The Story Attic

Lisa Ellis

Hello and Welcome to the Story Attic. On this podcast I help to tell the stories of friends, family, and strangers as they reveal life changing experiences that have rarely, if ever, been discussed with anyone before. The purpose of this podcast is to share the wild, fascinating, scintillating and sometimes tragic stories of the people you pass on the street, your old friend from school, the guy you sit next to at the office, your wicked old aunt, or the checkout person at the supermarket. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Dream to Rise: Cynthia's Story
16-02-2023
Dream to Rise: Cynthia's Story
Don't forget click the checkbox to follow the show, and please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.comOn this episode:  On today's episode, I'm speaking with Cynthia, an author, podcaster, coach and most importantly, a Mom.  After moving from the Philippines to the US with her then husband, Cynthia's life began to crumble, resulting in the ultimate tragedy.  After a long, dark period she began to emerge, fight back and clear the path to manifest her dreams and desires.  About Cynthia Concordia:Cynthia is the Founder and Owner of Dream to Rise, LLC, life coach, published author and podcaster.  Her vision is to spread sunshine and happiness to the people she interacts with so this may create a ripple effect.  Her mission:  To help those who are struggling with their blockages and limiting beliefs that stop them from moving forward to manifest their dreams.More facts about Cynthia:  Retired from the World Bank last Oct. 2019 as HR Analyst but now discovered her passion of serving others.A loving mother to her two adult children (Nathalia, 31 yrs. old, just got married and expecting; and Gabriel, 26 years old) and a grandma to two fur babies (Chief and Siggy).Volunteer at the Fairfax Family Services as a mentor to abused and bullied children and a Rotarian (Chairperson, International Services Committee, Rotary Club Pasay EDSA, Philippines) to help improve the livelihood of the Filipinos, especially in the remote areas in the Philippines. Value human connection and knowledge sharing.She is a workout buddy who goes to the gym every day to attend Zumba and body pump classes.Cynthia loves to travel to meet new friends and learn their culture.Connect with Cynthia:Website:  www.dreamtorise.infoFacebook:  Cynthia Concordia | FacebookLinkedIn:  (3) Cynthia Concordia | LinkedInInstagram:  Cynthia Concordia (@cynthiaconcordia) • Instagram photos and videosBook:  Amazon.com: My Journey Into Becoming: 9798795490434: Encinas-Concordia, Cynthia: Books
Forget Me Nots - Carolyn's Story
21-09-2022
Forget Me Nots - Carolyn's Story
Don't forget click the checkbox to follow the show, and please leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.comOn this episode:  On today's episode, I'm speaking with Carolyn Birrell, the author of Walking With Fay.  This is the story of how she learned to cope and adapt along with her Mother, after her Mom was diagnosed with dementia.  About Carolyn Birrell:Carolyn Birrell retired to Bonners Ferry, ID, after having spent 20 years in Atlanta, GA, where she worked for the American Cancer Society National Headquarters and then as a real estate agent. Soon after her move, she relocated her aging mother to be near her and spent the next eight years caring for her while learning “all things dementia.” She began writing initially to help her make sense of her mother’s early-stage dementia and the terrifying behaviors that came with it. It didn’t take her long to realize she’d been writing the very book she’d been searching for – the one that not only tells one woman’s story of traveling down her mother’s path into dementia from its beginning to its inevitable end, but also helps others who are struggling to keep pace with their own loved one and desperately needing help. These days you can usually find her pulling weeds, plucking strings on her ukulele, or on her paddleboard. “Walking with Fay” can be found at www.carolynbirrell.com, on Amazon, or anywhere you buy books.Connect with Carolyn:Email: author@carolynbirrell.comInstagram: @authorcarolynbirrellFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynBirrell/Website:  www.carolynbirrell.com
Getting Unstuck:  Suzette’s Story
08-09-2022
Getting Unstuck: Suzette’s Story
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.comOn this episode:  This is a unique tale about a woman who was constantly on the quest for the wrong kind of romance.  She weaved in and out of situation-ships based on pre-conceived notions of male/female dynamics and fairy-tale whirlwind affairs.   She married, then divorced.  Then she married the same man again -- and divorced him.  Again.   After having had just about enough of being a bystander in her own love-life, Suzette found herself not only transforming her belief system, but creating a life of intention and using her confidence to attract the love she always deserved.  Her poise and wisdom is felt in every word she speaks and I find her quiet confidence both comforting and inspiring. Connect with Suzette:Email:  suzette.vearnon@suzettesolutions.comPodcast:  suzettesolutions.com/listenWebsite:  www.suzettesolutions.comFacebook:    www.facebook.com/yourcoachsuzetteTwitter:       www.twitter.com/yourcoachsuzettInstagram:   www.instagram.com/yourcoachsuzetteBook(s):      The Sound of My Life                 The Sound of My Soul                 Protecting Your Emotional G-Spot         "You are worthy, you are worth it, you are enough."
WADE:  Man of All Trades - Filmmaker, Mortician & Wrestler
10-08-2022
WADE: Man of All Trades - Filmmaker, Mortician & Wrestler
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.comOn this episode:  On today's episode, I'm speaking with Wade Simmons.  Wade has spent his entire life choosing to follow his dreams, not letting anyone's perceptions  or negativity get in his way.  At 30 years old, he's working on 3 distinct careers at once while dealing with an incurable neurologic disorder.  Check out his creative short films on Vimeo with links below.About the Storyteller:Wade Simmons is an easy going Filmmaker born and raised in Chicago IL.  His motto is "while we have time, make the most of it and putting GOD first is key" .   Since he was a young child he always knew he wanted to be a filmmaker and mortician.  By the grace of GOD he has been blessed to pursue both.   Wade has worked in the funeral business for 11 years and doing independent film work for 4 years now.  He has always been interested in pursuing pro-wrestling and is now training.Connect with Wade:Instagram: @wadejedi99Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wade.simmons.148Wade Simmons Short Films:Love & Strikeshttps://vimeo.com/553211482Not Looking For a Relationship Huh?https://vimeo.com/665936951
Miraculous:  Lena’s Story
02-08-2022
Miraculous: Lena’s Story
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.com=On this episode:  On today's episode, I'm speaking with Lena Cebula who is telling her incredible story of coerced drug use, child abuse, loss of her child, and being a survivor of human trafficking.  This is an awe-inspiring tale of resilience and strength.About the storyteller:Lena Cebula was born and raised in a post-USSR Ukrainian iron mining town.  Her parents struggled in their marriage, became alcoholics, lost well paying jobs and eventually divorced losing custody of their kids.  Lena  struggled in poverty and in trying to survive was abused and raped numerous times.  After the loss of her first child at 15, drug addicted and alcohol dependent, she was twice trafficked to foreign countries, Israel, and Canada.   In Canada she escaped sex slavery and lived in shelter, took English as a second language classes from level 0.  She then applied and finished cosmetology government credit course for newcomers.Today, she is a wife and a mother of three beautiful children. She is social justice advocate, blogger, speaker, and host of Love&BLoved Podcast.   She partnered up with Fight4Freedom which exists to be an active voice and advocate of justice for women and men impacted by the sex industry and to further assist them in finding necessary supports that will aid them in their journey to safety, healing, and restoration. Connect with Lena:Fight4Freedom - https://www.fight4freedom.ca Miraculous (Lena's Book):  https://www.amazon.com/Miraculous-My-journey-hell-heaven/dp/1545675910/ref=mp_s_a_1_2dchild=1&keywords=miraculous+by+lena&qid=1630017915&sr=8-2  Email: lenacebula@gmail.com Website: https://loveandbloved.com Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1583527 Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/lena-cebula-4033318b Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LoveBLoved-101426048404287/ Twitter: www.Twitter.com/LenaCebula Blog.   http://lenacebula.blog
No Right, No Wrong: Heidi’s Story
26-07-2022
No Right, No Wrong: Heidi’s Story
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.com=On this episode:  On today's episode, I'm speaking with Heidi, a psychotherapist who experienced a tremendous sense of overwhelm and a health crisis through a period of her life where everything was seemingly perfect.  She describes the events and how she has transformed her life and the lives of others through setting intentions and thoughtful planning.About the storyteller:Heidi Gruss, is the CEO and founder of HeidiGruss.com, an International Transformation Company, and creator of The Transformation Methodology™.  The Transformation Methodology™puts expectationsputs an end to living according to other people’s expectations so you can finally feel at peace living authentically.  What would happen if you put an end to tolerating all of the bullshit?  True and total confidence, abundance and joy!Heidi combines her education, training and over 18 years experience working with women as a licensed psychotherapist with her success as an entrepreneur, to build a powerful mindset and instill the pillars of long-lasting success.Connect with Heidi:https://www.heidigruss.com/offers https://www.instagram.com/heidigruss/ https://www.facebook.com/heidigrussofficialhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/heidigruss/
Sticks & Stones: Andrea M’s Story
19-07-2022
Sticks & Stones: Andrea M’s Story
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!  https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.com=On this episode:  Andrea Mason was brought to the US via adoption from Columbia during the Columbian drug cartel to be raised in the Northeast by a loving but strict family.  She endured many years of bullying at school, but pushed her way through by accessing her talents and  building a life and career by following her passions.  Connect with Andrea Mason:Andrea has over 2 decades of experience in personal development in Social Work and in Psychology. She is Certified as a Global Motivational Speaker and Coach under the mentorship of “The” one & only Mr. Les Brown, as well as, a Certified Small Business Entrepreneur, Certified Professional Organizer, and last but not least, Andrea is Your Personal Accountability Coach and Popular Global Voice. As a woman of integrity, she is the creator and innovator of the life transformational journey called “PLAY”: Plan Life According to You, where she walks alongside you as your personal accountability coach helping you achieve personal freedom through the healing power of forgiveness. Andrea, wholeheartedly, provides the metaphorical needed “Bridge” that a person must walk across in order to get themselves from where they’re currently at to where it is that they would like to go. She lovingly reminds you, and the entire Planet, to always “Follow Your Heart & Not the Herd, Nor the Hurt” ... and ... once you achieve personal freedom, you can achieve anything.Andrea arrived in the United States of America at 11 months old weighing in at only 11 pounds. With these Angelic numbers (11:11) ushering her into the land of free, she’s become an inspirational living testimony that Big Dreams CAN and Do come true.Andrea invites you to reach out to her via am.pressplay@Yahoo.com to receive a complimentary coaching gift to immediately help get you moving in the direction of Your goals & dreams.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Links: YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/AndreaMasonYourAccountabilityCoachPressPLAYLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsandreamasonWebsite:Andreamasons.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/andrea.mason.7982Instagram:Www.instagram.com/am.andreamasons/
What I Know Now: Rachel’s Story
12-07-2022
What I Know Now: Rachel’s Story
Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.comOn this episode:  With her 60th birthday on the horizon, Rachel has been looking for interesting new experiences - such as taking part in The Story Attic podcast! Her story includes how she has been a big sister to three very different brothers, but not all at the same time. She also talks about her involvement in international education for 35 years, including living and working outside the UK, the diagnosis of her beautiful daughter’s profound and multiple learning difficulties, which brought travelling to an end, and the subsequent challenges and opportunities of the past 18 years. At present, Rachel is based in Bournemouth on the south coast of England. As well as being a daughter, sister, wife and mother, Rachel is a college director, charity ambassador, board member for the town centre’s Business Improvement District, and has founded a local international festival, One World By The Sea. Her current project is writing a book called Happy Silver People in which she shares 60 ideas for leading happier, healthier, and easier lives as we grow older. She is working towards a publication date in late 2022.   Connect with Rachel:Happy Silver People Facebook GroupHappy Silver People You TubeHappy Silver People Website
Really Out of My Mind: Matt’s Story
29-05-2022
Really Out of My Mind: Matt’s Story
Welcome!  Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.  On this episode:  In the early 1990's, Matt was a teenager - working on TV's Candid Camera, about to go away to college on a football scholarship, and enjoying a great life surfing and skateboarding in California.  One fateful day, he got into a vehicle and woke up three months later.   He was given a 5% chance of living.  About Matt Thomas:Matt Thomas is the founder of PositiveMatters.org.  Matt is an advocate for not only the consequences of intoxicated driving, and the support that disabled people need in order to improve their quality of life. He spends his time giving speeches about drinking and driving in schools and trying to get through to people before they could potentially make the same mistakes he did. Positive Matters' mission is to create awareness within the health care and education professions that anything is possible. People with disabilities do not need to be fixed, they just need to be enhanced. With our belief that people with disabilities should participate in their community and be valued as productive members of their society with feeling a sense of accomplishment, we could provide a positive life outlook. With activity in a natural environment, hydrobiking is a new type of stimulant that can help motivate people even more that they can do things, such as riding a bike on water, which may have seem impossible before. With Matthew as its inspiration and founder, Positive Matters is working to help show disabled people that they can be their own self-advocate and improve their quality of life.Learn More:Matt's Organization: https://www.positive-matters.org/Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iyAnIeaESoMatt's Film Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18075990/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mauem-brain-injury-awareness?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customerMatt's Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay-uw69feDk
Gaslit: Del’s Story
23-05-2022
Gaslit: Del’s Story
Welcome!  Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify, Google or wherever you get your podcasts.  On this episode:  Del tells her story about being the daughter of a narcissistic and co-dependent Mother and one of three children of an extramarital affair.   As a child she would only see her father coming and going in the cover of night which broke her love compass and led to poor relationship choices.  She tell us about the work she did to set herself back on course and how she now helps others through the 3 Principles.About Del Adey-Jones:Del Adey-Jones is a Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach, Author, Speaker, Podcaster, YouTuber, Blogger, and founder of A Spiritual Solution to Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse. Thanks to her unconventional childhood and personal challenges including divorce and raising children as a single parent, her work is informed by her real-life experience and deeper studies of Spirituality and Psychology. Using her down-to-earth, relatable approach to coaching and her commitment to creating a safe space to explore the Inside Out Understanding, she serves a wide range of clients worldwide.Connect with Del Adey-Jones Coaching:WEBSITE: https://www.deladeyjones.com/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004316475851 and https://www.facebook.com/Del-Adey-Jones-Coaching 112618520372588/?ref=pages_you_manage YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPiJVkF16cp8ERXt3FvSK1Q BLOG: https://deladeyjones.medium.com/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/del-adey-jones-35a0543b/ OFFERS: 1. Individual Coaching and Mentoring Packages 2. The Way Out of Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse Program https://www.deladeyjones.com/the-way-out 3. Schedule A 20-Minute Complimentary Discover Call https://www.deladeyjones.com/ .For a free PDF copy of my chapter, A Spiritual Solution to Low Self-Esteem, from the Amazon best-selling book, Comple
Footsteps Even Lighter:  Megan’s Story
10-05-2022
Footsteps Even Lighter: Megan’s Story
Welcome!  Please click the checkbox to follow the show, and leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.  On this episode:  This week's guest is Megan.  Today she is telling the absolutely incredible story of her triumph and survival after an 18 year marriage to an emotionally and physically abusive man.   She is a strong and courageous woman and such and inspiration.  It is never too late to leave a toxic relationship.  If you need help, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.  About Megan Denae Anderson:Follow her podcast:  Flow Working The Entrepreneurs Podcast wherever you get your shows and on YouTube.  Her website is:  www.flowworking.netAfter 15 years of working as a small business operations manager,  Megan was left uninspired by the owner's lack of communication, training, and overall organization. In 2014, this frustration led her to start her own consulting firm. For the next 6 years, she  followed her passion for helping solopreneurs work toward the business of their dreams and the revenue to support those dreams.Today she's a content creator with a twist, working with clients to help them take a deep dive into their own client journey and together, using her proven process to develop impactful content.  Her clients are entrepreneurs and small business owners who are looking to grow their online audience and presence through the power of video and have a deep desire to do so in a truly authentic way that's unique to them.When she's not podcasting or producing podcasts, she enjoys cooking, gardening, spending time with her 3 dogs, her two 13-year-old boys, and traveling the globe with her life partner. --------------Follow my podcast Instagram @thestoryattic and Facebook page, The Story Attic.  For show ideas or to be a guest on the show, email me at Thestoryatticpod@gmail.com.  Thanks!https://thestoryattic.buzzsprout.com