It's a Mindset

• Episode 70 - Unmasking, Authenticity & Escaping Into Fantasy Worlds with Author Alina Bellchambers

  Have you ever looked at the life you’re presenting to the world and thought… “This isn’t actually me”? So many of us move through life wearing masks - hiding our sensitivities, our complexity, our neurodivergence, or simply the parts of ourselves we fear won’t be accepted. Today’s guest, Alina Bellchambers, knows this journey intimately. Alina grew up inside her family’s bookstore, spending her childhood immersed in other worlds - worldbuilding, psychology and fantasy becoming early languages she now weaves into her writing. Today, she’s the author of two highly acclaimed romantasy psychological thrillers: The Order of Masks - a high-stakes tale of deception, power, and identity and The Weight of Crowns - a darkly seductive exploration of destiny, desire and the cost of becoming who you truly are. And this conversation goes exactly there - into identity, masking, authenticity, self-acceptance, and what it really takes to stop shaping yourself to keep others comfortable. I adored this conversation because Alina speaks so openly about unmasking, self-acceptance and the freedom that comes when you allow yourself to be fully you. These themes are so deeply tied to my work as a mindset coach - helping people peel back the layers of who they thought they needed to be and reconnect with who they truly are. Key Episode Takeaways: Why fantasy (and especially romantasy) offers such powerful escapism and how Alina uses her psychology background to create rich, layered characters and psychologically tense storylines What “masking” really means, how it shows up for women, and why so many are misdiagnosed or misunderstood The role of autism and neurodivergence in identity formation and self-acceptance and why letting go of others’ expectations is the most liberating thing you’ll ever do The reality of becoming an author - the discipline and the magic of creative flow What happens when you stop shrinking, stop performing, and start choosing authenticity About the Guest: Alina Bellchambers grew up in her family’s bookstore and spent her childhood immersed in fantastical worlds. Today, she channels that lifelong love of storytelling into writing romantic fantasy and psychologically rich thrillers featuring fierce female protagonists, morally grey characters, intoxicating magic and seductive court politics. She is the author of two acclaimed romantasy novels - The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns. Alongside her writing career, Alina is also an actor, model and public speaker. She holds a degree in psychology and writes from her forty-acre hobby farm in the picturesque Adelaide Hills of South Australia. When she’s not typing away in her study (with a cup of tea always nearby), Alina enjoys creative arts, hiking with her feisty dog Scamp, and connecting with her readers on social media at @alinabellwrites. Show Resources: Follow Alina on Instagram - HERE Check Out Alina's website - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram - HERE Check Our Emma's 1:1 Become the Butterfly Coaching Program - HERE Book a FREE 30-minute Discovery Call with Emma - HERE If you loved this episode, please share it on your Instagram stories and tag us: @emmalagerlow and @alinabellwrites. Yours in Fantasy and Authenticity, Emma. X.

  --------  

  56:49

  --------

  56:49
• Episode 69 - Retire Life Ready: Why It’s Never Too Early (or Too Late) to Shape Your Financial Future with James Wrigley

  Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I don’t want to work forever… but am I actually preparing for the retirement chapter of my life, or just hoping it sorts itself out?” If that thought has ever floated through your mind, you’re in very good company. Only 33% of Australians feel financially prepared for retirement, which means most of us are quietly wondering if we’re doing enough - even if we’re not saying it out loud. That’s why this week’s conversation with James Wrigley is such a powerful one. James is one of Australia’s most trusted and followed financial advisers, part-owner of First Financial, and the author of the newly released book Retire Life Ready. James is the adviser people turn to when they feel stuck, overwhelmed or simply unsure what’s possible. He helps people zoom out, breathe, and see that they’re not behind, they’re not trapped, and they’re definitely not too late to shape a financial future they feel proud of. What I love about James is his ability to blend strategy with empathy. His story - from accidentally applying for a job he didn’t fully understand straight out of uni, to discovering it was his forever career - reminds us that sometimes the best paths are the ones we don’t plan. As a midlife woman myself, retiring life ready is no longer a “future me problem” - it’s something I’m intentionally thinking about. So I paid very close attention to everything James shared. Key Episode Takeaways: What you want to do with the third of your life you spend in retirement Retirement isn’t an ending - it’s a reimagining. The sooner you start thinking about your retirement plan, the better, small actions today open big possibilities later. The power of saying yes; being open to learning and making small changes can radically shift your future. Knowing how much is “enough” for YOU - how to identify your personal level of financial comfort and freedom - not society’s. About the Guest: James Wrigley is one of Australia’s most trusted financial advisers and part-owner of First Financial. With more than 20 years’ experience, he’s known for helping everyday Australians cut through overwhelm, make confident decisions, and prepare for the future with clarity. James is also the author of the newly released book Retire Life Ready, and his practical, jargon-free videos have reached hundreds of thousands of people online. His work blends empathy, strategy and straight-talking advice to help people create a retirement - and a life - they’re genuinely excited about. Show Resources: Follow James on Instagram - HERE Check out Jame's book, Retire Life Ready - HERE Learn More About First Financial - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram - HERE Learn More About Emma's Wealth Mastery Self-Paced Program - HERE If you LOVED the episode, please share it on your Instagram stories and tag @emmalagerlow and @iamjameswrigley - I love seeing your takeaways. Yours in Retiring Life Ready, Emma. X.

  --------  

  50:18

  --------

  50:18
• Episode 68 - Why Smart Women Overgive: Healing Your Relationship Patterns with Clinical Psychologist Phoebe Rogers

  Have you ever realised that you’ve grown and evolved… but your relationship patterns haven’t quite caught up? Maybe you’re confident, capable, and the go-to person in every other area of your life - yet in relationships you still find yourself over giving, second-guessing your needs, or slipping into old habits that no longer feel like you. If that sounds familiar, this episode will land deeply. This week, I’m joined by Clinical Psychologist and Couples Counsellor Phoebe Rogers, Founder of The Relationship Space, whose work is changing the way women understand love, attachment, emotional safety, and self-worth. Phoebe once lived the same patterns so many smart women do - emotional burnout, self-abandonment, choosing partners who couldn’t meet her, and feeling confused about why love felt harder than it needed to. Everything shifted for her when she discovered attachment theory, Schema Therapy, and Inner Child work - approaches that helped her break old cycles and finally choose secure, steady, emotionally available love. What I adore about this conversation is that it’s not just for women dating or looking for love. It’s for anyone who wants healthier, more connected, more emotionally reciprocal relationships - including the one they have with themselves. Even after nearly 25 years of marriage, I learned so much about my own patterns, my own instincts, and the subtle ways we silence ourselves in order to keep the peace. I know you will too. Key Episode Takeaways: Why women overgive - and how to stop abandoning yourself. Phoebe explains why so many women slip into the role of giver, fixer, or emotional anchor - and how to shift into healthier, more reciprocal patterns. How Schema Therapy reveals the beliefs driving your relationship habits and understanding them changes everything - not just romantically, but across friendships, family and work. Your wounded child: the part of you that still needs reassurance and safety, Phoebe shares powerful insights into how to connect with and soothe the younger part of yourself that’s driving your biggest fears and reactions. The power of listening to yourself, from intuition to boundaries. About the Guest: Phoebe Rogers is a Clinical Psychologist and Couples Counsellor specialising in dating and relationships, and is the Founder of The Relationship Space. She once struggled to find a healthy relationship, and kept repeating patterns of emotional burnout and self-abandonment; after discovering attachment theory, Schema Therapy and Inner Child work she was able to break free of unhelpful relationship patterns and find love- firstly with herself, and then with a partner. She now helps other women choose emotionally available, secure love, by understanding their patterns, healing past wounds, and choosing differently. She helps women develop self-trust in dating, to communicate their needs without fear, and choose the love they deserve. Phoebe is sought out for her compassionate, direct, and integrative approach, using Schema Therapy, and good old-fashioned pragmatic advice. She also runs an online group for women who want healthy relationships. Show Resources: Follow Phoebe on Instagram - HERE Connect with Phoebe on Facebook - HERE Learn More About Phoebe's Book, When Will It Happen For Me - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram - HERE Learn More About Emma's 1:1 Coaching - HERE Book a Complimentary 30-Minute Call with Emma - HERE If you LOVED this episode, please share it on your Instagram stories and tag @emmalagerlow and @therelationshipspace - I genuinely love seeing your insights and ah-ha moments. Yours in Love, Emma. X.

  --------  

  47:06

  --------

  47:06
• Episode 67 - How to Manifest Success: The Mindset That Built a $57 Million Life with Hilton Misso

  Have you ever wondered what truly creates extraordinary success - the kind that grows businesses, builds communities, and leaves a legacy? This episode goes straight to the heart of that question. I had the joy of sitting down with Hilton Misso, founder of the Think2Be Group, entrepreneur, lawyer, philanthropist, and a man who has spent almost 80 years studying, practising, and living the principles of mindset, mindfulness, and meaningful success. From leading Trilby Misso to a record-breaking $57 million sale, to building Sesame Lane Early Learning Centres into thriving hubs of connection and care, Hilton’s story is less about business… and more about who you choose to be. This podcast is called It’s a Mindset for a reason - and Hilton embodies that truth. The number of times he referenced mindfulness, conviction, awareness, and intention was deeply inspiring. As a coach who helps women uncover their values and purpose, I found myself nodding along every five minutes. Hilton’s success methodology mirrors so much of what I teach - that success begins within, long before it becomes visible. Hilton’s new book, How to Manifest Success, distils more than six decades of leadership, business and personal development into 50 proven lessons for turning ambition into achievement. Part memoir and part masterclass, this book reveals how to: turn big ideas into tangible results rewire your mindset and eliminate self-doubt build sustainable, long-term wealth spot and act on rare opportunities use adversity as fuel for reinvention align your thinking, actions and energy for lasting success It’s a powerful companion for anyone who loves mindset, manifestation and purposeful living. Key Episode Takeaways: Mindfulness as a success foundation - presence drives clarity and better decisions. Credibility, authenticity & awareness - the traits Hilton believes matter most. Conviction creates reality - the Think2Be philosophy: you must think it before you become it. The compounding power of wealth - long-term, intentional choices create freedom. About the Guest: Author Hilton Misso an entrepreneur, lawyer and philanthropist with over 60 years’ experience in business, leadership, and personal growth. He built Trilby Misso Lawyers, one of Australia’s fastest-growing law firms and led successful ventures across childcare, investments, property and wellness, including a thriving asset management portfolio. How to Manifest Success is his first book Show Resources: Connect with Hilton on LinkedIn - HERE Check out Hilton's website - HERE Learn more about Hilton's book - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host on Instagram - HERE Check out Emma's award winning book, Worthy & Wealthy - HERE Learn more about 1:1 coaching with Emma - HERE If you loved the episode, share it on your Instagram stories and tag @emmalagerlow, we’d love to hear what resonated. Yours in Manifesting Success, Emma. X.

  --------  

  56:49

  --------

  56:49
• Episode 66 - Red Brick Thinking: Why Doing Less Might Be the Smartest Thing You Ever Do with Donna McGeorge

  Have you ever felt like the solution to your overwhelm was to add something new - another tool, routine, or to-do - only to end up feeling even more drained? What if the secret wasn’t doing more… but doing less? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Donna McGeorge, a sought-after international speaker, coach, and bestselling author of 15 books including The 25-Minute Meeting, The First 2 Hours, 1 Day Refund, ChatGPT Revolution and her latest, Red Brick Thinking. Donna’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and across national TV, and she’s known for her no-fluff, high-energy approach that cuts through the noise to create meaningful, lasting change. We dive deep into the concept of Red Brick Thinking - the art of strategic subtraction. It’s about stripping away the unnecessary layers of busyness so you can create space, focus, and move forward with clarity. The idea of emotional red bricks really resonated with me; because often, the things that weigh us down aren’t on our calendar, they’re in our hearts and minds. Letting go of those “bricks” creates space not just for productivity, but for peace. Key Episode Takeaways: The Red Brick Strategy is about strategic subtraction - doing less, but better. Creating space and capacity allows you to give energy to what’s truly important. Sleep, movement, and nutrition are the non-negotiable foundations for focus and flow. The power of the “enough” movement - knowing when you’ve done enough, have enough, and are enough. How tools like ChatGPT can help you reclaim your time by automating the busywork and freeing you up for creative, meaningful tasks. About the Guest: From boardrooms to auditoriums, Donna McGeorge sparks practical change that lasts. A sought-after international speaker, and bestselling author of 15 books, including The 25 Minute Meeting, First 2 Hours, 1 Day Refund, ChatGPT Revolution and her latest, Red Brick Thinking - Donna helps leaders and teams to cut through noise, creating space and capacity for what’s most important in their lives. Her work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company and on national TV. Whether with 20 leaders behind closed doors or 2,000 in a packed auditorium, Donna delivers high-energy sessions filled with sharp insights, relatable stories and immediately actionable ideas - no jargon, no fluff and no one will be checking their emails, while Donna is speaking! Show Resources: Follow Donna on Instagram - HERE Connect with Donna on LinkedIn - HERE Check Out Donna's books - HERE Follow Emma, the Podcast Host - HERE Learn More About 1:1 Coaching with Emma - HERE Book a FREE Discovery Call with Emma - HERE If you LOVED this episode, make sure to share it on your Instagram Stories and tag us @emmalagerlow and @dmcgeorge - we’d love to hear what resonated most! Yours in Doing Less, Emma. X.

  --------  

  49:32

  --------

  49:32

More Business podcasts

Trending Business podcasts

About It's a Mindset