How do we attend to the something in each of us that longs to break free through the cracks of our self-image? A conversation about discovering that sacred uniqueness within ourselves and others in the everyday mundane acts of living, loving, working and being genuinely present with one another.



This week’s conversation is hosted, as always, by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace.



Episode Overview

00:00 Introduction to Turning Towards Life

02:50 The Singing Bird: A Poetic Exploration

06:03 Longing and Creativity: Uncovering the Singing Bird

08:57 The Unique Expression of Each Of Us

12:00 Navigating Self-Criticism and Inquiry

14:50 Vulnerability and Authenticity in Relationships

18:07 Embracing the Messiness of Life

21:08 The Complexity of Human Experience

23:56 The Interconnectedness of Our Stories

26:50 The Importance of Community and Conversation

30:02 Conclusion and Looking Ahead



Here’s our source for this week:



The Singing Bird



The singing bird

I have a hundred ways 

Of keeping the singing bird

Pushed down,

Hidden, 

Anaesthetised,

Comfort-numb,

Silenced. 



But I have learned 

How easily she 

Can break free

And Sing Anyway. 



She sneaks out 

Through the cracks

That get made 

By laughter

And poetry

And art

And honesty

And dancing

And sunshine. 



I wonder if you know 

The ways you keep the singing bird

Quiet? 

And if you know how to forget yourself 

So that she can sneak out

And remind you of the song 

You’ve always wanted to sing.



Hollie Holden



Photo by Lukáš Kadava on Unsplash



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Join Us Live in 2025



Turning Towards Life Live Season 1, from 17 September 2025

Our Turning Towards Life live programme of community, learning and reflection runs in six month seasons from September. It's going to be in person on Zoom once a month. We're very excited about it. A chance to expand beyond the bounds of a podcast into forming a community of learning and practice. You can find out more and join us here.



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About Turning Towards Life

Turning Towards Life, a week-by-week conversation inviting us deeply into our lives, is a live 30 minute conversation hosted by Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn of Thirdspace.  Find us on FaceBook to join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast on Apple, Amazon Music and Spotify.



Join Our Weekly Mailing: www.turningtowards.life/subscribe

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Keywords

singing bird, creative expression, authentic presence, vulnerability sharing, sacred uniqueness, forget yourself, honest presence, creative practice, inner critic, right sizing, vast universe, cultural expectations, sacred something, judgement softening, unfolding process, kerfuffle acceptance, contactful being, depth confidence, whoness discovery, messy glory, genuine presence, practical spirituality, learning process, turning towards life, creative longing, existential wondering



People Mentioned

Hollie Holden (author of this week's source)