In this episode, I sit down with Margaret Hamley to explore the power of storytelling in shaping who we are and how we make sense of the world — not just as a tool for reflection, but as a way to understand and reshape how we see ourselves and others.

We delve into narrative therapy, which centres people as the experts in their own lives, and explores how the stories we tell ourselves — and the ones told about us — influence our identity, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Together, we unpack the core principles of narrative therapy, especially the concept of externalisation: that we are not our problems. Reclaiming or rewriting our stories, we discover, can help us realise that we are multi-storied — and move beyond judgement and expectations that are often misplaced.

We also explore the transformative impact of listening with deep curiosity, and of asking questions you don’t already know the answers to — questions like “What is your superpower?” or “What are you most proud of?”. These can open space to challenge the self-limiting narratives we carry.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on the stories we tell ourselves and our loved ones— and a reminder that they are not fixed. With intention, they can be re-authored.

Resources

Curious to learn more about narrative therapy? Check out the Dulwich Centre — a gateway to narrative therapy and community work.

We also briefly touched on the concept of the Becky Brain, coined by Mo Gawdat, as a way to understand your thoughts as separate from your sense of self. You can hear more about it ⁠here⁠.