Half Mermaid Podcast

Go to find out more about this Half Mermaid initiative go to: halfmermaid.com.auIf you would like to learn more and try ceremonial cacao go to:https://www.halfmermaid.com.au/ceremonial-cacao-by-creation-cacao

You can find Broken River Quilts at:Website:https://brokenriverquilts.com.au/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brokenriverquilts/FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/brokenriverquiltsIf you are interested in Ceremonial Cacao and would like 10% off every order go to:https://www.halfmermaid.com.au/ceremonial-cacao-by-creation-cacao

The fourth episode of the Half Mermaid podcast is an absolute treasure of a conversation. I loved talking with Maryse Meale, a wonderful human I am grateful to have met in the Seaford swimming community. We talk about so many real things: What pulls us to the water, how the water releases what the body holds on to, body image, community, tips for cold water swimming and so much more.

Half Mermaid is about sharing the incredible gifts the open water offers. Being in the water has the capacity to move me and you, just like powerful questions can. This podcast is about sharing stories that can move our heart and soul. It is about the ways we can find and reconnect with ourselves. It is about meeting others on this journey and sharing the things that bind us - open water, stories, joy and sorrow, happiness and suffering- as we walk together and alone in search of self and meaning.

It is an absolute pleasure to share with you our conversation with Fiona Basile, a journalist, author, photographer, explorer and definitely, Half Mermaid. Fiona calls the bayside suburb of Seaford in Melbourne, Australia home, which is where I have shared several swims with her, but her life and work have taken her around the world. Originally from country Victoria, her studies in the field of Journalism and Photography have been the medium through which her passion for story-telling and world travel come to life. From her Malawi assignment to capture the work of non-physician clinicians who care for women (and babies) with urgent obstetric care, to International World Youth Day events, to exhibiting Australian outback photographs in Sweden and her reflections on time spent with David Whyte’s Walking Tour in Ireland, Fiona’s work captures the very sense of place and time perfectly, in a very rich way. Immerse, Fiona’s latest book brings the ocean to you, in a very welcoming and warm collection of stories of swimmers and ocean photography. We recorded our conversation in the Frankston Arts Centre, where some of Fiona’s photographic art was displayed until very recently. We cover lots of ground, but no matter where she is in the world, Fiona shares how important being in the water is, how it not only feeds her work but also her own sense of wellbeing and presence. The backdrop in our conversation is one of Fiona’s favourite photos ‘Swimmer in inky purple water’. The light in the video does not do this justice.If you are watching this on You Tube, you will find the last 5 min of our interview is ok for audio but video was lost due to an error of mine. We replaced this time with wonderful images of Fiona's photos.To take a closer look at Fiona’s beautiful work, head to Head to Fiona’s website, instagram and FB accounts. Details below.You can find Fiona at:https://www.fionabasile.comhttps://www.instagram.com/fifilepiu/https://www.facebook.com/fionabasilephotography

We are so humbled to be able to share with you our conversation with the most amazing and courageous half mermaid, Lisa Schmidt. My first memory of Lisa was meeting her in the water at Seaford and what stayed with me was her infectious smile. I have got to know her a little more since then and I love her smile even more for all she carries in her healing journey. I will let Lisa share more of her story.