In this conversation, Nick Tsakiris shares his journey of discovering a different approach to life when the pandemic disrupted his hospitality career. Already questioning the sustainability of late nights and demanding schedules, he found himself facing an unexpected opportunity to reimagine success. Through reflection, Nick reveals how shifting from asking "What do I want to be?" to "How do I want to live?" transformed his perspective on daily joy and fulfilment.

Drawing inspiration from Greek village life and even his dogs' enthusiasm for simple pleasures, Nick shares how he learned to create a life that feels like a holiday rather than waiting for retirement to truly live. His transition from hospitality to cybersecurity isn't just about career change, it's about choosing to prioritise present-moment happiness over future achievements. Nick's experience reminds us that when we dare to question how we want to live, rather than what we want to be , we open ourselves to a more authentic and joy-filled life.

About Our Guest

Nick discusses the challenge that lockdown posed whilst working in hospitality and the fear associated with a lack of direction in life. On reflection, the extreme uncertainty propelled an embrace for change and a philosophical approach to life centred around lifestyle and maximising joy.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e8

00:00 Nick Tsakiris Intro

03:23 The Struggles of Hospitality: Late Nights and Personal Sacrifice

07:31 Finding Direction: The Search for Meaning Beyond Hospitality

11:45 Existential Questions: How Do I Want to Live?

15:02 Maximizing Happiness: Living in the Moment

19:25 Reflecting on Life Choices

24:37 Redefining Success

27:45 Navigating Career Changes

31:37 Embracing Change and Happiness

36:18 It's A Wrap

In this conversation, Emma McLarty shares her personal journey through a perfect storm: when menopause, her children moving out, and supporting her aging parents all converged. Despite careful planning for this life transition, she found herself blindsided by the physical, emotional, and psychological challenges that arrived unexpectedly. Through vulnerability and honesty, Emma reveals how her drive for perfectionism became unsustainable. Trying to appear "fine" only deepened her overwhelm until exhaustion forced her to drop the mask, leading to a profound revelation: letting go of perfect wasn't failure, it was the pathway forward.

Emma shares how she learned to sit with uncomfortable emotions instead of avoiding them, finding strength in reaching out to others who understood her journey. This isn't just a story about midlife and menopause. Emma's story reminds us that we have the wisdom within to navigate life's messy transitions, but we don't have to do it alone.

About Our Guest

Emma McLarty is a counsellor and women’s wellbeing practitioner who helps people navigate life’s big transitions with confidence and ease. Drawing on her own experiences and a love of meaningful conversation, she guides women toward clarity, growth, and what’s possible in their next chapter.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e7

00:00 Intro Emma McLarty

02:50 The Impact of Motherhood on Identity

04:56 Spiritual Practices and Self-Compassion

07:28 Understanding Grief and Loss

09:28 Finding Support and Mentorship

12:12 Societal Expectations and Personal Journeys

14:37 Trusting Yourself Through Change

17:15 Lessons Learned from the Journey

19:50 Embracing the Messiness of Life

23:00 The Gift of Self-Discovery

25:20 Advice for Women Facing Midlife Challenges

36:19 It's A Wrap

In this episode, Jill Currie shares what happened when her child Luna (they/them), who is autistic, told her they thought they had Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). "No you don't," was Jill's initial response. Fear of judgement led her down a path of denial that hurt them both. When Luna's distress reached a breaking point, Jill confronted a powerful truth: no-one was coming to save them. The only thing she could change was herself. Through genuine vulnerability, Jill discovered that the parts of Luna she struggled to accept mirrored the parts of herself she'd been rejecting. Her journey took an unexpected turn when she received her own autism diagnosis, giving her the self-compassion needed to truly show up for Luna. Jill's story powerfully reveals that self-compassion can become the bridge to compassion for others, and sometimes the most courageous decision is changing ourselves instead of trying to change others.

About Our Guest

Jill Currie is an author, coach and consultant whose work empowers parents and transforms child-serving systems. Jill’s writing can be found everywhere from literary journals to reports to the (U.S.) President and Congress. She’s currently working on a debut memoir about her own journey parenting a young adult with complex needs.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e6

00:00 Jill Currie Intro

03:04 Navigating Denial and Acceptance

05:37 The Impact of Separation

08:09 Finding New Perspectives

10:42 The Journey of Self-Discovery

13:18 Building Connections with Alters

15:43 The Role of Community and Support

18:16 Transformative Conversations

20:18 Embracing Neurodiversity

23:12 The Power of Self-Compassion

24:34 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

27:18 The Gift of Creativity

29:50 Final Thoughts and Advice

39:16 Its A Wrap