What It Means To Be Human With Kate Stirling

Ep 72: The Most Courageous Version Of You Future You Visualisation Meditation

A gift to you for Mother's Day - I believe strongly all humans deserve to have full energy, money, time, physical and mental wellbeing tanks - I know life can be hard so here is my gift to you to face all that is holding you back from thriving in health, wealth, heart and home From Club Thrive’s Confidence Clinic™ on Friday on the topic of becoming the most courageous version of you - be prepared to meet this version of you in this future you visualisation meditation! At the end I invite you to draw what you discover, so have some paper and a pen or pencil to hand! Let me know how you get on with this and the wisdom your future version of you has to give you! Follow the podcast to ensure you don't miss out on the random gifts I scatter amongst episodes Follow Kate Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestiling_ Check out Club Thrive: www.Club-Thrive.com Follow the podcast: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod

Ep 71: An Energy First Approach To Income: Navigating Financial Curveballs In Self Employment Of Childcare Changes to Cancer with Confidence and Compassion

In this episode, I lay my cards on the table! I share my unexpected journey, the reframes to still live as fully as possible in spite of my cancer diagnosis, the financial impact/ challenges, what I am doing to use this time to my advantage. I unpack motherhood, highlighting how an energy-first approach can help you navigate life's challenges. Discover how shifting your relationship with fear, success, and self-worth fosters resilience, authenticity, and fulfilment.  I also explore how we navigate curveballs in our day to day lives to impact long term benefits, results and vision creation. I talk about here how the childcare curveball, which prompted this episode, transforms the impact and results we gain over time. We can choose to still use a curveball as opportunity when we realise it is not the be all and end all when plans or life changes often without expecting it to. I have possibly over shared in this episode but I think it’s important within the parameters of what this podcast is all about to be honest about where I am starting from. None of this is reckless, I have 24 years experience of overcoming adversity and making something out of nothing OR overcoming huge gaps in being under resourced through my own doing in response to the world. Share your thoughts in the comments! Key Topics * Embracing vulnerability and emotional regulation during challenging times * Reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth and self-discovery * The importance of an energy-first approach to money, health, and fulfillment * Overcoming fears related to body image, success, and stepping into personal power * Practical strategies: how to respond to curveballs with calm and clarity * The role of compassion and resilience in entrepreneurial and parenthood journeys * Moving from control to trust: letting go of perfectionism and micro-managing * The impact of life events like illness, divorce, and loss on self-worth and perspective * Creating lasting change through self-awareness and intentional living * My experiment: generating income from a place of alignment and energy rather than fear Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Navigating life's curveballs with compassion 02:11 - How big life challenges shift our priorities and structures 04:34 - Rediscovery: Aligning work with authentic passion 05:27 - Financial freedom as a tool for independence and fulfillment 07:45 - Overcoming body image fears and food control issues 09:02 - The importance of emotional regulation and resilience 10:54 - Moving from stress and grief to calm and clarity 12:47 - Recognizing societal conditioning around success and worth 14:22 - Adopting an energy first approach to money and life 15:46 - Challenging limiting beliefs about body, food, and success 17:42 - Flexibility in parenting, work, and personal growth 20:07 - The human part of resilience: softness and vulnerability 22:17 - Experimenting with income goals through an energy-first paradigm 23:39 - Overcoming perfectionism and obsessive behaviors 25:41 - Reframing setbacks: curveballs as opportunities for self-trust 27:29 - Prioritizing fulfillment over superficial success 29:14 - The universality of human experience in adversity 30:40 - Using setbacks as fuel for future growth 32:51 - Moving from control to trust in your journey 34:31 - The importance of emotional regulation and self-compassion 36:45 - The power of authenticity and living in your own lane 38:12 - From "pick me" to aligned self-empowerment 39:38 - Reclaiming strength from past extremes and setbacks 41:28 - Final thoughts: embracing possibility, calm, and authenticity Follow the podcast to get first access Leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-it-means-to-be-human-with-kate-stirling/id1691994215 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-it-means-to-be-human-with-kate-stirling/id1691994215] Follow Kate Stirling on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestirling_ [http://www.instagram.com/katestirling_] Follow What It Means To Be Human on Instagram: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod [http://www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehumanpod] Check out Kate’s website: www.katestirling.com [http://www.katestirling.com] Check out Club Thrive: www.club-thrive.com [http://www.club-thrive.com]

Ep 70: Embracing Your Humanity and Potential In Motherhood: Navigating Ambition, ADHD + Next Level Identity Change After Parental Burnout

In this episode I share my journey through grief, motherhood, and rediscovering what really matters to me after I burnt out last year in motherhood, losing my Dad, a cancer diagnosis and ADHD diagnosis all coming together in a deeper level of self discovery. Today we go beyond societal hierarchies and gender stereotypes. I emphasizes the importance of embracing failure, aligning with your energy, and living intentionally without burnout or shame. I really want to invite you to reflect on your own process, challenge internal and societal hierarchies, and cultivate a life that’s aligned with your unique authentic energy.  Success doesn’t have to be at the expense of your humanity. Embrace your full self—experiences, fears, ambitions—and live with pure connection with and to your life In this episode, I spill the beans on * The messy middle of grief and the process of healing after losing a parent * Challenging societal hierarchies and the hidden patriarchy affecting self-worth * Redefining high performance and success as a humane, playful process * The impact of gender conditioning on identity and ambition * The importance of trusting your intuition over external content and expectations * Balancing ambition with motherhood, without sacrificing your authenticity * How to create energy and success aligned with your values and flow * Recognizing and addressing unconscious biases that limit our potential Chapters: * (00:00) - What's really happening behind the scenes of personal growth * (02:07) - Debunking myths around high performance and sacrifice * (03:45) - The naivety of thinking motherhood will fit seamlessly into life * (05:33) - Molly May's stress reveal and universal human stress responses * (07:14) - The importance of emotional awareness and energy exchange * (09:19) - The impact of societal hierarchies and gender conditioning * (11:08) - How family dynamics reflect broader societal constructs * (13:27) - Facing body image, self-esteem, and internal hierarchies * (15:27) - The unconscious influences of patriarchy in our perceptions and values * (17:43) - Releasing control and trusting your intuition for success * (20:49) - Understanding the invisible hierarchies shaping self-worth * (24:01) - The importance of awareness in shifting self-perception * (28:33) - Challenging the myth that ambition and motherhood can’t coexist * (33:03) - Avoiding burnout by aligning ambitions with inner truth * (36:22) - Practical steps to maintain energy and authenticity * (40:33) - Redefining success across multiple passions and streams * (43:20) - Moving beyond weight and money hierarchies to self-love * (45:41) - Cultivating trust in your own process and timing * (47:34) - The power of open conversations for societal change * (49:55) - Inspiring action, community involvement, and living fully Subscribe to the podcast to continue exploring your own unique potential Follow What It Means To Be Human on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehuman_ [http://www.instagram.com/whatitmeanstobehuman_] Follow Kate on Instagram: www.instagram.com/katestirling_ [http://www.instagram.com/katestirling_] Kate’s website: www.katestirling.com [http://www.katestirling.com]

Ep 69: Letting Life Change You (Without Losing Yourself)

n this episode of What It Means To Be Human i share about the new name change (more to come I’ll do a whole episode on it!) the ew chapter for Club Thrive and I share my personal journey, reflecting on the challenges and transformations I have faced over the past few years. From navigating motherhood and mental health struggles to dealing with losing a parent and getting a cancer diagnosis all in the same week over Christmas, I emphasize the importance of self-trust, community support, and embracing change. I discusses the evolution of the podcast and the mission of Club Thrive alongside the new chapter with What It Means To Be Human, aiming to empower you to live authentically and thrive in your life. I really want to encourage open conversations about mental health, grief, and personal growth, and I invite you to join me on my next chapter of self-discovery and growth to continue eliminating the shame, guilt and grief which can keep us small, trapped and alone especially in the times we are living in as big hearted humans Takeaways The importance of self-trust in personal growth. Navigating the complexities of motherhood and mental health. Embracing change as a pathway to growth. The impact of grief on personal development. Creating a supportive community for empowerment. Understanding the connection between personal and professional identities. The significance of open conversations about mental health. Recognizing the value of unique experiences in shaping our journeys. The role of resilience in overcoming challenges. Prioritizing mental and physical health for overall well-being. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:06 The Journey of Club Thrive 04:56 Navigating Personal and Professional Changes 10:24 Mental Health and Maternal Challenges 18:00 Facing Grief and Health Challenges 30:07 Coping with Cancer Diagnosis 39:06 Reflections on Life and Loss 46:30 Embracing Change and Growth the podcast wherever you listen to never miss an episode and come get involved in the conversation on socials too!

Ep 68: Courage, Compassion and Connection: No Such Thing as “Right” In Auditions And Human Led Casting With Sarah Jane Price

In this episode I chat with casting director Sarah-Jane Price for a rich, honest, and deeply human conversation about what really happens behind the casting table. We explore how the role of casting is evolving, the emotional realities faced by both performers and casting directors, and why genuine connection matters more than ever in the creative industries. Sarah-Jane shares her journey from performer to casting director, the fulfilment she finds championing talent, and how social media has transformed the way artists are discovered and seen. We talk about the magic of opening nights, the complexity and responsibility behind casting decisions, and the compassion required to hold space for artists navigating rejection, hope, and ambition. Together, we dive into the realities of freelance life, mental health, rest, and identity — why embracing imperfection is a creative superpower, and how trusting the process can redefine what success really means. We also look ahead to the future of theatre, from immersive experiences to the role of technology in expanding what’s possible on stage. This episode is a powerful reminder that creativity thrives when we lead with empathy, courage, and connection — and that the industry is at its best when we remember the humans at the heart of it all. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Sarah-Jane Price 03:20 The Evolving Role of Casting 05:15 Navigating Emotions in Casting 07:44 The Shift from Performer to Casting Director 10:24 Finding Fulfillment Beyond Performance 12:01 The Impact of Social Media on Casting 14:14 The Joy of Creating New Work 15:55 The Changing Landscape of Talent Discovery 18:23 Connecting with Talent in a Digital Age 20:54 The Importance of Genuine Connections 22:20 The Passion for Theatre 24:29 The Excitement of Opening Nights 26:45 Meeting Big Names in the Industry 30:02 Humanizing the Casting Process 32:01 Understanding the Complexity of Casting Decisions 33:27 Understanding Casting and the Industry's Complexities 35:02 Navigating Freelance Life and Finding Balance 37:52 Mental Health and the Creative Process 40:21 The Importance of Rest and Creative Fueling 43:53 The Intersection of Identity and Career 46:47 Embracing Imperfection and the Joy of Creativity 49:52 Trusting the Process and Defining Success 51:30 The Future of Theatre and Immersive Experiences Sarah-Jane's Website: https://www.sarahjaneprice.co.uk Sarah-Jane's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjanepricecasting/ Club Thrive Instagram: www.instagram.com/clubthrive_ Please do rate, share and review the podcast! It all helps us to help you thrive too