Stories and Stanza

In this episode of 'Stories and Stanza', host Abhra chats with Sam Malone, a distinguished spoken voice coach at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Delving into the nuances of the power of the spoken voice, Sam shares stories about his work ranging from coaching West End actors to helping corporate leaders improve communication. The conversation explores how our voices are tied to our identities and discusses practical ways to overcome the fear of speaking. They also touch on Sam’s upcoming book, 'Why They Can't Hear You,' which aims to empower individuals to be heard and to find their natural power and presence. Tune in to learn how connecting with your voice can transform your personal and professional life.
Follow Sam's Work here:https://www.elevatevoice.co.uk/https://www.elevatevoice.co.uk/book 

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra speaks with poet Priyanzel, about her journey into writing and the emotional depth that poetry brings to life. 
Priyanzel is a poet who writes from the quiet edges of becoming. Through her debut collection, Moonlit Mess: The Beautiful Ruins of Becoming, she explores the tender chaos of healing—where pain softens into light and silence learns to speak. Her words dwell in the in-between—shadow and self, ache and awakening—offering comfort to anyone learning to start again.
They discuss the personal and therapeutic nature of poetry, the limitations of AI in capturing human emotion, and the challenges and rewards of being a writer. Priyanka shares her inspiration and the process behind her book 'Moonlit Mess,' emphasizing the importance of rawness, vulnerability, and inner light in creative expression. Tune in to explore the intimate world of poetry and creativity, and be inspired by Priyanka's heartfelt words and experiences.
Book Link: Amazon

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra talks with Denise Michelle, a self-love alchemist, coach, writer, and hypnotherapist. They discuss the journey of healing from borderline personality disorder, the power of self-love, and how failure can be a tool for growth. Denise shares her personal experiences and insights on various healing modalities, including yoga, hypnotherapy, and self-acceptance practices. Tune in to learn about the importance of intention in self-care, the transformative power of kind self-talk, and how to cultivate authenticity in your life.
About Denise:
Denise Michelle is The SelfLove Alchemist®, an Award-Winning Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Trainer with Tony Robbins. She empowers soulful leaders through SelfLove Mastery, drawing from her 25-year healing journey overcoming trauma and addiction. Denise believes living a vision-driven life is the ultimate expression of SelfLove, where transformation ignites. 
Social Media Links: 
BridgeTheLove.com
www.Instagram.com/denisemichellexoxo
www.facebook.com/denisemichellelove
https://www.facebook.com/groups/theselflovetribebtl/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisemichellelove/
https://twitter.com/DeniseMxoxo
https://www.pinterest.com/denisemichellelove/
https://www.youtube.com/c/DeniseMichelle
https://www.tiktok.com/@denisemichellexoxo

In this insightful episode of 'Stories and Stanza', host Abhra dives deep into the transformative practice of shadow journaling with Oliver Mann, a renowned journaling coach. They explore the importance of self-awareness, the impact of triggers, and the process of integrating shadow aspects into the psyche. Through practical examples, prompts, and personal anecdotes, they uncover how shadow work can help rewrite one's story, embrace vulnerability, and achieve wholesome growth. By examining regret, joy, and even resistance, they illustrate how to navigate emotional complexities and live authentically.
About Oliver
Oliver Mann is a journaling mentor and teacher, with a passion for Shadow Journaling. Diving into Shadow work was a pivotal moment in Oliver’s life, after which writing and journaling took on completely new powers. By opening up to the process of delving into the psyche through writing, he discovered the power of curiosity and acceptance of the complete self. Through his work, Oliver is now inviting others to take gentle steps into the shadow. With the bright lights we shine, we can soon become friends with what once scared us. Oliver is also the co-founder of the Barcelona Journaling Festival, an annual writing event attracting a global audience. He is a council member of the International Association of Journal Writers, and is a certified JTTS instructor.

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra is joined by psychologist Patty from Chicago to dive into the complexities of generational trauma, perfectionism, and self-awareness. They discuss how cultural expectations can shape behaviors, the importance of unlearning harmful patterns, and the impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) on daily life. Throughout their intimate conversation, Patty shares her personal experiences with immigration and identity while offering insights into how trauma and perfectionism are interconnected. Tune in to learn more about the significance of self-awareness and strategies to foster a lifestyle of calm and well-being.
Patty Johnson is a psychologist who specializes in trauma healing and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also creates art related to culture, justice and the bizarre and beautiful intricacies of life. She is the author of Essays of Night and Daylight, on movement through life as she explores kaleidoscopes of identity, pondering comments such as, "Oh, you speak such good English!" She wonders about the shame behind her grandmother's tribal tattoo after being visited by Christian missionaries. She revels in the making of chai, this earthy elixir that reminds her of the power of each brown-skinned woman. Patty’s work can be found in The Broken Spine, Write City Magazine, Riksha Magazine and elsewhere. She gave a TEDx talk on changing the narrative of inequity. She is also a guitar goddess but only in the eyes of her dog, Marley.
Links:website: IG/threads: @pjtemple7Tik Tok: pjtemple7

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra welcomes back Brooke Bounce, a breakthrough coach known for simplifying complex concepts. Together, they dive into the intricate topics of inner child healing and reparenting. Brooke shares her personal journey with a narcissistic mother and how it shaped her beliefs. She explains how anxiety, self-sabotage, self-doubt, procrastination, and perfectionism are linked to unmet inner child needs. The discussion covers the importance of acknowledging and addressing these fears, how generational trauma impacts behavior, and practical strategies for reprogramming the inner child for a more fulfilling life. Brooke also introduces her book, 'You Can Have It: How to Break Through the Self-Sabotage Cycle,' which offers step-by-step guidance for overcoming these deep-seated issues.

In this episode of 'Stories and Stanza,' host Abhra engages in an intimate conversation with health coach Megan Gaul on the mind-body connection in weight loss. They discuss Megan's personal journey of losing 100 pounds, the importance of understanding the deeper motivations behind weight loss goals, and strategies for fostering a healthy relationship with food. The discussion also touches upon the benefits of walking as a mindfulness exercise, the value of journaling, and the concept of failure and resilience in achieving long-term health objectives. Tune in to gain insights into how emotional and physical well-being are interconnected and discover practical tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Weight Loss Journey01:04 Welcome to Stories and Stanza01:15 Introducing Megan and Our Relationship with Food Series02:24 Mind-Body Connection and Weight Loss02:40 Megan's Personal and Professional Journey04:17 The Importance of Failures in Success04:40 Exploring Mind-Body Awareness09:55 Strategies for Effective Weight Loss13:59 The Role of Journaling in Weight Loss27:32 Walking as a Mindfulness Exercise39:25 Final Thoughts and Program Information
Link to our previous episodes
Here is the offer for our listeners: 
"If you are ready to lose weight, and you know that the things we talked about in this interview are standing in your way, I created this free call specifically as a resource for you. During this call, we'll accomplish 3 outcomes:Uncover the 1-2 specific habits or beliefs that are specifically holding YOU back from your weight-loss right nowOutline 2-3 super-clear Next Steps, making sure they fit within your lifestyle and scheduleSend you off with a piece of Mind Body and Weight-Loss homework so easy and doable, you can start on your journey todayIf you are not one of the first 2 listeners to enter, message me STORIES2025 anyway! https://ig.me/m/partake_foodie . I'll say hi, and make sure you receive news about the next free call I have available"

Discover the surprising secret to making relationships successful with Puya Delavar! In this video, Puya shares his top tips and strategies for building strong, healthy, and long-lasting relationships. Whether you're looking to improve your romantic partnership, strengthen your friendships, or even boost your professional relationships, Puya's expert advice will give you the tools you need to succeed. From effective communication techniques to conflict resolution strategies, Puya covers it all. So, what's the secret to making relationships successful? Watch to find out!
Puya Delavar is a leading Men’s Relationship Coach and founder of Puya Delavar Coaching, where he helps high-performing men in senior leadership roles protect what matters most: their relationship, their family, and their legacy.In a world where professional success often overshadows personal connection, Puya offers a different path: one where you don’t have to choose between thriving in your career and having a meaningful relationship at home. His work centres on helping men turn a cold, disconnected relationship into one of respect and intimacy without stepping away from their responsibilities as leaders.With over a decade of research, lived experience, and a deep understanding of behavioural psychology, Puya has developed a structured and highly practical approach. His proven method uncovers the hidden patterns and blind spots that quietly erode connection, identifies the true root causes of recurring conflict, and equips his clients with science-backed tools for sustainable change.At the core of his philosophy is Holistic Success — the belief that fulfilment and high performance come from balance across three key areas: personal wellbeing, personal growth, and personal relationships. His work is continuously informed by real-world case studies and one-to-one coaching insights, ensuring his programmes stay grounded, effective, and relevant to the fast-paced lives of his clients.His flagship 12-week programme - Crisis to Connection - is designed specifically for men who want to repair, strengthen, and future-proof their relationship while continuing to operate at the top of their game.