Stories that Stir Northern Rivers

Stories that Stir® events are designed to break down barriers, stir conversation, and inspire positive change.

Come and listen to six ordinary yet extraordinary people share their raw, personal stories on the topic of IDENTITY, in all its shapes and forms.

Please join us for an afternoon of extraordinary stories that will make you laugh, cry, and view the world in a different light.

xxx Bettina – Your local Northern Rivers Stories that Stir Host

Meet your Storytellers:

Rebirth  – Jacob Farley

After a life-altering car accident and traumatic brain injury, Jacob was forced to rebuild from the ground up, facing deep uncertainty, lost time, and a search for meaning. Through that struggle, he discovered a powerful truth: love is the foundation of everything. This realisation became The R/evolution is LOVE—a creative movement expressed through art, connection, and community, dedicated to spreading a message the world needs now more than ever.

Unbecoming  – Sylvia Tarchalska

After arriving in Australia as a little girl and being made to feel stupid for speaking differently, Sylvia built a life around proving: harder rooms, louder floors, bigger success. Even at the height of her investment banking career, she still didn’t feel she belonged. Motherhood changed everything, stripping away the identity of corporate trader and revealing who she was when she could no longer prove her worth through work.

Identity Reversal – Tracey Horton

Tracey takes us on a journey of her life through being defined by trauma and how she shook that off to do a massive pivot at 60, honouring her dream to become a novelist. As she says with her humour at play, you are exactly the person you want to be, otherwise you would change.

False Self  – Stephanie Banks

When an unexpected duckling entered Stephanie’s life, she believed she was the teacher and protector. Instead, Duckie became her greatest guide. As their bond grew, so did her awareness of how easily adults parent from their own wounds, fears, and expectations. Honest, moving, and deeply reflective, this story explores self-awareness, authentic connection, and the transformative lesson of allowing children to become themselves rather than a reflection of their parents’ past.

Identity Unfolding – Brent Woods

At one point, Brent was an alcoholic. At another point, he was a drug addict. At another point, he was angry. Even violent. Lost. A criminal. Someone who spent time in cells. Someone who hurt people. Someone who hurt himself. Someone who spent years running from things he didn’t want to face. Through the transformative power of love, he began to unravel the tangled threads of his past, weaving them into a new identity.

Phoenix Rising – Nikki Paull

The events of Nikki’s life from 3 to 57 years old has shaped her identity. As a 3 year old she wanted to be a nurse and now having worked in nursing for over 35 years and surviving cancer her identity has shape-shifted and she has experienced many changes in how she shows herself to the world.

*18+ event

• Trigger warning – event may include sensitive topics such as abuse, suicidal thoughts etc.