Have you ever wondered how adversity shapes our personal growth? Join us for a meaningful conversation with Etan, a luminary in the publishing world and a driving force in the consciousness movement. From unexpectedly transitioning from math and physics to owning the iconic Watkins Bookstore in London, Etan takes us through his journey of embracing spirituality and personal development. As we reflect on the loss of my daughter and the creation of “Slay Your Dragons with Compassion,” we find common ground in the challenges that fuel our journey towards self-discovery and creativity.
Etan and I explore the relentless pursuit of self-improvement, the balance between taking risks and finding stability, and the grounding presence of a cherished bookshop amidst life’s unpredictability. His story of frequent relocations and honing resilience offers a backdrop to our discussion on the impact of diverse cultural experiences. We dive into the heart of building communities, sparking spiritual interest through ventures like Kindred Spirit Magazine, and the annual list of influential spiritual leaders, all while navigating the changing landscape of publishing with authenticity.
The episode wraps up with insights into fostering a platform that supports diverse voices and stories, beyond our own egos. Etan and I discuss the metaphorical dragons that challenge us in our personal growth journeys, and the universal nature of life’s hurdles. Through heartfelt discussions on relationships, entrepreneurship, and the power of meaningful projects, we reinforce the value of embracing both change and stability in the pursuit of purpose and passion. Tune in to discover the wisdom behind life’s challenges and the gratifying fulfillment of helping others find their path.
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Presenter
Malcolm Stern has worked as a group and individual psychotherapist for more than 30 years. He was a co-founder of Alternatives at St James’s Church in London and runs groups internationally.
He is the author of Falling in Love / Staying in Love (Piatkus 2004) and Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020). He co-presented Channel 4’s relationship series, ‘Made for Each Other’ in 2003 and 2004 and sailed on the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ with Greenpeace in the 1980s. The book he is currently writing is an exploration of the shadow and its necessity in our evolutionary development.
To become equal to the dream sewn within us, our heart must break open and usually must break more than once. That’s why they say that the only heart worth having is a broken heart. For only in breaking can it open fully and reveal what is hidden within.” – Michael Meade
This is a series of podcasts based on the premise explored in Malcolm Stern’s acclaimed book of the same name, that adversity provides us with the capacity to develop previously unexplored depths and is , in effect , a crucible for self reflection and awareness. Malcolm lost his daughter Melissa to suicide in 2014. It slowly dawned on him over the following few years that he was being educated and an opportunity was being presented where new insights helped him forge a path through his grief and despair. As part of that cathartic journey, he wrote “ Slay Your Dragons with Compassion ( Watkins 2020 ) where he was able to describe some of the practices that had helped him shed light on a way through the darkness.
