Stories and Stanza
Stories and Stanza delivers authentic storytelling through two distinct series: intimate conversations with writers revealing their craft, process, and struggles; and transformative explorations of emotional intelligence, mental health, and resilience with wellness experts.
Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
Join us for an insightful conversation with author Diane Clarke as we discuss her book, The Bracelet. Get to know the inspiration behind the story and the creative process of this talented author.
In this episode of 'Stories and Stanza,' host Abhra from Melbourne interviews author Diane about her second book, 'The Bracelet.' They discuss the book's plot, centered around Monica's quest to build a relationship with her estranged father. Diane shares insights into the themes of family sagas, the impact of dementia, and the challenges of writing and editing her novels. The episode highlights the significance of emotional connections, mystery elements, and the personal inspiration behind Diane's writing. Tune in for an engaging discussion on family, identity, and the art of storytelling.

Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Bruce Smith Reveals the Secret to Crafting Fantasy Worlds
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra interviews Bruce, a writer based in Melbourne, about his creative process and journey with his book 'Devil's Delight.' Bruce shares the inspirations behind his work, the challenges he faced, and his transition from writing books to screenplays. He discusses the themes of human blame, the reclamation of glory by Lucifer, and the emotional complexities involved in writing compelling characters. Bruce also reads an excerpt from his book, providing a glimpse into the intriguing narrative. Tune in to discover insights on writing, creativity, and the importance of sharing your work.
00:00 The Devil Made Me Do It: Exploring Lucifer's Perspective
01:25 The Power of Stories: An Introduction to Stories and Stanza
03:11 Bruce's Writing Journey: From Inspiration to Creation
04:35 Devil's Delight: A Unique Take on Lucifer's Story
08:03 Reading from Devil's Delight: A Glimpse into the Book
18:56 Challenges and Emotions in Writing
31:05 From Book to Screenplay: The Transition Process
34:07 Future Projects and Screenplay Festivals
38:08 Final Thoughts and Advice for Writers

Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Embracing Failure and Healing from Trauma and Burnout with Rosemary
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Sunday Apr 20, 2025
Welcome to a new episode of Stories and Stanza with your host Abhra. In this episode, Abhra speaks with special guest Rosemary, a poet, novelist, and doctor. Together, they delve into the importance of embracing failure as a path to success and how our relationship with failure can impact our growth. Rosemary shares her personal journey of healing from trauma, the significance of acknowledging past experiences, and the practical strategies she employed to overcome them, such as play and social support. They also discuss burnout, its effects, and coping mechanisms. Rosemary reads a poignant poem from her upcoming memoir, 'Out of the Cocoon, the Journey to Becoming,' offering a glimpse into her intimate reflections. Join us for an insightful conversation on resilience, self-love, and the power of storytelling.
Rosemary Esehagu is a Nigerian-American writer and poet. Her works have been featured in different media, both print and electronic. Her writing focuses on intersections of gender, identity formation, society’s roles, trauma, and healing. Her latest book, a memoir, is called Out of the Cocoon: The Journey to Becoming, and it is about how she healed from trauma and used it as a stepping stone to a stronger and more mature self.
Ways to connect:
Website: www.rosemaryesehagu.com
FB: facebook.com/rosemaryesehagu
IG: instagram.com/rosemaryesehagu

Saturday Apr 05, 2025
Overcoming Workplace Trauma and Burnout with Carolina Bakker
Saturday Apr 05, 2025
Saturday Apr 05, 2025
In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra sits down with Carolina Bakker, the Rat Race recovery coach, to discuss the impacts of workplace trauma, burnout, and how to reclaim control over your professional life. The conversation delves into the concept of 'Fail With Me', strategies for setting boundaries, and methods of mindfulness and community for overcoming repetitive negative cycles. Carolina shares her personal experiences in toxic work environments and valuable insights on healing and moving forward. Tune in for an empowering discussion on transforming workplace struggles into personal growth and resilience.
00:00 Introduction to Workplace Wellness
02:43 Meet Carolina Bucker: The Rat Race Recovery Coach
03:33 The Birth of 'Fail With Me'
06:01 Carolina's Personal Journey Through Corporate Struggles
08:55 Understanding Workplace Trauma and Taking Back Power
23:22 Strategies for Handling Workplace Fear and Pressure
37:27 Healing from Past Workplace Trauma
49:09 Breaking the Cycle of Burnout and Addiction
57:10 Conclusion and How to Connect with Carolina
Carolina helps people break free from the stress and burnout of toxic work environments. She knows that leaving a job isn’t enough - many people still feel trapped in fear, self-doubt, and exhaustion long after they quit. They left physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually they are still connected.
Through her coaching, she helps her clients stop this cycle, heal deeply and find clarity for the road ahead. Her approach is holistic, empowering, and solution-oriented. She combines her spiritual abilities with down-to-earth practical tools to help her clients to make real, lasting change towards balance, joy, and real success - on their own terms.
Connect with Carolina:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Rat_Race_Recovery?sub_confirmation=1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinabakker/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rat_race_recovery
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachingByCarolinaBakker
A gift for your audience:
90 days access to my Imposter Syndrome Success Kit!hppts://courses.coachingbycarolina.com

Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Dr. Saroj Dubey's Secrets to Building RESILIENCE!
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Sunday Mar 23, 2025
Dr. Saroj Dubey shares his wisdom to building resilience and overcoming failure. Learn how to transform yourself and develop emotional intelligence with mindfulness.
In this insightful episode of 'Stories and Stanza,' host Abhra sits down with Dr. Saroj Dube, an esteemed gastroenterologist and author, to discuss the profound lessons we can learn from failure. Dr. Dube shares her personal journey of overcoming a professional setback, which led to an exploration of mindfulness and emotional well-being. The episode delves into practical tips for processing negative emotions, the importance of mindfulness in daily life, and the transformative power of meditation. Through heartfelt dialogue, we explore how acknowledging and accepting our emotions can lead to personal growth and resilience. Tune in to discover the power of being present and turning life's challenges into opportunities for profound self-awareness and healing.
00:00 Embracing Failure: A Path to Growth
01:50 Introduction to Stories and Stanza
02:34 Guest Introduction: Dr. Saroj Dube
03:35 The Concept of 'Fail With Me'
07:02 A Personal Story of Failure and Transformation
16:44 Processing Negative Emotions
23:25 The Neuroscience of Emotional Healing
30:02 The Hidden Sugar in Our Diets
30:56 Emotional Intelligence and Awareness
31:34 The RAIN Method for Emotional Healing
32:45 Mindfulness and Physical Health
34:12 Personal Journey with Meditation
36:53 Practical Tips for Meditation
45:53 Building Self-Awareness in a Busy World
51:28 The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself
57:44 Embracing Life's Challenges
Please find the details of Dr Saroj's book here:
Rx for Resilience (International Edition) : https://www.amazon.com/Resilience-Physicians-Perspective-Embracing-Discovering/dp/8119554361
Rx for Resilience (India Edition) : https://amzn.in/d/flFmmgq
Ted X Talk: https://youtu.be/R9cwcFe8Jps?si=-o4I8NbwpgX2joB0

Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Finding Purpose Again After Experiencing Profound Grief
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
If you're struggling to find purpose after experiencing profound grief, this video offers guidance on healing and finding meaning again.
In this heartfelt episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra welcomes Ruth Hephzibah, founder of Grift of Grace International and Echoes of Life. Ruth shares her journey as a grief coach and fresh start advocate, offering profound insights on understanding and navigating grief. She discusses the various forms of grief beyond the loss of a loved one, societal misconceptions, and her unique three-step model to move from being stuck to starting afresh. Ruth also highlights the importance of self-care, community, and small achievable goals in the healing process. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes, practical strategies, and offers a message of hope and resilience for anyone dealing with grief.

Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Irina Shehovtsov's ASTONISHING Journey to HEALING and EMPOWERMENT!
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Saturday Mar 08, 2025
Join Irina Shehovsov on her astonishing journey to heal and empowerment. In this podcast, she shares her story of overcoming trauma and personal growth to inspire women empowerment.
In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra welcomes Irina Shehovsov , founder of Reclaim Your Life and an international best-selling author. They dive deep into Irina's upcoming book, The Gift Inside, which outlines 12 steps to heal from unworthiness, brokenness, and victim mentality. Irina shares her personal journey of overcoming life's difficulties, finding happiness within, and the transformative power of forgiveness and gratitude. She also discusses the importance of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness, and provides practical tools for achieving a balanced life. Tune in to hear touching personal stories, insightful advice, and understand why healing starts from within.
Connect with Irina: https://www.instagram.com/re.claimyourlife/
Link to her book: https://www.irinashehovsov.com/thegiftinside1

Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Gregory Halpen's inspiring podcast on authenticity in life coaching is a must-listen for anyone in the coaching industry. Learn from one of the best in the business!
In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra sits down with Gregory Halpin, also known as The Sarcastic Marketer. Gregory shares his unique perspective on the world of life coaching, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and helping new coaches embrace their true selves. They delve into topics such as the pitfalls of the 'seven-figure mentality,' the distinction between coaching and therapy, and the societal stigma surrounding failure. Gregory also discusses his personal journey through trauma, mental health challenges, and his dual life as a performer and coach. Join them for an insightful conversation on how to navigate the coaching world with honesty, empathy, and resilience.

About This Podcast
I am a software engineer with a creative spree and the heart to make a difference. I live in Melbourne with my family and enjoy photography and creative writing.
Inspired by the quote from Rainer Maria Rilke, "If your daily life seems poor, do not blame it — blame yourself for not being poet enough to call forth its riches." I created this podcast to bring out the real stories that make life as beautiful as poetry. I'll take you on a journey through the human experience, sharing stories and conversations to uplift your spirit. Here are the key 3 areas on this podcast.:
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In Author's chair: where I talk to writers about their journey. or upcoming publication
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Fail With Me: Where I explore what failure truly is and link it with emotional intelligence.
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Oh! Past, speak out: Where I talk about forgotten chapters of history.
If you are interested in my poetry, this is my Amazon author page. Follow my newsletter here.