PODCAST · education
Overwhelm is Optional
by Heidi Marke
For high earners in high stress work environments who want focus and satisfaction at work and the ability to switch off, be present and laugh easily at home. Hosted by transformational coach Heidi Marke. Thank you to purpleplanet.com for the music.
Episodes
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You Can Leave Work At Work Today
You give everything to your work. But you get home and can't hear the people you love because your head is still full of emails, decisions and unfinished conversations. In this episode I share Let Go Of Your Day - a simple mind body practice to leave work at work, reclaim your evenings and be...
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What If Hard Work Finally Felt Like Enough?
What if hard work finally felt like enough? You've given everything to your week. And yet Friday arrives and your mind is already cataloguing what didn't get done, what went wrong, what still needs doing. That's not a productivity problem. That's your brain doing exactly what it's designed to do…
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A One Minute Monday Ritual To End Overwhelm
What if a one minute Monday ritual could end the overwhelm before it starts? Mondays don't need forcing. They need grounding. In this episode I share a short, powerful practice to set you up for focus and satisfaction at work — without the pep talk, the playlist or the pressure. Starting with The...
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Why Inspiration Turns Into Frustration And How To Stop The Spiral
You feel inspired, you take action and then life gets in the way. This episode explains why the inspiration-frustration cycle keeps happening and what actually breaks it. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and...
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What If Success Never Required Self-Sacrifice?
Overwhelm isn't the inevitable price of ambition. I'm not buying that story. And if you're here, you probably aren't either. This episode is about The Gentle Rebellion. What it is, why it works and why it doesn't require a fight, a dramatic stand or any energy you don't have. Plus a playful five...
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From Burnout to Stamina: How Spring Energy and Purpose Fuel Lasting Joy
A free weekend, spring light and a half-planned garden became an unexpected masterclass in energy, purpose and what it actually feels like to be alive in your own life. In this episode I explore how meaning, seasons and gentle structure create lasting stamina and energy that actually feels good....
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Rebel Quietly: How to Master Your Attention and End the Overwhelm Cycle
This isn't about mastering the world or conquering your overwhelm. It's quieter than that. In this episode I map out a gently rebellious path from burnout to deep heartfelt success — treating overwhelm as useful information rather than something to push through. making overwhelm optional, not...
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Overwhelm Is Optional Returns: Why I Paused 226 Episodes - and What I Learned About Overwhelm, Burnout and Starting Over
The Overwhelm is Optional podcast is back - but why...and what happened?! The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and...
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Overwhelm is No Longer Optional
This was the final episode of Overwhelm is Optional. Turns out I was wrong! More episodes coming very soon. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional:...
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From Overwhelm to Joy: Transforming Fear with Rumi’s Wisdom
What if overwhelm wasn’t something to escape—but a guide leading you to ease and clarity? In this episode, we explore Rumi’s Guest House and the power of welcoming every emotion as a valuable guest. Through personal stories—including insights from a family history treasure hunt—you’ll discover…
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Feeling Stuck? You’re Not. The Truth About Lasting Change & Transformation
The journey from overwhelm to joy isn’t a straight line—it’s a spiral. In this episode, I explore the reality of personal transformation, why it takes vulnerability, courage and commitment, and the importance of recognizing the shifts you’re already making. Reflections from my recent trip to...
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Overwhelmed & Exhausted? Here’s How to Break the Cycle
Feeling stuck in the overwhelm-to-exhaustion cycle? It’s time to break free. In this episode, I reveal how to turn overwhelm into a powerful guide—not a problem to fix. Discover the mindset shift and simple practice that can change everything. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven...
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How I Use ChatGPT to Free My Mind & Make Life Easier
Overwhelmed by all the things you need to think through, plan, or create? In this episode, I share how I use AI to clear mental clutter, organise my ideas, and stay focused on what matters most—without losing my own voice or intuition. If you’re curious about how AI can help (not replace) your...
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Break Free from Overwhelm: Mind Traps from Yellowstone
The hit TV series Yellowstone reveals powerful mind traps that keep us stuck in overwhelm. In this episode, I explore three key traps inspired by the show—false choices, the illusion of control, and catastrophizing—and how to break free. If you're tired of feeling overwhelmed and pressured to…
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What NASA’s Fatigue Research Can Teach Us About Listening to Ourselves
In this episode, I explore NASA’s fascinating research on fatigue and how it highlights surprising gender differences in how tiredness is perceived and managed. Together, we’ll unpack what it means to acknowledge our tiredness without judgement and gently rebel against the pressure to hide it....
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How to Overcome Overwhelm & Achieve Your Dreams
Feeling overwhelmed by your goals? Discover how to transform that overwhelm into clarity and take meaningful steps toward your dreams. In this episode, I share the magic of focusing on heartfelt wishes, believing in the possible, and staying open to serendipity. Here’s what you’ll learn: • How to...
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Transforming Chaos to Clarity: Prioritizing What Truly Matters in 2025
How to turn overwhelm into joy in 2025. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and satisfaction at work Switch off,...
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Overwhelmed? Try This Joyful Transformation!
Overwhelm steals clarity and joy, leaving you stuck in reactivity. In this episode, I’ll share how to uncover your Heartfelt Priorities and stay focused on what matters most—even when life feels overwhelming. Discover practical steps to turn overwhelm into joy and explore tools like the Gently...
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Creating Space for Yourself During the Holiday Chaos
Try this one simple mindset shift to create more space for yourself. Free workshop: https://www.heidimarke.co.uk/registration-page The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy....
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How to Break Free from Overwhelm and Reclaim Your Life
What if overwhelm wasn’t a sign of failure, but a trickster blocking the easier way to live your life? In this episode, I share my personal journey from burnout to creating The Gentle Rebellion Against Overwhelm. We’ll explore how to gently—but firmly—say no to the pressure and yes to the…
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Space for You: How to Gently Reclaim Ease Amid End-of-Year Chaos
This week, we’re diving into something we all long for but often struggle to find—space. Not just a gap in your schedule, but true space for you. The kind of space where your shoulders soften, your mind clears, and your heart feels light. In this episode, we explore: Why space is more than a...
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Easing End-of-Year Overwhelm: Gentle Practices to Create Space and Joy
🎙️ Feeling overwhelmed as the year wraps up? You're not alone. In this episode, I acknowledge the unique end-of-year pressures and share 3 gently rebellious practices to help you find space, ease, and joy amidst the chaos. Discover how small shifts like The Morning Promise, Neutral Noticing, and...
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Meetings Without Breaks? How to Cope and Reclaim Your Time
Why are meetings always back-to-back? In this episode, we explore how constant demands on your time—without space to reset—lead to overwhelm, frustration, and decreased performance. Discover why this happens, how it affects you, and what you can do to gently rebel against the culture of non-stop...
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Whoops Miss Stressy Pants appeared again!
Have you ever caught yourself slipping back into old patterns of stress and pressure? In this episode, I share a personal moment of recognising my own 'Stressy Pants' behaviour and how I gently shifted back to calm and clarity. Learn how to notice the early signs of overwhelm, why it’s okay to...
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Finding freedom from self-imposed seasonal pressures
As autumn arrives, do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by self-imposed expectations to stay productive, organised, or ahead of the game? In this episode, I explore how the seasonal shift can amplify internal pressures—and how to gently rebel against them. Learn how to embrace the natural...
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Crafting a Purposeful Path as the Year Winds Down
As the year winds down, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by unfinished goals or pressure to 'make the most' of the remaining time. But what if there’s another way? In this episode, I share how to gently reflect, set meaningful intentions, and craft a purposeful path into the new year—without the...
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How to find the hidden ease in your life
There’s hidden ease all around us—if we take the time to notice it. In this episode, I share how to uncover the moments of simplicity, flow, and joy that already exist in your life. Plus, explore these Messy Journaling Questions (MJQs) to deepen your reflection: Where am I insisting this is the...
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Awe and Wonder Amid Chaos: How to Reclaim Your Attention
Reflecting on my recent road trip through the Pacific Northwest of America I found way more awe and wonder than the doom and gloom news headlines would suggest. A great reminder of the importance of valuing your attention. After all, where you place your attention determines the experience of…
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How I dealt with a dose of travel overwhelm
Here's what I did when travel overwhelm hit me just before going on my Pacific North West adventure. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The...
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Transform Overwhelm into Calm
A fast and effective way to deal with overwhelm. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and satisfaction at work...
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Overwhelm is Optional: Reading an extract to you with Rosie, Nutmeg and Kangarooby
This week I invite you to settle back and enjoy being read to from my book Overwhelm is Optional - with my Cavalier spaniels, Rosie, Nutmeg and Kanagarooby. Feel seen and understood because it's not just you. Please consider buying my book and sharing it. Available on Amazon. The podcast for high...
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The Transformative Power of the Mind-Body Connection: with Sara Parrode, The Portable Wellness Coach
Want more energy? This week I discuss my experiences of waking The Camino without the usual stress and exhaustion with Sarah Parrode, The Portable Wellness Coach and endurance athlete. Sarah's experiences as a global nomad offer a unique lens through which we examine the profound mind-body...
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Transforming Branding into a Journey of Authentic Self-Discovery with Emily Rosales
Can branding be more than something you struggle to get done so that you can get on with building your business? What if it was an opportunity for deep, personal transformation? Emily Rosales, Founder of Simply.Me Coaching. Emily helps passionate entrepreneurs and small business owners to build…
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The weirdest gift from walking The Camino
I never saw this gift coming! The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and satisfaction at work Switch off, laugh…
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Celebrating 200 Episodes: Transform Your Life and Business with the Gentle Rebel Way
The 200th episode - join me as I celebrate and reflect. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and satisfaction at...
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Unlocking Deep Connections Through Storytelling with D Grant Smith
Join us as we uncover the transformative power of stories with D Grant-Smith, a master storyteller and self-concept specialist. Youtube for our Hero Story Garden Show: https://www.youtube.com/@dgrantsmith/streams Where to buy his books & stories: https://growthfarming.com/products Where to…
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Breaking Free from the Tyranny of To-Dos: Transforming Stress into Joy and Satisfaction
Ever feel like your to-do list is running your life instead of the other way around? This week on the Overwhelm is Optional podcast, we uncover the insidious "circular tyranny" of to-dos—a relentless cycle where tasks seem to endlessly refill, creating a perpetual state of stress and anxiety. The...
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Embrace Authenticity and Set Boundaries: Insights with Executive Coach Alyssa Gioscia
Have you ever felt the pressure of trying to be someone you’re not just to fit in? Join us in this enlightening episode of the Overwhelm is Optional podcast, where I sit down with executive coach Alyssa Gioscia to uncover the true essence of embracing authenticity and setting boundaries. Alyssa...
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A Gently Rebellious Practice for Finding Peace and Joy Regardless
This episode is particularly personal. I share a story from one of the most painful periods of my life — and what I discovered about peace and joy when circumstances gave me every reason not to feel either. Because that's what "regardless" means. Not when things are good. Not when you've sorted...
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Are You Carrying a Mary Poppins Bag? How to Let Go of Life's Unnecessary Burdens
You know that feeling of carrying just a little too much? Not one big thing — but an seemingly bottomless bag of accumulated weight. Worries, obligations, old stories, other people's stuff, things you've been meaning to deal with since 2019. This episode is about finding out what's actually in…
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The Secret to Overcoming Overwhelm — One Small Gently Rebellious Step at a Time
You know that feeling of being perpetually on high alert — like overwhelm is just the permanent background noise of your life? This episode is about what actually works. Not pushing through, not forcing your way out — but the surprisingly small, gently rebellious shifts that create real and…
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Christmas: A Very Special Kind of Overwhelm
The lead up to Christmas can feel particularly challenging when your life is already overloaded. What if it's a unique opportunity to create more freedom to be yourself? The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and...
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Balancing Sleep and Life: From Survival Mode to Thriving
Do you have a life you can only cope with if you get enough sleep? Or do you have a life where your days are good regardless? The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy....
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Strategies to Avoid Burnout
Together, let's rebel gently against burnout. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business owners who want to break free from overwhelm and experience more clarity, ease and joy. Overwhelm is Optional: Join The Gentle Rebellion Focus and satisfaction at work Switch...
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The Transformative Season: Understanding and Accepting Autumn Grief
Are you stuck in an emotional tug-of-war as the seasons change? Join me as I navigate my own Autumn Grief, the mourning that descends as the warmth of summer fades. Find the gifts the season change wishes to bring you. The podcast for high earning, big-hearted, driven professionals and business...
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Embracing Life with Play: Laura Haver's Happiness Insights
This week I’m talking to Laura Haver. Laura is an expert in play, communication and happiness. She is on a mission to inspire people of all ages around the world to live more playful, vibrant and fulfilling lives. She joyfully shares her expertise as an author, speaker, life coach and mom. Her…
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The Cool Pheasant's Way: Strategies for a Calm, Controlled Life
Inspired by two pheasants at Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire, I have some questions for you! Are you tired of being the panicked pheasant running into a solid hedge? Wouldn't you rather be the cool, professional pheasant that effortlessly finds its way through? Find out how to morph from being...
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Stripes: my newest Tiny-Huge Life-Changing Practice
I’ve been waking regularly thinking about stripes. My mind was very focused on all the things I had to do, all the bookings in my calendar - the black stripes. I noticed that this focusing on the stuff to do felt like pressure and was resulting in feelings of overwhelm that needed to be shifted...
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Doing It All is Not the Same as Having It All — and Why That Realisation Changes Everything
I learned this one the hard way. Reflecting on my own journey to burnout and back again, I realised — maybe a little later than I'd have liked — that trying to do it all and actually having it all are not the same thing. Not even close. This episode is that realisation, shared honestly, in case…
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Discovering Ease: How Small Daily Actions Create Profound and Lasting Change
Have you ever been in the middle of an ordinary moment and suddenly felt completely, unexpectedly right? This episode starts with a road trip, an epiphany, and a cocktail of pure gratitude — and becomes a meditation on what ease actually feels like when you stop waiting for the big dramatic…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
For high earners in high stress work environments who want focus and satisfaction at work and the ability to switch off, be present and laugh easily at home.
Hosted by transformational coach Heidi Marke.
Thank you to purpleplanet.com for the music.
HOSTED BY
Heidi Marke
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Overwhelm is Optional have?
Overwhelm is Optional currently has 236 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Overwhelm is Optional about?
For high earners in high stress work environments who want focus and satisfaction at work and the ability to switch off, be present and laugh easily at home. Hosted by transformational coach Heidi Marke. Thank you to purpleplanet.com for the music.
How often does Overwhelm is Optional release new episodes?
Overwhelm is Optional publishes regularly with 236 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Overwhelm is Optional?
You can listen to Overwhelm is Optional 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 Overwhelm is Optional?
Overwhelm is Optional is created and hosted by Heidi Marke.
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