Take 5 with Mitch from the Get Frank podcast
For those who don’t know, when his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013, Mitch, a glazier by trade, turned the devastating loss into the successful suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.
Kicking off in March this year, Get Frank features candid conversations with familiar and not-so-familiar faces talking about their personal trials, tribulations and triumphs.
Join us as we sit down and chat with Mitch.
A lot of us know you from your organisation SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY which aims to promote positive mental health and help prevent suicide. What is the Get Frank podcast?
I feel so fortunate that people have listened and supported my personal story. Get Frank gives other people a chance to tell their stories and inspire our listeners.
I’m a big believer in the power of storytelling. On Get Frank, we hear stories of lives that haven't always been easy and might just help someone else out of a hole. We’re all human – everyone has good days, bad days and days in between. Get Frank allows us to get to know people for who they really are – what makes them tick. At the end of the day, no matter who we are or where we’re from, we all want to feel the best we can each day.
Why did you start Get Frank?
I’d been working in the mental health space for nearly ten years and had done lots of media, including radio, television and podcasts.
I was very comfortable in that space, but thought it would be nice to be on the other side of the microphone letting other people tell their stories.
What are the challenges of hosting a podcast?
I always get really nervous when I hit the record button, but I know that’s simply because I care and I want the guest to have a positive experience. I’m a perfectionist, so I want the images, the write-ups and the social media posts to be spot on and attractive enough for people to want to listen and engage.
What should listeners expect to learn from tuning into Get Frank?
Most of our guests are everyday people and often the conversations cover what they’ve gone through, how it affected their mental health and how they got through tough times. Sometimes they’re still getting through. It reassures listeners that they’re not alone and gives them insights into how they might be able to get out of tough times themselves, what to do for their self-care, and encourages them to speak to people in their darkest times.
What do you hope listeners get out of Get Frank?
I hope people are reminded that we’re all human and that we all face challenges. We often believe that those around us are better off, when the reality is we know very little or have no real insight into the issues those around us are facing.
Listen up
If you’re after inspirational stories about everyday people finding their way through tough times, be sure to take a listen. New episodes of Get Frank come out every week and are available in all the usual places. https://spotify.com
For support at any time of they day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue free telephone counselling service on 1300 224 636.