You might think you know your self-worth… but your life might be telling you something very different.

How much do you really believe you deserve?

Not what you say you deserve. Not what you tell your friends. But what you actually accept, tolerate, chase and settle for.

Because your self-worth can show up in places you don’t expect — in the relationships you stay in, the boundaries you don’t set, the way you speak to yourself, the opportunities you believe you’re capable of receiving, and the things you convince yourself you should be grateful for.

In this episode of Human & Aware, we take a deeper look at self-worth and explore what might really be happening underneath the surface.

We unpack:

💛 The difference between self-worth, self-esteem and confidence
🧠 How childhood experiences can shape the way we value ourselves
🚩 The subtle ways low self-worth can show up in relationships
✨ Why you can know your worth intellectually but still accept less than you deserve
🌿 How boundaries reveal what you truly believe about yourself
🔥 Why raising your self-worth can change the way you move through life

And we ask a confronting question:

Are you actually living at the level of self-worth you believe you have?

Because sometimes the biggest sign of your self-worth isn't what you think about yourself…

It’s what you’re willing to accept from others.

This is a conversation about breaking old patterns, recognising your value and understanding that self-worth isn't something you find — it's something you build, protect and embody.

Human & Aware — where spirituality meets psychology.

Meet your Hosts:https://sarahhawkins.com.au/

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/

What if you chose this life before you ever lived it?

The people you meet. The heartbreak you experience. The lessons that nearly break you. The moments that change everything.

What if some of it was already written into your soul?

In this episode of Human & Aware, we dive into one of the most fascinating — and controversial — spiritual concepts: Soul Contracts.

The idea that before we came into this life, our souls may have chosen certain experiences, relationships, challenges and lessons to help us grow.

But if that’s true… did we really choose the painful parts too?

And what about trauma, loss, toxic relationships and experiences we would never consciously choose for ourselves?

We explore:

✨ What exactly is a Soul Contract?
🌙 Could we have chosen people before we met them?
🧠 Is there a psychological explanation for the patterns we experience?
💫 Why do some relationships feel strangely “fated”?
🔥 Are our hardest experiences here to teach us something?
🌿 If we chose our lessons, do we still have free will?

And perhaps the biggest question of all…

If your soul really did choose this life, what did it come here to learn?

This episode will challenge the way you think about fate, free will, relationships, trauma, growth and the strange synchronicities that sometimes make us wonder whether there really is a bigger plan.

You don’t have to believe in Soul Contracts to explore the possibility.

What if the life you’re living isn’t random at all?

Human & Aware — where spirituality meets psychology.

Meet your Hosts:

https://sarahhawkins.com.au/

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/

When does a difficult relationship become a toxic one? And when does “toxic” cross the line into abuse?

Not every unhealthy relationship is abusive, but sometimes the signs can be subtle, gradual and incredibly difficult to recognise when you’re living inside the relationship.

In this episode of Human & Aware, we explore the difference between relationship conflict, unhealthy dynamics, toxicity and abuse. We unpack the behaviours that can slowly erode your confidence, independence and sense of self, and why it can be so difficult to recognise what’s happening when you’re emotionally invested in someone.

We explore:

🧠 The psychological difference between conflict, toxicity and abuse
🚩 The subtle warning signs that can be easy to dismiss
💔 How manipulation, control and gaslighting can affect your sense of reality
🌿 Why we sometimes stay in relationships that are hurting us
✨ The role of boundaries, self-worth and personal responsibility
💛 When supporting someone becomes enabling unhealthy behaviour

This conversation isn't about labelling people or telling you when to leave. It’s about understanding the patterns, recognising the signs and becoming more aware of what healthy love, respect and safety actually look like.

If you’ve ever questioned whether something happening in your relationship is “normal,” this conversation is for you.

Human & Aware — where spirituality meets psychology.

If this episode brings up difficult experiences for you, please remember that support is available. Relevant support service details are available in our show notes below.

_______________________________________________________

HOMECall 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732

Hours: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

DV Connect

https://www.dvconnect.org/1800 811 811

We spend so much of our lives chasing happiness.

The better job. The bigger house. The relationship. More money. More success. More freedom. We tell ourselves, “When I have that, I’ll finally be happy.”

But what if happiness was never meant to be something we find?

In this episode, we dive into why happiness can feel so elusive — even when, on the surface, everything seems to be going well. We explore the psychology behind our constant search for the next thing, the expectations we place on ourselves, comparison, conditioning, and the ways we can unknowingly make happiness harder to access.

We’ll also look at the difference between feeling happy and actually living a life that feels meaningful, aligned and fulfilling.

Because maybe the goal isn't to be happy all the time.

Maybe it's learning how to create a life where happiness doesn't have to be chased — and where the difficult, messy, imperfect moments can exist alongside it.

✨ If you're ready to understand yourself, your patterns and your life on a deeper level, this episode is for you.

Connect with us - @Human.and.Aware

For more about Sarah and her work, visit www.sarahhawkins.com.au

For more about Skye and her work, visit

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/

#HumanAndAware #Happiness #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness #Spirituality #Psychology #PersonalGrowth #Manifestation

Why do good marriages fall apart?

Sometimes there was no cheating. No huge betrayal. No single moment where everything went wrong. So how does a marriage that once felt happy, loving and secure slowly become disconnected?

In this thought-provoking episode of Human & Aware, Sarah Hawkins and Skye McCarthy explore the psychology of marriage, relationship breakdown, emotional disconnection, communication problems, resentment, intimacy and the hidden patterns that can slowly pull couples apart.

We talk about why couples can stop feeling like partners, how unresolved issues build over time, why emotional intimacy can disappear even when two people still love each other, and how life changes, stress, parenting, expectations and personal growth can impact a long-term relationship.

We also explore some of the questions many couples quietly ask themselves:

❤️ Why do we feel like strangers when we still love each other?

This isn't about blaming husbands or wives, and it's not about saying every marriage should be saved. It's about understanding why relationships change, recognising the warning signs, and becoming more aware of what can happen when emotional connection is neglected.

Because sometimes marriages don't fall apart because people stop loving each other.

Sometimes they fall apart because they stop seeing, hearing and choosing each other.

🎙️ Listen now to Why Good Marriages & Relationships Fall Apart on Human & Aware — where psychology meets spirituality and we explore the deeper patterns behind human behaviour, relationships and the way we connect with one another.

Subscribe for weekly conversations about relationships, psychology, spirituality, emotional wellbeing, personal growth and the things we don't always talk about.

Learn more about your Hosts:

https://www.sarahhawkins.com.au/

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/ 

Space Invaders: Why People Push Your Boundaries

Have you ever walked away from a conversation feeling emotionally drained, frustrated, or like your needs simply didn't matter?

In this episode of Human & Aware, Sarah and Skye unpack the psychology and spirituality behind people who repeatedly ignore personal boundaries, what we call "Space Invaders."

From overbearing family members and controlling partners to well-meaning friends who are "only trying to help," we explore why some people struggle to respect boundaries, how guilt and loopholes are used to justify overstepping, and the hidden emotional toll this takes on your confidence, nervous system, and sense of self.

You'll discover:

Why some people feel entitled to cross boundaries.

The difference between genuine support and controlling behaviour.

How "helpfulness" can become a form of manipulation.

Why resentment builds when boundaries aren't honoured.

The surprising connection between psychology, nervous system regulation, and personal energy.

Practical ways to recognise boundary violations and begin protecting your peace.

If you've ever struggled to say no, felt guilty for putting yourself first, or questioned whether your boundaries are "too much," this conversation is for you.

Because healthy relationships don't require you to abandon yourself, they thrive on mutual respect.

Want to learn more?

Visit our hosts online:

✨ Sarah Hawkins: www.sarahhawkins.com.au

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review the podcast - it helps us reach more people who are ready for these conversations.

Have you ever walked away from someone feeling completely exhausted… even though nothing “bad” actually happened?

You’re not imagining it. But is what you’re experiencing psychological, spiritual — or could it be both?

In this episode of Human & Aware, we explore the fascinating concept of energy vampires through both a psychological and spiritual lens. We unpack why certain people can leave us feeling emotionally and mentally drained, the subconscious patterns that keep us connected to unhealthy dynamics, and why some relationships seem to deplete us while others leave us feeling energised and alive.

We explore:

✨ Why some people seem to “feed” off your energy
🧠 The psychology behind emotional exhaustion and toxic relationship dynamics
🌿 What energetic boundaries mean from a spiritual perspective
💛 How to recognise when supporting someone becomes sacrificing yourself
✨ Practical ways to protect your peace without guilt

Are energy vampires actually real? Or are we simply using spiritual language to describe something psychology has already explained?

If you’ve ever wondered why you can feel completely drained after being around certain people — while others make you feel lighter, happier and more like yourself — this conversation is for you.

Human & Aware — where spirituality meets psychology.

Meet your hosts:

https://sarahhawkins.com.au/

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/

Were the experiences that shaped your life decided before you were even born?

What if your fears, relationship patterns, beliefs, and even your biggest life challenges didn't begin with you?

In this fascinating episode of Human & Aware, Sarah Hawkins and Skye McCarthy explore the powerful intersection of psychology and spirituality as they discuss soul contracts, ancestral patterns, generational trauma, childhood conditioning, karma, and the possibility that your soul chose certain experiences before this lifetime.

Are we simply products of our upbringing, or could there be something much deeper influencing the path we're walking?

Whether you're curious about pre-birth planning, spiritual awakening, personal growth, manifestation, healing, or the psychology behind why we repeat certain patterns, this conversation will challenge the way you see yourself and your life story.

If you've ever wondered:

• Did I choose my family before I was born?

• Why do I keep attracting the same relationships?

• Can trauma be passed down through generations?

• Is my life unfolding exactly as it was meant to?

• Can I change the story I've inherited?

...then this episode is for you.

This isn't about telling you what to believe—it's about opening your mind to new possibilities and encouraging you to reflect on your own journey.

🎙️ Listen now and discover how understanding your past—whether through psychology, spirituality, or both—could completely change your future.

Subscribe to Human & Aware for weekly conversations where psychology meets spirituality, helping you better understand yourself, your relationships, and the world around you.

Learn more about your hosts

https://www.sarahhawkins.com.au/

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/ 

What shaped the world’s biggest superstar?

In this episode of Human & Aware, we step beyond the headlines and into the psychology behind one of the most fascinating, complicated and iconic figures in modern history: Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson’s life was extraordinary from almost every perspective. He became famous as a child, grew up in front of the world, achieved a level of success few people could ever comprehend — and yet, behind the fame, was a human being whose childhood, relationships, identity and sense of self were shaped under an extraordinary amount of pressure.

We explore what happens psychologically when childhood is spent performing, when approval becomes tied to achievement, and when there is little opportunity to develop a private identity away from the expectations of others.

From his relationship with his father and the pressures of his childhood, to perfectionism, fame, identity and the psychological impact of living under constant public scrutiny, we look at some of the experiences that may have influenced the person Michael Jackson became.

We also explore the tension between the child and the superstar — and what can happen when someone is forced to grow up in an environment where their value is constantly measured by their performance.

How does extraordinary fame affect the development of identity?

What happens when perfection becomes the standard?

Can someone who has spent their entire life being watched ever truly know who they are away from the public?

And perhaps most importantly — what happens to the human being when the world becomes obsessed with the legend?

This episode isn't about defending Michael Jackson, condemning him, diagnosing him, or attempting to reduce an incredibly complex person to a single explanation.

It's about curiosity.

It's about psychology.

And it's about looking beyond the headlines to ask a much bigger question:

What happens to a human being when their entire life is shaped by fame, expectation, trauma, pressure and the relentless gaze of the world?

Because before Michael Jackson became a legend, he was a child.

And understanding the child may help us better understand the man.

Have you ever felt like something just isn't right... but you can't explain why?

Maybe you're constantly exhausted, feeling stuck, losing motivation, or living a life that looks good on the outside but doesn't feel right on the inside. These could be signs you're living out of alignment.

In this powerful episode of Human & Aware, Sarah Hawkins and Skye McCarthy explore the hidden signs of misalignment and why so many people ignore the subtle messages their mind, body, and intuition are trying to send.

Together, they discuss:

The warning signs you're living out of alignment

Why you feel stuck, restless, or emotionally disconnected

The psychology behind burnout and chronic dissatisfaction

Intuition vs fear—how to tell the difference

Why your body often knows before your mind does

How childhood conditioning can pull you away from your authentic self

Practical ways to reconnect with who you truly are

Sometimes life whispers before it screams.

Those feelings of frustration, anxiety, resentment, or emptiness may not be problems to fix—they may be invitations to change.

Whether you see it through the lens of psychology, spirituality, personal growth, or self-awareness, this episode will help you understand why you're feeling the way you do and how to start living a life that feels more authentic and aligned.

If you've ever thought, "There has to be more to life than this," or you've been wondering whether you're on the right path, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

🎙️ Listen now and discover the hidden signs that could be guiding you back to the life you were truly meant to live.

Subscribe to Human & Aware for weekly conversations where psychology meets spirituality, helping you better understand yourself, your relationships, and the deeper patterns shaping your life.

Learn more about your hosts

https://thewomenshappinessproject.com/

https://www.sarahhawkins.com.au/