Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

In this episode, Judith interviews Tara, who runs the popular YouTube channel "TaraFarms" that documents her life on a sheep and cereal cropping farm in rural Australia. They discuss Tara's work-life balance, the challenges of farming and content creation, and her mission to educate viewers about the realities of modern agriculture.

Podcast Episode Summary

Tara's approach to work-life balance: splitting her week between farm work and content creation/editing
The physical demands of farm work, especially during lambing season with 7,000 pregnant ewes
Managing pastures and rotating sheep between 63 different mobs (groups) of paddocks
Addressing criticism from vegans/animal rights activists by showing ethical treatment of animals
Challenges of creating engaging long-form content when audience attention spans are dwindling
Opportunities and challenges of being a female content creator in the farming niche on YouTube
Balancing authenticity and prudence in depicting the realities of farm life
Impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and changing wool/meat markets on farming operations

What We Learn from the Guest

Tara provides an authentic glimpse into the hard work, problem-solving, and ethical considerations involved in running a modern sheep farm. She aims to educate viewers about sustainable farming practices, animal welfare standards, and the role of agriculture in food production and environmental management.
Resources and Links

Connect with Tara:

Outro

Connect with Judith Bowtell on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judith.bowtellTo learn more about how we can work together: https://www.albanylane.com.au/Come say hi on: https://www.facebook.com/AlbanyLane/Let’s be Instagram friends: https://www.instagram.com/judithbowtell/Let’s stay connected on: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-bowtell-4977a04/Don't forget to rate, review, or drop your questions on:

How being aligned with your values supports work life balance?

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

01/14/24 • 19 min

Welcome to Aligned and Thriving: Strategies for Work-Life Balance, the podcast where we delve into the foundations of creating a meaningful work-life balance. I'm your host, Judith Bowtell, and I'm thrilled to have you join me for our inaugural episode. This marks the beginning of a series of conversations with individuals who have crafted diverse strategies for achieving work-life balance.

In this episode, I'll share the inspiration behind creating "Aligned and Thriving" and how it can assist you in fostering a more balanced working life. I'll also take you through my personal journey, from being an overworked government executive to running my own business focused on self-development, career coaching, and leadership programs. Join me as we explore the importance of aligning with your personal values in various domains of life.

Podcast Episode Summary and Key Points:

Discover the motivation behind creating "Aligned and Thriving" and how it supports a more balanced working life.
Explore the role of personal values in shaping our thoughts and actions.
Uncover the neuroscience behind values, particularly the influence of dopamine and key brain regions.
Understand the impact of social context on personal values and how they evolve over time.
Learn the process of discovering your personal values and common pitfalls to avoid.
Gain insights into the transformative journey of aligning with personal values and its numerous benefits.
Recognize the signs of misalignment and how it may manifest as a midlife crisis, presenting an opportunity for reflection and realignment.
Embrace the idea that aligning with personal values leads to comfort, motivation, and support, ultimately contributing to a well-balanced life.

Head, Heart and Hands article referenced:

PS. Are you finding this podcast useful? Share it with someone you know who could benefit from unlocking the full potential of their career with the power aligning it with their values. You get to help a friend & I get to reach more individuals just like you.
We're thrilled to embark on this podcast adventure, and we can't wait to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Subscribe to "Aligned and Thriving" now to unlock a world of inspiration and practical strategies. Join our community for additional support, and remember, be kind to y

Letting Go for Your Ideal Working Life: A Conversation with Artist and Disability Advocate, Casey Gray

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

02/11/24 • 31 min

In this episode, our host, Judith Bowtell, a former burnt-out executive turned creative career and leadership development coach, is joined by Casey Gray, an artist, an agent for change in her community and author with a focus on disability advocacy and inclusion in the arts. The speakers met through a program called Front and Center, which supports women with disabilities in pursuing their ideal working lives. Throughout the episode, they discuss the importance of letting go to create space for an ideal working life, work-life balance, and the impact of values on career choices.

Podcast Episode Summary:

The significance of creating space for an ideal working life.
Casey's journey from disability advocacy to embracing her creative side and pioneering Easy Read literature for adults with disabilities
The impact of values on career decisions
Productivity hacks, such as the Pomodoro technique and overcoming resistance to tasks
The role of programs like Front and Center in supporting individuals with disabilities to pursue their ideal working lives
The importance of work-life balance and managing anxiety-provoking situations
The transition from traditional employment to a more creative and flexible working environment
The impact of the Front and Center leadership program on identifying and pursuing a career as an Easy Read content specialist
The development of creative writing workshops and an accessible book club for adults with intellectual disabilities or difficulties in reading and writing

Casey’s Valentine’s Day event: Love tales: An accessible story sharing workshop for Valentine's DayCasey Gray website: www.byed.com.au

Front & Centre Program: https://www.albanylane.com.au/front-centre

Outro

How Being Your Own Boss Supports Work-life Balance?

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

02/18/24 • 36 min

In this episode, host Judith Bowtell, a former burnt-out executive turned creative career and leadership development coach, is joined by Michele Hayes, a clarity and confidence coach. The two speakers, who have known each other since high school, discuss the topic of how being your own boss supports work-life balance. They share their personal and professional experiences in the context of this theme.

Podcast Episode Summary

Judith Bowtell and Michele Hayes, former high school friends, delve into the concept of work-life balance and its relevance in today's fast-paced world.
They explore the idea that work-life balance is not about perfection but rather about finding joy and fulfilment in everyday work.
Michele shares her journey from teaching to coaching and how she found her passion in helping individuals unlock their full potential and achieve their goals with clarity and conviction.
The discussion touches on the influence of upbringing and societal norms on one's perception of work and life, highlighting the need to challenge traditional beliefs and find one's unique path to success.
Michele explains the satisfaction she gets from seeing her clients gain clarity, confidence and ability to articulate their visions.

Michele Hayes website: www.livingwithgrace.com.auFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/livingwithgrace.com.au/

Here's a link to my new low ticket offer for people starting out: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarityfor7

My main group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/speak23

Outro

The Personal Touch: Kerry K Athanassiou on Building Trust and Confidence Through Style

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

03/24/24 • 51 min

Flying on Planes & Buying Clothes Shouldn’t Be So Hard With Ample Folk

In this episode of the Aligned and Thriving podcast, host Judith Bowtell welcomes Kerry K Athanassiou, a personal stylist and the founder of Style Culture Styling. Kerry has over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry and has dedicated her career to empowering and supporting women and teenagers by helping them discover and elevate their unique style. Judith and Kerry discuss the importance of work-life balance, the values they learned from their upbringing, and how their perspectives have evolved over time. They also explore the challenges of body image, shopping, and the fashion industry, emphasizing the need for authenticity, trust, and ethical consumption.

Podcast Episode Summary

The importance of taking breaks, scheduling self-care, and finding a work-life balance as entrepreneurs
The values instilled from childhood, such as work ethic, customer service, and the appreciation for quality craftsmanship
The challenges of body image, self-acceptance, and the healing power of personal styling experiences
The value of trust and authenticity in the personal styling industry, avoiding sponsored promotions and conflicts of interest
The power of self-expression through personal style and the role it plays in building confidence
The moment when Kerry realized she wanted to start her own personal styling business, after exploring different roles in the fashion industry and finding her passion in connecting with people
The story behind Kerry's journey, including her time at Australian Laser Clinics, where she learned valuable business skills and the importance of personal connections
Kerry's vision for her new website and the "Stylist in Your Pocket" program, providing ongoing support and guidance for clients

Recommended resources:

All Fired Up hosted by Louise Adams, guest Holly Richards:

Why are vintage patterns so small?! A history of pattern sizing (Why the size numbers are a lie)

Kerry Athanassiou Website: Style Culture Website

Outro

Embracing All of You: Finding Harmony Through Self-Expression with Karishma Kasabia

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

04/07/24 • 42 min

Book of Presence: Human Purpose and the Field of the Future

In this episode of the "Aligned and Thriving" podcast, host Judith Bowtell interviews Karishma Kasabia, the founder and designer of Kholo, a women's clothing label based in Melbourne, Australia. Karishma shares her journey of starting Kholo as a creative outlet after selling her design agency, and how the brand evolved to become a celebration of body positivity, inclusivity, and self-expression. They discuss topics such as finding work-life balance, aligning with one's values, and trusting intuition in business and personal growth.

Podcast Episode Summary

Karishma's background and the origins of Kholo, a fashion label embracing women of all sizes and promoting self-love.
The importance of letting go and surrendering to the flow of life, rather than constantly striving and worrying.
Unpacking societal conditioning around money, success, and self-worth, and redefining what true abundance means.
Aligning one's work with personal values, such as inclusivity, authenticity, and care for employees and customers.
Trusting intuition and inner knowing as a guide for business decisions and personal growth.
Creating boundaries and maintaining sovereignty over one's energy and emotions, especially in relationships.

Resources Links:

Karishma Kasabia LinkedIn

Kholo Website

Outro

Aligned and Thriving Trailer

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

12/22/23 • 2 min

Welcome to Aligned and Thriving, your go-to resource for transforming your professional life from a struggle to a success. If you've ever felt exhausted at work or struggled to maintain focus amidst life's chaos, you're not alone. In fact, a staggering 50 percent of Australian workers reported feeling exhausted at the start of this year.
Your host, Judith Bowtell, a former burnt-out executive turned career development coach, understands the challenges of achieving work life balance. Through her own midlife crisis and extensive work with clients, Judith shares insights on integrating work life balance as a guiding value rather than just another task on the to-do list.
This podcast is tailored for those juggling the demands of work, family, caregiving, health issues, community involvement, and the challenges of staying connected in a digital age. Judith's personal journey, marked by a missed promotion, a serious back injury, and a diagnosis of major depression, serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of finding balance.
Join us as we explore the topic of work life balance through in-depth conversations with mentors who have successfully achieved long-term balance. Discover how a life aligned with your values can be energizing and motivating. Aligned and Thriving offers more than just quick solutions—it provides the empathy, understanding, and support needed to thrive in your professional and personal life.
Don't miss an episode—subscribe to Aligned and Thriving now to unlock a world of inspiration and practical strategies for a happier and healthier working life. It's time to prioritize your well-being and thrive in both your professional and personal endeavors.

How to gain surprising benefits by aligning with your personal values?

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

01/14/24 • 27 min

In today's episode, we explore the profound benefits of living in alignment with your values. Having guided numerous clients through transformative journeys, I've witnessed the positive outcomes that come with aligning with one's core values. This marks the final installment of a three-part series setting the foundation for meaningful conversations on achieving work life balance.

Podcast Episode Summary and Key Points:

Alignment with values has a significant impact on mental and emotional well-being, activating reward circuits in the brain and contributing to a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Decision-making processes related to values are linked to increased prefrontal cortex activation, crucial for executive functions such as self-control, goal-setting, and emotional regulation.
Living in alignment with values can reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and contribute to long-term changes in brain structure and function through neuroplasticity.
Shared values enhance relationships, making communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making more straightforward, fostering meaningful connections.
The podcast explores personal experiences illustrating how values can strengthen friendships and connections, even in the face of life's challenges.
Neuroscience reveals that shared values increase empathy, activate mirror neurons, release oxytocin, and contribute to conflict resolution within relationships.
The episode highlights the intersection of values, neurodiversity, and the importance of creating neuro-affirming environments in workplaces and communities.
The surprising benefits of values alignment extend to societal impacts, fostering prosocial behaviors, supporting major social change, and promoting communal action.

Outro

How to find your personal values and overcome work life challenges?

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

01/14/24 • 17 min

In this episode, we explore practical steps to align your life with your values, including setting priorities, making informed decisions, and navigating work life challenges. If you've been struggling with work-life balance or seeking more fulfillment in your career, this episode is tailored just for you.

Podcast Episode Summary:

Setting clear priorities, making informed decisions, and navigating challenges are crucial for work-life alignment.
Discover how personal values drive decision-making, impacting career choices, and satisfaction.
The importance of regularly reviewing personal values and aligning them with current priorities.
Real-life examples of long-term value-driven decisions, illustrating the journey towards work-life alignment.
The significance of starting small with safe, modest steps to build confidence in aligning with one's values.

Social Friday: Turning the Least Productive Day into a Force for Good with Fikret Zendeli

Aligned and Thriving Podcast | Strategies for Work Life Balance

05/05/24 • 47 min

Social Fridays Website

In this episode of the Aligned and Thriving podcast, host Judith Bowtell interviews Fikret Zendeli, a civil engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of the Social Friday initiative. Fikret, who was born in Macedonia and studied in Switzerland, shares his inspiring story and the idea behind Social Friday, which aims to make better use of the least productive workday which is Friday afternoon by dedicating time to social causes. The conversation covers topics such as work-life balance, social cohesion, community engagement, and the potential impact of small actions on creating a more connected society.

Podcast Episode Summary

Fikret's background and upbringing, including his experiences growing up in Macedonia and Switzerland, and the values instilled in him by his family.
The concept of Social Friday and how it was born from an article about productivity on Fridays.
Implementing Social Friday in Fikret's company and the benefits it brings for both employees and local communities.
The potential of Social Friday to increase social awareness, foster connections, and create opportunities for non-profit organizations.
Addressing the challenges of time scarcity and encouraging companies to lead by example in creating opportunities for social engagement.
Future plans for Social Friday, including building a matching platform, incorporating gamification, and promoting the initiative globally.

Recommended resources:

Guest: Fikret Zendeli

Outro