In the vast tapestry of life, grief is a thread that weaves its way through all our stories. It’s a universal experience that binds us together in the raw, authentic vulnerability of our shared humanity. Each of us has faced the cold embrace of loss, be it the departure of a loved one, the shattering of dreams, or the unraveling of what once was.
In the echo of your grief, I want you to know that you’re not alone. There’s a profound understanding that emerges from the depths of sorrow—a silent communion among those who have weathered the storm of loss. And within this shared understanding lies the potential for healing, growth, and rediscovery.
I’ve had the privilege of creating shows that delve into the delicate intricacies of grief—how to navigate its tumultuous waters, how to find hope in its darkest corners, and ultimately, how to emerge on the other side, not untouched, but transformed. It’s a journey that demands courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to honoring the memory of what once was.
I extend an invitation to you, fellow travelers on this unpredictable road. Take a moment to listen, to reflect, and to find solace in the stories of others who have walked a similar path. In the symphony of shared experiences, you might discover melodies of resilience, echoes of newfound strength, and the gentle whisper of hope that refuses to be extinguished.
Grief has a way of sculpting us into versions of ourselves we never thought possible. It’s a painful metamorphosis, but within that pain lies the potential for profound personal growth. Don’t let grief define you, but allow it to be a chapter in the narrative of your resilience.
Let these shows be a source of guidance, a companion on your journey through grief, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is a flicker of light waiting to be discovered. Embrace your grief, learn from it, and let it be a testament to the depth of your capacity for love, compassion, and the strength to continue living.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support, thank you. and please support Our Forgotten Children’s anthology and help to bring this book into production.
Building Your Business with Sara Troy and her guest Dr Christiaan Willems, on air from December 12th
I have been a coach and consultant in the corporate sector for more than 20 years, specialising in non-verbal and on-camera communication. But my professional background (after leaving Consulting Engineering behind) spans some 40 years in the performing arts, music, and television. For 25 of those years I was a professional Mime artist, creating, performing, and touring solo mime shows.
One of these solo shows, titled Son of Romeo – a mime version of Romeo & Juliet created in the style of a Bugs Bunny cartoon in which I played all the parts (with no words), including: Romeo; Juliet; a cast of thousands; and one small dog – I eventually adapted for television.
This was partly in response to my Mime teacher’s suggestion that “…you can’t do Mime on television – it doesn’t work – the silence…”, and partly because of my training and experience in television (including working for the BBC in the UK), which revealed a way of not only making it work and achieving it, but by utilising the visual language and technical capabilities of television – in this case the fairly early days of Blue Screen technology – creating the ‘cartoon’ aspects which had been hugely influential in the creation of the original stage show.
Both the visual and movement styles drew heavily from a diverse and divergent range of sources, not only the Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons, but also: the Sistine Chapel; Errol Flynn’s swashbuckling Robin Hood movie; nonsensical comedy; and of course Shakespeare – with the ‘live’ human performer both playing and interacting with multiple characters on screen, against painted cartoon backgrounds. So, both the mime skills and the television knowledge and technology were adapted to support and enhance each other in a rather unique combination.
Fast forward a decade or so to 2000 and I began adapting those same Mime skills to the non-verbal aspects of professional communication – for television presenters, tertiary academics, and corporate professionals. Because Mime, at its most fundamental, consists of the analysis, manipulation and stylization of body-language. And with body language representing more than 55% of human communication, there was, for me at least, an inescapable logic in applying those mime skills and techniques to professional communication (this has been borne out over the past 20 years as I have coached literally hundreds of professional and academic clients).
Fast forward another decade or so and I am formalising that notion (as well as others involving music) through my doctoral research and thesis. And it is in that research context that an apparently entirely unrelated story emerged by serendipitous chance, which, if written as a film script no-one would believe. Yet it is absolutely true. And the role of Serendipity – in both that story and in my research – is what binds these two remarkable stories together.
The deliciously pretentious title of the Doctoral thesis is: Music, Mime & Metamorphosis – which simultaneously says everything and says nothing. Yet it describes, was a catalyist for, and holds depths of meaning, experience, and stories that would never have been revealed without a chance comment by someone in 1979 in London who casually suggested, “you should try Mime Chris. You’ve got the body for it”.
So what’s Mime got to do with it? Just about everything…
Dr. Christiaan (Chris) Willems is a professional communication consultant and coach who enjoys an extensive and uniquely diverse career across: creative industries; music; award-winning international television; corporate communication, and tertiary education.
Informed by this diverse professional experience, and formalised by doctoral research, Dr Chris has specialised in non-verbal and on-camera communication for more than 20 years – applying his trademarked concept of: The Stylised Version of You® to the professional presenting context.
Dr Chris’s unique coaching approach utilises his specialist expertise and experience in stage and screen performance – in particular 25 years as a professional Mime artist – to help professional communicators become Comfortable, Confident, Credible presenters, both live and on-camera.
I have a free Report/Booklet titled: ‘Going Digital’ – What you need to know before you set Foot – or Face – in front of a Video Camera!’
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support, thank you. and please support Our Forgotten Children’s anthology and help to bring this book into production.
Sara’s View of Life with Sara Troy, on air from December 12th
It is the time of running around getting and wrapping those gifts, and baking, partying and finishing of the the end of year business. I am redesigning my logo in pre for Roku T.V next year. Getting some Christmas shows out to you and recording 2024 shows for you to come back to in the new year.
We have to remember, it is not all about Christmas day or the gifts and feasts, but about enjoying the seasonal events along he way. Christmas concerts, Christmas shows on TV. Time with friends, parties to enjoy, parades, shopping baking and so much more.
It is also a time to remember those less fortunate than us. A gift or baked good to some one on their onw. Community Christmas hamper to those you know can not afford Christmas this year. Those who have lost family, friends, pets, a home; being there for them, and supporting the wonderful supporter’s who are there to feed, clothe and get a gift to a child, no matter what.
Enjoy the fun leading up to the big event and simply HOHOHO have fun.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support, thank you. and please support Our Forgotten Children’s anthology and help to bring this book into production.
SARA’S OWN BOOK AND ANOTHER BOOK SHE HAS CO-AUTHORED IN CAN BE FOUND HERE
Love Our Animals with Sara Troy and her guest Joanne Watson, on air from December 6th
I want more people to know about the options on how to get your pet to behave differently over Zoom. One thing that COVID showed us is that many different and often surprising things can be accomplished over Zoom now. This is one of them.
I believe in fixing Pets Behaving Badly because life is stressful enough without having our fur-legged family adding to that stress. They are supposed to help us relax and have fun, not add to the turmoil and burden of life! Also, as in the case of anxious pets, they can harm themselves and I don’t like that either. Christmas can bring out or magnify these behaviours because everyone’s excitement and stress levels rise.
The definition of ‘BADLY BEHAVED’ is under ‘naughty’ in the English Oxford Dictionary, where naughty is described as: badly behaved, disobedient. So, if your pet isn’t doing what you want, then technically, it’s naughty, disobedient, badly behaved when compared to your set of rules. I’ve spent lots of time working out how to fix these problems in my own animals and now I do it to help others.
Joanne lives in Bega, Australia and as ‘The Pets Behaving Badly Girl’, she helps hundreds of people each year tame their wild beasts – meaning their pets including dogs, cats, chickens, horses.
Joanne speaks to business groups each week on the topics of:
– anxious pets
– working from home with pets and
– pet’s toilet habits
and is available to speak at Corporate Events from $2,000.
Pillar Practitioner: Life, Mind and Body Wellness Program | Leadership Transformation Development Coach | Bringing Calm, Control & Confidence to animals, their people & animal-focused businesses | Sales Professional
Jo is known all over the world for dealing with Pets Behaving Badly, getting them to pee outside and enabling business owners to work from home without stress. She is easily found on Google via Karmanimals Australia.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support, thank you. and please support Our Forgotten Children’s anthology and help to bring this book into production.
Authors Kiss with Sara Troy and her guest Sam Hawksmoor, on air from December 5th
As the festive season approaches and we all dive into the spirit of giving, I can’t help but think about the timeless gift of a good book. There’s something magical about unwrapping a story, isn’t there? A whole world waiting to be discovered, nestled between two covers.
For those of you looking to give the gift of adventure and mystery this season, why not consider one of Sam’s books? Each story he has crafted is a labor of love, a thrilling escape into the unknown, and a journey through the depths of imagination. They’re perfect for cozy nights by the fire or lazy afternoons curled up with a cup of tea.
From heart-pounding adventures to intriguing mysteries, my books are designed to captivate and entertain readers of all ages. Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned reader or introducing someone to their new favorite hobby, a book is a gift that keeps on giving.
So, this holiday season, give the gift of a journey through the pages of a Sam Hawksmoor book. Let’s spread the joy of reading and the thrill of a good story!
You don’t have to live with pain. For years Doctors have ignored the underlying causes of pain – prescribing opioids and other painkillers that often lead to complications, or addiction, leaving a patient in a far worse situation. At the Jirdasham Institute, we will strive to take your pain away forever, with a drug-free treatment that really works. We make no claims about curing cancer or healing rheumatics. Our Jirdasham method is not a ‘cure’, but we promise to remove your pain and let you get on with living again. Can’t live with pain? Get rid of it. FOREVER
The CASE: Delaney and Asha run the Office of City Oversight. Their role is to expose the scams, keep Berg City safe from unscrupulous contractors. When something looks too good to be true – it’s a scam, right? But what if the scam works? What kind of scam is that?
At last a new Delaney & Asha mystery following their debut in ‘We Feel Your Pain – so you don’t have to’.
“This was supposed to be a simple trace job. Find the writer, bank the money. Now it’s a horror show. Someone is going to great lengths to keep something secret.”
Wolfie Sigurdsson, hired for $10,000 by Brin Martinet to pen a biography of his Olympian shooter and photographer father, now in a dementia facility, hasn’t delivered. In a chilly New England surfing town, Wolfie, claiming surveillance and threats against writing, is dismissed by Delaney as a drunken writer fabricating excuses, yet visibly scared.
Delaney’s partner, Asha, humorously suggests a link to the Dallas grassy knoll, fitting the old man’s profile. Asha’s dive into Martinet’s photos reveals a shocking truth about the memory-lost man. But as Martinet senior disappears from the facility, with the FBI’s eyes on them, Delaney and Asha fear their own safety.
Joking about faked dementia to evade justice, they grapple with a dire secret reaching the highest ranks, aware that some truths are too dangerous to unveil. ‘a fun read with unique elements … exemplary in its voice and style’ ‘Judge, 10th Annual Writer’s Digest E-Book Award
‘an immensely satisfying story‘ – Walli Leff on Goodreads.
From the award-winning author of The Repossession of Genie Magee trilogy & Girl with Cat (Blue) MISSION LONGSHOT Jarred awake after twenty-three years in a life-pod on colony-ship Nova, Celeste discovers she’s the only survivor – a trillion miles from home. Celeste knows no one will cross the entire universe to save one life. She is alone forever save for the company of a maintenance bot called SVIMON.
From the award-winning author of The Repossession Trilogy and Girl with Cat (Blue)
Sam Hawksmoor is the award-winning author of ‘The Repossession of Genie Magee’ trilogy (now back in print and on Kindle) & the Alt-London fantasy ‘Girl with Cat (Blue)’. Sam has been a writer and University lecturer for many years running Creative Writing Master’s programs in Falmouth (Cornwall) and then Portsmouth University. * Later Lincoln University for a while. He specializes in writing writing for teens although he wrote two adult mysteries during Covid lockdowns.
In 2021 he published ‘Mission Longshot: how far would you go to save one life?’ Climate emergency meets Space adventure set in Year 2057 and weirdly New Year’s Eve 1999. An exciting adventure with a genuine message about climate change and about testing the first light speed vessel. It shows just how hard it’s going to be escape the consequences of our actions on this planet.
In 2021 Sam’s completed a mystery novel ‘We Feel Your Pain’, dutifully informed by painful sessions with osteopaths, quacks and miracle creams, none of which worked on his aches and pains. ”We Feel Your Pain” was his first mystery novel, but somehow a kid and a dog snuck in there anyway. If you’ve ever been scammed by someone who promised relief from pain read this book! ***The sequel ‘The Book of Ashes’ (some secrets are meant to be kept forever) was published August 2022. *’A Fun Read’ says Writer’s Digest.
A previous novel ‘Girl with Cat (Blue)‘ was shortlisted for the International Rubery Book Award and garnered an Honorable Mention – 26th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards. There is also completed a seven part (60 min each episode) script if anyone is interested!
****The full list of Hawksmoor titles: The Repossession of Genie Magee, The Hunting of Genie Magee, The Heaviness, Marrika, Another Place to Die: Endtime Chronicles, The Repercussions of Tomas D, J&K 4Ever, Girl with Cat(Blue), Mission Longshot, We Feel your Pain & The Book of Ashes.
We have all just lived through the Covid pandemic but Sam’s pandemic novel ‘Another Place to Die: Endtime Chronicles’ with his alter-ego Sam North, anticipated all this way back in 2006 and was then revised in 2014. A lethal virus (more deadly than Covid) is coming to North America and people are dying fast. The story traces the fortunes of four young teens who desperately try to get ahead of the disease and survive as civilization crumbles around them. There’s a very good reason to wear that mask!
Sam’s only Lincolnshire novel is MARIKKA based on a true story of a girl who fled an arson attack on her home and ran headlong into trouble. She meets Starfish Boy – hiding out with a man who claims he saving the fish in the North Sea and behind her is Marikka’s real father, endlessly searching for his daughter with the aid of Anya, the girl who can read objects.
Sam is also the joint-editor of Hackwriters.com – the long running web magazine in it’s final years. He is currently researching a new novel about one very precious Studebaker Golden Hawk.
All of our shows/interviews are done by donation, if you enjoyed this show please support us here with either a one-time donation or subscribe and support, thank you. and please support Our Forgotten Children’s anthology and help to bring this book into production.
You must be logged in to post a comment.