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Grit Diaries: From Grit to Grace with Mon and Mazz

Grit Diaries: From Grit to Grace with Mon and Mazz

By: Kintsugi Heroes
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About this listen

 Welcome to The Grit Diaries: From Grit to Grace, a podcast where resilience meets real life. Hosted by dynamic duo Mon and Mazz, we shine a light on the powerful, untold stories of people who have overcome adversity, hardship, and life’s toughest challenges - with grit, heart, and grace. Each episode, we sit down with unsung heroes from all walks of life to explore their journeys through struggle, survival, and transformation. These are raw, honest conversations that go beyond the headlines - stories that inspire, challenge, and remind us of the strength within us all. Whether it's bouncing back from rock bottom, navigating personal loss, or turning pain into purpose, The Grit Diaries is a tribute to the human spirit - and a space where vulnerability meets victory. Real stories. Real people. Real resilience. Subscribe, listen, and join us on the journey from Grit to Grace.Copyright 2026 Kintsugi Heroes Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Siobhan Wilson: Turning Anaphylaxis and Adversity Into Advocacy at 16

    Siobhan Wilson: Turning Anaphylaxis and Adversity Into Advocacy at 16
    Apr 21 2026

    Episode Summary

    Siobhan Wilson was born at 27 weeks, weighing less than a kilogram. By 16, she had survived open heart surgery at one month old, roughly 130 resuscitations in the NICU, seven anaphylaxis episodes — including one where paramedics ran out of adrenaline — and founded her own social enterprise at age 6.

    In this episode of Grit Diaries, Siobhan shares what it takes to turn a lifetime of medical complexity into a mission to make Australia safer for everyone living with anaphylaxis.

    Episode Pillars

    ● Finding Magic in the Hard Stuff: How Siobhan's mum raised her to see possibility in the world despite a

    childhood filled with hospital visits, trauma, and medical uncertainty.

    ● The Night She Nearly Didn't Come Home: Siobhan recounts the 2024 awards dinner where she won Young

    Entrepreneur of the Year — and spent the ride home in an ambulance needing the equivalent of 12 EpiPens.

    ● What Australia's Labelling Laws Are Missing: Why 'dairy free' on a packet doesn't mean what you think it

    does — and how a mashed potato nearly cost Siobhan her life.

    ● Shame, EpiPens, and Why People Wait Too Long: The embarrassment that stops people with anaphylaxis

    from acting in time, and why that silence is deadly.

    ● What Actually Helps: From breathwork and hand pan music to becoming a sports medic — the unexpected

    tools Siobhan uses to heal her brain and show up for others.

    The Kintsugi Connection

    To see the visual story of Siobhan's journey and explore more episodes of resilience, visit our YouTube channel:

    https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videos

    If Siobhan's story moved you, explore these related Hero conversations:

    ● Navigating a serious health diagnosis? Listen to Ian Westmoreland's story of launching Kintsugi Heroes while

    facing melanoma.

    About Kintsugi Heroes: An Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the

    power of storytelling.

    Partner with Us: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

    Donate (tax-deductible): https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

    Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • Why Most Leaders Get It Wrong (And How to Fix It) | Dave Chauhan

    Why Most Leaders Get It Wrong (And How to Fix It) | Dave Chauhan
    Apr 7 2026
    Episode Summary

    In this episode of The Grit Diaries, we sit down with Dave Chauhan — author, leadership consultant, and former corporate executive — to explore what leadership really means in today’s world.

    After nearly two decades in the corporate world, Dave realised that traditional definitions of success — titles, income, and status — weren’t aligned with what truly matters. Shaped by a childhood between two very different value systems, he began questioning everything he thought he knew about leadership.

    This conversation challenges outdated leadership models and explores what it takes to lead with purpose, empathy, and responsibility.

    Episode Pillars

    ● Two Worlds, One Identity

    Growing up between two sets of parents and conflicting values — and how this shaped Dave’s leadership philosophy

    ● Success vs Purpose

    The moment Dave realised corporate success wasn’t enough — and chose a different path

    ● Why Leadership Is Broken

    How outdated, KPI-driven leadership models are failing people and organisations

    ● The Captain Set Sail Framework

    Beacon (purpose), Wayfinder (adaptability), and Seafarer (courage) — a new way to lead

    ● The Hidden Weight of Leadership

    Decision fatigue, emotional pressure, and the responsibility leaders carry every day

    The Kintsugi Connection

    Dave’s journey reflects the essence of Kintsugi — where life’s fractures become the foundation for growth, purpose, and impact.

    Rather than being defined by pressure or misalignment, Dave used those experiences to rebuild a new understanding of leadership grounded in values and humanity.

    About Kintsugi Heroes

    Kintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling.

    We believe that lived experience is a gift to be shared, not a scar to be hidden.

    Partner with Us

    https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/

    Donate

    https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donate

    Connect With Us

    Website: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • When Life Changes Overnight (Julie Randall) | Grit Diaries | Season 2 | Episode 11

    When Life Changes Overnight (Julie Randall) | Grit Diaries | Season 2 | Episode 11
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode of Grit Diaries, we sit down with Julie Randall, a Stage 4 Melanoma survivor who defied a terminal diagnosis to find a life-saving clinical trial...Episode SummaryWhat would you do if you were given 72 hours to live? When Julie Randall was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma that had spread to her brain, she refused to accept a terminal "no." In this powerful episode of Grit Diaries, Mon & Mazz explore Julie’s extraordinary journey of tenacity—from the moment her life changed overnight to her global search for a life-saving clinical trial. Julie’s story is a masterclass in the "Grit" required to find a Plan B when the world says there isn't one.Episode PillarsThe 72-Hour Turning Point: Facing a terminal diagnosis with two young daughters and choosing to "not go quietly."The Global Search for a Miracle: The relentless pursuit of a US-based clinical trial and the bureaucratic hurdles of the medical system.Mindset as Medicine: How Julie managed the mental "white noise" of trauma to stay focused on survival.Patient Advocacy: Why Julie now dedicates her life to helping others navigate the "broken" parts of the healthcare system.The Kintsugi Connection: Finding the gold in the repair and why scars are a testament to a life fought for and won.Topics Covered: > Julie Randall, Stage 4 Melanoma, Grit Diaries, Kintsugi Heroes, Cancer Survivor Stories, Clinical Trials, Patient 71, Resilience, Overcoming Terminal Diagnosis, Patient Advocacy, Australia Podcast, Metastatic Melanoma, Mental Wellbeing, Simone Allan, Maryan Bova.The Kintsugi ConnectionTo see the visual story of Julie's journey and explore more episodes of resilience, visit our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@kintsugiheroes/videosIf Julie’s story moved you, explore these related Hero conversations:Dealing with Illness? Listen to Ian Westmoreland’s story of launching Kintsugi Heroes while facing his own melanoma journey.Seeking Resilience? Discover how Cameron reframed a terminal prognosis into a life of peace and flight.About Kintsugi HeroesKintsugi Heroes is an Australian not-for-profit (DGR endorsed) dedicated to strengthening mental wellbeing through the power of storytelling. We believe that lived experience is a gift to be shared, not a scar to be hidden.Partner with UsAlign your organisation with resilience and social responsibility. Help us amplify voices that inspire change. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/partners/DonateYour tax-deductible contribution helps us reach over 6 million Australians via community radio and continue sharing these vital stories. https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate/#donateConnect With UsWebsite: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.auLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kintsugi-heroes/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kintsugi.heroes/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kintsugi-Heroes-100084850387170/
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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