Golden Threads: Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life

To DIAGNOSE or not to DIAGNOSE In this episode, Pollie Rafferty discusses how her daughter receiving a diagnosis of autism led her to realise she was showing similar symptoms. Pollie shares her journey with great courage and authenticity.She relates how it can be valuable to receive a diagnosis in later life, making sense of many things. She also shares about her vulnerability as a young adult.Pollie is a wonderful story-teller, and loves using this approach to support and inspire young people.

From Pain to Power: Wenke Langhof-Gold on Healing, Femininity and Inner SovereigntyEpisode Summary:In this powerful and deeply revealing episode of Golden Threads, author Wenke Langhof-Gold joins LizaMarie Wilson to share her personal healing journey from stage 4 endometriosis - a condition she was told she would have to endure until menopause. Wenke’s story is one of deep inner transformation. She navigated years of pain, misdiagnosis, and emotional overwhelm before reclaiming her health through natural methods and inner awareness.Together, Wenke and Liza Wilson explore profound themes including feminine power, self-healing and the importance of listening to our bodies. They reflect on how illness can be an expression of deeper truths - inviting us to heal not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.“Once you dare to be you, your light will shine brightly and illuminate the path for others around you.”In this episode, you’ll discover:How Wenke’s endometriosis journey began and the years it took to receive a proper diagnosisThe emotional and spiritual components of chronic illness, and how trauma can manifest in the bodyWhy healing required her to unravel childhood conditioning and limiting beliefsThe critical role of inner awareness and instinct in restoring well-beingHow Wenke found healing through The Budwig Protocol - a German cancer treatment adapted to her conditionInsights on motherhood, femininity, and the strength it takes to reclaim your voiceWhy true healing often begins when we start trusting ourselves and shedding what no longer serves usA message of hope for women ready to step into their sovereignty, strength, and authentic powerThis episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible - and that your truth holds the key.Loved this conversation? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a woman whose story deserves to be celebrated.

Letting Go, Growing and Appreciating the Hard Parts with LizaMarieIn this deeply personal and heartfelt episode of The Golden Threads Podcast, collaborative author Wenke Langhof-Gold interviews fellow contributor LizaMarie Wilson about the story behind her chapter “Letting Go, Growing and Appreciating the Hard Parts” from the book Golden Threads: Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life.Together, they explore the emotional journey behind the story. and the courage it took for LizaMarie to share the profound lessons learned from her experiences of grief, reflection, and healing.LizaMarie opens up about:The loss of her father, her first parent to pass away, and the journey of finding peace, growth and even joy through the process of letting goNavigating a lifetime of complex emotions around a long-distance relationship with her dad - from childhood abandonment to adult reconnectionThe difference between clean and dirty anger in the grieving processHow grief can transform when love becomes the focus, even in life’s hardest momentsThe importance of laughter, light, and embracing the inevitability of death as part of growthHow we can learn to honour our stories and experiences as we healThis episode is a gentle yet powerful guide for anyone navigating grief, reflecting on complex family dynamics, or learning to embrace life’s inevitable goodbyes.Key takeaway:"Death is inevitable. Growth is necessary. Our experience is a choice."Whether you’ve experienced loss or want to better understand the healing journey, this conversation will offer comfort, wisdom, and perspective.Listen now and discover how we can all learn to appreciate the hard parts - and grow through them.If this episode moved you, subscribe to The Golden Threads Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need comfort or connection on their own healing journey. Want to read the book?Order your copy of Golden Threads: Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life at goldenthreadsbook.co.uk.

Wisdom Gained from a Wheelchair and a Three-Year-Old – with Paramjit OberoiEpisode Summary:In this moving episode of The Golden Threads Podcast, host Sue Williams speaks with contributor Paramjit Oberoi, whose powerful chapter Wisdom Gained from a Wheelchair and a Three-Year-Old weaves together love, loss, legacy and the fierce determination of a mother’s heart.Sue opens by sharing that it was a simple, heartfelt conversation in Paramjit’s conservatory that inspired the Golden Threads book itself - making Paramjit the spark behind this entire project.Paramjit shares the emotional journey of her daughter Sheenam, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington’s Disease (JHD) the day after her father's funeral. That devastating moment became the beginning of a new mission: to fight for her daughter’s quality of life, to follow her heart, and ultimately, to help others. We follow the journey to Kerala for Ayurvedic treatment, the birth of the Sheenam’s Wish charity, making an impact on scientific research and the web of human connection that evolved around Sheenam.“What is your heart telling you?” Paramjit Oberoi’s father In this episode, you’ll discover:The heartbreak of a devastating diagnosisThe powerful healing journey to Kerala, and the connections formed thereHow an unfulfilled wish led to the creation of the charity Sheenam’s WishThe ripple effect of love: raising awareness, impacting science, and inspiring changeThe importance of carer wellbeing, community support and asking for helpWhat it means to turn grief into purpose and challenge into legacy"She can't talk, but by God can she make a difference." Paramjit OberoiEpisode Highlights:0:30 - The conservatory conversation that birthed Golden Threads3:59 - A double loss: her father’s death and Sheenam’s JHD diagnosis4:41 - Determination and the search for healing5:17 - A guiding question: What is your heart telling you?6:22 - Deep connections and compassion in Kerala8:05 - The web of love and community around Sheenam9:14 - A wish that sparked a charity: Sheenam’s Wish11:15 - Goals and impact of the charity14:33 - Raising awareness and contributing to scientific research17:22 - Holding onto hope18:04 - The Huntington’s Disease Heroes book and navigating anticipatory grief19:58 - Choosing to make a difference20:55 - Carers need care too: the case for self-compassion23:00 - Paramjit’s hard-won wisdom: Reach out. Ask for help. Put yourself in the picture.  If this conversation resonated with you…Subscribe to The Golden Threads Podcast, leave a review and share it with someone who is caring for a loved one, navigating grief, or working to make a difference against the odds.Want to read Paramjit’s full chapter?Order your copy of Golden Threads: Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life at goldenthreadsbook.co.uk#goldenthreads #wisdom #self-care #womenofwisdom

The Power of Presence: Jean Wolfe on Authentic Writing, Procrastination and Women’s VoicesEpisode Summary:In this thoughtful and creative episode of The Golden Threads Podcast, Sue Williams speaks with writer, poet, and marketing mentor Jean Wolfe, a contributor to Golden Threads - Women's Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life, and founder of Spark into Marketing. Jean’s mission is to help women - especially those over 50 - express themselves online with authenticity, confidence, and clarity.Together, Sue and Jean explore the intersection between Jean’s work and Golden Threads: encouraging women to write and share their stories with heart, honesty, and purpose. Jean reflects on her own chapter, which begins with a playful moment with her grandson - and unfolds into a deeper reflection on the value of being fully present in our relationships, our creativity, and our lives.“Being present - without judgment or agenda - is the greatest gift you can give another person.”In this episode, you’ll discover:Why writing authentically matters more than ever - especially in the age of AIHow Jean supports women over 50 in finding their distinctive voice onlineThe story behind Jean’s chapter in Golden Threads, beginning with the simple joy of playing with her grandsonThe importance of presence, both in personal connection and in improvisation, creativity, and co-writingHow her e-Book Distinctive Voice - the fearless guide to a wholehearted blog worth noticing", encourages women to blog with confidence, using natural metaphors and friendly languageHow Jean’s poetry offers reassurance and motivation for entrepreneurs - and why her humorous poem The Elephant in the Room helps tackle procrastination with a smileWhy poetry and writing can be powerful acts of self-connection and resilienceThis episode is a gentle but powerful call to embrace your voice, let go of perfectionism, and show up as your true self - on the page and in life.To discover Jean's books, writing support and resources: Visit sparkintomarketing.com Loved this conversation? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a woman whose story deserves to be celebrated.

Reflections in the Mirror – with Gillian Routledge Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of The Golden Threads Podcast, host Sue Williams speaks with contributor Gillian Routledge, who shares the story behind her deeply personal chapter Reflections in the Mirror. With honesty and gentle wisdom, Gillian reflects on how the challenges within her marriage became a mirror - revealing old patterns, buried truths and the opportunity to heal.At the heart of this conversation is the realisation that our relationships often reflect who we are back to ourselves. Through this lens, Gillian shares how self-awareness, compassion and personal growth helped her shift out of reactive patterns and into a more conscious and loving way of being. She shares a powerful poem from her chapter, offering listeners a moving and thought-provoking look into how transformation begins with reflection."When we change how we relate to ourselves, we change how we relate to others." From lived experience to professional calling, Gillian now guides others on their own path of healing as a relationship coach and creator of the Awaken to Love method. In this episode, you’ll discover:How unconscious patterns can shape the way we relate to loved onesWhy moments of friction in relationships are often invitations to growHow poetry became a mirror and a healing tool for GillianThe emotional turning points that led to her personal transformationWhy reflection, self-responsibility and awareness are keys to deeper connectionHow Gillian now supports others through her Awaken to Love coaching approach."The person in front of you is often your greatest teacher — and your clearest mirror."If this episode gave you a moment of reflection…Subscribe to The Golden Threads Podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who is seeking more connection, compassion, and consciousness in their relationships.Want to read Gillian’s full chapter?Order your copy of Golden Threads: Women’s Shared Wisdom from the Tapestry of Life at goldenthreadsbook.co.uk#goldenthreads #womenofwisdom #relationships