Busting Nutrition Myths with Dietitian Jemma O’Hanlon
From coffee to cocktails, butter to “super-protein” diets, the world of nutrition is full of confusing (and sometimes misleading) advice. In this episode, Heart Foundation Senior Food and Nutrition Advisor Jemma O’Hanlon helps us bust some of the biggest diet myths. We explore how much sugar is really okay, whether coffee is good for your heart, why the carnivore diet is a health risk, and what a truly heart-healthy eating pattern looks like. With practical tips, clear explanations, and a dash of myth-busting fun, this conversation will leave you better equipped to make choices that support your heart health every day. Presented by Matt Dunn.
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Shaping the Future of Obesity and Heart Disease Care
Obesity is now one of the biggest drivers of poor heart health in Australia - affecting one-third of adults and contributing more to our national disease burden than tobacco. In this episode, we take you inside the Heart Foundation’s first-ever National Stakeholder Forum on Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease, the starting point for Australia’s inaugural Clinical Consensus Statement on this critical health challenge. Guests include Heart Foundation CEO David Lloyd, Chief Medical Advisor Professor Garry Jennings, Laureate Professor Clare Collins - one of Australia’s most influential nutrition experts - and Dr Mark Mellor, an experienced Specialist GP with advanced expertise in weight management and metabolic health. Together, they share why this work is so urgent, how emerging treatments and prevention strategies can be applied, and what it will take to turn knowledge into action. They outline a vision for better care, better outcomes, and a healthier future for every Australian heart. Presented by Michael Zubreckyj
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Saving the Heart, Protecting the Brain
Open heart surgery can save your life — but it can quietly put your brain and kidneys at risk. Many patients wake up from surgery confused or forgetful, with inflammation in the brain now known to be a likely cause of delirium. Dr Simon Iles knows this firsthand. As a young ICU doctor, he collapsed at work and suddenly became the patient — surviving emergency heart surgery but waking up unable to remember his own mother’s phone number. Now, Professor Yugeesh Lankadeva and his team at The Florey are developing a potential disease-modifying therapy — using a carefully formulated compound related to vitamin C — to protect the brain and kidneys before damage begins. It’s hope for thousands of patients to not just survive heart surgery, but keep living with their minds and bodies intact.
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Leanne’s Story: Surviving Cardiac Arrest at 14
At just 14 years old, Leanne went into sudden cardiac arrest in a supermarket car park. Born with a rare congenital heart defect, her journey has included open-heart surgery, recovery from a coma, and learning to live with an internal defibrillator - all before adulthood. In this episode, Leanne shares her remarkable story with honesty, humour, and a powerful message about resilience, visibility, and advocacy. We’re also joined by Bridget O ‘Malley, a clinical researcher investigating the genetic and environmental causes of congenital heart disease. From cutting-edge science to the lived experience behind the diagnosis, this episode explores how far we’ve come - and how far we still have to go - in understanding and treating heart disease.
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How a Fit, Healthy Man Nearly Missed a Deadly Heart Condition
Pete Marnock was the picture of health—lean, active, and unstoppable on a mountain bike. But beneath his peak fitness was a hidden, life-threatening heart condition. He had no symptoms, no risk factors, and no idea he was days away from disaster. In this episode, Pete shares his powerful story of survival and the routine GP check-up that saved his life. With raw honesty, he talks about identity, recovery, and what it’s like to face your own mortality despite “doing everything right.” We also hear from Natalie Raffoul, Senior Manager Healthcare Programs & Clinical Strategy at the Heart Foundation, who breaks down why Heart Week matters, what Australians need to know about the silent nature of heart disease, and how simple steps like a heart health check can make all the difference. Whether you’re an athlete or just someone who puts off going to the doctor, this is an episode that might just change your life—or help you save someone else’s. 🫀 Learn more at heartfoundation.org.au.
Welcome to "Stories from the Heart," an engaging podcast series that delves into the personal experiences of the people navigating life with heart conditions, and of those researching solutions to heart disease’s biggest challenges.
The series aims to harness the story-telling power of people’s experiences with heart disease, Australia’s leading cause of death, to raise awareness that could save lives, and influence positive action on heart health.
Join us as we embark on a journey of resilience, courage, and inspiration. Each episode offers a unique perspective on living with heart conditions and shares practical advice for fostering emotional health. "Stories from the Heart" aims to create a supportive community where individuals facing similar challenges can find solace, encouragement, and a wealth of shared wisdom.
Stay tuned for the upcoming episodes as we amplify the voices of those with lived experience, fostering a sense of connection and understanding in the broader community.
Australia