In this episode, the host interviews Dinesh Palipana, an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success as a doctor, lawyer, researcher, and disability advocate.

Dinesh shares his life story, starting from his childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka, the challenges he faced after moving to Australia, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He also discusses his transition from studying law to medicine, the life-altering car accident that left him with quadriplegia, and the profound resilience and perspective that helped him overcome this adversity.

Throughout the conversation, Dinesh reflects on the importance of empathy, the influence of his mother, and the impermanence of life, offering valuable insights and inspiration to listeners.

Books Dinesh recommends:

• Ryan Holiday, Ego is the enemy
• Ryan Holiday, The obstacle is the way
• Ryan Holiday, Discipline is destiny

Movie Dinesh recommends:

• Seven Years in Tibet, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud

Chapters:

(00:00) – Welcome & Introduction to Dinesh Palipana

(01:38) – Dinesh’s Early Life in War-Torn Sri Lanka

(04:47) – Why Dinesh’s Family Migrated to Australia

(06:43) – First Impressions of Australia

(10:01) – Adapting to Australian Life & Identity

(13:27) – Cultural Tensions Within the Family

(17:14) – Struggles with Mental Health in Early Adulthood

(20:57) – Finding Purpose Through Medicine

(22:07) – The Car Accident That Changed Everything

(28:00) – Resilience, Gratitude & Reframing Adversity

(33:28) – Being a Doctor With Empathy & Purpose

(36:53) – Stoicism, Impermanence & Final Reflections

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In this episode, we explore the harrowing and inspirational journey of Mahshid Babzartabi, a refugee who fled Iran at age 52, as she was unable to endure the constraints of a society that silenced her voice.

Confronted with limited legal options for safe emigration, she ultimately embarked on a perilous boat journey to Australia. Despite facing immense hardships, she survived and spent 45 days in an immigration detention centre where she used her language skills to help others in similar situations.

Her story highlights her resilience and continuous advocacy for asylum seekers, enriched by her volunteer work and cooking classes that started as a way to integrate into the community. This heartfelt narrative provides an enlightening perspective on the struggles and triumphs faced by refugees, emphasizing the importance of community support and the human spirit's capacity to endure.

Contact Mashid to order her book:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahshidtaste/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424779064486993/

Chapters:

(00:00) - Welcome & Introduction

(01:28) - Life in Iran Before the Escape

(03:39) - Why Mashid Fled Iran

(06:30) - Journey by Boat to Australia

(08:42) - Detention & Helping Other Refugees

(10:32) - Building Community & Founding Support Networks

(13:24) - Cooking, Advocacy & Creating Belonging

(15:07) - Culture Clash & Identity in a New Country

(17:31) - Searching for Home & Living in Between

(21:06) - Fear, Resilience & Life Lessons

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In this episode, Emma has a heartfelt conversation with Jetha Devapura, an inspiring CEO and philanthropist who immigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia at the age of 12.

Together, they discuss Jetha’s memories of his childhood in Colombo and his transition to life in Australia as a teenager. Jetha shares his academic struggles and eventual success, highlighting the impact of environment on personal growth. He recounts a pivotal moment in his life following his diagnosis of OCD, and the development of his three life virtues: courage, compassion, and commitment.

Jetha discusses his philanthropic endeavours, including building a 194-bed cancer transit home and initiating a Lifeline centre in Sri Lanka, significantly impacting mental health and suicide rates. He also introduces his “Let’s Talk” program aimed at fostering psychological safety and resilience in schools. Their conversation converges on the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the inner journey of self-worth. Jetha's story is a testament to making meaningful change and creating a better community both locally and globally.

Follow Jetha's work:

Website: https://letstalkprogram.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jetha-devapura-576a2a6/

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Jetha Devapura

(02:01) – Childhood Memories in Sri Lanka

(03:38) – Migration Journey & Family Sacrifices

(06:10) – School Struggles and Turning Point

(10:39) – OCD Diagnosis and Path to Healing

(13:59) – Building Sri Lanka’s Largest Cancer Transit Home

(16:02) – Launching Lifeline Sri Lanka

(19:39) – Creating the Let’s Talk Program

(22:58) – Psychological Safety & Authenticity

(35:32) – Final Reflections on Self-Worth and Belonging

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.