Thriving not Surviving

Keywords: thriving, burnout recovery, neurodivergence, ADHD, functional neurological disorder, nervous system, healing, self-awareness, mental health, workplace wellbeing
Summary
In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Helen is joined by Jodie Steele, founder of Neuro Talks, who shares her extraordinary journey from high-performing corporate success to complete physical and neurological burnout.
After years of pushing through stress, masking mental health struggles, and navigating life as a single parent, Jodie’s body ultimately shut down. Diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), she experienced loss of speech, mobility issues, chronic fatigue, and severe health complications that left her bed-bound for long periods.
This episode explores what burnout can really look like at its most extreme—and more importantly, how recovery is possible.
Jodie now uses her experience to educate organisations on neurodiversity and burnout prevention, while also sharing accessible, practical tools that helped her rebuild her life.
Together, Helen and Jodie dive into the importance of self-awareness, nervous system regulation, kindness, and learning to truly listen to your body before it forces you to stop.
Takeaways
Burnout is not just feeling tired—it can lead to serious physical and neurological conditions
Neurodivergent individuals may be more susceptible to extreme burnout
Your body will always give you signals—learning to listen early is key
Breathwork, nature, and slowing down are powerful (and often free) healing tools
Recovery is a journey, not a destination
You don’t need expensive interventions—simple daily practices can create profound change
Alcohol and coping mechanisms can mask deeper issues rather than resolve them
Kindness—to yourself and others—is a foundational part of healing
Creating psychologically safe environments at work benefits everyone
You cannot pour from an empty cup—self-care is not selfish, it’s essential
Resources
Parenting Autism and ADHD - Podcast
The Five Side Effects of Kindness by David R. Hamilton
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Calms App _ 👉 Download or explore the Calm app
Connect with Jodie
Jodie Steele is the Founder of NeuroTalks and Alchemy Souls Travel, a keynote speaker and consultant specialising in neurodiversity, psychological safety, and high-performance workplace culture. With over 25 years’ experience across marketing, media, and business development, Jodie combines professional expertise with lived experience to help organisations unlock the hidden potential within their people. Her work focuses on creating environments where neurodivergent individuals can thrive - driving both wellbeing and performance.
Neurotalks - https://neurotalks.co.uk/
Alchemy Souls Travel: Family inclusive travel https://alchemysoulstravel.com/
IG: alchemy_souls_travel
Linked In: Jodie Steele
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
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, resilience, overcoming adversity, single motherhood, immigration journey, career transformation, mindset, purpose, healthcare, personal growth
Summary
In this deeply moving episode, Helen is joined by Dr Liliya, whose journey from rural Ukraine to becoming a private GP in London is nothing short of extraordinary.
Raised by her grandmother on a farm without running water, Liliya’s early life was shaped by separation, hardship, and resilience. From becoming a young mother during medical school, to surviving extreme poverty, divorce, and starting again in a new country with no English — her story is one of unwavering determination.
Arriving in London with just a dream, she took on cleaning jobs, lived on £1 a day, and worked tirelessly to rebuild her life. Against all odds, she retrained, passed her medical exams, and went on to create a thriving private practice on Harley Street.
This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, your circumstances do not define your future — and that every challenge can become a stepping stone to something greater.
Takeaways
Resilience is built through life’s challenges, not despite them
You don’t need to have it all figured out — just keep moving forward
Asking for help and support is a key part of thriving
Your past does not limit your future
Passion and persistence will take you further than talent alone
Every setback holds a lesson — and often a hidden opportunity

Connect with Dr. Liliya
Dr Liliya’s private GP Practice - drliliyaburrettpractice.co.uk
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
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, community, belonging, empowerment, motherhood, immigration, resilience, women in business, confidence, connection
Summary
In this deeply moving and inspiring episode, Helen is joined by Rukaya Chounwie (Ruki), founder of Together We Rise — a growing community created to support women, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Ruki shares her powerful journey from growing up in Northern Ghana in a large, close-knit community, to moving to the UK and suddenly finding herself navigating motherhood, isolation, and a completely different way of life — largely on her own.
What unfolds is an honest conversation about the realities many women face but rarely speak about openly — the loss of community, the emotional impact of isolation, the financial pressures of starting again, and the quiet identity shift that can come with becoming a mother in a new country.
Despite these challenges, Ruki didn’t just adapt — she transformed.
From full-time mum to stepping into the world of work, exploring property, and eventually discovering her true calling, she shares how her own experiences led her to create Together We Rise — a space where women can rebuild confidence, find belonging, and support one another.
This episode is a beautiful reminder that thriving doesn’t mean everything is perfect — it means having the tools, the courage, and the community to keep going, even when things feel hard.
It’s raw, real, and full of heart — and a powerful testament to what can happen when women come together.
Takeaways
Thriving is not about having an easy life — it’s about having support, tools, and resilience
Losing community can have a profound impact on mental health and identity
Motherhood, especially in isolation, can be both beautiful and deeply challenging
You don’t have to wait until you “make it” to start making a difference
Community creates confidence — and confidence creates opportunity
Representation and safe spaces matter, especially in business and networking environments
Collaboration over competition is where real growth happens
Sometimes your purpose is born directly from your pain
Connect with Rukaya
https://www.togetherwerisecommunity.co.uk
Phone: 07467879998
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/rukaya.bukari.7
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rukibaya/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rukaya-chounwie-359616292?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
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, hope, miracles, grace, faith, spirituality, free will, sovereignty, resilience, chronic illness, childhood hospitalisation, osteomyelitis, healing, prayer chain, intuition, clairaudience, clairsentience, memoir, creative process, hospice, grief, life after death, community, compassion, unconditional love, world peace, Unification Movement, cultural perspectives, meaning-making
Summary
In this heartfelt conversation, Helen is joined by author and poet Pamela Moffatt, whose life has been shaped by profound challenges — childhood hospital stays with recurring bone infection, moments of fear and uncertainty, homelessness, hunger, and standing beside loved ones at the end of life through hospice.
Yet Pamela’s story is not one of despair — it’s one of grace arriving in unexpected forms: a frail elderly woman radiating love in a hospital ward, long-lost friends appearing at exactly the right moment, and a prayer chain that coincides with a medical turning point that never returned.
Together, Helen and Pamela explore what it really means to thrive — not as perfection or constant positivity, but as a willingness to invite a bigger perspective, stay connected to the heart of a situation, and trust that “all the data isn’t in yet.” They speak candidly about faith, intuition, spiritual senses, sovereignty, and how love can’t be forced — it must be chosen, opened to, and received.
Takeaways
· Thriving isn’t having it good every day — it’s having tools, support, and the courage to ask for help when life gets dark.
· “All the data isn’t in yet.” A powerful anchor when you’re in uncertainty — you don’t know the whole picture, and hope is still valid.
· Miracles are often practical. Support can arrive as people, timing, kindness, and “earth angels,” not dramatic supernatural moments.
· The heart of a situation matters more than the appearance of it. What’s authentic can be felt — beyond presentation, beyond polish.
· Free will is sacred. Love and spirit can’t be imposed — they must be invited.
· Community can be a crucible for growth. Living closely with others reveals our edges — and offers the practice of “loving the difficult-to-love.”
· Grief doesn’t cancel connection. Hospice experiences and spiritual knowing can offer comfort: death as “a change of address.”
· Creativity reveals truth. Memoir writing can uncover what you didn’t even know you believed until you wrote it.
· Believing eyes matter. In vulnerable creative seasons, encouragement and safe support are more nourishing than critique.
Resources
Book - Chicken soup for the soul by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.
Wolf’s Message by Suzanne Giesemann
The artists Way by Julia Cameron
Kimberly Brown – Poet: https://www.instagram.com/kma_za_/
Connect with Pamela
We have the Stars: A Memoir – By Pamela A Moffat
Bluesky: @pcmoffatt.bsky.social
Substack: https://pcmoffatt.substack.com
Instagram: @pc.moffatt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelamoffatt
A sample of my poetry is on my blog: https://cyberciphering.blogspot.com
Website: https://about.me/pamelamoffatt
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
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
trauma, voice, healing, self-expression, empowerment, nervous system, inner child, self-worth, growth, thriving
Summary
In this powerful episode, Helen is joined by Emma-Blue Rose, Filmmaker and Voice Alchemist who shares her deeply personal journey from silence and suppression to reclaiming her voice and stepping into her truth
For much of her early life, Emma felt unseen, unheard, and disconnected from her own expression. Through life experiences that shaped her sense of safety and identity, she learned to stay quiet, to shrink, and to survive.
Growing up in an environment where speaking her truth was discouraged, Emma-Blue Rose transformed this suppression into a deep sense of justice. From screenwriting and filmmaking to witchtivism, and ultimately opening her soul voice through light language and out-of-body experiences, Emma-Blue Rose shares her journey through the cycles of silenced expression. What she calls Voice Alchemy, she explores the importance of awakening the power of our voices as a tool for personal and collective transformation in today’s world
But her story doesn’t end there.
This episode explores what happens when we begin to question those patterns, reconnect with ourselves, and slowly — and bravely — start to speak.
Through healing, self-awareness, and inner work, Emmah has found her voice again. And in doing so, she’s discovered a deeper sense of freedom, authenticity, and self-worth.
This is a conversation about courage, expression, and what it really means to come home to yourself.
Takeaways
Losing your voice is often a survival response, not a weakness
Suppression and silence can stem from early experiences of not feeling safe
Reclaiming your voice is a gradual and deeply personal journey
Healing involves reconnecting with your inner self and truth
Self-expression is a powerful tool for transformation
You are allowed to take up space and be heard
Your voice matters — even if it’s been silenced before
Resources:
Alexandra Wenman https://www.alexandrawenman.com
Dolores Cannon https://www.qhhtofficial.com
Ookushana School of Healing - Felicity Weston - https://www.instagram.com/ookushana_school_of_healing/
Ged Ferguson https://www.gedferguson.com
Ishala Wayshower - https://www.thepegasuspath.com
Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now
Embracing Shamanism - https://www.embracingshamanism.org/
Andrew Grant - Waking Up with Dragons www.dragoncircle.co.uk IG/YouTube: @wakingupwithdragons
Connect with Emma - Blue Rose Coherence
website: https://bluerosecoherence.co.uk
Light Language Residential: https://bluerose.myflodesk.com/lightlanguageresidential
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blue_rose_coherence
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bluerosecoherence
Connect with Helen
Website: InspiredHealing.co.uk
IG: helens_inspired_healing
LinkedIn: Helen on LinkedIn
WhatsApp: +447971798462
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.