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.
Episodes
23 episodes
Episode 13: Intentional Optimism: From Food Addiction to Faith-Based Hope and Women's Leadership with Andrea Johnson
In this energetic and wide-ranging episode recorded around the International Day of Happiness, host Erica Bowen speaks with Andrea Johnson—also known as "The Intentional Optimist"—about her journey from struggling with eating disorders and depr...
Episode 12: From Crystal Meth to Hope: Choosing What to Do With Your Feelings with Archie Messersmith-Bunting
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Archie Messersmith-Bunting, a professional motivational speaker known as "the feelings guy," about his journey from crystal meth addiction and suicidal depression to becom...
Episode 11: Quantum Leap: From Corporate Comfort Zone to Transformational Purpose with Alexandra Ionitta
In this inspiring International Women's Day episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Alexandra Ionitta, a 27-year-old mindset coach who made the bold decision to quit her dream corporate job - travelling the world for a global company—because desp...
Episode 10: When Angels Guide Us: Transforming Grief into Gratitude and Purpose
In this deeply moving and spiritually rich episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Helen Morris about the devastating loss of her 18-year-old daughter in a car accident, and the profound journey of healing and transformation that followed....
Episode 9: Finding Your Voice: From Perfect Personas to Authentic Confidence with Heather Jean
In this energetic and inspiring episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Heather Jean about her journey from hiding behind multiple "perfect" personas to discovering authentic confidence and creating the Confidence Through Cabaret community during...
Episode 8: Breaking the Pattern: How Crisis Transformed My Perfectionism into Purpose with Heather Rider
In this deeply relatable episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Heather Rider, an anxiety specialist and coach, about her decade-long struggle with high-functioning anxiety—a condition she didn't even realise she had whilst appearing outwardly c...
Episode 7 Gut Feelings: Sam Rose on Finding Hope Through Three Cancer Diagnoses
In this deeply moving episode, host Erica Bowen speaks with Sam Rose, author of "Gut Feelings," about her extraordinary journey of surviving three cancer diagnoses by the age of 28 due to Lynch syndrome—a genetic condition that increases cancer...
Episode 6: Staying in Your Power: 20 Years of Caregiving Without Losing Hope with Miriam Boldewijn
In this moving episode of the Hope-Makers podcast, Meriam Boldewijn shares her powerful 20-year journey as a caregiver for both her husband and brother. Born in Suriname and now living in the Netherlands, Meriam opens up about the challenges, b...
Episode 5: Hope in Practice: Tools for Cultivating Resilience with Tony Burgess and Julie French
In this inspiring fifth episode of the Hope-Makers podcast, host Erica Bowen continues her conversation with personal development experts Tony Burgess and Julie French, focusing on practical techniques for cultivating hope in daily life....
Episode 4: Finding Hope in Every Challenge: Tools for Resilience with Tony Burgess and Julie French
In this inspiring episode of the Hope-Makers podcast, Erica is joined by personal development experts Tony Burgess and Julie French, a dynamic couple who both live and work together as therapists, coaches, and trainers.Tony and Julie sha...
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 illumina...
Episode 2: Breaking the Sabotage Cycle - From Workaholic to Balanced Entrepreneur
After 17 years of building a successful hospitality business, Michelle Delport realized she had achieved everything she thought she wanted – except happiness. In this revealing episode, Michelle shares her journey from burned-out perfectionist ...
Episode 1: Standing Tall: How An Autism Advocate Found Hope Through Fitness and Confrontation
Jimmy Clare was diagnosed with autism in third grade, but he refuses to let labels define him. In this powerful episode, Jimmy shares his journey from being bullied throughout his school years to becoming a confident autism advocate and host of...