mental health advocate and suicide prevention leader whose journey from personal adversity to national impact is both moving and inspiring.

Jen shares her deeply personal story, beginning with a childhood shaped by trauma, addiction, and the early loss of both parents. She opens up about her own struggles with clinical depression and suicidal ideation in her 20s, navigating intense grief and loneliness without siblings or a support system. Her lived experience became the catalyst for profound transformation.

Af...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Rochelle Courtenay, founder of Share the Dignity, a groundbreaking Australian charity tackling period poverty. Rochelle shares the powerful story behind the movement’s creation — sparked in 2015 when she read an article about homeless women using makeshift items like socks and newspaper during their periods.

Outraged and moved to act, Rochelle began collecting sanitary products through her personal training clients, ultimately launching a grassroots initiative that grew into a national force. From wearing a sanitary pad dress to raise awareness to lobbying parliament, Rochelle has fear...

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Emma Rose Parsons—a passionate psychologist, mum, and the powerhouse behind Mountain to Melbourne, a grassroots fundraising movement bringing critical support to local children’s hospitals in Victoria.

Emma Rose combines her professional insight into childhood anxiety with her personal experience as a mother to champion better care for kids—especially neurodivergent children—who often face overwhelming hospital environments. Shocked to discover that major fundraising often bypasses local hospitals, she decided to do something bold: run over 100km in just 12 hours, from Healesville Hospital to Eastland Town Square...

In this deeply moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jason Sotiris, founder of SuperTee—a superhero-inspired medical garment transforming the hospital experience for children across Australia.

Jason shares the heartbreaking journey of his daughter’s cancer battle and how one moment of frustration and helplessness led to a life-changing idea. Tired of hospital gowns that made children look and feel sick, Jason imagined something better—garments that offered comfort, dignity, and courage.

What started as a desperate Dad’s solution has grown into a national movement, replacing clinical gowns with colourfu...

In this heartwarming episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Ruth Lazerson, founder of Art of Hope—a creative initiative that transforms handcrafted heart-shaped pendants into powerful symbols of kindness, connection, and healing.

Ruth shares the story behind her colorful creations and the philosophy that drives her: that even the smallest acts of kindness, like a tiny light in a dark room, can illuminate the lives of those in pain or isolation. Originally trained as a textile designer, Ruth rediscovered her life’s purpose in her 40s, channeling her creativity into a move...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with the extraordinary Kirsty Porter, founder of Umbrella Dementia Cafés — a grassroots initiative providing safe, inclusive spaces for people living with dementia and their loved ones.

Kirsty shares the personal story that inspired her to shift from a career in aged care nursing to becoming a powerful community advocate. From a serendipitous visit to a dementia café in the UK to launching a now-vital network of support back home in Australia, Kirsty unpacks the urgent need for more dementia-friendly environments and open conv...

In this insightful and heart-led episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Wendy Coombe, founder of Animal Therapies Limited (ATL) — a pioneering Australian not-for-profit reshaping the landscape of therapeutic support through the healing power of animals.

Wendy takes us on the inspiring journey behind ATL’s creation, born from personal experience and grown into a national movement advocating for the formal recognition, education, and integration of animal-assisted services across health, education, disability, and aged care sectors.

With warmth and clarity, Wendy explains the vital differences between simply owning a pet and animal-assisted ther...

In this heartfelt and empowering episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down in person with social enterprise trailblazer Jess Colgan, CEO of All Things Equal and co-founder of Ginger Snap Patisserie. Jess is transforming what inclusive employment looks like, creating real pathways for people with disabilities to thrive in award-wage jobs within the hospitality sector and beyond.

Jess shares the inspiring origin stories behind both ventures — from a father’s determination to build a workplace for his daughter, to a sibling duo’s passion project baking up purpose alongside cookies. Under Jess’s leadership, All Things E...

In this heartwarming and powerful episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Simon Braun — better known as Simmo — the unstoppable force behind The Bloody Good Tour. Simmo is a passionate storyteller and community champion on a mission to save 100,000 lives and boost the well-being of Aussies everywhere, one blood donation and one heartfelt connection at a time.

After facing personal upheaval — becoming a single dad of three and navigating an emotional breakdown — Simmo transformed his pain into purpose. Packing his kids into a caravan, he’s journeyed across Australia, visiting over 75 Lifeblood donor centres and inspiring thousands...

In this inspiring episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Jo Taranto, the dynamic founder of Good for the Hood, a grassroots organisation dedicated to helping people, councils, and businesses build more sustainable, connected, and resilient communities.

With a background in health, sustainability, and communication, Jo shares how a simple neighbourhood initiative with her next-door neighbour sparked a national movement focused on practical, local change. From reducing waste to fostering social connection, Good for the Hood empowers everyday people to take meaningful action—right where they live, work, and play.

Ke...

In this heartfelt episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate sits down with Kylie Pussell, a mother, advocate, and the passionate CEO and co-founder of the Miracle Babies Foundation—Australia’s leading organization supporting families with premature or sick newborns.

Kylie shares the deeply personal story that led her to create the foundation after her own experience navigating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with her premature babies. What began as a journey of personal hardship has transformed into a national movement of compassion, advocacy, and peer support for thousands of families across Australia.

L...

In this moving episode of The Glitter Effect, host Kate welcomes Matt Runnalls, a fearless mental health advocate, founder of Mindfull Aus, speaker, author, and a deeply committed community builder. Matt’s mission is grounded in personal experience—he turned his own battle with mental health into a national movement that’s breaking down stigma and saving lives, especially in rural and regional Australia.

Matt shares his raw and powerful story:
• Growing up with emotional struggles he didn’t understand.
• Following society’s guidance only to be met with a diagnosis and little direction.
• Enduring...

Amanda Mandie, founder of Koala Kids Foundation, talks about how the organisation brings happiness to children undergoing cancer treatment and supports their families.

What started with small acts like providing art supplies and lollipops has grown into a network of volunteers and businesses. Mandy shares her personal journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2006, and how she found purpose in volunteering.

She discusses challenges like declining volunteer numbers and funding, as well as Koala Kids’ approach to sustainability, such as intergenerational volunteering and flexible ways to contribute.

Despite the decline in grants fo...

In this inspiring episode, host Kate reconnects with a long-time colleague and friend, Esis Tawfik, the passionate CEO of Ageing with Grace—an organization dedicated to ensuring older Australians live with dignity, independence, and joy.

Esis shares the deeply personal story that sparked her mission: witnessing her own parents’ struggles with ageing, isolation, and the loss of independence. Combined with over 30 years of experience in aged care, disability services, and self-esteem education, Esis built Ageing with Grace to champion inclusivity, advocacy, and human connection for all, regardless of background.

Together, Kate and Esis reflect on thei...

In this episode of The Glitter Effect, the host welcomes Maurice Gleeson, OAM, a true legend in the world of community, sport, and inclusion. Maurice is the President and CEO of Blind Sports Recreation Victoria and has dedicated over 40 years to championing opportunities for people who are blind or vision-impaired. He is an advocate for accessibility in sport, recreation, and social connection. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards Lifetime Achievement and the Medal of Honour of Australia.

Maurice’s leadership has transformed Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria into a...

In this heartfelt episode, Kate speaks with Sarah DeJonge, the founder of 1000 Hearts, a global kindness movement centered around hand-sewn felt hearts. Born from a time of personal healing and a deep desire to spread compassion, 1000 Hearts began in 2016 as a small personal project and has since evolved into an international community of “heartmakers.”

Sarah shares the deeply personal origin story of the project—sewing the first heart during a difficult period marked by separation, single parenting, and anxiety. Drawing on her background in crafting and her professional work in emotional support and grief care, she found that c...

In this first episode of The Glitter Effect, Kate Gniel is joined by the incredible Louise Larkin, founder and Chief Inclusion Officer of the charity Friend in Me. Lou’s work is a testament to the power of kindness and inclusion, and she’s the epitome of a community change maker. Described as someone who exudes “glitter,” Lou is a passionate advocate for creating spaces where every child feels included, regardless of their abilities.

Friend in Me started with a simple, heart-wrenching story. While driving to work, Lou heard a mother on the radio in tears because no one h...

Welcome to the Glitter Effect, a podcast dedicated to shining a light on the movers, shakers,
change makers, and all round living legends of our communities who are making a real difference.

We all have a little glitter to spread, whether it’s through kindness, action, or simply showing up when it matters most. This podcast is all about those who sprinkle their magic to create positive impact.

Each episode will showcase those who embody the true spirit of community, those who show up, make an impact, and in...