The Unpack With Jack Podcast

Unpack with Jack explores self-leadership, emotional intelligence and the deeper patterns shaping how we grow, lead and live.What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around no longer reflects who you are and you’re forced to start again?Sarah French - former Royal Australian Navy chef and CEO of a celebrated Sydney catering business turned social justice and health advocate - shares what it really takes to rebuild from the inside out.If you’ve ever used external achievement to avoid looking inward, this conversation will meet you there.ABOUT SARAH:Sarah French is a social justice and health advocate working in the domestic, family, and sexual violence space. With a background spanning military service and entrepreneurship, she brings both discipline and lived experience to her work — supporting men and women as they navigate the justice system and rebuild their lives after crisis through "Her Story Revolution".She also serves as an ambassador for "Our Story Foundation", a charity focused on awareness, education, and support in this space.Ever the entrepreneur, Sarah is now building "Beauty Foods" — a brand grounded in the belief that real health is built from within.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:Why external success without internal stability eventually breaks downHow high-performance environments disconnect you from yourselfWhat radical responsibility actually means — and how it gives you your power backWhy nervous system regulation is foundationalWhere shame really comes from — and why much of it isn’t yours to carryHow to begin rebuilding when your identity no longer holdsEPISODE SUMMARY:Sarah French built a life that looked extraordinary from the outside - eight years in the Royal Australian Navy followed by a celebrated catering business in Sydney. By most measures, she had made it. What was harder to see was what was quietly unravelling underneath — until it caught up with her publicly and painfully.What followed was a long process of rebuilding — not the external kind, but the confronting work of figuring out who you are once the titles and identity are gone. It wasn’t linear or quick. What gave her traction was radical responsibility — not excusing what happened, but by reclaiming authorship of her life.In this conversation, we explore the shadow side of high performance; why surface-level wellness falls short without addressing the nervous system; what shame really is and where it comes from; and the work Sarah does today — supporting people through the justice system and helping them rebuild on the other side of trauma.There’s a moment where Sarah reads a journal entry written to her younger self just days before recording. It lands differently than most podcast moments. The conversation earns it.Connect With Sarah: Sarah Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesarahfrenchHer Story Revolution: https://herstoryrevolution.comConnect With Jack:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unpackwithjack_Website: https://unpackwithjack.com.auCurious which patterns might be shaping how you think, work and show up in life?Take the free Maskuline Archetype Quiz: https://bit.ly/UnpackfreequizIf anything in this conversation resonated with you — especially if you’re navigating something difficult — please know you don’t have to go through it alone.If you need support, you can contact:1800RESPECT (Australia) — 1800 737 732https://www.1800respect.org.au

Unpack with Jack explores emotional intelligence, healthy masculinity and the deeper patterns shaping how we grow, lead and live.What happens when losing your father young quietly shapes everything about who you become - and what you feel called to build?In this episode, Joey Molloy shares how growing up with that loss became the foundation for building men's communities in Ireland, and why creating space for real connection might be the most important work a man can do.If you've ever felt alone in what you're carrying - this one is for you.Joey Molloy is a men's group facilitator, breathwork practitioner, and co-founder of WNOW Greystones (Co. Wicklow, Ireland). Having lost his father young, he returned from years in Australia driven to build the kind of spaces for men he never had - running weekly men's circles, breathwork sessions and cold exposure events.What You'll Learn In This Episode:Why men's groups are nothing like most people assumeHow losing his father young shaped Joey's mission — and why it took years to understand that connectionThe role breathwork and cold exposure play in breaking through emotional blocksWhat the Four Corners of Clarity framework is and how it can help you know yourself betterWhy vulnerability in a group of men creates accountability that solo self-development never canHow to stop performing and start showing up authenticallyEpisode Summary:Most men are carrying things they've never talked about - not because they don't want to, but because they've never had the right space. Joey's work is about building that space. He opens up about losing his father young, how it shaped him in ways he only understood later and why that sits at the heart of everything he now builds. When men are honest with each other, something shifts - not just for them, but for those around them.The episode covers a lot of ground: the story behind WNOW Greystones and its unlikely connection to Australia, how Joey found breathwork and why he thinks it's one of the most underrated tools for emotional clarity, his battles with identity and self-doubt, the saunas and ice baths that became a gateway into deeper conversations, and the Four Corners of Clarity - his framework for helping men understand who they actually are.A reminder that the things we carry don't have to be carried alone. As Joey puts it: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."Resources Mentioned:Joey's upcoming event — "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" Men's Event — https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-mens-event-tickets-1966778489406Work With Jack:👉 Free Maskuline Archetype Quiz: https://bit.ly/Unpackfreequiz👉 Coaching: https://stan.store/UnpackWithJack👉 Website: https://unpackwithjack.com.auConnect With Us:Follow Jack: https://www.instagram.com/unpackwithjack_Follow Joey: https://www.instagram.com/joey.molloy/Follow WNOW Men's Group (greystones): https://www.instagram.com/wnow_greystones/

Unpack with Jack explores emotional intelligence, healthy masculinity and the deeper patterns shaping how we grow, lead and live.What if the most painful losses in your life were actually the doorway to truly finding yourself?In this episode, Jessie Whelan explores how grief, vulnerability, and energy healing can become unexpected catalysts for deep self-discovery.What You'll Learn In This Episode:Why grief doesn't follow a timeline (and why it can still feel raw and fresh years after loss)How losing a parent can strip away false identities and force a deeper relationship with yourselfThe role of vulnerability and open dialogue in processing grief and building genuine connectionWhat energy modalities like Reiki and somatic practices offer that talk therapy alone cannot reachHow to show up for someone who is grieving and the one thing most people get wrongWhy the relationship you have with yourself is the foundation that carries you through any lossEpisode Summary:Jessie Whelan is a healer, writer and creator of JW Healing and the DMC Podcast. Originally from County Clare, Ireland, now based in Australia. In this conversation, she joins Jack to speak openly about grief: specifically, the loss of her father at 26 and everything that unfolded in the years that followed.The central idea is that grief, as painful as it is, can become a doorway. For Jessie, losing her dad eventually helped her find herself — through creative expression, energy work and a willingness to sit with what hurts. Her sensitivity, long seen as a weakness, became her greatest strength.Together, Jack and Jessie explore how to genuinely show up for someone who is grieving, the role of somatic practices in healing what words can't reach, and why continuing to talk about those we've lost is an act of love, not rumination. Jessie also speaks candidly about a recent miscarriage and why these conversations deserve far more space than they're given.Ultimately, this episode is an invitation: to grieve openly, honour what you've lost, and keep showing up for yourself. As Jessie puts it — the relationship you have with yourself is the foundation that carries you through everything else.Work With JackCurious which patterns might be shaping how you think, work and show up in life? Take the free Maskuline Archetype Quiz:https://bit.ly/UnpackfreequizIf you're a high-achieving man feeling burned out, stuck in overdrive or disconnected from yourself, I offer 1:1 breakthrough sessions designed to help you slow down, reset and reconnect. Explore the Breakthrough Blueprint Session:https://stan.store/UnpackWithJackLearn more about my work:https://unpackwithjack.com.auConnect With Us:Follow Jack: https://www.instagram.com/unpackwithjack_https://www.instagram.com/jw.healing?igsh=dWQ2c2FjZXZ1Mmh1\https://open.spotify.com/episode/33RqASLbuFlS1mXIqw9PBI?si=yed3-GLDTmeq7tAoc1c0mwIf this conversation resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from it.

Unpack with Jack explores emotional intelligence, healthy masculinity and the deeper patterns shaping how we grow, lead and live.Why do we sabotage ourselves even when we genuinely want to change?In this episode, coach Dermot O'Donoghue explains why every behaviour - even self-sabotage - has a deeper motivation behind it.In this episode of Unpack with Jack, coach Dermot O'Donoghue breaks down why every behaviour - even self-sabotage - has a deeper motivation behind it.If you've ever felt stuck in cycles of self-criticism, this conversation will help you see those patterns in a completely new way.What You'll Learn In This Episode:• Why self-sabotage isn’t random and what actually drives it• The connection between body image and self-image• Why emotional intelligence is essential for lasting change• The balance between self-compassion and accountability• How nervous system regulation impacts personal growth• Why community and honest conversations help men healEpisode Summary:In this episode of the Unpack with Jack podcast, Jack sits down with coach Dermot O'Donoghue to explore the psychology behind self-sabotage, motivation and personal growth.Many people believe their struggles with discipline, consistency or confidence are personal failures. But as Dermot explains, every behaviour is motivated - even the ones that seem to hold us back. When we begin to understand the deeper patterns behind our actions, we can shift from fighting ourselves to working with ourselves.Drawing on his experience in the fitness and coaching world, Dermot shares insights on emotional intelligence, self-compassion and the role of accountability in lasting change. The conversation also explores the connection between body image and self-image, why men often struggle to open up about their internal challenges and how supportive communities can create real transformation.This episode is a reminder that growth is rarely linear - and that understanding yourself is often the first step toward meaningful change.Curious which patterns might be shaping how you think, work and relate to yourself?Work With JackCurious which patterns might be shaping how you think, work and show up in life? Take the free Maskuline Archetype Quiz:👉 https://bit.ly/UnpackfreequizIf you're a high-achieving man feeling burned out, stuck in overdrive or disconnected from yourself, I offer 1:1 breakthrough sessions designed to help you slow down, reset and reconnect. Explore the Breakthrough Blueprint Session:👉 https://stan.store/UnpackWithJackLearn more about my work:👉 https://unpackwithjack.com.auConnect With Us👉 Follow Jack: https://www.instagram.com/unpackwithjack_👉 Follow Dermot: https://www.instagram.com/coachdermo/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Dermot O'Donoghue02:05 Dermot's Journey in Personal Training04:33 The Importance of Mental Health in Coaching08:46 Understanding Body Image and Self-Image13:06 Addressing Self-Sabotage in Clients14:25 The Profile of Dermot's Clients16:43 Building a Resilient Nervous System19:17 The Balance Between Action and Regulation24:05 Becoming the Coach You Needed26:32 Understanding Emotional Intelligence28:02 The Importance of Self-Honesty29:58 Compassion vs Discipline32:05 The Role of Jiu-Jitsu in Personal Growth43:29 Building a Supportive Community for MenIf this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

In this episode of Unpack with Jack, I’m joined by wellness practitioner Leona Johnson of the Embodiedbody as we explore what happens when you step away from productivity, corporate identity and external validation to rediscover who you really are.Leona shares her journey into breathwork and yoga, how the nervous system stores emotion, and what it’s like to sit with uncertainty, shame and self-trust during major life transitions. This is a gentle, honest conversation about healing, identity and learning to come home to yourself.🔗 Explore Your Next Step:Leona Johnson Instagram: @theembodiedbodyUnpack with Jack Instagram: @unpackwithjack_Visit my Website: www.unpackwithjack.com.auTake The Maskuline Archetype Quiz: Discover your core pattern and how it shapes your self-worth https://jackcostello90.outgrow.us/of-Copy-of-jackcostello90-2-4-1Ready For Change? Book Your Breakthrough Blueprint - A private 90 minute 1:1 session for neurodivergent high-achievers ready to stop performing and start feeling human againhttps://stan.store/UnpackWithJack

In this episode of the Unpack with Jack podcast, host Jack welcomes his first guest, Stephen McGuire of Steady Mind. Stephen shares his journey from Ireland to Australia, his challenges in finding work in disability nursing and his discovery of breathwork as a transformative practice. The conversation delves into themes of self-discovery, vulnerability and the importance of authentic connections. Stephen discusses his partnership with Leona, their shared vision in wellness and the impact of mentors like Caoimhe Gibney (The mindful Physio). The episode highlights the power of community, personal growth and the journey towards living authentically.Chapters:- 00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome - 00:05:00 Stephen's Journey to Australia - 00:10:00 Discovering Breathwork - 00:15:00 Challenges and Self-Discovery - 00:20:00 Partnership and Shared Vision - 00:25:00 Mentorship and Community Impact - 00:30:00 Living Authentically and Future GoalsTakeaways:Stephen's journey from Ireland to Australia was transformative.Breathwork became a key part of Stephen's life.Challenges in finding work led to self-discovery.Authentic connections are vital for personal growth.Stephen and Leona share a vision in wellness.Mentorship from Caoimhe was impactful.Community plays a crucial role in Stephen's journey.Living authentically is a central theme.Stephen's partnership with Leona is a source of strength.The episode emphasizes vulnerability and growth.

As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves grappling with the emotional challenges that come with it. In a heartfelt episode of the Unpack with Jack podcast, host Jack opens up about his personal struggles with grief and the stress often associated with Christmas, providing valuable insights for anyone facing similar challenges.

Summary: In this episode, Jack delves into the complex topics of self-esteem, self-worthand self-love, particularly focusing on the challenges men face in discussing these issues. He explores how societal expectations and traditional masculinity often lead men to suppress their emotions and outsource their self-worth to external achievements. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, he emphasizes the importance of internal validation and the journey towards self-acceptance, encouraging listeners to recognize their intrinsic value beyond societal measures of success.Chapters00:00 Exploring Self-Esteem and Masculinity10:55 The Impact of Outsourcing Self-Worth16:27 Finding Value Within: The Journey to Self-AcceptanceTakeawaysSelf-esteem is how we feel and think about ourselves.Many men shy away from discussing self-esteem due to societal norms.There is a fear among men that discussing emotions is feminine.Suppressing emotions can lead to feelings of isolation.Vulnerability is essential for meaningful connections.Outsourcing self-worth to achievements is a common trap.True contentment comes from within, not from external validation.Recognizing one's intrinsic value is crucial for self-acceptance.Journaling can help identify where we outsource our worth.It's important to be compassionate with oneself during this journey.

Summary: In this episode, Jack delves into the complexities of perfectionism, exploring its roots, the cycle it creates and the fear of rejection that often accompanies it. The conversation emphasises the importance of self-acceptance, compassion and taking action despite imperfections. The host shares personal experiences and insights on how to break free from the constraints of perfectionism and embrace a mindset of growth and self-validation.Chapters00:00 Understanding Perfectionism08:03 The Cycle of Perfectionism15:26 Breaking Free from PerfectionismTakeawaysPerfectionism often stems from a fear of not being enough.Delaying action due to perfectionism can lead to stress and anxiety.Competence comes before confidence; we must allow ourselves to be beginners.The cycle of perfectionism includes overplanning and fear of rejection.Self-acceptance is crucial in overcoming perfectionism.Perfectionism can masquerade as productivity, hindering true progress.We need to validate ourselves internally rather than seeking external approval.Compassion towards our inner critic is essential for growth.Understanding the biological basis of perfectionism can foster self-compassion.Taking small steps can help break the cycle of perfectionism.

Summary:In this episode of Unpack With Jack, the host delves into the complexities of neurodivergence, particularly focusing on ADHD. He shares his personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding for oneself. The conversation explores how societal norms often marginalize neurodivergent individuals, leading to feelings of shame and inadequacy. The host discusses practical strategies for self-regulation, the significance of rest, and the cognitive differences between neurodivergent and neurotypical minds. Ultimately, the episode aims to normalize discussions around neurodivergence and empower listeners to embrace their unique traits.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage02:06 Understanding Neurodivergence and ADHD07:58 The Impact of Societal Norms on Neurodivergent Individuals12:51 Compassion and Self-Acceptance15:31 Fidgeting and Self-Regulation18:58 The Stigma Surrounding ADHD25:44 Cognitive Differences Between Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Minds29:47 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care35:03 Transforming Shame into EmpowermentTakeawaysNeurodivergent individuals often feel pressure to conform to societal norms.Self-acceptance is crucial for mental well-being.Compassion towards oneself can lead to better self-regulation.Societal productivity standards can be detrimental to neurodivergent individuals.Understanding one's cognitive differences can empower personal growth.Fidgeting can be a healthy self-regulation technique.Shame is a common emotion among neurodivergent individuals, but it can be transformed into empowerment.Rest and self-care are essential for managing neurodivergent traits.Many geniuses throughout history may have been neurodivergent.It's important to have open conversations about neurodivergence to reduce stigma.

SummaryIn this inaugural episode of the Unpack with Jack podcast, the host, Jack introduces the theme of overcoming resistance and perfectionism in the pursuit of personal growth. He emphasizes the importance of starting the journey, sharing insights on healthy masculinity and emotional intelligence and the value of lived experiences. The conversation highlights the need to normalise discussions around shame and struggles, aiming to create a supportive community where listeners feel connected and understood.TakeawaysThe journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.It's important to allow ourselves the permission to be a beginner.Everyone has something to teach us if we stay open.Shame grows when it's not talked about, and we must overcome it through conversation."It's okay not to be okay."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Journey01:41 Overcoming Resistance and Perfectionism03:48 Exploring Healthy Masculinity and Emotional Intelligence06:07 The Importance of Lived Experience07:45 Normalising Conversations Around Shame and Struggles