11. October mini-series: The Truth About Halloween

12: Interview with Gemma Bray: Home life & Sanity

In this special episode, I sit down with the brilliant Gemma Bray — author, speaker, and creator of The Organised Mum Method (TOM). What started as a simple, no-nonsense cleaning routine has grown into a movement that’s helped thousands of people reclaim their time, reduce the mental load, and finally step away from the pressure of perfection. Together, we dig into the messy magic of real life: late ADHD diagnosis, burnout cycles, doom piles (yes, THAT stair basket…), and how “little & often” beats the all-or-nothing trap every single time. This one’s warm, honest, and full of practical shifts — especially if you’re tired, overwhelmed, or juggling home, family, work, and a brain that never quite sits still. Grab a cuppa and settle in. You’re going to love this. ✨   Gemma is the author of best-sellers The Organised Mum Method, The Organised Time Technique, and Take Back Your Time. She’s built an incredible online community, a brilliant podcast, and a refreshing, compassionate approach to home life that helps people ditch perfection and build routines that actually work. Follow Gemma: 📸 Instagram: @gemmabray 🌐 Website: theorganisedmum.blog 🎧 Podcast: The Organised Mum   * 🪄 Instagram: @theaspinallapothecary [https://www.instagram.com/theaspinallapothecary] * Get my Free Cycle & Meds Tracker: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/sqzg6tvwbl] * My ADHD essential oil recommendations: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/s0kk8n4tyq] * Enjoying this podcast?  Say thanks with caffeine! Buy me an online coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall] ☕️ 😘

11. October mini-series: The Truth About Halloween

What if the Darkness Isn't Something to Fear?   .... and to be clear, that isn't a reference to the popular glamrock band from the early 2000's (although some of those outfits Justin wore were quite unnerving)...   In this week’s episode of Spooky Shifts, I'm back, after a whirlwind few weeks (new hyperfocus alert: The Aspinall Apothecary Christmas market stall prep 🎄🪄) to dive into the real magic of Halloween — and what happens when we stop being afraid of the dark. You’ll hear about: * 🎃 The true history of Halloween — soul cakes, lanterns and liminal spaces. * 🧠 Why ADHD brains love Halloween * 🌑 The Dark Mother archetype and what she teaches us * 🛁 How to create a dark bath ritual to honour stillness and transition * ✨ Witchy oils and simple magical touches for the season (Wild Orange, Clove, Cinnamon) Whether you’re donning a witch hat, carving pumpkins, or sinking into warm water by candlelight, this episode is your invitation to honour the darkness as something sacred, not scary. 🖤 Spooky Shifts is an October mini-series from Little Bottles, Big Shifts — blending witchy wisdom, ADHD realities, and seasonal ritual. 🔗 Links & Resources * 🌿 Essential Oils mentioned (please email me for oil purchasing info): * doTERRA Wild Orange Essential Oil — joy & play * doTERRA Clove Essential Oil — protection & warmth * doTERRA Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil — fire & celebration * 🪄 Instagram: @theaspinallapothecary [https://www.instagram.com/theaspinallapothecary] * Get my Free Cycle & Meds Tracker: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/sqzg6tvwbl] * My ADHD essential oil recommendations: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/s0kk8n4tyq] * Enjoying this podcast?  Say thanks with caffeine! Buy me an online coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall] ☕️ 😘

10. October mini-series: The Truth About Witches

This week, we’re getting properly witchy. 🧙‍♀️✨ Who were the witches, really? Why did their power scare those in charge? And how can we reclaim their wisdom — especially for our ADHD brains today? In this episode, we explore: * 🌿 The real story behind the “witch” — midwives, healers, and wise women * 🌀 The witch archetype and why it resonates so deeply with neurodivergent brains * 🪔 Simple grounding rituals with essential oils like Clary Sage, Frankincense and Rosemary * 🕯 How rituals give shape to chaos — and why that’s actual magic If you’ve ever mixed a bedtime oil blend, carried a crystal “just in case”, or whispered a name to the night sky — you’ve already been doing witchcraft. This one’s about reclaiming it. ✨ Mentioned in this episode: * Oils: Clary Sage [https://shop.doterra.com/gb/en_gb/create-account/clary-sage-oil/], Frankincense [https://shop.doterra.com/GB/en_GB/shop/frankincense-oil/], Rosemary [https://shop.doterra.com/GB/en_GB/shop/rosemary-oil/] * Journaling prompt: What does the witch archetype mean to you? Where does her wisdom already live in your daily life? 📅 Spooky Shifts is a special October mini-series from Little Bottles, Big Shifts. 🔗 Useful Links & Resources * Follow me on Instagram → @littlebottlesbigshifts [https://www.instagram.com/littlebottlesbigshifts] * Get my Free Cycle & Meds Tracker: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/sqzg6tvwbl] * My ADHD essential oil recommendations: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/s0kk8n4tyq] * Enjoying this podcast?  Buy me an online coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall] ☕️ 😘 🎧 Subscribe & leave a review if this episode speaks to you — it helps more neurospicy witches find their way to our little corner of the internet. 🖤

9. October mini-series: The Truth about October

Welcome to Spooky Shifts! 🍂 This October mini-series dives into the witchy, soulful side of the season — Samhain, Halloween, witches, and what all this has to do with ADHD brains, essential oils, and how we ride the wave of seasonal change. In this first episode, we explores why October feels so charged — that mysterious “in-between” energy that makes the veil feel thinner, our emotions sharper, and our routines… a little more wobbly. You’ll learn: ✨ The ancient Celtic roots of Samhain (pronounced SOW-in or SAH-win) and why we still feel its energy today 🌀 How seasonal change affects ADHD brains (and why clocks changing feels like jetlag!) 🌲 The element of Aether — the “space between” — and how it mirrors ADHD energy 🌿 Essential oils for spooky season: Shinrin-Yoku, Copaiba, and Cedarwood 📝 A calming reflection + journal prompt to help you reconnect with your body and your breath “The more you treat this life as a spiritual journey, the easier it becomes. Don’t live your life on hard mode!”   Mentioned in this episode: * dōTERRA Shinrin-Yoku [https://shop.doterra.com/GB/en_GB/shop/shinrin-yoku-oil/] (Forest Bathing Blend) * dōTERRA Copaiba [https://shop.doterra.com/GB/en_GB/shop/copaiba-oil/?_gl=1*tqwrcr*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzYzODcwOTc5LjE3NTk2NjYwNjg.*_ga_KR6KEW2NZ9*czE3NTk2NjYwNjckbzEkZzEkdDE3NTk2NjYwOTIkajM1JGwwJGgw] * dōTERRA Cedarwood [https://shop.doterra.com/GB/en_GB/shop/cedarwood-oil/?_gl=1*8z3fq9*_up*MQ..*_ga*NzYzODcwOTc5LjE3NTk2NjYwNjg.*_ga_KR6KEW2NZ9*czE3NTk2NjYwNjckbzEkZzEkdDE3NTk2NjYxMjEkajYkbDAkaDA.] https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall

8. Your Daily Sandwich: how can this hack help with ADHD overwhelm?

Ever feel like your day starts in chaos and ends in chaos — with a messy sandwich filling in the middle? ADHD brains aren’t built for perfect routines, but we can build strong anchors at the start and soft landings at the end of each day. In this episode, I share why mornings and evenings are like the bumpers in a bowling alley — they keep us rolling in the right direction — and how a simple ‘Daily Sandwich’ routine can make everything else in between feel so much easier. We’ll also dip into a little Einstein thought experiment (bear with me!) about falling, floating, and what it is we're actually afraid of.  Trust me — once you hear it, you’ll never look at routines the same way again. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s build your Daily Sandwich together. Speaking of grabbing a cuppa....If this episode made you smile or helped in some way, and you fancy fuelling me with caffeine (or oat milk lattes 😂) you can now buy me an online coffee!  Click here [https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall] to see what I'm on about.. 🔗 Links & Resources 🌿 Oils mentioned: Peppermint, Wild Orange, Balance, Lavender, Cedarwood, Serenity * Get my Free Cycle & Meds Tracker: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/sqzg6tvwbl] * My ADHD essential oil recommendations: Download here [https://theaspinallapothecary.myflodesk.com/s0kk8n4tyq] * NHS information on ADHD meds: nhs.uk/adhd [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/treatment/] * Enjoying this podcast?  Buy me an online coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/imeldaaspinall] ☕️ 😘