True Story London Podcast

Content notice: this episode contains reference to rape.Today's storyteller is Tihane, sharing her story of how a bizarre neurological experience unlocked unsettling, once-buried memories. As a musician and artist, Tihane's distinctive creative style really shines through in this intimate yet bold telling. Afterwards, I talk with Tihane more about the context of her story, the nature of unexplained and mystical phenomenons, and the experience of living beyond trauma.Find more about Tihane, her online courses and creative coaching here: https://linktr.ee/tihane.--Follow us on Instagram at @truestoryldntruestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! To mark the end of a year of firsts and experiments for True Story London, we're sharing something special with you. In 2023 we debuted some unique live shows in which songwriters wrote and performed original songs inspired by another person's true story. We'd like you to have a taste of these magical shows as we close out the year - this is True Story Soundtrack.Stories:Bonnie's full story: https://www.truestory.london/10-make-me-one-with-everything-wbonnie-oddie/Lili's full story: https://www.truestory.london/04-my-refugee-story-wlili-sulejmanovic/Songwriters:Tihane - Instagram: @tihane___Hari - Instagram: @harimusiqJohn Chisholm - Sea Noise (Instagram): @sea_noise, Lost Moons (Bandcamp): lostmoons.bandcamp.comAmarra - Instagram: @iamamarraEllis Ballard - Instagram: @ellis.ballard, Bandcamp: ellisballard.bandcamp.comLauren Lucille - Instagram: @iamlaurenlucilleWandering Lex - Instagram: @wandering_lexSegnon - Instagram: @segnontvFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldnCREDITS:Hosted by Michelle TothProduced by Ellis BallardTheme Music by Sea NoiseSound effects recordings by 'magedu' via Freesound: https://freesound.org/people/magedu/sounds/273437 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Donna Freed, telling us the wild and fascinating story of finding out she was adopted - and the shocking revelation of just who her birth parents were. Donna has written an entire excellent memoir on this topic, so we have plenty to talk about in our discussion after the story.Donna's memoir 'Duplicity: My Mother's Secrets' is available now, published by Muswell Press: https://muswell-press.co.uk/product/duplicity-9781739638290-paperbackDonna can be found on Instagram at @donnafreed--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Maria Shehata, talking about the time she fell in love with someone across the Atlantic, then quickly fell out of love when they met in person. Maria is a brilliantly funny stand-up comedian and her story follows suit. Though, in our talk afterward, you'll also hear about how this story has more serious meaning in her life, and how both Maria's approach to her craft and understanding of herself are evolving.Maria can be found online at mariashehata.com--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Jess Carrivick, sharing her story of being diagnosed with the chronic pain disorder vulvodynia. Jess delights in shocking the audience into laughter while talking candidly about this rarely-discussed and really important health issue. After her story, we discuss the use of humor to broach serious topics, the nature of chronic illness, and how people with vaginas could be better served by the medical world.Jess can be found online at jesscarrivick.com--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Michael Noel, sharing his story of how an optimistic road trip turned very dark. Since Michael is based in California, this is our first interview conducted entirely online - but we just had to give him a call to hear his developing insights into how he makes sense of this dramatic and transformative episode in his life.Follow Michael on Instagram here: @itsreallymichaelnoelMichael's sidecar tours of San Francisco can be found at ridesbyme.comThis episode contains references to suicide.For suicide prevention support in the UK, Samaritans can be reached on 116-123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org. For help elsewhere, befrienders.org lists local services. --Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Dee Gibson, sharing how she realised her charmed life wasn't actually going in the direction she wanted - and what she did about it. Despite the difficult and unique circumstances, Dee manages to make this story highly relatable with insights into breaking with tradition, listening to intuition, and pursuing an unexpected path. Stick around after the story to hear Dee go into more depth about all of these topics and more.More information about Dee's hotel in Sri Lanka, Kalukanda House, can be found here.--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Joe Milik, sharing his adventures in helping his friend and doppelganger to stage a proposal in the Welsh countryside. It's a funny, risky, highly entertaining story and afterward I'll talk with Joe about how he came to storytelling, what drives us to take risks, and look closer at story structure and craft.--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Ayanda Tambo, sharing her surreal experience of receiving a prestigious award from a prominent yet divisive public figure. Ayanda has such a measured and wise outlook on the events of the story, the wider societal context, and her own future as she steps into the working world. Stick around after the story when we dive deeper into all of these topics and more.Ayanda (and the things she bakes) can be found on her Instagram here.--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Clair Whitefield, sharing her story of uncovering the cause of her sudden onset and life-altering IBS. Clair is a talented poet and performer with a knack for making this taboo topic funny and accessible, without shying away from the harsh realities. In our conversation afterward, we discuss the experience of revisiting dark periods in your life, the power of performance, listening to our bodies, navigating the tube and more.Clair can be found online at clairwhitefield.comThe nutritional therapist Clair mentions is Eve Kalinik: evekalinik.com--Find out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: truestorylondon.comFollow us on Instagram at @truestoryldn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2 of the True Story London Podcast is coming on 6th November! Make sure you're subscribed to be notified as soon as they go live. And if you haven't already, check out our past episodes from Season 1 featuring 10 brilliant stories and some fascinating conversations with the storytellers. Oh, and remember to #BeNumber9 and give us a rating on your podcast app if you enjoy the show - it really helps us to reach more listeners and share these fantastic stories further. See you soon for Season 2! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: this episode contains the discussion and description of assisted suicide.Today's storyteller for our season finale is Bonnie Oddie, sharing the story of her mother - newly diagnosed with dementia - asking for Bonnie's help going to Dignitas for assisted suicide. It's a profound story which Bonnie somehow manages to make as funny as it is serious. In our conversation afterwards, Bonnie shares the insight and wisdom she got from her experience.Follow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Petra Gatek, sharing a story about how her cancer diagnosis precipitated a major shift in pursuing her true passion. Then we have a conversation about growing up under communism in Czechoslovakia, and becoming an entrepreneur after The Velvet Revolution.Petra's branding and photography services can be found here: https://petragatto.comFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays storyteller is Osman S, telling a story about power, control and redemption in the London comedy scene. Stick around aterwards for a conversation about being a young person in comedy - and what age 'old' really is.Follow Osman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osnerdcultureFind out more about the Student Kitchen Comedy Club here: https://www.instagram.com/studentkitchencomedyclubFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Kitty Dry, telling the story of entirely losing her hair, learning she has the autoimmune condition alopecia, and navigating her twenties as a bald woman. In our conversation we talk about being stared at on the tube, techniques for coping with anxiety, hiding and being seen, social media and self-worth, and finding support online and off.More information about Alopecia UK can be found here: https://www.alopecia.org.uk.Updated information on The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's decision not to recommend JAK inhibitor drugs to treat alopecia areata on the NHS, and what Alopecia UK are doing to oppose this, can be found here: https://www.alopecia.org.uk/news/baricitinib-nice-consultation-updateFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Sophia Blackwell, telling us how she went from 'good girl' to 'not so much' when she accidentally got her parents high. Sophia is a performance poet who has a wonderful way with words - so stick around for the conversation we have afterwards.Find out more about Sophia's live show Wife Material here: https://www.wifematerial.co.ukFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Jimmy Jameson, telling us about having his absolute worst childhood fear come true. We then talk about the frustration of bystanders, humour as a defense mechanism, the risks of negative manifestation and more in the conversation afterwards.Follow Jimmy online: https://www.instagram.com/jimmy.doodleFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Lili Sulejmanović. Lili is telling us about being a teenager in Bosnia when the Yugoslavian war breaks out, meaning she and her family are forced to flee to the UK. It's a remarkable story and stick around for our fascinating conversation with Lili afterward.Find out more about Lili's snack company Bardo here: https://bardo.ukFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Ellis Ballard and if you've ever wondered what it's like to live with life-threatening food allergies, this is a must-listen story. Ellis is a brilliant storyteller so it's highly entertaining - but stick around for the conversation afterward where we talk about how all of us can be more inclusive and supportive of people living with food sensitivities.Find Ellis's music and videos on their YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@ellisballardFollow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content Warning: This episode contains references to and a discussion of physical abuse.Today's storyteller is Pran Darshan, telling us the story of his first kiss. On the surface it's fun and light, if a little frightening - but it's the open conversation we have afterwards about the difficult circumsatances behind Pran's story which we're especially keen to share with you.Follow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's storyteller is Dalia Cohen. When Dalia first told this story at the very first True Story London show, everyone was blown away. It's moving, funny and important. We can't wait to share it with you - and stick around for an insightful talk with Dalia afterward.Follow True Story London online: https://linktr.ee/TrueStoryLDNFind out about our live shows, workshops and past podcast episodes on our website: https://www.truestorylondon.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The True Story London Podcast launches on Friday 16th June - subscribe now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.