Smell the Roses with Steph - Podcast

Stephanie Ackland
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Hi Gorgeous, I am Steph the host of Smell the Roses. This podcast is for anyone who wants healthier relationships and a more fulfilling, intentional life.I dive into relationships, mindset, mindfulness, manifestation, consciousness, and personal growth.Come with me as I explore into the way we think, feel and relate,  shapes everything we experience.Through real conversation, grounded wisdom and practical tools, this show is designed to help you break old patterns, deepen self-awareness and create relationships that feel aligned and nourishing.Whether you’re healing, growing or simply seeking more meaning, this podcast invites you to slow down, reflect, and consciously create the life you desire.I love helping people by spreading love & positivity through sharing my experiences one listener at a time. Hit the follow button and tune in for new episodes every - WednesdayI appreciate all your support and so grateful you chose me.

Episodes

  1. 6D AGO

    Living in the Shadows

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" There’s a specific kind of ache that comes from being outshone by someone you love. It’s not just jealousy. It’s the slow, quiet belief that their success means you matter less, and that your life has somehow moved to the background. I want to flip that story on its head and show you how standing in someone else’s light doesn’t have to dim yours.  We explore a simple metaphor that changes everything: the sun and the moon. The moon doesn’t compete with the sun, it translates it, softening intense light into something you can live with in the dark. That’s how your confidence and identity can work too. You move through cycles. Some seasons feel bold and visible, like full moon energy. Others are quieter and internal, like new moon energy. Both are powerful. Both are part of growth, not proof you’ve fallen behind.  I also share a personal chapter from my life where I felt swallowed by roles and comparison while Chris was thriving publicly. Staying home with little ones left me understimulated, unsure of myself, and resentful, even though no one was trying to hold me back. The turning point was learning to “save a piece of the pie” for myself: boundaries, self-respect, and small choices that rebuild your spark before you hit empty.  If you’ve been shrinking, second-guessing your worth, or measuring your life against someone else’s lane, this is your reminder that you can change direction and redesign your future at any moment. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling me what helps you step back into your light.

    10 min

  2. MAR 17

    The Power of Validation

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" Do you ever catch yourself silently asking, “Do you see me?” “Do you hear me?” “Is what I’m doing okay?” Those questions can feel small, but they shape how we show up in relationships, at work, and in the private moments where we decide whether our dreams are “reasonable” or “too much”. Today we slow down and name what’s really going on: the very human need for validation, belonging, and being understood, plus the surprising freedom that comes when you stop outsourcing your worth. I talk about why emotional validation matters, how self-validation creates space for truth without judgement, and why you don’t need anyone else to approve your calling. If you feel pulled toward change or a dream you can’t shake, you’ll hear a grounded reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take one step at a time, keep listening inward, and honour what keeps showing up in your heart. You’ll also get three practical steps you can use straight away: honour your vision, celebrate small wins, and trust your journey by letting go of comparison. We close with a gentle invitation to sit in silence, ground yourself, and ask the deeper questions that lead to self-discovery and real confidence. If you’re ready to feel lighter, bring meaning into your everyday life, and keep growing in awareness, press play then subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find this path.

    9 min

  3. MAR 10

    Tap Out

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" Ever notice how a relationship can feel heavy even when no one is shouting? We go straight at the quiet habit that does the most damage: keeping a running list of old hurts and using it to punish the person you’ve chosen to stay with. Through Steph’s candid story about the early years with Chris—betrayal, apologies, and a cycle of emotional payback—we trace how resentment sneaks from “self-protection” into self-sabotage, stealing sleep, softening joy, and shrinking the best parts of who you are. We unpack why waiting for one more apology never delivers peace, and how shifting responsibility back to yourself changes everything. Forgiveness here isn’t denial; it’s deciding to stop bleeding from the same wound. We explore practical tools to move forward: replacing global accusations with clear plans, setting boundaries you can actually honour, and choosing language that builds safety rather than debt. You’ll hear how letting go restored ease in our home, from better sleep to quicker recovery after disagreements, and why living in the murky middle—staying while punishing—hurts both the relationship and your self-respect. If you’re torn between staying and simmering, this conversation offers a humane, actionable path: truly forgive and rebuild, or walk away with honesty. Along the way, we share a simple weekly challenge to help you close the book on old stories and reclaim presence, play, and warmth. Subscribe, send this to someone who needs it, and leave a review with the one belief about forgiveness you’re ready to test next. Your peace, your boundaries, your joy—start here.

    11 min

  4. MAR 3

    Let's Dance

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" Ever felt the distance sneak in—not through a big fight, but through the constant hum of work, kids, deadlines and screens? We’re unpacking how couples can find their way back without drama or a grand overhaul, using intention, safety and small rituals that actually stick. Drawing on real moments from our 19-year relationship, we share the sacred difference between connection—the spark that begins everything—and reconnection, the choice to return to what’s true after life gets loud. We start with a gentle reset: interrupt the chaos and create space where your body can settle and your heart can open. A few slow breaths, phones down, eyes up. Say “I miss us” or “I want to feel close again,” and notice how safety changes the room. From there, we explore seeing your partner with fresh eyes. Instead of tallying tasks and misses, ask simple, brave questions: What’s draining you? What do you need more of? Then listen to understand, not to correct. That’s where respect returns, softness appears and the wall between you starts to crumble. Finally, we get practical with rituals and micro-gestures that keep love warm: a longer goodbye kiss, a hand on the back as you pass, a no-phones coffee, a weekly walk or a monthly, low-key date night. Rituals build rhythm, and rhythm builds harmony. Emotional safety often precedes physical intimacy, so give yourselves permission to go slow and let desire meet attention. Reconnection isn’t about going back; it’s about meeting who you both are now and choosing each other with intention. If you’re ready to replace drift with presence and routine with meaning, press play and take the first small step with us. If this spoke to your heart, subscribe, share it with someone you love and leave a review so others can find their way back too.

    13 min

  5. FEB 18

    Blanket Breathwork

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" We guide a gentle breathwork journey to lift the “blanket” of overwhelm and reconnect with ease, clarity, and self-trust. Safety cues, clear counts, soft imagery, and a grounding close make the practice accessible and repeatable. • intention to create a safe, still space • reasons the protective blanket formed • four-count inhale, four-count hold, seven-count exhale • releasing tension in shoulders, chest, and jaw • reframing from exposure to emergence • full-body grounding and sensory return • self-hug to seal regulation and care • invitation to repeat the practice when heavy feelings return If this resonated with you, feel free to replay this episode as many times as you need I'd love to hear if this practice worked for you. Leave a comment or message on my social media

    12 min

  6. FEB 10

    Touch Yourself

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" What if confidence felt quiet, steady and real instead of loud and exhausting? We explore how to stop performing for approval, choose yourself without guilt, and build self-trust through tiny, doable promises. Steph opens up about completing a coaching course while raising three kids, working full-time and running a family business, showing how support, boundaries and honest self-permission turn “impossible” into done. We unpack the difference between ego and confidence. Ego seeks applause, control and comparison; it learned to perform to stay safe. Real confidence grows when actions match values and the inner fight ends. You will hear a tender story about saying yes to her daughter’s wish for long hair and how purposeful giving differs from people-pleasing. That nuance matters: when choices align with love and values, they nourish rather than drain. We then map a simple loop to return to yourself: remember your values, speak your affirmations, act in small aligned ways, and repeat. To make it practical, Steph offers two steps you can start today. First, practice honest self-permission and drop the performance: you do not need to earn your right to exist or be valued. Second, keep one small promise to yourself, like finishing one task or speaking kindly to yourself. Self-worth grows through self-trust, not hype. With breathwork tools coming next Wednesday, we set you up to feel more grounded, lighter and clearer, so confidence becomes embodied, not performed. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs calm confidence, and leave a review to help others find us. Tell us: what small promise will you keep today?

    12 min

  7. FEB 3

    Unapologetically Wanting More

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" When the heart starts whispering “I want more,” it isn’t a verdict on your partner—it’s your inner world calling for attention. We unpack how to translate that feeling into action with clear language, practical rituals, and the three pillars that make relationships last: emotional safety, being valued, and deep connection. Drawing on Steph’s 19-year relationship with Chris, we share the check-in questions that turned conflict into alignment, the small behaviours that rebuild trust, and the mindset shift that keeps both people on the same team. We start by reframing doubt as healthy data, then move into how to speak needs without blame and how to make changes that stick. You’ll hear a simple weekly check-in format you can try tonight, plus examples of constructive criticism that leads to growth rather than defence. We also zoom out to the science: humans are wired to thrive with eye contact, tone, and touch, which is why responsiveness calms the nervous system and fuels cooperation. If you’ve drifted apart, you’ll learn how to lead by example, replace distance habits with repair rituals, and show value through time, attention, and kept promises. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to ask for more without throwing away what you’ve built. Whether you’re craving reassurance, better communication, or feeling chosen, you’ll find language, steps, and hope to guide the next conversation. Share this one with your partner, write down the three pillars, and choose one small action to start today. If this helped, follow and subscribe, then leave a review so others can find it—and tell us: what does “more” look like for you this week?

    12 min

  8. JAN 27

    Why Men Can

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" Ever feel like your day gets hijacked the moment you try to do something for yourself? We dig into self‑procrastination—the subtle habit of trading your real priorities for chores, pings, and busywork that look productive but leave your goals untouched. Using a down‑to‑earth lens and lived experience, we unpack why smart, caring people delay what matters and how to reclaim your focus without guilt. You’ll hear a simple, memorable tool we call tunnel vision glasses: an imaginary filter that shortens the path from intention to action. By observing how single‑task focus works in real households, we show how to walk past visual noise, stop taking detours, and finish the work that actually moves your life forward. We also challenge the control reflex—doing unasked jobs for others to feel in charge—and replace it with self‑ownership, clearer boundaries, and a kinder inner voice. Expect practical steps you can use today: pick the top three tasks that would ease the most pressure, complete one, reward yourself, repeat. Visualise your day before it starts, anticipate distractions, and choose your route anyway. Learn to celebrate small wins so your brain links follow‑through with real satisfaction. If you’re tired of resentment, invisible labour, and goals that live on the back burner, this conversation offers a clean, compassionate reset. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review—it helps more people find the tools to focus on what truly matters.

    14 min

  9. JAN 20

    Number One Fan

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" What if the loudest applause your child ever hears from you is still ahead of you? We dive into the quiet turning point when early praise fades and how that silence shapes teens and even grown adults. From first steps to first jobs, we explore why approval is more than a nice-to-have—it’s a felt memory of safety that lives in the body, guiding confidence, risk-taking, and resilience long after childhood ends. I share the hard truth many families recognise: we give our best energy to colleagues and acquaintances while our loved ones get the scraps. Then we wonder why home feels tense, distant, or distracted. Together we map the way back with simple, repeatable practices—no phones, short daily check-ins, and entering your child’s space with consent and calm. You’ll hear how presence can replace pressure, how praise of effort and character strengthens identity, and why consistency beats grand gestures every time. There’s also a personal story at the heart of this conversation. A single question to my dad—“Would you listen?”—met with an instant yes that ignited this very podcast. That moment shows the lifelong power of parental belief; it can move an idea from daydream to action in weeks. If you’ve drifted from being your child’s number one fan, you’ll find practical ways to rebuild trust, turn your home back into a safe base, and cheer loudly again through the teenage years and beyond. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a parent who needs the nudge, and leave a review to help more families bring their best selves home.

    11 min

  10. JAN 12

    I am Telling You - "You Already Have It!"

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" I ask you to dive deeper. I want you to take a look inside yourself and see who you truly are and what you have done with your life this far. You are going to be surprised with what you find. Connect with Smell the Roses with Steph: Follow on instagram - smelltheroseswithsteph https://www.instagram.com/smelltheroseswithsteph Follow on Facebook - Smell the Roses with Steph https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4Zvs7hfB/

    12 min

  11. JAN 6

    It's Not Their Fault!

    "Let me know if this episode has helped you" An incredibly insightful topic on relationships. Why are some many relationships failing? How to better your personal experiences with the people you interact with on a daily basis, using simple strategies that I have found help me live a more fore filling, happier life and you can too! Connect with Smell the Roses with Steph: Follow on instagram - smelltheroseswithsteph https://www.instagram.com/smelltheroseswithsteph Follow on Facebook - Smell the Roses with Steph https://www.facebook.com/share/1E4Zvs7hfB/

    9 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Hi Gorgeous, I am Steph the host of Smell the Roses. This podcast is for anyone who wants healthier relationships and a more fulfilling, intentional life.I dive into relationships, mindset, mindfulness, manifestation, consciousness, and personal growth.Come with me as I explore into the way we think, feel and relate,  shapes everything we experience.Through real conversation, grounded wisdom and practical tools, this show is designed to help you break old patterns, deepen self-awareness and create relationships that feel aligned and nourishing.Whether you’re healing, growing or simply seeking more meaning, this podcast invites you to slow down, reflect, and consciously create the life you desire.I love helping people by spreading love & positivity through sharing my experiences one listener at a time. Hit the follow button and tune in for new episodes every - WednesdayI appreciate all your support and so grateful you chose me.

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