Memoria

Each time I entered the room I felt a shift in my body, as if accepting the uncomfortable things I was about to feel. As if knowing, that I was going to grow there.     Acceptance, a short memoir by Tah Jimenez While I was writing this piece I felt a shift in my thinking as I walked into the mindset I used to have about mental health. I fit awkwardly in the skin of my younger self, the self that in this piece learns what it is to accept your emotions - Tah Jimenez. Tah Jimenez is a writer of non-fiction and literary fiction, focusing primary on short story and personal essays. I study at RMIT where I am to craft my writing skills further.  You can find her on Medium    Acknowledgements: Memoria is written,  produced and presented by Nat V. Jo Penney's short story, Memorial, is performed by Melbourne-based actor, Petra Glieson. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, "Chapel Bottom",  "Quiet Sill" and "Plate Synthesis". Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now. Sound effects used in this episode by:sgcardinalSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Memorial, a short memoir by Jo Penney My father passed 18 years ago, as I was divorcing and becoming the full-time carer of my two-year-old daughter. I've had panic disorder since I was six and it seemed money talked in our family. I had little to offer. My mother chose to put it all down the slots, two years later Dad got a headstone. - Jo Penney Jo Penney has been published in various zines and anthologies. She has a BA and MA from Deakin University in writing and literature. She is currently working on a memoir. You can find her on Twitter Acknowledgements: Memoria is written,  produced and presented by Nat V. Jo Penney's short story, Memorial, is performed by Melbourne-based actor, Petra Glieson. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, "Mogul",  "Deathly Recitation and "Uneasy". Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now. Sound effects used in this episode by:TransitKingBansemerOutdoor_recordings    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memories, for me, range from Polaroid-like snapshots to short video clips in my head. I know, it's weird when you think about it. These scenes, short and long, remain buried in the fatty tissue of my brain until a sound, smell or photo reignites my memory of the event. The images dance around as I try to piece together the what I am actually remembering. Sometimes the image fades, and sometimes it hangs around, leaving behind feelings of longing, regret, and nostalgia. I was in my parent’s garage recently when I came across a small wooden case that my father had made me in primary school. Here it was, intact, on a pile of old junk near my dad’s tools. Seeing it for the first time in decades brought back my first day at primary school. Something had happened to that case, though, but I couldn't figure out why. All I could remember was that somehow it got broken. Bit by bit, over the months, memories started coming back to me. The following story, My Suitcase, is the bits and pieces of memory I’ve managed to scramble together.   Acknowledgements: Memoria is written,  produced and presented by Nat V. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, "In Paler Skies" and "The Envelope". Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now. Sound effects used in this episode by:austin1234575corkscr3wecfikegyrationabcopenEneaszlaserlifeIamgiorgio  JoelAudioSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I cried because I knew that was what I was supposed to do, but not because I felt anything.   When someone you know dies, the grief can affect you in a number of ways. For some, the pain and the loss is so overwhelming that you are unable to think or sleep or eat. The emotions carry them like a rollercoaster from shock through to anger, as they ride the highs and lows of grief. For others, the enormity of the situation can be too much, like the following story, Unlucky Thirteen, written by Melbourne writer Elise Hassett, about when she learnt that her mother died.   Unlucky Thirteen by Elise Hassett ‘Unlucky thirteen’ tells of how and when I learned my mother had died. She had been diagnosed with cancer only eight months prior and her health declined rapidly in those final weeks, catching everyone off guard. Barely a teenager, I found myself unable to deal with the enormity of the situation unravelling before me.  Elise Hassett is a Melbourne-based creative who divides her time between words and pictures. Her work has appeared in the Hunter Writers Centre Grieve anthology, and Visible Ink 27 Petrichor. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and her website. Acknowledgements: Memoria is written, produced and presented by Nat V. Unlucky Thirteen is written by Elise Hassett.  Performance is by Petra Glieson. Sound editing and sound design for this piece is by Jen Farrow. Music in this episode is by Mon Plaisir and  Mole, "Into Toast Squares". Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now. Sound effects used in this episode by:NofeedbakgynationSagetyrtleInspectorJ  SgcardinalAmholmaSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of you at some point have had to overcome shyness. It can take many forms, like that awkwardness of meeting new friends, or when making a presentation in front of your class, knowing that all eyes are focused on you, watching you. Sometimes the sheer terror of putting yourself out there in front of a bunch of strangers can cripple you, leaving you with that feeling of humiliation as all your self-doubt gathers in the pit of your stomach, knowing that you must find a way to overcome it In the following story, Knuckles, by Amanda Miha, she explores the moments in her childhood and teen years when she was unable to talk, until she found her voice. Knuckles by Amanda Miha "There were moments in my childhood and teen years where I felt unable to talk; scared, shy, embarrassed... something. But at some point, I found my voice. I allowed my imagination to run wild in telling this story, just as I would as a kid. I am not a boxer." – Amanda Miha Amanda is a Melbourne based screenwriter, playwright, and copywriter. She likes to blog about the news we consume, and write conceptual pieces that explore characters who live on the fringe. When she is not writing she stares at a blank screen and eats.    Memoria is written and produced by Nat V.  The short story, "Knuckles" was written and performed by Amanda Miha. Illustrations by Peta ManningSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are numerous famous stories depicting sibling rivalry. The Biblical story of Cain and Abel, Ann and Mary Boleyn who fought over King Henry 8ths affections and of course the most famous Hollywood rivalry, Joan fontaine and Olivia de Havilland, with Joan famously saying, “She will be jealous if she dies before me”. And that, Joan did.   It has been said that competition for a parent’s affection is steeped in competition for resources.Behaviourists have found that we share strong links between animals when it comes to sibling rivalry. This is evident in the animal kingdom, where the strongest sibling is known to kill their weaker brother or sister to gain resources such as food.    The fallout from a broken sibling relationship can be devastating, and awkward. When ties break, the animosity hangs in the air, each too proud to admit the other was wrong. Or maybe, the relationship is best left severed. I know because it happened to me. In any family, if you begin to scratch the surface, before too long you might unveil some sort of sibling rivalry between your own family members who haven’t spoken to each other in decades. And it is usually over something petty. And sometimes, not. Could it be that the only thing we have in common is DNA? Or perhaps we should listen to the famous proverb, you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.   Featuring guest host, Amanda Miha. Memoria is written and produced by Nat V.  The short story, "And the Winner is..." is written, edited and performed by Nat V. Illustrations by Peta ManningSupport the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Black is a personal short story which attempts to capture my thoughts and feelings about depression. The story is a creative way to express my experience of depression and how it is all consuming and overrides rational thinking." – Jen Farrow. Black was written and produced by Jen Farrow.  The story was performed by Jen Farrow and Amitoze Nandha. Acknowledgements: This episode was written and produced by Nat V. Black was written and produced by Jen Farrow with performances by Jen Farrow and Amitoze Nandha. Music in this episode, "Waves" by Dana Boule. Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now. Sound effects used in this episode by: Robinhood76  Speedenza  Jhumbucker  Cell31_Sound_Productions   Scotchio Morganveilleux  Sculptor  AlienXXX  KMoon  Gkillhour  Jakobthiesen  Jakobthiesen  Stephan  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once upon a time, my memories were stolen forever... When I scroll through photos on my iPhone, it helps me remember the little moments that pass a day, like a photo of my favourite meal, or a photo of a sign to help me remember an event. Plus all those big moments, like my trip to Malta, my mother's birthday, or, when a friend visited from Paris. The other day I found a silly selfie of my face, taken in the midst of the flu with my nose, bright and red and my eyes watering.  Do you use your smartphone to help you remember? I do. But are our gadgets substituting our memories and our ability to hold onto those precious moments inside the filing cabinet inside our brain? Gadgets are getting smarter; they are the keeper of memories all stored on a nifty device that fits in the palm of your hand. Which is great, until you lose your phone, drop it or someone steals it. But you back up your phone. You do back up your photos, right? Once upon a time, I didn't back up my phone.... Acknowledgements Memoria is written and produced by Nat V. Short story in this episode, "Memory Device" written and performed by Nat V. Music in this episode, "Topslides" by Blue Dot Sessions. Illustration by Peta Manning.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introduction episode to Memoria, a new fortnightly podcast featuring micro stories about the moments that shaped us and how our memories change over time. In this episode, we are calling for 400-word submissions from writers who wish to have their work adapted into an audio play. Check out our website for more details. Hosted by Nat V. Music in this episode, "Felt Lining" by Blue Dot Sessions.  Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/memoriapodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.