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Listen "Turning Pain into Purpose (Ann Toscano’s Mental Health Mission)"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode of I'm in Control, I sit down with the incredible Ann Toscano - an award-winning mental health advocate, community worker, writer, and musician. Ann shares her powerful journey of transforming lived experiences of trauma and chronic illness into advocacy, creativity, and connection.
We talk about how writing and music became her outlets for healing, leading to the release of raw, emotional songs that have reached international audiences. Ann also opens up about founding Bent But Not Breaking, a grassroots initiative that supported families through the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and how her motto - “we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” - continues to shape her work.
Together, we explore the realities of navigating Australia’s healthcare system with chronic illness, the importance of self-advocacy, and why showing vulnerability is a form of strength.
00:00 - Introduction: Ann’s creative advocacy and lived experience
05:00 - Using writing and music as therapy
10:00 - Mental health challenges and turning struggle into strength
15:00 - Navigating chronic illness and medical systems
20:00 - Founding Bent But Not Breaking and helping others during COVID
30:00 - Finding empathy, purpose, and self-accountability
40:00 - Taking control: redefining healing and mental health
This episode is a raw, honest, and empowering conversation about resilience, recovery, and the courage to speak up. Ann’s authenticity and compassion remind us that even in our darkest moments, connection and creativity can light the way forward.
We talk about how writing and music became her outlets for healing, leading to the release of raw, emotional songs that have reached international audiences. Ann also opens up about founding Bent But Not Breaking, a grassroots initiative that supported families through the challenges of COVID lockdowns, and how her motto - “we can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone” - continues to shape her work.
Together, we explore the realities of navigating Australia’s healthcare system with chronic illness, the importance of self-advocacy, and why showing vulnerability is a form of strength.
00:00 - Introduction: Ann’s creative advocacy and lived experience
05:00 - Using writing and music as therapy
10:00 - Mental health challenges and turning struggle into strength
15:00 - Navigating chronic illness and medical systems
20:00 - Founding Bent But Not Breaking and helping others during COVID
30:00 - Finding empathy, purpose, and self-accountability
40:00 - Taking control: redefining healing and mental health
This episode is a raw, honest, and empowering conversation about resilience, recovery, and the courage to speak up. Ann’s authenticity and compassion remind us that even in our darkest moments, connection and creativity can light the way forward.
In God we trust