The Open Mind #1: New Ways Through the Hard Parts

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Open Mind, a new panel event series from Books in the Brewery, dedicated to cracking open the difficult conversations we usually have behind closed doors. For our first outing, we’re exploring "New Ways Through the Hard Parts."

Why is it that the things we all go through are the things we talk about the least?

We’ve brought together three distinct voices who have mapped the "hard parts" of the human experience from three very different angles:

Gerard McCann (Anatomy of a Secret, 2025 WA Premier’s Book Award Winner) an architect who set out to write a memoir, which developed into a major exploration of clerical sexual abuse and its lifelong consequences.

Dr. Marny Lishman (Only You: The Unexpected Gift of Being Alone) A nurturer at heart, Marny draws on her deep understanding of the human condition to create powerful learning and development experiences. She weaves the philosophy and practical tools of positive psychology with her strong commitment to prevention, applying them across diverse settings.

Casey Beros (Next of Kin) For more than two decades, Casey has been translating complex health evidence into ideas that actually change how people live. Her work sits at the intersection of human connection, longevity science and the stories that move us to act.

This isn’t a panel about "getting over it." It’s about intentionally navigating the hard parts of life with your identity, your health, and your mind intact. Join us for an evening of radical honesty, evidence-based insights, and a shared look at finding a new way forward.

Seating will be cabaret style and dinner service will be available from the bar until 6:45pm.

Books available for sale on the night.

Doors: 6pm

Conversation starts: 6.45pm

Books sales & signings: 8:15pm

Early Bird Tickets Now Available!

$10 Ticket Only
$17 Ticket & Drink
$42 Ticket, Drink & 1 book
$110 Ticket, Drink & all 3 books