Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton

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/

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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, I’m joined by my dear friend Jason Dasey - a broadcaster and journalist who lost his beautiful dad to suicide when he was only 15 years old. His dad was his mentor, his hero, and the person who encouraged him to follow his dream of becoming a journalist. To lose him so suddenly, just before Christmas, was absolutely heartbreaking.

But Jason’s story is also one of incredible resilience. Even after being told he would never make it in journalism or broadcasting, he kept going. He built an amazing career across Australia, the UK, America and Asia, interviewing some of the most well-known people in the world.

In this conversation, we talk about grief, addiction, men’s mental health, loneliness, connection, purpose and the importance of not giving up. Jason shares so much wisdom about finding joy, serving others, and living each day with meaning.

This episode really touched my heart, and I know so many people will resonate with Jason’s story. His message is a beautiful reminder that even through deep pain, healing is possible and anything is possible if we don’t give up.

Get in touch with Jason Dasey:

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

Website: https://www.abc.net.au/news/jason-dasey/12400644

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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’m joined by Brendan Neil for a conversation that so many people live through, but far too many suffer through in silence: hope after divorce.

Brendan works closely with divorced dads, and what I really appreciate about him is how practical he is, while still holding space for the emotional reality men often carry behind closed doors.

We talk about why so many separations can feel like they come “out of nowhere” for men, the grief cycle that can follow, and the deep sense of failure so many men quietly wrestle with when a marriage ends. Brendan shares what he’s learned (personally and professionally) about emotional awareness, communication, and the ways unresolved pain can shape how we show up in relationships.

We also speak honestly about loneliness, the pressure of big seasons like Christmas, and how easy it is to get trapped inside your own head when life falls apart. Brendan’s message is simple but powerful: be kind to yourself, reach out, and keep taking the next step, especially when things feel dark.

I hope this conversation reminds you that you don’t have to walk that road alone, and that a brighter future can still be waiting on the other side.

Get in touch with Brendan Neil:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-neil-6b56b722/

Website: https://www.brendanjneil.com/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brendanjneil4733/videos

***

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

There are some conversations that stay with you long after they’re finished… and this is one of them.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly brave Donna Thistlethwaite to explore a story that is as confronting as it is hopeful. Donna shares, with such honesty and courage, how a moment in the workplace triggered a rapid spiral of anxiety, self-doubt, and overwhelming thoughts that led her to believe there was no way forward.

Listening to her describe how quickly things unraveled really touched my heart because it’s a reminder that this can happen to any of us, often in ways we don’t expect.

What I love about Donna’s story is not just the survival, but what came after. The way she has taken something so painful and turned it into a life of purpose, helping others feel seen, supported, and equipped with the tools to navigate their own mental health.

We talk about the beliefs that can quietly shape our inner world, the importance of connection, and the simple but powerful practices that can bring us back to ourselves, even in the hardest moments.

This conversation is a gentle but important reminder that everything is temporary. That the thoughts telling us we’re not enough are not the truth. And that even in the darkest moments, there is a path forward. Often one we cannot see yet.

If you’re struggling, or if you love someone who is, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone.

Get in touch with Donna Thistlethwaite:

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

Website: https://mentallywellthy.com.au/about/

***

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

This episode is brought to you by Rumble Studios: a full service sound design and music composition team in Sydney & Melbourne. For more, head to RumbleStudios.tv and we thank them for their support of Stories of Hope.

In this episode, I’m joined by Ron Isherwood for a conversation that is raw, confronting, and ultimately deeply hopeful. Ron shares openly about growing up surrounded by extreme violence, becoming entrenched in crime and addiction at a young age, and the long road he has walked to get to where he is today.

There are parts of this story that are incredibly hard to hear, but what really stayed with me is Ron’s honesty, his accountability, and the way he now uses his life to help others.

As we talk, we explore not only addiction and recovery, but also the deeper patterns underneath it all—family trauma, learned violence, survival, and what it takes to truly break those cycles. I was really struck by Ron’s reflections on unlearning everything he once believed about being a man, a partner, and a father, and choosing instead to build a life grounded in responsibility, empathy, and service. That kind of change does not happen by accident, and I know so many people will resonate with the courage it takes to do that work.

This is a powerful conversation about redemption, lived experience, and the possibility of becoming someone completely different from the environment that shaped you.

Get in touch with Ron Isherwood:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-isherwood-203bb0264/

Website: https://www.thetruthaboutaddiction.com.au/team/

***

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)

In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Justin Lippiatt to talk about what it means to hold onto hope when life has stripped everything back. Justin shares his journey through alcoholism, long-term sobriety, and the way recovery reshaped not just his personal life, but the way he leads, serves, and sees other people.

What touched my heart so much in this conversation is Justin’s willingness to speak openly about the reality of addiction in business spaces, and the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up with truth, dignity, and compassion.

Justin also shares about a devastating season where he lost his business, his financial security, and found himself in an incredibly dark place emotionally. It’s a reminder that behind the success people see on the outside, there can be so much pain hidden underneath.

This episode is for anyone who has ever felt alone in their struggle, anyone carrying shame, and anyone wondering whether hope is still possible. Justin’s message is simple but so powerful: be kind. Sometimes that kindness can be the very thing that helps someone stay, keep going, and believe that a new chapter is still possible.

Get in touch with Justin Lippiatt:

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

***

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’m joined by Andrew O’Grady, CEO of Mental Health America of Dutchess County in New York, and I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to share this conversation with you.

Andrew has spent more than two decades building a model of care that meets people where they are — quite literally. Instead of expecting someone in crisis to find their way into an office and “have it all together,” his team goes out into the community, into homes, into hard places, and offers practical, human support that helps people stay housed, stay connected, and stay alive.

We talk about why peer support is so powerful, especially for veterans and people living with PTSD, and the life-changing outcomes that can happen when someone who’s “walked the road” is allowed to stand beside another person in their pain.

We also speak honestly about the pressures so many people are facing right now. The cost of living, housing instability, and a mental health system that too often adds more red tape at the exact moment someone needs help. Andrew shares what he’s seeing on the ground in the U.S., and I reflect on similar challenges here in Australia — especially the rise in homelessness and the way trauma so often sits underneath what we judge on the surface.

Andrew’s closing message is one we all need right now: less judgement, more understanding, and a willingness to find the goodness in one another, because together there is hope for a brighter future where people with trauma or without a home aren’t left behind.

Get in touch with Andrew O'Grady:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-o-grady-7923144b/

Website: https://mhadutchess.org/team/andrew-ogrady-lcsw-r/

Email: [email protected]

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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 special behind-the-scenes episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I’m joined by someone you usually hear through the podcast, not on it—my producer and editor, Matthew Bliss.

Matt shares how he found his way into podcasting, what he’s learned from working with so many different voices and stories, and why “success” isn’t always about chasing big numbers.

We talk honestly about the work it takes to build a show you can sustain without getting lost in the noise of social media, analytics, or all the “shoulds” that can leave new podcasters feeling overwhelmed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not technical enough, not confident enough, or not sure where to even start… this conversation is for you.

We also go somewhere more tender—because podcasting isn’t just content, it’s people. I ask Matt what it’s like to edit heavy, trauma-informed stories and how he protects his own wellbeing when he hears heartbreaking moments with no warning.

And as we close, Matt shares a message for anyone creating something meaningful in the world: come back to your mission, trust yourself, and don’t be afraid of the work because the right message, in the right hands, can change a life.

Together is better. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Get in touch with Matthew Bliss:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss/

Website: https://www.mbpod.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

In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I’m joined by Stephen Hirst: founder of the Dads Community Group and a passionate advocate for men and fathers walking through trauma, loneliness, and relationship breakdown.

Stephen shares, with so much honesty, what it was like to lose his sense of identity after the end of his marriage. Not just the grief of the relationship, but the deeper ache of losing the everyday moments of fatherhood, the family home, and the life he thought he’d always have.

And in that raw, lonely space, we talk about what so many men silently carry: the pressure to keep providing while feeling emotionally abandoned, the shame that stops them reaching out, and the quiet danger of trying to “tough it out” alone.

What touched my heart in this conversation is how Stephen didn’t just survive that season — he turned it into something life-giving. He built a community where dads can be real, be accountable, learn healthier ways to cope, and find the kind of shoulder-to-shoulder connection that can genuinely save lives.

Get in touch with Stephen Hirst:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-hirst-superchargedu-coaching/

Website: https://superchargedu.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

This episode was recorded just after the tragedy on Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, and mentions the massacre in the context of trauma. If the topic is still raw for you, please save the episode for another day. Our hearts are with the victims, survivors, and families.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Jim Lagopoulos, CEO and Executive Director of the Brain & Mind Hub and a passionate advocate for mental health reform. Jim helps us understand trauma as something that can touch anyone — not just first responders or veterans — and he speaks with real clarity about why repeated exposure to distressing news and imagery can deepen fear and trigger old wounds.

But what I love about Jim’s work is that he doesn’t stop at naming the problem — he’s focused on changing the system. We talk about why so many people still fall through the cracks in an outdated mental health model, and why simply pouring more money into a broken structure won’t fix what’s hurting people. Jim shares the vision behind a new neuro-innovation precinct being developed on the Sunshine Coast — a place designed to bring research and treatment together, shorten the time it takes for breakthroughs to reach real people, and offer care that feels safe, human, and deeply respectful.

If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by mental health care, or you’ve watched someone you love struggle and thought, there has to be a better way, this episode is for you. It’s a conversation about hope — not the fluffy kind, but the kind built through evidence, compassion, prevention, and meaningful reform.

Get in touch with Jim Lagopoulos:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-lagopoulos-7412b063/

Website: https://www.brainandmindhub.org.au/about-us/meet-the-team/dr-jim-lagopoulos/

***

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