Know You Matter | Conversations with The Blondes Restoration

The Blondes

Hosted by mother-daughter duo Jacqueline & Lauren, this is your reminder that you matter, while we navigate a world where we do too. Because we're all human, and that's enough. You can expect conversations about healing from generational trauma (as two people living it), recovering from burnout and people pleasing, navigating imposter syndrome, privilege and perspective shifts. Sometimes we laugh until we cry, and by laugh we mean cackle. Sometimes we cry until we laugh. Sometimes we go deep, sometimes we’re ridiculous. But every episode is rooted in one truth: you matter.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Living Together, Fear, and the Judges in Our Heads

    We want to preface these show notes that this episode is a bit vulnerable, we both get emotional, we are exploring these concepts real time as we invite you, the listeners to explore with us. Take care of yourself as you listen.  We start by answering questions you’ve been asking us on social media about our plan to live together. Yes. All of us. In one house. We talk about: 🏡 What we’re excited about 😬 What makes us nervous 📦 Dad’s… “collections” (read: hoarding tendencies) 💬 How the dynamic might shift 🚪 And the absolute necessity of asking each other for space without it meaning rejection But the conversation doesn’t stay logistical for long. It turns into something much deeper. Jacqueline shares how fear shows up in her body, not as a thought, but as something physical. She describes “Grudge Girl” (that pulling-in, shrinking, make-yourself-small feeling) and “Freddy Krueger” (the part that slashes at her voice when she tries to speak her truth). She connects it to a lifelong fear of punishment. Of upsetting people. Of being “too much.” Lauren shares her Judge too, Mrs. Beech, Willy’s mum from Goodnight Mister Tom. The part that believes she has to be useful to be loved. The part that learned, somewhere around age ten, that being abandoned was possible. We don’t present this as fixed. We’re not teaching it. We’re exploring it with you. This episode is about: How fear lives in the body How our inner Judges try to protect us Why boundaries can feel like rejection The work of re-parenting the younger versions of ourselves And what it really takes to build a relationship, mother/daughter or otherwise, where both people are allowed to take up space There are tears in this one, we are very clearly still figuring it out. We would genuinely love you to listen and then tell us: What does your Judge look like? What is it trying to protect you from? And what does your younger self need from you now? You are very welcome in this conversation. Big love, The Blondes 🤍

    47 min

  2. 24 FEB

    Creativity and Letting it Go

    In this week’s episode we start a little experiment in what happens when you stop consuming… and start creating. We’re talking about Reading Deprivation Week, the seven-day challenge as part of Unlocking and the Artist’s Way, of not consuming new content. No books. No podcasts. No mindless scrolling for inspiration. Just you and your own brain. It started for us on Friday 20th Feb, and it’ll finish two days after this episode goes live (26th Feb)… so you’re very much listening to us mid-experiment. What we didn’t expect was how quickly the urge to “take in” became the urge to make.Turns out, when you stop filling the allotment with everyone else’s seeds… something of your own starts growing. We talk about: How restriction can actually feel like creative freedomThe difference between consuming for comfort vs consuming to avoid Morning Pages – why Lauren takes forever and Jacqueline somehow doesn’t An update on the “Unlocking” group (oil paints, museum trips, roller skates, Othello…) Jacqueline’s visit to Nottingham Contemporary to see Dala Nasser And a beautiful philosophical moment about not “letting go” of past versions of yourself… but integrating them This one is about self-imposed boundaries, creativity, about stingy artist energy (yes, that’s a thing) and about remembering what you loved before you thought you had to be sensible. If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, creatively blocked, or disconnected… this might be the nudge you need. And if you fancy trying Reading Deprivation Week with us, there’s still time. We’d love to know What would you buy if you weren’t being a “stingy artist”? And what did you love before the world told you to grow up? Big love, The Blondes 💛 P.S. Here’s the link to check out Dala Nasser’s exhibition at the Nottingham Contemporary https://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/whats-on/dala-nasser-cemetery-of-martyrs/

    41 min

  3. 17 FEB

    Acted On, Not Acted Out: Anger, Safety, and Stolen Focus

    We recorded today’s podcast episode on Friday the 13th so BEWARE We’ve both been feeling a bit foggy and overwhelmed, chatting about how the world feels "fuzzy"  We got curious today, about how anger can be observed and used constructively.  Have you heard the quote "anger is meant to be acted on, not acted out"? Today we connect it to online reactions to a post about not shaming people for doing the behaviours we want to see, including debate around accountability and how shaming can push people underground or into rebellion.  We are exploring boundaries as actions for oneself rather than insults toward others, as always chatting about our own lives  Remembering again one of our favourites, Johann Hari’s book "Stolen Focus" and an analogy of the brain as an orchestra: spotlight focus for tasks and constant consuming (including doomscrolling), and the default mode network for meaning-making when not trying (e.g., washing up, walking, daydreaming).  We’re chatting how psychological safety determines whether the default mode network leads to creativity and connection-making or to rumination and spiralling, with examples like journaling anxiety, food-related spirals, and performance pressure in yoga.  Please, as always comment, share, send this to a mate, help us share this little conversation between a mum and a daughter who are figuring it all out as we go, and inviting you to do the same.

    44 min

  4. 10 FEB

    Can change happen that fast?

    Join us on a very wet day in Nottingham as we catch up on how all things ‘Unlocking’ are going!  Can real change be made in a week? Well we reckon so and you’ll definitely hear it in our voices (underneath the croak of Lauren’s cold) Jacqueline is talking ‘if nothing changes, nothing changes’ as she takes accountability for her fitness and getting moving again while Lauren chats about shifting the goals for prime dopamine release.  As always we would LOVE to hear from you, your thoughts, ways you agree and disagree with us, incredible shows, programs and songs you’ve listened to. This may be a conversation between Blondes, but you are key to it ❤️ See you next week, don’t forget to hit follow. Jacqueline and Lauren

    39 min

  5. 3 FEB

    The Universe is laughing at us

    Welcome back to Know You Matter, where life doesn’t wait for the podcast to end before throwing more chaos our way. And this week it definitely feels personal. No sooner had we finished recording last week's episode on capacity… Lauren’s car broke down AGAIN. Not once. Twice. The second time with her stuck in it. Apparently, the universe heard “capacity” and said, “Let’s test that.” In this episode: 🚗 We recap Pudding’s third (yes, third) breakdown 🧠 We reflect on how fast the body says nope when you’re at your edge 🎨 Jacqueline introduces her new 12-week coaching programme inspired by The Artist’s Way 📖 Lauren shares some unexpectedly profound realisations about her relationship with creativity, self-trust, and the version of herself that gave up on The Artist’s Way last time Whether you’re creative, chaotic, or just clinging on by the threads of your own nervous system, you’ll get something from this one. And if you’re interested in the 1:1 version of Unlocking, coming soon, DM Jacqueline on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the_restoration_coachtm/ Please don’t forget to hit follow and subscribe to be notified when our cackles drop - and if you’re feeling extra fancy, we’d love a share!  Love as always, The Blondes Jacqueline and Lauren

    45 min

  6. 27 JAN

    Feeling Your Feelings (Without Letting Them Ruin Everything)

    We’re back in the studio this week after a very real few days — Lauren’s car (Pudding, bless her) is being a little diva and refusing to start, Paloma (Jacqueline’s car) needed a dramatic rescue, and that was just Wednesday... But this isn’t just a podcast about dodgy Corsas and roadside breakdowns (though honestly, we could do a whole series). This week, we’re talking about something a little deeper: how to sit with the hard stuff — frustration, shame, overwhelm — without letting it swallow you whole. We chat about: The emotional whiplash of caregiving (and snack-demanding toddlers) Why sometimes the smallest things (like an empty petrol tank or an eye roll) hit the hardest PMDD, perimenopause, and how hormones are truly that bitch What it means to actually build capacity — not to “cope better,” but to stay kind to yourself when things are messy And yes, we’re still laughing through all of it — because if you can’t laugh when your car won’t start in the rain, what can you do? Whether you're a parent, a carer, in the thick of burnout, or just a human with big feelings and no time — this one’s for you. 🎧 Listen and let us know what feelings are kicking off in your house this week. We’ll bring snacks. (But not for Bella. She’s had five.)

    45 min

  7. 20 JAN

    When Perfectionism Leaks Out

    Lauren get's emosh as we talk about perfectionism in this episode. Have you ever got mad at your other half for not getting something right first time? Lauren is exploring what it means for her and her relationship as she realises she's been holding her husband to standards set by her own internal stories. Talking all things: perfectionism relationships giving yourself a hard time and more As always we'd love to hear from you, please don't forget to follow us to get new episodes as soon as they're live With love, as always The Blondes Jacqueline and Lauren

    58 min

  8. 16 JAN

    Let's Stop Abandoning Ourselves

    Let’s Stop Abandoning Ourselves Welcome to a totally off the cuff episode of Know You Matter! Today we are practicing what we preach with ‘who says?’ For us, that looks like choosing to release our podcast as soon as we record it because we are too excited! Listen as we have some deep, monumental realisations about The Blondes as a business and our own personal growth.  Lauren shares how she's been hiding behind the label of 'strategist' and the anxiety that has accompanied her journey. The conversation transitions into a compelling discussion on the physical and psychological impacts of stress, the vagus nerve, and how society's lack of research on women affects our understanding of nervous system dysregulation. We explore how we often abandon our true selves to fit societal norms, discussing everything from the visceral effects of wearing a 'belt' of anxiety to the simple yet profound act of listening to our bodies' needs. With candid stories and emotional moments, we weave through the complexities of adult life, the pressures to conform, and the beauty of self-discovery. The episode also introduces an exciting new 12-week course called 'Unlocking,' inspired by the Artist's Way. Designed to gently but persistently clear internal noise and awaken creativity, Jacqueline passionately invites listeners to join her in this journey of self-expression and personal growth. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, seeking more from life, or simply wanting to reconnect with their inner voice and passions.  Listen now to ignite your journey of self-discovery and creative freedom! With love as always,  The Blondes

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by mother-daughter duo Jacqueline & Lauren, this is your reminder that you matter, while we navigate a world where we do too. Because we're all human, and that's enough. You can expect conversations about healing from generational trauma (as two people living it), recovering from burnout and people pleasing, navigating imposter syndrome, privilege and perspective shifts. Sometimes we laugh until we cry, and by laugh we mean cackle. Sometimes we cry until we laugh. Sometimes we go deep, sometimes we’re ridiculous. But every episode is rooted in one truth: you matter.

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