In today’s episode of The Tea Mind Podcast, we explore the part of the journey that gets no applause and rarely gets mentioned: the messy middle.

This is the point where passion fades, progress stalls and self-doubt starts shouting. Where you quietly wonder if quitting might be easier. But what if this phase isn’t the problem? What if it's the point?

Through personal reflection, grounded storytelling and a soul-strengthening Tea Routine, this episode offers a gentle reminder: the middle isn’t where you fall apart. It’s where you come together.

Recommended Tea:

An oolong like Yellow Gold or Orange Oolong Supreme. Rooted in the earth element, it’s perfect for grounding you when your path feels unsteady.

In this episode, you'll discover:

* Why every meaningful journey gets hard in the middle

* The role of slow, silent progress in real growth

* A Tea Routine that helps you return to your centre

* A reframing of struggle as strength training

Tea Routine: The Messy Middle Pause

While your tea brews:

* Name the messy middle you’re in right now

* Write down three things that feel difficult or unclear

* Remind yourself of one reason why you began

Let the tea steep. Let your feelings sit. Trust the discomfort. This is the work that makes you.

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

What does it take to build a business that feels like a hug, and keep it thriving through chaos, change and growth?

In this heart-opening episode, I sit down with Ashley Harley, Chief Operating Officer of Mimi’s Bakehouse, the iconic Edinburgh café that began with a dream, a lot of courage, and the sale of a family home.

Ashley joined the business in 2013, stepping into a legacy baked by her mum, Michelle Phillips. Since then, she has helped scale it into one of Scotland’s most beloved brands. From winning Scottish Baker of the Year to leading a thriving online cake business, Ashley shares what it really takes to blend tradition with innovation, and family with leadership, while staying grounded in the process.

We talk about:

* The truth about running a family business and what people don’t see

* What it means to lead with love when the pressure is on

* How Mimi’s creates a “hug in the door” and why that still matters

* Burnout, boundaries and the rituals that keep Ashley steady

* What she hopes her future granddaughter feels when she walks into Mimi’s

Key Takeaway:

Whether you are building something of your own, navigating legacy, or simply trying to stay connected to what matters, this conversation will invite you to reflect, reset and realign with what is possible.

Pop the kettle on and join us for a story about courage, connection and cake.

p.s. Shortly after our conversation, Michelle Phillips (Mimi’s) only went on won the the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation Diasbled Entrepreneur Awards. When she started Mimi’s Bakehouse 15 years ago, she was diagnosed soon after with MS (a condition the affects your physical and mental health). What an incredibly well-deserved achievement.

Resources & Links:

* Follow Ashley on Instagram: @ashleynatashap and LinkedIn: Ashley Harley

* Visit Mimi’s Bakehouse: mimisbakehouse.com

* We discussed the fabulous EGG Business Club and the inspiring Leith Collective.

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In today’s episode, we explore the subtle yet powerful idea of intentionality. That is, doing things on purpose rather than drifting through the day on autopilot.

If your days feel rushed, disconnected, or like you’re ticking off tasks without really feeling present, this episode is a gentle nudge back into awareness.

Erica shares how a three-minute tea pause can become a daily ritual that brings clarity, calm and focus. She offers her own personal example of committing to more visibility on LinkedIn and the tactile trick she uses to stay accountable.

Most importantly, she invites you to check in with your body, to sit with discomfort, and to allow space for your true intentions to emerge.

In this episode, you'll discover:

* Why getting clear on your intention is only the first step

* How a cup of tea can anchor your awareness and reset your day

* Why planning often disguises itself as progress

* A simple desk-based trick using coins to stay consistent with your goals

* How to tune into your body to uncover deeper truths and guidance

* How sharing your intention can shift not just your mindset, but your relationships too

Tea Routine Takeaway:

If you could do just one thing today with extraordinary care, what would it be?

Start there. Let that small act guide you.

Resources & Links:

* David Hieatt’s Micro Blogs: DO Lectures

* Learn more about The Tea Mind System: Substack

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this soul-refreshing solo episode, Erica invites us to reconnect with one of the most underrated and powerful tools for wellbeing: play. Not play for productivity. Not play to impress. But the kind of spontaneous, joyful, unapologetic fun that reminds us what it means to feel alive.

She shares two vivid personal stories, from racing down a sunlit hill on the Isle of Wight to turning a petrol station mishap into an unforgettable family night filled with trolley races and bargain flowers. These stories serve as gentle reminders that some of the most joyful moments in life are unplanned and unpolished.

You’ll also be guided through a simple Tea Routine designed to reintroduce playfulness into your daily ritual. This episode is your permission slip to let go, laugh more, move freely, and rediscover what lights you up, no justification required.

In this episode, you'll discover:

* Why adults often forget how to play

* How play impacts burnout, creativity and connection

* A personal story that sparked Erica’s belief in joyful spontaneity

* A light-hearted Tea Routine to bring more play into your day

* A powerful mindset shift: play as presence, not performance

Tea Routine Mentioned:

While the kettle boils, put on a song that makes you want to move. Let your body sway or bounce. As your tea brews, breathe in the aroma and ask, “What would feel playful today?” Sip slowly. Let your thoughts drift into possibility.

Resources & Links:

* Sign up to our free newsletters:→ The Tea Mind – weekly Tea Routines for reflection and joy→ eteaket – tea blends and recipes for seasonal inspiration

Join the Conversation:

What does play look like for you this week? When did you last feel that lightness? Share your story in the comments or tag us on socials. Talking about joy helps create more of it.

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

When was the last time you truly paused?Not a scroll break. Not a flick through your to-do list.A real pause.One where your shoulders drop, your breath slows and you are fully present.

In this episode, Erica explores why we confuse distraction with rest and how a simple tea ritual can bring you back to yourself.You’ll learn how to create a short pause that calms your nervous system and resets your focus using your kettle and your breath.

This isn't about more time. It's about deeper moments. Presence is possible in three minutes.

What You'll Learn

* Why we confuse stimulation with rest

* The cost of staying in go-mode

* A simple Tea Pause ritual for calm and clarity

* The science behind box breathing and L-theanine in tea

* How small moments shift how you show up in life

Mentioned in This Episode

* The Tea Mind Practice

* Box Breathing Technique (4-4-4-4)

Try This

Pause with your tea. Just three minutes.No screens. No multitasking.Let your breath and a warm mug bring you back.

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

If your brain feels like it has 47 open tabs and they’re all playing different music - this one’s for you.

In this episode, we dive into the mental chaos that comes from carrying too much in our heads. From forgotten to-do lists to emotional voicemail replays from years ago, we explore how overwhelm isn’t caused by having too much to do, but by trying to hold it all.

You’ll learn about the power of a 3-minute Tea Mind Clear-Out - a simple brain-dump practice paired with the calming ritual of making tea. You don’t need more time. You need more space. And that starts here.

What We Cover:

* Why your brain is not a storage unit (and never was)

* How mental clutter drains your energy, focus, and calm

* A simple Tea Routine to offload overwhelm in 3 minutes

* The surprising science behind "cognitive offloading"

* The difference between presence and productivity

* Three powerful journal prompts to deepen your clarity

Journal Prompts to Try:

* What thoughts or emotions need to be released today to make space for something better?

* What’s occupying your mental space that hasn’t earned the right to be there?

* Of everything swirling around, what’s one small, kind step you can take next?

Your Tea Mind Clear-Out Routine:

* Put the kettle on.

* Grab pen and paper (scrap is fine).

* Set a timer for 3 minutes.

* Write down everything in your head - unfiltered, unedited, unjudged.

* Burn it, bin it, or just let it go.

By the time your tea’s brewed, your mind will be lighter.

Resources:

* “The Organized Mind” by Daniel J. Levitin – Explores how externalising information helps our brain function better.

* Mel Robbins Podcast: Make Decisions without Overthinking clip

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this episode, we talk with Renée Turner, founder of Renée Turner Interiors in Edinburgh and the Lothians. After 15 years in the corporate world, Renée shifted careers to follow her passion for interior design. Today, she helps clients create spaces that reflect who they truly are.

What we cover:

* The career pivot: How Renée applied her corporate skills to build a successful design business

* Designing with values: Why true style starts with self-awareness

* Small changes, big shifts: The emotional impact of colour, layout and light

* Clearing space, clearing mind: The connection between clutter and clarity

* Mindful design: How intention shapes both our environment and our wellbeing

* Staying inspired: How Renée moves through creative blocks and stress

* Accessible tips: Simple, budget-friendly ways to refresh your home

Discover Renee:

* Website: Renee Turner Interiors

* LinkedIn: Renee Turner

* Instagram: @ReneeTurnerInteriors

* We discussed Your Organised Space.

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

We give kindness to others without thinking.But when it comes to ourselves? The words often stick.

In today’s solo episode, Erica invites you to pause with a cup of tea and reflect on a deceptively simple question: When was the last time you told yourself you were proud of you?

Not for what you’ve done.But for who you are.

This episode explores how to soften your inner voice, build emotional resilience through self-kindness, and start a powerful monthly Tea Routine - writing a love letter to yourself.

It might feel awkward.But it's quietly transformational.

What You’ll Hear In This Episode:

* Why we’re so good at encouraging others and so harsh on ourselves

* The real cost of normalising self-criticism

* Erica’s personal journey with writing self-love letters

* A simple but powerful Tea Routine to reconnect with your worth

* How to start your own “Kindness Archive”

* A story from a day rave that sparked a shift in self-talk

* The science behind self-compassion and how it rewires your brain

* Why Brené Brown’s work on worthiness is a must-read

This Week’s Tea Routine: While your tea brews, take three minutes to write yourself a love letter.

Start with:“Dear me, I’m proud of you because…”Write without editing. Save it. Re-read it when your inner critic gets loud.

Even once a month, this tiny act can shift something inside you.

Resources Mentioned:

* The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown

* Read more on Psychology Today

Ways to connect with me 💬

DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/

Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x

The Tea Mind is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.