Take A Breath

Polly Warren
  • 5.0 (26)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. This is your space to pause.  Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.  Each week, I’ll share my own tools, alongside honest conversations and practical nervous system support —  to help you create more calm, peace, joy, and inner steadiness. Not by escaping your life, because that’s totally unrealistic, but by meeting it differently. So when you're ready, let’s take a breath together… 

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Thursday Thoughts - The Patriarchy

    On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking all about the patriarchy. This social system that historically centres white men as the default holders of power, money, status and authority, is woven into the very fabric of society. It shows up in a million subtle - and not so subtle - ways: women playing small because they’ve been taught to be pleasing, quiet, polite and accommodating; women taking on the ‘invisible load’ of housework and kid-min; women being put down at work or at home because of the inherent and subconscious belief that men are somehow superior. In this conversation, Lucy and I talk about how the patriarchy has shown up in our own lives, as well as how things are so much worse for women in other countries and cultures. And this is exactly why women need to start speaking up and standing up for both themselves, and the many, many women who are less fortunate than those of us in western cultures. We hope you’ll find something interesting in here. Love, Polly & Lucy x Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    34 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    How to Know if Your Nervous System’s Actually Regulated — or Just Coping

    There’s a lot of noise right now about calming your nervous system and staying regulated — and for many of us, that creates more pressure than peace. In this solo episode, I gently unpack what nervous system regulation actually means, why staying calm isn’t the goal, and how midlife and perimenopause can shift the way your system responds to stress. I also introduce a simple metaphor to help you understand what’s really going on inside your body — and why so many of us feel stuck, reactive, or exhausted without knowing why. This episode is an invitation to pause, notice, and begin to understand what your nervous system has been trying to tell you. In this episode, we explore: How to recognise the signs of coping vs. true regulationWhy stress isn’t the enemyHow your nervous system responds to everyday lifeA powerful metaphor to help you notice what state you’re inWhat starts to shift when you can name it, instead of judge itDownload 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    31 min

  3. 5 FEB

    Thursday Thoughts - Being The Main Character in Your Own Life

    On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I talk about what it really means to shift out of the background and into the lead role of your own life. We chat about how easy it is, especially for women, to unconsciously slip into a supporting role, putting everyone else’s needs first, waiting for the “right time,” or playing small out of habit rather than intention. We explore how being the main character doesn’t mean being loud or dramatic. It simply means taking up space in your own life. And it doesn’t require a big, sweeping change — sometimes it’s just one small moment where you back yourself and remember that you’re allowed to take the lead and want more. We hope you find something useful in here. Love, Polly & Lucy xx Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    30 min

  4. 3 FEB

    How to Find What’s Next When You’re Ready for a Career Change with Ashley Jablow

    Midlife can be a season of subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts. The things that once felt like a perfect fit — a role, a path, a version of you — start to feel off. But what comes next isn’t always clear. In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Jablow, Founder of Wayfinders Collective and former Presidential Innovation Fellow in the Obama Administration. Ashley now helps people and organisations navigate meaningful change — with curiosity, strategy, and soul. Together, we explore what it really looks like to move towards something more aligned… especially when you’re not quite sure what that is yet. In this episode, we talk about: How to recognise when you’ve outgrown a role or identity — even if it still “looks good on paper”Ashley’s gentle 4-step framework for navigating career or life transitions without burning it all downWhy guilt, fear, and indecision show up during change — and how to move through them with more clarity and self-trustThe surprising power of reflection journals How playful tools like alter egos can help you step into a bolder, more aligned version of yourself✨ Whether you’re pivoting from a long-term role, returning to yourself after caregiving, or just feeling ready for something new… this conversation will meet you right where you are. For more about Ashley go to: https://www.ashleyjablow.com/ https://www.lifedesignschool.co/ Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    48 min

  5. 29 JAN

    Thursday Thoughts - The Power Of Nature In A World Gone Mad

    On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about the power of intentionally tuning into nature during crazy times. Most of us would agree that the state of the world right now is…alot. It can feel overwhelming and scary, to say the least, and it’s easy to feel completely out of control. One of the best ways to put things into perspective - not to mention regulate our overstimulated nervous systems - is to remember that we are a part of something much, much greater than ourselves. Sometimes a walk in nature is all we need to feel calmer; a cuddle with our cat can bring us back to joy; and noticing the beauty of the flowers or the birds can make us feel more grounded. So if you’re feeling upset, scared, or horrified by what’s happening in the world, one of the best things you can do is surround yourself with nature - whether that’s a walk along the coast, or just popping into your local city park. We sincerely hope you’ll find something helpful or interesting in here. Love, Polly & Lucy x Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    28 min

  6. 27 JAN

    How to Stay Ambitious Without Burning Yourself Out

    Many of us rely on pressure and guilt to keep ourselves moving forwards towards our goals  — especially in midlife, when life can feel full and demanding. While these strategies may work in the short term, they often leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves. In this episode, I explore why guilt and pressure have become such familiar motivators, how they impact the nervous system, and what it really takes to move forward from a place of calm rather than self-attack. Drawing on my own experience and simple, science-backed tools, I share a kinder, more sustainable way to stay productive without burning out. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why pressure and guilt feel motivating — and the hidden cost of relying on themHow the push–collapse–guilt cycle keeps you stuckSimple ways to interrupt reactive patterns How to upgrade unhelpful beliefs without forcing positivityHow to approach ambition from a place of calm and choiceDownload 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    32 min

  7. 22 JAN

    Thursday Thoughts - How The Hardest Times Become Our Greatest Lessons

    On this weeks Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about how our hardest times and biggest “failures” often become our greatest lessons. We talk about how difficult seasons can shape us, clarify what really matters, and guide us onto the right path. A reminder that nothing is wasted – and if you’re in a tough chapter right now, sending you loads of love and hope this may be of a little help to you. Love  Polly & Lucy x Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    28 min

  8. 20 JAN

    Why Birthdays Matter More Than We Realise with Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming

    Do you love your birthday… or secretly dread it? Birthdays can bring up all sorts — joy, disappointment, reflection, pressure, even a  sense of dread as we move through midlife. And yet, it’s the one day every year that’s meant to be about you. In this episode of Take a Breath, I’m joined by counsellor, personal development guide, and author Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming to explore why birthdays matter far more than we might realise — and how they can become a powerful opportunity for self-worth, reflection, and personal growth. Tamar is the author of How to Have a Happy Birthday, a book born from the realisation that many people carry disappointment, unmet expectations, or old emotional patterns into their birthdays year after year. She invites us to take back ownership of our birthdays — in ways that feel meaningful, nourishing, and true to who we are now. This conversation goes well beyond birthday parties. It’s about permission, self-celebration, aging with confidence, and creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. In this episode, we explore: Why birthdays can be surprisingly emotional — and what your feelings about your birthday might reveal about your self-worthWhy taking responsibility for your birthday (rather than hoping others “get it right”) can be deeply empoweringHow to celebrate your birthday in ways that feel good to you — whether that’s a big gathering, a quiet solo day, or something in betweenLetting go of societal expectations around aging, appearance, and what women “should” look like as they get olderUsing your birthday as a personal New Year — a moment to reflect on purpose, values, and the year aheadHow to honour difficult emotions on birthdays — including grief and loss — without letting them take overThis episode is about learning to pause, listen to yourself, and honour what you actually want and need — not just on one day a year, but every day. If birthdays have ever left you feeling flat, overlooked, or quietly disappointed, this conversation might just help you see them — and yourself — differently. Take a breath… and enjoy. To find out more go to: https://howtohaveahappybirthday.com/ Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time. Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now. Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible. To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace Email me at: info@pollywarren.com https://www.pollywarren.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    55 min
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5
out of 5
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About

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. This is your space to pause.  Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.  Each week, I’ll share my own tools, alongside honest conversations and practical nervous system support —  to help you create more calm, peace, joy, and inner steadiness. Not by escaping your life, because that’s totally unrealistic, but by meeting it differently. So when you're ready, let’s take a breath together… 

Information

  • Creator
    Polly Warren
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Take A Breath
  • Show Website
    Take A Breath

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