Words for the Year, Wildlife Encounters, Survival, Growth and Momentum

A new season of If These Trees Could Talk begins in the space between presence and momentum.

In this season-opening episode, we share our words for the year, introduce the evolving direction of the podcast, and welcome a new branch of storytelling.

Through Australian wildlife encounters, survival instincts, and the symbolism of the Chinese zodiac, we explore what we’re shedding — and what we’re ready to move toward.

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This episode marks the Season 2 finale of If These Trees Could Talk — a pause at the end of a long, heavy, meaningful year. We’re reflecting on the places we’ve walked, the stories that found us, and the moments that changed how we see the world. Some of this year unfolded quietly, some of it hit hard, and not all of it came with neat answers, but every step left its mark.

This is also our thank you. To everyone who listened, shared, messaged, challenged us, or carried these stories alongside us; this only exists because you show up. This episode isn’t a highlight reel or a goodbye, just a moment to acknowledge the growth, the weight, and the connection that made this year what it was. We’re grateful you walked it with us.

This episode asks a simple question with a definitive answer: What does showing up really look like? From the rolling hills of Deepwater to the everyday Australian homes where people quietly fight their battles, we explore how connection can be a shield, a comfort, and sometimes the difference between holding on and letting go.

We’re joined by Stuart O'Neill — Suicide Prevention Advocate, Public Speaker, the driving force behind Australia’s first mental health pub and author of Just One Reason, a 5 times best selling - raw and powerful account of his own journey through the darkest corners of mental health attached to a simple yet profound toolkit to help others. Stu’s work is a reminder that resilience isn’t something we find alone. It grows when we circle the wagons — when we gather close, create safety, and refuse to let anyone stand on the edge without support.

In this episode we unpack the power of listening, the courage it takes to tell the truth, and the remarkable change that happens when communities decide to show up for each other with compassion instead of judgment.

This is an exploration of the wagons we build — the human ones — and the strength we discover when we stand together.