Episodit

  • Heather joins us in this episode where we discuss all things related to mental and physical well-being, growth, meaning making and being the change we want to see!

    She's a member of the For All the Brothers Team, Co-owner of Movement Wellness Space, & Senior Occupational Therapist at Being Therapy and she's an all round epic human.

    Heather generously shares her story, & how that led her to doing what she does today.

    We explore amongst many things:

    Anxiety/overthinkingBeing vulnerable, real & building trustWhy we're so passionate about supporting men The power of BrotherhoodMental & physical health & wellbeingCommunication, and why it's so importantCalling BS on the ole "men don't cry"What it means to each of us to be the change we want to seeThe importance of PLAY in lifeCreating a movement through brave conversations


    Plus a bunch more. Oh, and as always we have some laughs along the way at our own expense.

    This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dave Beaver (Jax's ex) who passed of prostate cancer this week. And a reminder that 1 in 8 awesome Kiwi Blokes will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The same number that will experience a significant brush with depression. So lads, ask each other if you're ok, start the convo & get ya prostate checked, it's a simple blood test and can save a life!

    As always, we value and appreciate your support. And here's to being the change we want to see, on step at a time!

    You can connect with Heather via: IG @forallthebrothers or @mvmt_conz or you can email her at [email protected]

    Big love Jax & Kim

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  • In this yarn we're talking all things Mental Health and Headspace Hacks with Certified Mental Health Coach, Jem Walker-Carmody.

    We explore what it means to do the Mahi (work), when it comes to owning our own Mental Health and Wellbeing. What does it look like to set ourselves up for success so we can do our best to live our one wild and freaking precious life from a place of thriving, vs surviving.

    We all have mental health. Some days we feel like Tigger on a sugar high, and others like Eeyore after a big night on the town... aka Dusty AF and not that bothered with life. And other days anywhere in between.

    Jem left her career in the Health & Safety Space to follow her passion and build a career in the Mental Health & Wellbeing space. And she has recently completed an Advanced Certificate in Mental Health with Prekure.

    Some of the gems (pardon the pun Jem), we explore inside this episode:

    Following your passionFeeling all the FeelsChasing the "Happy" highHeadspace Hacks: the top things we do to set us up for success when it comes to our Mental Fitness/HealthTrauma: transform or transmitDismissing & judging our own traumasAddiction: of the socially acceptable type (exercise/sex/work/social media etc)It's OK not to be OK! Deep listening and its powerOverwhelm/Stress

    and so much more.

    And remember, if you're not ok, that's ok, reach out to someone for support, to listen. Have the convo and embrace the Mahi . It's worth it.

    Big love Jax & Kim

    ***If you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. IG: @findahelpline. If in NZ text 1737 for help.




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  • If you want to know how to turn the dial down on stress & start kicking that MOFO to the curb then this episodes for you. It's our first 'Espresso Ep' of the season.

    Espresso Eps are short & sharp hits, like your morning caffeine (under 30 minutes), where we focus on something that is topical, in a more practical, tips & tricks way.

    Ever wondered why some people can experience pressure without becoming totally stressed out, while others under the exact same situation become overwhelmed with stress... us too.

    Join in to find out more about, and what to do when you're under pressure to help ensure you don't free fall into stress.

    Inside you'll find:

    Pressure is NOT StressThe secret ingredient you do NOT want to add to pressure that turns it into stressReflection vs RuminationPractical tips & tricks to drop you out of stress when you are experiencing pressureWaking upPerspective ShiftingControlling your AttentionLetting go (year we hear ya, that MOFO's a tricky one)AcceptanceInstagram shiny happy feeds (calling BS on those)Curating with IntentionVanity Metrics vs Soul Metrics


    and more....

    Slide on into our DM's on the ole Insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life to let us know how you find Espresso Eps and if you would like more, we're here for you, not us, so would love your feedback.

    Or you can contact us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.life

    As always thanks for listening in. We appreciate you.

    Big Love
    Jax & Kim xx





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  • We're joined around the mic this week by our first guest of the season Bridgette (Biddy) Jackson. So saddle up your Unicorns, & get ready for a dose of triple trouble! This convo's equal parts realness, wisdom & laughter alike.

    There is so much gold here for the taking & Bridgette, or Biddy as we like to call her, is so generous in sharing her story, wisdom and expertise. Lucky us! If you're single, in a relationship, needing to get out of one, or at the beginnings of one, this episodes for you! Our around the campfire convo covers;

    · The near death of her daughter while in the middle of a separation

    · Questions to ask before getting into a 'serious' or de-facto relationship

    · How do you know when it's time to end a relationship (and some of the signs)

    · The importance of perspective & gratitude in the face of hand grenades

    · Good enough is freakin great, & perfection is our armour

    · How to know your worth and step into that

    · Finding purpose in what you do & chasing your passion

    · Diving into the dating pool; oh & we had a rather stellar business idea around this

    · What holds people in a relationship, past its expiration date

    · When is the 'right' time to separate if you have children

    · Defining Failure

    · Till death do us part... yeah/nah

    · How to have a healthy relationship (spoiler alert, do the work required for growth before you step into the next one!)

    And so much more...

    Bridgette is a CDC-certified Divorce/Separation Coach with a post graduate dispute resolution qualification. She’s also a trained divorce mediator (AIMNZ) Relationship Coach (Institute for Life Coach Training) an enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand


    Having experienced her own prolonged divorce, she founded Equal Exes in 2018. Born out of her desire to support and guide people navigate their own separation and/or divorce with dignity. While at the same time enabling the process to be less time-consuming and costly.


    In conjunction with Equal Exes, Bridgette co-established with Nick Scarlett, Equal Group Holdings and Equal Workplace Support, providing new corporate programmes to assist employees with confidential divorce & separation support through their workplace.


    To learn more about the great work she & her team do check them out:


    Instagram: @equalexes & @equalgroupholdings or visit their website at equalexes.com

    Thanks for joining us on this ride. As always, we love hearing from you with guest suggestions, questions or topics. Best way to reach us... on the old Insta:
    @unicornsandhandgrenades.life

    If you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. IG: @findahelpline. If in NZ text 1737 for help.

    Catch you in the next episode.

    Big love
    Jax & Kim

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  • We're BACK! Forgive us listeners, for we have sinned, it's been a year since we last released an episode.

    This is one of our most vulnerable episodes. It's real, it's raw, and there's a fair amount of laughter in there too. Mainly at our expense.

    We're excited to reconnect with y'all again and we kick off with an update around our Hand Grenade & Unicorn moments, from our time away, and why we've taken a breather.

    We talk:

    Affairs - Jax opens up, for the first time about the experience of this ending her 30 year marriageDating - after aforementioned 30 year marriage & 4 years single, ye gods it's a jungle out there!Hustle CultureChasing Happy & pushing Sh*t downDistracting from feeling the feels, Netflix, alcohol, over work, dating apps & validation, you name it, everyone’s got their go to distraction! OverwhelmAnxiety


    And loads more. It's time to saddle up your unicorn and join us on the ride again beautiful humans!

    You can contact us on the ole IG: Unicornsandhandgrenades.life and feel free to slide on into our DM's with feedback or any guest or topic requests.

    Keep being freakin awesome. We appreciate you!

    Jax & Jim. xx


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  • In this episode we're joined by Kate Billing. One of our favourite humans. Kate is a Speaker, Author, Thought Leader and Change Maker. She is a Faculty Member of Thought Leaders Business School and Founder and Creative Director of Blacksmith.

    As someone who is passionate about putting the tricky business of being fully human right at the centre of how we live, lead and work you can be sure this conversation is going to take you on one soul filled, kick ass, no pretence rollicking ride. The messy ride that is being human.

    A melting pot of psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, & sociology with a hefty dash of magic, vulnerability and humour is how we would describe it.

    We talk about choosing to own who we are, what we believe and how we show up in the world.

    How prepared are we to be seen? Let alone being comfortable enough to fly our freak flags!

    We also explore how our most transformative experiences, usually involve the breaking down or burning up of something.

    We cover so much ground as we sit around the campfire in this convo:

    Not letting who you are get in the way of who you can becomeKate's breaking & burning defining momentsThe importance of light & shadow in our own experienceUnderstanding why we sufferBeing better humans & leadersEndless curiosity & fascination with the ourselves & those around usSynchronicity & IntuitionMagicTransition & agingLeadership being your ability to be visible in the world (not a title)Being explorers, & pathmakers (vs following old maps)Living our lives asleep at the wheel


    And so much more.

    We are so grateful for Kate's generosity of spirit & wisdom in this episode, we hope you walk away feeling just a little of what we did after sharing time with her.

    You can find Kate on Insta: @katebilling and at www.blacksmith.co.nz.

    Big love Jax & Kim xx

    Oh and feel free to come follow along on Insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com, let us know what you'd like more of and any feedback or ideas.

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  • In this Episode we dive into all things dating with professional Matchmaker Sasha Madarasz.

    It's a dating minefield out there peeps, from the brutal to the magnificent and everything in between. Sasha helps us navigate through the dating maze by sharing wisdom and insights gained over her 19 years as a professional Matchmaker. We also have a damn good laugh, as you would expect with any convo centred around dating.

    She founded her dating agency Two's Company in 2003 having come from the fast paced world of TV & Film.

    Jax also shares the vulnerability that going on her first date in 35 years exposed.

    We cover so much in this convo:

    The art of datingKiwi dating culture, or lack thereofWhy we should date like the EuropeansThe importance of braving a second or third date, where you normally wouldn'tCourage & vulnerability Chemistry - the quick fix or the slow burnExpectations & assumptionsMatchmaking differentiatorsOur self protection mechanisms Self SabotageOvercoming fear when it comes to 1st datesKissing Cousins ;)


    And so much more.

    We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it with Sasha.

    To learn more about Sasha & Two's Company you can visit www.twoscompany.co.nz or insta @twoscompanynz and f/book @twoscompany

    Big love Jax & Kim






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  • In this episode with Vitality Hub owner, Sonya Bower, we discuss all things related to living a life full of vitality.

    Through her love of competitive sports & adventure racing she has developed a unique approach of training people how to move & heal. Also how to move away from chronic stress & pain patterns so they can live a life in which they can thrive.

    This episode is about vitality & SO much more. And lots of laughs along the way.

    If you've ever arm wrestled with body image, what makes us sexy, fitness, over training, no training, no time to train, balance, or flow, you'll love what we unravel in this episode. She also shares with us her experience of paralysis connected to the peak of competitive Adventure Racing.

    It's an episode that has the power to really shift your thinking around lot's of things, we also discuss:

    The importance of rest in a hustle cultureThe inability to say no to thingsThe power of the mind, the concept of pain and how we overcome itNervous systemsStress systems & how to get around themFrom rip shit & bust to sustainable flowDad bods/Mum bods, energy & what makes us sexyHealing ourselvesCarrying emotional pain in our bodiesThe ethos of positive forward movement in life & trainingDitch the scalesDisassociation from personal trauma & body pain

    Sonya has been a PT for over 30 years, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in PE from Otago and through her love of competitive sports & adventure racing she has developed a unique approach of training people how to move . Also how to move away from chronic stress & pain patterns so you can live a life in which they can thrive.

    Her and her team that Vitality Lab are epic, you can check them out at www.vitalitylab.co.nz and on IG @vitalitylab

    Big love Jax & Kim

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  • What happens when your ole mates uncertainty & ambiguity come for a sleep over and forget to go home?! Which has pretty much been the state of the world for the last 2 years for most people on the planet.

    And are they friends with benefits? Or friends without?

    It's been over 3 months since we've recorded and there's been a lot of changes for us both in that time. Which also means a lot of unlearning, re-learning, taking leaps, trusting, and continuing to adjust how we move through the world.

    But that's pretty much the game of life we've all signed up to play.

    So we dive into all of that and much more in an open and honest conversation about what we've been noticing, navigating, celebrating and letting go. You'll also find hanging around the convo campfire:

    Were things every really that certain before the world collectively went topsy turvy?We can have it all, but do we want it all?When you think you're aligned, and slip out of alignmentHow to notice when you let the things that were your not negotiables start to creepThat the minute you think you have this life thing nailed be prepared to learn you don'tHow to ground yourself in the swirl of lifeWhat happens when you leap, then get real comfy in your new norm.... yup you guessed it time to buckle up and leap againParenting, relationships Clinging to comfort when it's doing you a disservice


    Plus so much more, we even have aha moments in the actual episode, gotta love it when that happens.

    Oh and we also give you a little taste of the amazing guests we've got lined up! It's so freakin good to be back!

    Thanks for all of your support and being patient through our recording hiatus. It'll all make sense when you listen on in.

    If you'd like to let us know what's important to you to hear more of, or have anyone you'd love for us to bring on the show.... message us on IG @unicornsandhandgrenades.life

    You can also find us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com

    Big love
    Jax & Kim





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  • This episode is dedicated to anyone that's ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or like they're sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else 'do life' easily. If that's you, it was us too, so we've gotcha in this episode!

    We're joined by coach and all round epic Human, Shiobhan Friel. It's a playful, deep and energised convo centred around the nature of being Human, inner peace and other cool sh#t. We walked away from it feeling lit up & light as, and our hope is you will too.

    We explore why we're often dragged around by our thoughts, like a bull being pulled along by its nose ring. Or a ragdoll having the baby jesus shook out of it. Why do we take them so damn seriously, is there another way? Well, we reckon there is.

    Life's too short to live from the sidelines, immersed in our thinking, dripping in anxiety & believing every story or Thoughtstorm that passes through our lens of perception. And with the state of the world currently it's never been a better time to challenge how we look at life. Because it's damn tough out there. For many!

    We invite you in this episode to play a little game of 'what if' with us. To put down your beliefs about what you thought you knew about thinking and how we're designed to work. You can pick them up again after, they'll still be waiting for you. We promise. It takes a bit more than one convo to see the emperor's clothes for what they are. But one convos a good place to start.

    We hope you enjoy this yarn as much as we did! You can find Siobhan on Instagram @shiobhanfriel or by visiting her at www.siobhanfriel.com where her website will have you smiling from the inside out.

    Big love Jax & Kim

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  • In this episode we dive into all things Wellbeing with Philly Powell from the Wellbeing Junkie & the Wellbeing Tick.

    As creator of Aotearoa's first wellbeing workplace accreditation programme, the wellbeing tick, Philly is passionate about seeing the day where toxic workplace culture is eradicated and Aotearoa's mental health statistics are improved as a result of healthy workplaces where people are empowered to thrive.

    She is also a qualified Nutritionist, Corporate Wellbeing Expert, Real Food Enthusiast, Yogi, Runner, Snowboarder, Competitive Crossfitter and all round epic human. She's passionate about living large through holistic health & well being, real foods, endorphin releasing exercise & soulful socialising.

    So as you can imagine this is an episode jam packed with some powerful stories, wisdom, reflections & tips that are highly likely to challenge your thinking around wellbeing & what thriving means to you.

    Some of the things you'll find hiding inside:

    Lockdown learningsCovid Silver LiningsMeditationThe power of gratitude & reflectionFinding our purpose in life & integrating it into what we doSingledomThe power of silence & sitting with yourself in discomfortPost traumatic growthPrioritising our wellbeingThe most common barrier to wellbeing for peopleMidlife musingsThe connection between what we put in our bodies & our mental healthSlowing down & balance: the Yin & Yang of our lifestyles & our physicalityBurnout & how we can be in it without realising itHolistic Wellbeing; a state of mental spiritual, physical & financial wellbeing


    Plus so much more!

    You can find Philly at www.thewellbeingjunkie.co.nz or follow her on instagram @thewellbeingjunkie @wellbeingtick

    Wishing you and yours an amazing Christmas and an epic New Year. Catch you on the flipside.

    Big love
    Jax & Kim

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  • This week’s guest, Stephen Brunton, deep dives into a powerful and vulnerable conversation with us that we know will shine a little light & share a little hope for those who listen in. We start off exploring what it’s like to leave your “job/job” to follow your passion and fall into alignment.

    As an actor and a voice over artist this is something Stephen’s recently done. We explore all the different triggers and opportunities that come hand in hand with braving the unknown when you make that call.

    He also generously shares his, and his partner Brigitte’s, real & raw journey through their experience of miscarriage.

    In NZ miscarriage affects approximately 1 in every 4 women and their partners. Yet it’s not something we openly talk about often. And it’s something that can leave many who experience it feeling alone. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Stephen & Brigitte for sharing their experience and engaging in a conversation many shy away from. If this triggers anything for you please head to www.findahelpline.com for emotional support or www.miscarriagesuppot.org.nz

    There is so much rich wisdom in this conversation around…

    Navigating through the difficult journey of miscarriageThe volatile world of actingMinimizing the amount of “soul killing” work we doDivorcing yourself from the concept that doing the thing you love has to be the thing that earns you moneyWalking the tight rope of uncertainty Separating from our pre-determined ideas of successThe “happiness equation” & how we define it Happiness & balanceVanity metrics vs soul metricsBuilding a solid foundation through holistic discipline Getting back to basics & taking care of our well beingPink Bats & the Pink Bat Man

    And much more!

    Thanks for all your support and staying connected. You can find us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or on @unicornsandhandgrenades.life (facebook or Insta). We love the two way convos so keep em coming.

    Big love
    Jax & Kim

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  • This week we're joined by Aimee Kovacevic, author of: Cracked Open - A Teacher's Battle with Perfection . Aimee is a Self Love & Mindset Coach, Teacher, Author, Gym Owner & Mama.

    In this episode we explore all things burnout, perfectionism & compassion fatigue. Things that led Aimee to crack open and notice she'd forgotten who she was, what was important to her, and what kind of human and teacher she wanted to be.

    It's such a beautiful open and raw conversation where Aimee shares with us the challenges she faced in overcoming perfectionism, suffering compassion fatigue, and what it was like to start setting boundaries after putting everyone ahead of herself for so long.

    We also talked about:

    Her journey back to herself & awakeningThe dark night of the soulThe links between education & burnoutFinding your calling only to find it doesn't fill you up the way you thought it wouldCaregivers & Compassion FatigueSelf-awareness & accountability What makes us happy in our workPushing down the grief of miscarriage & pretending it wasn't thereBeing told you are too much, & that you should care lessSetting boundariesGrowthTransformation

    And so much more...

    Aimee's book is due for release on the 24th November and if you would like to learn more about her and where you can get her book you can follow her on instagram @the_teachers_lounge_nz

    We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did and thanks for continuing to support us by tuning in. Let's keep the conversation going, and tell us who and what you would love to hear. You can find us on instagram and facebook @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com

    Big love Kim & Jax xx




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  • This conversation with Gaia is full of mind blowing wisdom and insight, from this world & beyond. We dive deep into all things spiritual, soulful, universal, past lives, life lessons & growth related. It's a conversation that supports finding and speaking our own truth, so we can do what we were put on this earth to do.

    Why am I here? What's this all for? There's got to be something more than this? Why do we have to repeat lessons & cycles for our souls learning? Who am I? No, really, WHO AM I? What happens if the plans you made for your life differ from the plans the Universe has in store for you?

    We hope after listening you'll feel one step closer to answering some of these hard hitting questions for yourself. Or at least having the courage to ask them of yourself if you haven't already. Because what if who you think who you are, isn't necessarily WHO you are? Especially if your egos the one ruling the roost!

    Gaia is an internationally known Healer, Medium, Astrologist, Soul Progression Therapist & Reiki Master. She also holds a Masters in Management Studies and is qualified, by NYC's Omega Institute, in Past Life Progression Therapy.

    She founded Soul 33 at the age of 33 after experiencing her own awakening, an incredible unfolding and story, that she shares with us in this episode:

    We also talk about:

    Chasing silence and alone time to support the work of healingWhat we manifest when our mind, heart and soul aren't alignedPast Lives; giving us insights into why we are how we areOur Souls blueprint; how the lives we've lived before and now are carried in our cells & soulsListening to our bodiesLiving purely from our Ego Our conditioning, and how it can lead us to seek validation from our work & others views of usChrist ConsciousnessWitches/HealersVictim hood vs Growth - things happening "to" us, vs 'for' us The innate wisdom that comes from our past life experiences and how it informs our current livesWhy do we self-sabotage & self criticizeNavigating life from your heart & soul


    Plus so much more.

    Enjoy and as always keep the feedback coming. We appreciate you!

    You can learn more about Gaia by following her on Insta @soulthirtythree or at www.soul33.com

    Big love
    Jax & Kim x

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  • We got to dive off the deep end into this hopelessly hopeful conversation with Nick Ditchburn, Co-founder of Damn Thieves.

    This conversation was a gift to be a part of. We discussed all things mental health, creating community through conversations, re-building male archetypes & societal expectations, finding meaning in what you do & stepping back into your passion & creativity after a hiatus.

    Nick shared with us what inspired himself, and Damn Thieves co-founder Tony, to put their bodies on the line to fundraise for Mental Health organisations Gumboot Friday & I am Hope.

    And as much as we dove deep into important topics we had a damn good laugh along the way, and reminded ourselves of the importance of remembering to infuse a sense of play into life!

    We also yarned about:

    How children change your view on the world and how you move through itLosing a friend to suicide & the profound effect it can hav on youAnxiety & finding a way throughWhat we will tolerate & what we won'tDiscerning your own truth HealingAltruismStarting a not for profitSerendipity & "luck", how they show up when you start stepping into your purposeWe're all agents of changeHow the hardest things we do can sometimes end up being the easiest


    And we finished up on three important life rules: remaining hopelessly hopeful, being kind & not being rude to waiters!

    Big love Jax & Kim

    Trigger alert: suicide is discussed in a part of this episode, if it raises anything for you or you need emotional support please txt 1737 in NZ for Lifeline, or visit www.findahelpline.com to find a contact number for emotional support for the country you live in.

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  • There ain't no lonelier journey than the one back to yourself when you're brave enough to acknowledge you're living unaligned and need to fight your way back to your truth. Then courageous enough to do something about it.

    And that's what we dive into in this incredible convo with Bree Le Roux, whose had more than one of those, "hell no, there's something coming I need to be brave enough to look at" kind of moments.

    You know it's going to be an epic conversation when 5 mins in your guest proclaims "Faark, it was hard!" We did a lot of thinking out loud in this episode, and had a few revealing insights right in the middle of it, as well as our fair share of laughs!

    But most of all we hope this episode leaves you knowing that you don't have to show up shiny and bright all the time.

    That you can be brave enough to step into the fires of transformation knowing that doing the work is worth it. That you're NOT alone, even if we're in a Level 4 Lockdown! That facing the unimaginable is the gateway to the wisdom of knowing anything is possible. That if you push stuff down for too long you may end up crying on the treadmill or in the middle of a meeting .. (insert horrific, the world is going to end, type of emoji!)

    We also play a game of "what if's? and share some questions to ask yourself that are game changers.

    This is a feel good, learn lot's and feel like you've been hanging in our lounge room conversation. In a good way!

    Bree is an International Coach & Business Entrepreneur. She's had over 10 years personal psychotherapy experience, has a Bachelor in Counselling is an ICF Certified Coach and so much more, as well as being a kick ass human whose not afraid to bring her whole self to the table to help others. And for that we thank her.

    You can learn more about the work she does at Bree Le Roux Coaching - www.breeleroux.com or check her out on insta @breeleroux

    And as always we love hearing from you! Keep connecting with us at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or on insta & facebook @unicornsandhandgrenadeslife

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  • Life - just because you're not nailing it all of the time doesn't mean you're not doing it right. And doing life right, if there even is such a thing, isn't measured by being in a constant state of happiness, or a constant state of pursuing happiness.

    In this weeks convo we dive into all things 'happiness' and the pursuit of it. What's your definition of happiness? When was the last time you got intentional about defining what being "happy" is to you? And is happy even the right word!

    In this world of constantly striving to do more, be more and have more, we often miss the opportunity to par things back to basics. To be present in any given moment with grace, gratitude and an acceptance for what is.

    Instant gratification, numbing, distraction, chasing validation from others, social media.... just a few of life's plug ins, and the things often done to feel "happier".

    And here's the rub - life, happiness, feeling all the feels; it's all an inside out game. A game that is all too often unknowingly played from the outside in. And there ain't no winners in that kind of game.

    Also up for grabs in this episode:

    Happiness after loss and the associated guiltEverything that glitters isn't goldThe stories that we tell ourselves that negatively impact our ability to be presentHiding behind a shield of 'things' when we don't feel whole enough Beauty, joy & pain can all be intertwinedFeeling all the feels can really SUCKJudgement when we're not our happy, shiny, selves all the timePerspective shifts


    And loads more...

    Thanks for joining us and we love hearing from you! As always, you're suggestions & feedback really help shape what we do.

    You can connect with us on facebook or insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or flick us a message via www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com

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  • *trigger alert; see below. What happens when you love what you do, but it causes you heart break? The space between "Action & Cut" is the sweet spot in life for Actress Kim Crossman. It's the only place where she feels the Euphoria of being hyper-focused and fully present in the moment. Not worried about the past or the future.

    Kim is an Actress, Author, Presenter, Pretty Depressed Podcast Host, and an Ambassador for SPCA & World Vision.

    This is such a powerful, real & raw conversation, where Kim opens up her heart and shares with us her journey through depression, recently experienced suicidal thoughts, the taboo around discussing them with others, her insights, learnings & wisdom. She also shares her wicked sense of humor.

    We're so grateful to Kim for having the courage and vulnerability to share her story. She does so because she knows the power of sharing stories when it comes to changing a culture and helping others. And these are important conversations to have!

    Perfectionism & shame - always wanting to be better, do betterSelf worth & our own narrativesWhen you're an actor and are really good at hiding your sadnessHigh Functioning Depression (not often talked about)How can you support someone who opens up to you about being depressedHolding space for peopleFalling in love with people's potentialPeople Pleasing ReciprocityTherapy & unpacking the boxes in the basement of your brainDealing with things before they end up dealing to youTime & energy as a limited resourceWhen people disappoint usCatastrophizingShine the light on the darkness and the darkness dissipates

    Thanks as always for your continued support and please stay connected, feedback & suggestions always welcome, you can slide into our DM's on Insta and FB @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or via www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com

    If you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com, where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. They are also on Insta @findahelpline. If NZ text 1735

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  • We can't always choose what happens to us in life, but we can choose how we move through the aftermath of our metaphorical hand grenade moments. We can choose to pick ourselves up and do the work of healing,

    We can choose to transmute the pain into lessons learned & wisdom earned. And we can choose to keep ourselves & our hearts open to the Kaleidoscope that's life and ALL it has to offer.

    We can choose to live ALL in with intent. Knowingly. Aware that it likely means we'll encounter more "opportunities to learn" (aka get our butts kicked). We can choose to make choices based on trusting the wisdom & the intuition we've honed by walking through the fire to get out the other side.

    The alternative is living a half-assed life where we keep guard rails around our hearts to keep us safe. And that alternative earns a big, fat, no-thanks, from us.

    Brutal honesty about lessons learned & things we've had to unlearn is what you'll find inside this conversation. As well as brutal honesty you'll find hope, laughs and some questions to reflect on. Plus so much more.

    Life lessons can be brutal, and beautiful, and every messy place in between. But for us individually they've opened us up to a world we didn't see before. A world of possibilities. A world of "what if's"...

    Thanks for joining us, and our incredible guests each week. We appreciate you. As always we love hearing from you so keep reaching out on on f/b & insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com

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  • This week we're joined by Resilience Speaker and Author, Mark Wales. Bear Grylls described Mark's new book, Survivor - a life in the SAS, as "A powerful & honest story of courage, redemption and finding purpose". Join us for this inspiring convo centred around all things transformation, resilience, growth and purpose. A few of our favourite things.

    We hope it reminds you of the importance of knowing what you stand for in life and chasing things that align with that, before we all turn back into the stardust we came from.

    Mark is a former SAS Special Ops Commander who completed 10 Tour of Duties in Afghanistan, the last of which saw him witness his mentor being gunned down. After returning home he began the process of rebuilding his life, from the ground up.

    Also hanging out on his CV: an MBA from an Ivy League Business School in the US, Speaker, Founder of Kill Kapture, and competitor in the Australian TV series Survivor & Amazons Bear Grylls World's Toughest Race.

    We covered so much:

    How failure is an amazing liberatorUnlearning & re-learningLetting curiosity guide youWhat happens when our identity is stripped awayThe importance of finding your tribeThe only way not to fail is not to do anythingCreating your own path vs running down someone elsesThe importance of asking for help Fixed vs growth mindsetsHow we can achieve great results Chasing what you were put on this planet to doLegacies

    ...and so much more. We hope you walk away from it feeling inspired to chase what is important to you if you're not already on that path.

    You can learn more about Mark at www.markwales.com.au and you can find his book wherever great books are sold.

    Big Love
    Jax & Kim x

    Thanks for your support and stay connected, we love hearing from you. You know where to find us: www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or facebook & insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life

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