Join host Rebecca Johnston-Ryan, Principal at Johnston Ryan Legal and your legal big sister, for a podcast delivering practical guidance and compassionate support to help listeners navigate the legal and emotional complexities of life with confidence and care. Drawing from deep expertise and real-world experience supporting communities throughout Naarm/Melbourne, Beck brings warmth, clarity, and relatable insight to difficult topics, making the law accessible to all.
Neurodivergence, Family Violence and the Law, with Justine McKeogh
“The legal system is an environment where there are enormous cognitive, sensory, communicational and emotional demands.”
In this episode of Your Legal Big Sister, Beck is joined by Justine McKeogh (https://www.linkedin.com/in/justine-mckeogh-b27615222/), Director of Annara Consulting (https://www.annara.com.au/), to explore the key issues at the intersection of neurodivergence, family violence and the legal system. As an Occupational Therapist, Behaviour Practitioner and Neurodivergent Corporate Coach, Justine emphasises that while neurodivergence does not cause family violence or make someone inherently vulnerable to it, neurodivergent traits can deeply affect a person’s experience of family violence and their path to safety.
In an insightful and practical conversation, Beck and Justine explore the difficulties that neurodivergent people can face in a system that wasn’t designed with them in mind, and what legal professionals can do to better accommodate, understand and support them. The discussion also turns to the systems themselves, offering a vision of what a more accessible and trauma‑informed response to family violence could look like across law firms, courts, police and support services.
Finally, Beck and Justine consider neurodiversity in the legal profession, and the small practical changes that workplaces can make to support neurodivergent staff to function at their best.
Learn more about Johnston Ryan Legal (https://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au/)
11 Sept 2026
BONUS EPISODE: Footy Gods and Hot Garbage Takes: The Alleged Sexual Assault by Sydney Swans Players
*** Content warning: this episode discusses sexual assault
In this bonus episode of Your Legal Big Sister, host Rebecca Johnston-Ryan breaks down the sexual assault allegations involving Sydney Swans AFL players following an incident at a Melbourne hotel in August 2026 - and what the public conversation around it says about the ongoing crisis of violence against women in Australia.
A candid, unapologetic take on power, sport, and why victims deserve better than what they’re getting from footy fandom right now.
Enjoy this episode? Be sure to rate and review!
Resources & Links:
1800RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) 1800 737 732
Sexual Assault Crisis line (https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/sexual-assault-support-services): 1800 806 292
Learn more about Rebecca Johnston-Ryan:
www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au (http://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au)
Follow us:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/johnstonryanlegal/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/johnstonryanlegal/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/johnston-ryan-legal/)
27 Jul 2026
BONUS EPISODE: Unpacking Pauline Hanson’s comments about family violence
Pauline Hanson has had a lot to say this week about victim-survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV), from calling DFV a “two-way street” to suggesting that women being abused by men just “shouldn’t put up with it.”
This ‘advice’ is not just simplistic; it is extremely dangerous.
In this bonus episode of Your Legal Big Sister, host Rebecca Johnston-Ryan unpacks Hanson’s comments on family violence, exploring the facts, misconceptions, and the profound safety concerns faced by victim-survivors.
Enjoy this episode? Be sure to rate and review!
Resources & Links:
Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Victoria) (https://content.legislation.vic.gov.au/?)
1800RESPECT (https://1800respect.org.au/) 1800 737 732
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (https://safesteps.org.au/) 1800 015 188
Learn more about Rebecca Johnston-Ryan:
www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au (http://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au)
Follow us:
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/johnstonryanlegal/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/johnstonryanlegal/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/johnston-ryan-legal/)
25 Jun 2026
The Outsider: Georgie Purcell’s Fight to Change the Culture
“Misogynistic men will always be misogynistic men, and they will find a way to criticise you.”
In this episode of Your Legal Big Sister, host Rebecca Johnston-Ryan speaks with Georgie Purcell (https://www.georgiepurcell.com.au/), Animal Justice Party MP and one of the most unconventional and uncompromising voices in Australian politics today.
Together they explore Georgie’s “outsider” status and unexpected path into politics, the realities of misogyny and harassment, and her commitment to advocating for communities often excluded from public debate.
Georgie shares the story behind an open letter that helped drive landmark reforms to sexual violence court processes in Victoria, and explains why these changes are so significant for victim-survivors.
The conversation also covers sustained online abuse, the ways everyday misogyny and “locker room talk” contribute to wider patterns of violence against women, and what still needs to change to strengthen protections for sex workers.
Drop everything, and press play!
Learn more about Johnston Ryan Legal (https://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au/)
21 Apr 2026
Burnout and Boundaries in Family Violence Work, with guest Maddie Lynch
“You’re not a bad lawyer because you need help. You’re a human doing really hard work.”
In this episode of Your Legal Big Sister, Beck is joined by Maddie Lynch (https://foleys.com.au/barristers/madeleine-lynch), Managing Lawyer of the Family Law & Family Violence team at Fitzroy Legal Service (https://fls.org.au/), to talk candidly about the reality of working on the frontline as lawyers in the family violence space.
Together, Maddie and Beck discuss the hurdles and emotional demands commonly faced by practitioners, and the toll they can take in even the most rewarding of cases.
The conversation explores the dangers of burnout, vicarious trauma and that “crispy” feeling when the emotional weight begins to take its toll. They also share the protective factors that help them to keep going, from holidays and hobbies, to reflective practice, supervision and connecting with colleagues as part of a close team.
This episode offers a grounded look at the humans behind the legal work, and how wins both big and small work to help lawyers feel grounded, supported and able to keep showing up for their clients.
This episode continues our special season called Home Safe, a practical and informative resource for those experiencing family violence and personal safety concerns. Home Safe will provide expert guidance and practical strategies for navigating the family law system, seeking help and making informed choices, with a focus on inclusivity and support for diverse and vulnerable communities.
Learn more about Johnston Ryan Legal (https://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au/)
19 Mar 2026
Home Safe Episode One: Defining Family Violence
"Your safety is paramount."
Welcome to Your Legal Big Sister, a new podcast hosted by Rebecca Johnston-Ryan of Johnston Ryan Legal.
This debut episode begins a special season called Home Safe, created as a practical and informative resource for those experiencing family violence and personal safety concerns. Across these episodes, Home Safe will provide expert guidance and practical strategies to help listeners navigate the family law system, seek help and make informed choices, with a focus on inclusivity and support for diverse and vulnerable communities.
In this episode, Beck begins at the beginning, unpacking the definitions of family violence under Australian law, the forms it can take, and some of the common misconceptions around what constitutes family violence. Beck identifies some of the real-world issues people face in getting support, and the obstacles that can make it difficult for many to engage with the legal process. Beck then provides a clear explanation of the family violence system, the process of applying for an intervention order, and the support services available to help you through.
This episode provides clarity and strength for those who are unsure of where they stand, supporting you to move forward to safety.
Learn more about Johnston Ryan Legal (https://www.johnstonryanlegal.com.au/)
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