In this conversation, Deborah Grace shares how turning 70 became an invitation to intentional transformation. After decades chasing external achievements and burning out in a high-pressure career, she stepped away at 60. But this milestone felt different. Through a year-long meditative program and sacred personal retreat, Deborah discovered that wellness isn't a destination, but an evolving act of reharmonising with herself.

She reveals how saying no kindly became liberation, how nature became homecoming, and how choosing to see the world through wonder and awe shifted everything. At 70, Deborah stepped into her power as a dangerous old woman, wild and authentically herself. Her story reminds us: we don't have to wait to reclaim ourselves.

About Our Guest

Deborah Grace is a wild wonderer, stepping courageously into her 70s with great daring and aplomb. Her creative expressions have been shaped by a lifelong passion for words ~ their energy, etymology, evolution, and meaning; the infinite ways in which they can be combined; and for the silence that lingers. Deborah can most often be found in the company of other wild wise elder women, scheming and dreaming.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e6

00:00 Embracing Change: The Journey to 70

02:40 Conversations with the Body: Understanding Wellness

08:27 Finding Freedom: The Power of Choice

14:48 Hope and Purpose: A New Perspective on Life

20:18 Embracing Authenticity and the Power of No

22:53 The Journey of Gratitude and Coherence

23:56 The Quest for Harmony in Life

26:43 Reflections on Life Stages and Personal Growth

29:38 The Activation of Inner Wisdom

34:01 Inspirata: The Divine Breath of Life

36:55 Messages to the Younger Self and Life's Gifts

40:10 It's A Wrap

Vince Baloga, truck driver, and father of four, shares his journey through his most difficult chapter following the end of his long-term marriage. When everything collapsed, Vince was forced to confront a painful truth: he was a narcissist driven by anger and the need to control.

Through deep inner work, Vince discovers that self-love is the key to transformation. He learns to sit with emotions without reacting to them, moves his ego to the back seat, and chooses love over being right. What's remarkable is that Vince and his ex-wife Jennifer remain best friends.

This is a story about how life's most painful transitions can become opportunities for deep growth and transformation.

About Our GuestVince Baloga is a lifelong truck driver, skilled mechanic, father of four, and deeply spiritual person whose greatest transformation emerged from one of the most difficult chapters of his life. Following the end of his long-term marriage, he experienced what he describes as a dark night of the soul, leading him on a journey of deep reflection, healing, and spiritual awakening. Through that experience, Vince learned to face fear, let go of attachment, lead with love, and trust that even life’s most painful transitions can become opportunities for profound growth and transformation.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e5

00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges

02:00 Navigating Divorce and Self-Reflection

03:52 Realizations and Inner Work

06:27 Childhood Influences on Behavior

08:25 Understanding Anger and Emotional Responses

10:31 The Journey to Self-Love

12:32 Transforming Ego and Emotions

14:52 Guidance and Support in Transformation

17:07 The Shift from Performance to Self-Care

19:07 Honesty and Authenticity in Daily Life

21:44 The Truck and Its Impact on Life

23:27 Facing Difficult Days and Overcoming Challenges

26:41 The Journey of Self-Love and Acceptance

29:37 Transformations Through Relationships

33:39 Embracing Intuition and Self-Care

38:37 Leading with Love and Inner Reflection

40:01 It's A Wrap

In this conversation Toni Powell shares how multiple crises converged at once including her father's death, relocation, menopause, and walking away from her Christian faith, leading to profound despair. In her darkest moment, she made a bold decision to enter a twenty-four hour film festival with no filmmaking experience.

That seven-minute film won international recognition and inspired her to create Heart of Gold, a film festival in rural Queensland, celebrating uplifting stories. Yet when the festival board removed her, despair returned. Through vulnerability, Toni shares how she discovered the power to move from deep despair to renewed purpose, not by changing her circumstances, but by changing her thoughts and response to them.

This is a story about agency, resilience, and the quiet knowing that guides us forward.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicidal thoughts and mental distress. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.)About Our GuestToni Powell is a speaker, author and filmmaker who also hosts the S**t Happy podcast.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s3e4

00:00 Navigating Life's Challenges

03:04 The Leap into Filmmaking

05:20 The Unexpected Success

07:05 Creating a Film Festival

09:11 Finding Purpose in Film

10:59 The Role of Intuition

12:45 The Journey of Self-Discovery

14:34 The Impact of Community and Connection

16:40 Reevaluating Faith and Belief

21:36 The Impact of Early Messages

23:36 Navigating Community and Purpose

26:33 Challenges with Governance

28:27 Coping with Loss and Rejection

32:17 The Power of Gratitude

36:25 Embracing Change and Learning

40:59 Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts

42:36 It's A Wrap