A Thought I Kept

Claire Fitzsimmons
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 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. How We Learn to Live With Our Emotions with Isabelle Fielding

    4D AGO

    How We Learn to Live With Our Emotions with Isabelle Fielding

    In this episode, I’m joined by Isabelle Fielding for a conversation about our emotions — the ones we try to manage, the ones we push down, and the ones that keep resurfacing when something important is at stake. We talk about what it’s like to live in a world that often asks us to be happier, calmer, more confident, while quietly struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, overwhelm, or a sense that we’re holding it all together by our fingertips. Isabelle brings a grounded, compassionate perspective to what our emotions are really doing for us, and how relating to them differently can change the way we move through our lives. Together, we explore why emotions aren’t problems to be fixed, but signals worth listening to. We talk about what happens when we get caught up in our feelings or withdraw from them altogether, how self-doubt can sit alongside self-compassion, and why change so rarely follows a neat A-to-B path.  This is a conversation for anyone who wants to feel a little more at home with their emotions not by mastering them, but by making space for them.  About Isabelle Fielding Isabelle is a Researcher and Coaching Psychologist who helps purpose-driven organisations make a meaningful difference. With 25 years of experience across psychology, research, and leadership development, she works with individuals and teams to navigate challenge and change, so that they can take purposeful action in complex and unpredictable environments. Isabelle loves questioning assumptions, challenging well-worn narratives, and exploring emotions at work, helping people uncover internal and external barriers to change and take bold action towards the things that matter most. Website | Instagram | LinkedIn Show notes:  Atomic Habits | Emotions Coaching Sessions 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    47 min
  2. How Curiosity Can Shape a Life with Rebecca Frank

    JAN 5

    How Curiosity Can Shape a Life with Rebecca Frank

    This is a great episode to start the year with as well as a new season of the podcast. I sit down with wellbeing writer Rebecca Frank to explore how curiosity might offer a way of beginning when we might not be quite ready. Rebecca and I talk about what curiosity looks like when life is full, messy, and changing. We explore how it can soften judgement, widen our view of other people, and help us stay open during moments of uncertainty or transition. Our conversation moves through everyday experiences many of us will recognise: parenting and letting go, the pull of restlessness alongside the need for anchoring, the comfort of familiar places and the quiet aliveness that comes from noticing something new. The thought that Rebecca brings this Monday — the one she’s kept — is curiosity. Not as a trait you either have or don’t have, but as a practice you can return to. We talk about curiosity as a way of relating to the seasons of the year and the seasons of a life, of approaching wellbeing without overwhelm, and of staying connected to ourselves, others, and the world around us. Along the way, we touch on nature, creativity, friendship, and why starting small often matters more than getting it right. Rebecca Frank is a journalist, author and podcast host with 25 years experience writing about women's health and emotional wellbeing, nature and travel for national monthly and weekly magazines. She's currently wellbeing editor for The Simple Things, as well as co-hosting the magazine's weekly podcast, Small Ways To Live Well. She's the author of two books, A Breath of Fresh Air and Just Add Nature, published in association with The National Trust. In this episode we also talk about: Flourish | The Silent Book Club. Our own Reading Retreat is this Spring. Details here. 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    47 min
  3. How We Learn to Feel Held with Lauren Barber

    12/15/2025

    How We Learn to Feel Held with Lauren Barber

    What does it really mean to feel held – not just by others, but by ourselves, our bodies, and the rhythms of everyday life? In this episode of A Thought I Kept, I’m joined by Lauren Barber for a conversation about anxiety, aliveness, self-trust, and the quiet practices that help us come back to ourselves when life feels loud or overwhelming. Together, we explore what it means to hold space – for others, for our emotions, and for the parts of us that are tired, tender, or still becoming. Lauren shares openly about her lifelong relationship with anxiety and panic, including the experience of mistrusting even “good” feelings, living in a state of hyper-vigilance, and learning how to rebuild a sense of safety from the inside out. We talk about somatic support, nervous system regulation, motherhood, seasonal living, and the small, everyday acts of self-tending that can gently replenish our energy. We also explore change – not as a dramatic before-and-after, but as something subtle, lived, and deeply human. From human design and creative work to sacred space, self-compassion, and choosing work that truly nourishes us, this conversation is an invitation to soften, to listen, and to trust your own unique rhythms. At the heart of this episode is the thought Lauren has carried with her for years: life is too short to do work that you do not enjoy. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, burnout, motherhood, creative transitions, or a quiet sense of longing, this is a conversation to return to when you need reminding that it’s possible to feel held again. About Lauren Barber Lauren Barber is a Mentor and Sacred Space Holder for Mystical & Magical women who are walking the path of their Heart and Soul work. She is a Mother of two daughters, a Soulful Branding & Website Designer, Writer, Speaker, Human Design Guide, Women’s Circle Facilitator, Yoga & Meditation Teacher and all round multi-faceted human being  Find Lauren online: Website | Substack | 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    51 min
  4. What to Do When You Can’t Think Straight with Katie Driver

    12/08/2025

    What to Do When You Can’t Think Straight with Katie Driver

    When your mind won’t settle, your thoughts won’t line up, or you feel like you can’t hear yourself think, what do you do? In this episode, Claire is joined by Katie Driver, founder of The Thinking Alliance, to explore how we can reclaim clarity in a world that demands constant noise, answers, and action. This conversation explores how to think for yourself, how to listen deeply, how feelings shape thought, why compassionate self-talk matters, and how quieter people can find their own voice. As the year draws to a close, Katie offers guidance on how to navigate the pressure, pace, and expectations of December with more ease, clarity, and self-kindness. 04:52 The Power of Questions 12:46 The Thinking Environment 26:56 The Role of Feelings in Thinking 37:10 Empowering Quiet Individuals 41:08 Navigating Overwhelm and Burnout Mentioned in this episode: The Question Burst Technique, Hal Gregersen | The Extended Mind, Annie Murphy Paul | More Time to Think, Nancy Kline About Katie Driver: Katie Driver is all about helping thinkers and thinking to flourish. Her typical coaching clients are quieter mid-career women who are tired both literally and metaphorically of trying to be ‘jazz hands’ leaders and want instead to reclaim their quiet strengths and get on with the work that matters. Katie’s clients find not only the clarity and courage which come from having time to think, but also the self-belief and quiet confidence to lead in a way that suits them. Katie is also a qualified Thinking Environment® Coach, Facilitator and Teacher. She trains coaches and leaders to use the Thinking Environment, a way of going about things which creates the conditions for independent thinking which supports better decisions and actions. 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    49 min
  5. Grief, Joy and the Energy That Turns the Lights On with Georgina Jones

    12/01/2025

    Grief, Joy and the Energy That Turns the Lights On with Georgina Jones

    What if your energy is more than just a feeling? What if it’s your currency? In this conversation, host Claire Fitzsimmons speaks with Georgina Jones about the invisible threads that connect us: joy, grief, presence, and the power of what happens when we stop trying to fix and start feeling. They explore how energy shapes how we show up, how we hold space for others, and how movement, music and humour help us access the full range of our emotions especially the ones we don’t have words for. Georgina speaks powerfully about holding joy and grief in the same space, and the everyday tools that can help us reconnect to ourselves in low-energy, disconnected times. In this episode, they talk about: Why your energy is your emotional currencyThe surprising companionship of joy and griefHow Georgina created “Grief Discos” Rewriting the story of what grief has to look likeWhat it really means to “turn someone’s lights on” Timestamps 02:59 The Power of Energy and Presence 11:42 The Three Circles of Energy 24:42 The Healing Power of Grief Discos 25:43 Balancing Joy and Grief 30:05 Challenging Grief Narratives Resources: Turn Lights On, Georgina Jones / Patsy Rodenburg's “Three Circles of Energy” / The Joy Reset, MaryCatherine McDonald / Grief Disco / Happy Startup Summer Camp / Ted Lasso / Mojo Moves About Georgina Jones:  Georgina Jones is a speaker, coach, facilitator, and the co-founder of Grief Disco — a movement that helps people honour their loved ones, process grief, and make space for joy again through music, movement, and community. Her mission changed profoundly after the death of her son Osian. Navigating grief while still reaching toward joy transformed not only her life but her work. Georgina now supports grieving people to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and create meanin 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    47 min
  6. Reimagining Self-Care in a World That Teaches Us to Be Selfless with Suzy Reading

    11/24/2025

    Reimagining Self-Care in a World That Teaches Us to Be Selfless with Suzy Reading

    What if self-care wasn’t about adding more to your to-do list but about rethinking what care even means? In this episode, Claire Fitzsimmons speaks with Chartered psychologist, coach and author Suzy Reading about the often invisible emotional labor of women, the cultural messaging that teaches us to ignore our needs, and the radical act of allowing ourselves to be cared for. Suzy, author of the new book “How to Be Selfish: Seven Steps to Taking Back Your Power,” shares her personal evolution with self-care from early moments on the ice rink to navigating motherhood, grief, and perimenopause. Together, they explore how guilt, hyper-independence, and people-pleasing disconnect us from our emotional needs, and what it takes to advocate for ourselves gently and clearly. Topics Covered: Why so many women feel guilty for needing careEmotional health as a guide, not a flawThe hidden emotional toll of “being the strong one”Small, real-world ways to practice self-advocacyHow to begin receiving help without shameTimestamps: 01:07 The Importance of Self-Care 17:38 Embracing Emotions and Building a Toolkit 24:43 Reclaiming the True Meaning of Self-Care 26:49 Advocating for Yourself in Relationships 38:03 Reflecting on the Year and Setting Intentions Suzy Reading is a Chartered Psychologist and one of the UK’s leading self-care and self-advocacy experts. She has three decades of experience in the health and wellbeing industry, drawing on her qualifications in yoga and personal training, together with psychology, to empower people with sustainable healthy lifestyle habits. Suzy is a monthly columnist for Top Sante Magazine; the Psychology Expert for Neom Organics and is a founding member of the ‘Nourish’ app. She is the author of many books including The Little Book of Self-Care, The Self-Care Revolution, Self-care for Tough Times, And Breathe, Sit to Get Fit, 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    48 min
  7. Lovely Messy Humans: Understanding Self-Harm, Emotional Coping, and the Nervous System with Beth Derry

    11/17/2025

    Lovely Messy Humans: Understanding Self-Harm, Emotional Coping, and the Nervous System with Beth Derry

    What if your nervous system was quietly shaping everything — from your relationships to your resilience — and no one ever taught you how to understand it? In this episode of A Thought I Kept, Claire Fitzsimmons speaks with Beth Derry, resilience coach and founder of Lovely Messy Humans, about the deep and often overlooked influence our nervous systems have on how we cope, connect, and show up in the world. They explore the relationship between emotional coping, overwhelm, and shutdown — and how self-harm among young people can be a misunderstood bid for regulation and relief, not attention or rebellion. Beth shares her own story of navigating emotional dysregulation, what she wishes adults knew about teen self-harm, and why nervous system literacy isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. From the science of emotional responses to everyday tools for regulation, this episode offers a gentle, grounded invitation to rethink what it means to support ourselves — and those we love — with more curiosity and less fear. Show Notes 04:59 The Power of the Nervous System 13:31 Understanding Emotions and Their Biological Purpose 29:27 Introduction to Lovely, Messy Humans 30:54 The Importance of Nervous System Education 36:51 Addressing Self-Harm and Emotional Regulation 39:42 Understanding the Science Behind Self-Harm 48:52 Practical Steps for Nervous System Regulation Beth Derry is the founder of Lovely Messy Humans. After careers in zoology, sustainability, and communication, Beth now works as a resilience coach, speaker, and Havening Technique practitioner, helping people better understand their emotional worlds and find grounded, embodied ways of coping.  Website is www.lovelymessyhumans.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethderry/ References + Resources Mentioned Tad Hargrave – Marketing For HippesMaslow’s Hierarchy of Needs HappSupport 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    56 min
  8. Burndowns, Creative Energy, and the Longing for Real-World Connection with Liana Fricker

    11/10/2025

    Burndowns, Creative Energy, and the Longing for Real-World Connection with Liana Fricker

    What if your creative energy didn’t need an algorithm — just some more self-trust and a room full of the right people? In this episode of A Thought I Kept, Claire Fitzsimmons speaks with PR strategist, founder of The Inspiration Space, and self-described “idea-laying machine” Liana Fricker, about navigating creativity, burnout, and how we reconnect with ourselves — and each other — beyond the online world. Together, they explore the emotional and energetic tension between abundance and overwhelm, visibility and vulnerability, and what it means to be seen without being online. Liana shares her experience of living with ADHD, finding clarity after burnout, and reframing the idea of consistency in a world that doesn’t work for every brain. They also dive into the “dead internet theory,” the hunger for real-world gathering, and how the body becomes both compass and guide for meaningful creativity. It’s a conversation about rethinking the pace of life, redefining success, and remembering that sometimes… healing looks like Antiques Roadshow and a weighted blanket. Episode Chapters: 02:53 – Abundance, ADHD, and Access to Inspiration 08:01 – Designing Life Around Energy 09:36 – What If You Couldn’t Use Social Media? 13:42 – The Art of Gathering, Offline Connection & The Dead Internet Theory 17:56 – Fear, Overwhelm, and the Invisible Barriers to IRL 26:34 – Recognizing Burnout & Burndowns About Liana Fricker: Liana Fricker is a PR marketing strategist, speaker, and the founder of The Inspiration Space, a community and consultancy for creative entrepreneurs. Her work centers around sparking possibilities, creating collaborative momentum, and making space for human-first ambition. She’s passionate about future-facing business, radical self-trust, and finding creative energy beyond the algorithm.  Watch her TEDx talk: Inspiration as an Act of Resistance  Follow Liana on Instagram  Connect on LinkedIn About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thou 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, especially when the world feels overwhelming. About Claire Fitzsimmons Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all their feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to joy. Claire writes on Substack at MoreGoodDays. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here. Like what you heard? Subscribe to A Thought I Kept. Follow the podcast on Instagram. Sign up for our newsletter. Shop Season 1 poster Made with Descript & Buzzsprout

    47 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 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
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Thought I Kept
  • Show Website
    A Thought I Kept

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