Kintsugi Heroes

Gary grew up curious and spirited, always eager to solve problems. He discovered his innate passion for helping others early on in his life.

He studied business and economics and combined academic rigor with practical insights, eventually earning a doctorate. Gary entered the automotive industry, quickly rising through the ranks and became known for his strategic mind and empathy.

He met and married Leanne, a partnership built on love, trust, and mutual support. Their journey soon faced unexpected challenges when Leanne was diagnosed with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Gary took on caregiving, balancing roles with determination and dedication. He compares caregiving to a marathon and highlighted the emotional, physical, and mental challenges it entails.

Gary was Invited to join Carers Australia's board, eventually becoming vice-president. Where he played a crucial role in policy shaping at the national level. After shifting to senior leadership roles in not-for-profits and academia, he also became an adjunct professorship at Deakin Business School.

Gary spearheaded the Carer Gateway initiative, providing essential resources and support for carers across Australia. He believes in honesty, readiness to ask for help, and the power of education and advocates for the intrinsic value and recognition of carers.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

This month, Kintsugi Heroes is sharing episodes from other podcasts we've created to address different stages of adversity. You may not realise, but Kintsugi Heroes is a podcast network with many stories to listen to, watch and share.

This week, you'll hear a preview of the "Humans of HOPE: Inspiring Stories with Kerrie Atherton". With the support of Kintsugi Heroes, Kerrie chats to people from every background and country about their stories of trauma, vulnerability, resilience and recovery. At the end of the day, we all need a story of hope.

If you enjoyed this episode, select from the platforms below and subscribe to the podcast.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/humans-of-hope-inspiring-stories-with-kerrie-atherton/id1764300001

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KjaVYE816RCTToqHf7UAr

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7a8f5e7e-39f7-42c1-9b3c-ab1feb6ec4d5/humans-of-hope-inspiring-stories-with-kerrie-atherton

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BBBny7U9R-0P94uItNy3oQF

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

This month, Kintsugi Heroes is sharing episodes from other podcasts we've created to address different stages of adversity. You may not realise, but Kintsugi Heroes is a podcast network with many stories to listen to, watch and share.

This week, you'll hear a preview of the "Connecting Seniors (Kintsugi Heroes)", a Limited Series that focuses on our senior community in Australia. Having lived long lives with many trials and tribulations, their experience and insights are helpful for everyone and creates a strong social connection with an otherwise disparate elderly population.

If you enjoyed this episode, select from the platforms below and subscribe to the podcast.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/connecting-seniors-kintsugi-heroes/id1771676820

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5BxAKIiNlaAbsDCz7dZdxN

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c990b72a-13b3-4da7-90cc-747c7a4d6440/connecting-seniors-kintsugi-heroes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BBt4r2j41ezPJXlnq_QwtRa

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

This month, Kintsugi Heroes is sharing episodes from other podcasts we've created to address different stages of adversity. You may not realise, but Kintsugi Heroes is a podcast network with many stories to listen to, watch and share.

This week, you'll hear a preview of the "Australian Carers (Kintsugi Heroes)", a limited podcast series run over Mental Health Week in October that shared stories of volunteer carers in Australia, the obstacles they face and the resilience they need to persist.

If you enjoyed this episode, select from the platforms below and subscribe to the podcast.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/australian-carers-kintsugi-heroes/id1770734012

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/38pCXjjLDQyl78gH35F3YZ

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/e0740995-93ce-47bd-8ba6-14d9277bb2bb/australian-carers-kintsugi-heroes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BD6uTdtHHUlKmc5QSXYZzYB

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

This month, Kintsugi Heroes is sharing episodes from other podcasts we've created to address different stages of adversity. You may not realise, but Kintsugi Heroes is a podcast network with many stories to listen to, watch and share.

This week, you'll hear a preview of the "Beyond The Deluge: Flood Resilience Stories from the Hunter Valley" podcast covering stories of survival during the floods that wracked Broke and the Hunter Valley during 2022.

If you enjoyed this episode, select from the platforms below and subscribe to the podcast.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-deluge-flood-resilience-stories-from/id1744901037

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AAeiPHWZOV377pb5poMTU

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.de/podcasts/d33e04d3-6d7f-438b-a35d-704182be7347/beyond-the-deluge-flood-resilience-stories-from-the-hunter-valley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BDGXkr_WaTfAeWIxMTDZ483

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

This month, Kintsugi Heroes is sharing episodes from other podcasts we've created to address different stages of adversity. You may not realise, but Kintsugi Heroes is a podcast network with many stories to listen to, watch and share.

This week, you'll hear a preview of the "Kintsugi Heroes - Alpine Series" podcast covering stories of resilience during and after the bushfires that ravaged the Alpine Region in 2019/2020.

If you enjoyed this episode, select from the platforms below and subscribe to the podcast.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kintsugi-heroes-alpine-series/id1705701521

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rTIV6JL786Ql0IB4BLG3M

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7d7eb2d6-8aab-490a-a7b9-b4e1c1b3eb67/kintsugi-heroes---alpine-series

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvWGYmXsM8BBz1ajxD6PrQ2fy-z7upiwY

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Born and raised in the UK, Adam led a relatively routine life, growing up in a close-knit community. He pursued studies in business, where he honed his skills in management and leadership. He then embarked on a successful career in the business sector, becoming known as a reliable and innovative leader.

Adam met his future wife, Anna, in a nightclub in the UK, sparking a love that would lead to a nurturing and adventurous partnership. Together, they raised two children, Noah and Manon, balancing family life with their busy professional careers.

In 2017, tragedy struck when Anna was diagnosed with bladder cancer, abruptly changing their family dynamics. Anna passed 14 months after her diagnosis, leaving Adam to navigate single parenthood and the emotional toll on their young children.

Inspired by Anna, Adam founded Beat Bladder Cancer Australia, focusing on support and awareness for bladder cancer patients.

Late, he met Catherine, forming a blended family and learning to balance past grief with newfound joy.

At 54, Adam's professional life  has flourished with consulting and charity work, while he embraces personal growth and future adventures.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Tim started as an IT salesman for Fujitsu, receiving a computer as payment from a cash-strapped client. This unforeseen twist sparked his interest in programming. After getting the computer, Tim self-taught programming and database skills. He used these newfound abilities to develop systems for selling scuba gear.

Tim's adventurous spirit led him into the scuba gear business. Despite initial success, a business dispute forced him to exit, demonstrating his resilience.

Tim next worked in illegal casinos in South Africa. This unconventional job matched his thrill-seeking nature. Seeking new horizons, Tim transitioned into the music industry before realizing his true passion lay elsewhere, prompting him to pursue formal computing education.

Tim met his future wife at a programming college. Their shared ambition eventually took them to Australia in 2001, initially for a short-term experience for Asian exposure but chose to settle permanently in Australia after having children, opting for a stable environment away from South Africa.

Compulsory military service during South African conflicts in Angola and Namibia traumatized Tim, affecting his emotional responses for years. Soldiers' dark humour was a coping mechanism.

Struggling with old traumas, Tim had a significant emotional breakthrough at his aunt's funeral. This led to a gradual emotional awareness and self-reflection journey.

Embracing mindfulness and meditation, Tim learned to live in the present. His aspirations now focus on meaningful relationships and continuing his personal growth with loved ones and living near to the water, providing him with a sense of peace, tranquility, and balance in his life.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Alex's parents were displaced WWII refugees from Europe, eventually moving to Australia where Alex was born in the 1960s. She faced cultural and language barriers growing up.

Because she started school at eight and a half, Alex missed the early formative years. She attended irregularly, faced integration challenges, and was labelled as a slow learner. This led to significant educational hardships.

Introduced to narcotics in high school, Alex used substances to cope, which led to deeper addiction issues. Despite this, she completed her secondary education and enrolled in TAFE.

Immersed in the drug culture, Alex moved to a communal farm and later Sydney’s Kings Cross, where she faced addiction, crime, and survival struggles. She experienced close bonds as well as significant losses.

Alex endured trauma from losing partners to drugs and arrests for criminal activities. A pivotal arrest and subsequent miscarriage marked rock bottom for her and propelled her towards change.

Determined to reinvent herself, Alex pursued her education, acquiring degrees in forensic medicine and mental health. She focused on understanding trauma and healing. Alex now travels globally, sharing her story of survival and transformation. She runs a private practice, has written a book, and enjoys her role as a grandmother to her five grandchildren.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.

Raised in Brisbane, Filipe’s parents immigrated to Australia from Portugal, driven by the allure of "Skippy the Bush Kangaroo," grounding his understanding of belonging and community from an early age.

Filipe’s family, especially his mother, supported him through his dyslexia, teaching him resilience and fostering his self-confidence despite academic challenges.

At 17, a formative trip to Cambodia opened Filipe’s eyes to the struggles of an orphanage, igniting his passion for sustainable community service and support models. When he was 19, Filipe founded a non-profit providing medical services in Cambodia and Vietnam, demonstrating his commitment to community service and blending this with his business acumen.

Dyslexia forced Filipe to be innovative and persistent. It became a strength, helping him develop self-confidence and comfort in public speaking through creative problem-solving.

Early in his career, Filipe worked with the Australian Red Cross in emergency services and in statutory out-of-home care for children, expanding his experience in direct community support. To gain insights from high-performing organizations, Filipe joined Sonder, an Australian startup, learning the importance of planning, communication, and execution in organizational success.

Over the past six months, Filipe dedicated himself to listening to mentors, mentees, and community members, understanding their needs and the universal craving for a sense of belonging. As CEO of a small organization, Filipe navigates the heavy responsibility of ensuring operational stability while striving to make a meaningful impact on men's mental health.

Filipe’s vision includes redefining societal perceptions of masculinity, promoting vulnerability and emotional honesty, and employing practical mental health strategies like outdoor activities to support well-being.

Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/filipegamaesilva

Website: https://mentoring.men/

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Mentioned in this episode:

Support Kintsugi Heroes

Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit, and every story we share is free for the people who need it. If this show has meant something to you, you can help us keep going. Visit kintsugiheroes.com.au and click donate. Every contribution helps us keep telling these stories, and it's tax-deductible.

Thank You For Listening

Follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, or share your own story at kintsugiheroes.com.au. Your story matters.