When Catarina Fraga Matos was on maternity leave with her 18-month‑old daughter, she experienced a feeling she didn’t expect: “I found myself on maternity leave dreading going back to work, which isn’t normal because I like working. But I wasn’t excited about that job anymore.”
For someone who began her career in journalism, the realisation hit hard. Over a period of 15 years she had drifted from writing into communications and project management – solid work, but far from the fire she once felt for crafting human stories. “What I realised was I missed telling stories,” she says.
But the thought of returning to media felt daunting. “In the meantime, my peers had climbed the ranks … the thought of going back to the beginning was scary.”
What ultimately pushed her forward wasn’t just ambition – it was motherhood.
“At the back of my mind was, ‘I’ve got a daughter now, and if I want her to chase her dreams, I’ve got to show her what that looks like’.”
Rediscovering storytelling – and hearing a new possibility
Keen to reconnect with her creative side, Catarina joined a local writers’ group. The feedback she received was unexpectedly brutal – but also transformational.
“I got some pretty terrible feedback … but one person told me, ‘This sounds like a podcast,’ and that set me off on a journey of binge listening.”
Catarina tried to start a podcast herself but quickly realised her skills needed refreshing. “I thought I could do this on my own and I quickly realised I couldn’t. I knew I needed to be in a space of learning … to be in an environment of support and creativity and inspiration.”
So she enrolled in a TAFE course to begin rebuilding her technical foundation. The experience not only consolidated her skills but also whetted her appetite for a deeper exploration of audio, energising her ambition to refine her craft at a higher level.
That’s when the path pointed clearly to AFTRS.
Finding her craft at AFTRS
Catarina joined the Graduate Diploma of Radio and Podcasting full time on campus – a challenging choice as a mother of a toddler, but one she has never regretted.
“To be a good mum, you’ve got to fill your cup first … I reached a place where I realised that to be a good mum, I had to be good to me.”
At AFTRS, she discovered exactly what she’d been searching for: mastery, mentorship and a community that lifts each other up.
“What I’ve loved about AFTRS is here I’ve learned the craft … the art, the science of putting together incredible listening experiences.”
She speaks with deep appreciation about the teaching team: “The teaching staff here are amazing. They are absolute masters of their craft and incredibly generous with their time … the opportunities to sit one‑on‑one in addition to the classroom just really puts a rocket under your learning.”
The support from fellow students – especially other mums – has also been invaluable, according to Catarina.
“There are a lot of mums in the course … it’s really nice to compare notes. We definitely support each other, inspire each other and encourage each other through the realities of motherhood.”
Growing confidence, gaining experience
Alongside her studies, Catarina volunteered as a producer for All The Best, a community radio and podcast program dedicated to nurturing Australian audio storytelling. Here she gained invaluable practical experience that contributed to her appointment as programming & community coordinator for the program even before she graduated.
AFTRS also secured her a coveted placement at SBS.
“Towards the end of the course, AFTRS arranges work placements … I was lucky enough to go to SBS, which was a great fit because I’m really passionate about stories with impact and stories that reflect the reality of Australians.”
She’s especially driven by audio’s unique emotional power: “Audio has a really unique way of being able to reach people… it can open hearts and open minds.”
Looking ahead: stories with impact
Catarina’s future is anchored in human‑centred storytelling – stories that help people feel seen.
“I’m really passionate about stories that open hearts and open minds … non-fiction storytelling with social impact.”
She also hopes to create her own podcast, focusing on second acts, motherhood, identity and the deeply human experiences that shape us.
But above all, she hopes one person in particular will see what she did – and why.
“I think my daughter will be proud of her mum … that she chased her dreams.”
