Michael was born blind and grew up in Chicago and California. His early years lacked access to braille, but he learned math in his head and stayed curious about science.

Michael got proper braille education in fourth grade. With his mother’s support and a new resource teacher, he caught up in school, joined the Boy Scouts, and developed skills in leadership.

Michael first learned about guide dogs as a child when he met a blind teacher’s German shepherd named Nola. This experience inspired his own journey to apply for a guide dog.

After eighth grade, Michael received his first guide dog named Squire. He learned responsibility, teamwork, and trust by caring for Squire and continued working with guide dogs throughout his life.

In 2001, Michael led an office in the World Trade Centre. On 9/11, he and his guide dog Roselle calmly evacuated many floors, relying on teamwork and focus to overcome fear.

After 9/11, Michael became a speaker and author, writing three books about his experiences. He teaches others about trust, overcoming adversity, teamwork, and learning to face fear with confidence.

Michael continues to travel, speak, and educate about blindness, inclusion, and guide dogs. He lives with his guide dog Alamo and a cat, using technology to enhance independence and share his story.

*****

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

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Born in the UK in 1952, Bob's early life was tough. He was premature, had a volatile relationship with his mother and was often bullied at school, he shares these formative experiences.

He began as an engineering apprentice but found his true calling in music. Bob played music on boats during pub nights, entertaining the passengers.

Moving to Australia in 1989 Bob's music career flourished. Quitting his engineering job marked a pivotal turn, as Australia became a fertile ground for his musical pursuits.

Deeply influenced by bands like the Berkshire Ramblers and Kelpie, Bob found his heart truly resonates with folk and Irish music, genres that he passionately embraces to this day.

Bob's music career highlights include diverse performances, crowned by a remarkable show for Prince Charles in 1993, showcasing his versatile artistry.

A heartfelt song dedicated to his son, an aerospace engineer now. "Sonny's Dream" encapsulates the emotional distance yet profound love in their father-son relationship.

For Bob, music isn't just sound but a therapeutic tool. He believes in the healing power of sharing stories and emotions, a simple yet powerful form of recovery. Committed to emotional connection, Bob uses song as a storytelling vehicle, believing “Feelings are healings” and emphasizing simplicity in both life and music.

Motivated by deeply personal experiences, Bob’s mission is to eradicate suicide. He challenges conventional views on mental health, advocating for self-awareness and heart-centred healing.

After a near-death experience in 2008, leading to profound self-discovery and healing, Bob’s life philosophy revolves around simplicity and integrity. He shares his belief in a collective human evolution and his privilege in witnessing the rise of integrity over power.

Despite severe health challenges like depression and prostate cancer, Bob trusts in natural remedies and his body's healing power, demonstrating his resilient and holistic approach to life.

*****

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 Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Steve is an Australia based immigrant who left Indonesia as a child due to risks of persecution.

He is an engineer, business leader, single-dad, passionate conservationist and environmental advocate, lover of music of various genre, arts & culture, avid global backpack adventurer off the beaten-tracks. He is an Australian Survivor, social justice activist and prolific social media political commentator.

Steve takes us on a journey through vivid memories of his situation back in Indonesia and the challenges he's faced due to his ethnicity.

He shares the hardships he tackled as an immigrant, the mindset and values that fuelled his life, and the inspiring advocacy work he's doing to help fellow immigrants.

*****

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 Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Judith was the youngest of eight in a Catholic family. Despite a comfortable life, she faced traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse by priests from an early age.

The abuse and violence she suffered profoundly shaping her programming and she developed beliefs of unworthiness and self-punishment. In secondary school, Judith endured further abuse, by a nun. Her suffering attracted more harmful relationships as she grew older.

She suffered severe physical issues, leading to surgeries and years of pain. A life-threatening condition and tapping therapy showed her the healing power of the mind.

For seven years Judith lived a rugged life in a tin shed, hiding from perpetrators. She faced extreme conditions and physical limitations. In 2011, she had a mental breakdown, but this period of physical and mental issues, paved the way for the life-saving therapy she developed, The Richards Trauma Process TRTP which has helped thousands overcome trauma and distress.

This process resolves psychological trauma-related issues, such as PTSD, anxiety and depression - generally in 3 sessions. She has been teaching TRTP to health and mental health professionals for 12 years – medical doctors, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, coaches etc. The first research study, in collaboration with Melbourne University, showing the efficacy of TRTP is about to be published.

https://trtptherapy.com/

YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheRichardsTraumaProcess/videos

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/therichardstraumaprocess

*****

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 Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Born in Brighton, England, Sean moved to Australia at age seven. His dad’s Irish heritage led them to Fremantle, beginning a life of adventure in Perth.

At 15, Sean's navy dream ended due to colour blindness. He joined the Western Australian Police Academy in 1978, quickly finding his passion in policing.

Sean served 15 years in the police, including the Tactical Response Group in 1985, fulfilling a lifelong ambition with thrilling, high-stakes operations.

Leaving the Tactical Response Group in the early '90s due to internal conflicts, Sean faced anger and disillusionment, leading to transitioning struggles and bouts of PTSD.

In the mid-'90s, Sean moved to Sydney, reuniting with his partner Julie. He briefly worked as an ambulance officer, finding new purpose and establishing deeper roots.

Shifting to corporate security, Sean worked globally, regaining confidence and skills. In 2017, he co-founded Beyond the Badge, aiding police and first responders in career transitions.

Today, Sean focuses on improving mental health support for first responders, playing golf, and continuously expanding Beyond the Badge.

Find Sean at

https://www.beyondthebadge.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/beyondthebadgeaustralia/?_rdr

*****

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 Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

We’re back for season two of Connecting Seniors! This special series shines a light on the stories of ageing Australians – moments of wisdom, laughter, challenge and connection. It’s all about celebrating life at every stage and bringing communities closer together.

Tune in every Thursday for new episodes

Find out more about this series and our other podcasts at KintsugiHeroes.com.au.

• • • • •

This Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Don Mathewson is a true champion who shares his extraordinary story of courage, determination, a passion for athletics, and overcoming major physical challenges alongside a life of service to others.

He is a Masters track athlete who has been World Champion on three occasions across different age groups and received fifteen other medals. During his pursuit of excellence, he has completed World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland, USA, France, Brazil, Spain and Australia. As well as holding several Australian and State records across different distances, he cycles with an early morning group three days a week and supports others through several forms of volunteering.

About our Guest:

Don joined the Royal Australian Navy at sixteen in a new scheme introduced by the Navy to provide more education for sailors to handle the technology in a modern navy.

At twenty-one, he was promoted to Petty Officer. Two years later, he undertook Naval Officers training in the UK, winning the sword of honour for top candidate.

He left the RAN after twenty-one years and began a career as a Field Director with World Vision International in the South Pacific.

He became Senior Manager with a large talent management group as Senior Executive Coach.

He worked there well past retirement age and then left to undertake volunteer roles.

These include Mentoring Men, teaching English as a second language, being on the National Committee of Endeavour Foundation, a large disability support organisation and running a coffee mates group for older men.

He teaches English to speakers of other languages and is passionate about mature age fitness and health.

He has a keen interest in Politics, Climate and First Nations people and endeavours to keep across these issues through intentional reading.

*****

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 Limited Kintsugi Heroes podcast series was made possible with grant funding from the NSW Department of Communities & Justice Connecting Seniors Grant Program. To find out more about the program, head to https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.

Alan’s remarkable story describes overcoming the challenges that go with building relationships. He raised three young boys after his first marriage broke up. This was followed by business failure, then another failed marriage.

His life began to change when he discovered his healing gift. Then he met a group of Aboriginal Elders for a year around a campfire. Because he wanted to learn, not to help, he was invited to go through an initiation into manhood.

Alan shares how successful relationships begin with yourself and letting others come to you. He helps others by listening, understanding and helping them heal themselves. This led directly to the Campfire Project, where people tell their stories without criticism, counselling, or judgment.

About our Guest:

Alan Stevens is an International Profiling and Communications Specialist and has appeared on TV and media worldwide.

He has worked with international clients, like Disney Films and Gillette, and high-profile organisations, like the Australian Federal Police, to help them to understand how people tick. Alan works with business owners and executives, helping them to understand and engage their clients and prospects, enhancing their presentations and negotiation skills. And with parents and teachers to help children to reach their full potential while improving the experience of parents, teachers, and students.

His courses are Certified Learning Solutions, and he is a Fellow of the Institute for Learning and Performance Asia Pacific.

He is focused on creating and training his own competition to the highest level and as quickly as possible. He believes “We need more people with the skills, but they have to be well trained”, and he has a moral obligation to find and train the best coaches to become the leaders in their fields.

He also created the #WeTogether initiative and The Campfire Project, a safe place for men and women to give themselves permission to tell their stories. And share their experiences and wisdom from around the world. Alan is also a Director of The Business of Smiles, helping raise Mental Health awareness in the workplace and worldwide.

Contact:

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/readingfaces

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CelebrityProfiler

Facebook Business page https://www.facebook.com/ReadingFaces/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/face_profiler

*****

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

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