In this episode of Your Neighborhood Show, Carolyn sits down with Brisbane adventurer and boat builder Tom Robinson, who became the youngest person to row the Pacific Ocean after setting off from Peru in a boat he designed and built himself. Tom shares how his love of solitude on the Brisbane River shaped his inner world, and how that quiet became fuel for an enormous self-made rite of passage. Along the way, he opens up about fear, surrender, and the unexpected kindness of strangers—from fishermen at sea to island communities who welcomed him as family. It’s a gripping story of resilience and risk, but also a heartfelt reflection on why disconnection is often the doorway to deeper connection.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – 05:30 | Welcome + theme of connection/disconnection
Carolyn introduces the show’s purpose and sets the tone for a story that holds both struggle and meaning.

05:30 – 13:30 | Meet Tom Robinson + the record-setting row
Tom’s bio and achievement: building his boat, rowing the Pacific, and the journey’s dramatic end near Vanuatu.

13:30 – 22:00 | Childhood in Yeronga + the river as refuge
Triplet life, a chaotic home, and how rowing became Tom’s calm, independence, and meditation.

22:00 – 30:00 | The dream forms: “I’m going to row the Pacific”
Adventure books, the mirror moment at 14, and why rowing felt like the ultimate challenge.

30:00 – 39:00 | Preparation: apprenticeship, boatbuilding, and obsessive planning
Tom explains learning boatbuilding, designing “Maiwar,” and the thousands of decisions needed to survive at sea.

39:00 – 47:00 | Leaving Brisbane + arriving in Peru + delays and bureaucracy
Saying goodbye, customs setbacks, the unexpected “ransom,” and local helpers who make launch possible.

47:00 – 54:30 | The sendoff + early days alone at sea
A powerful departure ceremony, then immediate focus on survival near busy shipping lanes.

54:30 – 59:30 | Day 49: fear → connection with fishermen
A tense encounter turns into generosity when fishermen bring supplies and tuna after weeks of isolation.

59:30 – 1:08:30 | Day 75: blown off course + major reroute to Penrhyn
The emotional hit of losing the original plan, calling home, and aiming for a tiny island with a dangerous reef entry.

1:08:30 – 1:16:00 | Survival mode + surrender + “nirvana” at sea
Tom describes hardship, then a profound peace—accepting any outcome and finding inner stillness.

1:16:00 – 1:23:00 | Landfall at Penrhyn: towed into the lagoon + a new name
A cinematic arrival, safety at last, and being given the name Mata Hoho Asanga (“the warrior that has paddled from afar”).

1:23:00 – 1:27:30 | Island life + community values
Church, singing, work projects, and what Penrhyn taught Tom about meaning beyond individualism.

1:27:30 – 1:30:30 | Capsize + rescue near Vanuatu (high-level recap)
Tom recounts the terrifying overturn, the night on the hull, beacon activation, and being picked up by a ship.

1:30:30 – 1:32:00 | Advice + gratitude
Tom’s message to young people: make a plan, tell people, commit—plus thanks to his parents for freedom and support.

In this deeply moving episode of Your Neighborhood Show, Carolyn sits down with Julie, a participant-turned-volunteer at Sailability, to explore the remarkable journey of a woman who has quietly survived isolation, emotional abuse, neurodivergence, and chronic illness—and emerged with strength, creativity, and purpose. From early childhood mornings spent alone in convent gardens, to rediscovering joy on a sailboat in Townsville, Julie opens up about the challenges of being autistic in a world that often misunderstands, the long silence of an abusive marriage, and the radical act of reclaiming her voice through music, writing, and community. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and the healing power of connection.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Introduction
Carolyn introduces the theme of connection and disconnection, and welcomes Julie from the inclusive sailing organization, Sailability.

02:30 – A Childhood in Solitude
Julie recounts her early years spent alone in convent and school gardens, reflecting on how solitude shaped her comfort with being alone and her hesitancy around connection.

08:00 – Autism, Observation, and Self-Sufficiency
She shares how her autism likely contributed to her isolation and her affinity for quiet, creative exploration through nature and books.

12:30 – Music as a Lifeline
By age four, Julie was playing piano. Through school, travel, and cruise ships, music became her sanctuary and mode of expression.

18:15 – Growing Up Different
Julie discusses the disconnect she felt with peers due to her family's extensive travel and her mature worldview, often keeping her experiences to herself.

22:00 – The Pen Pal That Changed Her Life
A French pen pal led to a lifelong friendship, a solo trip to France at 17, and a safe space to build connection at her own pace.

28:00 – The Marriage That Silenced Her
Julie opens up about her 25-year marriage where emotional abuse and coercive control silenced her music and joy, until she found the strength to leave.

33:30 – Homeschooling, Healing, and Motherhood
Julie reflects on channeling her energy into homeschooling her two children, using music and travel to help them thrive where she once felt limited.

39:00 – Rediscovery Through Travel and Culture
She shares adventures from Panama to Costa Rica, instilling in her children a love for the world and resilience through experience.

42:00 – From Breakdown to Breakthrough
After her divorce, Julie spent years unraveling chronic health issues and rediscovering who she was outside her roles.

45:00 – Sailing into Selfhood
A single ride with Sailability reconnected Julie with the ocean and community. Volunteering led her back to creativity through music and social media, reinventing how she gives back.

49:00 – Owning Her Story
Julie shares her greatest life lesson: that courage comes from leaning into community and vulnerability. “These are happy tears,” she says, as she embraces a new chapter with grace.🎧 For more stories of reinvention, resilience, and connection, listen to Your Neighbourhood Show.

📱 Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show

In this deeply moving conversation, Julian Jakobs opens up about a life marked by sweeping transitions, heartfelt connections, and painful disconnections — and how each of these shaped the man he is today. From a childhood spent across Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to the isolation of boarding school in Sydney, Julian shares moments of joy, loss, resilience, and reflection. His journey through marriage, fatherhood, estrangement, and rediscovery — including a letter to his estranged children — reveals the raw emotional terrain of what it means to be human. Carolyn holds the space beautifully, allowing Julian’s quiet wisdom and emotional generosity to shine. This is a powerful, authentic conversation about love, memory, and the hope that connection can be restored.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
Carolyn sets the tone for the show, introducing Julian Jacobs and the theme of connection vs. disconnection.

03:00 – Early Childhood Across Continents
Julian recalls his nomadic early life in Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Vivid memories of playing in creeks and bonding with local children show his early affinity for connection.

10:00 – Boarding School and Emotional Isolation
At age nine, Julian is sent to boarding school. He shares his pain of separation, homesickness, and how he coped — from letter writing to friendships that spanned decades.

20:30 – The Power of Lifelong Friendships
Reconnecting with childhood friends like Conrad and a beloved teacher 45 years later, Julian reflects on why reconnection matters more as we age.

27:00 – Complex Parental Dynamics
Julian discusses his distant relationship with his father and the painful memories of sailing together — a missed opportunity for bonding.

35:00 – Love, Marriage, and Divorce
Julian details his two marriages — the first ending in heartbreak, the second in emotional estrangement. He reflects honestly on red flags he ignored and how longing for stability shaped his choices.

42:00 – Estrangement from His Children
In a heartbreaking segment, Julian opens up about the 12-year estrangement from his daughter and more recent distancing from his son. He reads a letter to them — raw, loving, and hopeful.

50:00 – Coping with Grief and Loss
Julian shares the tools that have helped him cope: compartmentalizing pain, staying active, and receiving counseling.

53:00 – A New Chapter with Judy
Finding true connection later in life, Julian speaks joyfully about his partner Judy and the authentic love they now share.

57:00 – Reflections on Life and Legacy
Julian offers powerful insights on making the most of each day, living honestly, and the healing power of human connection.

60:00 – Closing Thoughts
Carolyn reflects on the emotional depth of Julian’s story, expressing gratitude for his openness and courage.

🎧 For more stories of reinvention, resilience, and connection, listen to Your Neighbourhood Show.
📱 Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | ubuntufoundation.com.au/your-neighbourhood-show