Elder Tales podcast

It was delightful to sit with June and Godfrey and enjoy witnessing their affection for each other whilst sharing emotionally charged and vulnerable stories from their lives – stories which have embedded painful as well as joy-filled memories for them which motivate June and Godfrey to make the most of each day they have together. 

This elderly couple have lived their lives deeply connected to the land, working hard through financial struggles and appreciating the value of simple opportunities, relationships and luck. They have emerged with a heritage much valued by their family. 

This remarkable woman is an inspiration. Her sparkling enthusiasm and passion for life is coloured with experiences of trauma, danger, courage, adventure, generosity, a commitment to family values and caring for the vulnerable in her community, and a desire to centre this on her faith and share her life learnings with others. In her 86th year of life Willy describes herself as ‘on fire' and one senses this nugget of a treasure is being refined for still more precious contributions to those fortunate enough to be touched by her.

Natalie's life story embodies the concept of antifragility; rather than simply being resilient, unchanging in the face of challenge, she has resolved to address the trauma and disruption in her life journey as opportunity to develop. As she would advise her young self, ‘Take what you've got and do the best with it…' so that the sum of her decisions leaves her later years happier than other years.

The appearance of things often hides the trauma….and richness that lies beneath. Giving time, support and language to help lift the veneer and explore our authentic lives and relationships can be challenging but so rewarding, a path to flourishing as humans. This story from my collection of award-winning short fiction, 'This Old Stick,' explores that journey for Bob and Irene. Listen with compassion and delight.

Another story from the award-winning collection 'This Old Stick.' Guided by the doctor's surgical hand, drift with Jim between past and present, stinging memories and caring companionship; listen with compassion and delight!

This is PART 2 of a two part Christmas Special, curated with brief exerts from the longer conversations I and my elder guests have shared over this past year. The snippets of our chats may be short, however, they are heavy with wisdom, poignancy and humour, and truly a festive treat, a Christmas gift from them which carries value beyond merely the words they speak. So please listen with delight and compassion, to hear the treasure of their lives.  

This is PART 1 of a two part Christmas Special, curated with brief exerts from the longer conversations I and my elder guests have shared over this past year. The snippets of our chats may be short, however, they are heavy with wisdom, poignancy and humour, and truly a festive treat, a Christmas gift from them which carries value beyond merely the words they speak. So please listen with delight and compassion, to hear the treasure of their lives.  

'Fantastic' is a word this seasoned Scotsman uses to describe his life of challenge and excitement at sea and around the world. He found the sun he sought as a young man, and with his infectious laugh and intuition for humanitarian values, carried this sunny disposition wherever he went.

On a misty winter night, this family battle the impact of a stroke, untidy laundry and each other as they wrestle with secrets, bursting for the light of revelation. Listen to the author read this story of 'Secrets' from his collection of award-winning short stories, 'This Old Stick.'

This conversation with Fay and Frank is framed with contentment and affection. Contentment to live in the moment, to treat the past as gone, and to hold plans for the future lightly. And deep affection for each other, tested and refined through many life challenges and still delightfully fresh and vibrant. 

Life is never static - it moves with currents and waves that carry us, at times, in directions and to places we did not, and often would not, choose. The rhythms of nature around us, its ebbs and flows, have much to teach about how we view ourselves in the narrative arc of our own stories. 'Life Lessons from Fish' from the award-winning book 'This Old Stick' describes Trevor's discovery of this lesson from a flapping marine teacher.

Many elderly people tend to recount their stories with a paucity of detail. This is less about memory fading and more about the processes of resilience and survival driving them to distance themselves from the distressing detail of lives lived through wars, global crises, and some societal norms and expectations we would now consider outrageous. Patty's spiritual faith is existentially central to her life, starting as a young girl, and this has given her the capacity to live a flourishing life despite many significant traumas. Her story-telling is engaging and inspiring.

Here's another story from 'This Old Stick,' captured by the author's voice and contributions from morning birdsong to add layers of richness and authenticity to the story of a woman whose independence and affinity with nature is woven tightly into the fabric of her life. Please enjoy 'Evelyn's Rescue.'

Over 80 years of being a farmer, Bob looks back on his life with Isobel saying "I enjoyed every bit of it and would do it again." This couple have worked hard through challenges and rewards, investing deeply, not just in their farms and communities, but in each other, and the life of love and value they have built together.

The dying clasp of Jack's intense handshake evokes a moving moment of connection between doctor and patient, despite the heavy air of tension in the room. Listen to the author read this story of 'Complaint' from his collection of award-winning short stories, 'This Old Stick.'

June's life story is defined by generosity, being family-focused, and seeking the good in people. Whilst her early years of life were tough and lacked the template to build these values into her parenting and relationships, she made a determined choice to establish new rituals and attitudes which placed love at the center of her life. Her wise words are a mantra: "Love conquers everything; give it and it comes back 100 times."

Another short story read by the author, from 'This Old Stick.' Allow yourself to be moved by the confused playfulness of Audrey as you join in her emotional journey.

This invigorating conversation with an elderly, blind Danish woman and her husband highlights her values of generosity and gratitude; values exhibited with evidence of inquiring minds and adventurous spirits, and a desire to pass these on to successive generations.

“By putting ourselves into the story of people who on the surface appear different from us, we can recognise our common humanity with them. And that can trigger empathy in a really natural way." So says Jamil Zaki, psychologist and author of ‘The War For Kindness; Building Empathy In A Fractured World.' If we allow the power of stories to deepen our empathetic connection with others, global crisis can become global community. This is one of a collection of fictional short stories from my book 'This Old Stick.' The purpose of the stories is more than just an enjoyable read about delightful and challenging characters. I want readers to find empathy with older people they may not feel they have much in common with, and be reminded of the gifts and precious treasure the elderly bring to our communities. In doing so, ‘This Old Stick,' coupled with empathy, can be a tool to help heal the disconnection that exists in society between those considered healthy and functional, and those who are older and considered less so.

I saw this 81 year old delight today on her way to receive her Covid-19 vaccination. Resilience marks the tone of her life's journey, coupled with a deep commitment to truth and justice. Listen to some of Glen's stories with me and her snoring dog in the background; I challenge you to not join in her infectious chuckling! 

From 'This Old Stick,' my collection of short fiction. This is the opening story, and the most popular among readers. Many describe a strong affinity with the main character, Edith, for her strong will and self-preservation through mischievous rule-breaking.

From watching the WW2 bombing of Derry on his father's shoulders, to the challenges and camaraderie of working for the Metropolitan Police in London, and now focused on the welfare of his grandchildren, this 78 year old's life has been centered around guardianship and protection of others. Enjoy listening to his fine legacy delivered with an Irishman's humor!

ANZAC Remembrance Day in 2020 was commemorated in a unique way due to the Covid-19 pandemic lock down. Rather than meeting for dawn services and parades, New Zealanders stood at 0600 by their letter boxes and listened to morning sparrows, radio broadcast programmes and neighborhood bagpipes with somberness and tears as across the country echos of "We shall remember them" were whispered. This story is from my collection of short fiction titled 'This Old Stick,' and forms a poignant backdrop for the emotions of April 25, 'Remembrance Day.'

This 87 year old delight told me, "Gosh it was a good life...I think life's what you make it. I have two hates..."Have a listen to Jessie's beautiful story and discover her hates in the context of valuing simplicity, contentment and relationships.

As she faces the reality of her impending death, listen as this 93 year old woman describes, not anxiety, but confidence - well placed in her full life, valuing precious moments now, and an appreciation of the gift of life she has been blessed with.

This remarkable man's childhood of poverty and parents who modeled generosity gave genesis to his quiet and appreciative resolve to get on with life and appreciate the simple things. His capacity to both serve and lead with humility and courage has been valued by all who meet him. Be challenged and encouraged as you listen to his story.

This podcast is a delightful conversation with a woman who remains generous and gracious despite multiple life traumas. Her survival instinct is built on a view of life as an adventure, a choice to be grateful and see the best in people, and a willingness to examine herself and adapt.

My latest podcast 'Elder Tales' features a good kiwi bloke whose story is both ordinary and extraordinary. Defined around themes of rescuing others, often at personal cost, and navigating the tension between regret and joy in his life as a farmer, Mike's life took him in unplanned and undesired directions. His response to this challenge, regret and tragedy has been to colour it by valuing people, loving of farm life, and dreaming of travel. In early release via www.drcorin.nz it massively outstripped all other podcasts in popularity - I sense Mike's language, manner and messages resonated well with listeners. Enjoy.

As we enter 2021 and reflect on the experiences of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, I am excited to launch a series of podcasts called 'Elder Tales'. These are interviews with older people telling their stories and sharing life experiences as an extension of my “This Old Stick” book project. An interview with an elderly woman two weeks before the first lock down in New Zealand has such relevant messages for this current time and as we face the uncertainties ahead of us. Have a listen to Aisla's message on life's priorities in a time of crisis and her personal journey to discover these. www.drcorin.nz