In this episode, we sit down with Zali Steggall, Olympian, barrister, and Member for Warringah, to explore her extraordinary journey from the slopes of the French Alps to the halls of Australian Parliament.

Born in Manly in 1974, Zali grew up between the Northern Beaches and the French Alps, where she discovered her love for skiing. Coming from a sporting family, with a grandfather who represented Australia in rugby and a father active in rugby and surf lifesaving, it was perhaps no surprise that Zali would go on to compete in four Winter Olympic Games, achieving medal success against the odds.

After retiring from sport, Zali built a remarkable career in law, completing her studies by correspondence while competing, practising as a barrister specialising in sport and family law, and serving on the International Court of Arbitration for Sport. Her contributions to sport and charity earned her an Order of Australia Medal in 2007 and induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

Beyond career achievements, Zali is passionate about family and community. She and her family love raising their children in Warringah, taking part in local schools, sports, and activities, while Zali works tirelessly in Parliament to address issues like cost of living, climate, governance, and environmental protection.

In this conversation, we dive into the values that shaped her — courage, commitment, and determination — and how she brings the same drive from the slopes to representing her community in politics.

Stephenie Rodriguez is a digital strategist, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As an Ambassador for the Global Fund and The Women’s Resilience Centre, Stephenie leverages her voice and expertise to champion gender equality and resilience initiatives globally.

Her journey is a powerful story of resilience - surviving a life-threatening battle with cerebral malaria, enduring 13 surgeries, and relearning how to walk. This experience ignited her mission to support women in overcoming adversity and building strength in the face of life’s challenges.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Stephenie inspires others to rise above setbacks, embrace innovation, and create meaningful change for vulnerable communities worldwide.

Michael de Haan is a seasoned financial professional with more than 25 years in the industry. After a successful career as a financial planner, he transitioned into coaching and advocacy, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and human-centred support. Today, Michael is a Certified Money Behaviour Coach and a trained Financial Abuse Specialist, dedicated to helping people overcome limiting beliefs, rebuild independence, and live with dignity.

Michael’s passion lies in tackling one of the most hidden and damaging forms of coercive control: financial abuse. Affecting 1 in 6 women and 1 in 13 men in Australia, financial abuse often goes unseen, yet it is a precursor to other forms of domestic violence. Michael’s work focuses on equipping financial service professionals to identify red flags, support clients at risk, and advocate for stronger systems of protection.

In this episode, Michael shares:

-What financial abuse looks like and the red flags to be aware of.

-Why financial service professionals must embrace their duty of care, despite gaps in government policy.

-How elder financial abuse is on the rise, with urgent need for awareness and safeguards.

-A practical framework for survivors to rebuild their financial independence and take back control of their lives.

Michael’s dream is bold but clear: to eradicate domestic violence by shining a light on financial abuse and ensuring all Australians can live with financial dignity and independence. His upcoming book, Financial Abuse: The Real Truth Behind This Hidden Epidemic and Steps to Take Back Control (August 2025), further amplifies this mission.

👉 Connect with Michael:

🌐 www.quantumleap-global.com

A proud Wiradjuri woman and First Nations advocate, Cecilia is a dedicated connector and educator who is passionate about self-determination and learning from the past to inform a better future.

Driven by a desire to empower others, Cecilia leans into her lived experience to inspire and inform with stories of recovery and renewal. With a background in counselling and a deep understanding of stakeholder engagement, Cecilia is recognised for shining a light on the impact of domestic violence and coercive control, particularly through the lens of regional Aboriginal women.

Through her engagement in government initiatives, she is paving the way for a coalition of voices and action towards delivering more effective services for men and women in regional Australia, and accessible, culturally informed services for First Nations victim survivors.

Cecilia is a classically trained vocalist who has performed on multiple stages across Australia, using the power of story and song to convey hope and share perspectives. When not on stage speaking or performing, Cecilia is living life to the full with her beautiful daughters and partner on their rural property in the Southern Tablelands.

In this episode of The Grit Diaries, we had the pleasure of sitting down in conversation with Jason and Blue Gerber, film directors and producers from the US, on the release of the coveted film Documentary Dawn, Dusk.

A story told through the eyes of Chelli Look, a creative in the luxury leather handbag space. After the sudden murder of her beloved sister through domestic violence, she shares her journey through grief and loss, using her art as a way to process her experience. Moving her journey to a place of forgiveness and healing, and eventually choosing her next path.

Jason and Blue take us behind the curtain and share how their connection with Chelli took place, the decision to make a heartfelt documentary that is so needed in these times. The challenges on a production side, and the ultimate joy of creating film that matters.

Husband and wife duo, Jason & Blue are an award-winning co-directing team working in films and commercials together and individually. They have directed for brands such as Walgreens, 7UP, Scotch-Brite, Meiomi Wine, Chipotle, Intelligentsia, and LOEWE. Their heart for storytelling can be seen in their work for The Boys & Girls Clubs, GE Girls, Athletes Unlimited, Lincoln Park Community Services, which won a Silver Telly, as well as a piece for Chicago Connected, which President Barack Obama shared. Their film, Otis’ Dream, about voter suppression, debuted during the months leading up to the 2020 election and was shared by Oprah as an official Super Soul Sunday short film, gaining attention from major media outlets. Female and male, tactful and feeling, they evoke imagination and authentic human narratives directing as one voice.

jasonandblue.com

@jasonandblue

@buffalo

dawnduskfilm.com

You can view the documentary on Amazon and Hoopla

dawnduskfilm.com/trailer

dawnduskfilm.com/press

tinyurl.com/42ujswjy

In today’s conversation, Karen shares her private journey with lifelong crippling anxiety - make no mistake - it has never stopped her! Here's just a snippet of what Karen has created over her latter years

Karen is a master of storytelling, founder of The Story Room Global, a platform for people to come together and listen to stories from a diverse range of backgrounds A monthly dose of people coming together to this sold out event to listen, be inspired, entertained and a time to think about life more deeply.

Karen is an entrepreneur, founding her podcast and publishing her book Ageing Fearlessly.

A marriage celebrant, an global adventurer, a regular swimmer at the famous Bold and the Beautiful swimming crew at Manly.

All of this with anxiety, something that many are dealing with.

Please listen in, as Karen shares her journey, her attitude to life, and what really matters.

Kate De Jong is the author of the #1 Amazon bestselling memoir Seeds of a Calling — a powerful and cautionary tale about the cost of ignoring your inner truth. With raw honesty, Kate shares her journey of straying from her “inner knowing” and the tragic consequences that followed, ultimately delivering an uplifting message for anyone seeking vocational contentment.

After a 15-year career as a process engineer, Kate followed her entrepreneurial spirit and transitioned in 2012 to building and growing small businesses. Today, as a business growth specialist, she helps entrepreneurial people start, grow, and scale ventures effectively, driven by her passion to see others succeed in doing what they love.

Since 2021, Sonya Lovell has been raising awareness, challenging societal stigmas and taboos, and lobbying for better education and resources for everyone who is transitioning through menopause.

Sonya is the host of the popular podcast Dear Menopause, having interviewed leading local and global experts and commentators in the fields of menopausal health, mental health and government.

In this interview, Sonya shares her deeply personal experience of being diagnosed with aggressive Breast cancer at 47, and navigating

the chaos of a medically induced menopause, Unprepared, unsupported and uneducated she made it her mission to change that experience for others. In 2025 Sonya was announced as the Australian and NZ Ambassador for the global charity, Menopause and Cancer. Sonya has just announced teaming up with Lorai Health as the Communications and community Engagement lead.

A passionate leader in this space that is gaining fast momentum in Australia, for all those dealing with Perimenopause/menopause, you'll want to watch this episode!

https://www.instagram.com/sonyalovell/

sonyalovell.com

https://www.dearmenopause.au/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyalovell/