We sit down with Dr Sharonne Zaks AM, a Melbourne-based dentist internationally recognised for pioneering trauma-informed dental care.

Sharon explains how the dental chair—one of the most vulnerable places a person can be—can re-trigger memories for survivors of trauma. Her work has transformed how dentists think about trust, consent, and patient empowerment, leading to the Australian Dental Council adopting trauma-informed care into all dental training.

Want to learn more about Sharonne's work? Go to https://zaksdental.com.au

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Who are we now, five years after COVID first shut the world down?

From lockdown memories to hybrid work, empty campuses and vanishing “weak ties,” the conversation explores what we’ve gained, and what we’ve lost, since 2020.

Amanda recalls driving to work with a permission slip as an “essential” broadcaster, while Anita reflects on the chaos of moving her clinical teaching and therapy sessions online. They discuss:

• How lockdowns reshaped teaching, work, and home life

• Why we may never return to full campus or office culture

• The collapse in vaccination rates and rising distrust in science

• The new culture of “boundaries” and why saying yes still matters

• Whether convenience has replaced connection—and what that means for friendship and community

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We're welcoming back two very special guests, Melanie and her daughter Jess, who first joined the show earlier this year to share their story in the lead-up to Melanie donating a kidney to Jess.

Now, they’re back to tell us what happened next.

When we last heard from them, Jess had just been diagnosed with stage-five renal failure at age 27, with her kidneys functioning at only 4%. Since then, she’s undergone a successful transplant, with her mum’s kidney, and both women have come through the experience with new perspectives on life, health, and gratitude.

Want to donate to Jess's fundraiser? https://fundraise.kidney.org.au/fundraisers/JessKeepinitRenal

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The Double A Chattery podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed and this podcast is no substitute for professional psychological or other medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The use of information in this podcast is at the listener’s own risk. Listeners should seek the help of their health care professionals for any medical conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.