Mending Lives

Join Jane Houng and Vanessa Chan as they close the first season of Mending Lives. In this heartfelt episode, they reflect on powerful moments, connections, and the wisdom shared by guests. Delve into stories of resilience, spirituality, and healing as Jane opens up about her journey and the lessons learned from 24 interviews. This episode wraps up the year with inspiring insights and hope for the future.

"Don't turn away. Keep your gaze on the damaged places. That's where the light enters you." – Rumi
"There is a crack in everything. That's where the light gets in." – Leonard Cohen

Jane Houng:

• LinkedIn
• Becky’s Button Initiative
• Instagram
• Mending Lives Podcast
• Rebecca Dykes Writers
• Personal Website

Vanessa Chan:

• Finding Ananda Website
• Finding Ananda Linktree
• Finding Ananda Instagram
• Singapore Meditative Walk Meetup Group
• Hong Kong Finding Ananda Yoga and Meditation Meetup Group

Join Jane Houng in a compelling conversation with Marija Todorova about her multifaceted career. From interpreting in refugee camps to empowering asylum seekers in Hong Kong, discover how Marija’s work amplifies the voices of those often unheard and fosters a deeper understanding of cultural and linguistic barriers.

Website: https://www.marijatodorova.com
Twitter: https://x.com/MarijaTodorova
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marija_todorova_
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marija-todorova-04488522

In this riveting episode of Mending Lives, Jane Houng shares the remarkable journey of Mansour Saliba, a young Lebanese scholar whose dedication to social change breathes new hope into challenging circumstances. Together, they illuminate the power of collaboration and the drive to uplift communities, especially amidst Lebanon’s current crisis.

Mansour’s wisdom and actions resonate deeply, inspiring listeners to embrace opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the world. For those moved by his message, we invite you to support the resilience of Lebanon’s communities. Below are links to trusted organizations working directly to provide relief and essential support:

• Lebanese Red Cross – Offering critical humanitarian assistance on the ground.
• Beit El Baraka – Providing dignity and essential support to Lebanese families.
• OffreJoie – A non-profit organization dedicated to unity and volunteer service across Lebanon.
• Lebanese Food Bank – Fighting hunger by providing food assistance to families in need.
• FoodBlessed – Supporting those in food insecurity with compassion and community spirit.
• BETA Lebanon – Caring for animals and fostering responsible pet ownership throughout Lebanon.
• Ahla Fawda - Relief mission

Thank you for listening, and thank you for standing with Lebanon.

In this heartfelt episode, host Jane Houng sits down with Samira El Hussein, an inspiring English teacher and translator from Tripoli, Lebanon. They discuss Samira's decade-long journey teaching English, her role in translating Jane's memoir, and their collaborative work on Becky's Button. Jane shares this initiative's history, and her plans to work with university students to make this world safer for them. Tune in to hear about the impact of gender-based violence projects and the resilience and spirit of Lebanese women.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samira-hussein-b42688167/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/englishwsamira/profilecard/?igsh=eDkyNzNjd2J5aDhu 

In this episode of 'Mending Lives,' Jane Houng interviews Mike Lindup, a founder of the jazz-funk band Level 42. This episode moves from their shared history at a specialist music school to an exploration of music's transcendental power to 'express the inexpressible'. With thoughtful insights into the process of songwriting plus amusing anecdotes, this conversation resonates with the universal need for creativity, connection and camaraderie.

Website: http://www.mikelindup.com
Twitter: https://x.com/MikeLindup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.lindup.music   
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikelindup/ 

If you want to know something about these two charities that Jane Houng established in her deceased daughter's name, this episode is a must! Every journey starts with a single step, often alone, but Jane was fortunate to meet Stavros Mirogiannis midway in her six-year trek. As a director of Becky's Bathhouse in Greece, Stavros shared Jane's vision for Becky's Button making noises globally. Here you can learn what it is, how it works, how it averted a gang rape during a pilot project that Stavros managed. Jane then explains the rationale for Becky's Button's focus on raising awareness about physical and online sexual harassment to university students. This discussion is enriched by personal anecdotes and real-life stories of women who have suffered violence.

In this thought-provoking episode, Jane Houng speaks with Vassilis Manoussakis, a remarkable educator and poet who challenges the stereotypes surrounding prisoners. Through his innovative creative writing programs, Vassilis empowers Greek inmates to explore their pasts, reframe memories, find their voices, and embrace a new narrative. Discover the impact of narrative therapy on mending lives and the inspiring stories of those who have found hope and freedom from behind bars.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vasilis-manousakis-22a9a371

Newyorkwritersworkshop: https://newyorkwritersworkshop.weebly.com/faculty.html#VasilisManousakis

Mort Subite: https://liveencounters.net/2023-le-pw/05-may-le-pw-2023/vasilis-manousakis-morte-subite/

In this fascinating episode of Mending Lives, host Jane Houng converses with Yuyutsu Sharma, a revered poet and translator based in Nepal. From accompanying his father on spiritual pilgrimages to dedicating his life capturing the essence of the Himalayas in verse, Yuyutsu shares his life’s journey and the solace he found in nature's grandeur after the death of his mother. Their discussion is an enriching contemplation on grief, grace, and the eternal connection between nature and art. So tune in for an inspiring tale of loss, discovery, and the poetic quest for meaning amid life's peaks and valleys.

Website URL | https://www.yuyutsusharma.com/
Twitter URL | https://x.com/SharmaYuyutsu
Instagram URL | https://www.instagram.com/yuyutsusharma/
Linkedin URL | https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuyutsu-sharma-74449b12/
White Lotus Book Shop | https://hlfnepal.whitelotusbookshop.com/

Join Jane Houng for an engrossing dialogue with Ravi Shankar, the American poet whose life encapsulates the essence of resilience. Ravi takes us through his challenging cultural transitions between the U.S. and India, his pernicious experiences of incarceration and the press, and his subsequent mission to reform the criminal justice system through memoir writing and teaching. This episode, recorded in peaceful Nepal, unravels Ravi’s journey from a bicultural childhood to becoming a voice for those often unheard, offering listeners a profound reflection on identity, trauma, and the redemptive power of writing.

Website: https://www.poetravishankar.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/empurpler 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empurpler/ 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravishankarpoet/ 

Memoir: https://uwpress.wisc.edu/books/5924.htm 

TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAclRHL_nYY 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ4OsMSBPFE&t=1669s 

Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/ravi-shankar 

How can you maintain your humanity in these challenging times? How can Tarot help you discover your better self? How can you turn pain into something graceful? Join Jane Houng as she chats with Tony Barnstone, a prolific poet, writer, teacher and translator. They share their perspectives on how to turn suffering into wisdom and how generosity can mend lives. This episode features a live Tarot reading that provides practical wisdom on navigating life's mysteries with creativity and fun, emphasizing the restorative power of art and spirituality.

 Website: https://www.whittier.edu/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/tokyosburning?lang=en  

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/tbarnstone/   

LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-barnstone-b52892285/ https://poets.org/poet/tony-barnstone  

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Tony-%20Barnstone/author/B000APLO9Q?    

https://www.amazon.com/Apocryphal-Poems-Tony-Barnstone/dp/8196360142/  

https://www.amazon.com/Radiant-Tarot-Creativity-Full-Color-Keepsake/dp/1578637503