Voice Within: A Storybook by Storytellers

A taste of Rachel Faith's powerful story "A Good Egg" takes us on a journey that shatters expectations and reveals the transformative potential of conscious awareness. This story leaves you asking, what happens when gratitude meets mindfulness in a relationship teetering on destruction? 

We meet Sasha, trapped in a cycle of abuse with her partner Alex. The tension is palpable from the first moment—a kicked cleaning bucket, harsh words, and the weight of ongoing mistreatment evident in Sasha's apologetic response. When she spots a small wooden temple offering meditation classes, something shifts. Despite her fear and unc...

A taste from the first breath of life, a pattern was established - a newborn girl met with maternal indifference, a mother overwhelmed by her own psychological demons. Through haunting poetic verse, this deeply personal narrative traces the shadow that childhood trauma casts across decades, threatening to engulf the next generation in its darkness.

When the narrator becomes a mother herself, she faces her most terrifying reflection - seeing her own brown-eyed daughter suffering under the weight of inherited emotional patterns. "Depression grew worse from the story repeating resentment, the curse." It's at this breaking point that...

Have you ever experienced that magical moment when something you've wished for materialises before your eyes? 

A little taste of Johnny Lee's enchanting story "Firefly in my Garden" captures exactly this phenomenon through a tale that begins in a backyard sanctuary and culminates in a profound lesson about self-acceptance. 

Johnny, both an author featured in Voice Within's first edition and a talented digital animation artist, takes us on a journey alongside a protagonist who finds himself questioning his life choices as spring approaches. During a moment of peaceful reflection under the stars, he recalls childhood me...

Have a taste of this mesmerizing narrative, Chris-James (CJ) Melchizedek channels the voice of an ancient tree spirit delivering a profound love letter to humanity.  What if trees could speak? What ancient wisdom might they share about our forgotten connection to them? 

The tree spirit takes us back hundreds of thousands of years to when the first humans encountered trees as "towering streaks of light." With beautiful, lyrical language, we witness the birth of a remarkable symbiosis between our mobile, curious species and the rooted, wise beings of the forest. The narrative reveals how early humans would ma...

Have you ever noticed something strange from the corner of your eye that vanishes when you try to look at it directly? Most of us dismiss these fleeting glimpses as tricks of light or optical illusions. But what if they're something more?

John Shuttleworth's captivating short story "Furies" invites us into a world where those peripheral flickers might actually be living creatures with remarkable adaptations for avoiding human detection. Narrated by Shuttleworth himself, this tale begins with a seemingly ordinary observation—mysterious movements appearing more visible against a new cream-coloured carpet. From this simple premise unfolds a de...

What begins as a simple letter to a season unfolds into a profound meditation on life, death, resilience, and renewal in John Shuttleworth's masterfully crafted "Dear Autumn." Narrated by the author himself, this piece transcends mere seasonal observation to capture the bittersweet essence of autumn as it stands on the precipice of winter's approach.

Shuttleworth's sensory-rich prose transports listeners between two worlds—the autumn beaches of Australia with their salt air and tide-washed shores, and the spectacular sugar maples of New York exploding in their "final glorious show" before surrendering to winter's grasp. Through vivid imagery and in...

Subscribe today and support the author's artform of storytelling.  

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of storytelling through a heartfelt reading of "A Letter to My Younger Self" by Helen Lambert. Helen's work beautifully encapsulates the essence of living in the present, encouraging listeners to cast aside the shadows of past regrets and embrace the gift of today. Throughout her narration, she offers invaluable insights on how worry can distract us from the now, urging everyone to focus on what truly matters. 

Helen poses essential questions about our relationship with memories and th...

Subscribe today and support the author's artform of storytelling. 

What if a simple family outing could transform into an epic adventure laden with the magic of nature and profound familial bonds? Join us as we share the enchanting tale of Vim and their journey to a mystical waterfall, as narrated by Lee Rickwood. This isn’t just a birthday celebration; it’s a celebration of love, courage, and the invigorating thrill of leaping into the unknown. Feel the vibrant energy of the sparkling surroundings, the sweet aroma of the earth, and the shared laughter as Vim, along with...

Subscribe today and support the author's artform of storytelling.

Ever tried to open a bank account as a clown? Join us for a whimsical adventure featuring Dorin Hart's tale "A Question of ID" from the Voice Within Anthology. Imagine a bank lobby turned stage, where Petal the clown, with her pink tutu and audacious spirit, leads her jester friends Bluff and Sid in an unforgettable quest to embrace bureaucracy with humor. As Petal navigates the serious world of a hundred points ID system, the antics of the Bellingen Company of Clowns turn a mundane bank visit into...

What does freedom truly mean? Is it escape from society's constraints, or is it having the autonomy to make your own choices? "The Circle" takes us on a journey with Ali, a young mother who has followed her partner Sam to a remote property in search of an alternative lifestyle, only to discover that escaping the mainstream doesn't automatically lead to liberation.

Eleanor Sharman crafts a story of subtle awakening as Ali gradually recognizes the controlling patterns in her relationship. From Sam's restrictions on where she can plant her herbs to his sabotage of her connections with...

Rachel Faith's powerful story "A Good Egg" takes us on a journey that shatters expectations and reveals the transformative potential of conscious awareness. This story leaves you asking, what happens when gratitude meets mindfulness in a relationship teetering on destruction? 

We meet Sasha, trapped in a cycle of abuse with her partner Alex. The tension is palpable from the first moment—a kicked cleaning bucket, harsh words, and the weight of ongoing mistreatment evident in Sasha's apologetic response. When she spots a small wooden temple offering meditation classes, something shifts. Despite her fear and uncertainty, Sasha begins att...

From the first breath of life, a pattern was established - a newborn girl met with maternal indifference, a mother overwhelmed by her own psychological demons. Through haunting poetic verse, this deeply personal narrative traces the shadow that childhood trauma casts across decades, threatening to engulf the next generation in its darkness.

When the narrator becomes a mother herself, she faces her most terrifying reflection - seeing her own brown-eyed daughter suffering under the weight of inherited emotional patterns. "Depression grew worse from the story repeating resentment, the curse." It's at this breaking point that transformation becomes...

Have you ever experienced that magical moment when something you've wished for materialises before your eyes? Johnny Lee's enchanting story "Firefly in my Garden" captures exactly this phenomenon through a tale that begins in a backyard sanctuary and culminates in a profound lesson about self-acceptance.

Johnny, both an author featured in Voice Within's first edition and a talented digital animation artist, takes us on a journey alongside a protagonist who finds himself questioning his life choices as spring approaches. During a moment of peaceful reflection under the stars, he recalls childhood memories of chasing fireflies in America – so...

In this mesmerizing narrative, Chris-James (CJ) Melchizedek channels the voice of an ancient tree spirit delivering a profound love letter to humanity.   What if trees could speak? What ancient wisdom might they share about our forgotten connection to them? 

The tree spirit takes us back hundreds of thousands of years to when the first humans encountered trees as "towering streaks of light." With beautiful, lyrical language, we witness the birth of a remarkable symbiosis between our mobile, curious species and the rooted, wise beings of the forest. The narrative reveals how early humans would make ritual offerings at...

What happens when a teenage fantasy reader discovers an undeniable creative calling that transforms their entire life? In this captivating conversation, writer CJ shares the remarkable journey of finding his creative vision and how it became the compass guiding his life choices, spiritual evolution, and artistic expression.

From hidden bedroom scribblings in a small rural Australian town to Melbourne's vibrant art scene, CJ's writing passion evolved alongside his expanding worldview. He reveals how the imperative to write—not just a want but a need—motivated academic improvement, major life changes, and ultimately led to his unique literary voic...

Finding joy during difficult times might seem impossible, but this episode offers a gentle reminder of our power to choose positivity regardless of external circumstances. Through Nick Vale's beautifully crafted piece from Affirmations Publishing House, we explore practical wisdom for maintaining inner light when the world feels dark.

Even peaceful communities haven't been immune to the stress and uncertainty of recent years. Yet within these challenges lies an opportunity to transform our perspective through simple daily practices. Morning meditation, gratitude reflection, and honest acknowledgment of emotions create a foundation for resilience that goes beyond mere survival to...

CJ Melchizedek illuminates the dance between creative rebellion and structured storytelling, sharing how his journey as a multidimensional fiction writer evolved through self-published novels, collaborative graphic novels, and experimental narrative forms.

Come join Lee Rickwood who interviews CJ on his own journey in being a published author.

• Writing the novel "Olivius" (2010) which combined linear and non-linear storytelling elements
• Collaborating with a comic book artist on "Dark Hope Legacies" (2013), learning about narrative structure through visual storytelling
• Publishing "Emerging from the Cave" (2022), experimenting with embedded imagery and innovative narrative perspective shifts
• Finding that structure provides...

Have you ever noticed something strange from the corner of your eye that vanishes when you try to look at it directly? Most of us dismiss these fleeting glimpses as tricks of light or optical illusions. But what if they're something more?

John Shuttleworth's captivating short story "Furies" invites us into a world where those peripheral flickers might actually be living creatures with remarkable adaptations for avoiding human detection. Narrated by Shuttleworth himself, this tale begins with a seemingly ordinary observation—mysterious movements appearing more visible against a new cream-coloured carpet. From this simple premise unfolds a de...

Have you ever found yourself in deep conversation with the voice inside your head? Simona Rosa takes us on a mesmerizing journey through her 2019 poem "The Internalist," created during a period of profound solitude in Bellingen, New South Wales.

Written before motherhood transformed her life, this poem emerged from four years of being single and traveling alone—a time when Simona discovered that "the internalist is your best friend, which is basically you." Through the poetic technique of anadiplosis, where the last word of each verse becomes the first of the next, she crafts a rhythmic exploration of...

What begins as a simple letter to a season unfolds into a profound meditation on life, death, resilience, and renewal in John Shuttleworth's masterfully crafted "Dear Autumn." Narrated by the author himself, this piece transcends mere seasonal observation to capture the bittersweet essence of autumn as it stands on the precipice of winter's approach.

Shuttleworth's sensory-rich prose transports listeners between two worlds—the autumn beaches of Australia with their salt air and tide-washed shores, and the spectacular sugar maples of New York exploding in their "final glorious show" before surrendering to winter's grasp. Through vivid imagery and in...

The transformative power of words takes center stage as Rachel Faith opens her heart about writing as a pathway to healing and self-discovery. With remarkable candor, she reveals how putting pen to paper became her salvation during difficult chapters of her life, particularly in breaking cycles of trauma between generations.

Rachel's journey through Buddhist meditation and mindfulness practices fundamentally altered her approach to both writing and motherhood. "It's linked in with my personal development journey," she explains, describing the moment she realized she could change patterns that had persisted through generations. Her poem "A New Birth" captures...

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of storytelling through a heartfelt reading of "A Letter to My Younger Self" by Helen Lambert. Helen's work beautifully encapsulates the essence of living in the present, encouraging listeners to cast aside the shadows of past regrets and embrace the gift of today. Throughout her narration, she offers invaluable insights on how worry can distract us from the now, urging everyone to focus on what truly matters. 

Helen poses essential questions about our relationship with memories and their ability to affect our joy and peace. Her reflections challenge u...

Ever tried to open a bank account as a clown? Join us for a whimsical adventure featuring Dorin Hart's tale "A Question of ID" from the Voice Within Anthology. Imagine a bank lobby turned stage, where Petal the clown, with her pink tutu and audacious spirit, leads her jester friends Bluff and Sid in an unforgettable quest to embrace bureaucracy with humor. As Petal navigates the serious world of a hundred points ID system, the antics of the Bellingen Company of Clowns turn a mundane bank visit into a hilariously chaotic spectacle. 

Step into the colourful world o...

Picture yourself on a tranquil morning, a warm cup of tea in hand, as you open your heart and mind to the whispers of stories, letters, and poems that weave through the essence of balance in our lives. Imagine navigating the fine line of equanimity—a tightrope where life's choices pull us between those who push us away and those who hold us close. This episode invites you to join our journey across Australia in a retro 1970 Millard caravan, as we transform the art of storytelling from the realms of radio into the intimate world of podcasts. It's more th...

What if a simple family outing could transform into an epic adventure laden with the magic of nature and profound familial bonds? Join us as we share the enchanting tale of Vim and their journey to a mystical waterfall, as narrated by Lee Rickwood. This isn’t just a birthday celebration; it’s a celebration of love, courage, and the invigorating thrill of leaping into the unknown. Feel the vibrant energy of the sparkling surroundings, the sweet aroma of the earth, and the shared laughter as Vim, along with Aqua and Tor, embrace the beauty of togetherness. This story will...

A poem to ignite the feminine and masculine within us and around us all. As we cozy up with a warm cup of tea, we uncover the heartfelt inspiration behind "Dear Sister, Dear Brother," a piece that speaks to the core of self-belief and empowerment. We navigate the societal pressures of being a woman, and a man. We acknowledge the inherent strength, beauty, and challenges faced by women, while turning a compassionate eye towards the challenges faced by men; the creativity and power of men is seen, emphasizing the need for emotional expression and humility in a world that...

Have you ever imagined a world where childhood fantasies merge with storytelling's transformative power? Join us on a heartwarming journey as we sit down with Lee Rickwood, contributing author to "Voice Within," who shares her mesmerizing tales inspired by the whimsical wonder of waterfalls. Together, we dive into her captivating story, "Happy, Happy 11th," celebrating the magic of storytelling and its ability to capture innocence and positivity. With multiple guests adding vibrant dynamics, we also celebrate milestones in their creative journey, all while sipping on a comforting cup of tea. 

This episode explores the inspiring journey of s...

Have you ever found yourself standing on the edge of something great, only to be held back by fear? Lee Rickwood takes you on an enchanting exploration of courage and connection as we celebrate Vim's 11th birthday at her special place—a breath-taking waterfall. This episode captures the essence of bravery through the eyes of a fearless young girl, whose adventurous spirit reminds us all of the beauty in taking leaps of faith. With vivid storytelling, we'll share heartwarming moments of family and community, all while uncovering the delicate dance between nurturing a child's boldness and managing the concerns th...

Step into the enchanting world of storytelling with Samantha Rose, a captivating Sydney-born writer and storyteller whose nature-inspired narratives redefine the storytelling experience. Samantha's tales, drawn directly from the natural world, sparkle with spontaneity and ephemeral beauty, offering a sensory experience that transcends traditional creative writing methods. Join our heartfelt conversation as Samantha reveals her unique creative process, where stories are spoken aloud, born amidst the flutter of butterflies and the flow of creeks, inviting us to savor the beauty of narratives crafted for a specific moment and audience.

Celebrate the transformative power of storytelling as we...

What happens when a discarded book in the streets of Kenya changes the course of a life? Join us as we share the transformative journey of Somali poet and writer Hani Abdel, whose encounter with Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" ignited a relentless pursuit of freedom and self-discovery. Hani's story weaves through the perilous escape from an arranged marriage, the trials of navigating cultural boundaries, and the solace found in poetry. Through her words, we witness resilience and courage, as she clings to her dreams amidst the challenges of her Somali roots and new life in Australia.

Hani's...

What happens when the walls of reality blur with fiction, and the shadows whisper haunting tales of pain and redemption? Embark on a soul-stirring journey as we explore 'Let's Play in the Dark at the House of Rio,' a narrative that blends true events with the dark allure of imagination. Here, we encounter a spectral figure who reveals her poignant history marked by abuse, solitude, and the desperate struggle to free herself from pain. This episode challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths, inviting listeners into a world where the spectral and soulful dance together.
 
 Prepare to be...

Have you ever felt torn between the safety of your familiar surroundings and the pull of a quest of personal discovery into the unknown? Join us as we explore the moving story of Goa, a young boy from the village of the Himalayan Mountains, whose life is colored by both profound loss and unwavering community support. Goa grapples with his duty to his family and an inner calling to a Buddhist monastery.
 
 As Goa reflects on his life experiences, he delves into spiritual practices that connect him with the memories of times gone by. The mantra of Om...