My sister’s disability changed everything I thought I wanted
Alyssa Chhim-Michelle grew up in a Cambodian Australian family shaped by her parents’ escape from genocide. When she learned her father carried a rare genetic condition, she faced an impossible choice about her own future. Now as her sister’s caregiver, she confronts the gap between family duty and the life she wants to build. Alyssa […]
The Moment I Stopped Using | Holly Deane-Johns | Kintsugi Heroes
Holly Deane-Johns spent 17 years in prisons across Australia and Thailand after struggling with heroin addiction from age 16. In this Kintsugi Heroes episode, she shares the moment she stopped using, how she rebuilt her life in prison, and why she now works directly with men leaving the system. ⚠️ Content advisory: this episode discusses […]
From Childhood Wonder to Lifelong Conservation with Ian Redmond | Animals & Us
Wildlife conservation is built on personal encounters with wild animals. Ian Redmond spent over 50 years protecting gorillas and elephants across Africa, beginning with a single letter to Dian Fossey that opened a door he never closed. This is the story of how curiosity, friendship, and grief transformed into a lifetime of work that saved […]
From Prison or Death to International Speaker | Jason Blyth’s Turning Point
Can we change the ending of our story? For many years, Jason Blyth believed that the trauma of his childhood had already determined how his life would end. On his 30th birthday, he woke up in rehabilitation facing a stark reality: if nothing changed, his future would lead to prison or death. In that moment, […]
Rebuilding My Life After the Unthinkable | Donna Kent
In this Kintsugi Heroes conversation, we hear a profoundly raw account of a woman’s lifelong experience with sexual abuse and sexual violence, beginning in childhood. She shares her healing journey from trauma, emphasizing that emotional processing is a journey without a timeline. This narrative offers a poignant look at coping with such significant experiences fostering […]
She Escaped the Abuser, Then Rebuilt Her Life | Donna Kent
A note before we begin. This conversation includes discussion of childhood trauma, emotional abuse, and physical abuse. Donna shares her story with great courage and some parts may be hard to hear, offering a poignant look at abuse recovery. Please take care as you watch or listen and pause whenever you need to. If you’re […]
How do you survive losing your son #griefhealing #lossofachild #heartbreak
In this Grit Diaries episode, we hear a profoundly raw account of a mother navigating the immediate shock and the deep experience of grief and death following her son’s passing. She shares her initial confusion and the slow process of dealing with loss, emphasizing that emotional healing is a journey without a timeline. This narrative […]
Darcy’s Confidence Shines! Inspiring Kids with Disability
In this Kintsugi Heroes episode, we showcase a heartwarming moment with a child who loves to participate, embodying a truly “family friendly” spirit. The speaker shares a sweet anecdote about their “toddler” proudly taking the microphone, demonstrating a natural desire to share and engage. It’s a beautiful example of “sharing is caring” within the “family”, […]
Two Years Without Eating, Then Came the Mango | Paul Jamieson | Kintsugi Heroes
For almost two years after his brain injury, Paul Jamieson could not eat or drink anything. When his speech pathologist finally decided he was ready to try, she asked him what he wanted. He said mangoes. He still remembers exactly what it tasted like. Nearly nine years ago, Paul was wakeboarding on a lake in […]
Kindness at the End: Harpreet Kalsi-Smith on Dying Well & Community
In this powerful Kintsugi Heroes episode, Harpreet Kalsi-Smith from The Kindness Company shares profound insights into the “psychology of grief” and the “mourning process”. She discusses “dealing with death” and the journey of “healing from grief”, emphasizing how we can find “finding peace after loss” even in the most challenging times. 💖 Harpreet Kalsi-Smith founded […]