Episodes
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Join me on this episode where I share an amazing conversation with Dylan Holloway, a talented singer-songwriter and transgender man, who shares his journey to authenticity and his passion for music.
Dylan opened up about the struggles of living inauthentically and the freedom he found after embracing his true self. We explored his hit song "Lemons," his powerful anthem "Chosen Family," and how music helped him find solace and connection. Plus, Dylan's story of duetting with his past self is not one to miss.
Dive in to hear this inspiring journey of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of authenticity!
01:35 Dylan's Journey to Authenticity06:16 Navigating Identity and Acceptance09:27 Musical Breakthrough and Success11:54 Living Authentically and Neurodivergence18:34 Relationships and Acceptance24:47 Upcoming Projects and Music26:32 Music as a Lifeline29:17 The Power of Heartbreak Songs29:42 ADHD and the Creative Arts31:45 Chosen Family: A Love Letter to the Queer Community34:58 A Vulnerable Revelation45:28 A Message of AuthenticityDylan Holloway, better known by his rockstar alias ‘Dylan And The Moon’. Award-winning musician and proud transgender man on a mission to inspire more people to live their most authentic and happy lives.
www.dylanandthemoon.com
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In this candid episode, I sit down with Polly Lavarello, an experienced business coach (and my own mentor!), to explore the unique challenges and joys of navigating business as neurodivergent entrepreneurs.
Polly shares her journey to discovering her own ADHD through her children, how it reshaped her approach to life and business, and the scaffolding she’s built to support her unique brain and role as a parent.
Together, we delve into the importance of boundaries, self-compassion, and structure for those with ADHD and neurodiverse minds in the entrepreneurial space.
02:02 ADHD Awareness: Personal Journeys and Parenting
03:30 Navigating Neurodivergence: Self-Diagnosis and Validation
04:21 Balancing Business and Parenting: Strategies and Challenges
08:49 Building a Supportive Business Structure
12:35 Setting Boundaries: The Key to Success
18:41 Self-Awareness and Efficiency in Business
25:27 Shiny Object Syndrome: The ADHD Entrepreneur's Pitfall
29:49 Acceptance and Self-Compassion
30:19 Asking for Help and Soothing Shame
45:34 The Power of Long-Term Mentorship
47:17 Navigating ADHD Challenges in Business
About Polly LavarelloPolly is an evergreen scaling strategist for highly-skilled and booked-out business owners ready to play their way to a simple evergreen business model that adds space to their calendar and spice to their bank account.
www.pollylavarello.com
https://www.instagram.com/pollylavarello/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pollylavarello/
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Missing episodes?
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Join me as I dive into a topic close to my heart - how you can be a perfectionist, even if you’re what some might call a "hot mess."
I'll explore the tension between striving for perfection and managing the beautiful chaos that comes with ADHD and I share my personal journey from unmasking my ADHD to recovering from perfectionism.
This episode is unscripted, which I think beautifully embodies today’s theme: that done is better than perfect.
00:21 Understanding Perfectionism and Chaos01:44 Navigating Perfectionism with ADHD03:04 The Reality of Perfectionism04:17 Self-Criticism and Perfectionism05:56 Perfectionism in High Achievers07:19 Perception vs. Reality of Accomplishments08:12 Verbal Processing and ADHD08:55 Revealing My Hot Mess Moments09:37 Embracing Imperfections10:46 Inspiring Despite the Chaos13:42 Finding Your Tribe Through Vulnerability15:25 Join the ADHD Club If you want to dive deeper into embracing both your chaos and your accomplishments, come join me in the ADHD Club, where a group of inspiring women lets it all hang out - imperfections and all. You can sign up at www.thethomasconnection/adhd-club and be part of this empowering space. -
In this episode, I welcome guest Michelle Minnikin and we delve into the multifaceted realities of societal conditioning, gender expectations, and the unique challenges of living with ADHD. Listen in to hear Michelle discuss her new book, and the impact of 'Good Girl' conditioning and ADHD on women's lives. 01:41 Embracing ADHD and Personal Growth03:46 Discovering Good Girl Conditioning05:25 Coercive Control and Societal Expectations06:41 Strategic Exhaustion and Daily Struggles10:19 Imposter Syndrome and Workplace Challenges20:46 Rebelling Against Good Girl Conditioning28:21 Hope for the Next Generation29:03 Navigating Personal Relationships30:29 Household Dynamics and Gender Norms32:34 ADHD and Neurodiversity34:23 Self-Compassion and Personal Growth39:39 Male Allies and Shared Responsibilities39:47 Practical Advice for Women42:11 The Power of Asking Michelle Minnikin is a North East-based Chartered Organisational Psychologist, coach and author of Good Girl Deprogramming, available now from all good bookstores in paperback, e-book and on audible. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mminnikin/ https://www.instagram.com/goodgirldeprogramminghttps://www.tiktok.com/@michelleminnikinhttps://www.michelleminnikin.com/
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In this episode of Pause Purpose Play I dive into the joy of bringing playfulness into our lives and businesses, especially for those of us navigating ADHD.
I share how embracing a playful mindset can lead to creativity and success, and why soothing our minds is key to achieving our goals.
Plus, learn about my group coaching program, Burn Bright, and how it could be your next step. Tune in for all the details and let's have some fun together!
01:04 The Importance of Deep, Sustainable Change02:29 Embracing Playfulness in Business and Life06:34 The Power of the Soothing System08:51 Unlocking the Power of Play09:47 Burn Bright Program Burn Bright is my transformational 6-month group coaching programme that helps you continuously calibrate what you need for your brain and your body, to balance your business with your busy ADHD brain.https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
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In this episode I invite you to join me on a journey of self-discovery as we explore the essence of purpose in our lives.
I share personal reflections and insights from the 'Sustainable Success Challenge,' where we delve into understanding our 'why' and celebrate the unique perks and challenges of entrepreneurship for those of us with ADHD.
01:20 Understanding Purpose and Pain03:02 The Entrepreneurial Why04:28 Setting Boundaries and Protecting Energy05:24 Flexibility in Business for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs06:50 Insights and Actions for Sustainable Success08:03 Personal Reflections and Podcast Direction10:45 Burn Bright doors are open! Burn Bright is my transformational 6-month group coaching programme that helps you continuously calibrate what you need for your brain and your body, to balance your business with your busy ADHD brain.https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
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In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I'm diving into the wild world of ADHD and entrepreneurship and sharing some golden nuggets from my Sustainable Success Challenge. We'll chat about why pausing is crucial to avoid burnout and how those quirky ADHD traits can be both your superpower and your kryptonite in business.
Plus, I'm inviting you to join me for some amazing upcoming events - whether you're more of an online binge-watcher or a face-to-face lunch enthusiast. Let's explore this together and find the balance we all crave!
00:26 Sustainable Success Challenge Insights02:35 Invitation to In-Person Meetup04:14 Challenges of ADHD in Entrepreneurship09:05 Balancing Passion and Practicality10:57 The Importance of Pausing and Self-Compassion11:44 Upcoming Events -
In this episode I'm joined by Ross White, fresh off the release of his fantastic new book, 'The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive.'
We dive headfirst into the pool of psychological flexibility, discussing its unique edge over concepts like grit, toughness, and resilience. Ross unpacks the importance of balancing our 'get,' 'threat,' and 'reset' modes to keep burnout at bay.
With practical tips, playful metaphors, and Ross's authentic vulnerability, this episode offers a refreshing approach to thriving in both work and life.
Grab your headphones and get ready to bend without breaking!
00:48 Exploring Psychological Flexibility
03:15 Defining Resilience, Toughness, and Grit
09:04 The Metaphor of the Tree
10:15 Modes of Operation: Get, Threat, and Reset
14:24 Momentary and Bold Moves
18:16 Personal Experiences and Vulnerability
23:49 The Comfort Zone vs. The Transforming Zone
28:06 Navigating Career Breaks and Sabbaticals
35:58 Balancing Productivity and Longevity
41:32 The Role of Attention and Mindfulness
46:01 Anchoring Statements and Staying Present -
In this special episode of the 'Pause Purpose Play' podcast I decided to step out of my comfort zone and record live on Instagram! Join me as I chat about the scary but oh-so-important idea of feeling safe to slow down while still aiming high. With my trusty 'I'm not perfect' jumper and my ADHD quirks in full swing, I dive into how pushing through nonstop isn't the answer, how to avoid burnout and share practical tips for regulating our frazzled nervous systems. Plus, I'm inviting you to join my upcoming 4-day 'Sustainable Success Challenge' for female business owners starting September 24th. 01:48 The Importance of Slowing Down03:10 Sustainability and Success04:08 September Reset05:14 Embracing Imperfection06:58 Interactive Q&A09:33 Practical Tips for Nervous System Regulation11:11 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge
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In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, I dive into the vibrant world of creativity for those with ADHD. I chat about how our brilliant, busy brains are naturally wired for imaginative thinking and how we can harness that spark.
I share my own quirks and experiences to remind us that done is better than perfect and why it's more fun to create than to endlessly scroll through raccoon videos. Plus, I'll sprinkle in some tips on how to allow yourself the joy of being a little more imperfect!
Join me, and maybe even sign up for my free Sustainable Success challenge if you're ready for more creativity and less comparison in your life.
00:31 The Role of Creativity in ADHD
01:42 Perfectionism vs. Creativity
04:35 The Impact of Consumption on Creativity
08:59 Commitment to Creativity
15:43 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge!
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Dive into the whimsical world of curiosity and discover how it can transform your personal and professional life! Int his episode I take you on an adventure through the curiosity mindset, the beginner's mindset, and compassionate curiosity.
00:00 Unlocking the Power of Curiosity
00:57 The Beginner's Mindset
01:19 Compassionate Curiosity
01:54 Applying Curiosity in Life
02:19 Access to Work Grant Challenges
03:15 Personal Experience with Access to Work
04:08 Upcoming Events and Workshops -
This week I'm joined by the brilliant Dr Claire Plumbly, who shares her exciting journey of writing her first book on burnout, diving into how chronic stress can really take a toll on our minds and bodies. With practical tips on managing burnout, recognising internal pressures, and practicing self-care, this episode is packed with useful advice! 01:28 The Concept of Burnout01:44 Writing the Book: Inspiration and Challenges02:26 Understanding Burnout as Trauma06:15 Recognising Burnout Symptoms08:04 The Three C's for Nervous System Health12:27 High-Functioning Burnout13:29 Practical Tips for Managing Burnout32:13 Entrepreneurship and Burnout38:31 Connecting with Others and Finding Support
Do you feel overwhelmed? Too busy to stop? Resisting slowing down?
Then you need a break, before you break!
Download my free guide to help you spot the signs of overwhelm, learn simple ways of slowing down, and understanding what’s getting in the way of you giving yourself the permission to rest and recover.
https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm/
About Dr Claire Plumbly:Claire is a Clinical Psychologist & Director of Good Therapy Ltd, a psychological therapy centre based online and in Taunton, Somerset. Her private practice specialises in trauma-related issues and Claire herself has a specialism in sexual assault; early life traumas, and of course burnout.
Her debut book ‘Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You’ is out in the UK this summer. It will show you how to harness the power of your nervous system, despite the persistent demands of modern life.
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We're diving into a topic close to my heart: the chaotic world of unfinished projects that seem to plague us ADHD-ers. I share a laugh-and-cry kind of story from our amazing ADHD Club, and together we explore some fun and practical ways to finally get things done.
I also chat about the importance of self-compassion, managing impulse control, and why taking breaks is your secret weapon against burnout. Plus, stick around till the end because I've got a special freebie to help you tackle those dreaded Access to Work forms!
So, if you want to turn your chaos into calm, hit play and let's get started!
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:07 Understanding ADHD and Unfinished Projects
03:52 Real-Life Example of ADHD Challenges
06:29 Strategies to Tackle Unfinished Projects
11:14 Community Support and Encouragement
15:05 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events -
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I dive into the often daunting task of form-filling for ADHD business women. I offer four handy tips to break down this overwhelming task into manageable and even enjoyable chunks.
I explain the crucial importance of these forms for accessing things like government support and business funding, and provide practical, compassionate strategies to tackle them head-on.
Join me in turning this 'boring beast' into a more playful process and stay tuned for the next episode that promises more tips!
00:46 The Importance of Filling Forms
01:54 Why ADHD Brains Avoid Forms
03:07 Tips for Tackling Forms: Chunky
05:56 Tips for Tackling Forms: Funky
07:48 Tips for Tackling Forms: Junky
08:59 Tips for Tackling Forms: Monkey
10:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser -
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I kick off a three-part series to help my fellow ADHD entrepreneurs tackle dreaded business finances. After a lightbulb moment with my ADHD assistant, Zoë, I realised many of us hate dealing with invoices and forms. So, tune in to get given five ways to approach your finances with an ADHD brain! These tips will help you manage cash flow, reduce stress, and keep your creativity flowing. And hey, if you need more support, check out my latest masterclass on sustainable ADHD business success. Let's make this fun and get you paid!
00:48 The Struggle with Forms and Finances
01:29 Understanding ADHD and Executive Functioning
02:24 The Importance of Invoicing
04:09 Why ADHD Brains Struggle with Business Finances
05:07 Five Solutions to Improve Invoicing
05:23 Solution 1: Gamify Your Invoicing
06:18 Solution 2: Change the Context
07:17 Solution 3: Reward Yourself
08:03 Solution 4: Automate the Process
10:03 Solution 5: Outsource the Task
13:14 Conclusion and Masterclass Information
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How do you balance your business and life with an ADHD brain? In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host and Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas, returns from a podcast break to discuss the importance of clarity and self-care to have balance between work and life, prioritising family right now. Michaela explores themes of compassion, perfectionism, and ADHD, sharing personal insights on balancing family life and professional responsibilities. She introduces a framework for sustainable success, focusing on support, systems and self-compassion. You’re also invited to catch a replay of a masterclass on how to balance your business and life with an ADHD brain, here: Balancing your Business with an Ambitious ADHD Brain - The Thomas Connection
The doors are open NOW to Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club for ambitious women with bright and busy brains. Join here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub
00:14 Reasons for taking a break from the podcast01:00 Clarity and Family Priorities
02:17 The links between ADHD and perfectionism03:06 Support, Systems and Self-Compassion
03:49 The Venn Diagram Framework
12:38 Permission to Seek Support
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Having trouble sleeping? Join for some useful tips as Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas chats with the brilliant Dr. Ranj Singh - NHS Doctor, Furniture Village Sleep and Wellness Ambassador and TV presenter - about sleep, anxiety and wellbeing.
Discover how sleep is linked with hormone regulation, anxiety, stress, burnout - and even ADHD.
Dr. Ranj shares his top tips for better sleep hygiene, managing stress, and sprinkling some self-compassion into your daily routine. Plus, hear how Dr Ranj handles criticism from social media trolls with grace, and why dancing like nobody's watching might just be the lift we all need.
Ready to give yourself permission to have better sleep? Tune in now!
Connect with Dr Ranj Singh on Instagram: @drranj
We cover:
01:06 The Importance of Sleep
04:22 Short-term and Long-term Effects of Poor Sleep
07:44 Improving Sleep Quality
13:40 Self-Compassion and Sleep
18:05 Purpose and Meaning in Life
24:41 Navigating Social Media and Comparison
28:00 Balancing Inspiration and Pressure
29:33 The Reality of Imperfection
33:19 Finding Joy in Social Connections
38:34 The Power of Authenticity
44:46 Handling Criticism and Social Media
48:19 Final Takeaways and Self-Compassion
Think your sleeping problems are linked with ADHD?Take a look at Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club:www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub
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Welcome back to the Pause Purpose Lay podcast with me, Michaela Thomas. In this episode, we explore how to snack well with ADHD by understanding interoceptive cues, common sugar cravings, and the importance of self-compassion. We discuss the challenges ADHD individuals face with food, the impact of ignoring hunger signals, and practical tips to avoid energy crashes and binges. Additionally, I explain how to give yourself permission to snack and manage your energy levels. For those interested, I am offering access to my recent workshop recording on this topic. Join us as we navigate snacking strategies and move away from shame and self-criticism.
https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub
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In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play Podcast, I discuss the impact of self-kindness on productivity and success, particularly for individuals with ADHD. I address common concerns about self-compassion leading to laziness and explain how being kinder to oneself can enhance effectiveness, reduce burnout, and foster a growth mindset. I also outline three key points: the benefits of kind self-correction vs. self-criticism, the importance of setting boundaries, and the role of rest and recovery in achieving high performance. Plus, I let you know about an upcoming masterclass focused on balancing business and ADHD.
Links:
https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub
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In this episode, we explore how generational trauma and self-criticism is ‘handed down’ from our parents as a blueprint for how we then parent ourselves. I talk to transformational coach and host of the Motherkind podcast, Zoe Blaskey, about her recovery journey from perfectionism and alcohol. We discuss how inherited patterns aren’t our fault, but it IS our responsibility to notice and become aware of them. With gentle, compassionate noticing of our self-critical thoughts and perfectionistic behaviours, we have a choice of which thought to believe in and which action to then take. We also let go of the pressure to parent perfectly, embracing the fact that we WILL ‘mess up’ our kids.
How almost breaking from becoming a mum lead to creating MotherkindThe cycle of ‘Hurt, heal, help’Pain leading to a deeper level of understanding and purposeRecovery journey - a daily practicePerfectionism as a survival tactic that doesn’t help in the long termMotherhood made negative coping mechanisms resurfaceParents handing down a faulty road mapDeveloping an internal kind parental voiceClarity in values makes hard stuff worth itJournalling gives choice over which thoughts to listen toCan’t change until you’ve sat with the pain for long enoughGenerational cycles of traumaChoosing one thing to change - trusting yourselfConstant state of flux instead of ‘balance’Boundaries have costsFind out more about Zoe at www.motherkind.co
Instagram: @zoeblaskey
Burn Bright - transformational group coaching for the ambitious working woman who needs to be nicer to herself to calm the overwhelmhttps://thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright/
Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk
Instagram: @the_thomas_connection
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection
Pause Purpose Play Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/pausepurposeplay
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