In this episode of A Thought I Kept, Sarah Philp discusses the profound impact of Nancy Klein's quote, 'The quality of everything human beings do depends on the quality of the thinking that we do first.'

She reflects on the relationship between thinking and action, the importance of creating thinking spaces, and how these concepts have shaped her work as an educational psychologist and coach.

Sarah also shares personal practices like cold water swimming and visiting the Isle of Skye that help her maintain clarity and presence.

The conversation delves into the subtleties of coaching, transformation, and the significance of articulating thoughts aloud. Sarah emphasizes the value of being present, gentle boldness, and the quiet power of thoughtful action.

00:40 The Influence of Nancy Klein

01:06 The Importance of Thinking and Action

03:05 Challenges in Modern Thinking

05:43 The Role of Presence in Coaching

06:56 Articulating Thoughts and Taking Action

11:39 Personal Approach to Transformation

16:05 Creating and Seeking Space

About Sarah Philp

Sarah is a Psychologist and Coach with almost 20 years of experience in Education. Her mission has always been to maximise the impact of Psychology; to help us understand ourselves and each other more deeply in order to be able to relate, learn and lead better together.

Sarah is also the host of the Space to Think podcast

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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. Claire writes on Substack under MoreGoodDays.

In this episode of 'A Thought I Kept,' host Claire Fitzsimmons talks with her friend Irena Meštrović Štajduhar about redefining the concept of strengths.

Irena, based in Croatia, is a life observer who shares insights on how traditional metrics of success often lead to burnout and disconnection. They delve into Marcus Buckingham's idea that true strengths are activities that bring joy, and discuss how personality tests can sometimes limit us.

This conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing and nurturing personal passions, even if they are not conventionally acknowledged as strengths, and the idea of 'internalized capitalism.'

The episode concludes with reflections on how reclaiming joy and love in one's work can create a meaningful and fulfilling life.

In this episode of 'A Thought I Kept' hosted by Claire Fitzsimmons, brand designer and creative mentor Sarah Robertson discusses the lasting impact of a saying from her Scottish grandmother. Sarah shares how this phrase has been an anchor throughout various personal and professional challenges, offering comfort and encouragement. She reflects on the insights gained from creating and launching her design studio, balancing creative pursuits with client work, and the importance of both stretching oneself and returning to zones of comfort. The conversation emphasizes trust, resilience, and the delicate balance between striving and acceptance in creative endeavors.

00:29 Meet Sarah Robertson: Brand Designer and Creative Mentor

00:50 The Wisdom: What's for You Won't Go By You

01:36 Applying this in Life and Business

10:53 The Creative Process and Overcoming Self-Doubt

15:18 Launching the Brand Seasons Play Deck

21:17 Reflections and Future Aspirations

27:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sarah is the writer behind Brand Seasons and a brand designer and creative mentor at These Are The Days, where she collaborates with clients to define their vision, craft beautiful visuals and discover their voices.

Claire is a writer, certified emotions coach practitioner, and co-founder of wellbeing company If Lost Start Here, and is on a mission to help get people who are lost, lonely, disconnected or simply curious to a better place. You can subscribe to Claire's substack at MoreGoodDays.

Subscribe for future episodes on the ideas that last a lifetime.

In this episode of A Thought I Kept, host Claire Fitzsimmons talks with Emily Charlotte Powell about the one idea that has guided her creative journey. Emily shares her realisation that prioritizing joy and personal fulfillment in her creative pursuits over external validation and algorithm-driven demands is everything. They discuss the importance of staying true to one's own interests, the therapeutic nature of creating, and the balance between sharing work and internal satisfaction. This episode invites listeners to reconsider what truly motivates their creativity and to find joy in the act of creating itself.

Emily Powell is an illustrator, accountant, creative adventurer and the writer behind the Substack publication: While I Was Drawing.

Claire Fitzsimmons is the host of A Thought I Kept, as well as a writer, emotions coach, and co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a wellbeing company for everyday life.

00:00 Introduction to 'A Thought I Kept'

00:40 Introducing Emily Charlotte Powell

01:05 Emily's Guiding Thought: Create What You Love

01:25 The Origin of the Thought

03:53 Balancing Joy and Consistency

08:16 The Joy of Creating for Yourself

12:50 The Power of Joy in Creativity

19:47 Staying True to Your Creative Joy

22:11 Reflections on a Creative Life

A Thought I Kept is a short-form wellbeing podcast about the single ideas that shape how we live — the ones that stay with us, long after we’ve forgotten the rest.

Hosted by Claire Fitzsimmons, each episode features a different guest sharing the one idea they’ve carried with them through life. A line from a book, a sentence said at the right moment, a realisation they couldn’t un-hear. These are the thoughts that changed something. That embedded. That stayed.

In a world overflowing with life advice, inspiration, and self-help ideas, A Thought I Kept isn’t just about what sounds good — it’s about what lives well. What actually makes it off the page, off the stage, and into our everyday lives.

This podcast is about the thoughts we return to without trying. The ones we’ve tested, made our own, or are still figuring out how to live. It’s personal, reflective, and real. Sometimes messy. Always grounded in how we actually live.

In this trailer episode, Claire introduces the idea behind the series:

• Why we need space for the thoughts that matter

• How one moment of insight can shape a lifetime

• What to expect in the episodes ahead

You’ll also meet Claire — a writer, emotions coach, and someone always on the lookout for ideas that mean something. This podcast is her way of tracing how those ideas shape who we become — especially in times of transition, growth, and self-discovery.

What kind of ideas will you hear on the show?

Guests include writers, creatives, therapists, coaches, entrepreneurs and academics — each sharing the one thought they kept that changed how they approach their life.

You’ll hear about:

• A quote remembered since teenage years

• A truth discovered at just the right time

• A thought passed down by someone loved

• A lesson learned the hard way

• A line in a book that quietly rearranged everything

And maybe one of them will land with you, too.

Why listen?

Because in a culture obsessed with big, bold transformation, A Thought I Kept is about the thoughts that go the distance — the ones we make our own. The kind that don’t just change our perspective for a moment, but shape how we live, connect, and move through our days.

Whether you’re navigating change, seeking clarity, or simply curious — this podcast will give you something to hold onto.

It’s a space for meaningful conversations, mental and emotional wellbeing, and ideas that stay.

New episodes arrive Mondays — start your week with a thought-provoking conversation and a new idea to live by.

Host: Claire Fitzsimmons

Claire is a writer, certified emotions coach, and co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a wellbeing company that helps women feel better in everyday life. Her work explores emotional clarity, self-connection and how to find meaning in modern life — especially in the face of a noisy, fast-moving wellbeing culture.

Follow Claire on Substack at MoreGoodDays where you'll find videos and bonus content for each episode.

Subscribe now to A Thought I Kept — a podcast about the ideas that last a lifetime.