Stepping into Purpose

Are you constantly pushing yourself to the limit, only to feel drained and overwhelmed? In this episode of Stepping into Purpose , I’m joined by Avery Thatcher, a former ER nurse turned burnout and stress management expert, to explore how small, intentional habits can help high achievers manage their energy, prevent burnout, and thrive. Avery shares practical tools for incorporating self-care into...

For as long as I can remember, anxiety has been woven into my story. Growing up in the 1980s—long before emotional well-being was part of the conversation—I was a highly sensitive child overwhelmed by constant worry and a deep sense of not being enough. This pattern of high-functioning anxiety followed me into adulthood, manifesting in relentless perfectionism, burnout, and even chronic fatigue sy...

Welcome back to Stepping Into Purpose ! In this episode, we’re continuing our inspiring conversation with Kristina Driscoll, host of She’s Brave with Kristina Driscoll . In Part 1, we explored how to manage anxiety through nervous system regulation, build healthy habits, and step into purpose with courage. Today, in Part 2, we dive even deeper into navigating midlife transitions, redefining succes...

Welcome back to Stepping into Purpose! Today, I’m joined by my lovely friend Kristina Driscoll, host of She’s Brave with Kristina Driscoll. Kristina has an incredible story of resilience, courage, and stepping into her purpose, and in this episode, we explore what it truly means to be brave—not by eliminating fear, but by moving forward despite it. In Part 1 of our conversation, we dive deep into...

Welcome to the Step Into Purpose podcast with your host, Lydia Gillman. In this special New Year’s episode, we’re diving into the transformative power of setting intentions and choosing a guiding word for the year ahead. As we leave 2024 behind and step into the blank canvas of 2025, this is your moment to reflect, release, and realign. In this episode, I’ll share: The magic of starting fresh with...

Turning 50: Reclaiming Self Worth and Embracing Celebration Do milestone birthdays leave you reflecting on your self-worth, the stories you carry, or even feelings of unworthiness? You’re not alone—and this episode is here to inspire you to claim your worth and step into the next chapter with confidence and self-love. 🎉✨ In this solo episode, Lydia Gillman opens up about turning 50 and the profo...

Do the holidays leave you feeling frazzled, stuck in survival mode, or totally overwhelmed?  If so, you’re not alone—and this episode is here to help! 🎄✨ In this first episode of Season 3, I’m joined by the amazing Lisa Foster, a Cranio Sacral Therapist, host of the Real Life Momz podcast, and the guest of the most downloaded episode of Stepping into Purpose Season 1.  Lisa brings her wealth of...

The Stepping into Purpose podcast has been on a short hiatus, but it's coming back soon, with a new focus! Sometimes on the road to living our life of purpose and stepping into the truest version of ourselves, there will be roadblocks. This has certainly been the case for me, and more often than not, they've come in the form of limiting beliefs, self-sabotage, and other internal blocks. I've been...

Have you ever wondered if you have a Highly Sensitive Child or HSC? Does your child feel their emotions deeply, and get extremely upset by sad movies or stories? Do they get bothered by the scratchy texture of certain clothes, or find loud noises almost unbearable? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then chances are, they are highly sensitive. In this episode, I'll outline the top 5 s...

8 Signs You're a Highly Sensitive Person. Have you ever felt like you experience the world more intensely than others? Feeling your emotions deeply, upset by sad movies or situations? Overwhelmed by the sensory stimuli the world throws at you? If so, the chances are you might be a Highly Sensitive Person. High sensitivity is a personality trait affecting up to 30% of us, and in this podcast I high...

Welcome to Episode 28 - Breathing Through Resistance and Stuck Emotions with Jen Liss. The healing modality of breathwork is a relatively recent discovery for me, and I have enthusiastically dived into exploring the effects for myself, as well as learning the science behind why it's so powerful. My experiences have confirmed and backed up what the research has claimed, and regular intentional brea...

Welcome to Episode 27 - "My Year Long Hero's Journey" My family and I have just returned to our home country of New Zealand after a year in Brisbane, Australia. While only a 3 hour flight from NZ, it was quite the adventure as it was a place that we didn't really know anyone, or have family support. As a result there was a lot of time where it was just the 4 of us, & we had some fantastic high...

Welcome to Episode 26 - "Allowing My Voice To Be Heard: One Year Of Podcasting!" Today marks ONE YEAR of the Stepping into Purpose Podcast, so I just had to mark the occassion with a solo episode, to express my gratitude, and share my intentions and obstacles behind starting the podcast. Today also marks one year since my family and I boarded an airplane with our lives packed in 2 suitcases each,...

Welcome to the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In today's solo episode "SURRENDER - My Word Of The Year", I talk about how coping with uncertainty and challenges that have come with the past year has lead me to my word of the year - SURRENDER. It's been pretty meta that I resisted choosing this as my word this year - I felt like if I let go, everything would fall apart. But my heart knows this is t...

Welcome to the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In this Episode "Harnessing your Past for a Purposeful Present", I share a beautiful conversation I had with Mitzi Campbell, host of the Blessons podcast. Mitzi has an amazing story about how the Universe literally stopped her in her tracks and led her in a completely different and unexpected direction after she got sick with vertigo less than 2 years...

Welcome to the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In today's solo episode "Our Children Are Our Greatest Teachers", I reflect on my earlier life, and share a memory of being at High School, and unexpectedly crying in the middle of a class one day, unable to stop.' Something deep inside me couldn't bear it anymore - the showing up every day, trying to fit in, conforming to what was expected of me, and...

Welcome to the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In today's solo episode "Supporting your Highly Sensitive Child Through A Challenging Time", I share what's been on my mind and heart as we navigate such an unsettling time in the world. It's a heartbreaking time for us all, and our kids, especially empathic and highly sensitive children, can feel the tension going on. While it's important to be honest...

In this episode, I talk to Rain Elizabeth Stickney, a beautiful human being who is the embodiment of someone living from their heart. Rain has her own healing practice, as well as being a meditation teacher and podcaster with her own show, Every Moment is Sacred. In this episode we talk about following our hearts to a point where we are each living our purpose, and our mutual excitement and curios...

Have you heard the term Highly Sensitive Person and wondered whether you were one too? In this episode, I outline the 5 top signs that you or a loved one might be a highly sensitive person - a common but little-known personality trait that affects up to 30 % of the population! Knowledge is empowering, and for me, knowing I was an HSP, explained a lot, and helped me truly accept this trait as the s...

In this episode, I talk to Amanda Kernahan - the perfect example of someone turning grief into purpose. Amanda shares her story of how life has unfolded for her, following a series of devastating losses in her family, and how she is turning grief into purpose,. By sharing her journey through a blog and the upcoming release of her first book, Amanda is making this difficult path easier for others,...

For some of us, "humaning" can be hard! Especially if you're highly sensitive, an empath, or often feel that you're just not "of this world". Or all of the above, like me! While humaning can be hard, these days, I find it easier than ever before to do life on planet Earth. I see it as the gift that it is, but it's taken me many years, as well as self-acceptance, and tribe-building to get here! Not...

The Mind is OUR Servant. Do you or your children get gripped in anxiety and worry? Suffer from intrusive thoughts and OCD? In this video, The Mind is OUR Servant, I share some of my childhood stories growing up as a highly sensitive, empath long before the term Highly Sensitive Person had been invented (not until I was 18!) I also struggled with anxiety, trauma, OCD, and was the biggest worrywart!...

In this episode, I talk to Lisa Foster - a CranioSacral Therapist, who tells her story of how discovering this work has completely changed her life, from the inside out. Lisa shares how she could surrender to a much freer way of living through her work in the field, where she is a much happier person. Lisa has her own practice in Colorado, called Mapleton CranioSacral TherapyCheck out her website...

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In this episode, I continue my conversation with Darci Hawxhurst - creator of the Vibrant Woman program, helping women recover from burnout and feel their most vital, vibrant selves in their bodies. Darci has an amazing story - from discovering she was pregnant as a college student and deciding to become a single mother, to the harrowing...

Welcome to Episode 14 of the Stepping into Purpose Podcast! In this episode, I speak to Darci Hawxhurst, the creator of the Vibrant Woman program, helping women recover from burnout and feel their most vital, vibrant selves in their bodies. Darci has an amazing story - from discovering she was pregnant as a college student and deciding to become a single mother, to the harrowing experience she wen...