Most of us talk to ourselves in a way we’d never speak to anyone else. You miss a deadline? Useless. Feel overwhelmed? Get a grip. Try something new and mess it up? Why even bother?

In this episode of Headstraight, we break the cycle of harsh self-talk and dig into how to build a voice in your head that actually helps you—not breaks you down. This isn’t about toxic positivity or pretending everything’s fine. It’s about grit, self-respect, and learning how to support yourself through the mess.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why your inner critic sounds like you—but isn’t
• Where it came from (and why you believed it)
• Why harsh self-talk doesn’t help—it holds you back
• How to shift from self-criticism to self-support
• Tools that actually work: Voice Swap, Daily Check-ins, Reframing Scripts
• What to do when self-compassion feels fake or weak

If you’ve ever thought:

• “If I’m hard on myself, I won’t get hurt”
• “I don’t deserve kindness until I’m better”
• “Being nice to myself just feels wrong”

…then this is the episode that changes the conversation. Literally.
Listen now and start backing yourself—because if you’re going to keep growing, you can’t stay at war with your own voice.

Want the Cheat Sheet? Click the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mgI4GWLJmfHzx-3fDZ_WlluEpW82_zKQ/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

You’re not avoiding the work. You’re not lazy. You’re just done. Exhausted, foggy, unmotivated—and even though you want to keep going, part of you just wants to disappear. If that sounds familiar, this episode of Headstraight is for you.

In this raw and grounded check-in, we talk about what to do when your nervous system is burnt out and your energy is running on fumes. You’ll learn how to stay in the game without pushing yourself over the edge.

This episode breaks down:

• Why burnout isn’t always about school or work—it can be emotional
• The signs you’re running on empty (and not just “tired”)
• What decision fatigue does to your brain
• How shame makes it worse—and what to do instead
• The “bare minimum” rule: how to adjust without giving up
• Tiny tools to reset your nervous system and start again gently
• How to redefine success when life feels heavy

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I know what to do, but I can’t get myself to do it”
• “Even the easy stuff feels impossible”
• “Why do I feel like I’m falling apart for no reason?”

…this episode will help you move forward—slowly, gently, and sustainably.

Listen now and learn how to take care of yourself when the real win is just showing up.

Want the Cheat Sheet? Click on the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P5h3Ij9begOSaAol3BQFdDlTp1EwupNl/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

You’ve made plans. Set goals. Promised yourself this time would be different—only to find yourself back in the same place again. Sound familiar?

In this episode of Headstraight, we explore why change doesn’t just feel hard—it feels impossible. But here’s the truth: you’re not lazy, broken, or weak. You’re just going up against a brain that’s wired to resist change—even when you want it.

This episode breaks it down:

• Why your brain treats new habits as unsafe—even if they’re healthy
• The identity clash that makes change feel like betrayal
• Why “failure” is often just resistance disguised as protection
• How to shrink your goals to make them feel safe and doable
• What real resilience looks like (hint: it’s not about being perfect)
• Five action steps to start rewiring your habits—today

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I just can’t stick with anything”
• “Why do I always sabotage my progress?”
• “Change feels exhausting and I don’t know why”

…this episode is for you. No fluff. No shame. Just honest insight and simple steps that actually work with your brain—not against it.

Listen now and learn how to make change feel possible—one small move at a time.

Want the Cheat Sheet? Click the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cQ5j66u_T1xmde6cR0fQzP8FGcEPZs9c/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Real confidence isn’t about pretending to be fearless—it’s about backing yourself even when your hands are shaking.

In this episode of Headstraight, we take a no-nonsense look at what confidence actually is, where it comes from, and how to build it without turning yourself into a performance act. Whether you’re tired of “fake it till you make it” advice or stuck waiting to feel ready, this one’s for you.

We’ll cover:

• Why confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a habit
• What happens in your brain when you act before you feel ready
• Why “waiting to feel confident” keeps you stuck
• The Micro-Promise Rule: how to build self-trust step by step
• How to bounce back from failure without trashing your self-worth
• The exact blueprint for growing confidence that actually sticks

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I’ll start once I feel more confident”
• “I’m just not a confident person”
• “Faking it is exhausting and doesn’t work”

…this episode will give you a better way. One that’s real, honest, and built to last.

Listen now to start building real confidence—no filters, no performance, no BS.

Want the Cheat Sheet? Click the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y4gPe4xrIGpcmVzZJ86P1EN0NSR-1Cfx/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

You say yes when you want to say no. You show up exhausted, smile through it, and tell yourself it’s just easier that way. Sound familiar?

In this episode of Headstraight, we’re cutting deep into the quiet habit of putting yourself last—why it happens, where it starts, and how to begin rewriting the story.

Here’s what you’ll get:

• Why people pleasing isn’t kindness—it’s survival
• What guilt really means when you start choosing yourself
• How to spot the subtle signs you’re sacrificing your needs
• Simple ways to say “no” without a guilt trip or apology tour
• A challenge to help you start acting like your needs actually matter

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I don’t want to be selfish”
• “They’ll think I’m difficult if I speak up”
• “I always come last, but I don’t know how to change that”

…this episode is for you. No shame. No BS. Just real talk and tools to help you move from people pleaser to self-respecter.

🎧 Listen now and learn how to put yourself back on the list—without losing your compassion.

Want the Cheet Sheet? Click on the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wCqJoK6OffPxfb1HT_YoXckfnCald7j3/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Ever find yourself mid-argument, mid-apology, or mid-shutdown and realise—I’ve been here before?

That’s not bad luck. It’s a pattern. And in this episode of Headstraight, we’re digging into the emotional loops that keep repeating—even when you know they’re hurting you.

This episode covers:

• What a toxic pattern actually is (and why your brain clings to it)
• Why some behaviours—like people-pleasing, overthinking, and disappearing—start as survival strategies
• How to spot your “tells” in real time before you spiral again
• What it means to name your pattern out loud—and why that’s the first step to freedom
• How to interrupt the loop and make small, real changes (even when it feels uncomfortable)

If you’ve ever thought:

• “Why do I keep doing this?”
• “I swear I said I wouldn’t react like that again”
• “I don’t want to be like this—but I don’t know how to stop”

…then this episode will show you a way forward. No therapy speak. No shame. Just real insight, practical tools, and a challenge to help you change one loop at a time.

Listen now and start breaking the pattern—for real this time.

 
Want the Cheet Sheet? Click the Link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e-dIdyRNug9pVSgDuuiz9ExsMWtpRRNQ/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Fear doesn’t always shout. Sometimes, it whispers: “Not yet”, “You’re not ready”, “Play it safe.” And before you know it, fear is quietly running the show—holding you back from applying, speaking up, creating, or even just starting.

In this episode of Headstraight, we look at the kind of fear that hides behind perfectionism, overthinking, and “waiting for the right time”—and we show you how to take back control.

You’ll learn:

• Why fear sounds so reasonable—and how to spot its disguises
• What your brain is really trying to protect you from (it’s not what you think)
• Three practical tools to interrupt fear and take action anyway
• How to shrink scary steps so they feel manageable
• Why fear isn’t the enemy—but it doesn’t get to be in charge either

If you’ve ever thought:

• “What if I fail?”
• “I’ll start once I feel more confident”
• “I know what I want… but I can’t seem to do it”

…this episode is for you. With honest insight and no-fluff guidance, we’re helping you move from freeze to forward.
Listen now and start doing the things fear keeps talking you out of.

Want the Cheat Sheet? Click on the link or copy and paste the following into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eyD5RfWsmb1QutGwht8swI6xqbgjGNY1/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

You set a goal. It feels exciting—motivating. Then, a week later, it’s gathering dust. Sound familiar?

In this season opener of Headstraight, we dive deep into why sticking to goals isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding how your brain works, building habits that last, and shifting away from the “all or nothing” trap.

We cover:

• Why motivation dies off (and why that’s not your fault)
• What your brain really wants when you try to change
• How to build small habits that feel safe—and actually stick
• What to do when you miss a day (without falling off completely)
• The power of knowing your “why”—and how to use it to stay on track
• How to build a bounce-back plan that keeps you going

This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought:

• “Why do I give up so easily?”
• “I always start strong, then crash.”
• “I want to change, but I keep failing.”

Listen now to learn how to stop relying on hype and start creating changes that last—even when life gets messy.

Want the Cheat Sheet for this episode..? click the link or copy and paste the following into your browser:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GNFrfdcTqdc421f8ezrVvuD9HTxI_12x/edit?usp=sharing

Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources

Click here to view the episode transcript.

Welcome to Season 2 of Headstraight—the season that moves you from understanding yourself to actually changing your life.

Last season, we explored emotions, boundaries, relationships, and the habits that shape how you show up in the world. Now it’s time to use what you’ve learned to take real, practical control of your future.

In this intro episode, we break down:

• Why feeling stuck isn’t a personal failure—it’s a pattern you can change
• The truth about what makes change hard (and why that’s okay)
• Why self-awareness is the starting point, not the finish line
• How this season will help you build goals, habits, confidence, and resilience
• Weekly challenges that help you move from reflection to action—step by step

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I know what’s wrong, I just don’t know how to fix it”
• “I want to change, but I keep getting in my own way”
• “I feel like I’m running on autopilot and getting nowhere”

…this season is for you. No faff. No hype. Just the honest work of taking control of your life—and building something better, one episode at a time.

Listen now and start where you are. Because this time, you’re not just listening—you’re building.

 
Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/

Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources
Click here to view the episode transcript.

As Season 1 of Headstraight wraps up, this recap pulls together everything we’ve explored—messy feelings, big decisions, difficult relationships, and the honest work of figuring yourself out.

Whether you’ve just joined or listened from the start, here’s what you’ll take away:

• Why self-worth isn’t about perfection—and how to challenge the “not good enough” voice
• How your teenage brain affects emotions like anger, fear, and sadness
• What real support looks like—and how to set boundaries with people who drain you
• How to spot your emotional triggers and make better choices (even under pressure)
• Why needing attention is normal—and how to ask for connection without guilt
• The truth about hurting people you care about—and how to repair the damage

We don’t promise overnight change. But we do believe in progress through honesty, reflection, and small, consistent steps.

Listen now for a full-circle reflection on everything you’ve learned—and what it means to own your growth, one decision at a time.

 
Got something to say? - come send me a message at www.headstraight.co.uk/contact/
or send me a voice note at www.headstraight.co.uk/voicemail/
 
Click here if you want more info about the host

If you need more information about helplines, services or what do to if you're in a crisis, take a look at our resource page: https://www.headstraight.co.uk/resources

Click here to view the episode transcript.