Pause Purpose Play

By Michaela Thomas

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Category: Mental Health

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Subscribers: 3
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 243

Description

Imagine if you could follow your ambition without drowning in it – how much more fulfilling life would be? That’s what Pause Purpose Play is all about – finding balance over burnout by setting you free from needing to be perfect, so that you can take action and get started with what matters to you, instead of getting stuck in procrastination and holding yourself back with self-limiting beliefs your inner critic tells you. In this podcast, Michaela Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, Couples Therapist and founder of The Thomas Connection, shares bite-sized learning around psychology of performance, habits, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, perfectionism, parenthood and couples relationships. The podcast will mix solo episodes with guest interviews; diving deep into their professional zone of genius and learning about how they have found pause, purpose and play in their life and in their work. My new book, The Lasting Connection, is available now from all good bookshops.

Episode Date
What Happens Before, During and After an ADHD Assessment?
Dec 11, 2025
Running for mental health and ADHD, with Dr Chloe Bedford
Dec 04, 2025
Black Friday & ADHD - How to Avoid Impulsive Spending
Nov 27, 2025
Burnout, business and ADHD, with Mother Cuppa Tea Candice Mason
Nov 20, 2025
Breakdowns, business freedom and permission slaps, with Jo Hooper
Nov 13, 2025
ADHD and High Performance in Sport and Exercise with Dr. Josephine Perry
Nov 06, 2025
What it really looks like to prioritise yourself
Oct 30, 2025
You don't have to sacrifice to be successful
Oct 22, 2025
What it really looks like to prioritise yourself
Oct 16, 2025
"Can't stop, won't stop" vs "Can't start, can't finish" ADHD types
Oct 15, 2025
Another face of ADHD: 'High-Functioning' women over-functioning into burnout
Oct 08, 2025
From “I Should” to “I Choose To”: Stop forcing yourself into burnout
Oct 01, 2025
Unmasking and showing the broken pieces
Sep 24, 2025
Rest - to create your best ideas
Sep 17, 2025
Going through ADHD assessment in mid-life, with Georgina Fuller
Sep 10, 2025
Nervous system regulation without wanky wellness or woo
Sep 03, 2025
How perfectionism and self-criticism impact ADHD women, with Kristin Carder
Aug 27, 2025
Mum guilt vs mum shame, with Dr Tess Browne
Aug 20, 2025
Finding purpose and meaning, even on Mondays, with Ron Monteiro
Jul 16, 2025
ADHD was there all along - even if nobody noticed the signs
Jul 03, 2025
ADHD, trauma, or both? with Dr Kara Davey
Jun 25, 2025
The ‘Hindered Genius’ of ADHD: When you can write a book but lose your keys
Jun 11, 2025
Journaling for ADHDers, with The Evolve Journey
Jun 04, 2025
Squirming at praise: Can you take a compliment?
May 28, 2025
When you can't "just do it": Motivation, self-discipline or self-compassion?
May 21, 2025
Softening anxiety and growing on your own terms
May 07, 2025
Empowering ADHD Parents with Lauren O'Carroll
Apr 30, 2025
Having another child as a highly sensitive or neurodivergent person, with Natalie Brunswick
Apr 23, 2025
Unpacking ADHD: Insights from Dr James Brown
Apr 16, 2025
Navigating Parenthood: Insights from Developmental Psychologist Anita Cleare
Apr 02, 2025
Navigating Neurodiversity and Hormonal Challenges: An Interview with Jess Rad
Mar 27, 2025
The consequences of your executive dysfunction
Mar 20, 2025
Vulnerably showing the behind the scenes of your neurodivergent business
Mar 13, 2025
Go easy on yourself when life is hard
Mar 06, 2025
Understanding your brilliant brain, with Dr Amber Johnston
Feb 13, 2025
Celebrating 205 Episodes: Michaela’s Podcast Journey and Overcoming Imperfection
Jan 23, 2025
"Sleeping Well: Dr. Ranj Singh on Anxiety, Wellbeing, and Self-Compassion"
Jan 16, 2025
Permission to play - unapologetically as you are, with Jade Cook
Jan 09, 2025
New Year pressures don't work for ADHDers
Jan 02, 2025
Why compassion is the answer to the ADHD shame spiral
Dec 26, 2024
How ADHD Assessment Can Improve Mental Health —Why It’s All Connected
Dec 19, 2024
Masking & Burnout—The Hidden Costs of ‘Fitting In
Dec 12, 2024
Reframing the narrative - your ADHD brain is not broken
Dec 05, 2024
The stress and burnout responses which were ADHD all along
Nov 28, 2024
You are complex, so ADHD assessments need to be too
Nov 21, 2024
Beyond Resilience: Unpacking Burnout and Finding Balance with Dr. Debbie Sorensen
Nov 14, 2024
Authenticity, vulnerability and compassion for your journey, with Dylan Holloway
Nov 07, 2024
Boundaries and blind spots for ADHD business women, with Polly Lavarello
Oct 31, 2024
You can be a perfectionist even if you're a hot mess
Oct 23, 2024
Rebel against good girl conditioning, with Michelle Minnikin
Oct 16, 2024
Being playful in your business - and in your life
Oct 09, 2024
Reconnecting with WHY you run a business
Oct 02, 2024
Pause to notice how ADHD impacts your business
Sep 25, 2024
Bend, before you break - flexibility and high-performance with Prof Ross White
Sep 18, 2024
Safe to slow down and still be successful
Sep 11, 2024
Consume less, create more - done is better than perfect
Sep 04, 2024
The Power of Compassionate Curiosity for ADHD
Aug 28, 2024
Preventing burnout with Dr Claire Plumbly
Aug 21, 2024
Forms, finances and random f*ckery for ADHD business women, part 3
Aug 14, 2024
Forms, Finances and Random F*ckery for ADHD Business Women - Part 2
Aug 07, 2024
Form, finances and random f*ckery for ADHD business owners, part 1
Jul 24, 2024
Support, systems and self-compassion for sustainable success
Jul 17, 2024
Snacking well with ADHD - avoiding crashes and binges
Jun 12, 2024
"If I was 10% kinder to myself, I'd be less effective in life"
Jun 05, 2024
Perfectionism and Generational Trauma, with Zoe Blaskey
May 22, 2024
Resistance to rest, and rest as resistance
May 08, 2024
Passion and purpose through pain and rebellion, with Holly Matthews
May 01, 2024
Singing for Joy and Mental Health - Not Perfection with Rachel Maloy
Apr 24, 2024
From Burnout to Brilliance: The Burn Bright Experience
Apr 17, 2024
Accepting compliments, receiving praise and being proud of yourself
Apr 10, 2024
Reducing rushing to feel better and be more productive
Apr 03, 2024
Workplace wellbeing with Ross McIntosh
Mar 28, 2024
Daring to be "too big for your boots"
Mar 21, 2024
My Spacious Adventure 4 - The Courage Piece
Mar 14, 2024
My Spacious Adventure 3 - The Insights Piece
Mar 07, 2024
My Spacious Adventure 2 - The Energy Piece
Feb 29, 2024
My Spacious Adventure 1 - The Permission Piece
Feb 22, 2024
How 'resilience' is involved in burnout
Feb 15, 2024
The cost of being a 'lost girl' with ADHD
Feb 01, 2024
Compassion for growth and self-mastery, with Dr Nilesh Satguru
Jan 25, 2024
Harnessing your hyperfocus, without the hangover or burnout
Jan 18, 2024
Burnout linked with overworking, with Selina Barker
Jan 11, 2024
Understanding ADHD burnout
Jan 04, 2024
Letting go of the “New Year, New You” pressure
Dec 28, 2023
Loneliness, trauma and compassion at Christmas
Dec 21, 2023
Dealing with comparison culture at Christmas
Dec 14, 2023
Festive Perfectionism - Finding Joy in the Imperfections
Dec 07, 2023
Avoiding Festive Burnout by Stopping People Pleasing
Nov 30, 2023
Permission to Look After Yourself When You’re Ill
Nov 23, 2023
Humour, Resilience, and the Rollercoaster of Motherhood With Emily-Jane Clark
Nov 16, 2023
Good Enough is not Failure
Nov 09, 2023
How low is Your Energy Battery?
Nov 02, 2023
Morning Routines - What to do Instead of Putting Pressure on Yourself
Oct 25, 2023
People Pleasing, Saying no and Setting Boundaries
Oct 18, 2023
Embracing Impostor Syndrome - With Jill Stoddard
Oct 04, 2023
Permission to Make Progress Over Perfection
Sep 27, 2023
Nourishing Yourself Through Nutrition, With Thalia Pellegrini
Sep 20, 2023
Being Mindful and Noticing : Bonus Episode
Sep 18, 2023
Letting go of Overworking and People Pleasing With Natalie Costa
Sep 13, 2023
Making More Progress by Letting Go of Perfect
Sep 06, 2023
Connecting More Deeply With Yourself And With What Matters To You
Aug 31, 2023
Don’t Ask, Don’t Get
Aug 24, 2023
The Societal Pressure Of Perfection With Thomas Curran
Aug 17, 2023
Soothing Shame With Compassion and Connection
Aug 09, 2023
It’s Not Your Fault if You Have ADHD
Aug 03, 2023
Balancing Necessary Self-Care with Nourishing Self-Care
Jul 27, 2023
Surviving Hard Knocks with Compassion
Jul 19, 2023
Permission and Self-Worth with Sam Dhu
Jul 12, 2023
Rest and Recovery from Stress
Jul 05, 2023
The Pressure To Look Perfect And Why Being Thinner Won’t Make You Happier
Jun 29, 2023
Allowing Time For Change To Happen
Jun 22, 2023
This is How Your Marriage Ends, With Matthew Fray
Jun 14, 2023
The Spacious Life You’re Trying to Create
Jun 07, 2023
Procrastination And Self-Compassion For Avoiding Fear
Jun 01, 2023
Tolerating Fear of Failure and Making Mistakes
May 24, 2023
Sustainable Productivity
May 18, 2023
My WHY And Purpose Is My Vulnerability
May 17, 2023
The Negative Self-Talk From Your Inner Critic
May 17, 2023
Trailer
May 17, 2023
The Stories In Your Mind Holding You Back
May 10, 2023
Setting Boundaries - with Louisa Clarke
May 03, 2023
From overthinking to taking action
Apr 05, 2023
Being kind, caring and compassionate to others
Mar 30, 2023
Changing habits by embracing failure with grace
Mar 23, 2023
The Power of Pausing, with Chris Johnson
Mar 16, 2023
Follow your passion sustainably to avoid burnout
Mar 09, 2023
How to step out of the rat race at work
Mar 02, 2023
Rest, feminism, activism and the patriarchy, with Keri Jarvis
Feb 23, 2023
Stepping Out of the Burnout Cycle
Feb 09, 2023
Perfectionism and Burnout in Female Entrepreneurs
Feb 02, 2023
Another chance to hear - From toxic productivity to joy, with Tamu Thomas
Jan 26, 2023
Another chance to hear - Healing attachment trauma, with Thais Gibson
Jan 19, 2023
Corporate pressures - stay or leave, with Fiona Kearns
Dec 15, 2022
The Zones of Comfort, Confidence, Challenge and Compassion
Dec 08, 2022
How to Eat Better Without Aiming for a Perfect Diet, with Thalia Pellegrini
Dec 01, 2022
Overworking and Productivity
Nov 24, 2022
Be Less Busy, Create More Impact with Chris Lovett
Nov 17, 2022
Another Chance to Hear - Balance and Bold Boundaries, with Naketa Ren Thigpen
Oct 05, 2022
Pausing to Protect Your Energy and Focus
Sep 29, 2022
Taking a Break Mid Launch
Aug 18, 2022
Breaking the Mould, with Starling
Jul 27, 2022
The Dark Side of Drive
Jul 21, 2022
How to Burn Bright, Not Burn Out
Jul 14, 2022
The Pros and Cons of Perfectionism
Jun 30, 2022
How to Sleep Better (By Not Trying) with Dr. Guy Meadows
Jun 23, 2022
Why perfectionists struggle with meditation
Jun 16, 2022
The Good Enough Mother, with Dr Sophie Brock
Jun 09, 2022
Trusting offers of help
Jun 01, 2022
Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts and Maternal Rage, with Dr. Caroline Boyd
May 19, 2022
Asking for help
May 11, 2022
Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence, with Anne Lane
May 05, 2022
Acccepting ’good enough’
Apr 28, 2022
How to Energize, with Simon Alexander Ong
Apr 20, 2022
Imperfection improves performance
Apr 14, 2022
The Cost of Perfectionism, with Jennifer Kemp
Mar 30, 2022
Coping with Uncertainty
Mar 17, 2022
Making Wise Choices with Your Time
Feb 17, 2022
Chronic Pain and Perfectionism, with Romy Sherlock
Jan 27, 2022
Utilising Your Potential
Jan 20, 2022
Becoming unbreakable, with Dr Nic Hooper
Jan 13, 2022
New year, still you
Jan 06, 2022
Being a Dad, with Elliott Rae
Dec 16, 2021
People pleasing
Dec 02, 2021
From toxic productivity to joy, with Tamu Thomas
Nov 25, 2021
Achievement, self-worth and rigid rules
Nov 18, 2021
No More Guru Leader, with Wendy Kendall
Nov 11, 2021
Taking a Break Before You Break
Nov 03, 2021
Compassion and Motivation for Change, with Stan Steindl
Oct 27, 2021
The Value of Going Slow
Oct 20, 2021
Toxic Workplaces and Burnout, with Fiona Kearns
Oct 13, 2021
Gratitude and Kindness for Couples
Oct 07, 2021
Body Image and Imperfection, with Holli Rubin
Sep 30, 2021
Self-Care is Couple Care
Sep 23, 2021
Permission to Play, with Susie Robbins
Sep 16, 2021
Forgive and let go
Sep 09, 2021
Compassion for the past, with Natalie Bodart
Sep 01, 2021
Stormy Seas for Couples - Health Issues
Aug 26, 2021
Coping with Grief, with Marianne Trent
Aug 18, 2021
Stormy seas for couples - parenting
Aug 12, 2021
From anxiety to confidence, with Chloe Brotheridge
Aug 04, 2021
Stormy seas for couples - infidelity
Jul 29, 2021
On How to Be Human, with Dr Sophie Mort
Jul 21, 2021
Turning up the heat
Jul 14, 2021
The power of ADHD, with Michelle Minnikin
Jul 07, 2021
Surviving and thriving as a couple
Jun 30, 2021
Imperfect parenting, with Catherine Hallissey
Jun 23, 2021
Turning down the heat
Jun 16, 2021
Balancing emotions and nutrition, with Bec Milligan
Jun 09, 2021
Bridging differences with compassion
Jun 02, 2021
Overworking and hustle culture, with Lara Sheldrake
May 26, 2021
Compromise, not sacrifice
May 19, 2021
Healing attachment trauma, with Thais Gibson
May 12, 2021
Connection not perfection
May 04, 2021
Beauty and perfection, with Amanda Thomas
Apr 28, 2021
The Compassionate Couple
Apr 21, 2021
Meditation and mindfulness, with Shamash Alidina
Apr 14, 2021
Compassionate Communication
Apr 06, 2021
Balance and bold boundaries, with Naketa Ren Thigpen
Mar 30, 2021
Finding purpose through disability, with Heidi Herkes
Mar 26, 2021
Doing what matters
Mar 24, 2021
Compassion for every part of you
Mar 17, 2021
Changing your habits with kindness, with Shahroo Izadi
Mar 16, 2021
Compassion for anger, with Russell Kolts
Mar 11, 2021
Compassion for the inner critic
Mar 09, 2021
Nourish yourself, with Sara Campin
Mar 04, 2021
Connecting to your body, with Dr Sula Windgassen
Feb 25, 2021
Compassion for yourself
Feb 22, 2021
Compassion flowing in
Feb 20, 2021
Procrastination and perfectionism, with Alexander Rozental
Feb 18, 2021
Fulfilling my childhood dream
Feb 11, 2021
Compassion flowing out
Feb 09, 2021
The Compassionate Part of You
Feb 08, 2021
Parenting Beyond Birth, with Sophie Burch
Feb 04, 2021
Understanding your emotions
Feb 03, 2021
Mindfully awake and aware
Feb 01, 2021
The make or break of relationships
Jan 30, 2021
Be connected in your relationship, with Dr Tracy Dalgleish
Jan 28, 2021
Compassion and connection
Jan 27, 2021
Glowing Embers
Jan 25, 2021
What is Love?
Jan 23, 2021
Intimacy after kids, with Catherine Topham Sly
Jan 21, 2021
The Lasting Connection
Jan 20, 2021
Recovering from mental illness, with Jo Love
Jan 14, 2021
Lessons on life and love from 2020
Dec 31, 2020
The pressure of the patriarchy, with Dr. Rebekah Shallcross
Dec 22, 2020
Letting go of rigid rules
Dec 17, 2020
Balance and purpose for entrepreneurs, with Polly Lavarello
Dec 10, 2020
Calm the overwhelm
Dec 03, 2020
Perfectionism, overachieving and not feeling good enough, with Mandy Lehto
Nov 26, 2020
Rush less, pause more
Nov 19, 2020
Stepping up without burning out, with Katy Murray
Nov 12, 2020
Treating yourself as you would a friend
Nov 05, 2020
Post-natal wellbeing with Clio Wood
Oct 28, 2020
Busyness kills productivity
Oct 21, 2020
Self-care for tough times, with Suzy Reading
Oct 15, 2020
Are you a people pleaser?
Oct 07, 2020
Banishing burnout, with Nicky Lowe
Oct 01, 2020
Productive Problem Solving
Sep 24, 2020
Dream it and do it, with Nicky Raby
Sep 16, 2020
Stop the struggle (or This too shall pass)
Sep 02, 2020
Power Thoughts with Natalie Costa
Aug 26, 2020
The Secret to Getting Ahead, is Getting Started
Aug 07, 2020
Welcome to Pause Purpose Play
Aug 07, 2020