Hello, my name is Matthew Sortino and welcome to Moments of Clarity. Today, I am speaking to Mary Tomaino, or as I know her Miss Mary Tomaino.
Our lives are full of moments. Moments that help shape who we are today and many of these experiences are shaped by people. In most cases we are still connected to these people in one way or another but very occasionally, someone that was involved in your life for only a short amount of time can have a profound effect. This was true of my Primary School italian teacher, Miss Mary.
I cannot express how amazing it was to have had the opportunity to be a student in her class. Even though she left when I was only 9 or 10, I felt a special connection and energy to this person. And I was not the only one. Friends that went to different primary schools but were taught by Miss Mary all have the same experience and fond memories.
What was it that captivated our little minds and hearts? How can a teacher have such an influence? Well, as we will find out in our conversation, Mary made us feel like equals. She valued who we were as people, not as kids or not as students. She has lived her life in this way, exploring the world and treating others as equals. Paying deep attention to everyone she meets and their stories, whether it be the elderly people she works with today or the thousands of students she taught throughout her lifetime.
I recently reached out to Mary and what do you know, she remembers so much about me over twenty years later, which is a testament to her character and values.
In today’s conversation, Mary and I discuss dealing with the impacts of coronavirus, the wisdom of our elders, the power of stories, spirituality, her stint as a nun, being a clown and a mime, being an Italian-Australian, politics, travel, teaching and so much more.
Thank you so much for listening to Moments of Clarity.
You can now follow Moments of Clarity on social media:
Instagram: @momentsofclaritypodcast
Facebook: @momentsofclaritypodcast
Twitter: @BarneyMOC
Podcast by Matthew Barney
Music by Christian Prochilo
Artwork by Michael Chrisanthopoulos
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Episode 48 - ”Culture is Everything” with Dr Andrew Hattam
Episode 47 - ”Looking Past the Narrative” with Joseph Merz
Episode 46 - ”Challenging the System” with Brad Scott
Episode 45 - ”Save my home, Save the world” with Anika Molesworth
Episode 44 - ”Choosing Expansion” with Jeff Lester
Episode 43 - "A Life at Sea" with Reg McNee
Episode 42 - "Empowering Resilient Communities" with Amanda Leck
Episode 41 - "Autonomy, Competence and Purpose" with Franco Greco
Episode 40 - "Recognising the Moment" with James Clement
Episode 39 - “Empathy, Creativity and Vulnerability” with Claire Tonti
Episode 38 - "Happy Families" with Dr Justin Coulson
Episode 37 - “A Principles-Based Approach to Decision Making” with Dr Xavier Csar
Episode 36 - "Being the Adult in the Room" with Abdi Aden
Episode 35 - “The Creative Advantage” with Maria Simonelli
Episode 34 - “Sucking the Marrow out of Life” with Glenn Manton
Episode 33 - “Adapting, Surviving and Thriving” with Toby Kent
Episode 32 - "It Takes a Village..." with Liam and Amanda McFadden
Episode 31 - "Activating your Agency" with Hana Assafiri
Episode 30 “Nature is our Saviour” with Korkor Kugblenu
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