In our season 2 finale episode of What Lingers, Christian and producer Jonny flip the tables to put Liz in the hot seat as they explore her story from the theme "Second Chances."

We listen to Liz's tale of a blackout night at her cousin's wedding that left her waking up next to a complete stranger, followed by an unexpected reunion a decade later when that same man reaches out via Instagram. Both had transformed in remarkable parallel ways during those ten years—each finding sobriety and building new lives in San Francisco. The episode explores the complex emotions of shame, growth, and second chances as Liz navigates whether this reconnection represents destiny or something else entirely. Through intimate conversation, we delve into the profound work of sobriety, learning to trust your body's wisdom, and the courage it takes to honor your instincts even when the story doesn't unfold as expected. This episode offers a raw look at personal transformation and the power of trusting yourself after years of learning who you really are.

Liz Melchor is the host of the other episodes of What Lingers, runs Storytelling Lisboa with Cristian, and otherwise works as a visual artist in both Lisbon and Vienna, Austria. You can find her at @i.draw.monkeys or https://www.lizmelchor.com

What Lingers is a podcast from the team behind Storytelling Lisboa

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Jonny Bunyan

Produced and edited by Jonny Bunyan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After hearing Skye tell their story and hearing about all their experience on stage, we knew we had to pick their brain for storytelling tips. This is a special bonus episode where we deviate from our traditional format and nerd out about how to tell a story on stage. Skye is an an experienced actor, writer, and theater company director who shares the intricacies of overcoming stage fright and mastering the art of presence on stage. Skye shares personal experiences, including the transformative power of warmups, meditation, and the Meisner Technique. They explore the delicate balance of humor and vulnerability in storytelling and offer practical tips for new storytellers. Listeners will learn how to prepare stories, manage stage fright, and create a deep connection with the audience.

To hear Skye tell a story about feeding pot brownies to the nuns check out last episode (S2E09).

Skylar Lyralen Kaye, fae/they, is an award-winning writer, storyteller, actor and solo performer. They won the Moth Slam in 2017, the Boston Story Slam in 2018, the San Francisco Fringe Festival Best in Fringe and Techie Best in Fringe in 2018, the NE Film Star Award in 2021, the Meryl Streep Writer’s Lab in 2015 and their web series, Assigned Female at Birth, has won 13 Best New Media Awards internationally. They ran the theater company Another Country Productions from 2003-2018, teaching the Meisner acting technique as well as movement for theater. Their novella, Priest Kid and novel Leaving Winter for a Desert Sky are available through Amazon.com and multiple other platforms, and they hope to release the memoir Bachelorx in 2026. In their spare time they teach yoga, edit writing and work for social justice. They believe in giving to their community and paddle boarding until they drop.

Link to My Mother, the Nun and Me, Moth winner: themoth.org/storytellers/lyralen-kaye

Assigned Female at Birth, a web series: www.youtube.com/c/anothercountrytv

Skye's web site with acting and writing samples: www.lyralenkaye.com

You can find us on Instagram at @storytellinglisboa and @whatlingerspod

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor

Editor: Liz Melchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Skye shares a hilarious story of feeding pot brownies to unsuspecting nuns at their Catholic school in 1976. Our conversation explores the reasons for teenage rebellion and the unexpected consequences of transforming from “bad kid” to honor student. We talk about anger as life force, dealing with family dysfunction, claiming authentic identity as a non-binary person in an era without language for it, and how the people who see our potential can change everything. It is an episode about how the funniest stories often carry our deepest truths.

Skylar Lyralen Kaye, fae/they, is an award-winning writer, storyteller, actor and solo performer. They won the Moth Slam in 2017, the Boston Story Slam in 2018, the San Francisco Fringe Festival Best in Fringe and Techie Best in Fringe in 2018, the NE Film Star Award in 2021, the Meryl Streep Writer’s Lab in 2015 and their web series, Assigned Female at Birth, has won 13 Best New Media Awards internationally. They ran the theater company Another Country Productions from 2003-2018, teaching the Meisner acting technique as well as movement for theater. Their novella, Priest Kid and novel Leaving Winter for a Desert Sky are available through Amazon.com and multiple other platforms, and they hope to release the memoir Bachelorx in 2026. In their spare time they teach yoga, edit writing and work for social justice. They believe in giving to their community and paddle boarding until they drop.

Link to My Mother, the Nun and Me, Moth winner: themoth.org/storytellers/lyralen-kaye

Assigned Female at Birth, a web series: www.youtube.com/c/anothercountrytv

Skye's web site with acting and writing samples: www.lyralenkaye.com

You can find us on Instagram at @storytellinglisboa and @whatlingerspod

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor

Editor: Liz Melchor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging conversation, Miguel shares his unique experience of receiving emails meant for someone else due to his childhood nickname. During fifth grade, he jokingly created an email address for him using Riberalves, a Portuguese cod brand, in it because classmates had nicknamed him that. Years later, during COVID, Miguel began receiving emails from a woman named Liliana who worked at a cod factory, mistakenly thinking his email belonged to the company. Miguel recounts how this comedic situation took an unexpectedly emotional turn when Liliana shared some more personal details. We discuss Miguel's storytelling approach, his search for "pops" while on the stage, and his hesitation about sharing more vulnerable personal stories. The episode offers a reflection on the power of different storytelling approaches - from comedic to emotionally vulnerable - and how unexpected connections can lead to meaningful human experiences.

Miguel Ribeiro is from Lisbon where he lives and works running a tech startup. 

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor.

Editor & Producer: Jonny Bunyan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this emotional interview, Christine recounts her personal journey of transformation through storytelling. After experiencing a toxic relationship that left her feeling lost and broken, Christine finds solace and healing in the street art of Amsterdam and the compassion from the street artist Laser 3.14. She discusses the challenges she faced, the significance of her storytelling at Storytelling Lisboa, and the emotional impact the experience had on her. Christine also touches on her early days as a social media influencer and her upcoming historical fiction book about Franz Kafka’s lover, Milina Senka. The conversation centers on themes of self-rediscovery, the importance of storytelling, and the profound impact of human connections. Christine reflects on the universal experience of self-blame and the lies our brains can tell us, emphasizing the healing power of raw and real storytelling.

Our guest Christine Estima, based in Toronto, has written for The New York Times, New York Daily News, The Observer, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Walrus, VICE, Refinery29, Chatelaine, Bitch, etalk, Maisonneuve Magazine, and many, many more. Her debut book THE SYRIAN LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY (House of Anansi Press) was named one of the Best Books of 2023 by the CBC. Her forthcoming debut novel, LETTERS TO KAFKA, will be released September 9, 2025. Christine is also a Portuguese citizen, so you can find her, most likely, eating pastel de natas at 4 AM. Visit ChristineEstima.com for more and follow her on Instagram @cestima

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor.

Editor & Producer: Jonny Bunyan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Janet shares her exhilarating journey to the stage of the iconic game show "Press Your Luck." The conversation begins with Janet recounting how, while facing the dual challenges of needing two hip replacements and financial uncertainty, she made a bold decision to audition for the game show she had watched with her father as a child. The episode delves into the intense audition process, revealing how producers meticulously craft television personas and storylines for contestants. Janet describes the surreal experience of standing under bright lights in front of a national audience, freezing on a trivia question about Magic Johnson, and facing the heart-stopping moments of deciding whether to press her luck or walk away with what she had. The conversation explores fascinating family connections—both her mother and sister had previously appeared on game shows—and how the experience led Janet to Portugal two years later. As the story unfolds, listeners are taken on a journey where dreams, risks, and life-altering decisions converge under the watchful eye of television cameras.

Janet has lived in Lisbon for two years. When not telling stories, she is working in education, supporting students in getting into college or boogie boarding in Carcavelos. You can find her on Instagram @dammit_janet

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor.

Editor: Liz Melchor.

Producer: Jonny Bunyan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hania shares her deeply moving love story with Bill, evolving from years of friendship into a profound relationship marked by meaningful coincidences (sometimes while watching Korean television dramas) and small daily gestures of love. She opens up about the sudden loss of Bill and her journey of "grieving well" - embracing her emotions fully while honoring his memory through storytelling and connection with others who've experienced loss. The episode explores thought-provoking questions about spirituality, coincidences, and finding meaning in life's unexpected moments. Hania reflects on how true love is found in life's quiet moments and how sharing our stories can help keep the presence of those we've lost alive in the world.

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor.

Editor: Liz Melchor.

Producer: Jonny Bunyan.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Zak, an artist living in Lisbon, shares his transformative experience at Being Gathering festival following a tumultuous breakup and his father's sudden death. The conversation explores Zak's evolution from identifying as a gay man most of his life to embracing bisexuality during the pandemic. At the festival, he forms two significant connections: an intense non-verbal attraction with Martine, and a relationship with Mafalda that begins sexually but evolves into one of his most meaningful friendships. Throughout the discussion, Zak reflects on vulnerability, radical honesty, and the challenges of authentic connection in the age of social media as he continues his healing journey in Portugal.

You can find Zak on Instagram @zak_krevitt

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor. Produced by Jonny Bunyan. Edited by Liz Melchor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Seb, a Swede living in Lisbon, delves into his experience of performing a deeply personal story about his grandmother, whose influence shaped his interactions and emotional openness. Seb explores the therapeutic power of storytelling and the cultural nuances of Swedish masculinity. The episode highlights the emotional range of life and death, from laughter about his grandmother's quirky habits to the shared tears during her passing. Join us as Seb unpacks the complexities of familial relationships, cultural identity, and the healing process of retelling personal narratives.

Seb has a heart that sings for storytelling and a mind in the sky. He sees storytelling as the glue that connects us on a deeper level–either human to human, or human to nature.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of What Lingers, professional hiker Shilletha, known as Dragonsky on the trails, shares her remarkable journey of traversing the Appalachian Trail and beyond. Amidst facing racist and hateful backlash from an online hiking community to confronting the physical and emotional challenges of through-hiking, Shilletha reveals the complexities of her life as a Black queer woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated sport. She candidly discusses her struggles with depression and anxiety and how nature sometimes exacerbated and sometimes healed these mental health challenges. She recounts vivid and harrowing encounters, including being helicoptered off a mountain and walking in grizzly bear territory alone. Shilletha's story is one of resilience and empowerment, where nature becomes both a sanctuary and a battleground for her mental wellbeing. Listen as she revisits discovering a sense of belonging both on the trail and in sharing her powerful story.

Shilletha Curtis' book is called Pack Light. You can connect with her on Instagram @i_am_dragonsky.

Hosts: Cristian Figueroa and Liz Melchor. Produced by Jonny Bunyan. Edited by Liz Melchor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.