Starting Over with Shannon

Do you have fears or limiting beliefs that hold you back in life? Today’s guest hypnotherapist, speaker and author, Brad Yates has a self-help healing technique for that: “tapping”, formally known as “emotional freedom technique”, which involves tapping on energy meridians throughout the body while talking through and resolving emotional resistance or trauma (think acupuncture without the needles and free therapy thrown in).For over 20 years Brad  has been teaching these techniques in person and on his YouTube channel which contains 1100 videos with over 38 million views. In this episode, he shares the research and philosophy behind EFT tapping, how we can practice ourselves (5-minute demonstration featured) and his own story starting over from actor to hypnotherapist. Here are a few quotes from the episode:  “Our emotions aren't just in our head: we feel them in our bodies. So we're trying to just do talk therapy in our head to deal with what's going on in our body?!” (not the answer)“Our emotions drive our behaviour. And I like to say that emotional freedom is the freedom to make better choices.”“The main benefit of tapping is to calm down the stress response. And when you consider that most, if not all of the issues that bother us physically and emotionally are either caused by, or worsened by, stress, then having a simple tool for relieving stress is profound.”“Self-sabotage is simply misguided self-love” You can connect with Brad and me on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokBrad’s YouTube Brad’s websiteMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Do you tend to procrastinate, doubt yourself and excessively ruminate on what went wrong? Do you not attempt certain things you’d really like to do out of a fear of failure or fear of judgement from others? Do you struggle with low self-esteem and low self-worth? These may all be signs you struggle with perfectionism. But you likely know that. This episode is all about how you can break out of that perfectionistic paralysis, heal your wounds and live a happier & healthier life, while still being a high achiever. You’ll learn how perfectionism is a defense mechanism that you use to avoid feeling shame, pain or fear and how shadow work can help with that, why resting guilt-free and practicing self-compassion are crucial as well as common misconceptions about perfectionism and other ways to overcome it. Please leave a rating/review if you enjoy the show & share with another recovering perfectionist! And come connect with me on instagram or tiktok if we aren’t already! Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

What if surrendering was not giving up or being lazy but actually granting us access to an intelligence far greater than our own? Could letting go of control, pain and thoughts lead us to our highest self and our best life? What if the answers we are searching for are not external to us, but internal, and already present? These are some of the questions considered in this week’s episode with John Purkiss, author of “The Power of Letting Go: How to drop everything that’s holding you back”. In the first part of the show we hear John’s own starting over story: how he achieved “success” both academically, as a graduate of Cambridge University and INSEAD,  and professionally, in his career in banking and management consulting. But at age 26 he was diagnosed with clinical depression which nearly proved fatal. And yet it is something he now describes as a ‘gift’ because of the new path it set him upon.  In the second part of the show, we consider the themes in his book “The Power of Letting Go”, including surrendering, letting go, pain patterns, feeling stuck and a technique called completion - which involves re-living experiences which cause pain, agitation or disturbance within us in order to release them. YouTube links mentioned in episode:Unclutching technique - 6 minute video Completion process - for health, wealth, relationships and enlightenment You can connect with John and I on the links below: - Shannon's instagram- Shannon's website- Shannon’s tiktok- John’s website - John’s book “The Power of Letting Go: How to drop everything that’s holding you back” Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

“Thinking is the root cause of your suffering”. You will hear this many times in this episode, and by the end you will know WHY as well as HOW you can make a simple & effective change in your daily life to reduce your suffering and experience more joy & peace. The guest is spiritual thought leader and best-selling author of “Don’t Believe Everything You Think”, Joseph Nguyen. In the first part of the show we hear about Joseph’s own starting over story, his experience as a ‘good Catholic boy’ who “always tried to be a good person, be of service to others and obey his parents”, but was regularly feeling lost, empty and never enough. But this led him onto a path of spiritual awakening and self-development: where he stopped looking for answers externally and looked internally instead (something he now encourages us all to do).In the second part of the episode, we discuss how thinking causes us suffering, the difference between thinking and thoughts, and how we can stop thinking and be guided by our intuition. You can connect with myself and Joseph on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokJoseph's instagramJoseph’s book “Don’t Believe Everything You Think: WhyYour Thinking is the Beginning and End of Suffering” Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Do you regularly feel unsure about yourself, your choices and your abilities? Do you lack confidence in the outcome of your efforts? Do you often need reassurance and approval from others? Do you often struggle with indecisiveness? If you answered yes to these questions, it could indicate that you are being limited by self-doubt (and should probably listen to this episode!)On this podcast, I discuss what self-doubt is, some common things that self-doubters struggle with, the common root causes & 5 different strategies you can use to overcome this and live an abundant, expansive and fulfilling life.Come connect with me on instagram or tiktok!Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

How can we deal with feelings of loneliness after separation? How can we learn to trust again after being betrayed? Is it realistic to remain friends with the person we separated from? How can we learn to love ourselves when we’ve been put down in a relationship?These are some of the questions I explore with American life and relationship coach Stephanie Lyn. In the first part of the episode we discuss Stephanie’s own self-development & spirituality journey after being asked for divorce by her husband when their baby was 1 month old (and later finding out he had been having an affair through her pregnancy).  In the second part of the episode we focus on starting over after heartbreak, separation and divorce, answering the questions above and much more! Stephanie is a no-fluff communicator - she serves us up a platter of simple truths and practical tips to help us heal, survive and thrive. PS: She mentions women a lot in her descriptions but this is just as applicable for men too! You can connect with myself and Stephanie on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokStephanie’s websiteStephanie’s youtubeStephanie’s instagramMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Laura Davis came to fame and acclaim in the late 1980s after the publication of her book: “The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse” in which she shared her own experience of sexual abuse by her grandfather. An ordeal which left her feeling broken, damaged and incapable of loving & freely receiving love as well. But she dared to heal her pain and to ‘return to her body’, from which she had long dissociated as a result of the trauma she lived through. In our conversation we discuss her healing journey, what adversity taught her and what type of forgiveness is essential in cases of abuse. We also discuss her relationship with her mother, who long refused to believe Laura’s truth and with whom the decision to go public with her grandfather’s incest with the publication of “The Courage to Heal”  further deepened their estrangement. This is the subject of Laura’s beautiful and captivating memoir “The Burning Light of Two Stars: A Mother-Daughter Story” and I think in this podcast and far beyond, Laura has many words of wisdom to share about reconciling relationships, how to overcome adversity and how to live a joyful and happy life. You can connect with myself and Laura on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokLaura’s website Laura’s facebook Laura’s instagram Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate” - Carl Jung Reality is that our subconscious controls so much of our lives and we do not even know it. We often think that life is happening TO us, when in reality we are creating and attracting people, events & circumstances  based on our own often subconscious beliefs and parts of our personality. And this continues to be the case until we become conscious of what is unconscious in us: and this is the purpose of shadow work. On this episode, I draw on my recent experience at a week-long spiritual and self-development retreat in Southern France (that felt like a rebirth of sorts as it impacted me so significantly) and I explore: What shadow work isA common misconception about shadow work (clue: it ain’t necessarily sinister) &Why on Earth you would want to face your pain, shame and fear when it is hard!This episode is intended to inspire, motivate and encourage you to start or continue this journey of doing the inner work, but it is not a substitute for psychological treatment. Shadow work can be challenging, especially for people with a history of trauma, therefore I would encourage you to seek out professional help where you can for this. You can connect with me on socials using the links below InstagramWebsiteTiktokMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Emmy is a shining example of someone who has transformed her pain into purpose; her first experience of romantic love from age 15 was abusive and she was left with many symptoms of trauma, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety and suicidal ideation. But she is now in a happy & healthy long-term relationship and she is a certified trauma-informed life coach who specialises in helping her clients create thriving lives and relationships after trauma. We discuss Emmy’s own experience with trauma, her healing journey and learning to love again after being hurt. We also share some differing perspectives on what ‘unconditional love’ means.Here are a few quotes from the episode:  “One of the biggest things that I've ever unlearned is that my worth as a human being is inextricably tied to what I can do for others or how many people like me.”“Surviving and healing from trauma is so often a thankless process. It's so difficult and no one actually knows what it's like to live in your body and have been through everything you've been through. So your survival, your resilience, your agency, your healing deserves to be amplified and celebrated and seen for the powerful and brave act that it is.”“Understand why shame is present and create a voice of self-acceptance, neutrality and then of self-compassion and self-love” You can connect with myself and Emmy on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokEmmy’s instagramEmmy’s website Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Four years ago, I ended an abusive relationship with the person I share a child with. But that did not signal the ‘end’ of the separation: in ways, it was only the beginning. There were two years of difficult legal proceedings, full of pure lies, manipulation, false allegations & frivolous additional legal suits on the part of my ex. But after some time, justice was served. I slam dunk won the legal case and was given permission to relocate to Switzerland from Australia and have sole parental responsibility (custody) of our son. Sadly this isn’t the most common outcome in cases in which one parent has a ‘high conflict’ personality disorder (e.g. narcissism, sociopathy), so on this episode I share some of the strategies that contributed to my success -  both in the legal procedure itself and also in managing my emotions and finding the inner resources to fight a fight I often very much wished wasn’t happeningThis episode was originally featured on “It’s All Your Fault!”, the podcast from the “High Conflict Institute” hosted by Bill Eddy, LCSW, Esq. and Megan Hunter MBA, which explores the “five types of people who can ruin your life” (the name of one of their books) and how to spot and deal with these characters - whether in romantic relationships, at work or beyond. If you are enjoying the podcast, please share with a friend and leave me a quick rating on your platform of choice! Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokThe High Conflict Institute websiteMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

What is self-sabotage? What are common ways in which we self-sabotage? Why on Earth do we do it when it often seems so irrational and illogical? And how can we bloody stop?! I know this is something I have personally struggled with, and I know that I am not alone. You’ll find some science-backed answers, practical tips and lots of  illustrative examples peppered throughout this episode.If you are enjoying the podcast, please share with a friend and leave me a quick rating on your platform of choice! And come and connect with me over on socials if you don't already!Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Why is a regulated nervous system so important for our health? What are some symptoms of a dysregulated nervous system and what can we do to bring us back into homeostasis - our state of optimal functioning? How can we support someone experiencing anxiety? How can we manage a panic attack? These are some of the questions I explore with Australian anxiety counsellor Anna Papaioannou. In the first part of the episode we discuss Anna’s own healing journey, which was linked with a traumatic rollercoaster accident when she was ten years old which led to many physical and mental health problems. In the second part of the episode we focus on overcoming anxiety and discuss the questions above. It's an open, honest and compassionate conversation with lots of practical strategies for healing and growth. You can connect with myself and Anna on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokAnna’s instagramMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

What is spirituality? What is inner child work and why is it of benefit to people? What is at the root of perfectionism? How can we build true confidence? These are some of the questions I explore with confidence & mindset coach Kristen Such. In the first part of the episode we discuss Kristen’s own spiritual development journey, which started with the difficult divorce of her parents when she was a late teen and then her own ‘starting over story’ after being chronically dissatisfied with her work in the corporate world which led her to take a chance, face her fears and pursue her passion in starting her own business. In the second part of the episode we discuss how to build confidence, how to heal or connect with our inner child and how to overcome perfectionism - while understanding the roots of all of these behaviors. I also share some vulnerable moments of my own that I haven’t publicly spoken about before; it’s an open and honest conversation with lots of practical tips for healing and growth too!You can connect with myself and Kristen on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteShannon’s tiktokKristen’s websiteKristen’s tiktokKristen’s instagramMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

What can Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) tell us about dying and our life on Earth? Why shouldn’t we be afraid of dying? Why do NDEs make for such compelling starting over stories? These are some of the questions I explore with my guest, my partner in love and life, David Perroud.David holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Simon Business School in New York,  and he has spent a large part of his career as the co-founder and CEO of an international market research company. But while he was a successful businessman, he had a deep curiosity and interest in finding answers to what he perceives to be some of life’s biggest questions: What is the universe? Who are we? What is the purpose of our existence?That took him on a journey across scientific fields such as cosmology, astrology, life sciences, neuroscience and quantum physics. A unifying theme, he learnt, was that of consciousness in which he became an expert and made a huge pivot from market research into becoming a full time author. He is the author of 4 novels for which he has received much acclaim across Francophone countries and from some of the biggest names in science, including Ervin Laszlo, twice nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. You can connect with myself and David on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteDavid's websiteDavid's instagramMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Bold title. And the short answer to this bold statement is that we need to train and tame our mind. Why? Because we experience our life predominantly through our mind. Our thoughts create our lives. They not only shape how we interpret the world around us, they shape what we actually choose to do and who we choose to be and become. And when it comes down to our so-called ‘problems’, the real problem is likely not the situation, but rather our thoughts about it.In this solo episode I explore: The role of our thoughts in our ‘problems’ How we can add to or diminish our suffering based on our mindsetEpigenetics/nature v nurture debateWhat role the environment and our self-defined identity plays in behavioural changeHow we can create lasting change in our livesConnect with me over on instagram!Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Are our twenties THE most defining decade of adulthood? I’d argue so! Today’s guest is a fellow 20-something Sian McKeever - authenticity & empowerment coach, content creator and award winning illustrator and designer. (I’d add IG “influencer” in the self-development & spirituality space, though I’m not sure how much she loves that term ;) On this special episode we both share 5 key lessons that we have learned in our twenties and 1 “lesson” that we are very much in the thick of, right now. This is quite simply, real & unfiltered chat, with some deep and meaningful moments and a good laugh too! Here is a summary of the 10 lessons mentioned! Share this to your IG stories and copy in your favourite lesson! Being spiritual doesn’t mean you are immune to making mistakesWe experience our life predominantly through our mind, therefore mindset work is absolutely crucial to our wellbeing, success and happinessFeeling deeply is a strengthEven when life feels really hard, you can always find something to be grateful for, and gratitude is absolutely key to happinessBeing polarising helps you attract what is for youTherapy can be a very worthwhile investment in yourselfDo they make your nervous system feel at peace? (Trust your body’s signals)Spending time single is so insightful and valuable; don’t rush into another relationship just because you’re feeling lonely or feel like it's the ‘rite of passage’ for your age groupBe careful what you consume, especially trending contentMaybe don't agree to go out with any other guy who lives in a cupboardYou can connect with myself and Sian on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteSian’s instagram Sian’s website Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

“ I saw my boss with his white nose and I realised, oh my goodness, people are taking cocaine in the morning. I then realised, wow, it's like the whole financial system is probably run in one way or the other from people who are on coke and other drugs to keep themselves going.”Today’s guest is Mar Michelle Hausler, a former London financial trader turned social entrepreneur, coach and speaker. After 5 years working for prestigious investment banks, in a high-adrenaline, money, sex, drink & drug-fuelled environment, Mar left finance on a quest for a deeper understanding of herself and the world around her.   This journey took her traveling across the world and ignited an interest in spirituality, her own inner healing and a contemplation of new ways that we can relate to money and connect our passion, purpose and personal wellbeing: much of the topic of this week’s episode! If you liked this episode, I would love for you to share it with a friend and leave a rating on your platform of choice.You can connect with myself and Mar on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteMar's instagram Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Dr. Nadine Macaluso is a licensed marriage & family therapist and somatic psychologist. She has a PhD in somatic psychology and is trained in a modality called NARM – the NeuroAffective Relational Model, which utilises the mind-body connection for healing. Her expertise is complex trauma, attachment, trauma bonds and narcissism, due to her former marriage to the infamous Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort (subject of a blockbuster film directed by Martin Scorcese with leading cast including Leonardo DiCaprio).On this episode we hear some of Nadine’s story of her eight-year marriage, which she says was filled with abuse, greed, drugs and trauma. But Nadine is of the view that there is indeed much wisdom in our wounds & we can all learn valuable lessons from our (inevitable!) adversity. We also discuss some of the lessons Nadine learned through adversity - not only in her abusive marriage but illness too - what she wishes her 23 year old self knew (she’s now 54), why the film “The Wolf of Wall Street” felt like the “ultimate form of gaslighting” and making a big career change at age 39. If you liked this episode, I would love for you to share it with a friend and leave a rating on your platform of choice!  You can connect with myself and Nadine on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteNadine's websiteNadine’s instagram Nadine’s YouTubeMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

An entrepreneur from the age of 19, Romain found himself a few years later at the head of a small empire in the Parisian nightlife world. By age 30, he was the owner of 10 nightclubs, bars and restaurants in Paris and living a life marked by excess of all forms and one which was full of adrenaline, ambition & hyperactivity. He was quote on quote “successful” but nevertheless unhappy. Seeking meaning, self-awareness and freedom, Romain decided to take a flight to Brazil and start a deep and transforming spiritual quest in the Amazon rainforest. A four year long inner journey that led him to follow the teachings of a spiritual master, to live in an ashram in India, to explore ayahuasca, yoga, tantra, ayurveda and ancestral wisdoms…On this episode we discuss:Romain’s early business success but his unhappiness & lack of fulfilmentHis personal experience on ayahuasca in the Amazon rainforest and following the teachings of a spiritual masterHis ideas of success and how they have changed You can connect with myself and Romain on the links below: Shannon's instagramShannon's websiteRomain’s instagram Romain’s website Music by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

What is an untamed mind? And why should we make it a priority to tame it?  How can we experience more joy and even bliss in our lives? What is the difference between wisdom and intelligence? Can we find meaning and purpose in suffering? Are Buddhist practices about quieting one’s mind? What is the difference between love and attachment, and why should we seek to remove the latter?These are some of the questions we cover today with Austrian monk Markus Getzner, who has spent the past 30 years of his life as a practicing monk at a Tibetan monastery in Switzerland. Come connect with me over on  instagramMusic by: Flood (Instrumental) by RYYZN Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0