Carter O'Regan is our first guest on The Ebbs and The Flows for 2024. Carter is a fiancé, a footballer, a nurse and a creative soul. He also happens to be a trans advocate who affirmed his gender over the course of several years. I met Carter several years ago at Kew Football Club and have heard him speak as part of Pride Round, and while also acknowledging the excellent chats we always had at the football club, I have learnt a lot about the importance of gender affirmation and why inclusion and acceptance is so important. This conversation captures the priorities now in Carter's life. He is a nurse who loves his job and loves being around people, with his caring and empathetic nature shining through, however it is in his 'Note to Self', when you will hear the intimate impact a life event that occurred when he was 28 has had on him and the rest of his life.  An episode focusing on gender identity, dysphoria and trauma, how inclusion is far more than just the changeroom and how finding your true self will let your spirit soar.

As per usual,  features 'The 90 second nugget', 'Me and the World on a Page', 'A Note to Self' and of course, 'Weird Fishes'. Plenty of the good stuff with many unique life lessons to take on.

Weird Fishes:
Film: She's The Man
Book: Fourteen by Shannon Molloy
Album/Song: Anything by Pink
Local Recommendation: Northcote Aquatic Recreation Centre

Check out: https://www.minus18.org.au/ if you'd like to learn more about issues affecting the LGBTIQ+ community.

The Ebbs and the Flows is an emotional health movement focused on openness and transparency about the light and the shade of the lives we led and journeys we encounter. The Ebbs and the Flows is not a licensed mental health service and therefore if you are seeking mental health advice, assessment or treatment, you should seek expert advice with a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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At the end of the day, we are all just a work in progress.