Belly of the Beast Life Stories with David All

Belly of the Beast Life Stories with David All

By David AllSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
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Belly of the Beast Life Stories with David All episodes

  • Holocaust Survivor's Guilt with Martha Sternbach

    Get ready for an incredible journey as we honor Martha Sternbach, a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau. At 93 years young, Martha reflects on her heartbreaking experience during the Holocaust and the burden of guilt that came with surviving. Join us as we delve into her story, filled with resilience and gratitude, and discover the power of personal transformation. In this season of life, we bring you extraordinary stories that will inspire and remind you that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. Tune in and find the courage for your own journey.

    45 min
  • Beyond: Welcome the Liminal and Rumi
    In this Beyond story, we revisit one of our earlier conversations with master healer Artie Wu to help us bring to life the liminal stage in our personal transformation pattern.
    I know this stage well, and I was able to recognize when I was in it, and how I created a vision board to let my soul guide my next big move in life.
    I'm sharing instructions on how to make yours and that exact vision board on the https://bellystory.com/s3e7 (website).
    Recognizing the threshold isn't a new idea. I've selected a poem that may connect to your soul from ancient Persian mystic, Rumi. We read poems dedicated to our listeners instead of advertising shills.
    Our stories are personal, designed for you to hear pieces of your own true nature reveal itself in every story.
    Wisdom for our Soul, Courage for your Journey. In Belly, we share our extraordinary life stories of personal transformation to let you know that you're not alone in yours and to inspire you to embrace every ounce of it. And Beyond stories helps us see the big picture, comprehending the patterns coming up.
    SHOULDER UP WITH US - 100% Advertising Free
    Your podcast is a safe and judgement free space. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener powered.
    We dedicate a poem to folks in our community shouldering up with us.
    Consider a $5 donation at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening. I hope you're able to hear something meaningful.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your extraordinary personal life story or to sign-up for new episode emails visit: https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    25 min
  • Beyond: The Gift of Listening and Thich Nhat Hanh
    In this very personal Beyond story, I wanted to share why it's so important to me that this podcast is not for sale. Why it matters that you, dear listeners and neighbors of the world, have a safe, judgement free space to listen, and notice what comes up.
    To do that, I take you back through my own pattern of storytelling; how I learned to tell stories by listening deeply to others tell theirs.
    Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh shares that listening to others, with compassion and without offering advice or actions, is itself a healing instrument that the world needs now.
    Our stories are personal, designed for you to hear pieces of your own true nature reveal itself in every story.
    Wisdom for our Soul, Courage for your Journey. In Belly, we share our extraordinary life stories of personal transformation to let you know that you're not alone in yours and to inspire you to embrace every ounce of it. And Beyond stories helps us see the big picture, comprehending the patterns coming up.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION - 100% Advertising Free
    Your podcast is a safe and judgement free space. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported. It's not on the market, it's not for sale.
    A podcast where you can listen and hear what's coming up.
    We dedicate a poem to folks in our community shouldering up with us. Crossing the line, letting us know that we're heard with a $5 donation at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening. I hope you're able to hear something meaningful.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your extraordinary personal life story, to sign-up for new episode email updates, to contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit: https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    15 min
  • Beyond: Remember Auld Lang Syne and Robert Burns
    In this special New Year's Beyond story, David All looks deeper into the meaning of that sweet, familiar song, Auld Lang Syne, a poem attributed to Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. Before you turn the page and burn the book on 2020, turn around and remember the 'Good old days' and all those days in between.
    Wisdom for our Soul, Courage for your Journey. In Belly, we share our extraordinary life stories of personal transformation to illustrate the nature of personal transformation. Beyond helps us go beyond personal stories to comprehend the overall pattern of transformation.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION
    Your podcast is a sacred space and judgment free zone. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported.
    A podcast where you can feel safe to listen and know that you're not alone. Transformation is scary, but not a single butterfly has ever attempted to climb back into the cocoon.
    To keep us advertising free and support our mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary personal life stories, chip-in $5 a month at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your story, sign-up for new episode emails, contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit: https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    13 min
  • Becoming a Better Man with Corey Cepeda
    Corey Cepeda's transformation to become a better man didn't happen overnight, but that journey did begin one night in a jail cell long ago.
    That night, on his knees on the coldest concrete floor in an intimate jail cell, he committed to ending his rough lifestyle, a typical example in the pattern of fatherlessness led him there.
    In the darkness of that oubliette, his soul noticed the light - his decision to forge checks meant that he would miss his first daughter's baptism. A kenshō moment where he glimpsed his true nature and like a seed that can't be unplanted, would change him forever.
    He grabbed the Bible, dropped to his knees, and started his process of transformation by surrendering. And asking for forgiveness from a higher power.
    Corey's determination and commitment to changing his life is an inspiring story of personal realization, clear awareness, and what it really takes to climb up a better man.
     
    OUR STORY
    Hey there, welcome to Season 3 of https://www.BellyStory.com/s3e3 (Belly of the Beast Life Stories with David All). 
    This third season of life is a rare collection of stories of men that grew up without a biological father around. It's helping me comprehend my own life story of fatherlessness, and showing folks that it's a pattern worth breaking to be a better man. At some point during this season, I'll share my own belly story, but until then, good men like Corey are standing for all of us to share their story, to inspire us and give us courage to reveal our own true nature.
    That's the purpose of this podcast as I comprehend it today: Wisdom for our Soul -- Courage for your Journey. This is your podcast for extraordinary personal life stories.
    Each story illustrates the nature of personal transformation. A change that forced us down into the dark, gooey stage of life where we found our purpose and climbed up a new person.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION
    Your podcast is a sacred space and judgment free zone. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported.
    A podcast where you can feel safe to listen and know that you're not alone. Transformation is scary, but not a single butterfly has ever attempted to climb back into the cocoon.
    To keep us advertising free and support our mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary personal life stories, chip-in $5 a month at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
     
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your story, sign-up for new episode emails, contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit:
    https://www.bellystory.com (BellyStory.com)
    1 hr
  • Gifted this Moment to Begin with Christian Long
    At first glance, you might wonder why Christian Long, a man with multiple fathers, would be featured in a series on fatherlessness. Good question. It’s true that Christian has a biological father, but he was out of the picture before Christian was three years old and only emerged again when Christian was 25. Christian also had three stepfathers (and three different last names.) Thanks to his wife, he has a father-in-law… So there is no shortage of fathers in his life.
    What’s missing, though, was a dad – a safe, constant male figure in his life.
    The story of Christian’s father-void is still not over. At age 50, he’s still processing how his experience of fatherlessness has affected his temperament, his fears, and his relationships – especially his relationship with his own children.
    As he reflects, a deep, raw honesty emerges. It’s real. It’s is a place of acceptance. And it’s hopeful.
    By the way, here's a link to Christian's poem, "https://thinklab.typepad.com/becketttobe/2009/02/contextberkeley-to-be-countdown-less-than-a-month-to-goimaginingit-starts-like-spring-lambs-wool-caresses-papaim-im.html (Imagining)," that we discuss in the story.
    OUR STORY
    Hey there, welcome to Season 3 of Belly of the Beast Life Stories. I’m David All.
    It’s another season of life here at the podcast. This third season is a very rare collection of stories by men who share the golden thread of growing up with an absent biological father and broke the pattern to be a good man. I’ll be sharing my own Belly story later this season. And let me tell you that a year ago, when we launched this show, I didn’t realize this was my Belly story.
    Wisdom for our Soul -- Courage for your Journey. Extraordinary life stories illustrate the nature of personal transformation. A change that forced us down into the dark, gooey stage of life where we found our purpose and climbed up a new person.
    Our podcast has a purpose — a mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary life stories. Stand with us — Visit BellyStory.com to share your story, listen and subscribe, sign-up for episode updates and chip-in, and enable our mission.
     
    EPISODE SUMMARY
    Part I
    - Christian reflects on having multiple fathers -- stepfathers and a biological father –- yet he had a dad-void.
    - Christian’s childhood memories of his biological father are so few, whatever in-person memories exist happened at or before the age of two.
    - Christian’s first stepfather insisted on adopting him. Years later, Christian realized the adoption was not based on love for him as a child; it was nothing more than a negotiation, a poker move of sorts.
    - Once a year, Christian visited his paternal grandparents, and once while he was there, he spoke with his father on the phone, though at the time, he didn’t know who he was.
    - Anger, often suppressed or masquerading as sarcasm, has been a constant companion of Christian’s.
    - The threat of violence from his stepfather left Christian on edge, scared, and looking for outlets away from home.
    - Christian describes a difficult time in his marriage when he moved out for a couple of months and how the responsibility he felt as a father helped pull him back home.
    Part II
    - Christian shares why he believes his children are what held his marriage together through a rocky time.
    - Christian reflects on the lines of a poem he wrote for his daughter, Berkeley.
    - Christian articulates why feeling love is so difficult.
    - Christian describes the work of healing from being fatherless.
    - Christian describes his online community of men who choose to be honest and vulnerable with one another.
    Part III
    - In some ways, Christina feels like he’s just beginning -- just beginning to discover himself, to feel. It’s never too late to start.
    QUOTABLES
    “The first thing that Christian said to me about his story was that it might not be a good fit for this season, because he still feels the deep wound of fatherlessness.”
    “The idea...
    1 hr 2 min
  • The Quest for Purpose with L.T. Bourne
    As with so many children in the world today, Leonardo Lightbourne (L.T. Bourne) grew up with an absent father. Watching from the window as his father drove away left L.T. feeling confused and heartbroken. As he grew, he became a people-pleaser, trying to win the favor of others so that they wouldn’t abandon him. This led to a lack of boundaries and some bad decisions.
     
    Thankfully, L.T.’s best friend’s father served as a mentor and a positive influence in his life. Without his encouragement and guidance, L.T. is doubtful that he would be where he is today.
     
    Upon completing university, he struggled to find employment...for months. He felt like a failure. During this low point of his life, L.T. began journaling, realized that he was suffering from parental abandonment issues, and he determined to work through them.
     
    From there, his book, https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-Mans-World-conquered/dp/1733116117/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=it%27s+not+a+man%27s+world&qid=1603991902&sr=8-2 ( It’s Not a Man’s World: How I conquered the Sins of My Father), was born.
     
    L.T.’s journey is full of lessons about boundaries, surrender, forgiveness, and empowerment. His story is a message of hope, of embracing your life right where you are, and of taking responsibility for your own narrative, no matter how rocky your start may have been.
     
    → OUR STORY
     
    Hey there, welcome to Season 3 of https://bellystory.com (Belly of the Beast Life Stories). I’m David All.
     
    It’s another season of life here at the podcast. This third season is a very rare collection of stories by men who share the golden thread of growing up with an absent biological father and broke the pattern to be a good man. I’ll be sharing my own Belly story later this season. And let me tell you that a year ago, when we launched this show, I didn’t realize this was my Belly story.
     
    Wisdom for our Soul -- Courage for your Journey. Extraordinary life stories illustrate the nature of personal transformation. A change that forced us down into the dark, gooey stage of life where we found our purpose and climbed up a new person.
     
    Our podcast has a purpose — a mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary life stories. Stand with us — Visit https://bellystory.com (BellyStory.com) to share your story, listen and subscribe, sign-up for episode updates and chip-in, and enable our mission.
     
    → EPISODE SUMMARY
     
    Part I
    - L.T. remembers the day his father left. He was just a child. There was an argument with his grandmother; his mother was crying; and then his father drove away as L.T. watched from the window.
    - He knew his father was only 10 minutes away, yet he never came to visit.
    - L.T. felt like he must have done something wrong. This led to him developing a people-pleasing personality.
    - Watching family sitcoms on TV showed L.T. that he was missing something in his life, that something was lacking in his family structure.
    - Father’s Day was especially difficult. Having to go to church and witness the celebration of happy father-child relationships was like pouring salt in a wound.
    - His own birthday was difficult to celebrate too. He felt like his birth must have been a mistake. Why should he celebrate his parents’ mistake?
    - Thankfully, L.T.’s best friend had an intact family, and his friend’s father became a mentor and father-figure to L.T.. He nurtured and encouraged L.T.. He even let him sit in on some lectures he gave his own son.
    - After university, it would be months before L.T. would land a job. He felt like a failure.
     
    Part II
    - During that time of unemployment, L.T. started journaling. Through his writings, he recognized he had parental rejection issues he needed to work through. The book idea was born.
    - Writing his story helped L.T. drop the people-pleasing. Telling his story “gave me back my power as a man.”
    - Wisdom comes through pain. And telling our...
    1 hr 8 min
  • Beyond: Fatherfullness and Joe Biden
    In this Beyond story, David All brings to life the concept of fatherfullness by telling Joe Biden’s personal story of choosing the role and responsibility of fatherhood over all else, including his own ambitions in his career of public service.
    Wisdom for our Soul, Courage for your Journey. In Belly, we share our extraordinary life stories of personal transformation to illustrate the nature of personal transformation. Beyond helps us go beyond personal stories to comprehend the overall pattern of transformation.
    Stay tuned for Season 3 of Belly where we’re sharing real stories of men growing up with an absent biological father and the impact this has on their life.
    Fatherlessness, the antithesis of fatherfullness, is the golden thread marking a childhood of grief, anger, and missteps, it’s a difficult pattern to break out of. But for David and these other men, we see a transformation from the adult boy to the man. A climb up from being born in the hole is the overall pattern of each of these stories. These are extraordinary stories you need to hear.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION
    Your podcast is a sacred space and judgment free zone. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported.
    A podcast where you can feel safe to listen and know that you're not alone. Transformation is scary, but not a single butterfly has ever attempted to climb back into the cocoon.
    To keep us advertising free and support our mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary personal life stories, chip-in $5 a month at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your story, sign-up for new episode emails, contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit:
    https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    19 min
  • Fatherlessness, Stories of Men
    Welcome to our third season of Belly of the Beast Life Stories. Growing up with an absent biological father has a particular impact on men. In Fatherlessness, I’ll tell you stories of men that share this experience. 
    A golden thread marking a childhood of grief, anger, and missteps; a difficult pattern to break out of. But for these men, a transformation from the adult boy to the man.
    Their climb up from being born in the hole — that’s the overall pattern of each of these stories.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION
    Your podcast is a sacred space and judgment free zone. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported.
    A podcast where you can feel safe to listen and know that you're not alone. Transformation is scary, but not a single butterfly has ever attempted to climb back into the cocoon.
    To keep us advertising free and support our mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary personal life stories, chip-in $5 a month at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your story, sign-up for new episode emails, contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit:
    https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    2 min
  • Show Update: Calibrating Our Story
    This informational bonus episode covers a few key adjustments we're making:
    1. Originally our theme for Season 3 focused on exploring the transformations in personal stories of folks that have faced the criminal justice system. With COVID, it's not safe to take this issue on the way we envision, so we're shifting.
    2. The new theme for Season 3 will be a collection of personal stories by men. We'll explore the grieving and transformation in manhood by men that grew up fatherless.
    3. We are merging 'Beyond the Belly' into this podcast, offering one stronger podcast with two distinct, but related streams of content. We'll re-release Beyond Episodes 1-3 in case you missed them.
    ENABLE OUR MISSION
    Your podcast is a sacred space and judgment free zone. It's free of advertising and outside influence -- 100% listener supported.
    A podcast where you can feel safe to listen and know that you're not alone. Transformation is scary, but not a single butterfly has ever attempted to climb back into the cocoon.
    To keep us advertising free and support our mission to heal, inspire and shape lives with extraordinary personal life stories, chip-in $5 a month at https://www.bellystory.com/support/ (BellyStory.com/support).
    Thank you for listening.
    Warmly,
    David All
    Creator, Storyteller, Producer
    CO-CREATE OUR PODCAST
    To submit your story, sign-up for new episode emails, contact us or support our mission with a donation, visit:
    https://www.bellystory.com/ (BellyStory.com)
    6 min

About Belly of the Beast Life Stories with David All

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to my collection of extraordinary life stories where we dive deep into personal journeys that touch your soul and inspire you to embrace your own story. Each episode takes you on a…