Tell Me Over Tea Podcast Episode 9: Doing Life Differently with Mel Pike

Show Notes Episode 9 — Doing Life Differently with Mel PikeIn this episode, I sit down with Mel Pike, a warm and adventurous storyteller who has learned first-hand how travel can awaken the senses and nourish the soul.After two decades in Hobart, Mel and her husband Joe — along with their much-loved Labradors, Jasmine and Rosie — now call the Sunshine Coast home. In her fabulous fifties, Mel has spent years working in the public service, but it was a five-month solo stay in Thailand that truly changed how she sees and lives her life.In our chat, Mel shares:☕ the story behind her decision to live in Thailand on her own☕ what daily life looked like there — from learning the language to doing “nothing” (and loving it)☕ how she found connection and community, including her moving friendship with Pui, her Thai “sister”☕ what it felt like to come home — and how her time away continues to shape the way she lives todayWe also talk about Mel’s beautiful book, Doing Life Differently, which captures her reflections, lessons and experiences from Thailand. She opens up about the process of writing her story, the courage it takes to share your voice, and why she believes women’s stories matter so deeply.You can connect with Mel and find her book here:🌿 www.doinglifedifferently.com.au🌿 Instagram: @doinglifedifferentlyinthailand🌿 Facebook: Mel PikeListen to more episodes of Tell Me Over TeaYou can find all of my episodes here or wherever you listen to podcasts.You can also find me on Instagram @bettymaewrote or send me a note at [email protected] — I’d love to hear what memories this episode stirs for you.If you would like to enter our giveaway, for a chance to be gifted one of Mel’s lovely books, please pop on over to Instagram: @bettymaewrote , find the post introducing episode 9, and leave your answer to the question I ask: Where is you happy place? And why does it make you feel happy. Pop your answer to that in the comments, over on Instagram, and Mel and I will choose two lucky ducks to win a copy of her book! Exciting! Winners will be announced on Saturday the 22nd of November, over on Instagram.i also wanted to mention, again, the delicious tea that Mel and I were sipping during our chat. It was kindly gifted to us by the lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co …. and guess what? Mel and I sipped Lemongrass and Ginger and it was oh so yummy! Such a soothing, grounding, calming, refreshing tea. If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes, Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners. It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.Okey doke, well I hope you enjoy episode 9:)Until next time,Kim xIf you enjoyed this episode I would absolutely love it, if you would leave a review wherever you enjoy listening to these episodes. It’s the bestest way for us to get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Links & Resources✨ Grab my free guide to starting your personal life story. It just starts with one memory and before you know it, you will have a beautiful compilation of stories to hold, share and treasure. It will take you 5 - 10 minutes a day and you will feel so good once you get started. I promise! Grab the guide here: Free Guide to Turning One Memory into a Written Treasure✨I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast.✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories, you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to make a start with writing your own life story, you are very welcome to grab my free guide which helps you take one memory and turn it into a precious written story. You can grab that here: Free Guide✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com