About Our Guest
Nadia Mitsopoulos is an experienced and highly regarded journalist and broadcaster who has worked in the media for 30 years. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree, Nadia worked as a journalist at GWN and Network Ten, before moving overseas to travel and work at Associated Press in London. On her return she joined Nine News in Perth where she was the state political reporter for 13 years before moving to ABC radio. She currently presents the Mornings program covering a wide range of topical issues to a statewide audience. Nadia has held numerous board roles including Lifeline WA and is currently a director of Netball WA.
Nadia Mitsopoulos and the Courage to Finally Tell the Truth
In this conversation, veteran journalist and broadcaster Nadia Mitsopoulos shares her journey from tragedy to advocacy, from decades of silence to the courage to finally tell the truth. At 61, her father took his own life. She was working as a television journalist at the time, and for thirteen years afterwards, she told people he’d had a heart attack. It was easier than facing the questions, the grief, and the fear of what people might think. But her story isn’t just about the years she spent hiding the truth. It’s about what happens when we finally stop.
Nadia reveals how that unspoken fear sat with her like a weight, a block of cement on her chest, carried quietly through work, through family gatherings, through years of small, ordinary moments where grief would surface unannounced. Through a Rotary breakfast where she spoke her father’s story publicly for the first time, years on the board of Lifeline WA, and countless conversations on live radio, Nadia slowly found her way from silence to speaking.
She explores how letting go of judgement, both the judgement she feared and the judgement she once carried towards others, allowed her to become the empathetic broadcaster and advocate she is today. What she discovered is that speaking breaks the weight of silence, and that pain, shared honestly, can become purpose. By refusing to keep hiding her father’s death, Nadia has helped people she will never meet feel a little less alone, showing them that asking for help is not weakness, and that it’s okay to not feel okay.
Content Warning
This episode includes discussions about suicide. Please prioritise your wellbeing as you listen, and reach out to a mental health professional or a local helpline for any additional support. (In Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyondblue: 1300 224 636.)
Nadia’s Tips
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Live in the moment as you don’t know what’s around the corner.
Be grateful, there is always someone worse off than you.
There is no shame in asking for help.
Nadia’s Contact Details
Facebook: Nadia Mitsopoulos
LinkedIn: Nadia Mitsopoulos
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You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and Audible.
Time Stamps
00:00 A Life-Changing Moment
06:17 Navigating Grief and Family Dynamics
11:05 Understanding Mental Health and Suicide
16:16 Finding Purpose in Pain
21:12 Normalizing Conversations Around Mental Health
23:44 Understanding Grief and Its Impact
24:28 The Weight of Silence: Personal Reflections
25:47 Navigating Life’s Challenges and Finding Strength
28:31 Judgment and Empathy: A Shift in Perspective
31:52 Acceptance and Healing: A Personal Journey
33:41 The Importance of Open Conversations
35:57 Finding Gifts in Difficult Experiences
37:11 Words of Wisdom for the Younger Self
38:25 It’s A Wrap
If anything in this episode resonates deeply and you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide or overwhelming distress, please reach out for help. You matter, and we encourage caring for your mental health and reaching out to support resources if needed. In Australia: Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyondblue: 1300 224 636. Your wellbeing is a priority.
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