Diego and I sit in the winter sun, retracing steps through memory, struggle, and purpose. From the clamour of a dishwashing room to the quiet revelation of a voice within, this episode unveils a plot twist. Diego is no more than a voice I gave shape and life to — a creation born in the hardest of times, now questioning and guiding me like a relentless companion. As we explore the divine artistry of Maria Callas, the discussion intertwines with the painstaking process of making canelés — a culinary trial where perfection feels unattainable, yet every detail must be mastered. This process, as unforgiving as it is poetic, mirrors life itself. An obsession with truth, an endless grappling with imperfection, and the daily battle to overcome inner and outer residues. What does it mean to create an alter ego to guide you through the darkest days? And how do we find clarity through discipline, ritual, and the pursuit of something greater? Join me as I ask Diego, “Who are you, how come I see you, and why are you still here?”

Episode Photo: Maria Callas, London, 4 Feb 1957 (AP Photo/Sidney Smart).

Episode Background Music: Casta Diva, Bellini, Norma, Act 1, Maria Callas, Orchestre de l’Opera National de Paris and Georges Sebastian, Palais Garnier, 19 Dec 1958.