What happens when life throws the ultimate curveballs your way? Join us for an intimate conversation with Ian, who has faced unimaginable adversity, including surviving a brain hemorrhage mid-cycle and enduring the heart-wrenching loss of his mother and sister to cancer. As Ian recounts his extraordinary journey of recovery and the simultaneous responsibility of caring for his ailing family members, we learn about his profound commitment to family. This commitment is epitomized by his decision to take in his sister’s children amidst their father’s struggles with addiction—a decision profoundly influenced by his wife, Lizzie, who played a crucial role in shaping his understanding of family values and responsibilities, despite his own upbringing lacking parental guidance.
Ian’s life is a testament to resilience, as he shares how his family’s tumultuous history shaped his worldview. He opens up about rescuing his grandparents’ letters from the ghetto and transforming them into a cherished book for future generations. Reflecting on his parents’ harrowing experiences during and after World War II, Ian emphasizes the guiding philosophy instilled by his mother: no one is more important than anyone else. We also dive into the significant challenges he faced, including taking on additional children and dealing with his mother’s health crises. Ian’s journey took a pivotal turn when he met his wife, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and ambition.
Embracing themes of self-improvement, philanthropy, and authenticity, our conversation with Ian underscores the importance of living with purpose. He candidly discusses the struggle to balance personal flaws with the desire to be more considerate and less offensive, revealing the rarity of true authenticity in social interactions. Ian shares his insights on the significance of being genuine and passionate, which often leads to meaningful connections. This episode captures the essence of finding purpose amidst life’s complexities, highlighting the power of empathy, listening, and striving to leave a lasting legacy while helping others.
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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.
Malcolm Stern in conversation with guests.
