None of us asked to be here. Nobody offered us a choice over our gender, race, body type, looks, upbringing, preferences, idiosyncrasies and inherent skills, yet here we are whether we like it or not. So, the million-dollar question is, "What the hell do we do with this strange and awkward thing called life?"

None of us asked to be here, so what are we to do with the life we have?

Standing in the immigration queue at O R Thambo airport on one of my regular trips back south, I watch the strangest scene unfold.

A brief encounter between two women sums up South Africa's racial tensions.

Juxtaposed against the outer world lies an inner world full of imagination and abstraction, a rich world of raw emotion, a cauldron of lust, holiness, inspiration, insightfulness, depravity and terror. To some this is a private sanctuary, to others it is their place of imprisonment. Which is it for you?

Is your Inner World your Sanctuary or your Prison?

In this companion podcast, Thomas W E Budge reflects on the personal and societal reasons behind the creation of Stripped. As a teenager detained for resisting conscription in apartheid South Africa, Thomas shares how the control of both the apartheid regime and the Watchtower Society impacted young Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Stripped is not just a story from the past—it’s a message of self-advocacy and a reminder of the ongoing fight for freedom and inclusion. Hear the motivations behind this vital drama. Visit https://startlivingmy.life/stripped to listen.

STRIPPED - The Driving Power

Immerse yourself in Stripped, South Africa's first feature-length audio drama, produced by Baird Media, now streaming on https://startlivingmy.life/stripped and all major platforms.

Based on the life of Thomas W E Budge, Stripped tells the gripping story of one man's defiance against apartheid-era conscription in 1971 and his struggle to break free from the control of the JW Organisation, despite being shunned.

For exclusive bonus content, including historical insights and behind-the-scenes material, visit https://startlivingmy.life/stripped and join the movement.

STRIPPED - An Audio Drama Podcast

Dive deeper into the turbulent backdrop of apartheid South Africa in the early 1970s with this companion podcast. Thomas W E Budge explores the tense relationships between key political figures, the Watchtower Society, and the apartheid regime, focusing on Jehovah’s Witnesses’ defiance of conscription and the persecution of homosexuals.

Gain a richer understanding of the complex forces shaping Stripped and the courageous fight for freedom in a time of repression. Listen now and enhance your experience of the powerful audio drama. Visit https://startlivingmy.life/stripped for access.

STRIPPED - Historical Foundations

We all know the feeling — a conversation turns sour, and suddenly the people we care about most become the ones we hurt the deepest. In this episode, I explore why conflict feels so personal, how our language often fuels misunderstanding and what it really takes to restore connection.

Drawing on ideas from Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication, I look at the tension between being right and being understood and how reframing our communication can turn arguments into opportunities for empathy, truth and growth.

Whether it’s a partner, a colleague or a friend, this episode invites you to pause, listen differently and discover what’s really alive beneath the words.

SoulSearching is a series of audacious conversations that challenge the way the world taught us to think because every answer opens a door to a deeper question.

New tracks tagged #thomasbudge