CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains an open discussion of kidnapping, sexual assault and rape, which some listeners may find difficult.

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I sit down with the incredible Jaclyn “Jacks” Genega: survivalist, wilderness educator and recent participant in the World Championship series of Alone. This is Part 1 of our conversation, with Part 2 to come shortly.

Jacks’ strength in the wilderness is extraordinary, but the story behind that strength is even more powerful. At just 19 years old, Jacks was kidnapped, brutally assaulted and raped by two men. For years afterwards, she carried the trauma, searching for meaning and trying to build a life that looked full on the outside while struggling to truly feel alive within it.

Jacks shares so openly about the long road from feeling wounded to becoming the woman she is today. Rather than allowing fear to dictate the boundaries of her life, she began learning how to understand it. She trained in wilderness survival, navigation and self-reliance, eventually taking herself on solo expeditions around the world and facing some of the very fears that had once held her back.

We also talk about her extraordinary experience on “Alone”, where the wilderness taught her something far greater than how long she could endure. It taught her about power, integrity, love and the courage to choose herself.

One thing Jacks says really stayed with me: the best way she could find justice was to live a meaningful life.

There is so much courage in this conversation, but there is also tenderness. Jacks reminds us that resilience isn't about becoming emotionless or proving how much pain we can withstand. Sometimes our greatest strength comes when we take back the pen, reclaim our own story and decide that fear will no longer be the author.

I know so many people will connect with Jacks’ story, and I am incredibly grateful to her for trusting us with it.

Get in touch with Jacks Genega:

Website: https://jacksgenega.com/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

Rachel Pope has experienced extraordinary grief in her life, losing her father at just 17, her brother several years later, and then her husband Ray to bowel cancer when she was only 38, leaving her to raise their two young children. Through those losses, Rachel came to understand that grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline, and there is no one “right” way to move through it.

In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I sit down with Rachel, author of Gifts from Grief, to have a very honest conversation about loss, healing and learning how to live again after life changes forever.

We talk about the pressure so many people feel to be strong, how unresolved grief can surface years later, and why loss can mean so much more than the death of someone we love. It can be the loss of a relationship, a family unit, a career, a dream, an identity or the life we thought we were going to have.

Rachel also shares some beautiful wisdom about supporting someone who is grieving. Sometimes we don’t need the perfect words. We simply need to show up, acknowledge their pain and let them know they are not walking through it alone.

What I love about Rachel’s story is that she doesn’t pretend grief disappears. Instead, she has learned to carry love and loss together, finding purpose through her pain and now helping people around the world do the same.

Her book Gifts from Grief grew from that journey, and from the realisation that even in our deepest sorrow, we can sometimes discover unexpected gifts: greater compassion, empathy, perspective, gratitude and a deeper appreciation for the people and moments we have today.

If you are grieving, supporting someone through grief, or carrying a loss that perhaps you have never fully allowed yourself to acknowledge, I hope this conversation reminds you to be gentle with yourself. Healing often happens one small step at a time.

And as Rachel so beautifully reminds us, life is too short to miss making memories.

Get in touch with Rachel Pope:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-pope-96918a197/

Website: https://giftsfromgrief.com.au/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Chapters

• (00:00) Meet Rachel Pope and Her Story of Grief
• (03:23) Losing Her Father at 17
• (05:06) Why Grief Doesn’t Follow Stages
• (07:48) Surviving While Raising Young Children
• (11:39) Losing Her Brother and Changing Direction
• (14:26) Her Husband’s Cancer Diagnosis
• (18:35) What to Say to Someone Who Is Grieving
• (23:16) Unresolved Grief and Hidden Losses
• (28:36) Small Steps Towards Healing
• (34:21) Turning Pain Into Purpose
• (37:09) Gifts from Grief and Finding Hope

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Horder, whose life changed forever on 17 July 2014 when his parents, Howard and Suzanne, were killed on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

Matthew shares what it was like to wake to the news that his parents’ plane had gone down, the long and painful process of bringing them home, and the years of investigations and legal proceedings that followed. But what touched me most was hearing how he has learned to carry his grief without allowing that terrible day to define his parents, or the rest of his own life.

We talk openly about grief, resilience, acceptance and the importance of allowing ourselves to feel the pain rather than continually pushing it away. Matthew also shares how writing his book became part of his own healing, helping him process emotions that had been sitting beneath the surface for many years.

And then there are the sunflowers.

Seeds taken from the fields surrounding the MH17 crash site eventually found their way to Matthew and other Australian families. What began with just 17 seeds has now grown into thousands, raising money for charity and becoming a beautiful symbol of hope, remembrance and new life.

Matthew’s story is heartbreaking, but it is also such a powerful reminder that something meaningful can still grow from the most unimaginable circumstances. His message is simple and one I think we all need to hear: treasure the people you love, don’t sweat the small stuff, and make the most of the moments you have.

Get in touch with Matthew Horder:

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

Website: https://matthewhorder.com.au/ (and preorder his book!)

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this deeply important conversation, I sit down with Ronnie Benbow OAM, Founding Director of The Carers Foundation Australia, to shine a light on the millions of unpaid carers who quietly give so much of themselves to support the people they love.

Ronnie’s passion for carers began when she was just 17 years old and met a young boy named Tom, who was caring for his profoundly unwell mother with almost no support. His story stayed with her and planted the seed for a lifelong mission: to ask the question so many people overlook—who cares for the carers?

Ronnie also shares her own experience of becoming a carer for her husband after a near-fatal accident, while raising four boys, running businesses and supporting other family members through illness and mental health challenges. Her honesty about exhaustion, guilt, compassion fatigue and the isolation carers often experience really touched my heart.

This conversation is a reminder that carers are not only parents looking after children with disabilities or adult children supporting ageing parents. They are husbands, wives, siblings, friends and young people who may not even recognise themselves as carers.

We also speak about Ronnie’s vision to create Australia’s first healing and recovery centre for carers—a safe place where people can rest, feel supported and receive help before they reach crisis point.

Ronnie’s message is beautifully simple: the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. A cup of coffee, a hug or simply asking someone, “How are you?” can remind a person that they matter.

For every carer listening, please know that you are seen, you are valued and you do not have to carry everything alone.

Get in touch with Ronnie Benbow:

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

Website: https://www.thecarersfoundation.org/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In times of trauma and adversity, creating space for connection is the only path out of the darkness. And sometimes, we need a little help to triumph over our adversity by sharing a story of hope.

On every episode of this podcast, Kerrie Atherton delves into the remarkable journeys of everyday people who have faced extraordinary challenges and emerged to share hope to others.

Every fortnight you'll hear a deeply personal experience from someone who has overcome adversity, sharing their struggles and victories and shedding light on the resilience of the human spirit.

Kerrie Atherton, the founder of Stories of HOPE, brings decades of experience in trauma and addiction recovery to each conversation to create space for you to emerge from your.

Connection is vital for the human soul to flourish. Don't walk your path alone: Welcome to Stories of Hope with Kerrie Atherton.

Subscribe to this Podcast:

Amazon Music || Apple Podcasts || Spotify || YouTube

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I sit down with Peter Lyndon-James, founder of Shalom House in Western Australia, whose life is an extraordinary story of trauma, addiction, redemption and purpose.

Peter’s childhood was marked by abandonment, abuse, foster care and time spent in institutions from just nine years of age. Searching for safety and belonging, he became caught in a cycle of drugs, crime and imprisonment that continued for more than two decades. At his lowest point, Peter was heavily addicted to methamphetamine, surrounded by violence and facing the possibility that his own children could repeat the life he had lived.

Peter shares openly about the moment he cried out for help, the spiritual encounter that changed the direction of his life, and the long journey of learning how to face the pain beneath his addiction. His story is not only about becoming free from drugs. It is about healing shame, challenging the lies we carry from childhood and learning to become the person we were always meant to be.

Today, Peter uses everything he has lived through to help others at Shalom House, supporting men, women and families affected by addiction. His approach looks beyond the behaviour to the trauma underneath, while helping people rebuild relationships, develop responsibility and find their place within the community again.

Get in touch with Peter Lyndon-James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-lyndon-james/

Website: https://peterlyndonjames.com.au/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this episode of Stories of Hope: Worldwide, I have the absolute pleasure of speaking with the beautiful Isabelle Kratz — a 19-year-old international model, entrepreneur, and such an inspiring young woman.

When I first saw Isabelle’s story, I knew I had to invite her onto the podcast as a 19-year-old international model, entrepreneur, and such an inspiring young woman. At just 13 years old, she was walking at New York Fashion Week and stepping into opportunities many people only dream of. But behind what looked like success from the outside, Isabelle was also walking through some incredibly painful chapters.

In this conversation, Isabelle opens up about the bullying she experienced through school — physically, emotionally, and mentally — and how it became so unsafe that she eventually had to leave and move into homeschooling. She also shares about being diagnosed with endometriosis after years of pain and the deep relief of finally being believed.

What really touched my heart in this conversation is that Isabelle has not allowed those painful experiences to define her in a negative way. Instead, she has turned them into purpose.

Isabelle speaks with so much wisdom about finding your people, protecting your peace, putting the phone down, journaling, creating healthy self-care strategies, and learning to believe in yourself again. She reminds us that you are allowed to take up space, you are allowed to grow, and you are allowed to become the person nobody thought you could be.

Get in touch with Isabelle Kratz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabellekratz/

Belle Le Chic Website: https://www.bellelechic.com/

Belle Le Chic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellelechic/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this powerful episode of Stories of Hope: Worldwide, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow storyteller, Matt Towner, whose life changed forever after a catastrophic motorcycle accident in the jungle of Thailand.

Matt broke nearly every bone in his body, suffered a brain haemorrhage, spinal injuries, chronic pain, PTSD, and symptoms similar to Bipolar Disorder. And yet, when he woke from a coma, he heard a message so clear and powerful: this is going to be the best thing that ever happened to you.

What followed was not a quick recovery, but a lifelong journey of rebuilding — physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In this conversation, Matt shares honestly about trauma, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, the importance of recognising triggers, and why connection and purpose can become lifelines when life feels impossible.

This is such an important conversation, especially for anyone who may be sitting alone right now wondering whether they can make it through. Matt’s story is living proof that even after the most devastating moments, there can still be meaning, healing, laughter, purpose, and hope.

Get in touch with Matt Towner:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-towner-a288b365/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

TJ is the son of legendary Australian Ironman Trevor Hendy, and from a young age he knew what it was like to live close to the spotlight. But behind the achievements, the races and the expectations, TJ has walked through some incredibly hard seasons. Career setbacks, long COVID, physical health challenges and deep emotional pain all brought him to a place where he had to look beyond performance and ask, “Who am I without all of this?”

In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I sit down with Ironman TJ Hendy for a beautiful and honest conversation about identity, pressure, heartbreak, healing and what it really means to keep going.

What touched my heart so much in this conversation was TJ’s wisdom around feelings, fear and learning to stop tying our worth to what we do. He speaks so honestly about the moments that broke his heart, the pressure of being so close to a dream, and the way he has slowly found his way back — not just to Ironman racing, but to himself.

This is such a powerful reminder that we are not defined by our titles, our careers, our achievements or even our hardest moments. TJ’s story is one of courage, surrender, resilience and hope. And as he says so beautifully, sometimes giving up is harder than keeping going.

Get in touch with TJ Hendy:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-hendy-34a3b6191/

Website: https://ironseries.com.au/meet-the-athletes/tj-hendy/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this deeply moving episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I speak with singer-songwriter and advocate Greg Gould about the courage it takes to speak the truth after years of silence. Greg shares his experience of surviving sexual abuse, the shame and confusion he carried for so long, and the way addiction became a place to hide from pain he didn’t yet know how to face.

With honesty, warmth and extraordinary bravery, Greg opens up about the moments that helped him begin to heal. From the kindness of a little girl offering him an ice cream on one of the darkest days of his life, to the love of family, friends, and his partner who believed in him when he struggled to believe in himself.

This conversation is tender, raw, and full of hope. Greg and I speak openly about trauma, addiction, recovery, music, and the power of giving shame back to where it belongs. Greg’s story is a beautiful reminder that speaking up can set others free, and that even after deep pain, it is possible to come back to life, love, purpose, and joy.

Get in touch with Greg Gould:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/greggouldmusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greggouldmusic

Website: https://www.greggould.com.au/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today