Different, Not Less. Real People, Real Ability Podcast: More Than a Carer: Real Conversations with Alex

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of Different, not less. Real People, real ability Podcast, host James Carey sits down with special guest Alex, a dedicated carer whose story goes far beyond the title of the job.

Alex opens up about how he entered the caring profession, the emotional highs and challenges that come with supporting people living with disabilities, and the powerful life lessons he has learned through his journey with James. Together, they explore the realities carers and families face every day from navigating support systems and public misconceptions to celebrating the small victories that mean everything.

This episode is honest, emotional, inspiring, and filled with real conversations that parents, carers, support workers, and people living with disabilities will deeply connect with. It’s a conversation about dignity, inclusion, resilience, humour, and the importance of seeing the person before the disability.

Whether you’re a parent beginning your journey, a carer looking for understanding, or someone wanting greater insight into the disability community, this episode delivers authentic perspectives and powerful reminders that different does not mean less.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Ability.

Host: James Carey

Co Host and Producer: Shane Bitschkat

Production Company: Iron Monarch Studios

Transcript

SPEAKER_07 0:10

Hi guys, welcome back to an Iron Monarch original podcast. We'll like to announce a new podcast called Different Not Less Real People Real Ability Podcast. It's now called also the Disability Hour. And I'm the co-host with a fantastic host that I will say is the dream to work with. I've spoken to him, I've worked with him in many, many fields within theatre. His name's James Carey, and he will be taking over this podcast once I finish. James, say good day.

SPEAKER_05 0:54

Good day, folks.

SPEAKER_07 1:01

Well done, mate. Legend. Alright, since it's your podcast, mate, where are we going with this? It's it's brand new. We've got a new icon. We've got some merchandise coming out shortly. What do you want to do with uh your new podcast?

SPEAKER_05 1:19

So, what I want to do with this podcast is I want to talk to people who have disability stories and people who are genuinely not in the media and people who get judged day in and day out, and people who wouldn't really maybe not get these stories shared and support coordinators and people like that to talk to them about how to improve the world of disability.

SPEAKER_07 1:51

And how are we going to do this, mate?

SPEAKER_05 1:54

By getting people on and off camera with disabilities and by getting the um this program started.

SPEAKER_07 2:07

Now, as I said before, I've worked with James and we recently just finished a great, absolutely fantastic theatre show. What was it called?

SPEAKER_05 2:19

Billy Elliott the Musical.

SPEAKER_07 2:21

And how did that go down with the rest of us?

SPEAKER_05 2:25

Um for most of us it went down pretty well.

SPEAKER_07 2:31

For the most of us it went down pretty well, but there was a couple of people that went it was a bit left of centre, but not saying any names, folks. Yeah, no names, no names. But yeah, so James and I, and I'm Shane Bishkart, the owner of I am on Arc Studios, and as soon as I met James, I just went, mate, this guy is all over it like a rash. And you know what? I'm gonna get him in. Let's start a new program, and let's get him to actually host a program, which is gonna be great moving forward. So, welcome to the first podcast. It's gonna be different, not less, as per our um logo. Let's kick it off, let's move forward. So, today, James, who do we have as our first ever VIP special guest for your podcast?

SPEAKER_05 3:34

So, for my first guest today, I have invited Alex Bazina, who is the owner of an organization called Empowerment Care Co. Which is a supportive male and female company.

SPEAKER_07 3:52

Okay, so how do you know Alex from?

SPEAKER_05 3:55

So Alex has been looking after me for about two years, and they empowerment really bring a big difference compared to other disability providers.

SPEAKER_07 4:10

Okay, so before we start getting into and questioning Alex, what's your opinion on Alex? What's what's the GO? What's the down low? What's what's on the street about Alex?

SPEAKER_05 4:24

Um if you've seen him in the Yellow War, he's mainly at the brewery, or he's over at the college shop.

SPEAKER_07 4:34

He's at the brewery? Yeah, oh my god, he's yeah, I love him already.

SPEAKER_05 4:39

He's over at the brewery, or he's out surfing with mates.

SPEAKER_07 4:46

Well, there you go. Alright, so can you, James, please introduce your first guest because you're the host of this show. I'm just a co-host, mate. So this is your show. Introduce your guests.

SPEAKER_05 5:01

So today we have Alexander Basina. Good afternoon, Alex. G'day Jimmy, what's going on? How are we? So, my good thank you, Alex. So, my opening question for you is how did you start Empowerment Care?

SPEAKER_03 5:18

Um so Empowerment Care Co came along in 2018. Um I was working as a real estate agent, actually, funnily enough, and I couldn't stand it, so came out, um sort of saw the support stuff and wanted to give that a crack. So I became a support worker, and then one thing led to another, started Empowerment Care Co um in 2018. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 5:45

How many participants did you have to start off with?

SPEAKER_03 5:49

To start off with, uh we started with about three, probably, two or three participants. Yep. Slowly built off that.

SPEAKER_05 5:57

And are you guys becoming more successful as we speak?

SPEAKER_03 6:03

Yeah, it's been slow and steady growth over the last eight years, I think it is. Yep. Um yeah, slowly, slowly become like you know, building and slowly you know, gaining more participants and supporting more people to live a fantastic life.

SPEAKER_05 6:18

How many staff do you have, Alex?

SPEAKER_03 6:21

At the moment we have ten support workers.

SPEAKER_05 6:25

Are there any positions available?

SPEAKER_03 6:27

Positions?

SPEAKER_05 6:28

Yes.

SPEAKER_07 6:30

What are you talking about, James? You want to you want a gig, mate? No, I'm gonna be. What are we doing, mate? You you you're trying to hustle yourself into into into roles, mate. I would do the same, just like just I'm trying to get the meeting.

SPEAKER_05 6:45

I'm trying to get the word out there for the press.

SPEAKER_03 6:48

Yeah, that's why I've heard that before, but anyway, go ahead. Oh, we're always looking for good people, Jimmy. Always.

SPEAKER_05 6:58

Okay. So my next question is, why did you take me on?

SPEAKER_03 7:05

Why did we take you on? Great question. You never choose. No, of course. Um, look, uh, we saw a fantastic young fella. I think you were 17 when we took you on.

SPEAKER_05 7:17

Is that right, Jimmy? Just freshly turned 18.

SPEAKER_03 7:20

Yes, freshly 18. Finishing high school, I believe. Yes. Um and yeah, we just saw a young fella full of beans and ready to rip in. So yeah, I think it was a good fit. Um, yeah. Unreal. Easy to easy to sort of you know, get you into things that you enjoy doing and and we're happy to support you in in doing them.

SPEAKER_07 7:43

Those things are is James really that easier to deal with. Like my dealings with James is saying, you know, we're talking before off mic, um, I've dealt with James in a theatre show recently called Billy Elliott.

SPEAKER_02 8:02

Yep.

SPEAKER_07 8:03

Mate, you know what? I ended up turning into his PA at the end of it. And he turned around to me on the last day saying, Shane, mate, cobber, legend champion.

SPEAKER_05 8:18

I did not use those words.

SPEAKER_07 8:22

It's me against you, alright. We'll see what happens. I did not I expect my own theatre room. I expect brown MMs only, and I like to have five orchids in the corner with a plum in a tall hat.

SPEAKER_03 8:41

I'm surprised he didn't ask for the palm tree as well.

SPEAKER_07 8:43

Well, you know what? I I think he did, but I think I blocked that out. Um comments, James.

SPEAKER_05 8:53

Uh no comment. Yeah, comment. See how we go as the interview goes on.

SPEAKER_07 9:01

You're a legend. So Alex, mate, what you've done with James is fantastic and and how you've moved forward with that and how you come to be engaged with um NDIS and moving forward with this. How does your family and and and what do your friends think of you being in this type of industry?

SPEAKER_03 9:33

Um I like I think yeah, they're all real supportive, and you know, we've been doing it for a fair time now, and most of them sort of get involved actually and and help out when whenever I need help, I guess. Or like James will hang out with my brother sometimes. Um good mates with him, aren't you, James? Yes.

SPEAKER_07 9:52

Yeah, I can I can see James down at the um the crown or Illurar Hotel in the back room, you know, raging with the rest of them. Good old days.

SPEAKER_05 10:06

Your brother's contact on my phone for a while was the relationship whisperer.

SPEAKER_03 10:14

Yeah, he's um pretty good at that. Uh yeah, he'll give you good advice on on the chicks you're trying to pick up, James. Yes.

SPEAKER_07 10:24

Um listen, I'm on to you, mate. I I as your co-host, mate, I need to look into my hosts in very specific ways. And mate, you're a beast. I can tell you now. Sometimes you've got to hold him back. He's AJ. I've been there done that already with him. You've been onto it? The well, I'm apparently his personal PA, and you know, I still haven't been paid yet, but it is what it is. Poultry Poetry, is it? Poetry. Oh right, yeah, yeah, good luck with that. You volunteered without knowing Yeah, I've noticed your commitment to personal development and being a carer is phenomenal. And to be someone to take on that role is absolutely incredible and deserves every ounce of respect of community.

SPEAKER_08 11:36

Thanks for having me.

SPEAKER_07 11:37

Well done, James. No, I I totally agree a hundred percent.

SPEAKER_03 11:42

Yeah, yeah, it's been yeah, it's it's a very uh it's like a lot of people say, Oh, it's a rewarding position, but I don't think it is. I think it's like um we love seeing like James become a part of community and and really like show what he's like and what he can bring to the table. And I think that's where we let you know our participants really shine and and become like who they want to be essentially in life, and you know, there's no holding anyone back, or it's more of a like supportive approach to support work.

SPEAKER_07 12:12

Now to ground the audience that we're speaking to now, Alex. You're you are James's carer. Yep. How many years have you been a carer for James? Jimmy. How many?

SPEAKER_05 12:27

A year and a half going on two years.

SPEAKER_07 12:31

Wow.

SPEAKER_05 12:32

Yeah, just over two years.

SPEAKER_07 12:35

There we go. And you survived it. He's the man.

SPEAKER_03 12:38

Somehow, somehow I did, yeah. Sometimes it's it's the 38 messages before breakfast.

SPEAKER_07 12:46

I get that too, mate. So it's okay, you know. James is a VIP in the scheme of the whole world. He's like the Madonna of music. You are such a champion. I love you to death. You're a brother of mine from a different mother. It's all good. Yes, all right. It's all good. So, what got you into this type of industry in the first place? It seems to be at present a career that not many people want to get into. But in saying that, it's a very rewarding career where you actually make a difference. Yep. So, what was your initial intention once you realised this is what I want to do?

SPEAKER_03 13:42

Um, I'm gonna scroll back in my brain files. Um probably what got me into it would have been uh we have a family member who has um autism. Uh and I just saw the struggle that his family faced with support workers. Um and I think that's where I sort of said, Oh, you know, I like I might give it a give it a give it a crack and you know, see see how we go. So yeah, I I remember like all throughout schooling years and whatnot, I was always like, oh, you know, support worker might be on the cards, something like that. But um, yeah, it was probably that that where I said, Yeah, alright, I'll I'll give it a go. And after that, there was no turning back, it was yeah, all guns ahead, all like just going straight ahead with it. It was yeah, no-brainer after that.

SPEAKER_07 14:33

For those people out there who are considering going into this type of career, what's your advice to them?

SPEAKER_03 14:40

Yeah, well, 100%, absolutely. Start slow, um, yeah, you'll you'll love it. There's no there's days where you you know you've got to deal with James for 12 years.

SPEAKER_07 14:51

God, don't we know what you've got no idea, James, how they'll deal with you.

SPEAKER_05 14:58

No, I don't. That's why I'm not invited to the Iron Mark Studio meeting.

SPEAKER_07 15:04

Oh god. Well, mate, you know, your requests for, you know, 100-year-old cognac, you know, and distilled Coca-Cola, we can't afford that champion. Your requests are above way beyond our budget. But we love ya, but we just can't do it, mate. Didn't you get that memo the other day? No. No Kim never told me.

SPEAKER_03 15:36

Yeah, yeah, I can understand why. I'm surprised. I'm surprised he only asked for hundred-year-old distilled coke. To me, it's 180, 180, 182 years.

SPEAKER_07 15:46

Oh well, welcome to James. Well, welcome to My Pain. Anyway, back to the original question. Um, you're in now you're heavily involved in being a carer. I can only imagine what you are subjected to. But in saying that, and not that being a negative, but being a positive, what have you learned from being a carer so far? And what can you instill in those people who are considering this type of career? Patience.

SPEAKER_03 16:26

Patience. A lot of patience. Um and just yeah, I think I've learned a lot uh in the sense of like understanding people um with disabilities. I think it's it's it's yeah, like everyone's got their own sort of you know, vibe. Um, and we just feed off that and and read it and and adapt to it as best as possible. And like James, you'd you'd say we're we've got good banter, eh?

SPEAKER_05 16:55

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_03 16:57

And you know, everyone's different, and yeah, it's just yeah, I I guess it's being patient and understanding and not just, you know, yeah, just adapting, I guess. Being very adaptive and yeah.

SPEAKER_07 17:10

What advice would you give to parents who uh either have a carer or are currently requesting a carer, what advice would you give to them that you feel is the most essential part of the information? I don't let me re-question that because there's so many questions in my head that I want to speak to you about. If you need to speak to a carer, another carer, or a parent, what piece of vital advice would you give to them before either embarking in getting a carer or who someone who has a carer at the moment what advice would you give to them to ensure that they get the most out of their carer?

SPEAKER_03 18:07

Um I would say that your supports and Jimmy, you can back me up on this a little bit, I reckon. Should feel like almost like it's one of your mates, but you're also still being supported in a way that it doesn't almost doesn't feel like you're being supported.

SPEAKER_05 18:26

It just feels easy to absolutely absolutely agree with that.

SPEAKER_03 18:30

So it should feel super easy, it should come pretty naturally. Um and if yeah, if you don't see that or if you don't find that in someone, don't be afraid to change. It's um, you know, like or ask for someone else. Jimmy always requests new people, don't you?

SPEAKER_07 18:46

Yes, yes, you don't fulfill his needs as um that five awkward awkwards in the corner with yeah, you know, that hundred-year-old, you know, alcohol. James, talking about that, as a someone who has a carer, yes, what would your suggestions be to not only their carers but to other parents who are currently looking for a carer? What do you expect and what uh advice would you give for people moving forward who are thinking about having a carer?

SPEAKER_05 19:25

Talk to your children, figure out what they would like to try. Maybe do some research as parents into all disability organisations in your region or in your area, and maybe if the child or person is particularly interested into this one over the other, send an email and see when they're available to come and meet the child, or maybe have a chat to the carer and give it a shot. It might not work out, I'll admit it, it might not work out, but you should at least try.

SPEAKER_07 20:07

So what you're saying is in in in in I I just looking at you at the moment, Alex, I think you agree. Th there there comes a point where if you're gonna have a carer, you obviously have to meet them first. There has to be some energy there and some relationship there straight off the bat.

SPEAKER_05 20:30

It can't just be someone who rocks up to your house and is just there for um some other stuff.

SPEAKER_03 20:41

Alex, absolutely. Yeah, uh I think that's a big thing that sort of we do. Um we'll never ever send a random sort of person to James's house that he's never met. Um we'll always make sure there's buddy shifts and James is comfortable if he's meeting someone new with them. Um and I think that's very important. So if yeah, if you're just getting random people show up, it can be intimidating, like um you know, you don't want you don't want to just a random rocking up to take care of you for the day. That's not it's yeah. So that's very important, isn't it, James?

SPEAKER_04 21:16

Absolutely. If you did that, I would show them where the door is.

SPEAKER_07 21:21

James, we have no doubt that you'd show us where the door is. Um I I've been subject to that um discipline of yours, especially with Billy Elliott recently, where you said you don't do what I'm told. If I don't do what I'm told, I'm out the door. Now that's the reason why I brought you in, boss.

SPEAKER_06 21:44

You're the boss, you're the host. He's the big boss.

SPEAKER_07 21:47

Oh he's the big dog, mate. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_05 21:50

He's the big dog, and um that's why we That's why we're trialing this out and seeing how it goes. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_07 22:01

So no, it's all good. I think we're going really well at the moment. I think the questions are great.

SPEAKER_05 22:07

Alex, my next question for you is who's easier for you to get along with myself or my parents?

SPEAKER_07 22:16

Not you, your parents and the change as much anymore.

SPEAKER_03 22:21

We'll stay neutral in this one. We'll stay we'll stay in the middle, eh?

SPEAKER_06 22:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 22:26

Soft.

SPEAKER_06 22:27

Soft.

SPEAKER_05 22:30

My next question for you, Alex, is what is the most interesting shift you've ever had to do?

SPEAKER_08 22:41

That is an awesome question, James.

SPEAKER_03 22:43

Well done. Um I've got a good one actually. Um so I was with a participant and we were driving along. Um and he doesn't like police. And there was a High Patrol car coming at us, and we're going pretty slow, probably about 40 kilometres, and he stuck his finger up at the High Patrol car. And um the High Patrol car, I've watched it and I'm like, oh no, don't do that, man. Like, we're getting in trouble. And the High Patrol car has um, of course, done a U-turn and chucked the lights on, pulled me over, and has gone, why's your mate sticking his finger up at me? Anyway, I explained and showed him my shirt, and he goes, My it was probably the reddest I've ever seen someone. He was like, I'm so sorry, mate. All go and he he he let us off on that one, eh?

SPEAKER_07 23:37

Well done, well done, James. Your next question.

SPEAKER_05 23:43

My next question is Have you ever had to fire a participant?

SPEAKER_03 23:50

Fire a participant?

SPEAKER_05 23:51

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 23:52

Yeah, no, I don't I don't know. No, never had to fire a participant.

SPEAKER_05 23:58

What's the shortest a participant in Wii U?

SPEAKER_03 24:04

Uh we're pretty good at retention. Um I can't recollect. Oh yeah, well look, sometimes you don't you know you're not compatible with people, I guess. So yeah, probably like one shift and you know you'll you'll get a message later on that says, Look, I don't think it's gonna work. Well, yeah, that's all good. I agree. If it's not for you, then yeah. It's not for us, I guess. But I've never fired a participant workers, James.

SPEAKER_07 24:38

I think the Ryan's on the wall, mate. You need to be careful, son. Yes. But what are we doing, mate?

SPEAKER_05 24:45

It's it's the worst participant award for empowerment care. I reckon it's gonna be.

SPEAKER_03 24:52

No, man. No way, no way. Don't do yourself dirty like that.

SPEAKER_07 24:59

It's all good. So just getting back on topic before we start laughing our heads off. Now, I'm I'm just looking at James's questions. I've decided to frame my questions out of the out of the mix. Um what has been your worst shift?

SPEAKER_03 25:28

I don't know. Probably when James took me to the middle of Sydney and I missed a turn and then started panicking because I can't stand traffic. And it was a nightmare. Yeah, but I we were there, we were in it. Where were we going, James? The assembly, was it? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Who'd we see there?

SPEAKER_05 25:45

Guy Sebastian, and then the following week, Ray Martin.

SPEAKER_07 25:49

Oh, how was that going? Which one? Let's start with Guy Sebastian first.

SPEAKER_05 25:57

Guy Sebastian was amazing. Ray Martin. I had no clue at all who he was. I'm very sorry to Ray Martin's listeners.

SPEAKER_03 26:06

Me too. I I had no idea. We learnt a lot that day, didn't we? Yes.

SPEAKER_07 26:10

How old are you people? You're 20. So you're a millennial slash going into Alpha. How old are you, Alex?

SPEAKER_03 26:19

I'm 29.

SPEAKER_07 26:20

So hey, you're a millennial. You shouldn't know who Ray Martin is, right?

SPEAKER_03 26:24

I think it clicked a few bells while we were talking, but I had no idea. I was like, who's this bloke?

SPEAKER_07 26:29

Yeah, cheers, thanks for making me feel like I'm ancient and 80 years old. Just let you know I'm only 50. But yeah, it's okay, mate. It's okay. Thanks, your your sarcastic support, James. Greatly appreciated, boss. But it's all good.

SPEAKER_03 26:47

We know who he is now though, eh, James? Yes. Yeah, top log.

SPEAKER_07 26:51

Yes. I at at the end of the day, let's call it spade a spade. James, who's a host and my current boss of Different Not Less, he is a legend. He's very outspoken, very straight to the point.

SPEAKER_05 27:08

Um No filter here.

SPEAKER_07 27:12

Uh we know that, James. And thanks for letting everybody else know because yeah. But he is such a hardcore advocate. Exactly. And that's how we came against uh how we we come across each other. It's absolutely utter respect. The the fantastic work that James has done uh for the disability um section within our community is second to none and and that's the reason why he's got his own podcast, different, not less. Um and for you to be part of it as a character as the first ever episode. It's fantastic. So um for the listeners and for Alex, uh we're finding our feet at the moment in regards to um the podcast. So it it might be a bit of left to centre, it might be something a bit different outside your normal podcasting um listening, but um bear with us. Uh we're all on the same page. That's it. Um and we seriously as a nation, as a society, and as an occupant of uh as in the human race, we need to ensure that everybody has the opportunity to have uh their their voice heard and um have a a fighting chance to move forward to make sure everything and anything that can be done to support those with a disability can happen. Um and that's the reason why iMonarch Studios has gone down this route. Now before we go on to a break, Alex, I'm looking through James's questions question are they brutal? Mate, you know what? I thought I was brutal brutal. I don't know where James is coming from. He's obviously had a bad day when he he's um he's written these questions. But you know, I'll I'll leave you with this before we start going into adverts.

SPEAKER_03 29:29

I'm scared.

SPEAKER_07 29:30

Let's talk about relationships and boundaries. When it comes to James, when he he he talks to you have you ever witnessed or do you think he ever talks differently to you apart from his mum and dad?

SPEAKER_03 29:52

Uh yeah, I I reckon. I reckon that's a good one. Absolutely yeah, yeah, yeah, Jay. Like we've got a bit more beneath it. Like it's like uh you know, like a friendship, right? Um we're good mates and and you know, we'll have chats about things that I I yeah, particularly don't believe that he'd have with his parents.

SPEAKER_07 30:09

Um god, I can't wait for the break. I'm gonna ask so many questions. I'm gonna ask so many questions. I can only imagine, James. Yeah, so you're sitting here, don't forget we're recording this on video. So we can see good fun.

SPEAKER_06 30:28

Yeah, good on you. Yeah, you on your little you're dirty. Yeah, so not as innocent as you think.

SPEAKER_07 30:39

But go ahead, Alex.

SPEAKER_03 30:41

No, absolutely, yeah, like yeah, yeah, essentially, yeah, just random stuff that you know he might pick our brains about instead of his parents, which is good. Yeah. Do you have that with other clients? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yep. So there's also, yeah, it's it's yeah, it's like a bond that you sort of brew up with your guy with your participants, and um yeah. Yeah, you just you just yet from there, I guess.

SPEAKER_07 31:05

Well the way I look at it is if you're with a a customer slash client you would expect that type of interpersonal relationship far beyond what their mum and dad would absolutely um give. And I think that's part and parcel with not only the therapy that comes along with what you do, but just being a mate. And I think that's the most important thing. You're not just a carer, you are a mate. And I think there's a a lot of people out there need to understand that. You and I think they go, oh yeah, but they have a carer. Yeah, you're not just a carer, you're a mate, you're a best mate, you're you're you have a common artery, you have that type of deep and meaningful that you are literally a brother in arms in regards to helping them out.

SPEAKER_03 32:04

Yeah, exactly right, absolutely. And I think um I think it works out well in that sense. And like people don't like to say, oh, you're not supposed to be their mate, like when you're a support worker, but I think um that's yeah, it's it's a bit silly. It's it's you're essentially there to that's that's the gap that we've sort of bridged in the fact that we're a mate, but we're also support like caring um and making sure Jimmy's not safe, not spilling too many crumbs while he's eating SNDI. Hey Snitty, ah, here we go.

SPEAKER_07 32:38

So you eat snitty. Really? Yes, I didn't know that. This is the snitty of my.

SPEAKER_03 32:59

How many snitties do you eat a week, you reckon, Jimmy? If you could, how many magic?

SPEAKER_07 33:04

Oh my god, you you're a beast. You're a champion, mate. Oh my god, I can only imagine you on a Saturday night in the middle of Wongong, down near the Illorra, you're on the turps, and you're going, son, Shane, get me a snit. Biggest one you can find. My see, this is what I love about you, James. I keep on finding all this stuff out, and it just blows my mind. Final thoughts, James.

SPEAKER_05 33:40

Uh we'll talk about it after our break, folks. Now we're gonna go to an outbreak.

SPEAKER_07 33:46

Alright, guys. Um we'll be back shortly. Um, we're just gonna have a s a quick break. Um thank you to the sponsors that you're about to hear, um, and we'll see you shortly.

SPEAKER_00 33:58

Everyone has a story. At Iron Monarch Studios, we believe those stories deserve to be heard and seen. From heartfelt documentaries to powerful themed fances. Iron Monarch Studios captures real life, real voices, and real communities. We specialise in bringing life stories to the screen stage. Stories of resilience, laughter, heritage, and hope. Told by the people we live with. Whether you're looking to share your journey, preserve a local legacy, or be a part of something truly meaningful, I'm Monarch Studios Records. Visit i'm monarchstudios.com or follows. I'm Monarch Studios where real life becomes unforgettable prototype.

SPEAKER_02 34:37

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SPEAKER_07 38:00

Welcome back to Different Not Less Podcasts. Thanks for listening to our sponsors. Please support 'em where you can. Now I am back with James and Alex. Obviously, James being the host and Alex as the special guest. I'll just like to remind you where we left off in the first part. We spoke to Alex in regards to where he's come from, how he gone into the business, and where we're moving forward. So James at the moment has calculated somewhat surprisingly his questions moving forward in regards to Alex. Alex James, ask Alex the first question. Okay. What do you got?

SPEAKER_05 38:56

Alex, my first question for you is why are so many of your staff, including you, obsessed with exercising our bodies?

SPEAKER_03 39:11

Look, I think uh it's kind of self-explanatory. What do you reckon, Jimmy? It's really good for you. It's really good to get outside and and to enjoy the fresh air. And you know, it's good for everything. Your body, your mental health. And I think I think we've gotten you to come round and and you're pr you you're alright with it now. You you just roll with it.

SPEAKER_05 39:32

Alex, why can't I sit at home and eat hot chips all day?

SPEAKER_03 39:38

Oh please, come on, mate. Oh, God, James. That's also my dream, James. Extra chicken salt. I'd love to do that.

SPEAKER_06 39:50

Oh, good chicken salt, love chicken salt.

SPEAKER_03 39:52

Yeah, but um unfortunately, gotta have a little bit of balance on the um hot chip eating and the corn chips. Um and yeah, a bit of gotta throw in a bit of salad every now and then. Hey? What do you reckon?

SPEAKER_07 40:13

I think James has lost words because he's just thinking about those chippies with the chicken salt. I I I I have to admit, I did lose myself for five seconds just there going, chippies with chicken sauce. I don't mind if I do.

SPEAKER_03 40:29

A bit of gravy drizzle here and there in the in the colder months. Do you think vinegar would help with oh yeah, like a good yeah, vinegar chips, they're good too. Yeah, good on you.

SPEAKER_05 40:40

Alex, what do you believe makes a good carer and a bad carer?

SPEAKER_03 40:46

Oh, I don't know. Great question. Yeah, that is a great question. Fantastic question. I sound like um the Prime Minister here. Oh my god, trying to trying to like, you know, make some room for my answer. Um a great carer and a um not so great carer. I think a not so great carer would sit on their phone and uh be you know quite worried about themselves over their uh person they're supporting. Whereas a great carer will put the phone away while they're um you know trying to support their participant in the best way possible. So yeah, I think a great carer is just really um engaged in what they're doing and and they're not distracted by you know other things.

SPEAKER_07 41:31

What's a great carer to you, James?

SPEAKER_05 41:34

Someone who doesn't sit on their phone all day and someone who tries to connect with their participants.

SPEAKER_07 41:41

Have you ever dealt with that before?

SPEAKER_05 41:43

Yes. No names will be revealed on this podcast.

SPEAKER_03 41:49

Confidential, eh?

SPEAKER_05 41:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 41:51

Good man.

SPEAKER_07 41:55

Alright, please do tell, James. What about the carers that um that sat on their phones and done absolutely nothing? Can you give an example without any names being used?

SPEAKER_05 42:11

So I used to have a carer who was actually my first carer, and she just sat on her phone all day, slept in, and always didn't care for me the way I thought she should have.

SPEAKER_07 42:32

And what did your parents think about that?

SPEAKER_05 42:34

She stressed my mother out like hell, and my father, he wasn't happy either because he was oh so stressed. And it ended up in we're still on good terms to this day, but sorry, not sorry.

SPEAKER_07 42:56

Oh Jesus Christ. Fair enough. All right. Well, what did you learn from that, James? And and moving forward, when you discover a new carer, and let's talk about Alex for now. How did you perceive Alex at the first instance when you met him?

SPEAKER_05 43:19

Oh my god! It's the human virtue of Jesus.

SPEAKER_03 43:26

Oh I think he's uh Jimmy the hare. Is it the hair? Yes.

SPEAKER_07 43:31

Sorry Well, I have to admit you do like Jesus you do look like Jesus, like it is Where's your Bible, Alex? Oh my god.

SPEAKER_05 43:41

Okay then. No worries. Sorry to our listeners if you would like to get in touch. The numbers are on the screen now.

SPEAKER_07 43:51

Oh my we might not put the screen the numbers up because I don't want complaints. But anyway, it's all good.

SPEAKER_03 43:58

Um, Alex, you're Um yeah. I think I had shorter hair when we first met, James.

SPEAKER_05 44:07

Maybe just a tiny bit.

SPEAKER_03 44:09

Well, I haven't cut it in three years now, so I think I think two years ago it would have been yeah, maybe just below the ears.

SPEAKER_05 44:18

It's like when I first heard about you guys, I was with an organization called Bus Stop Films.

SPEAKER_03 44:25

Oh yeah, you still have a lot of people.

SPEAKER_05 44:26

And your cousin Ricky, who is a dear friend of mine, sat outside bus stop films and said to everyone, bus stop films. And then after about 10 weeks, I started chatting to who was your brother about coming to support me by that afternoon. He was on the phone making phone calls.

SPEAKER_03 44:55

Yep, straight into it.

SPEAKER_05 44:57

And I met you the following Wednesday and you started the following Friday.

SPEAKER_03 45:01

Yeah, I remember.

SPEAKER_05 45:02

At 10am.

SPEAKER_03 45:03

Tripped how do you remember that?

SPEAKER_05 45:05

That's that's in and you were wearing a black jumper.

SPEAKER_03 45:09

Or ourses. Oh I yeah. I think we went to Bury that day.

SPEAKER_05 45:14

Yeah, and you asked my father if he caboodled this kitchen.

SPEAKER_03 45:20

Plot twist. He owns a fantastic jewellery company. Oh, really? Yes, and I um yeah, I was taking the Mickey out of him and asked him if he caboodle this beautiful kitchen that he had just built. What was the result? He wasn't too happy, was he, James?

SPEAKER_05 45:35

He said, I don't like you anymore. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_07 45:40

But funny enough, Alex is still here, so how does that work?

SPEAKER_05 45:44

Well, that was Alex on day one, and now this is Alex on like 150 days.

SPEAKER_07 45:52

So what happened between day one and 150 days?

SPEAKER_05 45:57

They're still on very good terms. Yeah, me and Steve, we're good, we're good. Probably prefers man over you someday.

SPEAKER_07 46:10

Wow. Okay, you're really taking this uh most of a podcast straight to the point.

SPEAKER_05 46:19

What is the best interview you have ever done for a staff member?

SPEAKER_03 46:25

Right. Do you mean like when I take on a new support worker, Jimmy?

SPEAKER_05 46:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 46:30

Um this might be controversial, but we don't actually do interviews, we go for coffee. Um I yeah, I I can't stand the uh whole interview process of sitting in front of a panel. I think it's very outdated. Um I think if you want to get to know your support workers that you're taking on, uh it's best to just have a normal conversation. And usually we end up sitting there for an hour, an hour and 20 minutes. That's when you know that that person's gonna be a good support worker because they can keep their conversation rolling and yeah, that's how that's how we do it. So what makes a a fantastic support worker? Um yeah, uh, I would say someone that can talk um and and keep you know that conversation flowing. Conversation flowing. Um someone that that can care for someone without being super direct, um, like indirectly almost, um and more of a supportive way than uh do this, do that kind of way, um, a demanding way. Um I think that's probably yeah the best traits to to to look for in in your support workers. Yeah, absolutely.

SPEAKER_05 47:45

Alex, when I have more intense days, how do you get through those days?

SPEAKER_03 47:55

Lots of coffee question. A lot of coffee, alcohol, whatever you want. Just getting involved. The brewery after when I go home on the way home. What do you reckon, Jimmy? Nah, I'm just kidding. Um I think What are you talking about? Jimmy will be down there, mate. He'd be wanting to shout. I think I saw him at resin the other day, was it, Jimmy? Rezzin. More intense days. No, we just get through them. I think we just yeah.

SPEAKER_05 48:29

We fight through them.

SPEAKER_03 48:30

We find a way around, don't we? There's always a way.

SPEAKER_07 48:36

Any other questions?

SPEAKER_05 48:39

I think Alex, you have been a wonderful first interview, and thank you for coming in today.

SPEAKER_03 48:47

Anytime, Jimmy. I'm happy to, you know, come in anytime. Happy to come have a chat. Thanks for having me. Fantabulous.

SPEAKER_07 48:54

And can I ask you just a couple more questions? Absolutely. Alex? No problem. So, how many years have you been involved in being a Kerer?

SPEAKER_03 49:06

Ooh, so probably around 10 years now. Yeah. What's your most memorable experience? Memorable experience. Um I went to schoolies. That was kind of fun. Just explain. Took some participants to schoolies. Wow. So that was um that was super random and super fun. Um where was this? This was only last year, actually, yeah. Super, super fun. Was that back Queensland? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Went to the Gold Coast, yeah, experienced all that. Um lot of the slingshot was written a lot of times. Um yeah, it was good fun. And that's another thing, like, you know, just seeing seeing participants fit in and you know, like have a couple of beers and whatnot and have fun and it's it's unreal. It's really cool.

SPEAKER_07 49:55

What attracts you to this industry and keeps you in this industry?

SPEAKER_03 50:00

Um yeah, just watching like watching participants become accepted in society and you know like you know, James, for example, this podcast, he's doing so many different things, and you know, everyone knows him. You can't walk out in public without, you know, getting spotted. Hey, James.

SPEAKER_05 50:20

Always saying absolutely not, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be spotted.

SPEAKER_07 50:27

Just remember me when you get your first Oscar, alright?

SPEAKER_05 50:30

Just I remember you as the man who gave me my first radio jock job.

SPEAKER_03 50:38

The new Carl Sandlands, eh? Yeah, flick me some money, that's all that matters to me. Is your contract 80 mil, James?

SPEAKER_07 50:45

Ha So you you you've been in your in the industry for so many years. Yes. Um and you you've come to understand what's required, what is not necessary, and what is necessary. Yep. If you need to speak to someone who is considering going into the industry, what's your advice?

SPEAKER_03 51:10

Um, yeah, 100% do it. Um I'd start off, you know, working for someone um and learning the ropes and yeah, understanding what you're getting into. I think that's very important. Um it's yeah, it's not it's probably not like as easy as as what you'd think. Um so yeah, it's best to sort of try it out, I guess, first, and then and then go from there. How many clients um slash customers have you had besides James in the um we're probably supporting around 25 participants at the moment. Wow. Um and that's yeah, that's that's just been slow growth. We've never really marketed our service, so that's something we're sort of starting to do now, that it's becoming more competitive. Um, a lot more people are sort of in the NDIS industry.

SPEAKER_05 52:02

Like we did the um I do expo for the first time this year. Yes. And we were asked by a lot of people are you guys a sandwich making shop? What are you guys?

SPEAKER_03 52:16

We did the uh I di Ilawarra disability options expo this year, and um yeah, it was really good. I think that was that was probably the first marketing we've we've ever done. We just haven't really needed to. Um, but with everything becoming yeah, a lot more competitive, it's it's sort of yeah, we've had to, you know, start to do a bit more marketing and whatnot. And how does that marketing go? Fantastic. Yeah, we gained a couple of clients out of that.

SPEAKER_05 52:39

How many did we get out of curiosity that day?

SPEAKER_03 52:41

I think we got about three leads from that, which was awesome. Wow. Um, yeah, that's all that's really good. It's also really good to see all the other providers in one spot um and see what everyone does, which is awesome because then you can sort of talk to your participants that you're providing supports to and say, you know, like you might like to go to this or you might like to go to you know this camp that these guys run. Um and everyone's really lovely and welcoming, and it's um yeah, it's really nice, it's really cool.

SPEAKER_07 53:11

What was the most um stressful time in your career? So what I'm getting at is um there's gonna be parents and clients slash customers out there that who are listening tonight or today, um hanging on every word. Can you give an example of a time where you felt, oh my god, this is difficult or this client is difficult, or and in saying that, how did you overcome that?

SPEAKER_03 53:50

Um an example of a time, like I think as as the like director and also working in the field, things can become quite stressful, um, which is why I sort of try and remove myself as much as possible from working with the participants at the moment. Um because when you start to do that, you know, things start to get compact and you get sort of stressed and whatnot. I think that's a good way to manage it. Um but the most stressful, it's it's hard to say. Like you you're kind of prepared for anything, I guess, when you when you go on to do uh support, eh Jimmy? You're prepared for everything. And I think that's the best way to be.

SPEAKER_07 54:34

Well that's what I'm getting at. Yeah. You really need to be prepared, regardless on how much education you've had in regards to this industry. You need to be prepared for everything. Absolutely. And uh your f your your worst day is possibly your best day. Yeah. And it there's no way that you can sum up the the best of the worst because everything is unique, everything is different. Yeah, but and everybody is an individual and you really can't sum it up. So if I hypothetically, if I wanted to get in the industry, what would I need to do to be able to be employed by you?

SPEAKER_03 55:20

Yeah, so we'll do like a cert three, um, which is usually what we'll take in. Uh, and then it's mostly your your first aid, police check, you'd probably fail that, eh? I'm a good boy, William. I have two. I'm a good boy. Um, a couple of other things, um, you know, it's medication management courses and stuff like that. But um essentially, other than that, it's just being a decent, genuine person, I think, is really important as well. Because you can have all the knowledge in the world and study all the courses in the world. Um and yeah, you know, it's like being a barista. You can go to your course as a barista, and then I can put you in front of a machine and you've got to serve a hundred customers, and you might go, Well, I didn't learn this in the course. So, yeah, I guess experience kind of matters in that sort of state.

SPEAKER_07 56:19

What advice would you give to parents of clients slash customers? Yep. Because you're you're dealing with the parents that are highly of clients slash customers who are highly strong, who need some respite, who just need a break, what advice would you give to them?

SPEAKER_03 56:48

Yeah, and I think it's very important to yeah, I I always when I whenever I meet with a new client, uh, I totally understand that this is a such a big step for them. So I'll always try and make it as easy as possible. Um but my advice would be if you don't feel at ease in the first sort of meeting um with your supports, uh yeah, like it's probably gonna feel like that for the rest of the time, but they keep coming around. Um so I hope that Jimmy, did you feel at ease when you first took took us on?

SPEAKER_05 57:21

Me and I felt okay.

SPEAKER_03 57:24

Yeah, felt okay.

SPEAKER_05 57:26

Yeah, I felt okay. Yeah, they're great now.

SPEAKER_07 57:30

I felt fantastic. I absolutely loved him as soon as I fell in love. It was great.

SPEAKER_03 57:37

Okay's good enough, we'll take that. Yeah, but that was the question for the parents. So, do you reckon your parents felt at ease?

SPEAKER_05 57:44

That's a different story. Of course they felt at ease because I had two male support workers.

SPEAKER_03 57:51

What do you mean you had two male support workers?

SPEAKER_05 57:54

Everyone before that was female.

SPEAKER_03 57:56

Right. So it's a different, yeah, it's a very it was a very female dominated industry for a long time, right? Um so yeah, I guess that's yeah, super important.

SPEAKER_07 58:05

Well, talking about female dominant industry, for the males out there who are considering um this type of career move, what's your advice to them?

SPEAKER_03 58:16

Yeah, absolutely. Go for it. It's um yeah, it's it's such a good career. It's it's yeah, it's you know, you're you're helping people every day and uh making great friendships and having great beantile. Um yeah, it's unreal. It's an unreal, unreal job. James, do you have any further questions?

SPEAKER_05 58:38

Uh no, I think the jury has spoken.

SPEAKER_07 58:42

You grilled me enough. What are you talking about? I've got like twenty other questions to move forward with this. What's going on?

SPEAKER_05 58:50

Okay, I'll answer some more then.

SPEAKER_07 58:54

James, I think I've a I've asked you this question already. Um, what's the most important to you in regards to a carer? Do they need to be empathetic to your needs and wants, or they do they just need to be there for you?

SPEAKER_05 59:12

Just need to be there for me and just need to know about if I'm having a good or a bad day. Really?

SPEAKER_07 59:23

Okay. Um would you agree, Alex?

SPEAKER_03 59:26

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_07 59:29

James, at the end of the day, have you ever had any support workers and we're not talking about Alex here for obvious reasons, um, where you've just gone this could be better. What advice would you give to others in the industry who want to become carers? What's your optimum optimum advice to them to be the perfect carer for people like yourself?

SPEAKER_05 59:56

Do your courses, study, and if you've got the experience, come and meet a disability organization or find someone with a disability and just talk to them about what they need and then they can help you. Hopefully.

SPEAKER_07 1:00:18

Okay. Well, I I totally hundred percent agree with that. So, Alex, moving forward, where do you see yourself in ten years' time? You're you're a dr you stated that you're a director of this company. Yeah. Um, what is that company and how long has it been running? Because I think we haven't touched on that.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:38

Uh so the company's Empowerment Care Co and been running since 2018. Uh, in ten years, that's a good question. Um it's hard to say with all these things going on with the NDIS. Um but I think we'd love to be continuingly growing. Um you know, and I think slow growth is best uh in this industry. Otherwise, if you take on too many clients, you know, you lose that that interaction, that personal interaction with your with your participants, um, which we definitely have with all of our participants. Um if they have a problem, they sort of come to me at the moment, which is good. We've got some structure set up with some management as well, so there's always a fallback. Um but yeah, just continuing slow growth over the next few years. And where are you guys based out of? So we service the whole Ilawarra, um, south coast, so all the way down to Nara and all the way up to Camden, I believe. Wow, that's a massive area. Yeah, that's the one.

SPEAKER_05 1:01:42

Alex, do you have yourself a new PA yet?

SPEAKER_03 1:01:46

PA, yeah, you.

SPEAKER_05 1:01:48

What's your partner? What's Christie do?

SPEAKER_07 1:01:52

She's yeah, she's the PA. I think he he's trying to pass me off to you guys to ensure that he doesn't pay enough, doesn't have to pay too much to me, basically. I know where you're coming from, James. Jameson, you might play innocent.

SPEAKER_05 1:02:10

It's my first day of the job.

SPEAKER_07 1:02:13

It's your first day of your job, but I know you too well, and Alex knows you too well, and you're already starting to do deals on the back end of mate. Alright. Let's let's cut to the chase, son. It it's all good, it's alright. Don't worry, you're gonna be on the the cold face sooner or later. I'm gonna trade you off for something else as well. Alright, let's let's get back to the basics. So we've covered a lot uh a lot off today where you've been, Alex, how you've come across it, what you're currently doing now, and how you interact with James and and James' interaction with you and the business itself. We've also covered off on where James is at the moment, um how he interacts with um Alex and where he wants to move forward um in the future. James, as the host of this new podcast, do you have any lasting words, my friend?

SPEAKER_05 1:03:19

Everyone, I I believe you should all listen and pay attention to what will be said on this podcast, because I have some exciting plans for the future of this podcast, and if you would like to be a guest, just email uh uh I'm Buck Productions and we'll be back in a month. Thank you very much for listening. This is James Carey and Shane Bitchkit signing off.

SPEAKER_07 1:03:55

And Alex, what's the penis?

SPEAKER_03 1:04:00

Nah, thank you so much for having me. Um, and I'm like 001. That's that's unreal. It's like uh that's hardcore. It's like buying a one-of-one collectible mate in your book.

SPEAKER_07 1:04:10

You're all top tier VIP at the moment, alright? Unreal. I love it. All we ask, James and I, all that we ask is share the podcast around. Absolutely, and and share the love.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:22

A hundred percent.

SPEAKER_05 1:04:23

And there is much coming, folks.

SPEAKER_07 1:04:26

All right, ladies and gentlemen and people from every other direction. Thanks for listening to us today on the different not less podcast. As James Willy said, this is coming out monthly, um, and it will may come out fortnightly depending on how many people um we have come in um to interview. Greatly appreciate you listening in. It is a new concept, and we'd love feedback too. We love feedback, and I can tell you now, um, I'm a director of Ion Monarch Studios. I'm the original owner. Um, I've recently come um sold 40% of the company to another guy, which is Reverend Jim. So um I can tell you now, I am Monarch Studios wants to make a difference and will give the voice to all those who don't have a voice at the moment. And I can tell you now, I'm so proud to have James on board as part of our podcast studio. Um, brethren, I can tell you now this is not going to be the last. Um, it's gonna be one of many. I really hope you guys support us. Um, if you've got any ideas regarding show content, please let us know. If you've got any um advice on who we can interview. Please let us know. Our email is mailm a i l at ironmonarch studios, one word dot com. That is mail at ironmonarchstudios dot com. Just put James Podcast or different not less podcasts and we'll get back to you um as soon as we can.

SPEAKER_05 1:06:23

Preferably within the next forty eight hours we'll get back to you.

SPEAKER_03 1:06:27

That's quick turnaround.

SPEAKER_07 1:06:29

I was about to say that's pretty quick for a podcast. But thanks again, everybody. If you'd like to sponsor us, please use the same email, mail at imonarchstudios.com.au. Um we want this podcast to grow, and not just with James, but with many others moving forward. Um I'd like to thank Alex for coming in as our special VIP guest for show number one. Fantastic. And moving forward, I I I can't wait to speak to the people we've already hit earmarked to um interview over the next couple of months. It's it's you've got no idea, it's going to be fantastic. Um, James is growing um dramatically in regards to his podcasting skills, which is fantastic, and that's what we're looking for in Oya Monarch is give the voice to those who deserve a voice, who should have had a voice many years ago, who know what's going on in the scheme of things, and it's coming from the coal face. So, James, personally, from myself and Oyan Monarch Studios, thank you so much for entrusting us with your voice moving forward. Uh, it's gonna be a great experience. This is gonna be a journey that you'll never ever forget for the rest of your life because um it it's gonna blow your mind what we do. Um, and I already know it already has because um the podcast experience, it's not what people expect. It's we do a lot of behind the scenes, we do a lot of um training, a lot of um um technical work with everybody we have on board and even including our interviewees, just to let them know what's going on. So thank you once again, James. Um thanks Alex for being the carer. It's been absolutely fantastic talking to you. And I couldn't I I couldn't believe the experience of our first interviewee coming on board because I wouldn't expect anything else or anything less than you coming on board because you're the carer, you're the carer of the host, and uh moving forward I do expect you to be here. Absolutely 99.9% of the our tapings to be on the side, and as you're gonna see in our studio, we've got a number of um microphones so we can hook everybody up, then everybody's gonna have a say. Sounds good. Um anybody if if you're interested in coming along, as you can tell, just about by the way we're talking and and by the way you you're watching the video, we do very everything relaxed.

SPEAKER_05 1:09:26

And we can and we can get quite um sensitive humour enough. We can get quite good with the humour. So if you love Banta and if you've got stories to tell, contact Shane at I am Mark Studios. Thank you very much, folks. See you next time.

SPEAKER_07 1:09:47

Alright, on that note, I think we've been told we we have to wrap up now because he's got other appointments. But thank Yeah, exactly. He's ten dollar snitty night and he's got some money on a c a couple of meat trays down at the local RSL, haven't you? Yeah, yeah, there we go. Champion. Alright, guys, thanks once again. Thanks for listening. Um this podcast will get bigger and better over time.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:23

Please share it with your friends.

SPEAKER_07 1:10:26

Share it with your friends, share it with your family.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:28

Providers, and let's see where we can get this.

SPEAKER_07 1:10:32

And if you're interested in being interviewed and and coming around um to the studios, let me know. Mail at immonarchstudios.com.au. Let's make this work. Let's make a difference in society. Let's make the silent voices count. Different, not less, real people, real ability podcast.

SPEAKER_05 1:10:54

And we can also do phone interviews. Thank you very much.

SPEAKER_07 1:10:58

There we go, we can do phone interviews. I'll need to work that out, but we can happen. All right, thanks guys. Talk to you soon. Cheers. Bye. Bye.