Stories of Survival in the Modern Age

Sarah Booth-Henry
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals

We all have more strength than we realise, especially in the everyday moments that quietly test us. This podcast is a space for heartfelt, courageous, and inspiring conversations - stories about surviving the everyday things: the roadblocks that can trip us up and hold us back from creating a life we truly love. Some episodes are reflective, where I share what I'm learning, noticing, listening to, or reading along the way. Mostly, I'll be having conversations with people who show up with honesty and openness, offering real stories rather than polished answers. This is a space for gentle insight, meaningful dialogue, and reminders that growth doesn't have to be loud or dramatic. It's about navigating life as it really is, with compassion, curiosity, and a growing trust in our own strength.

  1. 6d ago

    From Beetles to Bytes

    What do beetles, punch cards, a life-changing accident and artificial intelligence have in common? They’re all part of Kath Molyneux’s wonderfully unexpected journey. In this episode I chat with Kath, an independent technology consultant with more than four decades of experience, about the twists and turns that have shaped her working life, and the resilience, curiosity and confidence she’s discovered along the way. Kath never set out to build a career in technology. An agricultural and environmental science degree, and a dissertation involving beetles, unexpectedly sparked an interest in programming. From there, she found herself working in a then male-dominated industry, adapting to changing technology and discovering that the best solutions start with understanding people. Today, she’s still learning, exploring new technology and even using AI to tackle website security problems. We talk about resilience as a muscle that grows with practice, the importance of asking for help, and why it’s never too late to try something new. Kath’s advice is simple: have a go. You never know what might happen, but you could miss an opportunity if you never try. If you’re facing a change, questioning your direction or wondering whether you’re too old to start something new, this conversation might be just the encouragement you need. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    From Beetles to Bytes

  2. Oct 15

    Motherhood, Mindset and Finding Your Own Way

    What happens when life takes a different path from the one you imagined, and how do you find your way through it without losing yourself along the way? In this episode of Stories of Survival in the Modern Age, I’m joined by Lyndsay Williams, author of Manifesting Through Motherhood, podcast host, fitness specialist and self-development mentor. Lyndsay shares her journey from an ambitious young woman determined to prove what she could achieve to a mum navigating the unexpected realities of raising her son, Harrison, who has an ultra-rare genetic syndrome. After years of searching for answers, receiving his diagnosis brought both understanding and new challenges... and Lyndsay has since connected with other families facing the same condition, offering reassurance and support when they need it most. We talk about trusting your instincts, advocating for your child, finding strength in your support network and why looking after yourself isn't selfish. Lyndsay also explains what manifesting means to her, how gratitude and mindset have helped her through difficult times, and why personal growth doesn't have to mean chasing a bigger life or achieving more and more. Perhaps the most powerful reminder comes towards the end of our conversation: “You're never too old, you're never too late," and as Lyndsay reflects, it's also okay to pause, appreciate the life you've built and recognise that you already have so much to be grateful for. If you're a parent feeling overwhelmed, a woman wondering what comes next, or simply someone who needs permission to take a breath, I hope this conversation reminds you that you matter, too. Connect with Lyndsay: Look for Manifesting Through Motherhood and Lyndsay Williams' podcast and social channels to explore more of her work supporting women and mums. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    Motherhood, Mindset and Finding Your Own Way

  3. Oct 1

    Being True to Yourself Doesn’t Mean Staying the Same

    At 56, after more than 30 years in education, Dr. Charlotte Garbutt decided it was time to do something completely different. She retrained as a personal stylist and colour analyst and started her own business, not because she had suddenly become someone else, rather she wanted to re-empower herself and try something new. In this conversation, Charlotte and I talk about reinvention, confidence and authenticity, and why being true to yourself doesn't mean staying the same. We challenge the ridiculous idea that women should somehow dress according to their age, and Charlotte shares her thoughts on the damaging messages and insecurities created by those endless “rules” about what women over 40 or 60 should - or shouldn't - wear. We also talk about how clothing and colour can affect how we feel and how we present ourselves, Charlotte's work with trans clients, and the importance of creating a safe space where people can express who they really are. And... if you've ever wondered whether you've left it too late to change direction, Charlotte has a rather good answer: start with what brings you joy, experiment, and give yourself permission to try something different. Because being true to yourself doesn't mean standing still. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    Being True to Yourself Doesn’t Mean Staying the Same

  4. Sep 24

    The Next Chapter Was There All Along

    Six years ago, Brett Henry and I talked about authenticity and reinvention. We had no idea then just how much life was still going to change. Since that conversation, we've experienced loss, relocation, a move back to the UK, and semi-retirement. And now he's embarking on something completely new, training to become an independent civil celebrant. And yet... is it really something new? In this conversation, Brett reflects on the many chapters of his life, from broadcast television and public relations to photography, storytelling and the different ways he's found to connect with people and serve others. We talk about the idea that sometimes the career we're looking for is hiding inside the skills we've already developed, and whether what looks like reinvention might actually be about bringing together pieces of ourselves that have been there all along. We also talk about purpose, change, service and what it means to stop defining ourselves by what we do professionally. And perhaps the biggest question of all: what if the next chapter isn't about becoming someone new, it's recognising what you already have and finding a new way to use it? Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    The Next Chapter Was There All Along

  5. Sep 17

    Still Us: What 50 Years of Friendship Teaches Us

    What happens when you sit around a table with people you've known since primary school? In this episode, I'm joined by three old friends, Joanne Gallacher (Stanley), Nichola Prescott (Preston) and Lorna Read (Symon), and rather than a carefully planned interview, we simply start talking. We chat about what has changed over the five decades since we first met, what hasn't, getting older, caring less about what other people think, the different versions of ourselves we show to different people, and whether friendship really needs regular contact. We talk about friends who are there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, and what makes an old friendship feel so comfortable. There are memories, disagreements, laughter, a little nostalgia and quite a lot of “do you remember when…?” And somewhere along the way, we realise that although we've all lived very different lives, there's still something familiar about sitting around the table together. Perhaps that's one of the lovely things about old friendship: you can change enormously, and yet still somehow recognise each other. So pull up a chair and join us for a very ordinary, and rather special, conversation about friendship, memories and the people who have known us longest. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    Still Us: What 50 Years of Friendship Teaches Us

  6. Aug 20

    Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

    Lauren Sellick's story takes us through bereavement, betrayal, redundancy, lockdown, romance scams, perinatal mental health struggles and the difficult reality of becoming a mum when you're not sure you can be what your baby needs. Lauren fell in love believing she'd found her person, only to have her marriage end in a five-minute phone call. Already feeling isolated and unwanted, she was later drawn into a romance scam that ultimately cost her £40,000. Looking back, Lauren recognises a deep need to be needed, something she now understands much more clearly.  Then came motherhood. Lauren experienced depression, anxiety and psychosis during the perinatal period, and struggled profoundly to bond with her daughter, until one tiny moment, her daughter reaching out and holding her finger, became a turning point.  Today, Lauren has channelled her experiences, alongside her background in animal behaviour, welfare and teaching, into Wild Minds - bringing nature, interactive activities and conversation into classes for babies, toddlers and their parents.  This is a conversation about vulnerability, connection, motherhood, self-worth and learning to trust yourself. And perhaps, ultimately, about discovering that you were enough all along. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    Finding Your Way Back to Yourself

  7. Aug 13

    What If You’re Not Too Old?

    What if the things we’ve been told about ourselves become the very things that hold us back? At 72, Christine Worthington is a healthy living advocate, coach and lifelong learner who is still curious about what’s possible. And yet, her story began with being told, in effect, that she wasn’t quite good enough. Leaving school at 16 with few qualifications, Christine went on to study through evening classes, move into education, become a lecturer and senior manager, and gain further qualifications along the way. She also experienced imposter syndrome and the pressure of constantly feeling she had to prove herself. In this conversation, we talk about the power of lifelong learning, overcoming negative self-talk, reinventing yourself and being willing to start something new at any age. Christine shares how she learned to recognise that little voice telling her she didn’t belong, and how she turned it into determination, thinking “I’ll show you, I can do this.”  We also explore the life she thought she might have, the choices and compromises that shaped the life she actually created, and why she believes it’s more important to ask “What can I do today?” than dwell on what might have been. Christine talks about “reverse ageing”, staying physically and mentally active, curiosity, community and what she calls being “functionally fit”, including still wanting to kick a ball around with her grandson. And if you’re listening and thinking you’ve missed your opportunity, Christine is here to remind us, you can start anytime. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    What If You’re Not Too Old?

  8. Aug 6

    The Pulse of Life

    Sometimes the episode you planned isn't the one you end up releasing. After attending a celebration of life service and then unexpectedly losing her Tower Captain just days later, Sarah found herself asking some difficult questions. What really matters? What will people remember about us? And how much of life are we missing while we're busy preparing for the future? In this honest and reflective solo episode, Sarah shares why she chose to step away from work for an afternoon, what a simple walk by the river taught her, and the quiet shift she's noticing in what truly matters. If you've been carrying the weight of work, finances, doing, being or simply keep all the plates spinning, this gentle conversation is a reminder to pause... Because your heartbeat means you're alive. Stories of Survival in the Modern Age features honest conversations about resilience, reinvention, and being human in a complicated world.

    The Pulse of Life
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

We all have more strength than we realise, especially in the everyday moments that quietly test us. This podcast is a space for heartfelt, courageous, and inspiring conversations - stories about surviving the everyday things: the roadblocks that can trip us up and hold us back from creating a life we truly love. Some episodes are reflective, where I share what I'm learning, noticing, listening to, or reading along the way. Mostly, I'll be having conversations with people who show up with honesty and openness, offering real stories rather than polished answers. This is a space for gentle insight, meaningful dialogue, and reminders that growth doesn't have to be loud or dramatic. It's about navigating life as it really is, with compassion, curiosity, and a growing trust in our own strength.

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