“Thank you Phil, for letting us be apart of your journey its been emotional with great comfort that life does go on after we lose loved ones and for sharing your experience about Julie’s visits to you. When we have visits from loved ones we are all a bit sceptical that they are really here with us, your story made us realise, yes they do. Like you I have had visits that I didn’t realise until listening and being positive that our loved ones are here with us in spirit. It has been quite comforting listening to your story and amazing how positive you have been. Having known Julie, such a lovely lady who will always be in our hearts and thoughts, has been guiding you into your new life doesn’t surprise us. She was a lady who cared for everyone in life, once again, we wish you all the love and happiness in your new life. With Debbie, Connal, Jade and their lovely partners and beautiful grandchildren you have been well and truly blessed. Without Julie’s new life in heaven, we wouldn’t have been able to share the life and love you both shared – such a lovely story. We now look forward to, hopefully, enjoy your next chapter in your new life and your new journey and think you should Podcast your next journey through life. It’s been so touching, amazing, comforting, positive and opening to our spiritual life and for that we thank you so much. Well done, you’re amazing, strong, positive and an inspiration to all. We shared tears, joy, laughter, happiness and comfort with you.
xxx“
– Gail & Paul Williams
“Thank you so much Phil for sharing this very emotional time with us, I think you are so brave in many, many ways. How you have turned your life around in truly inspiring. What a guy, all the time I was listening to your journey, a picture of you looking at Julie with that quiet smile on your face would not leave my mind.
Wonderful Phil xx“
– Rose Sharp
“What a story!
Beautiful, emotive and powerful. Had me crying, smiling and thinking, all at the same time.
Julie is always around with a warm hug. Throughout the story , I could see her smile.
Phil… you are an inspiration and I am so thrilled you are thriving and happy now.”
❤️
-Claire
“Your podcasts are well put together, engaging and narrated in a sensitive authentic way.
Really refreshing and important that you’re talking so openly and honestly about death, the thought process/beliefs about death, grief and guilt. Death is part of life but most people seem so uncomfortable/ scared to discuss it. Sharing your experience of losing your beloved wife, although extremely sad and emotive, is ‘normalising’ death and grief, helping to remove the ‘taboo’. Sharing your experiences and how you found ways to cope highlights there is no shame attached to grief or depression. I think listeners will be able to identify with your story/thoughts/feelings and it may give them hope they can get through and manage their grief. Good to hear you are now enjoying life to the full.”
– Tracey
“A very emotive, honest, thought provoking and above all a positive outlook on not only bereavement but life. Life is never plain sailing and Phil’s journey is a prime example of this. Full of wisdom, honesty and what rises above everything for me is how genuine the author comes across and I believe each and everyone of us will resonate with him in one aspect or another even if we haven’t shared the same journey. The full podcast evokes thoughts and feelings in our own lives, it is beautifully and eloquently narrated throughout with a calming and tranquil nature even in the face of adversity. Hope shines though. Hope that it is never the end just the start of a new journey. Thank you and I’m looking forward to learning and philosophising further with the expansion of this series: Five stars“
– Lee
“Whatever stage of contentment you have reached in your life, Survive and Thrive by Phil Moran will motivate and encourage you to find joy and fulfilment in the world. In attempting to come to terms with the devastating loss of a loved one, Phil chronicles his survival and offers heartwarming and practical advice to anyone seeking peace of mind and inspiration.
From Phil’s darkest days of grief, the listener is taken on the road to finding optimism, hope and reward in our surroundings, community and loved ones. And he does travel too! Metaphors of resilience and inspiration are identified in his travels around the country, recalling the small acts of kindness that galvanise his growing belief in the power of humanity.
Phil’s depiction of his vulnerability and the hope he derives from unexpected generosity, is woven into a narrative to give comfort and encouragement to others. The words are not simply about dealing with grief, they offer practical steps to anyone whose world is dominated by sadness.
The essence of the highly personal style of Survive and Thrive places the podcast above other self-help guides. Listening to Phil’s story and how he overcame desperately difficult challenges, gives credibility to his advice on lifestyle, positivity and fulfilment.
This podcast is highly recommended for everyone seeking more from life.”
– Sue from Stockport
“In “Survive and Thrive” grief finds a voice—one that’s raw, unapologetic, and undeniably real. This podcast is not just a story; it’s a lifeline for anyone who’s felt the weight of loss.
From the first episode, Phil’s vulnerability draws you in. He doesn’t sugarcoat the pain or pretend it’s easy. Instead, he invites you into his world, where every emotion is laid bare.
What sets this podcast apart is its authenticity. Phil doesn’t hide behind platitudes or false optimism. He confronts his grief head-on, and in doing so, creates a space for listeners to do the same.
But amidst the tears, there’s a glimmer of hope. Phil’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Through honouring his wife’s memory, he discovers a strength he never knew he had.
In “Survive and Thrive” grief isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something new. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s always a flicker of light. And sometimes, that’s all we need to find our way home.“
– Kristina, Cheshire
“Survive and Thrive is essentially a spiritual love story of grief, hope, strength and enlightenment.
At times, heart wrenching in it’s description of loss, but always captivating and delivered in an assured tone that has an overall strangely hypnotic quality about it. Phil pulls no punches with the realities of dealing with the death of a treasured loved one and the mechanisms needed to cope with the pain and devastation it leaves in it’s wake. However – he didn’t wait for a guide to take him by the hand, instead Phil became his own guide, utilising the strength, belief and knowledge he already possessed whilst applying the wisdom he gained from others throughout his journey.
For sceptics and perhaps non believers like myself, you might question that some of the signs Phil interprets as messages from the spiritual world are merely coincidence or circumstance, but you will not question the conviction Phil clearly demonstrates while delivering accounts of these happenings. Being involved with two of these events myself has left even me contemplating my own perceptions of the possibility that there is actuality something in Phils deep held belief of spiritual connections. All Phil really asks of the listener is that they keep an open mind and perhaps consider rendering some of his, for want of a better word, techniques into their way of thinking. It’s not an instruction manual or a list of commands, there’s no to-do lists or tasks to complete – it’s merely a brutally honest, open, frank and thoughtful series of monologues incorporating Phil’s own set of rules that empowered him to take control of his grief and move forward with his life, all whilst showing the utmost respect for the sadly lost love of his life, Julie (my cherished cousin).
Phil is not a counsellor or trained therapist, he is your next door neighbour, friend, co-worker or man in the street, in other words he is just the same as you and me.
Ultimately, the aim of this podcast, in my opinion, is to provide an insight into the most basic of all human instincts – to survive first and foremost and then to thrive following the devastation that losing a life long loved one brings. Truthfully , it achieves all it sets out to do and you will benefit immensely from what is surely the most thought provoking podcast available today.“
– Mark, Shropshire