The Road Back Home

🧠 Struggling to keep up, but not sure why? 🚀 Feel like you’re always behind, even when you’re working twice as hard? ⚡ Ever wondered if productivity culture is making you feel like a failure? If you’ve ever felt like life is harder than it should be—like simple tasks drain you while big ideas come easy—you might be neuro-divergent and not even know it . Amanda is joined by Orla Fitz , a web des...

What happens when you decide to hit reset on your life—completely? In this very special episode, Amanda and Mel sit down with their brother, Bren P Grace , to unpack his radical three-year journey of living in his car , overcoming addiction, financial struggles, and personal demons. From hitting rock bottom to embracing minimalism, resilience, and faith , Bren shares what led him to this unconvent...

  Ever wondered what's really holding you back from speaking your truth? Amanda talks to Jessica Neighbor of ‘Love Your Voice’ about her concept of "Voice Scars."  Jessica shares some powerful voice activation exercises to help you stop walking on eggshells and start paving a path of clear, confident communication. Whether it's ordering that oat milk latte or laughing out loud at...

❓What happens when telling the truth about your life feels like a betrayal of our loved ones? ❓Why is visibility hard, even when we crave it? ❓When is ' helpfulness' actually 'interference' ? ❓And how do you deal with unreasonable demands ? How do we walk a thin line? This is the question at the heart of this episode. If you've ever felt vulnerable & exposed, wrestled with ridiculously hig...

Want to hear why Amanda once wished she had a voodoo doll for Liz Gilbert? Or get the tea on why Mel's husband, Frank, will 'never forgive' Steve Martin? Tune in as Amanda & Mel explore the drama that comes with unchecked expectations & why being a hero, sucks for everyone. They also examine the unconscious contracts we sometimes make with others in exchange for love & safe...

Struggle. Surrender. Solutions, Oh My! Meet our special guest Tammi Salas, creative ringleader, artist, teacher + founder of the ray of light online community & discover the transformative power of embracing a solution-oriented mindset in recovery. Tammi, who has recently celebrated ten years of sobriety, shares her invaluable insights and personal strategies that helped her overcome addiction...

Ever feel trapped in a loop of negative self-talk? In this episode, Amanda and Mel break down how the language you use with yourself can either hold you back or propel you forward.  If you're tired of the same old stories rattling around your head, it's time to flip the script. Drawing on personal stories and powerful insights, we explore how every word you say to yourself shapes your mental and e...

Ever feel like journaling is just one more thing you don’t have time for? Or that it has to be perfect—pages of deep, introspective writing—or it doesn’t count? Amanda and Mel tackle the common barriers that stop us from journaling and share how to make it work for you. Together, they explore: ✨ The myths that keep people from journaling (hint: it doesn’t have to take an hour or be beautifully wr...

Do you ever feel like the weight of other people’s opinions is holding you back? In this episode, Amanda and Mel unpack the hidden power of whispers and comments that can shake our confidence if we let them. Here’s what we dive into: The difference between hearsay and direct feedback —and what's worth your energy. How to identify and silence the insecurities that make criticism sting more. A s...

Do you ever feel like someone’s always got their eye on you, silently critiquing your every move? Maybe it’s a comment about your appearance, a side-eye when you’re grabbing fast food, or that awkward moment when someone’s praise feels more like a backhanded compliment.  In this episode, Amanda and Mel unravel the complex web of judgment—both from others and ourselves—and how it shapes our confide...

Do you ever feel completely wiped out after spending time with a certain friend? Maybe you dread their calls or find yourself constantly walking on eggshells to avoid conflict. You might be caught in the exhausting cycle of fawning —a people-pleasing behaviour where you prioritise keeping the peace over your own needs. In this episode, we unpack the hidden toll of fawning in friendships, a dynamic...

In this New Year’s Day episode, Amanda and Mel take a break from heavier topics to explore the art of Irish cursing. They celebrate the cultural, historical, and linguistic richness of Irish slang, sharing their favorite curse words, phrases & anecdotes.  They discuss how Irish cursing is often used with wit, humor, and a playful tone, reflecting the creativity of the Irish language and cultur...

Amanda & Mel discuss the concept of boundaries through the lens of the Personal Bill of Rights. They explore how boundaries can be perceived negatively and how to reframe them as acts of self-love and empathy. The conversation delves into the importance of asserting one's needs, the role of empathy in setting boundaries & practical applications of the Personal Bill of Rights in everyday si...

Silly season is upon us & for many, this also means enduring the increased stress & anxiety that often accompanies the holidays. We discuss the common stress triggers & offer you our best tried & true ideas to help you navigate it all with more ease and joy. Whether your challenge is tricky family dynamics, towering expectations or managing your own energy, we discuss creative ways...

Ever catch yourself wanting to numb out after a stressful interaction? Feeling weighed down by lingering resentment? In this episode, we dive into a powerful, practical process to help you unpack and release those heavy emotions. Starting with self-empathy, we guide you in: ✨ Understanding the impact of stressful encounters✨ Recognizing your role in reclaiming your power✨ Setting clear, effecti...

In this episode, Amanda and Mel explore "step zero"—the difficult space of pre-commitment and the early contemplation of change. This often-overlooked phase can be a struggle when, despite an intellectual understanding of the need for change, the heart is not yet fully ready. It's a place of resistance where many people find themselves grappling with the challenge of on again, off again abstinence...

In this episode, we discuss toxic relationship dynamics after watching Apple TV's "The Shrink Next Door".Join us as we dissect the show's portrayal of co-dependency, vulnerability & emotional manipulation & draw parallels between the characters' power dynamics and those we've encountered in real life. We highlight the importance of teaching children boundaries & empowering them to stay...

Do you recognize when a path no longer serves you? Or do you resist change because it feels like failure? In this episode, Amanda shares her journey of stepping away from a seemingly successful solopreneur career to embrace a more fulfilling, grounded path. We reflect on the dangers of chasing external validation, the cost of burnout, and the courage it takes to redefine success. Through unexpecte...

Imagine life as a never-ending game of charades where you're constantly acting out a role that doesn't fit. You're pretending to be thrilled with a gift you hate, feigning enthusiasm for your partner's boring hobbies, and nodding along with conversations that make you want to scream. In this episode, we contemplate the consequences of suppressing what’s actually true and the healing power of vulne...

This episode is packed with eye-opening insights for anyone caught in cycles of people-pleasing or perfectionism. Together, Amanda and Mel explore how deep-seated conditioning can distort our sense of self, stifle authenticity, and lead to choices that don’t truly align with who we are. Using Mel’s real-life struggle with the tug-of-war over tidiness at home, Amanda introduces a practical tool to...

Ever felt like your worth is tied to how much you can do for others? Amanda and Mel share their journeys navigating the treacherous waters of people-pleasing. Through personal anecdotes, they uncover the often-overlooked connection between people-pleasing & power struggles. We look at family dynamics, the role of the 'good child,' & the critical skills needed to unlearn these often life lo...

Ever wondered how quitting alcohol might lead to an emotional awakening? Join us as we embark on our podcast journey with "The Road Back Home," where we share deeply personal stories that go beyond the clichés of midlife crises. Amanda opens up about her seven-year sobriety journey and passion for inner work, while Mel shares her day-to-day life running a children's drama school and her philosophy...