My Beautiful Stories: Recent Episodes
Alexandra Cuncev
7 minute conversations about finding the magic in the mundaneOne story. One moment. What can it teach us? Join us in our 7 minute conversations about finding the magic in the mundane… and interpreting it. From the popular #mybeautifulstories comes a series of in-depth conversations with the aim to remind us of those meaningful moments which resonate deeply across our lives.This is a 7 minute-long podcast in three parts:1) A STORY: we first tell you a story which resonated with us. 2) BRIEF DISCUSSION: In the second part, we discuss the chemistry and philosophy behind it. Expect to hear about love, loss, courage, multiculturalism and all things in-between. 3) INSPIRATION: At the end of each episode, we offer suggestions for delving deeper in the subject of the episode and ultimately inspire you to live life purposefully. These can be a film, a piece of art or a meaningful good cause. Alex is a sociologist, blogger and charity manager who is on a mission to share what she learned from listening to numerous stories for her PhD research. Together with her husband Pawel, they discuss the brief moments of everyday life which bring us joy and resonate across our lives.Help us carry the conversation further. This is an interactive podcast, and each theme is further analysed on Alex’s Instagram account: @storisse. If you like this podcast, please do review, subscribe and recommend, it helps us carry the inspiration further.
Today’s beautiful story comes from Raquel. It’s a beautiful ode to our mother, the Earth. It’s also a beautiful story to close series 4 of the podcast.
We have seen in this series the most unusual objects. We have listened to stories of deep sorrow, of death but mostly of love along the way and this is what I would like us to take away from this series: the deep love that we inspire in other people. The potential that love has if shared with others. The colourful, warm and gentle trace we can leave behind.
The podcast will be on a break. But please do listen back. Listen and honour the stories of others. Use them to remind you of your own, valuable stories. Tell stories, forgive and love more.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
Gus’s lamb - A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT
Today’s story is a bonus to the Christmas ornament episode. It is the special mention story from the competition. It was sent by Nicole Coonradt. We hope you enjoy it.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
SHOW NOTES: THE STORY – CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT:
Today’s story is the WINNER of our Christmas Ornament competition, which ran over on Instagram last week.
We are excited to announce that after long debating, as we were overwhelmed by the quantity as well as quality of the stories we received, we have reached a decision.
THE WINNER of the Christmas ornament competition is Caylee, who sent a story of a handmade cross-stitch ornament.
The runner up is Nicole Coonradt. We will think of how we can share her story also – let us know if you would like to hear more stories of Christmas ornaments!
DISCUSSION:
We discuss relationships, how friends create a connection and help define who we are. We also reflect on the knowledge that there is always someone, somewhere in the world, thinking of us. We take this as a reason for purpose and hope.
Thank you, Caylee, for sending this story. It was so beautiful and a real pleasure to read and discuss.
Many thanks to everyone who shared a Christmas ornament story with us – we are all so grateful for your stories, which brought light and joy to our day.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 10 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We continue to invite you to bring your stories to the fold! There is no deadline for sending your stories as yet, we have decided to let this series run for as long as it is financially possible.
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
SHOW NOTES:THE STORY:
Today's story is written and recorded by Amanda. It is the story of a box, which is 'nothing fancy' on the exterior, but incredibly meaningful inside. We will let you discover what the story is about by listening to this episode. We were once again humbled to receive such a personal and thoroughly touching story for the podcast.
DISCUSSION:
We mainly discuss what it means to leave something truly valuable behind. Utterly taken by Amanda's description, our recommendation is of a film where something - 'nothing fancy' is passed on in a similarly meaningful way. The film is Cinema Paradiso, a classic which we decided to revisit after recording this story.
Thank you, Amanda for sharing this moment with us. We are humbled and honoured to be the curators of your stories.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 8 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We continue to invite you to bring your stories to the fold! There is no deadline for sending your stories as yet, we have decided to let this series run for as long as it is financially possible.
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'I can hold the brooch in my palms. I can carry on her legacy and lessons – the way she took care of the old garden; how to treat plants and people. I can remember her relentless resilience, and the way she took care of all of us.’ (Anett Teresia)
SHOW NOTES:The STORY Anette sent, about her Grandma’s words, reads like a meditation, for an object, but also a person, that remained elusive to her for a long while and is still elusive, or rather mysterious in the story today.
Written like a poem and with added notes, this story leads us to a DISCUSSION about the strength, resilience and example of Grandmas and we extrapolate on the role of women in general and the legacy (often, not material) which they leave behind.
The RECOMMENDATION follows the same theme – the theme of formidable women- and though the character is by far a positive one, we recommend this documentary for its quality, historical value, and last and not the least, the element of surprise.
Thank you so much, Anette, for sending your story.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 8 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
Click send your story or send me a message on Instagram. My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'The last texts we exchanged were about the pan; he asked if I’d perfected the technique, and I told him I had, that I had been having a hot chocolate a day since he gave it to me, and I couldn’t wait till we were together at Christmas so that I could make him one. ' (Sophie Caldecott)
SHOW NOTES:
STORY:
Today's story, about 'a blue and white enamel milk pan', is written and read by Sophie Caldecott. Sophie Caldecott is a writer living in a cosy cottage on the edge of the moor in the South-West of England. She writes about grief and motherhood, empathy and connection, slow living and sustainability, as well as chocolate and all the simple pleasures that make life worth living.
Today, she tells the story of a very special milkpan she received as a gift from her brother-in-law. We were both left speechless by the beauty and sadness of this story, by Sophie's intense grief and the graceful way she navigates it.
DISCUSSION:
Our discussion starts with a ponder on the quality of a gift and also the difficulty to make a meaningful gift in today's world. We then meander into a discussion on the meaning of relics in different spiritualities and end up with an appreciation of the importance of leaving a meaningful trace in life.
We really enjoyed recording the episode and felt privileged to be the receivers of this story.
Each time someone entrusts a story with My Beautiful Stories, a special link is created. So thank you, Sophie, for sharing this story. Our thoughts go to you and your family.
RECOMMENDATION: Not really what it sounds to be, the recommendation is A Ghost Story. Really a film about the connection between the seen and the unseen and perhaps also about our need to be haunted.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
Click send your story or send me a message on Instagram. My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
‘I really appreciate how my pen can make sense of my thoughts. Muddled midnight ramblings become coherent sentences with clearer direction once I touch my pen to paper. But it has to be this pen, the one that perfectly fits in the bump of my finger… the one that has my name, as it was when I was 10 years old, engraved on the end of it. The pen that holds a lifetime of dreams, and will play such an important role in manifesting those to come.’ (Tammy)
SHOW NOTES:STORY: Today’s episode tells the story of a beloved pen. It is provided by Tammy. Thank you, Tammy for sending this story in!
Middway through NANOWRIMO, our DISCUSSION, focuses on the creative process. How it is different for each of us and how important it is to acknowledge those 'details' that are actually really important, since they are inducive to creativity. How it can be very different things that lead to us being creative, it really is such an individual experience.
Today’s RECOMMENDATION is THE PIANO.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 6 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
Click send your story or send me a message on Instagram. My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
‘Memories of m children’s early years spill out in layers: I catch a glimpse of her first bib, speckled with polka dots and tomato sauce spillages too persistent to clean; here’s the dungarees they all wore for their early steps, wobbling like jack-in-the-boxes, mouths open with excitement and concentration, one shiny dribble at the corner. And so they emerge, year by year, each milestone a bounty of feelings and anticipation.’
Today’s episode tells the story of three things from our children’s childhood that are significant to me.
Our discussion focusses on how we assign value to apparently insignificant (even ugly) things. Do they carry hidden symbols? Do they tell the story of our own identity at that specific point of time? What baggage do they carry?
Though this is on the surface the story of a bag of things forgotten in a loft, the episode actually centres on rites of passage, shifting friendships and the mystery of life.
Today’s RECOMMENDATION is Flight Behaviour
by Barbara Kingsolver.
.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 5 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
Click send your story or send me a message on Instagram. My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Share this:
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'The train slowed down and the man told me this was his stop. I got up and we hugged goodbye. For the rest of the ride I held on to the roses as I let go of my numbness. ' Therese Bagshaw
SHOW NOTES:Today's story is shared by Therese Bagshaw. You can visit her beautiful writing here. This is a unique tale of hope and surprise. Therese also shared a story for series 3 of the podcast (STORIES OF 2020). You can listen to that story here.
In our discussion, we wonder at Therese's ability to seize the moment, to understand the importance of one brief, yet life-defining encounter. We also briefly touch on the importance of personal narrative to revealing truth which is difficult to grasp otherwise and the joy experienced when we succeed in sharing some of that truth.
Today's RECOMMENDATION is Nomadland - a story of meaning - lost and found.
To hear the whole episode, look for EPISODE 4 of series 4 – The Series of Things, all on the MY BEAUTIFUL STORIES PODCAST.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
Click send your story or send me a message on Instagram. My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'We’d started East, taking the DLR to the first of a series of events for the London Open House weekend.
We had traversed the city by foot, on the river bank, imagining life in a river boat, garden on the roof, sun loungers folded neatly at the side, a pandemonium of flower pots hanging from each window. '
Today's episode, initiated by the story of a lost pink unicorn, includes a discussion on the spaces we live in. We ask who our buildings and shared spaces are designed for, who is excluded from our designed environment, and what effect this has on the communities who live there.
This is EPISODE 3 of series 4 – The Series of Things.
This new series is called: THE STORIES OF THINGS and it features stories of those things that are meaningful in our lives.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'As a child, I heard about the tall rock my grandmother used to live on, at the edge of the sea. I heard of the waves, crashing onto the shore, of their unmistakable sound, of the salt in the nostrils and the grilled fish for supper. '
SHOW NOTES: EPISODE 2 of series 4 - The Series of Things.
STORY:
Today's story tells of the few scarcity of belongings kept by my migrant grandparents.
DISCUSSION:
We ask what else migrants leave behind, apart from country, culture and sometimes family. Our discussion concludes with a meditation on what we possibly gain from forming connections with the migrant communities.
RECOMMENDATION:
This episode's recommendation is another film: THE WEEPING MEADOW which tells the story of a migrant community and also, of the harshness of war and all that war takes with it. The film is aesthetically pleasing, each frame is perfectly constructed and curated to the most minute details.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things here or send me an Instagram message.
The show is currently unfunded. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
All My Beautiful Club ko-fi members have priority, but we will endeavour to narrate as many stories as we can on the podcast! You can listen to all previous’ episodes on the app.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating. To ensure we can provide a whole series, please support us.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'Holding inside her the secret pattern for the carpet, she would weave each thread gently in and gently out, through hard wired vertical, thick weft thread, stopping from time to time to align them . Sometimes the shed stick, the wooden stick separating threads, would drop, the tension in the thread would be lost, and words would pass, or would they retrieve their work peacefully and resolutely?'
Welcome to episode 1 of series 4 - The Series of Things.
This new series is called: The Stories of Things and it aims to feature stories of those things that are meaningful in our lives – those things that we have kept, that we have carried with us from house to house, the things that we do not remove easily from our possession.
We would love for this series to be collaborative, and we invite you to bring your stories to the fold!
Please share the stories of those things that are not just things on the website or in an Instagram message.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
NEW PODCAST EPISODE: The last episode of series 3, which told Stories of 2020, comes from Vicky, Caylee and Therese.
DISCUSSION:
The episode centres on the power of memories. We speak of the narrative communion we felt whilst narrating other people’s memories and being thus made part of someone else’s life and perspective, particularly in times when meeting people was so much less possible.
This is the series we both most enjoyed producing and we leave it with a heavy heart. It is the series which offered the two of us a fast track lesson in humanity, with all its facets and all its beauty.
RECOMMENDATION:
We recommend Rashomon, a film which centres on the power of stories and storytelling.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The series has closed, but we still accept stories of 2020. If possible, I would like to bring all the stories together, into something which can last through time. So please send your story
You can listen to all this series’ episodes on the app. Together, they constitute an uplifting narrative of last year.
The podcast is on a break in March. We are planning to return in April with a Planet Project special.
Lastly, THANK YOU to everyone who has shared stories, listened to the podcast, sent comments, messages and letters. For us this has been the most fulfilling series yet and it feels very emotional to close it today.
Series 3 of My Beautiful Stories podcast offered a space for YOUR STORIES to be heard. You can listen to the first story from our audience here.
Share your stories of 2020 with us and let's create a safe space where to keep a memento of what 2020 really was like - the beauty, the humanity, the heartbreak.
We invite a diversity of voices to join us in telling the stories of 2020.
If you have enjoyed this podcast episode, please do share with other people, please write a review or a rating.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
‘In hindsight I can see perhaps it was good that I was forced to confront my grief in so unadulterated a manner, but it was so hard - I would never choose it!’ Tamlyn
TW: This story and the conversation which ensues includes mentions of grieving and death.
Tammy lost her mother a few weeks before the first UK lockdown. Even more, 8,000 miles separated them and returning to the UK was in itself a little miracle.
DISCUSSION:
We discuss how having to grieve in unusual situations (such as a global pandemic) can feel like imprisonment with grief.
We argue that in order to overcome grief, a level of grounding ourselves in daily routines and usual encounters with people can be essential. Tammy was deprived of this.
Our discussion concludes with our own positive experience of having overcome grief, or rather, having learned to live with the loss.
RECOMMENDATION
Our recommendation is Arvo Part's Stabat Mater, a meditative and wonderfully evocative piece of music.
Series 3 of My Beautiful Stories podcast offers a space for YOUR STORIES to be heard.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
‘and while she bends down to sit at the corner of fall and winter
her worries settle down with her
as they shake and shake
until the very last brown leaf drops.’ (@komorebi.koyama)
Today’s story comes in the shape of a poem, shared by Jennifer Koyama. Jennifer is a writer and poet who captures the fragility of the human nature in her writing.
DISCUSSION
We discuss the relationships between feelings and nature, and question whether this has dramatically changed during the last year. Are we going to nature with a different intention? Is our communion with nature becoming less unidimensional and more of a coming together, a coming towards each other with deeper understanding and need?
To listen to the episode, look for My Beautiful Stories in your podcast app. If you’ve enjoyed the episode, please share it with others.
RECOMMENDATION
Our recommendation is Louise Gluck’s The Wild Iris, a series of poems which link feelings and nature in a beautiful way.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
Despite being chronically ill, Nola preserved a beautiful memory of the lockdown dinner organised by her family, which turned out to be a really special ocasion.
DISCUSSION
We discuss the concept of happiness. How has this been influenced by the last year, when our habits were modified and our expectations changed?
I share a little about Zygmunt Bauman, a sociologist who argued that in 'liquid modernity', people's behaviours change, and their concept of happiness can be influenced.
RECOMMENDATION
This week's recommendation is Babette's Feast, a perfect example of magic in the mundane.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
Today's episode, and the last one of 2020, is a little different. It is the result of a month-long collaboration with writer and philosopher Nanhe.
Throughout December, Nanhe and I run a Hope project on Instagram. It was extremely heartening to read everyone’s contributions throughout the month. In preparation for it, Nanhe and I wrote letters to each other, thus creating an exchange of feelings and intentions, focusing on hope. Fate had it that while we were writing the letters, I fell ill. And all at once, the letters took a different turn and helped with my recovery.
We each read each other's letters on Instagram and planned to have a long lasting memory of these letters by publishing them in digital form (here and here) and also by recording them for the podcast.
In this episode of the podcast you will hear me narrating the letters, in order.
I hope you enjoy this different approach to hope and wish you warmest seasonal greetings.
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'The pride I have about my sister is so immense that I wanted to share with you all that my sister is a superhero.'
(Sheila)
Today's story comes from Sheila and is a beautiful tribute to her sister - an NHS worker directly involved in the fight against coronavirus.
Our discussion brings up the need to continue to support frontline workers during this second lockdown. We speak about the rollercoaster all frontline workers have faced and the potential trauma and exhaustion which comes with this.
I add a sidenote about instagram, the platform where I met all people who have decided to share their stories of this year, and where I had the honour to meet Sheila, the author of today's story, also.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
The podcast is back and this week we introduce a story from Ilze. She tells how her creativity flourished during the first lockdown, and, with lockdown number 2 coming to the UK and many European countries, we thought this would be a timely reminder.
Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, Ilze also found joy in creating and expressing herself.
The podcast has a different structure, as it incorporates an interview I held with Ilze on my Instagram account.
We spoke about the Planet Project - the community project I ran on the 22nd of April as a dedication towards our Planet. That project involved over 300 creatives, virtually holding hands around the Earth.
We also discussed Ilze's new film, Tellus. Based on the Planet Project, with words from over 30 creatives, voices offered by the Planet Project participants and music by Vicky, this poetic film is a beautiful dedication to the Earth. Find out more on the podcast and on Ilze's website.
I really enjoyed speaking with Ilze about how her creativity bloomed during lockdown and about the inspirational film she has put together, as wonderful legagy to the Planet Project.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'But the fact that really stuck in my mind was the fact that they recorded that he had three missing teeth...'
This is the story of the moment when Pawel learnt his grandfather had been a prisoner in a concentration camp. One of the most peculiar details of the registration form was that it specified three missing teeth.
THE STORY OF THE THREE MISSING TEETH
Today's story is a personal one. You will hear Pawel tell about the the hidden parts of his family history he discovered in 2020.
DISCUSSION
This story comes after a very difficult previous episode. You can listen to it here. Recording it was our way to offer a conclusion and a response to the previous episode and the volume of responses we had after its publication.
Following Pawel's elaboration on his Grandfather's three missing teeth and the concentration camp's interest in them, I launch into a tirade about the necessity to remember to tell our stories, the good ones and the bad ones too. I argue that we need to remember and learn to be comfortable with telling the trauma, in order to avoid the danger in forgetting and thus creating a protective and appeasing film over those memories at the risk of moving on.
RECOMMENDATION
Where the Crawdads sing is a book about family secrets revealed. I enjoyed reading it and immersing myself in its story so much. Recommended.
N. B. I always add new recommendations depending on my own personal journey in books and art, so if you'd like to keep in touch in that way, subscribe and you can receive them all.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, head over to storisse.com
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'We may all be weathering the same storm, but we are not in the same boat...'
'The real tragedy would be if I allowed myself to become a disbeliever of what I know and hold to be the inherent beauty and greatness of all mankind.'
The story we feature today talks about racial discrimination, racial injustice and the power of discriminatory discourses in the time of the pandemic.
STORY
Today we hear Maddy's own voice, from Abohemian, as she narrates her story.
DISCUSSION
This episode was not easy to record. We both felt incredulous, outraged and utterly powerless to hear Magdalene's account of direct experience of racial discrimination.
We discuss what we can do about stopping racial discrimination and in fact discrimination of any sort from taking place in the future.
We take our lead from Reni Eddo-Lodge's recent advice in her amazing podcast - About Race. She asks us to delve deeply into the question and ask ourselves what is within our capacity to do to stop racial discrimination and injustice from happening.
Here's a thought: we can influence discourse. We can make sure that certain ways of referring to people, places, actions are simply inaccessible, not to be used.
We discuss this, and more, in today's episode on racial discrimination.
We are so grateful to Maddy for sharing her experience with us.
RECOMMENDATION
Follow Magdalene on Instagram, read her words and stay a while. Subscribe to her newsletter, talking about those things we seldom talk about, here.
We love About Race for education against racism.
We enjoyed watching this film, which talks about the difficulties in forgiving unfair acts done to us.
N. B. There will be more recommendations coming up in the next edition of the newsletter, subscribe and you can receive them all.
THANK YOU, MADDY, FOR TELLING YOUR STORY OF 2020 ON THE PODCAST.
See more show notes on storisse.com
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'There is honestly nothing quite like kissing your family goodbye, not knowing what will happen next.’
Today we are immensely grateful to Lucille, who has agreed to share her experience of having been diagnosed with Covid-19 during lockdown.
TW:
This story features description of symptoms of Covid-19 and tells the story of a family’s fight with the virus.
DISCUSSION
We were extremely grateful that Lucille decided to share a painful event in her life with us.
Her experience of UK lockdown is so far removed from our own, and this is how we start our discussion in today’s episode.
Yet what we loved about Lucille’s story is her generosity. In sharing her story with others, with our audience and on her blog, she helps us understand her struggles better. Her account is also a beautiful ode to the NHS workers.
We are so grateful to Lucille for sharing her experience with us.
RECOMMENDATION
I highly recommend that you follow Lucille on instagram and on her website, which includes details about her independent jewelry business.
The other recommendation today is a film which speaks about dealing with pain and family matters: My Left Foot.
THANK YOU, Lucille, FOR TELLING YOUR STORY OF 2020 ON THE PODCAST.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
'We could gently get familiar with our new roles as parents and act with intuition.'
Our guest on today's episode of the podcast is Katharina Geissler-Evans. In a slightly different format, you will hear Kiki's own voice telling us her story of 2020.
With thanks for sharing their beautiful vignettes of life in lockdown with us.
DISCUSSION
We loved the richness of this episode so much that we recorded close to an hour of discussion. Keeping to our brief format though, we are bringing you a succinct discussion.
Kiki had her baby as the Covid-19 pandemic was taking over Europe. She tells us how a situation which could have been dramatic eventually turned around.
Kiki describes the concept of heiter and its role in finding grounding and joy in the everyday.
We discuss the idea of different beginnings superimposing and question the make-up of future generations.
We are so grateful to Kiki for allowing us to share her experience and gain strength from her narrative of joy.
RECOMMENDATION
HEITER: If you would like to find out more about the concept of heiter and would like to implement it into your daily life, you'll find all information, support and advice on Katharina's website.
The other recommendation today is a coming of age film: Leave No Trace.
THANK YOU, KIKI, FOR TELLING YOUR STORY OF 2020 ON THE PODCAST.
Series 3 of My Beautiful Stories podcast offers a space for YOUR STORIES to be heard. You can listen to the first story from our audience here.
The second story on the podcast can be found here.
This is the third story on the podcast.
The fourth story can be found here.
And here you can find the fifth.
Share your stories of 2020 with us and let's create a safe space where to keep a memento of what 2020 really was like - the beauty, the humanity, the heartbreak.
We invite a diversity of voices to join us in telling the stories of 2020.
Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/mybeautifulstories)
‘For me, these three stories are poems of humanity and nature - living together in peace.’
Today’s episode is a classic joy in the everyday one. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we loved recording it.
DISCUSSION
We discuss about what unites us during hardship.
There is a natural connection between these stories, as they are all from the U.K.
But beyond this, what unites them is a deepening of our connection to nature in the recent months, and, last but not least, a craving of human closeness.
RECOMMENDATION
As always, I invite you to visit each of the writers' accounts. You will encounter beautiful photography and stunning words.
The other recommendation today is a documentary - A Man of His Word.
Here is probably our favourite quotation:
'We are called to make the earth a beautiful garden for the human family. When we destroy our forests, ravage our soil and pollute our seas, we betray that noble calling.'
THANK YOU, MARIA, SARAH and LAURA FOR TELLING YOUR STORIES OF 2020 ON THE PODCAST.
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...'with our minds stretched to different corners of the world, we forgot to take our own lives into account.'
This episode comes from Nanhe, who captures a crucial moment during the Covid-19 pandemic.
We are really grateful that we can offer a different perspective on the last few months, this time from the perspective of a key-worker's partner.
TG: This story mentions the proximity of death.
DISCUSSION
We talk about common responsibility that we have towards the other, as the lockdown eases. We might not know everyone’s personal situation, and thus we are not aware of their struggles and fears, of their actual need for protection.
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TWO PENCIL-DRAWN PORTRAITS
‘Most of us have much ‘lighter baggage’ now, compared to the beginning of 2020, but we also rediscovered half forgotten treasures during our endeavors: old photos that brought back memories of family reunions, childhood friends or lost loved ones.’
‘Our personal descent into the depths of our cellar even ‘unearthed’ an old suitcase, left behind by the previous owners of our home.’
Dusted off and cleaned, this ‘new’ treasure found a place of honour on the shipping basket in our hallway, paired with shoe lasts and my faithful sun hat of past journeys. One fine day the doors will be open again for us to travel for real...until then, this little ‘mise-en-scène’ is like a promise of future expeditions yet to come or an invitation to take a trip down ‘memory lane’ ... to think of the places we have been, the stories we have to tell.
'From within the old suitcase two pencil drawn portraits emerged...'
This is the story of two pencil drawn portraits. It's also the story of a life in lockdown. To listen to the whole story, tap on the link at the top of this post, or head over to My Beautiful Stories on here or wherever you listen to podcasts.
THANK YOU, ULI, for sharing this beautiful story for the podcast. Uli is an artist, and you can see all her beautiful work on her website.
DISCUSSION
We discuss the effect that slowing down has on people. Would Uli have discovered the two hand drawn portraits in other circumstances? A question worth asking. What effect does the diminishing of lived experience in this time have on us, our stories and our memories.
We answer these questions in today's discussion.
RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation comes from one of Pawel's favourite directors, Krzysztof_Kieślowski. The film is a beautiful French, Polish, Norwegian co-production, The Double Life of Veronique.
Beautifully acted and wonderfully intriguing, this is a feel-good and aesthetic film, all in one.
Apart from her website, you can also find Uli on Instagram, which is where I first met her. Her storytelling is simply wonderful.
Series 3 of My Beautiful Stories offers a space for YOUR STORIES to be heard. You can listen to the first stories from our audience here and also here.
Share your stories of 2020 with us and let's create a safe space where to keep a memento of what 2020 really was like - the beauty, the humanity, the heartbreak.
We invite a diversity of voices to join us in telling the stories of 2020.
If you have enjoyed this episode,please do share with other people. It’s not that easy to record these episodes while we are still at home… but we will continue to, if it matters.
Join us in the conversation, by sending me a message on h
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'For 43 years, there were flowers, cards, a dinner out, gifts and after retirement a trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary,'
This episode, we hear from Ann about her different marriage anniversary, during the isolation of 2020.
DISCUSSION
I was immediately moved by Ann's story, as it describes the subtle changes that we all experienced, to different degrees, this year.
We discuss the importance of storytelling in marking those changes, and thus in understanding the difference they have brought to our lives.
RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation this time is a wordless book, which I guarantee you will love.
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The first story sent to us comes from Kathy. This is a story of loss, love and resilience. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
DISCUSSION
In narrative research, we put a lot of value on the way a story is told. This story emanates a lot of light and hope and humanity simply in the way it is narrated.
RECOMMENDATIONSWe recommend a film: The farewell. Head over to our website for all details.
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In the first episode of series three - Our Stories - we tell you a heartwarming story from lockdown.
The first story is ours, but this series will bring together the diverse voices of our community.
Share your stories of 2020 with us and let's create a safe space where to keep a memento of what 2020 really was like - the beauty, the humanity, the heartbreak.
We invite a diversity of voices to join us in telling the stories of 2020.
INSPIRATION:
Film: La vie en rose
Song: Short supply
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‘It’s five billion years away still.’ She replied: ‘What’s five billion?’
Happy Earth Day! For over three months, we have ardently prepared for this day. Over 100 of us, but to be honest, I loose track.
My own contribution today is a funny, melodramatic and quirky last episode. The whole second series of My Beautiful Stories – the podcast was dedicated to our planet. It is an issue I care about deeply, so why not tell you my own stories and connection with it?
There are over 100 other people who are joining hands with us today. Today we tell you about a subtle realisation that parenting has led us to. We place our faith in the generations which follow us.
If you have enjoyed this episode, or the whole series, which talks about pandas, perfume, coffee grounds and so much more, please do share with other people. It’s not that easy to record these episodes while we are all isolating… but we will continue to, if it matters.
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This was a live episode we recorded on Instagram. So you'll hear us chatting more than usual. If you want to see the whole episode, and our faces, go to my Instagram page.
Pawel tells us the story of his mother's perfume.
This is another episode where we join hands with other artists within the PLANET PROJECT. We discuss what is essential in times of isolation and how these essentials have changesd. Hear us debate this, and join us in the conversation, by sending me a message on here or on @storisse.
LINKS: PLANET PROJECT -The international, multi-media project celebrating 50 years since the first EARTH DAY. Aiming to recreate the emotion of the 1989 Baltic chain, when people across the Baltic states joined hands forming a peaceful demonstration of solidarity, the PLANET PROJECT is a such a demonstration, but taking place online on the 22nd of April.
If you would like to see everyone's contributions, sign up to the newsletter.
The Baltic Chain spanned almost 700 kilometres across the Baltic states. Let’s make this new chain stretch around the world.
RECOMMENDATIONS
One recommendation was suggested to us at the point of recording: 19 princelet street.
We recommend a Nobel winning book and a really beautiful museum, speaking, among other things, about the hardships endured by the Jews in Estonia during the holocaust. They do some virtual tours. We also recommend the city of Talinn, in Estonia, a place of beauty.
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Welcome to the only bonus episode of this series.
This bonus includes stories on the theme ONE DAY IN NATURE. Thank you to @inkysquare, @frodowrote and @cayleeamber for thus linking hands with us for the planet project.
To celebrate 50 years since the first EARTH DAY, on the 22nd of April, a range of artists, podcasters and writers will join hands creating one piece of work for our planet.
Our podcast has contributed 4 episodes to date and this bonus to the Planet Project. If you would like to watch us recording episode 5 live, come see us on Instagram, on Sunday 19th of April at 730pm GMT.
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These times of crisis bring back more memories than usual. Pawel tells us about a very poignant memory one summer by a lake. This is an episode of contrasts. We hope you really enjoy it.
What is beauty? Can we find beauty in the industrial, as much as we do in nature? Hear us debate this, and join us in the conversation, by sending me a message on here or on @storisse.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We announce the PLANET PROJECT -The international, multi-media project celebrating 50 years since the first EARTH DAY. Aiming to recreate the emotion of the 1989 Baltic chain, when people across the Baltic states joined hands forming a peaceful demonstration of solidarity, the PLANET PROJECT is a such a demonstration, but taking place online on the 22nd of April.
If you would like to get involved, sign up to the newsletter.
The Baltic Chain spanned almost 700 kilometres across the Baltic states. Let’s make this new chain stretch around the world.
LIVE PODCAST
We also announce that we will hold a LIVE podcast episode on Sunday 19th of April 1930 GMT. Join us on instagram for that!
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend an aesthetically stunning film. In these days of more inwardness, we believe this is a beautiful film to watch. Like a meditation and an ode to beauty, really.
We recommend quenching your thirst for art in any way possible. This is where I go if I need a dose of art.
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Inspired by my grandmother's relentless care of the environment around her, today we discuss the role of our elders in today's Corona virus crisis.
They link us back to our roots. We find ourselves adopting their 'old-fashioned' ways, as means of coping in a time when the world is at a standstill.
They offer actual, physical help of great value.
They soothe us with a feeling of peace and wisdom.
Join us as we explore these thoughts, in 7 minutes of stories, laughs and reminiscing.
And please do check out our recommendations, we both believe they will bring you a soothing moment to your day.
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TRIGGER WARNING: At the very beginning of this episode, we talk about the death of Pawel's parents.
The remainder of the episode is a discussion on isolation at different times. We first experienced isolation as a couple, some ten years ago.
Ten years on, we are experiencing it again, but this time as a community. Whilst there are similarities, there is hope to draw on on the second experience.
DISCUSSION:
What if nature has rebelled? Should we take notice of this rebellion and react to it?
What is the second part of 2020 going to look like? Are we looking at a changed world?
INSPIRATION:
We recommend a book which offers welcome distraction but also discusses loneliness and the respect with which human interaction should be awarded.
We also recommend a classic film which talks about small gestures.
We hope this episode offers some relief during these challenging times. If you enjoyed it, please let a friend know, or leave us a rating or review. It all matters.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Each week, I publish a theme on my Instagram account, on which I invite our audience to create. This week, the theme is SMALL THINGS. Thank you for staying on this journey with us!
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This is the first episode from our PROJECT PLANET series.
We tell you the story of our daughter's reaction to the Australian fires at the beginning of 2020.
We discuss our small, yet important impact on the planet.
We recommend a documentary which will change your perspective on your day to day.
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did, recording it. And that if offers some relief during these challenging times.
If you enjoyed it, please let a friend know, or leave us a rating or review. It all matters.
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The podcast is back!
Listen to the trailer for series 2 right now.
Series two is a different and personal one. Over the next two months, we will be sharing our own experience and thoughts about our PLANET. This series also introduces PROJECT PLANET, a multi-disciplinary community project which celebrates 50 years from the very first EARTH day. If you would like to find out more, listen to the trailer and subscribe to my newsletter.
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This is the second of two parts. A bonus including stories posted on #mybeautifulstories, on @instagram, by our listeners.
This took longer to narrate, so it is now divided into two parts.
You can find the first part here.
Thank you to @celine_entleman, @24cherrys, @ozgeekinday, @enchantedsimplicity, @ilziana, @e.ruth.carlysle, @shebkron.
You can find Ozge’s presets here.
On instagram, I also refer to the following two podcasts, on nature, both of them really worth subscribing to.
And if you continue to like our podcast, please do SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW. It helps other people know we exist.
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This is the first of two parts. A bonus including stories posted on #mybeautifulstories, on @instagram, by our listeners.
This took longer to narrate, so it is now divided into two parts.
The first part, in a rather serendipitous manner, featured Nature in various ways. So this became the theme to meditate on this week, on instagram.
The second part is coming to you next week.
Thank you to @nanhes.jungle, @tammymarshmallow, @amy_minichello_ and @portwayportraits for this week's stories.
You can find the recipe Amy talks about linked on my website.
And if you continue to like our podcast, please do SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW. It helps other people know we exist.
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What makes a good story?
In this last episode of the first series of the podcast, we discuss what makes a good story, from the perspective of the writing style.
We started this discussion upon stumbling upon a book which neither of us could read.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
This is the last episode of the series, and we will celebrate by featuring your best stories. Write a STORY OF A DAY, tag it under #mybeautifulstories, on instagram and we will chose our top favourites to share with our listeners next week.
GENTLE ASK
This is the last episode of the series. If you have liked this series, please help us make a second season possible. Please RATE, REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. This helps share the show with more people.
Thank you for staying on this journey with us!
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This bonus episode features answers to your questions, about us.
We did not manage to answer them all, so might need to do another round in Season 2.
All the podcasting related questions, soon, in a separate episode.
IF YOU LOVED THE PODCAST, please review and subscribe, it helps more people hear about it.
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I asked a couple of questions on Instagram and these are the answers you have given me.
I hope you enjoy revisiting and listening to these unique moments in our lives.
This bonus covers more than one episode. You will hear stories related to The HAPPY TIMES WE LIVE IN, GRATITUDE and RESOLUTION.
THANKS TO…
@becsr3, @tammymarshmallow, @annld60, @nanhes.jungle, @bugateodora, @coffeepaperyarn, @abohemian, @wheelacw32 from instagram
IF YOU LOVED THE PODCAST, please review and subscribe, it helps more people hear about it.
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STORY: Tommy was his real name. This is the first time Pawel hears this story. The reason is that it took me a long time to process.
DISCUSSION: SOCIAL INTERACTION
In this episode, we discuss SOCIAL INTERACTION. In a world where it would be easy to let social media and technology control our lives, where does usual day-to-day social interaction sit? Is there still meaning in chats around the coffee table, meals shared, playground natter? Listen to this episode to find out and help me continue the conversation on my instagram account.
INSPIRATION:
This episode’s recommendation is Kitchen Stories. This is such a good film, funny, yet meaningful. It asks important questions and, last but not least, it kept me entertained but also self-critical during my PhD research. No, I was never THAT type of social researcher... far from it.
HERE IS SOME FURTHER INSPIRATION:
I might have already mentioned this, but I love this podcast so much. Their interplay, their conversation style, really, this podcast is simply worth listening to.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
I always leave a box in my Stories on Instagram, if you want to continue the conversation on the weekly theme.
You can also leave me comments on here storisse.com
IF YOU LOVED THE PODCAST, please review and subscribe, it helps more people hear about it.
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A simple calculation led to a sudden realisation. Yet, should that number dictate how I feel about my acts?
DISCUSSION:
In this episode, we discuss RESOLUTIONS. Should we set them, is their completion an indicator of any sort? How relevant are they? Is there a gentler way of setting a New Year Resolution? An intention only, perhaps. A word. And thinking backwards, what would be the words of the year for the past years of my life?
Head over to storisse.com for the show notes and to @instagram/storisse for more conversation.
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The more I listened to Liam tell his story, the more grateful I became about our daily shared cup of tea.
Too milky for my taste, it was my prop, something to hold on to when the telling became too hard to listen to.
Today's story is one with twists. It could have had a tragic ending, but it does not. The end is uplifting.
This is why we have decided to discuss GRATITUDE this week.
Should we practice it daily? To whom should we express gratitude?
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I have lived through history and today I have decided to tell you about it.
Today we discuss the world we live in. Is peace indeed as fragile as it once seemed?
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I asked you what the first thing you owned was and what memories you attached to it. These are your stories.
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Here you find out more about my Grandma. There are many blog posts on Storisse that are connected to grandma, who was a major influence to me, growing up.
Today, about the time when she told us about her refridgerator.
DISCUSSION
We ask ourselves why a grandmother talking about ownership of things triggers different responses to when other people approach the subject.
INSPIRATION
This episode’s recommendation is Kieslowski’s Tenth Decalog and an incredible charity dealing with water poverty. More about that in the show notes on the website.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
I always leave a box in my Stories on Instagram, if you want to continue the conversation on the weekly theme. I aim to revisit this theme based on your comments at another date.
You can also leave me comments on here storisse.com
IF YOU LOVED THE PODCAST, please review and subscribe, it helps more people hear about it.
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The question I asked on Instagram this week was: What was the best act of compassion you have ever experienced? and these are the answers you have given me.
I hope you enjoy revisiting and listening to these unique moments in our lives.
IF YOU LOVED THE PODCAST, please review and subscribe, it helps more people hear about it.
THANKS TO…
@veronique.in.love, @giuliawrites, @cayleeamber, @kathrynilliff, @crnnoel, @apathofmyown
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When and why do we feel compassion? How should we react to difficult moments around us? And what does that teach us about our everyday lives?
Join us on this journey of trying to understand this concept a little more and maybe also stop with us a second to see the sadness that a child-size Christmas jumper was once witness to.
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I asked a question on Instagram and these are the answers you have given me.
I hope you enjoy revisiting and listening to these unique moments in our lives.
The question this week was:
Have you ever had a chance encounter?
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Was ours a chance encounter? Were we meant to be? Does it matter that one of us believes we are destined for each other, and the other one… might not?
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We tell you why we started the podcast, what it is about, where my passion for storytelling comes from.
Here’s an excerpt:
A sense of wellbeing. A sense of joy. A moment of deep comfort and of forgetting of self. I want you to come here, listen to this, and leave lighter. Hear some really beautiful stories – those, I have plenty of! Feel encouraged to maybe think about that story in a different way. And maybe feel inspired to watch a film, or read a book, or visit a charity’s website which is somehow connected to the content of the episode.
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'and I guess that's how it ended... it's a happy ending.' This is a taster of what our podcast includes.
This is a unique podcast in three parts:
1) a beautiful story
2) a reflection
3) a recommendation
Get involved in the conversation at @storisse on instagram.
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