It Takes Heart

What do Disney cruise ships, rural hospitals, and music festivals have in common? For Dr. Tim Turk, they’ve all been part of his incredible medical journey. In this episode of It Takes Heart, Tim chats with hosts Sam and Kate about how saying “yes” to unique opportunities has led him across continents, specialties, and communities - creating a career rich in purpose, adventure, and impact.

Tim shares how rural medicine offers unparalleled hands-on experience, often accelerating learning and confidence in ways metropolitan placements can’t match. His insights reveal how a values-driven approach - shaped in part by...

What do you get when a fourth-generation farm girl swaps her ballet slippers for blister packs? You get Shaylee Mills—better known as The Rural Pharmacist—who shares why she chose to take her pharmacy career off the beaten track and into the heart of rural Australia. 

 Based in Karratha, Western Australia, Shaylee sheds light on what rural pharmacy really looks like—dispelling the myths of outdated clinics and highlighting the modern facilities, advanced technologies, and close-knit teams that make rural practice so rewarding. From working in Aboriginal Health Services to community pharmacies, she highlights how connection and cont...

Lorraine Evans is the kind of midwife who turns every experience into a story worth telling. With a larger-than-life personality and a passion for adventure, Lorraine has built a career that’s taken her from the bustling streets of London to some of the most remote communities in Australia. As a travel midwife, she’s delivered babies in outback hospitals, managed high-risk births via telehealth, and tackled emergencies as the sole midwife on call - all with her signature humour and warmth.

Before healthcare, Lorraine’s career path was as varied as her travels, but nothing fulfilled her qu...

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and may be distressing for some listeners. If you feel you could be triggered by this content, you may want to skip this episode.

Dr. Karyn Matterson’s path to medicine was anything but typical. Building a career first in tourism, a devastating personal tragedy shifted her purpose entirely, leading her to study clinical dietetics before ultimately pursuing medicine. Determined to create security for her family while making a real impact, Karyn joined the Australian Defence Force, balancing medical studies with family life. Her journey was far from easy, and in th...

Join us for an eye-opening episode on occupational rehabilitation with Chantelle Wood, a leading rehabilitation counsellor and founder of Restorative. As the Australian Rehabilitation Counsellor of the Year at the Allied Health Awards, Chantelle shares her journey in allied health, offering insights into the complex process of recovery and reintegration into the workforce after life-changing injuries. From stories of individuals overcoming trauma to the essential role of rehabilitation counsellors, this episode highlights how holistic support empowers people to reclaim their lives and careers.

We explore the significance of employer involvement in the return-to-work process and why mental...

Hamish Briggs is a viral TikTok star and healthcare professional whose career has taken some unexpected turns. Growing up in outback Kalgoorlie, his journey led him from professional dancing - including performing at Disneyland Paris - to working as a COVID marshal, becoming a mining medic, and finally to becoming a registered nurse. 

Hear how Hamish leveraged social media to build an audience, attended the TikTok Awards, and balanced content creation with his nursing career. He opens up about the challenges of transitioning between vastly different roles, the resilience needed to navigate career shifts, and the unexpected s...

Ever wondered what it takes to create a podcast series that not only tells stories but makes a real impact? Join us on a journey through the transformative world of 'It Takes Heart,' as we wrap up an incredible first season filled with inspiring tales from healthcare professionals across Australia and beyond. From attracting healthcare workers to rural areas to discovering diverse paths like working at the Olympics, our conversations have uncovered the heart and soul of the healthcare field. The power of community, candid storytelling, and an evolving narrative have shaped our series, and we couldn’t be...

Join us as Marguerite, an accomplished sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist, shares her incredible journey. Fresh from the Paris Olympic Games, she reflects on her role as team physio for the Aussie Stingers, Australia’s women’s water polo squad. With a career spanning leadership at Water Polo Australia and PhD studies at the University of Queensland, Marguerite's story is one of passion, resilience, and balancing elite sports with family life.

Step behind the scenes of elite sports through Marguerite’s eyes. She reveals the adaptability needed to manage athletes' physical demands, especially water polo players prone to hip an...

Join us on a captivating journey to the heart of Australia's remote healthcare landscape with Lesley Woolf OAM, a distinguished healthcare professional whose exemplary 50-year career has earned her the Order of Australia Medal. 

Lesley is the Executive Health Manager at Mala'la Health Service, where she does everything from manage the local morgue to launching critical child health programs - the challenges are both unique and challenging. But Lesley is all about the positive changes brought about by transitioning healthcare to community control. She highlights the importance of collaboration with her team and the journey towards creating a...

Marie Davey, an inspiring figure in the world of remote area nursing, joins us to share her extraordinary journey. From starting her nursing career in New South Wales in the 1980s to embracing the challenges and adventures of remote area nursing in Australia, Marie has become a symbol of resilience and adaptability. Listen as she recounts her memorable experiences, such as navigating to a placement by mail truck and tinnie during the wet season. 

Marie brings to life the diverse responsibilities of remote nurses, who often serve as the sole healthcare resource in their communities. With hands-on e...

Annabelle Brayley says "Yes" when opportunities come her way. When a publisher at Penguin read an article she wrote in Outback Magazine, she began curating Bush Nurses for them which eventually led to becoming their published author.

Annabelle's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in a small community on the Western Darling Downs, she spent her early days as a registered nurse before transitioning to pivotal roles such as facilitating the establishment of a federal dementia program in Queensland, contributing richly to the RM Williams Outback magazine, and now her advocacy work with Remote Australians...

Today, we get to sit down with physiotherapist Judy Chesney who's rich background in anatomy, extensive private practice experience, volunteer work in East Timor, and specialized training in pediatrics, is a powerful testament to the versatility and dedication required to be a rural generalist physio.

Judy shifted from private practice to locum travel work in 2021. Her adventurous spirit has taken her to diverse rural locations like Mildura, Mount Isa, and Thursday Island, where she has made significant contributions to public health. 

For graduate physiotherapists contemplating rural generalist roles, Judy shares invaluable advice, underscoring the "fake i...

Listen in to this episode as dedicated remote and emergency nurse, David Maxwell shares the power of cultural understanding in remote nursing. He shares poignant stories about patient vulnerability, emphasising support and clear communication as well as empathy in the role of male healthcare professionals in community. 

Since 2018, David has been on an inspiring journey serving rural and remote communities, focusing on primary health care and chronic disease management. His path to nursing is as unique as it is motivating, having transitioned from the world of hospitality in England to healthcare in Australia, all sparked by a l...

Dr Sonia Henry's book "Put Your Feet in the Dirt, Girl," lit a flame for the creation of this podcast. The desire to get to know more about this woman's life was top on our list. And that we did! 

We sit down with this physiotherapist turned rural GP to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic redirected her life path from the hustle and bustle of city life for more meaning and connection in remote healthcare. 

She was astounded by the breathtaking yet under-served regions of the Kimberleys and Northern New South Wales. Through her stories, So...

Imagine balancing a thriving dental career while exploring the natural wonders of Western Australia and homeschooling your kids on the road... 

In this episode of "It Takes Heart," we sit down with Ellen Rogers, a dedicated dentist currently working with Cornerstone in Geraldton. Ellen speaks about her life pivot to locum dentistry after a severe foot injury during pandemic lockdowns, reigniting her passion for her profession.

Ellen dives into the unique contributions of neurodivergent professionals in dentistry and the critical role of locum dentists in regional areas. She challenges stereotypes, showing how locum roles can d...

In this episode, we sit down with the married RN duo, Helen and Nigel Naylor, whose careers have spanned Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the Middle East. 

Explore the complexities and nuances of providing healthcare in remote areas through Helen's firsthand experiences in Kalbarri. With no on-site doctors, healthcare providers must step up with high autonomy and adaptability. 

Hear about the intricacies of healthcare leadership and the pressures of adapting to new environments on short-term contracts. 

Helen and Nigel discuss the personal motivations that drive them, such as staying connected with family, and...

CW//Mental Health Issues 
We are excited to bring you this inspiring story, but with that, comes the guests  truthful account of his mental health challenges and paralysing depression. If you feel you could be triggered by this content, you may want to skip this episode.

Today's guest is an incredible human. 
As OAM and Queensland Australian of the Year, Dr Dinesh Palipana is a living demonstration of breaking down society barriers, particularly in the world of medicine. He was the first medical intern in Queensland with quadriplegia. He has reshaped the potential for not onl...

What happens when a nurse trades a stable job for a life on the road in a customised Land Cruiser? 

In this episode of It Takes Heart, we explore the inspiring journey of podcast guest India Priestley purchasing her "troopie" during the 2020 lockdowns and how her off-grid living setup has her creating a whole new community on the road.

Through vivid recounts of hitchhiking adventures and heartwarming patient interactions, India paints a picture of the adaptability and resilience required for remote healthcare roles. These stories illuminate the deep personal connections formed in smaller communities and t...

Balancing your professional and personal life is no small feat – especially when your business partner is your spouse.

Sam and Norbert Miklos started cmr with $100,000 and a hard deadline of one year to prove their concept.

In this premiere episode of It Takes Heart, Sam recounts the couple’s tenacious journey from modest start-up to thriving recruitment powerhouse with more than 500 employees.

She recounts her unorthodox path from luxury retail and occupational therapy to recruitment and how Norbert juggled a career in IT with their fledgling business.

Sam also shares the less...