Speak Your Truth

Speak Your Truth Show with Pri on Alive 90.5 FM Lifestyle Matters with Pri Episode: The Rise of Side Hustles What starts as a hobby, a passion project, or even a simple act of helping others can sometimes grow into something much bigger. In this inspiring episode of Lifestyle Matters, Pri explores the growing world of side hustles and the stories behind the people turning skills, passions, and everyday opportunities into extra income, thriving businesses, and meaningful community impact. From homemade food businesses and online plant sales to lamp restoration, personalised birthday videos, dog transportation services, and grassroots cricket coaching, listeners share the unexpected journeys that transformed hobbies into opportunities. This episode dives into:  Why side hustles are becoming more popular than ever  Turning passions into profit without losing the joy  Financial necessity versus personal fulfilment  The dream of becoming your own boss  How some of the best business ideas start by accident  Whether every hobby really needs to become a business  Lessons learned from everyday entrepreneurs Through heartfelt listener stories, thought-provoking discussions, and a few fun debates, Pri highlights the creativity, resilience, and courage behind people who dared to start something new. Whether you already have a side hustle, are considering one, or simply love hearing stories of everyday people achieving extraordinary things, this conversation will leave you inspired to think differently about the possibilities around you. Because sometimes success begins with a family recipe, a forgotten lamp, a ride for a neighbour's dog, or a love of cricket. Tune in and discover why the rise of side hustles is about much more than making money. It's about purpose, creativity, community, and believing in yourself. Host: Pri Abayakoon Program: Lifestyle Matters Station: Alive 90.5 FM

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Manjula Viswanath, a respected community leader, cultural advocate, and CEO of the Sydney Community Group. From her journey as a migrant arriving in Australia in 2001 to becoming one of Sydney's most influential voices in community service and multicultural engagement, Manjula shares the experiences that shaped her passion for helping others. In this special interview, we explore:  The story behind Sydney Community Group and its impact across Sydney  Supporting vulnerable communities and tackling social isolation  Women's leadership and empowering the next generation  The role of arts and culture in building stronger communities  The success of Rasika Dance Academy and the celebrated Chandraleka production  Her vision for the future of the Sydney Hills Shire and community development An uplifting conversation about service, leadership, cultural pride, and creating meaningful change. Listen now and be inspired by the power of community.  

Pause to Pivot: Finding Your Way Again In a world that constantly encourages us to keep moving, what if the most powerful step forward is actually a step back? This thought-provoking episode explores the importance of pausing to reflect, reassess, and realign with what truly matters. Through psychological insights, real-life examples, and practical reflection tools, we dive into why so many people feel stuck despite appearing successful, and how stepping back can create the clarity needed to move forward with purpose. We discuss the psychology behind change, including metacognition, goal disengagement and re-engagement, the sunk cost effect, fear of change, and how small, intentional pivots can lead to profound life transformation. If you've ever questioned your direction, felt disconnected from your goals, or sensed that your life no longer reflects who you're becoming, this episode is for you. Remember: Letting go of the wrong goal doesn't set you back—it sets you free.

Coming of Age: A Conversation on Becoming, Belonging & Being Description: What does it really mean to come of age? In this intimate and deeply reflective conversation, Pri sits down with Sri Lankan-Australian writer Yasasi Malmeewala, author of Coming of Age—a powerful collection of poetry and prose that explores girlhood, grief, identity, and the quiet complexity of becoming. From navigating dual identities and diaspora blues to redefining love, loneliness, and self-worth, Yasasi invites us into a world where writing becomes both refuge and revelation. This episode moves between the personal and the political—touching on modern womanhood, the meaning of “home,” the tenderness of grief, and the courage it takes to be fully seen.  A conversation for anyone who has ever felt in-between, undone, or still becoming.

Future Builders! Featuring: Nivanthi Reji Educator | Careers Adviser | Industry Connector Where Schools + Industry Unite to Build Tomorrow’s Workforce. In this powerful episode of Future Force Live, host Pri is joined by renowned educator and careers adviser Nivanthi Reji to unpack one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities: the disconnect between schools and industry. With over a decade working across Sydney schools, Nivanthi shares real stories from the classroom—especially from low‑SES communities—highlighting how early industry exposure can transform student confidence, aspiration, and employability. This episode isn’t just a conversation. It’s a direct call to action for employers, industry leaders, and organisations to step into schools and help shape the future workforce—through mentoring, workplace exposure, conversations, and collaboration.  If you’re in industry and wondering how to build talent pipelines that actually work—this show is for you.

Reclaiming Your Narrative Because you were never meant to live someone else’s story. In this powerful and reflective episode, Pri invites all—especially those navigating midlife, identity shifts, and quiet reinvention—into a deeply grounding conversation about authorship, truth, and becoming. So much of who we believe ourselves to be was shaped by expectations, survival, and roles we learned to perform. This episode gently explores what happens when that story no longer fits—and the courage it takes to acknowledge the whisper that says, “There’s more.” Through thoughtful reflection and embodied insight, Pri unpacks: How we inherit stories that once kept us safe—but now keep us small The hidden cost of staying in a life that’s “good enough” Why permission rarely comes from outside us What it truly means to reclaim your narrative without burning everything down How to move with fear without letting it decide your future This is not an episode about perfection, productivity, or dramatic change. It’s about honesty. Alignment. Self‑permission. And remembering that you are not the supporting character—you are the author. 🎧 A grounded, affirming listen for anyone ready to live with more integrity, intention, and internal consent.

Speak Your Truth – Money Stress & Mental Health Money stress is one of the most common — and least openly discussed — pressures in our lives. In this episode of Speak Your Truth on Alive 90.5FM, host Pri Abayakoon is joined by trusted financial adviser Ashish (Ash) Thadani, Director of Investlink Group, for an honest and reassuring conversation about how finances affect our mental health. Together, they unpack why money stress impacts sleep, confidence and relationships, explore the most common worries faced by Australian families, and share gentle mindset shifts and practical tools to reduce anxiety and break avoidance cycles. This is not a “get rich quick” conversation. It’s a real, compassionate discussion designed to help listeners feel less alone, less ashamed, and more empowered — one small step at a time.  Real talk. Practical tools. No judgement.

When My Father Speaks His Truth – Lessons Without a Blackboard On this special episode of Speak Your Truth, I step out of the presenter’s chair and into something far more personal — a conversation with my  father. This is not an interview. It is a reflection on a life shaped by service, learning, and love. From a childhood guided by a principal father and a teacher mother, to a calling that led him into classrooms, curriculum writing, and education leadership both at home and abroad — including service in Seychelles and Botswana — this episode traces the journey of a man who believed deeply in the power of education to change lives. We hear stories of love and partnership through more than fifty years of marriage to his beloved Anula, the values that anchored their home, and the quiet lessons passed on to three children. Beyond titles and achievements, this conversation reveals a man who lived with integrity, faith, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to family, community, and humanity. As he reflects on retirement, legacy, and the principles that guided his life, this episode reminds us that the most powerful lessons are not always taught from a blackboard — they are lived, modelled, and passed on through generations. This is a story of purpose. A story of service. And a daughter honouring the truth of the man who shaped her world.

Seaside Shift — Conversations That Move You Episode: Coaching That Changes You: Identity, Action & Empowerment What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of motivation—but an identity you’ve outgrown? In this episode of Seaside Shift — Conversations That Move You, we sit down with Sydney‑based empowerment coach Sophie Lorre for an honest, practical conversation about what coaching really is, how it differs from therapy, and why so many high‑functioning women find themselves trapped in self‑limiting loops. Together, we unpack identity, mindset, communication, neuroscience‑informed tools, and NLP—breaking down what actually happens inside a coaching session and how small internal shifts can create powerful, lasting change. If you’ve been feeling “on” all the time, stretched thin, or quietly craving clarity and balance—this episode offers insight, language, and a gentle nudge forward.  

What happens when teens stop scrolling and start reflecting? On this episode of Speak Your Truth with Pri on Alive 90.5FM, Pri sits down with Davina Raj, a thoughtful Year 11 student, to unpack how social media is shaping young lives — both online and offline. Sparked by a real-life conversation with a youth who reminded us that “not everything online is real — some of it’s glorified,” this show explores the power, pressure, and potential of social media for today’s youth. Together, Pri and Davina dive into: • The difference between real life and highlight reels • Social media’s impact on confidence, comparison, and connection • Mental health, digital habits, and “scroll stress” • How teens can use social platforms with purpose — not pressure • Why face-to-face conversations still matter (yes, even when they’re awkward!) Plus, listeners are invited to try the Taro Tea Challenge — a simple offline moment that could change how we connect. This is an honest, hopeful conversation for teens, parents, educators, and anyone navigating life between the scroll and the soul.

Today on the show, we welcome Pri Nola Gu Rie Physiotherapists back into the studio for another insightful radio chat. In this session, we’re joined by a physiotherapist‑turned injury management consultant and the founder of iPrana, responding to some thoughtful questions sent in by different sections of our community. This conversation is not medical advice, but a relaxed and informative discussion designed to help listeners better understand the world of physiotherapy, injury management, and movement health. Segment 1 – Understanding the Body & Injury We explore: •  What’s one must‑do everyday stretch most people can benefit from? •  When diagnosing a physical concern, how important is understanding the social or environmental context in which the injury occurred? •  What injuries are most commonly treated in physiotherapy practice? Segment 2 – Pathways & Professions We also unpack: •  Advanced certifications available to physiotherapists—such as Dry Needling and Orthopedic specialisations—and which ones may be most valuable •  The key differences between Physiotherapy and Kinesiology, and how each supports recovery and movement in different ways A grounded, practical conversation that connects clinical expertise with real‑life experiences.