Unabridged You

Many people believe their life isn’t interesting enough to be written down. They assume that stories belong to famous people, public figures, or those who have achieved something extraordinary. But what if the stories of everyday lives are just as powerful—perhaps even more so? In this episode of Unabridged You, Julie speaks with biographer, ghostwriter, and journalist Joy Persaud, founder of the I Have A Story Project, about the power of capturing the stories we often overlook—our own. Joy has interviewed well-known figures as well as people whose stories may never make the headlines, and through her work she has come to believe that everyone carries experiences, memories, and lessons that are worthy of being remembered and shared. Together, Joy and Julie explore how our early experiences with writing in school can shape our confidence, and why writing for ourselves can be very different from writing to be judged. They also discuss the importance of preserving authentic human stories in a time when so much content is being generated by artificial intelligence, the role of nostalgia and music in unlocking memories, and the importance of caring for ourselves when revisiting difficult parts of our past. Whether you have ever thought about writing your life story or simply reflecting on the moments that shaped you, this conversation is a gentle reminder that everyone has a story worth telling. In this episode, we explore: The value of everyday life stories and personal historiesHow our school experiences with writing can affect our confidenceThe difference between writing for evaluation vs writing for yourselfStorytelling as a way to make meaning of life experiencesThe idea of legacy and preserving personal historyWhy authentic human stories matter in an AI-driven worldHow music and nostalgia can unlock memoriesThe importance of self-care when revisiting difficult life experiencesHow Joy supports people in writing and capturing their life storiesYou can connect with Joy here:Website: ihaveastory.co.ukSocial: Instagram As always please follow along with Unabridged You wherever you have found the podcast, be sure to leave a review and share the episode with someone who you think might find it interesting or helpful.  To connect further you can email us at [email protected] Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you   

In this episode of Unabridged You, Julie sits down with UK-based breathwork facilitator, trainer and founder of Breathguru, Alan Dolan to explore the depth and integrity of breathwork. Breathwork has been mentioned by several guests on this podcast as a powerful part of their journey toward becoming more authentic and unabridged. In this conversation, we go deeper. Alan shares how he first came to breathwork over 22 years ago — long before it entered mainstream wellness spaces — and why he continues to choose this work today, explaining that it is not a trend but a powerful tool. At the heart of the episode is the big question: What is breathwork? Alan answers by bringing together both physiology and lived experience. He explains how this foundational human function, when engaged with intentionally (and safely), has the potential to directly influence the nervous system and create a kind of “factory reset” — a bridge that recalibrates and re/connects the visible and invisible aspects of self and existence. We also touch on the growing research around breathwork, including doctoral-level study exploring its potential role in supporting anxiety. This episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with your breath — not as a trend or quick fix, but as a powerful tool for awareness, regulation and self-acceptance.  About Alan Dolan Alan Dolan is a UK-based breathwork facilitator, trainer and retreat leader with over two decades of experience. He works with individuals and trains practitioners in high-quality, ethical facilitation, with a particular focus on Conscious Connected Breathwork. His work integrates physiology, nervous system awareness and deep personal inquiry. Links to Alan and BreathGuruBreathguru TrainingsBreathguru RetreatsAlan's workshops & free eventsOnline 1:1s with AlanLondon 1:1's with AlanInstagramFacebookLinkedInAny questions can be directed to [email protected] As always please follow along with unabridged you wherever you have found the podcast, be sure to leave a review and share the episode with someone who you think might find it interesting or helpful.  The links to connect with Unabridged You are:Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

This episode is a table of contents for Season Three to Date.The links for the similar episodes for Season One and Season Two are as followsSeason One: An Update, A conclusion and a Plan (7min) https://www.buzzsprout.com/2271523/episodes/14302181Season Two: Season Two Wrap-up (6min)https://www.buzzsprout.com/2271523/episodes/15331397If you would like to connect with Unabridged You, you can do so through these links:Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

We open this episode with our guest's thoughtful words — a reminder that pain is never just physical, and never just medical: “You can’t separate the social aspect of being human from the personal experience of pain because it touches on all of those sides of ourselves… Pain is such a complex phenomenon.”Laura is a pain clinician and educator who approaches pain through a whole-person lens. In this conversation, she gently expands the way we think about pain, inviting us to step beyond the usual medical framework and consider pain as a deeply human experience — one shaped by our stories, identities, relationships, and the world we live in. In this episode, we explore: Why understanding pain requires more than a medical modelThe emotional, social, and existential layers of the pain experienceHow chronic and persistent pain shape — and are shaped by — identityHow curiosity and conversation can move our understanding forwardThis is an episode for anyone living with pain, supporting someone through it, or simply curious about a more humane, connected way of understanding the complexity of pain.If you would like to connect with Laura, you can find here through these links:website: laurarathbone.com Instagram: instagram.com/laura.painspecialist If you would like to connect with Unabridged You, you can do so through these links:Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

In this powerful follow-up episode, Alicia returns to share her personal story — a story marked by dark chapters, deep resilience, and a fierce commitment to choosing joy. Building on the themes introduced in the previous conversation, Alicia opens up about navigating neurodivergence, assault, life-threatening illness, unsafe relationships, and the complexities of becoming a mum.Through it all, she has shaped a life grounded in purpose, cultural connection, and the desire to uplift others.Alicia speaks beautifully about finding strength through her Māori culture, the Kaupapa Māori approach to walking alongside someone in their healing, and her relationship with matakite — intuition, insight, and seeing beyond what is immediately visible. Her story is a reminder that even the heaviest chapters can become sources of wisdom, and that joy is not something we wait for; it’s something we harness.This episode holds space for:The realities of surviving trauma and reclaiming your narrativeHow cultural knowledge, connection, and community can anchor healingThe power of standing in your story rather than shrinking from itWhat it means to transform lived experience into a source of guidance and support for othersChoosing joy as an act of resistance, grounding, and self-determinationAlicia’s resilience is deeply felt, and her insights carry both heart and hope. If her story resonates with you — or you know someone who might draw strength from it — please share this episode. Connect with Alicia https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-durbin-a4873a300?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app Tiktok: @wahinemaoriandherkuriPrevious episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2271523/episodes/18162525Listen and Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

Twenty-five years after their last conversation, Julie reconnects with an old classmate, whose story of reconnecting to her a Māori cultural roots and understandings of matakite offers a powerful lens on identity and belonging.In this episode, they explore what it means to search for your place after growing up in a world shaped by The Machine — the social, religious, and colonial pressures that often silenced identity and intuition. Together, they reflect on how rediscovering cultural roots, listening to ancestral wisdom, and embracing spiritual gifts can become acts of self-liberation.This is the first part of a deeply personal conversation about remembering who we are, standing in our stories, and finding the courage to live unabridged.This heartfelt conversation explores themes of cultural identity, healing, intuition, resilience, and personal transformation — all core to the journey of becoming unabridged.In this episode:The journey of reconnecting with Māori culture and ancestryUnderstanding matakite and spiritual sensitivityHow colonial systems shape identity and belongingWhat it means to live authentically and unabridgedConnect with Alicia https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-durbin-a4873a300?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app Listen and Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step away from the noise of daily life and experience a silent retreat? To remove all distractions and responsibilities and simply be with yourself? Earlier this year, I attended an 8-day Vipassana meditation retreat — a profound journey into silence and self-observation. In this episode of Unabridged You, I’m joined by our teacher, mentor, and guide Martin Pack, who shares his story, experience, and expertise in the practice of Vipassana. Together, we explore the mechanics of Vipassana, the deeper meaning of mindfulness versus awareness, and what happens when we consciously face the tension between boredom and distraction. This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation that invites you to consider your own relationship with silence — and what you might discover there. ✨ Connect with Martin:Website: risingfalling.org Email: [email protected] Listen and Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

In the previous episode we spoke with Edward about Resilience, Parenting, Happiness and Values.  We shared a formula for happiness:  When what you personally feel, think, say and do are in harmony.  All the ideas discussed here were more directed toward the individual and their growth.In this episode, Edward joins us again, and we take the conversation from that focus on the individual to more of a focus on the community.  We talk about the Global Happiness Scale and ideas around how once a person takes the time to consciously figure out their current purpose (with the idea that this is not a fixed destination) it can contribute positively to their communities.  A key takeaway from this episode is that this journey in life is not about figuring out the meaning of life, but how you want to give meaning to your life.    If you’d like to connect with Edward, you can find them at: https://www.positivecontribution.nl/ and https://thepurposecompany.nl/Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you  And if you — or someone you know — would like to share your own story of becoming unabridged, email me at [email protected] 

What if we treated Resilience like a muscle and realised it is something we need to help our kids strengthen?In this episode, Edward Haarmans, a coach, consultant, keynote speaker and parent among many other roles, joins me to share their story of understanding resilience from the perspective of a parent. Together we explore the ideas of Resilience, Happiness and Values and how they help us make meaning in the world. You will hear reflections on the mechanics of parenting from the perspective of wanting to grow humans who are well-balanced individuals, while at the same time recognizing that we adults are constantly evolving in our thoughts and understandings, values and meanings of concepts such as happiness as well.  This episode can help support your children's growth but your own as well.If you’d like to connect with Edward, you can find them at: https://www.positivecontribution.nl/ and https://thepurposecompany.nl/Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you   And if you — or someone you know — would like to share your own story of becoming unabridged, email me at [email protected] 

What does it mean to look for the answer?When I turned 42, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the year it would all click — the age where everything made sense. After all, 42 is famously “the answer to life, the universe, and everything” in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.But as I reflect back, I found something very different. Not one neat answer, but many small lessons, questions, and surprises.In this solo episode, I share the five lessons I took (learned, re-learned or had emphasised while being 42 why the search for the answer might be too rigid — and what happens when we let our answers evolve, just as we doInstead of one destination, life keeps offering us shifting questions and ongoing becoming. Maybe that’s the real answer after all.I’d love to hear from you: was there an age, season, or moment that felt like it might hold the answer? Looking back, what did it teach you? Share your reflections at [email protected] Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you 

What does it take to turn rock bottom into a turning point? For Melanie Wert, online personal trainer and life coach, the answer was realizing that no one else could make lasting changes for her — she had to do it herself. In this conversation, Melanie shares her story of transformation and how she now helps others bring together physical and mental health to support growth. She talks about: What hitting rock bottom taught her about resilienceThe role of mindset in creating change that lastsHow she built a worldwide community that breaks down barriers and holds each other accountable to healthier livingIf you’ve ever struggled with motivation, or wondered how to truly align body and mind, you’ll find Melanie’s journey both relatable and inspiring. 🔗 Connect with Mel: https://www.instagram.com/unstoppablecoachmel 🎧 Follow Unabridged You:   Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you Do you have your own story of becoming unabridged? I’d love to hear from you — reach out at [email protected] 

In this episode, Elsa joins us via zoom from France. Else begins by sharing her story about how this chapter of her life, where she is becoming unabridged, starts with the death of her father.  We go on to have an 'emotionally naked' conversation and talk about all sorts from death to conversations with strangers, Gestalt therapy to philosophies on living and so much more!  If you would like to connect with Elsa you can find her here: www.coffeewithstrangers.net or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elsaweill.gestalt/If you would like to follow along with Unabridged You can find those details here:Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest, you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]    

Ronni was the first ever guest on Unabridged You, and he is back in this episode to share his conversation and storytelling skills with us and help me explore my thoughts about the concept of Unabridged.This is Episode 30.  As the podcast has progressed so has my thinking. Together Ronni and I peel back the layers (like onions), talk about our favorite canned food and wonder: does being unabridged risk becoming a single story? If you would like to hear more from Ronni you can checkout his podcast The World is StorytellingAnd these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You wherever works for you:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]   

In this episode our guest is Arjen Barel: storytelling coach and director of the Storytelling Centre in Amsterdam.Arjen shares part of his story as well as his experience with story to weave together a potent understanding of story and the power of storytelling in contemporary society.  Among other topics he considers story and resilience and demonstrates how story can be seen in action, in the ideas that guide us, and particularly applied to the concepts of polarisation and identity construction.  Arjen reminds us to take time to listen to the stories of others and to consider our own story as well.  If you would like to connect with Arjen you can find him through this link: https://storytelling-centre.nl/enAnd these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You where ever works for you:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

As Season Three is about to begin next week this is a wee reminder of how we got here and what Unabridged You is all about.Remember to like, follow and share Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, that way you will be kept up to date with the plans.And these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

This episode is a summary of the episodes from this season and shares a little about the podcast plans for the future.We will be back for Season Three but can't give a re-start date just yet.Remember to like, follow and share Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, that way you will be kept up to date with the plans.And these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

In this episode Margie Breault shares her story which starts with a disconnect from self, limiting beliefs and self destructive behavior.  Then she is introduced to energy medicine and finds a new path.Margie takes time to speak about organizational psychology, communication, meeting people where they are and the Natural Laws.This episode is full and overflowing with more ideas and examples of another modality a person has taken which aids their process of becoming unabridged.If you are keen to hear more from Margie you can find that here:www.prismofbrilliance.biz svahaacademy.com These are three books she suggests:The Whole Elephant Revealed by Maria de Vries The Awakened Brain by Lisa Miller Quantum Body by Deepak Chopra And these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You where ever works for you:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

In this episode Laura Rubin shares her story and her guidance on living a life you design and choose as opposed to floating along with the current.After years of following society’s check boxes, Laura found herself trapped in a cycle of hustle and burnout.  But a pivotal midlife moment led to a profound realisation:  She was merely surviving on autopilot, not truly living.  Determined to align her life with her true desires, Laura embarked on a journey of self-discovery, finding clarity, confidence, and courage along the way.  Now she is on a mission to educate, empower, and inspire others to step into their courage, defy their status quo, think outside the box, and buck the system in pursuit of their highest good and hearts’ desires both personally and professionally. A goal I see as well aligned with the concept of becoming Unabridged, join us as we delve into Laura's Story and her her practical guidance on living your life be design, not default.One fantastic tip starts with asking yourself what you don't want... listen to the episode to hear the other steps!You can follow along with Laura here:https://wildawakewoman.com/And these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You where ever works for you:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

In this episode, Vanessa, an integrative child and adolescent psychotherapist shares her story and motivation for the Life Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing programs she has developed for primary schools.She shares science, research and practical steps to help our kids learn to manage their wellbeing from school age.  This is the link to Vanessa's information:www.lighteducationtraining.comhttps://linktr.ee/vanessamchardyAnd these are the links to follow along with Unabridged You where ever works for you:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

In this episode Dawn, nurse practitioner, creative artist, author and host of the podcast Catch Some Soulshine shares her story and how creativity can light a path to help your soul shine when life's darkest moments hit.Dawn's website with all her information including the link to her podcast and the Journal she talks about can be found through this link. https://dawnreneebova.com/Please follow alone with Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, there are our links:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

This episode summarizes the common four pathways to becoming unabridged that guests have spoken on in their episodes.These pathways areStoryPhysical MovementConscious ThoughtCreativityI also share the exercise of blackout poetry that I have been practicing for the last 99 days.If you are curious to check out the Tuesday Orange project search @tuesdayorange on Instagram or click this link: https://www.instagram.com/tuesdayorangePlease follow alone with Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, there are our links:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]  

In this episode our guest is New Zealander Mason Ludlow, author of the recently released book called Becoming Diamond.Here we discuss the core of his book and go into detail on some of the key concepts of Wisdom, Jungian thought and dream analysis, specializing in life as compared to being a generalist and other topics designed to help the reader/listener comprehend the idea of becoming diamond and work toward living a life of meaning.The links to Mason's book can be found here:AMAZON    https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Diamond-Mason-Ludlow-ebook/dp/B0CTHRDN8B/ref=sr_1_1crid=1IGHUIEI6ARBW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.HVa1n9FC5fLvk60AZVP0fsK7UvgSbnZzq_zigzq5jWvGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps._AI1UfKwasLoSbFLXy7_WVugjRAHTB_jc9jeTmCLUo&dib_tag=se&keywords=mason+ludlow&qid=1713833555&s=digital-text&sprefix=%2Cdigital-text%2C2954&sr=1-1KOBOhttps://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/becoming-diamond-1B&Nhttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-diamond-mason-ludlow/1145011043?ean=2940185703991APPLEhttps://books.apple.com/us/book/becoming-diamond/id6479930150Please follow alone with Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, there are our links:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode, our guest Hazel joins us via zoom from Ireland.  Hazel begins her story by reminding us of the fairytale character Rumpelstiltskin and how he teaches us what power there is in naming a thing.  In this episode the named things that are addressed include acknowledging histories of trauma and experiences such as abuse, gaslighting, narcissism and the lived experience of being a female with ADHD.  In this conversation we also consider Story in a different light.  In this podcast I hold the idea and vehicle of story quite high for how it can help with personal growth and social impact, but Hazel explains how story can be used to bend reality to the tellers will and I feel this is something important to be aware of going forwards. At the same time, Hazel reminds us that our stories are our stories and it is up to us what we do with them, how or when or if we share them.  I acknowledge Hazel's honesty, because by her naming her experiences it may help others understand their own journeys to becoming unabridged.If you would like to be in contact with Hazel these are the link to her webpage where you will also find the link to her podcasthttps://traumarecovery.ie/Please follow alone with Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, there are our links:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

Welcome back to Unabridged You.Our guest this week is Rachel Fowler who talkes about becoming Grief Literate and her journey to her understandings.  She speaks of her award winning short film titles STILLNESS and her soon to be created Somewhere Very Near.  In this episode with Rachel we cover a lot from grief to international travel, AI and mixed tapes.  If you would like to contact Rachel directly, either regarding her grief coaching or her creative side, this is the best way to do so:www.rachelfowlergriefcoach.comMain Takeaways from this episode include:Understanding that Grief is not only about bereavement but also endings.We talked about the idea of allowing someone to feeling their emotions, just witnessing it without the need to make ourselves feel more comfortable.We also talked about and revisited the idea of giving ourselves some grace and being gentle on ourselves as we go through this journey of life.Please follow alone with Unabridged You wherever you feel comfortable, there are our links:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode UK woman Lucinda Roberts shares her lived experience of receiving the diagnosis of an incurable autoimmune disease at 17.  She shares the story of her health journey and it has been a journey full of ups and downs and twists and turns including the realization of her mortality, her hedonist phase, being in liver failure and her hope for the future by being an organ donor recipient in her early thirties.   She also spoke of her passion for art, and the written word, her joy of animals, and her lived experience of being an organ donor recipient.  I appreciated Lucinda’s candour, her willingness to share her experience and bring more light to the reality of needing an organ transplant and how accessible that is or is not in the UK, as well as sharing her learnings on health and wellbeing.  Part of shining a light on this area of health has been to make the information assessable in a children’s book called Lucy’s Liver Transplant which is currently translated into nine different languages.You can follow along with Lucinda or learn more on alternative healing modalities on her website www.thishealingfeeling.com or at her podcast This Healing Feeling available on both Apple and Spotify or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thishealingfeelingYou can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected] Episode due 7 May 2024

Bill covers so much this episode.  The power lies in how he speaks first hand about his lived experience of life. Everything from the recognition of how contemporary society effected his health to motivate him to leave a traditional job, to witnessing the way people were effected by the way they were spoken to and spoke to themselves, to his conscious choice to heal through and thrive after his shock cancer diagnosis.Among the jewels of wisdom Bill shares is the power of our self narrative.  Of obtaining a download of 24hours worth of self talk.  What do you think?  For me all of the thoughts aren’t totally thought out, but the negativity that can happen in my head some times… I wouldn’t talk to someone else like that and I would not be proud for someone to hear me talking to myself like that… Thank you Bill for offering this simple illustration to share your point.  The narrative we tell ourselves is very important.Previous guests have spoken about meaning and in our last episode I spoke about meaning, truth and perspective.   I think that, in general, we can see how we give meaning to the would around us.  I had not taken the idea further to consider if the meaning I give a thing, an experience, a thought, a perspective, an understanding, is useful or not.  Bill asks us to consider it the meaning you prescribe to a thing have use, and what is that use?  Is it constructive or is it necessary?  Not that those two things are mutually exclusive, but this is a way of thinking I will employ more in the future.If you would like further guidance from Bill here are his social media links and you can find his program through his website www.thrivingaftercancer.infohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/billlee-emery/https://www.facebook.com/bill.lee.emeryYou can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected] always, please give this episode a thumbs up, hit subscribe wherever you have listened to the podcast, leave a review or share it with someone who you think might find it interesting, helpful or supportive.Thanks for listening!

In this episode Perspective, Meaning and Truth take center stage as we consider How To Get Along With People.I share my understandings, how the episodes to date are inspiration for this episode, a story of how I came to my understandings and evidence of why the answer I offer to this question can be seen to make sense.Please like, subscribe, review, share, tag Unabridged You any  traction goes a long way to getting your stories more ears.You can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode Leslie Maloney, host of the podcast Meaning And Moxie After 50, shares her story.  Having been an educator for a lot of her life, helping people explore other perspectives she comments that she recognizes there is wisdom at all ages and has a current focus on positive ageing which she is promoting with her story based podcast.In this episode particularly enjoy hearing about Leslie's desire to inspire and provide role models through the stories on her podcast.  She explains that she is also living the life she talks about by actually living life, taking chances, showing moxie and going on adventures such as the trip she will take in a few weeks to walk the 512mile Camino Del Norte trail in Spain. I am really keen to have her back to share about this journey, hopefully this will not be the last we hear from Leslie.If you think to hear more from Leslie, or find out about the life of a full time Santa and real life treasure hunter among other awesome guests, you can check out her website to find all the ways to connect with her including her podcast and bookshttps://meaningandmoxieafter50.com/ You can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected] always, please give this episode a thumbs up, hit subscribe wherever you have listened to the podcast, leave a review or share it with someone who you think might find it interesting or helpful.Thanks for listening!

In this episode Nikki shares her story which was sparked by grief.  Nikki speaks of her Dad passing and how this deeply affected and effects her, how it lead to her being broken down and busted open.  An experience she can now look at with gratitude as it prompted her to explore her beliefs, stories and energies.  All of this lead to Nikki to begin to comprehend Grief as an alchemist which has helped her understand herself better; why she was showing up in the world in the way she was and how she would like to show up going forwards. Unraveling or unfurling these beliefs, stories and energies, slowly but surely also allowed her to alter her experience of imposter syndrome.Nikki and I talk about creating something, planting a seed, showing up how we want to be in the world and recognizing that the way the created thing, the experience, the seed is taken and nurtured or not by another person is up to the perspective of that person.  You worth or value is not tied up in their perspective and in that way, it becomes even more precious to explore the way you want to be in the world. I quoted the Eagles "don’t let the  sound of your own wheels drive you crazy", be at peace with your actions and the choices you make for yourself without waiting for validation.   I hope you get something out of this conversation, I certainly did.  Each of these episodes teaches me something and opens my eyes to another way to view the world.If you think Nikki might be a person to help you on your journey through grief or connecting with your self you can find her here: https://www.facebook.com/kindsoulrisingYou can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode LAPIZ shares his story. He explains he has travelled and lived in a few places in the world, that art was a hobby that became his full time.  As a scientist, his PhD helped him learn a way to think that he now applies to art.  The experience allowed him to learn a lot about resilience and his experience living in different places adds to his political art as a type of social commentary.When LAPIZ speaks about art he explains that as an artist he feels he has a responsibility to create discussion, continue discussion, and change discussion, with his art.  Although people have his prints in their houses and he has displayed his work in galleries, creating a mural in a public place is one way his art opens those discussions, by making available ideas in the form of images that one may not normally consider or be aware of.LAPIZ mentions, and I think it is a really interesting discussion point even by itself,  that “art is only whole with an audience”.  What do you think?These social media and website links for LAPIZ are https://www.instagram.com/lapizgraffitihttps://lapiz.caYou can follow along with Unabridged you here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode I have taken time to focus on a theme that has come up in some of the episodes when considering the unabridged self and the way that we learn or were taught at secondary school.I share my experience of learning through the discipline of Anthropology once I went to university.  I compare this type of cross curricular learning to the way we were taught at secondary school, where English literature was just about english literature and Statistics was just about statistics and History was just about history.  This episode takes a short visit into the history of schooling in New Zealand to help the listener consider WHY we were taught the way we were at secondary school and HOW we can see that changing in some schools and WHY it is changing.You can follow along with Unabridged you here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode Bart shares his story of crystals, covid and being an entrepreneur.  We hear how Bart had a childhood interest that was resparked when he was in Romania and wanted to buy a meteorite from the states.  Being the thinking person that he is he realized if he brought a couple more smaller meteorites he could sell them online and make back his shipping costs.  After that Bart started to look for a niche, first with amber and then the business grew as he and his partner paid attention to what people wanted to buy and provided that opportunity for them.To me, Bart's story is unabridged because he was able to take things he has learned and apply them to interests he has and create a viable income (even if people didn’t think it was possible when first proposed).Bart shares with us some tips about how to turn an interest into an income.  He suggests Social Media is a good option to become known by but that it is a game of patience.  He says to do your research and stay at the front of where people are looking for what you are selling.  Bart also touches upon the idea that as well as being able to tell a good story to sell you product it is also very important to listen to your customers, that way you learn what they need and you can provide that.  You can’t sell what people are not willing to buy.You can find the links to Bart's websiteshttps://www.debarnsteenspecialist.nlhttps://www.kristalkartel.com/You can follow along with Unabridged you here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode Stuart Packer shares his journey of how he came to story.  How he can see the thread of story in all he has done, from civil engineering through to acting and facilitating communication skills.  He shares details about the experience of acting and what he learns from the characters he plays.  He also shares the idea of unlearning.  In my world this has been a word used in education the idea being to unlearn ways that we were originally taught to be in the world.  Stu applied this concept to his experience of acting and unlearning to be a character, and idea that I believe is applicable across many of our lives I think, as we unlearn parts of roles that we have held that may not serve us in other roles, or that we begin to unabridge ourselves.Stu also talks about the idea of Truth and we discuss what this could be or how we can see it as different, or as a matter of perception depending on one, the teller and two the audience or consumer.  You can find Stu's social media and linktree in his bio here:https://www.instagram.com/stuartpackeractorYou can follow along with Unabridged you here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

This mini episode informs of two important points:1. Episode 8 was the final episode of season one of Unabridged You2. The next episode of Unabridged You will be published on the Tuesday 13 February 2024Until then you can follow along with Unabridged You here:Our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youWebsite: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have any questions or are interested to be a guest you can contact me via DM or email at: [email protected]

In this episode Dutchman and philosopher Jan Leendert Van Der Mooren shares his story of losing his religion and later finding Socratic Discussion as a way to make meaning in the world.    He explains Socratic Discussion and demonstrates to us how the meaning we give a concept can change, or evolve based on a person’s experiences of the world. Jan Leendert also raises the idea of not only the unabridged person, but an unabridged world, an idea proposed as quite important given the super global state of contemporary society.  He suggests that a start of a solution is learning to listen to other people, no matter how different their experiences, ideas, beliefs or political thoughts may be to your own.  This is the link to Jan Leendert's website:https://destadsfilosoof.nl/You may notice that this website is in Dutch, but as evident by this episode Jan Leendert is very capable of communicating in English.  If you would like to be in contact with him you can contact him through his website.You can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ 

In this episode Sebastian he shared his philosophies on living an unabridged life and his top life value of respect.  He spoke of his internal value compass which he checks in with regularly and how this compass helps him by aligning his values, beliefs, needs and expectations.  Sebastian posed two questions to help when wanting to live consciously the first was ‘what breaks your heart?’ like really cracks it open so it can not close. He then explained his answer and how he started a coaching business once he realized what was important to him and that he wanted to help others.  The second was How are you?  Not just a passing throw away comment but a real question, how are you really?  How do you normally answer this question?I will leave these questions with you but I would really love to hear your answers.  You can DM me on Instagram, or flick me through an email to [email protected] link to Sebastian's LinkedIn is:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-gerlach-064303185?trk=contact-infoYou can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ 

The guest on episode 6 of Unabridged You is New Zealander Amber Harris.Amber is the owner and crafter of the hoodoo botanica store Roomie and Wilde and the dynamic host of the podcast Wilde.  She has been a radio host and is an internationally published tourism and indigenous rights journalist. Among other talents she is an Iridologist, conjure and rootworker woman and her self professed most important role is Mum to her wee daughter.In this episode with Amber she shares her journey from small town New Zealand to self discovery through solo travel and ancestry to get to know herself and figure out how she would like to be in the world.  Particularly, she shared with us about the hoodoo wisdom tradition, iridology and her experience of the New York minute.I mention that one of my favorite quotes is “Wherever you go, there you are” it is a simple idea that you may have heard in many different ways.  I grew up listening to the Eagles in their song Take it Easy they say “you may lose or you may win, but you will never be here again, don’t let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy”.  This all relates back to what Amber called Destination Cheating and what we could consider as the idea of consciously living or being mindful of being present in the moment.  This idea is explored a bit further in the next episode of Unabridged You.These are the links to Amber's worldSocial media Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/romiandwilde/This link will take you to her shop and her podcast Wilde https://linktr.ee/romiandwildeYou can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected]

In this episode with Karen  she shares her motivation for becoming a storyteller, the logistics of the trade and stories and adventures she has had while storytelling. I do not think that I will ever forget that Redwood seeds need fire to germinate and I will always be curious about the special thing that is invisible in the box!  Karen also shares the spark that started her journey as founder of the Creative Learning Place, the academic and arts learning center for homeschooled children inspired by her own daughters experiences of being homeschooled.Further to this we speak about being our authentic selves Karen commenting that in her opinion “being your authentic self means embracing the story of your unfolding self without feeling a lot of pressure from society about how your life ought to be”. This episode with Karen reinforces the ideas discussed in episode 1 with Ronni about how storytelling can aid in personal growth and with social impact.These are the links to Karen's worldHer website is: https://www.karengolden.com/Her social media links are: https://www.facebook.com/karen.golden.547/https://www.instagram.com/karengoldenstoryYou can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected]

In this episode Mike shares his unabridged story of fighting for creativity.   He speaks of the experience of being a novelist, creative writer and screenwriter in the far north of New Zealand.  With seasoned expertise, he unveils the secrets of crafting unforgettable characters and demonstrates the myriad ways in which a person could choose 1000 words to paint a picture. Further to this, Mike delves into his deliberate choice of to become a horror fiction specialist, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his insights. Mike gives us details about his personal journey marked by embracing rather than suppressing creativity.  He passionately advocates for the transformative power that embracing one's creative side. One powerful tool  which helped Mike on this quest Steven Pressfield's book The War of Art, a book which guides the creative to be like seaweed, tethered to the sand but able to move with the waves.   Like Laura in episode 3, Mike underscores the significance of discovering or reconnecting with one's tribe - community of likeminded people.  Mike advocates for unapologetic self-care and emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and nurturing all aspects of ourselves to attain true satisfaction in life.  The links to Mikael's world are here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBoturWriterNZ Short Stories: https://nzshortstories.com/bloodalcohol-ten-tales-the-new-horror-collection-by-michael-botur/You can follow along with the Unabridged You onInstagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected]

In this episode with Laura, mastermind behind Is Olde Upcycle we explore:1. The World of Upcycled FashionLaura shares her journey into the world of upcycled clothing and how her business promotes sustainability.How shopping at opportunity shops and thrift stores can be beneficial to the environment, your bank account and can help with self expression. 2. Embracing Life's Ebb and FlowLiving in sync with the seasons of our energy, interests, and needs.Understanding that finding balance varies from day to day and how surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals can provide crucial support.3. The 'Give it a go' AttitudeThe positive reward of adopting a fearless approach in life, being unafraid of messiness of failure.Applying this mindset not just to adults but also in parenting, encouraging children to explore without fear.The links to Laura's world are here:Website: www.isoldeupcycle.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/is_olde/You can follow along with the Unabridged You onInstagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected]

In this episode we hear from Mark Samson, graphic designer, photographer, videographer, multisport and conservation enthusiast, traveler and ultrarunner.  In Mark, the convergence of trail running, photography, conservation, and travel creates a narrative of adventure, discovery and a deep connection with the great outdoors.  Join us as we delve into this unabridged world and hear about Mark’s latest adventure from September 2023 where he was set to participate in the For Rangers Untramarathon, A 230km, 5 day ultramarathon in Kenya.  Links to Mark's world are here:YouTube: @MarkSamson-NZInstagram: www.instagram.com/mark.samson.nzFacebook Event: www.facebook.com/events/780338986598794You can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_youThe podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected] 

This episode begins by sharing  the motivation and inspiration for beginning the podcast then we hear from our first guest Ronni Gurwicz.Ronni is a published narrative coach and ecosystem analyst.  He is also in the process of drinking 1000 cups of coffee with a thousand strangers. Specific to Episode 1, Ronni is Co-author of a book called ‘The World is Storytelling’ which helped me find meaning with my podcast idea.  With this episode I hope to leave the listener left with a little better understanding of how storytelling can help with personal growth and social impact.In sum, storytelling can aid and these ideas in three ways, by figuring out:who I am who you are and who we are togetherBy I am I mean the storyteller getting their own story in order as they realize what they have to say. By who you are I mean the listener hearing the story and learning about the storyteller. Finally, who we are together, this is where the social impact part of storytelling can be really effective.As I said in the beginning we don't necessarily have to agree but being open to hearing another’s story is a fantastic place to start. The link to Ronni's world where you will find more information on him, the link to his co-authored book The World is Storytelling and a way to become part of his 1000 coffees with 1000 strangers is: https://linktr.ee/ronnigurwicz You can follow along with the Unabridged You on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you The podcast webpage is currently https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/ If you have a story to share you can contact us directly at [email protected] 

**Episodes 1 and 2 are coming on November 27 2023. After that, you can expect a new episode every Tuesday** Greetings and welcome to Unabridged You, the podcast dedicated to celebrating the entirety of who you are. We’re not focused on societal roles or job titles; instead, we explore your unique stories, experiences, life lessons, and passions that contribute to the unabridged version of you. Each week, we have the pleasure of sitting with remarkable individuals from diverse backgrounds. These guests include storytellers, artists, adventurers, environmental activists, and community builders - individuals who have carved their own paths in life. Prepare for candid conversations that will leave you feeling inspired. In a world where we often feel compelled to prioritise certain aspects of ourselves over others, this podcast was created to honour your genuine self and acknowledge your many dimensions.