In this episode, I dive into Chapter 9 of my bestselling book Inner Brilliance: Outer Shine, 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress. I share how learning to handle life’s rough seas can shape our journey, both personally and professionally. I discuss the importance of managing our state of mind, processing emotions, and usingpractical tools to build resilience and find joy, even during challenging times. My goal is to help you become the captain of your own ship, steering toward greater wellbeing and fulfilment.

Key Topics Covered:

• Our state of mind directly impacts our actions, performance,and happiness.
• Acknowledging and processing emotions is essential. I sharehow and the consequences of not doing this.
• Tools like Havening and EFT can help reset limiting beliefsand manage stress.
• Scheduling joy and making space for fun are vital forresilience.
• You have the power to navigate challenges, no matter thecircumstances.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the podcast and host

00:40 – About Estelle and the episode’s focus

01:04 – Reading from "Inner Brilliance OuterShine" – Antidote #9

01:32 – The importance of state of mind

02:26 – My friend’s skiing story: accessing positivestates

04:56 – State of mind: thoughts, feelings, body,neurochemistry

06:03 – How to change your state

08:03 – Personal story: perimenopause and HRT

09:47 – Research: state of mind and leadership

11:06 – Managing intense emotions

12:24 – Story: emotions at a family funeral

14:10 – Bottling emotions vs. acknowledging them

16:00 – Meta-emotions explained

18:00 – Emotional processing techniques

22:47 – The “emotional bucket” analogy

25:55 – Strategies for stress and resilience

28:45 – Introduction to EFT

31:17 – EFT resources and support

32:41 – Cultivating and scheduling joy

35:09 – Key takeaways and summary

39:43 – Closing, resources, and next episode preview

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead

You can find my EFT video mentioned in the podcast here: https://youtu.be/_PROjHMnKAg?si=lhaZXMd-9fENcuyh⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 8 of my bestselling book  Inner Brilliance: Outer Shine, 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress, which focuses on how to develop an inner captain and take charge of your thoughts.

Key Topics Covered:

• I explore how to develop an “inner captain” to take charge of your thoughts and beliefs.
• I share personal stories, including my experience withimposter syndrome and a cancer diagnosis, to show how mindset tools work in real life.
• I discuss the impact of negative self-talk and how reframing thoughts can change your emotional state and outcomes.
• I reveal practical strategies like journaling, havening, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), and positive affirmations, to manage stress and negativity.
• I talk about the importance of gratitude and how focusing on what’s good in your life helps you to stay positive and become happier.
• I explain how I interrupt negative thought patterns—sometimes with humour, distraction, or even singing!
• I highlight the dangers of comparison, especially on social media, and how you can bring your focus back to your own journey.
• I encourage listeners to process emotions rather thansuppress them, using various tools.
• I remind you that negative feelings are temporary, and that we have the power to choose our response.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Introduction to the podcast and host
• 0:40 – About Estelle and her book
• 1:33 – Starting Chapter 8: Develop Your Inner Captain
• 2:37 – The impact of negative thoughts and language
• 6:17 – Strategies to counter imposter syndrome andnegativity
• 8:38 – Personal story: Facing a cancer diagnosis
• 14:07 – Blackpool Illuminations: Spotting and interruptingnegative thought patterns
• 17:04 – Journaling and processing thoughts
• 21:06 – Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and havening
• 24:06 – Dealing with uncertainty and "what if"thinking
• 27:00 – Useful vs. useless thoughts; learning to reframe
• 31:16 – Down in the doldrums: Coping with depression andloss
• 36:46 – The power of gratitude and "re-dipping"into positive memories
• 41:17 – Affirmations and manifesting positive change
• 46:09 – Summary of key points and closing thoughts
• 48:48 – What's next: Preview of Chapter 9

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informationalpurposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.

In this episode, I dive into Chapter 7 of my bestselling book  Inner Brilliance, Outer Shine: 10 Antidotes to Imposter Syndrome, Workaholism & Stress. I share practical strategies for running a tight ship in both your work and personal life. I open up about my own journey with boundaries, time management, and the lessons I’ve learned from clients and personal experience. If you’re ready to stop overworking, reclaim your time, and shine brighter, this episode is for you.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Boundaries Matter: Ishare how setting boundaries has helped me (and my clients) avoid burnout and reclaim joy in work and life.
• Parkinson’s Law: I explain how work expands to fill the time we give it, and why limiting our thinking time" to four hours a day can boost creativity and effectiveness.

• Production Line Analogy: I use my experience in manufacturing to illustrate how we can manage ourworkload, avoid bottlenecks, and prevent overwhelm.
• Saying No (Without Guilt): I talk about the importance of saying no, even when it feels uncomfortable.
• Time and People Boundaries: I reflect on how I’ve learned to protect my time from "time stealers" and set healthy boundaries with people who drain my energy.
• Delegation and Letting Go of Perfectionism: I discuss how perfectionism and the need to please can lead to overwork, and how I’ve helped clients (and myself) delegate and trust others.
• Owning Your Space: I share stories about how body language, mindset, and language can help us projectconfidence and claim our space, at work and beyond.
• Recognising When You’ve Used Up Your ‘Help Quota’: I talk about the importance of fair exchange in relationships and knowing when to step back from living too much.

Here’s to your shining!

Estelle Read x

Bestselling Author, Coach &Speaker

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction & episode overview
• 02:01 – Antidote #7: Run a Tight Ship
• 04:44 – Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill time
• 06:49 – The four-hour productivity rule
• 08:12 – Managing your “production line” (workload)
• 13:15 – Overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing
• 18:10 – Learning to say no
• 20:58 – Time stealers and digital boundaries
• 22:12 – Setting people boundaries
• 32:51 – Summary & key takeaways
• 33:48 – Next episode preview & closing

Listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EstelleRead⁠

Connect with Estelle Read:
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit. For free resources, to join the SHINE Coaching Programme or to apply for a discovery call, visit www.EstelleRead.com

Thanks for listening to the Optimising Your BrilliancePodcast!

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Please consult a qualified professional for specific advice.