It’s a rollercoaster of revelation and reflection – meet the Canberra podcast breaking taboos around uncomfortable topics
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Have you ever wanted to get your brain tickled while pondering life’s big questions? This Canberra podcast is here to help – and it’s breaking taboos in the process.
Mental health, sexism, overcoming adversity, abuse, trauma, and those transformative moments that make you the person that you are. That’s what the Mind Mays podcast wants to talk about.
Founded by content creator, model, multidisciplinary artist, DJ, and skin expert Mays Benatti (who refers to herself as the human equivalent of a Swiss Army knife and has amassed an Instagram following of over 90,000), Mind Mays was inspired by the ups and downs of her own life’s journey.
Born in Iraq and moving to Australia as a refugee in 2004, she’s lived in foster care and a children’s refuge – a rollercoaster of a childhood that’s given her insights into the profound human experience, resilience, and the impact of trauma. Describing storytelling as her ‘superpower’ (and after years of making a name for herself in multiple creative careers) for Mays her new podcast is a soapbox where she can shout to the world “Hey! Let’s talk about the real stuff.”
“These experiences have fuelled my commitment to amplifying voices, making the uncomfortable conversations comfortable, and cultivating empathy through storytelling,” explains Mays.
“We’re diving deep, way past the shallow end, to explore what makes us tick. It all hits differently when you’ve had your fair share of life’s knuckle sandwiches – I’m all about swapping tales that ignite empathy like a backstage pass to humanity.”
Delving deep into the stories of locals (including the likes of Grace Kemp and Jarrod Crocker) and interviewing them about their trials and tribulations, Mays describes her podcast as “where the rubber meets the road on topics like the fine art of adulting, the Olympic games of inner feels, and sparking that creative lighter in your soul.”
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Promising that listeners will have their minds stretched like the world’s most comfortable yoga pants, the Canberra creative is incredibly passionate about the project because it not only lets her mix mindfulness with the human spirit but also audio and visual mediums – things that have always been a part of her varied career.
“Mixing audio and visuals is like getting the full buffet experience for your senses; you can listen with your ears and feast with your eyes! It’s about wrapping stories in a rich tapestry that’ll snuggle with your soul and tap dance with your imagination,” she says.
“We’re serving up hefty portions of truth nuggets and heart-to-hearts that’ll stick to your ribs. You’ll walk away with your brain marinated in new perspectives and your heartstrings tuned to the symphony of shared experiences.”
An example?
With four episodes currently under her belt starring what Mays describes as “a star-studded carousel of wise wizards, creative critters, entrepreneurial eagles, and phoenixes rising from the ashes of life”, from Grace Kemp talking about her journey with mental health, and the challenges faced by women in the world of sports to Courtney Anne delving into overcoming adversity, and the power of family bonds, and Jarrod Crocker alongside his wife Brittney Wicks talking what lies ahead for his career, mental health challenges and their journey as a couple, no topic is off the table.
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“After a Mind Mays sesh, I want my listeners to feel like they’ve just had a brain spa day!” says Mays.
“All refreshed and humming with new insights, cozied up in the soft sweater of empathy and jazzed about joining the ‘Know Thyself’ fan club. It’s about turning a-ha moments into ‘Hell yeah!’ moments.”
And this is just the beginning. With plenty planned for the future, Mays hopes that Mind Mays becomes a safe space for listeners to connect, feel comfortable talking about the uncomfortable and ultimately feel less alone.
“When I look into the crystal ball for ‘Mind Mays,’ I see it blossoming like the world’s most insightful garden – a place where thinkers, dreamers, and doers come together to bake up a buffet of brainy bliss,” Mays says.
“I want to grow a community that’s like the best group hug ever – full of inspiration, understanding, and, well, just plain coolness.”
It might sound like a rollercoaster ride of emotions – and it is – but filled with reflection and revelation, Mays can’t wait to see where the Mind Mays takes her next, and she hopes that listeners feel inspired to start having uncomfortable conversations themselves.
“It’s like a kaleidoscope for your ears – you never know what pattern is coming up next, and that’s the thrill of it!”
You can watch and listen to Mind Mays as part of the Mustard Flats podcast here.
