Stories Cafe Podcast

Having recently passed the Summer Solstice , this seems a fitting time to stop and explore some of the oldest and most enduring archetypal symbols we have. In this episode, we reflect on how the sun and the cycles of moon, and seasons have shaped our experience of time throughout the history of humanity, and why the archetypal numbers 12 , 4 , and 3 continue to resonate so deeply in literature, my...

Over the last three episodes, we have exploring the genius of Ernest Hemingway and why I consider him the greatest writer that ever lived. In this final episode, we conclude the mini-course by reading Cat in the Rain and briefly discussing Big Two-Hearted River . Together, these stories reveal the extraordinary depth beneath Hemingway’s deceptively simple prose and demonstrate why what remains uns...

In this episode, we reflect on what it means to live a deliberate life, and how that concept plays out in both everyday decisions and larger lifestyle choices. In connection with my work trip to my beloved Nice, I share how intentional living isn’t about freedom to do anything that comes to your mind, but freedom to truly choose what you want your life to be. We will continue our exploration of th...

Over these episodes, we are exploring the genius of Ernest Hemingway and why I consider him the greatest writer that ever lived. In this episode go through his short story Hills Like White Elephants. Next month we will conclude the mini course by reading Cat in the Rain. You can download the story Hills Like Elephants here You can find the 3 episodes of the mini course Understanding the Genius of...

Over these episodes, we are exploring the nature of literature more deeply; what it is, how it differs from other art forms, and how we might begin to recognize what true artistic greatness consists of. We will be gradually moving towards a larger question: why, to me, Ernest Hemingway could easily be considered the greatest writer that ever lived. In this episode, we continue our exploration of l...

Over the next episodes, we will be exploring the nature of literature more deeply: what it is, how it differs from other art forms, and how we might begin to read with greater clarity and sensitivity. Along the way, we will gradually move towards a larger question: what it is that makes an artist truly great, and why, to me, Ernest Hemingway stands at the very centre of that conversation. In this...

In this episode of the Stories Café podcast, we explore the deeply transformative potential of fairy tales in our lives, both as children and adults. Using the beloved characters of Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, we delve into the deeper meanings of these stories and their impact on our personal growth, relationships, and emotional development. Key Takeaways * Fairy Tales Reflect...

New Beginnings Welcome to Season Two of the Stories Café podcast. The Spring Equinox is such a lovely turning point in the year, the true new year, I always think. It is a time that invites renewal, clarity, and a gentle return to what matters most. And so, this is the natural time to begin Season Two of our podcast. In this episode we delve into the power of aligning your goals with how you want...

Child: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth. Neo: What truth? Child: There is no spoon. Neo: There is no spoon? Child: Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.—The Matrix This episode marks the end of Season 1 of the Stories Cafe Podcast . We will be taking a break through August but will return in September with t...

May you always do for others And let others do for you—Bob Dylan: “Forever Young” In this episode, Annette explores how the choices we make—both everyday choices and bigger existential choices—are determined by the stories we tell ourselves and the philosophies we live by. Inspired by Thoreau’s Walden and Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken , this episode blends literature, lifestyle philosophy, and...

In this soulful and sensuous episode, Annette invites you to the heart of the French Riviera—where beauty doesn’t have to be expensive, and where simplicity can feel like luxury. Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1924 article How to Live on Practically Nothing , Annette reflects on how a life lived slowly—filled with good produce, healthy cooking, salty air, and the pastel glow of the twilight—can...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the masculine archetypal principle and how it can guide us through healing, courage, and transformation. I examine the responses you gave me to the prompt in the previous episode: What are the three words you associate with the masculine principle? Drawing from myth, cinema, and literature, we consider how masculine archetypes like the warrior, the p...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the masculine archetypal principle —not in terms of gender, but as one of the primary archetypal forces present in all of us. This is not a discussion about gender identity, but about engaging with deeper symbolic structures that shape our inner world and outward life. You'll be invited to reflect on your personal associations with the masculine prin...

This month in the Stories Cafe Podcast , we will be exploring masculine archetypes as deep inner figures that can help us heal, energize, and live in tune with the seasons of both the year and our own lives. Annette introduces the concept of seasonal living (not about vegetables!) and explains why spring and summer are the “yang season” (outward, active, masculine in energy), making this the ideal...

This is the final episode in our Paris series. To get the full benefit, you can go back and listen to the previous episodes . In this episode, we visit the evocative Place Furstemberg on the 6th arrondisement of Paris—a setting rich with symbolic resonance and proximity to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area that we talked about in previous episode. We explore why Martin Scorsese chose this quiet, alm...

I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, ‘Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.’ So finally I would write one true sentence, and then go on from there. It was easy then because there was always one true sentence that I knew or had seen or had heard someone say...

In this episode, we travel to the Left Bank of Paris—to the atmospheric, history-rich streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés . Join me as we explore the origins and symbolism of this iconic quartier from its early days as a religious center in the 6th century to its transformation into a bohemian hub for writers, artists, and philosophers. This episode uncovers how Saint-Germain-des-Prés shaped—and was...

Why can a simple mention of James Joyce eating sauerkraut and frankfurters at Brasserie Lipp on the Left Bank of Paris feel like a revelation? In this episode, Annette explores the iconic brasserie, its connection to literary giants, and how a seemingly trivial anecdote from Midnight in Paris captures an entire worldview. 📚 About James Joyce James Joyce (1882–1941) was an Irish novelist and moder...

Join me on this little journey to Paris where we uncover the remarkable story of Sainte Geneviève, and how she came to be the city’s patron saint. This is a tale of faith, resilience, and an unshakable spirit, and the legacy of Sainte Geneviève still echoes through the streets of Paris to this day. Resources Mentioned * Bois de Boulogne – The forested park outside Paris where the people wanted to...

In this episode, we will conclude our exploration of the wisdom contained in Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist , focusing on the eponymous character himself. Listen to all the Episodes in the Series Here: * Episode 1: The Personal Legend * Episode 2: The Keepers of Wisdom * Episode 3: The Fear of Pursuing Our Deepest Dream * Episode 4: The Ancient Wisdom of the Alchemist Resources Mentioned * The...

In this episode, we continue exploring The Alchemist , focusing on the Crystal Merchant, a reluctant mentor who teaches the boy the hidden costs of fear and inaction. While the boy seeks to fulfill his personal legend, the Crystal Merchant clings to the dream of Mecca, fearing that achieving it will leave him with nothing. This powerful contrast highlights the courage required to pursue one’s drea...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, focusing on some of the key characters the boy meets on his journey. Each of these characters serves as a guide, mentor, or challenge, shaping his understanding of the world and his personal legend. We discuss how these figures align with the Hero’s Journey and the wisdom they impart. Key Takeaways * The Old Woman as th...

All through March, we will analyze different aspects of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In this episode, Annette explores the Hero’s Journey that Santiago has to go through. She delves into the book’s symbolic depth, the concept of the Personal Legend , and the transformative path of Santiago, the young shepherd who follows his dreams across the desert in search of a treasure. This discussion uncov...

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of stories on both our personal lives and businesses. Stories communicate directly with our subconscious, shaping our perceptions and decisions in ways we may not even realize. Annette delves into how understanding and consciously engaging with stories can help us reclaim lost parts of ourselves and — for small business owners — create compelling bra...

In the third and final episode in the series on embracing your role as the author, writer, director, and editor of your own life, I share my personal reflections on the artists who lived and worked in Nice and the South of France — such as Picasso and Matisse — and how their lives and art can inspire us to take control of our own stories. Through my travel stories and insights into the creative pr...