That's Helpful is all about self-improvement backed by science. Every episode will teach you something that will shift your perspective, share a life changing skill or empower you to make better choices. Ed Stott invites the experts to share with you everything you need to know to build your best life one episode at a time.
Darlings, an EXCITING update on what's coming next - eek! x As always, if you have anything you want to say, ideas to pitch or collaborations you'd like to make happen, send me an email - thatshelpful @ edstott.com
What if everything you've been told about baby sleep is wrong and the real solution is already built into your baby's biology? Dr. Pam Douglas is the founder of the Possums Sleep Program, a science-backed, sanity-saving alternative to traditional sleep training. In this myth-busting episode, she shares where so many of the things we think we know about sleep come from, why they often create sleep problems instead of solving them & how understanding your baby's biology can change everything.
What if forgiveness didn't mean forgetting, reconciling, or letting people off the hook — but reclaiming your future? Learning how to forgive — even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world to do — is transformative. It's a complex process, and there's a real art to balancing boundaries and letting go. It's an art Rachael Coopes is obsessed with. She's the author of The Art of Forgiveness.
What if the pop culture you loved growing up was quietly teaching you to shrink, perform and turn on other women? In this episode, Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist Sophie Gilbert joins me to revisit the legacy of the 90s and 2000s — a time that likely shaped how you see yourself & other women. We talk about the toxic version of ‘empowerment' that dominated the era, why so many of us still feel stuck in competition mode and how we can start untangling the stories we were sold.
Know your phone is stealing your focus, but don't quite know how to take your back your brain? Here are 5 small, science-backed tweaks that will actually help. In this episode, I'm sharing how I broke the cycle—not with timers or guilt, but with insights from neuroscientists, psychologists, and attention experts who helped me understand the real cost of distraction, and what to do instead.
Feel like you're failing at motherhood? Maybe you're actually on the right track. In this episode, I chat with author and podcaster Victoria Vanstone about her year of “mumming” — a 12-month mission to try anything and everything to become a better mum. From parenting courses and rage walks to hiding in Aldi and whispering affirmations in the pantry, Victoria shares the real story of what worked, what didn't, and why trying (and failing) might be the most important part. If mum guilt, mum rage, or the pressure to “get it right” are part of your daily internal monologue — this one's for you. You'll hear:
Ready to stop asking for permission and start doing the thing you actually want to do? Ash Ambirge is here to hand you the match.
Tired of waiting for someone to give you a chance? This is how you stop waiting — and start doing. Whether you want to write, launch a project, change careers, or share your work with the world, this episode with author Amie McNee is your go-to guide. She shares how she stopped chasing permission, started backing herself, and built a creative career on her own terms — before anyone said yes. If you've been holding back on making something or becoming something because you're waiting to be picked… this is your sign to choose yourself. Yours helpfully, Ed x CHAPTERS 00:00 Living Between Two Worlds 01:47 The Essence of Art 06:22 Claiming Your Creative Identity 11:55 Self-Creation and Empowerment 17:14 Reclaiming Power as Creatives 22:41 Valuing Art Beyond Metrics 27:38 Taking Baby Steps in Creativity 29:31 The Power of Baby Steps in Creativity 32:24 Embracing Imperfection: The Art of Making Shitty Art 36:31 The Courage to Bomb: Lessons from Stand-Up Comedy 41:14 Vulnerability in the Creative Journey 45:50 The Transformative Power of Journaling BOOKSWe Need Your Art: Stop Messing Around & Make Something PODCASTS Ash Ambirge - Middle Finger Project Sam Reece - Shitty Craft Club The Unpublished Podcast (with Amie & James) CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find me on Substack & YouTube. Follow Amie McNee on Instagram.
I feel like I've levelled up in every single way since becoming a mum. But when I was pregnant, I only saw the negatives of motherhood & it wasn't until I had my baby that I realised the true power of becoming a mum. I invited Lauren & Lucinda from Ready or Not Podcast (where they chat all things work & parenthood) on to have a chat about this revelation & explore all the ways they feel improved by becoming a mum. Send this inspo to all your pregnant & new mum friends - I promise they will thank you!! Yours helpfully, Ed x CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Motherhood's Transformative Power 02:54 The Leveling Up Experience of Motherhood 06:06 Finding Your Voice Through Motherhood 09:02 The Shift in Identity and Purpose 12:13 Body Image and Self-Perception Post-Pregnancy 24:10 Navigating Guilt and Societal Expectations in Motherhood 27:47 Trusting Your Instincts: The Power of Intuition 31:53 Embracing Personal Growth Through Motherhood 36:20 The Creative Surge: Balancing Motherhood and Career 39:07 Reconciliation of Work and Motherhood 43:10 Empowerment and Community in Motherhood PODCASTSReady Or Not CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find me on Substack & Youtube. Find Ready or Not on Instagram This episode discusses: motherhood, transformation, leveling up, identity, self-perception, body image, motherhood journey, parenting, personal growth, empowerment, motherhood, intuition, personal growth, career, empowerment, societal expectations, work-life balance, creativity, self-care, community
If you're pregnant or have a new baby - I have some GAME-CHANGERS for you!! I'm coming up on my first year of being a mum and I've learnt so much. In this episode, I've whittled down a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears in to my 6 essentials - there's a couple of reccomendations & a few pieces of wisdom in there that I know you'll find truly helpful. Yours helpfully, Ed x PODCASTSHypnobirthing 101: Simple Tools to Make Your Birth Better Make Your Intuition Your Super Power with Prof Joel Pearson BOOKSHypnobirthing: Practical Ways to Make Your Birth Better Ina May's Guide to Childbirth PROGRAMSPossums Sleep Program CONNECT WITH ME Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find me on Substack & Youtube. This episode discusses: motherhood, hypnobirthing, baby sleep, new mom tips, new mum tips, motherhood journey, parenting advice, intuition in parenting, motherhood challenges, personal growth, motherhood insights
You might think you're doing it because you're too kind...but you're not (super awks). Today we're going to learn WHY you're a people pleaser & the 3 simple steps that will give you the confidence to make the changes you so badly need to, revolutionise your relationships & give you your energy back in the process. Dr Vicki & Dr Ritz are counselling psychologists from The Therapy Floor podcast. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Dr Vicki & Dr Ritz via their website. PODCASTSThe Therapy Floor This episode discusses: people pleasing, self-improvement, relationships, boundaries, psychology, self-esteem, communication, mental health, personal growth, emotional well-being
If you, like me, spend most conversations wondering when it's your time to talk - you're probably not a very good listener. And here's the kicker - it's likely affecting your relationships. In this episode we're going to learn the simple tips to level up our listening & turn it into our ultimate super power for deeper connections in every area of our lives. Ross Judd, is the author of Listening: A Guide to Building Deeper Connections. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Ross via his website & on Instagram. BOOKSListening: A guide to building deeper connections This episode discusses: listening, communication, relationships, vulnerability, body language, summarizing, emotional safety, deeper connections, self-improvement, personal growth
If you've ever said 'I'll just get through this...& then it will all be fine', this episode is MANDATORY listening. Overwhelmed? Me too! Today we're going to learn the simple systems to ease it once & for all. Michelle Gauthier worked in corporate America for 20 years helping business to simplify their work & make effective change - now she's turned her attention to helping people just like you. So let's get your shoulders dropped, that jaw unclenched and your breath a little deeper! CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Michelle via her website & on Instagram. PODCASTSMichelle's Podcast This episode discusses: overwhelm, mindfulness, life coaching, self-improvement, women empowerment, boundaries, mental health, stress management, personal development, work-life balance
PSA: Complexity DOESN'T mean complicated!! Today we're going to learn how to take a perfectly imperfect approach to eating - one that will maximise your nutrition, ditch the guilt and ease your food anxiety. Food feels like an area that should be simple but it's often anything but. We are complex beings dealing with a whole heap of confusion from diet culture, to social media, family input, food culture...the list goes on. So instead of taking an over simplified approach to what you eat, Food Nutrition Scientist Dr Emma Beckett wants you to lean into the complexity of nutrition & work with your unique biology to revolutionise the way you think about food. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Emma via her website & on Instagram. BOOKSYou Are More Than What You Eat This episode discusses: self-improvement, nutrition, diet culture, food anxiety, flexible eating, health, joy, food choices, kindness, empathy, diet culture, processed foods, nutrition, supplements, social media, perfect diet, food choices, kindness, health, wellness.
Kasey Edwards has spent the last 10+ years researching & writing about raising kids who like themselves & she's used everything she's learnt to re-parent herself. Now she's on a mission to teach you to do the same. She's rewritten the most common, toxic rules you were likely taught in childhood to show you that you deserve more than what you've been taught to accept. CONTENT WARNING: This episode briefly discusses child sexual abuse. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Kasey via her website & on Instagram. BOOKSGoodbye Good Girl, Hello Me Bringing up Boys Who Like Themselves Raising Girls Who Like Themselves PODCASTSThe 7 Non-Negotiables of Raising Girls who Like Themselves How to Bring up Boys Who Like Themselves This episode discusses: self-esteem, self-discovery, trauma, women empowerment, toxic beliefs, validation, love languages, personal growth, mental health, reparenting, love languages, relationships, body image, societal expectations, women empowerment, competition, self-worth, communication, emotional health, personal growth.
Where your attention goes, your focus grows - but are you really conscious of where you're spending your most valuable asset? This episode is going to change the way you use social media & spend time online FOREVER. If you, like me, are grappling with your relationship with the internet, the next hour is just for you. I want to help you take back control of where you focus your attention, take back your creativity & learn how to use your most powerful resource to its full potential. Annie Margaret is a teaching professor in the ATLAS Institute at the University of Colorado and an attention activist. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Annie via her website & on Instagram. OTHER HELPFUL LINKSAnnie's online course Social media addiction survey PODCASTSPreserving Childhood in an Age of Tech-Driven Advertising with Dr Susan Linn This episode discusses: social media, attention economy, mental health, distraction, technology, creativity, algorithms, parenting, media consumption, psychological effects, media consumption, social media detox, agency, identity shift, young people, digital age, attention economy, joy, inspiration, self-awareness.
How can we avoid passing on our own fraught relationship with what we eat? We all need to eat - it's a simple fact of life, yet for so many of us it's a very complicated thing. Even if we are one of the few people who do have an uncomplicated relationship with food, we live in a society saturated in diet culture. So how do we raise kids with a healthy relationship with food? Leslie Schilling is a non-diet dietician, nutrition therapist & the author of Born to Eat & Feed Yourself. In this episode, she'll teach you how to set your kids up with a solid relationship with food, regardless of your own. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Leslie via their website & on Instagram. BOOKSFeed Yourself Born to Eat PODCASTSDitch the Diet & Become the Healthiest You Yet How to Give Kids a Great Relationship with Food with Sumner Brooks Intuitive Eating 101 with its Creator, Evelyn Tribole OTHER INFOFat Talk - Virginia Sole Smith How To Raise an Intuitive Eater - Sumner Brooks Diana Rice - Anti-Diet Kids Parenting without Diet Culture - Oona Hanson Feeding Littles - Baby Led Weaning This episode covers: intuitive eating, parenting, diet culture, food relationships, baby-led weaning, nutrition, childhood nutrition, responsive feeding, food preferences, healthy eating, intuitive eating, parenting, food relationships, diet culture, mindfulness, body trust, child nutrition, healthy eating, food hierarchy, family meals
Spolier alert: you don't need much money, time or a fancy spreadsheet - it's genuinely SUUUUUPER simple. In less than 30 minutes, you'll learn the essentials to start making your money, make money. Women often receive REALLY bad advice when it comes to money - we're often told to scrimp & save whereas men are encouraged to ask for the raise, start a business, invest...it's easy to feel like this isn't for you. Today we're going to de-bunk all that, show you it's not a dark art & leave you feeling confident to grow your wealth. Bryce Leske & Alec Renehan are the hosts of Get Started Investing & they've gathered the 5 essentials you need to get started. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Equity Mates via their website & on Instagram. BOOKSGet Started Investing PODCASTSGet Started Investing This episode covers: pinvesting, ETFs, savings, compounding, crypto, financial literacy, women and investing, barriers to investing, diversification, investment platforms.
This episode is going to shatter the phrase ‘good girl' for you FOREVER. You'll see why striving to be a 'good girl' is robbing you of your energy, well-being & even your identity plus learn the research backed strategy on how to set yourself free to live the life YOU want to live. Dr Michelle McQuaid is an honorary fellow at Melbourne University's Center for Wellbeing Science & author of The Perfectly Imperfect Little Girl & The Perfectly Imperfect Women's Journal. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Dr Michelle via her website & on substack. BOOKSJoin The Perfectly Imperfect Books Launch Party PODCASTSLife Lessons in Divorce and Breakups with Helen ThornThe Good Girl Gamechangers Podcast This episode covers: parenting, raising girls, relationships, attachment, mindset, psychology, raising boys, patriarchy, masculinity, anger, identity, knowing yourself, mothering yourself, conforming to patriarchal standards, liberation, being empowered.
This time it's all about figuring out how to exercise CONSISTENTLY in a way that brings you JOY. No more ‘punishing' yourself for 60 brutal minutes - we're going to get you moving in a way you've never moved before - it's going to be so fun, you'll find yourself giddy to do it again, rather than dreading the next horrible session that you have to spend all day psyching yourself up for. Leah Barron is going to get us there. She's a registered dietitian & certified personal trainer who takes a non-diet, weight inclusive approach - her mission is to help you stop dieting & get stronger. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Leah on Instagram & via her website.
We're talking habits - how to start them, stick to them & make sure they're aligned with who you want to be. Anytime I do an episode on habits, you lot absolutely love it - and there's a reason for that - they're the cheatcode for creating the life you want to live. No one knows that better than my guest today, in fact she calls herself ‘the habit nerd' - Dr Bree Hurn is a productivity expert, with a Doctorate in Education who's obsessed with the science behind building better habits for work, health and mindset. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Dr Bree on Instagram & via her website.
Today - we're getting you the blueprint to find YOUR PEOPLE. It's brutal out there - a lot of people talk about how hard dating is now, but finding new friends who are on your wavelength & a community of your own can be just as hard. Fear not though - you know I've got your back. Tilli Conias is a professional community builder & the founder Mum Run - a 100+ strong weekly run club here in Brisbane. If you want to know how to build your own community & find your people, this episode is for you. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Tilli on Instagram & via her website. Find more about Mum Run on instagram & here.
Ready to get off the toxic dieting cycle & start actually eating healthy? You're in the right place because my guest today is THE expert in this. If you're sick of starting the New Year feeling like THIS is the year you stick to the diet only to feel gutted when you inevitably "fall off the wagon" a few days later this is for you. This is the year you heal your relationship with food, nourish your body with ease, become healthier than you've ever been & make room in your brain for JOY. It all starts with this conversation. Leslie Schilling is a non-diet dietician, nutrition therapist and author. She is on a mission to help you spot diet culture in your everyday life & teach you how to finally become free of its lies. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Leslie on Instagram & via her website. BOOKFeed Yourself PODCASTS Intuitive Eating 101 Interested in sponsoring the podcast, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com
Could life actually be better if you weren't holding it with a death grip!? Often we see so many traits & behaviors as directly tied to our morality - including those around how we look, feel, think and act. But journalist & author Rebecca Seal says many of the things we've been told are bad are actually just as useful as the good. Her latest book is called Be Bad, Better: How Not Trying So Hard Will Set You Free. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Bec on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS Be Bad, Better: How Not Trying So Hard Will Set You Free ARTICLES Rebecca's original article for The Guardian PODCASTS Unlearning Shame with Dr Devon PriceHow to Work Solo without Losing Your Mind TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:24 - Rebecca's own experience with perfectionism 00:11:39 - Why not trying so hard is empowering 00:18:00 - Why certain behaviors are tied to morality 00:27:10 - Embracing laziness 00:33:30 - Mindlessness over mindfulness 00:37:48 - Getting comfortable with negative emotions 00:48:00 - Accepting being human 00:50:50 - Where did these thoughts come from in the first place? 00:52:20 - Manufactured insecurity
The nueroscience of intuition & how to hone it as your super power. Professor Joel Pearson is a neuroscientist who's been studying how the brain processes unconscious information for 25 years. He's on a mission to distill the science of intuition into simple, practical rules that are easy to follow and can improve decision-making. His book is called The Intuition Toolkit. He shares his simple rules for us, how to hone in on our intuition, make it easier to listen to & when NOT to listen to it. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Joel on Twitter & via his website. BOOK The Intuition Toolkit PODCASTS Intuitive Eating 101 Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:24 Why intuition is Joel's passion 00:03:53 How hard is intuition to study in the lab? 00:04:54 How do you study intuition in the lab? 00:09:18 Why do we feel intuition physically? 00:11:17 Why are certain people more intuitive than others? 00:13:04 Self Awareness 00:16:45 Getting better at using your intuition over time 00:19:30 The difference between addiction & intuition 00:24:17 Intuitive Eating & processed foods 00:32:59 Probabilistic thinking 00:36:09 The importance of environment 00:39:12 When not to use intuition 00:45:00 The one thing to remember when it comes to intuition
How do you form the habits you actually want to commit to & break those ones that are holding you back? Today - I'm going to get you the answer to those questions. My guest is Dr Gina Cleo - she has a whole damn phd in the topic of behavior change and is an adjunct professor at Bond University in Australia. She's the author of The Habit Revolution. CONNECT WITH USConnect with That's Helpful & Ed Stott on Instagram. Find Gina on Instagram & via her website. BOOKThe Habit Revolution Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - edwina@edstott.com
When was the last time you got curious about your life? I mean, really curious: stopping to examine your beliefs, the way you work & even why you can never seem to switch off? If you're anything like me the answer is probably never, but curiosity can be a phenomenal catalyst for growth. That's what award winning journalist Meena Alexander's book is all about - it's called How To Be Curious & it's full of ideas to make you think differently about your life. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Meena on Instagram or via her website. BOOKSHow to Be Curious
If you've ever felt like you're not quite being true to yourself & you're living the life that's juuuust not quite the one for you, you're going to want to listen to this. My guest today has been there and she's made it her career to help others out of that very tricky spot. Kat John is the host of the Real Raw Relatable podcast and the author of Authentic, Coming Home To Your True Self. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode briefly mentions child sexual abuse. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Kat on Instagram or via her website.
Programs like ChatGPT can seem overwhelming if you're not tech savvy, but using AI as your shiny new assistant is more simple than you think. If you're yet to put ChatGPT or one of the many other AI to work, you're missing out on the ultimate productivity boosting, time saving tool - all you need is the know how! Leanne Shelton is a Global AI Coach, she's going to share exactly what you need to know without the techy jargon and help you tain, coach and teach your new AI assistant to help you work smarter, not harder. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Leanne on Instagram or via her website.
Worry doesn't get us anywhere, but figuring out HOW to stop worrying is an impossible task, so how can we do it better? Well my guest today is an expert in worry - she's going to talk us through why we do it & how to turn it into something that is actually helpful! Kate Sweeny, is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside where she runs the Life Events Lab. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Kate via her website.
If you're a millenial woman, the menopause is likely much closer than you think. So how can you prepare to embrace it rather than endure it? Dr Jess Blomfield says it's completely possible with a little bit of knowledge. In this episode we talk through some of the early signs & symptoms, how to advocate with your doctor & the role we can all play in pushing for a cultural shift in how we approach it. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Jess on Instagram. MORE INFOThe Australian Menopause Ecosystem
Want to know how to get your dopamine working for you instead of against you? It's a powerful driver & with a little knowledge it can be your in-built super power. Dr Anastasia Hronis is a clinical psychologist and the author of The Dopamine Brain, Your Science Backed Guide to Balancing Pleasure and Purpose. You're going to learn about what dopamine really is & how to get it to work with you, instead of against you. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Anastasia on Instagram & via her website.
For something that should be simple, resting is remarkably tricky - so how do we master this lost art? And why should we make it a priority? Well Claudia Hammond has become somewhat of an expert in the topic - she's a psychology lecturer, award winning broadcaster & the author of The Art of Rest: How to Find Respite in The Modern World which draws on her work on the world's largest ever survey into rest. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Claudia on Instagram & via her website.
If you have a business idea, or you just know you want to work for yourself but you're not sure how to make it happen, this conversation is for you. You probably have no idea where to start, little to no money, not much business experience & a whole heap of ‘what ifs' holding you back from getting started… Well back in 2011, Karina Irby was right where you are now. Today, she now runs & owns a multimillion dollar business & her bikinis are sold all around the world. So how did she do it? Well, if you follow Karina online, you'll know she is nothing if not totally open & honest so today we're going to learn some of her biggest business lessons on how to start a super successful company with absolutely nothing. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Karina on Instagram & via Moana Bikini TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Karina Erby and Her Journey 02:49 The Origins of Moana Swimwear 10:34 Building a Community and Authenticity in Business 19:30 Lessons Learned in Brand Building and Authenticity 26:01 Navigating Social Media and Its Challenges 35:22 The Authenticity of Online Content 36:43 Navigating Fame and Public Perception 38:27 The Challenges of Hiring and Team Dynamics 44:08 Goal Setting and Business Vision 46:30 Staying Motivated and Avoiding Burnout 48:22 Letting Go of Control in Business 49:48 The Importance of Resilience in Business 52:18 Learning from Mistakes and Building a Foundation 54:24 Balancing Femininity and Authority in Business 58:14 Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Fallen out of love with your job? Can't get an interview? Don't have the right connections? Not sure what to do next? The next 40mins are just for you! Global career coach Claire Seeber is answering your top career dillemas. Claire's first episode resonated with SO MANY of you that she's joined our little self improvement club once again to answer your trickiest career questions - all things I've been wondering & I'm sure you have too: - I no longer feel like my job is right for me. What do I do? - When is it time to quit? - Why can't I get an interview or a job offer despite numerous attempts? - Is it really 'who you know' that matters? - I've done loads of things in my career. How do I link them all together in my work AND on my CV? You're going to find this SO helpful. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Claire on Instagram or via her website BOOKS Less Hustle, More Happy PODCASTSPart 1: 5 Steps to Finding Fulfilling Work with Claire Seeber Ash Ambirge's Middle Finger Project on That's HelpfulClare's Podcast: Eating Your Cake TooThis Is Work
How do you split them - especially when one of you earns more than the other, if the worst happens - who gets what & how do you talk about them without killing the spark? Today's topic is a contentious one - one that so many couples will have come across & searched for a solution - I'm talking finances, not just yours but your partners too. These are the big questions that journalist & author Nicole Haddow has answered in her latest book Couple Goals: Building a strong financial future and an even better relationship. SA: The podcast is now also available on Youtube if you'd like to see our smiling faces while you listen! CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful & Ed Stott on Instagram. Find Nicole on Instagram & via her website. BOOK Couple Goals: Building a strong financial future and an even better relationship Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com
A Life Brief will align your daily actions with your ambition & values. So how do you create one? Bonnie Wan is a brand strategist - she's spent the last three decades helping huge brands like BMW, Pepsi and Heinz get clear about their purpose so they can grow and innovate. Almost 15 years ago, she turned these skills to her own life when she was going through what she describes as a ‘crisis of meaning' - it saved her marriage & reinvigorated her career. She's now distilled this process into what she calls The Life Brief - a tool for aligning your daily actions with your ambition and values. Today, she's going to walk us through the process. Her book is called The Life Brief: A Playbook For No Regrets Living. PSA: The podcast is now also available on Youtube if you'd like to see our smiling faces while you listen! Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful & Ed Stott on Instagram. Find Bonnie on Instagram & via her website. BOOK The Life Brief: A Playbook For No Regrets Living TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:35 Taking Time and Art 11:05 Deep Desires and Values 18:53 Creating Declarative Statements 21:17 Creating a Life Brief: Gaining Clarity on What You Want 24:14 From Clarity to Action: Turning the Life Brief into Reality 31:46 Life Briefs for Individuals and Groups: Deepening Connections 36:52 The Evolution of Desires: Revisiting and Redefining the Life Brief
Does manifesting work? Neuroscientist Professor Joel Pearson says yes! Here's why… By this point we're all familiar with the concept of manifesting & if you're listening to this podcast I'm guessing you've tried it too. But as you know our little self improvement club is FIRMLY backed by science - so what does it say? Professor Joel Pearson is a neuroscientist who's been studying how the brain processes unconscious information for 25 years. He explains why it works, what's happening in our brains when we do it & how we can make the process even more powerful. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram Find Prof Joel on Instagram & via his website BOOKS The Intuition Toolkit PODCASTS 5 Essential Rules for Using Your Intuition TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Definition of Manifesting 02:19 Priming: Changing Perception and Making Information Salient 06:27 The Role of Priming in Manifesting 10:16 The Power of Mental Imagery in Manifesting 13:11 The Influence of Self-Talk in Manifesting 17:42 The Impact of Visualization Abilities on Manifesting 20:45 The Benefits of Optimism in Manifesting 23:39 The Illusion of Material Possessions 26:26 Avoiding Mistakes in Manifesting 30:21 The Influence of Placebo Effect and Priming 37:19 Belief and Self-Identity in Manifesting
Being the hardest worker doesn't always pay off. So how do we channel all of that time and effort into something that does? Well Claire Seeber is the author of Less Hustle, More Happy. She's a career consultant who's spent the last 16 years in HR across many roles & multiple countries, she's had a front row seat watching the difference between the people who get ahead & those who don't. Spoiler alert - it's often not the hardest worker, nor the most technically qualified that's rising to the top - Claire has unlocked the blueprint for being valued, seen and fulfilled at work & she's identified those unhelpful career habits that may well be the reason why you're stuck feeling incredibly busy but not necessarily satisfied. Got a career question for Claire? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Claire on Instagram or via her website BOOKS Less Hustle, More Happy
Where does your kids' temperament come from, how strict should you be & is it okay to be a 'good enough' parent? Honestly, the last few months have truly humbled me - being a parent is HARD and with so much advice out there, it's VERY tricky to know what's best for your children. So what IS good for your kids? Luckily, Dr Norman Swan has done the work for us - from birth to ten years old in his new book So You Want To Know What's Good For Your Kids. If you're an Aussie, you'll know his name - he trained in pediatrics and he's also a dad, so he knows the struggle!! We talk through some of the biggest takeaways - everything from where our kids' temperament comes from, how to strike the right balance when it comes to discipline and what it means to be a ‘good enough parent'. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. BOOKS So You Want To Know What's Good For Your Kids TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Challenges of Parenting 05:15 Learning Your Baby and Parenting for Life 08:10 Crying Babies and the Evidence Behind It 10:32 The Importance of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding 15:31 Breastfeeding and Introducing Solid Foods 19:09 Introducing Solids and Allergies in Children 23:34 Understanding Your Child's Temperament 27:29 The Canvas of Genes and Environment 29:18 The Importance of Consistency and Setting Expectations 34:09 The Concept of 'Good Enough' Parenting 38:01 The Impact of Parental Match Fitness 40:08 Cleaning the House and Order in Parenting 43:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Aging can be a fairly daunting experience & when the topic comes to mind most of us try to move on and clear it from our thoughts as quickly as possible. But award-winning journalist Melissa Doyle is urging us to take an active role in aging to push back against ageism and make the experience healthier and more connected for us all. In this conversation Mel shares her aging toolkit & the lessons she's learnt from the experts on how to normalize aging and embrace some of our most challenging and transformative years. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Mel on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS How To Age Against The Machine
So often we prioritize romantic relationships above all others - whether it's searching for a ‘soul mate', choosing who we spend our time with or who takes priority in our lives…But according to Rhaina Cohen, the idea that a romantic partner is the only kind of relationship that can fulfill our emotional needs and bring meaning to our life is an incorrect one. Rhaina is an award winning producer and editor for NPR and she's the Author of The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Rhaina on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:00 - The relationship that made Rhaina re-think friendship 00:02:28 - The similarities between falling in love 00:03:46 - The hierarchy of relationships 00:07:00 - Why the phrase ‘just friends' is BS 00:09:23 - What defines a relationship when sex doesn't 00:10:10 - What we're missing out on by not prioritising friendship 00:12:50 - The lessons romantic relationships & friendships can take from each other 00:14:54 - The scripts of relationships 00:17:17 - How to make deep friendships 00:20:10 - Other people's reactions to close friendships 00:22:00 - Friendship break-ups 00:24:42 - How to nurture friendships to deepen them 00:27:00 - Reimaging friendship can help reinvent your life 00:29:57 - Dealing jealousy over close friendships 00:32:49 - Marriage is not a monopoly on closeness
When it comes to role models, toddlers may not be the first people you think of. Their reputation for tantrums, impulsivity, distractedness and general chaos doesn't put them at the top of most people's list. But Hasan Merali says you're wrong. He's a pediatric emergency doctor and the author of Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish The Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier and More Successful Way of Life. In this episode, he shares some of toddler's ultimate life hacks that could help everything from your work, to your relationship with food and even sleep! Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Hasan on Twitter & via his website. BOOKS Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Why are toddlers great role models? 00:03:00 - The masters of learning and building relationships 00:04:05 - Why toddlers' poor reputation is unfounded 00:05:14 - Why toddlers' brains are different to adults 00:07:15 - Lessons in laughter 00:09:19 - Finding joy 00:10:47 - Being kind 00:13:08 - Asking questions 00:16:06 - Setting boundaries 00:19:30 - Talking to yourself in the third person 00:23:10 - Toddlers are the ultimate intuitive eaters 00:26:51 - The sleep routine
Back in 2015, journalist Gemma Hartley wrote an article for Harper's Bazaar that went viral. The article was about emotional labor & it really hit home for so many people - in fact 2 BILLION people read it. It led to Gemma writing a book on the topic & coming up with some real solutions to this incredibly familiar experience. Gemma is the author of Fed Up; Navigating & Redefining Emotional Labour For Good. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Gemma on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS Fed Up; Navigating & Redefining Emotional Labour For Good. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:00:55 - The Mother's Day that led Gemma to write the book 00:03:30 - What is emotional labor? 00:06:35 - Society assumes women are the default parent 00:08:00 - The mindset of ‘helping out' 00:10:40 - What happened when Gemma's husband became the full time at home parent 00:12:30 - The response to ‘stop being such a control freak' 00:15:00 - Setting shared standards 00:19:00 - Emotional labor for men in the dating period 00:21:12 - Why Gemma no longer asks for ‘help' at home 00:25:11 - How to explain the problem without it becoming a fight 00:30:18 - Why taking on the emotional labor can make partners' lives richer 00:33:15 - Having the expectation that this is going to require more than a single conversation 00:36:16 - Taking on the emotional labor of addressing emotional labor (!!) 00:40:30 - It's okay to leave if someone isn't meeting you where you are
Often we see so many traits & behaviors as directly tied to our morality - including those around how we look, feel, think and act. But journalist & author Rebecca Seal says many of the things we've been told are bad are actually just as useful as the good. Her latest book is called Be Bad, Better: How Not Trying So Hard Will Set You Free. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com You can also find the video version of the podcast on Youtube here. CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Bex on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS Be Bad, Better: How Not Trying So Hard Will Set You Free ARTICLES Rebecca's original article for The Guardian PODCASTS Unlearning Shame with Dr Devon PriceHow to Work Solo without Losing Your Mind TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:24 - Rebecca's own experience with perfectionism 00:11:39 - Why not trying so hard is empowering 00:18:00 - Why certain behaviors are tied to morality 00:27:10 - Embracing laziness 00:33:30 - Mindlessness over mindfulness 00:37:48 - Getting comfortable with negative emotions 00:48:00 - Accepting being human 00:50:50 - Where did these thoughts come from in the first place? 00:52:20 - Manufactured insecurity
Grief is one of those things that many of us still have no idea how to talk about. Whether we've lost someone or know someone who has lost someone it can be very uncomfortable to know what to share, when & even how to just broach the subject. This struggle is one Cariad Lloyd knows well. After losing her dad at 15, she says she only really started to understand her grief when she was 34 and pregnant and decided to start her award winning podcast Griefcast. Running since 2016, the podcast has helped a whole host of people to process & verbalize their grief & Cariad's book encompasses some of those lessons. Cariad is a comedian & author of You Are Not Alone. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Cariad on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS You Are Not Alone PODCASTS Griefcast The Grief Gang Good Mourning TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:30 - What is the grief club? 00:02:30 - Why did Cariad start Griefcast in 2016? 00:06:00 - What enabled Cariad to start to grieve? 00:08:30 - Myths about grief 00:10:30 - Victorian time limits on grief 00:12:24 - What is grief? 00:14:20 - The physical sensations of grief 00:16:20 - How processing grief changed Cariad 00:18:19 - Grief never goes away & that's okay 00:24:09 - Why the 5 stages of grief are complete BS 00:30:30 - Dual process theory 00:34:00 - Why we should all be talking about death more 00:38:00 - What to say & do for someone who's grieving 00:44:05 - The best thing to do / say if an acquaintance loses someone
We all know how essential a good night's sleep can be for our health, but whilst we might be prioritising our bedtime routine, our partner's night time habits may be the thing that's costing us a perfect night's sleep. Whether they're a champion snorer, elite level fidgeter or they just have a completely different sleep schedule to you - it doesn't take much to affect our eight hours. So what can we do about it? How can we sleep better as a couple & is it time for a sleep divorce? Dr Wendy Troxel, is licenced clinical psychologist specially trained in sleep medicine & a senior behavioural scientist at the RAND Corporation think tank and the author of Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Wendy on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS Sharing the Covers: Every Couple's Guide to Better Sleep TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:11 Why this is Wendy's area of expertise 00:02:17 What does the research say about sleeping together or separately? 00:04:30 How men & women sleep differently 00:07:45 The benefits of sharing a bed 00:10:35 How we've slept throughout history 00:12:53 How important sleep is to our relationship 00:14:30 When to re-evaluate sleeping in the same bed 00:18:30 How to start experimenting with sleep as a couple 00:23:40 The stigma against night owls 00:27:28 Why we should see sleep as a social behaviour 00:31:51 Sleep as a public health issue 00:32:48 How to manage pets & kids in the bed 00:38:00 The one thing to take away 00:39:39 Sleep & morality
If you're anything like me, ageing is probably something you try not to think about. But it doesn't have to be this way - we can embrace ageing, help to combat ageism & make the most of all the brilliant things that come with it, without denying of course that it's not all wonderful. So how do we do it? Well, lucky for you, my guest today is an expert in this. Anne Karpf is a writer, sociologist, Professor of Life Writing and Culture at London Metropolitan University and the author of How to Age. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Anne on Twitter & via her website. BOOKS How to Age
A good skincare routine can be a truly fantastic thing, but with SO many products on the market making wild claims, it is incredibly hard to know where you should be focussing your time, not to mention your money. Fear not though, Dr Michelle Wong is here to help - you might know here as Lab Muffin Beauty Science on social media where she's been debunking the beauty industry since 2011. She's a cosmetic chemist & her latest book is called the Science of Beauty - we're going to work through some of the beauty myths & get you what you really need to know about the products you use everyday and what actually works. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Michelle on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS The Science of Beauty TIMESTAMPS00:00:00 Intro 00:01:20 How Michelle started researching the chemistry of beauty 00:03:55 Does more expensive mean more effective? 00:05:45 Can we trust the research that brands quote about products? 00:07:30 How can we tell if a product is working? 00:10:30 How to choose a good cleanser 00:13:00 Should you use a cloth or tool with the cleanser? 00:14:20 How to choose a moisturizer 00:17:52 What to look for in a sunscreen & how often to apply 00:22:45 How to use spray sunscreen 00:23:30 If your makeup has sunscreen included, do you need to apply sunscreen? 00:24:37 Other things to do to protect your skin from the sun 00:27:00 How important is sleep to our skin? 00:28:30 Do skin supplements work? 00:31:10 How to fade a scar 00:32:30 Dealing with stretch marks 00:33:55 Michelle's top 3 products 00:35:50 Sleeping to avoid wrinkles 00:38:15 Michelle's top 3 active ingredients 00:40:00 Michelle's top 3 tips
The saying goes - win the morning, win the day. But, if you're anything like me - your morning will be determined by your inbox, who calls first or what's been dropped in your lap that day. Productivity expert Donna McGeorge says this way of working is a big mistake and could see the quality of your work suffer, not to mention the extra hours spent at your desk later in the day. So how can we take back control, maximise our time & spend less of it working? Donna is my guest today & she's the author of The First 2 Hours: Make Better Use of Your Most Valuable Time. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Donna on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS The First 2 Hours: Make Better Use of Your Most Valuable Time PODCASTSHow To Supercharge Your Day with ChatGPT Productivity Hacks The Happiness Lab: Ask for help...spread happiness TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:10 - Why the first 2 hours are so important 00:03:06 - How to best structure your day for max productivity 00:05:30 - Tools for structuring your day & protecting your mornings 00:09:30 - How to write a to-do list that's actually helpful 00:13:30 - How to tailor your day to your circadian rhythm 00:21:00 - Don't give 100%, 100% of the time 00:26:40 - Bad habits that are costing your productivity 00:29:30 - Being mindful of the time you've gained back 00:34:00 - How to avoid social media stealing your saved time 00:36:00 - Being kind to your future self
If I were to ask you how healthy you are right now, what would you say? Would you tell me about your social life? How many friends have you connected with in the last week? Or how connected you feel with your local community? Probably not, but Kasley Killam says that social health is vital to our physical health & by ignoring it, we're missing out on some huge benefits. She's the Author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. Want to become a podcast sponsor, got some feedback for me or just fancy a chat? Email me - thatshelpful@edstott.com CONNECT WITH US Connect with That's Helpful on Instagram. Find Kasley on Instagram & via her website. BOOKS The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:20 - Kasley's definition of social health 00:03:29 - The importance of social health 00:05:35 - How social connection changes us physically 00:09:50 - Quality over quantity 00:11:15 - Signs of a good social connection 00:13:14 - How to do a social audit 00:17:34 - How to deepen connections 00:20:30 - The 4 social styles 00:26:00 - The ebb & flow of relationships throughout our lives? 00:29:00 - How to find your people 00:32:33 - The common barriers to making genuine connections 00:37:00 - When it's time to let a friendship go
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