You’re not behind, you’re in a season.

We’ve been taught to measure life through milestones, deadlines, and expectations. But real life doesn’t move in straight lines, it moves in seasons.

In this reflective episode, host Michelle explores the idea that life unfolds in cycles: seasons of growth, rest, rebuilding, creativity, and renewal. Drawing on personal experience and observation, she invites listeners to loosen their grip on timelines and instead honour the season they’re truly in.

This episode is a reminder that quiet seasons are not failures, they are often where the deepest work is happening.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why life moves in seasons, not deadlines
• The self compassion that comes from naming your current season
• How forcing progress leads to burnout and disconnection
• The power of seasonal living for creativity and clarity
• Learning to trust rhythm over urgency

Question for you to contemplate:- What season are you in right now - and how would your life change if you honoured it?

**This is the final episode in SEASON SIX - thanks so much for being here all these years with me! Have a wonderful Festival Season & I look forward to being back with you early Jan 2026 for an exciting year ahead. M x **

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- [email protected]

If your 80-year-old self could give you one piece of advice, it might be this: protect the magic.

In this solo episode of host, Michelle shares wisdom she imagines hearing from her future self - the version of her who has lived fully, loved deeply, and learned what truly mattered.

This episode is about the quiet, essential things we give away too easily: our energy, creativity, intuition and presence. Through reflection and lived experience, Michelle explores why protecting your magic isn’t indulgent or selfish. It’s actually what allows you to show up fully for your work, your relationships, and your life.

It’s an invitation to pause, listen, and reclaim the parts of yourself that make life feel meaningful. A gentle, grounding conversation about boundaries, seasons, and honouring what keeps you feeling alive.

• What your “magic” really is (and how to recognise it)
• Lessons learned too late about boundaries and over-giving
• The cost of saying yes to everything
• Rituals that protect creativity, energy, and intuition
• Why guarding your inner world benefits everyone around you

If your 80-year-old self were watching your life today, what would they tell you to protect more fiercely?

Here’s the original prompt I used to ‘talk to’ 80 year old me! 

‘Based on what you know about me, I want you to pretend you're me at 80years old. What would 80 year old me give advice to current me about?’

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

[email protected]

“Understanding our emotional imprints can transform how we lead, parent, and connect.”



Here’s the second part of the wonderful and ever insightful conversation with Lael Stone. Lael is an educator, TEDx speaker, counsellor, and author dedicated to helping people create stronger, more compassionate relationships through emotional awareness and connection. Lael shares how raising resilient kids starts with understanding ourselves. 

*I highly recommend listening to part one last week before this as it will give you context. 

FIND LAEL’S NEW BOOK ‘OWN YOUR STORY’ HERE!

For more information about Lael, check out these places;-

Website:   https://laelstone.com.au/

Linkedin:  Lael Stone

Instagram: @laelstone

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

Lael Stone returns to the show to share her latest learnings and more in-depth work on ‘imprints’ and how the past can have such an impact in our future. Lael is an educator, TEDx speaker, counsellor and author dedicated to helping people create stronger, more compassionate relationships through emotional awareness and connection. With over 22 years of experience working with families, Lael’s background spans birth education, post-natal trauma counselling, and parenting education. She has worked with thousands of families, guiding parents from the newborn stage through to the teenage years, and spent over five years in secondary schools supporting young people in areas of wellbeing, relationships and sexuality.

Lael is the creator of Woodline Primary School, an innovative, wellbeing-based school that places emotional connection at the heart of education. Her TEDx talk, How to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children, has been viewed more than three million times, and she co-hosts The Aware Parenting Podcast, which has reached a global audience of over three million downloads.

Her first book, Raising Resilient and Compassionate Children, became an instant bestseller, and her second book, Own Your Story, explores how healing our past allows us to thrive in the future. Today, she continues to speak and consult across schools, organisations, and corporate settings, helping people of all ages understand and transform the emotional imprints that shape their lives.

For more information about Lael, check out these places;-

Website:   https://laelstone.com.au/

Linkedin:  Lael Stone

Instagram: @laelstone

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;-

[email protected]

“Websites are like online real estate. They can generate passive income and provide long-term wealth.”  What if your path to financial freedom didn’t start with money, but with curiosity and a willingness to take risks?

Matt Raad is an entrepreneur, investor and educator who has built a life around financial freedom, digital innovation and teamwork. Alongside his wife Liz, Matt is one of the early pioneers of website investing - the strategy of buying, renovating and selling websites to create cash flow and long-term wealth. Together, they transformed this once-niche idea into a proven system that helps everyday people generate leveraged, location-independent income.

Their journey began far from the digital world. Originally trained as zoologists, Matt and Liz transitioned from buying and growing traditional businesses into multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions, and eventually into the online marketplace. Through their company and education programs, they have helped thousands of beginners build 6- and 7-figure incomes using digital assets.

Matt’s story is one of curiosity, persistence and reinvention. With nearly three decades of experience in entrepreneurship, investment and education, he continues to inspire others to embrace new opportunities and use digital skills to create freedom, flexibility and a life by design.

For more information about Matt, check out these places;-

Website:   E-Business Institute

Linkedin:  Matt Raad

Podcast: digitalinvestors.com

Youtube: Youtube.com/@DigitalInvestorShow

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;-[email protected]

Tim Hewson is a passionate mental health advocate, educator, and speaker committed to building mentally healthier workplaces, communities, and lives. With close to 30 years of leadership experience at major financial institutions including CBA, ING, and Rabobank, Tim brings a rare blend of corporate insight and human connection to his mission.

In 2021, he founded Mongrels Men, an award-winning mental health charity that equips men with the tools, support, and confidence to take control of their mental wellbeing and prevent suicide. In 2024, he launched Betterment Consulting to expand that impact into workplaces through tailored advocacy, education, and leadership training. Then in 2025, he created His Story, a storytelling platform where men share lived experiences to inspire honest conversations and connection across generations.

Recognised in NSW State Parliament for his work in mental health, Tim is also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor, workshop facilitator, and ASIST Suicide First Aider. Through his work, he helps people and organisations create what he calls “brave spaces” — places where we feel safe to talk, supported to listen, and inspired to change.

Key Takeaways

• 38% of men do not talk about their feelings due to societal pressures.
• Creating brave spaces for men to express themselves is crucial.
• Vulnerability should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness.
• Role modelling positive behaviours can influence younger generations.
• Community support networks are essential for men's mental health.
• Encouraging emotional intelligence in men is vital for their well-being.
• Conversations about mental health should be normalised among men.
• Surrounding children with positive role models can help break generational cycles.

For more information about Tim, check out these places;-

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timhewson1

Website: www.BettermentCo.com.au

Instagram: @betterment_consulting

Website: Mongrels Men Health and Wellbeing

Instagram & Facebook: @mongrelsmen

Website: HisStory

Instagram: @his_storytelling

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

What if the life you imagined - the one you worked for, planned for, and dreamed about - didn’t turn out the way you thought? And what if, instead of breaking you, it became the beginning of something extraordinary?

Today’s guest is Kelly Donougher, founder and director of 13 Interiors, one of Australia’s leading interior design studios. With studios in Perth and Melbourne, her work has been featured everywhere from Adore Magazine to Home Beautiful and Channel 9.

A talented woman, Kelly recently added a new title to her name: author. Her debut memoir, No Fence, No Limits, shares the raw and unconventional journey that led her to create 13 Interiors and to redefine what it means to design a life on your own terms. In this conversation, Kelly opens up about creativity, resilience, and why some of the most powerful designs begin well beyond the blueprint.

For more information about Kelly, check out these places;-



Find Kelly's Book here: No Fence, No Limits

Website:   Kelly Donougher

Linkedin:  Kelly Donougher

Instagram: 13 Interiors

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

Small, consistent practices are the key to big change in mental health.

In this conversation, Cooper discusses the critical need for mental health action rather than just awareness. He shares insights from his journey with the Good Human Factory, emphasising the importance of daily mental health practices, the role of habits, and the power of communication and connection. Cooper encourages listeners to take responsibility for their mental health and offers practical tips for integrating mindfulness and gratitude into daily life. He envisions a future where a significant portion of the population dedicates time to their mental health, leading to profound societal changes.

His approach is grounded in both vulnerability and practicality. By sharing his own story alongside evidence-based tools like gratitude and mindfulness, he shows that mental health is not just about illness, but about how we live every day. In this episode, Cooper opens up about identity, resilience, and the small shifts that can make a big difference.

Key Takeaways:-

• Mental health action is crucial, not just awareness.
• Starting with 1% of your day can make a difference.
• Daily mindfulness and gratitude practices are essential.
• Don't judge yourself for taking time for mental health.
• Communication is key to building connections.
• Self-awareness helps break unhealthy patterns.
• Incremental growth leads to significant change.
• Nature and grounding have positive effects on mental health.
• Exercise and healthy eating are foundational habits.
• Community support enhances mental health practices.
• 
  

For more information about Cooper, check out these places;-

Find Coopers Book here: The 1% Good Club

Website:   The Good Human Factory

Linkedin:  Cooper Chapman

Instagram: Cooper Chapman

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;- 

Scared AI will replace you? My guest Leanne Shelton will share how to flip your mindset — and use AI to your advantage. Leanne is the CEO and Founder of HumanEdge AI Training, where she helps leaders and professionals around the world navigate the fast-changing world of AI with confidence. With a background in marketing, copywriting, and training, she brings a rare blend of communication skills and technical insight, making AI accessible to people who don’t consider themselves “techy.”

After running a successful content agency for over a decade, Leanne pivoted into AI training and has since delivered coaching, keynote presentations, and conference workshops across Australia and Southeast Asia. Her people-first philosophy focuses on using AI ethically, effectively, and in ways that enhance — not replace — human connection.

Leanne is also the author of AI-Human Fusion, a practical guide to understanding and applying AI for busy professionals. Through her work, she’s helped thousands of people shift their mindset, unlock new opportunities, and see AI as a partner rather than a threat.

In this episode, Leanne shares her insights on the future of AI, why a human-first approach matters, and how anyone can start using it with confidence.

For more information about Leanne, check out these places;-



Find Leanne's Book here: AI Human Fusion

Website:   Human Edge AI 

Linkedin:  Leanne Shelton

Instagram: Leanne Shelton

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;-

What does it take to create lasting, strengths-based change? 

Today’s guest, Dr Michelle McQuaid unpacks the science of wellbeing and why leaders need to make it a priority now. Dr. Michelle is a globally sought-after leadership and wellbeing expert who’s worked with everyone from Deloitte and IBM to the Dubai Government and Harley Davidson. She has a gift for turning cutting-edge research into simple, practical strategies that help people thrive at work and in life.

I’ve brought Michelle on today to talk about a research piece that has just been released revealing what’s called a ‘Quiet Cracking phenomenon’. Not a term I’d heard of before, but, you recognise the feeling of holding it all together on the outside, but on the inside feeling like you're falling apart? That's quiet cracking. Let’s learn more about it..



For more information about Dr Michelle, check out these places;-

Website:   Dr Michelle McQuaid 

Linkedin:  Dr Michelle McQuaid

Head to michellejcox.com for more information about the ONE QUESTION podcast, your host or today’s guests

Connect with Michelle on Linkedin here:- @MichelleJCox

Connect with Michelle on Instagram here:- @michellejcox

Connect with Michelle on Facebook here - @michellejcox

AND, if you have a burning topic you’d love people to talk more about, or know someone who’d be great to come on the One Question podcast, please get in touch;-