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 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
In this solo episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Michaela Thomas discusses the importance of self-compassion and resilience when life gets tough, particularly as a neurodivergent parent and businesswoman. Michaela shares personal struggles following her eldest child's diagnosis and emphasises the need to build supportive systems that allow flexibility in balancing professional and personal responsibilities. She highlights the challenges of parenting neurodivergent children and the pressures of running a business. Michaela also mentions future podcast topics and guest appearances, urging listeners to go easy on themselves and providing resources for further support.
00:00 Welcome Back to Pause Purpose Play
00:35 Guest Episodes and Shoutouts
01:31 Navigating Neurodivergent Parenting
03:00 Building a Business That Supports Life
04:40 The Challenges of Parenting and Self-Compassion
06:16 Upcoming Podcast Episodes and Plans
09:32 Seasonal Affective Disorder and Personal Reflections
12:06 Final Thoughts and Support Systems
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Michaela Thomas interviews Dr. Amber Johnston, a specialist in clinical health, pain management, and neuropsychology. Together, they explore common questions about the brain, debunk myths such as the '10 percent brain usage' theory, and discuss the differences between ADHD, neurodivergence, and giftedness. They delve into the science behind synaptic growth, neuroplasticity, and how individual experiences shape our brains. The episode provides insights on maintaining brain health through good habits, managing stress, and the importance of novelty for cognitive growth. The conversation also highlights the significance of compassion in addressing personal challenges and the relevance of understanding one's own neurological makeup to foster better mental health.
00:10 Meet Dr. Amber Johnston
00:32 Debunking Brain Myths
00:39 Understanding Brain Function
01:49 The Science of Habits
02:52 Revisiting the Brain's Complexity
04:40 Blood Flow and Brain Activation
08:34 Neuroplasticity and Brain Growth
12:23 Forming New Habits
20:57 The Role of Novelty in Brain Health
23:44 The Complexity of IQ and Intelligence
25:01 AI and Human Intelligence: A Comparative Analysis
25:56 The Role of Algorithms in Shaping Our Perceptions
26:58 The Function and Limitations of AI
28:11 Giftedness and Neurodivergence: A Deep Dive
33:23 The Impact of Early Attachment and Trauma
38:35 Balancing Stress and Eustress
40:00 The Importance of Intentional Rest and Play
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
In this special episode of 'Pause Purpose Play,' Michaela is interviewed by her friend Dr. Claire Plumley as they celebrate the podcast surpassing 200 episodes. Michaela discusses the inception of her podcast during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact it has had on listeners, and her motivations for starting it. The conversation explores Michaela's journey, her experiences with ADHD, and the challenge of balancing planning with spontaneous creativity. They talk about Michaela's various projects, including Burnbright, her associate practice, and other ventures. Moreover, Michaela shares personal anecdotes, reflections on her favourite episodes, and strategies she employs for self-care and emotional regulation. This episode offers listeners an intimate look into Michaela's experiences and the evolution of her podcast, along with valuable insights for entrepreneurs and content creators.
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Thursday Jan 16, 2025
Having trouble sleeping? Join for some useful tips as Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas chats with the brilliant Dr. Ranj Singh - NHS Doctor, Furniture Village Sleep and Wellness Ambassador and TV presenter - about sleep, anxiety and wellbeing.
Discover how sleep is linked with hormone regulation, anxiety, stress, burnout - and even ADHD.
Dr. Ranj shares his top tips for better sleep hygiene, managing stress, and sprinkling some self-compassion into your daily routine. Plus, hear how Dr Ranj handles criticism from social media trolls with grace, and why dancing like nobody's watching might just be the lift we all need.
Ready to give yourself permission to have better sleep? Tune in now!
Connect with Dr Ranj Singh on Instagram: @drranj
We cover:
01:06 The Importance of Sleep
04:22 Short-term and Long-term Effects of Poor Sleep
07:44 Improving Sleep Quality
13:40 Self-Compassion and Sleep
18:05 Purpose and Meaning in Life
24:41 Navigating Social Media and Comparison
28:00 Balancing Inspiration and Pressure
29:33 The Reality of Imperfection
33:19 Finding Joy in Social Connections
38:34 The Power of Authenticity
44:46 Handling Criticism and Social Media
48:19 Final Takeaways and Self-Compassion
Think your sleeping problems are linked with ADHD?
Take a look at Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Michaela Thomas interviews Jade Cook, founder and lead facilitator of Spectrum Community Arts.
The conversation explores Jade's experiences with her neurodivergent brain while running a business, the significance of formal diagnoses, and the importance of self-compassion.
Michaela discusses the benefits of diagnosis beyond self-identification, including access to support, and provides resources for those considering the assessment process.
https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhd/
Thursday Jan 02, 2025
Thursday Jan 02, 2025
In this New Year 2025 episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Michaela discusses the challenges neurodivergent individuals face with New Year's resolutions.
She encourages listeners to set intentions that prioritise well-being and self-care over traditional achievement goals.
Michaela shares her yearly themes and advises balancing effort and ease, being realistic, and surrendering to one's unique needs.
She invites listeners to reflect on their intentions and emphasises the importance of compassionate, sustainable practices for lasting change.
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Mikayla Thomas, a clinical psychologist specializing in compassion, ADHD, and perfectionism, delves deep into the concept of shame, particularly among individuals with ADHD. Thomas explains how shame, often external and stemming from societal judgment, exacerbates the struggles of those with ADHD. She discusses the importance of self-compassion in breaking the 'shame spiral' and offers practical advice on how to manage shame and adopt a more understanding and supportive approach towards oneself. Thomas also emphasises the need for compassionate assessments and provides various strategies to counteract shame and create sustainable change.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:37 Understanding the Shame Spiral
01:49 External Sources of Shame
03:59 Compassion as a Solution
05:35 Practical Tips for Self-Compassion
10:03 Impact of Negative Comments
12:30 Breaking the Cycle of Shame
13:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host Michaela Thomas, a clinical psychologist, discusses the intersection of ADHD and mental health. Michaela explains the importance of authentic self-representation and her approach to ADHD assessments. She addresses the link between ADHD and challenges such as anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and burnout. Michaela explains why obtaining an ADHD diagnosis can be beneficial, how it can provide clarity, and how it helps in understanding one’s strengths, challenges, and necessary accommodations. The episode emphasizes the importance of compassionate ADHD assessments and offers an insight into Michaela's unique approach, including both in-person and virtual options.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:06 Understanding ADHD Assessments
03:26 Exploring Neurodivergence and Mental Health
05:36 The Importance of ADHD Diagnosis
06:58 ADHD and Emotional Well-being
10:51 Perfectionism and Coping Mechanisms
13:26 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024