Stories that Stir®: Ideas Shape The World, But Stories Make Them Real.

Big ideas don’t live only in books—they come alive when we wrestle with them together. They spark something when they’re questioned, shared, and grounded in real human experience.
Storytelling is where ideas leave the page and enter lived reality, turning concepts into insight and insight into meaningful change. When a story is told with honesty and depth, it invites us not just to think differently, but to see differently.
Storytelling turns concepts into insight, inviting reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Listen closely, and ideas don’t just inform—they resonate, awaken, and stick.
Stories that Stir® events are designed to break down barriers, stir conversation, and inspire positive change.
At each event, six people share a raw and personal story linked to a theme. Themes are juicy, emotive topics such as FREEDOM, TRUTH, EXPECTATIONS, CONNECTION etc.
Audience members rave about how good it feels to spend a lovely evening, listening to other people’s funny, moving, and inspiring stories and how connected to humanity the event makes them feel.
Come and listen to six storytellers, who will each share their 10-minute raw and personal story on the theme BEGINNINGS in all its shapes and forms.
You’ll meet incredible people, maintain and increase your networks, and become known as someone who is doing something outstanding for your community and humanity.
Tickets include a delicious grazing table to enjoy before the storytelling begins. Food allergies are catered to.

Meet your Storytellers:
Twist of Fate – Rowena Robinson
Rowena had a tough start to life growing up in Housing Projects and later moving to the ghetto streets of South Central LA. She was determined to get out of there as she was certain she’d die if she didn’t, but had no idea how she would accomplish this. Sport and gymnastics in particular gave her a chance at a new beginning, not without a huge dose of tenacity and a few miracles thrown in for good measure.

For my Daughters – Victor Simone
Thursday ended perfectly for Victor and his family. Friday started like any other, with Victor heading to work, his wife Liz taking the girls to school, and meeting friends for coffee.
A quick morning call with Liz; and a few hours later, Victor received a call from a friend that changed everything … that day was the beginning of his life as a single parent, shifting priorities and the reinvention of myself.

Mum of 14 – Toby Leider
At age 20, Toby met her husband, who qualified her five dealbreakers, which included a very large family. Her dream was shattered when she was told by the doctor that due to medical complications she couldn't have more than two children. Her Rabbi blessed and prayed for them and encouraged her to have natural birth after three cesareans. Not giving up her dream, through tears and hope, miraculously child #3 was born with the Rabbis blessings, and 11 more after!

Blind Faith – Bashir
Born legally blind, Bashir discovered that true vision comes from within. It began with the courage to be curious enough to explore what he could achieve despite his limitations. This was the beginning of his portal to purpose, guiding him to awaken the transformative power of inner vision.

Invincible - Caroline Hey
As the saying goes, “Life happens when you have other plans.” After building a life that Caroline thought was creative, and nothing at all that her family expected of her, she still had the feeling that she wasn't on her destined path. That message became unmistakeably clear when she turned thirty. New beginnings were something she was accustomed to, in fact she chased them. Yet, this one was something different. Becoming invincible and being taught a superpower no one in the Western world talked about, was what life had planned for. But being invincible comes with its challenges.

Finding Belonging - Saurabh Kaura
Saurabh moved to Sydney in 2019 feeling excited, anonymous, and quietly overwhelmed. He spent years in sales roles, having conversations all day, yet often feeling disconnected once work ended. He was deeply introverted and struggled to feel like he belonged in his new country. Small steps with starting a podcast, a rapidly growing walking group and coffee meetings with a wide range of people became his way of finding confidence, connection, and community before he even realised what he was building.

* Trigger warning: Story content may include sensitive topics such as trauma, suicide, death etc.

Earlybird ticket sales end on Sunday 8 Feb 2026:
https://www.storiesthatstir.com/event-details-registration/stories-that-stir-r-beginnings