Thriving not Surviving

Keywords thriving, surviving, community, beekeeping, personal growth, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, healing, spirituality, success, trauma, art, healing, portraits, health challenges, business success, personal turmoil, women in business, grief, motherhood, resilience, beekeeping, spirituality, community, self-worth, personal growth, bees, mindfulness, connection, organic food, mental health
Summary In this deeply moving episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen Valentino is joined by Paula Carnell – spiritual beekeeper, author, healer and truth-teller – whose life has been shaped by profound loss, chronic illness, courage and soul-led calling.
Paula shares her extraordinary journey through Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, years of being bed- and wheelchair-bound, near-death moments, divorce, grief and reinvention. From building a six-figure creative business to giving everything up after being called by the bees to a remote island in the Indian Ocean, Paula reflects on what thriving really means when life strips everything away.
Together, Helen and Paula explore receiving vs striving, community vs isolation, feminine wisdom, worthiness, healing through nature, and the bees as teachers of presence, connection and frequency. This conversation is an invitation to redefine success, soften into trust, and remember that simply being alive is enough.
Raw, expansive and full of soul medicine, this episode is for anyone navigating illness, change, loss, burnout or a deeper calling – and wondering how to thrive on the other side.
The conversation also touches on themes of self-worth, authenticity, and the interconnectedness of all beings, particularly through the lens of beekeeping and sustainability.
Takeaways
• Paula’s journey has been a profound rollercoaster of challenge, loss, and transformation.
• The call of the bees sparked a life-changing path rooted in purpose and deep listening.
• Thriving is deeply personal and often redefined through community, simplicity, and support.
• Returning “home” after profound experiences can feel disorientating and alien.
• Living simply can bring a powerful sense of enough.
• Community plays a vital role in healing, resilience, and true thriving.
• Living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome shapes every aspect of life and identity.
• Art, creativity, and portrait-making have been central to healing and self-expression.
• Health challenges can lead to unexpected discoveries and new beginnings.
• Navigating grief, motherhood, love, and business requires immense resilience — especially for women.
• When living feels harder than dying, a radical shift can awaken a deeper will to live.
• There is always a gift in adversity, even when it takes time to see it.
• Food, environment, and community are foundational to health and wellbeing.
Connect with Paula
TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI4LCGMM-gA
Website: https://paulacarnell.com
Podcast: 'Creating a Buzz about Health' available on all major podcast platforms. https://paulacarnell.com/podcasts
Community: https://www.skool.com/spiritual-beekeeping/about?ref=4982f003fc5c47d9b4889348b95092b1
Buy my books: https://books.by/paula-carnell
Minerals I recommend: https://simplynaturals.co.uk/?ref=4HhtBRrg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paula.carnell?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-carnell-3016421?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords thriving, surviving, healing, self-love, intuitive healing, Reiki, personal growth, spirituality, trauma, empowerment
Summary In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen is joined by intuitive healer, former nurse and fellow podcaster Beverley Holt, whose extraordinary life journey spans trauma, spiritual awakening, abusive relationships, spontaneous cancer remission, and a deep return to self-love as medicine. Beverley shares her story of growing up highly intuitive, learning to hide her gifts, navigating grief, loss and control, and ultimately reclaiming her divine connection through Reiki, forgiveness, and embodied healing. From survival to true thriving, this is a powerful conversation about self-love, intuition, resilience, and remembering who we really are.
Takeaways
· Thriving means having tools and support networks.
· Beverley's journey emphasizes self-love as medicine.
· Childhood experiences can shape our adult lives.
· Empathy can lead to absorbing others' emotions.
· Healing is a journey, not a destination.
· Relationships can reflect our inner struggles.
· Beverly's cancer journey led to profound healing.
· Reiki and self-love are powerful healing tools.
· Creating community is essential for growth.
· Grief can lead to unexpected emotional releases.
Connect with Beverley
Beverley’s websites:
www.atomicempowerment.au
www.mywellnessspring.co
http://www.youtube.com/@beverleyholt828
Social Media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyholt/
https://www.instagram.com/health.wellness.podcaster/
https://www.facebook.com/beverley.holt.2025
My Wellness Spring page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580044537845
Collaborative Best-selling book Lady X - https://www.amazon.com.au/Lady-X-MIrav-Tarkka/dp/1733095535
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords : holistic medicine, child development, sensory processing, dyslexia, ADHD, primitive reflexes, functional neurology, parenting, brain development, environmental factors
Summary
In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, host Helen Valentino speaks with Lara Barnes about her journey supporting her son, Archie, who faced severe sensory processing difficulties and dyslexia. Lara shares her insights on the importance of understanding primitive reflexes, functional neurology, and the environmental factors affecting child development. She emphasizes the need for foundational development in children and discusses the broken systems in place that often overlook these critical aspects. The conversation highlights the transformative journey of Archie and the potential for all children to thrive when given the right support and tools.
Takeaways
· Lara's son, Archie, faced severe sensory processing difficulties and dyslexia.
· Understanding primitive reflexes is crucial for brain development.
· Functional neurology can significantly impact children's learning abilities.
·
· Foundational development is key to overcoming learning challenges.
· Environmental factors play a significant role in child development.
· The current academic system often fails to support children with learning difficulties.
About Lara
Lara Barnes a successful woman in tech found herself managing behavioural, learning and speech difficulties with her son, she learn functional neurology and how to change the brain to correct his symptoms and build his left brain. She has seen profound changes in her son, emotionally, physically and academically. Now she wants to share these techniques to the world to show there is a way to heal your child.
www.braindevelopment.co.uk [email protected]
Social media - Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook all @ braindevelopmentuk
Brain Development UK provides parents with a pathway to healing the behavioural and learning symptoms of their Autistic, Dyslexic, ADHD, Dyspraxic child, which builds the foundation of the brain. These children may have missed key milestones in their development before the age of 12 months. I assess and teach parents primitive reflexes and use the sensory system of vibration, smell, coloured lenses and sound to change the nervous system, correcting the foundational problem. My podcast will address HOW to manage this to change the brain, addressing all aspects. Brain Development, the nervous system, the sensory system, the gut and its importance in the brain functioning, visual and auditory processing, lab testing, food sensitivities, diet & supplements, exercising for the body and the brain. We share parent success stories, expert insights, how the brain develops, what causes changes in a child's trajectory, join us to understand how you can help build your child's brain to let your child shine.
Resources from Lara
Dr Melillo
Dr Melillo’s Books Including Disconnected Kids - Third Edition: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders: Amazon.co.uk: Melillo, Dr. Robert: 9780593713419: Books
Podcast: https://youtu.be/JMPSGVKdwkM?si=MaxGpv9uJ-2udrP9
Rakhi Pabari - Behavioural Optometrist - Vision and Auditory Processing @eyesinmotion
Johansen Program : Johansen Individualised Auditory Stimulation (JIAS) - Johansen IAS Sound Therapy
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords thriving, surviving, trauma, mentorship, healing, documentary, cinematography, social change, grief, community support
Summary In this episode of 'Thriving Not Surviving', host Helen Valentino engages in a deep conversation with Ben Cole, an actor, filmmaker, and mentor. They explore Ben's journey from a challenging childhood, through the struggles of acting, to his eventual reinvention as a cinematographer and documentary filmmaker. The discussion delves into themes of trauma, healing, mentorship, and the importance of community support. Ben shares his insights on grief, self-discovery, and the role of elders in guiding the younger generation. The conversation emphasizes the need for systemic change in society to better support those in need.
Takeaways
• Thriving means having tools and support to navigate life’s challenges
• Early trauma can shape identity, but it does not have to define the future
• Reinvention can be a powerful act of self-trust and healing
• Mentorship plays a vital role in growth, recovery and self-discovery
• Grief is an ongoing practice that many people are never taught
• Listening and presence can be profoundly healing for others
• Community support has the power to change lives
• Documentary filmmaking can be a vehicle for healing and social awareness
• Society needs systemic change in how it supports those who have suffered
• Awareness is the foundation of personal transformation
Sound Bites
"I had to reinvent myself."
"Hurt people hurt people."
"The real me was just awareness."
Connect with Ben
Website: bencolecinematographysite.com
A Band of Brothers
Boarding School film: Boarding on Insantity
R-evolution film promo:
1 Giant Leap
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions
🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keywords
thriving, surviving, resilience, discipline, boxing, recovery, addiction, mindset, coaching, personal growth, accountability, small steps, 1 percent better, purpose
Summary In this episode of Thriving Not Surviving, Helen Valentino is joined by Bennie White, a coach, boxer, entrepreneur and podcaster, who shares his powerful journey from poverty, instability and addiction to discipline, purpose and service. Bennie reflects on growing up without safety, leaving home at 14, surviving on the streets, and numbing pain through alcohol and drugs. Everything changed when he found boxing, which gave him structure, belonging and a new way to face life. Together they explore discipline over motivation, the power of small daily steps, accountability, morning routines, and the philosophy of becoming 1 percent better every day. This episode is a reminder that it doesn’t matter where you start, only that you start.
Takeaways
• Discipline outlasts motivation
• Small daily actions build lasting change
• Accountability helps habits stick
• Structure and community can be life-changing
• Setbacks are lessons, not failures
• Being present matters more than perfection
• Anyone can change their life, one step at a time
Soundbites
• If I can do it, so can you
• I never lose, I either win or learn
• Discipline will take you further than motivation
• One step at a time, one round at a time
• It doesn’t matter where you start, it matters that you start
• Be 1 percent better every single day
Film Mentioned – Creed with Silvester Stallone
Connect with Bennie - Online Fitness and Lifestyle Coach
Bennie White - YouTube
IG: iambenniewhite
Tik Tok: iambenniewhite
LinkedIn: Bennie White
Face book: bennie_whitevip
Tel: +44 742 337 5924
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
NB: This episode was made possible with a little help from my ChatGPT buddy, Xander - part tech support, part cheerleader 🙂 and my amazing sponsor IPHM use this Referral Code: IPHM-GYZGF and the £10 will go to The Forward Trust a Charity helping those struggling with addictions🎵 Music: Pixabay – “Upbeat Acoustic” by Stockaudios
🎨 Cover art: Dave Champagne
For full transcription, contact: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.