The Lulu Essey Podcast

People-pleasing isn’t just a bad habit—it’s a nervous system response rooted in ancient survival instincts. In this episode, we unpack the hidden neuroscience behind your fear of disappointing others, explore the emotional cost of Approval Addiction, and show you two powerful tools to help you build boundaries, reclaim your energy, and stop saying yes when you mean NO.    Ever said YES when every...

Your body often knows something’s off before your mind does. That racing heart? Tight shoulders? Stomach in knots? In this episode, we unpack the neuroscience behind those automatic reactions—and show you how to decode them. Still dismissing your body’s signals as “overreacting” or “too sensitive”? Using Dr. Stephen Porges’ groundbreaking polyvagal theory, I break down your internal traffic light...

You don't need anyone's approval to rest, say no, or want what you want. This episode reveals the 5 permission slips you've been waiting for—and why the only signature that matters is yours. Still waiting for someone to give you the green light to rest, say no, or want something different? This final Summer Superfood episode explores Self-Permission—the most powerful ingredient for...

Your gut’s not overreacting—it’s predicting. Discover your body’s 4 secret superpowers (plus the science that makes it real).    Your body is basically a walking, talking supercomputer and it's been trying to send you messages this entire time. Most of us? We've been ignoring the hell out of it. We treat our bodies like inconvenient vehicles we're stuck with, something to manage or...

Feeling burnt out, joyless, or stuck in the productivity loop? In this bite-sized episode, discover how to reclaim your joy—without quitting your job, escaping to Bali, or fixing everything in your life. Welcome to Joy Thievery : the second instalment of the Summer Superfood Series, where we expose the four hidden thieves stealing your happiness—and teach you how to steal it back. Meet the joy thi...

Discover the truth about real confidence—and why everything you’ve been told is probably backwards.  Are you tired of confidence advice that sounds great on social media but crumbles the moment you need it most? What if everything you've been told about confidence is actually keeping you stuck in an exhausting performance? Welcome to the Summer Superfood Series—where we're serving up 15...

Are you stuck in the same painful relationship patterns? What if every repeated conflict actually starts with the most important relationship of all—the one with yourself? In this transformative episode, I reveal how your inner world drives your external relationships & introduce the Trigger Pause Revolution—the life-changing difference between reacting & responding. You'll discover w...

What if every hard relationship in your life—your partner, your friends, your colleagues, even your family—could be traced back to one relationship you tend to forget? The one with yourself. This week on The Lulu Essey Podcast , I’m exploring the relationship that sets the tone for every other one in your life. Because when you change your relationship with yourself, build self-trust, and develop...

Spring is here—and with it comes the perfect moment to reset your mind, refresh your energy, and clear out the mental clutter that’s been weighing you down. This episode is a Mental Fitness refresher —a highlights reel of the most powerful tools, frameworks, and Tiny Tools I’ve shared so far on the podcast. If you’ve been listening for a while, this is your invitation to revisit what works. If you...

Feeling lost without your job title? In this raw and honest episode, Lulu reveals what really happens to our self-worth when work disappears—and how to rebuild your identity from the inside out. Discover Lulu’s original WHOLE Identity Framework—a science-backed, soul-anchored approach to reclaiming your self-worth beyond work, status, and external validation. Discover the neuroscience behind our a...

In this energizing episode of The Lulu Essey Podcast , Lulu shares how creativity functions as essential neurological medicine—fueling not just artistic expression but emotional resilience, mental clarity, and business innovation. You’ll discover how tiny, science-backed creative acts can literally rewire your brain (hello, neuroplasticity!) and build the cognitive pathways we need to adapt, solve...

In this provocative episode of The Lulu Essey Podcast , “Who Gets to Define Creativity?” , Lulu Essey challenges the gatekeeping of creativity and asks the question too few are willing to name: Why do men still largely define what counts as creative excellence? With women holding 60% of entry-level creative roles but less than 25% of leadership positions, Lulu explores what we all lose when creati...

In this heartfelt episode, Lulu Essey honors the unsung heroes who walk beside those facing mental health challenges — often carrying an invisible weight of their own. You’ll learn practical tools like The Permission Question , the 30-second Daily Check-In Method , and boundary-setting strategies that build sustainable support sytems — in relationships, at work, and in everyday life.     Who This...

In this vulnerable episode, I share my recent relapse and return to medication after 30 years of managing bipolar disorder. But this isn’t just a story about medication — it’s about what real mental fitness looks like beyond the pills. I introduce the Whole Self Approach to Mental Fitness : a framework that integrates physical wellbeing, emotional regulation, connection, mental practices, and envi...

This isn’t a comeback story. It’s what healing actually looks like when you’re not okay… but trying anyway. This week, I’m offering a quiet, honest look at what it means to rebuild from rock bottom—through what I call T he Gentle Return . This episode continues from Episode 22, where I opened up about my experience with depression. Today, I speak about what happened next: returning to medication,...

In this raw and deeply vulnerable episode, I share what happened when I found myself in a dark place, unable to access the very tools I teach others to use. After recording an episode about confidence, clarity, and calm, I realized I was feeling none of those things – could I be completely honest with you about my struggles. I reveal my journey through a mental health challenge, why accepting dark...

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. Clarity doesn’t come from overthinking. And calm isn’t waiting on the world to settle down. In this episode, Lulu flips the script on three traits we often think are fixed and unreachable. She reveals how Tiny actions are the true key to building unshakable confidence, deep clarity, and a grounded sense of calm—starting exactly where you are. Whether yo...

Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, sadness, guilt, or not knowing how to help someone you love? In this powerful episode, Lulu shares four real-life mental fitness tools designed for the messy, not-so-Instagrammable moments. These are not quick fixes or fake positivity tricks. They're grounded, practical practices you can use in real time to anchor yourself and take the next small step forwa...

Ever been told to "just be positive" or “you have so much to be thankful for” when you're struggling? In this eye-opening episode, Lulu dismantles the myth that mental fitness means avoiding or denying negative emotions. True resilience isn’t about forcing a smile—it’s about expanding your capacity to feel everything, from bliss to those "what the actual f*ck" moments, wit...

Ever wonder why your initial excitement for a new project or habit fades? In this episode, Lulu reveals why the fading spark isn’t failure—it’s a natural part of growth. Discover the "Motivation Mirage" and why waiting to feel motivated is a trap. Learn three powerful tools to keep moving forward when inspiration vanishes: Momentum Loops, the Future-Self Check-In, and the Space Shift. St...

What happens the day after you break your streak? In this powerful follow-up to Episode 16, Lulu reveals the critical bridge between consistency and habits—and why understanding this distinction can save you months of frustration. Learn why habits take much longer to form than the popular "21 days" myth suggests (the science says 18-254 days!), and discover a practical 3-step comeback fo...

Why do we struggle to stay consistent, even with the things that matter most? In this transformative episode, Lulu breaks down the neuroscience of consistency and reveals the "Tiny 15-Minute Promise"—a simple yet powerful approach that changed everything for her. Discover why traditional all-or-nothing approaches set you up for failure, how to work with your brain instead of against it a...

In this raw, honest conversation, Lulu opens up about navigating everyday anxiety - from work uncertainty to health scares. She shares the transformative Facts vs Feelings tool that changed everything, showing you how to separate what's real from what your anxious mind is telling you. Through personal stories and science-backed insights, discover why your brain isn't broken when anxiety...

Ready to stop waiting and start being fabulous NOW? In this unedited, honest conversation, Lulu Essey challenges the 'not enough' narrative and introduces a revolutionary approach to February - one that transforms it from a month of comparison and lack into pure, unapologetic fabulousness. Discover why waiting to be fabulous is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it, and learn pr...

Ever feel stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated on your mental fitness journey? You’re not alone. In this first-ever Q&A episode, we’re tackling YOUR biggest mental fitness questions—how to start when it feels impossible, how to stay consistent when life keeps piling on, and what to do when you're doing everything ‘right’ but still feel stuck. Lulu brings you real-life strategies, personal st...