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What if a simple family outing could transform into an epic adventure laden with the magic of nature and profound familial bonds? Join us as we share the enchanting tale of Vim and their journey to a mystical waterfall, as narrated by Lee Rickwood. This isn’t just a birthday celebration; it’s a celebration of love, courage, and the invigorating thrill of leaping into the unknown. Feel the vibrant energy of the sparkling surroundings, the sweet aroma of the earth, and the shared laughter as Vim, along with Aqua and Tor, embrace the beauty of togetherness. This story will transport you to a realm where nature's wonders and the warmth of family create an unforgettable day.

In our exploration of this captivating adventure, we witness the heartwarming connections that define Vim’s family. As the waterfall roars and they stand triumphant at its edge, the bond between Vim, Aqua, and Tor is as strong as the rock beneath their feet. Experience the joy of wildflower crowns symbolizing their heroic return, and the commitment to honor and revisit this cherished landscape. It’s a narrative filled with gratitude and promises, leaving an imprint of the joys and challenges faced and cherished within the embrace of the natural world. Whether you’re ready to imagine your own leap or simply to soak in the warmth of familial love, this episode promises an inspiring escape into nature’s wonders.

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

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Ever tried to open a bank account as a clown? Join us for a whimsical adventure featuring Dorin Hart's tale "A Question of ID" from the Voice Within Anthology. Imagine a bank lobby turned stage, where Petal the clown, with her pink tutu and audacious spirit, leads her jester friends Bluff and Sid in an unforgettable quest to embrace bureaucracy with humor. As Petal navigates the serious world of a hundred points ID system, the antics of the Bellingen Company of Clowns turn a mundane bank visit into a hilariously chaotic spectacle. 

Step into the colourful world of Dorin Hart, a beloved figure in the Bellingen Shire community, and her vibrant story that captures the essence of clown life. From reeling in radio tapes to bringing joy to the streets, Dorin's stories paint a vivid picture of the challenges and triumphs of these spirited performers. This episode promises to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart with tales of identity, community, and the joyous rebellion of clowns against the ordinary. Hold onto your wigs and red noses—this is a narrative escapade you won't want to miss! 

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

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What does freedom truly mean? Is it escape from society's constraints, or is it having the autonomy to make your own choices? "The Circle" takes us on a journey with Ali, a young mother who has followed her partner Sam to a remote property in search of an alternative lifestyle, only to discover that escaping the mainstream doesn't automatically lead to liberation.

Eleanor Sharman crafts a story of subtle awakening as Ali gradually recognizes the controlling patterns in her relationship. From Sam's restrictions on where she can plant her herbs to his sabotage of her connections with others, the signs of an unhealthy dynamic slowly surface. Particularly affecting is how Ryan, Ali's young son, becomes a mirror reflecting the impacts of this isolated existence and Sam's unpredictable behavior.

The narrative masterfully contrasts two visions of alternative living. Sam's property, increasingly characterized by isolation, control, and emotional instability, stands in stark opposition to the vibrant community Ali eventually discovers – a place where individuality is celebrated within a supportive circle of connection. Sharman uses landscape as metaphor throughout, with the transition from Sam's drought-stricken land to the "velvet green and pillowy fields" of Ali's new home paralleling her emotional journey.

Most powerfully, "The Circle" explores how we sometimes must leave what we love to find what we need. Ali's decision to leave Sam, despite her care for him, demonstrates that sometimes the most compassionate choice is setting both yourself and others free from patterns that no longer serve growth. As she drives away for the final time, Tracy Chapman sings about "flying away" and "revolution," musical affirmations of Ali's courageous new beginning.

Listen now to this moving exploration of personal transformation and the courage it takes to break free from unhealthy relationships. Have you ever had to leave something behind to discover what true freedom feels like?

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

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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.

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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.

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

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In 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.

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What happens when a teenage fantasy reader discovers an undeniable creative calling that transforms their entire life? In this captivating conversation, writer CJ shares the remarkable journey of finding his creative vision and how it became the compass guiding his life choices, spiritual evolution, and artistic expression.

From hidden bedroom scribblings in a small rural Australian town to Melbourne's vibrant art scene, CJ's writing passion evolved alongside his expanding worldview. He reveals how the imperative to write—not just a want but a need—motivated academic improvement, major life changes, and ultimately led to his unique literary voice. "It set the tone and scene of my entire life," he reflects, illustrating how creative vision extends far beyond artistic output.

The heart of CJ's work centers on what he beautifully articulates as "inspiring people to be multidimensional in the modern world." Through his spiritual or visionary fiction, he crafts characters navigating between conventional reality and deeper spiritual dimensions, often drawing from his own experiences with mental health challenges. Rather than viewing these experiences as limitations, CJ reframes them as potential doorways to richer perspectives, suggesting that integration rather than rejection of our multifaceted nature leads to wholeness.

Particularly moving is the discussion of his story "A Love Letter to Humankind" in Voice Within 2nd Edition, written from a tree spirit's perspective. This piece embodies his belief that reconnecting with nature represents a return to our essential selves—a timely reminder in our increasingly technological world. Whether you're an established writer or someone just beginning to hear the call of creative expression, this conversation offers profound insights into how developing a relationship with your creative vision can transform not just your art, but your entire life journey.

For more information or to contact CJ directly about his work, email [email protected]

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Finding joy during difficult times might seem impossible, but this episode offers a gentle reminder of our power to choose positivity regardless of external circumstances. Through Nick Vale's beautifully crafted piece from Affirmations Publishing House, we explore practical wisdom for maintaining inner light when the world feels dark.

Even peaceful communities haven't been immune to the stress and uncertainty of recent years. Yet within these challenges lies an opportunity to transform our perspective through simple daily practices. Morning meditation, gratitude reflection, and honest acknowledgment of emotions create a foundation for resilience that goes beyond mere survival to genuine growth.

Expressive writing emerges as a powerful tool for processing difficult emotions and reshaping our personal narratives. Just fifteen minutes of journaling daily can significantly boost overall happiness and wellbeing by allowing us to reveal our emotions, stay mindful of our circumstances, and resolve inner conflicts. When we rewrite our stories with the same compassion we'd offer a friend, we open doorways to healing previously unseen.

Gratitude practice stands at the center of this transformative approach. As Oprah Winfrey wisely noted, "Be thankful for what you have. You'll end up having more." This simple shift in focus—from what's missing to what's present—can completely alter our experience of abundance. Take a moment today to reflect on what brings you gratitude. What small joys might you be overlooking?

Ready to explore more stories that nourish your imagination? Subscribe to Voice Within for exclusive content and consider submitting your own writing for publication. Your voice matters, and your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

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CJ Melchizedek illuminates the dance between creative rebellion and structured storytelling, sharing how his journey as a multidimensional fiction writer evolved through self-published novels, collaborative graphic novels, and experimental narrative forms.

Come join Lee Rickwood who interviews CJ on his own journey in being a published author.

• Writing the novel "Olivius" (2010) which combined linear and non-linear storytelling elements
• Collaborating with a comic book artist on "Dark Hope Legacies" (2013), learning about narrative structure through visual storytelling
• Publishing "Emerging from the Cave" (2022), experimenting with embedded imagery and innovative narrative perspective shifts
• Finding that structure provides necessary guidance for readers while creating space for multidimensional concepts
• Exploring the integration of spiritual awakening and Indigenous connection to country in upcoming novel
• Discovering that clear structure can actually enhance the communication of complex, multidimensional ideas
• Balancing flow and inspiration with narrative frameworks to create engaging stories

Don't be afraid of structure, but remember that it's just an element of storytelling that you can resource yourself from. Be willing to give yourself space and follow your inspiration—that feeling and passion should drive you.

Check out CJ's publications:

Co-authored: 

Dark Hope legacies: https://amzn.asia/d/2Cq1K1T

Authored:

Emerging from the Cave (print): https://amzn.asia/d/b0Pe4A4

Emerging from the Cave (ebook): https://amzn.asia/d/eB1nKPk

Threads of Ketu (short story – ebook): https://amzn.asia/d/3PuiWCX

For more information or to contact CJ directly about his work, email [email protected] 

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