[Video available on YouTube] 

In this episode, we're unpacking the belief that a change of scenery will magically change your life. While travel brings excitement, novelty, and a sense of freedom, it’s not a cure for unresolved emotions or struggles. I share my own journey of staying grounded this year, choosing to confront my shadows rather than running from them. We’ll discuss how the allure of travel often lies in stepping away from daily pressures and reconnecting with what makes us feel most alive—nature, adventure, and human connection. Tune in to explore how to bring that sense of freedom and fulfilment into your everyday life, finding happiness right where you are.

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

Integration Journal: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DKY2SW8M?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_BDHJQ68HXX62P4R1T6X8&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_BDHJQ68HXX62P4R1T6X8&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_BDHJQ68HXX62P4R1T6X8&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1

Jersey Mini Retreat: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heart-soul-reset-yin-yoga-integration-and-cacao-ceremony-tickets-1056425480049?aff=oddtdtcreator

[Video available on YouTube] 

In this episode I interview Phoebe Grazia. Phoebe dropped out of traditional schooling at 15, and has now co-founded a social media management business and is founding a second marketing business.

Phoebe shares why the educational system didn’t work for her and how struggling to fit in at uni, led to building a 70k TikTok following. We explored common mistakes people make when trying to grow their online presence and some practical tips to building a following in an authentic way. 

I loved chatting with Phoebe about entrepreneurship as a young woman, as well as her unique perspective of being a Christian in business. We explored what advice would she give to other young people, especially those who feel lost or unsure about their path, who are considering dropping out of traditional education or pursuing a non-traditional career. 

How can you grow your online presence whilst staying true to yourself? 

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Phoebes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoebegrazia/

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

[Video available on YouTube] 

For my FIFTIETH episode I am honoured to be interviewed by Ben Banim, who initially joined the podcast as my very first guest and is now my partner.

I shared reflections on my transition from a Christian upbringing to discovering spirituality through music, yoga, and meditation. I recounted transformative experiences, including a collective awakening during lockdown, and how music has played a pivotal role in my spiritual evolution. Our conversation delves into the tension between spirituality and traditional religious teachings, the impact of societal pressures on personal beliefs, and the power of music in expressing and experiencing spirituality. 

I believe our deep connection and shared insights offer a unique perspective on spiritual growth and understanding. We dive into the essence of self-love as a daily, unconditional practice requiring us to embrace our imperfections and extend grace to ourselves. Do you have to love yourself before you can love someone else? Our discussion examines how we navigate fear, uncertainty, and the dualities of life, offering a thought-provoking look at finding meaning and balance amid chaos.

Join us for this beautiful episode that blends themes of love, transformation, and spiritual discovery, reflecting our personal growth and the cosmic journey we are all a part of.

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual abuse and trauma. Listener discretion is advised. Please ensure you are in a safe space and take care of your well-being while listening.

Today’s on Diary of a Dropout, I sit down with the incredible Carolina Anjo, who shares her transformative journey from running a successful beauty business to becoming a Kundalini Activation facilitator. Carolina opens up about the burnout that forced her to reevaluate her life and how Kundalini energy led her on a path of profound healing and self-discovery. Tired of being numbed by medication and therapy that wasn’t working, she turned to energy healing, meditation, and connecting with like-minded souls through retreats and circles. Through these natural methods, she found her path to deep, lasting transformation.

We dive deep into topics like nervous system safety, Kundalini energy, and what it truly means to be "awake" in a world that often pushes us to chase external success. Carolina also touches on her experiences with psychedelics, the feminine energy of Kundalini, and how people can take the first steps toward living a more awakened and aligned life. Now, through her work, she offers personalized healing packages that include Kundalini sessions, helping others tap into this transformative energy for themselves.

Whether you're curious about spiritual awakenings, seeking a deeper connection with yourself, or looking for guidance on healing, this episode will inspire you to explore your own inner journey. This episode is a sacred reminder that healing is possible, and that the natural path is often the most powerful one.

SOCIALS AND LINKS

Carolina’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinaanjohealing/

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

[Video available on YouTube] 

Welcome back to Diary of a Drop-Out. With September being Suicide Prevention Month, today’s episode is especially close to my heart: how to love and support someone with depression. This one’s for friends, partners, parents, family members—anyone who’s ever felt unsure about how to help someone who’s struggling. Supporting someone through depression can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to have all the answers. I’ll be sharing ways you can truly show up for someone, from listening without judgment to staying present even in their darkest moments. It’s not about “fixing” things, but about walking alongside someone, offering steady love, and letting them know they’re not alone.

If you’ve ever felt lost when trying to support someone going through depression, this episode is for you. We’ll talk about what it means to really be there for them and why simply showing up can make all the difference. 

How do we become a light for the people we love when they’re in their darkest moments? Let’s explore that together.

Mental Health Resources:

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional. Here are some resources in the UK:

You’re not alone, and there’s always someone who wants to listen.

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

[Video available on YouTube] 

Welcome back to Diary of a Drop-Out, with me, Naomi Balderson. Today’s episode is all about rethinking a habit that often gets a bad reputation: procrastination. But not the kind that derails us—the kind that can actually ignite our creativity and help us push back against toxic productivity culture. I'll be sharing my own story, from being perpetually last-minute to understanding how to harness the natural waves of inspiration in a way that’s both productive and kind to myself.

We’ll explore how procrastination isn’t always the enemy—it can actually be a powerful tool for creativity and self-discovery when approached with compassion and awareness. I'll share insights on finding the balance between a slow, intentional way of living and working hard to make your dreams a reality. We'll discuss how taking breaks and allowing ourselves time to rest can be a necessary part of the creative process, giving our brains the space to subconsciously work on ideas and make new connections.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for procrastinating or struggled to balance ambition with self-care, this episode is for you. Join me as we challenge the grind culture mindset and redefine what it means to be productive and inspired. 

How can you embrace your own natural rhythms to create a life that feels both fulfilling and true to you?

SOCIALS AND LINKS:

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

Welcome back to Diary of a Drop-Out with me, Naomi Balderson. In this episode, I’m sitting down with my sister to explore her  journey of self-discovery and trusting her inner guide. We talk about her decision to leave London behind, the challenges of disconnection and feeling unsafe in the city, and how she found her dream remote position. She opens up about her spiritual awakening, her love for ecstatic dance, and how reconnecting with the ocean brought her back home to Jersey. This conversation is all about listening to your inner voice, embracing change, and finding the courage to create a life that truly resonates with you.

Are you living in a place that is stifling your growth?

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

Flo’s Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/flobalderson/

[Video available on YouTube] 

Welcome back to Diary of a Drop-Out with me, Naomi Balderson. Lately, I've been getting some questions about how to start journaling. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journaling practices, from cultivating gratitude to digging deep into shadow work. I’ll walk you through how these tools have transformed my life, helping me heal, grow, and find clarity. Whether you're new to journaling or just looking to deepen your practice, this episode is packed with insights on how to use your journal to unlock a more authentic version of yourself. Let’s transform together!

Thank you for listening and continuing to support me. All my love, Naomi x

Shadow work journalling prompts: 

If I were to attend a dinner party, what parts of myself would I like to leave at home? What parts of myself would I be embarrassed to bring with me?

Examine the key patterns of your relationships. Where does the Shadow manifest itself, either in patterns of avoidance or in repetitions which bring predictable negative consequences?

If you are in a close relationship, what annoys you about your partner? Forget your rationalisations for awhile; that person was chosen for a good reason he or she embodies aspects of your Shadow.

Where do you repeatedly undermine yourself, shoot yourself in the foot, cause yourself familiar griefs? Where do you flee from your best, riskiest self?

Where are you stuck in your life, blocked in your development? What fear(s) blocks your growth?

Where do Mom and Dad still govern your life, either through repetition, overcompensation, or your special treatment plan?

Where do you refuse to grow up, wait for clarity of vision, hope for solutions to your life, expect rescue from someone, somewhere, or wait for someone to make sense of it all for you?

[James Hollis]

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

[Video available on YouTube]

Welcome back to Diary of a Drop-Out, with me, Naomi Balderson. I realised I haven’t been open with you about what I’m actually doing at the moment. In this episode I give you a life update, explain the history of psychedelics, the science and what I believe my role is in the ‘renaissance’. I want to give you the most authentic expression of me, every time you tune in. I am birthing my business and putting on psychedelic integration circles, through doing so I realised a lot of people are unaware of this whole subject. Therefore, I hope this episode can be comprehensive and broad summary of the field and what I feel my role is in it.

Jersey Integration Circle 11/08 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/psychedelic-integration-sharing-circle-tickets-945480707247?aff=oddtdtcreator

SOCIALS AND LINKS 

Instagram: Naomi's Instagram | Diary of a Drop-Out Instagram  

TikTok: Diary of a Drop-Out TikTok 

Youtube: Subscribe here 

Spotify: Follow and rate the show here

If you want to ask me questions, need advice, or have any episode ideas, submit here: DOAD Community Google Form

Business enquiries: [email protected]

Vital 12 month Psychedelic Training Program Affiliate Link https://psychedelicstoday.teachable.com/a/aff_3ypstxyw/external?affcode=80460_zyftb8kq

REFERENCES: (in order of appearance) 

Blue lotus https://www.acslab.com/wellness/blue-lotus-history-effects-products

Indigenous Philosophies and the "Psychedelic Renaissance" https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anoc.12161

Ethical principles of traditional Indigenous medicine to guide western psychedelic research and practice https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9950658/

Albert Hofmann https://www.britannica.com/biography/Albert-Hofmann

R. Gordon Wasson and the Publicity Campaign to Introduce Magic Mushrooms to Mid-Century America https://www.cairn.info/revue-francaise-d-etudes-americaines-2018-3-page-91.htm?ref=doi

How the Vietnam War Empowered the Hippie Movement https://www.history.com/news/vietnam-war-hippies-counter-culture

The Past and Future of Psychedelic Science: An Introduction to This Issue https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31132970/

MDMA-Based Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Brief Narrative Overview of Current Evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10660711/

Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27210031/

Therapeutic effect of psilocybin in addiction: A systematic review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9947277/

Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28402682/

Psilocybin in Palliative Care: An Update https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10106897/

Examining Psychedelic-Induced Changes in Social Functioning and Connectedness  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.749788/full

The Experience Elicited by Hallucinogens Presents the Highest Similarity to Dreaming https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00007/full