by Kerrie Atherton | Aug 10, 2026 | Depression, lived experience, Mental Health, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
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/
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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 | 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/
***
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 | Jul 13, 2026 | Podcasts, Stories of Hope, Teenagers
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)
by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 29, 2026 | Depression, lived experience, Mental Health, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
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)
by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 15, 2026 | Depression, Family, Podcasts, Stories of Hope, vulnerability
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)
by Kerrie Atherton | Jun 1, 2026 | Addiction, Podcasts, sexual abuse, Stories of Hope
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)
