The Relationship Edit

In this heartfelt conversation, Deb welcomes Claire Bluett, a former therapy client, to share her personal journey of growing up in a large family and overcoming life’s challenges. Now a play therapist, Claire offers insight into the healing power of play therapy for children.

She reflects on her childhood on a farm in Cornwall, the dynamics of a big family, and the emotional transition of moving away for university. A significant part of the conversation focuses on her family’s experience with cancer—specifically breast cancer—and how both her mother and sister navigated their diagnoses at different times.

Claire and Deb explore the emotional impact of illness, the challenges it brings, and the importance of support within a family. They discuss the power of open communication, finding joy in small moments, and standing by each other through difficult times. This conversation is a touching reminder of resilience, love, and the strength found in family bonds.

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In this insightful conversation, Deb sits down with Kasia Kabza to explore the importance of building a deep and authentic relationship with oneself. Kasia shares her personal journey—from a structured corporate career to embracing a more spiritual and shamanic path. Together, they discuss the power of intuition, how it differs from the mind’s logical thoughts, and why tuning into our inner voice is essential for self-discovery.

They dive into the process of shedding societal roles and identities, embracing personal freedom, and reconnecting with the inner child. Kasia and Deb highlight the significance of truly listening to oneself, finding fulfillment from within, and cultivating inner peace. They also touch on the rapid pace of personal growth in today’s world and the shifting energy around us, reminding listeners of the importance of trusting the journey and allowing it to unfold naturally.

In this heartfelt conversation, Deb sits down with her guest, Sonja Johanna, to explore the ups and downs of love, marriage, and personal transformation. Sonja opens up about her childhood, growing up without her mother, and how that absence shaped her views on relationships.

She takes us through the journey of her three marriages, reflecting on the lessons each one taught her. Through trust, control, compatibility, and the search for true love, Sonja uncovers the patterns and emotional wounds that surfaced in each relationship—and, more importantly, how she worked through them to heal and grow.

Her spiritual journey has played a huge role in her relationships, helping her break old cycles and embrace self-love and self-awareness. She emphasizes the importance of truly understanding yourself before seeking love from another.

Sonja’s story is a powerful reminder that relationships aren’t just about finding the right person—they’re about becoming the right person. Through personal growth and self-reflection, she has learned what it means to create and sustain a healthy, fulfilling connection.

Anne McCloskey, a therapist, shares her experiences of her mother's journey with dementia and Alzheimer's. She describes her close relationship with her mother and the impact of the diagnoses on their family. Discussed are the challenges of caring for her mother and the support they received from caregivers and healthcare professionals. She discusses the challenges of watching her parents lose their abilities and the fear they experienced and highlights the importance of support and the role of caregivers in providing physical and emotional care. Anne reflects on her mother's peaceful passing and the process of grieving and finding strength in her memories.

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Stephanie Weager, better known as Stephanie Lifeguard, is a seasoned lifeguide, spiritual advisor, and astrologer with 36 years of experience. She sees astrology as more than just star signs—it’s an ancient form of natural psychology that offers insight into relationships, health, and well-being.

Her journey with astrology began unexpectedly in the book department of Harrods, where she stumbled upon a book that sparked her curiosity. As she delved into birth charts, she found herself understanding not only astrology but also her own family on a deeper level. To Stephanie, astrology is like a soul contract—a blueprint that helps us navigate life’s twists and turns.

She believes the planets and their movements influence our lives, shaping relationships, career paths, and personal growth. The ascendant and descendant signs, in particular, play a crucial role in relationship dynamics, offering clues about compatibility and challenges. But for Stephanie, astrology isn’t about predicting doom and gloom—it’s about finding solutions, embracing change, and using cosmic wisdom to make empowered choices.

Beyond her work as an astrologer, Stephanie wears many hats. She’s an author, a wife, a mother, and even runs an Airbnb business. She has written a trilogy called French Destiny and also offers astrology consultations, along with a range of spiritual products like candles and scents. Whether guiding clients through life’s transitions or helping them understand their unique astrological blueprint, Stephanie’s approach is always rooted in wisdom, practicality, and a deep respect for the ancient art of astrology.

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Summary In this conversation, Deb and her guest, Miriam Napper, discuss the topic of romantic relationships and the patterns that people often fall into. Miriam shares her personal experiences growing up in a separated family and how it influenced her views on relationships. They explore the importance of communication, forgiveness, and self-validation in building healthy relationships. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of understanding one's own needs and boundaries in order to create fulfilling relationships.

Takeaways

• Growing up in a separated family can shape one's views on relationships and influence patterns in future romantic relationships.
• Communication, forgiveness, and self-validation are key elements in building healthy and fulfilling relationships.
• Recognizing and understanding one's own needs and boundaries is crucial for creating and maintaining healthy relationships.
• The importance of having a supportive tribe of friends and loved ones who contribute to personal growth and well-being.
• Parenting plays a significant role in shaping the way individuals navigate relationships and establish their own standards.

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Deb introduces Abi McCluskey, a friend, colleague, and mentor who has played a significant role in her personal and professional journey. Abi shares her experience as a Block Clearance Therapist (BCT)and her initial skepticism towards the therapy's spiritual aspect. She discusses her journey from being a successful but unhappy business consultant to finding her purpose in BCT. Abi also opens up about her complicated relationship with alcohol and the challenges she faces in breaking free from it. She emphasises the importance of spirituality in understanding oneself and overcoming patterns and blocks. Abi and Deb discuss their personal journeys and the importance of self-acceptance and self-love. They explore the impact of judgment and the need to let go of blame and resentment. They also discuss the role of therapy in healing and personal growth, and the importance of understanding and learning from our experiences. The conversation highlights the power of relationships and the lessons we can learn from others. Overall, the conversation emphasises the importance of embracing our flaws and using them as opportunities for growth.

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Summary*Trigger warning to sensitive conversation relating to suicide*

In this deeply personal conversation, Deb sits down with her daughter Megan to talk about her struggles with anorexia and the childhood trauma that shaped her journey. Megan bravely shares how her early years were marked by pain and physical challenges, leaving her feeling insecure and wanting to disappear. She opens up about how her eating disorder developed, the sense of control it gave her, and the dark thoughts and behaviours that took hold.

At her lowest point, Megan attempted to take her own life. She reflects on that pivotal moment and the shift that led her toward healing and self-acceptance. Throughout the conversation, Deb and Megan explore the realities of recovery—not just for Megan, but for the entire family. They discuss the delicate balance between offering support and allowing personal responsibility, as well as the mindset shifts needed to break free from destructive patterns.

This conversation is a raw and honest look at the long road to recovery, the challenges along the way, and the power of self-care, forgiveness, and a strong support network in finding hope again.

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In this conversation, Meg and Deb discuss their relationship as mother and daughter, as well as Meg's relationship with her brother and father. They reflect on the bond Meg had with her brother and the open and loving environment they grew up in. They also discuss the challenges they faced in their communication and attachment, and how they have worked on healing and improving their relationship. Meg shares her experiences of her parents' divorce and the impact it had on her. Overall, they emphasize the importance of open communication, healing, and breaking generational patterns.

Takeaways

• The bond between siblings can be extraordinary, and having a close relationship with a sibling is special.
• Openness and a lack of rigid norms in a family can create a loving and supportive environment.
• Communication can be challenging, but it is important to approach difficult conversations rather than avoid them.
• Parents can struggle with their own issues and may not always be emotionally available, but it is possible to heal and improve relationships.
• Divorce can be traumatic for children, and it is important to provide support and understanding during this time.
• Each generation has the opportunity to learn and grow, and to break generational patterns for the better.

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An honest account of Sam's experience with holding responsibility towards his sister, dealing with Anorexia and how his music gave him the space to cope and be seen.

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