Noise of Life Podcast

How To Be Heard Without Getting Loud with Mellini Monique”

I sat down with Mellini Monique, a catalyst for connection and creativity through voice. Her approach to voice is unlike anything you’ve heard before. She explains why your voice is not just sound, but a tool of connection, presence, and emotional clarity. We explore childhood vocal trauma, why so many adults feel unheard, and how to build the confidence to speak from your body instead of your fear. This conversation is a masterclass in reclaiming your authentic voice in relationships, leadership, and everyday communication. Inside this podcast: - Why your voice is a tool for connection and meaning - How childhood vocal trauma shapes your adult communication - Why certainty is more powerful than loudness - How to speak with emotional intelligence and resonance - How to tune into yourself so others can truly hear you Connect with Mellini: Instagram → https://bit.ly/48ntwt0 LinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/3YbKFjh Connect with Steve: Instagram → https://bit.ly/3KARQhR LinkedIn  → https://bit.ly/48sw8Vj Episode Highlights 00:00:00 - Episode starts here, Reflection on Noise, Presence and being Heard 00:07:00 - Childhood lessons: the principal story and early listening 00:17:00 - Vocal repertoire: most people use only 30% of their range 00:28:30 - Breath and grounding exercises for public speaking 00:36:30 - Emotional constriction: how shame and stress tighten the voice 00:44:00 - Building rapport and reading the room (thermostat vs thermometer) 00:52:00 - Posture, presence and the limbic response to uprightness 01:00:00 - Relationships and vocal adaptation: choosing the nuance that connects 01:06:00 - Code switching vs vocal repertoire and building vocal bridges 01:18:00 - Reclaiming inner voice, play as practice, closing reflections and links ABOUT THE PODCAST SHOW The Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths, and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.

Living In Power: The Framework For An Inspired, Aligned And Abundant Life | Esther Zeledon

Esther Zeledon on the POWER Framework & Finding Alignment in the Chaos Episode Introduction What if the metrics you’ve been chasing aren’t the ones that matter? In this deeply reflective Noise of Life conversation, Steve reconnects with Dr Esther Zeledon - scientist, diplomat, and founder of Be at Change - to explore how we rediscover purpose and power when life takes a different route than planned. After losing her contracts and rebuilding from the ground up, Esther realised that fulfilment doesn’t come from titles, money or status, but from living in alignment with our values. She unpacks her POWER framework - a simple yet profound guide to finding clarity, purpose, and joy when you feel stuck - and shares practical tools for rewriting your story from within. This episode is a gentle reminder that the view may change, but sometimes the detour leads to something far better. About Our Guest Dr Esther Zeledon is the founder of Be at Change, a global coaching and leadership consultancy helping people lead with purpose and authenticity. A former US diplomat and humanitarian scientist, she holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy and has dedicated her career to designing initiatives across Latin America, Africa and the United States that drive inclusion, sustainability and human potential. She is also the author of Creating a Limitless Life: How to Discover Your Purpose, Redefine Success, and Build a Life You Love. Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.beatchange.com [https://www.beatchange.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatchange [https://www.instagram.com/beatchange] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon [https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon] Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson] Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve] Episode Highlights 00:00 – The view changes — and sometimes it’s better than you imagined. 00:36 – Esther on rediscovering gratitude and impact after hitting rock bottom. 01:15 – The uncomfortable chase between ambition and alignment. 02:10 – Steve shares how The Noise of Life name came to him — and why it resonates so deeply. 03:20 – When you haven’t had enough “noise” yet to understand life’s lessons. 03:50 – The truth about resilience: why impact matters more than image. 04:05 – Introducing the POWER framework: Peace, Purpose, Organisational Flow, Work–life Integration, Enjoyment, and Resilience. 04:20 – Writing your “living obituary” — a transformative exercise to realign your life. 05:00 – Why legacy constantly evolves — and how to identify the gap between who you are and who you want to be. 06:10 – How to visualise your ideal day to uncover your truest purpose. 07:00 – The $40 billion question: what global problem would you solve, and how? 08:00 – Discovering your superpower — and how you uniquely solve problems. 09:30 – Steve’s revelation: helping people remove roadblocks is his true gift. 10:30 – How to turn your lifelong patterns into a roadmap for purpose. 11:40 – The importance of knowing your values — and living them daily. 13:00 – Meaningful work, contribution and why “alignment” is non-negotiable. 14:20 – Resilience as a daily practice — not a comeback story. 15:00 – The “love calendar” ritual: reminding yourself of your impact each morning.

Cold Plunges and the Power of Resilience with Dr Rob Williams

I am with Dr Rob Williams for one of the most expansive conversations I have had on breath, resilience and what it means to be human in a world that moves faster than we can process. Rob shared his journey from near-death experiences to long distance running to teaching breath mastery and the cold as a teacher, and each moment revealed something powerful about how we reconnect to our bodies. He walked me through the ways breath shapes our nervous system, the role of cold exposure in building resilience and why slowing down is the doorway back to ourselves. What struck me most was how he frames breathing as both a biological superpower and a spiritual practice that brings us into harmony with life. This episode left me inspired to breathe with more intention, move with more awareness and stay curious about the flow that is always available when we tune in. Inside this podcast: - How breath connects the body and nervous system - Why the cold can build resilience and mental clarity - How voluntary stress strengthens mind and spirit - The science behind nasal breathing and heart coherence - How flow states emerge from conscious presence Connect with Dr. Rob: Instagram → /drrobwilliams [www.instagram.com/drrobwilliams] Website → https://nordicflow.io [https://nordicflow.io] & https://thenordicwave.com/ [https://thenordicwave.com/] Email → contact@doctorrobwilliams.com [contact@doctorrobwilliams.com]Connect with Steve: Instagram → /thestevehodgson [www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson] LinkedIn  → /stevehodgson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestevehodgson/] Episode Highlights 00:00 - Introducing Dr Rob Williams 01:46 - How breath shapes human experience 07:41 - Breath as a human superpower 10:46 - The deeper meaning of inspiration 14:23 - Heart coherence and emotional flow 19:53 - The biology of stress and fear 23:09 - Voluntary stress and resilience 25:12 - Cold plunging as a resilience tool 33:39 - Trauma held in the body and cold release 52:23 - Foundational breath practices for daily life ABOUT THE PODCAST SHOW The Noise of Life is a podcast that shares real stories, raw truths, and remarkable growth. Hosted by Steve Hodgson a coach, facilitator, speaker, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. This podcast dives deep into the “noise” we all face, the distractions, doubts and challenges that can pull us away from who we truly are.

Jade Miller on Creativity, Comparison & Turning Life’s Lemons into Art

Jade Miller on Creativity, Comparison & Turning Life’s Lemons into Art Episode Introduction What if the thing you’ve struggled with your whole life is actually the source of your creativity? In this warm Noise of Life episode, Steve sits down with Jade Miller — artist, author and creative guide — to explore neurodivergence, comparison, overwhelm and how creativity helps us regulate and reconnect. From a late autism diagnosis to chronic illness to raising teens while rebuilding her identity, Jade shares how she turned breakdowns into breakthroughs. She shows how simple acts — journaling, scribbling, painting, gardening, cooking — can calm the nervous system, rebuild confidence and help us feel more like ourselves. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overstimulated or unsure where to begin, this conversation is a gentle reminder that you are more creative than you think. About Our Guest Jade Miller is a New Zealand–born artist, writer and creative mentor. Her upcoming book blends memoir with practical tools that help people use creativity for clarity, resilience and emotional healing. She shares daily art and reflection at Lemonade with Jade. Follow Our Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemonade_with_jade/ [https://www.instagram.com/lemonade_with_jade/] Follow Us OnHost: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson]Show: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve] Episode Highlights 00:00 – Late autism diagnosis; understanding her “spicy brain.”00:28 – Introducing Jade: artist, author, creative thinker.00:50 – Creativity as emotional processing.01:13 – Why “good” in art is subjective.01:23 – What “noise” means to Jade.02:12 – Overstimulation, data overload, neurodivergence.03:14 – Rural NZ childhood and early imagination.04:12 – Art as comfort and escape.05:18 – Journaling as emotional release.06:04 – Colour, movement and visual journaling.06:36 – How school teaches comparison.08:05 – The clay elephant story.09:35 – Self-doubt and rebuilding worth.10:38 – “We’re all valuable in different ways.”11:04 – Creativity that dies because we don’t try.12:02 – Writing her book: answering the call.12:53 – Chronic pain and Chiari malformation.13:52 – Pouring thousands of raw words onto the page.14:20 – Working with editor Liane Hughes.15:12 – Shaping emotion into meaning.15:53 – Her lemon → lemonade framework: self, relationships, context.16:48 – Awareness as the first step.17:14 – Boundaries, relationships and forgiveness.18:19 – Understanding systems and conditioning.19:03 – Returning to what you can control.20:34 – Daily choices that reduce noise.20:56 – Thinking like an artist in life and work.21:29 – Five artist traits: awareness, social fluency, communication, creative intelligence, resilience.23:42 – Why artists are resilient.24:01 – “Everyone is an artist.”25:17 – Cooking, gardening, sketching as creative expression.26:04 – The myth of “I’m not creative.”26:50 – Five-minute rule for starting.27:56 – Choosing creativity over screen time.29:21 – Half-finished Cézanne sketch and the beauty of imperfection.30:38 – A day in the life: teens, wellness, art.31:30 – Showing up even when it’s messy.32:56 – Daily practice dissolves comparison.33:21 – Art as meditation.34:40 – Flow through movement and gardening.36:11 – Ideas arriving when we step out of our heads.36:28 – Tools for overwhelm.37:52 – What recovery after dysregulation really looks like.38:42 – Listening to what you actually need.39:40 – Lemons as growth.41:05 – Feel emotions; don’t stay stuck.41:20 – Creativity as processing.41:28 – Life-as-art metaphor: chaos + calm.42:47 – The role of contrast.43:04 – Noise she’s living with: autism.44:18 – Noise she’s letting go: past judgement.45:04 – Lemon she’s grateful for: clarity from diagnosis.46:17 – Thinking like an artist: curiosity + openness.46:31 – How to connect with Jade.

World Record At Nazaré: Surfing A 5-Story Wave While 97% Blind! - Matt Formston

Matt Formston on Facing Fear, Redefining Limits, & Riding Giants Episode Introduction What does it feel like to stare down a five-story wave you cannot see? How do you quiet the noise of global doubt telling you "the blind guy is going to die"? In this powerful and condensed episode, Steve delves into the mindset of Matt Formston—world champion adaptive surfer, Paralympian, and Guinness World Record holder. Matt opens up about the two distinct fights of his life: first, the desperate struggle to prove he wasn't disabled, and second, the purposeful fight to become the best version of himself. He shares profound insights on overcoming self-doubt, the practical process for tackling any fear, and why becoming a father changed his relationship with risk forever. This is a masterclass in resilience, presence, and turning perceived limitations into unparalleled strength. -- About Our Guest Matt Formston is an Order of Australia member, a multiple-time world champion in surfing and cycling, and holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wave surfed by a vision-impaired athlete. His incredible journey is documented in the film The Blind Side. -- Follow Our Guest Website: https://www.mattformston.com/ [https://www.mattformston.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/ [https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/] Follow Us On Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/ [https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson/]Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/ [https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve/] -- Episode Highlights 00:00 - The daunting global noise: "They're going to kill the blind guy."00:16 - The two types of fear: physical recklessness vs. the fear of being seen as "different."01:01 - The two fights of Matt's life: Proving he wasn't disabled vs. fighting for his best self.01:20 - Refusing to learn Braille and tackling the biggest kid to prove he was "normal."02:34 - The shift: Accepting his disability and starting the internal fight for self-mastery.03:59 - Steve's reflection: If a blind man can surf giants, what's stopping me?04:13 - The household rule: You were not allowed to use the word "can't."05:36 - Learning to surf blind, starting on a bodyboard to "feel" the wave at age five.07:41 - The documentary The Blind Side and surfing a record 51ft wave at Nazaré.08:15 - How you train for the "non-surfing" part of a giant wave: strength and breath capacity.09:48 - The crucial role of his support team and family.11:18 - The moment after a brutal wipeout when the safety team said, "No more."12:29 - Matt's 3-column framework for anyone scared to attempt something big.13:32 - How becoming a father introduced a new kind of fear and responsibility.15:02 - Battling the global media narrative and the doubt it creates.