Feel Deeply, Suffer Less: The Unexpected Power of Emotion
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.uk🧘 Host:Steven Webb – Meditation Teacher & Former Mayor of Truro🌀 About This Episode:What if the key to less suffering wasn’t found in avoiding pain—but in feeling it all? In this powerful episode of Stillness in the Storms, Steven Webb explores why allowing yourself to feel deeply might be the most healing, human thing you can do.We’re often told to “stay positive” and “chin up,” but what if the real strength lies in making room for grief, sadness, loneliness, and joy alike? Steven shares personal reflections, Zen wisdom, and practical insight into how embracing every emotion can make you more whole—and more at peace.Whether you’re feeling stuck in your sadness, disconnected from joy, or overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life, this episode is an invitation to stop running and start listening... to yourself.🎧 What You’ll Learn:Why people who feel deeply often suffer less, not moreThe real meaning of emotional wholenessHow to stop identifying with your emotionsThe ego vs. the “big mind”—and why balance mattersA simple shift in language that changes how you relate to feelings✨ Takeaway:You don’t need to fix every emotion. You just need to feel it, then let it pass. That’s where peace begins.💛 Support the Podcast:If this episode moved you, consider buying Steven a coffee at stevenwebb.uk. No adverts, just real conversations—thanks to listeners like you.
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15:43
How to Stay Calm in the Face of Anger
☕️ Support the Show & Stay ConnectedIf this episode helps you, please consider treating me to a coffee or signing up for the Weekly Calm newsletter — it keeps the podcast ad-free and fully independent.👉 stevenwebb.uk🧘♂️ Episode Summary:Anger. It hits hard. Sometimes it’s in your face. Other times, it’s in your inbox. Either way, your body reacts like you’re in danger — heart racing, chest tight, maybe even shame flooding in.In this episode of Stillness in the Storms, I answer a heartfelt question from listener Toby Ross:“How do you deal with conflict when it feels unbearable?”We dive into why anger — whether it’s coming at you or rising inside you — feels so overwhelming. From a Zen perspective to real-life stories, this episode is about understanding anger, disarming it, and staying present without abandoning yourself.This one is personal, practical, and rooted in compassion — for others, and for yourself.🧩 What You’ll Hear:Why your nervous system reacts to anger like a threatHow our ancient survival wiring still runs the showThe Zen view of anger as a mirror (not an enemy)Stories about conflict, shouting, and inner shameA powerful 30-second grounding practiceWhy “toughness” isn’t strength — and stillness isn’t silence🫶 Keeping It Real – No Ads, No NoiseThanks to your support, this podcast is completely ad-free.If you’d like to help keep it that way and join our private WhatsApp group, head to:👉 stevenwebb.uk📬 Join the Weekly CalmReflections, gentle reminders, and real talk when life gets overwhelming. (Sent when it’s ready, not when it’s perfect.)🙌 Like What You Heard?Please share this episode with someone who needs it.And if you can, leave a rating or review — it helps more than you know.
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17:43
The Art of Slowing Down: Spiritual Timeouts
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukTaking little timeouts can be a powerful spiritual practice. I’m Steven Webb, and today we dive into how those forced pauses in our day can help us find inner peace, even when life feels chaotic. We often think that spirituality means lengthy meditation sessions, but it doesn’t have to be that complicated. Instead, we can use everyday moments—like waiting at a traffic light or taking a breath before a meeting—to reconnect with ourselves. Let’s explore how these simple breaks can help us manage stress and stay present, making our spiritual journey a lot more manageable and meaningful.Finding peace in a fast-paced world can be a daunting task, but it’s all about perspective. This podcast episode dives into the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and the simple yet profound practice of taking timeouts to reconnect with ourselves. I share my own experiences, noting that while I can smile and breathe, the challenge often lies in slowing down. The message here is that spirituality can be found in the everyday moments, not just in long meditation sessions or complicated practices.Throughout our conversation, I encourage listeners to embrace the forced pauses in their daily lives, such as waiting at traffic lights or dealing with interruptions. These moments can be transformed into opportunities for mindfulness, helping us to breathe, reset, and refocus. By allowing ourselves to take these timeouts, we can cultivate a sense of calm that permeates our lives, helping us navigate the chaos with more grace and clarity.I remind everyone that the spiritual journey is not a straight line; it’s filled with ups and downs, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s about becoming more compassionate toward ourselves and recognizing that we’re all doing our best. By integrating these small moments of stillness into our day, we can create a more peaceful existence and ultimately allow ourselves to respond to life rather than react. This episode serves as a gentle nudge to appreciate the little pauses that life offers us and to use them as tools for growth and awareness.Takeaways: Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to smile, breathe, and take things slow in life. Spiritual growth isn't just about long meditations; it's about finding peace in small moments. Using forced timeouts can help us reconnect with ourselves and find inner calm. Compassion and self-acceptance are signs that your spiritual journey is making progress. Life's ups and downs are normal; accepting this messiness is part of the journey. Each little moment of stillness helps us build a longer fuse to manage stress better.
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9:45
Enlightenment in 2 Minutes: How Micro-Moments Can Transform Your Life
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukWhat if enlightenment isn’t about hours of meditation or decades of study, but tiny moments of awareness you can practice anywhere, anytime? After paralysis, heartbreak, and a battle with intrusive thoughts, Steven Webb discovered that awakening thrives in life’s margins—in stolen seconds between tasks, breaths during chaos, and pauses before reactions. In this episode, he shares:How to turn traffic jams, work stress, and even arguments into portals of peaceWhy 2-minute practices work better than marathon meditation sessions (and how to start)The science-backed power of "enlightened micro-moments" to rewire your brainWhy This Episode Will Help You⏱️ "Enlightenment for the time-poor" – Transform洗碗, commuting, or waiting in line into spiritual practice🧠 Neuroplasticity hack – How micro-moments of awareness compound into lasting change🚫 No altar/incense required – Stephen’s "30-second reset" for panic attacks, overwhelm, or decision fatigue💥 Breakthrough for meditation quitters – Why short bursts beat "perfect" sessions (and how to avoid self-judgment)🌱 Grow peace incrementally – Trackable daily wins vs. vague spiritual goalsKey Quotes from the Episode“You don’t need 30 minutes—steal 30 seconds. A deep breath while the microwave spins? That’s a revolution.”“I’m dyslexic, paralyzed, and once thought enlightenment was for gurus. Now I find it staring at my ceiling fan.”“An enlightened moment isn’t when you stop feeling anger—it’s the half-second where you notice you’re angry. That’s the crack where light gets in.”“Ten 2-minute practices scattered through your day? That’s 20 minutes of awareness—without sitting cross-legged once.”“I didn’t change my life in a cave. I changed it waiting for caregivers, between sips of tea, in the silence after a text notification.”
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25:52
Finding Peace and Stillness in the Current Storms
Links to Steven Webb's podcast and how you can support his work.Donate paypal.me/stevenwebbSteven's courses, podcasts and links: stevenwebb.ukGratitude meditation LinkIn this episode of "Stillness in the Storms," Steven Webb reflects on the overwhelming challenges of the modern world, from global crises to personal struggles. He acknowledges the "storm" that many feel – the constant barrage of negative news, societal pressures, and personal difficulties. However, Stephen guides listeners towards finding moments of peace and gratitude amidst the chaos. He shares his own recent struggles with illness and how he's working to shift his focus from external turmoil to inner resilience.Key Quotes:"The storm feels like it's worse than ever... whether it's political, whether it's weather, or whether it's just the information bombardment.""How much of the outside storm are you bringing in?""How many open doors? How many times are you going to sit? Are you sitting outside in the storm?""It's all well and good that we can blame the world for the storms, but we've got to ask ourselves.""We also have still so much to lose, and so much to fight for. And so much to be grateful for.""If you just learn to hold them [life's challenges] in the right way, not too, not too tight, not too loose, music plays through you.""Life's got to play through us.""It's about balance.""Don't connect with the world so much that you're filling your mind with everything you can not cope with.""Close your door but don't close it so tight it's locked."How This Episode Helps Listeners:Validation: Acknowledges the widespread feeling of being overwhelmed by current events and personal struggles, offering a sense of shared experience.Perspective Shift: Encourages listeners to examine how much external negativity they are internalizing and to consciously limit their exposure to it.Gratitude Practice: Promotes a focus on gratitude for the simple things in life, highlighting what we still have to lose and appreciate, even amidst hardship.Mindfulness Reminder: Reinforces the importance of being present and finding stillness in the moment, rather than being consumed by future worries or past regrets.Practical Steps: Offers tangible actions like limiting news consumption, focusing on what's within one's control ("arm's length"), and engaging in activities that bring joy.Balance: Highlights the need for balance between engagement with the world and self-care, avoiding both excessive exposure and complete disconnection.Self-Awareness: Prompts self-reflection on personal coping mechanisms and encourages listeners to recognize when they might be overly stressed or anxious.Community: Mentions a WhatsApp support group for those who have supported the podcast, fostering a sense of connection and shared journey.Resouces: Mentions the Inner Piece Meditations, and stephenwebb.uk for further support.
Stillness in the Storms brings a fresh voice to mindfulness - one that truly understands transformation comes not from escaping hardship, but finding peace within it.
Join Steven Webb, a man who turned personal tragedy into an uplifting journey, as he reveals how to uncover inner calm and meaning in life's toughest moments.
After a devastating diving accident left him severely paralyzed at 19 years old, Steven emerged with deep insights on resilience, presence, and living fully. Now, he shares those hard-won lessons to help you transform adversity into personal growth.
Blending Zen Buddhism, Stoic philosophy, and his own story, Steven speaks to those struggling with grief, health challenges, burnout, and other storms we all face. Through relatable examples and practical wisdom, he makes mindfulness feel accessible - no retreat required.
Inspirational yet down-to-earth, Steven will reframe how you approach life’s difficulties. You’ll gain tools to build courage, practice gratitude, release regret, manage stress, and unlock contentment - no matter what comes your way.
Join the Stillness in the Storms community by subscribing and sharing your own journey. Help Steve keep these calming conversations flowing for everyone searching for inner peace in chaotic times.
The storms of life do not define you. But with Steven’s guidance, you can find stillness and meaning within them. Are you ready to transform?
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