Loneliness in relationships and self-worth can shape how we connect with others, even when we are not physically alone.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Mari Williams speaks with Cara Cunniff about her experience of feeling deeply alone while surrounded by other military spouses during her husband’s deployment to Iraq.

Cara shares how this period of isolation led her to reflect on emotional connection, identity and what it really means to feel seen and understood. She speaks about the role of self-worth, the impact of small acts of kindness and how learning to be with yourself can change how you relate to others.

Drawing on her experiences living internationally and her background in the military, Cara offers a grounded perspective on how emotions shape connection, behaviour and the way we experience life.

She also reflects on resilience through endurance challenges, and how both physical and emotional experiences can shape personal growth.

This is a thoughtful conversation about loneliness, relationships and finding connection from within.

You can connect with Cara on LinkedIn

Adoption, childhood trauma and identity can shape how we see ourselves, our relationships and our place in the world.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Peter Snellgrove shares his journey of adoption, reflecting on a difficult childhood marked by abuse and neglect, and how these early experiences influenced his sense of self.

Leaving home at 17, Peter later discovered more about his heritage and reconnected with family, offering new perspective on his past. He speaks about the importance of self-acceptance, the role of friendship and the process of making peace with your story.

Music has played a significant part in his life, providing comfort and connection during difficult times, alongside a passion for exploring new sounds and expression.

This is a personal conversation about identity, resilience and learning to understand yourself beyond early experiences.

You can find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Loneliness, identity and learning how to be happy alone are deeply connected to our experiences, relationships and sense of self.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Mari Williams speaks with Suzette Shahmoon about her journey through loneliness and how she came to feel at ease within herself.

Suzette shares her experiences of growing up feeling different as the only Jewish girl in her community, navigating new environments and cultures, and the challenges of marrying young and supporting a partner diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

She reflects on how these experiences shaped her understanding of identity, connection and what it means to be alone without feeling isolated.

With nearly 15 years of experience as a therapist, and now completing a PhD in neuropsychology at UCL, Suzette brings both personal and professional insight into how we relate to ourselves and others, particularly in the context of chronic illness.

This is a thoughtful conversation about belonging, resilience and discovering who you are beyond circumstance.

You can find Suzette here:
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/hand-baggage-only/id1678716203

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzette-shahmoon-52a9952a/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuzetteShahmoon

Find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Loneliness, anxiety and learning to be alone can become powerful catalysts for self-growth and emotional resilience.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Mari Williams speaks with Christina Cooper, a hypnotherapist, musician and entrepreneur, about her experience of deep loneliness during the COVID-19 lockdown and how it led to profound personal change.

Christina shares how isolation pushed her to reconnect with herself through meditation, music and reflection, and how this process reshaped her relationship with being alone.

She now works with performing artists and individuals to overcome fear and anxiety, helping them experience greater freedom both on stage and in life.

This is a thoughtful conversation about solitude, identity and how learning to be with yourself can open up a deeper experience of life.

You can find out more about Christina:
christina-cooper.com

Find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

How to be happy alone, build self-worth and create a meaningful life are central to how we make decisions, form relationships and experience success.

In Alone and Rising, Mari Williams explores what it really means to be alone, not as isolation, but as the ability to be grounded within yourself.

Through intimate conversations and real stories, the podcast looks at personal growth, relationships, societal expectations and the patterns that shape how we live. Guests share honest experiences of loss, identity, resilience and self-discovery, offering a different perspective on what it means to build a life that feels right.

This is not about being single. It is about learning to be at ease with yourself, so your decisions, relationships and direction come from clarity rather than fear.

Whether you are navigating change, questioning your path or wanting to understand yourself more deeply, Alone and Rising offers a thoughtful and grounded perspective on living well.

Find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Shame, divorce and male vulnerability are often hidden, yet they shape how men experience grief, relationships and identity.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Ian shares his journey through profound personal loss, including the devastating murder of his brother, alongside the breakdown of his marriage, and how these experiences led him to confront shame, trauma and his relationship with himself.

He speaks openly about masculinity, emotional expression and the courage it takes to sit with yourself without distraction, showing how solitude can become a path to healing rather than something to avoid.

This is a candid conversation about grief, identity and personal growth, challenging traditional views of strength and offering a different perspective on what it means to rebuild your life.

About Ian
Ian is a counsellor working within the NHS and a trustee for Mothers Against Violence (MAV UK) in Manchester.

He has previously worked as a parenting practitioner and multi-systemic therapist, with a strong focus on trauma and painful memories. His experience also includes working within prison settings, following his degree in professional counselling at the University of Salford.

Find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Grief, widowhood and loneliness can reshape identity, purpose and how we experience life after loss.

In this episode of Alone and Rising, Mari Williams speaks with Judy Reith about navigating the profound loss of her husband and the reality of rebuilding life after bereavement.

Judy shares how grief, isolation and loneliness led her to co-found Cambridge Widows, a community offering connection, support and understanding for women facing similar experiences. What began through shared loss has grown into a group where women find both empathy and moments of joy, laughing as much as they cry.

This is a deeply honest conversation about loss, purpose and learning to live again, showing how even in the darkest moments, something meaningful can emerge.

You can find out more about Cambridge Widows here:
https://www.cambridgewidows.com/

Connect with Judy on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-reith-a6ab7b10/

Take the Alone and Rising questionnaire:
https://aloneandrisingquestionnaire.scoreapp.com/

About Judy Reith
Judy is a life coach and author, including Act 3: The Art of Growing Older, co-written with her late husband Adrian. Widowed three years ago, she continues to write and is currently working on two novels.

She is co-founder of Cambridge Widows, a growing community of women navigating life after loss, offering connection, shared experiences and support through regular meet-ups and activities.

Judy lives in Cambridge and on the Suffolk coast, and values community, conversation and the small moments that bring light during difficult times.

As Judy shares:
“Being widowed has turned my life upside down, yet singing in a choir of widows for a day was such a tonic for coping with loneliness and grief. Meeting Helen, forming Cambridge Widows and organising events for widows and widowers has given some purpose to my life again.”

Find out more about Mari: www.mari-williams.com

Connect with Mari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Addiction, trauma and recovery are deeply connected to self-worth, identity and the ability to be alone without escaping ourselves.

In this episode, J Raymond shares his journey of growing up in a household shaped by alcoholism, and how this influenced his own relationship with addiction, creativity and life.

He reflects on the turning points that led him towards recovery, including the loss of his father, and how confronting his past, finding community and writing became central to his healing.

J speaks about the role of solitude, self-compassion and purpose, and how learning to sit with yourself can transform both your inner world and the life you build.

He is the best-selling author of multiple works, including The Kindred Project, a collection of stories from others in recovery, and is known for his raw, honest writing on love, grief, addiction and the human experience.

You can find J here:
Website: www.jraymondwriting.com

About Mari Williams
Mari Williams, The Mind Architect, works privately with leaders, co-founders, teams and public figures navigating complex decisions, pressure and identity. Her work blends leadership, psychology and strategy to help clients think clearly, resolve patterns and build a life they genuinely enjoy.

Website: www.mari-williams.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariwilliams/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aloneandrising