In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with Laura Beddoe (Soul Speaks) to talk about what happens behind the “successful” exterior, the stories we run in our heads, the pain we hide, and the moment you decide: enough. Laura shares her journey from a chaotic childhood, people-pleasing and toxic relationships, to homelessness and standing on the edge… and the tiny glimmers that helped her choose life, rebuild her identity, and create real freedom, not just money and “nice things,” but freedom of mind, presence, and self-worth. This is a conversation about mental health, addiction, boundaries, self-love, emotional literacy, parenting, and hope, and why the most powerful success is the one you feel on the inside. If you’re struggling right now, please hear this: nothing is permanent, and you don’t have to carry it alone. ⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction 02:16 – Check-in: Year of the Snake, shedding what no longer serves you 05:19 – Why we avoid silence (and how emotions move through the body) 07:40 – Therapy, stigma, and the generational shift around emotions 09:20 – School, control, and teaching kids emotional literacy 15:10 – Laura’s definition of success: freedom of mind & freedom of choice 19:30 – Choosing change (without needing to hit rock bottom) 28:50 – Laura’s childhood, adoption, “the naughty girl” identity & ADHD 34:57 – Breaking cycles: responsibility, boundaries, and saying “no” 39:08 – Presence, anxiety vs depression, and catching the old story returning 47:38 – Practical tools: mindfulness, journaling, EFT tapping 53:15 – Laura’s rock bottom: coercive control, debt, homelessness 01:01:07 – The moment that snapped: “This is your wake-up call” 01:05:52 – Hope, glimmers, and not knowing what beautiful future you might miss 01:15:43 – Patterns, addiction, compassion, and choosing better inputs 01:35:03 – Vulnerability vs oversharing (and asking permission) 01:41:23 – People-pleasing, self-abandonment, and new standards 01:44:10 – Storytelling card: staying emotionally present with loved ones 01:45:35 – Closing reflections + Laura’s free gift 🧠 Key themes you’ll take away “Uncomfortable emotions” don’t last forever — but avoidance keeps them aliveConfidence isn’t loud… it’s self-trustBoundaries aren’t selfish — they’re self-respectAddiction often masks pain; healing requires compassion and accountabilityThe future can hold what you can’t imagine — if you stay 🎁 Laura’s free gift “The 9 Reasons Why You’re Not Getting Paid To Speak” (free download) ➡️ Email: hello@laurabeddoe.com 🔗 Connect with Laura Beddeo Laura references her work through Soul Speaks, and supports clients with visibility, public speaking, mindset and transformation. ➡️ Add links here: Website: https://www.laurabeddoe.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura_beddoe_coach.mentor/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-beddoe-collins/ 🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES: 👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast 💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health. ⚠️ Support note (please read) This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation, domestic abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. If you’re in the UK & Ireland and you need someone right now: Samaritans (24/7): 116 123Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK, 24/7):If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.NHS guidance on urgent mental health help: CLICK HERESPONSORED BY: Rivervale – https://www.rivervale.co.uk Brown Bear Studios – https://www.brownbearstudio.co.uk Carpenter Box – https://www.carpenterbox.com 🎬 PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions – https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.