What does it really mean to feel held – not just by others, but by ourselves, our bodies, and the rhythms of everyday life?

In this episode of A Thought I Kept, I’m joined by Lauren Barber for a conversation about anxiety, aliveness, self-trust, and the quiet practices that help us come back to ourselves when life feels loud or overwhelming. Together, we explore what it means to hold space – for others, for our emotions, and for the parts of us that are tired, tender, or still becoming.

Lauren shares openly about her lifelong relationship with anxiety and panic, including the experience of mistrusting even “good” feelings, living in a state of hyper-vigilance, and learning how to rebuild a sense of safety from the inside out. We talk about somatic support, nervous system regulation, motherhood, seasonal living, and the small, everyday acts of self-tending that can gently replenish our energy.

We also explore change – not as a dramatic before-and-after, but as something subtle, lived, and deeply human. From human design and creative work to sacred space, self-compassion, and choosing work that truly nourishes us, this conversation is an invitation to soften, to listen, and to trust your own unique rhythms.

At the heart of this episode is the thought Lauren has carried with her for years: life is too short to do work that you do not enjoy. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, motherhood, creative transitions, or a quiet sense of longing, this is a conversation to return to when you need reminding that it’s possible to feel held again.

About Lauren Barber

Lauren Barber is a Mentor and Sacred Space Holder for Mystical & Magical women who are walking the path of their Heart and Soul work. She is a Mother of two daughters, a Soulful Branding & Website Designer, Writer, Speaker, Human Design Guide, Women’s Circle Facilitator, Yoga & Meditation Teacher and all round multi-faceted human being

Find Lauren online:
Website | Substack | Instagram

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About Claire Fitzsimmons

Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.

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When your mind won’t settle, your thoughts won’t line up, or you feel like you can’t hear yourself think, what do you do? In this episode, Claire is joined by Katie Driver, founder of The Thinking Alliance, to explore how we can reclaim clarity in a world that demands constant noise, answers, and action.

This conversation explores how to think for yourself, how to listen deeply, how feelings shape thought, why compassionate self-talk matters, and how quieter people can find their own voice. As the year draws to a close, Katie offers guidance on how to navigate the pressure, pace, and expectations of December with more ease, clarity, and self-kindness.

04:52 The Power of Questions

12:46 The Thinking Environment

26:56 The Role of Feelings in Thinking

37:10 Empowering Quiet Individuals

41:08 Navigating Overwhelm and Burnout

Mentioned in this episode:

The Question Burst Technique, Hal Gregersen | The Extended Mind, Annie Murphy Paul | More Time to Think, Nancy Kline

About Katie Driver: Katie Driver is all about helping thinkers and thinking to flourish. Her typical coaching clients are quieter mid-career women who are tired both literally and metaphorically of trying to be ‘jazz hands’ leaders and want instead to reclaim their quiet strengths and get on with the work that matters. Katie’s clients find not only the clarity and courage which come from having time to think, but also the self-belief and quiet confidence to lead in a way that suits them. Katie is also a qualified Thinking Environment® Coach, Facilitator and Teacher. She trains coaches and leaders to use the Thinking Environment, a way of going about things which creates the conditions for independent thinking which supports better decisions and actions. LinkedIn | Substack | The Quiet Way newsletter | Website

Support the show

About Claire Fitzsimmons

Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.

Like what you heard?

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Affiliate links: Edited on Descript and Buzzsprout

What if your energy is more than just a feeling? What if it’s your currency? In this conversation, host Claire Fitzsimmons speaks with Georgina Jones about the invisible threads that connect us: joy, grief, presence, and the power of what happens when we stop trying to fix and start feeling. They explore how energy shapes how we show up, how we hold space for others, and how movement, music and humour help us access the full range of our emotions especially the ones we don’t have words for. Georgina speaks powerfully about holding joy and grief in the same space, and the everyday tools that can help us reconnect to ourselves in low-energy, disconnected times. In this episode, they talk about:

• Why your energy is your emotional currency
• The surprising companionship of joy and grief
• How Georgina created “Grief Discos”
• Rewriting the story of what grief has to look like
• What it really means to “turn someone’s lights on”

Timestamps

02:59 The Power of Energy and Presence

11:42 The Three Circles of Energy

24:42 The Healing Power of Grief Discos

25:43 Balancing Joy and Grief

30:05 Challenging Grief Narratives

Resources: Turn Lights On, Georgina Jones / Patsy Rodenburg's “Three Circles of Energy” / The Joy Reset, MaryCatherine McDonald / Grief Disco / Happy Startup Summer Camp / Ted Lasso / Mojo Moves

About Georgina Jones: Georgina Jones is a speaker, coach, facilitator, and the co-founder of Grief Disco — a movement that helps people honour their loved ones, process grief, and make space for joy again through music, movement, and community. Her mission changed profoundly after the death of her son Osian. Navigating grief while still reaching toward joy transformed not only her life but her work. Georgina now supports grieving people to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and create meaningful, purpose-led lives and she empowers others to run their own Grief Discos in their communities. Instagram | LinkedIn |

Support the show

About Claire Fitzsimmons

Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.

Like what you heard?

Subscribe to A Thought I Kept for conversations about the ideas that last a lifetime. Follow the podcast on Instagram

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Affiliate links: Edited on Descript and Buzzsprout