About Face explores a wide range of themes around identity and self including addiction, sex and relationships, trauma, LGBTQ issues, and family of origin stories. Through reflection, interview, and narrative storytelling this podcast deconstructs personal, family, and cultural narratives to better understand our ourselves and access authenticity. Hosted by Kate Marlene, writer and therapist.
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Awakenings often force us to confront our deepest fears and beliefs. The Crucible: Conversations for The Curious explores the transformative journeys of ordinary people who've navigated life-altering events. Join us as we dive into their remarkable stories of hope, resilience, and self-discovery.
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Abigail has a new documentary, The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales, in which she examines the inequality crisis through the lens of the company her grandfather helped found, The Walt Disney Company. In the film, she asks how it is possible that so many workers at Disneyland, aka “the happiest place on earth,” can’t afford life's basic necessities, even when they work full time. For the fourth season of All Ears, Abigail poses that question to people who are doing the most Disney thing o ...
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S1 - E17 | Kate embraced her intuitive gifts and found freedom from shame
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Highlight I grew up seeing spirits, travelling through my dreams, remembering past lives, all kinds of crazy stuff. My grandfather was schizophrenic... So from an early age, I really had a fear that I was just bananas. So I learnt just to keep everything quiet, all the stuff about spirits and past lives and travelling through space and dreams. I've…
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S1 - E16 | I found myself at the bottom of a bottle with 2 choices - live or die and I chose life
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Highlight Late 2018, things were really getting bad. I was popping the beers whilst driving over the flyover out of Cape Town. There were cars in every direction. Sometimes we were only doing 15-20 kilometers an hour. And the bottles weren't in bags. Look left and right; no cars are coming and drinking. It was utterly self-destructive. Summary Here…
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S1 - E15 | Ryan finds his Innate Creativity After 15 Years of Shutting it Out
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Highlight And so I had this really great gift of being able to tap into creativity and this powerful energy of self-discovery and sharing yourself and flow and all these words. And then I just decided I wasn't going to trust it. And I cut it off for probably about 15 years. summary Ryan Watts shares his personal journey of self-discovery and reconn…
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S1- E14 | Nirushka shares how she transformed from barely Coping to Thriving
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Highlight "I realised I was carrying all this stuff other people didn't experience. I call it a personal hell because that's what it was for me. Like my body was in this state of static. I felt like there was constant static running through my body, like there was this buzz, and I couldn't connect with anything outside of that buzz. And later on, I…
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S1 - E13 | Marlene breaks free from the generational alcoholic dependency after realising the damage it was causing her
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Highlight "When you stop drinking, you actually realise that you knew all along what you were doing, but you weren't prepared to pause. It was immediately reaching out for something. So, what did I notice after I stopped drinking? I noticed I have other addictions." Summary Marléne shares her journey of overcoming alcohol addiction and finding heal…
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S1 E12 | A night in Jail Helped Cindy Stop Drinking and Discover Spiritual Power and Purpose
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Highlight Cindy takes us from the fast-paced world of high-end hospitality to the realm of spiritual awakening. A night in jail following a drunk driving incident became the catalyst for stopping her drinking and a spiritual evolution. Cindy candidly shares how she confronted her alcohol addiction, deep-seated shame, and personal fears, ultimately …
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S1-E11 | Gayle was trapped in addiction for 40 years until a spiritual awakening changed everything
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Highlight Gayle shares her journey from addiction to spiritual awakening. She discusses how childhood trauma led to substance abuse, her experiences as a high-functioning addict, and the pivotal moment that sparked her recovery. Gayle describes her unexpected spiritual awakening and how it transformed her life, emphasising the importance of communi…
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S1-E10 | Liz was a 'Grey Area' Drinker who realised alcohol was damaging her relationships and life
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Highlight One Sunday, Liz made a decision to push away a wine glass, igniting an extraordinary journey of self-discovery, challenging societal norms and redefining her identity beyond alcohol's grip. Summary Liz shares her journey of awakening and sobriety, which began with a simple decision to stop drinking. She reflects on her drinking habits, th…
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S1-E09 | Barbara had a fall in her 20's which led to a journey of body reconnection and healing
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Highlight When conventional treatments failed, Barbara turned to Tui na and Qigong, sparking a remarkable transformation from living with chronic pain to wellness advocate. Her story proves it's never too late to heal, offering hope and practical wisdom for anyone seeking vibrant health after 50. Summary Barbara Ellis shares her journey of healing …
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S1 E08 I Angela was diagnosed with ADHD in 2024 and with that so much made sense
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Highlight Angela had her own creative flair and way of doing things. She had patterns, coping strategies and ways seemingly unique to her. It was only in late 2023 that she became curious about how she was different, and she reached out for help and was diagnosed with ADHD. She took this on board as a superpower and embraced the challenges and wond…
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S1-E07 | Raz had a life transforming awakening after a 10m fall in India which he was so fortunate to survive
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Highlight Raz Tayar shares his transformative journey from fear and pain to awakening and purpose. After a life-altering accident, he discovered self-love, inner peace, and the power of connection, now helping others become their own peaceful leaders. Summary Raz Tayar shares his awakening journey after experiencing a life-altering accident in Indi…
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S1-E06 | Neurodivergent Rory, experienced an awakening, triggered by being unable to communicate what he experiences
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Highlight Rory, a mental fitness trainer and coach, shares his incredible awakening journey from feeling like a misunderstood misfit in school to experiencing a period of psychosis in his early 20s. After hitting rock bottom, a unique form of healing helped him not only recover but also discover his passion for holistic health. Rory shares the pivo…
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Episode 52. The Power of Single-Mothering w/ Ruby Russell
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As a single mom myself I've had to battle the negative stereotypes and stigmas around single motherhood and what happens after a marriage/parenting relationship breaks down. In this episode I am talking with Ruby Russell is a journalist, author, and single mom from London, also living in Berlin, and the author of Doing it All: The Social Power of S…
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S1-E05 | Rikke had to decide whether to continue pursuing adoption or dedicate herself to her newfound purpose
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Highlight After watching a documentary about the Rohingya refugee crisis that profoundly impacted Rikke and shook her to the core, she started to question everything about her comfortable life. She had to decide whether to continue pursuing adoption or dedicate herself fully to her newfound purpose. Summary Rikke Ludvigsen, a social worker and trau…
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S1-E04 | Altairs body started rejecting the food he was eating. This led him to explore holistic health
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Highlight Altair's journey to awakening began in a surprising way: his body started rejecting the food he was eating. This led him to explore holistic health and address repressed emotions stemming from a strict upbringing. Through practices like Primal Integration and connecting with spiritual masters, he began to understand the importance of emot…
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S1-E03 | Grants coping mechanism for lifes ups and downs was alcohol. It took a shocking wake-up call
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Highlights For years, Grant’s coping mechanism for life's ups and downs was alcohol. It took a shocking wake-up call from his family and the support of a stranger to make him realise that he needed to change. Grant found solace and strength in Alcoholics Anonymous, where he embarked on a journey of self-discovery. Summary Grant shares his story of …
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S1-E02 | Vincent - At just 9 years old Vincent was prepared to end his life to escape his traumatic childhood.
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Highlight At just nine years old, Vincent was prepared to end his life to escape his traumatic childhood. What happened on those train tracks set him on a path of profound self-discovery, leading him to tap into an inner wisdom that he believes is available to everyone. Summary Vincent Cubitt shares his personal story of growing up in a chaotic and…
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Trailer | Welcome to The Crucible: Conversations for the Curious
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This podcast aims to provide hope, insight and a sense of connection for listeners facing their awakenings and periods of profound change. Summary Welcome to the first episode of 'The Crucible: Conversations for the Curious.' The first season of The Crucible podcast is about awakenings and the life-transforming decisions that people make. Awakening…
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51. I Went to Jail! The Stories We tell About Ourselves
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Somewhere there is a mugshot of me after I got arrested at a house party in Seattle when I was 20. There is also a picture of me graduating law school a few years later. Both of these pictures tell a story, and both are true. But how do I make meaning from these stories and these truths? What do these stories tell me about myself and my life? In th…
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50. Family Estrangement & Going No Contact w/ Janice Formichella
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"Just because someone is related, doesn't mean they love you," can be a difficult idea to accept, but recognizing that family relations don't always serve us can be empowering. Family estrangement is a taboo topic and those of us who have had to go no contact with famly members never make the decision lightly. Kate speaks with break-up coach and fa…
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49. PSA: Stop Texting When You Should Be Talking!
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When it comes to texting- I am the worst! I have a history of sending break-up texts, having serious conflicts by text message, and trying to communicate my emotional reactions and needs by text message. The thing is- we don't get anywhere by dumping on others through text message. We lose nuance, accountability, and the opportunity for conflict re…
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48. Burnout in Mid-Life and 'The Way Home' w/ Ben Katt
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I started this podcast after my own 'rock bottom' story and recovery journey, really in effort to capture the essence of personal growth and transformation coming out of darkness. But, what if there is no rock bottom? What if you simply feel, or hear a voice deep down that tells you ... something isn't right? 'Rock bottom’ stories can be inspiring,…
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I wanted to share a difficulty that I have been struggling with the last month and how I was able to manage some hard, even shameful emotions that came up for me. When my kids' father got sick and ended up in the hospital for the last month I had to accept my new role as a single mom, without the help of a co-parent. In this episode I discuss the s…
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46. Love Stories in Art and Life w/ Olivia DeRecat
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Love stories captivate all of us, but how do narratives of love influence how we date, make meaning, and tell our own stories? What do we look for in the love stories of our own lives and how do larger narratives about love influence how we pursue and experience romance? In this episode, I interview Olivia de Recat, author, illustrator, and cartoon…
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45. Illness, Negative Self-Talk, and Healing
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Being sick can have a negative impact on our sense of self and mental well-being. Do you feel unproductive, unable to be a good parent, or isolated and lonely when you're sick? When we are ill, a myriad of stories, beliefs, and negative associations can surface. These stories can impact our sense of self and, in my case, even lead to questioning my…
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44. Break Ups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On w/ Janice Formichella
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One of the greatest pains we will ever endure in life is heartache, either from a break-up, rejection, divorce, or the severance of a relationship. In this episode I talked with Janice Formicella, a break-up coach and host of the podcast, "Break-ups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On." We talked about recovery from our own divorce and other break-ups, w…
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43. College Pregnancy: An Interview with the Father (20 Years Later)
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Almost exactly 20 years ago I got pregnant. I was still in college and my boyfriend at the time was getting ready to start a Ph.D. at Harvard. We had big life dreams, that for both of us, seemed inevitable, not to be disrupted by an unexpected pregnancy. A couple years ago I met up with Jeremie when we were both in Paris and he agreed to let me rec…
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42. My (Ex) Mother in Law Thinks I'm Cray! Dealing with Multiple Truths
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Any time we try to convince others of our truth and convictions we lose power. When I got divorced I heard a lot of rumors about myself-- I'm crazy, left my husband for a younger boyfriend, etc. This experience taught me a lot about how to stand in my own power and truth and to not let myself be vulnerable to the thoughts and opinions of others.…
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41. I Am Trapped in a Foreign Country!- Reimagining Limitations
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I got on a dating app in 2012 and met my now ex-husband. Now I have two German kids and I can't leave the country! On a bad day this really gets be down, however, it has taught me a lot about the power of reimagining possibility within the very real limitations of our lives and circumstances. This episode is for anyone who has felt held back back o…
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Jane Fonda is a towering figure and an American legend. From Barbarella, to Klute, to 9 to 5, to her workout videos, she’s been gracing our screens for more than 50 years. And, though she may be best known for her role as an artist, surprisingly Jane says that’s not how she thinks of herself: “I consider myself, first and foremost, an activist.” An…
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Michael McAfee: There is No Shame in Caring for Everyone
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What if we thought of America’s economic inequality as design flaws of policy, rather than the result of personal failings? And what would our policies look like if we included everyone in the design process? These are the questions that drive the work of Abby’s guest this week, Dr. Michael McAfee, president and CEO of PolicyLink. PolicyLink is a v…
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Jay Coen Gilbert: Rewriting the "Source Code" for Capitalism
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In a recent New York Times op-ed, “America Is in a Disgraced Class of Its Own”, sociologist Matthew Desmond writes about the shameful amount of poverty in America, and our responsibility for it. He also writes about solutions. He points to B Corp as a beacon of light, a resource for people who want to support corporations that actually respect work…
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Journalist Rick Wartzman on Walmart: Good Intentions Are Not Enough
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This week, Abby talks with business writer Rick Wartzman about what he learned while reporting his latest book: Still Broke: Walmart's Remarkable Transformation and the Limits of Socially Conscious Capitalism. Rick spent nearly three years documenting how Walmart’s directors worked to significantly improve wages and conditions for employees — and h…
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Labor Leader Mary Kay Henry: Building The Most Inclusive, Racially Diverse, Female Dominated Middle Class the Nation Has Ever Seen
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If you've been paying attention, you've heard how unionization efforts are popping up all over the country, from Starbucks, Amazon and Apple; to airports, nursing homes and college campuses. Indeed, in numbers not seen in generations, American workers are fighting for higher wages, better benefits and, yes, a little more dignity on the job. This we…
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Economist Kate Raworth: The Best Doughnuts are Conceptual
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Picture your favorite doughnut. Whether it’s chocolate glazed with sprinkles, vanilla pastry cream, red velvet, you’re inadvertently invoking one of the most important reimaginings of our economy of the last 20 years: Doughnut Economics. It posits that our economy should remain in balance with our communities and the planet, and visualizes that bal…
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Settle in with Abby and labor organizer Erica Smiley for a free-wheeling conversation about unions, democracy, history, and so much more. Smiley is the Executive Director of Jobs with Justice, a national labor group working to change the meta-narrative about who the economy is for and what it should look like. She is also the author, along with Sar…
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Marlene Engelhorn: Let's Talk About Tax, Baby
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This week, as Congressional Democrats attempt to convince Republicans to impose taxes on the very wealthy, Abby talks “tax positivity” with the delightful Austrian activist Marlene Engelhorn. Engelhorn made headlines around the globe when she announced that she wanted the government to take away–through taxes–most of her multi-million dollar inheri…
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Nick Hanauer: Ending the Protection Racket for the Rich
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A week after President Joe Biden’s fiery State of the Union address focused on re-growing America’s middle class, Abby has a lively conversation with millionaire reformer Nick Hanauer about what Biden is doing and why it’s so important. Hanauer, a venture capitalist and activist, has long been sounding the alarm on our inequality crisis, warning th…
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