what is it to connect what does it mean for each of us as individuals it’s been
for each of us as individuals it’s been
for each of us as individuals it’s been hijacked through modern life hijacked by
hijacked through modern life hijacked by
hijacked through modern life hijacked by technology and the use of the word to
technology and the use of the word to
technology and the use of the word to describe information and communication
describe information and communication
describe information and communication access via the internet and cellular
access via the internet and cellular
access via the internet and cellular coverage I propose we start a revolution
coverage I propose we start a revolution
coverage I propose we start a revolution to reconnect personally actively with
to reconnect personally actively with
to reconnect personally actively with the intent to change the world we live
the intent to change the world we live
the intent to change the world we live in how by listening to and sharing of
in how by listening to and sharing of
in how by listening to and sharing of personal authentic stories without
personal authentic stories without
personal authentic stories without agenda every day I tune into radio and
agenda every day I tune into radio and
agenda every day I tune into radio and television and I hear about countries in
television and I hear about countries in
television and I hear about countries in turmoil war political divide death
turmoil war political divide death
turmoil war political divide death poverty as well as anxiety depression
poverty as well as anxiety depression
poverty as well as anxiety depression and yes suicide we can overcome the fear
and yes suicide we can overcome the fear
and yes suicide we can overcome the fear and the distrust that divides us simply
and the distrust that divides us simply
and the distrust that divides us simply by opening up and sharing our stories
by opening up and sharing our stories
by opening up and sharing our stories with people and about place taking
with people and about place taking
with people and about place taking ourselves where we feel like we belong
ourselves where we feel like we belong
ourselves where we feel like we belong connected and of course ultimately
connected and of course ultimately
connected and of course ultimately optimistic and empowered I get the
optimistic and empowered I get the
optimistic and empowered I get the feeling that might be why you’re here
feeling that might be why you’re here
feeling that might be why you’re here today to actually be inspired and feel
today to actually be inspired and feel
today to actually be inspired and feel connected we’ve never been more
connected we’ve never been more
connected we’ve never been more virtually connected in human history and
virtually connected in human history and
virtually connected in human history and yet so isolated by our social disconnect
yet so isolated by our social disconnect
yet so isolated by our social disconnect and I think that it’s been to great
and I think that it’s been to great
and I think that it’s been to great benefit but also great detriment
benefit but also great detriment
benefit but also great detriment research has shown that Millennials are
research has shown that Millennials are
research has shown that Millennials are the most anxious and depressed
the most anxious and depressed
the most anxious and depressed generation to date now let’s think about
generation to date now let’s think about
generation to date now let’s think about that for a moment
politically disengaged confronted by
politically disengaged confronted by increasing suicide rates displaced
increasing suicide rates displaced
increasing suicide rates displaced refugees fake news and even social media
refugees fake news and even social media
refugees fake news and even social media it’s a tragic mystery and I’ll come back
it’s a tragic mystery and I’ll come back
it’s a tragic mystery and I’ll come back to that thought shortly historically the
to that thought shortly historically the
to that thought shortly historically the way we understand
way we understand
way we understand the world and our place in it is through
the world and our place in it is through
the world and our place in it is through narrative whether that be the fairy
narrative whether that be the fairy
narrative whether that be the fairy tales were told as children the facts
tales were told as children the facts
tales were told as children the facts that were taught through our education
that were taught through our education
that were taught through our education years or the traditional and cultural
years or the traditional and cultural
years or the traditional and cultural stories we share between family and
stories we share between family and
stories we share between family and friends I think you’ll agree the main
friends I think you’ll agree the main
friends I think you’ll agree the main narrative we’re fed by the 24/7 news
narrative we’re fed by the 24/7 news
narrative we’re fed by the 24/7 news cycle and online is less than positive
cycle and online is less than positive
cycle and online is less than positive and I’m not saying there aren’t
and I’m not saying there aren’t
and I’m not saying there aren’t inspiring stories but you really have to
inspiring stories but you really have to
inspiring stories but you really have to be selective to find them in my lifetime
be selective to find them in my lifetime
be selective to find them in my lifetime yes it’s longer than 25 years I was
yes it’s longer than 25 years I was
yes it’s longer than 25 years I was hoping to pull the wool over your eyes
hoping to pull the wool over your eyes
hoping to pull the wool over your eyes today we’ve seen men on the moon we have
today we’ve seen men on the moon we have
today we’ve seen men on the moon we have seen the internet being developed
seen the internet being developed
seen the internet being developed through the World Wide Web the
through the World Wide Web the
through the World Wide Web the Industrial Revolution and the selfie
Industrial Revolution and the selfie
Industrial Revolution and the selfie evolution complete with accessories I
evolution complete with accessories I
evolution complete with accessories I never ever thought I’d have to explain
never ever thought I’d have to explain
never ever thought I’d have to explain FOMO to my aging parents but that’s just
FOMO to my aging parents but that’s just
FOMO to my aging parents but that’s just one fear that my children would have to
one fear that my children would have to
one fear that my children would have to navigate my childhood was simple by
navigate my childhood was simple by
navigate my childhood was simple by comparison my brother and I on our push
comparison my brother and I on our push
comparison my brother and I on our push bikes would roam the neighborhood to our
bikes would roam the neighborhood to our
bikes would roam the neighborhood to our hearts content
hearts content
hearts content we’d play cricket in the street yes with
we’d play cricket in the street yes with
we’d play cricket in the street yes with traffic well there wasn’t as much
traffic well there wasn’t as much
traffic well there wasn’t as much opportunity we’d also explore the bush
opportunity we’d also explore the bush
opportunity we’d also explore the bush all without a text or a phone call from
all without a text or a phone call from
all without a text or a phone call from our mother telling us to come home at
our mother telling us to come home at
our mother telling us to come home at dark at age 12 I was actually coming out
dark at age 12 I was actually coming out
dark at age 12 I was actually coming out of being in business with my parents for
of being in business with my parents for
of being in business with my parents for five years from the age of seven I was
five years from the age of seven I was
five years from the age of seven I was exposed to people of all ages and all
exposed to people of all ages and all
exposed to people of all ages and all backgrounds through my family’s
backgrounds through my family’s
backgrounds through my family’s businesses communicating at the counters
businesses communicating at the counters
businesses communicating at the counters on the telephones so I suppose that
on the telephones so I suppose that
on the telephones so I suppose that exposure has enabled me to be where I am
exposure has enabled me to be where I am
exposure has enabled me to be where I am today now by the age of twelve after all
today now by the age of twelve after all
today now by the age of twelve after all of that experience I was sent to
of that experience I was sent to
of that experience I was sent to boarding school and I was living
boarding school and I was living
boarding school and I was living independent from my family in Brisbane
independent from my family in Brisbane
independent from my family in Brisbane you can imagine being disconnected from
you can imagine being disconnected from
you can imagine being disconnected from your family at such a tender age and I’d
your family at such a tender age and I’d
your family at such a tender age and I’d only come home three times a year
only come home three times a year
only come home three times a year not only that it was run by nuns and I
not only that it was run by nuns and I
not only that it was run by nuns and I know some of you have only just met me
know some of you have only just met me
know some of you have only just met me but I’m pretty sure you get the idea I
but I’m pretty sure you get the idea I
but I’m pretty sure you get the idea I had attitude a precocious child yet
had attitude a precocious child yet
had attitude a precocious child yet yearning to be loved and accepted
yearning to be loved and accepted
yearning to be loved and accepted because at the heart of it we just want
because at the heart of it we just want
because at the heart of it we just want to belong
to belong
to belong belonging is something that’s
belonging is something that’s
belonging is something that’s fundamental to our being I look back at
fundamental to our being I look back at
fundamental to our being I look back at those years and I see them as a catalyst
those years and I see them as a catalyst
those years and I see them as a catalyst to the curious nature I have being
to the curious nature I have being
to the curious nature I have being unleashed on these unsuspecting Co
unleashed on these unsuspecting Co
unleashed on these unsuspecting Co borders trying to establish that
borders trying to establish that
borders trying to establish that connection the need to love and be loved
connection the need to love and be loved
connection the need to love and be loved telling someone I loved them was foreign
telling someone I loved them was foreign
telling someone I loved them was foreign to me until boarding school I still
to me until boarding school I still
to me until boarding school I still recall the sounds of my friends on their
recall the sounds of my friends on their
recall the sounds of my friends on their phone calls telling their parents and
phone calls telling their parents and
phone calls telling their parents and their family I miss you I love you hmm
their family I miss you I love you hmm
their family I miss you I love you hmm strange I don’t know what’s going on the
strange I don’t know what’s going on the
strange I don’t know what’s going on the other end of the phone but I remember
other end of the phone but I remember
other end of the phone but I remember the silence that I was actually greeted
the silence that I was actually greeted
the silence that I was actually greeted by it went on for way too long until
by it went on for way too long until
by it went on for way too long until eventually I got a you to and to this
eventually I got a you to and to this
eventually I got a you to and to this day that is the standard response to me
day that is the standard response to me
day that is the standard response to me telling my parents I love you so I think
telling my parents I love you so I think
telling my parents I love you so I think it’s just an Aussie thing do you think
it’s just an Aussie thing do you think
it’s just an Aussie thing do you think it might be just an Australian thing I
it might be just an Australian thing I
it might be just an Australian thing I know that I envy other cultures Italians
know that I envy other cultures Italians
know that I envy other cultures Italians Greeks Europeans even Asian families who
Greeks Europeans even Asian families who
Greeks Europeans even Asian families who reach out and cherish that bond through
reach out and cherish that bond through
reach out and cherish that bond through physical contact love and affection
physical contact love and affection
physical contact love and affection hugging and kissing
hugging and kissing
hugging and kissing in 2012 I traveled to Africa visiting
in 2012 I traveled to Africa visiting
in 2012 I traveled to Africa visiting Zambia to film a documentary for three
Zambia to film a documentary for three
Zambia to film a documentary for three days we actually camped in a remote
days we actually camped in a remote
days we actually camped in a remote village surrounded by a traditional mud
village surrounded by a traditional mud
village surrounded by a traditional mud brick huts and some of the happiest
brick huts and some of the happiest
brick huts and some of the happiest people I’ve met in my life
people I’ve met in my life
people I’ve met in my life yet they had very few possessions and
yet they had very few possessions and
yet they had very few possessions and little to no money they had something
little to no money they had something
little to no money they had something greater than that they belonged and they
greater than that they belonged and they
greater than that they belonged and they had community they were connected in
had community they were connected in
had community they were connected in every day life whether it be cooking
every day life whether it be cooking
every day life whether it be cooking farming building even participating in
farming building even participating in
farming building even participating in sport and faith they did it together as
sport and faith they did it together as
sport and faith they did it together as a community not just families but as
a community not just families but as
a community not just families but as community so what makes Western or
community so what makes Western or
community so what makes Western or modern society so different is it the
modern society so different is it the
modern society so different is it the loss of community the growth of cities
loss of community the growth of cities
loss of community the growth of cities fear and distrust propagated by media
fear and distrust propagated by media
fear and distrust propagated by media and politicians could it be screen time
and politicians could it be screen time
and politicians could it be screen time versus face time
versus face time
versus face time I actually don’t mind FaceTime if it’s
I actually don’t mind FaceTime if it’s
I actually don’t mind FaceTime if it’s on your phone it’s preferable to play in
on your phone it’s preferable to play in
on your phone it’s preferable to play in screen time or could it be shame brené
screen time or could it be shame brené
screen time or could it be shame brené Brown set out to research connection
Brown set out to research connection
Brown set out to research connection she found fear and shame consistently
she found fear and shame consistently
she found fear and shame consistently inhibited our ability to be vulnerable
inhibited our ability to be vulnerable
inhibited our ability to be vulnerable enough to truly connect beliefs
enough to truly connect beliefs
enough to truly connect beliefs suspicions and even assumptions mean we
suspicions and even assumptions mean we
suspicions and even assumptions mean we question everything we hear and see
question everything we hear and see
question everything we hear and see shaping our perceptions of the world can
shaping our perceptions of the world can
shaping our perceptions of the world can we really trust the person telling the
we really trust the person telling the
we really trust the person telling the story social media publishes fake news
story social media publishes fake news
story social media publishes fake news revelation not really superficial
revelation not really superficial
revelation not really superficial communication will always equal
communication will always equal
communication will always equal superficial connection in a world
superficial connection in a world
superficial connection in a world bombarded by contrived marketing
bombarded by contrived marketing
bombarded by contrived marketing messages and images of perfection is it
messages and images of perfection is it
messages and images of perfection is it any wonder we’re so disconnected nobody
any wonder we’re so disconnected nobody
any wonder we’re so disconnected nobody can live up to that and many will live
can live up to that and many will live
can live up to that and many will live unhappy and unfulfilled trying I once
unhappy and unfulfilled trying I once
unhappy and unfulfilled trying I once worked in commercial media and radio and
worked in commercial media and radio and
worked in commercial media and radio and television advertising promotions and
television advertising promotions and
television advertising promotions and sales creativity was the one thing I
sales creativity was the one thing I
sales creativity was the one thing I relied on in sales
relied on in sales
relied on in sales creating catchy commercials to give the
creating catchy commercials to give the
creating catchy commercials to give the best value package to my client
best value package to my client
best value package to my client unfortunately most of the people didn’t
unfortunately most of the people didn’t
unfortunately most of the people didn’t really value my values so my bosses
really value my values so my bosses
really value my values so my bosses weren’t consistent weren’t actually
weren’t consistent weren’t actually
weren’t consistent weren’t actually invested in the types of selling tools I
invested in the types of selling tools I
invested in the types of selling tools I was using including the focus on client
was using including the focus on client
was using including the focus on client detail success and just the bottom
detail success and just the bottom
detail success and just the bottom dollar so a bit dismayed by that I
dollar so a bit dismayed by that I
dollar so a bit dismayed by that I resigned and started my own consulting
resigned and started my own consulting
resigned and started my own consulting business months later I ran into a
business months later I ran into a
business months later I ran into a former colleague who asked me if I’d
former colleague who asked me if I’d
former colleague who asked me if I’d like to have another career in radio you
like to have another career in radio you
like to have another career in radio you see I had to leave marketing behind
see I had to leave marketing behind
see I had to leave marketing behind because it’s designed to help you
because it’s designed to help you
because it’s designed to help you believe that you will be happier sexier
believe that you will be happier sexier
believe that you will be happier sexier stronger richer and even be more popular
stronger richer and even be more popular
stronger richer and even be more popular if you buy the products they’re selling
if you buy the products they’re selling
if you buy the products they’re selling my new career in
my new career in
my new career in I wasn’t exactly around sales and
I wasn’t exactly around sales and
I wasn’t exactly around sales and marketing it was with the Australian
marketing it was with the Australian
marketing it was with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and when I was
Broadcasting Corporation and when I was
Broadcasting Corporation and when I was invited to apply I was horrified me a
invited to apply I was horrified me a
invited to apply I was horrified me a rock chick working for the station my
rock chick working for the station my
rock chick working for the station my retired parents listened to I thought
retired parents listened to I thought
retired parents listened to I thought about it for a moment I handed in my
about it for a moment I handed in my
about it for a moment I handed in my card and said why not how wrong I was at
card and said why not how wrong I was at
card and said why not how wrong I was at the age of 41 I found myself in my niche
the age of 41 I found myself in my niche
the age of 41 I found myself in my niche I’d found my purpose in life
I’d found my purpose in life
I’d found my purpose in life interviewing people about subjects I had
interviewing people about subjects I had
interviewing people about subjects I had no clue about and talking to people who
no clue about and talking to people who
no clue about and talking to people who were complete strangers bring on the
were complete strangers bring on the
were complete strangers bring on the conversation not only that I believed I
conversation not only that I believed I
conversation not only that I believed I could change the world one story at a
could change the world one story at a
could change the world one story at a time something I would tell my boss
time something I would tell my boss
time something I would tell my boss Craig on a regular basis his reply
Craig on a regular basis his reply
Craig on a regular basis his reply that’s not your job I did it anyway you
that’s not your job I did it anyway you
that’s not your job I did it anyway you can call it a community boat bonus we
can call it a community boat bonus we
can call it a community boat bonus we can all connect and reconnect by asking
can all connect and reconnect by asking
can all connect and reconnect by asking questions actively listening and sharing
questions actively listening and sharing
questions actively listening and sharing our experiences without agenda for
our experiences without agenda for
our experiences without agenda for approximately 90% of you this will be
approximately 90% of you this will be
approximately 90% of you this will be extremely daunting it will take courage
extremely daunting it will take courage
extremely daunting it will take courage to overcome your fear and/or shame it
to overcome your fear and/or shame it
to overcome your fear and/or shame it was during the first six years as an
was during the first six years as an
was during the first six years as an interviewer that I realized the power of
interviewer that I realized the power of
interviewer that I realized the power of interest in connecting people often
interest in connecting people often
interest in connecting people often complete strangers something that Dale
complete strangers something that Dale
complete strangers something that Dale Carnegie knew all about one conversation
Carnegie knew all about one conversation
Carnegie knew all about one conversation really stands out to this day and it was
really stands out to this day and it was
really stands out to this day and it was quite a while ago I was talking to a
quite a while ago I was talking to a
quite a while ago I was talking to a young researcher in an interview
young researcher in an interview
young researcher in an interview situation after the interview he started
situation after the interview he started
situation after the interview he started sharing his passion for birds which was
sharing his passion for birds which was
sharing his passion for birds which was completely unrelated to his field of
completely unrelated to his field of
completely unrelated to his field of expertise or the interview we just had
expertise or the interview we just had
expertise or the interview we just had so I seized the moment to ask him if
so I seized the moment to ask him if
so I seized the moment to ask him if he’d heard about Peter Doherty and his
he’d heard about Peter Doherty and his
he’d heard about Peter Doherty and his book Sentinel chickens you see deployed
book Sentinel chickens you see deployed
book Sentinel chickens you see deployed all around the world aren’t only
all around the world aren’t only
all around the world aren’t only chickens but other birds who are our
chickens but other birds who are our
chickens but other birds who are our first line of defense in detecting
first line of defense in detecting
first line of defense in detecting viruses and bacteria he said he hadn’t
viruses and bacteria he said he hadn’t
viruses and bacteria he said he hadn’t so I said I’ll send it to you he must
so I said I’ll send it to you he must
so I said I’ll send it to you he must have thought I was completely crazy
have thought I was completely crazy
have thought I was completely crazy months later having not heard whether
months later having not heard whether
months later having not heard whether he’d received the book I decided to call
he’d received the book I decided to call
he’d received the book I decided to call him up again
him up again
him up again yes he had and he loved it for me we’ll
yes he had and he loved it for me we’ll
yes he had and he loved it for me we’ll always be connected by that experience
always be connected by that experience
always be connected by that experience and his connection to Peters work may
and his connection to Peters work may
and his connection to Peters work may very well have changed something about
very well have changed something about
very well have changed something about his own life how often are you
his own life how often are you
his own life how often are you interested in other people the ones you
interested in other people the ones you
interested in other people the ones you encounter every day your child’s teacher
encounter every day your child’s teacher
encounter every day your child’s teacher the chemist perhaps a doctor in your
the chemist perhaps a doctor in your
the chemist perhaps a doctor in your life or even your hairdresser in
life or even your hairdresser in
life or even your hairdresser in February this year I had an unfortunate
February this year I had an unfortunate
February this year I had an unfortunate incident I tripped jumping onto a stage
incident I tripped jumping onto a stage
incident I tripped jumping onto a stage and lacerated my lower leg to the bone
and lacerated my lower leg to the bone
and lacerated my lower leg to the bone yeah cringe-worthy Hey
yeah cringe-worthy Hey
yeah cringe-worthy Hey when I went to the hospital I was
when I went to the hospital I was
when I went to the hospital I was treated by a young doctor now she hadn’t
treated by a young doctor now she hadn’t
treated by a young doctor now she hadn’t had experience with a wound like mine
had experience with a wound like mine
had experience with a wound like mine and I was going to share a video so you
and I was going to share a video so you
and I was going to share a video so you could see the extent of it however I was
could see the extent of it however I was
could see the extent of it however I was overruled due to its graphic content I
overruled due to its graphic content I
overruled due to its graphic content I even tried to slip the photo in there
even tried to slip the photo in there
even tried to slip the photo in there the other day that didn’t work either
the other day that didn’t work either
the other day that didn’t work either she decided to consult an orthopedic
she decided to consult an orthopedic
she decided to consult an orthopedic surgeon who just happened to be on duty
surgeon who just happened to be on duty
surgeon who just happened to be on duty that day an older gentleman I inquired
that day an older gentleman I inquired
that day an older gentleman I inquired as to why he’d chosen to specialize as
as to why he’d chosen to specialize as
as to why he’d chosen to specialize as an orthopedic surgeon I still didn’t
an orthopedic surgeon I still didn’t
an orthopedic surgeon I still didn’t understand how it come to be in a public
understand how it come to be in a public
understand how it come to be in a public hospital he told me one of the most
hospital he told me one of the most
hospital he told me one of the most amazing stories I’ve ever heard how he
amazing stories I’ve ever heard how he
amazing stories I’ve ever heard how he had come from Rhodesia now Zimbabwe and
had come from Rhodesia now Zimbabwe and
had come from Rhodesia now Zimbabwe and his experience his first foray into
his experience his first foray into
his experience his first foray into medicine was treating wounds of people
medicine was treating wounds of people
medicine was treating wounds of people in a battlefield land mines bombs and
in a battlefield land mines bombs and
in a battlefield land mines bombs and guns he knew his way around orthopedic
guns he knew his way around orthopedic
guns he knew his way around orthopedic surgery I can tell you and I was so
surgery I can tell you and I was so
surgery I can tell you and I was so grateful to have him treating my mere
grateful to have him treating my mere
grateful to have him treating my mere flesh wound not only that the young
flesh wound not only that the young
flesh wound not only that the young doctor who was quite new obviously to
doctor who was quite new obviously to
doctor who was quite new obviously to these situations got the best mentoring
these situations got the best mentoring
these situations got the best mentoring she could have ever wished for and a
she could have ever wished for and a
she could have ever wished for and a great story to food how little we know
great story to food how little we know
great story to food how little we know well maybe you I pry into people’s lives
well maybe you I pry into people’s lives
well maybe you I pry into people’s lives at every opportunity and they don’t seem
at every opportunity and they don’t seem
at every opportunity and they don’t seem to mind in fact most people are more
to mind in fact most people are more
to mind in fact most people are more than happy to tell you what they think
than happy to tell you what they think
than happy to tell you what they think and how they feel these stories that
and how they feel these stories that
and how they feel these stories that I’ve told you today and the others
I’ve told you today and the others
I’ve told you today and the others you’ve heard shared by speakers are just
you’ve heard shared by speakers are just
you’ve heard shared by speakers are just a few out of the many thousands even
a few out of the many thousands even
a few out of the many thousands even millions of stories that you will hear
millions of stories that you will hear
millions of stories that you will hear if you’re simply interested social media
if you’re simply interested social media
if you’re simply interested social media is cited a
is cited a
is cited a a playground for pedophiles a recruiting
a playground for pedophiles a recruiting
a playground for pedophiles a recruiting platform for fringe groups and of course
platform for fringe groups and of course
platform for fringe groups and of course causes it’s also the bane of modern
causes it’s also the bane of modern
causes it’s also the bane of modern society according to my mom and the
society according to my mom and the
society according to my mom and the downfall of a generation that’s all the
downfall of a generation that’s all the
downfall of a generation that’s all the negative perceptions but but social
negative perceptions but but social
negative perceptions but but social media not just the platform’s we all use
media not just the platform’s we all use
media not just the platform’s we all use every single one is also a place of
every single one is also a place of
every single one is also a place of celebration information sharing and of
celebration information sharing and of
celebration information sharing and of course all those positive things that
course all those positive things that
course all those positive things that you can find in a community support
you can find in a community support
you can find in a community support sharing connection you choose what you
sharing connection you choose what you
sharing connection you choose what you share whom you connect with and the
share whom you connect with and the
share whom you connect with and the depth of information you want to allow
depth of information you want to allow
depth of information you want to allow other people to know about you we can
other people to know about you we can
other people to know about you we can all influence world peace inquire listen
all influence world peace inquire listen
all influence world peace inquire listen understand and share stories
understand and share stories
understand and share stories purposefully with the intent to connect
purposefully with the intent to connect
purposefully with the intent to connect the power of one to influence many now
the power of one to influence many now
the power of one to influence many now that’s an idea worth spreading
”
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