NLP - SOARA method - Metaphors & accessing subconscious to release limiting beliefs. Zen & Em Blue Pylon Freedom Coaching.

Guided Meditation Bubble

Zen guides a meditation bubble

NLP - SOARA method - Metaphors & accessing subconscious to release limiting beliefs. Zen & Em Blue Pylon Freedom Coaching.

Emily and Zen conducted a coaching session using the SOARA method (Situation, Objective, Action, Result, Aftermath) from NLP to help Zen address personal challenges with relationships and inherited beliefs from her mother. Zen shared her situation of feeling isolated and suspicious in a developing romantic relationship, tracing back to childhood memories of being alone and neglected while her working mother was frequently absent. They created a metaphor using the Rapunzel story, where Zen identified her need to break down emotional walls and trust others, recognizing that the fears she carries are inherited rather than her own. Through the storytelling exercise, Zen reimagined her childhood as happy and fulfilling, with a loving family and supportive environment, ultimately creating a new narrative about personal empowerment and relationship freedom. Emily and Zen discussed how inherited fears from parents or grandparents can create self-limiting belief patterns that prevent people from forming relationships. They explored the concept of recognizing these fears as not being one's own, but rather generational beliefs that were projected onto the individual. Emily advised that by surrendering these inherited beliefs and trusting one's intuition, it becomes safe to open up to relationships without fear of disappointment. Relationship Patterns and Personal Growth Emily and Zen discussed relationship patterns and personal growth, with Zen reflecting on how past experiences affect current relationships. They worked on creating a story where Zen could envision breaking free from limiting beliefs about relationships and abundance, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling future. Zen expressed a desire to rewrite her childhood narrative with a happier ending, moving away from feelings of scarcity and toward a more abundant perspective on giving and receiving love. Building Joyful Family Experiences Zen shared a story about growing up in a loving family in Africa, describing beautiful sunsets and happy meals shared around the table. Emily guided Zen to rewrite the story as if telling it to a six-year-old and encouraged Zen to reflect on actions needed to build joy in the present. Zen decided to focus on creating positive experiences and would share this vision with new people, excluding those who don't align with this vision. Mental Transformation and Growth Zen shared a personal story about transforming past memories and breaking out of self-imposed limitations, comparing it to the Rapunzel tale of escaping a tower. They described how they transmuted negative memories into positive growth, using the metaphor of a seed growing into a tree with energy and life. Zen emphasized the power of mental transformation and creating new stories to live a better life. Gender Roles in Fairy Tales Zen and Emily discussed the use of metaphors and storytelling as a way to access the subconscious mind, particularly through the lens of fairy tales and their underlying messages about gender roles. Zen expressed frustration with traditional narratives where women are often depicted as prizes or in need of rescue, while men are portrayed as the heroes. They agreed on the importance of challenging cultural conditioning and embracing more equal partnerships.

Story Business - Gain McMahon

Gavin, an engineer turned business consultant, discussed his book which explores different genres of storytelling in business including value storytelling, product storytelling, brand storytelling, sales storytelling, leadership storytelling, and culture storytelling. They covered how companies like IKEA and Apple successfully create “world building” narratives that extend beyond their products, and how businesses must align with existing narrative constellations rather than trying to create entirely new frames. The conversation also touched on the challenges companies face with AI implementation, with Gavin explaining that AI creates a “validation tax” where the bottleneck shifts from creating content to checking its accuracy. Gavin revealed he’s currently working on a second book about driving organizational change, and the interview concluded with discussion about AI’s current limitations and future implications. Gavin and Emily discussed the power of narrative and language in shaping perceptions and influencing the subconscious mind. Emily explained her background in NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and how it involves reframing reality through different perspectives and narratives. Gavin shared a study about how the words used to describe a car crash affected people’s perceptions of the speed involved, demonstrating how language can significantly impact memory and interpretation. Marketing Transformation and Storytelling Evolution Gavin explained that their work primarily involves helping companies transform their internal operations, with marketing organizations often serving as change agents within these transformations. He described how marketing in large companies has evolved from traditional advertising approaches to a more complex role involving daily customer interactions and internal storytelling across the entire organization. Gavin noted that storytelling has become increasingly important outside of the marketing department, as it requires influencing multiple internal stakeholders before marketing initiatives can be successfully implemented. Gavin and Emily discussed how information and stories about companies, whether positive or negative, can quickly spread and impact reputations. They explored the importance of authentic storytelling from the beginning to maintain a company’s image. Gavin outlined the structure of a book on storytelling, which covers the basics of storytelling, the neuroscience behind it, and different genres of business storytelling, including value storytelling, product storytelling, and brand storytelling. Gavin discussed the concept of world building in business, using examples like IKEA and Apple to illustrate how companies create cohesive brand stories that extend beyond their core products. He explained that these companies maintain detailed guidelines about their brand elements, including product naming conventions and character associations in media placements. The discussion highlighted how successful world building creates dedicated fanbases and enables companies to expand into related products that align with their brand narrative. Gavin discussed the progression from sales storytelling to leadership storytelling and finally to culture storytelling, emphasizing how these interconnected elements help align people and create shared context within organizations. When asked about incorporating these concepts into business planning, Gavin suggested starting with value storytelling and considering whether a new idea aligns with broader market trends, using the “rising tide floats all boats” principle as a framework for evaluating potential opportunities. Gavin and Emily discussed storytelling in business and marketing, with Gavin explaining how companies need to align with existing narrative constellations rather than creating frames from scratch. They explored examples like Dell’s historical positioning and how AI companies like Anthropic occupy multiple narrative positions.

Zen & Em - Israel - Blue Pylon

Em and Zen had a wide-ranging conversation covering personal development, coaching practices, and current events. They discussed Emily's decision to delete family and friends from her Instagram to reduce social pressure, while Zen shared her struggles with coaching course analysis paralysis and her upcoming trip to London for a content creation event. Zen provided detailed insights about her recent visit to Israel, including observations about US Air Force presence at Israeli airports and her theory that the current conflict may be more about US interests than Israeli security. They also discussed personal topics including Emily's home renovations, Zen's relationship with her daughter who remains in Israel, and their shared experiences with personal development courses and coaching practices. The conversation concluded with plans for future practice sessions using hypnotherapy and meditation techniques.

Sassy Blue Animal - Birth stories, van travel & mosquito dumping by Google in the US & much much more!

Em and Maxi had a casual conversation covering various personal topics including cycling, travel plans, and life updates. Maxi discussed upcoming work events including Blenheim Palace and potential stewarding opportunities, while sharing plans to transition to full-time event work and living in a van. They talked about YouTube channel growth, with Maxi having 248 subscribers and working toward the 500 subscriber milestone needed for monetization. The conversation also covered personal challenges including relationship difficulties, health issues, and past traumatic birth experiences. They discussed various topics like mosquito control programs, exercise routines, and creative projects including Maxi’s idea for a travel experience journal. Cycling Training and Experiences Emily and Maxi discussed their recent cycling experiences and training routines. Emily shared that John, who is 51, is preparing for a challenging bike race called the Sella Ronda in the Italian Alps on Saturday, involving significant uphill climbing. Maxi described her own cycling experiences in Lincolnshire, including training routes with hills and the use of a GPS device for tracking distances. The conversation also touched on cycling in London and the family’s cycling activities in various locations including Regent’s Park, Richmond, and Windsor. Travel Plans and Transportation Discussion Emily and Maxi discussed their travel plans, with John having purchased a VW Transporter van to transport bikes more easily. Maxi shared that she prefers driving over train travel for its flexibility and freedom. Maxi also mentioned attending a vow renewal ceremony in Stockport over the weekend and planned to visit Blenheim, though she was considering whether to leave that day or the next morning. Work Schedule and Logistics Discussion Maxi discussed their upcoming work schedule, including potential work at Sandringham, a wedding in Lincoln, and confirmed work at Silverstone from the 3rd to 5th doing park and ride. They expressed concerns about moving logistics and decided to use a storage unit at £30 per week rather than attempting a full move on moving day. The conversation then shifted to a discussion about mosquito release programs in America, with Emily sharing concerns about the lack of consultation with local populations before implementing such programs. Health and Fitness Discussion Emily and Maxi discussed their health and fitness routines, COVID jab side effects and her current use of creatine. They talked about alcohol consumption and its effects on health, with Emily noting she had largely given up drinking. The conversation shifted to plans for an upcoming event in Blenheim, where Maxi was considering volunteering, though details about accommodation were still unclear. Maxi’s Dating Experience Reflections Maxi discussed her recent dating experiences, mentioning four dates in one week that were not worth repeating. She shared details about two relationships with men named Merrigan and AA, both of whom were described as “wankers.” Maxi reflected on how she was involved with separated men who wanted to keep their relationships secret, leading her to conclude she’s better off being single. Full-Time Travel Content Planning Maxi discussed plans to transition to full-time travel and content creation, including purchasing a larger van, outfitting it with necessary equipment like insulation, a fridge, and a diesel heater, and selling his current van. Maxi shared that his YouTube channel has grown to 248 subscribers, noting he uploads content daily and is working toward the 3,000 followers needed for monetization. Emily mentioned cleaning up her Instagram followers and discussed the effectiveness of short-form content on YouTube, suggesting Maxi continue producing regular short videos.