Something Shifted | Stories of Identity, Loss and Life Transitions

By Sean Loots | Starting Over and Life ChangesSociety & Culture Documentary Personal Journals

Something Shifted | Stories of Identity, Loss and Life Transitions episodes

April 16, 2024 SHORT: Can Changing Your Posture Help To Overcome Anxiety? Try This Effective Technique With Noa Belling
Bonus Episode: Noa Belling, a psychotherapist and corporate consultant, discusses the link between posture and mental state, offering a tool from her book Stress Less that uses posture change to alleviate stress and anxiety. She suggests that adjusting one's posture can improve emotional well-being and clarity of thought, even if it doesn't eliminate the stressor. The episode serves as a resource for practical stress management techniques.
Noa Belling's book Stress Less is available online and in all good bookstores.
https://noabelling.com Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
6 min
April 01, 2024 "Stress Less" | Anxiety, stress management and emotional resilience tools
Are you aware of how stress physically shapes your life?

Sean Loots sits down with award-winning, bestselling author, psychotherapist and corporate consultant, Noa Belling to discuss her latest book, Stress Less: Managing anxiety in a modern world.

In this episode, Noa shares the physiological impacts of stress and the transformative power of body awareness.

For example, have you ever caught yourself holding your breath while checking emails?
Noa Belling talks us through "email apnea," a stress-induced freeze response triggered by our digital habits.
Discover the array of stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and the cell danger response—and learn how to shift into a state of relaxation with simple techniques.

Don't miss the valuable insights on cultivating a relaxation response to enhance your overall well-being as Noa shares practical tips and exercises to combat anxiety and depression, highlighting the crucial role of mindfulness and the body-mind connection.

Quotes from Noa:
"When you feel like it's tipping over and you can't cope, that's when you know you're on the slippery slide into too much stress."

"When you are in that kind of a frozen response, you've been sitting really still, unnaturally so."

This episode was originally published by Pagecast and is followed by a short series of guided Stress Less practices exclusively for Something Shifted listeners, led by Noa Belling.

https://noabelling.com
https://somethingshifted.co.za

The introduction (00:00:01) Introducing the podcast and the guest, Noa Belling.

Stress levels and coping (00:02:20) Discussion about stress levels, coping mechanisms, and practical stress-reducing techniques.

Physiological reasoning for stress (00:04:16) Exploration of the physiological reasons for stress and its role as a survival mechanism.

Differentiating good and bad stress (00:05:58) Differentiating between good and bad stress, and the impact of chronic stress on mental health.

Inspiration for writing "Stress Less" (00:07:57) Noa Belling's inspiration for writing the book "Stress Less: Managing Anxiety in a Modern World" and the impact of the pandemic on stress levels.

Body-mind connection and stress management (00:10:06) The connection between body awareness, mental health, and stress management, and the importance of self-awareness in managing stress.

The importance of body movement (00:14:44) Discussion on the significance of body movement in reducing stress and anxiety, and its impact on breathing awareness.

Email apnea and dissociation (00:16:13) Exploration of the concept of email apnea and dissociation experienced while being on screens, and its impact on stress response.

Understanding stress responses (00:17:56) Explanation of different stress responses, including fight-flight-freeze and frozen-stilling responses, and their effects on the nervous system.

Cell danger response (00:21:31) Insight into the cell danger response and its impact on the body's protective and regenerative functions under stress.

Developing the relaxation response (00:26:38) Explanation of the relaxation response and its benefits in fostering presence, ease, and compassion, along with practical tools for growth.

Identifying stress styles (00:29:01) Exploration of different stress styles, including anxious freeze and its physiological and emotional manifestations.

Differentiating freeze responses (00:30:08) Comparison of anxious freeze and numb blank freeze responses, and their respective physiological and psychological characteristics. Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
40 min
March 19, 2024 "He's given me experiences that have truly pushed me" | self-worth, identity and raising a child with down syndrome
Are you ready to discover how challenges can fuel personal growth?

In this inspiring episode of "Something Shifted," Sean dives into a heartfelt conversation with Erin Drayton, a mother of two with a story that will move you.

Together, they delve into Erin's academic pursuits, the nuances of raising a child with down syndrome, and the transformative power of therapy.
Listen as Erin shares her family's influence, her battle with anxiety, and the resilience she's built along the way.

Don't miss this deep dive into the role of therapy in overcoming life's hurdles and fostering self-development.

Quotes from Erin:
"Michael is the complete antithesis of that; he threw my whole plan for my life, my whole thought of life, completely off its axis, and for that, I am actually truly grateful."

"He's given me experiences that have truly pushed me to be a better version of myself. He's shown me the enormous gratitude for small things, for small progress, for small achievements."

Find Erin Drayton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erin_drayton
www.somethingshifted.co.za

Introduction (00:00:01) Sean introduces the podcast and Erin Drayton, setting the stage for the conversation.

Perception of Intelligence (00:03:11) Erin discusses the weight of intelligence in her life and her changing perspective on its significance.

Journey to Therapy (00:06:27) Erin narrates her journey to therapy, including the physical and emotional symptoms that led to seeking help.

Therapy's Impact (00:09:11) Erin describes how therapy has helped her process trauma, manage anxiety, and improve her relationships, including with her daughter.

Michael and Down Syndrome (00:12:54) Erin shares her experiences as a mother of a child with Down syndrome and how she navigates public perceptions and interactions.

Erin's Parenting Journey (00:15:11) Erin discusses her experiences as a mother of a child with a disability and the challenges and growth in parenting.

Challenges and Progress (00:17:46) Erin and Sean share experiences of their children's medical challenges and the emotional journey of parenting.

Redefining Success (00:24:42) Erin reflects on redefining success, finding pride in personal achievements, relationships, and career.

Making a Difference (00:27:20) Erin discusses the meaningful impact of her work in radio and shares a quote about success as a guiding principle. Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
30 min
March 06, 2024 "Folding paper changed my life." | Creativity, reinvention and finding purpose through art
Ever wondered how folding paper could change your life? In this episode of "Something Shifted," Sean Loots sits down with Ross Symons, who swapped web development for the ancient art of origami and the captivating world of stop motion animation.

Discover how a simple 365-day origami challenge catapulted Ross into the spotlight, earning him projects with high-end brands like Christian Dior and Disney.

Ross opens up about overcoming skepticism, the power of self-motivation, and the significance of showcasing one's creative journey, all while reimagining the true meaning of success.

www.white-onrice.com
www.somethingshifted.co.za

Ross Symons' career change (00:00:02) Ross discusses his career change, luck, and intuition guiding his creative pursuits.

Origami and Instagram project (00:01:20) Ross explains his origami project and using Instagram as a digital record for his creations.

Struggles in a corporate environment (00:02:28) Ross reflects on his challenges in a corporate environment and his transition to working for himself.

Early fascination with computers (00:04:50)
Ross talks about spending time with computers and his interest in sound and content creation.

Career path resistance and choices (00:06:21) Ross discusses his career choices and the resistance he faced in pursuing film school.

The pseudonym "Calvin Rockstar" (00:08:17) Ross explains the origin of his pseudonym and reflects on his inner child.

Impact of 365-day project (00:13:02) Ross reflects on the impact of his 365-day project and the potential alternative scenario without it.

Exploring and adapting creative pursuits (00:15:25) Ross emphasizes the importance of exploring new creative projects and adapting to changes in the creative process.

Embracing imperfection and sharing work (00:19:33) Ross shares insights on embracing imperfection, sharing creative work, and approaching the creative process with a long-term perspective.

The magic of paper and technology (00:21:53) Ross discusses the unique blend of stop motion and paper folding, highlighting the role of paper and the challenges and respect it commands.

Defining success in a creative life (00:23:15) Ross shares his personal definition of success, emphasizing the fulfillment of living a creative life and the impact of his work on others.

The importance of time (00:24:42) Ross talks about the significance of having one's own time and its role in achieving success.

Self-reflection and self-sabotage (00:26:18) Ross discusses how he has been his own obstacle and the importance of self-awareness in personal development.

Failing forward (00:28:02) Ross shares a story about a mistake in his work and how he managed to rectify it, highlighting the value of learning from failures. White On Rice · White On Rice instagram · Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
30 min
October 05, 2023 "Finally Home." Johannes Radebe on identity, belonging and life transitions
In this episode, South African born, champion dancer and Strictly Come Dancing professional, Johannes Radebe opens up about the adversity's he has faced throughout his life.

From growing up in Zamdela, a township in South Africa to becoming the first male dancer to perform in heels in UK Strictly Come Dancing history!

Jojo's incredible rise to stardom has afforded him experiences he never thought possible and he is sharing his story of setbacks (and comebacks) with world.

Johannes Radebe is Finally Home.

PODCAST:
https://somethingshifted.co.za
https://www.instagram.com/seanloots
https://321shift.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Photograph of Jojo credit: Elliot Wilcox
Book: Jojo: Finally Home Connect with Jojo on Instagram · Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
39 min
September 13, 2023 "Sleep on it." Dr Els Van Der Helm
This is an excerpt of a previously published full length episode.

I have lucked out on my fair share of sleep in my lifetime. I've also had my sleep cycles interrupted far too many times.

Having a young child with epilepsy means I never really switch off, simply because a seizure can happen without warning.

Dr. Els van der Helm is a sleep neuroscientist and joins me on this episode from her home office in Switzerland. Els is focused on helping us improve our day to day performance by improving the sleep of business leaders and their teams. Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global named Dr. van der Helm one of the top 5 sleep experts in the world. Dr Els van Der Helm on LinkedIn · Connect with Dr Els van Der Helm on Instagram · Visit Dr. Els van der Helm's website for more information · Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
8 min
August 30, 2023 Unbelievable! How One Woman's Resilience Turned Struggles into Triumphs
In this episode, Sean Loots is in conversation with Nikki Kemp, an adaptive athlete, teacher, and motivator.

They cover various topics related to disability awareness, overcoming challenges, embracing personal growth, and setting goals.

Nikki's experiences with cerebral palsy, her journey into adaptive athletics, and her insights into handling disappointments and judgments provide valuable lessons for all of us. The discussion emphasizes empathy, understanding, and the importance of personal resilience.

For more information and to connect with Nikki Kemp:

Instagram: @kemp.nikki

If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others to spread awareness and inspiration.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Connect with the host on Instagram and Linkedin Nikki Kemp on Instagram · The Chaeli Campaign · Warrior on Wheels · The Enable Center · Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
31 min
August 15, 2023 "Your nervous system operates at lightning speed." Shaun Brooking
This is an excerpt of a previously published episode.
The full episode is titled "Working on my nerves with Shaun Brooking."

_____________________________________

Website: https://shaunbrookingcoaching.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaun_brooking/

If, like me, you have aches and pains that come and go, you may have tried a few different methods of alleviating your ailments.

I’ve tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, body stress release, TRE and even Rolfing.

Rolfing is when a practitioner massages the muscles and fascia not only where you're feeling pain, but all over your body with the goal of fixing your body's posture so that it corrects any lingering imbalances that are causing the pain.

Sometimes we can identify the reason for the pain we are feeling. I walk into a countertop and bruise my hip or I lift a weight from a position of instability and I pull muscle of pinch a nerve.

But what if the origin of the pain you feel in your body isn’t as obvious to identify. This is where I started to explore the world of somatic therapy.

Somatics is described as "any practice that uses the mind-body connection to help you survey your internal self and listen to signals your body sends about areas of pain, discomfort, or imbalance".

These practices - and there are many of them - allow you to access more information about the ways your body might hold on to your experiences.

My guest on this episode is Shaun Brooking.

Shaun earned an Honours degree in Human Performance in 2007, after completing his degree in Sports and Exercise Science. at Stellenbosch University.

Since then, Shaun has added depth to his academic knowledge through personal experience and further education, developing himself into a somatic coach and educator. Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
14 min
July 31, 2023 "Give yourself permission to do things that bring you joy." Ronen Aires
If you’re anything like me - and I think you are - you may have healthy debates with friends about how the schooling system has developed our way of thinking.
Programed us to believe that a holiday is when you slow down.
Groomed us even, into believing that we don’t deserve a physical or mental break unless our calendar is clear, our email inbox is empty and our to-do list is all wrapped up.

These debates often arrive at the conclusion that while elements of this may be true, ultimately we have less and less capacity.

In this episode, I speak with Ronen Aires about the importance of taking control of one's busy schedule and finding ways to add capacity to our lives.

We delve into a concept Ronen calls "The Chooseday Experiment," and he shares his personal journey of dedicating Tuesdays to doing things that bring him joy, fulfillment, and creative inspiration. By intentionally creating space for activities that resonate with his passions and well-being, Ronen has found a way to avoid burnout and recharge his creative energy.

Key Takeaways and Insights:

The Chooseday Experiment: Dedicate a day or specific time each week to engage in activities that bring joy, fulfillment, and creativity.
Prioritize Self-Care: Create boundaries and make space for activities that recharge your energy and well-being.
Microdose December: Regularly replenish your creative energy to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.
Shift from Urgent to Important: Reevaluate priorities and focus on what truly serves your highest interests.
Embrace Agency: Take control of your schedule and find your own pace to experience flow and inspiration.

More about my guest:
Youth marketing expert, dynamic public speaker and thought-provoking author – Ronen Aires has always been fascinated with the human condition. He’s trained globally with the best teachers in the art and science of human performance. In this role, he has helped many leaders around the world find their A-Game. He strongly advocates for the importance of living a full and holistic lifestyle, encouraging others to accelerate their potential by embracing ancient wisdom and science backed tools.

As the renowned co-founder and CEO of Student Village, South Africa’s most prominent student marketing specialists, Ronen has dedicated much of his career to supporting youth and guiding them to greatness. Whether its speaking on podcasts and being featured in the media, or mentoring, writing articles and a book, Ronen utilizes all available platforms to highlight the genius of today’s young adults.

Ronen is a husband, father, advocate, entrepreneur, facilitator, coach and investor among other things. His preferred title? Young Elder. Dr. Andrew Huberman - Using Light for Health · The Huberman Lab Podcast · The Chooseday Experiment · Ronen Aires Website · Ronen Aires Instagram · Ronen Aires LinkedIn · Listen to Something Shifted: The Soundtrack on Spotify
35 min
July 30, 2023"Give yourself permission to do things that bring you joy." Ronen Aires
If you’re anything like me - and I think you are - you may have healthy debates with friends about how the schooling system has developed our way of thinking.
Programed us to believe that a holiday is when you slow down.
Groomed us even, into believing that we don’t deserve a physical or mental break unless our calendar is clear, our email inbox is empty and our to-do list is all wrapped up.

These debates often arrive at the conclusion that while elements of this may be true, ultimately we have less and less capacity.

In this episode, I speak with Ronen Aires about the importance of taking control of one's busy schedule and finding ways to add capacity to our lives.

We delve into a concept Ronen calls "The Chooseday Experiment," and he shares his personal journey of dedicating Tuesdays to doing things that bring him joy, fulfillment, and creative inspiration. By intentionally creating space for activities that resonate with his passions and well-being, Ronen has found a way to avoid burnout and recharge his creative energy.

Key Takeaways and Insights:
The Chooseday Experiment: Dedicate a day or specific time each week to engage in activities that bring joy, fulfillment, and creativity.
Prioritize Self-Care: Create boundaries and make space for activities that recharge your energy and well-being.
Microdose December: Regularly replenish your creative energy to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.
Shift from Urgent to Important: Reevaluate priorities and focus on what truly serves your highest interests.
Embrace Agency: Take control of your schedule and find your own pace to experience flow and inspiration.
Resources Mentioned:
Dr. Andrew Huberman - Using Light for Health
The Huberman Lab Podcast
Some Assembly Required YouTube Channel
The Chooseday Experiment

More about my guest:
Youth marketing expert, dynamic public speaker and thought-provoking author – Ronen Aires has always been fascinated with the human condition. He’s trained globally with the best teachers in the art and science of human performance. In this role, he has helped many leaders around the world find their A-Game. He strongly advocates for the importance of living a full and holistic lifestyle, encouraging others to accelerate their potential by embracing ancient wisdom and science backed tools.
As the renowned co-founder and CEO of Student Village, South Africa’s most prominent student marketing specialists, Ronen has dedicated much of his career to supporting youth and guiding them to greatness. Whether its speaking on podcasts and being featured in the media, or mentoring, writing articles and a book, Ronen utilizes all available platforms to highlight the genius of today’s young adults.
Ronen is a husband, father, advocate, entrepreneur, facilitator, coach and investor among other things. His preferred title? Young Elder.
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35 min