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 Jun 04, 2026
Thursday Jun 04, 2026
In this episode, I'm talking about something many parents carry quietly: the guilt and shame of needing support.
Whether you're the last parent at pickup, relying on wraparound care to make life work, or trying to parent an intense, sensitive, or neurodivergent child without a village around you, this episode is for you.
I explore why support isn't failure, why childcare can be a form of scaffolding rather than a sign you're not coping, and why taking care of yourself is often one of the most caring things you can do for your child.
Because your child isn't in childcare because you don't care.
They're there because you do.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why modern parenting was never meant to be done alone
- The guilt many parents feel about needing childcare and support
- Parenting intense, sensitive and neurodivergent children
- Why support is scaffolding, not failure
- The impact of burnout on family life
- How childcare can help you recover, regulate and reconnect
- Releasing the shame of not being able to do it all yourself
If you're a woman navigating ADHD, perfectionism, burnout, or the pressure of holding everything together, I'd love to invite you to explore how we can support you.
To get my latest unhinged musings and get inspiration for how you can better meet your own emotional needs, make sure to get my Friday newsletter here:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/newsletter
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!