Stories and Stanza

Manifestation Isn't About Wanting More—It's About This

May 10, 2026·1h 1m
Episode Description from the Publisher

In this episode of Stories and Stanza, host Abhra and guest David Allen Brown discuss reframing a “midlife crisis” as a midlife renaissance, exploring how depression can feel like numbness that can turn to despair. Brown shares his background as a teacher, speaker, and writer, his divorce and move from Indianapolis to New York City, and how finding a good therapist after COVID and committing to honesty became a turning point. They examine authenticity as both a personal and creative necessity, including Brown’s decision to write an unflinching memoir and his view that being oneself attracts the right people. Brown also explains his approach to writing through intentional pre-writing, theme, and structure, reads an excerpt about caregiving stress, and outlines a model of self-talk integrating higher power, action, and emotions, culminating in a manifestation framework focused on cultivating general aligned energy rather than specific outcomes. David Alan Brown has been teaching personal empowerment, leadership, organizational development, self discovery and spirituality to audiences across the country for more than thirty years. He is the author of many books, including Answer the Call: What to do when Spirit arrives to transform your life! and The Self-Help Paradox. He frequently leads classes and services at progressive congregations, including more than a decade of service at New Thought Unity Center of Cincinnati and churches from Florida to Minnesota, Arizona to New York. He also facilitates and consults for corporations and nonprofit organizations, leading programs on leadership, culture, authenticity, presentation skills and staff development. David holds a BFA from New York University, is a fan of auto racing, writes and evaluates live theater, and coaches writers and storytellers. His most recent publication is an online course, Convergence, which teaches people how to recognize and regulate their inner voices to live intentionally each day and manifest their goals. He's here to talk with us about how this became his life's work, how he integrates it into his daily life and what makes it special. His website: https://davidalanbrown.com/convergence/  -------------------- Follow Us on Social Media:   Facebook https://www.facebook.com/storiesandstanza/    Instagram https://www.instagram.com/storiesandstanza/    YouTube @storiesandstanza    Join Our WhatsApp Channel  https://wa.openinapp.link/wjcwe    X https://x.com/storiesnstanza Follow Us on Audio Podcast: Listen on Spotify https://spotify.openinapp.co/storiesandstanza  Listen on Apple Podcast https://apple.openinapp.link/u3ui2 Read on Substack https://openinapp.link/ion0e -------------------- Want to grow on YouTube? Try vidIQ: https://vidiq.com/storiesandstanza  Want to edit your Podcasts in a breeze? try Descript: https://get.descript.com/stories-and-stanza  Buy me a coffee https://ko-fi.com/storiesandstanza ----------------

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