The Collective Wisdom Podcast with Cat Preston

Hello and welcome back to the final episode of Collective Wisdom for 2023.   We really are in the presence of a superstar as my guest, Dr. Zareen Roohi Ahmed joins us once again today. Earlier this year Zareen shared her deeply moving story and profound insights.It was an episode that touched many hearts and resonated deeply.   As founder of Gift Wellness and now author of her new book, The Gift, that tells the story that inspired her to start it. Zareen is a beacon of resilience and purpose. Her journey marked by the tragic loss of her daughter Halima tells of how she used love to fuel a powerful mission to bring healing and support to community through her social enterprise.   Her story is not just one of overcoming immense personal grief, but also of channeling that experience into a force for societal good. Today Zareen returns to delve deeper into the themes of her new book, and to share how her continued work is inspiring others to pursue their dreams, even in the face of adversity.   Her story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for transformation, and the impact one person's vision can have on the world. It's the season of gifting and giving and this is certainly a gift I'd love to share with you all during this festive season.   Gift Wellness   The Gift: One Women's journey from tragedy to building a global business for good   Period Angels App   The collective Wisdom Podcast Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sStAKEgmkWVrraFroK7zp?si=_V6HQM07RjC1lcQEcgZ9xA   Production by Chris Hall-Franzkowiak https://www.betweentracks.com/

Hello there, my wise friends and welcome to another episode of Collective Wisdom, where we delve into the journeys of remarkable individuals who are making an impact through their creativity and passion. And today is no different.    I'm joined by a really gifted and talented artist and graphic designer, Lauren Philliban, who, as you'll hear, has written and illustrated a beautiful new children's book due out next year. It's a book that explores the role that kindness and friendship play in solving some of the biggest challenges we face today, such as immigration and protection of the environment. And judging from the feedback she's received so far from her very critical focus group it's going to be a firm favourite amongst the five to seven year olds it's written for.   Lauren's here to share more about her path to success, and some of the intricacies of the publishing industry, in short, the art of bringing a story to life.    Lauren Philliban’s Website    Lauren Philliban on Instagram    Maxey Images - Nicky Maxey Countryside Photographer   Wisdom:  ‘Embrace the power of saying ‘Yes’ to your own potential’    Music ‘Carry You’ by Novo Amor   The collective Wisdom Podcast Playlist  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sStAKEgmkWVrraFroK7zp?si=_V6HQM07RjC1lcQEcgZ9xA   Production by Chris Hall-Franzkowiak

Hey there, my wise friends and welcome back to Collective Wisdom, the podcast that delves into the stories of remarkable individuals who use their unique gifts to make a meaningful impact on the world.   Today's episode is a celebration of creativity and the transformative power of art. I'm joined this week by Sue Preston, an artist who creates abstract art that resonates with the depths of human emotion.   In this episode, we explore why creativity is a lifeline for so many. It's not just about making art, it's about expressing our deepest thoughts and emotions, and connecting with others on a profoundly human level. Creativity can be a source of solace, a means of communication, and even a pathway to healing.   So, I have a question for you. When was the last time you felt truly connected to your creative self? Our brains are wired not just to be doing things, but to be actively engaged in finding creative solutions. And perhaps one of the secrets to living a long and fulfilling life is when we find ways of tapping into that creative potential every single day.   Song: I’m Not Calling - Hollie Col   The collective Wisdom Podcast Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sStAKEgmkWVrraFroK7zp?si=_V6HQM07RjC1lcQEcgZ9xA   Pearl of Wisdom: Chop Wood. Carry Water    Music: ‘You’re gonna make me lonesome when you’re gone’ Bob Dylan   Production by Chris Hall-Franzkowiak https://www.betweentracks.com/

Hey there, my wise friends and welcome back to another episode of Collective Wisdom. This week I had planned to feature a fantastic guest. But sometimes, even the best-laid plans go awry. Now, the old me would see this as a disaster, a failure even. But today, I see an opportunity here, a chance to turn a challenge into a win.   Today's episode is not a story of failure but one of resilience, adaptation, and hope. Instead of interviewing a guest, we are going to explore how perceived setbacks can be transformative opportunities.   If you've been following Collective Wisdom, you know how much I believe in the power of Acts of Simple Kindness, or ASKs. Today, let's perform an ASK towards ourselves by reframing a setback as a setup for a comeback.   Forever Projects Website   Wisdom: Inside every regret, there’s a simple lesson teaching us how to do things differently in future   Music: Beethoven’s 6th Symphony. “The Pastoral Symphony

Hey there, my wise friends and welcome back to another episode of Collective Wisdom. Today we are privileged to have with us an extraordinary guest, Clare Louise, who is author of 'And Always Annaliese'.   Before we begin a quick but essential note, the subject matter of today's episode deals with the loss of a child and some listeners may find the content emotionally very difficult. So please do exercise some self-care in deciding whether to proceed with this episode. And you might also want to listen with headphones.   Today's conversation is unlike any we've had before. It delves deep into the corners of human experience that are often left in the shadows, pain, loss, but also crucially, the resilience of the human spirit. Clare Louise has courageously penned down her journey, a heartbreaking yet transformative experience. Following the loss of her seven-year-old daughter Annaliese, her book serves not just as a tribute to her daughter's life, but also as a guiding light for those grappling with incomprehensible loss, or perhaps supporting someone who is. It's an episode that takes courage to speak, to listen, and most of all to try and understand the indescribable so without further ado, I'll hand you over to Clare Louise   And Always Annaliese Website and Book   The Compassionate Friends   Child Bereavement UK   The Lullaby Trust   Grief Cast by Cariad Lloyd   Grief Works App by Julia Samuel   Music: Oom-Pah-Pah from the Original Soundtrack of Oliver!   Wisdom: Losing a child is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever face. Know that you are never alone and find the tribe you need to help you through it.

Hey there, my wise friends and welcome to another episode of Collective Wisdom and thank you so much for being here. October the 10th was World Mental Health Day and October is fast becoming a month where we focus our attention on mental health issues.   Last month, I met today's guest Dr. Kerstyn Comley at a networking event and I was really interested in the work she's currently doing with her co-founder, psychologist Dr. Susie Godson. Together they have designed and created an app called Tellmi.   It is a safe, anonymous app where you can talk about absolutely anything from anxiety to autism, dating to depression, or self-harm to self-esteem. Sharing your experiences with an awesome community helps you to feel better. Our moderators check everything to keep you safe. And our in-house counsellors are always on hand if you need extra help, given the huge increase in the numbers of young people who are experiencing or will experience mental health issues.   I invited Kerstyn to come along and talk a bit more about the app and how it came into being and how it's now fast proving to be a hugely helpful resource.   Tellmi Website   Tellmi App on Apple Store Tellmi App on Google Play   Wisdom: ‘Givers Get Lucky’ The person giving help also gets the benefit of feeling better.   Song: ‘I’m So Excited’ by The Pointer Sisters

Hey there, my wise friends and dear listeners and welcome back to another episode of Collective Wisdom, where today we're diving into the fascinating world of human design. Have you ever wondered what makes you uniquely you? How your individual traits and tendencies can shape your life's journey?   Well, if you have, and I know I have, today you're in for a treat, because we have a remarkable guest who's here to shed light on just those questions. Michaela Gaffen Stone is a seasoned expert in the realm of human design, a system that offers profound insights into our authentic selves, our potential and our purpose. She is here to guide us through this intriguing approach to self-discovery and personal transformation. Throughout our conversation. Michaela will unravel the mysteries of human design, sharing how it can illuminate your unique gifts, talents, and the path that aligns with your true self.   So, whether you're new to this concept, or already well versed, her wisdom will undoubtedly inspire you to explore the depths of your own design.   Episode Number: 92 How to use Human Design to discover your unique gifts and talents    Guest: Michaela Gaffen Stone    Show Notes   Michaela Gaffen Stone’s Website    www.gaffenstone.com   An Introduction to Human Design   Wisdom: Imagine what the world could be if we could remove blame from our vocabulary Song  ‘Song of Women’ by The Hu, Halestorm and Lzzy Hale

Well hello there dear listeners and a warm, warm welcome back to a brand new season of Collective Wisdom. I'm thrilled to be with you once again, sharing the inspiring stories of changemakers entrepreneurs, writers, and creatives from around the world.   In this season, we'll continue our exploration of the incredible impact of storytelling, creativity, and the pursuit of our unique gifts and talents. We'll hear from individuals who like me believe in the power of connection, and how sharing our stories can lead to positive change in the world.   This episode is particularly close to my heart, because we have a very special guest joining us a remarkable individual who has a unique perspective to share, Anastasia. She was originally from Kyiv in Ukraine, and now a grateful guest here in the UK. I have nothing but admiration for the way she has shown up and faced the huge challenge of arriving here 18 months ago, with such resilience and positivity. It's by no means been an easy journey.   Anastasia has very kindly agreed to share a bit more of her story with us today. And it's my hope that on hearing it, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the power of simple acts of kindness and how they can transform lives for both the giver and the receiver.     https://sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk https://ukrainianrefugeehelp.co.uk/   ‘Brother Louie’ by Modern Talking   Wisdom: Learn how to accept what you cannot change

Hey there, my wise friends. There's definitely a sense of celebration and optimism in the air this week. There's a new moon. Some of you are celebrating Diwali and the victory of light over darkness. It's that same sense of positivity and optimism that drew me to my guest today. Damon Bowen-Ashwin, who is still in the middle of his story. Having been diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago, he's just finished a gruelling 30-Day round of radiotherapy and is now embarking on a course of chemotherapy. But his courage, resilience and determination to get through this challenge is just so compelling. I went into this conversation knowing that I was going to hear from a remarkable man who is full of compassion, humility, and empathy. Those are all the qualities that I'd seen in Damon when we met whilst training together last year, but what I found was way beyond that. He shared how, although this has without doubt, been one of the most frightening times of his life, what has also come out of it is a beautiful love story, which just made my heart sing. A story about meeting Wim Hof, who has been a powerful mentor and source of inspiration, and who actually got in touch with Damon because he also was so touched by his story. And ultimately, it's a story about the power of self-belief, and an understanding that we always have more choices than we think we have when life takes an unexpected or unwanted turn. I love talking to Damon. There were moments when I had tears in my eyes and moments when we just laughed. I hope that his relentless faith and optimism in the face of huge adversity bring the same sense of joy to you. So here's Damon to tell you his story.   Adapt and Flow Mindset and Positivity Coaching - https://www.adaptandflow.co.uk/   [email protected]   Adapt and Flow You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFEKX6-emp8LXI45maYg3A   Damon Bowen Ashwin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-bowen-ashwin-cpc-eli-mp-97423811/   Adapt and Flow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adapt_and_flow_dba/   Adapt and Flow on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1781845782000011   Wim Hof - The Iceman - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/   Song:  'The Way It Is' by Bruce Hornsby - https://open.spotify.com/track/6V50MyHPGhEmwYu0Wdyf0t?si=a3542914f65f48e7   Wisdom: We can do ANYTHING if we put our minds to it

Hey there, my gorgeous friends and welcome to another episode of Collective Wisdom.   This is the last episode of season nine, and you've maybe heard of the old saying, do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life. In many ways this is true. If you're passionate about what you do, and you're putting your focus and energy into it, you won't feel like you're working.   In today's episode, we're joined by a very special guest, Jude Galea, who shares what she's learned by doing just that. Jude is a medical doctor who worked on the busy A&E wards throughout the pandemic but has been making the transition to being more of a holistic health coach and healer. Her unique journey and experience give her a profound understanding of the human body and mind which she uses to help her clients achieve optimal health and wellness.   In this episode, we'll dive deep into Jude’s journey, the importance of holistic health, and how we can all achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life. It's a fascinating story and I think one we can all learn from   Jude Galea's Website Dr. Body Mind Soul   Dr Body Mind Soul Podcast   Eastern Body Western Mind by Judith Anodea   Dr Gabor Maté - The Myth of Normal   Music: ‘It’s a beautiful day’ by The Kiffness   Wisdom: Do what you love   If there is an important woman in your life who has been an inspiration to you, perhaps now is a good time to remind them of just how much they matter. And if there is someone who has a story you’d love to help shine a light on then do drop me a note to [email protected]