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 Sep 14, 2023
Thursday Sep 14, 2023
People pleasing, setting boundaries, trusting yourself.
These are just a few topics I’m touching on today.
I’m joined by Natalie Costa, an award-winning coach, speaker, author and founder of Power Thoughts.
So, if you’re someone who has a mean inner critical voice, or you’re a bit of an overworker, then this episode is for you.
Join us.
Here are the highlights:
(2:18) This episode is for YOU
(7:27) Bringing toxic work culture into your own business
(16:06) How the nervous system is impacted by the programme
(20:07) The power of self-compassion and mindfulness
(29:26) Feeling scared about your worth
(36:58) How to find Natalie and her work
Find out more:
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
info@thethomasconnection.co.uk to ask Michaela about Burn Bright.
Natalie’s website: www.powerthoughts.co.uk
Natalie’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/powerthoughtsnc
Natalie’s previous episode on Pause Purpose Play: https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/power-thoughts-with-natalie-costa/
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
It’s easy to obsess over removing every imperfection.
We all know how hard it is to let things go when we don't feel that they’re ready.
So today, I’m answering your questions about letting go of ‘perfect’.
Join me, and let’s make more progress.
Here are the highlights:
(3:14) Just doing it
(6:45) How to burn bright
(9:39) Letting go
(13:24) Life coaching
I provide both coaching and therapy, and can identify which intervention is best suited to you and your current life circumstances, in a way that life coaches cannot.
I am so passionate about this that I am running a free masterclass about it on the 13th of September at 12.00 called
No Regrets-Build the life you want to live.
https://thethomasconnection.lpages.co/noregrets
The other exciting news is that the doors are now OPEN to Burn Bright for this round’s applications.
I won’t open the doors again until January 2024, so if this is for you–make sure to book a call with me in September.
Register your interest on
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
and I will answer any questions you have.
Application form for Burn Bright : https://info859178.typeform.com/to/xteAuHmx
Email me questions:info@thethomasconnection.co.uk
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
The focus of this episode is connection and compassion. If you are a high achiever or constantly busy, you need to be aware of the connections you are making every day and how they are affecting your life.
I want to help you understand how to connect with yourself, with others, and with your work so that you live life with a sense of pride and meaning.
So join me as I give you some journal prompts to help you connect with what truly aligns with your values.
Here are the highlights from this episode:
(01:56) Connection over perfection
(03:09) Live life in a way that matters to you
(06:18) Regrets about not living authentically
(07:19) Authenticity also feeds connection
(10:27) What is the thing that matters most to you?
You can find my FREE masterclass - How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out HERE.
You can book a clarity call with me, to work on shame through compassion HERE.
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
Thursday Aug 24, 2023
In today’s episode, I’m going to be talking about how you miss all of the shots you don’t take.
If you don’t ask for something you’re never going to get it.
I share stories about when I went out of my comfort zone to ask for what I deserved and how it has had a positive impact on my life.
Here are the highlights:
(06:32) Ask!
(08:23) Burn bright without burning out
(09:55) Why do women struggle with this?
(13:22) How to ask for what you need
(16:07) Have everything good, and then some
You can find my FREE masterclass - How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out HERE.
You can book a clarity call with me, to work on shame through compassion HERE.
www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Today's episode is all about the pressure of perfectionism!
I'm joined by Thomas Curran, a psychology professor at the London School of Economics and the author of The Perfection Trap. Thomas has spent a lot of time uncovering how societal pressures are a big driving force of perfectionism. Today, Thomas explains how personality traits are linked to perfectionism and how this can impact mental health.
We’ll delve into some of the pressures that lead to it and debunk misconceptions surrounding perfectionism and look at how it affects our lives and overall performance.
Highlights:
(12:38) It’s about trying to repair what you think is an imperfect self
(14:59) Success is like a bottomless pit
(19:27) Perfectionistic fantasies
(26:01) Looking at the world from a different lens
(28:26) It’s not healthy to be obsessive
(36:20) Trying to overcompensate
(41:25) You have to exist in a period of unknown
(55:00) It’s about leaving something in the world
You can connect with Thomas here
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Twitter: @thom_curran; LinkedIn: thom-curran |
You can find my FREE masterclass - How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out HERE.
You can book a clarity call with me, to work on shame through compassion HERE.
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Thursday Aug 10, 2023
Today we’re exploring an emotion.
That ‘cringe’ emotion.
That hiding-behind-a-pillow emotion.
That fear-of-being-judged-by-others emotion.
Shame.
Join me today, and learn to soothe shame with compassion and connection.
Here are the highlights:
(2:12) Shame and guilt
(5:20) Fitting in
(10:43) Peace with the past
(14:20) Burning bright
You can find my FREE masterclass - How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out HERE.
You can book a clarity call with me, to work on shame through compassion HERE.
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
Thursday Aug 03, 2023
In this episode, I will share something I haven't shared on this podcast before.
My hope is that you will feel seen. I want to boldly unmask what has been happening in my life and how I am evolving because I know you might be experiencing something similar.
Join me as I open up about self-worth, self-compassion, and neurodiversity.
Highlights:
(02:04) An evolution of growth
(04:17) It’s nobody's fault!
(06:40) Sense of liberation
(07:54) 5 hours of free coaching
(12:08) Things you need to get started
(13:15) Realise that you are not alone!
If you want to be part of the ADHD/perfectionism focus group and receive a free 1:1 session, reach out to me on info@thethomasconnection.co.uk
If you want to join my waiting list to be the first to hear about my offerings for perfectionistic, anxious ADHDers, enter your details here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/ADHD
Burn Bright masterclass:
https://thethomasconnection.lpages.co/burnbright
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.