Growing Tall Poppies Podcast Season 2, Episode 30

In the Arena: Lessons on Growth from Italy

Podcast| Growing Tall Poppies| Season 2
August 26, 2025•2 min read

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 02, Episode 30 (#71)

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In this heartfelt episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green closes out her month-long European journey with powerful reflections from Italy. From the heat and hustle of Florence to the cliffside resilience of Cinque Terre, the winding canals of Venice, and the ancient strength of Rome, every stop became a metaphor for healing and growth after trauma.

With her signature honesty and wisdom, Dr Nat shares what it means to step back into the arena of life - messy, uneven, and unpredictable - and to discover resilience in the very places that once felt overwhelming.

Whether you’re navigating trauma, loss, or simply the everyday challenges of life, this episode is an invitation to anchor yourself, surrender to the flow, and choose courage over fear.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • How Florence teaches us to pause, breathe, and anchor ourselves in moments of overwhelm

  • Why Cinque Terre’s foundations remind us that beauty can be rebuilt even on shaky ground

  • How Venice mirrors the importance of surrendering to the flow of healing instead of forcing a straight path

  • What the Colosseum and Rome’s cobblestones reveal about stepping into the arena of life with courage

  • Strategies to ground yourself, rebuild resilience, and embrace growth - even in the chaos

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

  • “Growth doesn’t happen on the smooth, easy paths. It happens in the messiness, the uneven cobblestones, and the arenas where we choose to show up anyway.”

  • Healing means knowing when to step back and rest - without guilt.

  • Resilience is built on solid foundations of self-awareness, patience, and support.

  • True growth asks us to surrender to flow, trust the current, and risk stepping back into the arena.

  • Your journey may feel overwhelming, but beauty and strength often emerge in the messiest places.

Learn More & Connect with Dr Nat

For those who want to explore Dr Nat’s work further:

Next Episode

👉 S02E31: Coming Soon

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast

Hosted by Dr Nat Green, this podcast empowers individuals to rise above trauma and create lasting transformation. Each episode features inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you break free from adversity, build confidence, and thrive. Tune in for real conversations that inspire personal growth and resilience.