Secrets From a Coach - Debbie Green & Laura Thomson's Podcast

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In this second in our 3-part mini-series inviting us to Slow Down to Go Faster, we reframe the concept of rest by asking: how would an athlete consider the concept of rest in their profession? A vital component for performance!  In a world that glorifies busyness, rest can feel like a luxury, but in this episode we explore why it’s actually a radical, life-changing act. 

We dive into the real meaning of rest, the myths that stop us from prioritising it, and how intentional pauses can transform not just your wellbeing, but also your performance, clarity and relationships at work.

We share practical examples of how to build rest into your high performance routines, how to say no with love, and why protecting your energy is a life-leadership skill, not a guilty secret. We summarise tips for incorporating rest into your day, the power of micro-pauses, and simple ways to bring more ease into your team culture - including fun, innovative approaches to help everyone reset and stay connected.

Whether you’re running on empty, juggling too much, or simply curious about how to work and live with more spaciousness, this episode invites you to rethink rest as a choice, not a reward - and to treat it as a strategic, courageous act.

Key themes: rest, productivity, self-care, intentional pauses, boundaries, saying no, team dynamics, wellbeing, leadership, mental health, performance

A replenishing, perspective-shifting listen to remind you that rest isn’t a weakness - it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in yourself and your team.

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Welcome to the first episode in our mini-series where we encourage you to Slow Down to Go Faster. As life gets busier and louder, we share practical tools to help you reset your rhythm and finish the year feeling clear rather than chaotic.

In this episode, we explore the reality of being a constant juggler in life: work, family, decisions, emotions, admin, other people’s expectations… all competing for your attention at once. Whether you lead a team, a household, a project or simply your own wellbeing, it’s easy to slip into overwhelm and reactive mode.

We share five simple and powerful ways to stay centred when the demands build up and life threatens to spiral. Overwhelm clouds our communication, decision-making and sense of perspective: which is why slowing down isn’t a luxury; it’s a form of life leadership.

A reassuring, practical listen for anyone feeling stretched, overloaded or pulled in multiple directions - and a gentle reminder that the more crowded life becomes, the more your clarity matters.

Key themes: overwhelm, clarity, life leadership, prioritisation, staying centred, reflection, communication, focus

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In this final part of our 4-part Energy Refuel and Reset mini series we share 3 scenarios that demo the need and the challenges around balancing empathy with edge. Caring personally, challenging directly and practical examples for how to do this with peers, direct reports and managing upwards.

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If you have to watch your back at work, it’s twice the workload: draining energy, morale and motivation. Over time it can lead to burnout, low engagement and good people walking away.

In the third episode of our Energy Refuel & Reset mini-series, we explore the hot topic of psychological safety - what it really looks like in everyday team life (hint: it’s not just what the company website says).

We strip it right back to the core ingredients that help people feel safe, valued and able to speak up: from everyday trust-building to small behaviours that make a big difference in team dynamics.

Plus, we take a fascinating AI twist: what does belonging look like in hybrid teams made up of both humans and AI colleagues? Can we over-empathise with machines even to our own detriment? Debbie and Laura unpack why empathy is our greatest superpower, and how to use it wisely to stay human, kind and balanced in an evolving world of work. Humans cant help but become emotionally attached to those around them (think 'Wilson' with Tom Hanks in the film Castaway) which is both our superpower and our kryptonite. 

A thought-provoking and energising listen for anyone who wants to build (or rebuild) a culture of trust, connection and care at work.

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What happens when the best-laid plans get derailed: through redundancy, setbacks or sudden change? How do you pick yourself up, rebuild confidence and find the motivation to get moving again?

In the second episode of our Energy Refuel & Reset mini-series, we are joined by the brilliant Zoe Lewis, co-founder of AgileSource, who shares her honest and uplifting story of bouncing back after redundancy.

As a lifelong recruiter, Zoe brings invaluable insight from both sides of the table:  from navigating her own career crossroads, to helping others find new roles in the digital, data and cloud technology space.

She talks about how an “attitude of gratitude” helped her reclaim her career sparkle, why their company logo features two magpies, and how small acts of joy can fuel big shifts in self-belief.

A warm and practical listen for anyone facing a setback and needing a boost of motivation, perspective and positive energy.

You can connect with Zoe via Linked In and check out her recruitment business here AgileSource Recruitment 

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As the year heads into its final stretch, how do we finish well: staying motivated, grounded, and energised rather than crawling to the end  of year finish line?
 In this first episode of our Energy Refuel & Reset mini-series, we unpack five powerful principles to help sustain our performance when the pressure is high and the tank feels low:

• Pace yourself - over time, consistency beats intensity.
• Respect your energy curve - work with your natural rhythm, not against it.
• Micro-refuels for macro results - quick breathers make a big difference.
• Boundaries that protect your energy - to say yes to what matters most.
• Celebrate progress - progress is fuel; cheer yourself along the marathon!

We also introduce the 4 Rs Tool which is a practical framework used by crisis-management teams to maintain energy and morale during constant fire-fighting. As usual we share a clear call to action, plus ideas to share this with colleagues to enable reflective prompts and realistic strategies that we can re/start using right away.

Listen in to reset your mindset, recharge your energy, and finish the year strong without burning out.

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In the final episode of our Thriving Workplace Cultures mini-series, we explore what it really means to be the culture you want to see. Because a great place to work isn’t built by policies or posters; it’s created every day by the people in it. The energy, attitudes and behaviours we bring to work shape the experience for everyone around us.

We talk about what helps teams truly thrive: strong connections, shared purpose, appreciation of differences, and a genuine sense of belonging. And we look honestly at what gets in the way (from “can’t be arsed” attitudes to unspoken tension and poor communication) and how to turn those moments into opportunities for growth rather than frustration.

We share practical ways to take ownership of your team climate: running better meetings, celebrating progress, addressing issues early, and balancing experience with openness to change. We’ll explore why self-awareness and intentional communication are the cornerstones of a great culture, and how your personal energy sets the tone for those around you.

Listen if you want to:

• Reflect on your personal impact on your team’s atmosphere and performance
• Strengthen trust, communication and connection within your team
• Learn simple habits to help everyone feel valued, heard and motivated

Try this this week:
Ask yourself: Did I make it easier or harder for others to thrive today? Then adjust your approach accordingly. Because culture isn’t “out there”,  it’s us, every day, in action.

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Ever found yourself thinking, “How am I meant to stay calm when everyone else is losing it?” In this fourth episode of our Thriving Workplace Cultures mini-series, we explore how to stay professional and compassionate; even when others aren’t.

From gossip and eye-rolling to stress-fuelled reactions and toxic tension, we look beneath the behaviour to uncover what’s really going on. Fear, insecurity, and burnout often sit at the heart of unhelpful behaviour, and recognising that can help us respond with empathy rather than reactivity.

We unpack practical strategies to handle these situations with confidence and care: how to set clear boundaries, use emotionally intelligent language, and adapt communication for different personalities, whether you’re dealing with fiery, fast-paced colleagues or quiet, detail-focused ones. We also explore the concept of compassionate engagement (caring personally while challenging directly) and why managing yourself first is the most powerful way to change the tone around you.

Listen if you want to:

• Stay calm, confident and professional under pressure
• Learn simple phrases to de-escalate tension and protect your boundaries
• Understand what drives toxic behaviour — and how to respond without getting drawn in

Try this this week:
 When faced with difficult behaviour, take a breath and ask yourself, “What’s this really about — and what energy do I want to bring to it?” Because professionalism isn’t about perfection; it’s about self-management in the moments that matter most.

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In the third episode of our Thriving Workplace Cultures mini-series, we explore how setting and keeping good boundaries isn’t just self-care ; it enables the overall culture to thrive. We explore how to protect your energy, manage pressure, and model healthy balance at work: raising self-awareness to the risk of self-sacrifice in a ‘take’ culture. 

We look at what it means to be your own Chief Energy Officer, how to protect your “pleasure oasis” amid hybrid chaos, and why proactive boundary-setting helps teams perform better, not less. We share real-world phrases for saying no without guilt, practical ways to plan ahead for busy periods, and the mindset shifts that turn exhaustion into empowerment. So that precious moments of downtime do not become like a mirage where you melt in a haze of admin catch up!

Listen if you’re:

• Feeling stretched too thin or “always on”
• Leading others and want to model sustainable performance
• Ready to turn healthy boundaries into a shared team habit

Try this this week:
Pick one of the boundary-setting phrases that feels natural to you — and use it once. You’re not just protecting your time; you’re showing others how to thrive too.

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In this second episode of our 5-part focus exploring Thriving Workplace Cultures, we take a look at the dark side of working in an organisation-  what do to when things turn bad. Trust and fairness are key foundations - the give and the get

Notice, Choose and Act

you are not alone, an organisation is bigger than the individual so keep your boundary lines clear in your head in terms of appropriate levels of accountability and responsibility 

We share our new PEACE approach for calmer, more productive conversations and interactions: Purpose, Explain, Accept, Collaborate and Engage:

Purpose - keep eyes on the future win from the interaction  - the why

Explain - your thinking so people see your reasoning - the context

Accept - that it is ok for others to hold different, passionate views - we are not AI

Collaborate - drop the ego to compete and work sideways on  - teamwork

Engage - keep the dialogue open and respect through listening - rapport