Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton

In this incredibly raw and powerful episode, I sit down with Danny Lloyd: a man who has walked through unimaginable pain and turned it into purpose. Danny shares openly about growing up without a father, struggling with addiction, and the devastating loss of his best friend Sarah, whose murder became a pivotal moment in his life. What struck me most about Danny is his unwavering commitment to heal...

In this deeply moving episode, I sit down with Jo Mason: an extraordinary woman whose life was once marked by fear, isolation and trauma behind closed doors. To the outside world, she was a successful marketing director and a loving mum but privately, she was surviving an abusive relationship that stripped her of her confidence, safety, and sense of self. Jo bravely shares how she found the courag...

Some people fear mental health wards. Others carry trauma from being there. But for many, they’ve been a place of safety, healing, and hope. In this deeply moving conversation, I speak with Rhys Kirk, an occupational therapist and clinician who has worked on both long-term and acute psychiatric units, and whose heart for people absolutely shines through. Rhys and I talk about what it’s really like...

In this raw and courageous conversation, I speak with Paul Beardmore—a father, advocate, and speaker who has walked through unimaginable grief and injustice, yet continues to stand strong in hope. Paul shares the harrowing story of being separated from his children, including the trauma of his son Lane’s life-altering brain injury (an incident Paul believes was never properly investigated), and th...

In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Jen Hamer—an inspiring young woman who battled a life-threatening eating disorder from the age of 12. Jen opens up about the core beliefs that drove her illness, the pivotal moment she chose recovery over death, and the ongoing journey of healing and rediscovery. Now completing a PhD focused on eating disorders in athletes and preparing to publish her fi...

AJ Williams grew up in public housing, surrounded by addiction, violence, and fear. By the age of 14, he was forced to leave home, carrying the weight of trauma no child should have to bear. But in this heartfelt and inspiring conversation, AJ shares how he found the courage to rise—not only building a successful business in the wellness space, but also becoming the kind of father, leader, and man...

In this profoundly moving episode, Kerrie Atherton sits down with Danny Shannon—recovery coach, founder of Encapsulator, and a man who has defied the odds. After 17 years in the grip of heroin addiction, homelessness, prison, and nearly 50 attempts at rehab, Danny made one courageous decision on Christmas Day 2009 that changed his life forever. Together, Kerrie and Danny explore the emotional and...

Imagine the heartbreak of having your children kidnapped and taken overseas by an abusive ex-partner—and not knowing if you’ll ever see them again. In this powerful episode, Kerrie Atherton speaks with Lizbeth Meredith, whose two young daughters were abducted and taken to Greece in an act of calculated violence and control. For two agonising years, Lizbeth fought tirelessly to bring them home, nav...

In this episode of "Stories of Hope," Michael Ray shares his journey from a life defined by toughness and masculinity to embracing the profound transformation brought by fatherhood at the age of 49. Michael then went on to be a solo parent at 51, after his daughter's mother chose not to be part of the family. Michael poignantly recounts his battle with a life-threatening illness, which served as a...

In this episode of "Stories of Hope," former NRL player (now Super League Player) Liam Knight candidly shares his journey of overcoming addiction to drugs and alcohol. He discusses the private battles he faced as a public figure, the pivotal moments that led him to seek help, and the supportive environment that facilitated his recovery. Liam recounts the challenges he faced, including the mental h...

Ben Farinazzo is a remarkable individual whose life exemplifies resilience, courage, and the transformative power of hope. A returned veteran and Invictus Games gold medalist, Ben has become a fervent advocate for mental health and the healing potential of sports. His journey began over 20 years ago as an army officer in East Timor, unknowingly returning home with the psychological scars of his se...

Ferry Zandvilet, a resident of the Netherlands, was an attending physical therapist and aspiring entrepreneur, poised to buy into a physiotherapy company before his life took a drastic turn on November 13, 2015. While enjoying a concert by Eagles of Death Metal at the Bataclan Theatre in Paris, Zandvilet became a survivor of a harrowing terrorist attack, an event that claimed 90 lives. This fatefu...

Dave Stewart is an accomplished author and a dedicated advocate for those affected by addiction and homelessness. With a professional background in corporate sales of underground power cables across Asia and Australia, Dave made a dramatic shift in his life when he left the corporate world in 2013 to work with the Wayside Chapel, a notable organization that supports vulnerable communities. Current...

Dr. Jorge Valdes, famously known for his appearance on Netflix's "Cocaine Cowboys," is a former high-ranking member of the Medellin Cartel and a man who has undergone a profound personal transformation. Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Jorge quickly ascended the ranks of the narcotics world, becoming a multimillionaire involved in high-risk ventures, including the quarter horse business. Despite...

Madeleine Black is a resilient and inspiring author, speaker, and advocate against sexual and childhood violence. Known for her memoir, "Unbroken," Madeleine uses her own harrowing experiences to shed light on the pervasive issue of sexual assault and the long-term trauma it inflicts. At the age of 13, Madeleine survived a vicious attack, a traumatic event that dramatically changed the course of h...

Mike McCarthy is a seasoned UK journalist who made his mark at the BBC and Sky News, tackling some of the most gripping stories of our time. After the heartbreaking loss of his son Ross to suicide, Mike shifted his focus from journalism to becoming a passionate mental health advocate. He’s now on a mission to raise awareness and support those struggling with mental health issues, drawing from his...

Michelle McFadyen is an adventurer and motivational speaker who has dedicated her life to exploring the world's most challenging terrains and sharing her experiences to inspire others. With a background marked by courageous undertakings such as trekking to the Mount Everest base camp, McFadyen's resilience was profoundly tested during the 2015 Nepal earthquake. This catastrophic event, which claim...

Tim Hickey is a young musician from Newcastle whose passion and dedication have driven his success in the music industry. With a formative background in church performances, Tim honed his leadership and musicianship early on, playing across genres like country, pop, and rock. Despite the challenges, Tim's perseverance and commitment continue to shape his career, underscoring the importance of cons...

Hayley Lohmeyer is a dedicated advocate for at-risk youth and families, driven by her personal experience of her father's suicide at the age of twelve. Despite the immense challenges of her early life, Hayley transformed her pain into a mission of hope, working with Youth With A Mission to support vulnerable children around the globe. Her efforts include helping street children, orphans, and traff...

John Killick, known as Australia's greatest escape artist, has a life story marked by dramatic highs and lows. After a troubled early life, Killick turned to crime, eventually escalating from shoplifting to a series of daring bank robberies, culminating in his notorious helicopter escape from a maximum-security prison. Spending 30 out of his 80 years in prison, Killick has since reformed and dedic...

Janet Gardner is a devoted mother, musician, and writer who faced unimaginable tragedy when her daughter, Sarah, was found dead under suspicious circumstances three years ago. Though Sarah's death was officially ruled as suicide, Janet believes it was murder due to numerous inconsistencies in the case. Using her grief as a catalyst, Janet continues to seek justice for Sarah while also channeling h...

Dave Graham, known as "Farmer Dave," is an Australian television personality and farmer who gained popularity on "Big Brother Australia." Beyond his TV fame, Dave is a dedicated advocate for youth and animal welfare, using his platform to break LGBTQ+ stigmas and support at-risk youth through innovative programs involving dogs. His personal history of trauma, neglect, and early struggles with alco...

Michelle Lee is a trailblazing adventurer known as the first Australian woman to solo row the Atlantic Ocean. Despite starting with no rowing experience, Michelle spent two years preparing for this incredible feat, motivated by a desire to escape the predictability of routine life. Her voyage began on the profoundly emotional day of her father’s passing, yet she persevered, driven by resilience an...

Shaun Thomson is a celebrated South African surfer, author, motivational speaker, and environmental activist. He rose to prominence in the surfing world with a career marked by numerous victories, including the prestigious Pipeline Master competition in Hawaii. After retiring from competitive surfing, Shaun launched the innovative surf apparel brand Instinct and transitioned to public speaking. Hi...