Child: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead only try to realize the truth.Neo: What truth?Child: There is no spoon.Neo: There is no spoon?Child: Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.—The Matrix

This episode marks the end of Season 1 of the Stories Cafe Podcast. We will be taking a break through August but will return in September with the new elevated Season 2. I will tell you more very soon.

In this episode we reflect on the powerful philosophical idea behind the iconic scene in The Matrix where a child tells Neo that he can only bend the spoon if he realizes that “There is no spoon;” and how this idea connects to the basic spiritual notion that outer reality may be a reflection of inner reality.

Through stories, psychology, philosophy, and spiritual thought, we explore how our challenges may be seen as serving a purpose in our personal Hero’s Journey through life.

Resources Mentioned:

* The Matrix (Lana and Lilly Wachowski, 1999)

* The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, 1980)

* Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Steven Spielberg, 1989)

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

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Stay tuned for Season 2 of the Stories Cafe podcast in September.

Make sure to upgrade to the paid version of Stories Cafe, if you want full access to all essays and podcast episodes, and before the introductory price expires:

May you always do for others And let others do for you—Bob Dylan: “Forever Young”

In this episode, Annette explores how the choices we make—both everyday choices and bigger existential choices—are determined by the stories we tell ourselves and the philosophies we live by.

Inspired by Thoreau’s Walden and Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken, this episode blends literature, lifestyle philosophy, and cinematic moments to guide us through some of life’s most meaningful questions.

This episode is an invitation for you to pause, reflect, and consider the stories that have shaped your values—and how you might begin writing the next chapter of your life with more intention.

Resources Mentioned:

* Walden by Henry David Thoreau - get the free e-book here

* The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - read the poem here

* The concept of Authenticity in Existentialist philosophy

* To get in-depth classes on these topics, consider upgrading to the Virtual Cafe Exclusive tier

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

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Stay tuned for the next episode where we will continue our exploration of stories that can transform and deepen our lives.

Stories Cafe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this soulful and sensuous episode, Annette invites you to the heart of the French Riviera—where beauty doesn’t have to be expensive, and where simplicity can feel like luxury.

Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1924 article How to Live on Practically Nothing, Annette reflects on how a life lived slowly—filled with good produce, healthy cooking, salty air, and the pastel glow of the twilight—can be intensely healing.

You’ll get:

* How to find richness in small things: a perfect sandwich, a museum overlooking the sea, or the shifting pastels of a Mediterranean sunset

* A personal story of heartbreak and quiet repair, told through memory, observation, and the beginnings of a still-unpublished manuscript, partly truth and partly fiction

* A rare, exclusive excerpt from this unpublished manuscript, tentatively entitled The Pilgrim

When your eyes first fall upon the Mediterranean you know at once why it was here that man first stood erect and stretched out his arms toward the sun. It is a blue sea; or rather it is too blue for that hackneyed phrase which has described every muddy pool from pole to pole. It is the fairy blue of Maxfield Parrish’s pictures; blue like blue books, blue oil, blue eyes, and in the shadow of the mountains a green belt of land runs along the coast for a hundred miles and makes a playground for the world.—F. Scott Fitzgerald: How to Live on Practically Nothing a Year

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode where we will continue our exploration of stories that can transform and deepen our lives.

In this episode, Annette reflects on what it really means to live a deliberate life—and how that concept plays out in both everyday decisions and larger lifestyle choices. Speaking about her upcoming work trip to Nice, she shares how intentional living isn’t about freedom to do anything that comes to your mind, but freedom to truly choose what you want your life to be. She muses on the unique magic of Nice—and why she returns year after year—and the exploration of Nice will be going through all content in Stories Cafe in June, so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out.

☕️ In this episode:

* The deeper meaning of “freedom” (with a nod to Kris Kristofferson)

* The costs and joys of deliberate life choices

* Why Nice has been her sanctuary for over 20 years

* Choosing one focus instead of juggling a million

* Stories we tell ourselves—and live by

Mentions & Resources:

* Annettes’s Guide to Nice (coming soon!)

* Annette’s Revitalize Workshop

* Annette’s Bonus Summer Solstice Event – upgrade here to get it for free.

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode where we will continue our exploration of stories that can transform and deepen our lives.

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the masculine archetypal principle and how it can guide us through healing, courage, and transformation.

I examine the responses you gave me to the prompt in the previous episode: What are the three words you associate with the masculine principle?

Drawing from myth, cinema, and literature, we consider how masculine archetypes like the warrior, the protector, and the provider can offer strength in challenging times.

You can listen to all the Episodes in the Series here

Resources Mentioned:

* Gangs of New York (Martin Scorsese, 2002)

* Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977)

* The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (J.R.R. Tolkien, 1955)

* “Come Healing” (Leonard Cohen, 2012) – Listen here or watch on YouTube here.

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode where we will continue our exploration of stories that can transform and deepen our lives.

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the masculine archetypal principle—not in terms of gender, but as one of the primary archetypal forces present in all of us. This is not a discussion about gender identity, but about engaging with deeper symbolic structures that shape our inner world and outward life.

You'll be invited to reflect on your personal associations with the masculine principle and consider how it shows up in stories, films, and in your own life. The summer haft of the year —the "yang" half—is the season of outward movement, action, and expression; the perfect time to undertake this journey.

You can listen to all the Episodes in the Series here

💬 Prompt:What are the three words you associate with the masculine principle?We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions—share them in the comments!

Resources Mentioned:

* Carl G. Jung – Man and His Symbols (1964)

* Bruno Bettelheim – The Uses of Enchantment (1976)

* Songs by:

* Bruce Springsteen

* Leonard Cohen

* Tom Waits

* Bob Dylan

* Archetypes in:

* Tarot

* Cinema

* Literature

* Mythology

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode where we will continue our exploration of the masculine and the feminine archetypes and principles.

💬 Prompt:What are the three words you associate with the masculine principle?We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions—share them in the comments!

This month in the Stories Cafe Podcast, we will be exploring masculine archetypes as deep inner figures that can help us heal, energize, and live in tune with the seasons of both the year and our own lives.

Annette introduces the concept of seasonal living (not about vegetables!) and explains why spring and summer are the “yang season” (outward, active, masculine in energy), making this the ideal time to work with the archetypes of the Animus. We touch on Jungian psychology, ancient myth, song lyrics, and the universal story of the hostile brothers.

You can listen to all the Episodes in the Series here

Resources Mentioned

* Highway Patrolman (Bruce Springsteen, from the album Nebraska, 1982)

* Man and His Symbols (Carl G. Jung et al, 1964)

* Annette’s FREE Summer Solstice Masterclass for Stories Cafe subscribers (more info to come—be sure to subscribe so that you will be notified)

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes where we will dive deeper into the healing power of the masculine archetypes.

This is the final episode in our Paris series. To get the full benefit, you can go back and listen to the previous episodes.

In this episode, we visit the evocative Place Furstemberg on the 6th arrondisement of Paris—a setting rich with symbolic resonance and proximity to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area that we talked about in previous episode.

We explore why Martin Scorsese chose this quiet, almost hidden square for the final scene of his adaptation of The Age of Innocence and how it perfectly reflects the Countess Olenska.

Resources Mentioned

* The Age of Innocence (the film by Martin Scorsese, 1993)

* The Age of Innocence (the novel by Edith Wharton, 1920)

* Midnight in Paris (Woody Allen, 2011)

Places

* Place Furstemberg, Paris

* Saint-Germain-des-Prés (listen to this episode for more)

* Brasserie Lipp (listen to this episode for more)

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

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Stay tuned for upcoming episodes and essays about what Newland Archer’s final decision reveals.

I would stand and look out over the roofs of Paris and think, ‘Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write now. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.’ So finally I would write one true sentence, and then go on from there. It was easy then because there was always one true sentence that I knew or had seen or had heard someone say.–Ernest Heminway: A Moveable Feast

This episode takes you on a wander through the Rue Mouffetard area of Paris in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway. It is guided by A Moveable Feast and Annette’s own longtime love for the city, the book, and the art of writing deliberately.

Far from the macho stereotypes, this is a tender exploration of Hemingway’s early years in Paris — of poverty, love, loss, and the quiet moments that shaped him as a writer. Annette shares favorite passages from the book and real-life stops to trace the writer’s footsteps.

Whether you're dreaming of Paris or looking for life lessons or some creative inspiration, this is an evocative journey through time, rooftops, cafés, and stories.

If you’d like to explore further, keep an eye out for the next essay post in Stories Cafe — arriving Saturday, April 26, 2025. This essay will guide you along the exact walking route of this episode, with maps, street names, metro stops, and Annette’s own photos to bring it all to life. If you sign up, it will land directly in your inbox as soon as it is published.

📍 Places & Resources Mentioned

📚 Book:

* A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

🗺 Hemingway's Paris (1921–1926):

* Rue du Cardinal Lemoine (Home Address)

* 74 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris

🟡 Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10)

* Place de la Contrescarpe (Local Square)

* Place de la Contrescarpe, 75005 Paris

* A few steps from Rue du Cardinal Lemoine

🟡 Metro: Place Monge (Line 7)

* Rue Mouffetard (Beloved Market Street)

* The historic, bustling food market street mentioned in Hemingway’s book

* Runs from Place Saint-Médard north toward Place de la Contrescarpe then changes into Rue Descartes

🟡 Metro (southern end): Censier-Daubenton (Line 7)

* 39 Rue Descartes (Hemingway’s Writing Room)

* Location of his rented writing studio

* This is where the French poet Paul Verlaine died, and the street is the continuation to the north of Rue Mouffetard

🟡 Metro: Cardinal Lemoine (Line 10)

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode, airing on Wednesday April 30, 2025.

In this episode, we travel to the Left Bank of Paris—to the atmospheric, history-rich streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

Join me as we explore the origins and symbolism of this iconic quartier from its early days as a religious center in the 6th century to its transformation into a bohemian hub for writers, artists, and philosophers. This episode uncovers how Saint-Germain-des-Prés shaped—and was shaped by—centuries of cultural rebellion and intellectual pursuit.

Be sure to check out all my other Paris Stories this month by clicking here.

Resources Mentioned

Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th arrondissement) 📍 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris, FranceNearest Metro Stop: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4)

🕍 Abbaye de Saint-Germain-des-Prés📍 3 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris, France

☕ Café de Flore📍 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France

☕ Les Deux Magots📍 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés, 75006 Paris, France

Show Links:

If you're eager to dive deeper into the world of stories and ideas, visit us at stories-cafe.com You can explore free content or opt for a paid membership to unlock in-depth discussions, full access to our archives, and a vibrant community of fellow story enthusiasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Share it with friends who love stories, and join us for our next espresso break.

Next Episode Preview

Stay tuned for the next episode and more Paris Stories and and Adventures.