Poema Podcast
James Prescott
Poema is a Greek word which speaks of our lives as divine works of art. The Poema Podcast, hosted by James Prescott, seeks to explore the intersections between spirituality, creativity & identity. It’s a space to host conversations about the our spiritual journeys, mental & emotional health, grief and story. It’s a space to reclaim the lost art of conversation, a space for anyone looking to explore their creativity, discover their true identity, and who desire to live a life of purpose & meaning.
Episodes
Poema S12 007 | Project Hail Mary with Jenna DeWitt
**Spoiler Alert** This episode contains spoilers. This week friend of the show Jenna DeWitt returns as we "amaze amaze amaze" about the movie Project Hail Mary. We share our reflections on the movie, the relationship between Grace and Rocky, the character arc of Grace, the spirituality of the movie and a lot more. We explore the the concept of the most reluctant hero who never wanted to go to space, and chooses to save his friend over glory on earth, and what that can speak to us about our own paths.
Poema S12 006 | The Crossovers of CPTSD & Autism with MJ Weissenberger
* Trigger warning: Spiritual abuse, neglect, emotional/physical abuse * This week I'm joined by my friend MJ to discuss the experience of living with both C-PTSD and autism, and the crossovers between them. Both MJ and I have daily lived experience of both and we discuss that here. We talk about the conditions themselves & what they look like, the differences and similarities, and how they cross over. We also discuss masking in depth and what that can look like, and how it can differ depending on individual or gender. We also share our stories, how our trauma impacted us & how some trauma responses have interconnected with our lives as autistic people. Finally, we discuss ways we've learned to survive and stay healthy and try to offer hope to others through our experience.
Poema S12 005 | Neurodivergent Stories with Carolyn Kiel
Today I'm joined by Carolyn Kiel, who hosts the award winning podcast "Beyond 6 Seconds". For over 200 episodes Carolyn has heard people share their nuerodivergent stories, from people ADHD, to autistic people, those with physical and other kinds of disabilities and a lot more. In this episode, recorded in early 2025, she shares her experiences and what she's learned from these conversations & as an autistic / ADHD / CPTSD person I share my experiences alongside those. Its a fascinating insight into those lived experiences.
Poema S12 004 | The Age of Disclosure with Trace Bell
**Trigger Warning: Epstein Files** Trace Bell returns this week for a discussion on whats happening in the world right now, and the age of disclosure humanity is entering into. Trace shares his perspectives on the Epstein files having been released, with real life consequences all over the world, and the upcoming release of government files on UFOs & aliens. We also talk about the harm of unfounded conspiracy theories, and how actual evidence can tell us far more about what's going on in the world & what may happen in future.
Poema S12 003 | Darkness Is Its Own Undoing with Trace Bell
This week sees the first of consecutive episodes with my friend Trace Bell. In this episode, we discuss the idea that the seeds of transformation and change, are somehow embedded in the darkness we're experiencing. Trace and I look at the world as it is, at history both in terms of politics, culture, and consciousness, and explore how darkness is and always has been its own undoing. We also discuss the work of William Strauss & Neil Howe, about the four turns of society. We examine what cycles of history can teach us about what is happening now and will happen in the future - and how this can give us hope.
Poema S12 002 | Jesus Emotions with Becky Castle Miller
Becky Castle Miller joins me today to discuss and explore Jesus emotions. We focus in on several stories of Jesus where we see his his vulnerability and where he expresses the deepest of human emotion. We talk about how he expresses grief, fear, anxiety and love during the course of his life, and his darkest moments. Becky and I also explore how he turns the power of grief to perform his biggest sign, and how we see that it is in his most human, vulnerable moments, his true divinity is expressed .
Poema S12 001 | Musical Refuge with JulyDa ( + exclusive musical clip!)
The podcast returns with one half the musical duo JulyDa joining me to talk about their upcoming album Refuge, and the creative and spiritual journey behind it. We delve into the connections between creativity and spirituality, how art connects us with the divine and ourselves, creative risk & how making art can heal us & help us grow. Plus, there's also a small exclusive clip of the first single from their new album, called "Wait for the Lord".
Poema S11 016 | The 400th - James Prescott Interviewed by MJ Weissenberger
(Trigger Warning: Spiritual Abuse) Today is the 400th episode of the Poema Podcast! In September 2015 I began this show out of pure curiosity to explore a new creative medium. 10 years and a name change later, I've interviewed many many people on all sorts of topics ranging from grief, movies, music, death, mental health, spirituality, demisexuality and more. Today, in an extended anniversary episode, my beloved friend MJ Weissenberger interviews me about the origins of the podcast, why I chose the name, the numerology around 4 and 400, as well as my creative journey. I also share my story of spiritual abuse with YWAM for the first time publicly, and how this impacted my life & was impacted by grief. It's been a wild ride to 400 episodes, and there's more to come! This is the last episode of 2025, but there's new episodes coming in 2026.
Poema S11 015 | Aly Rae LPC on Autism & Narcissism
Trigger Warning: Narcissistic abuse. This week, qualified counsellor and therapist Aly Rae joins me to discuss behaviours related to autism, and to narcissism. From their own lived experience of narcissistic abuse, and professional experience of working with autistic people, they share what the lived experience of autism can be like, and how some autistic traits can be confused with narcissism. They also explain the difference between narcissism and narcissistic behaviours or traits, which can be displayed by certain personality types separately from an actual diagnosis of narcissism. Finally, Aly provides helpful tools for autistic people - like her, myself and many others - to navigate the world we all live in, and a system which is not designed for us.
Poema S11 014 | Alice Hewson on Autism, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria & Finding Joy
Author Alice Hewson returns to the podcast today to go deeper into exploring and discussing our lived experiences as autistic people and with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). Today we go deeper into RSD, something common in autistic people. We talk about what it is, and our lived experiences of it, and how we have learned to live with it, and even find joy in the midst of all the challenges it and being autistic can bring.
Poema S11 013 | Jenna DeWitt on Doctor Who, Grief, Power & Fear
This week my friend Jenna returns to the show and in this episode we discuss the most recent series of Doctor Who, and the show as a whole. Jenna and I explore the themes of grief, fear and power which come up in the recent series and the 15th Doctor's journey. We also talk about how we've seen these themes come up in the show with previous Doctors and how they impact the Doctor's overall story. And how seeing the Doctor experience these things inspires and encourages us on our journey. We then move on to share the reasons we love the show and what it means to us and to many others, and our hopes for its future.
Poema S11 012 | Superman 2025, Hope & Being Human with Mario Francisco Robles
This week we're talking James Gunn's "Superman" with my friend, podcaster Mario Francesco Robles, host of the "Superman on Film" podcast. We talk about the themes of hope, identity, and being human which Superman embodies and are explored in the movie. We also discuss our own experiences of the movie, how it inspired us & where it stands in the echelon of Superman movies. This was such good fun!
Poema S11 011 | Jonathan Bregel on Grief & Art
My friend Jonathan Bregel is a filmmaker and creator. He's recently shot a documentary on a retreat designed solely to help people grieve, which he's hoping to release soon. He's also made a short film about grief about 18 months ago. Today we discuss his experiences making these films, and his own experiences of grief. Jonathan shares what he has learned about grieving and death, and how its impacted him and his own journey, and relationships with others. This episode is a moving insight into one man's personal journey of grief. ***** You can support the movie and see the trailer here.
Poema S11 010 | Jim Woods on The Power of Stories & Creativity
Author and friend Jim Woods returns to the podcast today, to discuss his latest work, the creative process, power of story and what he's learned as an author coach. We talk about the challenges which every creative person faces, with Jim sharing some of his own story, why these happen, and how to overcome them. We also explore the dangers of pursuing our art and how we can keep our integrity whilst still creating great art to share with the world. He shares his inpsiration for his recent series of novels and how the research and writing of these books changed him. This was such a fun conversation, and I'm sure you're going to love it. ___________ You can find Jim's books on Amazon, and access to all his work at JimWoodsWrites.com Jim's books, including several nove are all available on Amazon
Poema S11 009 | Justin Ancheta on Hope & Community in Tough Times
Today my friend Justin return to the podcast. In this episode they talk about their advocacy and lived experiences as a bi and ace racialised person and how the developments in the USA have impacted their lived experience. We both share stories about how healthy community can help us survive through difficult times, in a world of prejudice and hate, and what healthy community should - and can - look like. Justin is a person who inspires hope in me, and I'm sure they will in you too. Check out their work here: Medium: jancheta25.medium.com Bluesky: @jancheta25.bsky.social Website: www.justinanchetawriter.com
Poema S11 008 | Rev Brandan Robertson is Queer & Christian
My beloved friend Brandan Robertson returns to the podcast today to talk about his latest book, "Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table". We talk about how Brandan revisited the scriptures and discovered there are several Queer saints within it, more than you'd expect. He also explored the usual "clobber" verses used against LGBTQIA community and unpacked their true contextual meaning. He shares his vision of a Biblically supported, fully inclusive, loving joyful Christian faith, and its very compelling.
Poema S11 007 | Jenna DeWitt on The Marvels, Grief & Identity
This week Jenna DeWitt is back on the podcast, this time we discuss the MCU movie "The Marvels", the sequel to Captain Marvel, the MCU's leading female superhero currently. Jenna shares how this movie and the journey of the lead characters in it, have been really impact for her as a queer, asexual woman. She also talks about how the movie covers themes of grief and loss, something often found in these type of movies, and identity. This was such a fun conversation, hope you enjoy it. ***** You can find more of Jenna's work at invisiblecakesociety.com
Poema S11 006 | MJ Weissenberger Shares Her Autism Story
This week my dear friend MJ joins us to share the story of her autism diagnosis, how she first realised she may be autistic, the process of getting her diagnosis, and how her life has changed since. This is a powerful, challenging and encouraging story.
Poema S11 005 | Alice Hewson on being Neurodivergent in the Workplace
Today I'm joined by author and speaker Alice Hewson to discuss autism in the work place. Alice talks about the challenges of being neurodivergent in the world we live in, which isn't set up for neurodivergent people, and how this can often translate into the work place. She shares her own experiences and also offers some practical ideas for both employers and neurodivergent people themselves, for how neurodivergent people can feel safe and protected in the work place. She also shares some thoughts and examples of how neurodivergent people can build structures and processes which will help them thrive in the work place rather than be overwhelmed, and to avoid potential meltdowns You can read more about this in her book "Neurodiversity in the Workplace" which is available wherever books are sold.
Poema S11 004 | Dr Amy Marschall PsyD on Autism and Justice Sensitivity
This week, as part of a new series, Dr Amy Maschall PsyD returns to the podcast to talk about people's lived experiences with autism and in particular the experience of justice sensitivity. Dr Amy is autistic herself, and works with autistic people on a regular basis, and a qualified expert, so has a lot of both lived experience and academic knowledge of autism. She shares this with us, and talks about how autistic people can be more sensitive about injusitces, big and small, and feel them more acutely, often seeing injustice and how to stop it in a binary way. I myself share my experiences of this as an autistic person too, and we explore how autistic people can navigate the challenges this bring, and how it impacts our day to day lives. Dr Amy has so much knowledge and insight on this subject, this is well worth a listen. ____ Find more of Dr Amy's work, including her many books on neurodiversity on her website here.
Poema S11 003 | Lucas Wilson on Surviving Conversion Therapy
**Trigger warning: Spiritual abuse, toxic evangelicalism, conversion therapy stories** This week I'm joined by author and activist Lucas Wilson, to discuss stories of conversion therapy, the damage done by it, and the toxic evangelical culture which gave rise to it. We talk about some of the stories shared by people in Lucas' new book "Shame Sex Attraction", their grief, trauma and how they healed from those experiences. We also discuss toxic evangelical culture, and the harm its done to the LGBTQIA community as a whole & how we can support people who've experienced spiritual abuse, and how many of them have healed and moved into healthier lives embracing & being accepted for who they really are.
Poema S11 002 | Jamie Lee Finch on Embodiment, Grief and Interconnectedness
Today my beloved friend, embodiment coach, writer and podcaster Jamie Lee Finch returns to the show. We talk all sorts in this episode, from connectedness with our bodies, intuition and how this all connects to a wider spirituality, to grief and how we build healthy relationships with our bodies and build resilience. We also explore how the system we all rigged, in, is simply not built for the thriving of human bodies. We had such fun recording this, make sure you check it out.
Poema S11 001 | Rob Bell on There's Only One Noon Yeah
The podcast returns for 2025 with a new interview with the ever inspiring author and speaker Rob Bell. Recorded just before the US election of 2024, Rob joins me to talk about his latest novel, "There's Only One Noon Yeah", the second in his new series of novels. We talk about the themes and inspirations behind the novel, how it shows us the world we live in a fresh way, and delve into grief, transitions, transformation and awareness, as well as finding joy in the creative process. It was such a fun and interesting conversation.
Poema S10 019 | Jenna DeWitt on Doctor Who & Grief
In this final episode of 2024, fellow Whovian Jenna DeWitt returns to the podcast to talk about a character we both love, The Doctor. In particular, we talk about a recurring theme in the show, and on this show, grief. The grief of losing companions, of people he is trying to save sometimes dying or sacrificing themselves, and above all, of him having to grieve his own death, every time he regrenerates. Even if you don't know the show, there's a lot here which can relate to various experiences of grief we can have, death, loss of friends, loss of community, moving on from our past selves, and how all of this can relate to us in the deconstruction community, and personal growth generally.
Poema S10 018 | Cat Dean on Mercury Retrogade & Astrological Energy
Today my dear friend Cat Dean joins me to talk about astrological energy, and in particular the phenomenon of mercury retrogade, the most recent of which (at time of release) began November 25th, 2024. Cat tells us exactly what mercury retrogade is, when it happens and why, and how it impact both us and our world. We both share our own experiences of mercury retrogade and Cat explains the power and influence of astrological energy itself.
Poema S10 017 | Chris Morris's Lessons on Suicide & Depression from a Psych Ward
Trigger warning: Suicide, suicidal ideation, depression ______ Today I'm joined by author and advocate Chris Morris. He shares his story about his experiences of depression, suicidal ideation. He shares his powerful and raw story of his depression and various suicide attempts. He talks about his experience in a psych ward, and how he did the work of healing, and the battles he still has. He also talks about the challenges of talking about mental health in Christian circles. Chris is a courageous, powerful advocate for mental health and his story is both discomforting and ultimately, inspiring.
Poema S10 016 | Amanda Held Opelt on Grief, World Wars & Queen Victoria
In this new episode, recorded pre-election 2024, Amanda Held Opelt joins me again, this time for a conversation about some major events in history & their impact on how our culture processes grief. We talk at length about the two World Wars, and how different outcomes for different nations impacted how their cultures responded to them, and how it changed their culture. We explore how one bad response from WWI may have led to WWII and how the outcomes of both may have contributed to where we are now. We also look at Queen Victoria, a monarch who experienced deep grief, which changed her life, her behaviour and relationships with others. This episode is a fascinating insight into how grief shapes us individually and culturally.
Poema S10 015 | Virginia Spotts on Acting, Creativity and Trauma
This week Virginia Spotts returns to the podcast to talk about her acting and creative career, and her experiences of trauma. We talk about the various roles and different types of characters she's played, and how these have helped her process trauma and grief. She also shares the challenges of playing certain types of characters & how she tries to seperate herself from characters she plays. She also shares how her creative journey, which includes writing as well as acting, has helped her understand and process the trauma and grief she's experienced - and the power of art to help us heal.
Poema S10 014 | Jenna DeWitt on The Tortured Poets Department
Jenna DeWitt returns to the podcast this week to discuss Taylor Swift's latest album, the "Tortured Poets Department". We explore several of the tracks and how they relate to the deconstruction journey, living as an LGBTQI person and the experiences of grief and trauma. We look at them in the context of our own journeys and Taylor's own story, and what we can learn from them. This again is such a fun episode, and another example of how great art can connect with our stories & help our healing.
Poema S10 013 | Marla Taviano is Whole
This week I welcome back my friend, poet and author Marla Taviano, to talk about her latest collection of poems, "Whole". "Whole" is the third in a series of 3 compliations of poetry exploring Marla's own deconstruction journey, and all the grief, doubt conflict, challenges and healing of this journey. We talk about the creative process both behind "Whole" and the series of poetry books about her journey, and how this shaped Marla herself. We also explore how creativity has helped Marla in other ways, including some other creative projects she's been involved in, making new things out of old. And we talk about how creativity as a whole is a healing process which liberates us from the past and brings something new and hopeful into the world.
Poema S10 012 | Becky Castle Miller on Internal Family Systems
Today, my friend, qualified IFS practitioner Becky Castle Miller, joins me to discuss and explore Internal Family Systems therapy, how it works, and how it can benefit us. Becky and I both shares our own experiences with this kind of therapy and we also discuss internal managers, exiles and firefighters. We explore who they are, why they exist and how they were formed - and how we can work with them to help heal our truama wounds. Becky and I also do a small demonstration of how this therapy works, in real time. This episode is a great insight into a powerful form of therapy. _______ *Please do not attempt IFS for the first time without a licensed practitioner.
Poema S10 011 | Trace Bell on the Spirituality of Music
My friend Trace Bell returns to the podcast this week to have a discussion about the mysterious power of music. Together we explore how music can tap in to both our consciousness, our subsoncious and our bodies and help us somehow connect with the wider energy of the universe. We explore the mystery of how it unlocks emotions, energy and even desire, and helps us become more in tune with our bodies and our truest selves. We also talk about how certain songs or pieces of music can take on new meaning when related to certain moments, events or people. In so doing they can help us heal, and grieve well. This was a fascinating and interesting discussion, come join us!
Poema S10 010 | Ien Chi & Jon Bregel on Exploring Grief in Film
Today I talk to creators and filmmakers Ien Chi and Jon Bregel about Jon's recent documentary, the short film "I Do" which tells the grief story of a married man, from diagnosis, through loss, to grieve and finding life after death. Ien and Jon share their own experiences with creating and producing the movie, and how this exploration of grief in a creative format impacted their own perspective on grief. The both share the way their perspectives on life and death, and spirituality, and their personal journeys, were impacted with this encounter with grief, and together we discuss how powerful grief can be, and how it's power can be used for great good and healing, but can also abused and manipulated. _______ You can find out more information about the short fulm "I Do" and how to watch it here.
Poema S10 009 | Rob Bell asks "Where'd You Park Your Spaceship?"
Friend of the podcast Rob Bell returns today to discuss his new latest work, a novel, "Where'd You Park Your Spaceship? An Interplanetary Tale of Love, Loss and Bread: Book One, Welcome to Firdus." (Yes this is the title). It's an incredible novel, which explores grief, identity, toxic systems, all from the perspective of someone outside of earth learning it for the first time. Rob tells me his creative process in writing the novel, how the experience changed him, and how he discovered joy and fun in the creative process, and we talk about a WHOLE lot more too. What we hear from Rob here is truly inspirational, and speaks a lot to those going through healing, awakening, embodiment and finding freedom in their creative, personal and spiritual lives.
Poema S10 008 | M.J.Weissenberger on Dan Levy's "Good Grief"
This week my friend MJ joins me to discuss Dan Levy's movie director debut, 'Good Grief', which is available on Netflix. The movie is about a person who loses their mother and husband in the space of the year, and their grieving process which reveals a lot of secrets and surprises, and how it impacts his life. MJ and I, who both have lived experience of grief, watched it together and in this episode we share our own reflections, insights and lived experiences. We talk about the ways the movie covers and explores grief so well and tenderly, and what we learned.
Poema S10 007 | Jenna DeWitt on "1989 - Taylor's Version" & How it Explores Grief & Transformation
This week my friend Jenna DeWitt returns to discuss Taylor Swift's "1989 - Taylor's Version" which released earlier this year. Jenna shares her own experience with the album - both the new version, and the original - and what these meant for her as she explored her own identity. Then together we explore various tracks on the album and the stories behind them. We discuss how these songs and their stories, and art in general, can help us as we process issues of grief, transformation and identity. As we do so, we see more of how the creative process can heal and transform us.
Poema S10 006 | Virginia Spotts on Grief, Creativity & Being a Death Doula
My guest today is Virginia Spotts. She is a writer, actor, fiction podcaster, and aspiring death doula. In this episode she shares her experiences of grief and how they impacted her. As a writer, actor and fiction broadcaster, she shares unique experiences of how witnessing death and going through the grieving impacted the creative aspects of her life and identity. Virginia also shares her experience of training as a death doula, helping people prepare for death. Its' a fascinating and unique insight into death and grief.
Poema S10 005 | Andrea De Ward on Grief & Working with the Dying
Today we begin another series exploring grief on the podcast, with Andrea De Ward talking about her experiences of doing pastoral work with the dying, as chaplain of a care home. Andrea talks about how this impacted her perspectives on death and grief, as she then herself had experiences of grief and loss. She tells us how these impacted her life, her relationships and her personal/spiritual journey. Andrea's story gives us a very unique perspective on death and grief, and can help us understand these experiences much better.
Poema S10 004 | Shari A Smith on Trauma, Grief & Sharing Our Stories
Today I'm joined by writer, advocate and podcast host Shari A Smith. She talks to us about her advocacy works with trauma victims and survivors, and the importance of sharing our stories. Shari shares her experiences of sharing and bearing witness to trauma and grief stories, and how its' impacted her and the people sharing those stories. She tells us how sharing stories can provide solidarity to those hearing, and a voice to those who share them, and help us in the road to healing.
Poema S10 003 | Heidi Dennis, MS LPC, on Befriending Our Anxiety
Today I'm joined by therapist Heidi Dennis, MS LPC, to discuss her new book, "Hello Anxiety", and explore a new approach to dealing with anxiety. Heidi shares how we can learn to say "hello" to our anxiety. Heidi shares what anxiety is, why it’s there and how to respond to it instead of distracting from it. She tells us how listen to our anxious feelings and work with them instead of against them, and find our way towards peace.
Poema S10 002 | Justin Ancheta on Asexuality, Tarot & Liminality
This week I'm joined by activist and writer Justin Ancheta. In this episode they share their own story of discovering they were a biromantic demisexual & the prejudice they faced as a Filipino-Canadian, queer man with a stutter. They also talk about the connections between asexuality and tarot, and how discovering tarot helped them feel more at peace with their own identity, and discovering that liminal space of acceptance and belonging.
Poema S10 001 | Cat Dean on Being Human & Creative In A New Season
In our first episode of 2024, my friend Cat Dean joins me for a fun conversation about being human in the changing seasons of life. We discuss how the changes in the movement of the earth can impact our lives so directly, how we process change and the grief involved, and how it can impact our connection to our own humanity, and our creative lives. We also explore how growth and healing increase connection to our bodies, and awaken us to the falseness of the systems we live in, connecting us more to our humanity, and to the earth. This was such a fun, relaxed and often spontaneous conversation between friends, with great insights. Enjoy!
Poema S9 027| Vicky McQuarrie on Living Through Grief
For Grief Awareness week this week, I'm joined by Vicky McQuarrie, who works for AtaLoss Charity, a non-profit organization that signposts bereaved people to support. TW: Suicide, grief, loss of spouse _ Vicky courageously shares her stories of loss and grief, both being widowed and losing her sister in the space of a year. She shares the impact this had on her life, the rituals and practices she discovered to help her grieve well. She also discusses how her first experience of processing grief impacted her second, and the biggest lessons she's learned, as well as the work of the bereavement charity AtaLoss. __ Find out more about Vicky's work at Ataloss.org
Poema S9 026 | Douglas Humphries on Lessons from Oppenheimer
A new Poema podcast special episode with myself and Douglas Humphries - recorded during the strike specifically for a post-strike release. In this episode we discuss Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer". We explore the various themes of the movie, how the movie impacted both of us, and the biggest lessons we can learn from the movie. We also talk about the storytelling in the movie, and the creative/storytelling lessons we can learn from Chris Nolan.
Poema S9 025 | Daniel Finklestein on Hitler, Stalin, Mum & Dad
I'm honoured today to be joined by author and speaker Daniel Finklestein. Daniel tells us the story about his parents and grandparents, Jewish families caught up in the growing anti-semitism of the 1920's & 1930's, ultimately leading to their imprisonment in concentration camps by the Nazi's. But the story doesn't end there, they survived these camps and eventually moved to England where they raised a family. And of course there are shades of the shift to the hard right we've seen in the US & UK recently. It's a story of struggle, grief, courage and hope, and Daniel shares it beautifully.
Poema S9 024 | Jenna DeWitt on Taylor Swift, Selmer, and Queer Liberation
This week my friend Jenna DeWitt returns to the podcast to discuss two songs - "You're Losing Me" by Taylor Swift and "Faith" by Selmer - and exploring them in detail, in relation to their respective messages about queer liberation and owning your gender and identity. We breakdown the lyrics of each song and discuss them in depth, and Jenna gives great insight into the deeper meaning of these songs, how they've impacted her, and how they can speak to us too. We also touch on how despite one piece of art being labelled 'secular' and one more overtly, 'Christian', both can impart equally powerful messages about these issues.
Poema S9 023 | Maria French on Reconfiguring Nostalgia, Death & Grief
This week my guest is my friend and colleague Maria French, author, speaker and theological coach. In this episode we discuss her new book, "Reconfiguring " A Collection of Post-Christian Thoughts and Theologies", and in particular two essays from this book. Firstly we explore the power of nostalgia, and how our yearning for some idealistic past which never existed can hinder our thriving and living now. We discuss this from both an individual and cultural perspective, looking at the impact of nostalgia on the political trajectory of both the US and UK in recent years. We then naturally move into a conversation about grief, death, and loss, and how sitting in our grief and allowing it to work on us, and doing healing work, can actually lead us become more fully alive. We explore how when we embrace the reality of death and grief, it can move us to be more fully present, and create a thriving life of purpose. *** You can buy Maria's new book "Reconfiguring " A Collection of Post-Christian Thoughts and Theologies" on Amazon here and find more of her work on her website here.
Poema S9 022 | Ali Smith on Autism, ADHD and Getting a Diagnosis
Today I'm joined by my friend Ali Smith, who shares their story of how they slowly discovered they were autistic, and ultimately had ADHD. They share common patterns of behaviour they experienced which they realised can be giveaways for these diagnoses, and the process of them obtaining a diagnosis. Ali also talks about the challenges of coming to terms with their diagnoses and how they learned to acknowledge and accept who they are and thrive in their autistic and ADHD identities - and how we can too.
Poema S9 021 | Amber Kay on Epilepsy, Autism and Bisexuality
This week I'm joined by my friend Amber Kay to discuss living with epilepsy, how they discovered they were autistic and how this changed their life. They also share the story of discovering their bisexuality and embracing their true identity, and how this tied in with their autistic discovery. This episode is Amber sharing their journey of acknowledging and living fully into who they really are, and how we can do the same.
Poema S9 020 | Lyndsey Medford on Her Body & Other Crumbling Empires
This week I'm joined by author Lyndsey Medford, who tells us the story of when an autoimmune condition opened her eyes fully to the limitation of being in our bodies within the systems we live in. Lyndsey talks about how learning to be comfortable in her body with its limitations impacted how she sees and interacts with the world. She also shares how it showed her how to heal and be free from the limitations of the systems we live in, and find a healthy, sustainable life for herself.