Voices From the Room

About Voices From the Room

odettedebeer.substack.com (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/s/voices-from-the-room?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Odette de Beer

Category

business · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Oct 2025

Latest episode

12 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

5 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Jul 2026

   Midlife is not a crisis. It is a return.

   About this episode This episode of the SustainHer podcast was recorded live at our monthly women in business gathering in Mount Barker, in the Adelaide Hills. Our guest speaker, Pam Reed, is a marriage and relationship coach who works with women navigating seasons of change, transition and rediscovery. Her award-winning talk, My Babushka Life, uses the babushka doll, where one doll sits inside another and another, as a picture of the layers women carry: business owner, mum, wife, carer, team leader, professional plate spinner. And underneath, someone quieter who has been waiting a long time. What you will hear Why SustainHer exists: a business community in the Adelaide Hills built on connection before transaction. Pam Reed's full talk, My Babushka Life, on identity, conditioning and the myth of the midlife crisis. The conversation that followed: how the good girl years show up later in marriage, work and business. A practical way to find what you want when you honestly do not know: start with what feels heavy. Why women in business isolate when things get hard, and what changes when you realise you are not alone. Is midlife really a crisis? Pam Reed argues it is not. In her words, midlife is a return: a return to who you were before the noise, the conditioning and the quiet weight of other people's expectations. The women she works with are not breaking down. They are stepping into their power and asking, after years of meeting everyone else's needs, can I just be me? How do I work out what I actually want? Start with what you don't want. Pam's advice in this episode: any time you feel heavy or flat about your work, your day or your life, treat it as a signal. Name what you don't want, then look at the flip side of it. That contrast points directly at your desire, and it is a practical first step for any woman feeling stuck in her business or her life. What is SustainHer? SustainHer is a community for women in business in the Adelaide Hills and Barossa, South Australia, meeting monthly in Mount Barker. It is intentionally different from traditional networking: no elevator pitches, no pressure, no raining business cards. Women connect as humans first, and business relationships grow from real connection. SustainHer follows a simple path: connection, then clarity, then action. Join one of our events (https://events.humanitix.com/sustainher-hills) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

2. 

   9 Mar 2026

   You Don’t Need Permission to Take Care of Yourself

   What if the weight you’re trying to lose isn’t actually the problem? In this raw and honest conversation, fitness coach Kristy Jackson reveals why that “magic five kilos” will never bring you happiness—and what will. From powerlifting competitions that taught her to embrace failure, to ditching the all-or-nothing mindset that keeps women stuck, Kristy shares the truth about building real strength in a world obsessed with being smaller. This isn’t your typical fitness podcast. It’s about breaking free from diet culture, learning to trust yourself again, and discovering that consistency beats perfection every single time. Whether you’re a busy mom, a passionate entrepreneur, or someone who’s tired of feeling like you’re never enough—this conversation will change how you think about your body, your goals, and what it really means to take care of yourself. You’ll learn: * Why the “magic five kilos” won’t make you happy (and what to focus on instead) * How to ditch all-or-nothing thinking and build sustainable habits * The real reason women struggle with self-trust (and how to rebuild it) * Why food isn’t good or bad—it’s just nourishing in different ways * What powerlifting taught Kristy about failure, strength, and doing hard things Perfect for: Women who are ready to stop restricting and start living. Those who want to feel strong, not just look a certain way. Anyone tired of the endless cycle of starting over every Monday. Grab your coffee, get comfortable, and join us in the room. This is Voices from the Room—where real women have real conversations about what it takes to thrive. Note: This episode contains authentic language and has been edited for broadcast standards. SustainHer’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to SustainHer’s Substack at sustainher.substack.com/subscribe (https://sustainher.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

3. 

   1 Dec 2025

   If visibility feels uncomfortable…

   In this episode of Voices in the Room, the SustainHer Hills podcast, Odette sits down with Heidi Wolf — brand photographer, visibility coach and a woman whose story reflects courage, alignment and the power of showing up as your whole self. Heidi opens up about her journey from introversion, trauma and deep self-protection to stepping into visibility with intention and authenticity. She reminds us that visibility isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. It’s about allowing people to see who you truly are, so the right clients can recognise themselves in your work. Together, Odette and Heidi explore:✨ What it means to build a brand rooted in honesty, not pressure✨ The mindset shifts that allow visibility to feel safe and sustainable✨ Simple, practical ways to show up online; even if all you have is your phone✨ The power of building habits that support confidence, not comparison✨ The common traps women fall into when trying to be seen, and how to avoid them This conversation is gentle, empowering and deeply practical; a reminder that visibility is less about performance and more about connection. As always, we close with an invitation:If you’re a woman in business in the Adelaide Hills, you don’t have to build alone. Join us at our upcoming SustainHer events; spaces designed for clarity, confidence and community so you can grow your business with intention. Episode Guide 00:00 — Welcome to Voices in the Room00:29 — Meet Heidi Wolf01:30 — Heidi’s personal journey to visibility03:51 — Mindset shifts for sustainable visibility06:27 — Practical approaches to showing up authentically09:34 — Common mistakes and ways to navigate them13:58 — Transformative stories and insights17:49 — Closing reflections + next steps Get full access to SustainHer’s Substack at sustainher.substack.com/subscribe (https://sustainher.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

4. 

   29 Oct 2025

   Voices from the Room:

   Featuring: Debra Roberts | Interior Joy Coach & Designer Host: Odette de Beer | SustainHer Hills • Adelaide Hills Podcast for Women in Business Episode Overview What if your surroundings could help you heal, refocus, and thrive? In this powerful conversation, Debra Roberts; former nurse turned interior designer and wellness coach, shares how she helps women navigate life’s biggest transitions by creating spaces and mindsets that restore joy and purpose. From the “sickness industry” to “interior joy,” Debra’s story is a reminder that wellness begins on the inside, and often, within our own homes. We talk about:• The link between environment and emotional wellbeing• How to move through life transitions with confidence• The power of community, connection, and purpose• Why fear never fully disappears, but can be put “in the back seat”• How to transform “ANTs” (Automatic Negative Thoughts) into “PETs” (Positive Empowering Thoughts) Whether you’re rebuilding, reimagining, or simply realigning, this conversation will leave you inspired to design a life you truly love, inside and out. Key Insight “Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in community.”— Debra Roberts About Voices from the Room A podcast by SustainHer Hills, recorded in the heart of the Adelaide Hills, where women in business share honest lessons, small-room conversations, and big-impact ideas. If you love this episode, join us in person Stay Connected Subscribe for new episodes, local insights, and business inspiration Join the conversation: What transition are you navigating right now? Share this episode with a woman who needs a reminder that she’s not alone Get full access to SustainHer’s Substack at sustainher.substack.com/subscribe (https://sustainher.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

5. 

   15 Oct 2025

   Introducing Voices from the Room: Conversations that Move Women in Business

   In this episode of Voices from the Room, we sit down with Emma Irvine, CEO and Founder of Dance SA, to unpack what it really takes to build a business that moves people; body, mind, and spirit. What began as a 17-year-old’s hobby in a country town has become a statewide community spanning more than 20 studios across South Australia. But Emma’s story isn’t just about growth, it’s about belonging. It’s about creating spaces where children feel seen, teachers feel empowered, and communities come alive through movement. Through this candid conversation, Emma shares how she scaled sustainably, the six-step formula behind her expansion, and how she leads a creative team with both structure and soul. From facing down the challenges of COVID to redefining competition and launching a new Wiggles partnership, her journey is a masterclass in purpose-led leadership. Key Insights from This Conversation → Have the courage to do business differently, even when the industry says “that’s not how it’s done.”→ Data and debriefing are essential tools for any businesses.→ Belonging, empowerment, and enjoyment has became the core values guiding every decision at Dance SA.→ Language Matters, for leaders and individuals: shifting from “staff” to “team” to build connection and respect.→ Remember growth happens when “opportunity meets preparation.” Odette’s Reflection & Practical Takeaway “Your influence is multiplied when your mission is clear and your community is engaged.” This week, take a moment to re-clarify one area of your work or leadership where your vision has gone a little fuzzy.Ask yourself: * Who am I doing this for? * Why does it matter to them? * How will I make sure they feel part of it? Share that clarity with your team, clients, or audience. When everyone can see the why, momentum follows naturally. 🎧 Listen now to hear how Emma Irvine has turned movement into meaning, and business into belonging. Get full access to SustainHer’s Substack at sustainher.substack.com/subscribe (https://sustainher.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe (https://odettedebeer.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)

Contact Voices From the Room

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.