This is Stuart

In todays episode we go through John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, a timeless work that invites us to rethink friendship, belonging, and the sacredness of human connection.Anam Cara means “soul friend,” is at the heart of Celtic spirituality. It represents a bond that transcends time, distance, and even death a friendship where two people see each other at the level of the soul. Knowing to live with clarity, presence, and intention. It’s about learning how to slow down, rediscover belonging, and honor the sacredness of ordinary life.Reference:Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom John O’DonohueBeauty: The Invisible Embrace John O’DonohueEternal Echoe John O’Donohue

The raw terrain of belonging, identity, and authenticity, inspired by Brené Brown’s powerful concept of “braving the wilderness.” Through personal reflection, psychological research, and spiritual wisdom, Stuart explores the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, why so many of us feel lonely in crowded rooms, and how we can build real connection without betraying who we are.Reference:Braving the Wilderness by Brené BrownBelonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides by Geoffrey L. CohenThe Gifts of Imperfection by Brené BrownThe Art of Belonging by Hugh MackayThe Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

A reflective look at the world of celebrity and fame; the breakdowns, perfectionism, and the pressures we place on ourselves in an image-obsessed culture.Why do the people we admire most celebrities, influencers, icons so often collapse under the very success we crave? And more importantly, what does their anxiety, addiction, and burnout reveal about our own silent struggles? Reference:The Myth of Normal Gabor Maté Self-Compassion Kristin NeffThe Presentation of Self in Everyday Life Erving Goffman Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari The Gifts of Imperfection Brené Brown

An episode about hose moments of anxiety on a train, the sting of failure, the tenderness of grief, and the surprising freedom that came when we stopped trying to control everything. When relationships act as mirrors, how memory shapes meaning, and why small, identity-based habits often matter more than grand transformations.Massive thank you to Kelly P for this notion of how we learn to be present with ourselves and others. For anyone who’s tired of chasing the “next” and ready to practice being fully "HERE"Reference:Emotional Intelligence Daniel GolemanThe Untethered Soul Michael A. SingerA New Earth Eckhart TolleThe Gifts of Imperfection Brené BrownEmotional First Aid Guy Winch

Our Book Review of the Month is on how to confront the one truth we all share: we’re all going to die. Inspired by Irvin D. Yalom’s profound book "Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death", We explore what it really means to live with the awareness of our own mortality and how that awareness, far from paralyzing us, can actually set us free.Through storytelling, hard-won insights, modern psychology, and ancient philosophy, I unpack how death anxiety affects our relationships, our work, our choices—and how to transform it into courage, purpose, and deep presence.ReferencesStaring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death Irvin D. YalomThe Denial of Death Ernest BeckerMan’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. FranklBittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole Susan CainThe Five Regrets of the Dying Bronnie Ware

How are you really? What happens when the online world collides with the real one; like meeting internet friends for the first time?And what does it truly take to show up for others while staying grounded in your own healing?Reference:.The Creative Act A Way of Being by Rick RubinDigital Relationships & Mental Health (2017). Lost Connections Johann Hari

Some of us feel everything, others not so much move through life with steadiness and calm. Psychologists call this the difference between high neuroticism and low neuroticism. The strengths and challenges of each emotional style. How worriers and warriors can connect without clashing. Tools to balance warmth and competence in communication. Personal stories of growth, friendship, and letting go of perfection. Practical, science-backed exercises you can start using today.Reference:The Highly Sensitive Person Elaine N. Aron Emotional Agility Susan DavidCues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication Vanessa Van Edwards

Today let's explore the Celtic festival of Samhain, the ancient New Year marking the end of summer and the thinning of the veil between worlds. The origins of today’s most beloved Halloween customs—bonfires, costumes, lanterns, divination games—and the communities that kept them alive through centuries of change. Along the way, we’ll see how Irish people have adapted their traditions without losing their essence, holding fast to the values of connection, protection, and shared storytelling.Reference:Samhain: The Roots of Halloween Luke EastwoodArchaeology Ireland Excavations at the Hill of WardThe Ritual Process Victor TurnerHistory.com Halloween Origins & Irish InfluenceDerry Halloween – Festival Programme & History

Spoiler Disclaimer: This episode contains detailed discussion of the plot and characters of Martyr!Our Book of the Month to reflect on is Martyr! by Kaveh Akbara.A story that forces us to confront the weight of attention, grief, and meaning in our own lives with characters that define what matters, how their choices of where to place attention shape the novel’s themes, and what lessons we can draw for wellness, identity, and connection.A very special shoutout goes to @ShawneeAtTheLake for putting this book in my hands. Martyr! landed like an immense slap in the face—demanding not passive reading but active reflection, both literary and personal.Reference:Martyr! Kaveh AkbarMan’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. FranklIn the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Gabor Maté