Mindful Poetic Stories Podcast

Celebrating The Voices of the Women Who Refused to Stay Silent

In this powerful International Women’s Day episode, I honour the women who risked everything to speak the truth. From survivors of abuse to whistleblowers who challenged powerful institutions, these stories remind us that courage, curiosity, and compassion can break even the deepest silence.

This episode explores resilience, justice, and the importance of listening to survivors, because when victims are silenced, evil and injustice thrives.

Our curiosity is not corruption, it is our consciousness.

 

Women and Stories Featured in This Episode

Virginia Giuffre; Author of Nobody’s Girl, Virginia’s story is one of remarkable courage and compassion after surviving unimaginable abuse. Her willingness to speak publicly helped expose powerful systems of exploitation.

Philomena Lee; Philomena’s heartbreaking experience in Ireland’s Magdalene Laundry system highlights the injustice faced by unmarried mothers whose babies were taken from them.

Gisèle Pelicot; quote “Shame has to change sides”. She chose to waive her right to anonymity in the trial of her ex-husband and the 50 men convicted of her sexual assault.

Helen Evans; A former safeguarding officer who exposed systemic sexual abuse within humanitarian aid organizations.

Rose McGowan; One of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, helping ignite the global #MeToo movement.

Sara Rowbotham; A social worker who fought for justice for victims despite resistance from authorities.

Joanne Hayes; Wrongly accused in 1980’s in one of Ireland’s most infamous miscarriages of justice before receiving a public apology decades later.

Catherine Corless; Her research uncovered the names of hundreds of children who died in the mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland, forcing a national reckoning.

Lisa Phillips; An Epstein survivor speaking publicly about accountability and the power of survivors reclaiming their voices.

 

Documentaries, Books & Films Recommended

Nobody’s Girl Book by Virginia Guiffre A survivor’s powerful memoir

Philomena (2013) Movie, The true story of the search for her son

Pray for Us Sinners Documentary by Sinead O’Shea on Ireland’s mother and baby homes

Stolen Documentary – The story behind the discovery of children buried in unmarked graves

When We Speak a 2022 Documentary about women who risk everything to tell the truth

A Hymn To Life;  Book by Gisèle Pelicot

Ash + Salt; From Survival to Empowerment After Sexual Assault- Book by Sarah Grace

Website; Celebrating Women Whistleblowers Who have Changed the World; https://www.whistleblowers.org/members_categories/women-whistleblowers/

 

Key Themes

Speaking truth to power

Sexual abuse survivors and whistleblowers

The legacy of Ireland’s Magdalene Laundries and Mother and Baby Homes

Institutional silence and accountability

Why victims often remain silent

The power of curiosity, awareness, and collective courage

 

Key Quote from the Episode

“A victim’s silence is not weakness, it is emotional survival.”

 

Final Reflection

The story of Pandora’s Box reminds us that when truth is revealed, pain may surface, but hope remains.

Every movement for justice begins when ordinary people refuse to stay silent.

 

Einstein said, "Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” –

 

This is a call out to match your energy to what you want to feed in this world.  

What you want to grow.

What you want to protect.

 

Rise up, own your voice, and let hope endure

This episode is dedicated to the women who used their voices so others could find theirs.

 

Listen & Follow

If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast and share it with someone who believes in truth, courage, and justice.

Reflections; on a Self Love Journey

The Power of the Pause on A Year of Self-Welcoming, Self-Love & Inner Wisdom

 

Episode 52 marks one full year of podcasting, and instead of rushing ahead, this episode was crafted from a mindful pause. A reflection on fear, self-sabotage, emotional intelligence, neuroscience, self-love, and the inner Sage that guides us home to ourselves.

This episode weaves poetry, personal storytelling, philosophy, neuroscience, coaching insights, and poetic reflection to explore how our inner voices shape our lives, and how learning self-compassion, emotional regulation, and mindful self-care builds the strongest foundation of all: self-preservation through self-love.

This is not a journey of “self-help,” but a self-welcoming journey, toward peace, resilience, meaning, and living in alignment with who you truly are.

 

Quotes from the Episode

“No one teaches us how to talk to ourselves — and yet it shapes our entire life.”

“Knowledge is only powerful when it’s applied.”

“Knowing is 20%. Action is 80%.”

“Labelling is disabling.”

“The secret to change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Socrates

“Peace is priceless.”

“No one drives me crazy unless I hand them my keys.”

“Self-compassion softens the harsh edges inside you.”

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”

 

Key Themes Explored

The power of the pause and reflection

Self-sabotaging inner voices (Victim, Pleaser, Stickler, Avoider)

Emotional intelligence; EQ vs IQ

Fear as a system of control vs inner awareness as liberation

Ancient wisdom (Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Socrates)

Neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and nervous system balance

Fight-or-flight vs rest-and-digest

Gut health, hormones, and emotional wellbeing

Mirror work and healing unfelt pain

Writing, creativity, and finding meaning

Living in alignment with values

Self-love as self-preservation

 

Key Takeaways

Self-love is not indulgence, it is self-preservation

Fear keeps us stuck; awareness sets us free

Emotional intelligence is foundational to a fulfilling life

Our brains are malleable, what’s learned can be relearned

Healing happens through practice, not just knowledge

Peace comes from within, not from controlling circumstances

Self-compassion creates the safety needed for growth

When we stop fighting ourselves, transformation begins

Meaning and purpose make life bearable, and beautiful

 

Your time to Reflect & Journal

What if the voice sabotaging you isn’t the truth, but an outdated coping mechanism?

What happens when you stop fighting yourself and start listening to your inner Sage?

How would your life change if you met yourself with unconditional love instead of judgment?

 

Final Note

This episode is a celebration, of consistency, courage, healing, and a year of showing up. A huge thank you to everyone who has been involved, for their support and encouaragement, and a huge thank you to you my listeners for tuning in and turning up for you.

With a reminder that you matter, that your inner wisdom is real, and that choosing self-love is a revolutionary act in a fear-driven world.

If you’d like to explore positive intelligence coaching and mental fitness, you’re invited to reach out to me via email

 

As always, take care of you.

 

You matter. Today, tomorrow, and every day.

 

Email me hello@pacoaching.co.uk to find out more about positive intelligence coaching, mental fitness and the journey of self love, and to book a free no obligation discovery call

Your Home Song; Coming home to the unshakeable foundation of self-love

This episode is about you.

Your journey of coming home to yourself.

At the very heart of this podcast is the invitation to build a solid, unshakeable foundation of self-love, from the core of who you are.

 

Your Sage self. Your authentic essence.

 

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, Patricia shares her own journey from feeling unlovable, not good enough, and disconnected from herself to discovering the power of self-care, self-welcoming, and unconditional self-love. Through stories from childhood, school, comparison, shame, and healing, she explores how our private logic, early experiences, and internal saboteurs shape the way we see ourselves, and how we can rewrite those stories and heal.

 

This is an episode about mental fitness, emotional intelligence, Positive Intelligence coaching, and learning how to live from a place of inner peace, authenticity, and self-trust.

Because when we come home to ourselves, we can stop merely surviving, and start living, thriving, and shining.

 

Quotes from this Episode;

“The journey home to yourself with unconditional self-love is the strongest, most stable foundation you can live and grow from.”

“Comparison is the thief of contentment, and for years, I didn’t know what was stealing mine.”

“When I didn’t love myself, I was miserable. When I found self-love, I found the home within me, and I feel alive.”

“Our true responsibility in this life is to be true to ourselves and love the miracle that we are.”

“The distress is not the event, it’s what happens inside us as a result of the event. And that is always personal.”

“True lovability begins when you choose to welcome yourself home.”

 

Key Concepts Explained

Private Logic (Alfred Adler)

Our private logic is the unconscious belief system we form most of the time in childhood based on our experiences, environment, perceptions and interpretations. It shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world, and can either empower us or limit us.

 

Saboteur vs Sage (Positive Intelligence)

Saboteurs: Fear-based survival patterns rooted in shame, comparison, and self-criticism

Sage: The wise, loving inner voice that helps us thrive through curiosity, empathy, creativity, and purpose

 

Mental fitness work helps weaken saboteurs and strengthen the Sage, creating emotional resilience and wellbeing.

 

References Mentioned

Alfred Adler – Individual Psychology & the concept of Private Logic

Positive Intelligence® – Mental Fitness framework (Saboteur vs Sage)

Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (1995)

Poem; Henry Van Dyke, A Home Song

Journal; I’m Lovable – discovered at Waterstones, Piccadilly (2017)

 

Poetic Inspiration

Henry Van Dyke – A Home Song

“Every house where love abides,

And friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home-sweet-home:

For there the heart can rest.”

 

Re-imagined for this episode:

The world needs your unique authentic light.

From the beautiful home within you.

Find it, claim it, and let it shine.

 

Key Takeaways

You are one of a kind; biologically, emotionally, neurologically

Self-love is not selfish; it is the foundation of authentic living

Childhood experiences shape beliefs, but they do not define your future

Comparison erodes self-worth; authenticity restores it

Emotional intelligence and mental fitness are essential life skills

Healing begins when we tell our stories with compassion

Your true home is within your body and being

When you live from your Sage, you serve yourself, and others more fully

 

Recommendations

Begin noticing your inner self sabotaging negative voices, without judgment

Practice self-welcoming instead of self-criticism

Book a discovery call with Patricia to explore Positive Intelligence mental fitness practices

Develop emotional intelligence skills: self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy

Write your own story; your words matter

Protect your energy, peace, and uniqueness

Choose yourself, again and again

 

Final Reflection

Home is not just a place.

Home is not something we earn.

Home is where the heart rests, and the soul is at peace.

And your truest home lives within you.

 

Come home to the one of a kind beautiful creation that is you.

 

Emails hello@pacoaching.co.uk

Website www.pacoaching.co.uk

Building Habits, Building You

In this episode, Patricia dives into the powerful connection between self-care, identity, and habit formation. You’ll learn why habits, not resolutions, shape your future, how to become the “anthropologist” of your own life, and how tiny, consistent actions create long-term transformation. With insights from coaching, behavioural science, and personal stories, this episode guides you toward building habits that support a more intentional, compassionate, and fulfilling life.

 

Key Takeaways

Habits shape your reality; Research suggests nearly half of our daily actions are habitual, often unconscious, and can steer us toward growth or self-sabotage.

Interference holds us back; Coaching helps uncover the internal patterns (beliefs, fears, conditioning) that block your potential.

Start small; Micro-habits bypass resistance and help your brain form new neural pathways with ease.

Identity matters; As James Clear notes, habits stick when anchored to who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve.

The RAS is always listening; Your brain filters information for whatever you focus on, so feed your intentions, not your fears.

Habit formation takes time; The “21-day rule” is a myth. Research shows habits can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to become automatic.

Consistency over perfection; Missing a day doesn’t break a habit, but quitting on yourself does.

Track, celebrate, repeat; Small wins activate dopamine and reinforce your identity as someone who follows through.

Gentleness is non-negotiable; Long-term sustainable change is built on self-love, patience, and awareness, not pressure.

 

Quote;

“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits — and their habits decide their futures.” — F.M. Alexander

 

Referenced Research

Habit Formation Research

Phillippa Lally et al. (2009), University College London; Study finding an average of 66 days to reach habit automaticity (range 18–254 days).

 

Tiny Habits / Behaviour Design

BJ Fogg, Stanford University — Behaviour Model and the science behind tiny habits.

 

Identity-Based Habits

James Clear — Book, Atomic Habits

 

Coaching Foundations

Timothy Gallwey — “Performance - Interference = Potential – Interference”

Positive Intelligence - https://www.positiveintelligence.com/

 

Final Message

This year, choose habits that honour who you are becoming. Start small, stay curious, celebrate every win, and build a foundation of self-love that can support meaningful, lasting change.

You matter, today, this year, next year and every year.

 

Email me at hello@pacoaching.co.uk

Website www.pacoaching.co.uk

Reclaiming Your Power: Mental Fitness, Self-Love & the Sage Within

 

Episode Release: Christmas Eve Special

 

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt Christmas Eve episode, Patricia is closing out the year by revisiting the core themes that have shaped our journey together: emotional resilience, self-love, and the transformative power of mental fitness. You’ll hear why many of us stay stuck in self-sabotage, how our “Saboteur” autopilot loops keep us in survival mode, and, most importantly, how reconnecting with your inner Sage is the key to lasting positive change.

 

This episode also includes an exciting announcement: one listener will win a Positive Intelligence Coaching Programme with me in the New Year!

 

If you’ve been feeling disconnected, battling self-doubt, or longing to lead a more intentional, empowered life… this is the episode that ties it all together.

 

Key Takeaways

Self-Love Is a Revolutionary Act

Drawing on the insights of Tina Lifford and Abiola Abrams, we explore why knowing and accepting yourself is the foundation of emotional resilience, empowerment, and genuine transformation.

 

Mental Fitness = Thriving, Not Just Surviving

Mental fitness helps you shift from the self-neglect of Saboteur mode to the self-care and clarity of Sage mode. It allows you to recognise your internal programs, outdated beliefs, and survival-driven thought loops that hold you back.

 

The Autopilot Trap & Why Change Fails

Many attempts at positive change fail because we live on autopilot, constantly pulled back by ingrained habits, limiting assumptions, and emotional survival patterns formed long ago.

 

Performance = Potential – Interference

Based on Timothy Gallwey’s pioneering coaching work, we examine how your internal “interference patterns” drain your potential, and how Positive Intelligence coaching helps you dismantle them.

 

Your Inner Sage Is Always There

Your intuitive wisdom, the Sage, is quiet but powerful. Strengthening it requires daily mental fitness practice, awareness, and the ability to pause, choose, and respond intentionally.

 

You Can’t Thrive and Survive at the Same Time

Survival mode keeps you anxious, dysregulated, and limited. Sage mode opens the door to creativity, wellbeing, deeper relationships, and real happiness.

 

Happiness Leads to Success (Not the Other Way Around)

Positive psychology confirms that cultivating happiness first boosts motivation, resilience, productivity, and life satisfaction.

 

Emotional Intelligence Matters More Than IQ

Inspired by Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking work, we discuss why emotional intelligence, not cognitive intelligence, matters more and is what truly shapes our success, fulfilment, happiness and meaningful relationships.

 

Transformation Begins With Your Relationship With Yourself

To step into the future you desire, you must:

Understand your internal programs

Identify both strengths and sabotaging behaviours

Quiet the inner critic

Strengthen your intuitive Sage wisdom

These are the foundations of personal power and mental fitness.

 

Episode Recommendations

Practice the Power of the Pause

As Viktor Frankl said: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space.”

Use this space to reconnect with your Sage, regulate your emotions, and choose consciously instead of reacting from fear.

 

Begin a Simple Daily Mental Fitness Practice

Small, consistent exercises that engage your Sage build new neural pathways and strengthen your emotional resilience. Engage your senses regularly and you will start to reconnect with your Sage.

 

Start an Internal Dialogue Audit

Pay attention to your inner voices. Are they driven by fear, doubt, or outdated survival patterns, or by intuition, wisdom, and compassion?

 

Focus on Intentional Living

Shift from autopilot to awareness. Choose habits that support your future self, not your old protective patterns.

 

Own Your Story

Let go of self-doubt and reclaim your inner authority. Your personal power lies not in perfection, but in self-acceptance and alignment.

 

Listener Giveaway (Christmas Eve Special!)

To celebrate the year and this journey of emotional growth, I’m gifting one listener a Positive Intelligence Coaching Programme in the New Year.

Listen to the episode for details on how to enter!

 

Final Words

Your inner Sage is never lost, it’s waiting to be heard. When you reconnect with it, you reclaim your worth, your voice, and your power. You become the author of your life.

 

Know yourself. Accept yourself. Love yourself.

Because when you do, you become invincible.

 

Email me at hello@pacoaching.co.uk

website www.pacoaching.co.uk