Beyond Organised

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Some conversations feel like a deep exhale. This one with psychologist and mindfulness instructor Monika Varela goes straight to the heart of calm: how to hold yourself when life is loud, messy, or frightening, and how small, reliable practices can restore choice when everything else feels out of your hands.

Monika shares her journey from corporate schedules and burnout to one-to-one therapeutic work and hospital-based mindfulness for oncology patients and carers. We unpack what “holding space” actually means—preparing yourself before sessions, meeting people without judgement, using body-based awareness and breath to let hard feelings exist long enough to soften. She explains why trust is built, not rushed, and how a safe container allows clients to say the things they have never voiced. Along the way we talk candidly about stigma, the myth that help is only for crisis, and the courage required to ask for support.

Cancer is a recurring thread, approached with compassion. We explore acceptance as a physical release, the power of naming the reality, and the harm of shame-heavy wellness messages that imply illness is a personal failure. For patients who cannot control much, even choosing to colour or watch the sun move across a window can restore dignity. Monika’s mantra is simple and hard-won: focus on what you can control today: breath, attention, boundaries, tiny rituals that hold under stress. One grounding breath won’t fix a diagnosis or a tantrum, but daily practice builds the capacity to choose your response when it matters.

We also connect mindfulness with organisation, showing how light structure reduces reactivity so you can respond with intention. Expect practical tools: micro-pauses, body scans, compassionate self-talk, and respectful ways to support loved ones who cope differently. If you’re ready to trade overwhelm for steadier habits and kinder inner dialogue, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Find Monika on Instagram @yourjoyfulbeing

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs calm today, and leave a quick review... your words help more people find support when they need it most.

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💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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What if PMS isn’t inevitable but a signal you can decode? We sit down with physician assistant and women’s wellness coach, Amy Dave, to unpack cycle syncing: a practical way to align food, fitness, and your calendar with the four phases of your menstrual cycle. Amy shares how shifting her approach from “push harder” to “work with biology” transformed exhaustion into energy in just a few months. She saw a reduction in cramps, smoothing mood swings, and sharpening focus while working and raising three boys.

Across the conversation, we break down how hormones change week to week and what your body actually needs in each phase. You’ll hear why 15–30 minute workouts can outperform daily 45 minute grinds when they match your cycle, which foods to reduce to lower inflammation, and how small diet tweaks can ease symptoms without rigid rules. We also explore tracking fundamentals, what a healthy cycle length looks like, and how to spot patterns that suggest hormone imbalances. For those navigating fertility hurdles, Amy explains how lifestyle can support PCOS and fibroids, and where endometriosis may still require medical care, while lifestyle changes can still reduce pain and stress.

This is more than a health chat; it’s a life design framework. Learn to plan meetings, social events, and deep work around your natural energy peaks, and protect rest when your system asks for it. We talk candidly about normalising these conversations at home so partners understand and kids grow up informed and empathetic. You’ll walk away with clear starting steps. For tools and deeper dives, Amy shares her free guide on living without PMS, plus her podcast and YouTube resources to keep you supported.

Connect with Amy on Instagram @thewealthofwellness or through her website: https://thewealthofwellness.com/

Grab her free guide here: https://subscribepage.io/LifewithoutPMS 

If this episode helps you see your cycle as a roadmap, not a burden, share it with a friend, hit follow, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more women find practical, compassionate tools that actually fit real life.

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🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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The loudest voice in a busy home is often the quiet one inside that whispers you’re behind. We’re flipping that script with a warm, practical roadmap to move from overwhelm to action, without chasing perfection or burning out before breakfast.

We start by naming what so many women feel but rarely say out loud: the loop of guilt, comparison, and negative self-talk that makes every hallway crumb feel like a character flaw. Then we get specific. I walk through a simple way to make space for honest reflection, map your current reality, and choose one clear target, like keeping the hallway clear or getting on top of bills. 

Progress is visible, not wishful. 

You’ll hear how SMART goals can be kind and realistic, why a one-year horizon is often wiser than a one-week sprint, and how small supports (timers, baskets, two-minute resets) turn good intentions into habits that last.

We also explore readiness. Wanting change isn’t the same as being ready to take it on, and that’s okay. I share how to spot when you’re stuck in a victim mindset, how to step out with compassion, and why coaching works best once you choose to act. For my impulsive kindred spirits, there’s a better way: use that spark to start, then add guardrails to stay steady. 

Beyond task lists, we talk identity and faith: holding the tension of being enough today while growing for tomorrow. As we move toward the end of the year, you’ll get a simple seasonal plan: pick one anchor habit and one tidy zone to protect your energy and keep your home and mind grounded.

If you’re tired of trying everything and watching nothing stick, this conversation is your reset. We’re building a life that serves your purpose, supports your family, and shows your kids what resilience looks like, one doable step at a time. 

So if you're ready for change but don't know where to begin, book in your free 20 min call with me and we'll get you moving forward again

Subscribe for more gentle, practical strategies, share this with a friend who needs some encouragement, and leave a review to tell us the one small change you’ll start this week.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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A cluttered jewellery shelf became a doorway to entrepreneurship, and a new mum’s need for creativity became the spark for a movement. Mel sits down with Krystal Jugarap, a two-time founder, brand visibility strategist, award-winning speaker, and mum of three. Krystal unpacks how a simple product idea led to Book of Bijoux and then to EM/POWEREDbyWMN, a fast-growing platform that gets women founders seen on stages, in stores and across media.

We dive into the practical engine behind visibility: building an open, user-friendly directory that helps people discover women-owned brands by identity and category; creating vendor markets and pop-up programs that connect makers to brick-and-mortar partners; and opening doors to speaking and press opportunities that accelerate credibility. Krystal breaks down what makes support truly accessible for small business owners, why many marketplaces exclude early-stage founders, and how to design resources and pricing that don’t punish women for starting where they are.

The heart of the conversation is mindset and modelling. We talk frankly about mum guilt, the cost of trying to keep every ball in the air, and why choosing yourself isn’t selfish, it’s a lesson your kids will carry for life. You’ll hear simple practices for asking for help before burnout, carving out ten minutes to refill your cup, and letting go of the “super-parent” badge so you can focus on what matters. If you don’t have family support, Krystal shares concrete ways to find or build the room where support exists, from free communities to strategic investments that pay compounding dividends.

If you’re craving community, clarity and the courage to be visible, this conversation gives you tools and proof you don’t have to wait for permission. Follow Krystal @IamKrystalJ on Instagram and explore @empoweredbywmn for directories, events, and their upcoming Bay Area summit. Enjoyed the chat? Subscribe, share with a woman who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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What if the hardest news you’ve ever heard became the reason you chose to really live? We sat down with Kezia, a holistic therapist and mum, whose MS diagnosis pushed her from secrecy into radical honesty, community and a decision to pursue HSCT in Russia. Her story isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a practical map made of hospital corridors, fundraising calls, and small daily wins that add up to a bigger life.

Kezia takes us from early motherhood and “accidental” entry into holistic therapy to the decade she hid her illness behind a folded walking stick and a brave face. A blunt prognosis of a “wheelchair by Christmas” sparked a pivot: research, a global web of support and the courage to say yes to haematopoietic stem cell transplant. She opens up about the intense reality of high-dose chemo, the sterile rooms, the morning her hair fell out and the Russian nurse who answered with care instead of words. Back home, progress arrived in quiet milestones: bending a stubborn leg, feeling in her hands, walking with one stick. None of it erased MS; all of it expanded possibility though.

We dig into what actually sustains resilience: asking for help without apology, building routines that restore function, and protecting joy through deliberate adventure, like the skydive that began as a scheduling mix-up and became a training goal. Kezia’s book, Rose Tinted: My Story, captures the parts she once swore she’d never tell, and those pages continue to help others speak up, seek treatment and find their people. If you’re searching for real talk on MS, HSCT, chronic illness coping or even the mindset that turns fear into action, you’ll find it here; told with warmth, humour and zero "beating around the bush".

Follow Kezia @kelebekholistics and find her book on Amazon. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share it with someone who needs honest hope, and leave a review to help others find the show. What’s one brave step you’ll take this week?

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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What if the fastest way to feel lighter isn’t to do more, but to release what was never yours to carry? Today we open up a heart-level conversation about overwhelm, purpose and the surprising power of simple systems when they’re guided by values. We take you beyond the surface and into a thoughtful framework that blends practical organising with a spiritual lens, so you can create a rhythm that actually fits your life.

I walk through my Baltrix Method™ approach and pair it with the 4D filter: Delete, Delegate, Delay, Do Differently. Delete helps you release habits, roles, and old stories that drain you. Delegate reframes support as wisdom, not weakness, inviting partnership at home, in community, and in prayer. Delay brings back seasons and pacing, protecting you from urgency that scatters focus. Do Differently replaces busyness with simple, effective steps that honour your brain and your bandwidth. Along the way, we talk about managing the mental load, navigating neurodiverse tendencies without shame, and taking small wins that build real momentum.

You’ll hear scriptural insights alongside practical tips, all aimed at restoring order without chasing perfection. Expect gentle prompts to name what’s stealing your peace, to stop striving for control you don’t need, and to move into a steady flow where clarity and calm can coexist. If you’ve been juggling too much, longing for more purpose and less noise, this conversation offers a clear path forward: one decision, one season, one lighter step at a time.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a breather, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Your next week can feel lighter so what will you release first?

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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What if your family had a shared language for hard days? One that told the truth without handing kids the weight of adult problems? That’s the heart of our conversation with Kendall Concini, mum, program design pro, and the voice behind Cloudy Day Chronicles, a children’s book co-created with her four-year-old to make mental health talkable, gentle and real.

Kendall shares how years in person-centred program work shaped a simple metaphor that sticks: emotions as weather. Clouds pass. Tornadoes whirl. Rocks need time. We unpack how that language transforms everyday friction like sleepless nights, shoe stand-offs and sensory overload, into moments of connection and repair. Instead of “cheer up mum,” kids learn to keep playing while respecting boundaries; parents learn to name states, take a reset and come back regulated. We also dive into the publishing journey: why Kendall chose self-publishing to protect her daughter’s voice, how “too big” words can help children feel powerful, and what happens when the market asks for happy-only stories that don’t match real life.

From early emotional literacy to practical scripts you can use today, this episode blends honest parenting, mental health advocacy and creative courage. You’ll hear concrete ways to introduce feelings, plus tips for bringing humane rhythms into work and home. If you’ve ever wondered how to talk to kids about depression without making them responsible for it, this warm, clear approach shows the way.

Subscribe for more candid, useful conversations, share this with a parent who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find the show. Got a “weather word” your family uses? Connect with Kendall on Instagram @cloudydaychronicles.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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Ever wished you could step outside your family dynamic, watch it play out, and change the ending? That’s the magic of psychodrama: acting out relationships and inner conflicts to see them clearly and rehearse healthier ways of responding. We sit down with licensed psychotherapist and mindset coach Ioana Chei to explore how role‑play, play therapy and mindful language help kids and parents move from reactivity to connection.

We unpack the Oaklander model, a child‑centred approach that uses play, art and creative expression to surface emotions kids can’t always name. Ioana explains why older children start to “own the play,” spotting themselves in stories and choosing new scripts. We talk candidly about the belief that keeps many parents stuck (“this is just how I am”) and how to replace fixed identity with flexible skills. You’ll learn why all feelings are allowed but behaviours are guided, how to notice when your reaction is bigger than the situation, and a simple way to map the “buttons” you brought into parenting long before your child arrived.

We also address the lingering effects of lockdowns on social development, especially for children who missed key practice years. Expect practical ideas for gentle exposure, short structured playdates, and debriefs that build confidence without pressure. Along the way, we share real moments about modelling self‑talk and body image, and how a small shift in the words you use about yourself can reshape what your child believes about theirs.

If you’re ready for tools you can use today, start with two: listen more than you lecture and choose presence over perfection with ten minutes of child‑led play. You can follow Ioana on Instagram at @ioanachei or email her at [email protected] for further information.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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Ever feel like your memory works like a goldfish? You're not alone. In this enlightening conversation with Liva Vitola, a business operations and systems strategist, we dive deep into the real cause of overwhelm that plagues so many busy professionals, especially women juggling multiple roles.

Liva shares her personal journey of managing a "three-second memory" while balancing life as a project manager, wife, mother and business owner. The surprising revelation? Her overwhelm wasn't from having too much to do, it was from the constant anxiety of forgetting what needed to be done. This anxiety creates a spiral of negative self-talk that makes us feel like we're failing, when in reality, we're just missing a system.

We explore how digital tools like ClickUp can transform chaotic thoughts into organised systems, creating not just order but genuine peace of mind. Contrary to popular belief among creative types, having systems in place doesn't restrict freedom, it creates it by removing the mental load of remembering everyday tasks. As Liva beautifully explains, "Having systems in place actually opens up space for creative freedom because you already have the roots down."

From brain dumps to delegating tasks, we cover practical strategies for getting started with digital organisation, even if you've been resistant to structure in the past. You'll discover how the simple act of getting tasks out of your head can provide immediate relief and clarity, allowing you to see exactly what you're dealing with and make better decisions about your time and energy.

Ready to transform your relationship with organisation? Listen now and take the first step toward a life where your systems support your creativity rather than stifling it. Connect with Liva, join her newsletter here to access free ClickUp templates and resources to begin your journey from chaos to clarity.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚

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Money troubles can feel deeply personal and embarrassing, but the truth is that financial struggles are incredibly common, even among people who seem to have everything together. Drawing from my own journey of overcoming massive credit card debt and building substantial savings (which recently helped my family weather a season of reduced income), I'm breaking down the steps that transformed my relationship with money.

Financial recovery begins with brutal honesty. We dive deep into how to track every dollar spent, categorise your expenses and get crystal clear about where your money is actually going versus where you think it's going. This transparency often reveals surprising spending patterns you've never noticed before. The second vital step involves building a financial safety net before aggressively tackling debt. I explain why having even a small emergency fund is psychologically crucial for breaking the debt cycle and why high-interest debt should be your priority target once that safety net is established.

Perhaps most importantly, we explore how to cut expenses without feeling deprived. Using my practical 4D Filter (Delete, Delegate, Delay, or Do Differently), you'll learn how to evaluate each expense in your budget and find creative alternatives that still allow you to enjoy life while moving toward financial freedom. For instance, we discuss how my family still enjoys weekly pizza nights, just with a budget-friendly twist that saves us hundreds annually.

Whether you're struggling with overwhelming debt or simply wanting to optimize your financial health, these practical strategies work because they address both the numbers and the mindset behind money management. Ready to transform your financial future? The journey starts with a single step and today's episode gives you the roadmap for every step that follows.

Need more support? Join the She's Organised Hub for incredible resources, mini-courses, group coaching and a supportive community of women on a similar journey as you.

Support the show

🎧 Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to stay connected!

💚 Join the She's Organised Hub – Whether you're looking for community, practical support or deeper coaching, there's a place for you. Join our free Standard membership, or explore Premium and VIP for even more support. Let's continue the conversation inside the Hub!

📱 Come and say hello on Instagram or Threads – I share practical tips, behind-the-scenes moments and everyday encouragement to help you simplify your life and steward it well.
@shes.organised

If this episode encouraged you, I'd be so grateful if you'd follow the podcast, leave a rating and write a positive review. It helps more women discover the show and allows us to keep spreading this message of intentional living.

Remember...

Organising is a tool to live the purposeful life beyond it!

See you next time!

Mel 💚