PODCAST · health
Chaos, Courage and Coffee
by Chaos, Courage and Coffee
Chaos, Coffee & Courage is the podcast for anyone navigating the messy middle of life, especially mums and veterans trying to figure out who they are now. Hosted by Brett and Vanessa, we share honest conversations, practical tools, and relatable stories about burnout, identity, resilience, and everything in between. No fluff. Just real talk, warm support, and the reminder that you're not alone in this.
Episodes
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Ep 48 Why Solving Problems Keeps You Stuck
Brett and Vanessa explore what happens when fixing life’s problems feels like progress, but actually leaves you standing still. After spending a whole day sorting out a stressful issue, Vanessa noticed an unexpected burst of relief and joy. But did her life actually move forward, or did she just...
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Ep 47 Hacking your brain's algorithm that's running your life
After writing a book, Vanessa suddenly starts bumping into authors, editors, and proofreaders everywhere she goes. Is it mystical manifestation or something much simpler? In this episode, Brett and Vanessa explore the brain’s built-in filter - the real-life algorithm that shapes what we notice...
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Ep 46 Fixing the Ruined Morning
Ever wake up to sudden morning chaos and feel like your whole day is already ruined before nine o'clock? In this honest conversation, Brett and Vanessa explore what happens when circumstances hijack our routines, leaving us feeling trapped in reactive survival mode. Unpacking the psychology of...
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Ep 45 When Simply Wanting Something isn't Enough (What's Missing?)
In this episode Brett and Vanessa discuss how wanting something isn't always enough. So, what is missing? Referring to Vanessa's want to increase exercise, we talk about: Why wanting something and being motivated doesn't always translate into action. How many things we can realistically have as...
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Ep 44 Heated Conversations: The Slip up (and the Save)
Disagreements are unavoidable, but what happens when emotions start taking over? In this episode, Brett and Vanessa explore how ordinary conversations can escalate from calm discussion into arguments where logic disappears. Using a simple traffic light metaphor, they look at recognising the…
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Ep 43 Trapped in your Mind - A Way Out of the Loop
Why do some problems keep coming back no matter how many times we try to solve them? In this episode, we explore recurring arguments, repetitive thoughts and the possibility that we're working on the wrong problem. Through everyday examples involving relationships, chores and feeling stuck, we…
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Ep 42 The Logic Trap: When They Can't "Hear" You
Why do some conversations suddenly stop working, even when you're saying all the right things? In this episode, we explore what happens when emotions take over and people are no longer able to listen, process or respond calmly. We discuss emotional safety, shutting down, repeated arguments,...
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Ep 41 Style Error: Communication Failure
Ever wondered why some conversations leave both people frustrated, even when neither meant anything wrong? In this episode, we explore askers, guessers, fixers and processors, and how different communication styles can create misunderstandings in everyday relationships. We share personal examples...
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Ep 40 You don't always hear - and here's why
Communication is more than the words we use. In this episode, we explore what happens when tone, body language, facial expressions and silence change the meaning behind a message. We discuss why texts and emails are so easy to misinterpret, how cultural differences can affect communication, and…
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Ep 39 When Progress Becomes...... boring
The Strange Side Effect of Making Progress You finally start seeing results… then something unexpected happens. Why does the goal that once excited you start feeling ordinary? Could boredom be the reason people abandon goals they still care about? The part of success that movies never show us.…
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Ep 38 How to 'Unmute" your Second Brain
Your Gut Knows More Than You Think We are taught to think, analyse, and make logical decisions… but what happens to the quieter voice inside? Why do some decisions feel right before we can explain why? Could your body be communicating with you in ways you have been overlooking? Why listening to...
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Podcast Ep 37 When your gut isn't so wise
Should you always trust your gut? It's advice we hear all the time, but is it always helpful? In this episode, we explore the difference between intuition, logic and the subconscious mind. Through practical examples and everyday situations, we unpack why listening to your gut isn't always as…
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Podcast Ep 36 The Hidden Cost of Every Decision You Make
Every day we make thousands of decisions, yet few of us realise how much mental energy those choices consume. In this episode, we explore decision fatigue, why habits make life easier, and how creating simple decision-making frameworks can reduce stress and improve the quality of our choices.…
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Podcast Ep 35 The Thing Humans Quietly Struggle Without
Have you ever felt flat, unmotivated or disconnected without really knowing why? In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked role that social connection plays in our wellbeing. We discuss why humans need meaningful relationships, why many people withdraw when life gets hard, and why…
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Podcast Ep 34 When Moving Forward Can Seem Like Standing Still
Have you ever felt like you're putting in the effort but not getting anywhere? In this episode, we explore why progress often feels invisible, even when real change is happening. We discuss how our focus on big goals can blind us to the small wins that create lasting success. From parenting and...
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Podcast Ep 33 - What if the Problem Isn't You
What if you're not the problem? In this episode, we explore why so many people blame themselves when life feels overwhelming, exhausting or out of balance. We discuss how modern life, unrealistic expectations, comparison and constant busyness can make perfectly normal people feel like they're...
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Podcast Ep 32 - The Invisible Mistake We Make in Conversations
Communication seems simple until we realise that two people can walk away from the same conversation with completely different understandings. In this episode, we explore why misunderstandings happen, even when we believe we've been perfectly clear. We discuss assumptions, expectations,...
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Podcast Ep 31 How To Force a Year to Slow Down
Why does life seem to speed up as we get older? In this episode, we explore the illusion of time and why some weeks seem to disappear in a blur while others feel full and memorable. We discuss the role of intention, focus, busyness, distractions, and how modern life fragments our attention. We…
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Podcast Ep 30 Life Has Ups and Downs
Life isn’t a straight line. It is True! So how do we handle this? In this episode, we explore the natural ups and downs that come with being human and why expecting life to always feel positive can set us up for disappointment. We discuss perspective, emotional resilience, grief, focus, and how...
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Podcast Ep 29 Why Everything Feels Harder When We are Tired
In this episode, Brett and Vanessa unpack the physical, mental, and emotional impact of exhaustion. From poor sleep and overloaded schedules to the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves. They explore why even simple tasks can suddenly feel overwhelming, how tiredness affects...
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Podcast Ep 28 Why We Feel Guilty When We Rest
In this episode, Brett and Vanessa unpack the pressure many people feel to always be busy. Even when they desperately need rest. They explore how upbringing, habits, culture, expectations, and endless choice can make stopping feel uncomfortable or even wrong. From overloaded schedules to the…
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Podcast Ep 27 When Conversations Don't Go To Plan
We’ve all had conversations that didn’t go the way we expected. In this episode, we explore why that happens and how our assumptions, expectations, and internal planning can set us up for frustration. We unpack how people think differently, why over-planning can lead to overwhelm, and how...
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Podcast Ep 26 The hidden cost of Indecision
Why does doing nothing feel easier… even when it makes things harder in the long run? In this episode, Brett and Vanessa explore the hidden 'cost' of indecision. From mental load and missed opportunities to the quiet pressure that builds when things are left undone. They unpack how avoiding...
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Podcast Ep 25 Why we talk ourselves out of things
We’ve all done it....we know we should do something, but somehow we talk ourselves out of it. In this episode, we explore how our internal dialogue shapes our decisions and why emotion often overrides logic. From simple examples like avoiding exercise to deeper challenges like fear, discomfort…
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Podcast Ep 24 Why Knowing doesn't always Lead to Doing
We often think that knowing what to do should be enough to create change. But it rarely is. In this episode, we explore the gap between knowledge and action, and why understanding something doesn’t always translate into doing it. From everyday habits like sleep and exercise to deeper behavioural...
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Podcast Ep 23 Why do we avoid things we should do?
We all have those things we know we should be doing… but somehow keep putting off. In this episode, we explore why that happens — from fear and overwhelm to not knowing where to start. We unpack how small delays can turn into bigger problems, why avoidance often has deeper emotional drivers, and...
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Podcast Ep 22 - Be careful what you wish for, you might get it
We often think we’re stuck because life is hard What if we’re unknowingly shaping the results we get through the way we think and speak? In this episode, Brett and Vanessa unpack how subtle language patterns, like saying “I can’t” . This quietly closes doors, while small shifts in wording can…
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Podcast Ep 21 Waiting for motivation is the wrong approach
Why do we keep waiting to feel motivated… and then wonder why nothing changes? In this episode, Brett and Vanessa unpack one of the biggest myths around motivation — that it needs to come first. They explore why we avoid certain tasks, how overthinking makes things feel bigger than they are, and...
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Podcast Ep 20 Why people don't feel heard
Why do conversations go bad so quickly… even when that’s not what we intended? Most of the time, it’s not what’s being said it’s how we respond. We jump in to defend ourselves, explain our side, or correct the other person, without realising we’ve just shut them down. In this episode, we unpack…
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Podcast Ep 19 Solving the wrong Problem
We’re busy. We’re trying. We’re fixing things. But what if all that effort is pointed at the wrong target? In this episode, we explore why we focus on symptoms instead of causes. We look at why relationships, jobs, stress, and recurring frustrations keep repeating in slightly different forms. We...
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Podcast Ep 18 Where are our limits?
You don’t explode out of nowhere. You drift there. In this episode, we explore the invisible limits we all carry : what we tolerate, what we ignore, and what eventually pushes us too far. From weight and time to respect and relationships, we look at how we miss the early warning signs, why we…
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Podcast Ep 17 Why is change so hard?
Change sounds simple in theory: eat better, exercise more, think differently, improve your habits. But in reality, it feels uncomfortable, draining, and strangely threatening, even when we know it’s good for us. In this episode, we explore why your brain fights change, how comfort and safety...
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Podcast Ep 16 Mental Energy
Most of us think exhaustion comes from doing too much — but what if it’s coming from thinking too much? In this episode, we explore mental energy: how small, constant decisions quietly drain us, why switching tasks is so tiring, and how everyday life keeps us in a state of low-level overload....
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Podcast Ep 15 Being Honest with how you feel
"How are you?” feels like a simple question — until you’re not actually okay. In this episode, we explore why so many of us hide behind socially acceptable answers, even when they clash with how we really feel. We talk about the quiet conflict this creates, how pretending isolates us, and why...
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Podcast Ep 14 Coffee Break
We talk about coffee breaks like they’re small and unimportant — but what if they’re actually one of the most powerful tools we ignore? In this episode, we explore why so many people never really stop, even when they’re exhausted, and how rushing from task to task keeps the body and mind stuck in...
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Podcast Ep 13 Where's the fun
Most adults say they don’t have time for fun anymore. But what if it’s not about time. What if it’s about permission? This episode explores whether we stop allowing ourselves to enjoy life…..and what it’s costing us.
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Podcast Ep 12 What do you actually want ?
Ask someone what they want in life and most people freeze…or they tell you everything they don’t want. But what if chasing the wrong ‘want’ is the reason so many people feel stuck, stressed, and unsatisfied? Brett and Vanessa help you get through the "don't wants" to work out what you actually...
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Podcast Ep 11 The Goal Trap
You’re probably doing goals wrong Many people think they’re bad at goals. But what if you’re not bad at goals at all and you’ve just been taught a way of doing them that quietly sets you up to fail? This episode might change how you see achievement completely.
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Podcast Ep 10 Always Comparing
You’re comparing the wrong things” We compare bodies, success, money, parenting, careers… But what if we’re comparing the wrong parts of the story? This episode looks at why comparison feels so personal and why it’s usually unfair!
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Podcast Ep 9 Boundaries
Why am I so annoyed? Have you ever felt irritated or resentful and thought, ‘Why is this bothering me so much?’ That feeling is usually a sign of something deeper. It comes out as anger, or frustration or a similar emotion. Really it is a crossed line you didn’t know how to protect. Listen to…
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Podcast Ep 8 Balance
Do we need balance? What is balance? Brett and Vanessa discuss this topic and its validity and what we are really aiming for
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Podcast Ep 7 Decision Fatigue and Overwhelm
What is decision fatigue, is it real. Does it create overwhelm?Brett and Vanessa discuss...
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Podcast Ep 6 - We won't talk about Gratitude (again!)
Brett and Vanessa don't want to bring you a standard talk about gratitude. So they won't talk about Gratitude - and won't tell you have to have gratitude. Listen to this episode as they head off in another direction
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Podcast Ep 5 The Missing Connection
Humans need connection. However in modern life, loneliness is everywhere. In this episode, we talk about why so many people feel isolated, how community changes everything, and what it really takes to create relationships where you feel understood, supported, and genuinely connected.
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Podcast Ep 4 Feeling Invisible
Many people quietly feel unseen. Whether it's a mum doing everything for her family or a veteran feeling misunderstood in civilian life. In this episode, we unpack where this feeling comes from, why it hits so deeply, and how to reclaim your voice, presence, and worth without waiting for others…
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Podcast Ep 3 Resilience
In this episode, we explore what resilience really looks like in everyday life. Not the motivational-poster version, but the real process of getting back up when everything feels heavy. In this episode, Brett and Vanessa share personal experiences, practical tools, and simple shifts that help…
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Podcast Ep 2 Feeling Lost
When life loses its structure, it's easy to feel lost, restless, or unsure about what comes next.In this episode, we talk about the messy middle: uncertainty, drifting, and the pressure to “have it all figured out.” We introduce the concept of moving toward something instead of only trying to...
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Podcast Ep 1 Introduction, and Negative Thoughts
Welcome to Chaos, Courage and Coffee. Meet Vanessa and Brett. Chaos, Coffee & Courage is a real and relatable podcast about navigating life’s chaos with honesty, humour, and heart. Hosted by Brett, who helps veterans rebuild purpose, structure, and connection after military life, and Vanessa, who...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Chaos, Coffee & Courage is the podcast for anyone navigating the messy middle of life, especially mums and veterans trying to figure out who they are now. Hosted by Brett and Vanessa, we share honest conversations, practical tools, and relatable stories about burnout, identity, resilience, and everything in between. No fluff. Just real talk, warm support, and the reminder that you're not alone in this.
HOSTED BY
Chaos, Courage and Coffee
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Chaos, Courage and Coffee have?
Chaos, Courage and Coffee currently has 48 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Chaos, Courage and Coffee about?
Chaos, Coffee & Courage is the podcast for anyone navigating the messy middle of life, especially mums and veterans trying to figure out who they are now. Hosted by Brett and Vanessa, we share honest conversations, practical tools, and relatable stories about burnout, identity, resilience, and...
How often does Chaos, Courage and Coffee release new episodes?
Chaos, Courage and Coffee has 48 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Chaos, Courage and Coffee?
You can listen to Chaos, Courage and Coffee on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Chaos, Courage and Coffee?
Chaos, Courage and Coffee is created and hosted by Chaos, Courage and Coffee.
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