What if you could transform past adversities into a pathway for personal growth and empathy? Join us as we sit down with the inspiring Mo Cohen, who shares his remarkable journey through the trials of his childhood and the powerful role of theater in healing trauma. Mo opens up about growing up in North London during the 1950s, grappling with the emotional impact of his sister’s condition, and the feelings of blame that clouded his early years. Discover how these experiences shaped his worldview and the resilience he developed against the backdrop of his birth on a kibbutz in Israel.
Explore with us the profound ways in which the arts, particularly autobiographical theater, can be a transformative tool in processing trauma and fostering personal change. Mo takes us back to the Yom Kippur War of 1973, sharing how reliving these memories on stage allowed him to confront unresolved emotions and reinvent his narrative. This conversation underscores the enduring journey of transformation, encouraging listeners to embrace their histories and passions as mechanisms for change, even in the later stages of life.
Finally, we delve into the themes of empathy and forgiveness, as Mo shares the transformative experience of embodying his ancestors through theater. By portraying figures like his great-grandfather Morris and understanding his lineage, Mo cultivates compassion that extends into his personal relationships. The episode closes with a powerful message on overcoming blame, shame, and humiliation, reminding us that forgiveness is an ongoing journey. Tune in to learn from Mo’s story and discover the lessons of overcoming adversity with grace and compassion.
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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 overcoming & thriving through adversity.
