The Kind Side

Sam has a stoma, a small opening in the abdomen used to remove bodily waste into a collection bag. Sam is also a nurse and cares for patients with stomas. She spoke with podcast host Frances in the hospital ward where she works. Sam explains why some people like her need stomas, and how they are created and managed. Sam says having a stoma helped restore her health. She's passionate about normalising stomas and shares some colourful cosy acts of kindness in the form of stoma bears, lovingly made for stoma patients.

Sofia spoke with podcast host, Frances at our local health district head office where she works as a multicultural health officer. Sofia reflects on her journey arriving in Australia as a refugee to studying at university and working in health to help improve the lives of other people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Sofa is a proud member of the LGBTIQ+ community and shares her experiences of kindness in health, and how she is kind to herself.

Taara took a short break during her shift on a cancer care ward to talk with podcast host Frances about what it's like to be a junior doctor working in a hospital. Taara shares why she wanted to become a doctor, how junior doctors like her rotate through different parts of the hospital to learn, and how she copes with some of the emotionally challenging parts of her job. Taara tells us about a gesture of kindness by a patient with terminal cancer in hospital that is truly moving.
If talking about terminal cancer brings up uncomfortable feelings for you, please be kind to yourself and consider listening to another episode. If you feel you need support, Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention to all Australians. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Tim is a second-generation midwife and nurse who spoke with podcast host, Frances at the local hospital where he works. Tim shares what inspired him to become a nurse and then train to be a midwife and retrieval nurse, helping to care for critically unwell patients as they are flown to hospital. Tim reflects on his experiences as a male working in predominantly female roles in health, and the magic of helping to birth babies. Tim shares an act of kindness by the parents of a critically unwell baby that still inspires him today.
If talking about pregnancy and birth brings up uncomfortable feelings for you, please be kind to yourself and consider listening to another episode. If you feel you need support, Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention to all Australians. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Tony is a loving husband of a beautiful wife who lives with mental illness. Tony sat down with podcast host, Frances at a local hospital to share his experiences and insights. During their conversation, Tony reflects on his role partnering with health care workers to support his wife at home and when she is acutely unwell in hospital. He talks about the importance of making carers feel welcome and tells us about some remarkable acts of kindness by his wife that are deeply moving.
If talking about mental illness brings up uncomfortable feelings for you, please be kind to yourself and consider listening to another episode. If you feel you need support, Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention to all Australians. Phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Caitin is a physiotherapist working at an innovative transitional aged care ward. Caitlin spoke with Frances during her break outside the hospital where she works. Caitlin talks about how she decided to become a physiotherapist as a child when experiencing the magic of physiotherapy after breaking her arm. Caitlin shares her passion for caring for aged care patients who are awaiting placement in a residential aged care facility. She loves to use physiotherapy to help them connect with each other and experience some enjoyment and entertainment. Caitlin talks about how her team are kind to each other and how she is kind to herself.