**TRIGGER WARNING - SEXUALITY**

On this episode of Things I Wish I'd Known, Rachael welcomes Anne-Marie Zanzal, to delve into the journey of coming out later in life. Together we'll explore Anne-Marie's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Growing up in a conservative, religious household, she shares how it took her 50 years to find her true self as a later-in-life lesbian. From growing up with strict rules about sex and marriage and the fear of the AIDS epidemic in the 80s to realising her own sexuality, we talk about finding a supportive community, embracing diversity, and the importance of mental health. Rachael also shares a special offer for the celebration of Happy Habits Club's third birthday! This is not to be missed.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Things I Wish I'd Known is a podcast that aims to create positive change in your life through conversation, with new episodes released every Wednesday. Host Rachael shares her knowledge, emotions, and laughs, covering everything from mental health, suicide, and spirituality to makeup and skincare. With each episode, Rachael and her guests offer practical advice to help you master your mental health and fall back in love with yourself. Join the conversation by tagging @thingsiwishidknownpod on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Rachael, visit her website. Listen and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or visit https://thingsiwishidknown.co.uk for all links.

Anne-Marie Zanzal is a graduate of Yale Divinity School, an ordained minister, bereavement counselor, coming out and business coach, conversationalist, spiritual wanderer, later-in-life lesbian and change maker. Anne-Marie Zanzal Coaching offers two programs: Lotus Group Coaching is for cis, trans and nonbinary folks coming out later in life to the LGBTQIA+ community. Purposeful Empowerment is for the beginning online professional looking for clarity, visibility, branding and worth valuing.

anne-marie@annemariezanzal.com

USEFUL LINKS: If you're struggling with mental health, reach out to these amazing charities for help:

• Stonewall https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
• Black Minds Matter https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
• addaction: https://www.addaction.org.uk/
• Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
• Samaritans: Call for free on 116 123, or visit https://www.samaritans.org/
• Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk

On this episode of Things I Wish I'd Known, our host dives into the topic of trust and navigating major life changes. Rachael, shares her personal experience with trusting the process and using affirmations to cope with difficult changes, including the challenges of long COVID and her own recent experience of leaving London after 17 years. Listeners will gain valuable insights on building trust in oneself and the universe, as well as how to cultivate patience and reframe setbacks as opportunities.

We want to know who you are and who you want to hear on the podcast... complete the short survey here for a shout-out on the show! https://forms.gle/NpSNBrLzActfrUhq5

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Things I Wish I'd Known is a podcast that aims to create positive change in your life through conversation, with new episodes released every Wednesday. Host Rachael shares her knowledge, emotions, and laughs, covering everything from mental health, suicide, and spirituality to makeup and skincare. With each episode, Rachael and her guests offer practical advice to help you master your mental health and fall back in love with yourself. Join the conversation by tagging @thingsiwishidknownpod on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Rachael, visit her website. Listen and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or visit https://thingsiwishidknown.co.uk for all links.

USEFUL LINKS: If you're struggling with mental health, reach out to these amazing charities for help:

• Black Minds Matter https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
• addaction: https://www.addaction.org.uk/
• Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
• Samaritans: Call for free on 116 123, or visit https://www.samaritans.org/
• Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk

On this episode of Things I Wish I'd Known, host Rachael Welford sits down with trauma expert and Reiki master Michelle Agopsowicz to discuss the often misunderstood nature of trauma. Michelle emphasises that not all trauma is caused by one big event, but can instead be a cumulative effect of different smaller experiences throughout life. The two discuss the different ways in which trauma can manifest in a person's life, from the physical to the emotional. They also delve into the concept of forgiveness and how it can be misunderstood. Michelle shares her unique approach to healing trauma, which combines traditional counselling with mindfulness techniques and other tools she has developed over time. They discuss the various responses to threats, the importance of accepting the body's response, and the need to destigmatise trauma by acknowledging it as something that happened but can be healed.

ABOUT THE SHOW:

Things I Wish I'd Known is a podcast that aims to create positive change in your life through conversation, with new episodes released every Wednesday. Host Rachael shares her knowledge, emotions, and laughs, covering everything from mental health, suicide, and spirituality to makeup and skincare. With each episode, Rachael and her guests offer practical advice to help you master your mental health and fall back in love with yourself. Join the conversation by tagging @thingsiwishidknownpod on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Rachael, visit her website. Listen and follow on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or visit https://thingsiwishidknown.co.uk for all links.

Michelle Agopsowicz has a Masters in Social Work, a Bachelors in Disability Studies and is a Reiki Master. Michelle offers counselling and education opportunities from a holistic, trauma informed perspective. She aims to create wellness and balance through the integration of traditional counselling and mindfulness techniques. This approach has developed through her own journey of having an autoimmune condition, trauma, and anxiety.

She offers practices and discussions that can guide us to live a more fulfilled and authentic experience with self compassion. She believes strongly that trauma is a universal human experience that affects the body, mind, and spirit. She believes that addressing our suffering leads to a journey that is beautiful, painful and ultimately reconstructs our fundamental meaning of compassion, humanity and our place in the world.

https://linktr.ee/illuminatedpathcounselling

www.illuminatedpathcounselling.com

USEFUL LINKS: If you're struggling with mental health, reach out to these amazing charities for help:

• Black Minds Matter https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
• addaction: https://www.addaction.org.uk/
• Alcoholics Anonymous: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
• Samaritans: Call for free on 116 123, or visit https://www.samaritans.org/
• Anxiety UK: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk