Sitting in the Space, with Mary

Send us a textAn exciting and varied line up of guests for this season!  The first episode is coming to air next Wednesday 12th March, where I'll be sharing a conversation with one of the Western Australian Police Force Chaplains, David Ladner.  Tune in to discover the unique role Police Chaplains play in supporting the Police Force.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Mother's Day can be tough when you miss Mum, even when they can be Hard task Masters, can't remember who you are anymore, or have been gone for a long... long... time now.  This episode is brought forward a week, while the theme of Mother's Day  is still current as it falls in the month of May in Australia.  The guests sharing about their mums are Lynette Adams, Kim Parkhill and Marilyn Lewis.  Tune in to hear the sensitive way each of these women remember, celebrate and come to terms with the losses of their cherished and foundational family member.This episode marks the end of Season One, please Follow the show so that you will be alerted to the start of Season Two, in early August. And send Questions or Suggestions for topics to : https://www.sitswmary.comIf you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Please don't be put off by this title! Mums are unique and so too are our relationships with them... Just experiencing Mother's Day 2024 is cause for great celebration of the role of motherhood, and an opportunity to reflect on what our mothers have done for us. Part one of this theme has 3 guests who share the good memories and lessons they learned from  their mums.... Raf Rogers, Peter Kennedy and Robyn Farrands all tell uplifting stories of their Mums who died during Covid - with some associated challenges.  Tune in, share with friends, and send me a message on www.sitswmary.com with your thoughts about this topic.Take Care, MaryIf you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Nurse Manager of a busy Birth Suite - Joan Cunningham brings her steadfast wisdom, experience and compassion to the couples in her care.  This episode focus is on the care provided by midwifes when supporting couples experiencing pregnancy loss. The introduction to this topic from the perspective of the care-givers is I hope, a gentle way to open the conversation a little more around this sensitive topic of grief and loss.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

In this episode I invite you on a journey of discovery with the wise and gentle Nat Kay, into the world of Somatic psychology and spiritual insights.  Natalie has for over a decade developed her practice by exploring the interplay between bodily awareness and curiosity to enhance connections within client relationships.  This conversation is for those who wish to attune to their own somatic signals and to bring this embodied connection into their relationships.Natalie's website:     https://www.artofspiritualcare.com/Reference to books in episode:Restorative Practices of Wellbeing,  Natureza Gabriel Kram, Applied Mindefulness Inc, 2022No Bad Parts, Dr Richard Schwartz, Random House UK, 2024Anchored, Deb A, Dana, St Martins Press, 2022If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Bob is an inspiration in the manner in which he recognised and reached out for help following the sudden death of his wife Amanda in October 2022.  Realising that grief can not be out-run he trialled a number of supports,  tools, theories and activities to help himself work through challenging emotions. His story about the life  shared with his beautiful and talented wife is  endearing and bittersweet. Bob has lovingly curated the artwork and memories of Amanda's life in his home, and shared it with us in this episode.Reference to books in episode:The Power of Regret, How Looking Backward Moves us Forward, Daniel H Pink, A&U Cannongate, 2022. It's Ok that your not Ok, Megan Devine, St Martins Press, 2019.Grief: the Price of Love, Svend Brinkmann, Polity Press, 2020. If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Brent had some signs and symptoms of Colorectal cancer, but at the youngish age of 43 years was shocked to realise that he needed extensive treatment to deal with this cancer.  Family and community surrounded him with love and support and he now reflects  on prioritising family time,  being more present and finding the things to bond over.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Dr Ian Simms, providing some insight into the rewarding role of pastorally caring for the frail, aged and often isolated members of our community in aged care. Ian says "There is something about Pastoral Care that contributes to the wholeness of the person" which looks beyond only the medical concerns.This episode explores the initiatives  Connect  the 40% : Linking the Community to isolated residents; and the NODA :No One Dies Alone program.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Kathy, her husband and daughters fiercely stand behind their son and brother who suffered a life altering injury 10 years ago. The story of triumph over adversity and 'normality' in this episode is heartwarming and inspiring. In Kathy's words, "He survived that accident for a reason, and I was going to help him be the best person he could possibly be." If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Peter Bothe, much loved and respected Secondary College Principal took on the challenge of cancer treatment against tough odds.  In this episode he shares the 'behind the scenes' of what that was like, and what kept him going.  If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Reference to Fran will be made by many people who have worked in the field of Pastoral Services in WA as I indeed do.  And why she begins this conversation of, Sitting in the Space, of difficult situations and emotions. Fran has worked as a Pastoral Services Practitioner for over 16 years. She currently manages a team of Practitioners who provide emotional and spiritual support to patients at St John of God Public & Private Hospital Midland.  Fran's warm personality is full of heart and generosity - giving each person in her day a space to be heard.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary

Launching Sitting in the Space.Hello!  After many years of meeting patients and medical & care staff in hospitals, I have come to know that we as humans share common experiences.  It is a tough Space to be in. As a patient it can be frightening receiving news of a diagnosis, it can be frustrating waiting for surgery and the time it takes to heal, and for each of us, how do we prepare ourselves for the event of a loved one coming to the end of their life?I hope to bring you stories each fortnight from some former patients, family members and caregivers who sit in these spaces for a time.I am Mary Prentice, and I welcome your company each fortnight.If you would like to financially support me in telling these stories, please consider adding a donation through PayPal.https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/MaryPrentice928 Please contact me if you would like to listen to a certain aspect of the emotional experience around medical diagnosis, treatment, surviving or dying.My hope is that the experiences shared on the podcast can be related to and possibly provide comfort and some healing.I wish you well.Mary