How To Belong Podcast

What does it feel like to spend years feeling different — without understanding why?

In this episode of How to Belong, Naomi Lloyd is joined by Tamzin Hall, founder of The Neurodiversity Academy, to explore what belonging really means for neurodivergent people in workplaces, schools, relationships and within ourselves.

Tamzin shares her own journey of growing up with dyslexia, experiencing bullying, and carrying the feeling of being “othered” before she had the language to understand her own experience.

Together, Naomi and Tamzin talk about the moment many neurodivergent people describe as life-changing: realising that sometimes the struggle isn’t because you aren’t capable — it’s because you’re trying to exist in environments that weren’t designed with you in mind.

They discuss:

• Why so many people spend years masking at work to fit expectations and appear “normal”

• How workplaces can mistake fitting in for being capable

• The importance of creating spaces where different ways of thinking are valued

• What happens when someone finally feels understood rather than constantly having to adapt

• How parenting can bring new compassion for the younger version of ourselves

• Recognising when belonging isn’t about changing who we are — but finding the right environment where we can thrive

Tamzin shares a powerful analogy about being told you’re a “square peg” in a world full of round holes — and why the answer isn’t always to change the peg. Sometimes it’s about finding (or creating) the space where you fit.

Because belonging isn’t about making yourself smaller to be accepted.

It’s about finding the places, people and environments where you can be fully yourself.

About Tamzin Hall:

Tamzin Hall is the founder of The Neurodiversity Academy, supporting organisations to create more inclusive workplaces where neurodivergent employees can feel understood, supported and able to thrive. Through training, education and lived experience, Tamzin helps businesses move beyond awareness towards meaningful change.

Contact Tamzin: https://www.tamzinhallcoaching.co.uk/

About the Podcast Host, Naomi Lloyd:

Contact: www.naomilloyd.co.uk

Naomi Lloyd is a photographer, storyteller, author, copywriter and the host of How to Belong — a podcast exploring the stories, experiences and moments that shape who we are.

With over 20 years behind the camera, Naomi has spent her career capturing life’s defining chapters — from weddings and family milestones to personal branding and business stories. But for Naomi, photography has always been about more than the image itself.

It’s about connection.

It’s about the moment someone feels truly seen.

And it’s about creating photographs that bring you home — not just to a memory, but to yourself.

As someone who has always been fascinated by people’s stories, Naomi combines photography with her background as a published author and copywriter to help people communicate who they are — whether that’s through a portrait, a personal brand, or a conversation on How to Belong.

Her work is rooted in one simple belief: everyone has a story worth capturing.

In this deeply honest episode of How to Belong, Naomi Lloyd sits down with wellbeing coach and founder of New Forest Wellbeing, Mark Darcy, to explore burnout, belonging, childhood survival, and what it means to finally come home to yourself.

Mark shares the extraordinary experiences that shaped him — from surviving a devastating childhood house fire and growing up around addiction, to developing a high-achieving survival mindset that eventually led to burnout and a mental health crisis that nearly cost him his life.

Together, Naomi and Mark explore:

surviving instability and trauma in childhood

how survival mode can turn into hyper-performance

burnout, identity, and losing connection with yourself

ADHD, hyper-focus, and understanding your brain differently

nature, nervous system regulation, and slowing down

the power of being truly listened to

and Mark’s philosophy of living in thirds: earning, serving, and learning

This conversation is rooted in a shared belief that sits at the heart of How to Belong — that belonging isn’t something we find externally, but something we return to when we reconnect with ourselves, our stories, and our voice.

It’s also a reminder of why I do this work — through photography, storytelling, and capturing people in their most honest chapters of life. I help people see themselves clearly again, whether that’s through personal branding, family photography, or life chapter storytelling.

Alongside this, I also create Captured Memories — audio-photo memory films that preserve a loved one’s voice, stories, and photographs. Through a guided interview in the comfort of home, we gently explore a life lived, turning memories into a beautifully narrated legacy film for families to keep forever.

Because whether it’s an image or a voice, I believe we all deserve to feel seen, heard, and anchored in our own story.

About Mark Darcy

To find out more about Mark’s work with New Forest Wellbeing, visit:

https://www.markdarcy.co.uk/new-forest-wellbeing

Connect with Naomi Lloyd

Photography & storytelling: https://www.naomilloyd.co.uk

Captured Memories: https://www.naomilloyd.co.uk (Captured Memories section)

Discover how small habits can transform your mental health, relationships, and overall sense of belonging. Kat Thorne shares her inspiring journey from burnout to balance, highlighting practical strategies and mindset shifts to prioritize self-care and authenticity.

In this episode:

Kat’s personal story of burnout and the severe health impact in 2016

The power of small, consistent habit changes to rebuild a fulfilling life

How social media and technology influence mental overload and habits

Practical morning routines like movement and journaling to boost energy

The importance of setting boundaries and saying no for mental clarity

The role of self-compassion and self-acceptance in belonging

Building confidence through habit mastery and self-awareness

Inspiring examples like “kitchen dance parties” for connection

Strategies to navigate challenging relationships and self-limiting beliefs

Visioning future self and aligning habits to live purposefully

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Exploring belonging through habits and voice

00:31 - Kat’s background as a positive habits expert and her personal story

02:00 - Reflection on professional photos and authentic connection

04:38 - Recalling the health crisis of 2016 and its impact

05:58 - Recognizing the toll of mental overload and overconsumption

07:01 - The moment of awakening: near heart attack and burnout

08:26 - The importance of caring for the body and brain as vital assets

09:48 - The transformative power of habits and mental health resilience

11:14 - How societal norms and beliefs shape our habits and self-worth

12:52 - The impact of phone addiction and social media on mental wellbeing

14:01 - Practical strategies: reducing notifications, mindful phone use

16:16 - Habitual routines that foster presence and belonging, like starting a day outdoors

17:32 - The danger of multitasking and superficial engagement

19:03 - Overcoming addiction to technology and reclaiming your attention

22:30 - The importance of intentional habits for mental clarity and energy

35:35 - Habits to improve relationships and inner confidence

36:00 - Easy movement routines for energy and self-love

40:27 - Creative habits like “kitchen dance parties” for connection

43:00 - Journaling as a tool to clear thoughts and build self-awareness

45:10 - The importance of setting boundaries and choosing aligned relationships

52:00 - Being brave in making decisive, authentic life choices

55:26 - Living habits as a reflection of future self’s values and identity

58:09 - How to connect with Kat for coaching, talks, and corporate workshops

About the Host: Naomi Lloyd Subscribe to How to Belong for more stories about finding, losing, and rediscovering belonging in every chapter of life. Alongside hosting this podcast, I help people explore belonging through photography—whether that’s powerful headshots, personal rebranding, or family portrait shoots. I also create Audio/Photo Memory Films for your loved ones, turning family photographs into spoken legacies. Captured Memories helps families preserve the voices, reflections, and photographs of their loved ones. Through a guided audio-video session, we create a unique cinematic keepsake that captures significant life moments, memories, and reflections.

Find out more at: www.naomilloyd.co.uk

Captured Memory Films:

Resources & Links:

Kat Thorne - Website & Programs

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

The Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters

Journaling for Mental Clarity

Positive Habits for Performance Program

Connect with Kat Thorne:

LinkedIn

Instagram

Book a coaching session or corporate workshop

This episode offers practical insights into creating sustainable habits that support your mental health, deepen your sense of belonging, and enhance your relationships. Take small steps today to craft a more authentic and fulfilled life.

In this powerful episode of How to Belong, Naomi Lloyd sits down with Lea Turner—a trailblazer who’s redefined what it means to belong by building a community where “square pegs fit perfectly.”

From shaking up LinkedIn with her unapologetic honesty to founding The HoLT, an inclusive space for small business owners, Lea shares what it really means to show up as your full self—especially when you don’t fit the mould.

Lea opens up about losing her father at a young age, and how that grief—and the legacy of strength he left behind—has shaped her path. It’s a story of turning pain into purpose, difference into power, and visibility into a tool for lifting others up.

Together, Naomi and Lea explore self-belief behind the scenes, creating true community, and what it takes to stop editing yourself to fit in.

If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong or that it’s “too late” to start again, this is your invitation to stop proofreading who you are—and start owning it.

Key Topics Covered:

Lea’s journey from outsider to community leader

Grief and legacy: how losing her father shaped her mission

Building The HoLT: a no-BS, burnout-free space for entrepreneurs

Facing stereotypes, criticism, and loneliness with authenticity

The messy reality of self-belief and resilience

Practical advice for showing up as your true self

Connect with Lea Turner:

Website: leaturner.co.uk

Subscribe to How to Belong for more stories about finding, losing, and rediscovering belonging in every chapter of life.

Alongside hosting this podcast, I help people explore belonging through photography—whether that’s powerful headshots, dating profile images, personal rebranding, or family lifestyle shoots.

Find out more at www.naomilloyd.co.uk

What does it really mean to belong? In this powerful episode of How to Belong, I’m joined by Alex Alexander — connection advocate, speaker, and host of the Friendship IRL podcast — for an honest conversation about the role friendship plays in our survival, identity, and healing.

Alex knows, deeply, that we aren’t meant to do life alone. Through her own story — shaped by childhood loneliness and a longing for support — she built the kind of chosen family she always needed. And now, she helps others do the same.

Together, we explore the real heart of friendship: not just the joy of being seen, but the pain of letting go. Not just the celebration of connection, but the grief when friendships shift, fade, or end.

This is a conversation about creating your village — and holding space for the seasons when it unravels.

In This Episode:

Why friendship is a form of survival

How chosen family helps us feel grounded, safe, and like we belong

The quiet heartbreak of friendship breakups and slow fades

Navigating static seasons — when friendships stop growing but still matter

How to move through the grief of changing relationships without blame or shame

What it means to build connection with intention, and why it’s never too late to begin again

Why It Matters:

We often talk about romantic love or family as our main support systems. But friendship — deep, intentional friendship — can be just as life-giving. And when those friendships change or end, we feel it in our bones.

Alex reminds us that connection is not a luxury. It’s what gets us through. And belonging isn’t about being surrounded by people all the time — it’s about knowing who will show up, and who we are when we’re with them.

About Alex:

Alex Alexander is the host of Friendship IRL, a podcast and platform that explores the messiness and magic of adult friendship. She helps people build and sustain meaningful relationships, offering tools for connection rooted in compassion, realism, and deep care.

Links & Resources:

Listen to Friendship IRL : https://alexalexander.com/friendship-irl-podcast-home/

Learn more about Alex’s work → https://alexalexander.com

Follow Naomi Lloyd, host of How to Belong, for more conversations, insights, and reflections on the messy, beautiful business of finding your place in the world.

Visit www.naomielloyd.com for books and podcast

Explore Naomi’s photography work at www.naomilloyd.co.uk

This is my very first solo episode of How to Belong—a short one, but I hope it resonates.

After years of dreaming and planning, my husband and I finally took our magical music road trip through the American South: New Orleans, Memphis, Nashville, and Dollywood. But the moment that stayed with me the most? It wasn’t on the itinerary.

It was a coat—a bold, 1970s Joe Browns jacket that reminded me of Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colours. Strangers stopped me to talk about it. It sparked little moments of connection everywhere we went. And somehow, it brought me full circle back to a childhood story I shared in the very first episode of this podcast.

In this episode, I reflect on what it means to be bold, be visible, and how sometimes, the things we wear (and the way we show up) open doors to belonging we never expected.

Featuring:

– A magical music road trip from New Orleans to Dollywood

– What my vintage coat taught me about confidence and connection

– Why showing up fully as yourself matters

– And a little Dolly wisdom, of course

Today’s guest is the incomparable Kathy Lette—bestselling author, cultural firecracker, autism advocate, and queen of the witty one-liner. From co-writing the iconic Puberty Blues as a teenager to penning sharp, empowering novels like The Revenge Club and HRT: Husband Replacement Therapy, Kathy has built a career on saying the unsayable—and making us laugh while she does it.

In this candid and joyfully irreverent conversation, Kathy opens up about:

Navigating the heartbreak and resilience of raising her autistic son, Jules, who went on to become one of the first autistic actors on prime-time TV in Holby City

The complexities of belonging as both a mother and a woman reinventing herself later in life.

How humour has been her secret superpower through grief, exclusion, and reinvention.

Her passion for storytelling as a way to foster empathy, connection, and belonging.

What it means to thrive in your “second act”—with sass, sparkle, and zero apologies.

Kathy's latest book, The Revenge Club, is now available in paperback. Click here to get your copy : https://amzn.to/3RsgCAI

Connect with Kathy Lette:

Website: www.kathylette.com

Instagram: @kathy.lette

This week’s guest is one of the most down-to-earth, open, and vulnerable people I’ve ever had the pleasure to interview. Luke Beastall isn’t afraid to be raw and honest about how his path didn’t turn out the way he’d planned.

From dreaming of a pro football career to being scammed by a fake agent and losing all confidence, Luke hit rock bottom. But through embracing vulnerability, leaning on his loved ones, and rebuilding his life from scratch, he discovered something even more powerful than his original dream—a deeper sense of belonging within himself and his purpose.

Today, Luke is the founder of Musclecoach UK and Master Your Life, leading a thriving coaching business where he helps others find confidence and fulfilment. His journey is proof that sometimes, the setbacks are what set us free.

In this episode, Luke opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the power of community, and why saying yes to the unknown can change everything.

Luke's courage to share his story is powerful, and his insights are a reminder that true belonging often comes from our most challenging experiences.

Connect with Luke Beastall:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-beastall-720a2591/

MuscleCoach Uk : https://www.musclecoach.org

Instagram: @beyondboardroompodcast and @masteryourlife.coach

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and leave a review! And join the conversation on social media using #HowToBelong.

Follow me, your host, Naomi E Lloyd on:

Naomi E Lloyd Author Website: www.naomielloyd.com

Photography: www.naomilloyd.co.uk

Instagram: @howtobelongpodcast and @naomielloyd

The Greater the Intimacy, the Greater the Rewards: How Deep Relationships Create True Belonging with Naomi Stonier

This episode didn’t just stay with me—it embedded itself in my core. I didn’t realise how much I needed some of these truth bombs, but I really did, and I have a feeling most of us do. Naomi has a way of explaining things that opens doors to a much more peaceful life, one where relationships don’t just survive—they thrive.

Today, we’re diving into one of the most important aspects of belonging: our relationships. My guest, Naomi Stonier, is a Relationship Coach who helps people build deep, fulfilling connections by teaching the emotional skills many of us were never taught. Because when we feel truly seen and understood in our closest relationships, we create a powerful sense of belonging.

Naomi’s own journey—from feeling disconnected in relationships to thriving in them—proves that it only takes one person to change a relationship. In this conversation, we explore:

Why the deepest relationships bring the greatest rewards and how to navigate their challenges

How to balance the need for both certainty and excitement in relationships

Why meeting your own needs first creates deeper, more authentic connections

The powerful truth that we create our own emotions and how to shift them

What belonging means in the context of relationships and how we can cultivate it

You can connect with Naomi Stonier Coaching here:

http://naomistonier.com

To connect with me, your host (another Naomi ) you can reach me here:

www.naomielloyd.com (for my podcast episodes and dystopian fantasy books)

Insta : @howtobelongpodcast

@naomielloyd

In this episode of How to Belong, I sit down with Suzy Reading, a psychologist, yoga teacher, and self-care expert who has helped thousands navigate change, grief, and stress with more kindness and resilience.

Suzy is an Instagram superstar in the wellbeing space, known for her gentle wisdom and practical tools that make self-care accessible to everyone. But her journey hasn’t been without challenges. She shares her experience of moving from Australia to the UK, becoming a mother, and facing profound loss. Through it all, she discovered that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

We talk about the power of small daily rituals that help us feel grounded in times of uncertainty, how to nurture ourselves through grief, and the deep connection we can still have with our loved ones even after they’ve gone. Suzy’s insights remind us that self-care is essential because it's how we come home to ourselves, no matter what life throws our way.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt lost in transition, struggled to put themselves first, or wondered how to find belonging after loss.

Find Suzy Reading:

Instagram: @suzyreading

Website: www.suzyreading.co.uk

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a review, share with a friend.