Story Room Global October 14th 2025

Theme for this month

"Throw Caution To The Wind"

Choosing courage over comfort, trusting the unknown and discovering what happens when you dare to take a leap

About:The Story Room at Bucketty’s Brewery

The ancient art of storytelling comes to life as six storytellers from diverse walks of life take the stage to share true, deeply personal stories. Set in the warm and friendly atmosphere of Bucketty’s Brewing Co. Brookvale, this unique event invites you to relax with a beer, enjoy a meal, and connect with your community. Expect laughter, drama, and maybe even a few tears as you experience an evening of real stories that entertain, inspire, and bring people together here on the Northern Beaches.
Check out the Bucketty's and the menu   

 https://www.buckettys.com.au/p... 
Please Note:  Venue will be open from 5.15pm allowing time for you to order a meal and have a drink before the entertainment commences at 7pm sharp. 

About Furry Friends

While Bucketty’s is proudly dog-friendly, we kindly ask that you leave your furry friends at home for The Story Room nights. As this is a private event, the space can get quite full, and in respect to our storytellers and the intimate nature of the evening, we appreciate your understanding. Thanks so much for helping us create the best possible environment for everyone involved.

Meet the Storytellers (in no particular order)

Sophie Marmont

Sophie Marmont is a mum, wife, sister, friend, and advocate. She has cerebral palsy, a condition she believes she’s had since birth, though in 1972, understanding the cause was far more complex than it is today. Thanks to decades of research and the development of cerebral palsy registers, that picture is now clearer — but back then, answers were hard to come by.

Sophie spent her early years in Bowral, a small country town, before moving to Canberra and eventually settling in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Her schooling journey was challenging, especially in Canberra, but she found her footing after moving to high school in Sydney and later attending school in Armidale and the University of New England.

Knowing early on that she wanted to work in the disability sector, Sophie began volunteering at what was then called the Spastic Centre — now known as the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Over the past 30 years, she has worked in many roles within the organisation, always driven by a desire to make things better for others.

Sophie sees herself as independent and enjoys challenging not only herself but those around her. She loves travelling, gives tennis a go, and is passionate about sharing her lived experience of cerebral palsy — both professionally and personally. She’s clear that her story isn’t meant to be inspirational. Instead, it’s a reminder that we can do better: by listening, by removing physical, accessibility, and attitudinal obstacles, and by making small, meaningful changes that improve inclusion.

She strongly believes in the principle of “Nothing about us, without us” — that people with lived experience must be at the centre of decisions that affect their lives. Sophie often speaks openly about how what you want in life is not always an easy journey, especially when navigating systems and environments that weren’t designed with everyone in mind.

While progress has been made, Sophie believes there’s still a long way to go — especially when it comes to shifting attitudes and changing culture.

Rugare Gomo

Rugare Gomo is the Founder & CEO of the Rugare Gomo Leadership Academy. 

He is a leadership & life coach, global motivational speaker and now an international bestselling author.

At 16, he arrived in Australia alone with just a suitcase, a backpack, and $300.

He went on to earn a Law and Arts (Honours) degree from Monash University, practice in a top-tier law firm, run his own corporate law firm, and found the global not-for-profit, The Gomo Foundation.

In 2024, Rugare made history as the first gay, Black African-Australian to publish a memoir. Dreams: Forging My Own Path is a courageous account of overcoming adversity, confronting racism, and reclaiming identity through radical reinvention.

Through it all, Rugare leads with love—believing that love is the most powerful force to overcome prejudice and create transformational leadership.

Rugare also sits on the Board of Rainbow Giving Australia, the only LGBTQIA+ not for profit that exclusively funds LGBTQIA+ community groups in Australia.

Lorin Josephson

Lorin Josephson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and a Master of Arts in Organisational Ethics, complementing her extensive career as a mental health clinician. She is also an accomplished author, having co-authored Amulets of Power: A Brian Poole Mystery and Making Good Men Great: Surfing a New Masculinity. Lorin is deeply committed to the belief that philosophy offers practical wisdom for navigating life’s most challenging questions, guiding us to live authentically. Her studies in philosophy, history, and psychotherapy have profoundly influenced both her personal and professional life, where she applies this knowledge to help others.

Her academic focus centers on the development of individuals and their relationships, delving into how we form our identities and the ways our experiences shape the values and ethics that govern our lives. In addition to her work in academia, Lorin has also established her own practice as an ethicist, using her expertise to help people critically reflect on their moral frameworks and the principles that guide their decisions.

Nick Bendel

Nick Bendel’s idea of a good time is staying at home, alone, with a good book and a cup of tea. Nevertheless, he recently completed a bold quest – having lunch with 500 strangers.

Nick met so many extraordinary people and had so many fascinating conversations that he decided to keep going, and is now aiming to have lunch with 1000 strangers.

When he’s not eating chicken schnitzels with random strangers, Nick can be found working as a professional writer. He owns a copywriting agency, Hunter & Scribe, which writes marketing content for finance and property businesses.

Danika Armytage

Danika Armytage is an award-winning television producer and director. Chances are if you have watched TV in the last 20 years, you have watched something she has helped produce. Her credits included directing Channel 9’s IVF docuseries “Big Miracles” series 1 and 2, several series of The Block, Travel Guides, River Cottage Australia, The Living Room, House Rules, Married at First Sight, Local Court Justice, First Dates, Luxe Listings Sydney, Every Bite Takes You Home, The Dog House and many many more.

In 2024, she walked away from TV to go out on her own, and start her own company Big Stories Little Films, a company who turn life stories into short documentary films. And it was this moment of “throwing caution to the wind” that Danika wants to talk to you about today. Best decision of her life or a recipe for disaster? Let’s find out!

Shiv Bhardwaj

Shiv is a communication and public speaking coach who helps bilingual professionals speak with confidence and clarity in high-stakes environments. He is the founder of Speak with Shiv, a coaching business focused on helping expats overcome self-doubt, improve their executive presence, and turn communication into their biggest career asset.

Originally from India and now based in Sydney, Shiv moved to Australia as an international student. English is his second language, and his journey from struggling to speak up in classrooms to delivering keynote talks has shaped his unique coaching style

He has been featured by LinkedIn News, B&T and Adnews Australia. He has also run workshops for major universities including UNSW, University of Newcastle, and IIT Delhi.

Before starting his coaching business, Shiv spent nearly two years in door-to-door sales, knocking on over 8,000 doors. This experience taught him resilience, connection, and how to own a room.

Because Everyone has a story! 

Don't miss out - secure your tickets now.