<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><atom:link href="https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-curious-pause/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><title><![CDATA[The Curious Pause]]></title><podcast:guid>dc32ba91-b2ac-5402-9173-9a6d98e0ae63</podcast:guid><lastBuildDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2026 17:45:03 +0000</lastBuildDate><generator>Captivate.fm</generator><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2026 Pam Lob]]></copyright><managingEditor>Pam Lob</managingEditor><itunes:summary><![CDATA[The Curious Pause is a place to step away from the noise, take a breath and explore life from a different perspective. Join author Pam Lob for short, thought-provoking episodes weaving together ancient wisdom, wellbeing, spirituality, writing, life experience and the occasional unexpected rabbit hole. Grab a cuppa, get curious, and take a few minutes to pause, listen and remember.]]></itunes:summary><image><url>https://artwork.captivate.fm/51a1d72f-10cb-4f8c-92c6-771611187c91/curious-pause-3000x3000.jpg</url><title>The Curious Pause</title><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link></image><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/51a1d72f-10cb-4f8c-92c6-771611187c91/curious-pause-3000x3000.jpg"/><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Pam Lob</itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author>Pam Lob</itunes:author><description>The Curious Pause is a place to step away from the noise, take a breath and explore life from a different perspective. Join author Pam Lob for short, thought-provoking episodes weaving together ancient wisdom, wellbeing, spirituality, writing, life experience and the occasional unexpected rabbit hole. Grab a cuppa, get curious, and take a few minutes to pause, listen and remember.</description><link>https://www.pamlob.com/</link><atom:link href="https://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com" rel="hub"/><itunes:subtitle><![CDATA[Pause. Listen. Remember. Ancient wisdom, modern life and curious conversations.]]></itunes:subtitle><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:category text="Society &amp; Culture"><itunes:category text="Personal Journals"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Education"><itunes:category text="Self-Improvement"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><podcast:locked>no</podcast:locked><podcast:medium>podcast</podcast:medium><item><title>Are You Addicted to Stress?</title><itunes:title>Are You Addicted to Stress?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Have you become so accustomed to feeling stressed that you actually feel uncomfortable when you're not?</p><p>Perhaps you thrive on deadlines, fill every spare moment with something to do or find yourself feeling guilty when you finally sit down to rest.</p><p>But what if busyness has become more than a habit? What if it's become part of how you define yourself?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Curious Pause</strong>, I take a deeper look at our relationship with stress and explore why some of us seem to seek out the very pressures that leave us feeling exhausted.</p><p>I'm not suggesting that stress addiction is a recognised medical condition. It isn't. But I do think we can become so familiar with urgency, pressure and constant activity that slowing down begins to feel uncomfortable.</p><p>I explore the buzz we sometimes get from working under pressure, the satisfaction of being the person everyone relies on and why we can find ourselves creating more work even when we desperately need a break.</p><p>I also reflect on the expectations we absorb throughout our lives, particularly the belief that being busy means being productive, valuable or successful.</p><p>Drawing on my own experiences, I share how I've learnt to move away from constantly doing and towards a more balanced way of living.</p><p>Because sometimes the most challenging thing isn't finding time to rest. It's allowing ourselves to enjoy that rest without feeling guilty.</p><p><strong>In this episode, I explore:</strong></p><ul><li>🧠 Why stress and pressure can sometimes give us a buzz.</li><li>⏰ How we can become dependent on last-minute deadlines to motivate ourselves.</li><li>💚 The 'Mum Martyr Club' and the habit of putting everyone else's needs before our own.</li><li>🏃 Why busyness can become part of our identity.</li><li>🌿 How constant activity can prevent us from recognising our feelings and needs.</li><li>🪷 Why slowing down can initially feel uncomfortable.</li><li>✨ The importance of awareness, acceptance and learning to simply <em>be</em> rather than constantly <em>do</em>.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Something to ponder</strong></p><p>Imagine you've finished everything you need to do today.</p><p>No emails waiting, no appointments, no washing, no one asking you for anything.</p><p>You have an entire afternoon to yourself.</p><p>How does that feel?</p><p>Wonderful? Or does a little voice immediately start reminding you of all the things you <em>could</em> be doing?</p><p>And here's the question I'd really love you to ponder:</p><p><strong>Who would you be if you stopped measuring your worth by how much you do?</strong></p><p>I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.</p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode</strong></p><p><strong>Kirsten Sweeting Morelli</strong>, who has described stress as 'the new crack', a provocative comparison that invites us to question our relationship with pressure and busyness.</p><p><strong>Dr Sara Gottfried</strong>, who has written about the 'Mum Martyr Club' and the tendency to put everyone else's needs before our own.</p><p><strong>A gentle invitation</strong></p><p>You don't have to change everything overnight.</p><p>Perhaps begin by noticing where your time and energy are going, what brings you fulfilment and what leaves you feeling depleted.</p><p>And remember, rest isn't something you have to earn. It's part of being human.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>The Curious Pause</strong></p><p> <em>The place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p><p>If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might benefit from giving themselves permission to slow down.</p><p>Until next time, pause, listen and remember.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you become so accustomed to feeling stressed that you actually feel uncomfortable when you're not?</p><p>Perhaps you thrive on deadlines, fill every spare moment with something to do or find yourself feeling guilty when you finally sit down to rest.</p><p>But what if busyness has become more than a habit? What if it's become part of how you define yourself?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Curious Pause</strong>, I take a deeper look at our relationship with stress and explore why some of us seem to seek out the very pressures that leave us feeling exhausted.</p><p>I'm not suggesting that stress addiction is a recognised medical condition. It isn't. But I do think we can become so familiar with urgency, pressure and constant activity that slowing down begins to feel uncomfortable.</p><p>I explore the buzz we sometimes get from working under pressure, the satisfaction of being the person everyone relies on and why we can find ourselves creating more work even when we desperately need a break.</p><p>I also reflect on the expectations we absorb throughout our lives, particularly the belief that being busy means being productive, valuable or successful.</p><p>Drawing on my own experiences, I share how I've learnt to move away from constantly doing and towards a more balanced way of living.</p><p>Because sometimes the most challenging thing isn't finding time to rest. It's allowing ourselves to enjoy that rest without feeling guilty.</p><p><strong>In this episode, I explore:</strong></p><ul><li>🧠 Why stress and pressure can sometimes give us a buzz.</li><li>⏰ How we can become dependent on last-minute deadlines to motivate ourselves.</li><li>💚 The 'Mum Martyr Club' and the habit of putting everyone else's needs before our own.</li><li>🏃 Why busyness can become part of our identity.</li><li>🌿 How constant activity can prevent us from recognising our feelings and needs.</li><li>🪷 Why slowing down can initially feel uncomfortable.</li><li>✨ The importance of awareness, acceptance and learning to simply <em>be</em> rather than constantly <em>do</em>.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Something to ponder</strong></p><p>Imagine you've finished everything you need to do today.</p><p>No emails waiting, no appointments, no washing, no one asking you for anything.</p><p>You have an entire afternoon to yourself.</p><p>How does that feel?</p><p>Wonderful? Or does a little voice immediately start reminding you of all the things you <em>could</em> be doing?</p><p>And here's the question I'd really love you to ponder:</p><p><strong>Who would you be if you stopped measuring your worth by how much you do?</strong></p><p>I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.</p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode</strong></p><p><strong>Kirsten Sweeting Morelli</strong>, who has described stress as 'the new crack', a provocative comparison that invites us to question our relationship with pressure and busyness.</p><p><strong>Dr Sara Gottfried</strong>, who has written about the 'Mum Martyr Club' and the tendency to put everyone else's needs before our own.</p><p><strong>A gentle invitation</strong></p><p>You don't have to change everything overnight.</p><p>Perhaps begin by noticing where your time and energy are going, what brings you fulfilment and what leaves you feeling depleted.</p><p>And remember, rest isn't something you have to earn. It's part of being human.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>The Curious Pause</strong></p><p> <em>The place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p><p>If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who might benefit from giving themselves permission to slow down.</p><p>Until next time, pause, listen and remember.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">9348e8f0-5e58-41d2-bd01-4adc435b2a36</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/d27a48e9-8bdf-4a4a-b4dd-7c6c22d20ef1/are-you-addicted-to-stress-square-3000.jpg"/><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/9348e8f0-5e58-41d2-bd01-4adc435b2a36.mp3" length="15687306" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>10:54</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>16</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>16</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/a53ed8e6-0ce1-41b5-bb93-5383407da98a/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Stress: Has It Become Our Normal Way of Being?</title><itunes:title>Stress: Has It Become Our Normal Way of Being?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>How often have you said, "I'm so stressed!" or "There just aren't enough hours in the day"?</p><p>Stress has become such a familiar part of everyday life that we barely question it anymore. But have we become so accustomed to feeling stressed that we've forgotten what it feels like not to be?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Curious Pause</strong>, I explore what stress actually is, how it affects our bodies and minds, and why a natural survival response can become a problem when we rarely give ourselves time to recover.</p><p>From imagining a hungry lion appearing in the countryside to building a children's tower of blocks, I share some simple ways to understand how stress works.</p><p>Imagine each block representing a different demand on your body or mind. A poor night's sleep, running late, getting stuck in traffic, skipping lunch or dealing with another problem at work. The blocks keep piling up until one seemingly insignificant event sends the whole tower tumbling down.</p><p>We often blame that final incident for our reaction, when the real problem may be the stress that's been accumulating over days, weeks or even months.</p><p>I also explore why stress isn't always bad, why we all respond differently to the same situations, and how physical, emotional and environmental pressures can quietly accumulate without us even noticing.</p><p>Drawing on my background in nursing and personalised health, I reflect on the importance of listening to our bodies, recognising the early warning signs and giving ourselves permission to rest.</p><p><strong>In this episode, I explore:</strong></p><ul><li>🦁 Why our fight, flight or freeze response is essential for survival.</li><li>🧱 How everyday stresses accumulate until our tower comes tumbling down.</li><li>🌿 Why stress isn't always harmful and how it can sometimes help us perform.</li><li>💚 The effects of prolonged stress on our physical and emotional wellbeing.</li><li>🧠 How our thoughts and beliefs can influence our stress response.</li><li>👂 Why listening to our bodies matters just as much as listening to our minds.</li><li>🌸 Simple ways to create more space for rest, recovery and balance.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Something to ponder</strong></p><p>Have you become so accustomed to being busy that you've forgotten how to rest?</p><p>What are the little building blocks of stress in your life that you've stopped noticing?</p><p>And what one small change might create a little more space for you?</p><p>You don't have to solve everything today. Sometimes awareness is enough.</p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode</strong></p><p>In my book <strong>Beyond Hot and Crazy: A Radical Guide to Living Well with Menopause</strong>, I explore the relationship between stress, health and wellbeing, particularly during menopause.</p><p><strong>Coming next</strong></p><p><strong>Are You Addicted to Stress?</strong></p><p>Can we become so accustomed to busyness, pressure and constant demands that slowing down actually feels uncomfortable?</p><p>That's what I'll be exploring in the next episode.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>The Curious Pause</strong></p><p> <em>The place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p><p>If this episode resonates with you, I'd love you to share it with someone who might benefit from a little more space in their life.</p><p>Until next time, pause, listen and remember.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>How often have you said, "I'm so stressed!" or "There just aren't enough hours in the day"?</p><p>Stress has become such a familiar part of everyday life that we barely question it anymore. But have we become so accustomed to feeling stressed that we've forgotten what it feels like not to be?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>The Curious Pause</strong>, I explore what stress actually is, how it affects our bodies and minds, and why a natural survival response can become a problem when we rarely give ourselves time to recover.</p><p>From imagining a hungry lion appearing in the countryside to building a children's tower of blocks, I share some simple ways to understand how stress works.</p><p>Imagine each block representing a different demand on your body or mind. A poor night's sleep, running late, getting stuck in traffic, skipping lunch or dealing with another problem at work. The blocks keep piling up until one seemingly insignificant event sends the whole tower tumbling down.</p><p>We often blame that final incident for our reaction, when the real problem may be the stress that's been accumulating over days, weeks or even months.</p><p>I also explore why stress isn't always bad, why we all respond differently to the same situations, and how physical, emotional and environmental pressures can quietly accumulate without us even noticing.</p><p>Drawing on my background in nursing and personalised health, I reflect on the importance of listening to our bodies, recognising the early warning signs and giving ourselves permission to rest.</p><p><strong>In this episode, I explore:</strong></p><ul><li>🦁 Why our fight, flight or freeze response is essential for survival.</li><li>🧱 How everyday stresses accumulate until our tower comes tumbling down.</li><li>🌿 Why stress isn't always harmful and how it can sometimes help us perform.</li><li>💚 The effects of prolonged stress on our physical and emotional wellbeing.</li><li>🧠 How our thoughts and beliefs can influence our stress response.</li><li>👂 Why listening to our bodies matters just as much as listening to our minds.</li><li>🌸 Simple ways to create more space for rest, recovery and balance.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Something to ponder</strong></p><p>Have you become so accustomed to being busy that you've forgotten how to rest?</p><p>What are the little building blocks of stress in your life that you've stopped noticing?</p><p>And what one small change might create a little more space for you?</p><p>You don't have to solve everything today. Sometimes awareness is enough.</p><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode</strong></p><p>In my book <strong>Beyond Hot and Crazy: A Radical Guide to Living Well with Menopause</strong>, I explore the relationship between stress, health and wellbeing, particularly during menopause.</p><p><strong>Coming next</strong></p><p><strong>Are You Addicted to Stress?</strong></p><p>Can we become so accustomed to busyness, pressure and constant demands that slowing down actually feels uncomfortable?</p><p>That's what I'll be exploring in the next episode.</p><p></p><p>🎙️ <strong>The Curious Pause</strong></p><p> <em>The place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p><p>If this episode resonates with you, I'd love you to share it with someone who might benefit from a little more space in their life.</p><p>Until next time, pause, listen and remember.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">a7401efa-e3da-4c91-8d34-aed758d2ebab</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/a39b3f6c-4262-4130-b38b-550d0dd10232/the-curious-pause-stress-episode.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a7401efa-e3da-4c91-8d34-aed758d2ebab.mp3" length="21415645" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>14:52</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>15</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>15</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/27305caa-0b80-4fba-a2da-e71132677757/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Tune In: What Is Your Body Telling You?</title><itunes:title>Tune In: What Is Your Body Telling You?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes we become so caught up in what we're doing that we forget to notice what's happening within us.</p><p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, recorded beside my local canal on a beautiful sunny morning, I explore a simple practice I call <strong>tuning in</strong>.</p><p>For me, tuning in brings together pausing and contemplation. It doesn't need a meditation cushion or half an hour of spare time. I often do it at traffic lights, between tasks or when I'm out walking.</p><p>It begins with the breath.</p><p>How am I breathing right now? Is my breath flowing easily and deeply, or has it become shallow and caught high in my chest?</p><p>Then I move my attention into my body.</p><p>What can I feel? Tension? Warmth? An ache? My feet on the ground? The breeze on my skin?</p><p>Next come the emotions.</p><p>What am I actually feeling right now?</p><p>There is no right or wrong answer. The purpose isn't to change anything. It's simply to notice.</p><p>And finally, I leave a little space and see what pops up.</p><p>Perhaps my body is telling me I'm thirsty, hungry or need to move. Perhaps I need to rest. Maybe I suddenly feel the urge to call someone.</p><p>Our bodies are communicating with us all the time.</p><p>The question is: <strong>are we listening?</strong></p><p>This simple practice has been one of the biggest changes in my own life, and the more I've used it, the easier it has become to notice what's happening not only around me, but within me.</p><p>So today, take a moment.</p><p>Pause.</p><p>Tune in.</p><p>Listen to your breath, your body and your emotions.</p><p>And then leave a little space to discover what comes up.</p><p></p><p>My Tune in - Pause meditation can be downloaded at <a href="https://www.pamlob.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pause-1.mp3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pamlob.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pause-1.mp3</a></p><p></p><p>🎧 <em>The Curious Pause: the place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes we become so caught up in what we're doing that we forget to notice what's happening within us.</p><p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, recorded beside my local canal on a beautiful sunny morning, I explore a simple practice I call <strong>tuning in</strong>.</p><p>For me, tuning in brings together pausing and contemplation. It doesn't need a meditation cushion or half an hour of spare time. I often do it at traffic lights, between tasks or when I'm out walking.</p><p>It begins with the breath.</p><p>How am I breathing right now? Is my breath flowing easily and deeply, or has it become shallow and caught high in my chest?</p><p>Then I move my attention into my body.</p><p>What can I feel? Tension? Warmth? An ache? My feet on the ground? The breeze on my skin?</p><p>Next come the emotions.</p><p>What am I actually feeling right now?</p><p>There is no right or wrong answer. The purpose isn't to change anything. It's simply to notice.</p><p>And finally, I leave a little space and see what pops up.</p><p>Perhaps my body is telling me I'm thirsty, hungry or need to move. Perhaps I need to rest. Maybe I suddenly feel the urge to call someone.</p><p>Our bodies are communicating with us all the time.</p><p>The question is: <strong>are we listening?</strong></p><p>This simple practice has been one of the biggest changes in my own life, and the more I've used it, the easier it has become to notice what's happening not only around me, but within me.</p><p>So today, take a moment.</p><p>Pause.</p><p>Tune in.</p><p>Listen to your breath, your body and your emotions.</p><p>And then leave a little space to discover what comes up.</p><p></p><p>My Tune in - Pause meditation can be downloaded at <a href="https://www.pamlob.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pause-1.mp3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pamlob.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pause-1.mp3</a></p><p></p><p>🎧 <em>The Curious Pause: the place to pause, listen and remember.</em></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">32b6d9cf-fe9e-4fa9-8150-2eba1fea5028</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/06b28541-37ac-471b-a4ab-9d4282932c39/The-Curious-Pause-Tune-In-3000x3000.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/32b6d9cf-fe9e-4fa9-8150-2eba1fea5028.mp3" length="8140217" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>05:39</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>14</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>14</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/9c1b10df-bbc3-4507-ab8f-8582f13e99a0/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:alternateEnclosure type="video/youtube" title="Tune In: What Is Your Body Telling You?"><podcast:source uri="https://youtu.be/F8zQFs-3cSA"/></podcast:alternateEnclosure></item><item><title>When Grief Comes Calling Again</title><itunes:title>When Grief Comes Calling Again</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes a book reaches into the past and brings memories back that you weren't expecting.</p><p>I've just finished reading <em>Searching: A Love Story</em> by Ian Proud, a novel set against the devastating Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. Ian was working at the British Embassy in Bangkok at the time and was one of the first British diplomats sent into the disaster zone. His own experiences of the tsunami and its aftermath, including PTSD, helped inspire the novel.</p><p>Reading it took me straight back to that same Christmas.</p><p>While the world watched the unimaginable devastation unfolding in Thailand, my family was facing a very different kind of loss. My husband, Sandy, was dying from leukaemia. Against the odds, we'd managed to bring him home for Christmas. He died just a couple of weeks later, in January 2005.</p><p>More than twenty years on, Ian's story brought some of those memories back and made me reflect on grief, how differently we each cope with it, and the things I've learnt through my own experience and my later work as a counsellor.</p><p>There is no right or wrong way to grieve.</p><p>For me, coping initially meant keeping incredibly busy. Looking back, I can see how exhausting that became and how close I came to burnout before somebody recognised what was happening and helped me to stop.</p><p>We can become very good at saying:</p><p><em>I'm fine.</em></p><p><em>I can cope.</em></p><p><em>I don't need anybody.</em></p><p>But sometimes the very people we push away are the people we most need to let in.</p><p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, I reflect on death, grief and PTSD, why we find death so difficult to talk about, and why allowing ourselves to receive support can be part of finding our way through loss.</p><p>We never forget the people we've lost. They become part of who we are, and those experiences shape us.</p><p>But we don't have to navigate grief alone.</p><p><strong>Love will always win the day if we allow it.</strong></p><p>📖<strong> Searching: A Love Story</strong></p><p>Ian Proud's novel follows Hatty and Monty, whose relationship is changed by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its aftermath. Ian draws on his own experience working in the disaster zone in Thailand and living with PTSD afterwards.</p><p>You can find out more about Ian and <em>Searching: A Love Story</em> here:</p><p>Ian Proud's official website: <a href="https://www.prouddiplomat.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.prouddiplomat.com/</a></p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><p>🌿 A novel that unexpectedly brought memories of my own grief back</p><p>🌿 Christmas 2004, the Boxing Day tsunami and the final weeks of Sandy's life</p><p>🌿 Why death is something we still struggle to talk about</p><p>🌿 Why there is no "right" way to grieve</p><p>🌿 How keeping constantly busy became my way of coping</p><p>🌿 The importance of recognising when coping becomes exhaustion</p><p>🌿 Why grief can make us push away the very people we need</p><p>🌿 Letting other people support us when life becomes too much</p><p><strong>If you're struggling</strong></p><p>If you're living with grief, depression or PTSD and finding it difficult to cope, please reach out. Talk to someone you trust or seek support from an appropriate professional or support organisation.</p><p>You don't have to carry everything alone.</p><p><strong>Pause. Listen. Remember.</strong></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes a book reaches into the past and brings memories back that you weren't expecting.</p><p>I've just finished reading <em>Searching: A Love Story</em> by Ian Proud, a novel set against the devastating Boxing Day tsunami of 2004. Ian was working at the British Embassy in Bangkok at the time and was one of the first British diplomats sent into the disaster zone. His own experiences of the tsunami and its aftermath, including PTSD, helped inspire the novel.</p><p>Reading it took me straight back to that same Christmas.</p><p>While the world watched the unimaginable devastation unfolding in Thailand, my family was facing a very different kind of loss. My husband, Sandy, was dying from leukaemia. Against the odds, we'd managed to bring him home for Christmas. He died just a couple of weeks later, in January 2005.</p><p>More than twenty years on, Ian's story brought some of those memories back and made me reflect on grief, how differently we each cope with it, and the things I've learnt through my own experience and my later work as a counsellor.</p><p>There is no right or wrong way to grieve.</p><p>For me, coping initially meant keeping incredibly busy. Looking back, I can see how exhausting that became and how close I came to burnout before somebody recognised what was happening and helped me to stop.</p><p>We can become very good at saying:</p><p><em>I'm fine.</em></p><p><em>I can cope.</em></p><p><em>I don't need anybody.</em></p><p>But sometimes the very people we push away are the people we most need to let in.</p><p>In this episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, I reflect on death, grief and PTSD, why we find death so difficult to talk about, and why allowing ourselves to receive support can be part of finding our way through loss.</p><p>We never forget the people we've lost. They become part of who we are, and those experiences shape us.</p><p>But we don't have to navigate grief alone.</p><p><strong>Love will always win the day if we allow it.</strong></p><p>📖<strong> Searching: A Love Story</strong></p><p>Ian Proud's novel follows Hatty and Monty, whose relationship is changed by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and its aftermath. Ian draws on his own experience working in the disaster zone in Thailand and living with PTSD afterwards.</p><p>You can find out more about Ian and <em>Searching: A Love Story</em> here:</p><p>Ian Proud's official website: <a href="https://www.prouddiplomat.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.prouddiplomat.com/</a></p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><p>🌿 A novel that unexpectedly brought memories of my own grief back</p><p>🌿 Christmas 2004, the Boxing Day tsunami and the final weeks of Sandy's life</p><p>🌿 Why death is something we still struggle to talk about</p><p>🌿 Why there is no "right" way to grieve</p><p>🌿 How keeping constantly busy became my way of coping</p><p>🌿 The importance of recognising when coping becomes exhaustion</p><p>🌿 Why grief can make us push away the very people we need</p><p>🌿 Letting other people support us when life becomes too much</p><p><strong>If you're struggling</strong></p><p>If you're living with grief, depression or PTSD and finding it difficult to cope, please reach out. Talk to someone you trust or seek support from an appropriate professional or support organisation.</p><p>You don't have to carry everything alone.</p><p><strong>Pause. Listen. Remember.</strong></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">3f9980c4-ef84-4d82-8fef-883152696c70</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/187f0162-7be5-4362-951b-4268f1bbba14/When-Grief-Comes-Calling-Again-3000x3000-under-2MB.jpg"/><pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/3f9980c4-ef84-4d82-8fef-883152696c70.mp3" length="10692484" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>07:25</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>13</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>13</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/b8dbbb02-5fc5-485e-afc9-5a96c9a6e19c/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>The Heart as Home - Love, Healing, and Self-Compassion</title><itunes:title>The Heart as Home - Love, Healing, and Self-Compassion</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>What if the heart is not just a pump, but a doorway back to your most authentic self? Pam explores the heart as science, symbolism, and healing all at once - and why learning to soften around it may change how you love, grieve, and live.She traces the heart’s deeper role across cultures and modern research, from the heart-brain connection and heart coherence to the intriguing reports from heart transplant recipients who describe shifts in taste, personality, and even memory-like experiences. Then the episode turns inward, into the way early hurt can teach us to build walls around the heart - and how those defenses can follow us into adulthood.You'll hear Pam reflect on her own childhood, the independence she learned early, and the long inner work of becoming more vulnerable, self-compassionate, and open. She shares a powerful reframing: maybe healing is not about creating something new, but reconnecting with something that was never truly broken.You'll discover:</p><ul><li>Why heart coherence matters for emotional wellbeing and healing</li><li>What makes the heart-brain relationship so much more mysterious than most of us realize</li><li>Why transplant stories keep raising big questions about consciousness and identity</li><li>How childhood protection patterns can become lifelong habits</li><li>The difference between self-love as a slogan and self-love as real compassion</li></ul><br/><p>Pam also makes a case for emotional wholeness - the idea that love includes joy, grief, anger, fear, and tenderness, not just the pleasant parts. If you’ve ever felt guarded, overly self-reliant, or unsure how to be kind to yourself, this conversation offers a gentle but profound invitation to come home.Perfect for anyone drawn to heart-centered healing, emotional resilience, spirituality, and the deeper meaning of gratitude. By the end, you may find yourself seeing the heart not as a destination, but as a home you’ve had all along.</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 - Gratitude begins in the heart</p><p>00:29 - The heart as love, wisdom, and a "little brain"</p><p>00:58 - Heart coherence and the heart's energetic field</p><p>01:26 - Heart transplant stories and questions about memory</p><p>02:33 - The heart, body, brain, and consciousness</p><p>03:02 - Early childhood protection and building walls around the heart</p><p>04:25 - Learning to soften, trust, and feel vulnerable</p><p>05:28 - Self-love as compassion, forgiveness, and rest</p><p>06:24 - Love includes grief, anger, and pain</p><p>06:55 - Emotions moving through us like they do in children</p><p>07:29 - A simple heart-centered practice for daily life</p><p>07:59 - Rumi on love beyond separation</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What if the heart is not just a pump, but a doorway back to your most authentic self? Pam explores the heart as science, symbolism, and healing all at once - and why learning to soften around it may change how you love, grieve, and live.She traces the heart’s deeper role across cultures and modern research, from the heart-brain connection and heart coherence to the intriguing reports from heart transplant recipients who describe shifts in taste, personality, and even memory-like experiences. Then the episode turns inward, into the way early hurt can teach us to build walls around the heart - and how those defenses can follow us into adulthood.You'll hear Pam reflect on her own childhood, the independence she learned early, and the long inner work of becoming more vulnerable, self-compassionate, and open. She shares a powerful reframing: maybe healing is not about creating something new, but reconnecting with something that was never truly broken.You'll discover:</p><ul><li>Why heart coherence matters for emotional wellbeing and healing</li><li>What makes the heart-brain relationship so much more mysterious than most of us realize</li><li>Why transplant stories keep raising big questions about consciousness and identity</li><li>How childhood protection patterns can become lifelong habits</li><li>The difference between self-love as a slogan and self-love as real compassion</li></ul><br/><p>Pam also makes a case for emotional wholeness - the idea that love includes joy, grief, anger, fear, and tenderness, not just the pleasant parts. If you’ve ever felt guarded, overly self-reliant, or unsure how to be kind to yourself, this conversation offers a gentle but profound invitation to come home.Perfect for anyone drawn to heart-centered healing, emotional resilience, spirituality, and the deeper meaning of gratitude. By the end, you may find yourself seeing the heart not as a destination, but as a home you’ve had all along.</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 - Gratitude begins in the heart</p><p>00:29 - The heart as love, wisdom, and a "little brain"</p><p>00:58 - Heart coherence and the heart's energetic field</p><p>01:26 - Heart transplant stories and questions about memory</p><p>02:33 - The heart, body, brain, and consciousness</p><p>03:02 - Early childhood protection and building walls around the heart</p><p>04:25 - Learning to soften, trust, and feel vulnerable</p><p>05:28 - Self-love as compassion, forgiveness, and rest</p><p>06:24 - Love includes grief, anger, and pain</p><p>06:55 - Emotions moving through us like they do in children</p><p>07:29 - A simple heart-centered practice for daily life</p><p>07:59 - Rumi on love beyond separation</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">992378fd-7d8e-4f53-b021-5b0741d6532f</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/5810d1a0-ede8-4ba9-b6f2-cbe9f15cc346/the-heart.jpeg"/><pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/992378fd-7d8e-4f53-b021-5b0741d6532f.mp3" length="11319423" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>07:52</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>12</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>12</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/5a304695-7caa-49ae-acf4-8bc151473ac9/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Fireworks: Do We Really Need Them at Home?</title><itunes:title>Fireworks: Do We Really Need Them at Home?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>🎆<strong> In this episode</strong></p><p>I talk about why Bonfire Night has become much more than one night, the effect of unpredictable fireworks on people with PTSD and sensory sensitivities, the impact on pets, livestock and wildlife, firework injuries and the surprising danger of sparklers, and the amount of money we spend on something that disappears within seconds.</p><p></p><p>Every November I find myself asking the same question: <strong>why do we still need to set fireworks off at home?</strong></p><p>I'm not against fireworks. I enjoy a spectacular organised display as much as anyone. But organised displays happen at a known time and place. You can choose whether to attend, and people and pet owners who struggle with the noise can prepare.</p><p>Private fireworks are different.</p><p>A sudden explosion doesn't feel like entertainment to everyone.</p><p>For veterans and others living with PTSD, an unexpected bang can be deeply distressing. Autistic people and others with sensory sensitivities may find the unpredictable noise overwhelming.</p><p>Then there are our animals. Dogs hiding or trying to escape, horses and livestock panicking in fields, and wildlife with no understanding of why their normally quiet world has suddenly erupted in explosions.</p><p>And fireworks cause real injuries.</p><p>Historically, around 1,000 firework injuries a year were recorded in Britain. The Children's Burns Trust says more than <strong>550 children under 16</strong> are taken to A&amp;E during the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night.</p><p>Even the seemingly innocent sparkler can burn at temperatures approaching <strong>2,000°C</strong>.</p><p>Then there's the money. The UK fireworks industry has been described as being worth around <strong>£200 million a year</strong>.</p><p>Just imagine what even a fraction of that money could do elsewhere.</p><p>So I'm not calling for an end to fireworks.</p><p>I'm asking something much simpler:</p><p><strong>Do we really need to let them off at home?</strong></p><p>There are organised displays across the country. They're spectacular, predictable, managed by professionals and many raise money for charities and local organisations.</p><p>Is a few minutes of colour in the sky worth the fear it may cause to the veteran down the road, the dog hiding under the table, the horse panicking in a field, the wildlife we never see or the child who ends the evening in A&amp;E?</p><p>Sometimes traditions deserve to be celebrated.</p><p><strong>And sometimes they deserve to be questioned.</strong></p><p>Pause. Ponder.</p><p>And perhaps this time, leave the fireworks to the organised displays.</p><p></p><p><strong>Children's Burns Trust – Fireworks</strong></p><p> <a href="https://cbtrust.org.uk/get-informed/causes-of-burns-and-preventions/fireworks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://cbtrust.org.uk/get-informed/causes-of-burns-and-preventions/fireworks/</a></p><p><strong>UK Government – Fireworks and Pyrotechnics in the UK</strong></p><p> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk</a></p><p><strong>NHS England – Firework and burns injuries</strong></p><p> <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/11/demand-for-nhs-burns-care-soars-over-bonfire-night-and-diwali/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/11/demand-for-nhs-burns-care-soars-over-bonfire-night-and-diwali/</a></p><p><strong>UK Parliament – Firework injury hospital admissions</strong></p><p> <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-10/88976" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-10/88976</a></p><p><strong>House of Commons – Fireworks Sale and Use debate</strong></p><p> <a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-12-09/debates/CCC2EF11-D537-40A7-9D1F-3451071819B5/FireworksSaleAndUse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-12-09/debates/CCC2EF11-D537-40A7-9D1F-3451071819B5/FireworksSaleAndUse</a></p><p></p><p>I’ve written a more in-depth article on this subject going into the horrifying statistics <a href="https://pamlob.substack.com/p/why-do-we-still-allow-fireworks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://pamlob.substack.com/p/why-do-we-still-allow-fireworks</a></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>🎆<strong> In this episode</strong></p><p>I talk about why Bonfire Night has become much more than one night, the effect of unpredictable fireworks on people with PTSD and sensory sensitivities, the impact on pets, livestock and wildlife, firework injuries and the surprising danger of sparklers, and the amount of money we spend on something that disappears within seconds.</p><p></p><p>Every November I find myself asking the same question: <strong>why do we still need to set fireworks off at home?</strong></p><p>I'm not against fireworks. I enjoy a spectacular organised display as much as anyone. But organised displays happen at a known time and place. You can choose whether to attend, and people and pet owners who struggle with the noise can prepare.</p><p>Private fireworks are different.</p><p>A sudden explosion doesn't feel like entertainment to everyone.</p><p>For veterans and others living with PTSD, an unexpected bang can be deeply distressing. Autistic people and others with sensory sensitivities may find the unpredictable noise overwhelming.</p><p>Then there are our animals. Dogs hiding or trying to escape, horses and livestock panicking in fields, and wildlife with no understanding of why their normally quiet world has suddenly erupted in explosions.</p><p>And fireworks cause real injuries.</p><p>Historically, around 1,000 firework injuries a year were recorded in Britain. The Children's Burns Trust says more than <strong>550 children under 16</strong> are taken to A&amp;E during the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night.</p><p>Even the seemingly innocent sparkler can burn at temperatures approaching <strong>2,000°C</strong>.</p><p>Then there's the money. The UK fireworks industry has been described as being worth around <strong>£200 million a year</strong>.</p><p>Just imagine what even a fraction of that money could do elsewhere.</p><p>So I'm not calling for an end to fireworks.</p><p>I'm asking something much simpler:</p><p><strong>Do we really need to let them off at home?</strong></p><p>There are organised displays across the country. They're spectacular, predictable, managed by professionals and many raise money for charities and local organisations.</p><p>Is a few minutes of colour in the sky worth the fear it may cause to the veteran down the road, the dog hiding under the table, the horse panicking in a field, the wildlife we never see or the child who ends the evening in A&amp;E?</p><p>Sometimes traditions deserve to be celebrated.</p><p><strong>And sometimes they deserve to be questioned.</strong></p><p>Pause. Ponder.</p><p>And perhaps this time, leave the fireworks to the organised displays.</p><p></p><p><strong>Children's Burns Trust – Fireworks</strong></p><p> <a href="https://cbtrust.org.uk/get-informed/causes-of-burns-and-preventions/fireworks/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://cbtrust.org.uk/get-informed/causes-of-burns-and-preventions/fireworks/</a></p><p><strong>UK Government – Fireworks and Pyrotechnics in the UK</strong></p><p> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk/fireworks-and-pyrotechnics-in-the-uk</a></p><p><strong>NHS England – Firework and burns injuries</strong></p><p> <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/11/demand-for-nhs-burns-care-soars-over-bonfire-night-and-diwali/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/2019/11/demand-for-nhs-burns-care-soars-over-bonfire-night-and-diwali/</a></p><p><strong>UK Parliament – Firework injury hospital admissions</strong></p><p> <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-10/88976" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-10/88976</a></p><p><strong>House of Commons – Fireworks Sale and Use debate</strong></p><p> <a href="https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-12-09/debates/CCC2EF11-D537-40A7-9D1F-3451071819B5/FireworksSaleAndUse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-12-09/debates/CCC2EF11-D537-40A7-9D1F-3451071819B5/FireworksSaleAndUse</a></p><p></p><p>I’ve written a more in-depth article on this subject going into the horrifying statistics <a href="https://pamlob.substack.com/p/why-do-we-still-allow-fireworks" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://pamlob.substack.com/p/why-do-we-still-allow-fireworks</a></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">00d66502-9063-45a1-b144-0764c06ce18d</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/7355adc8-dda1-4ac3-b0ac-8db5b07fcf85/Fireworks-Curious-Pause-under-2MB.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/00d66502-9063-45a1-b144-0764c06ce18d.mp3" length="9897526" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:52</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>11</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>11</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/1192682c-a42b-489a-a027-ae828a8a450c/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>What Happens When You Listen to the Ideas That Find You?</title><itunes:title>What Happens When You Listen to the Ideas That Find You?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam reflects on the experience of a story or character arriving seemingly from nowhere, using her character Monia as an example. She explores how listening to those inner nudges can lead to richer writing, unexpected research, and a deeper connection to creativity.</p><p>In this episode, Pam shares how Monia appeared during a writing retreat and then deepened through meditation at a Hay House writers boot camp, eventually shaping the <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em> books. She also considers whether creative ideas come from imagination, the subconscious, intuition, or something larger, and why the source may matter less than what the idea helps us create.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Pam introduces the idea of listening beyond the mind, body, and emotions to the sudden arrival of a character or image.</li><li>Monia first appeared as an older woman teaching a young girl about becoming a daughter of Gaia.</li><li>A later meditation at a Hay House writers boot camp gave Monia a stronger voice and backstory.</li><li>Pam describes Monia's childhood in the Emerald Isles, her escape after family tragedy, and the beginning of <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em>.</li><li>The story expands into Kemet, ancient Egypt, including the Mouseion in Alexandria, temples, the Sphinx, and the pyramids.</li><li>Pam explains her process: images often come first, then she researches to find real places that match what she has already sensed.</li><li>She wonders whether the images come from imagination, subconscious memory, past lives, or the collective unconscious.</li><li>Elizabeth Gilbert's <em>Big Magic</em> is referenced for the idea that ideas have lives of their own and may move on if not acted on.</li><li>Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious is used as another possible framework for where creative material comes from.</li><li>What matters most to Pam is that listening to Monia brought her back to writing, expanded her knowledge, and rekindled her love of the process.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 - How a character can arrive from nowhere</p><p>00:30 - Monia appears during a writing retreat</p><p>01:08 - Meditation at Hay House writers boot camp</p><p>01:37 - Monia's origins in the Emerald Isles</p><p>02:07 - Writing ancient Egypt without modern distraction</p><p>02:34 - Images first, research second</p><p>03:19 - Journey into ancient India and China</p><p>03:47 - Writing as if inside the story</p><p>04:15 - Elizabeth Gilbert on ideas with their own lives</p><p>04:42 - Carl Jung and the collective unconscious</p><p>05:08 - Why the origin of an idea may not matter</p><p>05:35 - How Monia brought Pam back to writing</p><p>06:02 - The real question: what happens if you listen?</p><p>06:32 - Listening as a way to reconnect with Gaia</p><p><strong>Notable quotes</strong></p><p>"Perhaps sometimes we simply need to become quiet enough to notice what's already trying to reach us."</p><p>"What matters to me is what has happened since I listened."</p><p>"Perhaps the more interesting question is, what will happen if I listen to it?"</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam reflects on the experience of a story or character arriving seemingly from nowhere, using her character Monia as an example. She explores how listening to those inner nudges can lead to richer writing, unexpected research, and a deeper connection to creativity.</p><p>In this episode, Pam shares how Monia appeared during a writing retreat and then deepened through meditation at a Hay House writers boot camp, eventually shaping the <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em> books. She also considers whether creative ideas come from imagination, the subconscious, intuition, or something larger, and why the source may matter less than what the idea helps us create.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Pam introduces the idea of listening beyond the mind, body, and emotions to the sudden arrival of a character or image.</li><li>Monia first appeared as an older woman teaching a young girl about becoming a daughter of Gaia.</li><li>A later meditation at a Hay House writers boot camp gave Monia a stronger voice and backstory.</li><li>Pam describes Monia's childhood in the Emerald Isles, her escape after family tragedy, and the beginning of <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em>.</li><li>The story expands into Kemet, ancient Egypt, including the Mouseion in Alexandria, temples, the Sphinx, and the pyramids.</li><li>Pam explains her process: images often come first, then she researches to find real places that match what she has already sensed.</li><li>She wonders whether the images come from imagination, subconscious memory, past lives, or the collective unconscious.</li><li>Elizabeth Gilbert's <em>Big Magic</em> is referenced for the idea that ideas have lives of their own and may move on if not acted on.</li><li>Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious is used as another possible framework for where creative material comes from.</li><li>What matters most to Pam is that listening to Monia brought her back to writing, expanded her knowledge, and rekindled her love of the process.</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 - How a character can arrive from nowhere</p><p>00:30 - Monia appears during a writing retreat</p><p>01:08 - Meditation at Hay House writers boot camp</p><p>01:37 - Monia's origins in the Emerald Isles</p><p>02:07 - Writing ancient Egypt without modern distraction</p><p>02:34 - Images first, research second</p><p>03:19 - Journey into ancient India and China</p><p>03:47 - Writing as if inside the story</p><p>04:15 - Elizabeth Gilbert on ideas with their own lives</p><p>04:42 - Carl Jung and the collective unconscious</p><p>05:08 - Why the origin of an idea may not matter</p><p>05:35 - How Monia brought Pam back to writing</p><p>06:02 - The real question: what happens if you listen?</p><p>06:32 - Listening as a way to reconnect with Gaia</p><p><strong>Notable quotes</strong></p><p>"Perhaps sometimes we simply need to become quiet enough to notice what's already trying to reach us."</p><p>"What matters to me is what has happened since I listened."</p><p>"Perhaps the more interesting question is, what will happen if I listen to it?"</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">b04936a0-852b-4f06-8d28-6c94bf280f31</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/e58944c4-28d2-49fd-9763-e0eb358074de/Monia.jpeg"/><pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/b04936a0-852b-4f06-8d28-6c94bf280f31.mp3" length="9700667" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:44</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>10</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/6e1d1b57-d840-485a-9078-051437aae44d/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Notice What’s Already Here - Gratitude as a daily noticing practice</title><itunes:title>Notice What’s Already Here - Gratitude as a daily noticing practice</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam shares a simple, grounded reflection on gratitude and why it matters beyond surface-level positivity. Drawing from a dog walk, everyday comforts, and her counseling work, she explains how a no-repeat gratitude journal can retrain attention and help you notice more of what is already present.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Gratitude as a way to reconnect with body, mind, and soul through small daily pauses</li><li>Why gratitude is not denial of grief, illness, or financial difficulty</li><li>Lessons from seeing resilience and pride in people living with far less material comfort</li><li>How everyday details can become gratitude anchors: tea, clean water, a warm bed, a dog greeting you, flowers, sunlight, and kind interactions</li><li>The gratitude journal exercise Pam used with clients: write 3 to 5 things each night, with no repeats</li><li>How the no-repeat rule forces deeper noticing, not just recycled phrases</li><li>Why keeping the practice at bedtime can redirect the mind away from worry and rumination</li><li>How repeated gratitude practice turns into a daylong habit of attention rather than a bedtime task</li><li>The central point that gratitude is less about forcing positive feelings and more about noticing what we usually walk past</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><ul><li>(00:21) Why gratitude came up after a morning dog walk</li><li>(00:49) Finding gratitude in weather, home, and a simple walk</li><li>(01:48) Gratitude is not pretending life is easy</li><li>(02:17) Seeing pride and care in people living with less</li><li>(02:56) How focus on what we lack crowds out what we have</li><li>(03:24) Small everyday things that are easy to overlook</li><li>(03:52) The gratitude journal exercise Pam used with clients</li><li>(04:21) The no-repeat rule and why it deepens awareness</li><li>(05:20) Gratitude as training your attention</li><li>(06:20) Why gratitude helps quiet bedtime worry</li><li>(06:50) The invitation to start tonight with three things</li><li>(07:18) Noticing what you usually walk straight past</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Action items</strong></p><ul><li>Find a small notebook and keep it beside your bed</li><li>Tonight, write down 3 things you are grateful for</li><li>Tomorrow night, write 3 different things with no repeats</li><li>Notice what starts to change during the day</li><li>Pause during ordinary moments and ask: what have I noticed that I can appreciate right now?</li></ul><br/><p></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam shares a simple, grounded reflection on gratitude and why it matters beyond surface-level positivity. Drawing from a dog walk, everyday comforts, and her counseling work, she explains how a no-repeat gratitude journal can retrain attention and help you notice more of what is already present.</p><p><strong>Key topics</strong></p><ul><li>Gratitude as a way to reconnect with body, mind, and soul through small daily pauses</li><li>Why gratitude is not denial of grief, illness, or financial difficulty</li><li>Lessons from seeing resilience and pride in people living with far less material comfort</li><li>How everyday details can become gratitude anchors: tea, clean water, a warm bed, a dog greeting you, flowers, sunlight, and kind interactions</li><li>The gratitude journal exercise Pam used with clients: write 3 to 5 things each night, with no repeats</li><li>How the no-repeat rule forces deeper noticing, not just recycled phrases</li><li>Why keeping the practice at bedtime can redirect the mind away from worry and rumination</li><li>How repeated gratitude practice turns into a daylong habit of attention rather than a bedtime task</li><li>The central point that gratitude is less about forcing positive feelings and more about noticing what we usually walk past</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><ul><li>(00:21) Why gratitude came up after a morning dog walk</li><li>(00:49) Finding gratitude in weather, home, and a simple walk</li><li>(01:48) Gratitude is not pretending life is easy</li><li>(02:17) Seeing pride and care in people living with less</li><li>(02:56) How focus on what we lack crowds out what we have</li><li>(03:24) Small everyday things that are easy to overlook</li><li>(03:52) The gratitude journal exercise Pam used with clients</li><li>(04:21) The no-repeat rule and why it deepens awareness</li><li>(05:20) Gratitude as training your attention</li><li>(06:20) Why gratitude helps quiet bedtime worry</li><li>(06:50) The invitation to start tonight with three things</li><li>(07:18) Noticing what you usually walk straight past</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Action items</strong></p><ul><li>Find a small notebook and keep it beside your bed</li><li>Tonight, write down 3 things you are grateful for</li><li>Tomorrow night, write 3 different things with no repeats</li><li>Notice what starts to change during the day</li><li>Pause during ordinary moments and ask: what have I noticed that I can appreciate right now?</li></ul><br/><p></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">8ae417b3-1aa5-4644-afc0-a47e70730aa2</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/0c7b0d6d-9130-479d-9c11-f0ecf81459ba/gratitude.jpeg"/><pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8ae417b3-1aa5-4644-afc0-a47e70730aa2.mp3" length="10678065" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>07:25</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>9</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>9</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/afcb3c59-3be4-4665-961e-a4a3883776da/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>All the Colours of Being Human</title><itunes:title>All the Colours of Being Human</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam explores emotions as part of being human and considers how they connect the body, mind and experiences around us. She describes emotions as immediate bodily responses that the mind then interprets—and notes that feelings can arise even when we’re safely at home, thinking about the past or anticipating the future.</p><p>Drawing on her own experience of learning to suppress anger, Pam reflects on how judging or pushing away emotions can make it harder to understand them. Instead, she suggests noticing what you feel, acknowledging it without letting it control your actions, and finding safe ways to express it. Emotions, she says, can offer clues: anger may signal a crossed boundary, fear may be protective, and sadness may point to a meaningful loss.</p><p>The episode invites us to get curious about our feelings, allow them to change, and ask what we need—rather than trying to feel good all the time.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How bodily responses and the mind shape emotional experiences</li><li>Why some of us learned to label certain feelings as unacceptable</li><li>Pam’s experience of suppressing and acknowledging anger</li><li>Finding safe ways to express difficult emotions</li><li>What emotions may be communicating</li><li>Pausing to ask what you’re feeling and what you need</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:21</strong> Emotions, feelings and the body</li><li><strong>0:49</strong> The body’s immediate response</li><li><strong>1:17</strong> How the mind interprets an experience</li><li><strong>1:40</strong> Shifting attention—and letting feelings be felt</li><li><strong>1:49</strong> Messages we learn about emotions</li><li><strong>2:17</strong> The impact of judging or suppressing feelings</li><li><strong>2:45</strong> Pam’s experience with anger</li><li><strong>3:15</strong> Acknowledging and expressing anger safely</li><li><strong>4:07</strong> Emotions as a full spectrum</li><li><strong>4:49</strong> Getting curious about what feelings may tell us</li><li><strong>5:17</strong> Emotions as messengers</li><li><strong>5:44</strong> Pausing to feel and ask what you need</li><li><strong>6:20</strong> Making space for the full range of emotions</li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam explores emotions as part of being human and considers how they connect the body, mind and experiences around us. She describes emotions as immediate bodily responses that the mind then interprets—and notes that feelings can arise even when we’re safely at home, thinking about the past or anticipating the future.</p><p>Drawing on her own experience of learning to suppress anger, Pam reflects on how judging or pushing away emotions can make it harder to understand them. Instead, she suggests noticing what you feel, acknowledging it without letting it control your actions, and finding safe ways to express it. Emotions, she says, can offer clues: anger may signal a crossed boundary, fear may be protective, and sadness may point to a meaningful loss.</p><p>The episode invites us to get curious about our feelings, allow them to change, and ask what we need—rather than trying to feel good all the time.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How bodily responses and the mind shape emotional experiences</li><li>Why some of us learned to label certain feelings as unacceptable</li><li>Pam’s experience of suppressing and acknowledging anger</li><li>Finding safe ways to express difficult emotions</li><li>What emotions may be communicating</li><li>Pausing to ask what you’re feeling and what you need</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:21</strong> Emotions, feelings and the body</li><li><strong>0:49</strong> The body’s immediate response</li><li><strong>1:17</strong> How the mind interprets an experience</li><li><strong>1:40</strong> Shifting attention—and letting feelings be felt</li><li><strong>1:49</strong> Messages we learn about emotions</li><li><strong>2:17</strong> The impact of judging or suppressing feelings</li><li><strong>2:45</strong> Pam’s experience with anger</li><li><strong>3:15</strong> Acknowledging and expressing anger safely</li><li><strong>4:07</strong> Emotions as a full spectrum</li><li><strong>4:49</strong> Getting curious about what feelings may tell us</li><li><strong>5:17</strong> Emotions as messengers</li><li><strong>5:44</strong> Pausing to feel and ask what you need</li><li><strong>6:20</strong> Making space for the full range of emotions</li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">c45f5fba-f6d2-4c9a-9ecc-b2c571b39180</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/753186bb-fe4b-4515-bc21-037a1976d9ec/all-the-colours-of-being-human-podcast.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/c45f5fba-f6d2-4c9a-9ecc-b2c571b39180.mp3" length="9935769" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:54</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>8</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>8</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/f46a3547-d41b-46e4-916d-1e64b3e566a6/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Walk, Notice, Connect</title><itunes:title>Walk, Notice, Connect</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Life can feel busy and frenetic. In this episode, Pam explores mindful walking as a simple way to slow down, reconnect with yourself and become more aware of the world around you.</p><p>Walking through the local countryside, she describes tuning in to the feeling of each step, the rhythm of your breath, and the sounds and sights along the way. Mindful walking isn’t limited to nature either. It can be practised on a busy city street, noticing the people, traffic, buildings and shop windows you might normally pass without a second glance.</p><p>The walk takes Pam along an old stone route once used by mill workers travelling between villages and mills, whatever the weather and even in the dark. Reflecting on how carefully they would have needed to navigate their surroundings, she considers how easy it is today to become distracted by our phones and miss what is happening around us.</p><p>She ends with a simple invitation: put the phone away, take a walk and notice what you discover.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>What mindful walking is and how to practise it</li><li>Noticing your feet, breath and surroundings</li><li>Bringing mindful awareness to city walks</li><li>The history of an old route used by mill workers</li><li>How our phones can disconnect us from our surroundings</li><li>Finding greater awareness and gratitude in everyday life</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p><strong>0:21</strong> Introducing mindful walking</p><p> <strong>0:50</strong> You can walk mindfully anywhere</p><p> <strong>1:18</strong> Tuning in to your body and breath</p><p> <strong>1:48</strong> Noticing the landscape around you</p><p> <strong>2:19</strong> An old path between village and mills</p><p> <strong>2:47</strong> Walking the route in all weather</p><p> <strong>3:16</strong> Travelling in the dark</p><p> <strong>3:41</strong> Navigating the path and its obstacles</p><p> <strong>4:11</strong> What mindful walking means today</p><p> <strong>5:09</strong> Bringing awareness to city walks</p><p> <strong>5:36</strong> A simple invitation to try mindful walking</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Life can feel busy and frenetic. In this episode, Pam explores mindful walking as a simple way to slow down, reconnect with yourself and become more aware of the world around you.</p><p>Walking through the local countryside, she describes tuning in to the feeling of each step, the rhythm of your breath, and the sounds and sights along the way. Mindful walking isn’t limited to nature either. It can be practised on a busy city street, noticing the people, traffic, buildings and shop windows you might normally pass without a second glance.</p><p>The walk takes Pam along an old stone route once used by mill workers travelling between villages and mills, whatever the weather and even in the dark. Reflecting on how carefully they would have needed to navigate their surroundings, she considers how easy it is today to become distracted by our phones and miss what is happening around us.</p><p>She ends with a simple invitation: put the phone away, take a walk and notice what you discover.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>What mindful walking is and how to practise it</li><li>Noticing your feet, breath and surroundings</li><li>Bringing mindful awareness to city walks</li><li>The history of an old route used by mill workers</li><li>How our phones can disconnect us from our surroundings</li><li>Finding greater awareness and gratitude in everyday life</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p><strong>0:21</strong> Introducing mindful walking</p><p> <strong>0:50</strong> You can walk mindfully anywhere</p><p> <strong>1:18</strong> Tuning in to your body and breath</p><p> <strong>1:48</strong> Noticing the landscape around you</p><p> <strong>2:19</strong> An old path between village and mills</p><p> <strong>2:47</strong> Walking the route in all weather</p><p> <strong>3:16</strong> Travelling in the dark</p><p> <strong>3:41</strong> Navigating the path and its obstacles</p><p> <strong>4:11</strong> What mindful walking means today</p><p> <strong>5:09</strong> Bringing awareness to city walks</p><p> <strong>5:36</strong> A simple invitation to try mindful walking</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">37c73f7a-feb8-4778-92ae-9c3904273055</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/2fa92bda-ef55-4d3c-a84b-7747ed6ae84b/walk-notice-connect-podcast.jpg"/><pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/37c73f7a-feb8-4778-92ae-9c3904273055.mp3" length="9031097" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:16</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>7</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/d2626332-ff80-4fac-9298-5174e6c67ef5/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>The Body Whispers</title><itunes:title>The Body Whispers</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam turns from the mind to the body, reflecting on how easy it is to overlook its signals in the rush of everyday life. Hunger, thirst, tiredness, tension and the need to move or rest are all ways the body communicates—yet we often push through or dismiss what we feel.</p><p>She encourages a more curious and compassionate relationship with the body: alongside seeking medical care when needed, consider how sleep, food, movement, stress and emotions may be affecting your wellbeing. Pam also shares simple ways to care for the body, from walking and gardening to dancing around the kitchen, and invites us to appreciate the remarkable work our bodies do every day.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Listening to signals like hunger, tiredness and tension</li><li>Finding balance between body, mind and spirit</li><li>Exploring sleep, food, movement, rest and stress</li><li>Choosing enjoyable ways to stay active</li><li>Appreciating your body without focusing on criticism</li><li>Caring for and listening to the body you have</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:21</strong> Moving from the mind to the body</li><li><strong>0:45</strong> The body’s remarkable ability to heal</li><li><strong>1:14</strong> Finding balance and listening inward</li><li><strong>1:38</strong> Everyday signals we may ignore</li><li><strong>2:07</strong> When the body whispers or shouts</li><li><strong>2:36</strong> Health, illness and seeking medical care</li><li><strong>3:07</strong> Questions to explore alongside medical support</li><li><strong>3:34</strong> Rest, nature and nurturing the body</li><li><strong>4:02</strong> Finding enjoyable ways to move</li><li><strong>4:31</strong> Everyday movement and getting outside</li><li><strong>4:53</strong> Pam’s thoughts on sunlight and vitamin D</li><li><strong>5:21</strong> Building a relationship with your body</li><li><strong>5:39</strong> Appreciating what your body does</li><li><strong>6:08</strong> Nourishing, moving, resting and listening</li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam turns from the mind to the body, reflecting on how easy it is to overlook its signals in the rush of everyday life. Hunger, thirst, tiredness, tension and the need to move or rest are all ways the body communicates—yet we often push through or dismiss what we feel.</p><p>She encourages a more curious and compassionate relationship with the body: alongside seeking medical care when needed, consider how sleep, food, movement, stress and emotions may be affecting your wellbeing. Pam also shares simple ways to care for the body, from walking and gardening to dancing around the kitchen, and invites us to appreciate the remarkable work our bodies do every day.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Listening to signals like hunger, tiredness and tension</li><li>Finding balance between body, mind and spirit</li><li>Exploring sleep, food, movement, rest and stress</li><li>Choosing enjoyable ways to stay active</li><li>Appreciating your body without focusing on criticism</li><li>Caring for and listening to the body you have</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:21</strong> Moving from the mind to the body</li><li><strong>0:45</strong> The body’s remarkable ability to heal</li><li><strong>1:14</strong> Finding balance and listening inward</li><li><strong>1:38</strong> Everyday signals we may ignore</li><li><strong>2:07</strong> When the body whispers or shouts</li><li><strong>2:36</strong> Health, illness and seeking medical care</li><li><strong>3:07</strong> Questions to explore alongside medical support</li><li><strong>3:34</strong> Rest, nature and nurturing the body</li><li><strong>4:02</strong> Finding enjoyable ways to move</li><li><strong>4:31</strong> Everyday movement and getting outside</li><li><strong>4:53</strong> Pam’s thoughts on sunlight and vitamin D</li><li><strong>5:21</strong> Building a relationship with your body</li><li><strong>5:39</strong> Appreciating what your body does</li><li><strong>6:08</strong> Nourishing, moving, resting and listening</li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">34750266-7669-4f77-99df-871ecce14d93</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/b0fa15d5-2501-4c1b-978d-8154a8b50ee8/the-body-whispers-podcast.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/34750266-7669-4f77-99df-871ecce14d93.mp3" length="10074323" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>07:00</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>6</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/d9edf6ed-a688-4d68-aee1-c03c800017ec/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>🧠 Who&apos;s Running the Show?</title><itunes:title>🧠 Who&apos;s Running the Show?</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam explores the mind as a powerful meaning-maker: it helps interpret messages from the body and the world, but can also keep us caught in regret about the past, worry about the future and stories that no longer serve us. She reflects on how early experiences can shape unconscious beliefs and habits, and uses the iceberg analogy to consider the relationship between conscious and subconscious thought.</p><p>The episode also asks what we choose to feed our minds. Pam shares how stepping back from a constant stream of news and social media—and giving our attention to activities like walking, reading, gardening, cooking or creating—can help us reconnect with the present. She wonders whether consciousness might extend beyond the individual mind, while making clear she doesn’t know the answer.</p><p>Pam’s closing thought: the mind can be a remarkable tool when it supports us, but it may not be meant to run the whole show.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How the mind interprets messages from the body and the world</li><li>Why we can get caught in past regrets and future worries</li><li>How early experiences may shape unconscious patterns</li><li>The conscious and subconscious mind, explored through an iceberg analogy</li><li>The effects of repeated self-talk and mental input</li><li>Using focused, creative activities to return to the present</li><li>The mind as a helpful translator rather than the “master”</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:20</strong> The mind as a meaning-maker</li><li><strong>0:49</strong> Disconnecting from the constant flow of information</li><li><strong>1:17</strong> The mind’s stories about past and future</li><li><strong>1:47</strong> Where patterns may begin</li><li><strong>2:14</strong> The conscious and subconscious mind</li><li><strong>2:42</strong> The subconscious as a storehouse of habits</li><li><strong>3:31</strong> Self-talk, imagination and the mind</li><li><strong>4:01</strong> Wondering where ideas come from</li><li><strong>4:39</strong> Ideas, memories and <em>Big Magic</em></li><li><strong>5:08</strong> Bringing the mind back into balance</li><li><strong>5:38</strong> Being more conscious of what we consume</li><li><strong>5:53</strong> Returning to the present through activity</li><li><strong>6:23</strong> Recognising and changing old patterns</li><li><strong>6:53</strong> The mind as a powerful tool</li><li><strong>7:19</strong> A servant, not the master</li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam explores the mind as a powerful meaning-maker: it helps interpret messages from the body and the world, but can also keep us caught in regret about the past, worry about the future and stories that no longer serve us. She reflects on how early experiences can shape unconscious beliefs and habits, and uses the iceberg analogy to consider the relationship between conscious and subconscious thought.</p><p>The episode also asks what we choose to feed our minds. Pam shares how stepping back from a constant stream of news and social media—and giving our attention to activities like walking, reading, gardening, cooking or creating—can help us reconnect with the present. She wonders whether consciousness might extend beyond the individual mind, while making clear she doesn’t know the answer.</p><p>Pam’s closing thought: the mind can be a remarkable tool when it supports us, but it may not be meant to run the whole show.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How the mind interprets messages from the body and the world</li><li>Why we can get caught in past regrets and future worries</li><li>How early experiences may shape unconscious patterns</li><li>The conscious and subconscious mind, explored through an iceberg analogy</li><li>The effects of repeated self-talk and mental input</li><li>Using focused, creative activities to return to the present</li><li>The mind as a helpful translator rather than the “master”</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:20</strong> The mind as a meaning-maker</li><li><strong>0:49</strong> Disconnecting from the constant flow of information</li><li><strong>1:17</strong> The mind’s stories about past and future</li><li><strong>1:47</strong> Where patterns may begin</li><li><strong>2:14</strong> The conscious and subconscious mind</li><li><strong>2:42</strong> The subconscious as a storehouse of habits</li><li><strong>3:31</strong> Self-talk, imagination and the mind</li><li><strong>4:01</strong> Wondering where ideas come from</li><li><strong>4:39</strong> Ideas, memories and <em>Big Magic</em></li><li><strong>5:08</strong> Bringing the mind back into balance</li><li><strong>5:38</strong> Being more conscious of what we consume</li><li><strong>5:53</strong> Returning to the present through activity</li><li><strong>6:23</strong> Recognising and changing old patterns</li><li><strong>6:53</strong> The mind as a powerful tool</li><li><strong>7:19</strong> A servant, not the master</li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">de2c1019-a3df-462c-a4b5-03ae624f4ac7</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/cb8f719c-aaca-4862-944e-f616a5290fbb/whos-running-the-show-podcast-2.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2026 06:00:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/de2c1019-a3df-462c-a4b5-03ae624f4ac7.mp3" length="11586499" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>08:03</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>5</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/33b880d6-7688-46c9-a4fd-133230048cf4/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Pause, Ponder, Let It Flow</title><itunes:title>Pause, Ponder, Let It Flow</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pam reflects on contemplation as a way to pause, turn inward and meet whatever is happening with honesty and care.</p><p>Unlike meditation, which she describes as stilling the mind, contemplation allows us to use the mind to explore our inner world, listen to the body and gain a different perspective on the difficulties we face.</p><p>She shares a simple approach: pause, accept what is present, then gently ask: What do I want? What do I need? What might be the best way forward?</p><p>Pam also explores vulnerability, self-compassion and how emotions can begin to shift when we make space for them.</p><p>A rather smelly encounter involving her dog and some sheep dung brings a little levity to the conversation before she considers how contemplation might help us create a more loving, just and sustainable world.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How contemplation differs from meditation</li><li>Pausing and listening to your body and intuition</li><li>Meeting difficult feelings with acceptance</li><li>Finding perspective and choosing a way forward</li><li>Being gentle with yourself as emotions arise</li><li>Contemplation, mindful walking and a book recommendation from Richard Rudd of Gene Keys</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:00</strong> Finding a place to contemplate</li><li><strong>0:31</strong> Contemplation and meditation</li><li><strong>0:55</strong> Listening inward and exploring what’s troubling you</li><li><strong>1:54</strong> Pausing, accepting and shifting perspective</li><li><strong>3:05</strong> Asking what you want and need</li><li><strong>3:30</strong> Being gentle with yourself</li><li><strong>3:55</strong> Honesty, vulnerability and transformation</li><li><strong>4:21</strong> A light-hearted dog story</li><li><strong>4:41</strong> Contemplation and a more sustainable world</li><li><strong>5:31</strong> Making time to contemplate</li></ul><br/>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Pam reflects on contemplation as a way to pause, turn inward and meet whatever is happening with honesty and care.</p><p>Unlike meditation, which she describes as stilling the mind, contemplation allows us to use the mind to explore our inner world, listen to the body and gain a different perspective on the difficulties we face.</p><p>She shares a simple approach: pause, accept what is present, then gently ask: What do I want? What do I need? What might be the best way forward?</p><p>Pam also explores vulnerability, self-compassion and how emotions can begin to shift when we make space for them.</p><p>A rather smelly encounter involving her dog and some sheep dung brings a little levity to the conversation before she considers how contemplation might help us create a more loving, just and sustainable world.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>How contemplation differs from meditation</li><li>Pausing and listening to your body and intuition</li><li>Meeting difficult feelings with acceptance</li><li>Finding perspective and choosing a way forward</li><li>Being gentle with yourself as emotions arise</li><li>Contemplation, mindful walking and a book recommendation from Richard Rudd of Gene Keys</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><ul><li><strong>0:00</strong> Finding a place to contemplate</li><li><strong>0:31</strong> Contemplation and meditation</li><li><strong>0:55</strong> Listening inward and exploring what’s troubling you</li><li><strong>1:54</strong> Pausing, accepting and shifting perspective</li><li><strong>3:05</strong> Asking what you want and need</li><li><strong>3:30</strong> Being gentle with yourself</li><li><strong>3:55</strong> Honesty, vulnerability and transformation</li><li><strong>4:21</strong> A light-hearted dog story</li><li><strong>4:41</strong> Contemplation and a more sustainable world</li><li><strong>5:31</strong> Making time to contemplate</li></ul><br/>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">8ab31fbc-96f1-4641-8198-499614f45355</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/18e15a4f-c468-4077-bee7-d56c137d7417/contemplation.jpg"/><pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/8ab31fbc-96f1-4641-8198-499614f45355.mp3" length="9216044" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:24</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>4</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/9aea837d-fadc-4989-bc85-89525f219eda/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>Listen and Remember</title><itunes:title>Listen and Remember</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Pam explores listening as more than something we do with our ears. From the physical sensation of sound and vibration to the quieter messages we receive from our bodies, intuition, and the natural world, this is an invitation to slow down and pay closer attention.</p><p>Pam reflects on how singing has made vibration tangible, the ways pain and tiredness can signal that our bodies need care, and the difference between the critical voice of the mind and the gentler voice of intuition. She also considers “remembering” as reconnecting with creativity, wisdom, and a deeper sense of self—not by returning to the past, but by bringing what is valuable forward.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Listening with the whole body, not just the ears</li><li>Sound, vibration, and sensory awareness</li><li>What physical discomfort may be trying to communicate</li><li>The inner critic versus intuition</li><li>Nature as a source of rhythm, sensation, and connection</li><li>Remembering creativity, inner wisdom, and who we are beneath everyday noise</li><li>Bringing useful wisdom from the past into the present</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Reflection</strong></p><p>What might you hear if you became quiet enough to listen? And what might you remember?</p><p>Take some time this week to pause, notice, question, listen, and remember.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Pam explores listening as more than something we do with our ears. From the physical sensation of sound and vibration to the quieter messages we receive from our bodies, intuition, and the natural world, this is an invitation to slow down and pay closer attention.</p><p>Pam reflects on how singing has made vibration tangible, the ways pain and tiredness can signal that our bodies need care, and the difference between the critical voice of the mind and the gentler voice of intuition. She also considers “remembering” as reconnecting with creativity, wisdom, and a deeper sense of self—not by returning to the past, but by bringing what is valuable forward.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Listening with the whole body, not just the ears</li><li>Sound, vibration, and sensory awareness</li><li>What physical discomfort may be trying to communicate</li><li>The inner critic versus intuition</li><li>Nature as a source of rhythm, sensation, and connection</li><li>Remembering creativity, inner wisdom, and who we are beneath everyday noise</li><li>Bringing useful wisdom from the past into the present</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Reflection</strong></p><p>What might you hear if you became quiet enough to listen? And what might you remember?</p><p>Take some time this week to pause, notice, question, listen, and remember.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">d8dbaa60-166a-4730-8982-4c0b76de4df2</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/cbab3936-03b3-4656-925f-da04dc459c61/Listen-and-remember-graphic.jpg"/><pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d8dbaa60-166a-4730-8982-4c0b76de4df2.mp3" length="10700635" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>07:26</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>3</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/2a757626-1351-4c7a-b4fd-7970f35d6ac1/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:alternateEnclosure type="video/youtube" title="Listen and Remember"><podcast:source uri="https://youtu.be/92-PtB8_jM4"/></podcast:alternateEnclosure></item><item><title>Permission to Pause - Finding Space in the Everyday</title><itunes:title>Permission to Pause - Finding Space in the Everyday</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In this gentle episode, Pam reflects on the importance of pausing amid the constant demands of daily life. From a quiet spot by the river, she shares a reminder that rest doesn’t have to be elaborate: a few moments looking out the window, enjoying a cup of tea, listening to music, or stepping outside can help us reconnect with ourselves.</p><p>Pam explores how easily we can put everyone else’s needs ahead of our own—and why taking care of ourselves first is essential for avoiding burnout and continuing to show up for the people we love.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Why pausing is vital for our wellbeing</li><li>Simple ways to create small moments of calm during a busy day</li><li>Letting go of the pressure to constantly do more</li><li>The importance of “me time,” especially when caring for others</li><li>How small, everyday practices can support a healthier, more whole life</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Key takeaway</strong></p><p>You don’t need a big life change to care for yourself. A few intentional moments of pause each day can make a meaningful difference.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In this gentle episode, Pam reflects on the importance of pausing amid the constant demands of daily life. From a quiet spot by the river, she shares a reminder that rest doesn’t have to be elaborate: a few moments looking out the window, enjoying a cup of tea, listening to music, or stepping outside can help us reconnect with ourselves.</p><p>Pam explores how easily we can put everyone else’s needs ahead of our own—and why taking care of ourselves first is essential for avoiding burnout and continuing to show up for the people we love.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Why pausing is vital for our wellbeing</li><li>Simple ways to create small moments of calm during a busy day</li><li>Letting go of the pressure to constantly do more</li><li>The importance of “me time,” especially when caring for others</li><li>How small, everyday practices can support a healthier, more whole life</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Key takeaway</strong></p><p>You don’t need a big life change to care for yourself. A few intentional moments of pause each day can make a meaningful difference.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">63936fc8-b2c6-4c79-80cd-cbc3926733ad</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/102e46f5-d50a-4d24-aa71-87aa4141688f/Ep-2-graphic.jpg"/><pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/63936fc8-b2c6-4c79-80cd-cbc3926733ad.mp3" length="8205418" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>05:42</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>true</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>2</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/c4a6f1fa-241e-4e7f-8cd2-cbac41d83507/index.html" type="text/html"/><podcast:alternateEnclosure type="video/youtube" title="Permission to Pause - Finding Space in the Everyday"><podcast:source uri="https://youtu.be/O-HEAgyMCWc"/></podcast:alternateEnclosure></item><item><title>The Journey Back to Writing</title><itunes:title>The Journey Back to Writing</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p>In the first episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, Pam shares the personal journey that brought her back to writing.</p><p>From childhood stories and discouraging criticism around spelling and grammar, to discovering her dyslexic traits and gradually rebuilding confidence through newsletters and blogs, Pam reflects on the experiences that shaped her voice. She also introduces the creative spark behind her historical fiction, including <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em> and the journey of its central character through ancient Kemet, India, China, and Greece.</p><p><strong>In This Episode</strong></p><ul><li>Why Pam chose writing as the starting point for the podcast</li><li>How early criticism affected her confidence</li><li>Discovering dyslexic traits while studying psychology</li><li>Finding encouragement through newsletters, blogs, and supportive friends</li><li>The writing retreat that sparked a story set on a Greek island</li><li>Returning to an unfinished book after life, work, and COVID</li><li>The inspiration behind <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em></li><li>What’s next in Pam’s writing journey</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Mentioned</strong></p><ul><li><em>Beyond Hot and Crazy</em></li><li><em>Daughter of the Solstice</em></li><li>Hay House Bootcamp</li><li>Substack</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Closing</strong></p><p>Follow Pam on Substack <a href="https://substack.com/@pamlob" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://substack.com/@pamlob</a> and subscribe to <em>The Curious Pause</em> to continue the journey.</p><p>To download Free 3 chapters of Daughter of the Solstice go to <a href="https://www.pamlob.com/daughter-of-the-solstice-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pamlob.com/daughter-of-the-solstice-2/</a></p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the first episode of <em>The Curious Pause</em>, Pam shares the personal journey that brought her back to writing.</p><p>From childhood stories and discouraging criticism around spelling and grammar, to discovering her dyslexic traits and gradually rebuilding confidence through newsletters and blogs, Pam reflects on the experiences that shaped her voice. She also introduces the creative spark behind her historical fiction, including <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em> and the journey of its central character through ancient Kemet, India, China, and Greece.</p><p><strong>In This Episode</strong></p><ul><li>Why Pam chose writing as the starting point for the podcast</li><li>How early criticism affected her confidence</li><li>Discovering dyslexic traits while studying psychology</li><li>Finding encouragement through newsletters, blogs, and supportive friends</li><li>The writing retreat that sparked a story set on a Greek island</li><li>Returning to an unfinished book after life, work, and COVID</li><li>The inspiration behind <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em></li><li>What’s next in Pam’s writing journey</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Mentioned</strong></p><ul><li><em>Beyond Hot and Crazy</em></li><li><em>Daughter of the Solstice</em></li><li>Hay House Bootcamp</li><li>Substack</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Closing</strong></p><p>Follow Pam on Substack <a href="https://substack.com/@pamlob" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://substack.com/@pamlob</a> and subscribe to <em>The Curious Pause</em> to continue the journey.</p><p>To download Free 3 chapters of Daughter of the Solstice go to <a href="https://www.pamlob.com/daughter-of-the-solstice-2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pamlob.com/daughter-of-the-solstice-2/</a></p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">44ac4623-f865-4bfd-add8-6a025a90c1f0</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/829c589d-2799-4b0a-b344-b9047ed479a3/ep-1.jpg"/><pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:30:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/44ac4623-f865-4bfd-add8-6a025a90c1f0.mp3" length="8801637" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>06:07</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><podcast:episode>1</podcast:episode><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/3d1a3679-4cab-4375-b53d-4374a82d8f60/index.html" type="text/html"/></item><item><title>The Curious Pause Trailer</title><itunes:title>The Curious Pause Trailer</itunes:title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to The Curious Pause</strong></p><p>In this short introduction, Pam Lob welcomes you to <em>The Curious Pause</em>—a space to step away from the everyday noise, slow down, and explore life from fresh perspectives.</p><p>Pam shares a little about her background as a retired health coach, former nurse, and full-time writer. She introduces her work, including <em>Beyond Hot and Crazy: A Radical Guide to Living Well with Menopause</em> and her novel <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em>, the first book in the <em>Gaea I Remembered</em> series.</p><p>Expect thoughtful, heart-led conversations exploring topics such as:</p><ul><li>Ancient wisdom</li><li>Health and wellbeing</li><li>Writing, books, and creativity</li><li>Spirituality and mysticism</li><li>Unexpected rabbit holes and whatever inspires curiosity</li></ul><br/><p>Follow <em>The Curious Pause</em> wherever you listen to podcasts—and remember to pause, listen, and reconnect with yourself.</p>]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Welcome to The Curious Pause</strong></p><p>In this short introduction, Pam Lob welcomes you to <em>The Curious Pause</em>—a space to step away from the everyday noise, slow down, and explore life from fresh perspectives.</p><p>Pam shares a little about her background as a retired health coach, former nurse, and full-time writer. She introduces her work, including <em>Beyond Hot and Crazy: A Radical Guide to Living Well with Menopause</em> and her novel <em>Daughter of the Solstice</em>, the first book in the <em>Gaea I Remembered</em> series.</p><p>Expect thoughtful, heart-led conversations exploring topics such as:</p><ul><li>Ancient wisdom</li><li>Health and wellbeing</li><li>Writing, books, and creativity</li><li>Spirituality and mysticism</li><li>Unexpected rabbit holes and whatever inspires curiosity</li></ul><br/><p>Follow <em>The Curious Pause</em> wherever you listen to podcasts—and remember to pause, listen, and reconnect with yourself.</p>]]></content:encoded><link><![CDATA[https://www.pamlob.com/]]></link><guid isPermaLink="false">a57a5232-3c4a-4abc-9864-4a4cd0c5e921</guid><itunes:image href="https://artwork.captivate.fm/51a1d72f-10cb-4f8c-92c6-771611187c91/curious-pause-3000x3000.jpg"/><pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:15:00 +0100</pubDate><enclosure url="https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/a57a5232-3c4a-4abc-9864-4a4cd0c5e921.mp3" length="3438803" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:duration>02:23</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:episodeType>trailer</itunes:episodeType><podcast:transcript url="https://transcripts.captivate.fm/transcript/e69ca4d1-60ea-455e-9de3-66d7ee4b3112/index.html" type="text/html"/></item></channel></rss>