What do you do when life suddenly changes direction?

In this episode I'm joined by author and former production editor David Hermakowski. David talks about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose after unexpected challenges. Following a major health scare and brain surgery, David faced questions about identity, recovery, and what comes next.

We explore major life changes as a new beginning, the importance of mindset and meaning, the power of creativity, and why life's greatest setbacks can become opportunities for growth.

A thoughtful conversation about courage, purpose, and writing the next chapter when life doesn't follow the script.

Link to book: https://www.amazon.com//dp/B0GFP8FZTT   

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What happens when the life you've built no longer fits?

In this episode we hear from author, journalist, and book coach Carolyn Flynn to discuss her memoir Boundless and the unexpected opportunities that can emerge during life's biggest transitions.

As a single mother preparing to send her twins off to college while facing uncertainty in her journalism career, Carolyn found herself confronting a question many people face but few discuss: Who are you when your core identities begin to change?

Carolyn discusses the difference between memoir and autobiography, the power of storytelling, and why personal reinvention isn't just for the young. Carolyn shares insights on emotional agility, resilience, creativity, and what she calls "the second adulthood"—a stage of life where experience, wisdom, and freedom can combine to create entirely new possibilities.

Whether you're interested in writing, navigating change, or simply curious about what comes next in life, this conversation offers thoughtful perspectives on transformation, purpose, and the courage to begin again.

In this episode:

• Why Carolyn wrote Boundless
• The difference between a memoir and an autobiography
• How journaling can help us understand our lives
• The role of storytelling in personal growth
• Emotional agility and navigating uncertainty
• Why reinvention becomes possible at any age
• The concept of a "second adulthood"
• Lessons from journalism, writing, and creativity
• Advice for aspiring memoir writers

About Carolyn Flynn

Carolyn Flynn is an author, journalist, and book coach. Her memoir Boundless explores identity, change, and the possibilities that emerge when life takes an unexpected turn. She works with writers around the world, helping them turn their stories into compelling books.

Links:

https://www.carolynflynn.com/

https://www.instagram.com/carolyn_flynn/

Book - Boundless 

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#Memoir #Writing #PersonalGrowth #Reinvention #LifeTransitions #Storytelling #AuthorInterview #Boundless #CarolynFlynn #UndercurrentStories

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Animal welfare expert Laura Foster joins host Bob Wells to reveal the hidden realities behind dog rescue, rehoming and responsible pet ownership in the UK.

If you've ever adopted a rescue dog, worried about your pet's behaviour, or wondered what really goes on inside animal welfare organisations like Dogs Trust and the RSPCA this episode is for you.

Laura Foster is a senior animal welfare professional and behaviour specialist at Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog rehoming charity. With a Master's degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and a background spanning management consultancy, the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, and 22 Dogs Trust rehoming centres across the UK, Laura brings rare insight into what modern animal welfare actually looks like, behind the heartwarming headlines. 

In this episode we cover:

• The post-COVID dog behaviour crisis and why thousands of UK dogs are being surrendered right now
• What animal cruelty really looks like — and why most owners don't recognise it
• The truth about breed-specific legislation and the XL Bully ban
• Why farm animal welfare is the biggest — and most ignored — issue in the sector
• How to get involved in animal welfare as a volunteer, foster carer or career professional
• The Dogs Trust behaviour services that could save your dog from being rehomed

Whether you're a dog owner, animal lover, aspiring vet or welfare professional, this is a conversation that will change the way you think about the animals in our lives.

Links:

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie/

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In this episode we meet pioneering wolf biologist and author Diane Boyd who talks  about her extraordinary four decades studying wolves in the remote wilderness of Montana near Glacier National Park.

In the 1970s she was the only female biologist in the United States researching and radio-collaring wild wolves. With her two dogs for company she faced the rigours of the Montana winter in an isolated cabin without running water or electricity.

In our conversation we  discuss what wolves are really like, how wolf packs function, the myths and fears surrounding these animals, and the dramatic return of wolves to the American West. Diane also shares stories of tracking wolves through deep snow, living off-grid in bear country, and the challenges of balancing conservation with human conflict.

The conversation is based around Diane’s memoir, A Woman Among Wolves — a fascinating account of life spent among one of nature’s most misunderstood predators.

Resources:

https://www.dianekboyd.com/

Book: A Woman Among Wolves 

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We’re back in Stamford with historian Bill Cunningham, uncovering the town’s hidden past.

From Burghley House to the famous George Hotel. Expect wild stories of bull runs, political corruption, and unforgettable local characters in one of England’s most beautiful towns. 

Question or comment? Send us a text message.

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Most of us like to think our decisions are grounded in facts. Whether it’s in medicine, business, or everyday life, we assume the “best” option rises to the top through clear evidence.

But for most of history — and even today — that hasn’t really been the case.

In this episode, I talk with science journalist Helen Pearson, author of Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works, about the surprisingly recent rise of evidence-based thinking, why it transformed fields like medicine, and why it still struggles to take hold in others.

We discuss how doctors once relied more on authority than data, why a single study can be misleading, and how systematic reviews became the gold standard for figuring out what actually works. Helen also explains how these ideas have spread into social policy and business — with mixed success — and why human nature often resists evidence, even when it’s right in front of us.

Along the way, we get into how to spot bad claims, why misinformation spreads so easily today, and how you can become a sharper, more evidence-minded thinker in your own life.

Show Highlights

• Why evidence-based medicine is a surprisingly recent development
• The two pioneers who helped change how doctors make decisions
• What was wrong with the old “eminence-based” approach
• Why one study rarely tells you the truth
• What a systematic review is and why it matters
• How the Cochrane Collaboration helps doctors cut through information overload
• The challenge of dealing with millions of new studies every year
• What COVID revealed about our evidence systems under pressure
• How evidence-based thinking moved into social policy and reduced poverty
• Why most policies and programs still aren’t properly tested
• The problem with “HIPPOs” (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion) in business
• Why management is especially vulnerable to fads and trends
• How AI is both helping and complicating scientific research
• Why evidence alone isn’t enough to make decisions
• How to teach kids (and yourself) to spot bad claims
• Simple “evidence hacks” you can use in everyday life

Resources Related to the Podcast

• Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works by Helen Pearson
• The Cochrane Collaboration
• Helen Pearson

If you’re looking to make better decisions — in your work, your health, or your everyday life — this episode will give you a clearer lens for separating what works from what just sounds good.

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In this re-released episode of Undercurrent Stories, we revisit our powerful conversation with Rita Gigante — author, healer, psychic, and daughter of the infamous mafia boss Vincent “The Chin” Gigante.

Rita shares her extraordinary journey growing up in the shadow of one of New York’s most feared crime families, the trauma and secrets she carried from childhood, and how those experiences led her toward a life of healing, spirituality, and personal transformation.

This is a remarkable story of resilience, redemption, and finding light in the darkest places.

Originally released as one of our earlier episodes, this conversation remains as compelling and thought-provoking today as ever.

https://www.ritagigante.net/

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Imagine sitting down at a gig in Stockholm, striking up a conversation with the person next to you, and realising you’re talking to a man who didn't just witness music history—he helped package and sell it. From the tactile era of vinyl to the invisible world of streaming, he’s seen it all.

Today’s episode is a special one. It’s the result of a chance meeting at a Quint Starkie gig with a man named Sven Ake Peterson. Sven spent his entire career as a music executive for EMI in Sweden.

We’re talking about a career spent in the company of icons—David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner—but more than that, we’re talking about the soul of the industry. We dive into the transition from physical records to the digital age, what it actually takes to 'make it,' and where the music world is heading next.

 Beyond the industry talk, this conversation is a testament to why you should always talk to strangers. You truly never know what you might learn or whose hand you’re shaking. Here is my conversation with the incredibly warm and insightful, Sven Ake Peterson.

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🔥 Episode Summary

World War II is often told through a European lens—but across Asia, a parallel history unfolded that claimed tens of millions of lives.

In this episode, Jenny Chan shares how her grandmother’s story led her to uncover overlooked WWII atrocities, digitise over a million archival documents, and preserve survivor accounts before they disappear. We explore why this history remains largely untold—and why that matters today.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

•  Why WWII in Asia is often overlooked 
•  What Unit 731 was 
•  How politics shaped historical memory 
•  Why preserving survivor stories matters 
•  How history can repeat itself

💬 Quote

🔗 Resources

•  Pacific Atrocities Education https://www.pacificatrocities.org/
•  Jenny Chan’s books

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What is the paranormal—really?

Author and speaker Neil Nixon joins the show to explore ghosts, UFOs, and the limits of human understanding. From eerie encounters to cutting-edge theories about consciousness, this episode challenges what we think we know about reality.

💬 Memorable Quote

📚 About Neil Nixon

Neil Nixon is a writer, speaker, and former academic with a lifelong interest in the paranormal. He has written extensively on unexplained phenomena and regularly gives talks exploring the intersection of science, belief, and mystery.

🌐 Find Out More

• Neil’s website: https://neilnixon.com/
• Speaking & bookings: Search Neil Nixon Speaking

⭐ Enjoyed This Episode?

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• Follow the podcast
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
• Share with someone who loves a good mystery 👻
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🎧 Final Thought

The paranormal may not just be about what’s “out there”…
 It might be about how little we truly understand ourselves.

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