Elle Halliwell | A pilgrimage of self love on the Via Francigena

Elle Halliwell is a Sydney-based journalist, author and motivational speaker. Her incredible story was the subject of her book A Mother's Choice where she details her journey of cancer and motherhood. Now Elle's a pilgrim having just returned from walking part of the Via Francigena to Rome. This is a wonderful story of belief, hope and discovery.

I've just finished walking the Camino Portuguese. Please enjoy this rewind episode of my chat with Rebekah Scott. I first spoke to Rebekah three years ago. Her new book 'A Furnace Full of God' is simply magic. It's not your usual Camino book. This is a spiritual diary; a journal of a pilgrimage of the heart and soul. You can find A Furnace Full of God on Amazon....and Rebekah's non-profit organisation taking care of the Camino is peaceableprojects.org

In this episode of My Camino, host Dan Mullins engages with a group of friends from Alabama who share their experiences walking the Camino de Santiago. They discuss the significance of friendship, the balance between companionship and solitude, and the spiritual aspects of the pilgrimage. The conversation highlights the challenges faced along the way, including an accident that tested their resilience and unity. Each participant reflects on how the journey deepened their connections with one another and enriched their personal growth. The episode concludes with a discussion on the emotional impact of arriving in Santiago de Compostela and the lasting bonds formed during the pilgrimage.

In this conversation, Dan Mullins interviews Marion Roach Smith about the art of memoir writing, particularly in the context of personal journeys like the Camino de Santiago. They discuss the importance of writing what you know, the distinction between memoir and autobiography, and the significance of transcendence in storytelling. Marion emphasizes the need for daily writing habits, the power of intent in writing, and the importance of characterization and narrative voice. The discussion also touches on the value of interviewing techniques, the role of recipes in storytelling, and the transformative power of writing as a means of self-discovery.

In this episode of My Camino, host Dan Mullins interviews Sean Dietrich, known as Sean of the South, who shares his transformative experience walking the Camino de Santiago. Sean discusses the deep connections he made with fellow pilgrims, the spiritual awakening he experienced, and the lessons he learned about kindness, love, and self-discovery. He reflects on his personal history, including the impact of his father's death, and how it shaped his journey. The conversation also highlights the power of music and storytelling in connecting people and fostering community. Sean's heartfelt anecdotes and insights provide a profound look at the human experience and the beauty of the Camino.

In this heartfelt conversation, Veronica Soebarto shares her transformative journey along the Camino Primitivo, exploring themes of surrender, companionship, and spiritual awakening. From her initial motivations to the profound realisations she encountered along the way, Veronica reflects on the importance of letting go of control and embracing the unknown. The discussion highlights the beauty of connection with fellow pilgrims, the power of meditation, and the spiritual moments that shaped her experience. Ultimately, Veronica's journey is a testament to the enduring impact of pilgrimage on personal growth and self-discovery.

This week I'm joined by my wonderful friend Rocco Rossi. Rocco has walked 21 Caminos - most of them off the beaten path. In this episode, we discuss the lesser-walked Caminos - the Invierno, Aragones, Madrid, Baztan, Mozarabe, Lebaniego and Vasco. Rocco's amazing insight will help you prepare your Camino. Make sure you stay until the end for his incredible Camino story AND a special treat right at the end of the podcast.

I'm joined by George Greenia, a scholar of pilgrimage studies at the College of William and Mary in the United States. We chat about the profound themes of hope and community found in the Camino de Santiago. We explore the motivations behind pilgrimage, the evolution of the Camino experience, and the transformative power of shared grief and healing. Pilgrims walking with rebellious hope. George shares personal stories and insights from his decades of experience, and later, we talk advice for future pilgrims and reflections on the enduring nature of hope in the context of pilgrimage.

Imagine you get to your sixties and realise you're not who you thought you were. How would you react? Would you want to know the details and key players? That's exactly what happened to the American pilgrim Bill Wrobleski. This is an incredible journey of discovery and the Camino played a major role. You can find Bill's blog here

American teenage pilgrim Gavin Smith finished high school this year and decided to walk the Camino to honour his grandpa. This is a wonderful story of dedication to family and taking risks to learn who you are and who you need to be. This is a wonderful episode, like Gavin, full of hope and dreams.