Many people believe their life isn’t interesting enough to be written down. They assume that stories belong to famous people, public figures, or those who have achieved something extraordinary.

But what if the stories of everyday lives are just as powerful—perhaps even more so?

In this episode of Unabridged You, Julie speaks with biographer, ghostwriter, and journalist Joy Persaud, founder of the I Have A Story Project, about the power of capturing the stories we often overlook—our own.

Joy has interviewed well-known figures as well as people whose stories may never make the headlines, and through her work she has come to believe that everyone carries experiences, memories, and lessons that are worthy of being remembered and shared.

Together, Joy and Julie explore how our early experiences with writing in school can shape our confidence, and why writing for ourselves can be very different from writing to be judged.

They also discuss the importance of preserving authentic human stories in a time when so much content is being generated by artificial intelligence, the role of nostalgia and music in unlocking memories, and the importance of caring for ourselves when revisiting difficult parts of our past.

Whether you have ever thought about writing your life story or simply reflecting on the moments that shaped you, this conversation is a gentle reminder that everyone has a story worth telling.

In this episode, we explore:

• The value of everyday life stories and personal histories
• How our school experiences with writing can affect our confidence
• The difference between writing for evaluation vs writing for yourself
• Storytelling as a way to make meaning of life experiences
• The idea of legacy and preserving personal history
• Why authentic human stories matter in an AI-driven world
• How music and nostalgia can unlock memories
• The importance of self-care when revisiting difficult life experiences
• How Joy supports people in writing and capturing their life stories

You can connect with Joy here:

Website: ihaveastory.co.uk

Social: Instagram

As always please follow along with Unabridged You wherever you have found the podcast, be sure to leave a review and share the episode with someone who you think might find it interesting or helpful. To connect further you can email us at unabridgedyou@gmail.com

Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYou

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In this episode of Unabridged You, Julie sits down with UK-based breathwork facilitator, trainer and founder of Breathguru, Alan Dolan to explore the depth and integrity of breathwork.

Breathwork has been mentioned by several guests on this podcast as a powerful part of their journey toward becoming more authentic and unabridged. In this conversation, we go deeper.

Alan shares how he first came to breathwork over 22 years ago — long before it entered mainstream wellness spaces — and why he continues to choose this work today, explaining that it is not a trend but a powerful tool.

At the heart of the episode is the big question: What is breathwork?

Alan answers by bringing together both physiology and lived experience. He explains how this foundational human function, when engaged with intentionally (and safely), has the potential to directly influence the nervous system and create a kind of “factory reset” — a bridge that recalibrates and re/connects the visible and invisible aspects of self and existence.

We also touch on the growing research around breathwork, including doctoral-level study exploring its potential role in supporting anxiety.

This episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with your breath — not as a trend or quick fix, but as a powerful tool for awareness, regulation and self-acceptance.

About Alan Dolan

Alan Dolan is a UK-based breathwork facilitator, trainer and retreat leader with over two decades of experience. He works with individuals and trains practitioners in high-quality, ethical facilitation, with a particular focus on Conscious Connected Breathwork. His work integrates physiology, nervous system awareness and deep personal inquiry.

Links to Alan and BreathGuru

Breathguru Trainings

Breathguru Retreats

Alan's workshops & free events

Online 1:1s with Alan

London 1:1's with Alan

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Any questions can be directed to info@breathguru.com

As always please follow along with unabridged you wherever you have found the podcast, be sure to leave a review and share the episode with someone who you think might find it interesting or helpful. The links to connect with Unabridged You are:

Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you

This episode is a table of contents for Season Three to Date.

The links for the similar episodes for Season One and Season Two are as follows

Season One: An Update, A conclusion and a Plan (7min)

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2271523/episodes/14302181

Season Two: Season Two Wrap-up (6min)

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2271523/episodes/15331397

If you would like to connect with Unabridged You, you can do so through these links:

Website: https://unabridgedyou.buzzsprout.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UnabridgedYou

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unabridged_you