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Leading, and giving back — Kintsugi Heroes Stories

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Leading, and giving back

Leading, and giving back

22 stories.

My father never stopped walking

A son's discovery that his father's unspoken war trauma shaped him too, and how understanding that inheritance became the path to healing it.

The Fox Stops Running: How Alan Stevens (R) Found Connection by Letting Go

Alan Stevens stopped chasing connection at 50 and built the community he'd always needed by learning to facilitate others' stories instead.

Missy's Second Chance: How a Rescue Dog Taught Me to Love Again

Michael learned to live again by showing up for a traumatised rescue dog, and in doing so, learned to love himself.

Persist Through a Fearful Childhood with Determination with Ian Forest-Jones

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Kintsugi Heroes share their real-life stories about overcoming adversity, to provide hope and connection to people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing similar challenges.

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Born into a world of outlaw bikers, violence, and fire, Ian Forest-Jones survived an unimaginable childhood to become a mentor, community leader, and living proof that human determination can overcome the darkest beginnings.

The Levy: How One Council Director Held Back a River

David Hasset led his council through a four-week sprint to save a flooded region, then learned the harder lesson: protecting your own people matters as much as protecting the town.

Addressing PTSD as a veteran and finding your gratitude with Terry James

A soldier who buried thirty years of war trauma rebuilt his life through steadiness, Army brothers, and the daily presence of his grandchildren.

Persisting through a fearful childhood with determination

Born into a world of outlaw bikers, murder, and arson, Ian Forest-Jones survived a burning house at age four and rebuilt his life through the grace of strangers who refused to give up on him.

Trust in the Chaos: Michael Hingson's Guide Dog and the 78-Floor Descent

A blind man's preparation and partnership with his guide dog became the foundation for leading others to safety on September 11th.

The 38-Kilometre Line: Tony Siviour and the Race to Save Renmark

Tony Siviour led his island town through Australia's second-largest flood in 152 years by making one decision at a time.

The Swarm in the Chaff Bag: How Bees Became a Life's Work

A beekeeper hands his life's work to the next generation, finding purpose in stepping back.

Do What You Do Best: Sarah Pye and the Sun Bears of Borneo

Sarah found her life's work when someone told her to do what she already did best.

The White Pony I Asked For: How Horses Taught Sue Spence to Heal

Sue Spence turned her own refuge with horses into a program that teaches at-risk young people to regulate their nervous systems through presence and body language.

Need support?

If a story here lands close to home, you don't have to sit with it by yourself. These are real, staffed Australian services, not automated lines.

Lifeline (24/7 crisis support)
13 11 14 · lifeline.org.au
1800RESPECT (family, domestic & sexual violence)
1800 737 732 · 1800respect.org.au
Blue Knot Foundation (complex trauma)
1300 657 380 · blueknot.org.au
SMART Recovery Australia (addiction)
smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au
ReachOut
au.reachout.com
GriefLine
1300 845 745 · griefline.org.au

This site is part of Kintsugi Heroes. Visit the main site for the full podcast. If any of these stories hit close to home, support is out there, you don't have to sit with it alone.

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Kintsugi Heroes · Registered Australian not-for-profit · kintsugiheroes.com.au ↗