HopeMakers: Disrupting the legacy of trauma.
Trauma doesn't just harm those who experience it directly—it ripples outward, shaping behaviours, fuelling violence, and creating new victims. But what if we could interrupt that cycle?
In season one of Hopemakers, we celebrated the extraordinary resilience of individuals who transformed their trauma and adversity into purpose—powerful stories of survival, healing, and hope that proved change is possible.
Now, in season two (coming in 2026) we're expanding our mission. Hosted by Dr Erica Bowen, a registered practitioner forensic psychologist, chartered coaching psychologist, somatic trauma-informed coach and trauma-informed practice consultant, Hopemakers now bridges the personal with the systemic, bringing together three vital perspectives: the lived experiences of survivors who've broken cycles of harm, the cutting-edge research of academics working to reduce violent crime perpetration, and the practical insights of those pioneering trauma-informed approaches in communities and organisations.
Through a somatic lens—understanding how trauma lives in our bodies and shapes our actions—we examine both sides of trauma's devastating cycle: how it wounds us, and how unhealed trauma can lead to harm. Each conversation explores the profound connections between individual healing and violence prevention, offering evidence-based insights alongside deeply human stories.
This isn't just another podcast about trauma recovery. It's about understanding that healing personal wounds and preventing collective harm are two sides of the same coin. By disrupting trauma's legacy at every level—individual, systemic, and intergenerational—we create safer, more compassionate communities for everyone.
Whether you're here for the transformative survivor stories that launched season one, or you're ready to explore the research and practice that can prevent violence before it happens, Hopemakers offers thought leadership, evidence, and above all, hope that change is possible.
Because when we stop trauma in its tracks, we don't just heal individuals—we transform entire legacies.
Subscribe to HopeMakers wherever you listen to podcasts, and discover your own path to hope.
HopeMakers: Disrupting the legacy of trauma.
Episode 3: Hope as Fuel: A Cross-Cultural Journey to Authentic Living
At 35, Zeynep Orf made a life-changing decision that most people only dream about – she moved from Turkey to the UK with her young daughter, completed a master's degree in her second language, and completely reinvented herself. In this illuminating episode, Zeynep reveals how letting go of control became her greatest lesson and how blending Eastern spirituality with Western coaching creates a unique approach to hope.
After successfully navigating divorce, academic achievement, and entrepreneurship, Zeynep discovered her true calling had been whispering to her for years. Friends kept reminding her of conversations from 2014, 2017, and beyond where she'd mentioned coaching – the universe had been pointing her toward this path all along.
What makes Zeynep's perspective unique is her integration of Anatolian spiritual wisdom with modern coaching techniques. She challenges the Western obsession with future-focused hope, instead teaching clients to plant "seeds of hope" in the present moment. Her profound insight came through loss – when attachment to specific outcomes made her feel hopeless, she realized that letting go of control was the key to reconnecting with her authentic, naturally hopeful self.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Hope as "fuel that drives us" rather than attachment to specific outcomes
- The power of three-minute morning writing to generate unexpected insights
- Why being hopeful about yourself matters more than hoping for external changes
- How raising your personal vibration contributes to collective wellbeing
- The importance of giving hope to others through meaningful action
Zeynep's cross-cultural wisdom offers a refreshing perspective on hope – one that balances Eastern present-moment awareness with Western goal achievement. Her message resonates deeply: when you stop trying to control the future, you free yourself to live hopefully in the now.
Perfect for anyone feeling trapped by their expectations or seeking a more spiritual approach to personal transformation.