If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you!

What happens to your confidence when the career, status or success you built your identity around suddenly disappears?

In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Jonathan Marshall, Simon J. Littlewood and Samir Kothari to explore how job loss, unemployment, financial setbacks and failure can affect confidence, identity and self-worth.

In This Episode

* Why career setbacks feel so personal
* How unemployment and rejection affect confidence
* The difference between confidence and self-worth
* Rebuilding after job loss or financial failure
* Whether setbacks make us stronger
* How to move forward when your original plan no longer works

Key Takeaways

* Your job is part of your identity, but it should not define your entire worth.
* Repeated setbacks can seriously damage confidence.
* Supportive people, positive routines and challenging negative self-talk can help you rebuild.
* Failure does not automatically make you stronger, but it can become an important teacher.
* Sometimes recovery means changing direction rather than returning to what you had before.

Conclusion

Confidence is easy when life is going well.

The real test comes when things fall apart and you have to find the courage to keep going.

Keywords: confidence, resilience, career setback, job loss, unemployment, failure, self-worth, career change, Ella Podcasts

#EllaPodcasts #Confidence #Resilience #CareerSetbacks #JobLoss #SelfWorth #CareerAdvice #PersonalGrowth

Guests:
Dr Jonathan Marshall, Clinical Psychologist, Marshall Consulting
Simon J. Littlewood, Journalist & Best-Selling Author
Samir Kothari, Fund Manager

Support the show

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you!

If you truly love animals, should you always adopt rather than buy?

In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Ronina Stevens, Victoria Toy and Kim Norman to explore the emotional, ethical and practical debate around adopting pets versus buying them from breeders or pet shops.


We discuss why people still choose to buy pets when shelters are full, the difference between ethical breeders and puppy mills, the realities of adopting rescue animals, and whether people fully understand the time, cost and responsibility involved in bringing a pet into their lives.

In This Episode

* Why people choose to buy rather than adopt
* The difference between ethical breeders and puppy mills
* Whether certain breeds are chosen for image or status
* Why shelters can sometimes make adoption difficult
* The real cost of owning a pet
* What first-time adopters should expect
* The psychological benefits of living with animals
* Why rescue animals may need extra patience and time
* Whether pets are becoming more central to our emotional lives
* The importance of choosing a pet intentionally, not impulsively

Key Takeaways

* Buying a pet is not automatically unethical, but where and how you buy matters.
* Ethical breeders should prioritise animal welfare over profit.
* Rescue animals are not necessarily unhealthy or difficult.
* Pet ownership involves ongoing costs, time, vet care and lifestyle changes.
* Some rescue animals need time to build trust, but that process can be incredibly rewarding.
* Shelters and adopters both benefit when the match is realistic and well thought through.
* Whether you adopt or buy, the biggest question is whether you can genuinely meet the animal’s needs for the long term.

Conclusion

Adopting a pet can save a life, but responsible pet ownership goes far beyond the decision to adopt or buy.

It means understanding the commitment, doing your research and making sure the choice is right for both you and the animal.

Keywords: adopt don’t shop, pet adoption, rescue dogs, animal rescue, buying pets, ethical breeders, puppy mills, rescue animals, pet ownership, animal welfare, dog adoption, pet responsibility, Ella Podcasts

#EllaPodcasts #AdoptDontShop #PetAdoption #AnimalRescue #AnimalWelfare #RescueDogs #PetOwnership #Dogs #Cats #ResponsiblePetOwnership

Guests:
Dr Ronina Stevens, Clinical Psychologist, The Other Clinic
Victoria Toy, Lawyer
Kim Norman, Legal Business Development

Support the show

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you!

People Pleasing: When Being Nice Starts Costing You

When does being kind and considerate cross the line into constantly putting everyone else first?

In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Ronina Stevens, Simon J. Littlewood and Jasmin Dhillon to explore why some people feel such a strong need to please others, where that pattern begins, and what it can cost us in our careers, relationships and sense of self.

We discuss why people pleasers often struggle to say no, avoid conflict, overwork, take on too much and find it difficult to advocate for themselves. We also look at how these patterns can show up in leadership, relationships and family dynamics, and why setting boundaries can initially feel selfish or uncomfortable.

In This Episode

* Where people pleasing begins
* Why childhood and family dynamics can shape the need to be liked
* How cultural expectations can reinforce people pleasing
* Why people pleasers are vulnerable to burnout
* The impact of weak boundaries at work
* Why people pleasers may struggle with salary negotiations and promotions
* How people pleasing can affect romantic relationships
* Why some people stay in unhappy relationships for too long
* The connection between guilt, conflict avoidance and self-sacrifice
* How to start saying no without feeling like a bad person

Key Takeaways

* Being kind is not the same as abandoning your own needs.
* People pleasing often begins as a way to maintain connection, approval or peace.
* Constantly saying yes can lead to resentment, exhaustion and burnout.
* Boundaries may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you are used to putting others first.
* Saying no becomes easier with practice.
* You do not need to over-explain every boundary you set.
* Healthy relationships require give and take, not constant self-sacrifice.
* Sometimes the first step is starting small and practising boundaries in lower-stakes situations.

Conclusion

You can be caring, generous and supportive without sacrificing yourself in the process.

The challenge is learning where kindness ends and self-abandonment begins.

Sometimes the most important person you need to stop disappointing is yourself.

Keywords: people pleasing, boundaries, saying no, self-worth, burnout, relationships, conflict avoidance, people pleaser, self-care, emotional wellbeing, toxic relationships, workplace boundaries, Ella Podcasts

#EllaPodcasts #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #Burnout #Relationships #SelfCare #PersonalGrowth #Wellbeing

Guests:
Dr Ronina Stevens, Clinical Psychologist, The Other Clinic
Simon J. Littlewood, Journalist & Best-Selling Author
Jasmin Dhillon, Integrated Health Coach

Support the show