Raymond Watson.

In this episode I reflect on what Season 1 of the podcast has given me and the gifts that each guest left me with. I also think back to why I started the podcast and what I had hoped to achieve, how I have grown and developed through doing it and how each of you out there have provided me with a small shining beacon of hope and connection in a time of dark and troubled seas. I also share with you my favourite story and I hope it provides you with solace and succour. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for being with me and I also want to ask you to be part of shaping Season Two by sharing guests who you think I should interview. Please leave messages via my website and also any comments about what the podcast has given you. Also please remember to link to our Instagram Page here. You may also be interested in reading my new blog all about 'Holding the Paradox' or indeed interested in my YouTube Channel. I will be with you again the first week of June - until then stay curious, trusting and hopeful.

In this weeks episode I interview gardener, Alys Fowler. She shares her passion for finding wilderness in the 'wild cracks' of urban settings and helps us understand the reciprocity between us and the natural world. In the story of mankind 'The Green' is vital and yet it has no speaking part within the narrative, Alys enables us to hear its voice and understand that our survival as humans is dependent upon our care for it.

Mateja is a  Criminology/CPTED Research and Consulting specialist and a Doctoral Candidate in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She offers a fascinating perspective of story and how it relates to crime reduction in neighbourhoods and communities.

The story of Liz’s journey begins back in the 1970’s.  As Children’s Librarian for the City of Belfast, she learned about the healing power of storytelling. Liz Weir is a storyteller and writer from Northern Ireland. She was the first winner of the International Story Bridge Award from the National Storytelling Network, USA, which cited her “exemplary work promoting the art of storytelling” She  has told her stories to people of all ages on five continents. She has performed in pubs and prisons and hospital rooms. She worked on stages in the mighty Vanderbilt Hall of New York’s Grand Central Station and in the Royal Albert Hall and in 2019 was awarded an MBE from Queen Elizabeth in recognition of her work.

In this episode I reflect on the wisdom from Steve Killick and Raymond Watson and talk about how we work with stories in creating supportive communities. I also share how this can impact on children and young people in the Care System and the importance of them having a strong, positive story about themselves.

Psychologist and storyteller shares his wisdom on how stories shape us.

Artist Raymond Watson talks about art, peace, conflict and the dangers of being pigeon-holed. He shows us it is possible to hear stories in bog-oak, prison keys and much more. Come and listen to him share his story that starts with him as a young child during the ‘Troubles’ in Belfast and ends up with him becoming an international artist , with a period as a political prisoner in between.

In this episode I once more highlight some of the messages of the previous two guests through linking them to an old story. The story here involves a girl who is born riding a goat and brandishing a wooden spoon and covered in a tattered hood .... listen to find out more.

Rebbecca shares the wisdom she has gained on her journey from a young girl who witnessed gang activity and felt her story was already written into a woman who found the ability and strength to write her own. In her story she found mentos and helpers and battled and owned the beast of cancer. She is inspirational for all of us who feel we have no voice.

Ayesha shares the story of her journey with scoliosis, judgement and feeling ‘other.’ She shares insights that helped her take control of her story and explains how her art form, photography, helped her do this.