Sharing Stories Changing Lives

Episode 33- Ian Westmoreland- Beyond Stage 4

There are moments in life when everything looks solid…and then, without warning, it shifts.
In this deeply moving conversation, Ian Westmoreland shares his journey from a life of strength and purpose… to facing stage four melanoma and the possibility of losing it all.
But this isn’t just a story about cancer.
It’s about what happens within you when life strips things back.About losing physical strength… and discovering something far more powerful.
Through honesty, humour, and extraordinary perspective, Ian shares how he navigated the darkest moments, why gratitude became his anchor, and how focusing on what remains can change everything.
This is a conversation that will stay with you.
Please note: we are not offering any medical advice in this podcast. 

Episode 32- Michael Brosowski-The Man Who Refused to Look Away

There are moments in life when you can walk past… or you can stop.
In this extraordinary conversation, Michael Brosowski shares what happened when he chose to stop — and how that single decision led to the rescue of thousands of trafficked and vulnerable children through the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.
From a childhood in rural Australia to the streets of Vietnam, Michael’s journey is not driven by a grand plan, but by something far more powerful — compassion in action.
This episode takes you inside a world many of us never see… where children are trafficked, families are torn apart, and hope can feel impossible — and yet, where courage, persistence, and humanity are rewriting thousands of futures.
It’s a story about purpose…about stepping forward when it would be easier not to…and about the quiet, life-changing impact of simply choosing not to look away.
⚡ Warning: This conversation may change the way you see the world — and your place in

Episode 31- Sarah Rowan- Painting The Truth

Sarah Rowan, in the artworld known as Rowan,  grew up in the Bible Belt where obedience meant safety—and silence. In this raw, luminous conversation, she shares what it cost to hide her truth, the moment the “rug” could hold no more, and how art became both lifeline and liberation. From secret love and survival to reclaiming her voice, Rowan reminds us there’s nothing to prove—only rooms inside us waiting to be reopened. 
#LivingYourTruth #FindingYourVoice #ComingOutStory #ArtAsHealing #NothingToProve

Episode 30 - Rob Manning- The Moment Everything Changed

What if the biggest turning point of your life arrived disguised as an ordinary day?
Rob Manning thought he was fine. Busy, healthy enough, carrying on. But his wife, Claire, wouldn’t let it go — she insisted he see a GP. Rob planned to make the appointment… and quietly “forget” to return.
Instead, within minutes, a doctor took one look and said the words that split his life into before and after.
In this conversation with Karen Sander, Rob shares the shocking speed of his decline, the surreal experience of a coma, and the moment he woke up with a new liver — a second chance made possible by another family’s unimaginable loss. Together, we explore how you hold gratitude and grief in the same hands, what it means to be loved with fierce steadiness, and why Rob has dedicated his second chance to changing organ and tissue donation awareness and advocacy.
This is a story about the quiet moments that save us — the appointments we almost don’t make, the conversations we didn’t plan, and the “yes” that can ripple into many lives.
Explore more at thestoryroomglobal.com and step inside The Backstage Pass for exclusive conversations and live storytelling moments from the live events.
Keywords (helps search): liver transplant, organ donation Australia, donor families, DonateLife, end stage liver disease, GP check-up, second chance, grief and gratitude, marriage resilience, Story Room Global.
 
 
 

Episode 29 - Rugare Gomo: Stateless to Belonging

What does it mean to belong — truly and deeply?
In this intimate conversation, Karen Sander speaks with Rugare Gomo, a leadership coach and former lawyer whose life began stateless and unfolded across Zimbabwe and Australia.
Rugare shares his journey from displacement and identity struggle to corporate success — and the inner crisis that followed when success failed to bring peace. He speaks openly about mental health, addiction, shame, and the long work of healing, as well as the influence of the powerful women who shaped his life.
This episode explores themes of:
Identity and belonging
Mental health and emotional resilience
Migration, displacement, and self-acceptance
Redefining success beyond status and achievement
Leadership grounded in love, integrity, and purpose
A moving story of courage, honesty, and transformation — and a reminder that real belonging is something we build from within.

Episode 28 The Girl On The Start Line

She looked strong. She was winning. And she was slowly disappearing. In this intimate conversation, Dr Jennifer Hamer reflects on growing up as ‘the talented one,’ the illness no one questioned, and the long road back to herself. A story of survival, second chances, and learning that our bodies are the least interesting thing about us.
#EatingDisorderAwareness #EatingDisorderRecovery #AnorexiaRecovery #AthleteWellbeing #MentalHealthInSport

Episode 27- The Train Ride That Changed Everything

Ian Westmoreland’s life changed forever one ordinary morning on a train to work. He was 59 and a half — an age when most people are winding down, but Ian was just about to begin. What happened next set him on a path he seemed destined for…

Episode 26 - Tracing the Threads of Me

Lisa Preston always knew she was adopted, but with that knowing came decades of unanswered questions. Her long search for her biological parents in the UK became an emotional rollercoaster — filled with dead ends, stress, hope, and the quiet ache of not knowing where you come from. In this episode, Lisa shares the deeply personal journey of tracing her roots, uncovering the truth, and finally reclaiming the story that shaped her life.

Episode 25-MIck Miller-Overcoming Adversity

In this powerful episode, Mick Miller shares his inspiring journey of resilience and transformation as he faced and overcame cancer. His story of determination and personal growth offers valuable lessons for all of us, reminding us of the strength within to face life’s challenges and emerge stronger.
 #Resilience #Transformation #CancerSurvivor #PersonalGrowth #Inspiration #OvercomingAdversity #LifeLessons #MickMiller #Podcast #SharingStoriesChangingLives #TheStoryRoom

Episode 24- Jeanette Allom-Hill - "Unlocking Passion and Purpose for a Better Life"

Jeanette Allom-Hill is the founder and CEO of Lionhearted Foundation. Jeanette shares her inspiring journey and discusses why unlocking your passion and purpose is key to a living a more meaning and purpose driven life. 
Tune in to uncover the secrets to living your best life!
#Jeanette Allom-Hill #Lionhearted Foundation #Passion and Purpose #Living a Better Life #Discovering Passion #Finding Purpose #Inspirational Journey #Motivational Tips #Life Fulfillment #Personal Growth #Self-Discovery #Building a Better Life #Purpose-Driven Life #Life Transformation #Sharing Stories Changing Lives Podcast