In this episode of She Who Dares, I sit down with systems thinker, changemaker, and unapologetic visionary Irene Portelli — founder of We Made It and leader behind the FNQ Circular Economy. What starts as a conversation about sustainability evolves into a deep, thought-provoking exploration of courage, community, and redefining what progress really looks like.

Irene shares how her upbringing and lived experience shaped her drive to create real-world solutions that bring people together — from circular economy models and upskilling programs to co-ops that give women economic freedom and purpose. We talk about everything from the love economy to neurodivergent innovation, trauma-informed community building, and why it’s time to reconnect with the systems that sustain us.

You’ll hear about:

• The love economy — and how connection can rebuild what capitalism broke

• Circular systems that turn waste into opportunity and restore dignity through meaningful work

• We Made It — a social enterprise training women to build and project-manage tiny homesto help deliver and maintain a waste to energy micro factory

• The brilliance of neurodivergent minds in solving complex environmental and social challenges

• Why choosing one thing is often the most powerful place to start

This episode is rich with insight, heart, and action. Irene’s mind moves at lightning speed, and her ideas spark genuine hope for what’s possible when we design for people, not profit.

🎧 Listen in — buy the t-shirt — because community really is everything.

Buy the t-shirt here:

https://wemadeit.com.au/shop/page/3/

Follow here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZgd8cimc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.tiktok.com/@wemadeitbetter?_t=ZS-90hcbeCVm9R&_r=1

What happens when you stop trying to fit into the mould and decide to live — fully, unapologetically — as yourself? In this episode of She Who Dares, I’m joined by Cheryl Alderman, entrepreneur, executive coach, speaker, and self-described “Energizer Bunny” whose story is equal parts inspiring and real.

Cheryl’s life has been anything but ordinary. At 19, she boarded a one-way flight from New Zealand to Sydney, building a corporate career in senior leadership, before launching not one but two successful businesses while raising three children. Today, she runs her ventures from Cairns while travelling across Australia and New Zealand delivering workshops and keynotes.

In our conversation, Cheryl shares what it means to grow up without labels like “neurodivergent” or “masking,” and how discovering her ADHD later in life gave language to traits she’d always owned as her own. She reveals how her risk tolerance, energy, and ability to think outside the box have fuelled her success — but also the lessons learned from failure, rejection, and workplaces that still don’t fully understand difference.

We dive into the importance of self-awareness, finding your people, and recognising your unique dopamine triggers — whether that’s food, people, the ocean, or creative projects. Cheryl speaks candidly about parenting neurodivergent children, navigating bias in professional environments, and the resilience required to keep moving forward when life feels unfair.

Her definition of success is refreshingly honest: building a life that makes you happy, on your terms, without dimming your light for anyone. She leaves us with a powerful reminder — it’s okay to be different, and in fact, it’s difference that makes the world interesting.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s ever felt “too much,” questioned where they fit, or wondered if their way of thinking is an obstacle or a gift. Cheryl shows us it can be a superpower — when embraced with courage, kindness, and conviction.

You can connect with Cheryl here:LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-alderman-execcoach/

Websites:

https://www.beultimate.com.au/ https://social4u.com.au/

In this vibrant and unapologetically honest episode of She Who Dares, I sit down with Rachel Goode — the founder and creative force behind Menopause of Sound and Women Who Date, two joyful movements that challenge norms and celebrate radical self-leadership. A West Country Women Awards nominee, Rachel is known for creating emotionally intelligent spaces where women and solo-living people can connect, reflect, and show up as their full, unfiltered selves.

We speak openly about what it means to reclaim identity after sudden change, the deep courage of drawing boundaries that others may not understand, and how joy itself can be a radical act of leadership.

Rachel shares the moment her hair fell out in just a matter of days, the choice she made to shave her head alongside her son, and how that experience with alopecia opened the door to living without masks. She reflects on her later-life diagnosis of ADHD and language processing disorder, and how neurodivergence, authenticity, and visibility are inseparably linked.

Our conversation moves from laughter to raw reflection, as Rachel shares the importance of setting boundaries in family life and how those choices reshaped what connection and support looked like for her. She also speaks about the unexpected impact of Menopause of Sound day discos, where women step outside their roles and rediscover freedom, and her newest project Women Who Date, which is bringing honesty and community to the often isolating world of modern dating.

We explore:

• How alopecia became a catalyst for radical visibility and self-ownership

• Why late neurodivergent diagnosis can be both grief and liberation

• The role of boundaries in protecting energy and reshaping relationships

• How joyful spaces like Menopause of Sound can empower women to show up as themselves

• Why redefining success around family, values, and connection brings a deeper kind of freedom

Rachel’s story is one of grounded courage, humour, and a fierce commitment to flipping the narrative — especially for those who don’t feel like they fit in.

You’ll walk away from this episode with fresh perspective on self-leadership, permission to set bold boundaries, and a reminder that empowerment often begins in the most personal of choices.

You can connect with Rachel here:

@menopauseofsound

@Rachelcarolinegoode (Facebook, instagram, Linkedin)

@wearewomenwhodate (Facebook, Instagram)

In this episode, I’m joined by Paula Burgess, founder of Beyond the Maze. Paula’s story begins with a moment many parents will relate to — realising the traditional workplace wasn’t going to work for her family after her young son was diagnosed with ADHD.

That decision set her on a path that has grown into a 13-year business with a team of 14, supporting clients across industries with virtual office and online business management.Paula takes us inside the reality of that journey — the challenges of starting over, the choice to leave ADHD coaching behind, and the way she’s built systems and processes that work for different learning styles.

We talk about what it looks like to lead a values-driven business every single day, from making hard decisions about clients to the way her team anchors itself in daily huddles. She also shares the small, practical habits that keep her sharp and steady.This conversation also explores how success changes shape over time. For Paula, it’s shifted from chasing money to creating time freedom, impact, and building a business that genuinely supports her team as much as her clients.

The honesty she brings to this conversation shows that business is never just about systems or strategy — it’s about people, values, and building something that actually works in the life you want to live.

About Paula:

Paula Burgess, a devoted mother and a driven professional, found her true calling as a Virtual Assistant through an unexpected turn of events.

Originally a qualified financial planner, Paula's career path took an unforeseen detour when her son was 4 years of age. Little did she know that this pivotal moment would lead her down a remarkable new road.

While juggling her financial planning role and the demands of motherhood, Paula's son encountered difficulties in daycare. It became clear to her that continuing in her current position would not allow her to adequately support her son's needs.

Determined to find a flexible alternative that would complement her son's schooling, Paula embarked on a search for a career she could pursue from home.With her extensive background in administration spanning over 30 years, Paula discovered the world of Virtual Assistance—an ideal fit for her circumstances.

Recognising that this line of work would provide the necessary flexibility to cater to her son's requirements, she embraced her new role as a Virtual Assistant wholeheartedly.

Establishing her own Australian-based Virtual Assistance & now Online Business Management firm in Deception Bay 13 years ago, Paula now has a dedicated team of 14 professionals. Through her virtual office management & administrative services, she works with numerous businesses, aiding them in their growth and organisational endeavours.

Initially catering to fellow financial planners who required support but were not ready to hire additional staff, Paula's client base has expanded to include allied health practitioners and various other industries with a particular interest in neurodiversity.Connect with Paula and Beyond the Maze here:

www.facebook.com/beyondthemaze

www.instagram.com/beyondthemaze

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-burgess-7aab1a57/

In this episode of She Who Dares , my guest is someone I’ve known since we were at school together — over 30 years ago — and yet, even living on opposite sides of the world, we’ve found ourselves with so much in common.

I’m joined by Jay-anne Vogan, the founder of Life Is Too Short and creator of the Y.O.U. Method. She’s spent over a decade working in male-dominated industries, from car body shops to financial services, and now blends coaching, strategy, NLP, and unapologetic truth-telling to help women in business lead from their identity, not imitation.

Her superpower? Seeing the genius in others and helping them own it.

We talk about what it really means to dare daily — from skydives to speaking up — and the unmasking that comes when you decide to own who you are without apology. Jay-anne shares openly about the protection modes she’s used in the past, how her neurodivergence has become a strategic advantage in her work, and the beliefs she’s had to let go of to lead with authenticity.

We also get into boundaries, self-trust, and the quiet but powerful work of listening to your own cues before anyone else’s.

If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “too different” but deep down know you’re meant for more, you’re going to take so much from this conversation.

About Jay-anne Vogan

Jay-anne Vogan (Dingwall) is the founder of Life Is Too Short and the creator of the Y.O.U. Method, helping women in business and financial services get out of their own way and lead from identity, not imitation. With over a decade in male-dominated industries from car body shops to financial services, she blends coaching, strategy, NLP, and unapologetic truth-telling to support women to build legacies in business and life.

She’s also a speaker, adviser, and the author of Girl, Get Out of Your Own Way (coming soon). Her superpower? Seeing the genius in others and helping them own it.

📍 Connect with Jay-anne:

• Instagram: @TheSalesMaverick

• Facebook: Jay-anne Dingwall

• Website: www.lifeistooshort.co.uk

• LinkedIn: Jay-anne Vogan

In this deeply moving and grounding episode of She Who Dares, I sit down with Tamara Henwood — a Dementia Doula, lived experience consultant, carer coach, and heart-led disruptor based in Adelaide. With a background spanning defence, aviation, aged care leadership and small business, and lived experience as a cancer survivor, family carer, and neurodivergent woman, Tamara brings raw wisdom, calm clarity, and fierce compassion to everything she shares.

We speak candidly about the reality of navigating life, caregiving, and business while supporting others — and how self-leadership, boundaries, and radical self-trust play a critical role.

Tamara opens up about her own late diagnosis of ADHD and autism, what it means to be person-led in practice and in life, and the moment she redefined what it means to move forward — even when forward feels impossibly slow. From “Forward is Forward” to hour-by-hour survival during chemo, her insights on resilience are anything but performative — they’re honest, grounded, and full of heart.

We explore:

• Letting go of perfectionism and choosing tiny, brave steps instead

• Redefining boundaries in a culture that glorifies self-sacrifice

• What self-leadership looks like when you’re both a carer and a business owner

• Neurodivergence, identity, and the misunderstood strengths of self-assurance

• The power of the “love in, dump out” model for protecting your emotional bandwidth

Tamara’s work supports individuals, families, communities, and solo practitioners through transition, illness, and care with a focus on inclusive models and system disruption. Her mission is to build communities where people feel seen, supported, and empowered — no matter where they’re starting from.

You’ll walk away from this episode with a renewed sense of permission to pause, protect your energy, and move forward at your own pace — without apology.

You can connect with Tamara here:

Website Tamara Henwood Consulting

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Substack

In this episode, I talk with Althea Miller — an oncology nurse based in Iowa, with over 20 years of experience, a mother of five, and the founder of CulturaSync, where she helps healthcare teams build more human-centred, inclusive cultures.

As a systems consultant and neurodivergent woman, Althea is passionate about creating care models that honour complexity, dignity, and real-world healing — for patients, providers, and the people holding it all together.

Althea shares what changed when she discovered she was neurodivergent in her 40s, and how that shifted everything from how she works to how she sees herself. We talk about unmasking, redefining success, navigating guilt, and what it really means to trust yourself and your brain — even when the world expects you to be someone else.

What I love most about this conversation is how grounded and generous Althea is in her insights. She speaks openly about the weight of internalised pressure, the power of self-compassion, and how liberating it is to let go of who you thought you were supposed to be.

We talk about:

• Discovering ADHD later in life — and what it unlocked

• Releasing the shame of being “disorganised” or “too much”

• Learning to express needs and build boundaries at home and work

• Starting a business that’s values-aligned and family-centred

• Redefining success to include emotional wellbeing and self-trust

• Why self-compassion is everything when you’re unlearning the “shoulds”

Whether you’re neurodivergent or not, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt like they were failing at doing life the “right” way. Althea reminds us: you don’t have to perform to be worthy — and the path that fits you is always worth walking.

You can connect with She Who Dares in our neurodivergent community here:

• shewhodares.inspiredcoaching.au
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/theneurospicybusinessnetwork

And you can connect with Althea Miller here:

• www.linkedin.com/in/althea-miller

• @being.with.althea
• www.culturasync.com

In this raw and deeply personal first episode of She Who Dares, I sit down with my sister Sam Derrick — a Wellbeing Lead in a company of over 20,000 employees, a multi-passionate creative, and a proud ADHDer navigating fibromyalgia, a lifelong spinal condition, and the realities of working and living with a neurodivergent brain.

We talk about what it really takes to stop performing and start showing up as your full self — in business, in life, and within your own body. From late-diagnosed ADHD to chronic illness, masking, identity, boundaries, resilience, and speaking up when your voice has felt silent for years… this conversation goes everywhere.

Sam opens up about the moment her body shut down from burnout, how she rebuilt her capacity one minute at a time, and what it now means to lead with honesty, creativity, and self-trust — especially in systems not built with us in mind.

It’s vulnerable, funny, and completely unfiltered — and a reminder that there’s real power in saying: “I’m not broken. I’m just wired differently.”

*******

Sam Derrick is the Wellbeing Lead for an organisation of over 20,000 employees, bringing a unique blend of empathy, experience, and insight to her role. With a background as a Personal Assistant and several years in HR, she has developed a broad and practical skillset that allows her to connect with people on every level.

Sam lives with ADHD, fibromyalgia, and arthritis—challenges that have shaped her into someone deeply resilient, adaptable, and passionate about making a real difference. Her personal experience has given her a powerful understanding of the connection between wellbeing and the way people live and work. She’s committed to creating supportive environments where people feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for.

Endlessly curious and always learning, Sam is driven to share her knowledge and speak openly about her experiences to support others in meaningful ways.

You can find her on Instagram @sam_oranacrafts, where she shares her creativity and talent as a maker—showcasing everything from handmade crafts to the beautiful, slightly chaotic brilliance that comes with an ADHD brain.