Seedling artwork

Seedling

62 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratings

Seedling is a podcast for creatives who want to build confidence so they can live a life of freedom and fulfilment. Seeds have everything they need inside to push above the ground and flourish, and just like seeds, we have our own resources to build confidence and grow towards our dreams.

Hosted by confidence mentor for creatives Kat Nicholls, Seedling gives you the tools you need to discover these resources and nurture them. Each bite-sized episode will offer practical steps to help you recognise your worth, build confidence and go for what you truly want in life. If you’re looking for gentle support and a safe space to explore your inner power, you’re in the right place.

Self-Improvement Education Health & Fitness Mental Health career personaldevelopment selfimprovement creativity mentalhealth personalgrowth selfcare selfdevelopment selfworth wellbeing
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Episodes

Why I’m closing down my business (and this podcast)

August 17, 2022 00:00 - 23 minutes - 21 MB

Today I’m going to be sharing the decision I’ve made to close down my business Blue Jay of Happiness and this podcast, answer your questions and share some lovely comments. So for the last time, get yourself comfy, grab a coffee, and let’s get into it. Transcript and links: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

Expanding your vision of fulfilment

August 03, 2022 00:00 - 5 minutes - 5.8 MB

In this episode I’m talking about what it means to feel fulfilled in life and why it’s important we expand our vision of what this looks like, something I’ve very much learning right now! Transcript and show-notes: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

My pain journey

July 20, 2022 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

Today I wanted to share a little more about my pain journey, from chronic headaches, period pain to the ongoing joint pain I’m experiencing now. I’m not a medical professional or an expert, but I feel like I’ve learnt a lot about what it means to be in pain and I hope sharing my story and learnings can provide comfort to others going through something similar. Transcript and show notes: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

Coming back from a confidence knock

July 06, 2022 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.4 MB

Today I want to talk to you about coming back from confidence knocks, sharing some of my own experiences and some ideas to help you come back from them. Check out my quiet confidence workshop: https://ko-fi.com/s/98c4fe3742 Shownotes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

5 mindset shifts to be content where you are

June 22, 2022 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.47 MB

Today I’m catching you up after the mid-season break and sharing some mindset shifts to help you feel more content in the here and now, even if you’re not exactly where you want to be.  Read transcript and shownotes: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/

Why I'm taking a month off my business

April 27, 2022 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.6 MB

Today I’m talking more about the month off I’m taking in May, the physical health stuff behind it all and how I’m dealing with some of the shameful feelings I’ve had around it all. Show-notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

Creativity and community with Charlie India

April 13, 2022 00:00 - 28 minutes - 22.2 MB

Today I'm joined by artist and maker Charlie India. We chat about Charlie's creative journey, how she's building community along the way and her top tips for managing self-doubt as a creative. Follow Charlie on Instagram @imcharlieindia and visit her website, https://www.imcharlieindia.com/  Show-notes: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

How to get more comfortable with public speaking

March 30, 2022 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MB

How do you feel about public speaking? If the answer is ‘terrified’ then today’s podcast episode is for you. I’ll be sharing a bit more about my own public speaking journey and some techniques I use before, during and after I speak to help bolster confidence. Show notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ Join my mailing list: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/newsletter/ 

How to feel more confident sharing your creative work

March 09, 2022 01:00 - 7 minutes - 7.75 MB

In today’s episode I want to dig into why it feels so hard to share our creative work, the incredible benefits that come when we do and how to start feeling more confident about it. So if you’ve ever felt fear around sharing a piece of writing, your artwork or a new offering, this one’s for you. Show-notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/

Creativity as a tool for confidence

February 23, 2022 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.08 MB

In this first episode of season 5 I’ll be updating you on all things BlueJay and diving into the power of creativity for confidence.  Full show-notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/  

It's never too late to start

November 10, 2021 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.71 MB

In this last episode of season 4 I’m leaving you with a slightly meandering pep talk that essentially comes down to this - it’s never too late to start. A reminder that you are the author of your story, and other people’s narratives…? They don’t apply to you.  Transcript and show notes can be found here: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ My shop can be found here: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/shop/ 

Feeling safe and the role of self-compassion

October 27, 2021 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.6 MB

In this episode I want to share some learnings about self-compassion and how it provides a safety net when fear and self-doubt shows up. Here is the market research survey I mention: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsbKujvYGV9x_fLIAgJaBB44xrWlgaA9xAvDivzXxTTiP9ag/viewform?usp=sf_link Show-notes, links mentioned and transcript can be found here: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/  

How to overcome the fear of rejection

October 13, 2021 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.04 MB

Today we are diving into an uncomfortable topic - rejection! Being rejected is painful, but the fear of it can hold us back in ways which, I believe, will ultimately cause more harm. So here we’ll talk about ways we can move past the fear of rejection that’s stopping us from doing what we truly want.  Show notes, links, and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

What it takes to build confidence

September 29, 2021 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.11 MB

In this episode I want to dig under the skin of confidence. I want to pull it apart and see what it’s made so we know how to build it. I also want to share the magic that can happen when we pair this confidence with purpose. *** Buy my new e-book on building confidence and identifying your purpose: https://ko-fi.com/s/44c243f1d0 ***

Self-care and detaching our sense of worth from productivity with Madeleine Onstwedder

September 15, 2021 00:00 - 39 minutes - 34.2 MB

Today on the podcast I’m sharing my interview episode! Every season I like to include one interview so I can share a voice that isn’t mine and this season I’m talking to the wonderful Madeleine Onstwedder who is a coach supporting those who want to make a difference in the world.  In this episode we chat about her work as a coach, the radical roots of self-care, detaching our sense of worth from productivity and somatic work.  Full show-notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.co...

Letting go of negative habits

September 01, 2021 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.8 MB

Today I want to talk about habits. They really are the foundation of our days, so I want to explore how we can let go of negative ones, be more flexible in our thinking and build up more helpful ones. So, if your habits need a make-over, keep listening. Show-notes and transcript: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

Let's talk about imposter syndrome

August 18, 2021 00:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MB

In today’s episode we’re going to be diving into the topic of imposter syndrome, including what it is, whether or not it’s actually a problem we need to solve, and what we can do about fraudulent feelings. Full show-notes and transcript can be found here: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

How to stop second guessing yourself

August 04, 2021 00:00 - 9 minutes - 9.54 MB

Today I want to talk about self-trust, how we can build it and how we can stop second guessing ourselves. This is such an important part of the self-worth journey and I can’t wait to dive in, let’s get started. *Join my quiet confidence workshop tonight!* Find show-notes and transcript here.

Why are we so scared of taking risks?

July 21, 2021 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MB

Today I want to talk about taking risks and specifically - psychological risks. We’ll discuss why things feel so risky, the annoying feature of the mind that holds us back and how to decide when to take the risk and when not to. *Come along to my upcoming workshop on building quiet confidence* Show-notes, links mentioned and transcript can be found here: https://bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast/ 

Questioning societal expectations

July 07, 2021 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.24 MB

Welcome back to Seedling and to season four! In today’s episode I’ll be catching you up after the season break, telling you more about season four and talking about societal expectations and why we need to question everything.

Bonus episode - lesson 1 of how to overcome overwhelm

March 24, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 7.82 MB

My new audio course on overcoming overwhelm is now live! So today I thought I’d share the first lesson with you so you get a taste for what it’s all about.  If you like the sound of it, head here to learn more: https://listenable.io/web/courses/365/how-to-overcome-overwhelm/ 

Coming back from burnout - a follow-up chat

March 10, 2021 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.38 MB

For this final episode of season 3 I really just wanted to sit down and have a metaphorical coffee with you, catching up on how things have been since burning out last summer, how I’m *really* getting on with all things Blue Jay and what I hope to work on moving forwards.

Self-care for activists

February 24, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 8.43 MB

This week I want to talk to those of you passionate about causes, whether you consider yourself an activist, advocate or something in-between. I’ll be sharing some tips to help you look after yourself and cope when things feel unjust. Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

The power of self-expression

February 10, 2021 01:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MB

Today I want to talk about the incredible power of self-expression - how it reduces stress, how it can increase confidence and even help with self-acceptance. I have a lot of thoughts on this and am really excited to dive in, so let’s get started. Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

How to stay present when the world is in chaos

January 27, 2021 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.5 MB

Today I want to explore the topic of mindfulness and staying present in a time when it’s all too easy to get lost in future anxieties. So if staying in the here and now is feeling tough right now, this episode is for you.  Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

Finding body acceptance

January 13, 2021 01:00 - 8 minutes - 8.38 MB

Today we’re going to be talking about a big topic - body acceptance and specifically, body acceptance when in recovery from an eating disorder. Because it’s difficult, but I believe it can be done and if I can do it, you can do it.  Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

Valuing your impact

December 30, 2020 01:00 - 7 minutes - 7.91 MB

Today on the podcast I’m serving up a rallying cry to value your impact, no matter how big or small that impact is, recognise what you have to offer the world and understand that your voice matters. Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

Creativity, allyship and petite joys with Michelle Chai

December 16, 2020 01:00 - 21 minutes - 16.7 MB

Welcome to season three’s interview episode! This season I’m speaking to the wonderful Michelle Chai. I’ve been following Michelle in some form or another since my early blogging days and have loved seeing her blog and online presence evolve. Whether she’s writing about her experience being British Chinese, sharing petite joys or selling hand-poured candles on etsy, she does it all with poise and keen awareness. In our discussion we talk about writing, creativity and coping with 2020 life....

Separating your worth from your productivity

December 02, 2020 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.19 MB

This week we’re looking into the ways you can untangle worth from productivity. It’s not easy, but here I’ll share six tips that I personally come back to time and time again. Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

We need to talk about painful sex

November 18, 2020 01:00 - 8 minutes - 8.39 MB

This week I’m talking about a subject I’ve never talked openly about before - sex. And specifically, painful sex and why we need to talk about it more. I will therefore be talking about sex and vaginas so if this kind of thing isn’t for you, please feel free to skip this episode. Also if my parents are listening, well, you’ve been warned. Find full show-notes, links and transcript at bluejayofhappiness.com/podcast

How to build a positive relationship with social media

November 04, 2020 01:00 - 10 minutes - 9.88 MB

This week we’re going to be talking all things social media! It’s a big topic but here I want to discuss setting boundaries around social media, building a positive relationship with it and curating your feed to make it a positive and uplifting space to be.

Coming back from burnout

October 21, 2020 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.6 MB

This week I’m touching on what to do if you’re coming back to work after burnout - I’ll be covering how to put new boundaries in place and do what you love in a sustainable way. 

Notes from the hiatus

October 07, 2020 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MB

This week’s episode is a big old catch up after a break from the podcast and - as it turned out - everything Blue Jay of Happiness related. I’ll be sharing more about why I took the break, why I decided to stop coaching for now and what to expect moving forward. Find full show notes and links at bluejayofhappiness.com.

Six steps to discover your worth

May 20, 2020 00:00 - 12 minutes - 12.1 MB

This week I’m going to take you through some of the key steps I believe are necessary to help you discover your sense of worth and use this as a foundation to build self-belief and confidence. This is a whistle-stop tour and will hopefully help you understand where you are and what steps you may need to take next.

Knowing your worth and its impact on relationships

May 13, 2020 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.4 MB

This week I want to hone in on a specific element of self-worth, the impact it has in relationships. This includes romantic relationships, family, friendships and even professional relationships.

How to stop comparing yourself

May 06, 2020 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MB

This week we’re talking all things comparison. I’ll be looking at some of the common areas where we compare ourselves, from creatively and in the workplace to physically and even with our friends. I’ll also be sharing some ideas to help you handle comparison when it comes up for you. 

How to be more comfortable being seen

April 29, 2020 00:00 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MB

This week I want to talk to those who are feeling ready to be seen and want to “show up” in the world. We’ll talk about what that really means, how can we feel more comfortable doing it and how we can deal with the inevitable vulnerability hangovers when we do.

How to avoid burnout

April 22, 2020 00:00 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MB

This week I want to talk about burnout because I feel like it's a real danger for some of us right now. I discuss what it is, how it can happen and most importantly some techniques we can use to avoid it. 

Instagram photography and choosing the path of least resistance

April 15, 2020 00:00 - 12 minutes - 12.5 MB

A while ago I asked for episode ideas and someone asked about Instagram photography so I thought I’d talk about my approach to that here, my relationship with photography and why I choose the path of least resistance.

Chronic pain, mental health and growing a business with Trona Freeman

April 08, 2020 00:00 - 33 minutes - 27.7 MB

It’s time for this season’s interview and I’m excited to introduce you to Trona Freeman, who is a beauty blogger and Pinterest coach. I’ve been following Trona for a long time now and aside from her brilliant insights about Pinterest, I really admire her openness about living with disability, chronic pain and mental illness.  As always, these interviews are designed to shine a light on other perspectives, so I’m looking forward to sharing Trona’s with you.

How to tell someone you're struggling with your mental health

April 01, 2020 00:00 - 12 minutes - 12.3 MB

This week I want to talk about the tricky subject of bringing up your mental health to someone when you’re starting to struggle. I’m sure a lot of us can relate to this, whether you have a mental health condition you live with, or you’re struggling with something for the first time. I hope today’s episode will help. 

It's OK to go slow

March 25, 2020 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10.8 MB

This week we’re talking about treacle - but no, I don’t mean the delicious sugary kind, I mean the metaphorical kind, the kind that slows you down and stops you from getting where you want to go. I want you to understand that it’s OK to go slow but also what types of treacle we can wash off. 

How to get out of a negative thought cycle

March 18, 2020 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MB

If you’ve ever found yourself staring into space with negative thoughts spiralling and feeding off each other in your mind - you’re so not alone and this episode is for you. I’ll be sharing an experience I had of this and exactly what I did to pull myself out of it. 

Building emotional resilience

March 11, 2020 01:00 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MB

This week I wanted to talk about how we can build our emotional resilience and essentially be better at handling stress and rolling with the punches.

How to be OK with not being the best

March 04, 2020 01:00 - 9 minutes - 9.98 MB

This week I want to talk about perfectionism and being comfortable with not being the best at something, which is something I definitely struggle with! I'll share my own story and some tips for being OK with being 'just OK' at something. 

How to get out of a funk

February 26, 2020 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10.5 MB

This week I want to talk about what we can do to pull ourselves out of a funk, when we’re feeling low in motivation, when we’re stuck in a rut and like we just want to stay under a duvet. So if you can relate to this feeling, this episode is for you.

How to build self-belief

February 19, 2020 01:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MB

This week is all about building self-belief and confidence. I’m going to share some of my own self-belief journey and some tools and techniques I’ve found really helpful over the years.

How to start a podcast

January 08, 2020 01:00 - 13 minutes - 13.2 MB

In the season finale I'm reflecting on some lessons I've learnt, how I've felt the first season has gone and I'm sharing some tips for you if you're thinking about launching your own podcast.

Coaching - a year in business

January 01, 2020 01:00 - 14 minutes - 14.1 MB

This week I’m taking you behind the scenes of my business over the last year. I talk about why I decided to become a coach in the first place, what happened after I launched, where I am a year in (including how much money I’ve made) and my hopes for 2020.

Pancakes

December 25, 2019 01:00 - 5 minutes - 5.93 MB

I was planning to take a week off the podcast this week, but then I had an idea to share something a little different - a short story. I write short stories on my blog every month. The one I’m going to read today is called ‘Pancakes’ and while it is fiction, it’s based on a very real experience had by myself and Dan.