Pause Purpose Play

About Pause Purpose Play

Imagine if you could follow your ambition without drowning in it – how much more fulfilling life would be? That’s what Pause Purpose Play is all about – finding balance over burnout by setting you free from needing to be perfect, so that you can take action and get started with what matters to you, instead of getting stuck in procrastination and holding yourself back with self-limiting beliefs your inner critic tells you. In this podcast, Michaela Thomas, Clinical Psychologist, Couples Therapist and founder of The Thomas Connection, shares bite-sized learning around psychology of performance, habits, self-confidence, stress, anxiety, perfectionism, parenthood and couples relationships. The podcast will mix solo episodes with guest interviews; diving deep into their professional zone of genius and learning about how they have found pause, purpose and play in their life and in their work. My new book, The Lasting Connection, is available now from all good bookshops.

Publisher

Michaela Thomas

Category

business · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Aug 2020

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

273 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Menopause and ADHD: Brain health, hormone fluctuations and navigating GP support, with Dr Helen Wall

   Have you ever wondered if your increasing brain fog, emotional swings, or memory struggles are down to ADHD, perimenopause, or both? When sex hormones fluctuate in midlife, the impact on neurodivergent brains can feel like a sudden, overwhelming loss of control. Yet, because of a lack of female-focused research and short appointment times, women are frequently passed between specialists without anyone connecting the dots between their brain health, hormones, and mental well-being. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Helen Wall — NHS GP partner, BMS-registered menopause specialist, BBC Breakfast resident doctor, and bestselling author of Menopause and ADHD. Together, we unpack the neurobiology behind estrogen and brain chemical messengers, how to advocate for yourself at the GP, and why treating midlife neurodivergence requires a compassionate, personalized approach. In this episode, we cover: The chemical connection between fluctuating estrogen and key brain messengers like dopamine and serotonin Why neurodivergent women often experience perimenopause symptoms earlier than their neurotypical peers How to prepare for a 10-minute NHS GP consultation and ask for an ADHD assessment or hormonal support Key blood tests to ask your doctor about (including ferritin, vitamin D, and thyroid function) to optimize brain function The nuance behind antidepressant use, PMDD, and paradoxical reactions to micronized progesterone Reframing midlife unmasking: moving from perfectionism and "flogging yourself" to self-compassion and boundaries Turning rejection sensitivity into justice sensitivity to advocate for systemic change in women's healthcare Key reminder: Listen to your gut — it’s not you, it’s the system. You know your own body and mind, and you deserve to advocate for yourself without feeling like you are an inconvenience or imagining your symptoms. About Dr Helen Wall: Dr Helen Wall is a GP partner, BMS registered menopause specialist, resident doctor for BBC Breakfast, TV broadcaster, and author of Menopause and ADHD. She specializes in the intersection between female hormones and brain health, helping women navigate hormonal changes, neurodiversity, and midlife health with practical, evidence-based guidance. Connect with Dr Helen Wall: Website: www.drhelenwall.com Book: Menopause and ADHD (Available in print and Audiobook) Documentary: Dismissed: Menopause the Scandal on ITVX Resources & Links: ✨ Join my free Nervous System Reset to help you move from overwhelm to calm (without having to sit still!): www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset ✨ Burn Bright Group Coaching: A semi-private, 6-space group coaching program starting in January for ambitious ADHD women looking to build sustainable habits without burnout: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright If this episode resonated, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with a woman in midlife who needs to know she isn't alone.

2. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Not So Smug Now: ADHD, motherhood struggles, sobriety and the power of connection, with Cat Sims

   What happens when the version of motherhood you thought you’d be brilliant at… completely breaks you? In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, I’m joined by Cat Sims – aka Not So Smug Now on Instagram – for a very honest conversation about ADHD, motherhood struggles, perfectionism, postnatal depression, addiction and sobriety – and the power of knowing you’re not the only one. Cat shares how becoming a mother collided with a lifetime of achievement and perfectionist expectations. When motherhood didn’t look or feel the way she thought it would, she was left feeling like she was failing at the one thing women are so often told should come naturally to them. She talks openly about her experience of undiagnosed postnatal depression, suicidal thoughts, and how what had once been a “party girl” lifestyle escalated into alcoholism and addiction - and what the turning point was into now being five years sober. We talk about what recovery has taught Cat about shame, vulnerability and connection – and why sharing the messy parts of our stories can help other women realise they’re not alone. We also get into ADHD, rejection sensitivity (RSD), perimenopause and the exhausting pressure to hold everything together. Cat shares how criticism can feel intensely painful, why isolation can become a way of protecting ourselves from rejection, and what she’s learned about doing the opposite: reaching out, being rigorously honest and asking for help even when every part of you wants to hide. We explore: ADHD, rejection sensitivity and the fear of criticism perfectionism and the pressure to be a “good” mother postnatal depression, addiction, alcoholism and sobriety hyper-independence and why asking for help can feel so difficult the mental load, resentment and communication in relationships the difference between guilt and shame making amends to yourself and learning to own mistakes without becoming them ADHD, hormones and perimenopause overstimulation and being honest with our children about our capacity why vulnerability online can create connection – and when it tips into trauma dumping slowing down and giving yourself permission to stop before you hit burnout This is a conversation about getting things wrong, taking responsibility without drowning in shame, and letting go of the idea that we need to do everything perfectly. Because whether you’re struggling with ADHD, motherhood, sobriety, perfectionism – or simply the relentless pressure of trying to be a functioning adult – you’re not the only one. About Cat Sims Cat Sims is a content creator, podcaster, author and the woman behind Not So Smug Now on Instagram. Through humour, honesty and sharing the realities most of us would rather hide, her mission is to help women feel seen – and remind them that they are never, ever the only one.Catch Cat on Instagram under @notsosmugnowWebsite: www.notsosmugnow.comBook: The Mental Load Diaries Want support with perfectionism and burnout? If you recognise yourself in the pressure to keep achieving, over-functioning and pushing through until you crash, Burn Bright is my six-month group coaching programme for high-striving women who want to build self-compassion, healthier habits and a more sustainable way of working and living.We open the doors for applications during the Autumn of 2026, to start the programme January 2027. www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/burn-bright

3. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Dental hygiene and dentist visits with ADHD

   Do you ever find yourself putting off the dentist—or feeling secretly ashamed about how hard it can be to stick to basic dental care? When you have ADHD, a busy brain, or you're navigating life stress, grief, or burnout, keeping up with personal hygiene and self-care routines like brushing or flossing can feel almost impossible. The executive functioning load of booking appointments, remembering routines, and facing the fear of being "told off" creates a huge barrier to looking after our teeth. In this solo episode, I get vulnerable about my own recent struggles with dental hygiene following a period of personal grief, sharing practical ways to reduce friction, eliminate shame, and prioritize your health without judgment. In this episode we explore: The link between executive dysfunction, mental health, and basic personal hygiene challenges in ADHDers How life events, grief, and perimenopause disrupt established self-care routines Practical, low-friction systems for booking and keeping routine dental appointments (like practice plans and visual triggers) Why ADHDers are more prone to sugar cravings, impulsive eating, and nocturnal teeth grinding (bruxism) Overcoming the deep shame and rejection sensitivity surrounding missed checkups or poor flossing Why "prepaying" for your care acts as a helpful accountability anchor Navigating sensory issues around interdental brushes and finding tools that actually work for you How to advocate for yourself at the dentist so you don't feel criticized or overwhelmed Unconventional hacks for making dental care less boring and easier to fit into your day If you’ve been avoiding a checkup, struggling to floss, or beating yourself up for forgetting to brush your teeth, this episode is your reminder that it is not a moral failure—it's an executive function challenge. Resources & Links ✨ Join the free Nervous System Reset If you're feeling overwhelmed, constantly "on", or like your nervous system never gets a chance to switch off, I've created a free guided Nervous System Reset to help you pause, regulate, and reconnect with yourself. Join it here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset ✨ Golden Event (London, October 9th): An intimate day for nine women to pause, restore capacity, and build purpose without burnout: https://thethomasconnection.thrivecart.com/golden-in-person-event-oct-2026/ 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a friend. It helps more people discover Pause, Purpose, Play and supports the podcast to reach those who need it most.

Who has been a guest on Pause Purpose Play

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ron Monteiro
• Dr Kara Davey
• Sam Titcombe
• Freddy Titcombe
• Pauly Ello

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

46 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

90

Contact Pause Purpose Play

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Pause Purpose Play