Project Friend Podcast: Recent Episodes
Project Friend
Welcome to Project Friend Podcast with your hosts Purdey and Meg. Join us as we reconnect our long-distance friendship and delve into all things life, both funny and more meaningful. Our purpose is to create an empowering community of friends who come together to grow, connect and inspire one another through sharing relatable life experiences with each other. Let's take on this journey together.
Welcome to the second part of grief episode series where we talk about the experience of grieving and delve deeper into the realms of grief and empathy. In this episode, your host Meg continues her conversation with Katrina, founder of Grow with Grief, a platform dedicated to helping individuals navigate the journey of grief.
Grief is a universal experience, yet it remains one of the most uncomfortable topics to discuss. However, as we learned in our previous episode, acknowledging and embracing grief is a crucial step towards healing. Now, join us as we explore even more empowering and helpful guidance on navigating through grief - both for those experiencing it and for those supporting someone who is grieving. Meg and Katrina delve into the delicate art of holding space for someone's pain and explore ways to foster open conversations about grief, promoting understanding and connection.
Remember, you're not alone on this journey, and through understanding and connection, we can make the uncomfortable, comfortable.
Welcome to another Project Friend Community pod! In this episode, Meg sits down with Katrina, the founder of Grow with Grief, to have an open and honest conversation about the sometimes uncomfortable topic of grief. Together, we share our personal experiences with grief and explore ways to make the journey of grieving more comfortable through empowerment and support.
Katrina, who discovered her calling to support those who are grieving after experiencing her own loss, opens up about her own journey with grief. This personal experience inspired Katrina to create Grow with Grief, a community-driven platform that provides guidance, support, and resources for individuals navigating the grieving process.
Together, Katrina and I strive to make the uncomfortable, comfortable, and to remind us all that open conversation and support can bring healing and connection during difficult times. We delve into the importance of normalising conversations about grief.
Do you often find yourself caught in a cycle of negative self-talk? Are you constantly seeking validation and comparing yourself to others? Can you relate to constantly overthinking every conversation and doubting your own abilities?
If this is you, we have got you!
If any of this sounds familiar, then join us on Project Friend Podcast as we delve into the challenges of low self-confidence and self-doubt. In this self empowering episode, Purdey and Meg, your hosts, recount our intentional self-growth journey in building confidence. We'll share our personal journeys of how our own insecurities held us back from living the lives we truly desired. We discuss how we overcame our own low confidence, transforming our lives and reaching for opportunities that we once thought were out of reach.
Get ready to embrace a life filled with greater courage and confidence. Whether you're battling imposter syndrome, social anxiety, or simply yearn for a more authentic and fulfilling life, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Part 2 of our empowering podcast episode with Tara Mont on "Unlearning People Pleasing and Setting Boundaries" is finally here!
Are you someone who constantly prioritizes others' needs over your own, always striving to please everyone around you? Do you struggle with asserting yourself and setting healthy boundaries? If this resonates with you, it's time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Boundaries serve as the protectors of our overall well-being, safeguarding our emotional, physical, and mental health. But where do they originate from? The answer lies deep within our values—the fundamental principles that define our true essence. Join us in our thought-provoking Community Pod as we delve into the profound connection between values and boundaries. Tara and Meg discuss boundaries with family members, friends and co-workers. This episode was born out of the need of any fellow people pleaser who is on the journey of unlearning their people pleasing ways! Tara Mont from Trust and Thrive helps empower us to establish boundaries that honour our authentic selves, leading to greater self-awareness and fulfillment.
Is this you?
- You find it challenging to say no, even when you're overwhelmed or don't have the time or energy to take on more tasks.
- You often prioritize other people's needs and desires above your own, sometimes at the expense of your well-being.
- You have a strong desire to be liked and accepted by others, often going out of your way to please them.
- You tend to avoid conflict or confrontation, preferring to keep the peace and maintain harmony in your relationships.
- You frequently apologize, even for things that aren't your fault or that you shouldn't apologize for.
- You have a habit of overcommitting yourself and taking on more responsibilities than you can handle, just to make others happy.
Get ready for an empowering episode of the Project Friend Podcast, as we present "Navigating the Journey of Unlearning People-Pleasing". In this captivating conversation, our host teams up with Tara Mont from Trust and Thrive, to explore the transformative process of breaking free from people-pleasing tendencies and we share our own relatable experiences with people pleasing. Delve into the depths of this pervasive behavior and gain valuable insights into why we fall into the people-pleasing trap. Together with Tara, we embark on an enlightening journey of self-discovery, where we uncover our true needs, desires, and values so that we can be our most authentic self. Discover the power of setting healthy boundaries, and learn practical strategies for asserting yourself while maintaining authentic relationships. Overcome the fears and guilt that hold you back, and embrace self-compassion as you navigate this empowering path. This episode is your guide to forging meaningful connections without compromising your own well-being. Join us as we unravel the complexities of people-pleasing and unleash the strength to live life on your own terms.
We all have an inner child, the part of us that experienced the world as a child and shaped who we are today. And just like any child, our inner child has needs that must be met. When these needs are unmet, or we experience traumatic events in childhood, it can create inner child wounds that stay with us into adulthood.
In this episode, we're joined by Tallia Deljou, an Inner Child Coach who has helped countless people heal their inner child wounds and find greater fulfillment in their lives. She shares her expertise and insights on that are both powerful and reaffirming.
Whether you're just starting on your journey of self-discovery or have been working on inner child healing for a while, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical tips. Join us as we explore the transformative power of inner child healing and the path to a more fulfilling life.
Let's talk about your greatest investment: YOUR MINDSET. On this week's episode we are diving into the topic of mindset and exploring how your thoughts can impact your life in profound ways. Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly achieve their goals, while others struggle to make progress or why some individuals are more resilient in the face of setbacks, while others give up easily? It all comes down to the set of beliefs that you hold and that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. Our beliefs about ourselves and our abilities can either hold us back or propel us forward. We (Purdey and Meg) are big advocates of investing in your mindset because of the transformation it allowed us. In this episode we share some of the biggest changes we made that has allowed us to thrive in our thirties!
We will also share practical tips and strategies for cultivating a growth-oriented mindset, and overcoming common obstacles that can stand in the way of our success or living the life you desire to live. So whether you're looking to improve your career, relationships, or personal growth, this episode will help you develop the mindset you need to thrive.
Let's get started!
Do you sometimes find yourself trying to adult but you have no clue what you are doing? Welcome home. All adults are welcome here. "Adulting" is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years to describe the process of becoming and behaving like a responsible adult. The transition from being in school to suddenly having to figure out life on your own can be a daunting task. We have been there and rumour has it that we are still trying to figure out this whole adulting business. In this episode, we will explore some of the challenges and joys of adulting, and how we can navigate this journey to become our best selves. We have some of our own personal and funny adulting struggles to share with you amongst the many joys that we have experienced as thirty something year olds. These might include managing finances, finding a job, balancing work and personal life, and developing healthy relationships. Of course, no Project Friend episode is complete without offering guidance to best navigate through your adulting years. We have got you!
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to effortlessly achieve their goals while others struggle? The answer lies in our habits. In this episode, we will explore the science behind habits, and how small changes can lead to big results. Habits are the behaviors that we do automatically, without much conscious thought. They are formed through repetition and become ingrained in our daily routines. Habits can be both positive and negative, and they play a significant role in shaping our lives. Changing our habits can seem overwhelming, but small changes can make a big difference. By identifying the cues and rewards that drive our habits, we can start to make small changes that lead to big results. In this episode, Meg and Purdey delve deeper into cultivating good habits that align with the intentions that you have for yourself and the life you desire to live. We all have goals, dreams and visions of a life that we want to live but yet it can feel so overwhelming to know how to start. Habit looping has changed our lives and we as your self-growth mentors are here to tell you that you are indeed capable of living a beautiful life and you absolutely deserve to do so. In this episode we will share practical tips and guidance on how you can go about instilling healthy habits in your life that will give you real results. We are boldly moving away from measurable goals and into daily useful habits that will eventually lead to big changes in your life! Think mindset habits that will help you forever change the way you think and approach your life. Cultivating good habits is not a destination, but a journey. It requires patience, persistence, and self-awareness to transform your daily actions into positive habits that shape your life. Start small, stay consistent, and watch as your efforts add up to create meaningful change.
Do you ever feel like you're being manipulated and controlled in your relationships, but can't quite put your finger on it? In this Community Pod, Purdey speaks to Dr Stephanie Carinia - a clinical psychologist with 13 years experience in trauma and identity. They deep dive into the topic of gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation that can leave you doubting your own perceptions and memories. Gaslighting has become a buzz word, splashed around social media or thrown in faces when people are defensive. But how often do we experience it, what is it, how do we recognise it and most importantly why do people do it. We will also cover the impact of gaslighting on your mental health and self-esteem, and provide practical tips on how to respond when faced with gaslighting in a conversation. If you're ready to take back control of your reality and protect yourself from manipulation, this is the episode for you. Tune in for a powerful discussion on gaslighting and learn how to recognize and overcome it.
This episode is for our graduates, someone starting a new job or for those of you currently transitioning from one season to the next. Join us as we unpack the terrifying and liberating phase of life people go through when transitioning from being a graduate to entering the workforce. We have both been there and can very clearly remember what it felt like. Any new season calls for big changes and adjustments as what used to be very quickly changes and you are pushed outside of your comfort zone. On this week’s episode to unpack the reality of graduating, the quest one goes on to get a job and the reality that many people face after having studied for many years only to find out that they do not want to pursue a career in what they studied. We discuss the fears that one faces and why these fears are so valid. We have practical tips to offer as your self-growth mentors and we are here to guide you every step of the way.
On this week’s Community Pod, Meg speaks to Emma Wilson, the only turning 30 coach and we unpack Chapter 30 and how to confidently embrace your thirties. This episode is especially relatable to anyone who is feeling the pressure of societal expectations or who might currently be dealing with a lack of confidence, changing friendships or feeling stuck in their thirties. We have been there and we are here to guide you on this journey. We unpack friendships changing, life changes as you go from your twenties to thirties, comparison and confidence. Emma Wilson is a life coach who helps you to get unstuck, be more confident and feel better in your 30s. We discuss the reality of turning 30 and the expectations that one might feel on the day of turning 30 or in your thirties. Emma has amazing tips to share on building your confidence in your thirties and a concept she calls “turning 30 manuals”. Emma and Meg share their own personal experiences and have plenty of tips and life advice to offer for our fellow late 20s and 30s community. If you are feeling anxious about turning thirty or if you are in your thirties, this episode was made for you!
Let’s talk about why we are not setting New Year's Resolutions this year! Yes, we said it. Those mostly unsustainable goals that you set for yourself, only to feel like a failure mid February because despite believing that this year it will be different, you just cannot manage to stick to what you made your goals. In this episode we unpack intentions and share practical tips with you on how to do the same. Although you can set intentions at any point in time in the year, there is just something about the beginning of the year and feeling inspired and excited about the possibilities and opportunities of the year ahead! After a busy past year filled with all sorts of shenanigans, there is nothing quite like kicking up your feet and reflecting on the past year. Somehow, all the yearly fluff comes to a halt and you get to experience both the gratitude as well as the emotions attached to the ups and downs of the past year. Taking time to reflect is an important part of setting intentions for the year ahead. On this week's episode of Project Friend, Meg and Purdey take time to reflect on the past year and we share our intentions for the year ahead with you. We have some interesting perspectives to share on goals, New Year's resolutions and this journey called life!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! On this week’s episode of Project Friend, we are bringing all the holiday cheer to our podcast. Think Christmas sweaters, favourite holiday dessert and food, December traditions, our favourite holiday movies and our most treasured holiday memories. In this episode we reflect on the pit and the peak of the past year. We have light-hearted and fun stories to share as well as more personal experiences we have gone through in the past year. Of course, no holiday edition podcast is complete without unwrapping (excuse the pun) a few funny holiday stories, our thoughts on giving vs receiving and enjoying a guilt-free time off after a really crazy past year. We have some practical tips and guidance to offer for the festive season. We know that this time of year can be tough for many of our listeners. We unpack tips and offer guidance on how to navigate your way through the tough discussions, family gatherings and boundaries that are not respected. We, your self-growth mentors, are here to support you every step of the way !
This is an hilarious episode filled with plenty of laughter as well as some really interesting realisations about each other! In this episode your hosts Purdey and Meg show vulnerability in sharing some of their reasoning for their “would you rather” statement choices. You might be surprised to find out what funny quirks these two podcast hosts have. In this episode they reveal their internet search history, they talk about their own experiences and life perspectives as a way to explain some of their decisions and they find out just how similar they are and just how different they are at the same time!
To put it simply, 12 years ago a fear of being vulnerable would have been a hot topic on our Project Friend walks and today we get to sit together weekly and share our vulnerabilities on a public platform with confidence. Our Project Friend Podcast hosts have experienced both comfortable living as well as being put in incredibly uncomfortable experiences. We have had to brave it through and dig deep for that little voice that repeatedly says: “you can do it”... and no, this is not an endorsement or ad for Nike, but yes, just do it ! Some of the most uncomfortable experiences have brought some of the most beautiful memories and allowed us opportunities that we would otherwise not have had.
When you start to live according to the limiting narrative that you repeat to yourself daily, you are living a life based on fear. Beyond your fears is your most brave and true self. To move beyond this fear, one needs to take a big brave step out of the fear zone and into the growth zone. It might mean that at first you need to continuously show up for yourself but eventually, this zone will become comfortable too.
The term narcissist gets thrown around fast and loose sometimes. If you argue with someone or don't see eye to eye on an option, and it gets heated enough, that word pops out as an insult and an accusation. But what are narcissists, what do they want, what does their cycle of abuse look like and most importantly, what can we do about it? Join Purdey in this month's community pod as she speaks to Adriana Bucci, a narcissistic abuse recovery coach, and they delve into this fascinating topic of manipulators, love bombing, chronic pain, red flags and a few funny stories on the side (who has Purdey realised she really shouldn't laugh at). It is important to note that you can only ever change something when you can see it, and seeing it is the first step in change. There is a whole community of people waiting for you if you ever find yourself in a situation of physiological abuse and need help. You are worthy of happiness, healthy relationships and living the life you desire to have!
On this episode of Project Friend, we come to realise that we never truly understood the two terms that get used so often and loosely, introverts and extroverts. We unpack the true meaning behind these two terms and we talk about the labels that oftentimes get associated with these two terms. You might be surprised to find out that what people so often call an introvert or an extrovert, is in fact not that at all! Both Meg and Purdey share their thoughts on these terms and the limitations they hold when we define ourselves only by these terms. We come to some interesting findings when we both do a personality test (something we have never felt strongly about) and realise how much has changed in the past few years.
There is nothing like experiencing a heartwarming and wholesome encounter with a stranger, someone who knows very little about you yet they have a lasting effect on your life. This week's episode finds a good balance between being hearty, yet light and fun. Have you ever had an experience with a stranger that stuck with you forever? Your Project Friend Podcast hosts have had many beautiful moments with strangers and on this week's episode we share these moments with you. These very moments are when faith is restored in humanity. They are the collections of experiences that influence our decisions, the way we treat other people and the way in which we see life. Encounters with strangers makes one realise just how little it costs to change someone's life forever. Experiences could be through an observation made, an act of service, through subtle acknowledgement, stretching out a helping hand, giving advice, a kind deed or even a compliment. Your Project Friend Podcast hosts also have some funny stories to share about moments with strangers that were both meaningful and funny.
Jana is a woman of many hats - wife, mother, teacher, small business owner, and breast cancer survivor. Join us as she shares her story, experiences, and the lessons she learnt while being diagnosed with breast cancer at the very young age of 27 and 6 months into being married. For most people, it would be hard to comprehend being faced with finding out that you have breast cancer in your first year of being married, a time that you would naturally envision your life being new and joyful! Jana’s story is not only a friendly reminder of why early detection is key, and despite the challenges faced, she is the epitome of courage with her ability to use humour to overcome some of the harsh realities of breast cancer and reflects on the importance of community. On Project Friend, we share stories as a way to lend support, gain understanding and perspective, share wisdom so that everyone can learn from different people's experiences, and most importantly, build connections through vulnerability. Jana’s story is the epitome of these attributes. Her breast cancer journey and the perspective she shares are not only inspiring but also empowering.
We were made for this episode! Part of the reason that we became such good friends is that we spent hours laughing at ourselves because we continuously found ourselves in awkward and embarrassing moments. We like to claim that we are the sisters of Bridget Jones. Calling someone the wrong name, wearing a tiger tail to the shops, getting summoned into customs, getting stuck on a cricket field during an international cricket game? Yup, that is us, your Project Friend Podcast hosts ! Of course, there is no better advice than from someone with first hand experience. We have plenty of tips to share, ways to overcome being easily embarrassed and stories of our own to share. We have all at some stage or another felt really embarrassed about something- sometimes because of something we did, or something we said- or perhaps because of something that happened in the past. Embarrassment can range from something as small as calling someone the wrong name to something as cringe as texting the incorrect person or having your tummy grumble really loudly during a meeting! Let's normalise walking in the shoes of Bridget Jones, clumsy and all, and wear the crown proudly.
Have you ever had a clothing tag scratch you, only to aggressively pull the clothing item off and to cut the label off as to avoid any further annoyance around that small but powerful scratch? Social labels can feel a lot like clothing labels. Labels can be so limiting. They almost draw a line as to what you can and cannot be and create a barrier for any authenticity. Labels are indeed for tin cans and clothing, not humans. Once you have labelled someone a certain way, oftentimes your interaction and engagement with them is based on these assumptions. Labels deny new friendships, interactions, creativity and growth. They take on the all-or-nothing approach. There is such freedom in letting go of all of the labels and assumptions, stereotypes and misjudgments that society makes and tends to box people in and to be. On this episode of Project Friend Podcast we talk about how society has created labels and how those labels can affect our identity. We explore labels associated with different careers, with clothing, with places people live and food and health labels. Your Project Friend Podcast hosts, Meg and Purdey have experiences of their own to share with you. It is one you don’t want to miss!
On Project Friend Podcast, we like to think of boundaries the same way one would think of a boundary fence. The more safety is needed, the more one secures your boundary fence. Boundaries are important yet so many of us tend to keep our boundaries as a last resort to protecting ourselves when being disrespected or treated with unfair expectations. These boundaries are like an imaginary line that is put in place to protect you, your space, your feelings, your needs and your responsibilities. It is the limits and rules we set for ourselves and oftentimes, those boundaries show people what you will and won’t accept or tolerate. Boundaries are needed in all aspects of your life. Boundaries leave you feeling empowered and allow you to make decisions that are based off of your own values, creating a stronger sense of self. They can help manage your stress and your expectations and ensure honesty when it comes to making decisions in the workplace and also in a relationship. Boundaries help you to manage your time better within the day and the tasks at hand. They help people understand what you are or aren't willing to put up with. So with all this in mind, why wouldn’t you put boundaries in place. We have stories to share on this week's episode which might help you to put better boundaries in place too!
Too exhausted or even too tired to read this? Our thoughts exactly! We have all been there. Days go by and before you know it, you are weeks into feeling a sense of hopelessness and despair. Never fear when Project Friend is near, we are here to not only empathise, both having experienced this before but also to share our own experiences and tips with you. If you haven’t already done so, make a cup of something warm, put your feet up and let's unpack this together. As a work driven society, we have the tendency to put aside our own needs and to help others or to prioritise work over our own mental and physical well-being. Can you relate? Weekends are not meant for catching your breath only, nor are they meant for catching up on work you did not get to in the week. There is strength in giving yourself time and taking care of yourself. Your hosts Purdey and Meg are here to help you in taking the steps needed to put boundaries in place and to help you feel a whole lot less overwhelmed!
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” (Page 214) - J.K. Rowling
And in the pages of books, we can live a thousand different lives in a thousand different worlds but books are more than just escaping to worlds where you can be a hero, a queen or something that goes bump in the night. Books are bridges that bring people together. They are a connection point that binds us together, and builds a foundation for friendships near and far. Join Purdey as she talks to Elizianna.the.one, an incredible illustrator who brings characters of these written worlds to life through her stunning art, on our latest Community pod episode. Journey with them as they get vulnerable about the realities of being on social media, the inspiration behind the characters illustrated by Elizianna.the.one, the importance of the book community and of course, a few of their favourite books! We are legions linked through the love of words.
In this episode you can for sure expect the unexpected. Your hosts, Purdey and Meg, have two very different views and ideas on expectations and how to manage them. Do you believe we should have expectations of others? We share our own experiences with you as well as share helpful tips on managing your own expectations as those you have of others. If you find it challenging to be easy on yourself (let’s say it louder for the perfectionist sitting in the front row) or to embrace the bumpy parts of the road on your journey, this episode is for you. What you expect of yourself and your journey, is telling in terms of what you experience of yourself and how you see others. If you have unrealistic expectations of yourself it is likely that the pressure you place on what you should be achieving will outweigh the experience of actually ever feeling as though you have succeeded.
Bonjour! It's time for the tale of two travellers. Your project friend podcast hosts, Meg and Purdey, both love travelling and they have some stories to unpack and share. The stories go from picturesque cobble streets with a coffee in hand to being bitten by a dog, rushed to hospital where nobody speaks English to being questioned in customs. We are not afraid to air out our dirty travelling laundry and to share both the photo worthy to the more journal worthy travel stories. Travelling leaves you changed forever. You get to experience your world with a completely new outlook and the travel goggles allow a new perspective on life. Of course, there is no better way to get to know yourself than in that moment when you are stranded in a foreign country and you need directions but nobody speaks your language. Bouncing back after travelling can be an adjustment but it also allows one to shake things up and to reflect on your next chapter. We delve into our own travels, what we learnt, our deep and meaningful experiences and well, what would a travel journal be without the embarrassing travel stories too! Au revoir!
Bonjour! It's time for the tale of two travellers. Your project friend podcast hosts, Meg and Purdey, both love travelling and they have some stories to unpack and share. The stories go from picturesque cobble streets with a coffee in hand to being bitten by a dog, rushed to hospital where nobody speaks English to being questioned in customs. We are not afraid to air out our dirty travelling laundry and to share both the photo worthy to the more journal worthy travel stories. Travelling leaves you changed forever. You get to experience your world with a completely new outlook and the travel goggles allow a new perspective on life. Of course, there is no better way to get to know yourself than in that moment when you are stranded in a foreign country and you need directions but nobody speaks your language. Bouncing back after travelling can be an adjustment but it also allows one to shake things up and to reflect on your next chapter. We delve into our own travels, what we learnt, our deep and meaningful experiences and well, what would a travel journal be without the embarrassing travel stories too! Au revoir!
“Working 9 to 5 what a way to make a living - barely getting in by…” In the name of Dolly Parton, we all know what it is like to hate your job! Join your Project Friend podcast host Purdey as she talks to Catherine du Plooy and together they unpack what the Passion Economy is and the importance thereof. If you are a creative individual looking for a way to monetize your skills and live a life of freedom, authenticity and creativity then the passion economy is where you belong and this Community Pod unpacks it all for you by sharing our own experiences, insights and a few laughs along the way.
One podcast host is single and the other is in a long term committed relationship and has recently gotten engaged. This episode is filled with the vulnerable truths of two women in their thirties having two very different experiences of dating. While Meg has plenty of relationship questions for Purdey, Ms Single is ready to sit in the hot seat too and talk about her experience of the single life in your 30s, the expectations (or lack thereof) and what dating looks like in 2023. Prepare yourself for a fun, vulnerable and relatable episode of Project Friend. Purdey shares her relationship advice and we have plenty of food for thought. We talk about red and green flags in relationships and how each of us would define a relationship. No stones were left unturned on this week's episode of Project Friend and well lets just say, we went from laughing to crying to laughing to all sorts of other emotions!
One podcast host is single and the other is in a long term committed relationship and has recently gotten engaged. This episode is filled with the vulnerable truths of two women in their thirties having two very different experiences of dating. While Meg has plenty of relationship questions for Purdey, Ms Single is ready to sit in the hot seat too and talk about her experience of the single life in your 30s, the expectations (or lack thereof) and what dating looks like in 2023. Prepare yourself for a fun, vulnerable and relatable episode of Project Friend. Purdey shares her relationship advice and we have plenty of food for thought. Meg got some funny dating advice from a friend, called the Big Five, which has something to do with an elephant and its trunk. No stones were left unturned on this week's episode of Project Friend.
Let’s throw it back to when it was still popular to upload music lyrics or a quote to your status… or perhaps you purposefully uploaded a status that had a little passive aggressive edge to it for one of your followers or perhaps an ex friend or boyfriend and when called out, well the perfect passive aggressive answer to that is “I am only joking”, right? Yup, we have all been there! While your intention was to get someone's attention in the most subtle (yet out there) way, you might have just created a whole lot of confusion and unnecessary drama. Your hosts, Meg and Purdey have been there, both in the seat of the passive aggressor and the receiving end too. We talk about our own experiences and share some great responses to dealing with passive aggressive humans. This community is one where we can grow and learn together. Let’s learn to be more intentional with speaking directly and honestly, with sincere empathy and care.
Knock knock, who's there? It’s imposter syndrome. Closes the door immediately, without hesitation. There is no time for knock knock jokes when it comes to imposter syndrome. Imposter Syndrome has no place living rent free in your mind, nor should it have any business spending time in your decision making, your thoughts about yourself or your ability to celebrate your successes and accomplishments. You, yes you reading this, you belong here, you deserve the compliments, you are good enough and you are braver than you will ever know. Let's put imposter syndrome to rest together. Your hosts, Purdey and Meg have recently had their own interaction with imposter syndrome and of course, we share our experiences with you in the name of a community of growth, learning and moving on swiftly from any doubts or feelings of being a fraud.
Is the grass really greener on the other side? She asks while watering her own lawn and perhaps peeking over the fence to have a sneak preview of what the neighbour's lawn looks like. Yes friends, on Project Friend we are always willing to explore the more unpopular opinions and this episode is no different. We were not all born with green fingers but can we agree that there are definitely times where we could become better at learning to water our own grass and to paying more attention to what we do have as opposed to what we don't have. Your hosts and perhaps one could say gardeners for the sake of this episode, have been in thriving gardens, in gardens where no water made a difference and in gardens where although the water made a difference, the garden was in fact not for us. We talk about when to stay and when to leave and as advocates of change, we have some personal experiences to share with you too.
Hey you, yes you, you are brave, beautiful and capable and best you believe it! How do you respond when receiving a compliment? So many of us instantly become dismissive of the compliment given, shrug it off as though it was no big deal and proceed by eating humble pie. On this episode of Project Friend Podcast we pack away the humble pie because there is no wrong in humbly being able to receive and take a compliment, with a side order of confidence ! We delve deeper into why people tend to associate taking a compliment with not being humble and we share some of our own advice on compliment giving and receiving. Let's learn to magnify people's strengths together.
Calling all Project Friends, let’s unpack friendship in our 30s together. It is the big elephant in the room, the part of your 30s that nobody really schools you about besides your kindergarten teacher from almost 25 years ago! All of a sudden you are trying to recall all the social advice your teacher once gave you, the “how to make friends guide” that once seemed simple yet in your 30s it looks a bit more complex… or is it? You might find yourself in many different friendship scenarios in your 30s. Perhaps you have no friends (can we normalise saying this out loud?) or perhaps you can count your friends on one hand or perhaps you are a social creature and you have an abundance of friends. Let's talk about friends of a season, friends living abroad, friends who are in different life stages and friends of different ages. On this episode of Project Friend we do not shy away from talking about the truths of making friends in your 30s. Of course no Project Friend episode would be complete without sharing our own experiences with friendships and sharing some genuine pod advice. We’ve got you friends!
In a world full of trends and hashtags, social media is often part of discussions that allude to it being a negative space that holds the key to comparison and a false reality. Having both been off of posting much on social media in the past couple of years to rocketing straight onto most social media platforms, we have some unpopular opinions to share with you on our own experiences with social media. It can be a vulnerable place to be but just as with all vulnerability, beautiful things can come from social media. We unpack boundaries, cancel culture and influencers. We have interesting perspectives to share from our own experiences as we learn to redefine social media on our own terms.
Have you ever been on an adventure that cost you very little yet in that moment or during the experience, you felt more fulfilled than ever before? Your Project Friend hosts, Meg and Purdey, have an interesting take on whether money truly makes you happy or not. We share our experiences with money and observations made within our own careers. We unpack a loaded bag of gold nuggets around money and its relation to happiness, fulfilment and true life satisfaction. It might be sunnier in a rich man's world but does one truly get to experience that sunshine if you equate happiness to money?
Have you ever shared a deep and meaningful experience with a friend or had a moment of vulnerability where someone has responded with a sunshiny “stay positive” response? On this week's episode of Project Friend Podcast we unpack the term toxic positivity and the reasons as to why it creates such disconnect. We reflect on our own experiences with toxic positivity and we share some ideas on responses that allow for empathy and for a deeper connection. It is time to declutter those toxic positive quotes that undermine how you are feeling and to replace them with how you are truly feeling right this moment!
Let's get motivated! Are you a motivated individual? This week your Project Friend hosts, Meg and Purdey, share their motivation stories and how their lives have changed since making small and big changes over the past couple of years. Purdey shares her story of hitting rock bottom on a yacht while Meg remembers a time where she felt the need for transformation in her life. We get to look back, reflect and trace back the steps that we took to go from a place of feeling the need for change to a place of making the change happen. We unpack and share the importance of instilling daily habits into your life and we talk about what happens when motivation walks out of the door.
When was the last time that you let go of an opportunity because you felt afraid? When you start to live according to the narrative that you repeat to yourself daily, you are living a life based on fear. Beyond your fears is your most brave and true self. On this week's episode, your hosts Purdey and Meg delve deeper into the true meaning of fear or what we like to call (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal. We share some of our own experiences with fears and how we have since overcome these false assumptions we made about ourselves. To put it simply, 12 years ago a fear of being vulnerable would have been a hot topic on our Project Friend walks and today we get to sit together weekly and share our vulnerabilities on a public platform with confidence.
Welcome to our first episode of Project Friend Podcast! On this episode, we unpack the name of our podcast which unbeknown to us, started 12 years ago in a park. We come to realize that Project Friend at its core was about more than just making new friends, it was about being brave and vulnerable. Let’s just say it all started in a park and it ended in a podcast. We have many chapters to unpack and stories to tell. Follow our journey to find out how two friends who have not seen each other in a couple of years, reconnect and come to some amazing realizations or what we like to call "podlizations"!