Sitting in the Space with Mary
Welcome to Sitting in the Space with Mary.
A Podcast sharing stories of sitting in the tough emotional spaces of health crises and diagnosis. Mary Prentice is your host, a Pastoral Practitioner for the past 9 years, where I have spoken to and supported thousands of patients and family members in hospitals in Western Australia.
In each episode I interview either a patient who has touched their own mortality or health challenge, or a member of the medical team or a family member who has sat alongside patients during these crisis times.
Tune in fortnightly to hear stories that will make you hold your breath or cheer! Get in touch if you have a story to share - it will no doubt help others in a similar situation. Please, share this podcast with a friend or someone you care about.
Episodes
19 episodes
S2 Ep 6B Till Heike - Living with the loss of baby Claudia
In the continuation of this story Till shares her experience of having her stillborn baby and about life following. Having a team around her who knew her story and could help manage periods of anxiety were paramount. These days Till is a peer s...
S2 Ep 6A Till Heike a personal experience with Stillbirth
October is the month for commemorating pregnancy and infant loss. My mission is to continue to highlight the support available to women and families who suffer the loss of their baby from the early weeks of gestation, through to full term. Red ...
S2 Ep5 Lynette Adams Feeling and Expressing Grief
There are times in the course of our lives when we need to feel the feelings and recognise that we all experience losses and hence will grieve. Insights in this episode from pastoral practitioner and counsellor Lynette Adams who shares her sens...
S2 Ep4 Breast Cancer experience of Luana
The cancer experience for all patients is unique. With breast cancer in particular, there are many different stages and variations of the disease and so too treatment options and felt side effects. My guest, Luana shares her experience, and pro...
S2 Ep3 CPE Educator Michelle Benjamin
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is the specialised small group led training for those of us who work in the Spiritual Care and Pastoral Care fields. This long distance interview with Michelle Benjamin is worth the little bit of static ... Una...
S2 Ep2 Combatting Compassion Fatigue & Burnout: Karlee Guest
If someone at our workplace is experiencing BIG emotions what do we do... are we worried that by acknowledging it they may become flooded or overwhelmed? Do we have the time to give a colleague, friend or patient we are working with a micro mom...
S2 Ep1 Police Chaplain David Ladner
Police Chaplains provide spiritual, emotional and wellness support to members of the Police Force. In this sharing by David, we learn of the challenges and rewards of working in remote areas of WA as well as some traumatic situations. David's o...
Sitting in the Space Season 2 Trailer
An exciting and varied line up of guests for this season! The first episode is coming to air next Wednesday 12th March, where I'll be sharing a conversation with one of the Western Australian Police Force Chaplains, David Ladner. Tu...
Episode 10 Missing Mum at Mother's Day part 2
Mother's Day can be tough when you miss Mum, even when they can be Hard task Masters, can't remember who you are anymore, or have been gone for a long... long... time now. This episode is brought forward a week, while the theme of Mother'...
Episode 9 Missing Mum at Mothers Day - Part One
Please don't be put off by this title! Mums are unique and so too are our relationships with them... Just experiencing Mother's Day 2024 is cause for great celebration of the role of motherhood, and an opportunity to reflect on what ou...
Episode 8 Joan Cunningham: Midwives and Pregnancy Loss
Nurse Manager of a busy Birth Suite - Joan Cunningham brings her steadfast wisdom, experience and compassion to the couples in her care. This episode focus is on the care provided by midwifes when supporting couples experiencing pregnancy...
Episode 7 Natalie Kay: Somatic awareness
In this episode I invite you on a journey of discovery with the wise and gentle Nat Kay, into the world of Somatic psychology and spiritual insights. Natalie has for over a decade developed her practice by exploring the interplay betw...
Episode 6 Bob Loss: Recovery from loss
Bob is an inspiration in the manner in which he recognised and reached out for help following the sudden death of his wife Amanda in October 2022. Realising that grief can not be out-run he trialled a number of supports, tools, theo...
Episode 5 Brent Gentry: Pay attention to the warning signs
Brent had some signs and symptoms of Colorectal cancer, but at the youngish age of 43 years was shocked to realise that he needed extensive treatment to deal with this cancer. Family and community surrounded him with love and support and ...
Episode 4 Ian Simms: Pastoral Service in Aged Care
Dr Ian Simms, providing some insight into the rewarding role of pastorally caring for the frail, aged and often isolated members of our community in aged care. Ian says "There is something about Pastoral Care that contributes to the wholeness o...
Episode 3 Kathy: her son's triumph over adversity
Kathy, her husband and daughters fiercely stand behind their son and brother who suffered a life altering injury 10 years ago. The story of triumph over adversity and 'normality' in this episode is heartwarming and inspiring. In Kathy's words, ...
Episode 2 Peter Bothe: Tackling throat cancer
Peter Bothe, much loved and respected Secondary College Principal took on the challenge of cancer treatment against tough odds. In this episode he shares the 'behind the scenes' of what that was like, and what kept him going.
Episode 1 Fran Ball: Lessons from the best in Pastoral Services
Reference to Fran will be made by many people who have worked in the field of Pastoral Services in WA as I indeed do. And why she begins this conversation of, Sitting in the Space, of difficult situations and emotions. Fran has worked as ...