Imagine if you could follow your ambition without drowning in it – how much more fulfilling life would be? That’s what Pause Purpose Play is all about – finding balance over burnout by setting you free from needing to be perfect, so that you can take action and get started with what matters to you, instead of getting stuck in procrastination and holding yourself back with self-limiting beliefs your inner critic tells you. In this podcast, Michaela Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, Couples Therapist and founder of The Thomas Connection, shares bite-sized learning around psychology of performance, habits, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, perfectionism, parenthood and couples relationships. The podcast will mix solo episodes with guest interviews; diving deep into their professional zone of genius and learning about how they have found pause, purpose and play in their life and in their work. My new book, The Lasting Connection, is available now from all good bookshops.
Episodes
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
Thursday Mar 26, 2026
If you feel constantly “on” - ticking off tasks, replying to messages, holding everything together - this episode is your reminder that your best thinking doesn’t happen in the busy… it happens in the pause.
In this solo episode, Michaela Thomas explores the power of deeper reflection - and why creating space (not more productivity) is often the missing piece for ADHD brains.
From a simple walk through London to imagining a retreat in Sweden, this episode invites you to rethink what rest, creativity, and problem-solving really look like.
In this episode, Michaela covers:
- Why constant busyness blocks creativity and insight
- The role of the default mode network (DMN) in ADHD — and why mind-wandering is not a flaw
- How “being away with the fairies” might actually be where your best ideas live
- The hidden cost of executive functioning overload (yes, even by 9am…)
- Why rest doesn’t have to mean being still or silent
- How movement (walking, swimming, singing) can unlock reflection and emotional processing
- The power of unstructured space vs over-planned routines
- A reframe on retreats — from “doing” to being, connecting, and allowing
Events mentioned in this episode:
- Sweden ADHD Women’s Retreat (11–14 June)
A small, curated space (only 5 spots) for rest, reflection, and connection
https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/shine-retreat-2026/ - Golden – London (15 May)
A brunch-style in-person event to pause, reflect, and connect with like-minded women
https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/golden-in-person-event-may-2026/
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