Mindful Poetic Stories Podcast

Patience

In this soulful episode, Patricia’s explore the transformative power of cultivating patience on your journey of self-love. Learning to trust the process of personal growth and healing. In a world obsessed with speed and instant results, this is your invitation to slow down, breathe, and trust your natural rhythm. Through storytelling, reflections, and poetry, she uncovers why patience is not just a virtue, but an essential ingredient for emotional resilience, habit change, and long-term success.
Whether you’re facing setbacks, navigating illness, or feeling frustrated by slow progress, this episode will gently guide you back to a place of self-compassion, trust, and peace.
Key Takeaways
Growth takes time, just like a seed needs nurturing to bloom.
Patience is active, not passive; it’s about keeping a good attitude while waiting.
There are three types of patience:
o Interpersonal (with others)
o Hardship (during major life challenges)
o Daily hassles (traffic, delays, etc.)
Self-sabotage and perfectionism often block progress, patience helps dismantle them.
Mindfulness, gratitude, and tiny consistent steps cultivate a patient mindset.
Learn to trust your timing and honour your body and mind’s natural pace.
Celebrate the small wins, they’re the seeds of long-term change.
Line from the poetic story; "Know you won’t reap rewards from the seeds you never plant."
Quotes
"Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting."
— Joyce Meyer
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Patience is the calm ability to wait in the face of frustration or adversity”
- Sarah Schnitker
 
Practical Tools Shared
Mindfulness & Meditation – observe impulses, reduce reactivity.
Gratitude Practice – recognise progress, practice delayed gratification.
Micro-Goal Planning – break ambitions into daily manageable steps.
Reframe Frustration – focus on what your body can do.
Let Go of Control – adopt the pace of nature.
 
Call to Action
If this message resonated with you, please share, subscribe, and leave a review.
Come back to this episode whenever you need a reminder to trust your journey, nurture your inner self, and move with love, not pressure.
 
Contact me via my website www.pacoaching.co.uk email me on hello@pacoaching.co.uk
 

CHANGE - PART 2

From Change to Transformation: Reconnecting to Your True Self
In this powerful continuation of our conversation on change, Patricia shares a transformative poem titled "The Light" by Helen Amery, from the groundbreaking book Poetry for Coaching – Transformation Through Verse. This episode explores how embracing transformation over superficial change leads to lasting growth, self-awareness, emotional resilience, and reconnection to your true self. Patricia dives into neuroscience, mindset, habit formation, and the power of the Reticular Activating System (RAS), and uncovers how mental fitness coaching offers a more sustainable, compassionate path to inner transformation.
 
Key Takeaways:
The Power of the Brain: Learn how the RAS (Reticular Activating System) filters your reality and reinforces what you believe — both limiting and empowering.
From Change to Transformation: Why change is external, but transformation is internal — a return to your authentic self.
Mental Fitness & Positive Intelligence: How shifting from self-sabotage (saboteurs) to inner wisdom (Sage) creates sustainable mental wellbeing.
Identity & Beliefs: Rethinking how you use the phrase “I AM” and breaking free from conditioned identities like people-pleaser, perfectionist, procrastinator.
The Habit Myth: Busting the "21-day" myth - real habit formation takes on average 66 days, and up to 254, according to research.
Resilience Metaphor: Trees thrive by bending with the wind. So can we, through learning flexibility, self-awareness, and inner connection, via mental fitness.
Coaching Equation: “Performance = Potential – Interference” (Tim Gallwey) - it's not about becoming better, it's about removing the inner blocks that are interfering.
 
Science-Based Tools & Concepts:
Neuroplasticity
Confirmation Bias
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Subconscious Conditioning
Self-Sabotage vs. Inner Wisdom
Positive Reinforcement & Growth Mindset
Mentioned Tools & Frameworks:
The R Coaching Framework:
o Recognise your patterns
o Realise which serves and what is interfering
o Reconnect to your Sage true essence, and Release
Mental Fitness Coaching:
o Thrive through inner Sage
o Shift out of survival mode
o Build lasting transformation and resilience
Quotes:
"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits, and their habits decide their futures." — F.M. Alexander
“All that I know is that I know nothing”. Socrates
 
Resources Mentioned:
Book; Poetry for Coaching: Transformation Through Verse (Creative Coaching Collective, Nov 2024)
Research; Phillippa Lally's Habit Formation Study (2010) – Link to Study
Book; The Inner Game of Tennis – Tim Gallwey
Book a call via my www.pacoaching.co.uk or email hello@pacoaching.co.uk
 

CHANGE - Part 1

Change: From Resistance to Transformation
 
In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Patricia dives into one of life’s most challenging truths, change is inevitable. Patricia explores how our resistance to change keeps us stuck in old emotional patterns, especially within relationships, and how developing mental fitness, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness can help us embrace change as a path to personal growth and inner peace.
 
Drawing from her own transformational journey, including powerful stories about her relationship with her mother, Patricia shares what it truly means to be the change you wish to see in the world and how the ripple effect begins with you.
 
Whether you're navigating personal transitions, emotional reactivity, or challenging relationships, this episode will inspire you to shift your perspective and start the healing from within.
 
Key Topics & Takeaways:
Why we fear change (and how to embrace it instead)
The neuroscience of transformation
Emotional intelligence vs. emotional reactivity
What it means to co-create dynamics in relationships
How healing your inner world impacts the outer world
The role of mental fitness coaching in long-term change
Moving from transactional to transformational change
Understanding projection and the power of self-responsibility
Real-life story: Healing the mother-daughter relationship
 
Resources Mentioned:
TED Talk: “Honest Liars: The Psychology of Self-Deception” by Dr. Cortney Warren https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpEeSa6zBTE
Tune in next week for Part 2: moving from change to transformation, how the brain can help us, and how coaching helps with new habit formation that drives real transformation
 
If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and share with someone who needs a reminder that true healing begins within.
 
Connect with me via my website @pacoaching.co.uk
or via email hello@pacoaching.co.uk
 
 
 

Overwhelmed

In this deeply honest and transformative episode, Patricia dives into the all-too-common feeling of overwhelm, what it really is, how it manifests in our bodies and minds, and most importantly, how we can move through it with mindfulness, self-compassion, and intentional living.
Patricia shares her own journey, from being debilitated by anxiety, stress, and internal self-sabotage, to reclaiming peace, balance, and self-love through simple, consistent practices of mental fitness and emotional resilience. With insights rooted in personal experience, neuroscience, and mindfulness coaching, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that healing is possible, and that you are the centre of your reality-making.
________________________________________
Key Takeaways:
What overwhelm truly is: a perceived imbalance between demands and internal resources
How stress, anxiety, and fear are often rooted in inner beliefs, not external events
The power of mindfulness, breathing techniques, and mental fitness practices (like PQ reps)
Overcoming overwhelm is not a one-time event, it’s journey, it’s a daily choice
Small steps, when consistent, lead to long-lasting change
Your thoughts, if unmanaged, can run your life, but you can take the reins
The shift from self-improvement to self-welcoming is where deep transformation happens
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Tools & Strategies Shared:
Breathing techniques: Box breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, alternate nostril (Nadi Shodhanam), Ujjayi (Victorious Breath)
Mindfulness practices: Sensory-based awareness, PQ reps, the “Power of the Pause”
Self-care rituals: Walking, dancing, myofascial stretching, affirmations, mindful reflection
Mental fitness tips: Quieting the inner saboteur, building new neural pathways, choosing thriving over survival https://www.positiveintelligence.com/
 
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Recommended Resources:
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
Daring Greatly – Brené Brown
Superbrain – Deepak Chopra & Rudolph Tanzi
The Oxygen Advantage – Patrick McKeown
 
Quotes
“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be”. May Sarton
Be brave enough to live creatively…… The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition…… not quite knowing what you are doing. But what you will discover will be wonderful. Yourself. Alan Alda
“You are at the centre of your reality-making. The problem may be with you, but so is the solution.”
“Healing is not linear, it’s a continual choice to weed out negativity and sow seeds of positivity.”
“Mindfulness isn’t about removing stress; it’s about learning how to respond to it with presence.”
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www.pacoaching.co.uk
 
 

Mistakes - The Making Of Me

"Let Mistakes Make You Stronger: Embracing Failure with Self-Compassion & Mental Fitness"
In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode, Patricia dives into something every human experiences, mistakes, failures, and errors, and how we can transform them into powerful opportunities for growth. Through storytelling, science, and emotional wisdom, Patricia shares how our childhood conditioning, internal critic, and neuroscience of error recognition can shape our view of failure, and how we can rewire those patterns through mental fitness, self-love, and resilience.
You'll hear personal stories of growing up with fear and shame around mistakes, the indelible marks left by red pens, and how she has shifted from self-criticism to self-acceptance and intuitive learning. Plus, she explores powerful research on Error-Related Negativity (ERN) and how your brain reacts to mistakes before you’re even aware of them.
Let’s learn to fail forward, reclaim our worth, and rewrite the stories we tell ourselves—with gentleness, curiosity, and courage.
________________________________________
 
Key Episode Highlights
The emotional and neurological impact of mistakes and failure
Personal childhood stories of shame around error and the red pen
Neuroscience of failure: how the brain reacts to mistakes (ERN + Error Positivity)
How your internal saboteur can reinforce old beliefs and fear
Shifting from reflexive self-criticism to reflective self-inquiry
The power of positive intelligence and mental fitness
Why your brain is always listening to your mind
Inspirational quotes from Denzel Washington, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Thomas Edison
The acronym F.A.I.L – First Attempt In Learning
How to stop taking mistakes personally and start learning from them
How building emotional awareness helps you bounce back faster
The concept of "feeding what you want to grow" in your mindset
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Resources & Links Mentioned
🎥 Denzel Washington – “Fall Forward” Motivational Speech
Watch on YouTube
🎥 Giannis Antetokounmpo on Failure and Success
Watch on YouTube
🧠 Neuroscience Article – Kids Frontiers
Understanding Mistakes and the Brain
📖 Recommended Book: Super Brain by Deepak Chopra & Rudolph Tanzi
🧠 Positive Intelligence; https://www.positiveintelligence.com/
 
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Call to Action
👉 If this episode spoke to you, please rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear that they are not their mistakes.
✨ Subscribe for more episodes on self-love, mental fitness, and emotional mastery.
💬 Let’s connect! Share your biggest takeaway on Instagram or your favourite platform and tag me!
________________________________________
Quote of the Episode
"Take the ‘I’ out of Mistakes—and replace it with Intuitive Learning."
 
www.pacoaching.co.uk
 

That Biological Clock

Featured Poem: A heartfelt original piece inspired by a conversation between two child-free women - one by choice, one by circumstance.
 
In this deeply personal episode, Patricia opens up about her decision not to have children, exploring themes of time, choice, societal expectations, and alternative forms of motherhood. With tenderness and honesty, she speaks to women who have chosen not to have children, as well as those who grieve the children they couldn't have. Through stories, reflections, and a heartfelt poem, Patricia honours the many ways we love, nurture, and leave a legacy beyond biology.
This episode is for you if you've ever:
Felt pressure from your “biological clock”
Faced judgment for not having children
Grieved infertility or loss
Been a mentor, godparent, aunt, or carer who has loved deeply
Wondered about your legacy outside of motherhood
Topics Covered:
Choosing child-free living with intention
The emotional weight of societal and familial pressure
Reflections on adoption, foster care, and shared parenting
Emotional intelligence in parenting and relationships
The power of nurturing beyond blood ties
A poetic tribute to the children who’ve touched Patricia’s life
Key Quotes:
"To mother not with the body, but with the heart."
"Your love matters. However it shows up in the world."
"Legacy is not only about lineage — it’s about presence, care, and connection."
Mentioned Resources:
Poem: This Be The Verse by Philip Larkin
Book: Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Inspiration from writer Maeve Binchy on the ‘borrowed parent”
🙏 Dedicated with love to: all the beautiful children I have been blessed to know in my life
 
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book a call by emailing; hello@pacoaching.co.uk
 
 

Alone But Not Lonely

Hosted by: Patricia Ahern - @pacoaching
 
Episode Summary:
In this deeply personal episode, Patricia explores the powerful difference between being alone and feeling lonely. Drawing from her own journey of self-discovery, emotional healing, and inner transformation, Patricia shares how loneliness stems not from solitude, but from disconnection, fear, and unmet emotional needs.
Patricia dives into:
The emotional pain of feeling misunderstood and unseen
Toxic relationship patterns and the inner critic
The impact of social media and modern disconnection
How mindfulness and mental fitness help rewire self-sabotaging beliefs
The importance of self-love, vulnerability, and authentic connection
Insights from George Orwell, Robin Williams, and The Good Life study
Key Takeaways:
You can be surrounded by people and still feel deeply lonely
Loneliness often stems from self-abandonment and limiting beliefs
Connection starts within, with self-awareness, compassion, and care
Reclaiming your inner “Sage” voice is the first step to emotional freedom
Coaching and mental fitness can rewire your brain and help you heal
Quotes of the Episode:
"The most terrible loneliness is not being alone… but being misunderstood." – George Orwell
“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone”. - Robin Williams
 
Must-Watch Mention:
Norwich City FC Mental Health Video – 2024
A powerful reminder that loneliness often hides behind a smile.
 
Resources & Recommendations:
Episode 13: Faking It (for more on hiding behind masks)
Book: The Good Life (on relationships, connection and happiness)
Coaching & mental fitness resources https://www.positiveintelligence.com/
 
If this episode resonated, please share it with someone who needs to hear they are not alone.
Connect with me: www.pacoaching.co.uk
 
Follow on Instagram: pacoaching_foryou
 
Email me at hello@pacoaching.co.uk
 

Hurry Up and Take Your Time — Wisdom on Time and Presence

In this heartfelt episode, Patricia shares wisdom from her Dad, centred around his favourite phrase, “Time waits for no man” and the paradoxical advice: “Hurry up and take your time.”
Reflecting on his calm, witty nature and her own journey from burnout to balance, Patricia explores how rushing often leads to mistakes, exhaustion, and missed moments.
Key takeaways include embracing mindfulness, presence, and intentional pacing to prioritise what truly matters and avoid burnout. I reveal how shifting from chaos to calm and replacing harmful habits with purposeful ones transformed my relationship with time and energy.
 
Key Themes
“Hurry up and take your time” meaning
Time management wisdom
Mindfulness and presence
Avoiding burnout and exhaustion
Prioritising daily habits
Intentional living
Remembering Dad and his life lessons
Emotional intelligence and self-care
The power of words and simple phrases
Balancing productivity and peace
Mental health and time mindset
 
Summary:
This episode dives deep into a powerful paradox; how slowing down in a hurry can actually save time and improve well-being. Drawing from personal stories and a father’s enduring wisdom, learn how to cultivate a calm, clear-headed mindset that embraces presence, purpose, and balance in everyday life.
 
Get in touch if you want to know more about Mental Fitness or the Self Love journey
Email hello@pacoaching.co.uk
Website www.pacoaching.co.uk
 

Letter to My 20 Year Old Self

Embracing Self-Love and Healing Emotional Wounds
 
Episode Description:
In this deeply personal episode, Patricia reflects on what she would tell her 20-year-old self — a time marked by feelings of worthlessness, confusion, and silent battles with depression. Join Patricia as she explores the powerful journey of reconnecting with your younger self through unconditional self-love, compassion, and emotional healing. She dives into the impact of childhood emotional suppression, societal stigma around mental health, and the importance of learning to validate your own feelings.
Discover how self-love can transform your life, break toxic patterns, and build emotional resilience. Patricia shares practical tips on self-compassion, setting boundaries, and celebrating small wins. Plus, learn why writing a love letter to your younger self can be a powerful step in your self-care journey.
Key Topics Covered:
Healing childhood emotional wounds
Overcoming mental health stigma
The difference between conditional and unconditional love
Self-love as a foundation for emotional and positive intelligence
Breaking toxic relationship cycles
Practical self-care strategies: self-compassion, boundaries, celebration
Using journaling to reconnect and heal
Embracing hope and faith over fear for personal growth
 
Why Listen?
This episode is perfect for anyone on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and emotional growth, especially women, mothers, and those feeling stuck in patterns of self-doubt or low self-worth.
 
Email hello@pacoaching.co.uk
Website: www.pacoaching.co.uk
 
 
 

Where Does The Time Go - PART 2

Time, Energy & Self-Love: Turning Crisis into Clarity
In this deeply reflective and empowering Part 2 episode of Where Does The Time Go, Patricia explores the profound value of time, energy, and health, and how these three life currencies shape our wellbeing, success, and happiness. Drawing on insights from Jay Shetty, Elizabeth Gilbert, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, Bronnie Ware, and Bonnie Annis, this episode is a heartfelt call to action to stop waiting for crisis to teach you what really matters.
From self-sabotage to self-love, this episode encourages you to take back control of your time, redirect your energy, and make conscious choices for long-term wellness, inner peace, and personal empowerment. With personal reflections, coaching wisdom, and inspiring quotes, this is your invitation to live intentionally, love fully, and embrace your unique purpose.
Key Topics Discussed:
Why time is your most valuable currency
The myth of “I don’t have time” and how to shift that mindset
How health, wealth, and time evolve throughout life
Powerful lessons from palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware
Reflections on cancer, resilience, and living without regret
The difference between working hard and working with purpose
How to live from your inner Sage (not your Saboteur)
Insights from positive psychology, spirituality, and mental fitness
Cultivating self-love, emotional regulation, and personal power
Resources Mentioned:
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware
Before You Waste Your Time – Watch This by Jay Shetty YouTube
The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
Positive Intelligence Shirzad Chamine
Blog: “Cancer hanged me for the better” Bonnie Annis
Connect & Reflect:
What’s one way you can invest your time better today?
Share your thoughts, tag on social media or email hello@pacoaching.co.uk
www.pacoaching.co.uk
email: hello@pacoaching.co.uk