Fail with me

In this episode of Stories and Stanza (Fail With Me), host Abhra speaks with Saw Myint, a Burmese Australian based in Sydney, about mental health challenges in a technology-driven world with reduced human connection. They discuss the importance of awareness, opening up to trusted people or seeking professional help, and using journaling or simply being listened to as ways to release emotions before they build up. Saw shares personal experiences of childhood hardship, lessons from failures in business, parenting, and relationships, and how Buddhist practice shaped her approach to mental self-care. Her core idea is that both satisfaction and dissatisfaction are temporary—good and bad experiences pass—so people should relax, live in the moment, avoid attachment, and practice brief daily mindfulness to observe worries as imagination. She also emphasizes taking action and helping others as a path to healing.
Saw Myint is the founder of Wake Up Ltd, an Australian charity dedicated to mental wellbeing. For over a decade, Buddhist practice has transformed her own mental health journey—and she now shares these science-backed insights with others. Whether through mindfulness coaching or mortgage brokering, Saw helps people navigate stress, anxiety, depression, and major life decisions with clarity and confidence. Her approach is simple: recognize that feelings are fleeting, and cultivate resilience in the present moment. Available for speaking engagements, interviews & workshops on practical, Buddhist-inspired mental health practices. 
Reach Out / Support Her work: https://www.facebook.com/likesawkmyint 

In this Stories and Stanza episode, host Abhra and psychologist Silvia Russen discuss why pop psychology and viral mental-health advice can distort clinical terms, turning descriptive tools into moral judgments, pathologizing normal discomfort, and turning relationships into battlegrounds of labels. They highlight risks of unqualified advice, privacy and research-ethics issues, and the need for evidence-based, individualized care since psychology is not one size fits all. Russin clarifies commonly misused terms: gaslighting as a repeated pattern of manipulative psychological abuse that undermines a person’s reality, not simple lying or disagreement; “triggered” as a stimulus causing sudden symptom spikes in conditions like PTSD or OCD, not everyday irritation; narcissistic personality disorder as a persistent, pervasive diagnosis causing dysfunction, not a synonym for selfishness; trauma as lasting adverse effects after harmful events; and trauma bonding as attachment formed through cycles of abuse and intermittent reinforcement, not bonding over shared hardship.
Silvia Russen is a Business Psychologist, Neuroscience Coach, and PhD Researcher specialising in emotional well-being, resilience, and recovery in the workplace. Integrating psychology and neuroscience, Silvia applies evidence-based practices - including Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) - to empower leaders and teams in navigating stress, decision-making, conflict resolution, and workplace relationships. Silvia has collaborated with organisations worldwide, providing tailored interventions and workshops on transformational leader hological safety, emotional intelligence, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). Her engaging speaking style and ability to translate complex neuroscience research into actionable insights have made her a popular keynote speaker at international conferences, industry events, and leadership summits. Alongside her client work, Silvia serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate modules in areas such as cognitive neuroscience, organisational psychology, and advanced research methods. Her current PhD research focuses on the neuroscience behind emotional regulation strategies, investigating how these can enhance cardiovascular health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being in professional settings. Passionate about giving back, Silvia also regularly volunteers her expertise to first responders, charities, and frontline aid organisations, providing workshops and strategies on managing stress, building resilience, and improving mental health. Silvia’s ultimate aim is simple yet powerful: to help individuals and organisations leverage psychological insights, enhance their emotional well-being, and thrive both personally and professionally.

In this Stories in Stanza episode, host Abhra welcomes guest Doug Belkofer to discuss how childhood-formed beliefs like “I don’t matter” or “people always leave” become subconscious filters that shape perception, relationships, work, and repeated “failures.” Doug explains how these emotion-based beliefs can drive negative manifestation, emotional withdrawal, and lowered investment in relationships, and why self-improvement efforts can feel ineffective when filtered through the same core beliefs. He describes revisiting formative events in a calm, meditative process to create conflicting adult perspectives that lead to memory reconsolidation and new neural pathways. The conversation also explores men’s emotional unavailability, learned modeling from parents, and practical ways to practice emotional expression. Doug shares a poetic excerpt from his book-in-progress and previews his upcoming ebook Finding the Path back to You and a live course, The Pass Back to You, emphasizing that feeling stuck is normal.
Doug Belkofer is a U.S. Army veteran, tech leader, and founder of Forging Truth, where he helps people uncover the hidden beliefs shaping how they experience life, relationships, and faith. His work is grounded in lived experience and shared to encourage others that hope and clarity are possible when we’re willing to face what’s real.
Book link:https://intro.forgingtruth.com/the-phoenix-quest/finding-the-path-back-to-you-e-book-orderDoug's Website: https://forgingtruth.com/ Email: dougbelkofer@forgingtruth.com 
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In this Stories in Stanza conversation, host Abhra welcomes back Somia Sadik to explore how creativity is linked to healing, resilience, and inner peace. They discuss peace as balance, healing as reframing, and how trauma can erode trust and connection, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness. This insightful podcast offers valuable perspectives on self improvement and navigating life's challenges with curiosity.
Drawing from Somia’s novel Gajrah, they unpack the protagonist Iman’s journey of meeting grief with curiosity, and connect this to reframing failure without tying it to human worth. The episode also examines intergenerational trauma and resilience, the teaching and perpetuation of hate, and the individual responsibility to choose compassionate responses. They close with lines from Sufi poet Baba Farid about seeking answers in the “ocean” rather than “small ponds.”
#peace #trauma #forgiveness #resilience #podcast #motivationalpodcast #storiesandstanza #failwithme 

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host speaks with Tracy Whitton about her book 365 Days of Nervous System Care, a practical response to widespread post-COVID nervous system dysregulation and limited attention and time for long-form reading. Whitton shares her background in meditation, yoga, yoga therapeutics, retreats, and studio work, and reads from her “Nervous System Repair Model,” outlining four pillars—safety, surrender and compassion, uninterrupted pauses, and space—and six regulating qualities: dark, quiet, warm, slow, soft, and still. They discuss hyper- vs hypo-arousal, why brief daily check-ins matter, and how stress hormones cause inflammation, digestive issues, anxiety, and depression when not discharged. Whitton shares a personal story about guilt and hypervigilance after two daughters’ life-threatening illnesses and explains a three-step somatic approach: meet the state, build safety, and integrate.
 
 

In this episode, we explore the nuances of healthy relationships, focusing on how embracing change in love can lead to profound personal growth. We discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating dating and relationships, highlighting that the process of coupling and uncoupling can both be beautiful journeys. Tune into our podcast for insights on fostering a deeper understanding of love and connection.
We dive deep into the transformative power of conscious uncoupling and somatic healing with coach and writer Eman Alves. Eman shares insights from her book 'Uncoupling Reimagined', which draws from her personal experiences of seven marriages and breakups. Discover how the process of being present and understanding our trauma can help us heal and prepare for new relationships. Explore the importance of emotional awareness, resilience, and practical steps to navigate through life's challenges. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their journey of self-awareness and personal growth.
Eman Alves is the author of Uncoupling Reimagined and a Love, Sex, and Relationship Coach. She works with men and people in male bodies after breakups or relational crises, helping them rebuild emotional presence, sexual integrity, and maturity so they do not repeat the same relationship again.Uncoupling Reimagined supports people going through breakups, divorce, or emotional collapse who want to choose a conscious uncoupling and find a grounded path back to stability, self trust, and wholeness.
https://www.eman.coach/uncouplingreimagined
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In this episode of Stories and Stanza, we explore the journey of healing from a "toxic relationship" and the profound impact of "narcissistic abuse." Discover the importance of "setting boundaries" for well-being and the path to cultivating "self-compassion." Tune in to learn how to foster "emotional resilience" and navigate life's challenges with greater strength.
Tina shares her personal journey of healing from toxic relationships and narcissistic patterns, rooted in her childhood trauma. Her first book, 'Finding My Sovereignty,' is a memoir detailing this journey. With the onset of COVID-19, Tina found herself isolated but turned towards self-guided healing practices and took extensive notes, which eventually formed the basis of her practical workbook, 'Lost in the Overwhelm.' The conversation delves into generational trauma, the identification and healing of narcissistic relationships, the importance of setting boundaries, and the ongoing nature of healing. The host also shares personal anecdotes, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and self-compassion in the healing process. Both agree that healing is a continuous journey that requires self-awareness and willingness to change.

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