Noise of Life Podcast

Damian Chaparro on Quieting the Noise & Rediscovering What’s Enough Episode Introduction What happens when we step away from the chaos of modern life and truly listen to ourselves, to nature, to silence? In this deeply reflective conversation, Steve sits down with Damian Chaparro, visionary co-founder of Aro Hā Wellness Retreat in New Zealand. Together, they explore how our fast-paced, hyper-connected world is leaving us overstimulated and unfulfilled, and how practices of mindfulness, movement, and nature immersion can help us reconnect to what really matters. Damian opens up about the creation of Aro Hā, the challenges of building a regenerative retreat from the ground up, and the philosophy that has guided his work for over a decade: “It’s enough. I’m enough.” This episode invites you to slow down, breathe, and rediscover the art of living with enough. About Our Guest Damian Chaparro is the co-founder and visionary behind Aro Hā, a multi-award-winning regenerative wellness retreat nestled in Glenorchy, New Zealand. With a background in business and technology, Damian left the corporate world to dedicate his life to helping others heal and reconnect through nature, mindfulness, and sustainable living. Aro Hā has been named among the world’s best wellness retreats, celebrated for its unique fusion of yoga, mindfulness, nutrition, and regenerative design. Damian’s mission is to guide individuals and the planet toward deeper harmony, conscious living, and authentic regeneration. Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.aro-ha.com/ Instagram (Retreat): https://www.instagram.com/aroharetreats/ Instagram (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/damianchaparro/ Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:00 - Meet Damian Chaparro: co-founder of Aro Hā 02:14 - The noise of modern life and our addiction to stimulation 04:10 - Technology, attention, and the burnout epidemic 06:20 - From corporate success to conscious living 08:30 - The leap of faith that led to creating Aro Hā 10:17 - Lessons from discomfort and living on the edge of change 13:12 - Designing a retreat that regenerates both people and planet 16:40 - The challenges of building a vision from the ground up 18:55 - Learning to trust the process and let go of pressure 21:14 - “What’s the worst that can happen?” a mantra for courage 23:13 - Honouring Māori wisdom and the story behind the name ‘Aro Hā’ 25:18 - What guests truly need (not just what they want) 27:05 - The architecture of transformation: body, mind, and environment 30:02 - Stories of guests and moments of profound change 31:35 - A daily practice for awareness and resilience 34:12 - Why discipline and delayed gratification build lasting wellbeing 37:20 - Damian’s daily non-negotiable: self-observation 39:00 - The power of the mantra “It’s enough. I’m enough.” 42:12 - Gratitude, laughter, and rediscovering play 43:56 - Regeneration as a way of life within and around us 47:18 - Healing ourselves to heal the world 50:05 - Finding the gift beyond the noise 51:40 - The future of Aro Hā and regenerative wellness 55:12 - The noise Damian has learned to live with and let go of

Join us for an open and deeply important conversation with Emma Atherton, founder of Liberty Women’s Wellness, as she shares her personal journey through perimenopause and the powerful lessons it taught her about health, relationships, and self-advocacy. Emma unpacks the often-unspoken challenges women face during this stage of life and why validating emotions, open communication, and holistic care are critical for both women and their partners. In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognise the signs of perimenopause, why mental health support matters just as much as physical care, and how couples can build stronger relationships by creating safe spaces for honest dialogue. Watch the full episode to hear Emma’s insights on women’s health, the importance of holistic support, and how small conversations can make a life-changing difference. About our guest: Emma Atherton is the founder of Liberty Women’s Wellness, a dedicated clinic supporting women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Drawing from her personal health journey and professional mission, Emma is passionate about providing holistic, integrated care that empowers women to feel heard, supported, and understood. She advocates for awareness, mental health support, and open conversations that break down stigma while helping women thrive at every stage of life. Follow Our Guest: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-atherton-888337246/ Website – https://libertywomenswellness.com.au/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/liberty_womens_wellness/ Follow Us On: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 00:15 - Emma’s early symptoms and her husband’s perspective 01:04 - The emotional toll of perimenopause on relationships 01:46 - Why counseling created a breakthrough for Emma and Adam 02:26 - The one conversation every couple should have during menopause 03:16 - How perimenopause drives conflict, divorce, and mental health challenges 04:14 - Why suicide rates rise among women aged 44–55 05:03 - Why couples need counseling even without obvious issues 06:15 - Emma’s advice to women navigating perimenopause 07:13 - The GP as a starting point, not the full solution 08:09 - How Liberty Women’s Wellness provides integrated support 08:27 - Advice for men: how to start the conversation without fear 09:31 - Building trust and validating emotions within relationships 10:03 - The role of exercise in managing stress and symptoms

Julian Mather on Reinvention, Risk & The Courage to Start AgainEpisode Introduction What if you’ve already lived several different lives and the best one is still ahead? In this energising conversation, Steve sits down with Julian Mather, a former Army sniper, ABC cameraman, magician, and now global keynote speaker and video confidence coach. Julian’s story is a masterclass in reinvention. From serving in the military to filming world leaders, from performing magic to helping professionals step confidently in front of the camera he’s proof that change is not only possible, it’s essential. Together, Steve and Julian explore what it takes to start over, why perfectionism holds us back, and how to use courage, curiosity, and consistency to create the life you actually want. About Our Guest: Julian Mather has lived an extraordinary life from Army sniper to world-traveling documentary cameraman, to magician and now one of Australia’s most inspiring speakers on reinvention and communication. Through his coaching and online programs, Julian helps professionals overcome fear and build confidence on camera so they can communicate with impact in the digital age. His work has been featured globally, and his signature philosophy “Progress over perfection” continues to empower audiences to act boldly, fail forward, and grow. Follow Our Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianmather/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianmather/] Website: https://www.julianmather.com/ [https://www.julianmather.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianMather [https://www.youtube.com/c/JulianMather] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulianMatherSpeaker/ [https://www.facebook.com/JulianMatherSpeaker/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianmather/ [https://www.instagram.com/julianmather/] Follow Us On: Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/] Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 00:59 - Meet Julian Mather: from sniper to storyteller 02:45 - The art of reinvention: changing careers & identities 05:33 - What military life taught Julian about focus and fear 08:01 - From behind the camera to center stage 10:44 - Why you don’t need permission to start over 13:09 - How to overcome self-doubt and perfectionism 16:20 - The importance of curiosity and lifelong learning 19:02 - Building confidence on camera: Julian’s practical approach 22:37 - Why authenticity beats polish in today’s digital world 25:14 - The value of failing fast and learning faster 28:49 - Julian’s “video confidence” framework explained 31:23 - How fear stops leaders from showing up online 34:01 - Finding purpose through serving others 37:14 - What reinvention really looks like in your 40s and 50s 40:25 - Julian’s advice for anyone afraid to take the first step 43:56 - Embracing imperfection & trusting the process 46:10 - Where to connect with Julian and learn more

Join us for a powerful conversation with Jay Pottenger as he breaks down the real reasons so many high performers feel exhausted, disconnected, and overwhelmed and what to do about it. As Director of EQ Minds and a leading mental performance coach, Jay shares his science-backed approach to building lasting energy, emotional resilience, and a grounded mindset in today’s demanding world. In this episode, you’ll uncover why burnout is skyrocketing, how to set better boundaries with technology, and the Five Pillars that form the foundation of long-term mental wellbeing and high performance. About our guest: Jay Pottenger is a performance coach, keynote speaker, and Director at EQ Minds [https://www.eqminds.com/], a mental wellness company focused on reducing burnout and improving mindset in the corporate space. With a background in psychology and elite coaching, Jay supports high achievers and leadership teams to operate at peak performance without sacrificing their wellbeing. Through his work with Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, Jay is reshaping how we think about mental health at work with practical tools, science-based strategies, and a deeply human approach. Follow Our Guest: LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaypottenger [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaypottenger] Website – https://www.eqminds.com/ [https://www.eqminds.com/] Follow Us On: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/] https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Episode Trailer 00:15 - The Five Pillars of Mental Performance 01:01 - Why simple habits are often the hardest to stick to 01:39 - The impact of stress, sleep, and mindfulness on high performance 02:06 - How loneliness is silently driving mental health decline 02:52 - Social media, burnout, and the need for real connection 03:35 - The role of nutrition in brain health and performance 04:21 - What’s really causing burnout in the corporate world 05:30 - The psychological toll of always being “on” 06:12 - Why we need true psychological detachment from work 06:50 - Work intensification and emotional overload at work 08:13 - Leaders, emotions, and the challenge of modern management 09:06 - Why culture change requires leadership buy-in 09:55 - Setting realistic expectations in high-pressure environments 10:14 - The fine line between support and responsibility 10:36 - The role of self-accountability in wellbeing 11:25 - Why wellness initiatives fail without personal ownership 11:42 - You don’t need a gym to start taking care of your health

What does it really mean to live a happy life and why are so many of us chasing it in the wrong way? In this powerful conversation, Steve speaks with Dr. Tim Sharp also known as Dr. Happy the one of Australia’s leading psychologists and founder of The Happiness Institute. Together, they unpack the myths of happiness, why it’s not about being positive all the time, and the tools and strategies that help us bounce back from life’s challenges. Dr. Tim also shares his own raw experiences with depression and suicidality, showing how resilience, acceptance, and connection shape a more meaningful life. About Our Guest Dr. Tim Sharp is an internationally renowned leader in the fields of positive psychology, resilience, and mental health. Known as Dr. Happy, he has written several best-selling books, appears regularly in the media, and has built The Happiness Institute into a global platform for promoting wellbeing. With decades of clinical and academic experience, he is passionate about redefining success, mentoring young leaders, and helping individuals craft their own “recipe” for a good life. Follow Our Guest * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimsharp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtimsharp/] * Website: https://drhappy.com.au/ [https://drhappy.com.au/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappinessinstitute/ [https://www.instagram.com/thehappinessinstitute/] Follow Us On * Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/] * Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] Episode Highlights 00:00 - Episode Trailer 01:08 - Meet Dr. Happy: the man behind the nickname 02:38 - Misconceptions about happiness and mental health 05:01 - Defining happiness: fleeting joy vs. lasting life satisfaction 09:22 - Dr. Tim’s personal journey with depression and suicidality 13:56 - Tools for bouncing back: joy lists, gratitude & self-care 16:42 - Emotional regulation and learning to savour the good 19:34 - Why there’s no single “secret” to happiness 22:24 - Lessons from the darkest times: this too shall pass & you’re not alone 25:12 - Why failure and detours are essential for growth 29:25 - Reflection, journaling & the power of looking in the mirror 32:24 - What we can control: mindset, response & perspective 35:38 - Living in the present vs. finding joy in past and future 39:26 - The ‘tyranny of when’: money, success & the hedonic treadmill 45:38 - Does money buy happiness? Freedom, choices & giving back 48:04 - Daily strategies to create a better life 51:47 - Relationships, connection & not forgetting to have fun 54:26 - Biggest lessons from a life studying happiness 57:02 - Dr. Happy’s mission for the next decade 58:50 - One key message on happiness & the noise of life 01:01:08 - Where to find and connect with Dr. Tim Sharp