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Stories that Stir

Stories That Stirwww.patreon.com

Stories that Stir delivers raw and personal stories relating to specific themes, as told by incredible humans from all walks of life. The stories are recorded live in front of an audience at the monthly Sydney based ‘Stories that Stir’ event, which was created to break down barriers, stir conversation and inspire positive change.

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Episodes

Petra Williams - Poisonous Holy Water

Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29⁠ Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https://www.storiesthatstir.com/events Website: https://www.storiesthatstir.com/ On a 3-month solo adventure through India, Petra found herself at a Hindu Temple among worshippers who stared silently at two small gold-plated doors. Clutching their prayer notes, the anticipation grew as the drumming exploded into a deafeni...

Jun 26, 202517 min

Campbell Wilson - Not So Fast Mr

In the fast-paced world of creating television and video content, Campbell found balance through yoga and meditation. But it was Tantra—and the art of slowing down—that truly brought him face-to-face with himself. Driven by curiosity and wonder from a young age, Campbell is now embracing an intimate, open relationship, and his journey is only just beginning to reveal life’s true treasures. Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/9...

Jun 12, 202514 min

Amanda Anderson - Bounce Forward

When Amanda’s world shattered with one call - her father’s terminal diagnosis - she faced an identity crisis. How do you move forward when the person who shaped you is gone? What if suffering isn’t just pain but a doorway to something more? What if loss doesn’t just take, but also gives? Through her story, Amanda explores how small perspective shifts create massive change, and why curiosity is an underrated superpower. Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker applicat...

May 29, 20259 min

FEAR TO LIBERATION – Tilly Reid

Tilly’s story is one of wild expansion—growing up with a conservative Dad and a strict Seventh Day Adventist upbringing, where sex before marriage was a one-way ticket to hell. Fast forward to now, she’s leading The Open Circle , a vibrant community of over 500 people exploring alternative relationships, and co-running FAR , the Festival of Alternative Relationships. Along the way, Tilly has reclaimed the parts of her sexuality once suppressed by the church, stepping into a life of expansion, au...

May 15, 202514 min

MOTHER LOVE – Minie Minarelli

Minie is a special needs mum who shares her daughter’s journey with a rare genetic condition, Kabuki Syndrome. With honesty, compassion and a witty sense of humour, she shares how the roller coaster of special needs parenting has expanded her world into a multiverse that looks almost like a story from a comic book. It’s an incredible story of fights against many fears, driven by a mama’s love for her baby. Host application form: ⁠ ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠⁠ Speaker application form: ...

May 08, 202513 min

GHOST WHISPERER – Tracie Allan

Tracie Allan’s life was profoundly changed at the age of 30 when her beloved mum passed away from cancer. Being at her mother’s bedside, she felt her spirit leave her body - a moment that sparked a yearning to understand where her mum had gone. This led to Tracie's journey into mediumship and learning how to connect with the spirit world which has brought her great comfort in knowing that love never dies. Host application form: ⁠https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6⁠ Speaker application form: ⁠htt...

Apr 24, 20259 min

Tragedy to Triumph – Matt Ireland

After a brain injury during a New Zealand backpacking trip, Matt’s life was shattered—24 hours in a coma, a week in ICU, and a month in rehab. At 27, Matt's journey of resilience is a powerful testament to the human spirit. His story reminds us that even when life breaks us, we have the strength to rebuild and emerge stronger than before. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir...

Jan 09, 202514 min

Tara Sadeghian Grief to Grace

This journey unfolds as Tara navigates the shadow of loss after her mother’s death on her birthday. For nearly 20 years, she wrestles with grief, until a transformative milestone at the age of 50 opens her heart to love. Tara comes to realise that life didn’t end that heart-breaking day; instead, it began anew. As she surrenders to the grief, she learns to embrace joy and love amidst the chaos of sorrow. " Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https...

Jan 02, 202510 min

Community Made– Rugare Gomo

Rugare Gomo is the first gay, Black, African-Australian to write and publish his memoir. He came to Australia by himself at 16 years old with one suitcase, a backpack and $300. In his story he shares his journey of thriving and loving himself and others despite facing discrimination and racism in every facet of society. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https...

Dec 26, 202417 min

Brit Force - Roger Vertannes

Growing-up in London as the youngest of 10 children, Roger had to rid himself of being the anxious people pleaser and take responsibility for what he wanted in life. After running and growing his family-owned businesses, then Roger faced the daunting risks of moving his own family to Australia at the age of forty with no plan, no visa, no job and no network. Roger shares his inner battles with his loss of identity, self-confidence and shattering rejections, through to now, in living his best lif...

Dec 19, 202413 min

Woman Rising - Maedeh Najafi

Maedeh, a devout Muslim woman, has lived her life strictly adhering to religious rules and societal expectations. However, everything changes when she makes the unexpected decision to remove her headscarf. This choice sets off a chain reaction, with her family turning against her and pushing her to the verge of a breakdown. Her world collapses under a cascade of life. Despite the turmoil, one thing remains clear: her three-year-old son needs her. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR...

Dec 12, 202414 min

Reflection Rising - Brent Woods

From his earliest days, Brent was raised amidst turmoil and strife. He found solace in the seductive allure of addiction and descended into a spiral of crime and violence, weaving a tangled web of lies and deceit. Guided by the gentle hand of spirit, Brent forged bonds of connection—with the natural world, with kindred souls, and with the depths of his own being. Through the transformative power of love, he began to unravel the tangled threads of his past, weaving them into a tapestry of resilie...

Dec 05, 202419 min

K-Drama Addiction – Marie El Daghl

How one bad Korean Drama lead to a full blown Kdrama addiction that saw Marie, a mother and marketer rip through 70 shows in two years and counting. Addict or expert? You be the judge, but either way, this is one random story of Kultural discovery. 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: https://www.pa...

Nov 28, 202415 min

Crossing the Pacific – Anick Patry

Anick Patry had a crazy, wild, adventurous idea that took her on the most unknown and tumultuous journey. She decided to travel to Australia from Quebec by sailboat. While her sea journey forced her to face her greatest fears, it also led her into accessing her inner resources and her inner GPS (intuitive guidance). During that incredible expedition, Anick discovered how powerful mother nature is, especially when she found herself captured in the most challenging storm at sea where she thought h...

Nov 21, 202413 min

Freed from Cult Fear - David Schmidt

Imagine discovering that everything you’ve been taught to believe is a lie – having been drummed into you by a high-control cult since birth. When Dave came to this realisation in his early 30’s, he recognised that the only way to be true to himself was to leave his past and start afresh. This path of discovery has led him to freedom and joy but at great personal cost. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social ...

Nov 14, 202414 min

Authenticity - Rob

What was true and authentic to our 11 year old self is not necessarily the same when we turn 30, nor even when we turn 40, or in Rob’s case, 60. But as the years pass, and perhaps through wisdom from aging, he is getting closer to the truth, and as a result becoming his authentic self. Most who suffer trauma understand this very well, let alone have lived it. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media hand...

Nov 07, 202422 min

Gratitude bring Grace – Nina Angelo

“Nina’s story goes from strength to strength. From the survival of her parents from where they met in Auschwitz concentration camp, and the loss of all her Polish Ashkenazi maternal, and Greek Sephardic paternal families. Nina, who was their first new life, also survived with her strength, faith and commitment from stirring up a stage 4 Lymphoma. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @stories...

Oct 31, 202425 min

Antifragile – Jessie Williams

When Jessie was 30 years old, she lost her first child at birth. The grief she experienced after was painful, enlightening, and ultimately re-formative. This led to a decade of social entrepreneurship, attempting to crack the cultural collusion of avoidance when it comes to talking about death. 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...

Oct 24, 202412 min

Talking to strangers – Oksana Koriakova

How do you shut up a talkative person? You send them to a country where they don’t speak the language and don’t know anyone. Oksana shares how she turned a short 6-month visit to Australia into building a new life, business and a massive network of friends. All thanks to her strength, curiosity and talent for talking to strangers. After all, strangers are just friends that we haven't met. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJT...

Oct 17, 202412 min

Balancing Act – Felicity Haylock

It's taken Felicity 10 years to get bloody good at walking the bipolar tightrope without mania or depression throwing her off the path she is destined for. She was lecturing marketing at Uni when a 10-month-long manic episode derailed her entire career. She's back, baby-in a big way too! 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-t...

Oct 10, 202416 min

Jack Spurling - Trusting Life

As a child, Jack dreamed of living in a van and making his way around Australia. By taking action on his intuition, and leaving the opinions of those around him behind, at the age of 21 he realised his dream. Little did he know that the attainment of this dream would eventually lead him to despair, but life had just the right situations in store for him to see what he was truly longing for. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fp...

Oct 03, 202411 min

The Big Swim – Charlie Pidcock

Charlie first thought about swimming the English Channel in the mid-1990s, planned it for about 10 years and has been preparing solidly for the last 2 years. He had plenty of time to reflect whilst swimming and has often been asked, his “Why”. Charlie will have returned from his Channel swim, just a few weeks before sharing his story. If you want to know how it ended, come and listen to his story. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms....

Oct 03, 202418 min

The Mirrors Hold - Glenn Marsden

Glenn survived the darkest depths of body dysmorphia and has since confronted the harrowing reality that his friend’s suicide could have easily been his if he hadn’t spoken out. Battling personal demons and enduring the devastating loss of a friend, Glenn made it his mission for people to embrace their true selves. Our imperfections, often seen as flaws, make us whole. With that mission, Glenn has impacted over 12 million lives worldwide so far. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR7...

Sep 19, 202421 min

London Calling - Lynne Vertannes

Lynne met her soulmate in 1992 on a working holiday in London. Four years later she got married – but not to her soulmate. However, after separating from her then-husband, a chance email, a letter, and a plane journey reunited them. A crossroad that traversed 2 continents, 9 years, and 3 Sydney-London return flights. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https://...

Sep 12, 202415 min

Dear Psychosis - Sarah Martin

Imagine receiving a message from a stranger, informing you that your 21-year-old daughter Alice, who was travelling alone in Turkey, was experiencing a mental health crisis. What would you do? Sarah faced this situation and the journey with her daughter since has been nothing short of inspirational. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: @storiesthatstir Event links: https://events.humanitix.c...

Sep 05, 202414 min

Drag me to a doctor - Neil Rawlinson

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 that followed their love of drag became apparent providing further conflict for themselves and thei...

Aug 29, 202416 min

Impossible Decisions - Noa Rein

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 remaining true to oneself. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker appli...

Aug 27, 202415 min

Metamorphasis - Hayley Melrose

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/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker application form: https://forms.gle/9fpJTcsf1Fz9cFC29 Social media handles: ...

Aug 22, 202421 min

Nothing is missing – Sherrie Laryse

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 — exactly the way it is. Host application form: https://forms.gle/eGNUbdpR72EnrtkX6 Speaker applicat...

Aug 15, 202411 min

Tipping Point – Cassandra Romano

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 links: ⁠https://events.humanitix.com/stories-that-stir-freedom⁠ Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/S...

Aug 10, 202410 min
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