Life Changing

As a bright adventurous 16 year-old, Angela Tilley was thrilled to get a job in a busy London office. But after a year's unwanted attention from one of her co-workers, attention that today we would call stalking, she started having panic attacks on the way to work. The attacks became a debilitating daily occurrence, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted. Her courage in pushing back against her fears, forging a career and having a family came at a huge personal cost. But one seemingly innocuous purchase was about to change her life forever.Angela tells Dr Sian Williams about how she overcame her challenges and how she managed to stop her phobia defining her life. Producer: Tom Alban

Husband and father, Larry O’Brien, loved the freedom his job as a long-distance lorry driver gave him. But on March 6th 1987, that freedom was almost lost in the horror of the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, in which almost 200 people lost their lives. Larry – who could not swim – risked his own life to pull 30 people to safety. Almost 40 years later, Larry tells Dr Sian Williams why he never felt like a hero, how he came to terms with what happened, and why – after a career change into local politics – he decided to return to the road. Producer: Tom Alban

When 18-year-old Stacey Goodwin got a job at a bookies, she put a pound coin into a slot machine and won enough money for a night out with her pals. It was the trigger for a destructive gambling addiction that led to a life of shame, brutal isolation and deceit. The money she lost over an eight-year period was eye-watering – on one occasion, frittering away a £50,000 online win in a matter of days. Sometimes suicidal, and always lonely, it was the damage she did to those closest to her which hurt the most.When her addiction saw her undermine the financial security of someone she loved, she reached a crossroads. Stacey tells Dr Sian Williams how she found the strength to ask for help - and turned her life around. Producer: Tom AlbanWarning: This episode contains discussions around suicide. Details of help and support are available through the BBC Action Line at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

In 1977, Ed Stewart was a happy-go-lucky teenager with his whole life ahead of him. With a new engineering job, a girlfriend and a motorbike, life was good. But when he dropped in on a friend’s party, a violent row with another teenager - who was carrying a shotgun - turned Ed’s whole life on its head. Ed had to learn to navigate the world in an entirely different way, but he made a success of it - becoming a piano tuner to the stars and counting Jools Holland and Brian Ferry as his customers. Despite a life of adversity, he tells Dr Sian Williams how not just one, but two Life Changing moments led him to be what he refers to as a “glass-three-quarters-full” kind of bloke. Producer: Tom Alban

In this episode, Lisa Hover shares her family's poignant journey as her daughter Annabelle bravely faces Batten disease. Lisa recounts the devastating moment of diagnosis and how it led to Annabelle's inspiring charity, Batten Fighters Forever. Their story is one of resilience, featuring Annabelle's determination to experience life fully, from skiing to pursuing Girl Guiding. Lisa highlights the family's emotional highs and lows, including the cherished dream of a White Christmas, capturing the essence of hope and love in adversity.

In this engaging conversation, Mohammed Zaman, a Bangladeshi chef turned volunteer, shares his harrowing journey from exploitation to resilience. After facing modern slavery in the UK, he found solace and purpose by volunteering at an elderly community club. Mohammed's commitment to helping others led him to represent London at the Olympics, transforming his darkest moments into hope and community spirit. His story highlights the power of friendship and the fight for justice amidst adversity.

In a heartfelt conversation, Paul Mason, a former scientist turned teaching assistant, shares his incredible journey from joy to heartbreak. He reveals the overwhelming joy of becoming a parent to triplets, against the backdrop of a profound loss with the passing of his wife, Isabel. Paul discusses the challenges of single parenthood, the unexpected support from strangers, and the importance of love in navigating grief. With candid reflections on fatherhood, he highlights the delicate balance between parenting styles and self-care amidst life's chaotic twists.

Tanja Bage, a Leeds mother and former performer, shares her inspiring journey after a laryngectomy due to cancer. She explains the emotional turmoil of losing her voice just before the COVID lockdown. Tanja discusses adapting her speech with a stoma and the resilience required to connect with her children. She highlights her involvement with the Laryngectomy choir and the therapeutic benefits of music, emphasizing how creativity helped her reclaim her voice and identity amidst adversity.

In this engaging discussion, basketball player Dan Edozie shares his inspiring journey from a childhood marked by homelessness to becoming a mentor for youth. He recounts the emotional struggles of living on Skid Row and the resilience needed to navigate his challenging past. The conversation highlights the transformative power of sports, the significance of mentorship, and how overcoming adversity can shape one's identity. Dan's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of helping others find their path.

Sarah Fairbairns, a psychotherapist and former 'wild child' of the 70s, shares her profound journey of overcoming childhood trauma related to scoliosis. She recounts her vibrant experiences in hippie culture and the struggles with mental health that followed. The podcast dives into the emotional turmoil of hospitalization and her later realizations connecting her past pain with her feelings of unrest. Fairbairns emphasizes the power of storytelling and creative expression as therapeutic tools, highlighting the importance of emotional support in healing.