The Story Hour

Sara welcomes trauma-informed counsellor, coach, and writer Sonia Dhillon (MPCC-P), founder of Free Life Integrative Counseling, for a wide-ranging conversation.  Sonia shares how feeling like she didn’t belong as a second-born girl in the Punjabi community, being compared to her sister, and being bullied shaped her early self-worth, coping through dissociation and people-pleasing, and later post-...

Sara returns for a solo episode marking the one-year anniversary of The Story Hour Podcast (launched June 22, 2025). In this reflective episode, she looks back on why the show began in the first place: to share unscripted, honest stories that reduce loneliness, normalize hardship, and help people feel less alone in what they’re carrying. She explores what a year of storytelling has revealed, not j...

DISCLAIMER: The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes, as well as to raise awareness on this topic, and should not be considered medical advice. Jasmine speaks from her personal experience living with endometriosis and adenomyosis, and her experiences may not reflect those of others. Listeners are encouraged to consult their own physician, healthcare prov...

Sara returns for a solo episode prompted by her upcoming 39th birthday and nearly one year since the shows launch (June 22). She thanks listeners worldwide and shares how a family member’s feedback reassured her that the podcast’s vulnerability and community connection help people feel less alone. Reflecting on how society celebrates marriage, kids, and corporate milestones more than personal grow...

Host Sara Jaswal returns to her podcast after months away due to technology issues, travel, and a difficult period. She shares a life update: January felt restorative, but February brought restlessness, and March became overwhelming after she got severely ill, which intensified loneliness, depression, intrusive thoughts, and fears about losing her parents.  She reflects on grief, family enmeshment...

DISCLAIMER: This episode includes a brief mention of sexual trauma as part of the guest’s personal healing journey. While we do not go into detail, we recognize that this topic can be sensitive. This conversation reflects one individual’s lived experience and is shared in the spirit of openness and awareness. Please use your own discernment when listening and take care of yourself. This podcast is...

In this insightful and empowering conversation, Sara sits down with her dear friend and fellow therapist, Harjeet (Harj) Thiara (Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling-Provisional).  Harj shares her journey from a traditional Punjabi upbringing to becoming a counselor and private practice owner.  They discuss the profound impact of Harj's mother's stage four cancer diagnosis, her tr...

In this episode, your host Sara welcomes Corinna Killeen, a Registered Therapeutic Counselor (RTC) and Certified Life Coach, who shares her profound journey through grief and loss. Corinna recounts the heartbreaking experiences of losing her younger brother, father, and stepfather, discussing the differences between anticipatory and sudden grief. She delves into the complexities of medical trauma,...

In this solo episode, Sara reflects on the holiday season and the emotional impact it can have, acknowledging that this time of year is not joyful for everyone. She speaks openly about her own experience of being single and the longing for partnership, family, and children, and explores a lesser-talked-about form of grief: grieving the future, milestones, and hopes that have not yet come to pass,...

Join host Sara Jaswal as she welcomes Chandra, a friend, and advocate for the visually impaired. In this episode, Chandra shares his personal journey with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), discussing its impact on his life, career, and daily routines. They delve into the emotional and mental challenges of vision loss, the misconceptions people have about visual impairments, and the transformative power o...

In this heartfelt episode, Sara returns after a brief hiatus to share a deeply personal story about her late paternal grandmother, Kaushalya Devi Jaswal, on the tenth anniversary of her passing. Sara discusses her first encounter with death, her grieving process, and the profound lessons she learned from her grandmother's life and death. The episode is a dedication to her grandma's memor...

In this raw and vulnerable solo episode, Sara opens up about grief, loss, and the complex relationship we have with anger. She shares candid reflections on living with chronic fatigue and the emotional weight that comes with seasonal transitions.  Drawing from her own experiences of vision loss, Sara explores how grief shows up in unexpected moments including a recent incident that deeply unsettle...

In this honest and moving conversation, Sara sits down with Tara Accardo, a grief and soul purpose coach and host of the Life with Grief podcast. Tara shares her profound journey through multiple losses, including the deaths of both her parents to cancer within six months of each other, a traumatic birth experience, and the subsequent self-discovery and transformation that followed.  Tara discusse...

Disclaimer: This episode is intended for educational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for therapy, coaching, or professional support. If you are struggling with grief or any of the topics discussed, please seek support from a qualified professional. In this episode of the Story Hour Podcast, Sara delves into the multifaceted topic of grief. Sara discusses the importance of community, connecti...

In this episode of The Story Hour Podcast, host Sara Jaswal candidly shares reflections on her growth and emotional journey over the past year. Sara discusses the challenges and transitions of moving from summer to fall, drawing on her personal experiences with depression, loneliness, and the search for joy. She highlights the importance of intentionality, self-reflection, and the need for a suppo...

In episode three of the Story Hour Podcast, host Sara Jaswal delves into the often-overlooked topic of non-death losses, focusing specifically on the grief and loss of future hopes and dreams. Sara shares her personal journey of longing for a life partner, marriage, and starting a family, while grappling with societal pressures and her own self-worth. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, di...

In this episode of the Story Hour podcast, host Sara Jaswal explores her journey through alternative treatments and holistic health amid the challenges posed by her chronic eye condition. She delves into the complexities of self-healing, the importance of mental and emotional well-being, and the transformative power of slowing down and facing one's fears. Through personal anecdotes and detail...

The Pilot: Stepping Into The Unknown In the debut episode of The Story Hour Podcast, host Sara Jaswal opens up about the inspiration behind launching this podcast. Sara shares her long-standing dream of creating a space for authentic, unscripted conversations about life’s hardest moments, including grief, trauma and what it means to be human. Despite her initial self-doubt, she finally steps into...