reThink: How you think, work and thrive

Episode 27: Peeling Back the Layers. Visual Frameworks for Deeper Thinking In this episode of Rethink: The Podcast , we’re digging beneath the surface. Nicki Hambleton explores the power of the onion metaphor to unpack complexity and reveal what’s really going on. Using visual thinking strategies, we peel back the outer layers of what’s being said, how it’s being said and dive into the beliefs, em...

Episode 20: Can't say it? Draw it! How Metaphors Make Emotions Visible What do you do when words just aren’t enough?  When feelings are swirling and thoughts feel tangled?  In this second episode of our Visual Thinking for Wellbeing mini series, I explore how visual metaphors can help you make sense of complex emotions, stress and  confusion. We’ll unpack why drawing what you feel can offer c...

Episode 26: Rethink Thinking with AI with guest Nici Foote, founder of Unbarrier Me In this episode of Rethink the Podcast , I’m joined by Nici Foote , founder of Unbarrier Me, an educator and creative problem-solver who helps schools, multi-academy trusts, and teachers build inclusive, future-ready learning environments using tools that are practical, neurodivergent-friendly, and genuinely engagi...

Ep 25: Framing the Conversation. How a Folded Paper Game Can Guide Deeper Thinking What do you do when a conversation feels like too much to hold?  In this episode, I share the moment that led to creating MapChat, a visual way to map conversations as they unfold.  Then I introduce the Conversation Catcher , a simple, playful tool for opening up reflective conversations when mapping isn’t practical...

Episode 24: Visual Frameworks – Making the Invisible Visible Do you ever feel like your brain’s full but nothing’s clear? In this episode of RETHINK, we dive into visual frameworks: simple, shape-based tools that help you organise messy thinking, untangle ideas and make better decisions. Whether you're planning a project, navigating a tricky conversation, or just feeling overwhelmed, framewor...

Episode 23: The Switch. Becoming visible again. What happens when you step back into a space you love and suddenly feel seen again? In this reflective episode, Nicki shares what attending the Jigsaw24 Education Summit unlocked for her: a quiet but powerful moment of clarity, confidence, and reconnection. From feeling on the fringes of education to realising the power of her work anew, she explores...

Episode 22: Can a Picture Say 1000 Words? Visual thinking isn’t just about drawing, it’s about showing meaning. And sometimes, one powerful image can communicate what paragraphs of text struggle to explain. In this episode, Nicki explores how using visual thinking and the Power Image strategy can: ✅ Replace text-heavy presentations, reports and student portfolios  ✅ Reduce cognitive load for you...

Episode 21: From Fog to Focus using the SEE Framework to Clear Overwhelm Overwhelmed? Stuck in a mental fog?  In this third episode of the Visual Strategies for Wellbeing series, Nicki shares the SEE Framework – a powerful visual tool to help you go from frazzled to focused. Whether your brain feels like it has 73 tabs open or you're facing a big decision that feels impossible to start, this...

🎙 Part 1 of 5 in the Visual Thinking for Wellbeing Series Episode 19: Resetting the Stressed out Brain When the pressure piles up and your brain feels like it’s short-circuiting, how do you find clarity?  In this episode, the first in a five-part series on visual thinking for wellbeing, we explore what happens in the brain when stress takes over and how simple drawing strategies can help you reset...

Episode 18: Hacking Your Brain with Visuals, with Brendon O’Brien What if you could turbocharge your thinking just by drawing it out? In this episode of r ethink : the podcast , I’m joined by visual facilitator Brendon O’Brien of Cue Vision to explore how visual thinking isn’t just a creative tool, it’s a cognitive superpower. Brendon talks us through the science behind how visuals help us remembe...

In this episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began, 2012, a new iPad, and a conversation over lunch that changed how I think, listen, and learn. That was the moment I discovered the power of visual note-taking .  Not just as a fun way to doodle in the margins, but as a strategy that genuinely helped me remember , reflect and make sense of what I was hearing. I’ll walk you through my...

Episode 16 Design Your Day: Map Your Time to Match Your Mind Do you ever get to the end of the day and think… what did I actually do? Busy, yes. But productive? Not quite. In this episode of r ethink : the podcast , we explore a simple but powerful visual strategy to help you take back control of your day, without the overwhelm. I’m sharing how visual planning (instead of endless to-do lists) can...

Feeling overwhelmed but can't pinpoint why? In this episode of Rethink: The Podcast , Nicki Hambleton introduces Mood Mapping — a simple visual strategy to track emotional patterns, manage stress and boost self-awareness. Learn how to plot your energy and mood visually, spot hidden trends and adjust your work and life with more clarity, kindness, and control. Perfect for leaders, professional...

The 5 Visual Thinking Myths Busted: Why You're Already More Visual Than You Think Description: Think you're not a 'visual thinker'? Think again. In this episode, we bust five common myths about visual thinking — from the belief that it's only for artists, to the idea that it slows you down. You'll discover why visual thinking is a power tool for clearer ideas, faster...

Feeling overwhelmed by ideas? Or just joining the podcast now and wondering where to begin? This special recap episode is your chance to pause, zoom out, and connect the dots from Episodes 1 to 12. In Rethink The Recap , I walk you through the stepping stones we’ve travelled so far, how we’ve moved from chaos to clarity using visual thinking tools, creative strategies and inclusive ideas that spar...

Tired of bullet-point overload and slide decks that send your audience to sleep? In this episode, we flip the focus from listener to leader and rethink how we design and deliver presentations.  Whether you’re leading a meeting, teaching a class, or pitching an idea, your slides shouldn’t be your script. They should be your support act. We’ll explore: Why reading from slides leads to disengagement...

Episode 11 Do you leave meetings feeling frazzled? Find yourself scribbling furiously only to end up with unreadable notes and a foggy memory? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share how sketchnoting became a game-changer for my neurodivergent brain. Not just a creative outlet, sketchnotes helped me learn to listen differently —focusing on meaning, calming the overwhelm, and capturing ideas I’d...

Episode 10: Seeing Differently – How Visual Thinking Unlocks Neurodivergent Brilliance What if the very thing you once saw as a struggle was actually your strength? In this episode, I share a personal story about discovering I likely have dyslexic thinking and how that realisation helped me reframe not only my challenges but also my greatest gifts.  From struggling to retain information through sp...

Seeing the Big Picture: Visual Thinking Meets Business Strategy How do you make big ideas stick ? In this episode I talk to Paul Vincent, Global Leader in Service Design, Randstad Enterprise. Paul set himself a challenge: to create 25 Questions for 2025 , a series of thought-provoking prompts designed to help leaders, businesses, and individuals rethink the future. But how do you make complex idea...

Bad design is CRAP.   No, really—there’s an actual design principle called CRAP : Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity.  If you’re not using these, your spatial organisation might be working against you. In this episode of r ethink : The Podcast , we explore how spatial organisation transforms the way we think, communicate, and design —whether in presentations, learning materials, or eve...

Ever struggled to structure your thoughts or explain an idea clearly? What if you could break it down visually—step by step—just like a storyboard? In this episode of r ethink: The Podcast , we explore how storyboarding can transform the way you think, communicate, and bring ideas to life. 📌 What you’ll discover: 🔹 Why storyboarding works for different types of thinkers—from creatives to leaders...

Ever struggled to explain a complex idea? What if you could capture it in a single, powerful image? In this episode of r ethink: the Podcast , we explore how visual metaphors can transform the way we think, communicate, and problem-solve. 📌 What you’ll discover: 🔹 How metaphors help make abstract ideas concrete. 🔹 The power of turning concepts into visual journeys . 🔹 Real-world examples, incl...

Episode 5: Concept Mapping for Better Thinking Feeling overwhelmed by scattered ideas and messy notes? Ever struggled to pull everything together and make sense of your thoughts? You’re not alone! In this episode of r ethink: the podcast , I explore how concept mapping can transform your thinking, memory, and problem-solving skills by mirroring the way your brain naturally organises information....

Ever been in a meeting where only the loudest voices dominate? Thought Threads is a spatial, silent brainstorming technique designed to ensure every idea gets seen and valued —especially for introverts, reflective thinkers, and neurodiverse team members.  In this episode, we explore how visual, anonymous ideation can turn scattered thoughts into structured collaboration. Learn how to cluster, conn...

🎙️ Episode 3: Drawing – The Superpower for Thinking Think you can’t draw? Think again! 🎨 Most of us stop drawing around age 7 to 9, the last time we truly enjoyed it. But what if drawing isn’t about art—it’s about thinking ? In this episode of r ethink , I explore how sketching can boost memory, enhance problem-solving, and clarify ideas . 📌 Science-backed insights : ✅ The Drawing Effect – How...