Women of Steel with Miriam Grace

How do we heal from loss? When Nicky lost Kim, she was heard and supported and she found meaning, expression and autonomy around her trauma.In order to find our healing, we need to come back to that sensing within us of things feeling aligned or dissonant. It’s a brave thing to do when you’ve suffered or have feelings that you imagine will be unbearable and consume you. But being connected with the moment. As Nicky is when she’s taking photographs brings peace.“Break the taboo, talk about it, everyone knows someone who has suffered a loss, its more common than everyone thinks and it’s a topic we need to get more comfortable with because it is a reality affecting more families every single day.” Please consider making a donation to REMEMBER MY BABY charity. Donate to Remember My BabyNicky lives in Derbyshire with her husband and they have two grown up children. Their stillborn daughter Kim is the reason for Nicky’s passion for remembrance photography. She previously volunteered for Sands, a bereavement support charity, and is determined to see Remembrance Photography offered as a choice to parents as widely as possible across the UK.AWARDS2016 - The Butterfly AwardsCherished Keepsake award on behalf of RMB 2019 - The Butterfly AwardsVolunteer of the Year award 2024 The Guild of Photographers Special Recognition (for her work with RMB). How can listeners help RMB?Raising awareness – like/share/comment on socials; funds – small charity solely dependent upon donations/fundraising with rising costsEmail: nicky@remembermybaby.org.ukWebsite: remembermybaby.org.ukFacebook: @‌remembermybabyInstagram: @‌remembermybaby/SANDS is a national organisation in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support.Miriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @‌MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @‌womenofsteelpodFacebook: @‌womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk

Glowing, blossoming, blooming! These are words associated with pregnant women. But they are not just words they are expectations. Pregnant women are often grieving too and even those who do go on to have children will experience some empty nest syndrome later on. Today we welcome Rebecca Louis from Mama Blossom to talk about real women, real pregnancy and real feelings. Of course this will include tales of joy too. Rebecca Louis is the woman behind Mama Blossom, based in Derbyshire, with two dedicated studios in Stenson and Hilton. These homely, welcoming spaces offer yoga and wellness support through fertility, pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. Rebecca also works with couples through antenatal courses, helping them prepare for birth and parenthood together.She brings women together in small, nurturing groups where they can pause, move their bodies, share their experiences and support one another. At the heart of her work is the belief that women need care too, and shouldn’t have to hold everything together. Her classes offer space to reconnect with yourself and, for mothers and babies, time to bond, connect and grow together.Social and Website LinksFacebook: Mama Blossom - Antenatal, Aquanatal & BabyInstagram: @mamablossomukWebsite: mamablossom.comBaby loss support, information and useful links: Sands - Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.Bereavement support: The Lullaby TrustMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 37 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastBlueSky Miriam Grace - Psychotherapist Author PodcasterProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk

Just a few days after returning from the OUT & WILD FESTIVAL where Rosie Wilby and Miriam Grace ran their workshop Relationship Revolution, they catch up to debrief the impact of the workshop. Rosie, a life long, or "Pioneer Lesbian" as Miriam calls them, and Miriam, a Later-In-Life Lesbian discuss some of the differences in perception between both these groups. Looking at libido, conscious uncoupling and historical lesbian community and life under Section 28. Is the end of a relationship the catastrophe we think it is? Listen in, send in your responses and ideas.Rosie Wilby an award-winning comedian, podcaster, speaker and journalist, regularly appears on radio and TV commentating on sexuality, dating and love. She has extensively explored heartbreak in her podcast, The Breakup Monologues, in her hugely successful comedy shows, and in her first book, Is Monogamy Dead? (shortlisted for the Diva Literary Awards and longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize).Miriam Grace has worked as a therapist for over three decades with those in relationships, and latterly in specialist work with dozens of later in life lesbians. Her upcoming book MID-LIFE LESBIAN: THE Coming Out Companion, which will be the only book of it's kind, with new models of coming out, insights and specialised understanding and therapeutic exercises, will be published by JKP / Hachette in 2027.Is Monogamy Dead? Rosie Wilbyhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1786154536/The Break-up Monologues Rosie Wilbyhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1472982282/Publications include The Guardian, Sunday Times, and New Statesman,Festivals include Glastonbury and Latitude.Podcast: podfollow.com/breakupmonologuesX: @rosiewilbyInsta / Threads: @breakupmonologuesBluesky: rosiewilby.bsky.socialTikTok: @rosiewilbyauthorMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastBlueSky Miriam Grace - Psychotherapist Author PodcasterOUT & WILD EVENTSProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

In this Season Special, Miriam talks to her partner, Finn, about mental health, the kindness of strangers, how the natural world can bring us healing and improved wellbeing, as well as the concept of 'appropriate rescue'.She goes into the background of why a garden rescue was important and significant to Finn when she was facing burnout, and explores the idea that sometimes survival is about connection and community.Mental Health • Burnout • Nature • Gardens • Appropriate Rescue • THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERSMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Nicky lives in Derbyshire with her husband and they have two grown up children. Their stillborn daughter Kim is the reason for Nicky’s passion for remembrance photography. A keen photographer since her teens, she ran a successful part-time photography business once the children were at school; now retired, she will never give up taking photographs.She previously volunteered for Sands, a bereavement support charity, and is determined to see Remembrance Photography offered as a choice to parents as widely as possible across the UK.Nicky accepted the Cherished Keepsake award on behalf of RMB in 2016 at The Butterfly Awards - an evening dedicated to recognition of achievements in baby loss - and was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2019 Butterfly Awards. In 2024, Nicky was presented with a Special Recognition award by The Guild of Photographers for her work with RMB. “Break the taboo, talk about it, everyone knows someone who has suffered a loss, its more common than everyone thinks and it’s a topic we need to get more comfortable with because it is a reality affecting more families every single day.”How can listeners help RMB?Raising awareness – like/share/comment on socials; funds – small charity solely dependent upon donations/fundraising with rising costsEmail: nicky@remembermybaby.org.ukWebsite: remembermybaby.org.ukFacebook: @remembermybabyInstagram: @remembermybaby/SANDS is a national organisation in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support.Miriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Caron Kirkham is passionate about young people and being a climate activist.She is committed to keeping fit and eating healthily. In November 2006 she cycled across Rajastan from Agra to Jaipur over 5 days.caronkirkham@mail.comCaron has many roles:Freelance Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructor.Associate Trainer for MHFA England and British Safety Council.https://ckmentalhealthtraining.weebly.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caron-kirkham-3b108331/****Podcasting with other MHFA InstructorsPodcasts with Heartfelt Mindshttps://open.spotify.com/show/2krus3yYK61Cbb17GEci8o****Director of Compassionate Voices****Founder of Wishing Well Shining Bright****Lead Campaigner for the Green PartyThe next election for the local council is in 2026.North Tyneside Green Party contact details07943 333 287contact@northtyneside.greenparty.org.ukwww.northtyneside.greenparty.org.ukFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/northtynesidegreenparty****Co-facilitator of an in person Action for Happiness Group****Wellbeing Walk Leader****Repair Café Jeweller****Greenpeace Speaker****Caron references: The Art of Being Brilliant, Andy CopeMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

Walking the path with uncertainty when life gets lifey!Helen Samson Mullen is the co-creator and co-host of The Autoimmune Campfire podcast.Helen was juggling caring for elderly parents, parenting and menopause when a "final straw" situation pushed her over the edge into autoimmune disease. How her diagnosis affected her, how she struggled and how she discovered the opportunities to grow within this challenge are the topic in this episode. Born and raised in the NE of England, she now lives in Wilmington, Delaware. Helen was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the end of 2018. Helen has degree in physiological sciences, a PhD and post-doc in gastrointestinal research years of medical and clinical research and is a professional certified coach. She co-hosts The Autoimmune Campfire with Nona Jordan who has MS.What would you add to our Women of Steel Booklist?I had to pick, it would be The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown.I love Isabel Allende novels and just read Radiant Rebellion by Karen Walrond that is fabulous.Find Helen on Linkedin and listen to her PODCAST on substackLinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/helen-samson-mullen-phd-pcc/Website: helensamsonmullen.comThe Autoimmune Campfire Podcast on substackMiriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk 

In this Season Special, Miriam talks to her partner, Finn, about mental health, the kindness of strangers, how the natural world can bring us healing and improved wellbeing, as well as the concept of appropriate rescue.She goes into the background of why a garden rescue was important and significant to Finn when she was facing burnout, and explores the idea that sometimes survival is about connection and community.This episode contains NO SPOILERS re the the TV show which has not aired yet, but in a follow up show the full recording, with the edited cuts replaced and restored will be available. Mental Health • Burnout • Nature • Gardens • Appropriate Rescue • THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS Miriam Grace is a psychotherapist and author with 35 years experience. Website: www.blue-skies.org.uk Facebook: Miriam Grace Therapist Blue SkiesInstagram: @MiriamGraceBlueSkiesEmail: miriam@blue-skies.org.ukPodcast website: womenofsteel.co.uk Instagram: @womenofsteelpodFacebook: @womenofsteelpodcastProduction by Tim Jones: webmill.co.uk Music by Brynovsky: brynovsky.co.uk