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 Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Black Friday is basically engineered to hijack an ADHD brain.
Countdown timers, flashing banners, urgency emails — it’s the perfect storm for impulsive buying and dopamine-driven decisions.
In this short solo episode, Clinical Psychologist and ADHD specialist Michaela Thomas shares three quick, compassionate strategies to help you navigate Black Friday with intention, self-trust, and calm, rather than getting pulled into impulsive spending.
You’ll learn how to pause before you buy, check your emotional state, and create a tiny, intentional “YES list” that keeps you grounded instead of overwhelmed.
Whether you’ve overspent before or simply want to approach the season with more steadiness, this episode offers practical tools you can use today — without shame, restriction, or perfectionism.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why Black Friday is especially triggering for ADHD brains
- How urgency and dopamine hijack your decision-making
- The 10-second pause that protects you from impulsive buys
- How to spot when you’re “emotion spending” vs. choosing consciously
- How a micro 3-item “intentional yes” list keeps you grounded
- How to honour your needs and your values during the sales
If you struggle with impulsivity, emotional regulation or burnout…
You’re not alone — and you’re not broken.
These tendencies are part of your wiring, not a personal flaw.
You might need support in learning to slow down for long enough to notice how you feel so you can regulate your emotions and nervous system.
Connect with Michaela:
- Instagram: @the_thomas_connection
- Website: thethomasconnection.co.uk
Join the newsletter for tools on slowing down with compassion on www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/newsletter
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!