Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you
Reframing trauma from victim identity to material for growth: Dr Heena Cheung survived childhood sexual abuse and anorexia, then used one sentence to unlock a shift that led her to run for Senate and fight for NDIS housing and migrant women’s rights. This is her story of how life doesn’t happen to you-it happens for […]
Why I spent years refusing the one thing I needed most
Daniel lost his sight at 16 to a genetic condition he couldn’t control. But his story isn’t about overcoming disability. It’s about learning to see differently, finding strength in asking for help, and building a life of purpose beyond what he thought he’d lost. ⚠️ Content advisory: this episode discusses mental health & wellbeing, which […]
Self-Esteem vs Self-Worth | Which One Actually Matters? | Kintsugi Heroes
Self worth and self esteem aren’t the same thing. In this Grit Diaries episode, Deborah Weed shares how a three-year health crisis and a single metaphor rewired her understanding of her own value. Self worth and self esteem look the same from the outside, but they’re built on completely different ground. Deborah Weed spent over […]
31 Years of Support: Why Jeff Parker Says ‘You Don’t Have to Do It Alone’
SUMMARY At 25, Jeff Parker was a weightlifter in country New South Wales. A week later, he was paralysed from the waist down by a tumour in his spinal cord no doctor had seen coming. In this episode of Golden Threads, host Daniel Dougherty sits down with Jeff — now 61, blind, an NDIS advocate, […]
Paternal Leave Forced Him to Question Everything
Colin Parsons spent years trying to be who everyone else wanted. Here’s how he stopped people-pleasing, quietened his inner critic, and learned to like who he actually is. Colin is a conversationalist and LinkedIn host from Luxembourg who now has deep conversations for a living. In this episode he opens up about the long road […]
My dream job fired me for raising concerns #career #corporate #storytime
In this Grit Diaries conversation, we hear a personal account of navigating a challenging “toxic work environment.” Jo recounts an unexpected “performance review” after raising a workplace concern, highlighting the impact of poor “leadership” and potential “bullying.” This narrative offers poignant insight into the complexities of “human resources” and the sentiment of “i hate my […]
He Spent 14 Years in the Closet—Then He Changed the Military
The Closet Is a Performance: How Gene Moore Dismantled Homophobia in the World’s Toughest Institutions Gene Moore spent 14 years in the closet as a pastor before a crisis forced him out. After losing his partner Victor in a plane crash, he developed a framework that transformed how the military and police understand homophobia, not […]
Her First Certificate After Years of Struggle #inspiration #womensupport
We highlight the significance of a certificate as a “golden hope” for women facing challenges and lacking prior work experience. This episode emphasizes the pride and accomplishment felt by women receiving these certificates after completing a course, showcasing true skill development. It’s a testament to empowering women through free training and personal development to achieve […]
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 […]
Unlocking Emotions The Physical Toll of Repressed Feelings
🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ljf12pNJ27600dNAj3Cbg?si=2141b2c2ebc74dd3 About Kintsugi Heroes: Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, transformation, and lived experience. Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing broken pottery with gold — we believe our cracks are what make us stronger. 🌐 Website: kintsugiheroes.com.au 🔔 Subscribe for new […]