A little shameless self-promotion.

[onearmedbandit]

Most of you will know of my injury, some of you might know of the pain that accompanies it. But not many know of my 25yr journey with chronic pain. Those who I have told over the years have told me how my story has inspired them, how it has put things into perspective for them. And that I need to share it. I've always been reluctant though, thinking I'm just doing what anyone would do in my situation. In the past few years though I've actually started to understand that I do approach this with a different mindset to a lot of people, and seeing and hearing comments about how I made a difference became incredibly rewarding.

Last year I was approached and asked if I would like to do some motivational speaking, for a couple reasons I declined but it got me thinking about how I could get my story out there. So I brought a myself a microphone and decided to hop onto the podcast wagon. I've uploaded three episodes to kick thinks off and will be adding a new episode each week. If you like you can hear it on all the major platforms like spotify and apple music etc or directly on the website below.

Cheers!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2198567/share

[pete376403]

The heated glove doing anything to help?

[onearmedbandit]

The heated glove doing anything to help?

It certainly does regardless of chronic pain or not!! Cheers.

[sugilite]

I'm 2 episodes in. You have such a natural ability with expressing complex thoughts, emotions and sensory sensations.
Honestly, it is like this is your 5000 podcast. You could of easily had a successful career in broadcasting.
I have no doubt that people suffering from chronic pain that listen to your podcast cannot but come out of it all the immensely richer for the experience.
And as an aside - how while dealing with all that you do, you still manage to cat herd us reprobates with such grace is a wonder in itself.
Kudos mate :yes:

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks so much mate! Ha I keep thinking 'maybe I'll sound ok once I've got a few hundred under my belt'. You're not the only one to say it sounds good so I'll just put my opinion down to not liking the sound of my own voice.

[admenk]

Been listening today. Thankfully, despite a few accidents over the years, i've no experience of your subject matter :). However, as others have said, your presentation is spot on and both interesting and encouraging. So, good on you and keep up the good work :first:

[TheDemonLord]

So, rather than my usual Metal playlist on the walk to work this morning - I fired this up - now 3 episodes deep - I felt it's time for a review.

On the actual technical side of the Podcast - your speech is very well paced, not many umms and arrs and errs. It's perhaps a touch slow in places for my personal tastes - but that is a matter for personal preference. What I mean by that is that some of the pauses are perhaps 0.3-0.5 seconds too long. Audio quality is very good for a new podcast, there's not much in the way of distortion, your voice has a nice timbre and is paired well with the subject matter - I did notice a few audio bits and pieces (like random noises in the background) - nothing that was distracting, but things to think about in future. These are the small things that take it from a 'good' podcast to a 'Professional podcast'.

I like the consistent intro - it does a good job of grounding each episode - that is, you know you are listening to the same Podcast. A suggestion though - since you use the same intro, it could help listeners if you announce the Podcast name and number e.g. 'Welcome to Episode 3 of the Screaming in Silence Podcast - A Pain in the Neck' - so that people who listen across multiple platforms or don't notice if they've already listened played that one can recognize it.

I'm not sure if you are reading from a script or you are ad-libbing it, which is great that I can't tell because it means that the subject matter is flowing well.

Now to the Podcast subject matter.

Well, suffice to say you have shot up massively in my estimation, I knew you had had some form of injury, but never pressed to learn more detail. Knowing now about the chronic pain you suffer everyday has been nothing short of eye-opening. What I overwhelmingly got though from the Podcast is such a sense of genuine Gratitude for life. I can see clearly why you've been encouraged to be a motivational speaker and how your words can help others who are fighting their own issues.

Particularly interesting was the feeling of acceptance - when you talked about no longer fighting the pain but learning to work with it - that was a very insightful moment. I did rather 'enjoy' your descriptions of your pain (not because you are suffering - but I'm a Death Metal fan - so it's an imagery I'm used to).

I also got a strong hint of Stoicism. When you talked about not wanting to take a hospital bed that others could use or not needing the tools provided or just the general feeling of 'This is the cross I have to bear, no point complaining, just get on with it' - which was uplifting.

Finally - the resilience that you've displayed - I drew a lot of parallels between the way that you articulated your approach to life after your accident to the way that Special Forces soldiers talk about their life experience, 'Yesterday was a battle that I won, today will be tomorrow's victorious yesterday' - that notion of just putting one foot forward at a time. Even when you talked about the accommodations you have to make in your life, with your pain (such as lying down when it hits a 12/10) - that you still find ways to get through life, your description of eating breakfast and having to force yourself to eat despite what you are experience was particularly moving.

Once you've established an audience and a community - I'd be interested to hear you discuss your experiences with experts in the field or other people who have similar stories.

[onearmedbandit]

Been listening today. Thankfully, despite a few accidents over the years, i've no experience of your subject matter :). However, as others have said, your presentation is spot on and both interesting and encouraging. So, good on you and keep up the good work :first:

Thank so much!

[onearmedbandit]

So, rather than my usual Metal playlist on the walk to work this morning - I fired this up - now 3 episodes deep - I felt it's time for a review.

On the actual technical side of the Podcast - your speech is very well paced, not many umms and arrs and errs. It's perhaps a touch slow in places for my personal tastes - but that is a matter for personal preference. What I mean by that is that some of the pauses are perhaps 0.3-0.5 seconds too long. Audio quality is very good for a new podcast, there's not much in the way of distortion, your voice has a nice timbre and is paired well with the subject matter - I did notice a few audio bits and pieces (like random noises in the background) - nothing that was distracting, but things to think about in future. These are the small things that take it from a 'good' podcast to a 'Professional podcast'.

Yes I too noticed some pauses that I felt were a little long, something to keep in mind for future episodes. I'm recording in our garage, it has an insulated door so as the day warms up it creaks and clicks. My setup/mancave is in the garage so until I kick one of the kids out of their rooms it will have to do, but I will pay closer attention to this.


I like the consistent intro - it does a good job of grounding each episode - that is, you know you are listening to the same Podcast. A suggestion though - since you use the same intro, it could help listeners if you announce the Podcast name and number e.g. 'Welcome to Episode 3 of the Screaming in Silence Podcast - A Pain in the Neck' - so that people who listen across multiple platforms or don't notice if they've already listened played that one can recognize it.

I'm not sure if you are reading from a script or you are ad-libbing it, which is great that I can't tell because it means that the subject matter is flowing well.

I was actually thinking about making mention at the start what episode we are on, so I will introduce that now. It is read from a script, at first I thought it sounded to unnatural, so I tried ad-libbing but I am yet to be comfortable enough behind a microphone to make that work. I'm glad to hear it doesn't sound too much like it is a script.


Now to the Podcast subject matter.

Well, suffice to say you have shot up massively in my estimation, I knew you had had some form of injury, but never pressed to learn more detail. Knowing now about the chronic pain you suffer everyday has been nothing short of eye-opening. What I overwhelmingly got though from the Podcast is such a sense of genuine Gratitude for life. I can see clearly why you've been encouraged to be a motivational speaker and how your words can help others who are fighting their own issues.

Particularly interesting was the feeling of acceptance - when you talked about no longer fighting the pain but learning to work with it - that was a very insightful moment. I did rather 'enjoy' your descriptions of your pain (not because you are suffering - but I'm a Death Metal fan - so it's an imagery I'm used to).

I also got a strong hint of Stoicism. When you talked about not wanting to take a hospital bed that others could use or not needing the tools provided or just the general feeling of 'This is the cross I have to bear, no point complaining, just get on with it' - which was uplifting.

Finally - the resilience that you've displayed - I drew a lot of parallels between the way that you articulated your approach to life after your accident to the way that Special Forces soldiers talk about their life experience, 'Yesterday was a battle that I won, today will be tomorrow's victorious yesterday' - that notion of just putting one foot forward at a time. Even when you talked about the accommodations you have to make in your life, with your pain (such as lying down when it hits a 12/10) - that you still find ways to get through life, your description of eating breakfast and having to force yourself to eat despite what you are experience was particularly moving.

Once you've established an audience and a community - I'd be interested to hear you discuss your experiences with experts in the field or other people who have similar stories.

Thanks for the feedback on the content, it is really interesting to hear other peoples take on my journey, so far without exception it has been positive. I'm looking forward to Ep6 as I will be going into the reasons why I feel so lucky to have had this experience, which is the real thrust of my story. We all experience pain, hardship and struggles. We all have our cross to bear, none of us get through life without scars. Over the years I've been told by enough specialists etc that my approach and understanding is not as common as I once thought, so if I can help just one person see life and its hurdles in a more positive light by stepping outside my comfort zone then my journey is a worthy one. Approaching 500 downloads now so I'm increasing the odds of that!

[onearmedbandit]

Episode 8 - Motorcycle Madness is out tonight. I thought I would mention it here as it's obviously motorcycle themed, detailing my journey back onto two wheels, and sometimes only one!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2198567/share

www.onewingkiwi.com

[onearmedbandit]

So I was contacted by Jendy Harper recently, her of Seven Sharp. Long story short, I'm on their show tomorrow night eeek.

[caseye]

I for one, will be tuning in tonight.
You have to know that what you have started is going to make a difference to all who listen in, regardless of their situation, they will tell your story to others who will pass it on again and again.
You are one of a few special people with a gift that has found a way to help others simply by talking about your own experience, doesn't sound like a lot.
But man what an amazing thing to do.
Please never stop being yourself and don't be afraid to say it like it is.
Awesome work Bandit!:mega:

[onearmedbandit]

Thanks caseye! I'll admit, there have been times that I've questioned the importance of what I'm doing, and then I receive feedback from someone in a random part of the world telling me what an impact my story has had with them. That is incredibly rewarding and makes me realise despite my doubts at times this is worthwhile. I'm even uncomfortable with the prospect of being on TV, but as I said to my daughter about it the other day, if my goal is to help people who may be struggling then getting more exposure is going to help that, so despite my anxiety I need to embrace it.

[Laava]

Nice one Fraser, I can't imagine what your world is like, but there clearly is people out there you are helping and inspiring. Kudos

[FLUB]

Just watched it and full respect to you. I live with peripheral neuropathy in my feet but it's not even close to the same level as what you have. When it started in 2015, I very quickly got to the maximum dose of Tramadol and was then switched to Oxycodone. Whilst it did dull the pain, I was forever sleeping, so two years ago I weaned myself off. I've found that my brain is able to partly ignore the nerve signals and reduce the pain to a level 4 most of the time, with occasional spikes to a 9, but very briefly. Your will power must be particularly strong to live with level 6 minimum. Most people don't really comprehend the pain scale until they've experienced a real 10.

The worst thing is when someone asks "how are your feet?", which causes my brain to check. Ouch [emoji23].

Sent from my Lenovo TB-J606F using Tapatalk

[pritch]

I'm even uncomfortable with the prospect of being on TV, but as I said to my daughter about it the other day, if my goal is to help people who may be struggling then getting more exposure is going to help that, so despite my anxiety I need to embrace it.

You did well. The clips of you talking on your podcast also looked good. 10/10

[caseye]

Watched the Seven Sharp clip last night Bandy, you did yourself proud and I believe there will be more than one or 2 ordinary folks out there contacting you as a result.
Poised, professional and humble, you could not have presented your issues and your ways of fighting back any better, be proud.
:woohoo:

[onearmedbandit]

Nice one Fraser, I can't imagine what your world is like, but there clearly is people out there you are helping and inspiring. Kudos

Thank you. My world is great, sure it is one of constant pain but it's one full of gratitude for what I have rather than lamenting what I've lost. It's one of self awareness in how lucky I am to have had this journey, the lessons I've learnt, the people I've met, the things I've done, the people who I've been able to help. I really am one of the luckiest people alive.

[onearmedbandit]

Just watched it and full respect to you. I live with peripheral neuropathy in my feet but it's not even close to the same level as what you have. When it started in 2015, I very quickly got to the maximum dose of Tramadol and was then switched to Oxycodone. Whilst it did dull the pain, I was forever sleeping, so two years ago I weaned myself off. I've found that my brain is able to partly ignore the nerve signals and reduce the pain to a level 4 most of the time, with occasional spikes to a 9, but very briefly. Your will power must be particularly strong to live with level 6 minimum. Most people don't really comprehend the pain scale until they've experienced a real 10.

The worst thing is when someone asks "how are your feet?", which causes my brain to check. Ouch [emoji23].

Sent from my Lenovo TB-J606F using Tapatalk

The mind is truly a very powerful tool when it comes to coping with adversity, luckily people like you and I have been able to take full advantage of it and make the most of our situation. I used to get that response too, if someone asked me it would be then that I noticed. I think focusing on the podcast and exposing myself more to how the mind reacts has definitely helped me, I can discuss my pain, focus on it etc without any jump now. I really feel totally in control of it, and that is a very powerful feeling to have. Thank you for your comments!

[onearmedbandit]

You did well. The clips of you talking on your podcast also looked good. 10/10

Thank you pritch, that means a lot coming from you. It was daunting to be on TV, as it was to even start the podcast, but it feels great now I've done both and received fantastic feedback on it!

[onearmedbandit]

Watched the Seven Sharp clip last night Bandy, you did yourself proud and I believe there will be more than one or 2 ordinary folks out there contacting you as a result.
Poised, professional and humble, you could not have presented your issues and your ways of fighting back any better, be proud.
:woohoo:

Thank you bro! Like most of us I tend to overthink things like this, going live on the podcast, being in front of a camera, but I'm now in a place where I truly feel at ease with it. Onwards and upwards!

[onearmedbandit]

For a little more promotion, this time from 1 news ha!

https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/31/chronic-pain-sufferer-chooses-mindfulness-over-medication/