This episode was recorded just after the tragedy on Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, and mentions the massacre in the context of trauma. If the topic is still raw for you, please save the episode for another day. Our hearts are with the victims, survivors, and families.

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Jim Lagopoulos, CEO and Executive Director of the Brain & Mind Hub and a passionate advocate for mental health reform. Jim helps us understand trauma as something that can touch anyone — not just first responders or veterans — and he speaks with real clarity about why repeated exposure to distressing news and imagery can deepen fear and trigger old wounds.

But what I love about Jim’s work is that he doesn’t stop at naming the problem — he’s focused on changing the system. We talk about why so many people still fall through the cracks in an outdated mental health model, and why simply pouring more money into a broken structure won’t fix what’s hurting people. Jim shares the vision behind a new neuro-innovation precinct being developed on the Sunshine Coast — a place designed to bring research and treatment together, shorten the time it takes for breakthroughs to reach real people, and offer care that feels safe, human, and deeply respectful.

If you’ve ever felt disillusioned by mental health care, or you’ve watched someone you love struggle and thought, there has to be a better way, this episode is for you. It’s a conversation about hope — not the fluffy kind, but the kind built through evidence, compassion, prevention, and meaningful reform.

Get in touch with Jim Lagopoulos:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-lagopoulos-7412b063/

Website: https://www.brainandmindhub.org.au/about-us/meet-the-team/dr-jim-lagopoulos/

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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:

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