A Thought I Kept

Claire Fitzsimmons
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

A Thought I Kept is a podcast about the ideas that stay with us, long after we’ve forgotten the rest. In each episode, a guest shares the one thought that shaped their life — the one they couldn’t let go of, and maybe you won’t either.

  1. 5d ago

    “All of It Makes Sense, and All of It Matters” — Eliza Fricker

    “Could try harder.” It’s the sort of thing you might have read on a school report, and it can follow you for years. We might even think about it with parenting, work and even the things we do to feel better. Reading Eliza Fricker’s illustrated memoir Could Try Harder, I found myself wondering how much the effort we put into life is just to keep up with what we think we're supposed to be doing, even if that doesn't fit with who we or even our children are.  On this episode of A Thought I Kept, I talk to Eliza about growing up as an undiagnosed autistic teenager in the 1980s, and what she came to understand about that girl when she went back to write about her. We talk about what happened when her daughter could no longer go to school, the pressure on parents to stay calm when they’re barely holding it together, and the relief of realising your family can do things differently.  About Eliza Fricker Eliza Fricker is a Sunday Times bestselling author and illustrator whose work is rooted in neurodiversity, education, and family life. Over more than a decade, she has crafted a body of work that brings together stunning illustration and genuine honesty to give voice to experiences that mainstream culture has too often passed by.   Her debut title Can't Not Won't, which follows a family through the realities of school avoidance, became an instant Sunday Times Bestseller and earned a place on the University of Cambridge Reading List. Her memoir Thumbsucker, an illustrated account of growing up undiagnosed and autistic in the 1980s, extended her reach from advocacy into deeply personal storytelling, earning widespread critical praise for its warmth, wit, and emotional precision. Her most recent title, Could Try Harder continues this tradition. An illustrated journey through an undiagnosed autistic adolescence, the book arrives at a moment when growing numbers of young people are exploring their own neurodivergence. With characteristic compassion and humour, it invites readers to look back at their own experiences with fresh eyes, honouring the identity they have shaped in response to a world that did not always understand them. Eliza is also the founder of Missing the Mark, a platform for support, training, and advocacy around autism, PDA, and alternative education. She is based in Brighton, England. Also mentioned in this episode: Traumatized by Catherine Liu Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “All of It Makes Sense, and All of It Matters” — Eliza Fricker

  2. Nov 2

    “Ask What Makes You Come Alive” — Dr Shawn Hondorp

    When you’re used to noticing what everyone else needs, asking what makes you come alive can feel surprisingly difficult. Perhaps even a little selfish. But what happens when your own desires keep getting left out of your life? This week, I’m joined by clinical health psychologist, coach and host of The Innovative Therapist podcast, Dr Shawn Hondorp. She brings a thought from Howard Thurman that you might recognise: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” It’s the same thought Selina Barker brought to the podcast — a first for the show. I was curious about where those same words would take a different person. With Shawn, they lead us into a generous, personal conversation about people-pleasing, shame, body trust and the possibility of wanting more than simply getting through our days. Shawn shares her experience of recovering from binge eating disorder, recognising patterns of overworking and finding something in dance that understanding herself intellectually hadn’t quite offered. We explore the gap between knowing we want to stop performing for others and actually feeling able to be ourselves, how creativity can help us recover a sense of choice, and what Internal Family Systems, or “parts work”, has offered her. Shawn Hondorp, PhD is a clinical health psychologist, coach, and host of The Innovative Therapist Podcast. She helps people move beyond binge and emotional eating, people-pleasing, and patterns of self-abandonment to build deep self-trust, reconnect with their desires, and create lives that feel genuinely nourishing and meaningful. Her work blends psychology, nervous system awareness, and parts work with a deep curiosity about what it means to be fully alive. Through individual therapy and coaching, retreats, and community experiences, Shawn invites people to question the default ways we've been taught to live, work, and care for ourselves. Her own journey of reconnecting with dance, creativity, play, and adventure has shaped her belief that healing isn't just about reducing symptoms or fixing what's wrong. It's also about making space for more connection, freedom, joy, and possibility. Learn more at www.drshawnhondorp.com or listen to The Innovative Therapist Podcast. Books mentioned in this episode The Art of Gathering — Priya ParkerThe Art of Fighting — Priya ParkerThe Big Leap — Gay HendricksHow to Be Selfish — Suzy ReadingKeep exploring Listen back to Selina Barker’s episode, “Ask What Makes You Come Alive”. Find my emotions coaching, workshops and our guided journal at If Lost, Start Here. This episode includes discussion of binge eating disorder, disordered eating and relational trauma. Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “Ask What Makes You Come Alive” — Dr Shawn Hondorp

  3. Oct 26

    “Don’t Look Down at the Drop, Look Along the Wave” — Dionne McCulloch

    What if you gave a little more attention to what you want, and a little less to everything that could go wrong? For writer and editor Dionne McCulloch, a surfing lesson in her late forties offered a thought that reached far beyond the water: “Don’t look down at the drop, look along the wave.” This week on A Thought I Kept, I’m joined by Dionne for a conversation about fear, creativity and finding yourself again in midlife. As her three children began moving into adulthood, surfing became a place to rediscover confidence, enjoy her own company and learn that she could do difficult things, even when she spent much of the time falling off. I first met Dionne at a writing workshop in Bath, where the ideas she shared felt as relevant to life as they did to the page. That thread runs through our conversation: what happens when the thing you want feels too important to admit? From the vulnerability of writing a novel to the discomfort of being a beginner, we explore how wanting something can leave us exposed, why difficulty and joy so often come together, and what it means to keep making room for desire as we get older. We also talk about storytelling, folk horror and imagining a hopeful future; how community action can build belonging; and why Dionne wants to keep creative work and “heart decisions” human in the age of AI. In our conversation, we explore: Starting something new in midlife and rebuilding self-trust.Fear of failure, creative vulnerability and facing the blank page.Motherhood, identity and asking what you want next.Finding hope and connection through community.What fictional monsters can reveal about our real fears.Dionne McCulloch is a writer, book editor, mother and surfer. Her debut novel, RAYNA, comes out from New Ink in 2027, and her folk-horror story Helminth was published by Dead Ink in Beasts of England.  She was shortlisted with special commendation for the 4th Estate/Guardian Prize for a short story that became the novel Rayna. She is a freelance book editor of both fiction and narrative non-fiction and a writing coach. She is also the Associate Director of EMBLAZE-Black Writing Matters out of Bath Spa University, where she also sits on the advisory board of Paper Nations. She has been a judge for two international literary awards and is currently a reader for the inaugural Sareeta Domingo Prize. She lives between Bath and an off-grid cabin in North Devon, England, but she is probably in the ocean.  Instagram: @dionne_mcculloch Also mentioned: Robert Olen Butler Island of Stangers film Wave Wahines The Wave, Bristol Emblaze Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “Don’t Look Down at the Drop, Look Along the Wave” — Dionne McCulloch

  4. Oct 19

    "You Are Allowed to Be a Mess and a Masterpiece at the Same Time" — Genelle Aldred

    Do you ever come away from a conversation replaying what you said, wondering whether you were too much, too emotional, or somehow not enough? What if being confident didn’t mean getting every interaction right? This week, I’m joined by broadcaster, communication strategist and author Genelle Aldred, whose thought kept is: “You are allowed to be a mess and a masterpiece at the same time.” It’s an invitation to recognise what we do well while making room for the mistakes, contradictions and unfinished parts of being human. We explore how to build self-trust, express an opinion without needing everyone to agree, and care about other people’s feelings without also editing ourselves away. Genelle shares why confidence leaves room for changing your mind, why boundaries need to work both ways, and why communicating well doesn’t mean being calm all the time. This is a great episode for you if you’ve been trying to say the right thing, keep everyone happy, or present a more perfect version of yourself. In our conversation, we explore: Why one mistake doesn’t tell the whole story of who you are.The difference between knowing what you think and saying what people want to hear.How confidence can make room for uncertainty and nuance.What belongs in your private, personal and public life.Speaking up before frustration becomes a much bigger conversation.The pressure on women to soften, filter or minimise themselves.What patience, being unfiltered and care mean to Genelle.About Genelle and resources mentioned Genelle Aldred is a broadcaster and communication strategist who helps people and organisations communicate with greater clarity and confidence. She is the author of Communicate for Change: Creating Justice in a World of Bias and the audiobook The Confident Mindset: Unlocking Self-Belief, and hosts Repeat That Again Please. Explore Genelle’s work, books and communication trainingListen to Repeat That Again PleaseAlso mentioned: Natalie Lue, a previous guest on A Thought I Kept, and her work on people-pleasing.Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    "You Are Allowed to Be a Mess and a Masterpiece at the Same Time" — Genelle Aldred

  5. Oct 12

    “Should is the Killer of Joy.” — Liz Mosley

    How often do you find yourself thinking about what you should be doing? How you should run your business, show up at work, be more creative, become more successful or even enjoy your life? What if all those shoulds are getting in the way of living your life? This week on A Thought I Kept, I'm joined by graphic designer, speaker and host of the Building Your Brand podcast, Liz Mosley, to explore a thought she first heard from joy coach Sophie Cliff: "Should is the killer of joy." It's a thought that's changed how Liz approaches her business, her creativity and even the advice she gives her friends. And it opens up a much bigger conversation about the expectations we inherit, the stories we tell ourselves and what happens when we begin to define success on our own terms. We talk about why joy might be the secret to consistency rather than the reward for hard work, why rejection and failure don't have to mean what we think they do, and how to find the confidence to do things differently. We also explore people-pleasing, the pressure to be good at something before we allow ourselves to enjoy it, and why being visible as a woman in midlife matters. Along the way, Liz shares her brilliant rejection challenge, the freedom she's found in saying no, and why changing just one word — from should to could — can make so much more feel possible. In this episode, we explore How replacing should with could creates more choice, possibility and joy.Why comparing ourselves with others can lead us towards someone else's definition of success.The relationship between joy, motivation and sustainable work.Whether failure is something we get to define for ourselves.Why Liz actively pursued rejection and celebrated every no.Creative confidence, learning in public and the importance of women being visible.Why we don't have to be good at something for it to be worth doing.The freedom of saying no, questioning professionalism and trusting our own ways of working.About Liz Mosley Liz Mosley is a graphic designer with over 18 years of experience, and has focused on branding for small businesses for the last 10. Her goal is to help small business owners show up more confidently and share what they do online, proudly. She does that through designing branding that feels perfectly like them, or through her podcast, Building Your Brand. She also loves to speak on stages around the world, and particularly loves encouraging creatives and business owners to actively pursue rejection. Liz's website | Building Your Brand podcast  People and ideas mentioned Sophie Cliff Meg Lewis Meg FatharlyKeep exploring with A Thought I Kept Dr MaryCatherine McDonald Anne Ditmeyer Alice BramhillSupport the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “Should is the Killer of Joy.” — Liz Mosley

  6. Oct 5

    “The Day You Stop Learning Is the Day You Die” — Nic Redman

    Do you like the sound of your own voice? I’ve struggled with mine for years. At different points I’ve worried that it wasn’t posh enough, was too posh, sounded too American after more than a decade living in the States and wondered what my voice might tell other people about where I’m from, where I belong and who I am. So I was fascinated (and, if I’m honest, slightly nervous) to sit down with voice coach and speaking director Nic Redman. We talk about why so many of us dislike our voices, the social conditioning around what a “proper” or “professional” voice is supposed to sound like, and the ways accent, class, gender, geography and identity influence how voices are perceived. Nic also explains why our voices can’t be separated from the rest of our lives. Stress, anxiety, tiredness, excitement, our histories and even what’s happening to us today can all show up in how we sound. Nic shares how curiosity took her from musical theatre to voiceover, stand-up comedy, voice coaching and a career she remains fascinated by and why being an expert doesn’t have to mean having all the answers. In this episode, we talk about: Why so many of us hate hearing our own voicesWhether it’s possible to learn to love, or at least appreciate, your voiceAccent, class and the idea of sounding “proper” or “professional”Why there isn’t one right way to sound powerfulHow emotions, stress and our bodies affect our voicesThe difference between confidence and abilityWhy play and humour can make vulnerable learning feel saferCuriosity, mistakes and being willing to change your mindWhy learning doesn’t always have to be about self-improvementWhat it means to be an expert who is still learningAbout Nic Redman Nic Redman has nearly 20 years of experience in recorded voice performance, voice coaching and directing, helping podcasters, public speakers, and corporate professionals find the vocal style they need to connect authentically with their audience. With an MA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Nic works with everyone from startup founders to C-suite executives at multinational corporations, as well as global brands and household names. She tailors her approach to each client’s unique message, role, and medium. As a voice director, Nic helps clients bring scripts to life, ensuring their delivery is impactful and true to their voice. Through her 5-star Voice Coach Podcast and best-selling book On The Mic, Nic shares expert advice on all things vocal health, breath, clarity and how to deliver with confidence. Mentioned in this episode Permission to Speak — Samara Bay How to Do Accents — Jan Haydn Rowles and Edda Sharpe You might also enjoy my conversation with Hilary Salzman, about the stories we tell ourselves and what happens when the story we’re living no longer quite fits. Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “The Day You Stop Learning Is the Day You Die” — Nic Redman

  7. Sep 28

    “Maybe You Can Worry and Live” — Sophie Olson

    What if you could worry and still live your life? When survivor activist and author Sophie Olson joins me on A Thought I Kept, she brings something incredibly personal: a poem about worry, handwritten in her grandmother's old recipe book. Its message is simple. There's very little point in worrying about things that might never happen. But what if you can't simply stop? In this deeply personal conversation, Sophie shares her experiences of childhood sexual abuse, mental health difficulties and the extraordinary relationship she developed with her therapist, Patricia Walsh. She explains how an invitation to write a fairy tale helped her find words for experiences she'd struggled to talk about, and how being met with compassion changed the way she understood herself. We explore the shame we can feel about our emotional responses, the pressure to recover, the role of writing and creativity in processing difficult experiences, and what it might mean to accept ourselves without having to eliminate every difficult feeling. And we return to her grandmother's poem, which Sophie has come to understand in a rather different way: perhaps you can worry and live. If you've ever felt frustrated with yourself for worrying, struggled to accept how you feel or wondered what recovery is supposed to look like, there's a great deal to take from this conversation. About Sophie Olson Sophie Olson is a survivor activist, author, speaker and founder of The Flying Child CIC, an organisation working to normalise conversations about child sexual abuse through survivor-led training, campaigning and support. She developed Side by Side CSA, a programme supporting professionals in education, social care and healthcare to recognise and respond to child sexual abuse and its lifelong impacts. Her work challenges conventional understandings of trauma, mental health and recovery and advocates for more compassionate, human-centred support. Sophie is the co-author with Patricia Walsh of The Flying Child: A Cautionary Fairytale for Adults Artwork credit: Girl in a Gilded Cage by artist Elise Macdonald. Used to illustrate this episode with Sophie Olson. Also mentioned: Dale Carnegie: Author of How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.  Content warning and disclaimer. This episode includes personal accounts and discussions of childhood sexual abuse, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, mental health difficulties and trauma. Please consider whether this conversation is appropriate for you at this time. Sophie's experiences and views are her own and do not represent those of every survivor. The conversation is intended to encourage understanding and reflection and does not constitute medical advice, psychological treatment or a recommendation to adopt a particular therapeutic approach. Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    “Maybe You Can Worry and Live” — Sophie Olson

  8. Sep 21

    "Ready is a decision, not a feeling." — Victoria Phipps

    How much of your life are you putting off until you feel ready? Until you’re more confident. More qualified. More certain. Until the doubts have gone, the timing is better, or you finally feel like the kind of person who gets to do the thing you want to do. My guest this week on A Thought I Kept is photographer and podcaster Victoria Phipps, and the thought she brings is one that changed the direction of her life: “Ready is a decision, not a feeling.” Before becoming a mother, Victoria had built a fulfilling career around work she loved. She co-founded a charity with her father supporting Second World War veterans and ran a successful wedding photography business. Then came the pandemic, two children in quick succession, and a profound shift in her sense of who she was. Victoria describes the grief she felt around losing her previous capacity for work, alongside the strange tension of deeply loving motherhood while still wanting something that belonged to her. She had ideas and creative energy, but very little time, a lot less confidence, and no clear sense of what should come next. So she waited to feel ready. In this conversation, we talk about what happened when Victoria stopped waiting. About Victoria Phipps Victoria Phipps is a family photographer, photography educator and host of the Mum Means Business podcast, where she talks to women building businesses while raising the next generation of humans. Her photography work champions film, print and the importance of creating tangible family memories, while her Print Over Pixels education helps photographers build a more human, connected experience for their clients. Find Victoria: Victoria Phipps Photography | Mum Means Business podcast | Instagram Support the show This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer, author and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. As a Certified Coach and Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to disconnection.  Buy Claire's first book, If Lost Start Here: Wellbeing for the Anxious, Disconnected or Uncertain here. Subscribe to Claire's Substack newsletter here. Find out how to work with Claire here.  Like what you heard? Follow, rate or review this podcast.  The music for all episodes from August 10th was made by Leon in the Wilderness.

    "Ready is a decision, not a feeling." — Victoria Phipps
See All (65)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A Thought I Kept is a podcast about the ideas that stay with us, long after we’ve forgotten the rest. In each episode, a guest shares the one thought that shaped their life — the one they couldn’t let go of, and maybe you won’t either.

Information

  • Creator
    Claire Fitzsimmons
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Thought I Kept
  • Show Website
    A Thought I Kept

You Might Also Like