Corrinke grew up in a strict religious community in the Netherlands where shame, control, and rigid rules governed emotions, the body, and desire. Leaving was only the beginning. Through burnout, a complicated breakup, and an ongoing search for herself, she unexpectedly found a path through BDSM, dominatrix work, and shibari—spaces that helped her reclaim her body, redefine control, and begin healing decades of internalized shame.

In this candid conversation, Corrinke reflects on how exploring power, vulnerability, and pleasure became deeply therapeutic rather than extreme or escapist. She shares her journey from religious trauma to self-acceptance and finding freedom in the very places she was taught to fear. Her story reminds us that healing is rarely linear—and often arrives in forms we never imagined. Corrinke is a storyteller, poet, and self-described joyful weirdo devoted to exploring the stories that shape, constrain, and liberate us. Through a blend of depth, humor, and emotional playfulness, she creates spaces where people feel safe to unravel inherited narratives, reconnect with their embodied truth, and normalize every part of the human experience—the sacred, the messy, and the shame-soaked—because she believes shame dissolves when real stories are spoken in safe spaces.Follow us on Instagram: Storytelling Lisboa & What Lingers Pod

Hosted by Cristian Figueroa & Liz Melchor

Edited by Liz Melchor

Born in Madeira and raised in Lisbon after his parents’ forced migration from Angola in 1975, Filipe grew up surrounded by unspoken truths. The most painful was the secret kept from him and his sister for years: their mother had died by suicide. In this intimate episode, Filipe reflects on uncovering that truth, the family silence that hid it, and the complex relationship with a father who chose secrecy over honesty. Set against Portugal’s post-colonial history, his story explores the lasting impact of migration, silence, and secrets—and the courage required to ask forbidden questions in order to heal.

Filipe is a 41-year-old Madeiran-born Lisboeta, constantly divided between both places. He holds a degree in History and works as a historical guide in Lisbon, with occasional commentary on CNN Portugal as a Royal Families specialist. Shaped by two grandmothers from very different backgrounds—both gifted storytellers—Filipe’s life and work are deeply influenced by the power of storytelling.Find him on @amazedby.lisbon | @uselessroyalfactsContent Warning: Discussion of suicide, family secrets, and grief.Follow us on Instagram: Storytelling Lisboa & What Lingers Pod

Hosted by Cristian Figueroa & Liz Melchor

Edited by Liz Melchor

What makes someone leave a tech startup behind to open a comedy café in Lisbon? For Ash, it was the need for real human connection. In this episode, he reflects on growing up in India under academic and cultural pressure, his path through elite education and tech entrepreneurship, and the moment he chose stand-up comedy over startups. Ash explores the fine line between making people laugh and making them feel, and why the stage became more meaningful than any algorithm.

The conversation deepens as Ash shares his storytelling experience—speaking publicly about his mother’s severe illness—and how that vulnerable moment revealed the power of empathy and presence. From comedy to personal storytelling, this episode is about choosing passion over security, embracing emotional honesty, and finding connection through both laughter and tears.Ash is a Lisbon-based comedian and creative entrepreneur. After six years as a digital nomad living in Dubai, Santiago de Chile, and San Francisco, he found his home in Lisbon, where he has lived for the past decade. He founded Lisbon Digital Nomads, helped build the city’s English-language comedy scene through Lisbon Comedy, and co-runs Selva Comedy Café. Today, Ash tours across Europe as a stand-up comedian and spends his downtime unsuccessfully trying to convince his puppy, Leila, to behave.Follow us on Instagram: Storytelling Lisboa & What Lingers Pod

Hosted by Cristian Figueroa & Liz Melchor

Edited by Liz Melchor