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

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.

Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Break Free from Anger and Resentment
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
Saturday Feb 22, 2025
In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra is joined by Anumeha Gupta, an Ayurvedic wellness counselor and theta healer, who helps mothers manage and release anger. Anumeha shares her personal journey with anger, the importance of understanding its roots, and offers practical tools for listeners to use in their own lives. The conversation covers topics like body and mind triggers, ancestral trauma, the impact of patriarchy, and more. An effective meditation exercise to release resentment is also included, providing immediate value to anyone dealing with anger.
Connect with Anu on her website: https://www.ayuwise.com/

Sunday Feb 16, 2025
HEALING After Divorce, Now What For MEN?
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
Sunday Feb 16, 2025
In this powerful episode of 'Stories and Stanza,' Abhra interviews Jeff, a tech veteran and founder of 'Divorce Daddy,' about his journey through a painful divorce and how it transformed his life. Jeff discusses the importance of embracing failure as a step towards success, the profound impact of divorce on fathers, and the emotional journey towards self-discovery and inner strength. He shares practical advice on building emotional intelligence, finding wisdom, and staying grounded through awareness, movement, and presence. Join us for an inspiring conversation on resilience, personal growth, and the transformative power of life’s challenges.
00:00 Introduction: Embracing Failures01:27 The Power of Stories02:06 Guest Introduction: Meet Jeff02:26 Jeff's Journey Through Divorce03:36 Creating a Better Life Post-Divorce04:18 The Concept of 'Fail With Me'08:38 Navigating Emotional Challenges15:39 Building Emotional Intelligence28:38 The Role of Writing in Healing38:06 Conclusion: Be the Sky
About Jeff:
For a long time, he lived in a fog, struggling through dark days. A toxic marriage led to an even worse divorce, throwing him into a battle he wasn’t prepared for. He lost a lot, faced slander, and left his home with nothing but the clothes on his back. Now, he feels he is fully awake. Trying to face a heart problem with his head, life didn’t make sense to him. Once he understood that, Jeff had a choice: either become a victim or learn how to win. He chose to win. Today, Jeff has a great relationship, a strong bond with his kids, and he’s living his purpose. He’s building a legacy and embracing the grand adventure of life. Jeff created Divorce Daddy to help others follow the same path.
Find his website here: https://divorce-daddy.com/
#podcast #motivation #divorce #mensmentalhealth #divorceddad #sepratation #storiesandstanza #failwithme

Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Is Your Brain Secretly Working Against You?
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Unlock the secrets of your mind and discover how to break your mental resistance to achieve personal growth and development. In this motivational video, we explore the mind-brain connection and how it can either hinder or help you in unlocking your potential. By cultivating mental strength and resilience, you can develop a growth mindset that allows you to unleash your full potential and become mentally strong. This video is designed to inspire and motivate you to take control of your thoughts and emotions, and to overcome mental toughness and resistance that may be holding you back. Through a powerful motivational speech, you will learn how to tap into your inner strength and achieve self improvement, leading to a more fulfilling life. By embracing the concept of personal development and self improvement motivation, you can unlock the doors to a brighter future and become the best version of yourself. So, watch this best motivational video and start your journey to mental toughness and resilience today.
Join host Abhra in a captivating episode of 'Stories and Stanza' as he sits down with Kam Knight, an acclaimed author and international speaker. In this enlightening conversation, Kam delves deep into the intricacies of concentration, detailing its paramount importance and offering practical techniques to enhance it.

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.