Wisdom Gained from a Wheelchair and a Three-Year-Old – with Paramjit Oberoi

Episode 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 diagnosis
• The powerful healing journey to Kerala, and the connections formed there
• How an unfulfilled wish led to the creation of the charity Sheenam’s Wish
• The ripple effect of love: raising awareness, impacting science, and inspiring change
• The importance of carer wellbeing, community support and asking for help
• What it means to turn grief into purpose and challenge into legacy

"She can't talk, but by God can she make a difference." Paramjit Oberoi

Episode Highlights:

0:30 - The conservatory conversation that birthed Golden Threads

3:59 - A double loss: her father’s death and Sheenam’s JHD diagnosis

4:41 - Determination and the search for healing

5:17 - A guiding question: What is your heart telling you?

6:22 - Deep connections and compassion in Kerala

8:05 - The web of love and community around Sheenam

9:14 - A wish that sparked a charity: Sheenam’s Wish

11:15 - Goals and impact of the charity

14:33 - Raising awareness and contributing to scientific research

17:22 - Holding onto hope

18:04 - The Huntington’s Disease Heroes book and navigating anticipatory grief

19:58 - Choosing to make a difference

20:55 - Carers need care too: the case for self-compassion

23:00 - 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

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The Power of Presence: Jean Wolfe on Authentic Writing, Procrastination and Women’s Voices

Episode 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.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why writing authentically matters more than ever - especially in the age of AI
• How Jean supports women over 50 in finding their distinctive voice online
• The story behind Jean’s chapter in Golden Threads, beginning with the simple joy of playing with her grandson
• The importance of presence, both in personal connection and in improvisation, creativity, and co-writing
• How 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 language
• How Jean’s poetry offers reassurance and motivation for entrepreneurs - and why her humorous poem The Elephant in the Room helps tackle procrastination with a smile
• Why poetry and writing can be powerful acts of self-connection and resilience
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This 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.

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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.

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 ones
• Why moments of friction in relationships are often invitations to grow
• How poetry became a mirror and a healing tool for Gillian
• The emotional turning points that led to her personal transformation
• Why reflection, self-responsibility and awareness are keys to deeper connection
• How Gillian now supports others through her Awaken to Love coaching approach.
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"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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.