Yarns for the Soul

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On this mini-yarn I talk about the idea of time and what we think we're supposed to do with it! I reflect on my own process of unlearning and dismantling ideas of what I used to think were a valuable use of my time, and how this relates to the current phase of my life.
You can connect with me on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/_nicolemaitland/

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On this episode I am joined by the incredible Allison Mahoney, a social justice, victim rights and civil rights litigator in America. In 2022, Allison started her own firm ALM Law, which specialises in representing children harmed in the child welfare system, survivors of domestic violence, and survivors of sexual assault and image-based sexual abuse at both state and federal levels.
Allison talks about what drew her to working in law, and her path to becoming a victims' rights advocate in particular. We also yarn about vicarious/ secondary trauma, having both worked in legal fields dealing with traumatic subject matter on a daily basis. Allison shares tools that help her to look after her mental wellbeing, as well as what motivates her to continue to show up to work every day.
We talk about how intergenerational trauma plays a part in the work Allison does, particularly the ongoing effects of abuse in the child welfare system. I also share some thoughts in the wake of the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry in New Zealand, and my experiences working with survivors of historic abuse in state care. We yarn about what trauma-informed justice might look like, and what is needed in this space moving forward.
To check out the amazing work that Allison does, you can find her website here. Head over to Instagram and follow her @almlawllc, or check her out on LinkedIn.
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If you want to get in touch, or just follow along as I muddle my way through life, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!

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On this episode I am joined by the amazing Vanessa Karel, two-time business founder, entrepreneur and creative producer. Vanessa created the platform Greether, aimed at making travel more accessible, sustainable, and safer for female travellers.
Greether started when Vanessa found herself in Morocco at the start of the 2020 pandemic feeling isolated and wanting to connect with locals who could show her around and answer questions about life in Morocco. She discovered that there was no technology out there that could help her- so she decided to create it herself!
As well as yarning about how Greether was created, Vanessa shares how the platform is aimed at both female empowerment and sustainable travel. Greether is used by solo travellers and small groups, as well as by women of all ages. The Greeters tailor the experience to whatever you're interested in, whether it's thrift shopping, checking out museums, or finding the best local spot for coffee. Greether also creates accessible and flexible work opportunities for the Greeters, and aims to support women-led local businesses and services in each location. We also yarn about how travel and where you spend your money is a cultural and political statement- whether you're aware of this or not!
Some of the ways Vanessa and Greether have been celebrated so far include:

• Vanessa was named one of the top 100 rising Latinx startup founders to watch.
• Greether was selected to enter Expedia's accelerator program for creating more accessible and sustainable tourism.
• Greether was named as one of the top innovative female empowerment sustainable startups by the UN World Tourism Organisation.
• GreetHer featured in PhocusWire's Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2024.
• Vanessa won the 3rd edition of 'Tourism Promise' by the National Tourism Business Council of Mexico.
• She was also a winner of the second edition of of E-100, an initiative by the Association of Entrepreneurs of Mexico that recognises inspiring entrepreneurs making an impact in Mexico.

If you're interested in learning more or want to book a Greeter for your next adventure, follow the link here to the Greether website. You can also follow Greether over on Instagram @greet.her to keep up to date on all the awesome work Vanessa is doing!
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If you want to follow my own travel adventures, or just get in touch, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole.

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BONUS MINI-YARN
On this cheeky bonus episode I yarn about what femininity means to me, and the journey I have taken to feeling confident in my own version of being feminine. I talk about my experiences growing up in a rural part of New Zealand, and the transition from a small primary school to intermediate in 'town' where I was first introduced to what I thought being feminine was "supposed" to look like. I also discuss the fact that school uniforms for girls always involved skirts, and the subtle message this sends.
I yarn about how full-time work and practicing as lawyer meant I spent so much time in a world of masculine energy, that it took time to reconnect with my own feminine energy when I left. It took me many years to realise that just because what makes me feel confident and powerful may look different to others, that doesn't mean it is any less feminine.
I also reflect on the blue/pink gender binary, and realising how much this rigid structure impacted on my ability to feel confident as who I am. I never resonated with the colour pink, and any version of femininity associated with it, so I was then left wondering where it was that I fitted in. I disagree with the way we continue to assign kids a colour at birth, rather than letting them pick their own colours as they grow up (I'm either blue, purple or black, depending on the day).
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If you enjoyed this episode I would love to hear from you, or if you have suggestions for mini-yarn topics in the future. If you want to get in touch, you can find me over on Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole- see you there!

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On this episode my epic guest is coach and speaker, Nancy. She explains how being raised by immigrant parents in America led to her focus on academic success, but realised as an adult that ticking the boxes had left her feeling unfulfilled. Nancy shares how her soul-searching journey began, and the amazing things she discovered along the way.
Nancy now offers coaching through her business, panna panya, focusing on helping high achieving professionals develop authentic inner connection. The key concepts she draws from are Internal Family Systems therapy, nonviolent communication, and inner child nourishment- which we yarn about in depth! Nancy also published a children's book called "Let's Make a Cake!" which takes kids on their own self-discovery journey.
If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to hear from you. Find me over on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/yarnsforthesoulnicole/
Note: the audio quality on this ep is sadly a bit off (if you have the expertise to help me with this, get in touch!)
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You can find Nancy over on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/pannapanya101/
Visit panna panya to learn more about Nancy and the inner connection work that she does. Nancy is currently offering a 6 week workshop series 'Authentic Inner Connection'. This provides a distinct group approach to increasing your inner connection that leads to more authenticity, ease, joy and acceptance. Check out her website for more info!
You can follow Nancy on LinkedIn, sign up for her newsletter, or find her on YouTube to get weekly articles that nourish your own inner connection.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Marshall Rosenberg- Nonviolent communication (book and tools)
• Eckhart Tolle- "The Power of Now"
• Richard Schwartz- Internal Family Systems therapy and his book "No Bad Parts"
• Thom Bond and the Compassion Course

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