Slay Your Dragons - Malcolm Stern

Send us Fan Mail Malcolm Stern takes a moment to reflect on the extraordinary journey of the "Slay Your Dragons with Compassion" podcast series in this special episode recorded during Podcast-thon. Born from the profound grief following his daughter Melissa's suicide, the podcast has evolved into a sanctuary where stories of transformation through adversity inspire both host and listeners alike. W...

Send us Fan Mail When four-year-old Jewels Wingfield found temporary escape from her violent home environment by burying her face in a neighborhood rosebush, she discovered a profound truth that would shape her life's journey: nature could offer healing when humans couldn't. This revelation set her on a path of seeking solace and wisdom from the more-than-human world. In this soul-stirring convers...

Send us Fan Mail Celebrating the 50th episode of Slay Your Dragons with Compassion, I welcome Joel Bravette, a finance professional whose extraordinary life journey defies conventional career patterns. Joel's story begins with early encounters with death and loss that shaped his worldview, leading to a profound philosophy that embraces life's impermanence rather than fearing it. The conversation t...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where business often prioritises profit over people, our latest podcast episode challenges this norm by introducing a refreshing perspective on compassionate leadership. Join us as we explore how vulnerability and genuine humanity can redefine professional success, featuring insights from experienced leader Micael.  Micael shares his transformative journey through the c...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take? Meet Jay Birch, whose journey from a life of crime and addiction to becoming a mentor and coach offers a beacon of hope for anyone facing their own inner battles. Jay opens up about the pivotal moments that sparked his transformation, including a violent home invasion and the realization that he was losing...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how childhood memories can unlock profound healing in adulthood? Join me, Malcolm Stern, as I sit down with the inspiring Helen McCarthy to discuss her incredible journey through psychotherapy groups. Together, we explore the challenges she faced with depression and bipolar disorder, which were intensified by the pain of divorce. Helen bravely shares how rev...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a profound exploration into the life and work of Emmy van Deurzen, a revered psychotherapist and author, as she unpacks her personal journey from a war-torn upbringing to a career dedicated to alleviating human suffering. Emmy shares how the hardships faced by her mother during the Second World War shaped her own sense of responsibility and mission. With a deep appreci...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the emotional distance of a beloved parent drives you to seek deeper meaning and connection in life? Join us as we welcome Tom Kelly, a business psychologist and organizational development expert, who shares his deeply personal story of growing up with an emotionally distant father, a decorated Irish cop and war hero, whose battle with depression left lasting imp...

Send us Fan Mail Discover how Sangeeta, an inspiring author and PR agent, found her life's mission through the legacy of her mother's compassion. Her heartfelt journey, influenced by her mother’s selfless service in Indian hospitals, will pull you into a narrative that bridges personal values with global action. Through her latest book, Sangeeta brings forward the voices of 36 global change-makers...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform past adversities into a pathway for personal growth and empathy? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Mo Cohen, who shares his remarkable journey through the trials of his childhood and the powerful role of theater in healing trauma. Mo opens up about growing up in North London during the 1950s, grappling with the emotional impact of his sister's c...

Send us Fan Mail Patto, a former professional and international cricketer with a remarkable story, joins us to share his powerful journey of resilience and transformation. From playing alongside cricket legends at prestigious clubs to facing the life-changing diagnosis of hereditary spastic paraplegia, Patto's story is a testament to human spirit and adaptability. He speaks candidly about his tran...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could unlock the magic within yourself by embracing your inner wizard? Join us as we welcome Andrew Wallas, a remarkable businessman turned self-proclaimed modern-day wizard, who has carved a unique path from psychotherapy to pioneering his very own School for Wizards. Through humor, rebellion, and a whimsical wizardry label, Andrew shares how he guides others to break...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could redefine limits and challenge societal norms? Join us as we uncover the extraordinary story of Neil Ben, a distinguished filmmaker born with Klippel-Feil Syndrome, who has navigated life with a determination that has defied everyone’s expectations. Through laughter and resilience, he has embraced his unique journey, turning what many saw as limitations into an in...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when we confront life's greatest challenges with compassion instead of despair? Join us as we welcome William Bloom, a dear friend, and colleague, to our enlightening discussion on adversity and human resilience. William shares his unique perspective drawn from his parents' harrowing experiences as survivors of Japanese prisoner of war camps, shedding light on the int...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how adversity shapes our personal growth? Join us for a meaningful conversation with Etan Ilfeld, a luminary in the publishing world and a driving force in the consciousness movement. From unexpectedly transitioning from math and physics to owning the iconic Watkins Bookstore in London, Etan Ilfeld takes us through his journey of embracing spirituality and p...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could find profound peace in the midst of life's greatest challenges? Join us on a heartfelt journey with our dear friend Karen Eden, who shares her remarkable story of resilience and inner transformation. Karen's unexpected experience of deep stillness during a tumultuous period in her life set the stage for an exploration of resilience, as she opens up about facing a...

Send us Fan Mail Michelle Shine's remarkable journey of resilience and transformation is a testament to the powerful impact of adversity on one's life. Imagine facing a daunting health crisis with your child, only to discover a miraculous path to recovery that reshapes your life and career. Michelle, an esteemed homeopath and prolific writer, opens up about how her son's severe health challenges l...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the traditional markers of success lose their shine? Join us as we sit down with Nick Williams, who left a thriving sales and marketing career in search of something more meaningful. Nick's journey is a testament to the courage required to face life's challenges head-on, a theme we explore deeply in this episode. By reflecting on his personal experiences and the...

Send us Fan Mail Karen's transformative journey from addiction to authenticity provides a powerful narrative of resilience and courage. For over 40 years, alcohol was Karen's crutch for coping with societal expectations, self-esteem issues, and social anxiety. Through her candid reflections, Karen reveals the challenging road to embracing her identity as a gay woman, confronting past traumas, and...

Send us Fan Mail What if your greatest setbacks became the foundation for your biggest triumphs? Join us as we sit down with Judy Piatkus, the pioneering founder of Piatkus Books, to explore her inspiring journey from a secretary in publishing to the helm of a successful publishing empire. Judy opens up about the challenges she faced without a degree, and how her father's ambitions for her fueled...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life throws the ultimate curveballs your way? Join us for an intimate conversation with Ian, who has faced unimaginable adversity, including surviving a brain hemorrhage mid-cycle and enduring the heart-wrenching loss of his mother and sister to cancer. As Ian recounts his extraordinary journey of recovery and the simultaneous responsibility of caring for his ail...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an active and vibrant yoga and dance teacher finds herself bed bound, battling chronic pain that seems endless? Adela's poignant and inspiring journey tackles this very question. Her story unfolds through her struggle to find a diagnosis, the breaking point that led her to explore somatic healing in 2018, and the unwavering support from her partner, Rene. Adela's...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you turn personal adversity into a mission that touches thousands of lives? Alex Howard, founder of Conscious Life and a trailblazer in the field of personal development and therapy, joins us to share his transformative journey. From battling chronic fatigue syndrome as a teenager to creating a clinic that has been a beacon of hope for over two decades, Alex's st...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could challenge a life-threatening cancer diagnosis with the power of nutrition? Join us as we sit down with John Hagger, who took an extraordinary leap of faith by rejecting conventional chemotherapy and embracing Gerson therapy. Learn about his transformative journey to a clinic in Mexico, where he committed to a rigorous regimen of juices, castor oil, and coffee ene...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a tragedy transforms into a mission of peace? Jo Berry, who lost her father, Sir Anthony Berry, in the 1984 Brighton bomb blast, joins us to share her remarkable journey from grief to reconciliation. At 27, Jo faced an emotional crisis, teetering between anger and a desire for revenge. Yet, she chose a non-violent path forward. Grappling with immense trauma, Jo c...