Welcome to another episode of Mini Maestros Thrive 0-5 Today, we are excited to welcome Kristy Forbes, an Australian-based autism and neurodiversity support specialist with extensive national and international experience.

Kristy combines professional expertise with personal lived experience. Her background includes roles as an educator across all levels, an integration aide, and a childhood behavioural and family support specialist. Academically, she holds degrees in Political and Social Sciences, Education, and Literature, Film, and Art.

Diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, and with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), Kristy is also a parent to four neurodivergent children with diverse profiles, including non-speaking autism, apraxia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, and PDA. Her unique perspective as an individual, parent, and professional enables her to deeply understand and support neurodivergent families.

Kristy’s work is marked by empathy and compassion, shaped by her personal experiences with adversity, including leaving school at fifteen, facing addiction, family violence, homelessness, and becoming a parent at eighteen. These experiences inform her approach to parenting and support, emphasising the importance of valuing each individual’s unique experience.

In this episode, Kristy will share insights on the misunderstood experiences of neurodivergent individuals, her work in the PDA space, and her strategies for addressing PDA-related trauma and burnout. Her commitment to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent communities offers invaluable insights for parents, educators, and professionals.

So, sit back, relax, and join us for an enriching conversation with Kristy Forbes on Mini Maestros Thrive 0-5.

To learn more, see Kristy’s website:

kristyforbes.com.au

Welcome, dear listeners, to another enchanting episode of Mini Maestros Thrive 0-5 podcast! Today, we're in for a treat as we explore the whimsical world of a dynamic duo turning children's music into a playful wonderland. Meet Esther and Maddy, the creative minds behind the kid's band, Whistle and Trick, based in the vibrant city of Melbourne.

Childhood friends with a knack for mischief, Esther and Maddy's musical journey started in their goody-goody high school choir days. Now, reunited as the creators of Whistle and Trick, they're bringing their love for children's music to life.

Hailing from families of singer-songwriters, music teachers, and orchestral musicians, Esther and Maddy's musical roots run deep. Their diverse backgrounds led them to perform in bands worldwide, but their hearts always had a soft spot for working with children.

With careers in music education, the duo naturally gravitated towards crafting fun songs for kids and Whistle and Trick was born. As big kids themselves, they explore the wacky wonders of life through various musical styles and instruments, inspired by the Teeny Tiny Stevies and Dan Sultan's "Nali and Friends."

So, buckle up for a journey into the wild musical brains of Whistle and Trick – where sparkle and cheekiness abound.

To learn more or join their mailing list check out their website:

https://www.whistleandtrick.com/

Discover a game-changing episode of Mini Maestros Podcast Thrive0-5 as we sit down with Sandi Phoenix, the visionary mind behind Phoenix Support.

Uncover the transformative power of her framework, The Phoenix Cups, which has not only revolutionised how staff approach children's behaviour but has also reshaped team dynamics. Sandi's approach provides a fresh perspective on understanding and responding positively to differences and conflicts, fostering harmony within teams.

Widely recognised as a speaker, coach, mentor, and Professional Development Facilitator in the education and care sector, Sandi brings a wealth of knowledge.

Join us in this episode to delve into her insights, shaped by her Bachelor of Psychological Science and post grad studies in psych and neuroscience, as we explore the mind of the founder of the Phoenix cups. Don't miss this engaging conversation that promises to elevate your understanding and approach to early childhood education.

More Info:

https://www.phoenix-support.com.au/sandiphoenix

Do the Quiz Here:

https://www.phoenix-support.com.au/phoenix-cups

Welcome to another episode of Mini Maestros Thrive 0 to 5. I'm thrilled to introduce you to an extraordinary guest who has redefined the boundaries of music, Nat Bartsch.

Nat Bartsch, a two-time ARIA-nominated Australian pianist and composer, is renowned for her enchanting and contemplative musical creations. Her compositions seamlessly traverse a spectrum from neoclassical to jazz, weaving influences from the likes of Arvo Pärt, Debussy, Nils Frahm, and Sigur Ros, among others. Her artistic journey explores not just genres, but emotions and experiences, resulting in a diverse array of albums that touch hearts across the world.

With eight albums under her belt, Nat's music resonates in deeply personal moments, from the birthing suite to the final hours of life. Her transformative compositions have provided solace and connection to people from all walks of life, thanks to her lullabies that soothe babies, accompany labouring mothers, and offer comfort to those navigating mental illness and grief.

Nat's innovation doesn't stop at her music. She established her own record label, Amica Records, a haven for genre-blurring, compassionate music. Her dedication to pushing artistic boundaries is evident in her collaborations with a range of acclaimed artists, from Grigoryan Brothers to Teeny Tiny Stevies.

Through her remarkable journey, Nat challenges conventions, effortlessly straddling classical and jazz realms. She's a true pioneer, breaking new ground and inspiring us to embrace creativity without limits.

In this episode, we delve into Nat's artistic evolution, her unique compositions, and the power of music to heal and connect.

Stay tuned for a wonderful conversation with the extraordinary Nat Bartsch, right here on Mini Maestros Thrive 0 to 5.

If you want to catch one of Nat's live shows she has a couple of upcoming gigs on September 20th at Montsalvat.

She’s playing Hope in the evening, and a lullaby show for families in the afternoon.

Here are the links:

Family show:

https://www.montsalvat.com.au/whats-on-1/2023/9/20/lullabies-nat-bartsch

Hope:

https://www.montsalvat.com.au/whats-on-1/2023/9/20/hope-nat-bartsch

And to learn more about Nat or to buy her music, you can head over to her website is: https://www.natbartsch.com/

https://www.instagram.com/natbartsch/

https://www.facebook.com/natbartschpiano

In this episode, you'll meet Susie Davies-Splitter, a music educator, composer, and co-founder of Welcome to Music, a wonderful collection of resources for children, teachers, and parents. Susie has created and performed countless songs, musicals, and choral works that are loved and used worldwide, including many of the songs in the Mini Maestros program. You'll hear about her musical journey, her enthusiasm for music education, and her advice for making music fun and engaging for everyone. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with Susie Davies-Splitter, who champions the importance of singing for both adults and children alike.

LINKS

Susie & Phil's Website

Susie & Phil's YouTube Channel

Susie and Phil offer a membership program for educators that includes various professional development courses in the fields of Early Childhood and primary education. They also teach how to play the ukulele.

Learn more here. 

Welcome to today's podcast, where we interview Heather Nardi, founder of Empath Mama. Heather is dedicated to helping highly sensitive and empathic mums live healthy, fulfilling lives. Through her unique combination of life coaching, spiritual practices and her own parenting experiences, Heather has created powerful tools and programs specifically designed to help mums understand their sensitive empath trait and experience the same life-changing shift she did when she discovered holistic and spiritual methods.

Based in Minnesota, Heather is a mama of two (21-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son) and has been married to her husband Mario for over 20 years. She is also the author of “The Sensitive Ones”.

By joining the Empath Mama community, parents gain access to education, support, and a safe space to share experiences as an empathic mum. Tune in to learn more from Heather about Empath Mama and how she's helping mums like you to find balance and joy.

Links:

Heathers Website:

https://empathmama.com

Empath Mamma Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EmpathMama

Book – “The Highly Sensitive Parent” By Elaine N. Aron

https://www.amazon.com.au/Highly-Sensitive-Parent-care-your-ebook/dp/B07XBPGQYN

Book – “The Sensitive Ones” By Heather Nardi

https://www.amazon.com/Sensitive-Ones-Healing-Understanding-Childs/dp/1634894847

Heather’s LinkedIn Profile

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

In this episode of Mini Maestros Thrive 0-5 we interview Louis Hamlyn-Harris who is “Be You” Executive Manager for Early Childhood Australia. Louis has worked as an early childhood teacher and leader in a variety of settings across Australia, Vietnam and the U.S. Prior to joining Be You, he was founding Senior Director of Early Childhood at Manny Cantor Center, a progressive socio-economically integrated early childhood program in New York City. Louis believes that children thrive in the context of rich relationships and in environments that support their powerful drive to make sense of the world around them. It was wonderful to have Louis on the show and hear his refreshing perspectives.

Our guest today is Donna Wright, a passionate and extremely experienced leader in education. Donna has been the recipient or finalist for multiple awards including

Australian Principal of the Year (2020). Australian Primary Principal of the Year (2020), Australian Primary School of the Year – Finalist (2021), Australian Best Covid Programming – Finalist (2021), just to name a few.

This is testament to her commitment and passion for education and it is an honour to have her on our show today.