Exploring Magical Portals

In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favourite topics – the neuroscience of feeling stuck. I’ll walk you through the brain-state model developed by Dr Becky Bailey and explain how understanding the three key brain states – Survival, Emotional, and Executive – can help you move from chaos to clarity in your everyday life.

I share why so many of us get caught in patterns of overwhelm, procrastination, or frustration (especially during hectic or emotional times), and how recognising your current brain state can be the first step toward shifting out of it.

You’ll learn how to spot these states in yourself and others, and I’ll offer simple, practical tools to help you regulate, reconnect, and find your way back to calm and clarity – even when life feels a bit wild.

We also talk about the challenges that come up around the holidays – family dynamics, social gatherings, and the emotional landmines that can leave us spiralling. If you're ready to understand your brain in a whole new way and learn how to meet yourself with more compassion, this one’s for you.

This episode may include adult language. Listener discretion is advised.

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In this episode, I’m joined by my very first guest – the incredible Karla Pretorius, a psychotherapist and specialist in ADHD and autism. We dive into the world of neurodiversity and explore how these traits, often misunderstood, can actually be magical portals to creativity, deep thinking, and powerful problem-solving.

Karla shares her personal experience with ADHD and what she’s learned through years of clinical work. We talk about the stigma around labels, the beauty of embracing your own way of being, and how understanding brain states can completely shift how we relate to our emotions.

You’ll hear us unpack concepts like alexithymia (and what it means when feelings show up more in the body than in words), how to advocate for yourself using brain-state awareness, and why curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we have when supporting neurodiverse individuals – or just learning to better understand ourselves and others.

If you're curious about the way our minds work, this conversation is filled with insights to help you see things in a whole new way.

Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes.

• Got questions or insights to share? Email me at [email protected]
• Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac
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In this very first episode of Exploring Magical Portals, I’m sharing the inspiration behind the name and why it means so much to me. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own healing journey – the lessons I’ve learned through NeuroEmotional Coaching, and the tiny, powerful moments of presence I’ve had with my son that have changed everything. We’ll explore how your feelings are more than just passing states – they’re gateways to deeper insight, clarity, and connection. Let’s talk about what it truly means to hold space for yourself and the people you love.

Dive deeper into the magic of emotions and transformation by following the podcast for new episodes.

• Got questions or insights to share? Email me at [email protected]
• Follow on Insta: @ShannonMaryMac
• Subscribe to my newsletter