News from the Room
It’s easy to let fear of rejection keep you quiet. The possibility of silence or failure can make doing nothing feel safer than taking a risk.
Since going all in on Room Eleven, I’ve felt that fear often. Every email I send, every story I share, every pitch I make carries hope, and the risk of hearing nothing back.
A lot of the time, that’s exactly what happens.
No reply. No booking. No clear win.
But every so often, something unexpected happens: a message arrives from someone I’d never thought of. A conversation begins in a completely different direction. An opportunity appears, not from the goal I was chasing, but simply because I made the first move.
But there’s something deeper going on. Every time you take a risk, even when you’re scared, you’re not just hoping for a result. You’re creating leverage. By putting yourself out there, you show what you care about and what you’re willing to try. That simple act can open doors you’d never see otherwise. It’s this hidden leverage that can lead to opportunities, conversations, or paths you couldn’t have planned.
That’s the part we don’t talk about enough: the hidden value of putting yourself out there.
Because trying isn’t just about the outcome you planned. It’s about creating movement, giving new possibilities a chance to find you.
Taking the risk to share what matters to you won’t always lead to the result you wanted. But it can open doors you didn’t even know existed. And sometimes, those doors lead to places better than what you were aiming for.
So here’s something to try this week:
What’s one thing you’ve been holding back on sharing, asking, or trying?
Take the step. Put it out there. You might be surprised by what comes back.
The 411
This Week at Room Eleven
Episode 3 Wrapped + Red Nose Working Group Begins
Episode 3 of the Room Eleven Podcast is officially in the can and heading to the editing room. My guest for this episode was Matthew McConnell, founder of Love from Dad — it was a powerful conversation I can’t wait to share with you.
Outside of podcasting, it’s been a week of emails, outreach, and a failed attempt at hiring a volunteer. Some wins, some losses, just keeping on keeping on.
I’ve also joined a Bereaved Dads Working Group with Red Nose, where we’re working on new resources and awareness campaigns to better support dads grieving the loss of a child. It was a great first session for me (I joined late), and I’m excited to see what evolves from here.
Sponsor a Kilometre. Power the Ride. Fund Real Change.
As mentioned last week, but leaving it in as a reminder. We launched a new way to get behind Scooting for Hope — and it’s perfect for people and businesses who want to be part of the record-breaking ride, without, you know, riding 270 km on a scooter.
We’re inviting 135–270 individuals and businesses to sponsor 1 or 2 kilometres of this world record attempt.
1 km = $150
Includes a certificate of appreciation, your name on our sponsor wall and official tracker, plus an invite to the private event at Calder Park.2 km (1+ lap) = $250
Everything above — plus a feature in the livestream, event materials, and across our socials.
This isn’t just a donation. It’s a purpose-driven partnership.
Support helps cover the infrastructure and broadcast costs, so every dollar from public donations can go straight to the Pregnancy After Loss Service at the Royal Women’s.
Room Eleven takes no profit. Just heart, wheels and momentum.
Weekly Musings
What I’m Watching: October Sky
October Sky is a 1999 coming-of-age drama based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner’s son in 1950s West Virginia who dreams of building rockets after the launch of Sputnik inspires him. Despite his father’s wishes for him to follow in his footsteps at the mine, Homer teams up with friends and a supportive teacher to chase a future beyond their small town.
This film is one of those underrated “remote droppers,” as coined by Christopher Nolan: whenever it popped up on TV, I’d always watch it. Now that it’s been released on Netflix, I felt compelled to revisit it. A young Jake Gyllenhaal stars, and you can already see his acting potential shining through, supported by a fantastic cast.
October Sky still resonates with me today, it’s about striving for better, improving yourself in pursuit of a dream, and lifting up the people around you along the way.
If you’re looking for a great feel-good film, this is it.
What I’m Reading: For We Are Many (Bobiverse, Book 2)
In For We Are Many, Dennis E. Taylor continues the wild ride of the Bobiverse series. The story follows Bob Johansson — or rather, multiple copies of Bob — as they spread through the galaxy, each with unique personalities and goals. The Bobs work to secure humanity’s survival, rescue emerging alien species, and confront powerful cosmic threats, all while exploring the wonders and dangers of deep space.
This book is a great follow-on from the first. It’s a testament to how brilliant a writer Dennis E. Taylor is, managing to keep the story cohesive even as characters — who are all variants of the same person — embark on different arcs across an expanding universe. It’s more expansive than the first installment, yet somehow even more grounded in personal moments and relatable experiences.
Get on it, people!
Quote I’m Pondering: “Circumstance does not make the man. It reveals him to himself.”
“Circumstance does not make the man. It reveals him to himself.”
— James Allen (though it may have been coined earlier)
This is something I’ve thought about for a long time, but I’ve never found it phrased more succinctly than this. I’ve often wondered how I’d react in tough situations, whether I’d be the good role model I aspire to be, and whether I’d find the courage when it mattered most.
Looking back, I think the circumstances I’ve faced already have revealed who I truly am today.
Everything this week, from podcast recordings to pondering movies, books, and quotes, keeps hammering home one thing: taking even a tiny step forward can shake loose opportunities you’d never see coming. It’s less about having the perfect plan and more about giving the universe a nudge. Who you are shows up when you put yourself out there, and that’s when the good, weird, and unexpectedly great stuff starts to happen.
If you haven’t already, check out the Room Eleven Podcast and share it with someone who might need a dose of hope or a reason to feel less alone. The more people we reach, the bigger difference we can make for grieving families and efforts like Scooting for Hope. Let’s keep the ball rolling.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
See you next week!
Rob
Giving Back
Donate a Still Billie Box
Our care packages for families who’ve lost their baby, named after our baby daughter Billie. Offering comfort during what should be a special, happy time.
Your donation can make a real difference in allowing us to provide free Still Billie Boxes to hospitals across Australia and fund our Scooting for Hope $100k Campaign.
Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.