Meditative Story

When Fred Minnick returns from his military service as a photographer documenting the war in Iraq, he finds himself haunted by what he saw through the lens of his camera. Trauma, as a result of the battlefield and his childhood, holds a grip on him until a bag of barbecue potato chips unlocks something in his brain. An untapped talent — he was born with a remarkable sense of smell — serves as a lifeline back to the present moment, and back to himself.Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

No boys. No dresses. As a teen, Moj Mahdara, founder of the fashion media company Beautycon, knows she’s different. And growing up in a traditional Iranian household, she struggles to reveal her own true identity. When two long-term houseguests descend — her grandmothers — Moj is shocked to learn that each woman has a surprising story of identity of her own. She learns secrets. She also learns that generations before her, family members had fought to define themselves. And it’s through these old souls that Moj finds the strength to stand in her own truth. Listen here.Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawyer and master communicator Jefferson Fisher loves taking care of other people. You can feel this in the supportive videos he posts on his wildly popular social media channels. Again and again he puts the wants and needs of others ahead of his own. In his story this week, Jefferson discovers the power of showing up for himself, and when he does, he’s given the chance to show up more fully for others.Find Jefferson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jefferson_fisherFind Jefferson on Facebook: https://facebook.com/justaskjeffersonEach episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elizabeth Lesser, author and co-founder of the Omega Institute, shares her awe-inspiring journey as a midwife and the life lessons learned from witnessing births. She reflects on embracing life's challenges, such as divorce and loss, revealing how these experiences foster resilience and wisdom. Lesser emphasizes the beauty of staying open to life's uncertainties and the importance of accepting pain to cultivate growth. Through vivid stories and meditation, she encourages listeners to deepen their emotional awareness and connection to both body and mind.

Love can catch us off guard, sparking revelations in the ordinary. A heartfelt journey unfolds as Rohan reflects on his relationship with Lucy, celebrating milestones and unexpected moments. The emotional highs and lows of welcoming a child come alive, captured in a raw, intimate home birth experience. With a name inspired by history, Rohan shares insights on transformation and connection in the wake of change, weaving empathy and mindfulness into the fabric of love.

Maya Shankar, a cognitive neuroscientist and host of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, shares her journey of navigating life as an unwilling traveler. She recounts lessons from her father that helped her find balance amid life's complexities. The conversation touches on perspectives of consciousness, the shared struggles of human existence, and the significance of connected detachment. Ultimately, Maya emphasizes cultivating gratitude and a lighter perspective as we embrace the joys and hardships of life.

Shani Tran, a therapist and content creator passionate about healthy relationships, shares her heartfelt journey navigating a tough obstacle course with her father. She humorously reflects on their complex bond, revealing lessons about accepting loved ones as they are, not as we wish them to be. As she recounts pivotal moments, including her graduation and a chaotic birthday trip, Shani emphasizes the importance of owning one’s happiness and the power of presence in our relationships. Join her for insights on resilience and emotional independence.

From the outside, Niall Breslin — known by legions of Irish fans as Bressie — appears to have led a charmed life. He’s had a professional Rugby career, achieved national stardom as a musician, and been a coach on The Voice of Ireland. But behind all those achievements lies Niall’s struggle with repressed emotions and generations of unresolved pain. In this week’s Meditative Story, Bressie shares how he learned to embrace the parts of himself he once buried. The parts that showed him how to heal and led him to become one of Ireland’s leading mental health advocates.Find out more about Bressie: https://www.niallbreslin.com/Follow Bressie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bressie/Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When the way we talk about our own bodies becomes negative and self-deprecating, it’s time to rewrite that inner monologue. Actress and director Kim Fields, star of The Facts of Life, Living Single, and the Netflix series The Upshaws, leads us through a process of reevaluating the words we say to ourselves. It’s an invitation to send love to every body part, even the ones that make us feel self-conscious or less than, and to find appreciation for all that our bodies can do.Find Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimfieldsofficial/Each episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joseph Goldstein is a co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society and a well-respected author on Buddhism. He shares his transformative journey from uncertainty to growth, emphasizing the importance of embracing the discomfort of not-knowing. Goldstein discusses how accepting uncertainty can unlock creativity and new possibilities. He introduces the concept of a 'yes mind' in mindfulness, urging listeners to accept all sensations. Through 'yes meditation', he encourages confronting inner resistance, leading to deeper self-awareness.