In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Mel sits down with Dr Katrina Lines, CEO of Act for Kids, a psychologist, researcher, and advocate whose career has been devoted to protecting children and supporting families through trauma. With over two decades of experience in clinical and social services, Katrina brings both professional insight and heartfelt urgency to the growing crisis of child poverty and neglect in Australia.
Together, they explore what it means to truly “act for kids” in a time when one in three families are struggling to afford food, healthcare, and basic education. Katrina shares the realities behind the statistics: the child who comes to school hungry, the parent overwhelmed by financial stress, and the invisible developmental delays that emerge when safety and stability are out of reach. She also speaks to the frontline work her team is doing - providing early intervention, trauma therapy, and practical support to families pushed to the brink.
This episode is a call to compassion and action. It’s about seeing what’s often hidden, understanding the long-term impact of adversity, and believing that every child deserves a safe, loving environment to grow and thrive.
On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.
The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service
Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800
Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services
CREDITS:
Host: Melissa Alsemgeest
Guest: Dr Katrina Lines
Editor: Robert Alsemgeest
GET IN TOUCH:
https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!