In this deeply moving episode of Your Neighborhood Show, Carolyn sits down with Julie, a participant-turned-volunteer at Sailability, to explore the remarkable journey of a woman who has quietly survived isolation, emotional abuse, neurodivergence, and chronic illness—and emerged with strength, creativity, and purpose. From early childhood mornings spent alone in convent gardens, to rediscovering joy on a sailboat in Townsville, Julie opens up about the challenges of being autistic in a world that often misunderstands, the long silence of an abusive marriage, and the radical act of reclaiming her voice through music, writing, and community. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the healing power of connection.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction
Carolyn introduces the theme of connection and disconnection, and welcomes Julie from the inclusive sailing organization, Sailability.

02:30 – A Childhood in Solitude
Julie recounts her early years spent alone in convent and school gardens, reflecting on how solitude shaped her comfort with being alone and her hesitancy around connection.

08:00 – Autism, Observation, and Self-Sufficiency
She shares how her autism likely contributed to her isolation and her affinity for quiet, creative exploration through nature and books.

12:30 – Music as a Lifeline
By age four, Julie was playing piano. Through school, travel, and cruise ships, music became her sanctuary and mode of expression.

18:15 – Growing Up Different
Julie discusses the disconnect she felt with peers due to her family's extensive travel and her mature worldview, often keeping her experiences to herself.

22:00 – The Pen Pal That Changed Her Life
A French pen pal led to a lifelong friendship, a solo trip to France at 17, and a safe space to build connection at her own pace.

28:00 – The Marriage That Silenced Her
Julie opens up about her 25-year marriage where emotional abuse and coercive control silenced her music and joy, until she found the strength to leave.

33:30 – Homeschooling, Healing, and Motherhood
Julie reflects on channeling her energy into homeschooling her two children, using music and travel to help them thrive where she once felt limited.

39:00 – Rediscovery Through Travel and Culture
She shares adventures from Panama to Costa Rica, instilling in her children a love for the world and resilience through experience.

42:00 – From Breakdown to Breakthrough
After her divorce, Julie spent years unraveling chronic health issues and rediscovering who she was outside her roles.

45:00 – Sailing into Selfhood
A single ride with Sailability reconnected Julie with the ocean and community. Volunteering led her back to creativity through music and social media, reinventing how she gives back.

49:00 – Owning Her Story
Julie shares her greatest life lesson: that courage comes from leaning into community and vulnerability. “These are happy tears,” she says, as she embraces a new chapter with grace.🎧 For more stories of reinvention, resilience, and connection, listen to Your Neighbourhood Show.

📱 Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show

In this deeply moving conversation, Julian Jakobs opens up about a life marked by sweeping transitions, heartfelt connections, and painful disconnections — and how each of these shaped the man he is today. From a childhood spent across Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the isolation of boarding school in Sydney, Julian shares moments of joy, loss, resilience, and reflection. His journey through marriage, fatherhood, estrangement, and rediscovery — including a letter to his estranged children — reveals the raw emotional terrain of what it means to be human. Carolyn holds the space beautifully, allowing Julian’s quiet wisdom and emotional generosity to shine. This is a powerful, authentic conversation about love, memory, and the hope that connection can be restored.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
Carolyn sets the tone for the show, introducing Julian Jacobs and the theme of connection vs. disconnection.

03:00 – Early Childhood Across Continents
Julian recalls his nomadic early life in Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Vivid memories of playing in creeks and bonding with local children show his early affinity for connection.

10:00 – Boarding School and Emotional Isolation
At age nine, Julian is sent to boarding school. He shares his pain of separation, homesickness, and how he coped — from letter writing to friendships that spanned decades.

20:30 – The Power of Lifelong Friendships
Reconnecting with childhood friends like Conrad and a beloved teacher 45 years later, Julian reflects on why reconnection matters more as we age.

27:00 – Complex Parental Dynamics
Julian discusses his distant relationship with his father and the painful memories of sailing together — a missed opportunity for bonding.

35:00 – Love, Marriage, and Divorce
Julian details his two marriages — the first ending in heartbreak, the second in emotional estrangement. He reflects honestly on red flags he ignored and how longing for stability shaped his choices.

42:00 – Estrangement from His Children
In a heartbreaking segment, Julian opens up about the 12-year estrangement from his daughter and more recent distancing from his son. He reads a letter to them — raw, loving, and hopeful.

50:00 – Coping with Grief and Loss
Julian shares the tools that have helped him cope: compartmentalizing pain, staying active, and receiving counseling.

53:00 – A New Chapter with Judy
Finding true connection later in life, Julian speaks joyfully about his partner Judy and the authentic love they now share.

57:00 – Reflections on Life and Legacy
Julian offers powerful insights on making the most of each day, living honestly, and the healing power of human connection.

60:00 – Closing Thoughts
Carolyn reflects on the emotional depth of Julian’s story, expressing gratitude for his openness and courage.

🎧 For more stories of reinvention, resilience, and connection, listen to Your Neighbourhood Show.
📱 Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show

In this heart-warming and deeply reflective episode, host Carolyn Vincent welcomes Colombian-born creative Caterin Castro, whose journey from Medellín to Brisbane is as rich in spirit as it is in resilience. A former English teacher turned Zumba instructor, circus performer, and cooking class leader, Caterin shares the challenges and joys of adapting to a new culture while staying true to her passions. Together, they explore the nuanced layers of connection and disconnection, childhood memories that shape us, and what it means to build community from the ground up. This episode is a celebration of authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the quiet power of starting over.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome & Show Intro
Carolyn introduces the podcast’s theme—navigating connection and disconnection—and warmly welcomes Caterin Castro.

02:30 – First Impressions & Background
Carolyn recounts meeting Caterin shortly after her move to Australia and shares admiration for her energy and positivity.

04:00 – Childhood in Colombia
Caterin shares vivid memories of her creative mother and studious father, including a delightful story about doing laundry with music—by stomping in soapy buckets like grape pressing!

10:45 – School Struggles & Emotional Growth
Caterin opens up about being bullied, excluded, and labelled "too much" as a high-achieving student—and how her brother's tough-love advice helped her reshape her approach to connection.

20:30 – Shifting Relationships
A reflective conversation on changing dynamics with family members and how emotional closeness evolves over time and distance.

24:15 – Circus & Self-Funding University
Caterin reveals how joining a circus helped her pay for university, all without her parents knowing. She shares her mother’s initial concerns and how performance art helped her grow in confidence and independence.

32:00 – Teaching Transformation
Her teaching journey—from students rejecting her methods to becoming one of the most sought-after instructors thanks to injecting fun, emotional connection, and creativity into her classrooms.

39:00 – Emotional Learning & The Joy of Movement
Caterin discusses her belief that emotional connection fuels better learning—whether in school, the kitchen, or the dance studio.

44:00 – Zumba, Community & Smiling Through Movement
Now teaching Zumba in Brisbane, Caterin reflects on creating joy and connection through eye contact, rhythm, and warmth.

47:30 – Being Held Back & Proving Herself Through Joy
From being told she’d “never be a belly dancer” to launching cooking classes despite being labelled “not qualified,” Caterin reveals how joy—not credentials—drives her forward.

52:00 – Migration, Faith & Full-Circle Generosity
Caterin and Carolyn revisit the emotional story of her arrival in Australia—no furniture, no history—and the beautiful chain of community generosity that helped her rebuild.

54:30 – Looking Forward: Dreams of a Movement & Healing Space
Caterin shares her vision for a dance, circus, and healing retreat space—rooted in joy, community, and holistic well-being.

🎧 For more stories of reinvention, resilience, and connection, listen to Your Neighbourhood Show.

📱 Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, host Carolyn sits down with award-winning Indian-Australian singer Menaka Thomas for a deeply personal conversation about identity, belonging, motherhood, and the healing power of music. From growing up in Brisbane as a child of immigrants to navigating cultural expectations, career paths, and health challenges, Menaka shares with honesty and grace. A pivotal moment — losing her eyesight due to a rare condition — ultimately reconnected her with music in a transformative way. Through stories, laughter, and even a live performance, this episode celebrates resilience, culture, and the quiet strength we often forget we possess.

⏱ Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Introduction
Carolyn introduces the show and welcomes Menaka, recalling their first meeting at a Women in Voice concert.

03:10 – Early Life
Menaka shares her upbringing in Brisbane and her parents’ migration from Mumbai to remote Queensland.

10:25 – School Years
Growing up in a less diverse school, she reflects on feeling different and the emotional toll of disconnection.

18:30 – Cultural Roots
Her mother’s influence as a classical music teacher helped Menaka stay connected to her heritage.

25:00 – High School
At a multicultural school, she found confidence through music, public speaking, and a unique way of making friends.

32:40 – Family & Relationships
Menaka discusses cultural expectations, her approach to marriage, and open conversations with her parents.

41:15 – Meeting Sam
She recalls meeting her husband at work and navigating love across cultural lines with care and respect.

46:00 – Health Crisis
Menaka opens up about the condition that led to vision loss and how it changed her life and career.

50:15 – Music as Healing
In Kerala, she began writing songs in English — a turning point in reconnecting with music and herself.

54:30 – Live Performance
Menaka performs from her debut album and shares her work on Back to Biloela, a story of community resilience.

57:20 – Final Reflection
Menaka shares her greatest life lesson: finding strength through suffering, and grace on the other side of pain.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired by how connection, creativity, and cultural heritage can shape a life well lived.
https://www.ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show

Finding Roots Through Storytelling: Josh Hinton’s Journey of Culture, Creativity & Connection

In this deeply moving and inspiring episode of Your Neighborhood Show, host Carolyn sits down with rising playwright and performer Josh Hinton following the premiere of his debut play, A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen, at the Brisbane Festival. Through personal reflection and heartfelt storytelling, Josh opens up about his multicultural upbringing, the challenges of navigating identity in predominantly white spaces, and how a year of service in the Czech Republic became a transformative experience.

Josh also shares the deeply personal process of interviewing his grandmother (affectionately called “Meme”) to uncover family stories that inspired his play. What began as a tribute to her life became a mirror into his own search for belonging. With humor, honesty, and humility, Josh discusses growing up as a mixed-race artist in Australia, learning to cook curry, and rediscovering his creative voice after stepping away from the arts during COVID.

The episode closes with an emotional surprise: a live snippet of Josh’s original song Evergreen, performed in the podcast studio.

This episode is a celebration of family, cultural heritage, resilience, and creative self-discovery.

📌 Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – 02:00 | Introduction
Carolyn introduces the show’s mission: to explore stories of connection and disconnection as a natural part of life. She welcomes guest Josh Hinton, fresh off the premiere of his play at the Brisbane Festival.

02:00 – 08:30 | Childhood & Early Identity
Josh reflects on growing up between Thursday Island and Wollongong, the experience of being “the only brown kid” in school, and how those early years shaped his sense of identity.

08:30 – 14:00 | High School, the Arts & Belonging
From attending a performing arts high school to internalizing questions of belonging and representation, Josh shares how race and identity subtly impacted his teenage years in theater.

14:00 – 21:30 | Year of Service in the Czech Republic
Josh talks about the Baha’i tradition of doing a year of service post-high school, his time at an international boarding school, and the deep personal growth and lasting connections he found there.

21:30 – 27:00 | Returning Home & Losing Creative Spark
After COVID hits, Josh reflects on leaving theater school, grappling with grief after the loss of his grandfather, and trying a politics degree in an attempt to reset.

27:00 – 33:30 | The Birth of a Play: Tapping Into Family History
Josh shares how interviewing his grandmother about her migration journey from Iran to India inspired the writing of his play. Themes of food, family, identity, and heritage come alive.

33:30 – 37:30 | Finding Identity Through Storytelling
Josh discusses the evolution of the play as a personal journey to understand where he comes from, and how writing it helped him reconnect with his own roots and self-confidence.

37:30 – 39:30 | The Story Behind the Song “Evergreen”
He explains the meaning of the closing song from his play and how it ties into themes of memory, legacy, and growth.

39:30 – 41:00 | Live Performance + Closing Reflections
Josh sings a heartfelt excerpt from Evergreen. Carolyn reflects on the conversation and encourages listeners to support stories that celebrate the highs and lows of being human.

✨ Why You Should Listen:
If you’ve ever felt caught between cultures, questioned your creative path, or longed to better understand your family's story, this episode offers warmth, wisdom, and inspiration. Josh Hinton's journey is a reminder that sometimes, looking backward is the best way to move forward.

🎧 Ideal For Listeners&

Content Warning:
This episode contains discussions of childhood trauma, parental abuse, war-related experiences, and chronic illness. While shared with compassion and healing intent, some listeners may find parts of this conversation emotionally challenging. Please take care while listening.

In this deeply personal episode of Your Neighborhood Show, host Carolyn is joined by the courageous and soulful Sonja de Sterke for a conversation that explores the full spectrum of human experience—from inherited trauma to radical self-discovery.

Born in post-war Netherlands to a Holocaust survivor father and a German mother who lived through the bombing of her hometown, Sonja’s early years were marked by emotional disconnection, instability, and silence. But her story doesn’t stop there. What unfolds is a powerful narrative of resilience as she seeks—and finds—connection through community, spirituality, global travel, and art.

From living with Bedouins in the Sinai desert to forging lifelong friendships in a Steiner boarding school, from spiritual awakenings in Nepal to building a fulfilling creative career in Australia, Sonja’s story is both extraordinary and universally human. In her later years, she confronts chronic illness and the limits of doing, learning to surrender into rest, self-care, and presence.

This is a conversation about what it means to survive, adapt, and eventually thrive—not by denying pain, but by integrating it into a rich and meaningful life.

📚 Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – 06:00 | Welcome & Guest Intro
Carolyn introduces Sonja de Sterke and shares how they met through the Ubuntu Wellness Choir. Sonja joins to share her life story, beginning with a war-shadowed childhood.

06:01 – 16:00 | A Childhood Shaped by War & Silence
Sonja recounts her early life in the Netherlands, her father’s Holocaust survival, her emotionally distant mother, and growing up in an atmosphere of fear and disconnection.

16:01 – 26:00 | New Beginnings in a Dutch Village
A move to a peaceful village transforms Sonja’s life as she finds joy, friendships, and a sense of belonging for the first time outside the family home.

26:01 – 36:00 | Steiner School & Spiritual Foundations
Living with a foster family to attend a Steiner school, Sonja discovers holistic learning, community, and spiritual inquiry—tools that will serve her for life.

36:01 – 49:00 | The Journey of a Lifetime: Travels Through the Middle East & Asia
Sonja travels the world with her friend Danielle, living barefoot with Bedouins in Egypt, wandering through Nepal, and navigating kindness and danger with intuition as her compass.

49:01 – 56:00 | Love, Immigration & Reinvention
After marrying a refugee and immigrating to Australia against the odds, Sonja builds a new life—fueled by passion, courage, and an unshakable sense of purpose.

56:01 – 1:02:00 | Loss, Grief & Self-Healing
The death of her mother triggers a deep emotional reckoning. Sonja enters the realm of therapy, Buddhism, and inner child work to begin her healing journey in earnest.

1:02:01 – 1:07:00 | Stillness, Self-Care & Surrender
Now retired and navigating chronic health issues, Sonja finds herself in a new chapter—learning to rest, reflect, and reconnect with herself in ways she never imagined.

🎧 Why Listen?
Sonja de Sterke’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear—and that connection, even when delayed, can change everything. For anyone who has felt unseen, unheard, or untethered, this episode offers both solace and inspiration.

📍Ready to listen?
Hit play and let Sonja’s beautifully human journey resonate in your heart.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of emotional trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised.

🎯 Episode Synopsis
In this deeply heartfelt and emotionally resonant episode of Your Neighborhood Show, host Carolyn sits down with her 21-year-old nephew, Jordan Lobo, to explore his powerful journey through childhood joy, adolescent trauma, and eventual emotional healing. From the innocent games of early childhood to the crushing betrayal of his closest friend, Jordan opens up with rare vulnerability about the experiences that shaped him—and nearly broke him.

Listeners are taken on a raw, honest path through depression, emotional masking, and isolation as Jordan navigates years of silence and self-loathing. But this isn't a story of despair—it’s one of resilience and transformation. With honesty, insight, and grace, Jordan recounts how a single conversation with his father sparked a radical shift in how he approached failure, leading to a year of profound self-recovery and emotional reawakening.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever struggled with vulnerability, identity, or mental health—and especially for those learning how to be kind to themselves again.

📌 Episode Breakdown
00:00 – 04:00 | Welcome & Introduction
Carolyn introduces the show and its mission: celebrating the full human experience—connection and disconnection alike. She warmly welcomes her nephew and guest, Jordan Lobo.

04:01 – 11:00 | Childhood Joy & Funny Family Stories
Jordan shares playful and heartwarming childhood stories, from his mother’s clever tricks to cleaning up after parties to his love for Sudoku with his grandfather.

11:01 – 17:30 | The Prank That Changed Everything
Jordan recounts a traumatic incident of emotional betrayal by his best friend, leading to a deep loss of trust and the beginning of emotional masking.

17:31 – 27:00 | Boarding School and the Masks We Wear
Jordan opens up about creating a persona to hide his true self in boarding school—one built on academic success, fitness, and humor—all while internally struggling.

27:01 – 33:00 | Life-Altering Moment on a Hiking Trip
A near-death moment during a school hiking trip triggers a realization: he no longer values his own life—a haunting but pivotal turning point.

33:01 – 39:30 | Lockdown, Love, and Isolation
Jordan discusses the emotional complexities of living with his girlfriend during lockdown, the toxic fallout, and how emotional numbness began consuming him.

39:31 – 44:00 | Failing School, Failing Self – And a Father’s Words
After failing his final school board exams and losing his identity pillars, Jordan hits rock bottom. A conversation with his father introduces the idea of “failing forward.”

44:01 – 47:30 | One Year of Self-Healing
Jordan shares how taking a year off before university gave him the space to slowly rebuild—starting with simply acknowledging his pain and forgiving his failures.

47:31 – 48:00 | Final Reflection
Jordan’s advice to his future self: “Stop being your own worst critic.” A powerful closing reminder that growth begins with compassion—especially for yourself.

✨ Themes Explored:

Emotional masking and teenage trauma

The power of storytelling and self-reflection

Healing from depression and self-loathing

The importance of vulnerability and parental support

Redefining failure as a path to growth

📢 Perfect For:

Teens and young adults navigating identity and mental health

Parents seeking insight into the inner world of their kids

Listeners who appreciate raw, emotional storytelling with real-life lessons

In this deeply moving and expansive episode of Your Neighbourhood Show, host Carolyn sits down with the inspiring Lou Wilson for a rich conversation that weaves together themes of belonging, personal transformation, resilience, and purpose. From a deeply rooted childhood in Toowoomba to her career transitions, personal heartbreaks, a life-altering cancer diagnosis, and ultimately, a newfound passion in supporting Indigenous education through Yalari, Lou opens up with raw honesty and warmth.

Listeners are treated to an intimate look at Lou’s evolution — from pharmacist to philanthropy leader, from young traveler to olive oil entrepreneur, and from disconnected to deeply reconnected. This is a story about the beauty of starting over, the importance of intentional community, and how adversity can serve as a gateway to discovering your truest self.

📂 Episode Breakdown:

[00:00 – 03:20]
Carolyn introduces the podcast’s mission: exploring the power of connection through real-life stories.

[03:20 – 07:00]
Meet Lou Wilson: Carolyn welcomes Lou and introduces her current role at Yalari, a nonprofit supporting Indigenous students through education.

[07:00 – 13:10]
Lou reflects on her warm, stable upbringing in Toowoomba — filled with neighbourhood play, family traditions, and lasting friendships.

[13:10 – 18:30]
School years: Lou shares the impact of teachers, both positive and negative, and how early relationships shaped her.

[18:30 – 23:40]
Studying pharmacy and finding her independence at university, living in college, and stepping into her early career.

[23:40 – 29:10]
Traveling overseas: Lou recounts her transformative trip to Europe, where she met Costas in Greece — a relationship that offered deep emotional reflection.

[29:10 – 33:20]
Returning to Australia, settling into marriage and motherhood, and the joy and complexity of family life.

[33:20 – 39:00]
The 1987 stock market crash prompts a bold move to London, where Lou and her family start anew and welcome their first child.

[39:00 – 44:30]
Raising a young family in the UK, discovering a new rhythm, and leaning into community once again.

[44:30 – 48:00]
Back in Australia: the family grows, life continues, and beneath the surface, change begins to stir.

[48:00 – 52:10]
At 43, Lou is diagnosed with breast cancer. She shares her healing journey — from chemotherapy to the unexpected gift of meditation and reconnection.

[52:10 – 55:50]
The unraveling of her marriage: discovering her husband’s affair and the difficult process of reclaiming her sense of self.

[55:50 – 59:00]
A new beginning with Yalari: how a single conversation led to a role that gave Lou deep meaning and aligned with her values.

[59:00 – 1:02:30]
An unexpected business venture: importing high-quality olive oil from Greece, connecting health, memory, and purpose.

[1:02:30 – 1:05:00]
Final reflections: Lou’s advice to her younger self, thoughts on true connection, and how stepping outside your comfort zone leads to discovery.

🌟 Why Listen:
This episode is for anyone seeking hope after hardship, craving deeper human connection, or navigating life’s transitions. Lou’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to rewrite your narrative, and that healing, purpose, and joy often bloom from life’s toughest moments.