A tragic event in our hometown of Newcastle has sparked a much bigger conversation about the world we are living in.

In this episode of Hey Soul Sista, host, Mel Histon, is joined by writer and social commentator Alex Morris to explore one of the most complex questions of our time:

Are we becoming safer… or slowly giving away our freedom?

After the devastating loss of a young man on Beaumont Street, calls for increased CCTV surveillance have divided the community — raising deeper questions about safety, control, and how societies respond to fear.

Together, Alex and Mel explore:
The emotional impact of violence in close-knit communities
Why fear often drives calls for more surveillance and control
Whether CCTV actually prevents crime or simply records it
The “slippery slope” between protection and overreach
How technology is reshaping privacy and human behaviour
What books like Nineteen Eighty-Four reveal about surveillance, power, and control
And whether it’s possible to build a society based on trust rather than fear

This is not a black-and-white conversation.

It’s a human one.

A reflection on how we respond to tragedy, how fear shapes policy, and what it really means to feel free in today’s world.

A tragic event in our hometown of Newcastle has sparked a much bigger conversation about the world we are living in.
In this episode of Hey Soul Sista, host, Mel Histon, is joined by writer and social commentator Alex Morris to explore one of the most complex questions of our time:
Are we becoming safer&hellip; or slowly giving away our freedom?
After the devastating loss of a young man on Beaumont Street, calls for increased CCTV surveillance have divided the community &mdash; raising deeper questions about safety, control, and how societies respond to fear.
Together, Alex and Mel explore:
<ul data-start="921" data-end="1414">
<li data-section-id="1d8p8z0" data-start="921" data-end="983">The emotional impact of violence in close-knit communities</li>
<li data-section-id="1pnkzoj" data-start="984" data-end="1049">Why fear often drives calls for more surveillance and control</li>
<li data-section-id="1kiqaw1" data-start="1050" data-end="1111">Whether CCTV actually prevents crime or simply records it</li>
<li data-section-id="ot4tss" data-start="1112" data-end="1169">The &ldquo;slippery slope&rdquo; between protection and overreach</li>
<li data-section-id="1p9yq5u" data-start="1170" data-end="1229">How technology is reshaping privacy and human behaviour</li>
<li data-section-id="v8sam6" data-start="1230" data-end="1333">What books like Nineteen Eighty-Four reveal about surveillance, power, and control</li>
<li data-section-id="4j4vg5" data-start="1334" data-end="1414">And whether it&rsquo;s possible to build a society based on trust rather than fear</li>
</ul>
This is not a black-and-white conversation.
It&rsquo;s a human one.
A reflection on how we respond to tragedy, how fear shapes policy, and what it really means to feel free in today&rsquo;s world.

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista—the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.

I’ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul—because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out. Because midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an awakening. 

And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come. So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine—no judgment here), and let’s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.

This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.

With love and soul, Mel Histon - your host xx

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista&mdash;the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL!&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you&rsquo;re in the right place.
Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.
I&rsquo;ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul&mdash;because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out. Because midlife isn&rsquo;t a crisis&mdash;it&rsquo;s an awakening.&nbsp;
And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come. So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine&mdash;no judgment here), and let&rsquo;s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.
This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.
With love and soul, Mel Histon - your host xx

Hey Soul Sista is the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Hey Soul Sista by Melissa Histon

 

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista—the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.

I’ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul—because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out.

Because midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an awakening. And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come.

So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine—no judgment here), and let’s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.

This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.

With love and soul,

Mel Histon - your host xx

&nbsp;
Welcome to Hey Soul Sista&mdash;the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL!&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you&rsquo;re in the right place.
Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.
I&rsquo;ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul&mdash;because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out.
Because midlife isn&rsquo;t a crisis&mdash;it&rsquo;s an awakening. And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come.
So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine&mdash;no judgment here), and let&rsquo;s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.
This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.
With love and soul,
Mel Histon - your host xx

Hey Soul Sista 

A deeply human conversation exploring whether society is trading freedom for safety in an age of rising surveillance, fear, and technological control.