My Beautiful Stories

...'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 proxim...

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...

'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 discu...

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. RECOMMENDATIONS We recommend a film: The farewell. Head over to our website for all details. ...

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...

‘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 d...

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 mothe r'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...

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...

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 t...

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 o...

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 experienc...

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 relie...

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 trai...

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 r...

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 @nan...

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. Support the show

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 u...

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, @ab...

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 coffe...

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 y...

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...

I h ave 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?  Support the show

I asked you what the first thing you owned was and what memories you attached to it. These are your stories. Support the show

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, @kathrynilli...

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...