On December 15, 2014, a regular Sydney morning turned into the unimaginable.
At Martin Place’s Lindt Café, 18 people—including Louisa Hope—were held for hours in a brutal hostage situation
This is the biggest and most powerful conversation we’ve ever had on The Chronically Unbalanced.
On what began as an ordinary December morning in Sydney, Louisa Hope walked into a café for a cup of coffee with her mother. Within minutes, her life changed forever. She was among those taken hostage in what became one of Australia’s most shocking events.
In this special two-part series, Louisa shares her story in her own words—what it was like inside, the fear and uncertainty of those hours, and the split-second moments that stayed with her forever.
She also opens up about the years that followed, the challenges of recovery, and the ways she’s found strength, purpose, and even hope after unimaginable trauma.
Sponsorship:
This episode is proudly sponsored by the wonderful Lu and Co
We appreciate your support.
Trigger Warning:
This episode contains discussion of traumatic events including terrorism, hostage situations, gun violence, murder, serious injury, and the long-term impacts of trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for those who may find these topics distressing.
If you need support, you can contact:
Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA) — 1800 999 037
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 (24/7 mental health support)
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41:54
Part 1: The Lindt Cafe Siege - Louisa Hope
On December 15, 2014, a regular Sydney morning turned into the unimaginable.
At Martin Place’s Lindt Café, 18 people—including Louisa Hope—were held for hours in a brutal hostage situation
This is the biggest and most powerful conversation we’ve ever had on The Chronically Unbalanced.
On what began as an ordinary December morning in Sydney, Louisa Hope walked into a café for a cup of coffee with her mother. Within minutes, her life changed forever. She was among those taken hostage in what became one of Australia’s most shocking events.
In this special two-part series, Louisa shares her story in her own words—what it was like inside, the fear and uncertainty of those hours, and the split-second moments that stayed with her forever.
She also opens up about the years that followed, the challenges of recovery, and the ways she’s found strength, purpose, and even hope after unimaginable trauma.
Sponsorship:
This episode is proudly sponsored by Don't Shrink Me.
They are a Sydney based counselling practise focusing on young people aged 12-25.
Trigger Warning:
This episode contains discussion of traumatic events including terrorism, hostage situations, gun violence, murder, serious injury, and the long-term impacts of trauma. Listener discretion is strongly advised, especially for those who may find these topics distressing.
If you need support, you can contact:
Lifeline — 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA) — 1800 999 037
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 (24/7 mental health support)
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11 Months Waiting for our Donor Angel | Jack's Story
On this episode of The Chronically Unbalanced, we sit down with Victoria — mum to two beautiful kids, Jack and Chloe — to share her family’s extraordinary journey through one of the toughest challenges a parent can face: waiting for a heart transplant for your child.
At just 18 months old, Jack was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and spent 11 months on a Berlin Heart before receiving his life-saving donor heart. Victoria opens up about life in the hospital, giving birth to Chloe during their stay, the friendships and heartbreaks along the way, and the immense gratitude they carry for Jack’s “donor angel.”
This is a powerful story about resilience, hope, and the life-saving gift of organ donation.
A huge thank you to this week's sponsor White Barn Pokolbin.
🔔 Trigger warning:
This episode may contain discussions of child illness, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip this episode if the content feels too heavy for you right now.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available:
Lifeline (Australia) – 13 11 14 – 24/7 crisis support
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 – for mental health support and resources
You’re not alone, and help is always available.
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1:17:10
Kassie | Childhood grief & silbling loss
This week on the podcast, we’re honoured to welcome a very special guest — Kassie.
Kassie is a mum of three, a business owner, and someone with a powerful story to share. She’s joining us to talk about her journey with childhood grief after losing her younger brother at a young age — a loss that profoundly shaped her early years and the woman she is today.
In this episode, Kassie opens up about what it was like to grow up with the weight of sibling loss, how it impacted her emotionally and mentally, and how those experiences continue to influence her today as a mother and entrepreneur.
It’s a heartfelt, honest, and deeply important conversation about grief, healing, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. We’re so grateful to Kassie for sharing her story with us.
This weeks sponsor @rhyse_cains_building
🔔 Trigger warning
This episode may contain discussions of child loss, sibling loss, and mental health struggles, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and feel free to skip this episode if the content feels too heavy for you right now.
If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available:
Lifeline (Australia) – 13 11 14 – 24/7 crisis support
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 – for mental health support and resources
You’re not alone, and help is always available.
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1:09:04
A Mother's Instinct: Leo's Journey with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
When her son Leo was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) at just 3 years old, today's guest was thrust into a world she never expected—one marked by uncertainty, medical complexity, and fierce maternal advocacy. DMD is a rare genetic condition that primarily affects boys, leading to progressive muscle degeneration and significantly shortened life expectancy.
But this episode isn’t about seeking pity—it’s about the power of a mother’s intuition. We dive into her story of recognising early signs, navigating the diagnosis, and learning to trust her gut even when the medical answers were unclear. It's a candid, powerful conversation about resilience, parental instincts, and finding strength in the most unexpected places.
Guest: Jacquie Cooper https://www.instagram.com/jacquiecooper/
Sponsor: Evolution Laser Clinic Salamander Bay https://www.instagram.com/evolutionlaser/
DISCLAIMER
This episode contains discussions that may be distressing to some listeners, including themes of child loss, mental illness, and physical illness. We acknowledge that these topics are sensitive and may bring up difficult emotions.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider reaching out for support. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636. Help is available, and you're not alone.
Please take care while listening.
The Chronically Unbalanced is a podcast where two besties, bonded by their shared experiences of trauma, dive headfirst into the messy, raw and often hilarious side of healing. Each week, we bring on incredible guests to share their stories of resilience, heartbreak and triumph. Together, we tackle tough conversations with a healthy dose of dark humour and laughs. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or just a space to laugh through the chaos, this podcast is your unapologetically real guide to navigating life’s curveballs
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