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PODCAST

Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a powerful Australian podcast sharing real-life stories of resilience, mental health, and human transformation. Each episode features raw, honest conversations with everyday people who have overcome adversity including addiction, trauma, grief, illness, financial hardship, and life-altering challenges. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi — repairing what’s broken with gold — this podcast explores how life’s toughest moments can shape strength, purpose, and connection

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

01:07:06

Coping with anxiety and depression after workplace...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2026/02/10

Peter Donnell grew up in Sydney’s northern suburbs. His career began strongly but the early 2000s brought unexpected hurdles, including workplace changes and the closure of his office. He also faced tough commutes and job stress.His wife’s health after childbirth brought extra challenges at home. Managing a newborn and household demands grew more difficult and pressures continually increased during this period.After changing jobs Peter was deeply affected by workplace bullying and exclusion. He

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01:05:03

Creative business success, the loss of loved ones,...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2026/02/03

Margotwas born in 1962 in Australia, the daughter of Dutch immigrant parents.Sheleft school in year 11 and went to art school in the Netherlands for a little while.Onherreturnshesecured an apprenticeship the pre-press printing industry as a 'retoucherand dot etcher'.She worked inthattrade until openingherApple Computer store, Mac & Me in Avalon, Sydney in 1999.Her twodaughterswere born in the 90's.Sheclosed the computer business duringCOVIDand moved to the countrywhere shecompleted aDiploma of

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56:51

Adventure and exploring life, through service, family...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2026/01/20

From war zones to slums, Aaron Tait has travelled to and worked in more than 70 countries across the globe as a military officer, humanitarian and social entrepreneur, and now writes to help people live deliberate lives filled with purpose.Aaron was thrust into the frontline of international crisis at a young age, deploying to Iraq immediately after 9/11 as a 17-year-old military officer. A move to East Africa at 25, saw him leading aid projects in crisis zones and urban slums. As a co-founder of

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01:01:33

After Africa with Michael Stewart (part 2/2)

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2026/01/06

Michael describes how leaving Africa for Australia broughthim bothemptiness and relief. Building a new life meant loss of networks and family upheaval, including divorce,yet the safety, law and order in Australia provided comfort.Michael’s passion for high-risk activities like kayaking, skydiving, and micro-lighting was driven by adrenaline and the thrill of adventure, helping him stay present. These pursuits became an alternative to addiction after war.Over decades, Michael survived multiple

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01:07:24

Built for Africa with Michael Stewart (part 1/2)

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/12/23

Michal’s childhood was filled with outdoor adventure and freedom in Rhodesia, growing up on a hobby farm, fishing and riding, but also navigating a complex relationship with his Scottish father’s temper.Being sent to boarding school at a young age shaped Michael’s sense of independence and self-reliance but also led to feelings of abandonment and questions about his own self-worth over many years.He recalls a safe, respectful community where race was not a dividing factor in his friendships, but

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01:07:38

The importance of mindfulness, connection, and...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/12/09

John had a tough childhood, surviving mental and physical abuse. Living on the streets at fourteen shaped his empathy, wisdom, and understanding of the challenges facing many men today.From truck driver to mindfulness coach, John’s story includes surviving a catastrophic accident, experiencing a spiritual awakening, and transforming years of darkness into clarity. He teaches simple practices that bring peace and connection.John’s life was changed by spiritual prompts, powerful stories, and

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51:27

The healing power of compassion with Dr Petrina Barson

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/11/25

Petrina Barson grew up as the youngest of five girls in a loving family, surrounded by compassion and kindness. Her early life set the foundations for her caring nature. She attended a church school, learning about Christian principles and compassion. The experience shaped her guiding light, even though she did not fully embrace all its teachings.Medicine was not an obvious path for Petrina. She found medical education challenging and often felt her natural compassion was unwelcome or overlooked

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58:14

Discovering the power of storytelling, faith, and...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/11/11

Daniel had a fairly normal upbringing with a supportive family, a love of nature, and a Catholic faith. He loves family, friends, community, and his dog.Daniel says his Catholic upbringing is very important to him. He holds faith sacred, has a strong sense of values, and appreciates opportunities to reflect and understand what truly matters in life.He loves connecting and is most comfortable when others share their stories. He found out how much good friends matter, and believes in the power of

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55:40

Creating a holistic healing sanctuary for people...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/10/28

Sharna is the Founder of Kindred Spirits a not-for-profit organisation with the vision to create a holistic healing sanctuary for children who've experienced trauma. As a transformation coach she helps people overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and people-pleasing through her signature Reclamation process, holistically reclaiming the mind, body, emotions and spirit. As a child, she was sexually abused by her step-grandfather, which left her depressed, anxious, lost, shy and with low self-worth. She

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01:10:03

Understanding emotion and finding freedom with...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/10/14

Sherrie Laryse is an Emotional Intelligence Consultant with a degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and a background in human behaviour, trauma, psychosomatics, mental illness, yoga, and meditation. She has authored two books about overcoming challenges—"On Path” and “The Body Talks Back”—and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Psychological Anthropology, specialising in emotional intelligence skills. Sherrie’s aim is to empower people to feel a sense of freedom in who they are—as they

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01:07:27

Generational grief and self-discovery with Michelle...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/09/30

Michelle grew up as an only child in Melbourne, surrounded by adults, in a quiet home shaped by grief, missed connections and a sense of being different from other children. Her early childhood was defined by few friends, no pets and a risk-averse environment, where independence grew from a lack of emotional nurturing and encouragement to play.Michelle learned to craft a polished exterior, which hid the turmoil within. She had two identities, one of which was secret, lonely, childless, heartbroken,

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01:02:31

Facing ADHD, anger, and finding strength in helping...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/09/16

Lance grew up moving often, with a tough childhood and feelings of not fitting in. He struggled at school, found it hard to make friends and often felt alone. Early on, Lance showed signs of ADHD and anger, feeling out of place and hearing constant criticism which shaped his self-belief and experience at home and school.He started work young, taking on paper rounds and mowing lawns. After working as a builder he felt restless and wanting more. At age 35, he joined the New Zealand police force. He

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01:29:12

Finding strength after setbacks with Mark Berridge

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/09/09

Mark grew up in Albany in WA, enjoying nature and learning from his schoolteacher parents, who blended creativity, resilience and the support that shaped his values and curiosity. After finishing high school, he went on to university in Perth, where he made lifelong friends. Mark began a corporate career in logistics and sales, working for Rio Tinto across Australia and Asia, learning about business, hard work and balancing career ambition with family life.He valued being a good father and partner,

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01:49:35

Navigating love, loss, and mental health through...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/09/02

Nicole grew up in a loving family in Cape Town, South Africa before moving to Australia with her parents and siblings at the end of high school.Nicole met her husband Chris in her early twenties, married young, and together navigated early adventures including running a café and art gallery in Hawk’s Nest. After starting her family, she devoted herself to raising two children. She found joy and perspective in daily life through creativity, coastal walks, and her Christian faith.Nicole’s background

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01:10:46

From saddle making to global tech leadership with...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/08/26

John Dwyer left school at age fourteen and started as an apprentice saddle maker. While working in leather, John became interested in computers. He taught himself basic programming on early computers and helped computerize the factory. This growing interest led to a new direction in technology.John joined the tech industry in the early 1980s. He spent eighteen years at Microsoft. During this time, he held leadership roles and lived in various countries, gaining valuable global business

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58:42

Breaking free from abuse and hardship, a journey of...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/08/19

Dave grew up in Maroubra, a tough part of Sydney, raised by a single mother in an environment of poverty and violence, surrounded by people with difficult ideas and constant stress. His early childhood memories include feeling unsafe at home due to a father who left early and a mother who struggled with her own challenges after a troubled upbringing.Dave endured psychological abuse and manipulation from his stepfather and mother, often feeling like a burden and facing daily situations that left him

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54:31

From grief to purpose and creating change with Craig...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/08/12

Craig Goozee OAM grew up loving sport, always seeing himself as a sprinter and never dreaming he would one day run ultra marathons across some of Australia’s toughest terrains.Craig spent nearly 24 years in the New South Wales police force, choosing proactive roles that kept him out in the field and, later, in covert operations such as the Anti-Theft Squad, Special Operations and the State Major Incident Group. In 1997, Craig joined an elite covert task force, working undercover to gather

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01:17:09

Embracing vulnerability and supporting men's mental...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/08/05

John Broadbent grew up in Yorkshire, born into a low working-class family, before moving to Australia at age ten, which marked a big turning point for his life and perspective. He trained as an engineer and fully immersed himself in the world of science and logic, John spent his early career excelling in a technical environment, sometimes missing the deeper emotional side.The early 1990s brought a significant shift, triggered by a relationship challenge and a life-changing trip to Monkey Mia, where

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59:59

Breaking generational cycles, healing anxiety, and...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/07/29

Gunter grew up in a home filled with conflict and the strong influence of a mother who survived complex trauma and a gentle but wounded father, both from Vienna during the Russian invasion. As a teenager, he became fascinated by philosophy and Buddhism, which helped him realize that being a man involves intention and not just reacting to the world around him.He struggled with performance anxiety and statistics during his psychology studies but found real progress through therapy, learning that

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43:36

Raising standards in swim education and therapy with...

Kintsugi Heroes ·

2025/07/22

Growing up as a farmer’s daughter in rural Australia, Ruth spent her childhood exploring creeks, drinking fresh milk, and roaming the paddocks with my siblings. Life was simple, honest, and deeply connected to the land and community.She developed a passion for water early, competing in state-level swimming, water polo, synchronised swimming and lifesaving, and became the first female Beach Inspector in New South Wales. Since then, she has run swim schools and trained many aquatic professionals.Her

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193 results

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