In this episode of the Social Lights Podcast, podcast host and Social Mediology founder Kate vanderVoort chats with Petrea King who is CEO of the Quest for Life Foundation which she established in 1989. She is a well-known author, inspirational keynote speaker, teacher and facilitator. She is also qualified as a naturopath, herbalist, clinical hypnotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher.

About Petrea

More than 125,000 people have attended residential programs or counselling with Petrea and her team since 1985.  Petrea has been a regular guest on ABC Radio Sydney for almost 20 years – on Richard Glover’s Mid-Week Conference and Nightlife. In 2003 she was celebrated on Channel 9’s This Is Your Life and has been featured on Australian Story, Compass and many other television productions. An acclaimed documentary was jointly commissioned by Channel 4 (UK) and the ABC called Quest for Life – A Year in the Life of Petrea King in 1990.

She has received the Advance Australia Award, Citizen of the Year and the Centenary Medal for her contribution to the community and has been nominated for Australian of the year each year since 2003 as well as being a NSW finalist for Senior Australian of the Year in 2011. Petrea sees crisis as a catalyst for personal growth and understanding and as an opportunity for healing and peace.

BIG IDEA 1

“Shared experiences create deep and everlasting bonds” (19:26)

Whilst many deep and everlasting friendships are created at the residential programs, the Quest for Life Foundation also uses Facebook to interact and connect with members of their community. This involves regular posts and live events that allow people to be involved and grow within the community. The use of Facebook allows for members to tune in to live mini workshops with the facilitators or the weekly meditation group with Petrea. 

BIG IDEA 2

“Technology impacts human connection in a positive way” (24:10)

Quest are always looking for new ways to interact with their community, even if it is to have a little chat every now and again or to be there a critical moment in someone’s life. Through the use of technology, past participants and those who can’t attend programs, can keep engaged, build and maintain a strong relationship with each other and the origanisation.

BIG IDEA 3

“What matters is your intention, be very clear about what your intention is and then show up” (33:47)

Petrea says when building a community on social media, it is essential to be clear your intentions and if you make a commitment, follow through. You need to have good vibration. If you pour yourself into that, you're pouring yourself into that energy field and it will begin to resonate for those that need it. Another key piece of advice Petrea gives is to establish good time management. Make sure you divide your time well, turn up 100% and give it your focus and attention rather than being half-hearted about anything.

Episode Links

You can find Petrea King at:

·         https://questforlife.org.au/

·         https://www.facebook.com/QuestforLifeAus

·         instagram.com/questforlifefoundation/

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