Lead by Story

14/07/2025

We are thrilled that Lead by Story has been named a finalist in the Primary Care Quality and Innovation Awards, for ‘This is How We Survive’!

Proudly hosted by Hunter New England and Central Coast PHN , these awards shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities across the region.

It’s been wonderful to have backing from the PHN for an initiative that uses poetry, films and live storytelling to help people experience connection and creative reminders of how to keep showing up, even when the world can be dark.

Honestly, this work is different from anything else we’ve seen out there...so there’s been plenty of self-doubt and imposter syndrome involved in bringing it to life! But the response has been so beautiful, and to have this unique approach recognised through these Awards is really special.

Looking forward to celebrating on the 1st of August with other incredible nominees doing what they can to make a difference in the health sector!

14/05/2025

Pop the sound on and take a moment to breathe....

Music by Jon Reichardt and lyrics by Will Small. We made this to help calm your body and mind when life feels overwhelming.

Also available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music etc 🎵
Throw it in a playlist that helps you unwind.

05/05/2025

"BREATH" - OUT NOW 🎵

Will Small and Jon Reichardt have released the first single from the Gravity & Grace EP — an audio journey blending poetic bars and lo-fi beats into music to move body and mind.

When life gets overwhelming, sometimes the most basic reminder is exactly what we need: just take another breath.

Stream it now on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your music.

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/album/0Zx0Mi4svnxtxm3QgDyh8v?si=zqMFlErvTwekDsFYCbVp5Q

If it resonates, please share with someone who might need a reminder today that just taking the next breath is enough.

A performance that weaves together spoken word poetry, short cinematic films, immersive soundscapes and live storytelling to help people experience a deep sense of interconnectedness and collective strength. Booking now for schools, workplaces, theatres and events.

28/04/2025

Come down in a couple weeks for our regular spoken word night in collaboration with Book Face Erina!

Mark your calendars! The next Speak Up poetry night is Thursday 15th May, here at BOOK FACE Erina 🥳

This is your opportunity to read your poetry aloud to like-minded individuals. It's a free to attend night and is hosted by Will from Lead by Story with sign ups happening at 6:45pm and the night kicking off at 7pm.

We can't wait to see you then!

22/04/2025

'THIS IS HOW I SURVIVED' — Rob Waters

In this vulnerable and powerful piece, former Australian Poetry Slam champion Rob Waters shares about facing dark times and finding the strength to keep showing up — one day, one step, one breath at a time.

Content warning: This poem contains strong language and references to suicidal thoughts which may be difficult for some viewers.

If you're struggling, help is available - call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.

Our stories of survival can offer strength to others. You're not alone. Share this poem with someone who might need to hear it.

This is How We Survive has been made possible through the support of the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

14/04/2025

"It's easier to find beauty in the lines of poems//
than when the darkness takes hold and it won't let go//
But if we don't write poems when the darkness comes//
well, who will we be, when the darkness comes?"

If you've lost someone to su***de or struggled with your own mental health, know you're not alone under these stars. I wrote this poem to honour my late sister-in-law Jamie.

To anyone grieving or struggling: you're not alone. We're all connected — same as stars.

💛 Share this message of hope and solidarity
💛 Reach out if you're struggling: Lifeline 13 11 14
💛 Learn more: thisishowwesurvive.com.au

This is How We Survive has been made possible through the support of the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network

10/04/2025

"Amazing. A beautiful piece of art with a deeply profound and moving story."

"Inspirational. So beautiful, so heartbreaking, so wonderful."

"This experience reached into both heart, body & mind and inspired hope & joy."

"Deeply moving...one of the best experiences I've ever been a part of"

In This is How We Survive spoken word poet Will Small blends poetry, short films and live storytelling into a guided exploration of human resilience and connection.

Joined by Australian Poetry Slam champion Rob Waters, this is an experience you don't want to miss.

🗓️ Thursday, April 24th
⏰ 7pm-9pm
📍 The Base, Newcastle West
💲 FREE (thanks to support from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network)

Register here:

Get tickets on Humanitix - 'This is How We Survive' (Newcastle) hosted by Lead by Story. The Base Health and Community, 3 Tudor St, Newcastle West NSW 2302, Australia. Thursday 24th April 2025. Find event information.

19/03/2025

The New England Regional Art Museum will host an inspiring evening of storytelling and poetry on April 3rd as acclaimed performers Will Small and Rob Waters bring This Is How We Survive to Armidale.

Together, these two artists will create an experience that celebrates human connection and collective strength.

The event is free of charge, thanks to funding from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

This is How We Survive has been described as “an extraordinary journey, “an unmissable experience”, “storytelling at its very best” and “beautiful, empowering and unique.”

Register here:

Get tickets on Humanitix - 'This is How We Survive' featuring Will Small and Rob Waters (Armidale). New England Regional Art Museum, 106-114 Kentucky St, Armidale NSW 2350, Australia. Thursday 3rd April 2025. Find event information.

19/03/2025

The Tamworth Community Centre will host an inspiring storytelling and poetry experience on April 2nd as acclaimed performers Will Small and Rob Waters bring This Is How We Survive to Tamworth.

Through the performance Will Small weaves together spoken word poetry, short films, and live storytelling to explore themes of resilience, survival, and hope through real Australian stories.

Rob Waters, a former Australian Poetry Slam champion, will also bring his powerful perspective as a First Nations storyteller. Together, these two artists will create an experience that celebrates human connection and collective strength.

The event will include the performance itself, followed by a light lunch. The event is free of charge, thanks to funding from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

This is How We Survive has been described as “an extraordinary journey, “an unmissable experience”, “storytelling at its very best” and “beautiful, empowering and unique.”

Register here:

Get tickets on Humanitix - 'This is How We Survive' featuring Will Small & Rob Waters (Tamworth) hosted by Lead by Story. Tamworth Community Centre, 3 Darling St, Tamworth NSW 2340, Australia. Wednesday 2nd April 2025. Find event information.

06/03/2025

In a few weeks we'll be taking 'This is How We Survive' on the road between the Central Coast and New England (also working on a Newcastle date, watch this space!)

Will Small will be joined by powerful wordsmith and 2023 Australian Poetry Slam Champion Rob Waters for these shows.

A blend of immersive live storytelling, spoken word poetry, and cinematic short films, the whole experience is designed to remind you of your inner strength and our interconnectedness. All the below performances are FREE. You can book in at thisishowwesurvive.com.au/experience

This project has received funding from the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network

A performance that weaves together spoken word poetry, short cinematic films, immersive soundscapes and live storytelling to help people experience a deep sense of connectedness.

16/10/2024

'This is How We Survive' begins showing in schools across the Central Coast next week! (with a Hunter and New England tour happening in 2025).

In the meantime as October is Mental Health Month, we've just launched this beautiful website — which includes a range of simple, practical tools for building positive mental health: journal worksheets, breathing tools and more to come. Shout-out to Tameka Waldron from The Branding Book for helping bring this to life in such a stunning way.

Subscribe to the mailing list to stay in the loop about upcoming performances and digital resources — and you'll get sent one of my poems you can put somewhere with some gentle reminders on 'how to be human'.

This activity has been made possible through the support of Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.

A performance that weaves together spoken word poetry, short cinematic films, immersive soundscapes and live storytelling to help people experience a deep sense of interconnectedness and collective strength. Booking now for schools, workplaces, theatres and events.

14/08/2024

Do you work with or have family members who are young people on the Central Coast?

Last year we launched 'Coastwell' - an online 'well' of digital resources to help young people develop mental wellness!

This was the culmination of several projects we produced for Headspace Gosford, Lake Haven and Wyong integrated into one powerful platform. All the content on this site is co-produced with young people, free for the community to use and created by our team of passionate, socially geared creatives!

Waiting to see someone about your mental health? This 5-episode series helps give you the foundational tools to get started on building a healthy headspace.