The Baggage Reclaim Sessions

Natalie chats with Toni Jones, founder of Shelf Help book club and author of "You: A Beginner's Guide." They explore the shame stories we carry from childhood, why doing self-help in community matters, learning to hear your inner wisdom, and how slowing down creates space for life-saving decisions.   You: A Beginner's Guide by Toni Jones @ The Pound Project until May 26th, 2026.  Episode show note...

  Natalie explores life's inevitables — stress, conflict, criticism, disappointment, loss, and rejection — and explains why trying to avoid them is what's really keeping you stuck. She breaks down each one, what it signals, and how facing them is where real self-esteem is built. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/311 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Supp...

Natalie answers a question that weighs on lots of us: "How do I know if I can trust people?" She breaks down what trust actually means, why ease can feel suspicious when you're used to struggle, the difference between healthy and unhealthy familiar, and why safe people don't feel entitled to your trust or brush off your discomfort. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/310 Leave a voice...

Natalie shares what she's learned from managing her fear of disapproval, criticism, and conflict. Where it comes from, how it plays out, and how to shift your relationship with these inevitable parts of life. She shares four key reframes and practical guidance on what to do when criticism actually happens. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/309 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpi...

Natalie talks with psychologist Suzy Reading about her book "How to Be Selfish" and reclaiming the right to self-care and self-advocacy. They explore childhood conditioning, toxic resilience messaging, why resentment signals guilt and obligation, and how depletion serves no one while replenishment serves everyone. **Note: The sound is slightly strange on Natalie's voice, but it's still a great epi...

Natalie explores resentment as a signal from your body that you've crossed your own boundaries. She shares two personal stories - one where resentment led to a necessary conversation, another where it didn't show up at all - and explains what to do when resentment appears in your life.   Embrace Healthy Boundaries - save 40% when you pre-order before March 12th.  Episode show notes with mentioned...

Natalie talks with coach Gabrielle Treanor about ADHD in midlife, particularly for quieter, introverted women who don't see themselves in stereotypical presentations. They explore late diagnosis, shame, coping mechanisms, grief, and why understanding your brain differently is about self-acceptance, not excuses. The Quiet ADHD Club Gabrielle Treanor's website Episode show notes:   Leave a voice not...

Natalie explores 'jumping the shark' moments in relationships, those incidents of disrespect or disconnect that signal the beginning of the end. Episode show notes:   Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   How to Say No: The Scripts ebook and class with 25% off discount   Baggage Reclaim:...

Read the article and comments (2012). 2011 version and comments Leave a voice note:   https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip:   https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Relevant links and resources on the topic Be careful of going on a Regret Binge as it leads to a Regret Hangover Dealing With Happy Birthdays and Big Occasions: To Send a Card or Tex...

Natalie's revisiting some of the most-read Baggage Reclaim posts from the past 20 years in this new Between the Sessions series. In this minisode, Natalie talks about the issue of wanting to go back to the beginning of a relationship instead of recognising the reality of who we're involved with and what that might mean. Read the original article and comments Leave a voice note:   https://www.speak...

Read the original articles and comments #1 Blessings in Disguise: Be Thankful They Didn't Show Up (and Other Things To Be Thankful For) #2 Blessings in Disguise: Be Thankful They Didn't Show Up (and Other Things To Be Thankful For) Leave a voice note:   https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip:   https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Sign up for th...

Read the original article and comments Leave a voice note:   https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip:   https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Sign up to get first dibs on How to Say No: The Scripts , including special extras Relevant links and resources on the topic Ep. 197: Using Code Amber and Red Alerts to Be More Boundaried Ep. 185: The Empero...

Read the  original article and comments Leave a voice note:   https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip:   https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Sign up for the free  Clear the Path to Love Sessions Relevant links and resources on the topic Podcast Ep. 216: The Truth About Breakups Don't They Care About Me? Didn't I mean something to them? Do you ha...

Natalie chats with writer GG Renee Hill, author of Story Work, about the stories we tell ourselves and how they shape our lives. They discuss the impact of growing up with a mentally ill parent, estrangement, the way we humans judge ourselves in general, and how to rewrite narratives that leave room for hope rather than keeping you stuck. **Note: After removing hissing from the recording, the soun...

Read the original article and comments Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Break the Cycle of Emotional Unavailability course  Book Natalie for a private session   Relevant links and resources on the topic Future Faking, Fast Forwarding and Being The Good Girl/Guy. When You're Too Conc...

Natalie reflects on being tired of chasing and how it masquerades as ambition, tenacity and persistence. She explores people-pleasing patterns, over-identification with roles, why we believe things must be hard, and how to recognise when you're trying to meet old needs rather than pursuing what's truly aligned with who you are now.   Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/303 Leave a voi...

Natalie's revisiting some of the most-read Baggage Reclaim posts from the past 20 years in this new Between the Sessions series. Today, she shares another top 5 most-read. Read the original blog post and comments here . Sign up for the free Clear the Path to Love Sessions Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.p...

Natalie chats with Amelia Hruby about social media and why our attention is sacred. They explore how platforms make our subconscious "shop for flaws and failures," the parallels between social media and toxic relationships, and practical steps for reclaiming your attention.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Amelia's book Your Attention is Sacred Except on Social Media Amelia's Off the Grid podcast Episode show note...

Natalie's revisiting some of the most-read Baggage Reclaim posts from the past 20 years in this new Between the Sessions series. Today, she shares the #1 post of all time. Read the original blog post and comments here Break The Cycle  Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   Work with me: h...

Natalie chats with coach Ruthie Zerai about self-leadership—taking responsibility for managing yourself rather than deferring that power to others.    Episode show notes: https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/301 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   'Reclaimed' membership: https://www.baggag...

Recorded on Baggage Reclaim's 20th birthday and the eve of her daughter leaving for university, Natalie reflects on trusting your instincts, major life transitions, and how much can change in ways we never see coming.   Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/300 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.p...

Natalie talks with psychotherapist Keeley Taverner about her journey from Ikea checkout to successful therapy practice, narcissism, social mobility when dating, and why being the underdog can be your greatest advantage in creating the life you want. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/299 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a ti...

Natalie talks about managing anxiety, breaking worry cycles, and returning to yourself after difficult times. Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/298 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/products/podcast   'Reclaimed' membership: https://www.baggagereclaim.co.uk/reclaimed/ Work with me: https...

Natalie talks with her publisher, JP, about her new mini memoir Let Go, exploring what it really means to release control, why vulnerability in storytelling matters, and how writing about letting go became exactly what she needed while navigating and processing surgery and the cancer diagnosis.  Note: Let Go is available for a limited time (until August 5th, 2025) and only via The Pound Project. P...

Natalie chats with Benjamin Camras about why modern dating feels so overwhelming, how apps have normalised intensity, and why flirting should be about genuine connection rather than manipulation or outcome.   Episode show notes: https://baggagereclaim.co.uk/296 Leave a voice note: https://www.speakpipe.com/baggagereclaim   Support the podcast and leave a tip: https://baggagereclaim.ck.page/product...