Resilience, courage, and caring for others with Andrew Mac Donald • Animals & Us E03
Andrew grew up in Sydney with a rare bone disorder (XLH), underwent painful surgeries, and experienced contrasting childhoods with his healthy twin brother. Despite physical challenges, Andrew pursued music and sound engineering, then became a Bunnings manager, utilising his organisational and managerial skills. At 24, Andrew confronted robbers at Bunnings, displaying bravery but subsequently faced […]
Dealing with loss and finding purpose with Kobe Steele • Animals & Us E02
Kobe Steele has always been an animal person in Australia, having lived with dogs and cats her whole life, treating them as beloved family members. After a successful career in media as a TV and radio host and before finding her calling in conservation, Kobe brought her communication skills to important environmental causes. After the […]
From Coma to Ironman Glory with Tynan Narywonczyk
Born and raised in Queensland, Tynan was a painting apprentice, living a typical young man’s life, when a tragic accident at 19 caused serious injuries, including a brain injury and coma. Doctors doubted his recovery, setting the stage for a long, tough journey ahead. Despite predictions, Tynan endured relentless medical appointments and rehab sessions. He […]
Trailer – Animals and Us – New Kintsugi Heroes Podcast Series
Animals & Us explores and celebrates the transformative power of human-animal connections. Each episode features guests sharing personal stories of how animals have brought healing, connection, and transformation to their lives, alongside insights from experts in eco-psychology, animal therapy, compassion, and animal communication. Rooted in the Biophilia Theory, Animals & Us recognises the essential bond […]
Overcoming Health Issues and Prejudice to Promote LGBTQ+ Rights in Boxing
Diagnosed with severe asthma and later Addison’s disease, Martin faced numerous health scares, including pancreatitis and septic shock, early in life. Growing up in the late ’80s, Martin dealt with being gay during the HIV/AIDS crisis, influenced by negative media. He came out as gay at 27, despite fears and societal stereotypes, marking a significant […]
Transforming Illness and Grief through Storytelling with Asher Packman
Asher feels a deep connection to Byron Bay where he grew up. His father’s complex history, shaped Asher’s upbringing and their challenging relationship led to an early estrangement, but Asher is now committed to healing and reconnecting with his father. Initially he pursued a successful corporate career Asher found himself dissatisfied despite others perceiving him […]
Lightning Luke’s Journey to Positive Change through Storytelling with Luke Cook (Kintsugi Heroes)
Luke Cook, an only child raised by his extroverted mother, developed a knack for socialising early. His father’s passing at age 4 deeply influenced his life’s perspective. Engaging in drama and public speaking during his school years, Luke showed a passion for storytelling and captivating audiences with his charisma and humour. At 19, he started […]
On ADHD, Burning Out, Discovering Flow and Forgiving Yourself with Jamie Toyne
Born in Melbourne, Jamie faced adoption and an early ADHD diagnosis, but found solace and focus through sports, especially tennis and soccer. When he was six, Jamie moved to Alice Springs with his adoptive mother. Despite a rough environment, sports remained his constant anchor. He excelled in tennis, earning a sports scholarship and turning pro […]
Storytelling through songwriting and living with ADHD & RSD with Ben Drysdale
Ben’s passion for music was sparked early, paving the way to his musical journey. He was inspired by childhood road trips, family music collections blending classical and popular tunes. Ben’s academic path intertwined with creative pursuits of music and theatre when he attended ANU in Canberra before furthering his studies at Simon Fraser University in […]
Advocating for Accessibility after Legally Blind at 42 with Narelle Gatti
Narelle has a severe vision impairment that means she uses a guide dog to get around. She only started to lose my sight about 16 years ago and has lived with only seeing shapes for the last two years. She is an advocate for digital accessibility in Australia and work to let people know about […]