Mindful Poetic Stories Podcast

• Through Your Paintings: The Power of Art, Empathy, and Healing

  In this week’s episode, Patricia explores the beauty and power of art as healing, human connection, and compassion in action. Following last week’s tribute to inspirational changemakers of the past, today’s story celebrates the people creating positive change right now, those dedicating their time to supporting others and making the world a kinder, more hopeful place. This episode is inspired by Tara Dominick, Artist and co-founder of the Kakuma Art Project, this episode shares my poetic story Through Your Paintings, born from a creative connection that has turned into a continuing inspirational movement of creativity, love, and empathy. The Kakuma Art Project began with one painting, The Boat, which sparked an initiative bringing therapeutic art workshops to refugees in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.   Through the lens of creativity, the film (The Good Lie), and the wisdom of thought leaders like Gabor Maté, Elif Shafak, and Jane Goodall, Patricia reflects on how trauma, art, healing and compassion intertwine, and how every small act of kindness can ripple out to change lives.   Key Points Discussed: The Kakuma Art Project’s Origin: How one painting, The Boat, inspired a movement that provides art workshops for refugees in Kenya, and much more. The Power of Connection: The friendship between Tara and Hubert, co-founders of the Kakuma Art Project, and how creativity builds bridges across borders. The Good Lie: Reflections on the 2014 film inspired by true events in Sudan and the Kakuma Refugee Camp, and its deep emotional impact and its continued resonance today. Understanding Trauma: Insights from Gabor Maté on how trauma lives in the body. Creativity can provide a pathway to healing, an inner connection but also human connection. Post-Traumatic Growth: The idea that from deep pain can come love, connection, resilience, creativity, and empathy. Numbness vs. Evil: Elif Shafak’s perspective on how apathy, not evil, may be the true opposite of goodness. The Role of Art in Healing: How painting, writing, and creative expression can help release pain and the power of creating safe emotional spaces. Rising Above Fear: Using awareness, kindness, and self-compassion to move from trauma to empowerment. A Call to Action: Supporting humanitarian initiatives like the Kakuma Art Project — and recognising that every act of kindness matters.   Quotes: “War is what happens when language fails.” – Margaret Atwood “War is itself the enemy of the human race.” – Howard Zinn “I’m fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.” – George McGovern “Trauma is not what happens to us, it is what happens inside of us as a result of what happened to us.” – Gabor Maté “Perhaps the opposite of goodness is numbness.” Elif Shafak “Holding anger and hatred in you is a poison… it eats you up from inside.” “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you wish to make.” – Jane Goodall   Key Takeaway: Art can be a bridge between pain and peace. Through compassion, creativity, and awareness, we can all play a part, however small, in bringing light to those living in darkness.   Together, we can help amplify the voices of those whose stories deserve to be heard.   Call to Action: If the Kakuma Art Project resonates with you and you’d like to contribute or learn more, there are lots of options as outlined below, please reach out via the following links;   Donate to Kakama Art Project; https://linktr.ee/Kakumaartproject?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=1ea5d87f-a981-44f0-8967-c27cdc44de5c Buy the book Power of One Painting available on amazon £12.99 https://amzn.eu/d/bI0dsyK If you are interested in any of the art/paintings reach out to Tara Dominick email [email protected] Website https://www.taradominickartist.com/ Submit your own piece of creativity to the fundraising online gallery on Kakuma Artline Grids https://kakumaartproject.com/ - your paintings, music, photography, favourite tree, your pet etc. £27 per submission Buy the book; Creative Souls; Poetry. Music Art Compilation - which is supporting the Kakuma Art Project fundraising https://amzn.eu/d/3LdaRxh £16.99   “Kindness is contagious.” Yours is much appreciated. Thank You   Connect with Patrica via email [email protected] Linktree: https://linktr.ee/pacoaching.co.uk    

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• Ode To The Greats

  How Inspirational Quotes Shaped My Life In this powerful and poetic episode, Patricia reflects on the transformative power of inspirational quotes and the legacy of the great minds who spoke them. "Ode to the Greats" is a heartfelt tribute to legendary change-makers like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Benjamin Zephaniah, and others whose words still spark action, self-love, resilience, and post-traumatic growth. From teenage diary entries filled with motivational clippings to a “Words of Wisdom” box shared with her mother during lockdown, the journey of self-discovery is steeped in wisdom, emotional intelligence, mental fitness, and the power of the pause. This episode is more than gratitude, it’s a call to awaken, to step into your legacy with courage, to feed light instead of the dark, to move with love instead of fear, and to let inspiring words guide your healing, justice-seeking, and soulful action. Discussed in this episode: Resilience Building with Mental Fitness Emotional awareness Women's rights and justice Legacy building Emotional intelligence Post-traumatic growth Words of wisdom Power of pause Critical thinking Self Love Journey to inner empowerment Notable Quotes from the Episode: "Let your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." – Nelson Mandela "Between the stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response." – Viktor Frankl "We are all one. Only egos, beliefs and fears separate us." – Nikola Tesla "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." – Margaret Mead "Do what you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." – Maya Angelou " All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds Awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible. ." – T.E. Lawrence "A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because its trust is not in the branch but in its wings." "Just don’t give up. Don’t let them grind you down. Rise up all ye sisters and brothers who know better, stand firm in the downturn." – Benjamin Zephaniah POETRY BOOK; Creative Souls – published “Ode To The Greats”, available to buy on Amazon https://amzn.eu/d/f7ZgaQI   Call to Action: Share your favourite inspirational quote with us! Which words have shifted your thinking or shaped your life’s path? Leave a comment below. Subscribe, Rate, and Review If this episode moved you, inspired you, or gave you pause, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with someone who needs a dose of wisdom and courage today. Join the Conversation Let’s co-create a community that thrives on wisdom, compassion, courage, and legacy. Use the hashtag #OdeToTheGreats If you wish to know more about Mental Fitness and how it can help you email me [email protected]  

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• Loosen The Tech Knot

  Reclaim Your Mind in the Age of Digital Distraction Episode Summary In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, we dive into the hidden costs of social media and technology on your mental health, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and even identity. Inspired by the eye-opening docudramas The Social Dilemma and TikTok Boom, Patricia shares a deeply personal reflection on how digital overload is disconnecting us from our humanity. Discover how mindfulness, mental fitness, and positive intelligence can help you reclaim your time, attention, and peace, and why now is the time to take back control before we lose ourselves in the algorithm.   Discussed in this Episode The true psychological and emotional cost of constant digital engagement Why social media addiction is more than just screen time, it’s about manipulation Insights from The Social Dilemma and TikTok Boom How coaching, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence can reconnect us with our wise inner self Practical steps: creating tech-free zones, journaling, and digital detoxing Why building mental fitness is more urgent than ever in the AI age A call to action: How to protect yourself, and future generations, from digital disconnection   Quotable Moments "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product." "Mindfulness doesn’t happen while scrolling, it starts when we step away from the noise." "AI may be smarter, but it will never be wiser than a connected human being."   Key Takeaway Awareness is the first step to transformation and transformation is process of reconnection. When we consciously reduce our digital distractions and prioritise mental fitness, we reclaim our power, our presence, and our peace.   Mentioned in This Episode The Social Dilemma (Netflix) TikTok Boom (Docuseries) 10 Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media – book by Jaron Lanier Super Brain, book by Deepak Chopra & Rudolph E Tanzi Amusing Ourselves to Death – Book by Neil Postman Robert Kiyosaki quote: “Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow” Mark Twain “A lie can travel around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.” The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, book by Shoshana Zuboff , “the MARKET now trades exclusively in HUMAN FUTURES at scale”   Listen Now & Start Reconnecting Feeling overwhelmed by your devices? Tune in for deeper awareness of potential damage and learn how to cut through the digital noise and reconnect with your true self, before it’s too late, for you and your loved ones.   Connect with Patricia if you want to know more about how Mental Fitness can help you.   Hit the subscribe button for more weekly episodes.   www.pacoaching.co.uk email [email protected]  

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• Compliments

  This episode is powerful and heartfelt, and is all about moving from self-sabotage to self-welcoming with self-care, reclaiming body love and inner wisdom. Today Patricia dives into the inner critic that lives in all of us, the voice that tells us we’re not good enough. But what if it’s not only the world that’s to blame? What if it’s the stories we tell ourselves? Patricia shares a deeply personal journey of body shame, low self-worth, and the lifelong impact of unrealistic beauty standards. From the harsh truths about the media's influence to the importance of self-welcoming over self-improvement, this episode calls on women, and all listeners, to reconnect with their true essence, their "sage" within. Through reflections on culture, parenting, and healing, you'll discover how embracing your natural, authentic self isn’t just liberating, it’s revolutionary.   Concepts Discussed: body positivity overcoming low self-esteem unrealistic beauty standards self-worth and parenting emotional healing women empowerment body image issues makeup-free movement self-acceptance for women sage mindset vs saboteurs generational healing confidence in your own skin   Notable Quotes: “It’s not always the world telling us we’re not good enough. Sometimes, it’s just the stories we tell ourselves from our own perceptions.” “My Mindful Poetic Stories podcast isn’t about self-improvement, it’s about self-welcoming.” “If all women woke up and decided to love their bodies, half the beauty industry would collapse.” “You are loved for your unique miracle self. Now repeat that to yourself.” “Flawless doesn’t exist in nature, so why are we trying to chase it?” “When we come home to ourselves, our world changes for the better”. We live in a society which is very much dependent on roles and roles depend on how other people see you, so we all want to be seen in the best possible light and society punishes us for being authentic Gabor Mate "I don't have ugly ducklings turning into beautiful swans in my stories. I have ugly ducklings turning into confident ducks. Maeve Binchy "We get courage from other people's stories. We get consolation from the way they tell about failures, disappointments and crises. It means that we are not alone." Maeve Binchy   Call to Action - If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a reminder of their worth. - Follow the podcast and leave a review on your favourite platform—it helps more people join this self-love revolution. - Tag me on Instagram with your favourite takeaway using #MindfulPoeticStoriesPodcast. - Subscribe for weekly reminders to reconnect with your beautifully imperfect self.   www.pacoaching.co.uk or email on [email protected]  

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• Everyone

  In today’s deeply personal episode, Patricia explores the emotional toll of the “pleaser saboteur”, a self-sabotaging behaviour rooted in the fear of rejection, unmet childhood needs, and a relentless desire to be accepted by others. Drawing from both her own transformation journey and a poetic story inspired by the heartbreaking story of a friend’s experience with coercive control, Patricia shares insights into how empathy, when left unchecked, can lead to burnout, emotional manipulation, and the loss of self-identity. In this episode Patricia uncovers: How unconscious saboteur patterns like the pleaser and controller can trap us in unhealthy dynamics. Why self-love is not selfish, but essential, to our wellbeing and happiness. The danger of attachment disguised as love, and how to spot it. Why mental fitness and frameworks like Positive Intelligence help build resilience. How to set boundaries that protect your well-being and still honour your capacity to love. The words of wisdom that run through all of Patricia’s podcast episodes, “You wouldn’t sabotage someone you truly loved. And you wouldn’t self-sabotage if you truly loved yourself.” Join Patricia on a journey from self-abandonment to self-mastery, from self sabotage to self care, with reflections from thought leaders like Gabor Maté, Brené Brown, Carl Jung, and more. Powerful Quotes from the Episode: “You wouldn’t sabotage someone you truly loved. And you wouldn’t self-sabotage if you truly loved yourself.” Patricia Ahern “The power is not in whether we say yes or no; the power is in our conscious capacity to choose.” Patricia Ahern “My love is unconditional. But my presence is not.” “It is not others’ responsibility to think of me; it is my own.” Patricia Ahern “Being in the wrong relationship can be detrimental to your health.” — Gabor Maté “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” — Lao Tzu “The near enemy of love is attachment.” — Brené Brown “Before you heal someone, ask him if he's willing to give up the things that make him sick.” — Hippocrates “I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make others happy because they know what it feels like to feel absolutely worthless.” — Robin Williams “Empaths fall in love with those destroying them—not out of weakness, but because they are unconsciously seduced by the other’s wounds.” — Carl Jung   References and Mentions: Gabor Maté – Expert in trauma, addiction, and mind-body health Brené Brown – Researcher on vulnerability, shame, and wholehearted living Lao Tzu – Ancient Chinese philosopher Carl Jung – Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Robin Williams – Quoted on the pain behind people-pleasing Paul Brunson – Relationship coach (conversation with Gabor Maté) Hippocrates – On true healing and personal responsibility Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine – Framework of saboteurs and Sage mindset Serious Crime Act 2015 (UK) – Legal recognition of coercive control as abuse   RECOMMENDED BOOKS - if you are dealing with highly controlling or narcissistic behaviour   Why Does He Do That - by Lundy Bancrofts - inside the minds of angry and controlling men The Empath’s Survival Guide - Life strategies for sensitive people - by Judith Orloff Toxic Magnetism - How and Why Empaths attract Narcissists by Kara Lawrence Will I Ever Be Good Enough? - Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Karyl McBride Maybe You Should Talk To Someone - by Lori Gottlieb Adult Children Of Emotionally Immature Parents - How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting Or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay Gibson. Daring greatly - How The Courage To Be Vulnerable Transfers The Way We Live, Love Parent and Lead by Brene brown   Takeaway Message: This episode is a heart-centered call to action for empaths, caregivers, and people-pleasers to turn their nurturing inward. Self-love is the foundation from which all healthy relationships are built. The journey may be challenging, but it’s the only one that leads to freedom, wholeness, and authentic connection, with yourself and others. Highlights: Pleaser saboteur Self-sabotage behaviours Coercive control in relationships Empaths and narcissists Mental fitness coaching Positive Intelligence saboteurs Healing childhood wounds Setting emotional boundaries Unmet emotional needs Emotional burnout recovery Self-love and empowerment Narcissistic abuse awareness Emotional manipulation signs Inner child healing Women’s emotional health   www.pacoaching.co.uk connect with me via social media or via my email [email protected]  

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