The Hope-Makers: Finding Light in Life's Darkest Moments
When life knocks you down, how do you find the strength to rise again? The Hopemakers Podcast brings you extraordinary stories from ordinary people who've discovered hope in the most challenging circumstances imaginable.
Join psychologist and coach Dr Erica Bowen as she sits down with inspiring individuals who've transformed their deepest struggles into powerful sources of hope. From sexual assault survivors who rebuilt their lives, to caregivers who found balance while supporting loved ones with terminal illness, to parents navigating the complexities of special needs – each episode reveals the raw, honest journey from despair to possibility.
What makes The Hope-Makers unique is its blend of personal storytelling, practical wisdom, and actionable strategies. You'll hear from a former lawyer who overcame burnout to help others find serenity, an autism advocate who conquered years of bullying through physical transformation, and a mother who turned the loss of her teenage daughter into a mission of healing others. These aren't just success stories – they're roadmaps for anyone seeking hope in their own life.
Each conversation uncovers specific techniques guests used to rebuild their lives: from morning writing practices and mindfulness techniques to radical self-acceptance and community building. Whether you're facing personal crisis, supporting someone through difficult times, or simply seeking inspiration for life's everyday challenges, The Hope-Makers offers both comfort and concrete tools for creating hope.
Hope isn't just an emotion – it's a skill that can be learned, practiced, and shared. Through intimate conversations that balance vulnerability with practical guidance, The Hope-Makers Podcast proves that no matter how dark the night, dawn is always possible.
Subscribe to The Hope-Makers wherever you listen to podcasts, and discover your own path to hope.
The Hope-Makers: Finding Light in Life's Darkest Moments
Episode 3: Hope as Fuel: A Cross-Cultural Journey to Authentic Living
At 35, Zeynep Orf made a life-changing decision that most people only dream about – she moved from Turkey to the UK with her young daughter, completed a master's degree in her second language, and completely reinvented herself. In this illuminating episode, Zeynep reveals how letting go of control became her greatest lesson and how blending Eastern spirituality with Western coaching creates a unique approach to hope.
After successfully navigating divorce, academic achievement, and entrepreneurship, Zeynep discovered her true calling had been whispering to her for years. Friends kept reminding her of conversations from 2014, 2017, and beyond where she'd mentioned coaching – the universe had been pointing her toward this path all along.
What makes Zeynep's perspective unique is her integration of Anatolian spiritual wisdom with modern coaching techniques. She challenges the Western obsession with future-focused hope, instead teaching clients to plant "seeds of hope" in the present moment. Her profound insight came through loss – when attachment to specific outcomes made her feel hopeless, she realized that letting go of control was the key to reconnecting with her authentic, naturally hopeful self.
Key takeaways from this episode:
- Hope as "fuel that drives us" rather than attachment to specific outcomes
- The power of three-minute morning writing to generate unexpected insights
- Why being hopeful about yourself matters more than hoping for external changes
- How raising your personal vibration contributes to collective wellbeing
- The importance of giving hope to others through meaningful action
Zeynep's cross-cultural wisdom offers a refreshing perspective on hope – one that balances Eastern present-moment awareness with Western goal achievement. Her message resonates deeply: when you stop trying to control the future, you free yourself to live hopefully in the now.
Perfect for anyone feeling trapped by their expectations or seeking a more spiritual approach to personal transformation.