Ep.29: Ric Raftris
About this episode
Nick and Ray interview Ric Raftis about his journey as a community leader and mental health advocate.
In this episode of the 'I Should Have Stayed In Bed' podcast, Nick and Ray sit down with Ric Raftis — a passionate community leader, bush poet, musician, AI tinkerer, and mental health advocate from Wedderburn, Victoria. Ric shares his remarkable journey through the highs and lows of rural life, from coordinating Black Dog Ride events to raise awareness for depression and suicide prevention, to his deep involvement with the Wedderburn-Korong Vale RSL and Lions Club efforts to support local aged care and community resilience. Expect heartfelt conversations on mental health, the power of mateship in tough times, and Ric’s creative outlets — including his Australian bush poetry and original music. He also dives into his love of AI tools for personal knowledge management (Obsidian PKM workflows), strategic consulting for non-profits, and personal growth. Raw, honest, and inspiring — this episode is a reminder that even on the days you’d rather stay in bed, getting up and connecting with your community can make all the difference. Links:risestrategic.aublackdoginstitute.org.au
People in this episode
Hosts: Nick, Ray
Guest: Ric Raftis
Topics covered
- mental health
- community engagement
- bush poetry
- music
- AI tools
- personal growth
Keywords
- mental health
- community resilience
- bush poetry
- AI tools
- depression awareness
- music
- personal knowledge management
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Black Dog Ride, Wedderburn-Korong Vale RSL, Lions Club, Obsidian PKM, Black Dog Institute
Places: Wedderburn, Victoria
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