The Road Back Home

47. Inner Landscapes: Poetry, Journaling & the Art of Witnessing

Amanda introduces her guest Maria Ortega, a transdisciplinary poetry therapy practitioner and educator. Together, they explore the profound intersection of journaling, poetry & self-discovery. Tune in to hear * How creative expression serves as a vital tool for verbal and visual processing, particularly for those navigating late-diagnosed ADHD or childhood invisibility. * How using metaphor and inner landscapes allows individuals to bypass subconscious barriers and safely witness their own emotional wounds. * The healing power of being witnessed, both through personal reflection and within a supportive community Connect with Maria WEBSITE [https://mariaortegagarcia.com/about/] INSTAGRAM [https://www.instagram.com/maria.ortega.garcia/]

We're Baaaaack! But what happened?

Sometimes the bravest thing is admitting the year kicked your ass, and you're still here. After months of silence, Amanda and Melanie reunite in Jupiter, Florida for their first-ever family Christmas in 30 years; and the most honest conversation they've ever recorded. You've been wondering where they went. Why the podcast went quiet. What happened. Here's the truth: Life happened. Hard. Tune in to witness the death of ideals, the birth of surrender, and two sisters who've learned that awareness without embodied experience means nothing. Welcome back to The Road Back Home. We missed you too. Subscribe to Journal for Your Life on Substack for monthly community calls, exclusive tools and more subscriber-only content.

All I Want for Christmas is... Sanity! Our Silly Season Self-Care Guide - REPOST

Silly season is upon us & for many, this also means enduring the increased stress & anxiety that often accompanies the holidays. We discuss the common stress triggers & offer you our best tried & true ideas to help you navigate it all with more ease and joy. Whether your challenge is tricky family dynamics, towering expectations or managing your own energy, we discuss creative ways to reduce holiday pressures & develop your own self-care plan to support you through it all. If you need inspiration for staying centered & creating space for yourself amidst the chaos, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you enjoy a more peaceful holiday season. . We'd love to hear from you, come on over to our ⁠SUBSTACK⁠ [https://theroadbackhomepodcast.substack.com/], share your feedback & subscribe to receive episodes straight to your inbox. Music Credit: ⁠Holes⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/bradleyjamesgrace/holes?si=2cde71adbdbc47728cd2f095e691a40d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing] by Bradley James Grace.  . #holidaystress, #selfcare, #familydynamics, #boundaries, #copingstrategies, #anxiety

44. The Anatomy of Kindness with June Curtin

June Curtain joins Amanda for a conversation that will completely redefine how you think about kindness - and why you might have given up on it for all the wrong reasons. You've tried being kind. You've bent over backwards for people. You've given until it hurt. And what did you get? Taken advantage of. Unappreciated. Burnt out. So you decided kindness doesn't work. People don't deserve it. You're done. Plot twist: What you were doing probably wasn't kindness at all. Meet June Curtain: * Founder of "Snámhaí Sásta" (The Happy Swimmers) in Spanish Point, Clare * Daily sea swimmer who found healing in the ocean after losing her husband to suicide * Daughter of renowned Johnny Burke (who gave Brendan Grace his first gig) * A woman who embodies kindness so completely, it's infectious Why Kindness Matters: "Nobody escapes this life without walking a step in pain. Nobody." We don't wear badges announcing our struggles. You pass hundreds of people daily who are barely holding it together. Your kindness might be the only softness they encounter all day. Follow Snámhaí Sásta on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/snamhaisasta/].

43. When Fear Makes Your Decisions For You

"I know I should leave this WhatsApp group because it's draining me, but what if they think I'm a terrible person?" Sound familiar? Amanda breaks down the exhausting pattern that's probably running your life without you realising it. You stay in conversations that drain you because you don't want to seem rude. You keep saying yes when you mean no. You override your instincts because you're terrified of disappointing someone. Here's the uncomfortable truth: You've been programmed to believe other people's comfort matters more than your own integrity. Want to go deeper? Download the free guide "5 Signs You're Unconsciously Choosing Chaos Over Serenity" HERE [https://theserenityproject.ie/] This pattern is just one of the five - and they're all connected.