"Who Do I Want To Be?" Podcast

Lauren Jean
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  • Self-Improvement
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There is one question that exam papers skip worldwide... Who Do I Want To Be? is the podcast for ambitious young people building a life that feels like their own. Hosted by Lauren Jean Devine, each episode explores the stories, mindsets, and defining moments that help turn dreams into reality. Through honest conversations with founders, leaders, and changemakers, you'll discover not only what the question "who do I want to be?" means to you, but the answers to what it really takes to become.

  1. Oct 6

    E14: What's Going On Behind That Booth? With Chrissy Meehan

    Most people quit before they see whether the thing they love could actually work. Chrissy Meechan didn’t. Lauren sits down with Scottish DJ, producer and radio presenter Chrissy Meechan to talk about what it really takes to turn an interest into a career — from asking “what’s behind the booth?” on a night out to playing his first gig after just one week of practice. Today, Chrissy’s music reaches 130,000 monthly listeners, alongside Red Bull bookings, festival slots and his first headline show in Edinburgh. But this conversation is about everything that happened before those milestones — when there were no guarantees it would work. You’ll hear about: How Chrissy went from glass collector to resident DJ Why you don’t need to have your whole career figured out before you begin The discipline and planning behind turning creativity into a career What self-employment actually looks like when income and opportunities aren’t guaranteed The friendships, family moments and holidays he sacrificed along the way How he handles setbacks, pressure and hearing “no” Why backing yourself matters when other people can’t see the vision yet Chrissy also shares the milestones that made the gamble feel worth it — from breaking into Edinburgh’s club scene and supporting artists like Jazzy to building toward his first headline show at Sneaky Pete’s. Get tickets for Chrissy’s headline show: ⁠⁠https://chrissymeechan.co.uk/tickets⁠⁠ If there’s something you’d love to pursue but you’re wondering whether it could ever become a real career, this episode is for you. You don’t need to know exactly how it’s all going to work. Sometimes you just need to start — and keep going long enough to find out. Keep up with Chrissy: Follow Chrissy on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/chrissymeechan/⁠

    E14: What's Going On Behind That Booth? With Chrissy Meehan

  2. Sep 29

    E13: From Apprentice to Global IT Leader to the TEDx Stage - Nicole's Path Beyond Expectations

    What Happens When Success Stops Feeling Like Yours? That's the question Nicole asked herself. Check out Nicole's book "Success That Includes You" available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0bFfz32d When you’re 17, 18 or 21, it can feel like you’re supposed to choose the “right” course, career or path - and somehow know who you want to be before you’ve had the chance to figure it out. Nicole Marquardt’s story shows why your first decision doesn’t have to be your forever decision. Her journey started with an apprenticeship and a teenage dream of working with computers. That decision led to a 30-year career in IT and eventually to leading global programmes. On paper, Nicole had built a successful career - but over time, she began to question whether the version of success she had created still felt like hers. And that’s where her story becomes relevant whether you’re 18 or decades into your career. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How Nicole turned a teenage interest in computers into a global career Why the choice you make after school doesn’t have to define your whole life What happens when achieving your goals doesn’t feel the way you expected Why not having your entire future figured out doesn’t mean you’re behind Giving yourself permission to change as you learn more about who you are Nicole’s journey from apprentice to global IT leader, founder of Create My New Future, author of Success That Includes You and TEDx speaker If you’re choosing what comes next after school, starting college, beginning your career or wondering whether you’re on the “right” path, Nicole’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to have your whole life mapped out today. The goal isn’t to make one perfect decision that determines the rest of your life. It’s to keep checking in with yourself as you grow and asking: Who do I want to be now? Find Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-marquardt-global/ Check out Nicole's website: https://createmynewfuture.com/

    E13: From Apprentice to Global IT Leader to the TEDx Stage - Nicole's Path Beyond Expectations

  3. Sep 22

    E12: The Moves That Matter

    Most people think movement is about fitness, weight or how your body looks. But what if it changes something much bigger first - how you think, how you feel, the decisions you make and, ultimately, who you become? In this episode of Who Do I Want To Be?, Lauren shares her own relationship with movement - from being the person who actively avoided sport (including finding very creative ways to hide during GAA games 😅) to discovering walking, kickboxing, yoga, Tai Chi and movement as one of the biggest tools for her confidence, clarity and everyday life. And this isn't about becoming a gym person or suddenly committing to an intense workout plan. It's about what can happen when you simply start moving. You’ll discover: Why 20–30 minutes of movement can completely change the direction of your day How walking can help clear your head when you feel stuck, overwhelmed or mentally foggy Why movement affects your mood, confidence and the decisions you make How Lauren's winter walks during COVID became the beginning of a much bigger personal change Why small routines repeated consistently can quietly shape the person you're becoming Because sometimes, when you feel stuck in your head, the answer isn't to think more. It might be to move. This episode is your reminder that movement doesn't have to be perfect, competitive or punishing to count. Start small. Find something you actually enjoy. And notice what begins to change - not just in your body, but in you.

  4. Sep 15

    E11: New College, New Room, New Life - But Do You Feel Like You?

    Your environment shapes your focus, your habits - and how much like yourself you feel. In this episode, Lauren explores how the spaces, routines, people and things around us can quietly shape who we’re becoming. From making a new college room feel like home to creating routines that support the life you want, discover simple ways to build an environment that helps you feel grounded, focused and more like you. Even if everything else feels like it's changing right now. Enroll today in "Chapter One After School" - ⁠https://laurenjeandevine.com/chapteroneafterschool

  5. Aug 25

    E10: The Exam Failure That Taught Me What School Never Did

    Disappointment is not the dead end you think it is - it can be the moment that turns everything around. Lauren shares the exam failure that stopped her in her tracks, the hidden fear that drove it, and the lesson she took six years to learn: what other people think of you is none of your business. If you are facing results, transition, or that shaky space after school or college when everyone expects you to have it figured out, this episode hits hard. Lauren opens up about being the high-achieving, people-pleasing oldest daughter who looked fine on the outside while quietly carrying fear of failure, pressure, and overwhelm on the inside. You’ll hear how she went from avoiding the exam hall and trying to hold everyone else together, to realizing that disappointment can become fuel instead of a reason to shrink. She breaks down the mindset shift that changed everything, and the practical reset she uses when emotions feel too heavy to untangle. You’ll discover: Why failure sometimes starts long before the exam, interview, or big decisionThe trap of performing for other people’s expectationsHow to stop letting shame and fear make your choices for youA simple pen-and-paper exercise to clear the noise and find your next moveThe one decision challenge Lauren uses to rebuild momentum This is a conversation about self-trust, resilience, and learning how to stop handing your future to other people’s opinions. It matters because the wrong interpretation of disappointment can keep you stuck for years, while the right one can push you into your next chapter faster than you expected. Perfect for students, graduates, and anyone standing at a crossroads, this episode is a reminder that your results do not define you - and one small decision can change the next 30 days of your life. Enroll today in "Chapter One After School" - ⁠https://laurenjeandevine.com/chapteroneafterschool Book your free 1:1 clarity call with Lauren here - https://links.laurenjeandevine.com/widget/bookings/callwithlaurenjean

  6. Aug 18

    E9: Why Saying No At 17 Changed Everything for Paulina Toktas

    The advice to follow the “safe” path can cost you years of your own life. Paulina Toktas shares the moment she said no to medicine, no to other people’s expectations, and yes to a life built on intuition, self-trust, and courage. Lauren guides a deeply personal conversation about the pressure to please family, the fear of disappointing the people who raised you, and the hard-won freedom that comes from choosing yourself. Paulina opens up about growing up as the youngest of five, navigating university, working abroad in Malta, building a coaching practice, and learning how every major transition shaped the woman she is today. You’ll hear Paulina share: Why saying no to a prescribed career path became the first real step toward her identityHow coaching helped her uncover people-pleasing patterns, trauma, and hidden limitsWhat Malta, relocation, and starting over taught her about intuition and reinventionThe role of support, mentorship, and asking for help when life gets uncertainHow to define success on your own terms and give yourself multiple chances to get there This episode also goes into the emotional cost of family responsibility, the tension between logic and intuition, and the grief, guilt, and clarity that can come with loving someone deeply while still choosing your own path. Paulina’s story is a reminder that growth is rarely neat, and that self-trust often has to be built in the middle of uncertainty. Perfect for anyone standing at a crossroads, questioning a major life decision, or finally ready to stop living by someone else’s script and start building a life that actually fits. Follow Paulina: - On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulinatoktascoaching/ - On Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@paulinatoktascoaching - On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaulinaToktasCoaching Enroll today in "Chapter One After School" - ⁠https://laurenjeandevine.com/chapteroneafterschool Book your free 1:1 clarity call with Lauren here - https://links.laurenjeandevine.com/widget/bookings/callwithlaurenjean

    E9: Why Saying No At 17 Changed Everything for Paulina Toktas

  7. Aug 11

    E8 : From “Safe Job” to True Calling with Conor Nolan

    The advice to "play it safe" can quietly trap you in a life that isn't yours. Conor Nolan shares the moment he stopped choosing stability over purpose and walked away from the career path that no longer fit. Lauren and Conor get honest about the pressure to choose prestige, the fear of disappointing other people, and the hard reality of leaving a secure job before you feel "ready." If you're standing at a crossroads, this conversation will meet you right there. Conor Nolan is a mental health public speaker, youth development officer with BodyWise, author of Normal, and a former powerlifter. He uses his lived experience of anorexia, anxiety, and self-esteem struggles to help young people, especially lads, challenge stigma and talk about what actually matters. Purchase Conor's book "Normal" on Amazon - https://www.amazon.ie/Normal-Conor-Nolan/dp/1913704602?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaf3DSfEVTHUI9kenXkLj0boMnzT2mxO1Mr1AcYsaKVbIogVfvQ-fYTibomFMQ_aem_tGatIW8L9l1t9X5BC_F0Pg In this episode you'll discover: Why high exam points do not have to dictate your futureHow Conor went from physics and data work to mental health workshops full timeThe "burn the boats" mindset that made the leap possibleWhy the people around you can either shrink your options or expand themHow anxiety, sleep, movement, workload, and stimulants all connect We also break down the hidden cost of chasing titles, salary, and approval when they don't align with who you are. Conor explains why proving yourself can become a trap, how self-worth gets tangled up with achievement, and why the real goal is not to do everything - it's to do the right things for you.If you've ever asked yourself whether you're on the "safe" path or the right one, this episode will give you language, courage, and a much needed reality check. Essential listening for students, young adults, anyone in a career transition, and anyone trying to build a life that feels true instead of impressive. Follow Conor: - On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conor_n7/ - On Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conor_nolan_7 Enroll today in "Chapter One After School" - https://laurenjeandevine.com/chapteroneafterschool Book your free 1:1 clarity call with Lauren here - https://links.laurenjeandevine.com/widget/bookings/callwithlaurenjean

    E8 : From “Safe Job” to True Calling with Conor Nolan

  8. Aug 4

    E7: The Quiet Voice Not On Your CV Or Social Media

    What if the clarity you’re searching for isn’t found by thinking harder, but by becoming quiet enough to listen? In this episode, Lauren reflects on her recent pilgrimage to Lough Derg and explores the power of silence, spirituality, and reconnecting with yourself beyond achievement and expectations. Whether you connect with God, intuition, a higher power, or simply a deeper inner knowing, this episode offers a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and listen to the quiet voice within. You’ll leave with a simple 3-minute practice to help you find clarity, peace, and direction in the middle of a noisy world. A thoughtful listen for anyone navigating change, uncertainty, or the question: Who do I want to be? Join the exclusive Gals Who Thrive community - https://member.laurenjeandevine.com/communities/groups/gals-who-thrive/home

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There is one question that exam papers skip worldwide... Who Do I Want To Be? is the podcast for ambitious young people building a life that feels like their own. Hosted by Lauren Jean Devine, each episode explores the stories, mindsets, and defining moments that help turn dreams into reality. Through honest conversations with founders, leaders, and changemakers, you'll discover not only what the question "who do I want to be?" means to you, but the answers to what it really takes to become.

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