Stories that Stir

From a young age, Neil dressed up in their mum's clothes and paraded around the streets with careless abandon. They soon came to realise that society did not understand their femininity and it also became clear that they were gay. The shame they felt about these personal attributes, drove their head into their school books, obtaining sensational exam results and a place at university. In the years...

Noa Rein, a very proud mother of three and behavioural expert, joins us to share the impossible decisions that come with navigating profound life crossroads - from high-risk pregnancies to life-threatening illness to immigration upheaval. Noa shares how she made seemingly impossible decisions and faced the anguish of choices with no clear path, yet emerged with insights on resilience, courage, and...

This is a story about a woman who had all this power and heart, but she was wild and destructive. After 6 near death experiences, a healing path of service to self and others, developed over the next 14 years. Her life became about Ceremony, Purification, Self Love and Life Force Energy. This is her story of self discovery, transformation and liberation. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eG...

Through a deeply raw and vulnerable journey through adversity including major health issues, Sherrie Laryse came to understand a universal truth that nothing is missing in our lives — despite what it may seem. Sherrie shares the emotional intelligence techniques she used to find peace with her situation, a recognition of wholeness within herself, and a deep love and gratitude for her path in life...

When Cassandra was left a widow with 9 month old twins, she had a choice to make. Wallow in self-pity, or do the inner and outer work required to create a life for her boys and herself that she would be proud of. This is her story. Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29⁠ Social media handles:@storiesthatstir Event...

Nick Bendel is in the process of having lunch with 500 strangers. So far, he’s met almost 400 people … including me! Meeting so many strangers has helped Nick build an incredible network while giving him the chance to improve his social skills and develop a deeper understanding of human behaviour. This has been an incredible adventure that has changed Nick’s life forever. Host application form: ht...

By the age of 20, Bri was a domestic violence survivor. Thanks to an unlikely sign from the universe, half a regurgitated cheeseburger, she managed to escape and give herself a second chance at life. Host application form:https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form:https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles:@storiesthatstir Event links:https://events.humanitix.com/st...

You can’t always be strong but you can always be brave. That’s the mantra from Amanda, who faced a sudden health crisis that nearly claimed her life. She shares what she learned and how several previous intuition-driven decisions ultimately saved her. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @stor...

The loss of a family member left Caolan at the bottom of a deep dark hole - this is the story of the mountain he had to ascend and the resilience needed to climb the first step that led to his destiny. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https://events.humanitix....

When Donné was 17, she taped the words 'self-sufficiency through creative work' to the front of her school diary, and decorated them with glitter. Those words were her mantra. To be able to live on the financial returns of her creative work was not just a dream, it was her destiny. A quarter century later, Donné's measure of success has failed every attempt she has ever made. So now wh...

Traumatic events stole Destiny’’s power and silenced her voice for a decade, and she reclaimed her roar through the power of sound healing. She wears her scars as a part of her power; they have the mightiness to spark others to reclaim their vitality, dissolve victim mentality, and flow into forgiveness and peace. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form:...

This story is about a young man who had a dream he never gave up on. Resilience saved his life and drove him towards a path that would change everything. A path to find love, acceptance, forgiveness and courage. Battling chronic anxiety, as well as mental and physical ill health, Taylor's experiences have given him the spark to help support those in need.

Lisa was born in England in 1970 and was adopted at six weeks of age into a family who had already adopted a son. Her family moved to Australia when she was two years old and grew to include a biological daughter. Lisa’s story of reunion spans decades and two continents. It's a testament to courage, tenacity, resilience, and proof that a no doesn’t always stay a no. Host application form: http...

From a career lurking in the shadowy corridors of ASIO to the harsh spotlight of the entertainment industry, David has had his skin well and truly thickened. But he never thought getting pistol-whipped during a counter-terrorism exercise would come in handy one afternoon at the shops. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz...

Her dream was like a fairytale: Move to Australia, marry her Knight in Shining Armour, have two beautiful children, live near the beach. Becoming a widow at 45 was not on her vision board – yet neither was finding Empowerment in Grief! Marie had promised her husband to create the happiest life possible, and so she did.

From the mountains of Bhutan to the Amazonian jungle, Tatjana has explored many healing modalities to heal her inner child, that led her onto her path of purpose. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https://events.humanitix.com/stories-that-stir-freedom Patreon:...

Courtney Krulis discovered inspiration amidst the dust and chaos of Burning Man. It was there she realised her life, constrained by expectations and a corporate facade, needed a new choreography. Sheleftbehindher‘successful’life in New York, and embraced dance not just as movement, but as a profound source of rebellion, release, and rebirth.

Jean Paul Amedee started primary school in Bujumbura, Burundi (Africa)like any other child in the neighbourhood, until the age of ten when he faced the threat of genocide at the hands of the Tutsis. What happened next is nothing short of inspirational. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @sto...

Fuck Yes Energy wasn’t always easily accessible to this warrior goddess. She has climbed her way out of a traumatic head injury and drug/alcohol addiction to come home to herself. Jourdi shares how she found her sparkle and is helping others find theirs too. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles...

From humble upbringings in Canada, Theodore grew up to believe that pursuing your passions was risky business. But he broke free from traditional boundaries, lived nomadically for 2 years, started a 6-figure travel blog business, and now pursues a career as an actor. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social medi...

Shannon has always been passionate about storytelling. He’s done it for fun and also for an income. On countless occasions, he’s used storytelling to survive. He used it to process abuse, trauma and guilt. And as a way of dreaming big dreams when hope was lost. Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29⁠ Social media...

Loneliness is a feeling that Joram has experienced his whole life, despite being surrounded by friends and family. He followed his intuition by creating an abstract self-portrait that ended up revealing the story of his life, including the story of his twin sister who was lost early on in utero.   Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gl...

Spending the 11 days of Deidre’s life completely alone in the hospital nursery, created a gaping hole in her life that needed to be filled and posed many question that demanded answers.  This led to some messy moments whilst building resilience and a strong sense of independence.  It’s taken many years to address the formative narratives and lasting imprint of abandonment and to know who she truly...

Sarah grew up in the Buckle of the Bible Belt aka Greenville, South Carolina.  Falling in love with the same gender was taboo, the shame led to 20 years of conversion therapy, in both the US and Australia.  In 2018, she left everything she had ever known to embrace herself and not some cult-created version of Sarah.  It was raw and messy…finding her identity within, the journey continues.  Host ap...

Associate Professor Diana Olsberg led the way for professional women, becoming the first female senior consultant at the largest PR firm in the country. Having developed a strong passion for progressing women’s equality in the workplace, Diana devoted her time to fighting for women’s power and IDENTITY through economic empowerment. She was pivotal in campaigning for women to receive equal superann...