Some stories don’t move in a straight line.

They are messier. They loop. They repeat. They collapse and rebuild.

Kata’s story is one of those lives.

In episode 6 of Life Unpacked with Mel Ryan – The Life Bombs Series, Kata courageously unpacks a life shaped by repeated “sliding doors” moments — times where life could have gone one way or another, and often felt like survival was the only option.

This is not a rags-to-riches story.

It’s a despair-to-survival story. Over and over again.

As you listen, you’ll begin to see the thread running through Kata’s life — the soul-level message that keeps presenting itself in different forms, trying to guide her back to the same lesson: learning how to truly support herself.

This conversation explores how self-sabotage isn’t about being broken or making “bad choices,” but about searching for relief, safety, and rescue outside of yourself. We unpack how life keeps repeating patterns until we’re ready to see them, and how awareness can grow even while old behaviours are still playing out.

In this episode, Mel and Kata explore:

• Repeated life-or-death and “endings” moments
• Self-sabotage and the desire for someone else to save you
• How responsibility and accountability actually lead to freedom
• The slow stacking of self-awareness alongside chaos
• Moving from self-hate and self-destruction into self-compassion
• What real self-support looks like when life feels messy

This episode is a powerful reflection on how clever we are in our stories — who we meet, what we create, what we avoid — and how even life bombs and trauma can be pulling us back toward deeper understanding.

Content warning: Substance use, self-destructive behaviour, pregnancy loss, mental health, grief.

As with all Life Bombs conversations, there is no judgement here — now or ever. People’s stories are not here to be ranked, compared, or criticised.

Kata’s story isn’t about getting it right.

It’s about learning.

It’s about discovering that the person she was waiting for — the one meant to save her — was herself all along.

Amila's Story "From Crippling Anxiety to 'I've Got My Own Back': Amila's Story"

At 19, Amila could barely swallow water. Her anxiety was so severe, she thought she'd rather die than feel that way forever. She didn't even know anxiety was a word—she just knew something had erupted inside her that she could no longer ignore. What happens when becoming a mum forces you to face everything you've buried your whole life? When the people meant to keep you safe were the ones you were most terrified of? When you've spent so long making yourself invisible that you don't even know who you are anymore? In this raw, powerful podcast, Amila shares her journey from childhood trauma and debilitating anxiety to discovering unconditional self-love. You'll hear about the pivotal moment that changed everything, the question she asked herself that shifted her entire perspective, and how unpacking her story—piece by piece—gave her back the power she thought she'd lost forever. This isn't about reliving trauma. It's about understanding your story so deeply that you finally know how to support yourself through anything. If you've ever felt trapped, worthless, or like you're just surviving rather than living—this episode is for you.

Jenni's Story

"I had everything I thought I wanted. So why did I feel like I was disappearing?" Jenni looked perfect on paper—loving husband, beautiful kids, the family she'd always dreamed of. But inside, she was carrying wounds from childhood that no one could see. In this raw conversation, Jenni shares what happened when life delivered a catastrophic bomb that forced her to finally choose herself—and the judgment, loss, and unexpected lessons that followed. This isn't a story about making the right choices. It's about understanding why we make the choices we do, and what it really takes to love yourself when everything falls apart. **Warning: This episode explores difficult themes including trauma, family dysfunction, and life-altering decisions. It's also one of the most powerful conversations about self-love you'll ever hear.

"I wouldn't change it. I recognize myself so much better now."

For parents & carers living the reality of what it feels like to be the parent when your child attempts to un-alive themselves, or holding their child and family through crisis. This episode is for you if:

You're the parent who checks if they're still breathing in the middle of the night. Who can't relax unless you know they're safe. Who feels guilty for not seeing it coming, not doing enough, not being enough.

You're carrying a weight no one sees. The anxiety that lives in your chest. The fear that follows you into every phone call, every silence, every moment they don't text back. You're trying to hold it together while falling apart. Supporting your child while drowning in your own trauma. Showing up when you don't know what to do.

You're absolutely not alone. And you're certainly not failing some invisible parenting test.

In this episode Cheree offers a unique perspective on The Truth About the 5% You'll Never Get Back.

She speaks the truth no one else will. That you'll never be 100% sure again. And that that's not weakness, that's the reality of loving someone through crisis.

This episode will validate that ongoing fear AND gives you permission to support yourself through it. We talk about:

The Guilt That Freezes You – that moment perceived as a parent from the ambulance officer's judgmental look to the constant "what if I'd done something different,". In this heart-felt conversation Cheree unpacks the guilt that sits in every parent's chest. She shows you it's not about blame. And she emphasises that it's about learning to support yourself while supporting them

What Happens When Your Ducks Explode - Cheree's metaphor of trying to control everything, only to have it all scatter, will resonate deeply. She shares how she learned to navigate a new normal where control isn't possible, but that love and presence still are.

The Invisible Strength of Showing Up - This episode honours the courage it takes to keep breathing when your worst nightmare becomes real. To stay present when you're terrified. To love fiercely when you feel powerless.

Cheree and Mel talk about:

- How-to have the conversations you're terrified to have with your child

- Why asking "are you safe?" isn't weakness, and that in fact it's necessary self-support

- How to navigate the judgment from others while protecting your own mental health

- The difference between supporting your child and abandoning yourself

- Why some fears are valid and deserve space, not dismissal

- How to find your needs when you've spent a lifetime putting everyone else first

Cheree offers a unique perspective shift. Her story isn't about fixing or saving. It's about the reality of parenting through the unthinkable. About learning that true support means acknowledging what you can't control while fiercely protecting what you can - your presence, your love, your commitment to keep showing up.

This episode will break your heart open. But it will also show you that you're stronger than you know.

Content Note: This episode discusses an un-aliving attempt, parental trauma, and ongoing anxiety. It's raw, honest, and deeply validating for anyone who's loved someone through mental health crisis. If you're in this space right now, please support yourself appropriately. You matter too.

Episode 2: Finding Light When There Was None – Ella’s Story

What happens when you reach the point where you don't want to die, you just want the pain to stop? At 15, Ella found herself somewhere she never expected to be. Not because of one dramatic moment, but because of something quieter. Something she couldn't name. Something that made her feel like she was drowning while everyone around her kept living. She tried everything they told her would work. She saw the professionals. She followed the strategies. But when you've lost yourself completely, when you're that disconnected from who you are, nothing lands the way they tell you it’s supposed to. And then something shifted.

In this raw, deeply moving conversation, Ella shares what it's really like to be in that place, and what happened when she discovered a completely different way forward. This episode will take you inside:

The moment she realised she couldn't keep going the way she was

Why the "right" help didn't help at all

What actually changed everything (it's not what you think)

How she learned to see herself through completely different eyes

What finding your own light really means when you've been in the dark

If you've ever felt like you're just existing rather than living, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. If you're watching someone you love struggle to find themselves, this will help you understand what they can't put into words. And if you're in that dark place right now, Ella's story will remind you of something you might have forgotten - there's a way through this that no one's shown you yet.

Life Bombs: Real stories. Real healing. Real hope.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health and suicide. Please listen with care.

Episode 1: When the Rules Disappeared – Belinda’s Story

Every episode in Life Unpacked with Mel Ryan – Life Bombs Series answers a key question.

The question this episode answers is:

What becomes possible when the rules disappear?

Belinda’s answer may surprise you.

Belinda offers a unique perspective, sharing from her own end-of-life journey. This conversation is especially meaningful if you are in your own end-of-life journey, supporting a loved one, or seeking a fresh perspective from someone who wishes they could have stayed longer.

In this conversation, you’ll hear a permission you didn’t even know you needed. When Belinda received her diagnosis, she discovered something unexpected. What if the worst news of your life could actually set you free? Listen to find out what changed for her the moment everything changed.

There’s also an invitation you’ve probably never received before.

What Belinda chose to do instead of waiting for her funeral will challenge everything you think you know about saying goodbye. This may be the idea that changes how you want to be remembered.

We also touch on the conversation no one wants to have — how do you talk about the thing everyone is afraid to mention? Belinda found a way that is honest, surprising, and at times even light-hearted. You’ll want to hear how she did it.

We discuss the peace you may think is impossible. When there is truly nothing left to control, what happens next? Belinda’s answer may be the reframe you’ve been searching for.

Belinda also shares what you can still give during end-of-life time. For parents wondering how to leave something behind, she offers a concept that shifts how you view remaining time — a realisation that applies to everyone, not just those facing terminal illness.

There is an honest conversation about self-love, where Belinda admits she never truly loved herself until later in life. You’ll need to listen to understand when and why that changed — and why it’s never too late.

For those supporting a loved one through terminal illness, you’ll gain a new perspective on:

• What your loved one actually needs from you
• The boundary that isn’t rejection
• Why “fixing” doesn’t help, and what truly does

We also explore why the person dying and the person staying behind may not be on the same journey — and why that doesn’t mean either is wrong.

There’s an inside phrase Belinda and Mel created together that became a lifeline through relentless challenges. It’s one you may want to adopt in your own life.

Near the end, Belinda shares a quote about beauty, authenticity, and becoming yourself. You’ll know it when you hear it — and it will stay with you.

Belinda’s story isn’t sad. It isn’t a tragedy. It’s something else entirely — something our society deeply needs to hear.

Trigger warning: This episode contains honest discussions about terminal illness and end-of-life experiences. Belinda passed away four months after this recording, making this conversation even more precious.

Available now on all podcast platforms.

Press play when you’re ready to see life — and death — differently.

Life Bomb Series - Stories of Coming Home to Yourself

Episode 0: Welcome to Life Unpacked – Are You Ready to See Your Story Differently?

What if everything you thought about your life was wrong?

After 18 months of holding space for some of the most courageous conversations you’ll ever hear, Life Unpacked with Mel Ryan is finally here — and it’s not what you expect.

This isn’t another trauma podcast.

You won’t find victim stories here. You won’t find people just surviving their pain. What you will find is something far more powerful: reflections and insights on what shifted for those who went through life bombs.

What if the worst thing that ever happened to you wasn’t actually happening to you? What if there was a way to see it that gave you back all your power?

This series follows nine real people through experiences that stop you in your tracks — the moments that make you question everything.

You’ll hear how my guests transformed what happened to them into something for them. You’ll hear the exact moment someone moves from “Why me?” to “Oh… I finally understand.” That shift is what they went searching for. It’s the very reason their life bomb happened in the first place.

The Stories You Can’t Look Away From

We’re going where most people are too afraid to go. The conversations society tells us not to have. The experiences we’re supposed to keep quiet about. But not anymore.

These are the stories that will make you cry, question what you thought you knew, and give you the chance to see your own life differently through someone else’s story — and realise you’re not alone. You’ll have the opportunity to understand yourself in ways you never have before.

Why This Will Find You

If you’re here, there’s a reason. Maybe you’ve been through something you can’t make sense of. Maybe you’re tired of feeling like life just happens to you. Maybe you’re searching for answers in the wrong places. Or maybe you’re ready to stop waiting for someone to save you and come home to yourself.

After 30 years of working with people in their most vulnerable moments, Mel has discovered something that changes how you see your life. Your story isn’t random. It’s a map back to yourself — and in this series, she shows you how to read it.

The Shift You’ve Been Waiting For

Through hearing other people’s stories, you may begin to understand:

Why that happened.

Why you made those choices.

Why patterns keep repeating.

Why you feel the way you do.

Not from a therapist. Not from a book. Not from someone else’s opinion — but from listening, reflecting, and hearing your own truth.

This Is Your Invitation

These conversations are unedited, deeply emotional, courageously honest, and transformational. Unlike anything you’ve heard before — and they’re waiting for you.

One Warning

This series will challenge everything you’ve been taught about trauma, healing, self-love, forgiveness, and what it truly means to support yourself.

If you’re not ready to see your life differently, don’t press play.

But if you are…

The journey starts now

Episode 22.. Why DO I ........Why do I Eat the Pantry, Why do I Drink wine and Night, Why do I Eat all the Sugar, Why do I Crave Chocolate?

Let's take a look at the deep conditioning that has happened to us. And even more importantly lets reframe the perspective we hold around treats n love.

It's all about the balance between ins and outs in life. And understanding why the in's are almost non existent.

Come Hang out with Me

Mel xxx