What happens when we lose our seemingly magical abilities and must journey through the ordinary world to find extraordinary wisdom? This mesmerizing story follows a man who once walked on water but finds himself sinking to the depths where a sea spirit delivers his first lesson—that what he seeks lies within.

From that moment, everything changes. Unable to walk on water anymore, he must travel by land, encountering profound teachers in unexpected forms. A tree spirit speaks of love that honors one's true nature. A beautiful flower, picked thoughtlessly, teaches him about consequences and impermanence. The ocean waves whisper that crossing shores is impossible until he discovers what he seeks within himself.

The narrative reaches its emotional peak when the flower transforms into a woman who cycles through maiden, mother, and crone before his eyes. She offers herself as love transformed—but only if he can overcome his past and make a difficult choice. When he awakens back at his starting point, the sea spirit affirms his choice to return to his core self, gifting him with profound wisdom: "The power is not in taking what you want but in receiving."

Throughout this journey of transformation, we witness the universal struggle between desire and acceptance, between grasping and letting go. As listeners, we're invited to consider our own quests—what are we seeking outside ourselves that has always been within? And like the woman waiting across the lake, what opportunities for connection might we miss if fear holds us back or if we arrive too late?

Listen with an open heart and discover how this enchanting tale might illuminate your own path to finding what truly matters.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

When doctors dismiss your symptoms for seven years despite you knowing something is deeply wrong with your body, what do you do? For Risa, that medical journey led to a life-altering diagnosis of acromegaly – a rare condition caused by a pituitary tumor she affectionately named "Bubba." 

The moment an endocrinologist finally validated her experience with four simple words – "you are not crazy" – marked the beginning of a profound transformation. Rather than allowing her diagnosis to define her limitations, Risa embarked on an extraordinary path of self-discovery, eventually cycling the Pacific Coast for six weeks just two years after completing radiation treatment.

Throughout our conversation, Risa reveals the contrasting aspects of her healing journey – from the woman in purple hoodie who could barely climb a hill to the defiant Wonder Woman who sewed her own costume for radiation treatments. These personas represent the universal struggle between surrender and perseverance that many face during profound adversity.

What truly shines through is how Risa channeled her experience into purpose, becoming an advocate who speaks at medical conferences to improve, and cultivate better knowledge doctor-patient relationships. Rather than harboring resentment toward the medical establishment that initially dismissed her, she chose collaboration to create meaningful change. 

Risa's upcoming TED Talk on "how a single word can rebuild your life" further demonstrates her belief in the transformative power of language.

Perhaps most inspiring is Risa's evolved definition of adventure – finding that connection and community through simple things, and trying new things is where her heart is. Her journey reminds us that transformation doesn't happen overnight but emerges through daily choices and moments of breakthrough.

Ask yourself: What's holding you back? Is it your own limiting beliefs? What's one small step could you take today toward unleashing your authentic self?

Author of "The Road Unpaved - Border to Border with a Brain Tumor and a Bike" 

CLICK HERE - FOR AUTHOR PAGE AND PURCHASING OPTIONS!

5-Star Readers' Favorite, Independent Press Award Winner, International Impact Book Awards Winner, Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner, Regal Summit Book Award Winner, IAA William Shakespeare Finalist!

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

A little taste of Mama Earther finds a young woman she calls "Cockroach No-Breath" near death in a cave and dedicates herself to bringing her back to life. Over two years, through patient nurturing and unconditional love, she helps the traumatised woman—renamed "Sunshine"—recover physically, emotionally and spiritually until nature itself intervenes to restore her will to live. 

"Emergence" takes us on a haunting journey of a young woman who has retreated from life itself.

The story unfolds in three distinct movements. First, we witness the discovery of "Cockroach No-Breath"—a once vibrant young woman now reduced to a skeletal, barely-breathing form after suffering devastating abuse. Guided by intuition and disturbing dreams, Mama Earther finds her just in time, cradling her back to physical existence through patient, loving care.

The second movement chronicles the painstaking rehabilitation process spanning more than two years. We observe the glacial pace of healing as the renamed "Sunshine" progresses from complete helplessness to tentative independence. Most poignant is her journey back to language—from muteness to whispers, to single words, and finally to storytelling. Mama Earther's methods blend practical care with spiritual nourishment, always gently guiding Sunshine toward self-responsibility rather than dependence.

The final movement reveals Sunshine's origin story through her own voice. She is a naturally questioning spirit who sought love but found abuse that confirmed her deepest fears of unworthiness. The transformative moment arrives through a mystical encounter with a seemingly dead tree that suddenly bursts with radiant light, speaking directly to her soul: "You are exquisitely made and of value, and life is a precious gift." This profound reconnection with life's essential energy marks the true beginning of her emergence.

Have you ever witnessed the slow rebirth of something you thought was lost forever? This story reminds us that healing from profound trauma requires both loving human connection and moments of transcendent awakening. Listen now and rediscover what it means to truly emerge from darkness into light.

Subscribe for the full story. This story is also available in the anthology Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers Edition III.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

A taste of Rachel Faith's powerful story "A Good Egg" takes us on a journey that shatters expectations and reveals the transformative potential of conscious awareness. This story leaves you asking, what happens when gratitude meets mindfulness in a relationship teetering on destruction? 

We meet Sasha, trapped in a cycle of abuse with her partner Alex. The tension is palpable from the first moment—a kicked cleaning bucket, harsh words, and the weight of ongoing mistreatment evident in Sasha's apologetic response. When she spots a small wooden temple offering meditation classes, something shifts. Despite her fear and uncertainty, Sasha begins attending weekly meditation sessions in secret, telling Alex she's working extra shifts.

The narrative beautifully captures the awkward beginnings of a meditation practice. Sasha's wandering thoughts, her uncertainty about whether she's "doing it right," and her gradual discovery of the space between breaths feel authentic and relatable. As weeks pass, the practice begins changing her—physically through her walks to class, but more importantly, internally through the affirmation "I am loving, I am kind, I accept without judgment."

When Sasha starts applying genuine gratitude to her interactions with Alex, something remarkable happens. The relationship begins transforming as both partners learn to express appreciation for each other. But just when you think you understand where this story is heading, a Christmas morning revelation changes everything. The final twist challenges our assumptions about domestic abuse, delivering a profound reminder that transformation is possible even in the most unexpected circumstances.

Have you experienced how mindfulness can change your relationships? Share your story and join us for more thought-provoking narratives that explore the human condition through the power of storytelling.

This story is also available on the Edition 1 of Voice Within: a storybook by storytellers.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

A taste from the first breath of life, a pattern was established - a newborn girl met with maternal indifference, a mother overwhelmed by her own psychological demons. Through haunting poetic verse, this deeply personal narrative traces the shadow that childhood trauma casts across decades, threatening to engulf the next generation in its darkness.

When the narrator becomes a mother herself, she faces her most terrifying reflection - seeing her own brown-eyed daughter suffering under the weight of inherited emotional patterns. "Depression grew worse from the story repeating resentment, the curse." It's at this breaking point that transformation becomes possible.

The turning point arrives through meditation - a practice embraced with desperate hope and surprising efficacy. What follows is a profound journey of healing that extends beyond mere self-help into radical acceptance. The narrator develops compassion not only for her child but remarkably for her own mother: "Lost in despair, caught in the web, stuck unaware." This perspective shift opens the door to genuine liberation from generational wounds.

Most powerfully, this story reminds us that breaking cycles of trauma requires both conscious awareness and decisive action. While acknowledging that perfect healing doesn't mean flawless living ("I swerve now and then"), the narrator demonstrates how acknowledging our wounds without being defined by them creates the possibility of a different future: "I know where I'm headed. Won't repeat again." For anyone wrestling with family patterns that seem inescapable, this testimony offers both hope and a roadmap toward healing. 

This episode is also available in the Voice Within: a Storybook by Storytellers Edition I.

Here is the link to an interview with Rachel Faith, conducted in 2022.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

Have you ever experienced that magical moment when something you've wished for materialises before your eyes? 

A little taste of Johnny Lee's enchanting story "Firefly in my Garden" captures exactly this phenomenon through a tale that begins in a backyard sanctuary and culminates in a profound lesson about self-acceptance. 

Johnny, both an author featured in Voice Within's first edition and a talented digital animation artist, takes us on a journey alongside a protagonist who finds himself questioning his life choices as spring approaches. During a moment of peaceful reflection under the stars, he recalls childhood memories of chasing fireflies in America – something he hasn't experienced since moving to Australia. What happens next defies explanation: immediately after wishing to see a firefly, one appears in his garden.

This luminous visitor becomes more than just an insect; it transforms into a powerful metaphor for embracing authenticity. As the protagonist catches the firefly and witnesses its gentle glow, he experiences an epiphany that challenges our modern preoccupation with self-improvement. Perhaps, he realises, not everything about ourselves needs changing. The firefly – naturally emitting light without modification – becomes the perfect symbol for embracing one's true nature.

The story's beautiful conclusion reminds us that in a world constantly pushing us toward reinvention, sometimes the most powerful transformation comes from recognising and celebrating who we already are. "Keep your light lit and don't let it fade," the protagonist tells the firefly as he releases it – words that resonate with anyone seeking permission to shine authentically. Listen now and rediscover the magic that happens when we allow ourselves to glow exactly as we are

This piece is available in Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers Edition 1. Get it today!

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

Have a taste of this mesmerizing narrative, Chris-James (CJ) Melchizedek channels the voice of an ancient tree spirit delivering a profound love letter to humanity.  What if trees could speak? What ancient wisdom might they share about our forgotten connection to them? 

The tree spirit takes us back hundreds of thousands of years to when the first humans encountered trees as "towering streaks of light." With beautiful, lyrical language, we witness the birth of a remarkable symbiosis between our mobile, curious species and the rooted, wise beings of the forest. The narrative reveals how early humans would make ritual offerings at the base of trees, receiving wisdom and protection in return. Together, these "cosmic lovers" formed a partnership greater than the sum of its parts—humans helping trees affect their environment while trees anchored humans in the web of life.

But this tale is also one of loss. The tree spirit identifies the advent of agriculture as the beginning of our separation from nature. As humans cleared forests to build settlements, they gradually forgot their sacred bond with trees. With each tree felled for human progress, we lost an essential part of ourselves without realizing it. Yet despite this millennia-long estrangement, the message ends with hope: "It is not too late. I say to you humans, recall who we are to each other, remember, remember."

This haunting perspective challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world. What might happen if we remembered our ancient connection to trees? How might such remembering transform our approach to the environmental challenges we face today? Listen to this remarkable story and rediscover a forgotten way of being that could hold the key to our shared future.

This piece is available in Voice Within: a Storybook by Storytellers Edition II.

Subscribe today! For only two coffees a month you can have stories like this and more from authors who share their pieces with you.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

Have you ever noticed something strange from the corner of your eye that vanishes when you try to look at it directly? Most of us dismiss these fleeting glimpses as tricks of light or optical illusions. But what if they're something more?

John Shuttleworth's captivating short story "Furies" invites us into a world where those peripheral flickers might actually be living creatures with remarkable adaptations for avoiding human detection. Narrated by Shuttleworth himself, this tale begins with a seemingly ordinary observation—mysterious movements appearing more visible against a new cream-coloured carpet. From this simple premise unfolds a delightful adventure that balances whimsy with just enough plausibility to make listeners wonder about the unseen aspects of their own homes.

When our protagonist accidentally captures one of these elusive beings—a feat supposedly impossible due to their unique camouflage abilities—the story takes an unexpected turn. The discovery of Taronga Zoo's secret "Invisibles Department" and the matter-of-fact response to this extraordinary situation creates a wonderful tension between the mundane and the magical. As Shuttleworth weaves through the bureaucratic handling of something that should be earth-shattering, we're left questioning what's real and what's imagined.

Whether you interpret "Furies" as a charming flight of fancy or a clever commentary on how we process the unexplainable, this story will leave you glancing sideways at the shadows in your home, wondering what might be scurrying just beyond your perception. Join us for this brief but memorable journey into the space between reality and imagination, and perhaps you'll never look at those dust motes the same way again. And remember—sometimes the most extraordinary discoveries happen when we're looking elsewhere.

 This piece is available in Edition I of Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

What begins as a simple letter to a season unfolds into a profound meditation on life, death, resilience, and renewal in John Shuttleworth's masterfully crafted "Dear Autumn." Narrated by the author himself, this piece transcends mere seasonal observation to capture the bittersweet essence of autumn as it stands on the precipice of winter's approach.

Shuttleworth's sensory-rich prose transports listeners between two worlds—the autumn beaches of Australia with their salt air and tide-washed shores, and the spectacular sugar maples of New York exploding in their "final glorious show" before surrendering to winter's grasp. Through vivid imagery and intimate reflections, he examines how seasonal transitions mirror life's own cycles of beauty and decline, joy and melancholy.

The narrative takes an unexpected turn as Shuttleworth weaves his autumn contemplations with poignant reflections on post-9/11 America, drawing subtle parallels between nature's inevitable rhythms and humanity's struggle to process collective trauma. His musings on forgiveness, compassion, and resilience emerge organically from observations of falling leaves and approaching snow, creating a tapestry of thought that's both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Most remarkable is the letter's evolution from reluctance to acceptance. As Shuttleworth bids farewell to autumn and steels himself for winter's arrival, listeners witness a transformation that speaks to the human capacity for adaptation and courage in the face of inevitable change. "Goodbye autumn, see you next year. I'm ready now, winter. Bring on the snow."

Listen to this moving narration and discover how a simple letter to a season can become a powerful meditation on what it means to embrace life's transitions with grace and determined optimism. Share your own reflections on seasonal changes and how they've shaped your perspective on life's inevitable transitions. 

This piece is available in Edition I of Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications

Subscribe today and support the author's artform of storytelling.  

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of storytelling through a heartfelt reading of "A Letter to My Younger Self" by Helen Lambert. Helen's work beautifully encapsulates the essence of living in the present, encouraging listeners to cast aside the shadows of past regrets and embrace the gift of today. Throughout her narration, she offers invaluable insights on how worry can distract us from the now, urging everyone to focus on what truly matters. 

Helen poses essential questions about our relationship with memories and their ability to affect our joy and peace. Her reflections challenge us to confront our past while assuring us that we have the power to shape our future. Rich in empathy and warmth, her words resonate deeply, reminding us that we are all magnificent in our own ways and that we deserve to shine brightly, free from the weight of past burdens. 

This episode invites you to engage deeply with your thoughts and feelings, invigorating the discussion around how we can live our best lives today. Join us in this journey of self-discovery and empowerment! Don’t forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with us. 

 This piece is available in Edition I of Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers.

Support the show

voice-within.co
voicewithin_anthology
voicewithin_publications