Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Steven shares a personal update following the record-breaking winds of Storm Goretti in Cornwall. After the chaos of the storm, a chance encounter with a lady named Joanne reminds him of the beauty of "apricity"—the warmth of the sun on a cold winter's day.

Join Steven for a gentle conversation about finding calm in a noisy world. He explores why we often "doom scroll," the relief of realising how little we are actually in control of, and why slowing down might be the best way to handle uncertain times.

Key Highlights

1. The Calm After the Chaos: How quickly things change from 100mph winds to a beautiful, spring-like day, reminding us that nothing is permanent.
2. Word of the Day: Steven shares his favourite word, apricity, and why we need to appreciate those moments of warmth during life’s winters.
3. The Illusion of Control: Why realising we aren't in control of 99.9% of things (including world leaders or the weather) can actually be a huge relief.
4. Simple Wisdom: A reminder that knitting, walking, or just taking a breath at a traffic light can be as powerful as formal meditation.

Memorable Quotes

Links & Support

1. Website: stevenwebb.uk

Support the Show: Treat Steven to a coffee at his website to help keep the podcast ad-free.

Inner Peace Meditations: Listen to Steven's meditation podcast for more ways to slow down.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Happy New Year to you all! It is great to be back recording after a tough few weeks battling a severe chest infection. Before we dive into today’s episode, I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me and donated over Christmas.

Your kindness keeps this podcast ad-free and helps cover the editing and admin costs which allows me to keep going. A special shout out to Jessica, Laura, Catherine, Joan, Ulysses, Lisa, Kerry, and Audra. And wow, thank you to Joan and Ulysses for the 40 coffees! You are all absolutely brilliant.

In this episode:

I share a bit about my recent battle with "man flu" and the complications of dealing with a chest infection while being paralyzed. It was a stark reminder of how fragile things can be, leading to an ambulance visit and plenty of steroids.

But this experience led me to my focus for this year. Instead of setting strict resolutions that we often break, I am inviting you to choose just one word for the year. My word is Simplify.

We explore what it means to strip life down to its simplest form to remove obstacles and reduce suffering. Whether it is closing tabs on a browser or just sitting in silence, simplifying is about finding peace in the moment.

We also talk about:

1. Why I chose "Simplify" as my word for the year.
2. The spiritual journey of reducing suffering and attachment.
3. How to handle emotions like anxiety and overwhelm by listening to what they are teaching us.
4. Examples of words you might choose, such as Acceptance, Trust, release, or Curiosity.

What is your word for the year? I would love to hear it.

Links and Contact: If you want to get in touch, share your word, or just say hello, you can message me directly at:

https://stevenwebb.uk

Thank you for listening and for your continued support.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

In this episode I explore a question many people quietly carry. Can you love Jesus and still practise awareness. Can the comfort of Christian faith sit alongside the clarity of Buddhist teaching. Do you have to choose one path or can they both live in the same heart.

This conversation begins with the famous poem Footprints in the Sand and widens into a look at what truly carries us when life cracks open. I talk about Sunday school, my favourite childhood hymn, the years when I tried to get rid of all religion, and how awareness eventually softened everything.

We touch on the sermon on the Mount, the beauty held in Corinthians thirteen, the voice of the Buddha, and the simple human truth that all wisdom traditions point toward compassion and presence. The episode is really about how to build a spiritual toolbox that actually works, without throwing away the tools that once held you through the hardest nights.

If you have ever wondered whether your Christian faith can live peacefully beside meditation and Buddhist ideas, this episode will speak to you.

Quotes from the episode

“Anything that opens your heart and brings less suffering into the world is worth keeping.”

“You do not need to choose between Jesus and awareness. You can hold both. The presence beneath them is the same.”

“We suffer when we cling. We grow when we include.”

“Whatever carries you in the storms, honour it. Add more tools if they help. Nothing precious needs to be thrown away.”

“You can sit with Jesus and the Buddha at the same table. Trust me, they would get along.”

Listen to my guided meditations

Inner Peace Meditations is linked on the website

Support the podcast or buy me a coffee

All links are at https://stevenwebb.uk

Takeaways:

• In this episode, I explore the intersections between Jesus, Buddhism, and the Bible, sharing my personal journey with spirituality.
• I reflect on pivotal moments in my life that challenged my beliefs and how I came to appreciate different teachings.
• The idea that many religious teachings are not new but rather reinterpretations of universal truths is a central theme of my discussion.
• I emphasize the importance of community and support during difficult times, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs.
• Compassion is key, whether in Christianity or Buddhism, and recognizing our shared humanity helps reduce suffering.
• I encourage listeners to embrace a diverse toolbox of beliefs, integrating various teachings that resonate personally.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Today, we're diving into the topic of inner peace and what it truly means. I share my personal journey of finding peace, especially after a life-changing injury that left me paralyzed. It’s not about always feeling good or avoiding pain; instead, it’s about recognizing that peace is always there beneath the chaos of life. I also unpack five common myths about inner peace that I used to believe, which held me back from truly understanding it. By the end of this episode, I hope to help you see how to tap into that inner calm, even when life gets tough. If you're curious to learn more, check out my website at https://stevenwebb.uk.

In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, host Steven Webb shares his personal journey of finding inner peace after being paralyzed from the neck down. He offers practical wisdom and debunks common myths about what it means to be at peace, revealing that it's a state that is always accessible, even in the midst of life's greatest challenges.

Benefits of Listening:

• Learn how to find inner peace, regardless of your external circumstances.
• Discover why you don't need to control your thoughts to be at peace.
• Understand that inner peace is not a permanent state, but a practice.
• Learn how to be fully present and engaged with life, without clinging or grasping.
• Be inspired by Stephen's story of resilience and hope.

Key Quotes:

• "We are at peace when we're not suffering, or when we're doing something we enjoy."
• "Inner peace is always there. It's always present. A peaceful, quiet world is always present, even in the most dire circumstances."
• "You cannot wait until life calms down. You won't be able to have peace once life's sorted."
• "Peace means being fully present. It means without clinging and without that grasping."

The Five Myths of Inner Peace:

1. Inner peace means never feeling pain or discomfort.
2. You must control your thoughts to be at peace.
3. You find peace once life calms down.
4. Inner peace is a permanent state.
5. Peace means detachment from life.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

In a Hard World, Your Softest Skills Are Your Strongest Asset

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." – Randy Pausch

In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, it's easy to feel like we're holding a losing hand. We're constantly handed challenges we didn't ask for, from personal struggles to global uncertainties. But what if our greatest strength isn't in getting new cards, but in learning how to play the ones we already have?

In this episode, I explore the profound power of our 'soft skills' – the very human qualities that are often overlooked but are more crucial now than ever. We'll discuss how empathy, patience, kindness, and self-awareness are not weaknesses, but incredible assets that allow us to navigate life's toughest moments with grace and strength.

Join me as we reframe our perspective, learning to see the immense value in our innate human goodness and discovering how to use these skills to not only survive the storms but to find stillness within them.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How to shift your focus from the cards you're dealt to how you choose to play them.
• Why soft skills like empathy and kindness are essential tools for resilience.
• How to recognise and cultivate your own inner strengths, even when you feel powerless.
• A new perspective on navigating a world that seems to reward harshness over compassion.

Thank you for being here and for being part of the Stillness in the Storms community. Your presence makes a difference.

Resources & Connecting:

• Weekly Calm Newsletter & Blog: For more reflections, guided meditations, and updates, visit my website and sign up for my newsletter.
• Visit: stevenwebb.co.uk
• Leave a Review: If this episode resonated with you, please consider leaving a review on your favourite podcast platform. It truly helps others find the show.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Have you ever felt adrift, wishing you had a wise and unconditionally loving guide to help you navigate life's storms? What if that guide was already inside you, waiting to be discovered?

In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven explores the transformative concept of "self-parenting," inspired by the work of Gabor Maté. This isn't about harsh discipline or re-living your childhood; it’s about learning to trade your harsh inner critic for a compassionate, wise, and loving inner parent.

Discover how to identify the areas in your life—from procrastination and setting boundaries to health and self-talk—where this gentle inner guidance can bring more peace, accountability, and profound kindness. This episode is your invitation to cultivate the most supportive and empowering relationship you will ever have: the one with yourself.

• What it truly means to "parent yourself" and why it's a powerful tool for personal growth and mental wellness.
• How to recognize the everyday moments where a kind, internal parent can help you make better choices (like getting out the door on time!).
• The crucial difference between self-criticism, which stifles growth, and self-acceptance, which creates the space for positive change.
• Practical areas where you can apply self-parenting today: managing your time, making healthier choices, and balancing work, life, and play.
• The most important role of your inner parent: offering yourself the unconditional love and reassurance you deserve, especially when you're struggling.

• Support the Podcast & Find More from Steven: Discover courses, meditations, and ways to support the show at https://stevenwebb.uk.
• Companion Meditations: Listen to guided meditations that accompany the podcast episodes on the Inner Peace Meditations podcast.
• Upcoming Course: Stay tuned for Steven's new 7-day audio course, "How to Find Peace in Busy Times."

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

Compassion is at the heart of our discussion today, so let’s dive right into it. We explore how compassion serves as a cosmic wink that connects us all, as Alan Watts puts it. This episode unpacks the differences between compassion, empathy, and judgment, and how understanding these can help us navigate our lives better. We’re all just players in this game called life, and recognizing each other’s struggles is key to becoming whole. Join me, Steven Webb, as we unravel what it really means to practice compassion in our daily interactions and why it matters more than ever.

Compassion is a fascinating topic, and in this episode, I dive deep into what it really means. I start by reflecting on Alan Watts' idea that compassion is like a cosmic wink, a warm acknowledgment that we see each other as fellow players in this game of life. I also explore the thoughts of Ken Wilber, who suggests that true judgment comes from a place of compassion. This leads me to ponder the differences between judgment, empathy, and compassion. Judgment often comes with a personal lens, where we see the world through our own experiences, and this can lead to negative assessments of others. Empathy, on the other hand, lets us feel what others feel, but it can sometimes become self-centered, drawing us away from the person in need. Compassion, however, is about genuinely being present for someone without the need to turn the spotlight back onto ourselves. It's about opening our hearts and really seeing others for who they are, not just for their struggles but as whole beings. Throughout this episode, I share personal stories and insights that highlight the importance of compassion in our lives, especially during tough times. I encourage listeners to practice small acts of kindness and to approach each interaction with an open heart, allowing us to become whole together.

Takeaways:

• Compassion is recognized as the cosmic wink acknowledging our shared human experience. It connects us all.
• Empathy and judgment differ significantly, where empathy often centers around our own feelings and experiences.
• True compassion requires us to open our hearts to others rather than projecting our own experiences onto them.
• To foster compassion, we need to embrace both our weaknesses and strengths, allowing us to become whole.
• Compassion is action-oriented, encouraging us to care for others without turning the focus back to ourselves.
• Practicing small acts of kindness daily can help cultivate a more compassionate mindset in our lives.

Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.

• Donate paypal.me/stevenwebb or Coffee stevenwebb.uk
• Steven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk

🧘 Episode Summary

In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, I talk about attachment. It's one of the biggest causes of suffering, but I'm not here to tell you to let go. I think that advice is nonsense. What if instead of trying to let go, we simply allowed things to be as they are?

I share what attachment has looked like in my life. From cigarettes to identity to the future I imagined that never arrived. You'll also hear from members of my WhatsApp group who told me what they find hardest to let go of. We cover nostalgia, self-worth, change, and why trying so hard is often the problem.

This is not about giving everything up. It’s about loosening the grip, opening your hand, and allowing what comes and goes to just be.

🎧 Why Listen

• You are struggling to let go and nothing seems to work
• You are attached to a past version of yourself or a future that never came
• You want a down-to-earth take on mindfulness and Buddhist teachings that make sense in real life
• You are tired of chasing happiness and need space to breathe

🌟 Quotes from the Episode

• “Letting go is pants. It doesn’t work. Just open your hand and let it be.”
• “You don’t have to give something up forever. Just give it up for one hour.”
• “You’re not a smoker who gave up. You’re just someone who didn’t smoke this hour.”
• “The minute you stop trying to be better, the better version of you starts to show up.”
• “Buddhism doesn’t say don’t love. It says don’t cling.”
• “Enjoy the moment but don’t become attached to it. Let it come and go.”

☕ Thank You

This podcast is free and always will be because of the people who support it. I do not run adverts. That’s a choice I make so you can tune in and hear what I have to say without interruption.

Huge thanks to

Senga – your five coffees came in just as I hit record

Michael, Dominique, Ulysses – yes, you bought 34 coffees, you legend

Nick, Julie, and Anne – thank you so much

And to all my monthly supporters – I see you and I’m deeply grateful

If you want to support the show and keep it advert-free, the link is in the notes. Supporters also get access to the private WhatsApp group where I share new meditations and episodes first, and where we talk honestly about the stuff that matters.