The Wolf In The Room Podcast

04/02/2026

Our latest episode is now liiiiiive!

35 years.
One diagnosis.

And a lifetime of learning what “normal” really means.

This week on the podcast, I sit down with Dave Westgate, a mental health advocate who has lived with bipolar disorder for over three decades while building a high pressure career in advertising.

Dave speaks openly about:
- Living with bipolar disorder and anxiety
- Why mania isn’t a gift, it’s destructive
- The long, frustrating road to getting medication right
- Hiding mental illness in corporate life
- Why vulnerability from leaders changes everything

One moment that stayed with me was Dave saying that boring, stable normality beats anything mental illness can give you. That landed hard.

This is an honest, grounded conversation about mental health, work, masculinity and the cost of wearing a mask for too long.

If you care about mental health in the workplace, leadership wellbeing, or lived experience stories that actually help people feel less alone, this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67p11jAdQlc29kVFxvcCFU?si=lgyuM8b6SKuMgtSX1yhpIQ

The Wolf In The Room · Episode

24/10/2025

We're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! And what an episode to come back with after an extended break!

The Wolf is back in the Room!

It’s been a while between episodes, but I couldn’t think of a better way to relaunch The Wolf in the Room than with someone who has lived courage, humility, and gratitude in action.

This is awesome!

Captain Damien Toohey is a Qantas pilot and a barrister but his most remarkable story came the day his heart stopped beating on Balmoral Beach.

Literally stopped beating!

In this episode, Damo opens up about:
✈️ Coming to flying and law later in life
💓 The moment he “died” and the strangers who brought him back
🙏 What he learned about forgiveness, humility, and never giving up

If you’ve ever doubted whether it’s too late to change direction or start again then this one’s for you. Trust us!

The link to listen is https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LgSIDCSBLWqSw8LhjfX3x

03/07/2025

Next Monday is an episode which produced more morsels of insightful goodness than an expert LinkedIn post mentioning resilience...

Rodney Reynders MBA (Fin), ACC - super coach and author and psychologist in training sits with me for one remarkable conversation which turns into full-blown coaching mode at the 48 minute mark - unscripted and unexpected.

From his days of literally living on the streets in South Africa, to thriving in his coaching practice and study in Brisbane.

At this rate I am aspiring to be the Australian Joe Rogan with the podcast episodes now averaging an hour - lots of commute time!

Released on Monday at sparrow's, it will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and My Heart Radio.

PLUS, we have a giveaway planned for the episode launch - announced next week.

Pumped, pumped and PUUUUUMPED!

In the words of the great Molly Meldrum, "Do yourself a favour" and have a listen next Monday morning. I am confident you will get at least 2 morsels from this one which puts you two morsels ahead than what you had before listening to this episode!

Until then, stay safe, and be kind to yowsalf! 👊🐺

02/07/2025

Laaaaadies and gentleblokes, I present to you the one, the only, Wolves Unplugged 'manticipant' wolfpack member t-shirt!

This is included as part of the goodies for Wolves Unplugged in late October...

Bim Bam BOOM!

But wait there is more!! It comes pre-loaded with a free tomato sauce stain for what us blokes do when it comes to retreats and bbq fanfare.

This is more than just a retreat - you get two 1:1 coaching sessions before AND after the event, in addition to this shirt!

It's a festivus of man! No titles. No pressure. Just blokes, space and clarity.

To join the Pack and for more info the link is https://www.mhpack.com.au/service-page/wolves-unplugged-men-s-retreat-25 Wolves Unplugged - Men's Retreat 25 | Mental Health Pack

Step out of the grind. Step out of your mind. Step into the Pack.
(took me all night to think of that one....)

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 - 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 - 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱. 🔥🐺🚹

29/06/2025

New Episode of The Wolf in the Room is in da house!

Let’s talk about the wolf in the room: Menopause.

This one’s big – for women, for partners, for workplaces, for everyone.

I sat down with the incredible Karen Stein, executive coach, keynote speaker and former Deloitte partner, to unpack the often misunderstood and under-discussed world of menopause in the workplace and its mental health impacts.

We covered:
Why menopause affects every woman (and why we don’t talk about it)
How it can shake confidence, identity, memory – and what support looks like
What partners and colleagues can do (with kindness, not awkwardness)
How workplaces can move from tick-a-box policies to real change
Her amazing “virtual backpack” self-coaching method
And yep – the difference between menopause and andropause (men, take note)

This episode is packed with wisdom, empathy, laughs, and some powerful a-ha moments.

🎙 Listen now on Spotify or Apple: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1r8DyzUcv1ws7QHwo4633v?si=4mHOmDz8ROyiMMQfnzVLxQ

Fellahs, Mates, Men – if you’re a leader, a partner, a mate, or just curious – this is for you too.

And for women – Karen’s insights are like a warm, wise coach in your corner.

Thank you Karen Stein!

Arhoooooooooooooooooooooo!

The Wolf In The Room · Episode

22/06/2025

Now available, the long anticipated interview with the man himself, Sir Terry Hansen*…!

Still buzzing after recording this warm, heartfelt, and honest episode with one of Queensland’s favourite funny men.

We talked about his courageous decision to walk away from a top-rating radio show to follow his true love of stand-up and theatre.

Trigger warning: We also touch on the deeply personal impact of his co-host’s husband’s su***de.

It’s a raw, real, and inspiring chat that shows a side of Terry many haven’t seen.

Thank you, Sir Terry Hansen (* not officially knighted… yet 😉), for your openness, wit, and heart.

18/06/2025

Just recorded a sensational episode with Karen Stein on Menopause! A hot topic for Gen X!!!

Released Monday 30th June. We are PUMPED!!!!!

So many learnings for everyone including women, men, kids, and dogs! 
Thank you, Karen!

Learn more about Karen Stein, professionally certified Executive Coach, Award-winning Author, Keynote speaker and Group Coach for Managing Menopause in the Workplace

15/06/2025

Episode 2 is now liiiiive!!!!!!

On all good podcast streaming thingys, we chat with THE Dr Maike Neuhaus in what is one of the most inspiring and engaging podlicles we have done - it is a big one too with it going just over an hour.

We unpacked everything about life and positive psychology.

Quick snapshot:
🐺 Why flourishing isn’t about being happy all the time
🐺 Her name pronunciation(!)
🐺 The power of self-compassion over self-criticism
🐺 Her PhD work introducing sit-stand desks to Aussie workplaces (yup, it was HER!!!!)
🐺 Blokes culture and why men still struggle to open up
🐺 And her raw personal journey through postnatal depression
🐺 She reminded me (and I needed the reminder) that being kind to ourselves isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
🐺 And she dropped an F bomb! ACHTUNG!

As an added bonus, you’ll hear dive stories, irrational shark fears, and my scuba awkward nose bo**er moments.

This one’s HUGE and insightful, real, and a weeee bit hilarious.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0cBd28djE0yXSTmMGVefBz

The Wolf In The Room · Episode

13/06/2025

Biiiiiig guest. Super excited. Coming next week.

Who could it be??

04/06/2025

Episode 2 is in the cutting room!

𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽.

ACHTUNG! We just wrapped a uber-powerful episode of The Wolf In The Room with Dr Maike Neuhaus.

Over one hour of material - eeek! 😲

We went deep from the science of positive psychology to the real-life messiness of practicing self-compassion over self-pity, post-natal depression, living with purpose (without the pressure), and even a detour into scuba diving in Byron Bay - so yes, almost 'literally' deep into the ocean off Byron!

What made this one really stand out?

Firstly, it is the first time using Riverside.fm video (which destroys any of my previous audio tricks of foyers, elevators and aircraft flying over!). So will see how it looks before publishing to YouTube!

But most importantly, it stood out as it was real.
It was open.
It was honest.
(And someone maaaaay have swore - not once, but twice! I didn't even get to the censor button! 😆)

We both opened up about our lived experiences including a raw discussion about contacting Lifeline and the feelings associated with the abyss of excrement that is Depression. Ooooh it was deep!

It’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and hopefully some useful practical takeaways for anyone supporting themselves or someone they love.

Now into the editing booth!

The episode drops Monday 9 June. It's a doozy!



www.flourishingdoc.com

01/06/2025

Episode one roaring up the charts!

Getting some wonderful feedback back from some of listeners! Thank you mum! 😂

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rDaeMAdUyy3YMjFsfOcW2?si=POoM-nKmQTuwZyagWQj54Q

The Wolf In The Room · Episode

29/05/2025

And we’re off!!!!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rDaeMAdUyy3YMjFsfOcW2?si=l0evUgpWQ3m6UNf8iGUlUA

The Wolf In The Room · Episode