In this honest and wide-ranging episode, Ali and Laura reflect on chaotic weeks, the mental load of modern motherhood, and the invisible labour that still falls disproportionately on women, whether they're single, married, working, or at home.

⚠️ A note from Ali & Laura: This episode reflects our own personal experiences and opinions only. We know this doesn't apply to every household, there are so many different family dynamics and circumstances. The conversation is intended to shine a light on the high expectations placed on women and the impact that has on mental wellbeing. Not a generalisation, just an honest chat.

Key Takeaways

1. Recovery matters more than perfection in the moment. When chaos hits, it's okay if you couldn't use your tools or cope "correctly." What matters is finding recovery afterwards, a walk, a book, sitting in the sun.
2. Sitting still is not laziness. Sometimes doing nothing is exactly what your nervous system needs. Recognising the difference between genuine rest and avoidance is a skill worth developing.
3. The mental load is real, and it's still mostly on women. From school emails to bike ability letters to apps for attendance, behaviour, and grades, the admin of parenting lands disproportionately on mums, even in two-parent households.
4. "I'm married and I feel like a single mom" is more common than anyone talks about. The breadwinner assumption, that the higher earner's time is worth more, quietly sacrifices the other partner's career and mental health.
5. Approx 15% of teenagers live with a single mum doing it all alone. FACT CHECK- According to the Office of National Statistics 22-25% of children live with a single parent. See more here.
6. Career gaps hurt women more. Women who take time out for children face CV gaps, halted career progression, and reduced pension entitlements, and these are rarely factored in when relationships break down.
7. It's not hats off to one type of mum, it's a personal choice. Whether you work or stay home, every woman is doing her best in the circumstances she's in. The system makes it hard either way.
8. Communication is everything in a partnership. When the understanding, compassion, and conversation break down, so does the relationship.

People

• Ange (the Ice Warrior) — breathwork coach and wellness practitioner working with one of the hosts on nervous system recovery
• Dan Grove — author of Strong Enough to Fall, a book about balancing vulnerability with modern masculinity. Highly recommended for anyone with a man in their life who is struggling. 📖
• Colleen Hoover — fiction author mentioned as a bedtime reading pick

Tools, Books & Resources

• 📖 Strong Enough to Fall by Dan Grove — on vulnerability and modern masculinity. See link above.
• Breathwork — mentioned as a powerful nervous system regulation tool (even if you forget to use it in the moment!)
• Oracle/Affirmation Cards — pulled at the end of the episode. Card drawn: Joy and Contentment

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this episode, Ali and Laura dive into the concept of the higher self and intuition; what it means, how to connect with it, and how to trust it. Drawing from personal experience, therapy, Reiki, oracle cards, and moon work, they explore how tuning into your inner voice can guide you through life's challenges and help you find clarity amid noise.

They share a live card reading using the Higher Self Reunion oracle card, walk through a guided three-card reading for listeners (A, B, and C), and close with a message from the Moonology Oracle Cards by Yasmin Boland.

Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, this episode is an invitation to reconnect with yourself.

Key takeaways

1. Your higher self is your purest self — the version of you before trauma, social conditioning, and expectations shaped you. Some call it intuition, soul, or gut instinct.
2. Intuition and mental illness can coexist — negative, intrusive thoughts are not your higher self. Ali shares her experience with OCD and how her therapist helped her distinguish between the two.
3. You already have all the answers within you — external coaches, therapists, and tools can help, but ultimately they teach you to access what's already inside.
4. Silence is essential to hear your inner guidance — social media noise, other people's opinions, and constant doing drown out your higher self. Even 5–10 minutes of quiet daily can make a significant difference.
5. Start small — press your hand to your heart and ask yourself a simple question (e.g., "What should I have for dinner?"). Go with the first answer. That's your intuition talking.
6. Trust yourself first — other people's guidance is filtered through their own wounds, agendas, and baggage. Nobody knows what's best for you like you do.
7. Journaling your evidence builds trust — write down the moments your intuition was right. The logical mind needs proof; give it proof.
8. Cutting the cord is about releasing energy from anything that's draining you — relationships, behaviours, situations, or addictions. It doesn't require drama; intention and meditation are enough.
9. Closing message (Moonology Oracle): "Meant to Be" — you're on the right track. Keep moving forward. The celestial realms are on your side

Recommendations

People / Practitioners

• LOA Twins (Candice Matthew and Tesha Matthew) — helped Alli connect with and name her higher self "Selena" through journaling and drawing exercises. Also featured on Ali's radio show.
• Kyle Gray — creator of the Angel Guide Cards, including the Intuition and Downloads card pulled during the episode.
• Yasmin Boland — author of the Moonology Oracle Cards used for the closing reading.

Practices & Tools

• Oracle Cards — specifically the Higher Self Reunion card and the Angel Guide Cards (Kyle Gray) and Moonology Oracle Cards (Yasmin Boland).
• Reiki — used for inner child healing, connecting with higher self, and pendulum work. Alli includes a section on connecting to your higher self in her Reiki course. See more with Ali.
• Sound baths — referenced as a way to practice switching off and connecting inward. See here Laura’s Sound Baths.

Books

Ali's "Toolbox" books (two books mentioned) — covering external and internal tools for wellbeing and mental health.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

Laura and Ali get back to their recording studio (Laura’s garden office) for a deeply honest conversation about the Full Moon in Scorpio. What starts as a catch-up quickly goes deep, covering astrology, healing, self-worth, grief, and the wisdom hidden inside our most painful experiences.

Key Takeaways

• The Full Moon in Scorpio is a truth-teller. If things feel messy and emotionally chaotic, that's the point — clarity comes after the confusion.
• You are not your wounds. You get to choose whether they make you or break you.
• Start simple with the moon: just notice what sign the full and new moon are in, and see how it resonates. Don't overthink it.
• The balsamic phase (3.5 days before the new moon) is one of the most overlooked parts of the cycle — use it to rest, retreat, and release.
• Manifesting isn't luck. It requires journalling, honesty, difficult conversations, and doing the inner work.
• When something from the past resurfaces, it's not a setback — it's another spotlight on your healing path.
• Self-love isn't arrogant. Choosing to be in a relationship from a place of "I want you" rather than "I need you" is one of the most powerful shifts you can make.

Tools & Practices Mentioned

• Oracle cards — specifically the Wisdom in the Wound deck (read in full on this episode)
• Birth chart / natal chart — understanding your houses and rising sign (mentioned: using an app or website to look up your chart)
• Moon circles — full and new moon group meditations; discussion of potentially moving to a fixed monthly date to cover the full cycle
• Journalling — a daily practice for emotional honesty and manifestation work
• Vision board — specifically for the New Moon in Taurus (~17th May) for manifesting travel and dreams
• Grounding practices — used in both personal wellbeing and corporate wellbeing talks

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Ali and Laura pull oracle cards, dive deep into a neuro inclusion course Ali attended, and have a raw, unplanned conversation about the future of their joint venture, Inspire and Connect (I&C). They reflect on what success really means, why chasing other people's version of it can leave you hollow, and how to know when to let something go,  even something you love.

Key Takeaways

• You are one in 8 billion — your unique experiences, hardships, and wisdom make you irreplaceable. No one else has your diamond.
• Equity over equality — meeting people where they are, rather than treating everyone the same, is how you truly show up for others. This applies in business, parenting, education, and leadership.
• The education system is outdated — built on the industrial revolution model, it wasn't designed for neurodivergent or individually-minded people. Change starts with awareness.
• Language matters in neurodivergency — "neuro minority" and "neuro majority" are emerging terms. Saying "we're all on the spectrum" actually undermines autistic people, the spectrum refers specifically to the autistic spectrum.
• Know when to let go — I&C served a massive purpose for many people, but holding on to something out of guilt or financial obligation can block new things from coming in. Every season has its end.
• Redefine your version of success — six and seven figures are noise if they don't align with what you actually need. Ask yourself: how much do I really need, and why?
• Business partnerships require space and respect — Ali and Laura's relationship has thrived because they've given each other a voice, respected each other's strengths, and not competed or blamed.
• Staying in your own lane — not comparing yourself to others, trusting the process, and being honest with yourself leads to real, grounded fulfilment.
• The Stretch card — drawn during the episode, it proved perfectly apt: both hosts have stretched enormously in the past year, growing individually even as I&C quietly paused.

People Mentioned

• Lisa Johnson — business coach and educator. Connect here.
• Kim Raine — mentioned as an educator and voice in the neurodivergency space whose work has influenced Ali. Connect here.
• Helen Daniel — referred to as their "beautiful unicorn," a speaker and educator in the neuro inclusion / neurodivergency space. Connect here.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this episode, Ali and Laura record for the first time from Ali's beautiful new home! The conversation flows freely across wellness, wine (alcoholic and otherwise!), perimenopause, nutrition, and the small daily choices that add up to big changes. They get real about the challenge of breaking habits formed in childhood, the pressure of feeding a family well on a budget, and why investing in your health is so important.

Key Takeaways

• The dopamine hit starts before the first sip, which means the ritual matters as much as what's in it.
• Healthy eating has to be sustainable, not a quick fix. 
• The 80/20 rule works, find the version that keeps you consistent without tipping into obsession or restriction.
• Protein is the missing piece. 
• Batch cooking is a non-negotiable for busy people. If you can't grab something healthy, you'll grab something terrible.
• Inflammation and perimenopause are linked. Knee soreness, water retention, stiffness getting off the sofa,  these are signs worth paying attention to.
• Scan before you buy. We think we're making healthy choices but the ingredients tell a different story. 

Books, Apps & Tools

We are not paid for recommendations but love shouting out about the things we love, the people that have helped and what works for us.

Ivy App — Scans food barcodes and scores products 0–100 on how natural and unprocessed they are. A real eye-opener (toasting waffles scored ~30; linguini pasta scored 100!). More info here.

Yuka — Similar food scanning app, also worth checking out. See more here.

Elevate Collagen — Marine collagen with Vitamin C, taken specifically for joints and knees. Ali noticed a difference within 3 weeks (full benefits at 12 weeks). Here is more info.

Creatine — Recommended for muscle recovery, energy, and joint support — particularly relevant during perimenopause. Lots of brands available but Laura uses Raw Sports version. 

People

Steven Bartlett / Diary of a CEO — Podcast episode specifically covering creatine and its benefits. Worth a listen if you want to go deeper on the supplement side of things. Find on Spotify, itunes and Youtube.

Tonic Health — Content creator who breaks down food labelling, processed ingredients, and what's actually in your supermarket staples. Worth a follow here.

Laura's Personal Trainer Naomi— Works with Ali on both training and nutrition; uses a daily food photo check-in with personalised feedback on protein, balance, and choices. More info here.

Recipes Mentioned

Banana pancakes 

Cottage cheese pancakes 

Protein porridge 

Chocolate cottage cheese mousse 

Peanut butter bars 

Three-bean chilli 

Note: This episode's recording cut out two minutes before the end, and a second full episode recorded the same evening was lost due to microphone battery failure , gutting, but very on-brand. Stay tuned for the next one.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this episode, Laura and Ali go deep (as always!) on what it really means to take radical responsibility, for your healing, your reactions, and your role as a healer or coach. They explore the uncomfortable feelings that come up when we see others doing similar work to us, why comparison and competition trigger us, and what that reveals about our own inner work still to do.

They also get beautifully raw about grief, how it shows up unexpectedly, why there's no timeline on it, and why allowing yourself to feel it fully is one of the most powerful healing tools available.

Key Takeaways

• Every healer needs a healer. Every coach needs a coach. Doing your own inner work isn't optional,  it's a duty of care to yourself and your clients.
• Comparison is a mirror. When someone else's success triggers you, it's pointing to something within you that still needs healing, not a reason to compete.
• There's not one pot of success. (Credit: Natasha Bray) Everyone has their own pot, abundance isn't a finite resource.
• Your ego is doing its job when it flags perceived threats. The key is to notice it, acknowledge it, and let it go quickly rather than spiralling.
• Radical Responsibility means taking full ownership of your choices, learning from every path, even when it didn't go the way you hoped, without blame or victim mindset.
• Grief has no timeline. Don't put one on it. Allow it to come when it's ready. Suppressing it only means it surfaces later, often in ways you don't expect.
• Crying is a healing tool. Tears release oxytocin, nature's pain relief. Holding back tears is literally telling your body not to send you what you need.
• Healers who haven't done their own deep work can still help people, but self-awareness of this is crucial. 

Books & Tools 

We are not paid for recommendations but love shouting out about the things we love, the people that have helped and what works for us.

• Natasha Bray's Heart Healing Cards — beautiful card deck used at the close of every episode. This episode's card: Radical Responsibility. Purchase here.
• The Signs Book by Dr Tara Swart —Purchase here.

People 

• Natasha Bray — creator of the Heart Healing Cards; quote referenced: "There's not one pot of success". Connect with her here.
• Victoria Dio — Healer and friend. Connect with her here.
• Dipti — Laura's grief counsellor. Connect with her here.

Connect & Promote

• Laura's sound baths & Heart Healing business — Book now.
• Wellness Toolbox - See more here.
• Ali has been nominated for Coach of the Year as part of the Eon Apprenticeship & Skills Awards — go Ali!

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK
https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritans UK
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.
Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this episode, Ali and Laura pick up where they left off, diving deep into the toxicity they see in the world around them, from politics and workplaces to relationships and social media, and why doing your own inner work is the most powerful thing you can do in response.

They get candid about blame in relationships, the patterns we inherit, and what it really means to heal. Ali opens up about her divorce, the "97% to blame" conversation, and the profound shift that came from choosing to look inward rather than outward.

Key Takeaways

• Hurt people hurt people. Understanding the wounds behind someone's behaviour doesn't mean accepting it.
• See the 8-year-old in everyone. A powerful reframe: when you look at difficult people as the child they once were, shaped by experiences and pain, it becomes easier to access empathy and forgiveness.
• Doing the work changes everything. We reflect on how personal growth shifted their perspectives on past relationships.
• Blame keeps you stuck. Accepting responsibility (even when it feels unfair) is the doorway to genuine growth and change.
• Intention matters. When communicating checking your own intention helps you act from a place of love rather than reaction.
• Listening is underrated. Many conflicts escalate because people hear the words but not the wound behind them.
• You are still that child. Connecting with your inner child helps you understand your triggers, patterns, and needs.

Tools and recommendations

People

• Angie — Founder of the COGS community- Find out more about events here.
• Lisa — Spiritual coach. You can see her work here.
• Naomi — Relationship coach.  You can see her work here.

Tools

• The Wellness Toolbox by Ali Swift. Buy here.
• Ho'oponopono Prayer — A Hawaiian forgiveness practice touched on in conversation: "I forgive myself. I love myself. I thank myself." Used as a daily inner child practice by one of the ladies at the COGS event.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritans UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

We're back, chaotic microphones and all, and we're kicking off the new season with a conversation that's impossible to ignore. The Beckham family fallout has taken over every social media feed, and rather than just adding to the noise, we're using it as a lens to explore something much deeper: what our reactions to other people's pain actually say about us.

From projection and parental fear, to generational silence, forgiveness, and the grief that comes with family estrangement, this episode goes far beyond celebrity gossip. We also get personal, sharing our own experiences with letting go, setting boundaries, and finding peace without ever getting the apology we deserved.

Whether you've been watching the Beckham family situation unfold or you're just trying to make sense of your own family dynamics, this one's for you.

Key Takeaways:

1. Your reactions reveal your wounds — When we react strongly to someone else's conflict, it's often because it mirrors unresolved pain in our own lives. Psychologically, the people we dislike most can reflect the parts of ourselves we haven't healed yet.
2. There are no sides to someone else's story — Whether it's a celebrity fallout or a friend's divorce, we don't need to choose a team. Everyone has their own truth, and that's okay.
3. Money can be a tool of abuse — Financial control is a real and often overlooked form of emotional abuse. Dismissing someone's pain because of their wealth or privilege misses the point entirely.
4. Family estrangement is not a trend — People stepping back from family relationships aren't following a fashion. Increased access to therapy and mental health tools means more people are finally addressing root causes — not performing rebellion.
5. Forgiveness (or acceptance) sets you free — You don't have to forgive to heal, but releasing the need for acknowledgement or an apology can create profound physical and emotional change.
6. Think before you type — Before posting or commenting on someone else's situation, ask: is this going to help anyone? Or am I reacting from my own open wound?
7. Family dynamics are a web, not a thread — Every estrangement or fallout has a ripple effect across siblings, grandparents, friends, and partners. The grief isn't just one relationship, it's many.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritans UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email us at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this  episode, Laura and Ali dive deep into the complexities of anger, accountability, and emotional processing. Through personal stories, including a heated incident at a children’s football match, they explore how anger manifests, the importance of self-awareness, and the value of taking responsibility for our actions. The conversation offers practical tools for managing strong emotions and highlights the journey from reaction to reflection and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• It’s normal to experience anger; what matters is how you process and respond to it.
• Self-awareness and accountability are crucial for personal growth and healthy relationships.
• Apologising and taking ownership of your actions can help repair and strengthen connections.
• Processing anger through exercise, writing, talking, or holistic therapies can be effective.
• Not everyone will give you the closure or apology you seek—focus on what you can control.
• Emotional release is healthy; suppressing anger can lead to anxiety or other issues.
• Supportive friends and honest conversations are valuable for working through difficult emotions.

Tools & Practices You Recommended in This Episode:

• Exercise: Running, going to the gym, and boxing are effective ways to process and release anger.
• Writing: Journaling or writing letters (even if you don’t send them) to express and process emotions.
• Talking: Having honest conversations with trusted friends or loved ones to process feelings.
• Voice Notes: Sending voice messages to friends as a way to release and work through emotions.
• Holistic Therapies: Reiki and other gentle, holistic therapies as helpful for emotional release and processing.
• Self-Reflection: Taking time to reflect on your reactions, apologise when needed, and practice self-awareness.
• Supportive Friendships: Relying on a close, supportive group of friends who can offer perspective and help you process emotions.

Other Recommendations:

• If you are really concerned about your anger or emotional health, we encourage you to seek support from professional services or reach out to us so we can help send you to the appropriate support.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media

In this episode, Laura and Ali reflect on their recent experiences at a wellness retreat, exploring the impact of self-care, mindfulness, and intentional rest. They discuss the challenges of modern parenting, the pressures of constant digital monitoring, and the importance of setting boundaries for personal well-being. The conversation also touches on the value of investing in retreats, therapy, and other forms of self-care, while addressing common barriers such as guilt, cost, and accessibility.

Key Takeaways:

• Retreats offer a valuable opportunity to reset, reflect, and restore mental and physical health.
• Much of the chaos in our lives can be self-created; changing our mindset and language can help reduce stress.
• Letting go of constant digital monitoring (like school behavior apps) can improve family relationships and reduce negativity.
• Investing in self-care—whether through retreats, therapy, or daily practices—is not selfish, but essential for showing up as your best self for others.
• There are accessible alternatives to expensive retreats, including day events, group sessions, and at-home practices.
• Overcoming guilt and the belief that you don’t “deserve” time for yourself is crucial for long-term well-being.

Tools and recommendations

Tools & Practices:

• Breathwork: Practiced at the retreat and recommended as a tool for stress relief and emotional reset.
• Cold Water Therapy: Highlighted as a core activity at the retreat for its physical and mental health benefits.
• Meditation: Evening meditations and quiet time were emphasized as restorative practices.
• Journaling: Mention of a “five minute” journal/book for daily affirmations, gratitude, and goal-setting.
• Self-care routines: Suggestions to create mini-retreats at home using yoga mats, bolsters, music, incense, and essential oils.
• Group activities: Women’s circles, sound baths, and moon circles as accessible alternatives to full retreats.
• Apps: Breathwork and meditation apps (e.g., “Angie’s app”) are recommended for at-home practice.

Books

• “The Five Minute Journal”

People & Practitioners:

• Angela: Facilitator of the “Ice Warrior” retreats, specializing in breathwork and cold water therapy.
• Rebecca: Provides massages at the retreat and is mentioned for her skill in foot massage.
• Ali: Photographer at the retreat, also mentioned as part of the team.

Other Recommendations:

• Therapy & Coaching: The value of talking therapy, psychotherapy, CBT, holistic therapies (like reiki and sound baths), and wellbeing coaching is discussed.

If you need support please use the links below;

Mind Charity UK

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/

Samaritians UK

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Other support is available and if you would like to be signposted to other tools please email is at [email protected] and we will do our best to help.

Follow us at @intwomindsuk on social media