What does it mean to have balance in your life, and is there even such a thing as getting it right?

In this episode, we talk about the pressure to find the perfect balance between work, family, relationships, health, money and everything else competing for our time and energy. We question whether balance is something we can achieve once and for all, or whether it is something we are constantly adjusting as our lives and priorities change.

We look at what happens when we realise something is not working and swing too far in the opposite direction. That could mean becoming so focused on getting healthy that exercise becomes unhealthy, trying so hard not to overshare that we stop opening up altogether, or setting such firm boundaries that they become walls.

Louise shares what she sees in her work as a holistic therapist, including the physical signs of stress and burnout that can appear before we are ready to admit something is wrong. We talk about headaches, tension, poor sleep, low energy, feeling tearful and reaching the point where there is nothing left to give.

We also explore why it can be so difficult to set boundaries and say no, especially at work. Julie shares some practical ways to approach these conversations without jumping straight from saying yes to everything to refusing completely. This leads us into non-violent communication and I statements, two approaches that can help us explain our feelings, needs and values without blaming the other person or immediately putting them on the defensive.

The conversation also moves into people pleasing, the need to belong, our relationship with money, and the beliefs behind the choices we make. We discuss why self awareness is important, but also why recognising a problem is not always enough to change it.

Perhaps balance is not about dividing everything equally or keeping every part of life under control. Perhaps it starts with noticing where our energy is going, understanding what we need, communicating it clearly and deciding what we can let go of before everything becomes too much.

Things That We Were Told is a thoughtful, honest conversation about the labels, beliefs and expectations we absorb from family, school, society and the people around us, and how they can quietly shape who we believe we are.

In this episode, trainee coach Louise Marshall and EMCC accredited coach Julie Blint explore the stories behind labels such as “worrier,” “lazy,” “overthinker” and “perfectionist.” Together, they reflect on inherited family patterns, self doubt, learning experiences, the pressure to prove ourselves, and the possibility of rewriting the messages that no longer serve us.

This is not a podcast offering quick fixes or a formula for success. It is an invitation to pause, get curious, question the labels you carry, and take one small step towards becoming the version of yourself you want to be.

In this episode, we explore what coaching really is, and what it is not. We share why we chose the path to becoming accredited coaches, talk through the differences between coaching, counselling, therapy and psychology, and explain why ethics and clear boundaries matter.

We discuss moving forward, challenging limiting beliefs, and the value of being truly listened to. We also explore why coaching is not about being handed answers or advice, but about having the space to think, reflect and find your own way forward.

We also talk about the often confusing world of coaching qualifications, affordability, and how to find the kind of support that is right for you.

If you have ever wondered whether coaching could help you feel less stuck, this episode is a good place to start.

Louise Marshall and Julie Blint

What happens when the life we were told to want is not the life we actually want?

In the first episode of Things That We Were Told, we introduce ourselves and explore some of the messages we grew up with, and how they have influenced the choices we’ve made.

From school, careers and self-employment to family expectations, accents, identity and belonging, we reflect on the assumptions many of us inherit without ever stopping to question them.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up with the idea that getting a secure job was the only sensible path• Why working for ourselves was never presented as an option• The lasting impact of school and the labels we were given• Different experiences of family expectations and success• How moving through life, and sometimes across countries, changes our sense of identity and belonging• Building careers that feel more aligned with who we are• What freedom means to each of us, and why it often comes with uncertainty

This isn’t a podcast about having all the answers. It’s simply two people sharing experiences, asking questions, and exploring the messages we’ve all been told, to see whether they still make sense for the lives we want to live today.

We hope our conversations encourage you to reflect on your own experiences and perhaps question a few assumptions along the way.

Thanks for listening, and we’d love to hear what messages you were told growing up that still influence your life today.