Campfire for the Heart is the first book in a series about inspirational and resilient people.
Campfire for the Heart opens with a foreword by cave-diving legend and 2019 Australian of the Year, Dr Craig Challen. With 30 engaging and uplifting stories of overcoming life's challenges, the book shines pathways to happiness for us all. Hard copies and e-books are available from Big Sky Publishing and all good book retailers. Campfire for the Heart | Big Sky Publishing |
Praise for Campfire for the Heart
It has been my personal experience that through candour and the simple sharing of the truth that we can collectively create hope, and change. So, I absolutely commend Natalie on this beautiful project of stories of such hope.
Shanna Whan, Founder of Sober in the Country, Australian of the Year- Local Hero- 2022.
“Campfire for the Heart, an amazing book by Natalie Stockdale, is a book for all ages. It is inspiring and resilient. I hope this book becomes a runaway success.”
Dr Arun Gandhi, Founder/President, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, New York.
"With Campfire for the Heart, Natalie Stockdale has assembled a broad and thought-provoking collection that shares the often-traumatic experiences of a range of remarkable Australians, including her own. Delivered with humanity, intelligence, compassion and empathy, these stories become more than a record. They form a humbling and inspiring pathway towards a way of being that is elementally uplifting, despite – and in many ways because of – being born of suffering." Mark Muller, Editor-in-Chief, R.M.Williams OUTBACK magazine
"The human brain is wired to recite and hear great stories..... Natalie Stockdale has created the ultimate oxy-bomb within her collection of inspirational stories of resilience and perseverance. With the alarming statistics around male suicide, I’m personally grateful to Natalie for bringing the thoughts, feelings and experiences of 30 men and women, to her symbolic campfire. Thank you Natalie.” Rae Bonney – Vice President, Australian Men’s Health Forum
“When we share stories, spoken directly from our heart, they can have a profound effect on those listening. The ‘campfire’ stories, collected by Natalie Stockdale, expose the raw vulnerability of humans, along with our capacity to conquer our darkest times. Compelling and healing.” Amber Petty, author of This is Not a Love Song
"Campfire for the Heart offers rich, diverse, and sometimes raw stories of resilience, which will inspire and perhaps guide any reader. The stories are so effective because they speak to our shared humanity, each in their own way. We are reminded, again and again, how frail we are as a species, but also how extraordinarily capable we are at surviving, and even thriving, against all odds. While some stories may resonate more with the reader than others, all have elements of grace, humility and strength. May the cup of your heart be filled with these".
Dr Jean Renouf, founder and chair, Resilient Byron.
"Campfire for the Heart provides a gut-wrenching compilation of stories where those who have encountered their worst nightmare are able to not only recount how they survived, but often how they thrived in the face of seemingly unbearable tragedy.”
Alexandra Wake, Assoc Prof, Journalism @ RMIT University
Campfire for a Woman's Heart - featuring stories of 25 inspiring, international women -
is now available - hard copies and e-books - through all good book shops and online. Further details can be found on Big Sky Publishing. |
Praise for Campfire for a Woman's Heart
Everyone experiences grief or trauma in some way. It’s hard, but you never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have left. By reading these incredible stories, you can learn how these gutsy women got back on their feet. They found a way. You can too.
Lisa Curry AO
Campfire for a Woman’s Heart has all the qualities of a yarning circle. Traditionally women came together to share their stories and to practice deep listening. The benefit of listening and sharing our stories is that it lightens the burden that we carry, it also gives the opportunity to learn and grow from other women’s experiences.
Natalie has compiled deeply moving stories in this book, stories of strength, courage, resilience, and hope, despite all that life has thrown at these inspirational women. It is healing not only for them to share their journey but also for anyone who reads it.
Dr Miriam Rose, Senior Australian of the Year 2021
It is my ongoing personal experience that courage is contagious - and that through the fearless and simple sharing of our own truths that we can collectively create hope and change for others around us.
Shanna Whan – Founder of Sober in the Country, 2022 Australian Local Hero of the Year, & Marie Claire's Women of the Year Advocate of the Year, 2022.
In a world beset by trouble and concern, Natalie Stockdale has curated a truly inspiring series of stories that show how the human spirit is capable of overcoming great odds. With humour, compassion and uncommon sense, Natalie skilfully navigates the tricky balance of both staying true to the stories of courageous and unique acts of bravery while showing the potential for resilience and overcoming that lies within us all.
Hadleigh Fischer, Founder of Resilience Agenda & Co-founder of Mental Fitness Hub
After reading through these life stories, I am struck by the connections each woman found in the face of deep trauma and hardship. Everyone tells of starting again, rising above, gathering strength, and growing personally as a result. They show that it is not what happens to us but who we are in the process that matters. These stories will stay in your mind and touch your soul as you question the meaning of your own life’s challenges.
Lyn Worsley, Clinical Psychologist and Director of The Resilience Centre
"Courageous and inspiring. Raw, real, and honest. The women who bravely share their stories do so with one mission in mind – to help others transform their adversities into flames of strength."
Jas Rawlinson – Best-Selling Author, Speaker & Award-Winning Book Coach
Lisa Curry AO
Campfire for a Woman’s Heart has all the qualities of a yarning circle. Traditionally women came together to share their stories and to practice deep listening. The benefit of listening and sharing our stories is that it lightens the burden that we carry, it also gives the opportunity to learn and grow from other women’s experiences.
Natalie has compiled deeply moving stories in this book, stories of strength, courage, resilience, and hope, despite all that life has thrown at these inspirational women. It is healing not only for them to share their journey but also for anyone who reads it.
Dr Miriam Rose, Senior Australian of the Year 2021
It is my ongoing personal experience that courage is contagious - and that through the fearless and simple sharing of our own truths that we can collectively create hope and change for others around us.
Shanna Whan – Founder of Sober in the Country, 2022 Australian Local Hero of the Year, & Marie Claire's Women of the Year Advocate of the Year, 2022.
In a world beset by trouble and concern, Natalie Stockdale has curated a truly inspiring series of stories that show how the human spirit is capable of overcoming great odds. With humour, compassion and uncommon sense, Natalie skilfully navigates the tricky balance of both staying true to the stories of courageous and unique acts of bravery while showing the potential for resilience and overcoming that lies within us all.
Hadleigh Fischer, Founder of Resilience Agenda & Co-founder of Mental Fitness Hub
After reading through these life stories, I am struck by the connections each woman found in the face of deep trauma and hardship. Everyone tells of starting again, rising above, gathering strength, and growing personally as a result. They show that it is not what happens to us but who we are in the process that matters. These stories will stay in your mind and touch your soul as you question the meaning of your own life’s challenges.
Lyn Worsley, Clinical Psychologist and Director of The Resilience Centre
"Courageous and inspiring. Raw, real, and honest. The women who bravely share their stories do so with one mission in mind – to help others transform their adversities into flames of strength."
Jas Rawlinson – Best-Selling Author, Speaker & Award-Winning Book Coach
Phoenix: The Rise of a resilient Community is a compilation of short stories about individuals' recovery from the Black Summer bushfires. The book is not for sale. Instead, 500 copies were distributed to contributors and members of the Greater Mogo community who were affected by the fires.