29 - There's Always Hope w/Anil Qasemi

Today's storyteller is Donna Freed making her return to the podcast with an intense and insightful story of confronting her father over a moment of seriously unacceptable behaviour. In our conversation afterwards we discuss how the events of the story changed her relationship with her dad, reflections on surviving the Me Too era, and the life changing value she has found in the storytelling process.Find Donna's memoir 'Duplicity', published by Muswell Press here: https://muswell-press.co.uk/authors/donna-freedOr find it on audiobook here: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Duplicity_My_Mothers_Secrets_Unabridged?id=AQAAAEASzWuNaM&hl=en_GB&pli=1--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Michaela Agapiou sharing the story of when she, as a self-proclaimed "non-sporty" person, decided to take up taekwondo. In our talk afterward we discuss the nature of belonging and achievement, being an outwardly emotional person and craving the same from others, and how she found and fell in love with storytelling.Find Michaela on Instagram at @michaelaagapiouFind The Story Collider online at storycollider.org--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Julian John sharing the story of his attempts to make both himself, and his parents, proud. In our discussion afterwards we talk about family expectations, the cultural differences between growing up in Nigeria and working in Britain, his fascination with the true stories of creative people, and more.Find Julian on Instagram at @mc_saabii_boiFind his Korak podcast and events at @korakevents--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Jess Kasriel sharing her story of attending the prestigious Bath Academy at age 14 whilst being ranked number 2 in the UK for tennis. In our discussion afterwards we talk about the unfair pressures and outdated attitudes to health and nutrition she faced as a teenager in elite sports, the important role her family plays in her life, and how the events of the story have influenced her work today.Find Jess on Instagram at @jess.kasrielOr visit her website jesskasriel.com--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Sergey Katsuba sharing the story of how his relationship with his mother developed alongside the backdrop of increasing anti-LGBT laws and propaganda in his home country of Russia. In our conversation afterwards we discuss reconciling love and politics, how the message of his story changed during the writing process, Russia's LGBT 'extremism' laws, and his PHD work studying the effects of anti-LGBT propaganda.--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Heenu Nihalani sharing her story of looking for love as an introvert by taking part in an introvert's worst nightmare - speed dating. In our talk afterwards, we discuss the aspirational nature of romantic love, not feeling loveable, her journey towards being authentic on dates, and the realisations she made during the story's development.Find Heenu's writing on Substack here: Field Notes From ExistanceFind Heenu's zines on Etsy here: RainbowSplatZines--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Anil Qasemi sharing his story of surviving a terrorist attack and subsequently having to flee his home country of Afghanistan. In our discussion afterwards we talk about his inspiring outlook on the world, how he maintains his amazing resilience, optimism and generosity in the face of stark adversity, and get insight into his humanitarian, political and entrepreneurial aspirations.Find Anil on Instagram at @anilqasemiAnil's hats can be found online at hatopia.co.uk--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Kaitlyn Kelly sharing the story of how her wedding, which she and her parents had been dreaming of since she was a child, didn't quite turn out they way they'd expected. In our conversation afterwards we discuss the significance of weddings, defying parental expectations, her experiences living and performing in Paris, and her techniques for bringing true stories to the stage.Find Kaitlyn on Instagram at @msultraviolet--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Christopher Wade sharing a truly shocking story of betrayal, deceit and radical forgiveness. In our talk afterwards we discuss the influence of his working class upbringing, the meaning and action Christopher has taken in the aftermath of this story's events, and his wise outlook on healing.More information about Christopher's foundation Mulwade can be found at mulwadefoundation.comOr find them on Instagram or FacebookTickets to Mulwade's World Aids Day event 'Riot Act' can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mulwade-presents-riot-act-tickets-1047815553527--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Martha McBrier telling us about the time she received a terrrifying warning from one of her students. Martha is a brilliant comedian and storyteller who manages to have us in stitches whilst also presenting a story with some truly frightening stakes. As you'll hear, Martha has lived a remarkable life and afterwards we dive deeper into what makes her such a talented storyteller, how deafness led to her evolution as a performer, her as-yet unfulfilled dreams of being a "proper writer" and more.Find more from Martha on her website here: marthamcbrier.com--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnFind out more about True Story London on our website: truestorylondon.comCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea Noise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.