Why do we collect things—and when does it become too much? In this episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela unpack the psychology of collecting, hoarding, and the meaning we attach to the things we own.

From sticker books and Kylie Minogue posters to vintage clothes and rare maps, they explore how collections can bring joy, nostalgia, identity, and sometimes even overwhelm. With warmth and humour, the conversation weaves through childhood memories, the dopamine hit of the “quest,” and how fast fashion and consumer culture have changed our relationships with stuff.

They also touch on:

• The line between collecting and hoarding

• How clutter impacts our mental health and homes

• Minimalism vs sentimentality

• Digital collections (like NFTs) and their rise (and fall)

• Education, status, and collecting academic accolades

• Why “stuff” might reflect deeper emotional patterns

This is a relatable, cosy chat about the things we keep, the reasons we hold on, and what we’re finally ready to let go of.

In this honest and thought-provoking episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela explore the difference between offering comfort and showing curiosity when someone is struggling emotionally. Sparked by a real-life moment of vulnerability, the duo unpacks how responses from friends can either open space for reflection or unintentionally shut down further connection.

Angela reflects on how a single curious question pulled her out of a slump, while Juliet examines how well-meaning reassurance can sometimes feel dismissive. Together, they explore the psychology of validation, the role of emotional attunement in friendships, and how our own needs shape how we support others.

From therapy tools like “What do you need from me—comfort, a solution, or space to vent?” to the realities of different friendship dynamics, this episode delves into:

• The art of listening vs. fixing

• Why we default to giving what we would want

• When empathy becomes enabling

• How emotional intelligence plays into communication styles

Expect deep insights, a few rants, and plenty of laughs as they navigate boundaries, burnout, and the messy reality of modern connection. Whether you're a therapist, a serial advice-giver, or someone who just wants to feel seen, this one will hit home.

In this candid and thought-provoking episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela explore the multifaceted idea of reinvention—what it means to start again, whether by choice or circumstance, and how it connects to identity, mindset, and personal growth.

Through honest conversation, they unpack the subtle differences between reinventing yourself to survive and reinventing to thrive. Is it an act of liberation, or a repeated loop of self-sabotage and recovery? Drawing on real-life stories—from Madonna and Miley to everyday women shifting careers in midlife—the conversation explores whether we truly “become new” or simply strip away the layers to return to who we really were all along.

Angela reflects on her own reinventions—some forced, some chosen—and Juliet shares her insights on the Karpman drama triangle, how roles like “rescuer” or “fixer” can shape our identities, and why stepping out of old dynamics is the true reinvention. They also consider menopause, life chapters, and how freedom often comes with age and self-awareness.

If you've ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure who you are anymore, this episode offers warmth, insight, and inspiration to rethink the stories you’ve told yourself—and start writing new ones.

In this heartfelt and often hilarious episode of Growth Through Friendship, Angela and Juliet explore the question: when did life start feeling so serious? Reflecting on childhood play, teenage mischief, and the spontaneity of their younger years, the conversation meanders through laughter, aging, parenting, personal safety, and the shift in how we perceive risk, fun, and purpose over time.

They share deeply personal stories—like Angela chasing her dog Frank for fun, or Juliet trying to lighten the mood with a game of Snakes and Ladders while caregiving. Together, they unpack how adult responsibilities, knowledge, and trauma shape how seriously we take life. From skydive regrets and fear of heights to the science of laughter and burnout, this episode is full of wisdom, vulnerability, and real moments of joy.

This conversation invites listeners to reflect on how to reclaim play, manage modern stress, and embrace imperfection—because life isn’t meant to be all spreadsheets and waivers. Whether you’re craving connection, feeling burnt out, or just wondering when you last belly-laughed, this is your permission slip to lighten up.

The line between empathy, enabling, and emotional boundaries

In this thoughtful and deeply human episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela explore the complex terrain of compassion, boundaries, and the delicate dance between understanding someone’s pain and excusing their behaviour.

From stories of toxic relationships and challenging friendships to reflections on emotional maturity and self-protection, the duo wrestle with the question: When does compassion become harmful—to you or them? Angela opens up about how she often sees the good in others due to their trauma histories, while Juliet reflects on how self-awareness and time constraints sometimes require more tough love than tolerance.

They discuss the psychological challenge of balancing empathy with accountability, and the emotional fallout that can occur when we don’t assert boundaries early enough. The conversation is real, sometimes funny, and always intimate—sharing personal stories, parenting anecdotes, and even controversial compassion (yes, Jeffrey Dahmer gets a mention).

Ultimately, this episode reminds listeners that you can care about someone and still say no. It’s not unkind to protect your energy. Compassion without boundaries is self-abandonment.

In this grounded and gently provocative conversation, Angela and Juliet ask: What does a digital detox really look like—and do we actually need one? From phone-free mornings to late-night scroll spirals, this episode unpacks our tangled relationships with screens, self-soothing, and solitude.

With humour and honesty, they reflect on the sneaky ways tech has become entwined in every corner of life—from alarm clocks to emotional regulation—and how it’s changing not just attention spans but connection, parenting, and even presence in friendships.

They explore:

• The myth of productivity vs. the addiction to busyness

• Why even deleting apps doesn't always fix the impulse

• Parenting in the age of digital intrusion: are we really present?

• The blurred lines between remote work, boundaries, and emotional availability

• What happens when children grow up with half-attention parenting

• Whether working from home is a blessing or a bandwidth drain

• The physical and emotional toll of being “on” all the time

They share personal hacks like no-phone days, writing on paper again, and intentional social interactions (even if it’s just chatting to the barista). The episode also touches on modern loneliness, passive screen addiction, and how we often substitute meaningful face-to-face time with messaging or scrolling without realising it.

💭 “Are we reaching for our phones because we’re bored—or because we’re lonely?”💭 “Is it really social media that’s the problem, or is it the constant interruption of our inner life?”

This isn’t a preachy call to quit your devices—it’s an invitation to ask better questions about what we’re avoiding, what we’re craving, and how to reconnect to what really matters.

📱✋ Time to reclaim your peace.

What is spirituality, really—and does it matter for our wellbeing?

In this beautifully rambling, reflective chat, Angela and Juliet dig into the often-muddled, sometimes-woo, and deeply personal territory of spirituality. From grounding barefoot in the garden to dodging midges on dog walks, they explore what it actually means to be spiritual—and why the term gets both overused and misunderstood. Is yoga still spiritual if you hate it? Is breathwork biology or soul work? And why does someone in floaty linen get to claim more spiritual brownie points than the rest of us?

They share experiences from working with clients who value spiritual connection, wrestle with definitions (and spiritual snobbery), and touch on the shadow side—like spiritual bypassing, cult-like control, and the dangers of misusing spiritual language to dodge real emotional work.

They also reflect on how natural healing practices—like walking in nature, breathwork, meditation, and community support—can profoundly impact mental health, with or without a spiritual label.

Whether you're a card-carrying mystic, a reluctant cynic, or somewhere in between, this episode offers a grounded, open-hearted conversation about spirituality in modern life. No robes required.

In this vulnerable and refreshingly honest episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela question the booming self-help industry—how we got here, what it's giving us, and what it might be quietly taking away. From TikTok therapy tips to bestselling mindset books, they unpack the rise (and grip) of the self-help movement and ask: are we really helping ourselves, or just consuming endless content in the hope of fixing something?

Together, they explore the tension between personal development and perfectionism, diving into how self-help can empower, but also overwhelm. They reflect on their own journeys with early self-help books (including classics like Who Moved My Cheese?, The Chimp Paradox, and breath work studies), and how the shift from Yellow Pages hypnotherapists to algorithm-driven advice has changed the game entirely.

Juliet shares insights from her hypnotherapy and therapy practice, while Angela opens up about feeling stuck between sharing meaningful content and the ethics of offering advice online. They also discuss the difference between social media validation and real therapeutic progress, the importance of critical thinking, and why one-on-one therapy still holds a depth that books and reels can’t replicate.

Whether you’re deep into your healing era or quietly sick of trying to fix yourself, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and maybe even let yourself just be for a while.