Born in Sri Lanka with limited career options, Jetha's perfectionist tendencies and cultural isolation triggered mental health challenges early on. His parents' courageous move to Australia provided new opportunities but also difficulties adapting.

Jetha battled obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety in silence for years, with the conditions significantly impacting his life. He felt shame about the disorders and suffered alone, without openly seeking help, even as he advanced his corporate career.

Grappling with OCD forced Jetha to redefine success beyond corporate achievements. He recognized the importance of building self-worth, not relying only on external validation. Authenticity and self-compassion became key, even as he continued professional advancement.

A pivotal moment for Jetha was an encounter with cancer patients sleeping on hospital floors in Sri Lanka. It reignited Jetha's childhood aspiration to help others and he launched a naïve but persistent effort to make a difference through fundraising.

Jetha's 20-year philanthropic journey establishing a cancer transit home, lifeline centre, and other initiatives in Sri Lanka gave rise to the Courage, Compassion and Commitment (CCC) Foundation. These three virtues guided his life and work.

Jetha's mental health experiences and philanthropy shaped his focus on psychological resilience - the ability to "bounce with and bounce off adversity." He emphasized building self-worth, psychological safety, strong relationships and having realistic expectations for thriving despite challenges.

At age 56, Jetha boldly restarted his career to share his insights on mental well-being. His "Let's Talk" program and CCC Foundation aim to foster honest conversations, reduce stigma and help people feel seen, heard and valued.

"A simple conversation can be the difference between an end or a beginning".

My passion is to make it a beginning by enabling everyone to feel SEEN, HEARD and VALUED. Feeling valued fundamental for our emotional wellbeing and our ability to connect, learn and contribute.

Contact

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jetha-devapura-576a2a6

Website: https://letstalkprogram.org/

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting...

Glenys Reid is the CEO of the Chatty Cafe Foundation in Australia, an initiative focused on addressing loneliness and social isolation through facilitating conversations in coffee shops and cafes.

Glenys has a background marked by resilience, shaped by her family's experience, particularly her father's time as a prisoner of war. Her family's attitude towards life and survival has significantly influenced her approach to adversity. Glenys attributes her wisdom and values to the diverse experiences and cultures she encountered through her privileged upbringing, which included education, travel, and scholarships.

Before founding Chatty Cafe, Glenys worked in the corporate sector, facing mental health issues and employment challenges, particularly in 2017.

She places strong emphasis on the importance of physical fitness and its impact on mental health, advocating for the integration of physical activity and social connections in daily life.

She was inspired to start Chatty Cafe in 2019 after her own experiences of loneliness and social isolation led her to notice people sitting alone in cafes.

Despite various challenges, including national bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, she successfully launched Chatty Cafe and grew it to over 230 venues with more than 70 volunteers across Australia.

Glenys values kindness and social connection. She defines kindness as a competency and believes in the power of one person to make a difference, stressing the importance of listening to others' stories and building meaningful relationships.

Social Media

https://chattycafeaustralia.org.au/

https://www.facebook.com/chattycafeaustralia

https://www.instagram.com/ChattyCafeAUS/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenys-reid-8385521a/

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Alan's personal experience with homelessness and mental health challenges, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, informs his empathetic approach to peer support work. He transitioned from a career as a financial advisor to a peer worker position in suicide prevention, where he co-designs and implements vital services to support those in crisis.

Alan is an inspiring community advocate and leader, known for his contributions to various community initiatives. Some of his notable undertakings include:

Founding the Sydney Community Safe Space. This is a safe-haven for individuals in crisis, providing a supportive environment for those in need. Setting up a Men's Space Supper Club which aim to foster camaraderie, support, and open dialogue among men, encouraging them to share their experiences and challenges in a safe and supportive setting.

Conversation Cafes which are designed to encourage open, meaningful conversations within the community, helping individuals connect, share, and support one another. Additionally, Alan is actively involved with the Public Interest Advocacy Centres.

He strives to bring honest, compassionate support to the community and advocate for tailored, non-clinical approaches to mental health. His focus on vulnerability, patience, and discipline reflects his commitment to making a positive impact and shining a light for others facing similar struggles.

Alan's ultimate hope is to see systemic changes that provide appropriate support to prevent individuals from taking their own lives and to foster a world where everyone's unique needs and interests are addressed.

On a personal level, he aspires to have a fulfilling life, maintain hope, and improve his relationships with family and friends. He has committed himself to a resourceful lifestyle in recovery.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Tracie Eaton is an Internationally-renowned & award winning Australian artist with an artistic career spanning over 17 years. Tracie’s studio is located on the Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

Her personal experiences with burnout propelled Tracie to transition from corporate to creative pursuits, emphasizing the importance of listening to one’s inner needs and embracing purposeful change.

With a background in occupational therapy, Tracie explores the emotional impact of colours in her art, using them as a therapeutic tool to unlock and express feelings.

Tracie utilises art to inspire and fundraise for Destiny Rescue, highlighting how creativity can drive social and emotional transformation, and uplift exploited communities.

Tracie addresses sex trafficking head-on, advocating for societal awareness and action, while illustrating how collective efforts can lead to significant impacts on global and local scales.

Tracie’s connections with Hollywood celebrities amplify her mission, using their influence and reach to raise awareness and support for rescuing children from exploitation and trafficking.

Biography

Tracie is a self-taught artist with a painting style that is expressive & unique, with her creativity knowing no bounds. Her luxurious artworks are bold, textured with loose form & brush strokes, and has been described by curators as ‘passion-art’ – “everyone who sees it loves it.”

Tracie specialises in creating original acrylic & mixed media artworks for the luxury art sector. Tracie is often referred to as a ‘Celebrity Artist’ following her exclusive 3-year commissions (2019-2021 and 2023 -2005) to create bespoke artwork for Oscar’s nominees & winners, with an impressive list of Hollywood A-listers,

In 2024 Tracie won the international Masterful Minds award by Circle Foundation. She has also been recognised as International Acrylic Artist of the Year Award (Australia) by Lux Life).

Tracie has also established the Art for Rescue initiative, an approved fundraiser for the Charity Destiny Rescue, established to eradicate sex trafficking and exploitation of children.

In 2023 Tracie was awarded the Best Acrylic Artist – Asia-Pacific by APAC. Additionally, Tracie was the only international artist invited, and participate in a joint digital exhibition in ToDA(Dubai).

In 2022, she recognised by Lux Life as the Leading Luxury Art Company - Australia and has been awarded the Leonardo Da Vinci International Artist Award for Outstanding Artistic Merit for her acrylic & mixed media piece ‘Flowers In Bloom.’

In 2022 Tracie was recognised by APAC Best Original Painting & Art Studio QLD & Most Creative Australian Arts & Painting Company.

In 2021 Tracie Eaton was recognised by GAA as one of the Leading & Investable Contemporary Artists worldwide and included in their Curated publication for distribution to galleries, collectors, art museums & art fairs around the world.

She was listed by Herrington Publications as one of the top 25 Global Woman Change Makers of the year. During the last five years Tracie was involved in over 20 live art performances, solo or joint exhibitions.

Social Media

ART FOR RESCUE:

https://artforrescue.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/art.for.rescue/

TRACIE EATON:

https://www.tracieeaton.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TracieEatonArtist

Jas describes her experiences with domestic violence as a young teen, which included she and her mother running through the bush to seek safety and then spending 9 months in a safe house.

Jas's experiences with her father’s emotional abuse, led to self-esteem and body image struggles, highlighting the deep impact of non-physical forms of abuse. She lost her abusive Dad to suicide at 18 but was able to rebuild her life and learn to thrive.

Jas changed her life to ensure her son’s different upbringing, emphasising the importance of breaking the cycle of abuse and negative patterns.

Why non-physical forms of domestic violence (such as gaslighting and coercive control) are just as dangerous as physical violence, and how young people can learn to spot the red flags early

Jas's journey from suffering to becoming an advocate for abuse survivors, stressing the importance of mentorship, especially for men, and its effects on mental health.

In her book "The Stories We Carry," Jas emphasises changing one’s perception and narrative to break free from trauma, fostering hope and personal growth. Jas recounts her transition from feeling voiceless to finding strength through drama and theatre, and ultimately becoming a powerful voice for abuse survivors.

Biography

Jas Rawlinson is an award-winning keynote speaker, advocate and author who empowers survivors and communities to transform shame into strength through the power of storytelling.

Combining her lived experience as a domestic/sexual violence survivor, with a bachelors' degree in creative writing and psychology, Jas is highly renowned for her natural ability to break through stigmatized social issues, and has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.

She's the author of the best-selling memoir 'The Stories We Carry', and the suicide prevention series 'Reasons to Live', both of which have been endorsed by names such as Lifeline, ABC, Women's Legal Service QLD & America's National Centre on Sexual Exploitation.

Jas is also a proud anti-trafficking ambassador who has spent time with survivors and investigators in SE Asia, and in 2022, swam with sharks on reality TV to end child abuse (before an audience of 100 million) on Channel 7's award-winning TV series 'Adventure All Stars'.

Above all, Jas believes that everyone has a story with the power to inspire, impact, and change lives.

Social Media Links

www.jasrawlinson.com/speaking

www.jasrawlinson.com/thestorieswecarry

www.instagram.com/jas_rawlinson

www.facebook.com/jasrawlinsonofficial

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube ||

Stacey suffered from childhood trauma due to parental divorce and remarriages. This caused instability, hyper vigilance, and long-term emotional impacts on her self-esteem and behaviours. Her parents divorced and each remarried within a few months so her life changed rapidly.

She explains once that trauma responses like Fight, flight, freeze, and appease are understood, it is possible to have deeper insights into adult behaviours stemming from unhealed childhood traumas. Stacey shares that beliefs like ‘needing to protect everyone’ and ‘having no one reliable’, lead to hyper-independence and emotional breakdowns.

She describes her struggle with chronic fatigue and autoimmune conditions exacerbated anxiety and panic, despite 20 years of therapy and shifting to alternative healing practices.

Through inner child work, authors like Brene Brown, and rapid transformational therapy she found a gradual path to peace, reducing anxiety frequencies and intensities. Emphasizing that peace coexists with challenges, Stacey underscores the impact of supportive affirmations, rejecting "brokenness," and maintaining hope amidst recovery from trauma.

In her practice Stacey employs rapid transformational therapy to reframe subconscious beliefs, fostering micro shifts that gradually transform thoughts, actions, and behaviours towards peace.

Biography

Stacey Uhrig, Coach and Trauma Specialist, journeys through some of life's most difficult topics around Mental Health. She has two core beliefs, "There is a gift in every challenge" and "There is purpose in the pain.". Stacey believes that "life is a series of experiences divinely designed for us" and it is her goal to help you flip your mindset and see your life challenges and experiences through a new more relevant lens.

Stacey is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach, Certified in Hypnosis and a Rapid Transformational Therapy Practitioner. She is a speaker, podcast host of Flip Your Mindset, and sees clients 1:1 in her private practice.

Social Media

@staceyuhrig

www.flipyourmindset.com

www.instagram.com/staceyuhrig

www.facebook.com/staceyuhrig

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of...

Chris Edwards is a father of a son who died by suicide in 2021. He has a history of suicide ideation, brought about by domestic violence and abuse in his early life. His experiences and events like these, drive him to share his story, with the hope that the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide can be minimised, if not diminished.

Chris's childhood in a violent home profoundly affected his mental health, leading to struggles with self-identity, self-harm, and substance abuse. After hitting rock bottom, Chris made a life-changing decision to quit drugs at 30, experiencing severe physical withdrawal but beginning his path to recovery.

He experienced pseudo seizures linked to anxiety and underwent extensive rehabilitation. This physical struggle mirrored his emotional battles and quest for stability. After his father's death and estrangement from his children, Chris faced deep isolation, prompting a profound need for self-reflection and change.

Chris's experience with trauma and recovery inspired him to support mental health initiatives, emphasising the importance of openness and breaking stigmas around mental health.

Meeting his wife in 2013 marked a turning point, providing emotional support and stability, helping Chris to overcome many personal challenges and setbacks. Chris's grief after his son Josh’s suicide in 2021 inspired the creation of Walk It Off, fostering a supportive community focused on mental health and resilience.

Walk It Off highlights recovery by walking and sharing stories. This creates space for healing and self-reflection. Completing his degree and aiming to become a mental health advocate, Chris seeks to provide education and support, transforming his pain into purpose.

Contact

walkitoff.org.au

facebook.com/WalkItOffAustralia

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.

Helen Ryan's story starts with her describing how she overcame her shocking childhood in Norway and early adult life challenges. She shares her traumatic childhood with an alcoholic mother and facing sexual abuse while detailing her mother's risky behaviour.

She recounts living a nomadic lifestyle after working in the district attorney's office during the night stalker murders, fostering her fearlessness. Helen describes her transformative experiences traveling with her children after her youngest graduated, finding resilience and new perspectives abroad.

She highlights gaining managing skills and unique opportunities through her job at a Los Angeles online magazine, helping her son meet a band. Helen talks about embracing photography, especially at rock concerts, and learning to seize opportunities fearlessly without perfect conditions.

Reflecting on overcoming obesity through spinning and empowerment, Helen discusses her journey of regaining control and finding self-worth. She travelled the world as a middle aged digital nomad, started a walking podcast to inspire people to take small steps toward big changes, and wrote two books.

Helen now runs a boutique graphic design and marketing agency.

Contact:

https://walkingandtalking.show

https://realhelenmryan

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

YouTube || Facebook || Instagram || LinkedIn || Website

Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.