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 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/
Friday May 19, 2023
Friday May 19, 2023
Today we’re thinking about performance, pacing, permission and pressure.
Lots of P words.
I like P words.
Ask yourself, why does your productivity and performance fluctuate?
Why do you procrastinate?
Well, join me for today’s episode because I'm bringing you my three tips on sustainable productivity.
Here are the highlights:
(1:57) Pressure doesn’t equal productive
(4:37) Pacing before burnout
(7:39) Consistency is key
(9:19) Meditation goals
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
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
This is the story of my why and my vulnerability.
Purpose often comes from a story of pain and today I want to tell you about mine.
I hope that the experiences I’ve gone through will remind you that you are not alone!
You too can start to live your purpose and start to feel free!
Here are the highlights:
(02:21) Purposeful work
(03:22) The worried well!
(03:39) Vitality and joy
(03:59) Good girl conditioning
(04:54) I couldn't do it anymore!
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
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
If you have a strong inner critical voice, then this episode is for you!
Sometimes, your inner critic can be full of fear and doubt. It can be angry or subtle, driving a commentary in the back of your mind.
In whatever form it takes, the inner critic is difficult to ignore.
Today, we'll talk about the forms it takes, why you have it, how it protects you, and what to do about this voice.
Here are the highlights:
(05:00) Mantras of meanness
(05:55) What shape does it take?
(06:27) Why do we do it?
(07:48) Fear!
(08:22) The punishment doesn’t fit the crime
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
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thethomasconnection