Life Stories

Wally's story: From Brazil to Gibraltar

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:03:43 GMT

In this episode we continue with Wally's story and find out how he ended up making Gibraltar his home and the moment his life changed.

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Homelessness: Walacy Junio Ferreira

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:53 GMT

The inspiring journey of Walacy, who overcame homelessness and language barriers in London after moving from a Brazilian farm. Facing extreme hardship, including sleeping outdoors and the threat of deportation, Wally's resilience and determination, fueled by his grandparents' wisdom and the kindness of strangers, led him to persevere. His story is a testament to the human spirit's ability to triumph over adversity.

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Joanna Martinez: Surviving Breast Cancer

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:35:30 GMT

In this powerful episode of Life Stories, Joanna Martinez shares her deeply personal journey through breast cancer. From the shock of diagnosis to the strength it took to face treatment, uncertainty, and recovery. With honesty and courage, Joanna reflects on the moments that tested her the most, the support that carried her through, and how surviving cancer transformed her outlook on life. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the extraordinary power of the human spirit.

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Domestic Abuse

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:22:31 GMT

When we think about domestic abuse, we think about violence, we think about anger, but of course, domestic abuse comes in many shapes and forms. It can be verbal, it can be sexual, it can be financial. It can be emotional and of course, coercive. In that terrible place, we could often forget the children. And that's what this next story is about.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse can contact the Domestic Abuse Team (DAT) on 20072500 or by emailing domesticabuse@royalgib.police.gi

In case of emergency call 199. Confidentiality is guaranteed.

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Steven Attard: Ileal Neuroendocrine Neoplasm

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:29:21 GMT

There are a few things in life more devastating than getting a terminal diagnosis. It could completely break you, or it could make you feel incredibly positive and do positive things. And this episode is just about that.

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Craig's Battle with Autoimmune Hepatitis [Part 2]

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:47:14 GMT

We pick up where we left off with Craig's story. In this second part, we look at how it has shaped the way his brother Jamie thinks, and moving forward, what he has done for other children too.

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Craig's Battle with Autoimmune Hepatitis [Part 1]

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:36:44 GMT

Life stories isn't just about those who are still with us. It can be about those who have already left us too. In this case, it is the story of little Craig, as told by his mum, Carol, and his brother, Jamie.

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Alexandra Louise: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:33:34 GMT

Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) involves navigating severe emotional and physical symptoms like mood swings and irritability. Alexandra's journey illustrates the importance of self-advocacy and awareness in seeking proper medical care after facing misdiagnosis. The impact of PMDD on relationships and the coping strategies, including therapy and medication, are also explored, highlighting the need to distinguish PMDD from typical PMS.

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Sean Reyes

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:19:30 GMT

Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency occurring when the heart abruptly stops pumping blood due to an electrical malfunction. It leads to a sudden collapse, loss of consciousness, and no pulse. Treatment requires immediate CPR and defibrillation to restore that rhythm. While often fatal, within minutes without intervention, prompt action can save lives. This episode of Life Stories teaches us a couple of life lessons, but they are life lessons that we all know about. For example, the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and also, living in the moment. Two things that perhaps so many of us do not apply. So today, to hear how that exactly happened, we meet Sean.

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John Navarro

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:02:52 GMT

It started with a toe that didn't quite move, in a sock, in a shoe, that crumpled up, very odd. This is the story of John, and an eight-year battle to find a diagnosis.

MMN disease or multifocal motor neuropathy is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks motor nerves causing progressive asymmetric muscle weakness. It is often mistaken for ALS, but affects only lower motor neurons leading to difficulty with fine movements, dropping things, and sometimes muscle cramps. It is very rare, affects a small percentage of the population, more common in men, and often starting in middle age. This is the most incredible story.

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Gilliane Gomez

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:52:17 GMT

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterised by widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep, memory, and mood issues. It is believed to be caused by the brain and spinal cord processing pain signals differently, leading to an increased sensitivity to pain. What do you think it would feel like to be in pain every day? In this episode we hear Gillaine's story.

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Arianne Carroll

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:46:00 GMT

You wouldn't think at a young age that health would be a priority. In fact, you probably think you are invincible, with the world at your doorstep. That is why Arianne's story is very, very important. And with stroke on the rise in young people, we mustn't miss what she has to say.

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April Baldachino

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:46:54 GMT

Every person is unique and we all have an individual path through life, through trials and tribulations our experiences make us who we are.

Justine Cartwright meets people from all walks of life and gets to know their own personal Life Stories.

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Leslie Louise

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:30:00 GMT

A harrowing account of a very misunderstood crime. On this episode Leslie Louise shares her story of domestic violence.

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Darren & Natasha

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 10:23:58 GMT

It has been three years since Russia invaded Ukraine with over 40,000 casualties and also many, many displaced families. One of those families is one of our own. On this episode Darren and Natasha share their story.

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Ginny Cooper

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode, we speak somebody who wants to tell their story about motherhood. There is a happy ending, but it was a major struggle to get there. So, let's hear this brave story and meet Ginny.

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Francine McKay

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:00:00 GMT

Suicide is an incredibly emotive and painful subject to talk about. For those of us that are left behind, the loved ones, grieving is hard enough, and having to explain to a child about losing a loved one to suicide can be especially difficult. In this episode, we hear Francine's story.

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Zyna Llufrio

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:22:33 GMT

It happens to all parents, doesn't it? Our babies are born, we count all their fingers and toes. We look at them again and again, looking for that perfection in them, that they're in good health, but sometimes, just sometimes, things don't go quite as planned. In this episode talk to Zyna and her daughter, Alba.

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Paul Perez

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 12:42:51 GMT

What is it really like to be a gay man in Gibraltar? Are we more accepting? Are we more open-minded? Or, are we just accepting and ticking those boxes that society has laid out for us. To tell us that and more, in this episode, we meet Paul.

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Kaylie Napoli

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 09:14:19 GMT

Kaylie shares her experiences as a mother and entrepreneur while facing a constant and difficult illness. She discusses her emotional journey through various health issues and surgeries, highlighting the recovery process. After overcoming these obstacles, she embraces a renewed focus on her passion for football and sports, aiming to empower others and promote sustainability in her business endeavors.

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Nadia Casciaro

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:46:02 GMT

Welcome to a brand new series of Life Stories. And this time we will be hearing more from our community, telling their own stories of struggles, hope, and resilience. You never know what life will throw at you from one day to the next, and these stories, if anything, are going to give us some inspiration. On this episode, we meet Nadia.

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Fostering in Gibraltar (Part 4) - Noelia

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 19:15:51 GMT

In this episode we meet Noelia and her amazing story of having fostered 13 children.

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Fostering in Gibraltar (Part 3) - Sian

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 11:31:49 GMT

I wanted to dedicate some of the podcasts in this series to a very important issue that needs raising awareness on it, and that is fostering. So you will find over the next coming weeks that I will be interviewing foster parents and they will be telling their individual life stories. But on this episode, we're gonna flip that round a bit and we meet Sianne who was actually fostered and have a look at her life story and her journey through the process.

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Fostering in Gibraltar (Part 1)

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:36:12 GMT

This episode is not exactly a life story as such, but it is a very important, informative episode on how you, the viewer, could help our community of homeless children by fostering, and in doing so, become an integral and very important part of their life story.

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Tessa Rosado-Standen

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 19:25:14 GMT

This episode is a bit of an adventure. Well, you could say it's actually a massive adventure. And one that many of us will sit at home thinking, "I wish I did that." Tessa was a very brave young girl, but she is proof of one thing; those who dare, win.

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Monique Grambow

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 19:27:37 GMT

They say that we only use 10% of our brain but that's actually a myth. We use 100% of our brain, the problem is, like any other part of the body, if we don't feed it, excise it or look after it, we can't unlock its true potential. On this episode of Life Stories, we meet a young mother whose life changed from one day to the next. It's her journey of how she helped heal herself with the power of the mind.

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Bryanna Tosso

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:35:37 GMT

Do you remember our teenage years, when we were those young adults? That was the life, no cares in the world, an active social life, lots of fun, meeting new friends, our first romantic connections, university, that taste of freedom there on the horizon, so much to look forward to. Two years ago, Justine met Bryanna. She was only 16 at the time. She was grappling on a daily basis with chronic pain and long hospital stays, and her life was changed forever. She never had those opportunities or that lifestyle. Two years forward, we catch up on her story.

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Nyree Turnock Robinson

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 14:18:45 GMT

When we think of carers, we often see those men and women with experience who work for an agency within our community wearing those uniforms. But what about those unsung heroes? Those members of family who shoulder all the responsibility themselves? On this episode we meet one of them.

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Julian Felice

Wed, 10 May 2023 12:34:42 GMT

There's something really special about being in a theater, the smell, the sights, the sounds, the lights, it's all very exciting. And you never quite know what's going to happen when those curtains are pulled back. Thank goodness for people like Julian Felice. Who is he? Well, he's a thespian, he's a lover of the Arts, he's a playwright, and he's a gibraltarian.

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Patrick Kelly

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 11:18:40 GMT

There have been many stories of children who are inspired by their parent's life choices or career paths who then go on to follow in their footsteps. But it is rare to hear of a story of a parent inspired by a very young son with autism. On this episode, Justine chats to Patrick Kelly,

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Carlos Buhagiar

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:54:38 GMT

The support Gibraltar provides to our young adults for them to go to university and chase their dreams is so important because, inevitably, many of them do come back, and that is a great investment into Gibraltar. ON this episode, Justine meets Carlito, who followed his dreams, has come back, and has a very interesting story to tell.

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Adrian Hewitt

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:36:58 GMT

There is one thing that we all have in common, and that is death. It's inevitable. But in those moments when family and friends are at their worst, grieving, who do we turn to? That would be a funeral director, possibly one of the saddest jobs in the world. In this episode Justine speaks to Adrian Hewitt.

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Geri Cummings

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:54:48 GMT

We never know what life is going to throw at us, and the truth is, that from one day to another, things can change radically. In this episode Justine speaks to breast cancer survivor, Geri Cummings.

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Mark Pizarro

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:51:47 GMT

So it happens to the best of us, doesn't it? In a small community like Gibraltar, we see familiar faces time and time again. That might give us the impression that we actually know somebody. But do we really? Mark Pizarro has been Gibraltar's veterinary surgeon for over 32 years now, and we've always known him in that capacity. But do we know Mark, the man? Let's meet him.

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Joe Holliday

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:00:58 GMT

Why is it that we feel uncomfortable talking about certain subjects? Are we aware of the consequences of not normalising these conversations? In this episode, we meet Joe Holliday, someone who talks Justine, warts and all, about his journey with prostate cancer.

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Colin Ramirez

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 16:00:01 GMT

We're often told to chase our dreams, but sometimes that's not possible and few of us have the opportunity to do so. So when you get the chance,

you've gotta run with it. Doesn't always work out though. At some point or another, we come to a crossroads in our life and at that point, we

have to choose a path. In this episode Justine speaks to Colin, someone who did just that.

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Pia Alvarez

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 13:30:10 GMT

What do you do if you suffer from an illness that you can't actually see? They tend to be chronic, you're in pain all the time, you have terrible lows, and still you can't see anything wrong.There's a lot of illnesses out there like that, and we do have the tendency as humans to judge by what we see and what we hear. On this episode we meet Pia, someone who's going through just that, and it's a stark reminder of that age old lesson, "never judge a book by its cover".

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Natasha Cottrell

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:55:30 GMT

So many of us struggle with our mental health on a daily basis. In this episode, Justine chats to Natasha Cottrell, who has been incredibly courageous in sharing her story. The idea being that it was important for her to put the message out there that she and you are not alone.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains an open conversation about suicide, please take care when listening.

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Tony Gaul

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 11:14:50 GMT

It's that eternal debate; nurture versus nature. So what is it that makes us who we are? Is it the surroundings and your upbringing or is it simply a DNA lottery? In this episode, Justine speaks to Tony Gaul, somebody who might show us it's both.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains an open conversation about suicide, please take care when listening.

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Alejandro Ocaña Ruiz - Cancer Relief Centre

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 10:34:44 GMT

Losing a loved one can be one of the hardest things in life. At the Cancer Relief Centre, there is a really great group of Hospice Nurses and Carers who provide excellent end of life care providing advice, support and respite to cancer patients and families during what is a very difficult time. In this episode, Justine meets Hospice Nurse, Alejandro Ocaña Ruiz.

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Louis Anthony Hook

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:55:32 GMT

Marathon Runner Louis Anthony Hook opens up about his addiction struggles. He speaks about his journey to recovery and encourages others to ask for help.

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