Stories of Survival in the Modern Age

In this episode, Sarah chats with Sally Saint about childhood trauma, perfectionism, and the long journey back to herself.Growing up on a small farm in a family shaped by unspoken trauma, Sally learned early how to stay small, stay quiet, and survive. Diagnosed with ME at just 16, she spent years navigating illness, healing, motherhood, and the gradual unraveling of patterns that had once protected her.Together, Sarah and Sally explore how perfectionism can become a bodyguard formed in childhood, why we often normalise what isn't normal, and what it takes to move from surviving to truly living.This is an honest and compassionate conversation about trauma, resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to find your voice.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

When Lewis Baxter stood on a bridge at 17 years old, watching cars race beneath him, he couldn't see a way forward.What followed was a conversation with his parents, support from Child Action Northwest, and the first steps on a journey that would ultimately change the course of his life.In this episode of Stories of Survival in the Modern Age, Sarah talks with Lewis about depression, suicidal thoughts, grief, and what it means to keep moving forward when life changes shape.Lewis shares his experience of severe depression as a teenager, the support that helped him recover, and the devastating impact of losing his mum to breast cancer at just 21-years-old. He speaks candidly about becoming her full-time carer during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating grief, and learning to live with what he calls "an open heart."Together, Sarah and Lewis explore mental health, masculinity, resilience, compassion, and why speaking openly about our struggles can create space for others to do the same.This is a powerful conversation about survival, loss, hope, and finding meaning in the chapters we never expected to write.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Award-winning photographer and entrepreneur Kimi Watson joins me for a candid conversation about confidence, self-worth, and her changing relationship with weight, food, and herself.From feeling trapped in her own body to rediscovering her confidence, Kimi shares the highs, lows, lessons, and life-changing decisions that helped her become herself again.This isn't just a story about weight loss. It's a story about self-belief, resilience, and learning to love the person in the mirror.A powerful conversation about taking up space, backing yourself, and embracing change. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

After a pause, Stories of Survival in the Modern Age returns with a gentle but honest conversation about reset, recalibration, and what it means to keep going in a world that constantly asks us to keep pushing forward.In this season opener, Sarah reflects on life changes, loss, exhaustion, shifting priorities, and the quiet moments that invite us to stop… listen… and realign with what truly matters.This isn’t an episode about dramatic reinvention or becoming someone new.It’s about recognising when the pace no longer fits, giving yourself permission to pause, and finding your way forward with more intention, honesty, and self-compassion.If you’ve been feeling tired, overextended, uncertain, or quietly questioning things lately, this conversation is for you.Because sometimes survival isn’t about enduring more.Sometimes it’s about resetting, recalibrating, and beginning again from exactly where you are.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In 1985 Lianna Champ opened Champ Funeral Services where, instead of providing a purely practical solution to death and funerals, she created a holistic experience that eases the pain of losing someone and helps the grieving process. A Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, she is also the author of "How to Grieve Like A Champ", and is passionate about caring for those who have been bereaved or who are suffering with unresolved grief.  Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Neil Blackburn offers us a brief glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes, from ensuring the cars always looks their best to the questions he gets asked most often. In this episode, Neil also shares what about the job he wishes he'd been better prepared for.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

After losing her her own father, and experiencing the loving care from Champ Funeral Services, Kirsty Goodinson's dream was to become a Funeral Director and today, she has special experience working with child loss and helping others pre-plan a celebration of life. In this episode Kirsty chats about how she got started in this profession. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Carl Taylor's caring and considerate nature makes him perfectly suited to his role of Funeral Director, Embalmer and Civil Funeral Celebrant. In this episode he chats about how he got his start in this profession and the true understanding he has of each family he works with, their needs and the needs of their loved onesStories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Eighteen months ago we began having a conversation about the menopause and taking charge of the transition.  Agreeing to come back, Victoria Jones revisits that conversation to see what's changed and how the topic has moved forward – or not.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Jenny Palmer has lived with anxiety since early childhood and has suffered with chronic pain since her teens. In this episode, listen as Jenny shares her story of dealing with the consequences of both and how she stood by as her husband underwent brain surgery.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this week's episode Danny Matthews tells his story of how a burnout saw him quite literally fall to his knees in central London with no feeling from the waist down. Danny says he was chasing the money and not his dream.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In 2004, seeking more adventure in her life, Nicky Davies left her well-paying corporate job to follow her dreams of becoming her own boss.In this episode, Nicky talks about the difficult times and failures she faced…. and how looking back, she believes in moments of what looked like sure defeat, opportunities presented themselves that allowed for quantum leaps in growth both in her business life as well as her own personal development.In her own words.. "They defy logic."Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Donté Richardson talks about how, at age 19, he drove across the United States to California on the promise of "just a job interview". With little income despite landing the job, Donté was homeless for three months, and today credits his resilience and his drive for getting him through.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

At 22 Sam Dawson was told she had renal failure, a condition she'd had since birth, and which had gone undiagnosed. In this episode she shares her journey from diagnosis to dialysis and from receiving a live donor to becoming a published author.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Welcome to the fourth season of the Stories of Survival in the Modern Age podcast.  Join Sarah as she talks about finding hearts in daily life, contemplates what home means for her and asks "what does home mean to you?"Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Bronson Sutton tried crack cocaine for the first time when he was just 17 and says he's been locked up over 30 times that he can document. Clean for the past four years – and sober for almost 18 months – in this week's episode Bronson chats openly about his journey, his faith and his big dreams.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Julie Hartell shares her story of motherhood and entrepreneurship. After the birth of her second daughter, Julie struggled to understand why she just couldn't focus and couldn't concentrate, why she didn't get on with her husband or her children, and why she thought returning to work would solve her problems.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Singer, actor and voice over artist, Debbie Bridge was called lazy in school. In this episode, Debbie talks openly about being out of the "dyslexia closet", how her brain functions differently and what life is like as a classically trained opera singer when the notes do back flips on the page.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Guest expert Anne Skinner helps explore the concept of living in the moment. In this episode, Anne shares her 'Three Room' concept... a basic notion of the time frames in our lives, past, present and future, and offers tips on how to achieve a healthy relationship between all three.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

For as long as she can remember Deanna Roberts has been passionate about dance and through her own dance journey, she's discovered a joy for teaching. Currently travelling the Caribbean island of Antigua, in this week's episode Deanna share her love of community and her quest to combine her passions.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Agreeing to come back and chat in season 3, Steve Booth shares some of the personal lessons he learned from his 'rumble' with stress, why stress is like the wind and talks us through his balloon analogy.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Talking about what's on her mind this week, Sarah shares some thoughts on feeling stuck, being in 'inaction' versus taking action, and why even the small steps matter.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Louise McMilan shares her story. After suffering from limiting self-beliefs and a lack of self-confidence for most of her life, in 2017 Louise was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this episode she chats about coming out of the other side with the resolve and desire to help people. Cancer gave Louise the most valuable lesson of all, to start living the life she wants now.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

After 20 years in corporate management roles, raising twin girls and studying part time, in the episode Caroline Peyton chats about the stressors and pressure of working life, the impact this can have on one's health and wellbeing, and why health starts in the gut.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Lindsay Smith chats opening about how she spent decades seeking to love herself and prove her worth. Here she shares the day she made a choice, deciding to live each and every day believing that life is happening for her.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Welcome to the third season of the Stories of Survival in the Modern Age podcast. Join Sarah as she shares her intention for this season, her 'why behind the why', and invites you to think about how well you receive a compliment.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Aaron Flores grappled with weight his entire life. A registered dietitian nutritionist, he is passionate about helping people make peace with food and develop body-positive behaviors. In this episode we chat about his own struggles, the stigma and shame associated with weight and why the more we try to fit into an ideal, the more we struggle.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Elizabeth Hall began chronic dieting at just 12 years old, and says it took her 30 years to break the cycle of diet after diet after diet, before figuring out that it was her thought processes that needed addressing rather than her body. In this episode we chat about the culture of dieting, our attitudes towards our bodies, and how we can have more kindness and compassion towards ourselves.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Clare Davis moved internationally twice and experienced a series of personal and family traumas within the space of a few short years. A qualified mental health trainer (and an advocate for emotional fitness) Clare is passionate about healthy leadership, and uses her experiences to work with schools and organisations bringing preventative measures into people's lives to enhance emotional fitness and address mental health concerns before they escalate and get out of control.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode, on-air host Lara Scott shares her passion for helping make a difference in communities, including the preservation (and survival) of 'Old Hollywood', and why being kind – especially to yourself – is so important.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Having known what it's like to feel stressed, ill and overwhelmed, Robyn Harris is passionate about the benefits of being in nature, and holds a safe and nurturing space in which to intuitively and gently inspire others to reconnect with their sense of joy, purpose and love of life.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this week's episode, multi hyphenate Beverley Jones shares her personal journey of how she travelled from burnout to the life she has today.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Following the final of the postponed Orphanage Cup Football Competition – at which Steve Booth presented the inaugural Trevor Booth Memorial Cup – Sarah's been thinking about her father this week. Arriving there at 18-months old, Trevor maintained a lifelong connection with Blackburn Orphanage, now Child Action North West, until his passing at 86; a place that offered him a home and a sense of belonging.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In 2014 Jamie McAnsh woke up paralysed, and in this episode he shares his very personal stories of struggles, challenges and successes. Jamie believes that while failure is always an option, not trying is simply not acceptable. His ultimate message is that if you fall you need to adapt, overcome and most of all, get back up.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Charlott Fagergard talks about her journey from Sweden to Wales, her love for the mountains (including an upcoming trek to Everest Base Camp) and what community means to her.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Nashville-born Bill A. Jones shares his revealing journey of becoming an actor, how he deals with the rejection that comes with his career choice, and how he's able to persevere in the face of a rebuffal. He also unveils the 'creative joy spring' of rediscovering his love of singing.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Sarah hands Brett the mic as he shares six daily habits of gratitude; demonstrating how when we're grateful for what we already have, we will naturally attract more to be grateful for.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Sarah shares what's going on for her this week and what's on her mind... and what's on her mind is chatter and acceptance; acceptance for ourselves and for others.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Stand-up comic April Cowgur shares her journey from Springfield, Illinois – where even as a youngster she knew she wanted to make people laugh – to working at The Second City before moving out to Los Angeles. A true optimist, she tells us how the comedy community came together to help each other get through the past 12-plus months, the lessons learned, and why laughter really is the best medicine.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Agreeing to come back in season 2, Victoria Jones talks about taking charge of the menopausal transition, and encourages us to start a conversation so we can begin to break the old way of thinking that it has to be something traumatic and negative. For her, hot flashes and brain fog are signs that something is out of balance with the body, and that the earlier we can begin to pay attention to how our body is changing, then we can start to do the work to support it.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this two-episode podcast, Paul chats about his belief that hair and emotion are intertwined, how being in the salon chair can leave us feeling exposed, and the vulnerabilities he faced as he shares his own health journey which left him having to learn how to talk properly again and to relearn his craft.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this two-episode podcast, Paul chats about his belief that hair and emotion are intertwined, how being in the salon chair can leave us feeling exposed, and the vulnerabilities he faced as he shares his own health journey which left him having to learn how to talk properly again and to relearn his craft.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Fellow podcaster, and host of "Let's Be Honest Before We Start Pretending!", Coach Kelly is passionate about helping people living a life of joy, fulfillment, and impact, and says that meaningful conversations and belly laughs are a must – because life is short, and we get to live fully every single day. In this episode Kelly chats about self-care, why it's important and why you don't need a lot of time or money to make self-care a priority.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Once shy and unconfident, in a marriage she calls 'mundane' and working a retail job she hated, Kim Wymer was beset with self-doubt and self-limiting beliefs. She suffered from a lifetime of bad habits and suppression until in 2011 she hit rock bottom. In this episode, multi-hyphenate Kim chats about confidence and why the words we speak, matter... especially to ourselves.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this episode Detroit-born, Mark Acetelli chats to me from his Downtown Los Angeles studio about what painting means to him, where his inspiration comes from and the constant guidance from his late mother. Mark's work seeks to evoke a feeling of the intensely personal introspective journey of life, as he breaks through the internal dialog and connects with the infinite.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

In this week's episode, I'm joined by a jazz musician based in the North of England. In 'all that jazz', Arthur Geldard shares his passion for the genre, how he's redefining himself and why he feels privileged to have been able to perform via social media during the past year of lockdowns.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Agreeing to come back and chat in season 2, Marisa Santoro – the author of Own Your Authority – chats about 'why this book and why now', achieving self-love and radiating 'Shakespearean confidence'.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

With over 1.2 million YouTube subscribers and 50 million plus views of his inspirational videos, in this episode Simerjeet chats openly about self-sabotage and his unconventional path to becoming a Motivational Speaker, something which he says has been the most rewarding journey of his life.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Agreeing to come back and chat in season 2, Anne Skinner – the author of The New You – chats about self-acceptance, changing the outcome and gratitude. Three of the tools covered in her book for increasing confidence, resilience and purpose.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

Welcome to the second season of the Stories of Survival in the Modern Age podcast. As season that very nearly wasn't. Join Sarah as she questions where her podcast mojo went, how she found it, and having the grace to come back. Sarah shares the story of the two wolves, and invites you to think about how you feed the wolf within.Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.