Resources (courtesy of Alex Bechara):
https://moneysmart.gov.au/financial-advice/choosing-a-financial-adviser

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/buying-services/banking-and-finance/investment-and-financial-advice

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/business/business-concierge-service

https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/find-a-financial-counsellor

 https://ndh.org.au/financial-counselling/find-a-financial-counsellor/

 https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/preparing-lodging-and-paying/record-keeping-for-business/setting-up-and-managing-records/manage-your-business-cash-flow

Key Takeaways:

• Career Transition: Alex Bechara shares his experience of transitioning from a career in computer science to accounting, highlighting the importance of finding a fulfilling career.
• Economic Climate: Current financial pressures are causing significant anxiety for families, and economic downturns have pushed more people to seek financial help.
• Financial Education: Understanding personal finances, including income and expenses, is critical. Start by asking questions and seeking financial advice if needed.
• Emotional Impacts: Financial stress can strain family dynamics and relationships. It is crucial to have open conversations and seek support from loved ones and professionals.
• Community and Support: Utilizing community resources and support systems, like those offered by Hill Sanctuary House, can help alleviate financial stress and anxiety.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It's very hard to change and adapt...we do need to have the ability to assess and understand what can I do and what I can't do anymore." - Alex Bechara
2. "There is a huge misconception about who we are...living within our means is definitely a great way to start." - Alex Bechara
3. "Financial advice is a really good place to start, but it's also not the only tool out there...being educated enough to understand your current personal situation." - Alex Bechara
4. "Debt is a natural and normal thing now for a society. As long as we can keep up the payments, we should always bring our focus back to the family." - Eddie Reaiche

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - findingsanctuarypodcast.wordpress.com

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of Early Career Guidance: Engaging with professional career advisers early in a child's educational journey can help identify their strengths and aspirations, preventing future career dissatisfaction.
• Cultural and Familial Pressures: Within tight-knit communities like the Maronite, family expectations can heavily influence career choices, sometimes leading to misaligned career paths for the young individuals.
• Financial Considerations: Transitioning to a new career often involves financial sacrifices, which can be a significant barrier for those looking to change their career paths in their mid-twenties or later.
• Finding Purpose in Work: Encouraging young people to find meaning and purpose in their work can greatly enhance job satisfaction and long-term career happiness.
• Accessibility of Professional Help: There are numerous services and professional resources available to assist young people and their families in making informed career decisions.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It's about trying to minimize those sort of things where we're finding those gaps that I guess the careers adviser provided all the information, but we're just trying to narrow those gaps and bridge those gaps for the individual." - Joe Zeidan
2. "Consulting with that outside person just gives it that little bit of distance to calm your worry or your fear or sometimes your panic." - Monsignor Shora
3. "Everyone loves their kids, and if you really want the best, then take them to where they can actually be the best that they can be." - Eddie Reaiche
4. "As a parent, give yourself permission to not know everything and to get some guidance and support by professionals who do this all the time." - Debbie Draybi

Resources:

School students. Under 18 years of age.
Parents book an appointment with their child's school career advisor.
•Have a conversation with the school advisor about your child's career choice.
•Develop a strategic plan and set clear goals.
 
Young Adults. Over 18 years of age.
https://book.service.nsw.gov.au/services/careers-general/landing
https://careersuccessaustralia.com.au/career-coaching-counselling/
https://www.careermagnifier.com/

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - findingsanctuarypodcast.wordpress.com

Key Takeaways:

• Addiction often leads to a profound loss of connection within families, resulting in loved ones feeling desperate to seek help.
• The secrecy surrounding addictive behavior stems not only from a desire to maintain the habit but also from an attempt to protect loved ones from the burden.
• Trust is a central aspect of relationships that can be greatly compromised by addiction, leading to significant challenges in family dynamics.
• The therapeutic process emphasizes non-judgmental listening and creating a safe space for individuals to feel heard, validated, and supported.
• Conversations about addiction and seeking help should be approached with compassion, and therapy can provide a path for individuals and families to reconstruct trust and find healing.

Notable Quotes:

"Nobody wants to drag a family member kicking and screaming... They're desperate." - Natalie Moujalli

"It's sad, but we gotta remember, too, it can have a happy ending." - Eddie Reaiche

"A good therapist would be creating a safe environment so we can remove all our masks." - Eddie Reaiche

"Truth needs to be softened by love, and love needs to be softened by truth." - Natalie Moujalli

"Being able to unpack some of the stories we tell ourselves, that's part of the goal of getting help." - Debbie Draybi

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - findingsanctuarypodcast.wordpress.com

Key Takeaways:

•          Recognizing addiction often involves observing changes in frequency and control over the use of substances, as well as the impact on daily life and relationships.

•          A five-point plan to recovery, analogous to the five fingers on a hand, includes spiritual guidance, counselling, lifestyle changes, transparent relationships, and a supportive community.

•          Monsignor Shora underscores the need for comprehensive strategies, comparing the approach to managing chronic conditions like diabetes.

•          Eddie Reaiche emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and educational components like understanding dopamine’s role in addiction.

•          Finding Sanctuary advocates for a hope-infused, non-judgmental, and trust-building process towards recovery, with spiritual support being a vital component.

Notable Quotes:

•          Monsignor Shora: “What’s your five-point plan? …for a hand to hold something solid and to be, you need all five fingers. So you need a good, solid plan…”

•          Eddie Reaiche: “…the beauty of this is the brain can heal itself, but we need to give it a chance.”

•          Debbie Draybi: “So being able to seek help from professionals… these are evidence-based, they work…”

•          Monsignor Shora: “…just wanting to move forward and find the fullness of life, to live a fuller life and to be free from that which chains you and holds you back.”

•          Eddie Reaiche: “The two most important things is we’ve all got it in us. We just have to believe in ourselves.”

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - findingsanctuarypodcast.wordpress.com

Trigger Warning - We talk about addiction and how we can get entrenched in it. If you need help, please contact Beyond Blue. 

Key Takeaways:

• Addiction often stems from an attempt to cope with underlying trauma, pain, or distress, presenting itself as a complex layer of a person's life rather than the entirety of their identity.
• Addictive behaviors can sometimes be hidden for years, creating a secondary layer of pain that involves secrecy, guilt, and shame.
• The physiological aspects of addiction can lead to significant changes in brain chemistry, making recovery more complicated than simply a matter of willpower.
• Recovery from addiction is not only possible but also deeply inspiring. With the right support and professional help, individuals can reclaim control over their lives.
• It's important for those struggling to know they are not alone and that seeking help from individuals like Monsignor Shora, Debbie Draybi, Natalie Moujalli and Eddie Reaiche is a vital step in the journey toward healing.

Notable Quotes:

• "They are, especially us, as people of faith. They're a child of God. They're valued." - Monsignor Shora
• "No one wants to have an addiction." - Eddie Reaiche
• "They're one of the greatest heroes that I've ever met. How they can turn their life around..." - Eddie Reaiche
• "Whatever stays hidden keeps growing and expanding. But the more we put it in the light and, you know, get help and guidance about it, the more we can manage it." - Monsignor Shora

Resources:

• Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
• Email for comments and queries - admin@hshl.org.au

For more information on the Hills Sanctuary House visit our website https://hshl.org.au/
You and your mental health is important to us.
Please visit https://hshl.org.au/wp/help-resources/ for help and resources

Do subscribe to this podcast to get the latest episodes of Finding Sanctuary.

Follow us on
Facebook - Christ the Redeemer Maronite Catholic Parish of The Hills
Instagram - @hills_sanctuary_house
Blog - findingsanctuarypodcast.wordpress.com