Life Changing

Tanja Bage, a Leeds mother and former performer, shares her inspiring journey after a laryngectomy due to cancer. She explains the emotional turmoil of losing her voice just before the COVID lockdown. Tanja discusses adapting her speech with a stoma and the resilience required to connect with her children. She highlights her involvement with the Laryngectomy choir and the therapeutic benefits of music, emphasizing how creativity helped her reclaim her voice and identity amidst adversity.

In this engaging discussion, basketball player Dan Edozie shares his inspiring journey from a childhood marked by homelessness to becoming a mentor for youth. He recounts the emotional struggles of living on Skid Row and the resilience needed to navigate his challenging past. The conversation highlights the transformative power of sports, the significance of mentorship, and how overcoming adversity can shape one's identity. Dan's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of helping others find their path.

Sarah Fairbairns, a psychotherapist and former 'wild child' of the 70s, shares her profound journey of overcoming childhood trauma related to scoliosis. She recounts her vibrant experiences in hippie culture and the struggles with mental health that followed. The podcast dives into the emotional turmoil of hospitalization and her later realizations connecting her past pain with her feelings of unrest. Fairbairns emphasizes the power of storytelling and creative expression as therapeutic tools, highlighting the importance of emotional support in healing.

Nick Hitch, a civil engineer who endured a harrowing hostage situation in Algeria, shares his gripping story with Dr. Sian Williams. He recounts surviving a violent attack affiliated with Al-Qaeda, where he faced life-threatening situations alongside colleagues, some of whom tragically did not survive. The conversation dives into the long-lasting effects of trauma, including PTSD, and discusses how Nick now aids fellow survivors through Hostage International. His insights reveal the profound importance of community support and emotional healing in recovery.

Get ready for a new series packed with extraordinary stories of transformation. A basketball player opens up about his tough upbringing in Los Angeles, revealing a pivotal moment that shaped his life. Two powerful narratives follow, showcasing a woman who finds healing through storytelling and a mother who demonstrates incredible resilience after her family's life is turned upside down due to a serious diagnosis. These journeys of personal growth and strength promise to inspire and captivate.

Georgia Laurie and Melissa Laurie are twin sisters whose bond was tested during a heart-stopping crocodile attack in Mexico. Georgia, a recipient of the King's Gallantry Medal for her bravery, recounts the harrowing survival tale while Melissa shares her journey of resilience. They discuss the importance of sisterly support, the challenge of carving out individual identities as twins, and how they transformed their trauma into strength through healing experiences, culminating in a symbolic swim in the Thames to reclaim joy.

Tony Redmond, an experienced medical doctor, shares gripping tales from his participation in global disasters like the 1988 Armenian earthquake and the Lockerbie crash. He reflects on the emotional challenges of crisis response and grapples with feelings of inadequacy amidst chaos. Redmond discusses the birth of the South Manchester Accident Rescue Team to enhance emergency care. His journey of confronting tragedy and seeking redemption reveals the transformative power of shared experiences in humanitarian healthcare, highlighting the resilience needed to overcome adversity.

Tier Blundell was never a bad kid. He was bright and curious, but also disruptive. Growing up sandwiched between two cultures, he felt excluded from society. Those feelings were amplified when aged 11, Tier was informed by his school that he would not be welcome back following the summer holidays – instead being sent to a Pupil Referral Unit. He left there with no qualifications and a sense of shame, until the day he put on a suit, turned up for an unscheduled meeting and demanded another go at learning — the results of which are staggering.Tier tells Dr Sian Williams his story, and why he demanded a reckoning with the education system.

Su Chantry was adopted as a baby and grew up fantasising that she was the daughter of a French princess who would one day return for her. As an adult with her own family, Su received an unexpected and life-changing phone call. Su tells Dr Sian Williams how she rushed to meet her mother, and they would spend just one day together – her mum’s last.

Dan Simmonds, a former oil trader turned zookeeper, shares his transformative journey from the high-stakes world of finance to caring for animals at London Zoo. He reflects on the intense pressures of trading, and how a chance encounter during a jog ignited his desire for a more fulfilling life. Dan describes the joy and challenges of working with gorillas, emphasizing the deep connections formed with these intelligent creatures. His story is an inspiring testament to the importance of passion and personal fulfillment in one’s career.