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the story pilgrim
Discover the power of storytelling and the journey of self-discovery on life's pilgrimage. Join Darren as he walks ancient and modern pilgrim paths, unearthing the sacred stories that connect us all. From bustling cities to tranquil countryside, each episode weaves together personal reflections, ramblings, heartfelt conversations, and the rich histories of the places he explores. Whether you’re a traveller at heart, a seeker of wisdom, or someone who finds solace in nature’s embrace, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Tune in and walk, take a hike, alongside Darren as he navigates the paths that shape our lives and communities.
the story pilgrim
Mile Oak: Home Truths
In this solo episode of the story pilgrim, I leave the front door of my new home in Mile Oak, East Sussex, and walk up onto the South Downs, carrying only my thoughts and a few well-worn quotes from voices that have shaped my path: Plato, A.A. Milne, Freddie Mercury, Glenn Berger, and Slavoj Žižek.
This isn’t a grand adventure episode. No faraway landscapes, no guest interviews. This one’s local. Grounded. Real. It’s about how place, routine, and the quiet hum of everyday life influence the big questions we carry.
I talk about:
- The challenge of being open while remaining private, especially as someone who creates a public-facing persona.
- The quiet but constant tug between wanderlust and rootedness.
- What it means to let emotion rise when you’ve spent years keeping it down.
- How quotes from philosophy, literature, music, and theatre still spark new reflections every time you read them on foot.
I reflect on what it means to feel at home, how things like a mortgage, a rescue dog, and a compost bin unexpectedly shape your creative life, and how the questions we ask tend to multiply the deeper we go.
👣 This episode is for you if you’re into:
- Philosophical storytelling
- Walking as a way of thinking
- Quotes that make you pause
- Slow travel and mindful reflection
- The tension between adventure and domestic life
- Real, unfiltered thoughts on creativity, identity, and adulthood
🎧 Featuring quotes and reflections from:
- Plato – “The unexamined life…”
- A.A. Milne – Quiet truths from Winnie the Pooh
- Freddie Mercury / Queen – The deep ache inside “I want to break free”
- Underneath the Lintel by Glen Berger – Tracing the invisible through story
- Slavoj Žižek – On the illusion of freedom
💬 Call to Action:
If you find something in this episode that resonates, don’t keep it to yourself.
Subscribe wherever you're listening, and share it with just one other person. Someone who might need a quiet voice in their headphones, reminding them it’s okay not to have the answers.