2025

Matters of the Heart – Podcast Episode: "A Love Story with Four Legs and a Tail"

In this deeply moving episode of Matters of the Heart, aired on April 24th on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, host Ilana D welcomes back special guest Andy Vidler – world traveller, animal rescuer, human rights advocate, and a tireless champion for men’s mental health.

Andy shares the heartwarming journey of adopting Mal, an eight-year-old Rottweiler-Kelpie cross who was found wandering the streets and given a second chance at life through the Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre (BMACC). From her rocky start and near-fatal mistake to finding peace and purpose with Andy, Mal's story is a reminder that love, patience, and kindness can rewrite even the most uncertain pasts.

This isn’t just a story about saving a dog – it’s about how animals save us too. Ilana and Andy reflect on the ways our four-legged companions teach us to love ourselves more deeply, and how connection – whether human or animal – heals.

Tune in for heartfelt conversation, stories of redemption, laughter, and a dose of much-needed hope. And if you feel inspired, consider supporting BMACC or opening your heart and home to an animal in need.

"Rescue is love in action."

Donations of wet food and treats can be dropped off at BMACC, 121–125 Mort St, Katoomba (open 10am–4pm daily, closed Wednesdays).

#RescueDog #MattersOfTheHeart #RadioBlueMountains #AndyVidler #AdoptDontShop #MensMentalHealth #BMACC #UnconditionalLove #AnimalAdvocacy

Matters of the Heart – What If: Turning Life’s Challenges into Growth – with Author Bronwyn FrazerConflict April 17, 2025 Episode
Hosted by Ilana Danielle | Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM

In this heartfelt and uplifting episode of Matters of the Heart, Ilana D welcomes local author, holistic practitioner, and clinical nutritionist Bronwyn Frazer to the studio for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation.

Bronwyn shares the story behind her recently released book What If, a collection of reflections born from quiet Sunday walks, scribbled initially on car rental receipts, and brimming with life-changing insights. She discusses how the book came to life through intuitive downloads in the form of “What if?” questions—each one offering a new perspective on life’s challenges, loss, and transformation.

Together, Ilana and Bronwyn explore how shifting our mindset can turn pain into possibility, and how our inner work can ripple outwards to positively affect our communities. They touch on the emotional aftermath of the pandemic, especially for young people, and the importance of creating accessible, relatable writing for all ages.

With warmth, laughter, a few beautiful birthday reflections from Ilana (fresh from celebrating her own!), and tracks like Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World, this episode is an ode to growth, self-kindness, and quiet strength.

Whether you’re sipping tea, getting ready for your day, or simply tuning in for some soulful company—this episode will leave your heart just a little fuller.

🔊 Catch Matters of the Heart live every Thursday 9–10 AM on RBM 89.1FM or stream at www.rbm.org.au.

Matters of the Heart – Podcast Episode: The Power of Positive Conflict

Presented by Ilana Danielle
In this soulful and thought-provoking episode of Matters of the Heart, host Alana D returns to the airwaves after a short hiatus, sharing candid reflections on health, resilience, and the importance of pressing pause when life demands it. With her signature blend of warmth, honesty, and humour, Alana dives deep into the topic of positive confrontation and the hidden beauty in conflict.
Is conflict always something to be avoided? Or can it be a doorway to deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and personal growth? Drawing from personal insights and research, Alana invites listeners to shift their perspective on conflict—revealing it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
With soulful tunes from Janis Joplin, Stone Sour’s haunting cover of Wicked Game, and a nostalgic nod to INXS, the music flows in harmony with heartfelt conversation. Along the way, we meet the ever-charming Murray—also known as “The Wizard”—whose reflections on aging and resilience add a touch of humour and wisdom to the mix.
Matters of the Heart is more than just a radio show—it’s a love rebellion, a weekly uprising of authenticity, self-reflection, and real talk. Whether you’re sipping your morning tea, driving to work, or just looking for a moment of connection, this episode offers a soulful reminder: conflict can be the bridge to deeper connection, if we choose to face it with courage, respect, and love.
📻 Originally aired on April 10th, 2025
📍 Listen live Thursdays 9–10am on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM or stream via www.rbm.org.au
— Pour yourself a cuppa, take a breath, and join the conversation. Because these… are the Matters of the Heart. ❤️

Matters of the Heart – Resilience, Love, and the Lessons from Rescue Animals

In this heartfelt episode of Matters of the Heart, host Alana Daniel explores the transformative power of love, resilience, and the incredible lessons we learn from rescue animals. On this rainy Blue Mountains morning, Alana reflects on the beauty of rain—a rarity in her years living in the Middle East—and the joy it brings her now.

Through personal stories, uplifting music, and deep reflections, Alana dives into what it means to truly embrace resilience—not just surviving hardships, but thriving and growing from them. Drawing inspiration from rescue dogs and animals who have endured neglect and trauma yet still choose to love and trust again, she connects their journey to our own.

With a playlist filled with dog-themed classics, including Dog and Butterfly by Heart and Every Dog Must Have Its Day by Procol Harum, Alana weaves together music and meaning, inviting listeners to reflect on their own resilience. She also celebrates the quiet heroes of the Blue Mountains—those who volunteer, support animal shelters, and help others without seeking recognition.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that resilience isn’t just about endurance—it’s about transformation. And just as rescue animals learn to trust again, so too can we find the courage to love, to heal, and to move forward.

Tune in, be inspired, and if you have a story to share, reach out—because every story matters on Matters of the Heart.

📻 Listen every Thursday at 9 AM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM.

Matters of the Heart – Episode: The Hidden Scars of Bullying

Originally aired on January 23, 2025

In this heartfelt and deeply resonant episode of Matters of the Heart, host Ilana Danielle invites listeners into a compassionate and powerful conversation about the lasting impact of bullying. Broadcasting every Thursday from 9–10 a.m. on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM, Matters of the Heart is a space where honesty, empathy, and courage come together—and this week’s topic is no exception.

Ilana begins by sharing her fascination with the mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional elements that shape our experience of the world—and of heartbreak. Whether the pain comes from loss, rejection, or trauma, Ilana holds space for healing and transformation, offering listeners the chance to reflect, reconnect, and rise.

This episode tackles bullying in its many forms—cyber, schoolyard, workplace—and its devastating toll on children and adults alike. With warmth and candour, Ilana shares powerful statistics from Australian and global studies, alongside a personal story from her childhood that speaks to the importance of standing up and speaking out. She highlights the trauma survivors often carry into adulthood, affecting their careers, relationships, and mental health.

But this is not just an episode about pain. It’s also about growth. Ilana uplifts the idea that pain, when transformed, can lead to purpose—like artists, musicians, and social workers who’ve turned their experiences into songs, stories, and services of healing. Think Janis Joplin, channeling her own trauma into music that still resonates today.

Whether you’ve experienced bullying, witnessed it, or even acted it out, this episode invites empathy, forgiveness, and a collective commitment to change. “Let’s be real, raw, and rebellious,” says Ilana. “Not an uprising of hate—an uprising of love.”

Tune in for music that heals, stories that connect, and a movement toward heart-centered change.

🎧 Stream live at rbm.org.au or catch up on your favourite podcast platform.

Matters of the Heart – Animal Advocacy with Andy Vidler 🐾

Join host Alana Daniel on this episode of Matters of the Heart, where she welcomes Andy Vidler, a passionate animal advocate who has dedicated his life to rescuing and caring for animals across the globe. From the streets of Nepal and Ecuador to the shelters of New Zealand, Greece, and now Katoomba’s Blue Mountains Animal Care Centre, Andy shares his incredible journey of animal welfare and rescue.

Hear about his experiences working in rescue shelters, his time in Nepal witnessing the struggles of yaks and porters in the Himalayas, and the heartbreaking realities of stray dogs worldwide. Discover how Andy is helping to reshape the future of animal care in the Blue Mountains and the challenges faced by the local shelter since the council took over operations from the RSPCA.

Alongside inspiring stories, this episode also features fantastic music, reflections on the power of community, and the vital role of volunteers in animal rescue.

☕ Grab your morning coffee, tune in, and be inspired by the extraordinary people making a difference!

📻 Matters of the Heart airs every Thursday from 9 AM to 10 AM on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 FM and streams live at www.rbm.org.au.

Matters of the Heart – Amber Joy Poulton on Women in Country 🎶

Join Ilana D as she sits down with acclaimed country artist Amber Joy Poulton to talk about the legacy of female country singers and her upcoming show, Man! I Feel Like a Woman, hitting the Blue Mountains Theatre in Springwood on February 20th. Amber shares insights into the music that shaped her, what audiences can expect from the show, and her passion for celebrating the incredible women of country music.

Matters of the Heart | Episode: “New Year, New Intentions – A Matter of Forgiveness”

Start the new year with heartfelt wisdom and raw honesty in this special episode of Matters of the Heart, hosted by the ever-authentic Ilana Danielle on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.

Broadcast on January 2nd, 2025—just hours into the new year—Ilana reflects on what it means to begin again. With warmth, humour, and soulful storytelling, she celebrates the joy of being alive, gives a heartfelt nod to RBM breakfast host Catchy, and shares her personal story of reconciliation, forgiveness, and emotional growth.

From the passion of flamenco to the poetry of Jewel, and a classic track by Smashing Pumpkins, this episode is filled with music, musings, and messages about kindness, connection, and healing. Whether you’re lounging with a morning cup or driving through the mountains, Ilana’s voice is the companion you didn’t know you needed.

Tune in for inspiration, a few laughs, and a reminder that the heart is a resilient, beautiful thing—especially when we let go, reach out, and live with wonder.

🎙️ Matters of the Heart airs every Thursday, 9–10 AM on RBM 89.1FM and streams live