In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I’m joined by Andrew O’Grady, CEO of Mental Health America of Dutchess County in New York, and I’m genuinely grateful for the chance to share this conversation with you.

Andrew has spent more than two decades building a model of care that meets people where they are — quite literally. Instead of expecting someone in crisis to find their way into an office and “have it all together,” his team goes out into the community, into homes, into hard places, and offers practical, human support that helps people stay housed, stay connected, and stay alive.

We talk about why peer support is so powerful, especially for veterans and people living with PTSD, and the life-changing outcomes that can happen when someone who’s “walked the road” is allowed to stand beside another person in their pain.

We also speak honestly about the pressures so many people are facing right now. The cost of living, housing instability, and a mental health system that too often adds more red tape at the exact moment someone needs help. Andrew shares what he’s seeing on the ground in the U.S., and I reflect on similar challenges here in Australia — especially the rise in homelessness and the way trauma so often sits underneath what we judge on the surface.

Andrew’s closing message is one we all need right now: less judgement, more understanding, and a willingness to find the goodness in one another, because together there is hope for a brighter future where people with trauma or without a home aren’t left behind.

Get in touch with Andrew O'Grady:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-o-grady-7923144b/

Website: https://mhadutchess.org/team/andrew-ogrady-lcsw-r/

Email: aogrady@mhadutchess.org

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this special behind-the-scenes episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I’m joined by someone you usually hear through the podcast, not on it—my producer and editor, Matthew Bliss.

Matt shares how he found his way into podcasting, what he’s learned from working with so many different voices and stories, and why “success” isn’t always about chasing big numbers.

We talk honestly about the work it takes to build a show you can sustain without getting lost in the noise of social media, analytics, or all the “shoulds” that can leave new podcasters feeling overwhelmed. If you’ve ever felt like you’re not technical enough, not confident enough, or not sure where to even start… this conversation is for you.

We also go somewhere more tender—because podcasting isn’t just content, it’s people. I ask Matt what it’s like to edit heavy, trauma-informed stories and how he protects his own wellbeing when he hears heartbreaking moments with no warning.

And as we close, Matt shares a message for anyone creating something meaningful in the world: come back to your mission, trust yourself, and don’t be afraid of the work because the right message, in the right hands, can change a life.

Together is better. And you don’t have to do this alone.

Get in touch with Matthew Bliss:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss/

Website: https://www.mbpod.com/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today

In this episode of Stories of Hope Worldwide, I’m joined by Stephen Hirst: founder of the Dads Community Group and a passionate advocate for men and fathers walking through trauma, loneliness, and relationship breakdown.

Stephen shares, with so much honesty, what it was like to lose his sense of identity after the end of his marriage. Not just the grief of the relationship, but the deeper ache of losing the everyday moments of fatherhood, the family home, and the life he thought he’d always have.

And in that raw, lonely space, we talk about what so many men silently carry: the pressure to keep providing while feeling emotionally abandoned, the shame that stops them reaching out, and the quiet danger of trying to “tough it out” alone.

What touched my heart in this conversation is how Stephen didn’t just survive that season — he turned it into something life-giving. He built a community where dads can be real, be accountable, learn healthier ways to cope, and find the kind of shoulder-to-shoulder connection that can genuinely save lives.

Get in touch with Stephen Hirst:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-hirst-superchargedu-coaching/

Website: https://superchargedu.com.au/

***

Thank you for listening to Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an Inspiring Speaker, Professional Counsellor and Mental Health Coach. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt (artlist.io)

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss (https://www.mbpod.com)

Mentioned in this episode:

Kerrie Atherton Offers Counselling Sessions to Support You

If the topics discussed in this episode resonate with you and you'd like to talk to someone, Kerrie Atherton is available for counselling sessions. Click the link to book a session with Kerrie today.

Book a Session with Kerrie Today