Yarns for the Soul

Episode 54- Mini-yarn on seasons of life and pressing pause

Send us a textOn this mini episode I share how Winter in New Zealand has been impacting the way I show up across all areas of life, and how I've given myself permission to reflect on what is currently serving me. I also yarn about the importance of listening to our bodies as seasons change, and to check in with ourselves to see what we really need. I have chosen to take a break for Winter and put the podcast on pause, with the intention of returning with the change in seasons and hopefully a spring in my step- watch this space from September onwards..! If you want to check out what I'm up to in the meantime or get in touch, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there! Support the show

Episode 53- Yarns on being a cycle breaker, finding your peace and the importance of crafts with Kim

Send us a textOn this episode I am joined by Kim Davis, an avid crafter and true crime enthusiast, mother, and co-host of the Slaycation podcast. Our yarn begins with the healing power of crafts- how sitting and knitting or stitching can be meditative, as well as how it can be used to disconnect from unwanted social conversations! We talk about how crafting can give you moments to yourself, and the importance of doing something just because. Kim speaks openly about her life growing up in a household with domestic abuse, and the ongoing impacts that has had on her and her relationships. We talk about intergenerational trauma, and how being a cycle breaker requires looking back with a compassionate lens. Kim also shares some of her experiences from her career as a social worker in the US, and how she saw cycles of violence and trauma perpetuated among the people she was desperately trying to support. We yarn about compassion fatigue, and that as much as you want to help there is often a moment where you decide you need to walk away.We also yarn about our mutual love of true crime, and what it is that fascinates us so much about the most grisly cases. Kim explains the origin story behind her podcast, Slaycation, and what motivates her to continue sharing these stories. Check out the Slaycation podcast on your favourite podcast platform, and follow their updates on Instagram @slaycationwtf. To check out all of Kim's epic crafts, you can also find her @thatgirlknits....If you're enjoying the podcast, you're welcome to come and join me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there! Support the show

Episode 52- Mini-yarn on being future-focused and paying for "the audacity"

Send us a textOn this mini-yarn I share some of my recent experiences and learnings from working through stuff with coach Di Foster and EMDR therapy with a local psychologist. I yarn about feeling more future-focused in my current phase of life, and why that feels like such a novelty to me. I reflect on how some of my lived experiences left me stuck in survival mode, and how that can make you forget about any big audacious goals. I talk about the idea of shifting my mindset, from putting things into the "too hard basket" and having negative narratives about myself, to becoming curious about what could happen if I changed my perspective. We're often so stuck in the weeds that we can lose sight of our own strengths and goals, and sometimes we just need a reminder from our bestie that people already see us as the powerhouse that we are! To keep up to date on future podcast episodes you can follow me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole. Links: Podcast recommendation- "I Weigh- Living Deliciously with Florence Given". Check out Di Foster on Instagram @difoster.live and @betweentwobeerspodcast.Girls that Invest- Masterclass. Support the show

Episode 51- Yarns on style, spirituality and self-love with Maren

Send us a textOn this episode I am joined by the magical Maren Swenson, an intuitive stylist, fashion coach, podcast creator and mother.  After leaving a high demand religion, Maren embarked on deep inner work to explore how she wanted to show up and be seen in the world. A key part of this was rediscovering and owning her femininity, which inspired her to create a space for other women to do the same.Maren shares the backstory to starting her coaching business "Wild Serenity", and how she uses intuitive fashion styling to help women step into self-expression and self-love. We yarn about some of the key blocks that women face in owning their own style, from internal narratives we have created to what we've been told is socially or culturally acceptable. Maren explains how religion had stifled her ability to express femininity in the way she wanted, and what she had to unlearn when she left that community. We also yarn about the power of women reclaiming and using their voice, and the story behind Maren starting her own podcast "The Glow Code". To check out all the awesome work Maren is doing and find out how you can work with her, check out her website. Her podcast The Glow Code is available on your favourite podcast platform today, and follow her beautiful content over on Instagram @findwildserenity. ...If you enjoyed this episode you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole to follow along for more! Support the show

Episode 50- Mini-yarn on the origins of "yarns"

Send us a textWelcome to episode 50!! I am celebrating this milestone episode with a special mini-yarn all about the origins of the word "yarn". Most people outside of New Zealand will only associate yarn with wool, and I have to tell people my podcast is sadly not about knitting! So here's an episode to explain what the word yarning means to me, as well as exploring the historical origins behind the use of the word in everyday kiwi conversation.On my research journey I pulled at many threads, from indigenous cultures to Greek mythology, and I was surprised by what I unearthed. Is the origin from early sailors visiting New Zealand shores, and telling tall tales while they hoisted sails? Or is yarning another form of cultural appropriation? Perhaps spinning yarn is a synonym for goddesses weaving the destiny of mortal souls? I wrap up the episode by tying together what my discoveries mean to me, and how this affects the future of the Yarns for the Soul podcast. ... Resources:"To Spin a Yarn: The Female Voice in Folklore and Fairy Tale"Te Ara- "The origins of Kiwi humour""Yarning about Yarning as a Legitimate Method in Indigenous Research""Stories from the Aboriginal Women of the Yarning Circle: when cultures collide""Clinical yarning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples""The power of healing in the yarn: working with Aboriginal men""Yarning up with Doc Reynolds: an interview about Country from an Indigenous perspective"...If you want to get in touch with me, or just follow along as I muddle my way forwards, come find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!Support the show