Uncharted Parenting

In this latest episode of Uncharted Parenting we sit down with Mia Bannister. Mia lost her beloved son Ollie at just 14 years of age, and in an instant, her world changed forever. In this deeply moving conversation, Mia shares who Ollie was beyond the headlines, the challenges he faced, and the devastating reality of losing a child to suicide.
Through unimaginable grief, Mia has transformed her pain into purpose, founding Ollie's Echo to raise awareness of youth mental health, eating disorders in boys, digital wellbeing, early intervention and prevention. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of connection, conversation and ensuring young people know they are never alone.
A heartfelt discussion about loss, love, resilience and the legacy one young life can leave behind.
 

How much time are we really spending scrolling, and what are our children learning from our habits as parents and caregivers?
In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, Encounter Youth CEO Nigel Knowles speaks with Gia Hogarth about Scroll Less September, a campaign challenging parents to make a pledge to reduce their social media use and be more intentional about how they use their screens.
Together, Nigel and Gia explore what it means for parents to model healthy digital habits, create more space for connection with their children, and make a positive difference beyond their own homes. As part of the campaign, participants are also encouraged to support Beyond Blue through donations.
It’s a simple challenge with a bigger question: what could change in our families if we put down our phones and looked up?
Join the conversation and consider your own Scroll Less September pledge.
www.scrolllessseptember.com.au

In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down with educator, youth advocate and author Daniel Principe to explore the unique pressures facing boys in today's world.
From social media and shifting ideas of masculinity to loneliness, identity and the longing to belong, Daniel shares what he is hearing from boys across Australia and what every parent needs to understand about the challenges they're navigating behind closed doors.
Together, we discuss how parents can foster stronger connections with their sons, create space for meaningful conversations and help boys develop the emotional resilience, self-awareness and confidence they need to thrive. This is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation that challenges stereotypes and offers practical insights for raising boys with courage, character and a strong sense of self.
Whether you're parenting a young boy, a teenager or simply want to better understand the experiences shaping the next generation of men, this episode is packed with wisdom, hope and practical takeaways.
 

How do you raise two young children while reporting from war zones, elections, and global crises?
In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down with award‑winning journalist and 60 Minutes reporter Amelia Adams, whose career has taken her from Sydney newsrooms to the frontlines of world‑shaping events — all while navigating the messy, beautiful, guilt‑ridden, joy‑filled reality of being a Mum.
Amelia opens up about the emotional toll of leaving her children for long assignments, the systems that kept her family grounded while living overseas, and the unexpected ways motherhood reshaped her approach to her work. She shares the moments that broke her, the ones that made her braver, and the lessons she hopes her kids carry with them as they grow.
This is a conversation for every parent who has ever felt torn between purpose and presence — and wondered if they’re getting any of it right.

In this first instalment of a brand‑new multi‑episode series, we're joined by Jana Gomes — sexuality educator, consent specialist and Uncharted Parenting’s resident expert for Season 2. Across the year, Jana will return regularly to unpack the issues shaping young people’s wellbeing, identity and relationships.
Today, we begin with a topic that touches every family: body image.
Drawing on her work with young people, parents and professional sporting organisations, Jana explains how young people are feeling about their bodies in 2026, what’s changed in recent years, and why the pressures look different for girls, boys and gender‑diverse young people. We explore the everyday comments parents make without realising the impact, the subtle messages kids absorb at home, and the small, practical shifts that help young people feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin.
Jana also speaks to the power of modelling — how the way we talk about our own bodies becomes the script our kids learn from.
This episode sets the foundation for the conversations still to come in Season 2, including social media, deepfakes, consent, coercion and age‑appropriate communication.
A grounded, compassionate and deeply practical conversation for every parent wanting to raise body‑confident young people.

Why are so many mothers reaching breaking point — and why aren’t we talking about it?
In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down with Lauren Novak, Education and Social Policy Editor at The Advertiser and author of the powerful new book Meltdown.
Drawing on her own lived experience and extensive research, Lauren unpacks the phenomenon often labelled “mum rage” — the intense, overwhelming anger many mothers feel but rarely admit. Together, we explore:
The everyday triggers that push parents to the edge
Why maternal anger remains taboo, even in 2026
The pressures — physical, psychological, and societal — that fuel emotional overload
The role fathers and partners play in the dynamic
Practical, compassionate strategies for parents who feel themselves spiralling
This is an honest, empathetic, and deeply needed conversation for anyone working in education, health, social policy, or family support — and for every parent who has ever wondered, “Is it just me?”
Uncharted Parenting continues to open the doors on the conversations families are having behind closed ones.

In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down again with renowned parenting educator, author, and speaker Michelle Mitchell to unpack one of the most pressing challenges for today’s families: supporting children through school stress.
Together, we explore why academic pressure feels so overwhelming for young people, how stress shows up in everyday behaviour, and what parents can do to offer meaningful, practical support. Michelle shares compassionate, evidence-informed strategies to help teens build resilience, navigate emotions, and feel genuinely understood at home, especially during high‑pressure times like exams, transitions, and friendship shifts.
Whether your child is thriving but tired, anxious and overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and tools you can start using today.
 

Parenting in the age of AI, social media and endless screens feels like uncharted territory, so we brought Dr Justin Coulson back for Season 2 to help make sense of it.
In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, Justin breaks down how today’s tech is shaping our kids’ brains, behaviour and wellbeing, and what parents can realistically do to create healthier digital habits at home.
This conversation is clear, compassionate and packed with strategies for families to implement right now. Want to stay connected with your kid's in a digital world that never slows down? Then this episode is for you! 

In this episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down with Lauren Brooks, the Principal of Saint Ignatius’ College and we talk about how to tackle one of parenting’s toughest modern challenges: screen time.
We unpack the College’s 2025 Tech Smart initiative, why they intentionally created space away from devices, and what they’ve learned about attention, wellbeing and real-world connection.
Lauren shares what St Ignatius College are doing in this space and shares practical insights for families trying to reset the balance at home and raise young people who can use technology wisely—without being ruled by it. A thoughtful, practical conversation for parents wanting to help their children switch off the noise … and switch on to life.

In this powerful episode of Uncharted Parenting, we sit down with former Adelaide Crows star Brett Burton for an honest and grounded conversation about identity, transition and family life beyond elite sport.
After a decorated AFL career, Brett moved into senior leadership roles as Head of Football and Head of High Performance at both the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions, and is now the Director of Leadwell People, who specialise in delivering transformative people development programs and workshops with a focus on leadership, wellbeing, and high performance. But behind the titles and the pressure of professional sport is a husband and father of five navigating the daily juggle of parenting, purpose and life after the final siren.
In The Balancing Act, Brett opens up about:
The identity shift from elite athlete to Director of Leadwell People
Leading high-performance environments while staying present as a parent at home
What footy taught him about resilience, discipline and teamwork in family life
The realities of raising five kids in a fast-paced world
This episode offers a rare look at the human side of professional sport and the universal challenge of finding balance between career ambition and family connection.
Whether you’re a sports fan, a parent juggling competing demands, or someone navigating a major life transition, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
🎙️ Honest. Practical. Unfiltered.