Thriving Between The Lines

In this episode, we dive into the 2018 New York Times Bestseller 'Girl, Wash Your Face" by Rachel Hollis. Rachel Hollis built her brand on a platform of being super 'relatable'.....until it stopped working for her. Join us as we examine some key themes in this book through the lens of intersectionality. Some of our questions: - What is the difference between being relatable and...

This is a story about the time Leslie was pushed into a mental health crisis that led to her transitioning into a new career.  Let this be a lesson to any managers or supervisors out there-- psychological safety is important! Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This footnote is about Meka's ongoing quest to find space in this world for some quiet while it's being so bloody loud.  Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

When the author or "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" then sells us the solution to our constant distraction, it's natural to be a little suspicious.  Nir Eyal has been tremendously influential in the business/tech world for his insights into how companies can design services and products that will keep consumers wanting more, more, MORE! Many have argued that Eyal has be...

In this footnote, Meka and Tash dive into the dangers of linking weight gain with habits, based on their own personal experiences having gained and lost significant amounts of weight. Criticism, toxic praise, Eating disorders, healthcare discrimination, financial guilt associated with taking care of oneself...these things are just the tip of the iceberg. Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching...

Leslie reflects on how becoming a parkour instructor helped solidify good habits while reflecting with Tash on signs that a group has become culty or restrictive.  Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

We were thrilled to be joined by the business and marketing superstar Tash Corbin for this very special episode about one of the most influential personal development books of our time, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. Tash is a superhero in the world of consent-based marketing and facilitates a thriving online community of women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Her dedication to recognising the differ...

I think we're calling this one... a special insert? We decided it was time to talk more in depth about the origins of The Vanguard Book Club for Personal Development: Why it's been going strong for nearly 3 years, what inspired its genesis, and who we do and DON'T want to make welcome into the space 😜. Remember, we're all about intersectionality! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🖤💛❤️✊🏽 Want to c...

What happens when your 'cheese' is a basic need rather than one of those nice-to-have goals? Meka is onto it! Have a listen to hear what he has to say.  Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What happens when the one who keeps moving your cheese is your own body?? Here's a little story about Leslie's most frustrating chronic condition, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).  Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

What can a story about a pair of mice and a couple of miniature people teach us about adapting to change? Quite a bit, actually. However, when that story is used by people in power to wield control over others, should we really look to it for inspiration?  Who Moved My Cheese, by Dr Spencer Johnson was published in the late '90s and has been upheld as a self-help essential ever since. But doe...

This is a brief chat between Rudi and Meka, two gender non-conforming folks who know what it's like to push through the fear of living outside of gender norms. Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

As a trans man, Meka has had to fight hard for his place as a man. So how does he feel when people trash men as a whole around him?  In this footnote, we chat about Meka's most influential models of manhood as well as some men we see as examples of positive masculinity.   Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

This is a story about how easily Leslie has disappointed some white men on dates simply by not being 'the kind of Black woman' they're looking for. Maybe she's just not the right 'temperature' on the David Deida scale? ::shrug:: Also in this footnote: the kind of thing that happens to Leslie in the presence of super attractive Black men Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/lesl...

What does it really take to be a 'superior man'?  What are the actual societal impacts of expressions like 'the masculine' and 'the feminine' and the idea of 'sexual polarity'? Do these ideas leave any space for the existence of gender non-conforming folks? Oh! And did you know that the way to tame a woman who is acting up is to lick her neck?? Yeah...neithe...

This is a story about one way in which Meka's wonderful partner, a straight, cisgender man, supported him through his gender transition. Prepare to say 'awwwwww'! Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Leslie tells a story about how her life-long love of photography led to her passion for capturing the raw authenticity of human rights activists through close-up candid portraiture. Follow Leslie on instagram @leslievcoaching to get notified when her activism-specific insta goes live. Also mentioned in this story - Leslie's Black Lives Matter Speech from June of 2020: https:...

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts has sold over 5 million copies and has been published in over 38 languages. But, what is the underlying message of the book? Why is this book actually for, and which marginalised communities may be negatively impacted by its message? And why do so many people try to put its ideas into practice without actually reading the book? In this episode, M...

What is a mum to do when her 5-year-old takes it upon herself to bag up her precious memories so she can get started on the process of growing up? In this footnote, Jennifer chats with us about the day her budding minimalist claimed her own identity with the help of a big bag of stuff! Don't forget to listen to Chapter 2: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, with decluttering expert Jennife...

This is the brief story of my unpublished travel podcast. I had recorded a bunch of stories about my travels through the Arabian Peninsula and Southeast Asia. So, where did they all go? They went to data heaven courtesy of a flood at my house in Vietnam.   Have a listen to find out what I learned from the whole ordeal. Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a fr...

In this footnote, Jennifer generously shares the story of buying a pretty sexy pair of shoes that she couldn't afford. She tells us why she bought them, why she hung onto them despite not having anywhere to wear them, and what she learned from the experience! These are the shoes in question. To be fair, they do look pretty damn awesome! https://i.pinimg.com/474x/d6/2d/47/d62d47010fd5b788abbc3...

Jennifer Burger (@simplyfiercely) is a professional decluttering expert! She is a prolific blogger on the subjects of decluttering and minimalism and also teaches courses on clearing out clutter in a mindful and sustainable fashion. My (Leslie) first encounter with Jennifer at a Christmas party in 2023 led to a 4-hour long, prosecco-fueled conversation about the lack of diverse perspectives in mai...

In this footnote, Meka tells the story of his decision to transition and the realisation that he had no excuses NOT to live his truth and become the amazing dude we all know and love today. Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

In this footnote, Leslie tells the story of how she joined a Skype meeting to plan a national parkour gathering while she was in labour with her rainbow baby!  Content warning: recurrent pregnancy loss Send us Fan Mail linktr.ee/leslievcoaching - Get in touch with us and book a free intro. Life Coaching consult!

Get to know more about us, your fun-loving hosts, and the purpose behind this podcast! I, Leslie, am a full-time life coach. I also host a personal development book club . My cohost, Meka, and I are also unapologetic in our beliefs in social justice and in our support of marginalised communities.  There has long been a clash between personal development/self help culture and existing social justic...