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Take A Breath

Take A Breath

Written by: Polly Warren
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About this listen

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife.


This is your space to pause.

Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.


Each week, I’ll share my own tools, alongside honest conversations and practical nervous system support — to help you create more calm, peace, joy, and inner steadiness. Not by escaping your life, because that’s totally unrealistic, but by meeting it differently.


So when you're ready, let’s take a breath together…

© 2026 Take A Breath
Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • How to Find What’s Next When You’re Ready for a Career Change with Ashley Jablow
    Feb 3 2026

    Midlife can be a season of subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts. The things that once felt like a perfect fit — a role, a path, a version of you — start to feel off. But what comes next isn’t always clear.

    In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Jablow, Founder of Wayfinders Collective and former Presidential Innovation Fellow in the Obama Administration. Ashley now helps people and organisations navigate meaningful change — with curiosity, strategy, and soul.

    Together, we explore what it really looks like to move towards something more aligned… especially when you’re not quite sure what that is yet.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    • How to recognise when you’ve outgrown a role or identity — even if it still “looks good on paper”
    • Ashley’s gentle 4-step framework for navigating career or life transitions without burning it all down
    • Why guilt, fear, and indecision show up during change — and how to move through them with more clarity and self-trust
    • The surprising power of reflection journals
    • How playful tools like alter egos can help you step into a bolder, more aligned version of yourself

    ✨ Whether you’re pivoting from a long-term role, returning to yourself after caregiving, or just feeling ready for something new… this conversation will meet you right where you are.

    For more about Ashley go to: https://www.ashleyjablow.com/

    Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time.

    Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now.

    Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible.

    To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace

    Email me at: info@pollywarren.com
    https://www.pollywarren.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

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    48 mins
  • Thursday Thoughts - The Power Of Nature In A World Gone Mad
    Jan 29 2026

    On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about the power of intentionally tuning into nature during crazy times.

    Most of us would agree that the state of the world right now is…alot. It can feel overwhelming and scary, to say the least, and it’s easy to feel completely out of control.

    One of the best ways to put things into perspective - not to mention regulate our overstimulated nervous systems - is to remember that we are a part of something much, much greater than ourselves.

    Sometimes a walk in nature is all we need to feel calmer; a cuddle with our cat can bring us back to joy; and noticing the beauty of the flowers or the birds can make us feel more grounded.

    So if you’re feeling upset, scared, or horrified by what’s happening in the world, one of the best things you can do is surround yourself with nature - whether that’s a walk along the coast, or just popping into your local city park.

    We sincerely hope you’ll find something helpful or interesting in here.

    Love,
    Polly & Lucy x

    Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time.

    Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now.

    Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible.

    To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace

    Email me at: info@pollywarren.com
    https://www.pollywarren.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • How to Stay Ambitious Without Burning Yourself Out
    Jan 27 2026

    Many of us rely on pressure and guilt to keep ourselves moving forwards towards our goals — especially in midlife, when life can feel full and demanding. While these strategies may work in the short term, they often leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves.

    In this episode, I explore why guilt and pressure have become such familiar motivators, how they impact the nervous system, and what it really takes to move forward from a place of calm rather than self-attack. Drawing on my own experience and simple, science-backed tools, I share a kinder, more sustainable way to stay productive without burning out.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • Why pressure and guilt feel motivating — and the hidden cost of relying on them
    • How the push–collapse–guilt cycle keeps you stuck
    • Simple ways to interrupt reactive patterns
    • How to upgrade unhelpful beliefs without forcing positivity
    • How to approach ambition from a place of calm and choice

    Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time.

    Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now.

    Download my energising 5 Minute Morning Practice to get your day started in the best way possible.

    To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to: https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace

    Email me at: info@pollywarren.com
    https://www.pollywarren.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/pollywarrencoaching/

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
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