The Mindtea Podcast

Is mindfulness just about meditation? How do we actually LIVE mindfully? In today’s episode, I sit with the person who introduced mindfulness to my life, Tony O’Shea Poon. Tony is a tutor at UK College of Mindfulness Meditation, training the next generation of practitioners. Tony practices mindfulness in the Plum Village style, as taught by the Buddhist Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh. He is also a cl...

 We are the most connected digitally we've ever been, and yet many of us still struggle to feel truly seen beyond how we are perceived. In this episode of Mindtea, Issie sits down with her best friend ‪kina issariya‬, a YouTuber whose channel bridges creativity and healing, to explore  what it means to feel safe and seen in friendships, ways to make friends as an adult, and how to deepen exist...

What happens when awareness starts to feel like overthinking? In this episode, we explore the difference between self-awareness and dissociation, why becoming more self aware can leave us stuck in our heads, and how mindfulness helps with this when we understand how to *actually* practice it. We cover: - Difference between self-awareness and ‘self surveillance’ - Role of the default mode network i...

What does self trust actually look like? In this episode, we explore the theme of trust, why it’s so hard to trust ourselves especially during times of change or uncertainty and 3 small, simple steps to start strengthening your self-trust. We cover: What self trust actually is Why our brains hate change and uncertainty The importance of listening to your body and intuition Practical ways to build...

Many of us misunderstand mindfulness. We think the goal is no thoughts, instant calm or self-improvement. Those assumptions can create pressure and make practice feel harder. But when we understand what mindfulness is actually training, the practice becomes much easier to integrate into real life. So in today’s episode, I will be sharing what mindfulness actually is and 3 shifts to help you make t...

Why do we feel disconnected, even when we’re doing everything ‘right’? In this episode, we explore the concept of autopilot in our daily lives, how it disconnects us from the present, and practical mindfulness tools that have helped me personally - shift from existing to truly experiencing each moment. We cover: - Signs of living on autopilot and disconnection - The psychology behind autopilot - T...

In today’s episode, we continue last week’s theme of mindful media use with Dr. Lauren Serpico, exploring the deeper psychological needs we’re trying to fulfil when scrolling, how social media addiction can be similar to other addictions and practical ways to shift from mindless scrolling to mindful consumption. We talk about: why you keep scrolling (even when you don’t want to) how social media s...

Struggling to put down your phone? In this episode, we break down the psychology behind why social media is so addicting, how technology affects our everyday attention and 4 ways to bring more intentional social media use to our lives. We cover: Intermittent variable reward and dopamine Intentional alarms and digital mindfulness Replacing doom scrolling with ‘dreamscrolling’ Decluttering your digi...

In this episode of Mindtea, we explore mindfulness through the lens of Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu. We cover lessons from the Olympics - practical insights we can learn from these athletes and incorporate into our own lives, including presence in performance, self-compassion over self-judgement, and flow vs. control. We cover: - Eileen Gu and Alysa Liu’s personal journey - Visualisation and neuroplast...

If you’ve ever tried meditation and thought ‘this doesn’t work for my brain, there’s something wrong with me’, you’re not alone. For many people with ADHD, traditional meditation can feel challenging, or even impossible. In this episode of Mindtea, Issie sits down with Jack Palmer, Founder of ADHD Holistically, to explore a different approach - mindfulness for ADHD - why it feels so hard and what...

If you’ve ever been called ‘too sensitive’, find yourself being overwhelmed by your emotions, or struggle with self-compassion, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Issie sits down with mindset and self-mastery coach @Jade to explore how sensitivity, intuition, and inner awareness are actually powerful tools for personal growth. We cover: - Why sensitivity is misunderstood as weakness -...

In this episode of Mindtea, we talk about the concept of letting go from a mindfulness perspective, the neuroscience behind why it’s so hard to let go, the benefits of letting go and how we can integrate this into our everyday lives. We cover: Letting go beyond the physical Why holding on causes suffering Psychological barriers to letting go How mindfulness helps us to practice letting go 📌 Links...

In this episode of Mindtea, Issie sits down with Maija Morton, a mindset coach specialising in confidence, perfectionism, people-pleasing to break down the psychology of self-doubt and why it is so hard for us to trust ourselves. We talk about practical ways we can build deep inner self-trust and confidence to create a life that feels joyful and aligned for us. We cover: The difference between con...

Why do we struggle to receive? Whether it’s a compliment, a gift, an act of kindness or even love…many of us feel guilt, discomfort, or a strong need to give something back immediately. In this episode of Mindtea, we explore why receiving can feel like a burden and how learning to receive expands your life. We cover: Why receiving feels uncomfortable Neuroscience of generosity How to allow ourselv...

In this episode of Mindtea, we talk not only about how to be okay being by yourself, but also how to actually FEEL good being alone. Coming up to Valentines Day, this is a day which can for some of us bring up a lot of uncomfortable feelings, mixed emotions and internalised pressure. In this episode, we look at turning inwards towards ourselves, looking at how we can be both the source of our own...

In this episode of Mindtea, we reflect on a question most of us come to eventually, and that is what would actually make me happy in this life? We look at what the longest study of happiness says about this, stories from those working in palliative care and also Issie’s personal take from a mindfulness perspective. We cover: The importance of relationships and connection The value of appreciating...

In this episode of Mindtea, Issie sits down with Sean Fargo, Founder of Mindfulness Exercises, to discuss his journey from being a Buddhist monk to building the biggest mindfulness platform online, reaching over 20 million worldwide. We talk about the tension between ancient wisdom and the realities of modern day life, the importance of accessibility when it comes to mindfulness and what mindful l...

Do you ever finally stop working, only to realise you still can’t switch off? In this episode of Mindtea, we explore why rest feels so difficult in today’s world, even when we desperately want it. We look at why slowing down can feel uncomfortable, unproductive, or even unsafe and what it means to truly rest.  We cover: Why rest feels impossible in a productivity-driven world The psychology behind...

In this episode, we explore what it means to truly appreciate the little things in life that we so often overlook. We talk about three practical shifts to enhance our sense of appreciation, including: Allowing moments to land Stopping the rush of daily life Removing distractions to fully engage with our experiences 📌 Links & Resources: Head to my website for mindfulness offerings: https://www...

In this episode of Mindtea, Issie sits down with her best friend Kina for an intimate conversation on creativity as a path to healing, self-compassion, and authenticity. Together, they explore how creativity often becomes entangled with pressure, perfectionism, and external expectations, and what shifts when we allow it to be a space for expression rather than performance. We cover: How external p...

Ever heard the phrase ‘New Year, New Me’ and felt the need to become someone else overnight? In this episode, we explore the concept of non-striving as a core attitude of mindfulness, particularly relevant during the transitional period of the holiday season. We discuss the pressures associated with New Year's resolutions, the importance of self-acceptance and the dangers of shame-based motivation...

Many adults struggle to 'be calm' or meditate especially if they’re overstimulated or neurodivergent. In this conversation, former teacher Rachel McKenna describes how emotional regulation starts earlier than we think and describes the things we lose touch of as we grow up. We cover: Why stillness doesn’t work for every mind How mindfulness can be adapted for children, adolescents and neur...

Have you ever had a moment where you pause and think, Who am I, actually? In today’s episode, we delve into the profound question of self-identity, looking at the layers that constitute our being. Exploring what psychologists, philosophers and modern day spiritual thinkers have said about this topic, as well as prompts to guide you deeper internally. We cover: The different layers of the self: ext...

Have you ever wanted to connect more deeply with someone, beyond surface-level small talk? Have you ever wanted to make someone feel heard and understood? Or maybe you admire that one person who seems to be able to talk to literally anyone? By the end of this episode, you will understand a communication framework that makes people feel respected in conversation, techniques to keep conversation goi...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking ‘Why am I stressing over something so small?’ Or ‘Why am I always so stressed?’ Or ‘How do I stop stressing?’ Today we dive deep into the neuroscience behind stress, how stress affects us physically, emotionally and behaviourally, and how to work with each type of stress instead of fighting against it. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, emotionally overlo...