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 Jul 27, 2023
Thursday Jul 27, 2023
As mothers especially, we lack compassion for ourselves, and we don't implement self-care even though we know it's good for us and, better yet, that we deserve it!
We should not ignore our needs because we are meeting everyone else's. All this does is drain us. We can choose to change!
This episode looks at the necessary self-care and then looks at the tips for inviting more nourishing self-care into our day-to-day routines.
Highlights:
(02:08) You have no time for you when
(08:51) Which version of yourself will your children see?
(09:53) What are your warning signs?
(10:38) Yes but…
(11:04) Get a pocket of pause
(11:37) Doing self care can be small!
(13:54) Create your own rhythm
You can download my free worksheet, Calm the Overwhelm, here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm
Join us at the event I am hosting together with Sam Dhu, a recent guest on the podcast. Read more here: Nourishing You » Powered by ThriveCart
Order my book, The Lasting Connection – develop love and compassion for yourself and your partner here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thelastingconnection
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Thursday Jul 20, 2023
Sometimes life can be tough. We all experience hard knocks, and it always feels everything comes at you at once.
It can be overwhelming – I get it, and I am hear for you!
In this episode we are going to talk about how you can tackle those hard knocks with compassion and strength, so that you come out of the other side better than ever.
The brutal truth is that hard knocks are not easy to just grin and bear. They challenge us and they can get the worst out of us. Just remember: you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond to it.
Let’s get through this together!
Highlights from this episode:
(03:43) Reframing hard knocks as learning experiences
(05:32) Hard knocks at work
(09:5) Finding your feet when technology fails you
(11:26) Speaking to yourself with grace
https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/nourishing-you/
https://thethomasconnection.lpages.co/burnbright/
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Do you give yourself the permission to look after yourself?
In this week’s episode, I’m having a deep chat with my old colleague and friend, Sam Dhu.
Sam Dhu is a Psychotherapist, Coach & Facilitator of Permission. Mum to seven-year-old, Amelie and baby Frankie, and passionate advocate for being radically kind and compassionate to yourself.
We're tackling self-worth, permission, societal pressures and letting go of perfection. It's not just about the pay check, it's about meaningful work that truly makes you happy.
Plus, we have a special announcement about our upcoming event in central London on August 12th!
Can't wait for you to hear this episode! Let's dive in.
https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/nourishing-you/
You can find Sam on Instagram @samanthadhu and on her website, https://courses.samanthadhu.com.au/courses/the-permission-granted-experience-2023
Highlights:
(7.30) The link between perfectionism and self-worth.
(10.17) The cycle between stagnation and procrastination.
(15:57) The connection between success and worth.
(19:37) You don’t need to be exceptional to make an impact.
(25.48) The inner critic and inner bully.
(29.05) The importance of self-compassion and self-worth.
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
How do you prepare for a period of stress?
And more importantly, how do you recharge your batteries after a stressful event?
It is so important to know how to decompress, so in this episode I talk through some of the things you can do to bookend those stressful periods, whether it’s a one-off event or a high pressure job.
Highlights:
(01:51) Practice what you teach
(04:07) Making space for rest and recovery
(05:42) Burn bright without burning out
(07:23) The three questions to ask yourself
(09:16) Stress peaks vs periods of stress
Come along to my beautiful in person event with my friend Sam Dhu, Nourishing You, in London on the 12th of August:
https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/nourishing-you/
Watch the replay of the FREE masterclass for ambitious female entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs wanting to create more impact in the world, with less impact on themselves:
Burn Bright without Burning Out thethomasconnection.lpages.co/burnbright
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
How do you feel when you look at yourself in the mirror? Today I want us to address the pressure that comes with looking perfect.
For example, society has made us believe being thinner will make us happier but it doesn't!
Let’s take a deeper dive to understand why.
Highlights:
(00:59) More content with yourself
(02:25) The Model Manifesto
(06:32) Time consuming
(09:08) Sense of preoccupation
(10:17) The good girl narrative
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
Thursday Jun 22, 2023
What happens when perfectionists come to the realisation that they want to change?
In this episode, I want to explore perfectionism and why it takes time to change. I also explore how patience is key to sustainable and long-lasting change.
Here are the highlights:
(01:00) Patience is key.
(2:56) What gets in the way of living a meaningful life?
(4:57) Finding a new path to the jungle.
(7:02) Give yourself time.
(12:39) Shedding the skin.
Michaela's book, The Lasting Connection, can be found here:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thelastingconnection
Michaela's online course for couples:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thecompassionatecouple
Watch the replay of the FREE masterclass for ambitious female entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs wanting to create more impact in the world, with less impact on themselves!
How to Burn Bright, Without Burning Out (thethomasconnection.lpages.co)
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Today I'm joined by relationship coach and author, Matthew Fray.
Matthew wasn’t always a writer.
It all started with a blog post.
Matthew wrote one post online about how his wife left him because he left dishes by the sink.
But it wasn’t really about the dishes.
Join us today to hear how Matthew leans on the lessons of his own divorce to help others avoid making the same mistakes that he did.
Here are the highlights:
(3:11) Matt’s blog
(5:13) Dishes by the sink
(11:20) A hard pill to swallow
(19:56) Relativism and pain
(25:00) Ended relationships
(32:56) Awareness and compassion
You can find Matthew’s website and book HERE.
Michaela's book, The Lasting Connection, can be found here:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thelastingconnection
Michaela's online course for couples:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thecompassionatecouple
Watch the replay of the FREE masterclass for ambitious female entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs wanting to create more impact in the world, with less impact on themselves!
How to Burn Bright, Without Burning Out (thethomasconnection.lpages.co)
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
I want you to think about the kind of life you're trying to create.
What would life be like if you were more compassionate with yourself?
Why would you want to let go of ‘perfect’ when society demands that of you?
It’s all about letting go of the pursuit of perfection.
Join me today to hear how all this can help you create a more spacious life.
Here are the highlights:
(1:29) Just keep going
(2:50) Stepping out of perfectionism
(6:05) A compassionate mind
(9:45) Who do you want to be
(11:40) Compassionate minds
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
Thursday Jun 01, 2023
In this episode, I want to talk about procrastination and how you can feel compassion for yourself for your own avoidance.
So let me ask you, have you recently procrastinated again? Have you wasted time scrolling on your phone? Maybe you've gotten down a rabbit hole on Instagram.
I share my tips on how to end procrastination and become more productive.
Here are the highlights:
(3:51) All art is unfinished.
(7:51) Systems processes and focus tools.
(10:06) Boom and bust cycle.
(11:47) Why perfectionism can feed procrastination.
(13:23) The seven steps to breaking procrastination.
Thursday May 25, 2023
Thursday May 25, 2023
Today we’re looking at fear of failure and making mistakes.
This is a big one.
We all hate it. We all try to avoid it.
Recently, failure has become more discussed and socially accepted.
We see podcasts and books on the topic, yet we don't feel less cringy when we mess up.
So, join me for this episode as I outline my tips on tolerating the fear of failure and making mistakes.
Here are the highlights:
(2:05) What is the problem?
(4:13) Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
(5:53) Self-worth
(7:36) Forgiving yourself
(8:51) Human brains are tricky
Find out more about my book, The Lasting Connection at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/thelastingconnection
Find me at www.thethomasconnection.co.uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_thomas_connection
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaela-thomas/