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Articles by Tracey Trompf
Ask Aunty: the pressure of an overdue lend - ABC listen
You borrow an old piece of media equipment at university to transfer some audio from the past. Given only a week to do it, you find you need it for longer so don't return it on time. You don't imagine anyone else needing such an old piece of equipment. This results in you receiving highly emotional and judgemental phone messages from the person at the library you loaned it from. This really affects you and you feel you've let them down.
Combating burnout: what it is and how to deal with it
We are heading into the summer season, for many of us holidays are but a stone's throw away, but this can also mean the season of burnout. Here the results of the year at work can leave us in a state of emotional and mental exhaustion. This can land upon us seemingly without warning but may have been a silent storm brewing all year. Sheer exhaustion might be a marker, but there can be far more impacts on our wellbeing.
Author unpacks the "crazy cat lady" trope
What does the image of a crazy cat lady conjure up in your mind? It's a term that goes back a long way and the trope isn't necessarily complimentary. Cats though hold a prominent place in many cultures, even worshipped in some. Who knew that Florence Nightingale was a cat lady and that Ernest Hemingway and Abraham Lincoln both kept many cats.
Ask Aunty: The work crush
As a long time singleton, you decide perhaps it's time to open yourself up to romance on the dating apps. But then you come across someone you work with. You now see this person in a new light and have begun to view them as potential partner material. As a co-worker, can you let them know you're keen?
'I stuffed up': how to make mistakes work for you
Mistakes are made all over the place, everyday. After all, to err is human. So why are we in such fear of making them? And what are the best ways to recover from a mistake after the damage is done?
Ask Aunty: I feel my daughter's 'bestie' is a negative influence on her, what do I do about it?
Your 10 year old daughter's best friend monopolises your daughter's time at the exclusion of others, drops in unannounced to your place and overstays her welcome. How do you deal with it?
Why we need healthy boundaries
Boundaries are the lines we draw around ourselves, and our time, that help us feel safe and confident. Recently there was a ruling passed called 'the right to disconnect' enforcing a boundary when it comes to work and being contacted out of hours. So what are healthy boundaries? And how do you create them for yourself?
The impact of illness on intimate relationships
When a serious illness lands in the lap of your relationship it can come as a huge shock. It might mean you don't have the autonomy you used to, or there may physical changes to adapt to, or stresses like financial pressures if one of you is unable work. How has illness, either your own, or that of your partner, changed your relationship? Has a diagnosis or health condition meant the break-down of your partnership, or did it make it stronger?
The Art of Drag: celebrating Australian drag queens
Dressing in drag has a rich history in Australia, from Dame Edna Everage to Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Counted among the pantheon is Art Simone, Melbourne's favourite drag queen of 2024, and RuPaul's Drag Race Down-Under alum. Art's dedication to the craft of Australian drag is captured in her new book 'Drag Queens Down Under'. She spills the tea on some of our most fabulous drag artists in all their glitz and glory.
Tasting colour and hearing numbers: what it's like to live with synaesthesia
Synaesthesia has been described as having an extraordinary response to a very ordinary stimulus. You might see numbers as colours, but there are many other responses when the senses merge. So why does it happen for some, and how can having it impact your life?
Jo Giles takes out National Poetry Slam by putting the funny in cystic fibrosis
Talking about your genetic condition to a wide audience through poetry turned out to be a slam dunk for Perth's Jo Giles. Jo recently won this year's National Poetry Slam with a deeply personal story of undergoing a lung transplant. Jo talks about their process and the big slam alongside poetry slam pioneer Miles Merrill.
The story behind Australia's first adventure playground
Do you remember where you used to play as a child? What you got up to? For those children living in the high rise housing commission flats in Melbourne's Fitzroy in the 1970's an adventure playground would change their lives and make history Many of us know playgrounds to be highly designed where kids are almost told how to play. The Cubbies was not that playground but one created by the children themselves. The woman behind it all was Joan Healey.
Australian children's book offers support for those with parents in prison - ABC listen
My Dad's Gone Away tells the story of a young girl visiting her father in jail. How can shining a light on the experience of children with incarcerated parents help those facing the same hardship?
Can praising your children be too much of a good thing?
To praise or not to praise is the question we are asking when it comes to young children. "What a good boy, what a good girl!' may well be considered terms of encouragement, but is too much praise a good, or a bad thing? Dr Amanda Niland has extensive experience as an early childhood teacher, music specialist and early childhood intervention teacher and she believes it's the way we hand out praise that can make the difference to our child's wellbeing.
Making make-up inclusive for all
If you wear make-up you'll know how finicky it can be to put on. So imagine what it must be like for those who don't have the manual dexterity to easily apply it, or to open the containers. When Storm Menzies injured her dominant hand and with weakness in her other hand she was confronted with how difficult this was and it got her thinking about a solution. Holly Sultana too loves wearing make-up but is challenged when using regular products on the market.
Ben Noble on morality
How would you deal if your body started failing you, but you didn't know why and neither did the doctors? Ben Noble thought he was about to die, and while he was grappling with an 'imagined' expiry date it became clear he needed to talk about it. The result of discussing death and grief formed the foundation for his show The Dilly Dally of Death and Dying.
Hag, witch and crone - Let's reframe how we think about getting old
Evil in fairy tales often comes in the form of an old woman. But why does the face of evil so often belong to an ageing woman? Crones in Cabaret, Not Dead Yet, is a show that reinvents the crone as a capable, kind, wise, warm, worldly, witty woman who loves to have fun. Are they changing minds?
Revisiting the two birders on bikes and their quest to help build a school in Timor Leste
In January this year best mates Cezary Carmichael and Leo Norman took off on two wheels to do two things, to see and document the 700+ bird species of Australia and to raise money to help build a school in Timor Leste. Where are they now? We catch up with the two birders again, eight months later, to see where their journey has taken them. Watch this short film - Cycling 15,000km around Australia, $100,000 for a school in Timor-Leste and a birdwatching record.
How can stoicism help us with matters of the heart? - ABC listen
What does the word 'stoic' mean to you? Is it maintaining a stiff upper lip in the face of adversity, or living with virtue? Can you imagine being stoic in love? Annie Lawson first applied the wisdom of the Stoic philosophers to the way we work, now she has married this wisdom to matters of the heart.
Hip Hop and Hope - Romi Grossberg and her work with young people in the slums of Cambodia
Social worker Romi Grossberg left her job in Australia for the opportunity to work with Cambodian youth at 'Tiny Toones' in Phnom Penh, a centre where Hip Hop and Breaking play a central role in helping disadvantaged youth. She has written 'Hip Hop and Hope', one woman's journey in the slums of Cambodia.
The Fence, a play confronting domestic violence from right next door
What's going on over at the neighbour's house? As curious creatures sometimes we can't help but wonder what the folk next door are doing, although politeness can insist we keep to ourselves. So what happens if you are privy to something unsettling? Let's say you suspect you are witnessing domestic abuse, what do you do with this information? The Fence, a play written reflecting personal experience, by renowned playwright Fleur Murphy confronts this very issue.
'Life is a box marked fragile' Loretta Smith on living with brittle bone disease
A hug, a sneeze, or a stumble: imagine if any of these might cause a break in your bones. This is the reality for Loretta Smith. Loretta was born with Osteogenisis Imperfecta, most commonly known as brittle bone disease. Despite enduring multiple fractures, extreme pain and endless operations Loretta is a force, living well beyond the prognosis of her childhood. She has written about this in Corpus In Extremis, a memoir. Guest: Loretta Smith, writer, broadcaster and environmental activist
Alex Noble: 'I Fight, You Fight', living with spinal cord injury
The impact of head trauma in sport has been brought to our attention of late after a federal parliamentary inquiry put the spotlight on repeated head knocks in play. But sometimes it only takes one tackle to cause catastrophic injury. Alex Noble was sixteen and mad about his chosen sport, Rugby. It was the day of the trials for the Open Sevens and Alex was primed. One tackle though went horribly wrong leaving him paralysed from the neck down.
Refugee Hero: Parisa Sekandari
Parisa Sekandari came into the world under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Some two decades later, the second time they rose to power, her life would dramatically change overnight. Now Parisa is a Refugee Advocate and co-creator of the collectives 'Amplify Afghan Women' and 'Community for Humanity'. She is one of the 'refugee heroes' fronting the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's annual telethon coming up on World Refugee Day, Thursday 20th June.
'She was able to have golf lessons': Confronting the inquiry into the gender pain gap through art - ABC listen
As the inquiry into Women's Pain and the Gender pain Gap continues in Victoria, Michelle Hamer confronts the dismissive language around those living with chronic pain through art. Michelle is an acclaimed artist whose work delivers a strong message through what may be considered a gentle medium. She is also no stranger to chronic pain, having lived with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. But asking others to share their experiences informed her latest works.
Blossom, practical and creative ways to find wonder in the floral world
It's time to stop and smell the roses: metaphorically, this asks us to slow down and relax. But to really do it, stop when you see a flower and take in its beauty and its scent, might just be the pause we need in our busy lives. Adriana Picker has a particular passion for the floral world. She sees her life 'punctuated by plants'. Her book is 'Blossom, practical and creative ways to find wonder in the floral world.'
'I lost my sister in my parent's divorce'
Jane Cafarella was separated from her sister when her parents divorced, each taking one child with them. But well before that while living under the same roof her parents had already claimed a child each. For Jane it was her mother, and for her sister, Julie, her father. How this, and living with lymphodoema, played out across Jane's life is captured in her memoir Cleaved, a story of loss, legs and finding family. Jane's memoir Cleaved is available through her website.
To Bali and beyond: How a 'bucket list' can benefit those living with cancer
Rural patients deserve better healthcare: supporting kids with chronic illness in remote Australia
Paulie Stewart OAM, from punk rock to singing with nuns
Smell good, feel good: why luxury fragrance sales are booming in a cost-of-living crisis
Manu Feildel, who do you think you are
'Take a ceramics class and call me in the morning': how social prescribing can cure loneliness
Suddenly single at sixty
27 killed in 4 months: what’s it going to take to end violence against women?
Loving my lying, dying, cheating husband
Imagine you are swept up in a great big love. You marry on an ocean liner and all seems like a fairytale until the honeymoon takes a serious turn. A diagnosis, not good news, but that's not the only surprise you get.
This is where you have to go: a mother's fight for justice
In 1970 an eighteen year old, pregnant Lynda Holden took the advice of her doctor who suggested a place she could go to find support. As it happened the support came cloaked with disrespect and deception, and she was told her Aboriginality meant she couldn't keep the baby. Some 150,00 adoptions took place between 1950 and 1975.
Morris Gleitzman: Tweet
'You are not normal' and other important lessons when trying to change people's behaviour
How BackTrack continues to help vulnerable kids chase their dreams
Bernie Shakeshaft is a former jackaroo who in 2006 founded Backtrack in Armidale NSW. The organisation's aim, to help at-risk youth turn their lives around. BackTrack has since expanded both to other communities, and with extra infrastructure and programs, honouring the holistic approach in it's mission. In 2018 the award winning documentary, 'BackTrack Boys', followed Bernie and the young people he was trying to keep alive and out of jail.
Ernest Price and The Pyramid of Needs
Just over a decade ago teacher Ernest Price stood in the school gymnasium and made an announcement in front of 250 year 10 students. Ernest explained he was transgender and informed everyone there he would be beginning a medical transition. His debut novel is The Pyramid of Needs, a darkly funny story about transphobia and family dysfunction.
Second Chance, how a neglected horse became a mounted police hero
A horse named Toby was left in a paddock will little care and nourishment while his half-brother on the same property was nurtured and well fed. It seemed Toby's fate was sealed, but what happened to change his destiny? Diana Thurgood, author of 'Second Chance, the heartwarming true story of a neglected horse who became a mounted police hero'
The art of speed painting: what is it? - ABC listen
Will recent incidents on Boeing planes change the decisions we make about flying?
Learning how to argue better can make us better people
Whether you're having a spat with your loved one, trying to get your point of view across in a public forum, or having a verbal tussle on the internet, the ability to think before you speak can go a long way. Philosopher Michaelis Michael believes learning how to argue better can make us better people. Associate Professor Michaelis Michael, a philosopher who teaches logic and reasoning at UNSW's School of Humanities & Languages.
Jim Moginie, The Silver River
Minions, not overlords: Finding answers in a digital future
Dungeons and Dragons turns 50
The role playing game Dungeons and Dragons began a half a century ago and continues it's immense popularity today across a range of demographics and age groups. One recent Australian study found that playing Dungeons and Dragons can serve to decrease depression and anxiety. How is a fantasy game from 1974 still capturing the imagination of so many people?
Visiting relatives in prison isn't always easy. So what needs changing?
Why we aren't 'hanging out' anymore, and how to bring it back
That apple is too loud: Imbi Neeme on living with misophonia
For many of us there is nothing more delightful than sinking our teeth into a crisp apple, for others just hearing that sound can incite rage. Misophonia is a disorder which means certain sounds like chewing, sipping and munching can trigger emotional or physiological responses. Author Imbi Neeme lives with this everyday. Misophonia is largely misunderstood so Imbi felt it was time to bring it to her writing. Her novel is called Kind of, Sort of Maybe…but probably not Guest: Imbi Neeme, author
Enter the Dragon, the significance and superstitions of the Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year ushered in the year of the Wood Dragon in 2024. The worldwide celebration involves festivities, banquets and rituals. Some of the rituals are to ensure you make your new year, and the year ahead, as auspicious as possible. Being born a Dragon is said to come with luck and power. Bruce Lee, Martin Luther-King, Adele and John Lennon are a few of the many born into a Dragon year.
Why I stick my tongue out while concentrating, and the science behind other quirky behaviours
Do you find yourself questioning why you do or feel certain things? Like, 'Why can't I get that song out of my head?' or 'Why don't I remember why I walked into this room?' Perhaps you want to know why people stick out their tongue while concentrating. Dr. Jen Martin, an award-winning Science Educator from the University of Melbourne has put together a guide to the existential questions we've all asked, called 'Why Am I Like This?
Girl Friday - ABC listen
Touch typing, taking a letter, photocopying, making the boss a cup of tea. These are just some of the tasks a young woman might find herself doing as an office junior in the 1970's. Author Kristine Philipp knows this only too well. She took up the position of Girl Friday as a fifteen year old. This was the beginning of a life of office work for Kristine that would span four decades, but not without having to walk the poverty line and endure bullying, unemployment and homelessness.
'Too pretty to be Aboriginal' — The reclaiming of beauty - ABC Radio National
Sasha Kutabah Sarago has been fascinated with beauty from childhood, but what she would come to learn is that society's definition of beauty is very different to that of her own culture. She is the founder of Ascension, the first digital lifestyle platform for women of colour. Guest: Sasha Kutabah Sarago, writer, speaker, filmmaker and former model, author Gigorou.
Too Hard Basket: My friend's partner 'super liked' me on Tinder
Your friend's boyfriend has 'super liked' you on Tinder. You met him at a party some time ago, but only fleetingly. They have been a couple for years, so it seems very suspicious that he is using Tinder. They have since moved up the coast, so you don't see your friend like you used to but you are aware they are still together and have a child now. What do you do? Confront him, or tell her? Or perhaps stealthily ask about their relationship? Or do nothing?
Too Hard Basket: My 'knock and run son' and the neighbour's CCTV - ABC Radio National
Your son has been caught doing 'knock and runs' at the neighbour's house. The man who lives next door has shown you CCTV footage of him doing it and he is not happy. What surprised you though is, it showed the cameras are not only on his front door but also point into your front yard. Considering you are already on the back foot how best do you approach your already miffed neighbour about changing his camera angles?
Becoming a parent: advice for rainbow families of all kinds
Jasper Peach is a parent of two children and identifies as trans, non binary. They have written a practical guide for LGBTIQA+ families who are bringing a baby into their world. The book is called You'll be a Wonderful Parent, advice and encouragement for rainbow families of all kinds. Guest: Jasper Peach, writer, editor and broadcaster Broadcast Mon 20 Mar 2023 at 10:42pmMonday 20 Mar 2023 at 10:42pmMon 20 Mar 2023 at 10:42pm Sexuality, Parenting, Pregnancy and Childbirth, Relationships
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