In this episode, we’re talking about limiting beliefs - the stories we tell ourselves that quietly (and sometimes loudly) stop us from taking action.

We took it to the streets and asked people to describe limiting beliefs in the real world and from there, we break down what limiting beliefs actually look like in practice - including the difference between “I’m not good at this yet” and “I’ll never be good at this,” and how that connects to fixed vs growth mindset. We also talk about where these beliefs come from: other people’s fears, throwaway comments that stick for decades (especially from teachers), and how representation plays into it - because sometimes what gets labelled as “imposter syndrome” is really about being in a space where no one looks like you or shares your background.

We share the tools we use when a limiting belief is running the show: grounding ourselves in what’s true, separating stories vs knowns, asking what the worst-case scenario actually is, and finding ways to turn “trying” into play so it doesn’t feel like a high-stakes performance.

To close, we leave you with a journaling prompt: write down the things you’d love to do (in and outside work), notice the limiting beliefs that instantly show up, and then look back at what you haven’t done - and ask yourself why. And as always, we’d love you to share what came up for you (and what’s helped you move through it) via the newsletter and on socials.

Welcome to the start of our journey! In this first episode, Hattie Willis and Andy Ayim MBE introduce the show and share why we finally decided to hit record on our deep and messy conversations.

We introduce the core idea of Design vs. Drift: the subtle difference between building the life you want versus simply defaulting to the one you accidentally inherited. It's a cosy invitation into the central theme: You can choose your path, even if you trip over a few knots on the way.