Ever had a thought pop into your head that made you go, “Wait — what?! Where did that come from?”

In this episode, we break down:

• What intrusive thoughts actually are

• Why they happen (even when you don’t want them to)

• What makes them worse — and what can help you manage them

Join me, Heidi Lester, your host. I've over 25 years of counselling experience working with young people just like you, and I know how bothersome intrusive thoughts can be. So let's spend time together talking about why the brain throws out random, unwanted thoughts and why trying to 'stop' them will actually make them worse for you.

This episode is here to remind you: intrusive thoughts are common, treatable, and say nothing about your worth or identity.

If you’ve been silently struggling with thoughts you don’t understand — you are not alone, and there is help.

If this episode resonated with you, consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone who needs reassurance too.

Follow me, Heidi Lester, on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

Welcome to We Are All Fine - I am a counsellor and psychotherapist, and in this episode, we get honest about something we all feel — but don’t always give ourselves permission to say out loud: “I’m not okay.”

Whether you're feeling burnt out, sad for no clear reason, anxious in your own skin, or just... off, this episode reminds you that being human means being messy sometimes. You don’t need to be positive 24/7. You don’t need to fix everything immediately. And you definitely don’t need to pretend you’re fine when you're not.

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who might need it too. And if you're feeling generous, leave a review — it helps this show reach more people who need real, non-judgy conversations like this.

Follow me, Heidi Lester, on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

You can reach me on my email [email protected]

Have you ever caught yourself endlessly scrolling, only to feel like you’re falling short of everyone else? Or exhausted from trying to keep up with what you think you should be doing? In this episode, we delve into comparison fatigue — the mental and emotional exhaustion that arises from constantly measuring yourself against others. We will be exploring the following together:

Why your brain is wired to compare

How social media fuels the comparison trap

The hidden costs of always trying to measure up

Practical strategies to step out of the endless race and reconnect with your own values

If you’re tired of feeling like you never quite add up, this conversation is for you.

After you listen, ask yourself: What really matters to me, apart from what others expect?

Connect with me by following me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube

Please leave a review if this resonated with you — it helps so much!

And please share with someone who might need this reminder today.

You can contact me directly at [email protected].

You’ve made it through exams, deadlines, group chats, goodbyes, burnout, and a million decisions.

And now everything’s... quiet.

This is WE ARE ALL FINE — a podcast for young people, and here is episode 18 a reflective show to help you rest, make sense of the silence, and gently figure out what’s next.

There’s a strange space between endings and beginnings.

A kind of emotional waiting room.

You’re not the person you were during exam season.

But you don’t feel quite like the person you’re becoming yet.

That’s okay.

That in-between space — as weird as it feels — is where growth actually happens.

You don’t have to have a plan.

You don’t need to rush to the next big thing.

Right now, your only job is to be here.

To honour the pause.

Join me, Heidi Lester, Counsellor and Psychotherapist, as I aim to meet you where you are at right now - the in-between part of your life. Whatever that means to you, whatever it looks like.

Follow me on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. All feedback is welcome - [email protected]

Rejection hurts. Whether it’s not getting the job, being ghosted, falling out with a friend, or feeling invisible at home, being told "no" can feel personal and painful. In this episode, we unpack the sting of rejection, why it hits so hard, and how you can face it without letting it define you. Learn tools to help build emotional resilience, challenge the stories rejection tells you about yourself, and move forward with more self-trust and clarity.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist, rejection makes a regular visit in my therapy room, so let me normalise this emotion with you, and listen as I share with you how effective counselling can be to help you accept and manage your own experiences of rejection. Remember, when someone doesn’t choose you, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t choose yourself.

Contact me at [email protected] or follow me and connect on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Worrying is part of being human, but what if you could do it better? In this episode, I introduce the concept of "worrying in stages"—a mindful, structured approach to managing anxiety without being consumed by it. I'm your host, Counsellor and psychotherapist Heidi Lester. Join me as I walk you through a practical framework for dealing with uncertainty in steps, so that worry becomes a tool, not a trap.

You are going to learn to recognise if the worries you have are unhelpful, and if they are (which they will be!), what you can do to lessen the anxiety and the fallout of having a brain stuck in worry mode.

Follow me on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook for more supportive tips to manage your mental health, your flaws, your insecurities, your nervousness and your emotions.

Get in touch at [email protected]

From my counselling years to your listening ears - all young people and adults have a space here.

An episode for anyone with family. Trying to be yourself and grow within a unit is hard. But it's part of where you are at. Join me today as we learn 7 ways you can make your way through family, with you intact. It's not easy, but it's possible.

It's so important to acknowledge feelings around family dynamics that can often be painful and challenging.

Follw me on Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Your comments are feedback are important to me, and I appreciate your feedback.

Contact me at [email protected]

Breakups can feel like the end of the world, but they can also be the start of something new. In this episode, we dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster of heartbreak. Whether you’re fresh out of a relationship or still healing from one long past, this conversation offers tools and expert-backed advice to help you move forward with strength and self-compassion. I have a 10-point survival guide to help you survive then thrive your breakup.

What You'll Learn:

Practical ways to process grief and loss

The do's and don'ts of post-breakup behaviour (hint: put the phone down)

How to build a stronger relationship with yourself

Tips for rediscovering joy, confidence, and clarity

Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for more supportive and encouraging guidance. I am a counsellor and psychotherapist supporting people like you every day - so join me.

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#NewPodcast

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#HeartbreakHealing

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#MovingOn

In this episode, we dive into five practical and powerful ways to build genuine self-respect. Whether you're rebuilding after a setback or just looking to strengthen your self-image, these strategies will help you stand taller, set better boundaries, and treat yourself with the dignity you deserve.

I am a counsellor and psychotherapist with decades of experience working with and supporting young people like you.

Follow me on all the usual social media platforms for more support, guidance and helpful ways to manage and accept your mental health.

The key takeaways from today are:

Self-respect is the foundation of confidence and personal power.

Keeping small commitments to yourself boosts internal trust.

Boundaries are not walls—they’re doors to mutual respect.

Inner dialogue shapes your identity; choose your words with care.

Respect breeds respect: who you spend time with matters.

Living in alignment with your values prevents self-betrayal.

Get in touch with me at [email protected]

Mental health matters — especially during young adulthood, when you're juggling college, work, social pressure, and figuring out who you are. In this episode, we're breaking down 8 simple, science-backed strategies to boost your mental well-being. Whether you're feeling stressed, anxious, or just want to improve your mindset, these tips are doable, proven, and tailored to your life stage. From my years of experience working with young people, these are my go-to tips to help better the mental health of my clients - and the best thing!? You can do them TODAY. What are you waiting for??!

🧠 What You'll Learn:

Move Your Body, Boost Your Mood

Why regular exercise is one of the most effective antidepressants.

Sleep = Mental Reset

The link between quality sleep and emotional regulation.

Fuel Your Brain

How your diet affects mood, memory, and focus.

Get out into nature

Going outside improves your inside

Mindfulness and Meditation

Science says even 10 minutes a day can make a difference.

Digital Detox

Social media isn’t evil—but here's how to scroll smarter.

Connect IRL

Human connection is a mental health superpower.

Gratitude Journaling

A small daily habit that rewires your brain for positivity.

“Mental health isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving.”

“You don’t have to do everything to feel better. Just start with one thing.”