Every
conversation.

Connecting the Dots with Monica

A Full Circle Conversation

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today For the final episode of Season 1 of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with my friend Monica for a deeply reflective conversation about creativity, mental health, friendship, and healing.This episode feels different slower, fuller, and more personal. We talk about the evolution of our friendship, the importance of space and reconnection, creativity as a way of processing life, and the idea that healing doesn’t mean erasing what’s marked us it means learning how to live with it.We talk about:– Friendship, distance, and repair– Creativity as expression and care– Mental wellbeing beyond perfection– Tattooing as storytelling and embodiment– Rest, boundaries, and self-compassion– Growth without erasureThis conversation closes Season 1 not with answers, but with reflection — a reminder that becoming is ongoing, and connection is something we return to again and again.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest MonicaSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Bea

Growing Up Online

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Bea for an open and reflective conversation about creativity, identity, boundaries, and growing up online.Bea shares her experience of discovering creativity early in life — through writing, film, and self-expression — and how social media, validation, and comparison shaped her sense of self at a young age. Together, we explore people-pleasing, emotional awareness, and what it means to learn boundaries while still becoming who you are.We talk about:– Growing up creative in a digital world– Social media, validation, and self-worth– Creativity as emotional regulation and survival– People-pleasing and learning boundaries– Identity, expression, and becomingThis episode isn’t about having everything figured out.It’s about noticing yourself in the process — and learning how to stay connected to your creativity without losing yourself.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest BeaSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Matt

Creativity, Collaboration, and Letting Go of Ego

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Matt for a grounded and thoughtful conversation about creativity, collaboration, pressure, and personal growth.Matt is a creative director working in advertising and film, where ideas are rarely created alone. Together, we explore what it means to collaborate without ego, how pressure and deadlines can both help and harm creativity, and why being easy to work with often matters more than having the “best” idea.We talk about:– Creativity within teams and systems– Collaboration versus control– Pressure, deadlines, and creative overwhelm– Learning to start imperfectly– Letting go of ego and self-inflicted stress– Emotional maturity in creative workThis episode isn’t about quick answers or dramatic moments.It’s about learning how to stay creative, human, and grounded while working with others — and with yourself.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional, I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest MattSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Zoe

On Survival, Boundaries, and Healing

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Zoe for a raw, honest, and deeply important conversation about creativity, mental health, boundaries, and survival.Zoe speaks openly about her journey as a creative and storyteller, navigating imposter syndrome, ambition, and identity while also sharing lived experiences of emotional abuse and domestic violence. Together, we talk about healing as a non-linear process, the role of boundaries, and why connection with others is often essential to recovery.We talk about:– Creativity as expression and survival– Imposter syndrome and self-belief– Emotional abuse and domestic violence– Boundaries, safety, and self-trust– Healing with and through others– The difference between survival and growthThis episode is heavy, honest, and compassionate.Please listen at your own pace and take care of yourself.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. This episode includes discussions around domestic violence, emotional abuse, and mental health. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional or a trusted support service.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest ZoeSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Chris

Figuring It Out as You Go

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Chris for a reflective conversation about creativity, ambition, mental health, and learning how to move through life with more awareness.Chris shares his journey through creativity, law, entrepreneurship, and burnout, not as a success story, but as an ongoing process. Together, we explore curiosity, rest, self-development, ADHD, and the quiet work of building systems that support both creativity and wellbeing.We talk about:– Creativity as identity, not just output– Growing up creative and questioning traditional paths– Burnout, rest, and responsibility– ADHD as difference, not deficit– Doing nothing, slowing down, and mental clarity– Balancing ambition with self-awarenessThis episode isn’t about having answers.It’s about thinking out loud, reflecting honestly, and recognising that growth often happens in the in-between moments.Younger listeners may see where they’re headed.Older listeners may remember where they’ve been.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional, I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Filmed by Beatrice Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest ChrisSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Mario

Healing, Self-Belief, and Mental Wellbeing

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Mario for a thoughtful conversation about mental wellbeing, creativity, self-belief, and the importance of being truly listened to.Mario is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, but his creativity extends far beyond medicine, through painting, cooking, and reflection. Together, we explore how thoughts become beliefs, how beliefs shape our reality, and how self-talk can either limit or liberate us.We talk about:– Creativity as a form of regulation and release– Confidence, perfectionism, and self-acceptance– Mental health, therapy, and asking for help– Hormonal health and its impact on mental wellbeing– Empathy in medicine and everyday life– People who come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetimeThis episode is about compassion, for ourselves and for others and the quiet work of choosing kinder thoughts, deeper awareness, and more intentional living.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube & Spotify.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest MarioSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee ArtSnacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Xandri

Learning to Sit With It

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with Xandri for a deep and reflective conversation about mental wellbeing, communication, and personal growth.Drawing from his experience in sport and coaching, Xandri shares how movement became a way to regulate his mind, navigate darker moments, and build mental resilience. Together, we explore guilt, gratitude, pride, forgiveness, and the importance of learning to sit with our emotions rather than pushing them away.We talk about:– Sport as a tool for mental regulation– Learning to sit with difficult emotions– Communication, pride, and reaching out– Strength vs perceived superiority– Coaching, mindset, and mental freedom– Playing “the whole film” before acting– Forgiveness, growth, and repairing connectionThis episode is about slowing down, becoming more intentional, and learning how awareness, not avoidance, shapes a healthier relationship with ourselves and others.🎧 Watch / listen now on YouTube Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest Zach DemarcoSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Zach

Creativity Beyond Art

This episode is in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I sit down with my friend Zach for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, connection, and what it means to stay present in a world full of distractions.Zach comes from a highly technical background, yet his creativity shows up through problem-solving, cooking, running, and designing solutions when traditional forms of expression didn’t feel accessible.Together, we explore how creativity isn’t limited to art, it lives in movement, curiosity, conversation, and the ways we process life.We talk about:– Finding your creative outlet– Flow states and mental wellbeing– Friendship, effort, and emotional responsibility– Men and emotional communication– Phone addiction and modern disconnection– AI, creativity, and the future of critical thinking– Why some relationships aren’t failures This episode is less about answers and more about reflection slowing down, listening deeply, and allowing different perspectives to challenge how we see ourselves and the world around us.🎧 Watch / listen now on Youtube - Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest Zach DemarcoSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Nicole

Finding Her Way Through Uncertainty

This episode is also in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today - Find out more here In this episode of Connecting the Dots, I’m joined by Nicole — a pediatric speech therapist — for a gentle, honest conversation about finding your way through uncertainty.While painting together, Nicole shares how she discovered her path into speech therapy, navigated academic pressure, and learned to trust her instincts during a period of waiting after graduation. We talk about anxiety without labels, creativity beyond art, and how working with children — especially neurodivergent children — reshaped her understanding of empathy, play, and connection.This episode is a reminder that mental wellbeing doesn’t always show up in extremes, and that creativity can live quietly in the way we listen, adapt, and care for others.This episode supports mental health awareness. If this conversation resonates with you, consider donating to help raise funds for the Richmond Foundation and support their work in mental health care.Gentle note: I’m not a mental health professional — I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De Bono Filmed by Andrew Morris Special Thanks to Mental Health Specialists: Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSpecial Guest Nicole Pavia Aloisio Sponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee Art Snacks & Beverage by Pcutajar

Connecting the Dots with Emily

A Chef’s Take on Creativity & Mental Wellbeing

This episode is also in support of the Richmond Foundation If you’d like to support the initiative, please consider donating today - Find out more HereIn Episode 1, I’m joined by Emily, a chef who brings creativity into her world through food.This episode is the beginning of Connecting Dots — a series where I invite guests into my space to paint with me and have honest conversations about mental wellbeing, creativity, and the inner work behind what we do.What we cover in this episode:Why Emily said yes to this conversation, even though painting felt out of her comfort zoneHow food can be a form of creativity, connection, and nostalgiaBalancing comfort food and nutrition without turning food into “good vs bad”The myth that what you eat completely determines your moodWork, purpose, and the pressure of being drivenImposter syndrome as a creative and business owner, and how Emily pushes through itLeadership, delegation, and keeping a team motivated while holding standardsAdvice Emily would give her younger self (and to other chefs) about doubt and growthGentle note: I’m not a mental health professional, I’m a curious creative creating space for conversation. If anything discussed brings something up for you, please consider seeking support from a qualified professional.This Episode was:Hosted, Produced and Edited by Mattie De BonoFilmed by Andrew MorrisPhotographed by Tyler Calleja JacksonSpecial Thanks to Mental Health Specialists:Martina Saliba & Alana AttardSponsored by:Location & Art Supplies by VeeGeebee ArtSnacks & Beverage by P.Cutajar