In this episode, Katie Rose shares her journey through anxiety, serious health conditions, and the life-changing moment when she finally said "I'm not okay." Living as ‘an actor in a play,’ she pursued others' dreams while hiding both physical and emotional pain to avoid disappointing people. When thoughts of ending her suffering became overwhelming, Katie courageously told her family, a confession that saved her life. She discovered our assumptions about others' reactions are often untrue. Katie's story powerfully redefines strength: sometimes the bravest act is stopping, honoring your inner voice, and telling others you're not OK.

Content Warning: This episode includes discussions about suicide. 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 Guest

Katie has been a teacher for 16 years, with 6 years in leadership focused on mental health, wellbeing, and engagement. Passionate about helping young people understand emotions and brain science, Katie works closely with students experiencing anxiety. She has also launched a business offering small group sessions to teach coping strategies for anxiety and meditation to children.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e5

00:00 Katie Rose Intro

00:29 Trigger Warning

01:12 Being just OK in the world

03:26 Unpacking the Breakdown

05:39 Physical and Emotional Signs

08:08 The Role of Permission

10:31 The Journey to Self-Discovery

13:08 The Breaking Point

15:42 Crisis and Realisation

18:13 Seeking Help

20:46 The Path to Recovery

28:37 Facing the Unknown: A Journey into Mental Health

30:30 The Power of Connection: Reaching Out for Help

33:23 Breaking the Silence: The Importance of Vulnerability

35:53 Permission to Change: Embracing Personal Growth

38:38 Messages to My Younger Self: Understanding Emotions

41:32 Listening to Intuition: Distinguishing Fear from True Desire

46:52 Gratitude and Spirituality: Finding Meaning in Adversity

56:37 It's A Wrap

In this episode, David Gregory, OAM, reveals how accepting fear as a daily companion shaped his extraordinary journey of service. From leaving home at fourteen to becoming a CEO and receiving an Order of Australia Medal, his philosophy of "if you can't beat fear, do it scared" has guided him through near bankruptcy to speaking at the United Nations. Ultimately, his journey reminds us that courage isn't about being fearless, it's about letting our purpose become bigger than our fears.

About Our Guest

David Gregory, OAM, is the Executive Producer of "Just a Farmer" and Director of Live Rural. A member of Beyond Blue's NASBO Steering Committee, he has been recognized with the SME Global Leader award at the UN (United Nations). David serves as an Expert Judge for Awards Australia: Community Awards and is a member of Screen Producers Australia. He is the former CEO of Small Business Mentoring Service (SBMS).

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e4

00:00 David Gregory, OAM Intro

02:47 Imposter Syndrome: The Silent Struggle

05:28 Coping Mechanisms: Running Towards Fear

07:50 Achievements and Imposter Syndrome: A Complex Relationship

10:07 The Weight of Recognition: Living Up to Expectations

12:55 The Role of Responsibility: OAM and Community Engagement

14:56 Navigating New Challenges: The Film Journey

17:27 Reflections on Early Life: The Impact of Leaving Home

22:30 Formative Experiences and Life Choices

24:56 The Role of Leadership in Making a Difference

27:21 Navigating Fear and Control in Leadership

32:37 The Burden of Control and Emotional Challenges

38:10 Facing Loneliness and Mental Health Awareness

42:44 Lessons from Life: Messages to My Younger Self

44:45 It's a Wrap

In this episode, Hollie Andrew shares her courageous journey from accomplished actor to entrepreneur, revealing what happens when achieving all career goals leaves you searching for deeper purpose. After meeting every milestone she'd set as a young person, Hollie made the bold decision to walk away from acting success and create a not-for-profit charity supporting actors with disabilities. She speaks openly about the financial anxiety and shame she feels about experiencing fear, and how she's redefined success from external validation to authentic alignment with purpose.

About Our Guest

After 20 successful years across all professional platforms of the arts Industry, Hollie discovered that her unique skill set placed her in the perfect position to be able to affect real change on a path that she would never have predicted. Now, as the Operational Director of Abundabiliteez Productions, she couldn’t be happier in the challenges, wins, hardships, obstacles, successes, and service that she is living and is ahead for her and her artists.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e3

00:00 Hollie Andrew Intro

02:45 Navigating Fear and Financial Pressure

05:01 Defining Success Beyond Financial Gain

07:30 The Importance of Patience and Faith

10:04 Lessons from Vulnerability and Struggle

12:15 The Intersection of Fear and Success

25:50 Defining Success: A Personal Journey

29:15 The Evolution of Purpose

32:04 Finding Joy in Authenticity

37:43 Navigating Fear and Anxiety

42:42 The Power of Vulnerability

48:20 Messages to My Younger Self

51:54 It's a wrap

In this episode, Olympian Sarah Straton shares what it was like to achieve one of the highest honours in sport, only to realise it didn’t quiet the inner voice telling her she wasn’t enough. Sarah speaks openly about the emotional cost of chasing perfection, the identity struggles beneath the surface, and the inner work it took to finally feel at peace beyond performance.

About our guest

Sarah Straton is an Olympic beach volleyball player who struggled with perfectionism and tying her self-worth to her achievements. After retiring from professional sport, she found purpose in helping others navigate similar challenges. Sarah works with families, sporting organisations, and corporations to facilitate wellbeing and performance.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e2

00:00 Sarah Straton Intro

00:30 The Burden of Perfectionism

02:37 Awareness and Acceptance

05:22 The Journey to Self-Discovery

07:34 Reflections on Olympic Experience

09:51 The Impact of Upbringing

12:32 Embracing Imperfection

14:51 The Role of Self-Compassion

17:07 Navigating Perfectionism Today

23:54 The Cost of Action vs. Inaction

26:06 Motivation Beyond Fear

28:10 Facing Fear and Expanding Comfort Zones

30:52 Reframing Fear as Excitement

34:00 From Avoidance to Embracing Opportunities

36:11 The Gift of Self-Awareness

41:08 Messages to Our Younger Selves

42:49 Top Tips for Self-Discovery and Growth

46:00 Its a wrap

Simone Nabholz shares her raw journey from burnout to breakthrough, ignoring warning signs, wrestling with guilt, then finding healing through pottery and ocean swims. Her story reveals how setting boundaries and small daily practices can transform breakdown into profound self-discovery.

About our guest

Simone Nabholz is a designer, storyteller, and founder of Winterwares, a ceramics studio in Fremantle dedicated to the art of slow living. After experiencing burnout from a fast-paced lifestyle, Simone rebuilt her life with intention, creating work that helps others find beauty in everyday moments. Through her ceramics, writing, and workshops, she gently inspires people to live with presence, purpose, and calm.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e1

00:00 Teaser From Burnout to Balance

00:26 The Journey to Burnout

11:20 The Crisis of Identity

20:52 Finding Grounding in Nature

23:47 The Power of Saying No

26:33 Defining Personal Values

28:50 Living Intentionally and Mindfully

31:08 Transforming Passion into Purpose

31:58 Rebuilding After Burnout

34:06 Building Resilience and Emotional Well-being

35:32 Redefining Success and Finding Fulfillment

38:41 Embracing Everyday Joys and Personal Growth

40:02 Lessons from the Journey

43:02 It's a wrap

In this first episode, hosts Jo Wiese and Anne Wicking share the heart behind "What’s Fear Got to Do With It" a podcast created to explore life's challenges and how fear shapes our experiences. Underpinned by unfiltered conversations, Jo and Anne explore their guests' stories as they gently unfold, weaving between surface moments and deeper insights, so the story can be both felt and heard. With a light touch and thoughtful insights along the way, Jo and Anne highlight how storytelling can offer listeners practical wisdom, hope, and the powerful realisation that fear can be reframed as a teacher rather than an enemy, setting the stage for the meaningful conversations ahead.

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Read the show notes on our Substack.

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00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:57 Exploring the Nature of Fear

03:11 The Journey of Creating the Podcast

05:25 Personal Experiences with Fear

07:41 The Impact of Fear on Life Choices

10:01 The Role of Fear in Personal Growth

12:24 The Vision for the Podcast

14:24 Connecting with the Audience