Episode 40: You Can't "Shame Yourself" to Brave.

Episode 40: You Can't "Shame Yourself" to Brave.

In this episode of Playing The Fool, I’m reflecting on turning 45, entering the next season of life, and the emotional shifts that have come with it. My eldest son has officially moved out of home, and while I’m incredibly happy for him, it’s also brought up so many feelings and new beginnings. I feel like for a while I have been holding my breathe but between turning 45, being five years away from 50, and moving into what numerology calls a “four year,” it honestly feels like "go time". In this episode we talk about the renewed energy I’m feeling around my work, my purpose, and my desire to reach more people with the message and tools that have completely transformed my own life and relationships. I also share a vulnerable story about a recent dentist appointment that triggered one of my biggest fears - needles and dental work -  and the powerful realization that came from it: You cannot shame yourself into courage. This conversation is all about the ways we shame ourselves into trying to become “better,” more confident, more brave, more successful  and why that approach actually disconnects us further from ourselves. If you come to these episodes, nod your head the whole way through with squeals of "Yes Jarna, Yes", then maybe it's time for you and I to work together babe. Whether it’s emotional safety, communication, self-trust, or creating healthier relationships, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Come connect with me on Instagram at @JarnaSaunders [ https://www.instagram.com/jarnasaunders/]or explore my coaching offers at jarnasaunders.com 💌 [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/tender]

Episode 39: Our Love Story: Back To The Beginning We Go.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing something really personal. The story of how I met my husband, Shane, 16 years ago. Honestly, I felt nervous recording this because our story is messy, emotional, chaotic, funny, and so deeply special to me. Since starting this podcast, I’ve shared so much teaching and coaching, but I also want this space to hold real storytelling, the moments that shaped me, my life, and the relationships I’m most proud of. What started as a casual night at the pub with a girlfriend turned into one of the biggest turning points of my life. Shane and I actually met during one of the hardest seasons I had ever gone through. I was a single mum focused on healing, personal development, and rebuilding my life after divorce. I wasn’t looking for love at all. And then I met him. Our first interaction involved too much alcohol, a massive argument, tears in the bathroom, emotional baggage, trauma responses, and somehow… an undeniable feeling that this stranger was going to become my husband. This episode is vulnerable, honest, emotional, and probably one of the most personal stories I’ve shared publicly. And after 16 years together, I can honestly say I’m so proud of the love we’ve built. Not because it’s been perfect, but because we stayed, grew, healed, and kept choosing each other through every version of ourselves along the way. If this episode resonated with you and you’re wanting deeper support around relationships, emotional safety, communication, or self-growth, you can work with me inside Tender or through my Relationship Coaching spaces. Let’s stay connected 💌 You can find me on Instagram at @JarnaSaunders or visit jarnasaunders.com [http://jarnasaunders.com/] to explore ways to work together.

Episode 38: Did I Do Enough?: The Episode That Breaks my Heart

In this episode, I open up about my journey through motherhood - the highs, the heartbreak, the healing, and everything in between. With Mother’s Day just passing, I found myself reflecting deeply on what it really means to be a mother, the emotional weight many women carry around this day, and how profoundly motherhood has shaped who I am. I share honestly about becoming a mum at 23, hitting rock bottom by 25, navigating depression, separation, shame, and feeling completely unequipped to parent in the way my son deserved. I talk about how personal development became the turning point in my life - not only helping me learn how to love myself, but teaching me how to become the safe, grounded, emotionally available mother I wanted to be. This conversation is for every mother who has questioned herself, carried guilt, wanted to do better, or is learning to break generational patterns while raising children. It’s also for anyone navigating healing, self-worth, and the lifelong process of becoming. Thank you for being here with me for this one. It’s one of the most vulnerable conversations I’ve shared on the podcast. If this episode resonated with you and you’re wanting deeper support in your relationships, communication, emotional safety, or self-growth, you can work with me inside Tender [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/tender] or through Relationship Coaching [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/embrace-relationship-coaching], where we explore these conversations in a really supportive, honest, and transformational space. Let’s stay connected 💌 You can find me over on Instagram at @JarnaSaunders [https://www.instagram.com/jarnasaunders] or visit my website at jarnasaunders.com [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/]

Episode 37: Nourishment and Nurture: Rest isn't the Swear Word Your Ego Makes it out to be.

I’m back babe and what a surprise this break has being, why, because I didn’t feel like I really needed it. If anything, it reminded me how I am already taking such deep care of myself that I went away with my cup already full. Because this version of me? She’s very different to who I used to be. Years ago, I was the woman who couldn’t switch off.  Who was constantly producing, thinking, doing.  Even on holidays, my nervous system was still in “go” mode and I was filled with so much scarcity. But over the years, I’ve done so much work around slowing down, listening to my body, honouring my needs and creating a life that actually supports me. And what I realised on this trip is this:  Rest now feels natural to me.  Receiving feels safe to me.  Being I nature feels like home. Yin energy isn’t just bubble baths and soft mornings.  It’s creating a life where your body no longer has to scream for rest because you’re already listening before it gets there. It’s showing up for yourself consistently.  Nourishing your system’s daily.  Letting “warmth” become a way of life, not just something you reach for when you’re completely exhausted. In this episode, I’m talking about Yin energy, nourishment, nervous system safety, and the shift from surviving life… to actually living it. Because I really believe so many women have been conditioned to abandon themselves in the name of productivity… To keep pushing.  Keep proving.  Keep holding everything together for everyone else. But there’s another way if you choose it. A way where you can still be powerful, successful, devoted and deeply loving… without constantly running yourself into the ground to get there. The feminine doesn’t wait until collapse to listen, she knows her worth no matter how many ticks on her check list, do you? If this episode resonated  you, you can work with me inside Tender [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/tender] or Relationship Coaching [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/embrace-relationship-coaching] where we explore connection, communication, and emotional safety in a really supportive and honest space. Let’s stay connected! You can find me over on Instagram @JarnaSaunders [https://www.instagram.com/jarnasaunders]  or visit my website at jarnasaunders.com [https://www.jarnasaunders.com/] 💌

Episode 36: My Go To Move When Things Feel Wobbly: And it is Free.

What if, instead of waiting for things to feel certain… you just started with what you have? In this episode, I come back to a simple but powerful reminder: start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. Not perfectly. Not all at once. Just one small step at a time with as much intention and space as you possibly can. I share a real and honest look at where I’ve been at lately, and the small shifts that have helped me move out of overwhelm and back into a place of calm, clarity, and self-trust. We talk about: noticing when you’re feeling stretched or disconnected – coming back to simple, grounding practices. – getting honest about your energy, your habits, and what’s actually within your control. – and creating more intention and beauty in the everyday, even when life feels full. This isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about meeting yourself where you are… and choosing to keep going anyway. Even if it’s slow. Even if it’s messy. It still counts. And it’s enough. And if you’re wanting support to hold all parts of yourself through seasons like this, I’d love to walk alongside you inside my coaching spaces. We will be back in 3 weeks while I switch of to be with my babes for the school holidays. Love Jarna x