Join Jax, Kim and guests in a series of real and raw conversations about being human and embracing life in all its brutal magnificence. Everyone's wisdom has their fingerprints all over it, and there's a magic that happens when people are vulnerable enough to share their stories. What would you do if you could live your wild and precious life, from your authentic truth and infinite potential? It's time to start that conversation. Here's to staying courageous, connected and never being afraid to unleash your inner awkward. Saddle up your unicorn peeps and get ready for the ride!
Heather joins us in this episode where we discuss all things related to mental and physical well-being, growth, meaning making and being the change we want to see!She's a member of the For All the Brothers Team, Co-owner of Movement Wellness Space, & Senior Occupational Therapist at Being Therapy and she's an all round epic human.Heather generously shares her story, & how that led her to doing what she does today. We explore amongst many things:Anxiety/overthinkingBeing vulnerable, real & building trustWhy we're so passionate about supporting men The power of BrotherhoodMental & physical health & wellbeingCommunication, and why it's so importantCalling BS on the ole "men don't cry"What it means to each of us to be the change we want to seeThe importance of PLAY in lifeCreating a movement through brave conversationsPlus a bunch more. Oh, and as always we have some laughs along the way at our own expense.This episode is dedicated to the memory of Dave Beaver (Jax's ex) who passed of prostate cancer this week. And a reminder that 1 in 8 awesome Kiwi Blokes will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The same number that will experience a significant brush with depression. So lads, ask each other if you're ok, start the convo & get ya prostate checked, it's a simple blood test and can save a life! As always, we value and appreciate your support. And here's to being the change we want to see, on step at a time!You can connect with Heather via: IG @forallthebrothers or @mvmt_conz or you can email her at hello@beingtherapy.co.nzBig love Jax & Kim
In this yarn we're talking all things Mental Health and Headspace Hacks with Certified Mental Health Coach, Jem Walker-Carmody. We explore what it means to do the Mahi (work), when it comes to owning our own Mental Health and Wellbeing. What does it look like to set ourselves up for success so we can do our best to live our one wild and freaking precious life from a place of thriving, vs surviving.We all have mental health. Some days we feel like Tigger on a sugar high, and others like Eeyore after a big night on the town... aka Dusty AF and not that bothered with life. And other days anywhere in between. Jem left her career in the Health & Safety Space to follow her passion and build a career in the Mental Health & Wellbeing space. And she has recently completed an Advanced Certificate in Mental Health with Prekure.Some of the gems (pardon the pun Jem), we explore inside this episode:Following your passionFeeling all the FeelsChasing the "Happy" highHeadspace Hacks: the top things we do to set us up for success when it comes to our Mental Fitness/HealthTrauma: transform or transmitDismissing & judging our own traumasAddiction: of the socially acceptable type (exercise/sex/work/social media etc)It's OK not to be OK! Deep listening and its powerOverwhelm/Stressand so much more.And remember, if you're not ok, that's ok, reach out to someone for support, to listen. Have the convo and embrace the Mahi . It's worth it.Big love Jax & Kim***If you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. IG: @findahelpline. If in NZ text 1737 for help.
If you want to know how to turn the dial down on stress & start kicking that MOFO to the curb then this episodes for you. It's our first 'Espresso Ep' of the season. Espresso Eps are short & sharp hits, like your morning caffeine (under 30 minutes), where we focus on something that is topical, in a more practical, tips & tricks way.Ever wondered why some people can experience pressure without becoming totally stressed out, while others under the exact same situation become overwhelmed with stress... us too.Join in to find out more about, and what to do when you're under pressure to help ensure you don't free fall into stress.Inside you'll find: Pressure is NOT StressThe secret ingredient you do NOT want to add to pressure that turns it into stressReflection vs RuminationPractical tips & tricks to drop you out of stress when you are experiencing pressureWaking upPerspective ShiftingControlling your AttentionLetting go (year we hear ya, that MOFO's a tricky one)AcceptanceInstagram shiny happy feeds (calling BS on those)Curating with IntentionVanity Metrics vs Soul Metricsand more....Slide on into our DM's on the ole Insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life to let us know how you find Espresso Eps and if you would like more, we're here for you, not us, so would love your feedback.Or you can contact us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.lifeAs always thanks for listening in. We appreciate you.Big Love Jax & Kim xx
We're joined around the mic this week by our first guest of the season Bridgette (Biddy) Jackson. So saddle up your Unicorns, & get ready for a dose of triple trouble! This convo's equal parts realness, wisdom & laughter alike. There is so much gold here for the taking & Bridgette, or Biddy as we like to call her, is so generous in sharing her story, wisdom and expertise. Lucky us! If you're single, in a relationship, needing to get out of one, or at the beginnings of one, this episodes for you! Our around the campfire convo covers;· The near death of her daughter while in the middle of a separation· Questions to ask before getting into a 'serious' or de-facto relationship · How do you know when it's time to end a relationship (and some of the signs)· The importance of perspective & gratitude in the face of hand grenades· Good enough is freakin great, & perfection is our armour· How to know your worth and step into that· Finding purpose in what you do & chasing your passion· Diving into the dating pool; oh & we had a rather stellar business idea around this· What holds people in a relationship, past its expiration date· When is the 'right' time to separate if you have children· Defining Failure· Till death do us part... yeah/nah· How to have a healthy relationship (spoiler alert, do the work required for growth before you step into the next one!)And so much more...Bridgette is a CDC-certified Divorce/Separation Coach with a post graduate dispute resolution qualification. She's also a trained divorce mediator (AIMNZ) Relationship Coach (Institute for Life Coach Training) an enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand Having experienced her own prolonged divorce, she founded Equal Exes in 2018. Born out of her desire to support and guide people navigate their own separation and/or divorce with dignity. While at the same time enabling the process to be less time-consuming and costly. In conjunction with Equal Exes, Bridgette co-established with Nick Scarlett, Equal Group Holdings and Equal Workplace Support, providing new corporate programmes to assist employees with confidential divorce & separation support through their workplace. To learn more about the great work she & her team do check them out: Instagram: @equalexes & @equalgroupholdings or visit their website at equalexes.comThanks for joining us on this ride. As always, we love hearing from you with guest suggestions, questions or topics. Best way to reach us... on the old Insta: @unicornsandhandgrenades.lifeIf you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. IG: @findahelpline. If in NZ text 1737 for help.Catch you in the next episode.Big loveJax & Kim
We're BACK! Forgive us listeners, for we have sinned, it's been a year since we last released an episode. This is one of our most vulnerable episodes. It's real, it's raw, and there's a fair amount of laughter in there too. Mainly at our expense.We're excited to reconnect with y'all again and we kick off with an update around our Hand Grenade & Unicorn moments, from our time away, and why we've taken a breather.We talk: Affairs - Jax opens up, for the first time about the experience of this ending her 30 year marriageDating - after aforementioned 30 year marriage & 4 years single, ye gods it's a jungle out there!Hustle CultureChasing Happy & pushing Sh*t downDistracting from feeling the feels, Netflix, alcohol, over work, dating apps & validation, you name it, everyone's got their go to distraction! OverwhelmAnxietyAnd loads more. It's time to saddle up your unicorn and join us on the ride again beautiful humans! You can contact us on the ole IG: Unicornsandhandgrenades.life and feel free to slide on into our DM's with feedback or any guest or topic requests.Keep being freakin awesome. We appreciate you!Jax & Jim. xx
In this episode we're joined by Kate Billing. One of our favourite humans. Kate is a Speaker, Author, Thought Leader and Change Maker. She is a Faculty Member of Thought Leaders Business School and Founder and Creative Director of Blacksmith. As someone who is passionate about putting the tricky business of being fully human right at the centre of how we live, lead and work you can be sure this conversation is going to take you on one soul filled, kick ass, no pretence rollicking ride. The messy ride that is being human.A melting pot of psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, & sociology with a hefty dash of magic, vulnerability and humour is how we would describe it.We talk about choosing to own who we are, what we believe and how we show up in the world. How prepared are we to be seen? Let alone being comfortable enough to fly our freak flags!We also explore how our most transformative experiences, usually involve the breaking down or burning up of something. We cover so much ground as we sit around the campfire in this convo: Not letting who you are get in the way of who you can becomeKate's breaking & burning defining momentsThe importance of light & shadow in our own experienceUnderstanding why we sufferBeing better humans & leadersEndless curiosity & fascination with the ourselves & those around usSynchronicity & IntuitionMagicTransition & agingLeadership being your ability to be visible in the world (not a title)Being explorers, & pathmakers (vs following old maps)Living our lives asleep at the wheelAnd so much more.We are so grateful for Kate's generosity of spirit & wisdom in this episode, we hope you walk away feeling just a little of what we did after sharing time with her.You can find Kate on Insta: @katebilling and at www.blacksmith.co.nz.Big love Jax & Kim xxOh and feel free to come follow along on Insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com, let us know what you'd like more of and any feedback or ideas.
In this Episode we dive into all things dating with professional Matchmaker Sasha Madarasz. It's a dating minefield out there peeps, from the brutal to the magnificent and everything in between. Sasha helps us navigate through the dating maze by sharing wisdom and insights gained over her 19 years as a professional Matchmaker. We also have a damn good laugh, as you would expect with any convo centred around dating.She founded her dating agency Two's Company in 2003 having come from the fast paced world of TV & Film.Jax also shares the vulnerability that going on her first date in 35 years exposed. We cover so much in this convo:The art of datingKiwi dating culture, or lack thereofWhy we should date like the EuropeansThe importance of braving a second or third date, where you normally wouldn'tCourage & vulnerability Chemistry - the quick fix or the slow burnExpectations & assumptionsMatchmaking differentiatorsOur self protection mechanisms Self SabotageOvercoming fear when it comes to 1st datesKissing Cousins ;)And so much more.We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it with Sasha.To learn more about Sasha & Two's Company you can visit www.twoscompany.co.nz or insta @twoscompanynz and f/book @twoscompanyBig love Jax & Kim
In this episode with Vitality Hub owner, Sonya Bower, we discuss all things related to living a life full of vitality. Through her love of competitive sports & adventure racing she has developed a unique approach of training people how to move & heal. Also how to move away from chronic stress & pain patterns so they can live a life in which they can thrive. This episode is about vitality & SO much more. And lots of laughs along the way. If you've ever arm wrestled with body image, what makes us sexy, fitness, over training, no training, no time to train, balance, or flow, you'll love what we unravel in this episode. She also shares with us her experience of paralysis connected to the peak of competitive Adventure Racing.It's an episode that has the power to really shift your thinking around lot's of things, we also discuss:The importance of rest in a hustle cultureThe inability to say no to thingsThe power of the mind, the concept of pain and how we overcome itNervous systemsStress systems & how to get around themFrom rip shit & bust to sustainable flowDad bods/Mum bods, energy & what makes us sexyHealing ourselvesCarrying emotional pain in our bodiesThe ethos of positive forward movement in life & trainingDitch the scalesDisassociation from personal trauma & body painSonya has been a PT for over 30 years, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in PE from Otago and through her love of competitive sports & adventure racing she has developed a unique approach of training people how to move . Also how to move away from chronic stress & pain patterns so you can live a life in which they can thrive. Her and her team that Vitality Lab are epic, you can check them out at www.vitalitylab.co.nz and on IG @vitalitylabBig love Jax & Kim
What happens when your ole mates uncertainty & ambiguity come for a sleep over and forget to go home?! Which has pretty much been the state of the world for the last 2 years for most people on the planet.And are they friends with benefits? Or friends without?It's been over 3 months since we've recorded and there's been a lot of changes for us both in that time. Which also means a lot of unlearning, re-learning, taking leaps, trusting, and continuing to adjust how we move through the world. But that's pretty much the game of life we've all signed up to play.So we dive into all of that and much more in an open and honest conversation about what we've been noticing, navigating, celebrating and letting go. You'll also find hanging around the convo campfire:Were things every really that certain before the world collectively went topsy turvy?We can have it all, but do we want it all?When you think you're aligned, and slip out of alignmentHow to notice when you let the things that were your not negotiables start to creepThat the minute you think you have this life thing nailed be prepared to learn you don'tHow to ground yourself in the swirl of lifeWhat happens when you leap, then get real comfy in your new norm.... yup you guessed it time to buckle up and leap againParenting, relationships Clinging to comfort when it's doing you a disservicePlus so much more, we even have aha moments in the actual episode, gotta love it when that happens.Oh and we also give you a little taste of the amazing guests we've got lined up! It's so freakin good to be back! Thanks for all of your support and being patient through our recording hiatus. It'll all make sense when you listen on in.If you'd like to let us know what's important to you to hear more of, or have anyone you'd love for us to bring on the show.... message us on IG @unicornsandhandgrenades.life You can also find us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comBig loveJax & Kim
This episode is dedicated to anyone that's ever felt like a square peg in a round hole, or like they're sitting on the sidelines watching everyone else 'do life' easily. If that's you, it was us too, so we've gotcha in this episode!We're joined by coach and all round epic Human, Shiobhan Friel. It's a playful, deep and energised convo centred around the nature of being Human, inner peace and other cool sh#t. We walked away from it feeling lit up & light as, and our hope is you will too. We explore why we're often dragged around by our thoughts, like a bull being pulled along by its nose ring. Or a ragdoll having the baby jesus shook out of it. Why do we take them so damn seriously, is there another way? Well, we reckon there is. Life's too short to live from the sidelines, immersed in our thinking, dripping in anxiety & believing every story or Thoughtstorm that passes through our lens of perception. And with the state of the world currently it's never been a better time to challenge how we look at life. Because it's damn tough out there. For many! We invite you in this episode to play a little game of 'what if' with us. To put down your beliefs about what you thought you knew about thinking and how we're designed to work. You can pick them up again after, they'll still be waiting for you. We promise. It takes a bit more than one convo to see the emperor's clothes for what they are. But one convos a good place to start.We hope you enjoy this yarn as much as we did! You can find Siobhan on Instagram @shiobhanfriel or by visiting her at www.siobhanfriel.com where her website will have you smiling from the inside out.Big love Jax & Kim
In this episode we dive into all things Wellbeing with Philly Powell from the Wellbeing Junkie & the Wellbeing Tick. As creator of Aotearoa's first wellbeing workplace accreditation programme, the wellbeing tick, Philly is passionate about seeing the day where toxic workplace culture is eradicated and Aotearoa's mental health statistics are improved as a result of healthy workplaces where people are empowered to thrive.She is also a qualified Nutritionist, Corporate Wellbeing Expert, Real Food Enthusiast, Yogi, Runner, Snowboarder, Competitive Crossfitter and all round epic human. She's passionate about living large through holistic health & well being, real foods, endorphin releasing exercise & soulful socialising. So as you can imagine this is an episode jam packed with some powerful stories, wisdom, reflections & tips that are highly likely to challenge your thinking around wellbeing & what thriving means to you. Some of the things you'll find hiding inside: Lockdown learningsCovid Silver LiningsMeditationThe power of gratitude & reflectionFinding our purpose in life & integrating it into what we doSingledomThe power of silence & sitting with yourself in discomfortPost traumatic growthPrioritising our wellbeingThe most common barrier to wellbeing for peopleMidlife musingsThe connection between what we put in our bodies & our mental healthSlowing down & balance: the Yin & Yang of our lifestyles & our physicalityBurnout & how we can be in it without realising itHolistic Wellbeing; a state of mental spiritual, physical & financial wellbeingPlus so much more! You can find Philly at www.thewellbeingjunkie.co.nz or follow her on instagram @thewellbeingjunkie @wellbeingtickWishing you and yours an amazing Christmas and an epic New Year. Catch you on the flipside.Big loveJax & Kim
This week's guest, Stephen Brunton, deep dives into a powerful and vulnerable conversation with us that we know will shine a little light & share a little hope for those who listen in. We start off exploring what it's like to leave your “job/job” to follow your passion and fall into alignment. As an actor and a voice over artist this is something Stephen's recently done. We explore all the different triggers and opportunities that come hand in hand with braving the unknown when you make that call. He also generously shares his, and his partner Brigitte's, real & raw journey through their experience of miscarriage. In NZ miscarriage affects approximately 1 in every 4 women and their partners. Yet it's not something we openly talk about often. And it's something that can leave many who experience it feeling alone. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Stephen & Brigitte for sharing their experience and engaging in a conversation many shy away from. If this triggers anything for you please head to www.findahelpline.com for emotional support or www.miscarriagesuppot.org.nz There is so much rich wisdom in this conversation around… Navigating through the difficult journey of miscarriageThe volatile world of actingMinimizing the amount of “soul killing” work we doDivorcing yourself from the concept that doing the thing you love has to be the thing that earns you moneyWalking the tight rope of uncertainty Separating from our pre-determined ideas of successThe “happiness equation” & how we define it Happiness & balanceVanity metrics vs soul metricsBuilding a solid foundation through holistic discipline Getting back to basics & taking care of our well beingPink Bats & the Pink Bat Man And much more! Thanks for all your support and staying connected. You can find us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or on @unicornsandhandgrenades.life (facebook or Insta). We love the two way convos so keep em coming. Big loveJax & Kim
This week we're joined by Aimee Kovacevic, author of: Cracked Open - A Teacher's Battle with Perfection . Aimee is a Self Love & Mindset Coach, Teacher, Author, Gym Owner & Mama. In this episode we explore all things burnout, perfectionism & compassion fatigue. Things that led Aimee to crack open and notice she'd forgotten who she was, what was important to her, and what kind of human and teacher she wanted to be. It's such a beautiful open and raw conversation where Aimee shares with us the challenges she faced in overcoming perfectionism, suffering compassion fatigue, and what it was like to start setting boundaries after putting everyone ahead of herself for so long. We also talked about:Her journey back to herself & awakeningThe dark night of the soulThe links between education & burnoutFinding your calling only to find it doesn't fill you up the way you thought it wouldCaregivers & Compassion FatigueSelf-awareness & accountability What makes us happy in our workPushing down the grief of miscarriage & pretending it wasn't thereBeing told you are too much, & that you should care lessSetting boundariesGrowthTransformationAnd so much more...Aimee's book is due for release on the 24th November and if you would like to learn more about her and where you can get her book you can follow her on instagram @the_teachers_lounge_nzWe hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did and thanks for continuing to support us by tuning in. Let's keep the conversation going, and tell us who and what you would love to hear. You can find us on instagram and facebook @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comBig love Kim & Jax xx
This conversation with Gaia is full of mind blowing wisdom and insight, from this world & beyond. We dive deep into all things spiritual, soulful, universal, past lives, life lessons & growth related. It's a conversation that supports finding and speaking our own truth, so we can do what we were put on this earth to do.Why am I here? What's this all for? There's got to be something more than this? Why do we have to repeat lessons & cycles for our souls learning? Who am I? No, really, WHO AM I? What happens if the plans you made for your life differ from the plans the Universe has in store for you? We hope after listening you'll feel one step closer to answering some of these hard hitting questions for yourself. Or at least having the courage to ask them of yourself if you haven't already. Because what if who you think who you are, isn't necessarily WHO you are? Especially if your egos the one ruling the roost! Gaia is an internationally known Healer, Medium, Astrologist, Soul Progression Therapist & Reiki Master. She also holds a Masters in Management Studies and is qualified, by NYC's Omega Institute, in Past Life Progression Therapy. She founded Soul 33 at the age of 33 after experiencing her own awakening, an incredible unfolding and story, that she shares with us in this episode:We also talk about: Chasing silence and alone time to support the work of healingWhat we manifest when our mind, heart and soul aren't alignedPast Lives; giving us insights into why we are how we areOur Souls blueprint; how the lives we've lived before and now are carried in our cells & soulsListening to our bodiesLiving purely from our Ego Our conditioning, and how it can lead us to seek validation from our work & others views of usChrist ConsciousnessWitches/HealersVictim hood vs Growth - things happening "to" us, vs 'for' us The innate wisdom that comes from our past life experiences and how it informs our current livesWhy do we self-sabotage & self criticizeNavigating life from your heart & soulPlus so much more.Enjoy and as always keep the feedback coming. We appreciate you!You can learn more about Gaia by following her on Insta @soulthirtythree or at www.soul33.com Big loveJax & Kim x
We got to dive off the deep end into this hopelessly hopeful conversation with Nick Ditchburn, Co-founder of Damn Thieves.This conversation was a gift to be a part of. We discussed all things mental health, creating community through conversations, re-building male archetypes & societal expectations, finding meaning in what you do & stepping back into your passion & creativity after a hiatus. Nick shared with us what inspired himself, and Damn Thieves co-founder Tony, to put their bodies on the line to fundraise for Mental Health organisations Gumboot Friday & I am Hope. And as much as we dove deep into important topics we had a damn good laugh along the way, and reminded ourselves of the importance of remembering to infuse a sense of play into life!We also yarned about:How children change your view on the world and how you move through itLosing a friend to suicide & the profound effect it can hav on youAnxiety & finding a way throughWhat we will tolerate & what we won'tDiscerning your own truth HealingAltruismStarting a not for profitSerendipity & "luck", how they show up when you start stepping into your purposeWe're all agents of changeHow the hardest things we do can sometimes end up being the easiestAnd we finished up on three important life rules: remaining hopelessly hopeful, being kind & not being rude to waiters!Big love Jax & KimTrigger alert: suicide is discussed in a part of this episode, if it raises anything for you or you need emotional support please txt 1737 in NZ for Lifeline, or visit www.findahelpline.com to find a contact number for emotional support for the country you live in.
There ain't no lonelier journey than the one back to yourself when you're brave enough to acknowledge you're living unaligned and need to fight your way back to your truth. Then courageous enough to do something about it. And that's what we dive into in this incredible convo with Bree Le Roux, whose had more than one of those, "hell no, there's something coming I need to be brave enough to look at" kind of moments. You know it's going to be an epic conversation when 5 mins in your guest proclaims "Faark, it was hard!" We did a lot of thinking out loud in this episode, and had a few revealing insights right in the middle of it, as well as our fair share of laughs! But most of all we hope this episode leaves you knowing that you don't have to show up shiny and bright all the time. That you can be brave enough to step into the fires of transformation knowing that doing the work is worth it. That you're NOT alone, even if we're in a Level 4 Lockdown! That facing the unimaginable is the gateway to the wisdom of knowing anything is possible. That if you push stuff down for too long you may end up crying on the treadmill or in the middle of a meeting .. (insert horrific, the world is going to end, type of emoji!)We also play a game of "what if's? and share some questions to ask yourself that are game changers. This is a feel good, learn lot's and feel like you've been hanging in our lounge room conversation. In a good way! Bree is an International Coach & Business Entrepreneur. She's had over 10 years personal psychotherapy experience, has a Bachelor in Counselling is an ICF Certified Coach and so much more, as well as being a kick ass human whose not afraid to bring her whole self to the table to help others. And for that we thank her.You can learn more about the work she does at Bree Le Roux Coaching - www.breeleroux.com or check her out on insta @breelerouxAnd as always we love hearing from you! Keep connecting with us at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or on insta & facebook @unicornsandhandgrenadeslife
Life - just because you're not nailing it all of the time doesn't mean you're not doing it right. And doing life right, if there even is such a thing, isn't measured by being in a constant state of happiness, or a constant state of pursuing happiness.In this weeks convo we dive into all things 'happiness' and the pursuit of it. What's your definition of happiness? When was the last time you got intentional about defining what being "happy" is to you? And is happy even the right word! In this world of constantly striving to do more, be more and have more, we often miss the opportunity to par things back to basics. To be present in any given moment with grace, gratitude and an acceptance for what is. Instant gratification, numbing, distraction, chasing validation from others, social media.... just a few of life's plug ins, and the things often done to feel "happier".And here's the rub - life, happiness, feeling all the feels; it's all an inside out game. A game that is all too often unknowingly played from the outside in. And there ain't no winners in that kind of game. Also up for grabs in this episode:Happiness after loss and the associated guiltEverything that glitters isn't goldThe stories that we tell ourselves that negatively impact our ability to be presentHiding behind a shield of 'things' when we don't feel whole enough Beauty, joy & pain can all be intertwinedFeeling all the feels can really SUCKJudgement when we're not our happy, shiny, selves all the timePerspective shiftsAnd loads more...Thanks for joining us and we love hearing from you! As always, you're suggestions & feedback really help shape what we do. You can connect with us on facebook or insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or flick us a message via www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com
*trigger alert; see below. What happens when you love what you do, but it causes you heart break? The space between "Action & Cut" is the sweet spot in life for Actress Kim Crossman. It's the only place where she feels the Euphoria of being hyper-focused and fully present in the moment. Not worried about the past or the future. Kim is an Actress, Author, Presenter, Pretty Depressed Podcast Host, and an Ambassador for SPCA & World Vision.This is such a powerful, real & raw conversation, where Kim opens up her heart and shares with us her journey through depression, recently experienced suicidal thoughts, the taboo around discussing them with others, her insights, learnings & wisdom. She also shares her wicked sense of humor. We're so grateful to Kim for having the courage and vulnerability to share her story. She does so because she knows the power of sharing stories when it comes to changing a culture and helping others. And these are important conversations to have!Perfectionism & shame - always wanting to be better, do betterSelf worth & our own narrativesWhen you're an actor and are really good at hiding your sadnessHigh Functioning Depression (not often talked about)How can you support someone who opens up to you about being depressedHolding space for peopleFalling in love with people's potentialPeople Pleasing ReciprocityTherapy & unpacking the boxes in the basement of your brainDealing with things before they end up dealing to youTime & energy as a limited resourceWhen people disappoint usCatastrophizingShine the light on the darkness and the darkness dissipates Thanks as always for your continued support and please stay connected, feedback & suggestions always welcome, you can slide into our DM's on Insta and FB @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or via www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comIf you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com, where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. They are also on Insta @findahelpline. If NZ text 1735
We can't always choose what happens to us in life, but we can choose how we move through the aftermath of our metaphorical hand grenade moments. We can choose to pick ourselves up and do the work of healing, We can choose to transmute the pain into lessons learned & wisdom earned. And we can choose to keep ourselves & our hearts open to the Kaleidoscope that's life and ALL it has to offer. We can choose to live ALL in with intent. Knowingly. Aware that it likely means we'll encounter more "opportunities to learn" (aka get our butts kicked). We can choose to make choices based on trusting the wisdom & the intuition we've honed by walking through the fire to get out the other side. The alternative is living a half-assed life where we keep guard rails around our hearts to keep us safe. And that alternative earns a big, fat, no-thanks, from us. Brutal honesty about lessons learned & things we've had to unlearn is what you'll find inside this conversation. As well as brutal honesty you'll find hope, laughs and some questions to reflect on. Plus so much more. Life lessons can be brutal, and beautiful, and every messy place in between. But for us individually they've opened us up to a world we didn't see before. A world of possibilities. A world of "what if's"...Thanks for joining us, and our incredible guests each week. We appreciate you. As always we love hearing from you so keep reaching out on on f/b & insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com
This week we're joined by Resilience Speaker and Author, Mark Wales. Bear Grylls described Mark's new book, Survivor - a life in the SAS, as "A powerful & honest story of courage, redemption and finding purpose". Join us for this inspiring convo centred around all things transformation, resilience, growth and purpose. A few of our favourite things. We hope it reminds you of the importance of knowing what you stand for in life and chasing things that align with that, before we all turn back into the stardust we came from. Mark is a former SAS Special Ops Commander who completed 10 Tour of Duties in Afghanistan, the last of which saw him witness his mentor being gunned down. After returning home he began the process of rebuilding his life, from the ground up. Also hanging out on his CV: an MBA from an Ivy League Business School in the US, Speaker, Founder of Kill Kapture, and competitor in the Australian TV series Survivor & Amazons Bear Grylls World's Toughest Race. We covered so much:How failure is an amazing liberatorUnlearning & re-learningLetting curiosity guide youWhat happens when our identity is stripped awayThe importance of finding your tribeThe only way not to fail is not to do anythingCreating your own path vs running down someone elsesThe importance of asking for help Fixed vs growth mindsetsHow we can achieve great results Chasing what you were put on this planet to doLegacies...and so much more. We hope you walk away from it feeling inspired to chase what is important to you if you're not already on that path. You can learn more about Mark at www.markwales.com.au and you can find his book wherever great books are sold. Big Love Jax & Kim xThanks for your support and stay connected, we love hearing from you. You know where to find us: www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or facebook & insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life
In this episode we dive deep into everything fear related. Because let's face it, a life lived in fear is a life not fully lived. Fear lets us know we're alive. Like any of the other emotions that pass through us, it's a vibration, & an energy. We get to choose our relationship with it. We can let it keep us small, comfortable, safe & unseen. Which it's originally designed to do OR... we can transmute its energy & use it as an enabler to success. Because the only difference between a healthy does of fear, vs excitement, is the lens of thinking we layer over it. Yup it's our beautiful brains going to work to protect us from that saber tooth tiger or man eating dinosaur. Oh but hang on, they don't roam the earth any more, so we dig into how helpful that primal response is and what actually triggers it in this day and age.There is very little physiological difference between fear & excitement. In fact we're suckers for predictable fear... cue scary movies, roller coaster rides & sky-diving. The kind of fear we can immerse ourselves in with certainty that the outcome is likely one where we're ok.But the fear of heart-break, loss, failure, being seen, uncertainty, well that's a whole other ball game, or is it? Tune in as we challenge our thinking around our relationship to fear and how our hand grenade moments brought us so much freedom around it. The cool thing we discovered, you don't need a hand grenade moment to change up how fear can rule your life, you just need to be open to challenging some existing paradigms and thinking you have around it. Thanks as always for your support. You can hang out in our conversations on facebook or instagram @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com drop us a message and let us know who and what you want to hear more about next.Big love Jax & KIm x
A combination of hand grenade moments led to this week's guest, Zane Munro, starting "For all the Brothers". A not for profit organisation focused on changing views around men's mental health. In fact, last weekend he walked 24 hours straight, over 110 kms and raised $16500 for Lifeline NZ and I am Hope. So he's not just talking the talk... he's actually walking the talk, literally, all 110km's of it. This is one of those wisdom packed convos that's equally powerful for all the sisters hanging out in listener land too. It will give you an insight into why it's sometimes difficult for the men in your life to open up when it comes to talking about their feelings and processing emotions. Especially with the women in their lives. Hell let's face it, in general. Zane openly shares with us his healing journey, his growth and his insights. We laugh, we cry... well we don't really cry, but we do talk about crying, and why it's hard for men to cry in front of women. Plus a whole lot more...The power of community & connectionEveryone is going through, has been OR will be going through something......so we're never as alone as we feelThe power of sharing our stories in an honest, genuine & vulnerable wayChildhood Trauma and how it impacts us as adultsOpening the door for men to have vulnerable convos with the women in their livesSelf love & knowing our worthHow long does it take to heal, about as long as a ball of string is!Bacon & Egg PieStrategies to grow Mental Wellnessand heaps more...To connect with Zane and For all the Brothers you can head on over to insta @forallthebrothersWe hope you enjoy this one as much as we enjoyed recording it. Keep the feedback coming we love connecting with you, you can join the convo at insta & facebook : @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or come visit our website www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comIf you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com, where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. They are also on Insta @findahelpline Big Love - Jax & Kim x
How do we live a life aligned to who we truly are? It's a question that's pondered throughout the ages by philosophers and us common folk alike. Followed closely by the next question... How do we manage to stay grounded in our alignment when life starts coming at us full force. So based on some recent listener feedback, and our own lived experience, it's a question we chose to muse on in this episode too. We speak from the heart around what it means to us, and how we've fought hard to get to the place where we can say we're genuinely living with open hearts and in alignment with ourselves. Despite our hand grenade moments & our heart break. On reflection, maybe even because of those two things.We also talk through:What alignment looked like to us before our hand grenade moments vs nowFeeling trappedHow does the way we measure success in life affect our ability to live an aligned lifeAligned to what....?Protecting sacred space for ourselvesThe importance of dropping out of the "doing" space and stepping into "being" moreLiving life in black & white vs colorBeing alone vs enjoying solitudeAcceptance & surrender & the part they play on the journey to alignmentDo we have to fully align in the work we do & what does that look likeMeaning making in lifeNot taking it all too seriously and embracing that sense of playAnd lots more. We love having you drop in on these conversations as much as we love you sharing your feedback. So keep the connection coming, you can find us on www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com and on insta & facebook: @unicornsandhandgrenades.lifeGo forth & slay your week. Big Love, Jax & Kim
Stress can be a b*tch, but it's also a necessary and unavoidable part of life. The other necessary part of life is taking ownership for the way we process and deal with stress in the midst of our hand grenade moments.In this episode we get real about stress, burnout & our experience of both. We share our most recent experiences with stress, as well as uncovering what we keep learning along the way and how we process it differently now. Did you know our stress cycle has a beginning, a middle and an end? But how often do we just lurch from one crisis, to another? Without allowing our bodies to complete their stress cycle process? And then what happens when we do that, you guessed it, we get stuck! We end up burying emotion, & carrying it, like a giant backpack full of bricks. Until we can't carry it anymore. Cue Emotional Exhaustion. The thing that happens when we've been carrying too much for too long. We talk about the ground-breaking work of Emily & Amelia Nagoski - from their book Burnout, the Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. And we share their simple, & scientifically proven, ways of completing the stress cycle. There are seven, and the good news, you only need to do one of those seven to process your emotions, heal & move through the stress cycle out the other side to completion. It's a game-changer. Enjoy, and as always thanks for your incredible support and your messages. We love hearing from you. Keep em coming.Big Love Kim & Jax. xxCome join us on insta & facebook, for more content, we'd love to see you there. Or you can contact us via our website below.@unicornsandhandgrenades.lifewww.unicornsandhandgrenades.com
Jason Nockels joins us in an eye opening and candid conversation, where he shares with us what it was like growing up as a gay man, in a white middle class, military family in small town NZ. Heads up... you're going to have to hold on to your Unicorn for this ride of an Episode, In a good way! He shares openly with us his journey, which at the core of it is about stepping into who you are and how you want to move through this world. It's about challenging EVERY entrenched belief you have and discovering what it looks like to rip up the rule book of life & completely rewrite it, on your terms, as you go. Imagine being told by a teacher at school that you're stupid, that you belong in the gutter and you should disappear into a black hole & die. Jason didn't have to imagine, that was his lived experience, that and many other mind blowing moments like that.In fact there are many points in this convo where the knee jerk response from us is simply - WOW! Wow said in disbelief, Wow said in respect, Wow said in shock & awe! We're sure you will have your own wow moments as you listen in too. There is also a fair few laughs along the way.As well as sharing his story we discuss: Moving from a long term relationship & monogamy to an open relationshipPros & cons of both Liberation on all frontsBarriers & the purpose they play in survivalCovid 19 career curve balls, break ups & revelations Moving to MexicoLetting go of cultural conditioning & expectationsHaving to hide who you areBeing shoved out of the closet vs dancing with gay abandon out of itLiving in the shadow of the RainbowFocusing on experiences vs outcomes & so much more! Enjoy.As always if this convo brings up anything for you that you would like support on head to: www.findahelpline.com, where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. They are also on Insta @findahelpline or if in NZ text 1735 for support.
This week we're hanging with Genevieve Mora, a mental health advocate who is GM and Co-founder of Voices of Hope and co-creator of Love your Kite. Gen is incredibly generous in sharing her story. It's a story that's led to her using her lived experience, her truth and her voice to help others fight their way through, and out the other side, of mental illness. She's one wise old soul, and has lived more life than most in her 26 years and she's living proof that we all have what it takes to survive whatever our universal crash and burns might be. Gen remembers with vivid clarity the moment she stepped into anxiety, and how from there her anxiety then morphed into her experience with Anorexia.. There's so much gold held in the container of this conversation. We also talked about. How to support a loved one, or friend, whose going through mental health challengesHow do to hold hope for them, until they're healed enough to hold hope for themselvesThe importance of having a toolbox to support wellbeing & what's in hersIsolation, healing & getting back amongst lifePlans not going to plan, and that actually being part of the planHer excitement for the futureChallenges she's face as she's moved into her role of GM for Voices of HopeCelebrating the small stuffThe power of stories & how you can help Voices of Hope... and so much more. We hope you enjoy this conver as much as we did. Big love Jax & Kim xYou can check out the amazing Gen & her team and the work they do at www.thevoicesofhope.org or www.flyyourkite.com. Or head over to insta and follow them for some great content. Insta: @voicesofhope and @loveyourkiteIf you need emotional support please head to www.findahelpline.com, where you can find the helpline number for whatever country you live in. They are also on Insta @findahelpline
When life drops you to your knees you're faced with a choice. To either stay down, or fight your way back to standing with a healthy dose of surrender, humility and hope. Janelle Brunton-Rennie chose the latter & today she generously shares her story with us. At 36 years old Janelle lost her soulmate and husband Kurt to Blood Cancer. Her story is a love story with an ending neither of them saw coming. At the time of Kurt's diagnosis their daughter Sage was 4 months old & Janelle was navigating a journey with post-natal depression as well as some other hand grenade moments. She was also running a full time PR business. Less than a year on from his diagnosis Kurt was gone. This conversation took our breath away, for so many beautiful reasons. We're pretty sure it will take yours away too. As well as leaving you with a sense of gratitude and perspective it will leave you with some real gems of wisdom around how powerful & resilient we are as human beings. Gems that are true across any of life's hand grenade moments. One of Janelle's super powers is her ability to find words for expressing big feelings and using her story to shine a light of healing & hope for others. Within her story we also explore:Trusting our divine guidanceLiving a life led by intuitionStarting to feel alive againBringing grief into the present vs grieving for a future storyLosing friendships Honoring what feels right for youExcitement for the futureThe importance of doing the inner workHow the universe guides usYou can go through hell & come out the other sideBalancing the Divine Masculine & FeminineLosing the Yin to your YangJanelle is the founder & director of PR Company Media Jam. She's also a speaker, writer & storyteller whose committed to helping others on their journey of healing and hope. You can find her on instagram @janellebruntonrennie and at www.janellebruntonrennie.comIf this brings up anything for you and you need support please text 1735 in NZ or go to www.findahelpline.com to find the right support contact for your country. You can also find Find a Helpline on instagram @findahelpline
A near death experience. A moment where everything changes. A moment where you no longer take for granted the notion of having a future, because that potential is threatened. Where you lie on the side of the road wishing for death to take away the pain & suffering. That was reality for Kim some 18 years ago when she was involved in a head on car collision & her whole life changed. Not only did she defy the odds by surviving, but she did so with a spinal fracture in 3 places, facial lacerations, internal organ damage. Oh, & she was Surrounded by very real uncertainty as to whether she would ever walk again. In this episode we get naked in public again, metaphorically speaking, (aka vulnerable), as we discuss the recent road trip that helped support closure around this experience, the spreading of her parents ashes, & how we get up each day with the hope & knowledge that every days' a clean slate. Us Humans... we're resilient beyond all bounds. Sometimes we just don't know it. This is an episode where we share some of the further light bulbs we've had around healing & surviving trauma based on recent events. It's a convo where we weave through the below plus much more. We also share with you some tangible tools we've recently used to help support us:Lightning never strikes twice & the other stories we tell ourselvesWhat Closure looks likeHow we can dive head first into healingSurrender, acceptance & choice ... the part they play in healingGrounding ourselves in the present, & some tools to support thatHow EVERY day's a fresh startThe Magic's in the messPlanning not to planWe are either victims OR survivors of our circumstancesHow to keep doing the workTherapy & tools sharedWe've outlined the tools we talk about; R.A.I.N & S.T.O.P on our instagram page, if you want to revisit them. You can find us on insta & FB @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or contact us via www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comWe love hearing from you & thanks again as always for your incredible support & interaction.Jax & Kim
"Just take the next breath".... sometimes our hand grenade moments are so life shattering that the only thing we can do to start moving ourselves through them is to take the next breath, then the next... & wash, rinse, repeat, until we can figure out some bigger steps that will get us out the other side of 'surviving' & back to 'thriving'.That was the case for this week's guest Tania Stewart. If the School of Hard Knocks dished out degrees, Tania would be graduating with a Masters majoring in resilience, personal growth & finding joy through loss & grief. Plus an honorary mention for a wicked sense of play & humour. Tania's story is one of hope, heart & resilience. It's shared openly in the spirit of helping anyone who has (or will) suffer loss & therefore grief. Whether it be loss of a relationship, a job, a child or a parent. 10 years ago Tania experienced every parents worst nightmare. She lost her beautiful daughter Enya, who was 2 at the time. And that's not the only hand grenade moment she's grown herself through. Yes, it's a deep conversation, at the same time it's inspiring and uplifting. It holds so many gems of wisdom around resilience & personal growth we know you'll find insightful. Plus we have some laughs along the way too. This episode is dedicated to Enya Stewart, a beautiful, bright, shining light. If you are in NZ & this episode brings up anything for you, that you need support on please text 1737 any time for trained counsellor support. Thanks again for listening in. You can leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, we read all of our reviews and we love our two way convos with you too, so keep reaching out to us on insta or f book @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or contact us at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comBig love Kim & Jax x
*Trigger warning: parts of this episode reference suicide, depression & domestic violence This week we're joined by Richie Hardcore. Richie is an educator, keynote speaker & activist, working in violence prevention, masculinities, mental health & wellness. So it's no surprise this convo is full of the real, the raw & everything inbetween. Our pain, suffering & mistakes can be our best teachers, especially if we look to find our own roll in what's gone wrong, vs looking to blame others & outside situations. We discuss the tough stuff, as well as celebrating lessons learned from mistakes made, opportunities missed & heartbreaks suffered. Because heart-breaks lead to hearts-"full", full of learning, love & hope.And all of that stuff, is the stuff of life. It's what underpins our growth, our humility & our humanness. It's how we deal with the tough in life that defines & shapes us, that will make or break us. We explore all this plus:Moving the needle on traditional definitions of MasculinityRole modelling as parents Relationships... until death do us part?!?... OR....Learning from the past & tools to support our growthAnchoring ourselves in the past vs shedding the ballast & forward growthLove is a verbTalking about & coping with death, feelings, grief & loss Our personal journeys are ALWAYS a work in progressOur stories leading to our purposeTaking ownership of our choicesWe all get things right, we all get things wrong, the power is in our learning & growth. And remember, part of that learning is compassion & forgiveness for ourselves & others travelling along the same road.To learn more about Richie & his work you can find him at:www. richiehardcore.comor follow him on insta @richiehardcore A shout out & a reminder around some of our support services in NZ:National Helpline: text 1737 for 24/7 support from a trained counsellorLifeline Aotearoa: on 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354) or text 'Help' to 4357 for 24/7 trained counsellor supportWomen's Refuge: crisis line: 0800 REFUGE or via info@refuge.org.nzSafe to Talk: Sexual Harm Helpline: 0800 044 334 or text 4334Immediate threat or harm contact emergency services on 111.If you are listening elsewhere around the world, it's always a good idea to be across the support available in your country so you know where to go if you need it or where you can direct friends & family if they need it.Big love Jax & Kim xxPS: We love hearing from you so keep it coming...www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comInsta and FB @unicornsandhandgrenades.lifeWe love hearing from you so keep it coming.
This is one powerhouse of a convo with a powerhouse of a women. Megan Alatini is a Singer, Performer, Performance Coach, Presenter, MC, Mum, Wife & an all round epic Human.She's graced our TV Screens on Popstars (as a member of True Bliss), Dancing with the Stars, & as a judge on NZ Idol, amongst other things.There's so much goodness & gold for the taking throughout this chat. When we can be who we want to be and do what we want to do, we get to step into our power & shine our light. But being true to ourselves sometimes comes at a cost, especially when it involves popping your head above the parapet & into the spotlight. We explore how Tall Poppy Syndrome is alive & kicking in NZ & what drives the behaviour that sees people delight in tearing others down. Megan shares with us the most transformative moment of her life. Be warned, eyes may leak. We also get to yarn about: Making the most of our experiencesHow to become a little softer & less critical on ourselvesTransitioning from South Africa to NZ The importance of family support & connectionInner Strength through AdversityDancing, singing, laughing, crying...and loads more. We hope you enjoy this convo as much as we did, and as always thanks for listening in & for your feedback. Keep connecting, we love the two way convos. You can find us on Insta & FB: @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comIf you'd like to learn more about Megan or Au Consulting, you can find her on Insta: @megan_alatiniFB & Linked in: Megan Alatini
We're getting real about getting real in this episode. Authenticity, is a word that's been thrown around more than a hot potato of late. Wouldn't life be easy if we could all just show up as our true selves and trust that others were doing the same?! No *BS, radars required. Bringing ALL of us to ALL situations.Ahhh... Nirvana. But alas not the case, that would be way too easy, which is what we explore in this convo. Because authenticity calls for us to be vulnerable enough to show up as our whole selves on the daily. When we do that we're letting people see beyond the veil of the masks we've been curating for ourselves since childhood. And that takes some work. Oh and that freakin pesky thing again, called courage. In this convo we jumped of the diving board and into the deep end around: Holding back parts of yourself from others Different levels of authenticy, is there such a thing?Dropping the masks & trusting others to do the sameWhat happens when they don'tShowing up in a way that feels comfortable to youShowing up as different "yous" in different situations Evolving your *BS radar when it comes to authenticityRe-realising the things that make you feel aligned & aliveHow to bring ALL of you to ALL situationsDropping the masks we wear And loads more... Plus we leave you with a few questions to mull over. We hope you enjoy the convo, and thanks for keeping it a two way one. We've loved hearing from you, so keep it coming.On... Insta & f book @unicornsandhandgrenades.life or by visiting us at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com.
Adversity can be a bit#h! It can also be our biggest teacher and the catalyst for some of our most transformative personal growth. This is one heart warming, deep and humorous ride of a convo with Mary Haddock-Staniland! She shares with us her journey through the fires of adversity and how those fires helped shape her into the women she is today. Mary's not only successfully navigated the path to finding her truth she's grounded herself firmly in it. It's the place from which she lives & speaks and it's the enabler to the amazing work she does today.Mary is a Keynote Speaker, MC, Lifeline Ambassador, Board Member, a champion for diversity and inclusion and an advocate for the transgender community. She also knows how to have a damn good laugh and how to not take herself, or life, to seriously!We yarn about...Accepting our true selves & othersWe all have our stages to stand on & shine fromUsing the stage you stand on to be the changeDiversitySeeking helpThe important work of Lifeline Aotearoa The good ole Social MediaTaking the time to find your truthHaving the courage to speak your truthHow our body's never forget traumaShining a light for othersLaughter, love and so much more...You can learn more about Mary here: www.maryhadstan.com or you can check her out on insta: @maryhadstanIf you need support or want to learn more about the amazing work Lifeline Aotearoa does you can find them here: www.lifeline.org.nz or on insta @lifelinenz
Welcome to Part 2 of our Relationship series. In this episode we have a go at cracking the code on the uncrackable. You guessed it, relationships. You'll have to listen in to figure out how close we got! What we can say though is whether you're single or loved up, you're sure to get some insights, tools and tips that will help make life a bit easier in this area of your life. And who doesn't want that right? Plus we have a few laughs along the way. We're joined again by Relationship Counselor, Rachel Hamilton. Rachel joined us for Part one of this series (Season 1; Episode 17) and it was our most downloaded guest episode. We're also joined by Courtney McGuigan, whose studied psychology and is curious around what make people's lives more harmonious & happy. We dive deep into:Jealousy... with an interesting twistSingledom; the stigma, the positives & the resistance around entering new relationships Attachment StylesLove LanguagesTriggers; unhealthy dynamics in relationships & how to flip themMental loads & the link between doing everything in a relationship, control & resentment What happens when one partner steps into the dominant mode (hint, it's closely related to the above point!)Relationships as teachersThe attraction/can't keep your hands of each other zone & how to navigate what comes nextCan you start off as friends & develop the attraction/can't keep your hands of each other zoneand much more.You can find Rachel at www.mountcounselling.co.nz if you want to touch base. If you'd like to follow us for more insights & what we're up to you can find us on f/book & insta:@unicornsandhandgrenades.life or www.unicornsandhandgrenades.comThanks as always for your support, feedback and the heartfelt reviews you've been leaving us, it means alot. Jax & Kim xx
In this ride of a convo we're joined by an honorary third unicorn, Bree Le Roux. Bree is host of her own show, "The Human Experience", she's a speaker, workshop facilitator, holds a bachelor of counselling and is a global coach & business mentor. She's also just launched her new course "How to have the Relationship you Deeply Desire"Life can be a bitch at times... she can also be a saint, a sinner and one hell of a rollicking ride. But one thing's for sure - life, relationships and growth all require work. Cue the collective groan... We hear ya, doing the inner work is hard,. But the pay-offs are well worth it. Because work, play & living from a place of aliveness all go hand in hand. Bree shines her vulnerability like a light in this episode, sharing with us here personal journey. She also shared her deep, professional expertise around so many areas including relationships. We yarned about:Relationships (& 6 key areas of focus)Burn-out & stressYou're powerful beyond measureImposter syndromeDrink, drugs & advertisingBalancing masculine & feminine energiesInner child work (what that actually means & how to do it)How our body is always speaking to usSelf-compassionHitting the notes & being where you're supposed to bePlus loads more. We hope you enjoy this conov as much as we did.You can find out more about Bree & the work she does by visiting www.breeleroux.com or her youtube channel, insta & f book @breeleroux
If you've been taking a few metaphorical gut punches of late then you'll love this convo. Especially if you've also been trying to hold the line & keep the faith around your ability to create a life of expansiveness, creativity, alignment & truth. Actually, we think you'll just love it, period!In this powerful and vulnerable convo with Nathan we explore creating a life that reflects what we truly want. What holds us back, and most importantly, how to move through some of those blocks and fear of 'perceived' failures! Recently back from NYC, Nathan shares with us his story, experience & the wisdom gained along the way. Because here's the kicker, if we want to lean into feeling fully alive, and create the life we want, then we've got to be up for it all... the moments of flow and success, the heart-breaking failures, the punches to the gut (aka ego) and the moments of surrender (aka breaking down). We yarn about;Failing in the dark vs failing publiclyEmbracing challengeUnlearning practised ways of being Working in harmony with UniverseThe sweet spot between discipline & surrenderThe courage it takes to stay on the court, playing the game, in the heat of the momentLetting goBeing the actual change you want to seeRunning out of moneyWhat holds us backInspired action vs forced actionSo much gold, and so much more...Nathan is a coach who works with entrepreneurs around the world to build out their ideas and businesses in order to create extraordinary lives that make a difference for others. He's also a podcast host, The Nathan Seaward Show, Founder of Cockpit Coaches (featured in the NZ Herald) and in a previous life was a former commercial pilot for 3 major airlines. You can learn more about him at www.nathanseaward.com or www.cockpitcoaches.com
Just when you thought it was safe to go out on the streets... (insert creepy "Jaws" soundtrack), whoosh, life keeps coming at ya! Well it has for us over the last couple of months. But that's all part of the deal. So we lean into the suck, learn some more, share some more, grow some more, and dance some more. That's pretty much the guts of this convo. It's our first time back without a guest for over a month and we have a good ole catch up around what happens when life comes back at ya! Healing, getting out amongst life and continuing lessons is something we're never finished with, so we have a bit of a laugh, go deep and meaningful and talk about that plus;The unseen order of thingsAsking the Universe for signsTrusting the ProcessShamans, ClairvoyantsMusic and its ability to move us to altered stateThe shifting energies before ChristmasIf you're currently leaning into the suck, you're not alone. Check out Season 1, Episode 8, with Mental Health Advocate Jimi Hunt. It's a no BS episode about mental health vs mental fitness and is one of our most downloaded guest episodes for a reason. Catch ya in the convo! Dig deep. Big Love. Kim & Jax x
Chip's a New York Times best selling Author, TEDx Speaker, Boutique Hotel Entrepreneur, Airbnb Strategic Advisor (Leadership & Hospitality), Mentor to Brian Chesky and founder of the world's first Mid Life Wisdom School, located in Baja California Sur.We kick off by asking Chip to introduce himself with "If you REALLY knew me"... You might be surprised by his answer. And that won't be the only suprise you get from this convo. Did you know mid-life starts as early as 35, yup, 35-75 according to Chip. You'll also find out why 47 is typically when we hit the dip in terms of the U curve of happiness study, and what we can do to support ourselves around that. We also cover: Our primary operating system moving from "ego" to "soul" Accumulating vs editing in our livesShaking up the societal narrative around mid-life and aging, after all life's about growing WHOLE not old! The importance of doing a mid-life edit & bringing ritual to it The anatomy of transitions and how to accelerate growth through the messy middleTips for how to move more into the Human "being" vs the Human "doing" spaceSpying on the Divine His Flatline experience... And lots more.Chip's midlife wisdom school teaches people how to cultivate and harvest their wisdom, get clear on their mastery and go out into the world and repurpose that mastery in new ways. "On the other side of uncertainty is a door to a room full of wisdom, we just don't know what's in it yet!" Chip Conley. Never a truer word spoken in this day & age. Here's to cracking open the door and braving uncertainty. You can connect with Chip via linkedin or sign up to wisdom well and learn more about MEA at www.modernelderacadamy.com
In this week’s convo we discuss all things relationships, with Counselor Rachel Hamilton. Where do we learn how to behave, communicate & thrive in healthy relationships? Definitely not school! And let’s face it, most of what we’ve learned about how to love & connect, was learned through the school of hard knocks, along with observing our parents & processing our childhood wounds. Yee Gods… we didn’t quite realize how much came down to those last two points right there. So, as you can imagine there’s a fair amount of understanding ourselves, our conditioning, our cycles & those of our partners that’s covered in this convo. Plus loads more... thriving when your single, is there a 'holy grail' amount of time you should wait after the end of one relationship before starting another, having children and how that impacts relationships & communication. Whether you’re single, loved up or sitting in-between there’s something in this convo for all of you!! And here’s some good news. This topic’s a biggie, so Rachel’s agreed to come back in Season 2 and help us keep wading our way through it. That way we can get to all of the questions you sent us. What a legend. If you want to contact Rachel you can connect with her at www.mountcounselling.co.nzWe love sharing these conversations with you and if you'd like to stay connected outside of these chats you can find us over on facebook & instagram: unicornsandhandgrenades.life or on our website at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com - we'd love to connect.
Join us in this episode as we talk about navigating the Christmas & New Year crazies. Both in general and after life’s hand grenade moments. Let’s face it, life looks different for most people in the world right now. It doesn’t matter if your hand grenade moment looks like; losing someone close, losing your job, not being able to physically be with your loved ones, financial stress or just being a little bah humbug given the year we’ve experienced to date. This time of year can hold some real challenges for many, as well as holding some real opportunities for connection and meaning, and there’s something in this convo for everyone. We hope to challenge and spark your thinking around why we place so many expectations on ourselves and others just because it’s a certain time of year. What setting boundaries looks like vs just doing what we’ve always done, embracing the non-traditional, contentment vs chasing highs and being ok if you’re channelling your inner grinch and don’t want to put up the Christmas Tree. And don’t even start us on the good ole “2021 is going to be my year” mantra. We’ve got 365 days a year to continually reflect, assess and make daily constant, conscious, choices… so let’s not wait till the 1st of Jan to do that peeps.Having been forced to navigate this time of year through our own hand grenade moments previously we’ll also share some of our learnings and the things we now do to take the pressure off and channel our inner calm. If even one of those things helps one of you in listener land then we'll be rapt. We’re excited to have you join us in the convo. Jax & Kim xx
Our BODY, mind & soul are inextricably linked. If we want to ‘live a long life well’ vs a ‘long life in decline’, we need to put equal focus on honing the vehicle that will take us to the finish line as much as we do the other aspects of our humanness. Keto this. Fasting that. No carbs this. Lo carbs that. No Sugar this. Low sugar that. Juice Cleanses, fat percentages… and on and on it goes. No wonder we’re confused as all hell about what to put in our mouths and our shopping trolleys. Disease & decline don’t need to go hand & hand with aging. Nutrition plays a huge part in our quality of life, our mental wellbeing & our longevity. In today’s episode we’re bringing it back to basics with Nikki as we discuss; looking at food vs nutrients, the sustainability of the diet & exercise we choose, slow gains vs fast gains when it comes to weight loss and weight management, restriction vs overindulgence, being kind to ourselves when it comes to food, and so much more. We also talk about the 5 Blue-Zones in the world, what they are, and the common threads that support longevity in those countries, many of which we can easily incorporate into our daily lives.Nikki’s a registered Nutritionist with a post graduate diploma in Dietetics, she’s hosted her own TV series, is a speaker, a writer and a legend in the industry. In this episode she helps us bring it back to basics around everything nutrition.We hope this episode helps you de-mystify all things diet related and that you get some simple take-outs that will help you prioritize your body and how you fuel it as much as you prioritize your mind and soul.You can learn more about Nikki & the great work she does at: www.nikkihartnutrition.co.nz or on insta @nikkihartnutrition
Join us as we de-mystify all things meditation & more, with Awareness Insight Meditation Teacher, Claire Robbie. Claire has travelled the world teaching meditation, yoga and speaking on all things related to awareness, shifting habits, meditation, sobriety and the mind. We cover all that and more in this powerful, vulnerable & no BS conversation about being human. We also dive into the paradox of our human experience and emotions, the part ego plays in keeping us stuck and how important the power of now is. Claire shares with us how meditation profoundly changed her life and how it helped her navigate some pretty big Hand Grenade moments. There's something for everyone in this convo… from the person who thinks meditation is for mung bean eating hippies to the experienced meditator. But hey, don’t take our word for it, hit play and have a listen for yourself. We hope you love this one as much as we do. Spoiler alert… meditation is not about chasing a quiet mind, but you'll have to listen in to learn more about that! You can learn more about Claire and what she does at www.clairerobbie.co or follow her on Instagram @clairerobbieJax & Kim xx
In today’s episode we explore the concept of living a life of soulful simplicity and it’s benefits. How much extraneous ‘stuff’ do we collect in life? The Venus Fly Trap of Consumerism comes at us from every angle. We’re bombarded with messages of ‘buy this’ & you’ll ‘feel that’. Just like the fly stuck in the trap, we often don’t realize we’re stuck until it feels like it’s too late to set ourselves free. But the good news is we’re never truly stuck, our self-created reality just makes it appear that way. When we intentionally simplify our lives we gain freedom of choice. The choice to… spend less and save more. To buy less and live more. To ‘DO’ less and ‘BE’ more. To collect less and experience more. To create an external environment that aligns with our internal environment. Because when the hand grenades hit you tend to gain insight into what’s really important in life, and it’s not the material stuff you collect along the way. Join us in a conversation that discusses living in a Tiny Home, the connection between clutter and anxiety, creating wide open spaces in your internal and external worlds, striking balance, intentional buying vs buying to fill a void, physical objects and joy, our emotional connection to objects, shopping endorphins, Project 333 and so much more. Plus we issue ourselves with a challenge you might want to join us in. We can’t wait to have you join us in the convo & if you’d like to connect we'd love to hear from you. You can find us here:www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com or on fb & insta @unicornsandhandgrenades.life
This week Evan Spargo joins us from Melbourne for one of our favorite kind of convos. The deep & meaningful kind. We talk about all of the messy & beautiful stuff that makes this life worth getting amongst. Our opportunities in life can be infinite when we’re courageous enough to show up in the world standing strong in who we truly are. Clear on our direction, our message and our gifts. But to get there we usually have to drive, demolition derby style, through some pretty entrenched self-limiting beliefs. Evan shares with us some of the wisdom he gained on his journey. We duck and dive through some other interesting topics too; the importance of letting go of instant gratification, how Soul work is part of the everyday work of being Human, gaining clarity around our direction in life and what we stand for, what to do when we’re faced with a fork in the road, alignment vs fear, how to own being someone who thrives on deep connection, friends falling away, living in the liminal space, keeping faith in the unseen order of things and lots of other goodness peppered through our chat.Evan is a certified Coach, a Coach Trainer and a Philippines National Athlete with over 10yrs experience in the Health and Fitness Industry across USA, AUS & Philippines, so he knows the value of having a killer mindset in both life & training.You can find Evan on www.evanspargo.com or on facebook & instagram @evanspargoWe can’t wait to have you join us in the convo.
In this week’s episode we wax lyrical about all things Soul Purpose. We’ll help you cut this mother of an elephant into bite size, digestible, pieces. We’ll also share some of the tools & tricks that helped us find ours. It doesn’t have to be harder than finding Nemo peeps… because you’ve got it in you, just waiting to be untethered from all the BS that’s prevented you from thinking you can do great things in this world. Or that living your Soul Purpose is reserved for the likes of Oprah, Deepak Chopra & Eckhart Tolle! So, If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking a variation of any of these questions… There’s got to be something more to life? I’m spinning on this planet in outer space for a reason? If I dare to take a risk & go for my dreams I wouldn’t even know where to begin? And besides, who am I to think I have something special to offer the world & my fellow humans? What if I’m wrong? What if I fail? Then the good news is you’ve already started the journey to finding your Soul Purpose & it doesn’t have to be as daunting as you think! It’s time to start following the breadcrumbs & see where your curiosity leads. We can’t wait to have you join us in the convo.
Join us in this Episode as we chat all thing’s courage. Showing up on the daily prepared to live your life with an open heart and an open mind takes courage. And we’re not talking Marvel Super-Hero, beat the baddies, kind of courage here. We’re talking the kind of courage that quietly and resolutely seeps up from the corners of your soul and the marrow of your bones. The kind you don’t think you have, until you have to. The kind that takes vulnerability, grace and guts. And it’s not reserved for life’s hand grenade moments either! You need a good dose of courage to chase life’s Unicorns as well. Because the stuff worth fighting for in life, the truly beautiful stuff, doesn’t come from playing it safe. You have to be prepared to risk…rejection, failure, loss of face and discomfort. But the good news is, just like the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz, you’ve got it in you! Sometimes it just takes a deep breath and a decision to choose courage over comfort. Then yehaa, hold onto your Unicorn and you're off!
This week we’re joined by Jordan Mauger. Jordan works in the Domestic & International Film Industry and has experienced his fair share of hand grenade moments. Some deeply personal and some very public. In this conversation Jordan shares with us what that journey was like for him, and the deep personal growth he experienced out the back of it. We talk about the impact of growing up in a world were so many men have been told “Boys don’t Cry”!! How to put your hand up and ask for help when you need it. The importance of growing resilience and gaining tools when your world blows up around you. Then using that experience to help others. Keeping the peeps that love and care about you close. Ignoring the naysayers & believing in yourself. How to deal with people projecting their own perception of who you are onto you. The “reality” of “reality TV”! Bringing Hollywood to Canterbury and so much more. Oh yeah, we might have even touched on dating tips, but you’ll have to listen to the end for those! See you in the Podcast - Jax & Kim xx
Nothings off limits in this no BS, gritty, deep & fun episode with Jimi Hunt, Author, Speaker. and Mental Health Change Maker. In this convo we talk about Mental Fitness and the need to re-brand the term Mental Health. Jimi introduces us to his Mental Fitness Continuum and shares with us how we can move ourselves up the continuum to contentment. There’s so much goodness for the taking in this one; Men & Mental Fitness, Depression & #METOO Bro, contentment over happiness, soothing vs solving, ego & expectations, repetition vs perfection, the power of the 1% incremental change, taking radical ownership of your healing journey, changing culture through story, commuting from Mexico to NZ for work, brutal self-honesty, even Yoga pants, retreats & instagram shots.With 3 documentaries, 3 books, his speaking tours, a 445 km (271 mile) river adventure on a $7 Lilo, his own mental fitness journey & as builder of the world’s biggest water slide Jimi has so much wisdom under his belt that he generously shares with heart in this conversation. There’s something in it for everyone. Enjoy!You can check him and his new book; Inside Out – A Guide to being a Better Human, here: www.jimihunt.com
Welcome to the first of our Espresso Eps. Like your morning coffee these short, sharp episodes are aimed at delivering a quick shot of listening goodness in-between our longer form convos & guest episodes. Rolling with gratitude can be easier said than done sometimes, especially when we're caught up in the busyness of life, or in the middle of a thought storm. It can feel like yet another thing to tick off our never-ending to do list. In this episode we talk about switching from a loss frame to a gain frame (the positive psychology of gratitude), the magic of presence and nature, celebrating the small wins, gratitude & meaning as the 6th stage in the grieving process and so much more. Having gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping up a Christmas present and not giving it! So have a listen to this Episode, then embrace your inner awkward and txt, call or message someone who might not even know they make your day, work or life a little better just by being in it. Come visit us at www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com, or join the convo on Insta and facebook: @unicornsandhandgrenades.life
This episode with Cassie is full of the unexpected, the soulful and the funny. It’s for anyone who wants to be reminded of the importance of staying true to who you are, embracing life & putting your passion out into the world, even when it scares the hell out of you. Sitting in black out darkness, surrounded by strangers & being filmed by military grade infrared Cameras for TEDx’s in the Dark Series. That’s the moment Cassie Roma sunk into bravery, closed her eyes and shared her story. A powerful story of coming home, unshackling from the expectations of others and stepping up to the plate in life, bat in hand, ready to swing for the god damn fences. Cassie’s a Storyteller, International Speaker, Writer/Author, Photographer & Media Strategist. Mother, Wife and one of those epic Humans who makes the world a little better by showing us what it looks to have the bravery to show up in life fully human & fully ourselves!
What if we weren’t afraid of our human experience? What if we knew we were 100% whole, resilient and had everything we needed to move through life with peace & clarity? How would that change the way we embraced life in all its fullness, the brutal and the magnificent? There’s an amazing difference in allowing ourselves to be lived vs trying to force our lives to fit a made up agenda. Join us as we explore this & so much more in a conversation centered around the nature of our human experience with Dr Amy Johnson. Amy is a psychologist, best-selling author & speaker whose been featured on Oprah.com, The Steve Harvey, CBS, The Wall Street Journal and more. Hit play and join us in a game of “what ifs”!
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