by Kerrie Atherton | Jul 27, 2026 | Addiction, Domestic Abuse, Podcasts, Stories of Hope, vulnerability
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/
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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)
by Kerrie Atherton | Nov 3, 2025 | Counselling, Depression, Domestic Abuse, lived experience, Podcasts, sexual abuse, Stories of Hope
The story of Jennifer Heng Safe Place Singapore abortion recovery domestic violence faith hope is a moving reminder that no matter how deep the shame or how dark the past, redemption and healing are possible. Jennifer’s journey from secrecy and trauma to purpose and compassion reveals the extraordinary power of second chances.
Early Life and Struggles
Growing up in Singapore, Jennifer faced a childhood marked by family turmoil and heartbreak. As a teenager, she longed for love and belonging but instead found herself in an abusive relationship and pregnant at just 17. Terrified and alone, she underwent a late-term abortion, followed by a second one years later under pressure from a violent partner. Her world spiralled into guilt, fear, and self-loathing. For years, she believed she was beyond forgiveness and unworthy of love.
Breaking the Silence
In a culture where shame runs deep and emotions are rarely spoken, Jennifer kept her pain hidden. Yet the weight of those secrets only grew heavier. When she finally began to speak about her experiences, the healing began. Her courage to confront the past became the first step toward a new life. She discovered that shame loses its power when it is brought into the light, and that grace and hope can grow in even the hardest places.
Faith and Transformation
Everything changed when Jennifer left Singapore to study in Melbourne. In a quiet season of reflection, she experienced what she describes as a radical encounter with God’s love—a moment that set her free from guilt and gave her the courage to start again. This awakening became the turning point that redefined her life, leading her to faith, forgiveness, and ultimately, hope.
Safe Place and a New Purpose
Today, Jennifer Heng is the Director of Safe Place Singapore, an organisation dedicated to supporting pregnant women in crisis. Through housing, counselling, and community care, Safe Place empowers women to make life-giving choices and find dignity and strength during vulnerable times. Jennifer has helped hundreds of women rebuild their lives, proving that healing can ripple across generations.
Why Her Story Matters
The story of Jennifer Heng Safe Place Singapore abortion recovery domestic violence faith hope is not only about personal transformation—it’s about the courage to speak truth in a culture of silence and to turn pain into purpose. Jennifer’s life reminds us that where there is life, there is hope, and that our darkest chapters can become the source of someone else’s healing.
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by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 30, 2025 | Domestic Abuse, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
Jo Mason’s life was once overshadowed by fear, control, and violence. As a survivor of domestic abuse, she knows the heavy silence that keeps so many victims hidden and alone. But Jo chose a different path—one of courage, advocacy, and hope. Today, she stands as both survivor and advocate, determined to break the silence and shine a light on domestic violence.
In this powerful episode of Stories of Hope – Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Jo shares her story with honesty and strength. She describes the pain of her lived experience, the challenges of escaping abuse, and the difficult process of rebuilding her life. More importantly, she explains why speaking out became her mission: to give a voice to the voiceless and empower others to step into safety and healing.
Jo’s journey demonstrates that while domestic violence seeks to strip away dignity and hope, survivors carry within them extraordinary resilience. Through her advocacy, she not only raises awareness but also provides support and resources for those still trapped in cycles of abuse. Her story is an urgent reminder that silence protects the abuser, but truth and solidarity protect survivors.
This episode is a call to listen, to believe, and to act. Jo Mason shows us that breaking the silence is not only an act of survival but also an act of love—for oneself, for other survivors, and for future generations who deserve a life free of violence.
by Kerrie Atherton | Apr 7, 2025 | Domestic Abuse, Family, Podcasts
Imagine the unbearable pain of waking up to find your children gone—kidnapped by your abusive ex-partner and taken across international borders, their whereabouts unknown. Imagine the fear, the helplessness, the silent scream that no one seems to hear. For Lizbeth Meredith, this nightmare was real.
In this powerful and deeply emotional episode of Stories of HOPE, Kerrie Atherton speaks with Lizbeth—a mother, survivor, author, and advocate—whose two young daughters were abducted and taken to Greece in an act of calculated control and revenge. What followed was a harrowing two-year ordeal that tested every fiber of Lizbeth’s being. She was forced to navigate a tangle of broken legal systems, international bureaucracy, and overwhelming isolation, all while confronting the psychological scars left by years of domestic abuse.
But Lizbeth’s story doesn’t end with despair—it continues with unwavering determination, fierce love, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. Against all odds, she fought with everything she had to bring her daughters home. And when she did, the next chapter of healing began.
In this conversation, Lizbeth opens up about the emotional toll of her journey: the loneliness of fighting a battle few could understand, the resilience she had to cultivate to survive, and the grace she eventually found in forgiveness. She speaks with quiet courage about how trauma doesn’t just vanish—but how, with time and support, it can be transformed into strength.
Now a published author, speaker, and advocate for domestic violence survivors, Lizbeth uses her voice to shine a light on the hidden horrors of coercive control and international parental abduction. Her story is not just a cautionary tale—it’s a call to awareness, a tribute to maternal love, and a testament to what’s possible when you refuse to give up.
This episode is a reminder that even in the most desolate circumstances, hope can be a lifeline. Lizbeth’s journey will inspire anyone who has faced powerlessness and found their way back to agency, purpose, and peace.
🎬 Watch the film inspired by Lizbeth’s story:
Stolen by Their Father (2022)
