Mama Joy

Today’s episode was inspired by me having freezing cold hands and needing to go and put my big fluffy dressing gown on before hitting record. Ever noticed how we keep pushing ourselves to keep going, despite how we’re feeling? You could be freezing but you don’t stop what you’re doing to put on an extra layer. This is how we approach our lives at times too. We want to rush through any big changes...

A creative introvert who loves people. I can certainly identify with that. It’s how this week’s guest, Genevieve Parker Hill, describes herself and there’s something so enticing about it to me. We’ve known each for over three years and have worked closely on our businesses, shared vulnerable truths about growth and failures and personal dreams – and yet, we hadn’t sat down for coffee yet. That’s h...

I shared this strategy in my Joy Club recently for shaking off that stuck, indecisive feeling. And, the really cool side effect? It also makes you feel really good. You’ve likely read about the value of cultivating a practice of gratitude in your life. And you probably even do “something” to bring in more appreciation. Maybe you journal, or say your three gratitudes at the dinner table each night....

If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying to fit in with what everyone else is doing around you, this episode could be exactly what you need to hear today. Sheila Botelho describes herself as someone who has always “gone against the grain”. She married, but chose to wait longer to have children, she chose self-employment at time where it just wasn’t the thing to do, and she chose to homeschool her ki...

I got asked this question recently and realised it comes up a lot in different ways. How do we not get swept up by how others are feeling around us? Whether it’s their grumpy mood, their complaining about the boss, or even their pain and challenges they are facing. As an “empath” or highly sensitive person, I’ve spent most of my life deeply feeling everything around me. From worrying about the eld...

I met Martina teaching English in a rural part of Japan over twelve years ago (or was it more?). We bonded over chocolate. And tea. And long chats about travel, relationships and what adventures we wanted to have in our lives. Parting ways after a year together our friendship never dissipated. Our Skype chats go for hours, I’ve witnessed her at least ten different homes in that time (her husband i...

Here I go again, talking about coffee. I know I know. I’ve been taking myself on coffee dates for over eight years now – and whilst I’m a self confessed coffee snob and it’s kinda about the coffee, it’s really really not. The coffee dates have been my way of creating more spaciousness in my life, giving myself permission to choose me first. They came at a time in my life when I was burnt out and r...

“Pops of positivity” is what her Instagram bio states. And it couldn’t be more true. Having stumbled upon Laura Jones’ illustrations in my feed and hitting save on just about every single one of them, I got curious and wanted to hear more about her story. A kindergarten teacher that “doodled” in her spare time to process her feelings, Laura Jones is passionate about spreading as many smiles as she...

We get caught up on thinking to be productive we have to be in doing mode all the time. The more we do the more productive we are. Yet what if productivity was actually much more about how you feel? And that if you could tap into a sustainable fuel source to keep going – wouldn’t that be better than reaching the end of the road and burning yourself out all the time? Productivity is one of the most...

One of my favourite quotes from today’s episode: “Life is really wonky”. Because it’s so true! And there’s lots of beauty in allowing some of that wonkiness in. I’m so happy to be introducing you to the wonderful Millie Ralph today – to celebrate the launch of Season 3! And what a start. This conversation was rich, honest and loving. And there’s even a special bonus treat for you at the end. Milli...

Have you ever found yourself a little distracted from your goals, or lacking motivation or energy to keep going after a couple of setbacks? Today’s episode is all about how you can support yourself during these moments to remain fuelled and energised to keep going no matter. As we move between seasons or “phases” of our goal-setting or dream-creation, there’s these micro pauses or transitions that...

Having carved out a successful career working with some of the world’s biggest companies, Eleanor O’Leary found herself questioning if “there was something wrong” with her when she started to feel detached and disconnected. It’s been a journey of tuning in to things that feel energising, trusting herself more and allowing some things to fall away. Now running her own business, The Better Brand Con...

Overloaded schedules, over-committing to projects at work, wanting to fit it all in, yet feeling absolutely exhausted and bogged down. Why do we do it to ourselves? Our relationship with busy can keep us locked in a cycle of feeling like we just need to “get through” instead of changing the dynamic. Yet what if you had a few simple ways to start the process of untangling. To renegotiate how you va...

Studying Biomedical Sciences then finding herself supporting people to progress their careers and build side hustles may not sound like a natural fit. Yet Sophie Clyde-Smith’s journey from the rockpools of Jersey (UK) through recruitment has been about following what feels good to her and trusting that things will always work out. I love her spirit of continuing to tune into what matters most to h...

Turns out I have a lot to say on this topic! Connection and community – we all want it. We all crave it. It’s pretty natural. Yet as adults something starts to shift and we realise that without consciously putting the structures in place, then those feelings of disconnection and isolation start showing up more. Having noticed the different seasons of my life and my own change of needs when it come...

Joyful, vibrant, always full of energy – meeting Simona Barbieri in person (and even online!) you’ll be immediately struck by her ability to talk to anyone. Maybe it’s her Italian heritage. She now runs a global business that is all about connecting people through the power of stories. And when you go beyond her immediate presence and allow yourself to immerse in her story you will see how much de...

You’ve probably scrolled through a lot of advice for “self-care” and why it’s necessary to take care of ourselves. But if you’ve ever wondered why you go through periods of being really great at it, then finding yourself stuck in a people-pleasing loop again and E34 Image Episode 34 feeling burnt out, it’s likely because you’re missing this one simple (yet powerful) mindset shift. In this episode...

Emma Medina-Castrejon is so generous in sharing all the milestone points in her life that have taught her big lessons in this episode – from moving countries, to becoming a mother, homeschooling, walking away from her marriage and her parents passing away. And all of it has made her who she is today. She’s found herself for the first time ever having to consider how to think about herself first an...

If there’s been something you’ve been wanting to create in your life and it just hasn’t happened yet, or you keep feeling like you’re taking one step forward and three steps backwards – this episode is for you. I’m talking about the one key ingredient you could be missing in order to bring that dream to life. And it’s all got to do with the kind of “strategy” you’re running – is it short term focu...

Having lost her mother nine years ago, Marsha Powell found herself having to figure out what single parenting was really all about – embarking on a journey that she says has been a gift. Since then she left a corporate career, started a not for profit that empowers young women, founded a boutique and inclusive wellness studio in London, and has recently found herself “alone” again. This time as he...

When you’re feeling particularly stuck, stressed, or going through a challenging time, the idea of finding your “joy” could feel a little irritating. You know you want it, but it’s hard to grasp onto. Perhaps you feel at times like you really want to get unstuck, you just don’t know how, so you stay stuck in a “dance” with yourself. Not moving forward, yet wanting a different result. We’re all so...

Saying yes to things that feel aligned. Nothing feeling forced. Feeling good in what you’re doing. These are all things Jasmin Harsono has at this point in her life. And it’s a result of what she says a process of “getting to know myself all over again”. Experiencing health problems and severe depression from her teens her real turning point happened around eight years ago when she started turning...

If you’ve ever grimaced at someone telling you to just “let it go” or to “surrender your thoughts” this episode is for you. I’m diving into what letting it go really means and why it matters in our lives. Translating some of what we hear around creating goals and then “detaching from the outcome” into practical terms. I share how we get caught up in doing cycles, why loosening up will give you wha...

It’s my absolute joy to invite you into this conversation today with a very dear friend of mine. We’ve known each since we were in our first year of school and have witnessed the many phases of life’s transitions. Born in Zimbabwe, raised in South Africa, high schooled in Portugal, and having “become an adult” in the UK, Julia Linney says she feels like she’s carried a part of each of these places...

Are you a bottler? I used to always hold my emotions so close to myself worried what people would think if they knew what was going on inside. From the outside looking in I was strong and confident and never got upset. What I learnt over time is the more I held tightly, the more the emotions found other ways to escape and not always in healthy ways. Having a closer relationship to our emotions act...