This Is What I'm Here For

What happens when you have the job, the relationship, the life that looks right on paper, but inside you feel completely disconnected?In this deeply honest conversation, holistic psychotherapist and SoulPlanTM guide Gabrielle Cox shares the story of leaving her corporate career and her relationship in the same week, and what it really takes to rebuild your identity from the inside out.Episode SummaryHave you ever done everything “right” and still found yourself on the bathroom floor wondering why you feel so lost?In this episode, I sit down with Gabrielle Cox, whose life pivoted in 2018 when she left her senior corporate role and her long-term relationship in the same week. From the outside, everything looked successful. Inside, she was burnt out, dysregulated and deeply unfulfilled. After experiencing burnout twice and realising she had built her life around external expectations and validation, something had to change.A meditation retreat with Dr Joe Dispenza became a powerful turning point, bringing a profound sense of connection andlove, but also a stark realisation when she returned home that she had no idea who she truly wanted to be. For the first time, there were no expectations driving her forward. Just space. And that space was both exhilarating and terrifying.From painting and decorating to training in spiritual counselling and psychotherapy, Gabrielle shares how discovering SoulPlanTM felt like being truly seen for the first time. Not as ajob title,  not as someone’s partner, but as an energetic being with specific gifts, challenges and talents that could beconsciously activated.This conversation covers a lot of ground:What it feels like to lose an external identity and sit with the discomfort of not knowing who you are nextHow burnout and dysregulation can be signals rather than failuresThe power of SoulPlanTM as an energetic blueprint and why it can feel so deeply affirmingWhy movement and embodiment are essential when we feel stuck, numb or overwhelmedHow subtle language shifts can move us from struggle into challenge and possibilityThis episode is perfect for anyone who feels disconnected from who they once were, unsure of who they are becoming, or feeling aware that the life they have built no longer feels right. Listen Now: Press play if you are somewhere in between who you were and who you know you are capable of becoming. Gaby's story is warm, grounded and completely without pretence, and this conversation is a genuine reminder that the disconnection you might be feeling right now is not a sign that something has gone wrong. It might just be the invitation you have been waiting for.Connect with Lisa BirtlesSubstack: https://substack.com/@lisabirtlesWebsite: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachConnect with Gabrielle CoxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuningintoyoursoulFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/tuningintoyoursoulSubstack: https://substack.com/@gabriellecoxBook a connection call: https://calendly.com/tuning_soul/connection-call

Episode SummaryIt's been a while since I've recorded a public episode. Not because I had nothing to say. Because I was listening, learning, and building something worth coming back for.This episode is me coming back.In this episode:Why the retreat was by design, not failure, and what I've been doing in the in-between. The decision I finally had the courage to honour, and why so many of us think we're still deciding something we've actually already decided. And something I want to say directly to everyone who has been reading, listening and watching without ever commenting publicly: I see you. And this episode is for you.Press play if:You've ever mistaken a necessary retreat for falling behind. You've been moved by someone's work without ever telling them. You're standing at the edge of a decision you've already made in your heart. Or you just need permission to belong without having to perform it.Sit with this after listening:What decision have you already made that you're still waiting to fully honour?Connect with Lisa BirtlesFind me on Substack at Lisa Birtles - Lit Up: https://substack.com/@lisabirtlesWebsite: www.lisabirtles.comReach out publicly or privately, both are equally welcome.Episodes are released when something responds, not on a rigid schedule, because that's how this work is built.

Becoming who you truly are is not always straightforward. Sometimes it follows burnout, big life changes, or moments that make you stop and reassess.In this episode, Lisa is joined by Carolyn Appleton to explore identity, emotional intelligence and the role of the bodyin recognising what is actually right for you.Episode Summary:Have you ever carried on with something because it made logical sense or met other people's expectations, even though something in you was saying otherwise?In this conversation, I’m joined by Carolyn Appleton and we explore what it really means to become who you are through the choices you make and the life events that influence you.Carolyn shares her experience of burnout, earlier changes in her family life, including when her mother became a priest, and how those experiences shifted her sense of identity and possibility.We also explore the difference between change that happens to you and change you begin to choose for yourself. From burnout and external shifts, to more intentional decisions such as her move to Valencia and designing a four day working week.Alongside this, we talk about how easy it is to rely on logic and experience, and how that can lead us to override emotional responses and physical signals that are often trying to guide us.In this episode, we explore:• What burnout can reveal when you can no longer push through• The impact of significant life changes on identity• The difference between reactive and intentional change• How emotional and body signals can help guide decisionsThis episode is perfect for you if you are starting to question what still fits and what no longer does.Listen Now:If you are ready to reflect on the changes in your own life and consider what you might choose next, this conversation willgive you a grounded place to start.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachwww.linkedin.com/in/lisabirtlesConnect with Carolyn Appleton: Substack: carolynappleton.substack.com LinkedIn: Carolyn AppletonWebsite: carolynappleton.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/carolynappletree/Inspired Action:Notice one moment today where something feelsoff or fully aligned.Pause before you move past it, and pay attention to what your body is telling you.If you enjoyed this episode, follow and subscribe to This Is What I’m Here For, share it with someone who would enjoy it and give a 5-star review.

Episode Summary What does it really look like to leave a secure career, follow a creative calling, and discover that the dream is both wonderful and hard in ways no one talks about? In this episode, author Caroline Hulse joins Lisa Birtles for a warm, funny and deeply honest conversation about writing, waiting, money,purpose and life with a small controlling dog who has very strong views about working from home.Have you ever pursued a dream thinking that once you got there, everything would finally fall into place, only to realise that you are still you, with the same doubts, fears and questions, just in a different setting?In this episode of This Is What I’m Here For, Lisa is joined byManchester based author Caroline Hulse, former HR professional, novelist published in fourteen languages, and owner of Ziggy, a small and very controlling dog who plays an unexpected role in Caroline’s creative life. When Lisa asked about a pivotal career shift, Caroline’s honest response was “Aargh, no”, and that sets the tone for a conversation that refuses to romanticise big life changes.Together, Lisa and Caroline explore the long road from writing at night alongside a full time HR career to becoming a published author, the realities of turning a passion into a job, and the emotional weight of waiting, uncertainty and financial unpredictability. Caroline speaks candidly about money, privilege, security and why she still chooses this path, again and again, even when it feels uncomfortable.In this episode, they talk about:Leaving a secure HR career to write full time, what no one warns you about, and why Caroline says she would not necessarily recommend her life shift, even though she would still choose it every dayThe everyday reality of a writing life, from spreadsheets and first drafts to waiting for emails that could change everything, and how uncertainty shows up in the body and the mindPurpose, including Caroline’s belief that she is here to entertain and be entertained, and how books, flawed characters and even a small controlling dog help her stay connected to the worldThis episode is for anyone going through a transition, questioning whether the dream is worth the discomfort, or wondering if there is something more real and honest than the polished success stories we usually hear about on socialmedia.Listen NowPress play if you want a down-to-earth conversation about creativity, courage and choosing a life that makes sense to you, even when it is messy, uncertain and occasionally involves a dog who insists on being welded to your side.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachGet your copy of Vivian Dies Again by C E Hulse: https://amzn.eu/d/086VvZvW

Episode SummaryFresh from three powerful days at the Millionaire Mind Intensive TM event, Lisa records this spontaneous solo episode while the energy is still very much alive.What began with hesitation turned into a weekend of unexpected learning, powerful insights, and one moment on the final day that revealed something important about how she responds when she feels pushed outside her comfort zone.A warm and honest reflection on courage, values, and the patterns that shape how we show up in life.Have you ever had one of those moments where something happens and suddenly you see yourself more clearly than you did before?In this episode Lisa shares a very real and very fresh reflection after spending three intense days at a training event . When the invitation first arrived she wasn’t sure whether to go. It meant giving up an entire weekend and stepping into an environment that felt quite different from the spaces she usually learns in. But something about the invitation kept nudging her forward, and she decided to trust that instinct and say yes.What followed was three days of high energy learning, connection with new people, and moments that challenged her in ways she hadn’t quite expected. By the end of the weekend she found herself feeling energised, inspired and full of ideas for what comes next.But it was something that happened during the final hours of the event that really stayed with her.A single exercise sparked a deeper realisation about how she responds when she feels pressure, when her values are triggered, and how easily we can slip into patterns we may not even realise are there.And it brought one simple phrase back into focus:"How you do anything is how you do everything".In this episode Lisa reflects on the insight that landed for her in that moment and why it has prompted a new level of curiosity about the patterns that shape how we show up in our lives, our work and our relationships.She explores:How the moments we resist and want to hide from can sometimes reveal the biggest personal insightsWhat can happen when we step outside our comfort zone and stay curious about our reactionsThe powerful role our values play in shaping how we respond to challengeWhy simply noticing our patterns can open the door to deeper growth. Awareness is the first step in creating changeThis episode is perfect for anyone who is doing the work of personal growth and self awareness and who is open to learning more about subconscious patterns that can so powerfully influence how we show up in the world.Listen NowPress play if you enjoy honest reflections about personal growth and the kind of insights that only land when we’re willing to step outside our comfort zone and really look at what’s going on beneath the surface.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoach

Episode SummaryWhat if nothing is wrong with you? What if your mind is not broken, but powerful?In this episode, I am joined by Cat Williams, known as The Stallion Mind Speaker, to explore how the subconscious mind shapes our confidence, fears and sense of identity. As we step into the Year of the Fire Horse, this conversation is an invitation to lead your mind with calm and clarity and to take the reins of your own potential.Have you ever felt capable on paper and yet quietly doubtful underneath? Qualified, experienced and still questioning yourself?In this conversation I sit down with Cat Williams, transformational hypnotherapist, author and confidence specialist, known as The Stallion Mind Speaker. Cat brings more than twenty five years of therapeutic experience to her work, alongside the lived experience of being a military wife navigating uncertainty, resilience and identity in real time.We explore how the subconscious mind is largely formed in the first seven years of life and how those early experiences can shape everything from people pleasing and perfectionism to fear of public speaking and imposter syndrome. Cat explains that the subconscious is not trying to sabotage us. Its only job is to keep us safe and alive. When we understand that, shame begins to soften.We also talk about her journey from physiotherapist to therapist, the moment she realised she needed to understand what was happening in the mind rather than just the body, and how standing in her kitchen while her husband was deployed to Afghanistan led to the writing of her first book, Stay Calm and Content No Matter What Life Throws at You.In this episode we explore:How early subconscious programming influences adult confidence and visibilityThe three core fears of not being good enough, being rejected and believing what we want is not available to usWhy confidence is something we reclaim rather than something we learnWhat it means to become a calm, competent leader of your own mindCat speaks powerfully about discovering your incredible potential and practising what you preach. She shares her belief that we are here to ride into the sunset of our own potential and keep going, not alone, but taking others with us.This episode is perfect for anyone who senses there is more available to them, but knows that fear or old conditioning has been quietly holding the reins.Listen NowIf you are ready to see your fears with more compassion and your potential with more courage, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. Press play and take the reins of your potential.Connect with Lisa BirtlesWebsite: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachConnect with Cat WilliamsWebsite: https://www.buildingyourconfidence.comInstagram: @catwithconfidenceYouTube: Cat WilliamsLinkedIn: Cat Williams

Change is everywhere right now, and it is landing in very different ways for each of us. In this solo episode, Lisa explores the human experience of change, whether it is chosen, unexpected, or something we are being asked to lead, and offers a grounded, compassionate perspective on finding a way forward.Have you been feeling unsettled, restless, or quietly aware that something is shifting, even if you cannot quite name what it is yet? Or perhaps change has already arrived in your life in a way you did not expect, and you are still finding your footing.In this solo episode, Lisa returns to the microphone after a short break to explore change in all its forms. Drawing on her own lived experience and many years of working with people and leaders through complex transitions, she reflects on why change feels particularly intense right now and why it cannot be reduced to strategy or plans alone.Lisa introduces three lenses through which change often shows up in our lives. The change we choose, the change that happens to us without warning, and the change we are asked to lead on behalf of others. Through personal reflection, real examples, and gentle but practical guidance, this episode invites you to slow down, recognise where you are in relation to change, and approach what is unfolding with greater honesty, care, and self compassion.Throughout the episode, Lisa speaks openly about the emotional and physical impact of change, why unplanned change can feel deeply personal, and how leaders can handle change in ways that preserve dignity, trust, and humanity. This is not a conversation about fixing or forcing change, but about understanding it, humanising it, and finding a way forward one step at a time.In this episode, Lisa explores:Why change feels so overwhelming right now, both personally and collectivelyThe three different ways change shows up in our lives and why they require different responsesHow to work with the feeling that change is needed, even when clarity feels elusiveThe emotional reality of unplanned change and why it can mirror griefWhat truly makes change succeed or fail when you are leading others through itThis episode is especially for you if you are in a season of transition, feeling the stirrings of change, navigating something unexpected, or holding responsibility for guiding others through uncertainty.Listen NowIf you are living through change, sensing it on the horizon, or supporting others through it, this episode will help you feel less alone, more grounded, and more able to take the next right step forward.Connect with Lisa BirtlesWebsite: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoach

Episode SummaryA deeply moving Christmas-season conversation about love, hope, and the power of never giving up. How one mother, Kate Markland, transformed just one hour a week with her son into stories that are now changing children’s lives around the world.Two days before Christmas, this episode feels like a gift.A reminder that even in the hardest moments, love finds a way to express itself, sometimesthrough stories, sometimes through courage, and sometimes through an unexpectedhug.In this episode of This Is What I’m Here For, Lisa sits down with Kate Markland, mother, storyteller and creator of StoryQuest™, to share a story that is both deeply personal and profoundly important. For 23 months, Kate was allowed just one hour a week of contact with her son Gabriel, via FaceTime. What could have broken them instead became their lifeline.Together, they told stories. Those stories grew into The Adventures of Gabriel, a #1 Amazon bestselling children’s book series, and into a storytelling methodology now used in schools across the UK and beyond, achieving 100 percent engagement across hundreds of children.At the heart of this conversation is a mother’s unwavering love for her child, and a refusal to give up even when the system feels immovable. Kate speaks with extraordinary honesty about the moment her son was taken, the daily discipline it took to keep going, and the choice she made not to become a victim, but tocreate something meaningful from pain.Just days before this recording, Kate and Gabriel unexpectedly crossed paths and shared a long, warm hug. A moment that carries the spirit of Christmas so powerfully. A reminder that hope does not disappear, even when it has been waiting a longtime.As the conversation unfolds, Kate shares how their private storytelling ritual became StoryQuest™, a framework that gives children a voice, removes fear of getting things wrong, and allows imagination, confidence and collaboration to flourish.From inner-city Bradford classrooms to international interest across Europe, North America and Asia, this work shows what becomes possible when children are invited to be creators, not consumers.This episode is about love. About trust. About never giving up on your child or yourself. And about the quiet, determined belief that stories can change lives, and sometimes systems too.This episode contains references to family separation and may be tender for some listeners. Please take care while listening.Connect with LisaLisa is an intuitive strategist, coach and mentor supporting women and values-led leaders to reconnect with purpose, self-worth and impact, and find the power of their voice, especially during moments of transition.If this episode resonated with you and you’d like to explore Lisa’s work further:🌍 Website: ⁠⁠https://lisabirtles.com⁠⁠📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/lisabirtles⁠💼 LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://linkedin.com/in/lisabirtles⁠⁠Connect with Kate MarklandYou can learn more about Kate and Gabriel’s work, explore their books, and discover StoryQuest™ here:🌍 Website: ⁠https://theadventuresofgabriel.com⁠📚 The Adventures of Gabriel (available via Amazon and the website)🎓 StoryQuest™: Resources and information for schools, educators and communitiesSharing Kate and Gabriel’s story helps amplify work that is already changing children’s lives and giving voice to those who are too often unheard.

Episode SummaryThere is a moment in almost every purpose journey when you realise that the direction you feel drawn toward makes no sense on paper. It does not match your childhood conditioning or the career path you once imagined or the expectations you absorbed from the people around you. And yet, something in you knows it is the next true step.In this episode I sit down with NLP pioneer Fran Burgess, who grew up in a deeply scientific family and was expected to follow a familiar, logical route into the world of academia. Instead, she found herself pulled toward the study of people, perception and meaning, which eventually led her to become one of the most respected figures in NLP modelling and therapeutic transformation.Fran shares how curiosity became her compass, how intuition gently challenged her early assumptions and how spirit began to weave itself quietly into her work long before she fully recognised it. We explore the difference between a life shaped by expectation and a life shaped by inner truth, and how purpose often grows slowly, revealing itself through lived experience rather than a single defining moment.Inside this conversation we explore:The expectations that shaped Fran’s early life and the moment she realised her true path lay elsewhereHow curiosity opened the doorway to NLP, human modelling and a deeper understanding of behaviourThe gradual and powerful emergence of spirit within her workWhy purpose is rarely linear and instead unfolds through resonance, experience and intuitionWhat it feels like to follow a call that does not look sensible to others but feels unmistakably right to youThis episode is perfect for anyone who senses they are being guided somewhere new and needs reassurance that purpose often arrives quietly, grows slowly and becomes clearest when we stop trying to control it.Listen NowPress play to hear how Fran followed the call that made little sense to the outside world yet became the truest foundation of her life’s work.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachBuy Fran's Books on Amazon:The Bumper Book of Modelling by Fran Burgess;https://amzn.eu/d/3KHnoRR

So many of us overlook the very gifts that make us who we are. In this episode Lisa shares how our unique brilliance reveals itself in the simplest moments and why we so often miss it. A gentle, grounding reminder that you already carry somethingextraordinary.Episode SummaryHave you ever felt that there must be something more for you, yet you can't quite name what that is? In this episode Lisa explores the truth of unique brilliance and why the qualities that come most naturally to us are often the ones we undervalue.Through stories from her early career and her journey of finding her way forward in impossible situations, she reflects on how gifts that seem ordinary to us can be life changing for others. She also speaks honestly about the shadow side of brilliance, where over-giving, proving, and blurred boundaries begin to drain the very energy that makes us shine.In this episode Lisa explores:• How your natural strengths reveal themselves long before you notice• Why your brilliance is separate from job titles and qualifications• The shadow side of your gift and how it can lead to burnout• What shifts when you reclaim your brilliance and let it guide youThis episode is perfect for anyone who senses a quiet nudge that they are ready for something truer and more fulfilling.

Episode SummaryThere comes a moment in life when you realise you no longer have to follow the expected path - you can follow your own.In this soulful, truth-filled dialogue between two kindred spirits, Lisa talks with Helen Pinkett, Intuitive Energy Healer and Creatrix of Community, about the many twists and turns of her life and the courage it takes to keep saying yes to what feels right, even when it makes no logical sense.Helen shares how leaving school at sixteen with no qualifications led her to a twenty-year career in hospitality, before life began to gently nudge her toward energy work, creativity and deep human connection. Together, she and Lisa explore how intuition becomes a compass for change, how community can heal and elevate, and how creativity - from photography to modelling - can become a form of self-expression and empowerment.Through laughter and real talk, Helen opens up about:Learning to trust her intuitive nudges and spiritual giftsThe journey from hospitality to healing and community buildingThe power of connection and why she loves holding space for othersHow modelling became an unexpected path to confidence and visibilityThe joy of women celebrating and lifting one another upThis is an affirming episode that celebrates the courage to follow your own energy, to build community through kindness, and to let your next chapter unfold intuitively one step at a time.Perfect for: Anyone who’s feeling the pull toward something new, who’s questioning the “shoulds,” or who’s ready to live and lead in a way that feels more aligned, creative and free.Listen Now:Press play and join Lisa and Helen for a soulful reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful — it just has to be yours.Connect with Lisa Birtles🌐 Website: lisabirtles.com📸 Instagram: @lisabthecoachConnect with Helen Pinkett Facebook - Helen Pinkett📸 Instagram - @the_helen_pinkett

After years as a photographer, Bex Fennell found herself experiencing chronic debilitating pain and out of options. One remote healing session changed everything. In this uplifting conversation, Bex shares how she turned her pain into purpose, why she now experiences miracles every single day, and how she helps others reclaim their energy, confidence and joy.Episode SummaryWhen everything you’ve tried hasn’t worked, it’s easy to lose faith that things can ever feel different. That’s exactly where Bex Fennell found herself after years of health challenges that no treatment seemed to touch. But one chance connection — a remote energy healing session with a practitioner in Canada — opened her eyes to a completely new way of understanding the body and the emotions that shape our wellbeing. That experience changed her life. What began as one woman’s search for healing became a new calling: to help others transform their own pain into freedom, vitality and self-trust. Through The Emotion Code® & Body Code ®, Bex now supports clients all over the world to release emotional imprints that have been held for years — sometimes decades — and to rediscover the spark they thought they’d lost.In this lively, hope-filled conversation, Bex and Lisa talk about how healing can be both magical and measurable, what really happens in a remote session, and the extraordinary stories of people (and even animals) who have experienced lasting transformation. With warmth and humour, Bex describes the awe she still feels every day — the moments she calls her “everyday miracles.”Together they explore:• The turning point that changed Bex’s life and revealed a new purpose• How energy healing works and why it’s transforming lives globally• The powerful link between emotion, energy and physical wellbeing• Real stories of healing that continue to inspire her every day• How Bex’s mission is bringing light and empowerment into mainstream healthThis episode is for anyone who’s been living with a long-term issue that nothing else has shifted, or who senses there must be another way — one that works with the body, not against it.Listen NowBex’s story is full of heart, hope and possibility. It’s a reminder that healing can be joyful, that miracles can happen in everyday moments, and that when we open ourselves to what’s possible, light has a way of finding its way back in.Please note: This conversation is for information and inspiration only and is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. If you have concerns about your health, always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: www.lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisabirtlesConnect with Bex Fennell:Website: www.newbeginningshealing.co.ukInstagram: @newbeginningswithbexLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/newbeginningswithbex

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering who you really are, why you feel so different lately, or why old versions of you no longer fit, this episode will speak right to your heart. Lisa explores the connection between identity and purpose, how they shift throughout life, and what happens when we start to outgrow the labels we’ve always worn.Episode Summary:There comes a moment in all of our lives when the roles we’ve played and the titles we've held no longer feel like the full truth of who we are. Maybe you’re noticing a change in yourself, a stirring to do things differently, or a quiet voice telling youthat there’s more for you than this. In this solo episode, Lisa dives into what identity really means and how it evolves with time, experience, and awareness.She shares her own journey of moving away from the identity of “the problem solver” who carried everything for everyone, into the grounded, gifted guide who empowers others to help themselves. Along the way, she reflects on the difference between identity and behaviour, how letting go of old versions of ourselves can feel like an existential crisis, and how stepping into new identities—like claiming her CEO title thirteen years into business—can transform the way we lead, live, and show up in the world.In this episode, you’ll hear Lisa explore:How identity and purpose are deeply intertwined, each feeding and shaping the other.Why we are never just one thing, and how our many layers create the fullness of who we are.The difference between identity and behaviour, and why judging ourselves or others by past actions needs a re-think.What happens when we cling to old identities that once kept us safe but now hold us back.How life’s natural phases, midlife transitions, and unexpected change can all become invitations to rediscover who we’re here to be.This episode is perfect for anyone standing in that vulnerable in-between space of no longer being who you were, and not yet knowing who you’re becoming. It will speak to your soul if you’re ready to release what no longer fits and step into a truer, kinder version of yourself.Listen Now:Press play for a grounded and soulful conversation about identity, purpose, and the courage it takes to become who you really are.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoach

After years of people-pleasing, burnout, anxiety and self-criticism, Hannah Lilly found herself standing on a stage in what she thought was her “perfect body” and realising she still hated herself. That moment became the catalyst for a journey of radical self-compassion, joy and healing.Content note: This episode includes brief discussion of emotional distress and suicidal thoughts. Please listen with care and seek support if you’re affected.Episode Summary:There are moments in life when we realise that the way we’ve been living is no longer sustainable - when striving, perfectionism and pleasing others have taken us so far from who we really are that we hardly recognise ourselves.In this deeply honest conversation, Hannah Lilly shares how she learned to stop running from herself and instead became her own friend. She talks about the power of self-compassion as the foundation for everything else in life, the difference between happiness and joy, and the choice we each have to return to kindness, even in our hardest moments.Together, we explore how self-compassion transforms the way we parent, relate, work and create - and how joy isn’t something we chase, but something we can uncover inside ourselves, no matter what’s happening around us.In this episode, we talk about:1 What it really means to be a Self-Compassion and Joy Activator2 How Hannah’s “dark night of the soul” led to her very first act of self-kindness3 The difference between happiness and joy — and why joy is an inner state, not an outcome4 Practical ways to start building self-compassion, even when it feels impossible5 The healing power of awareness, gratitude and learning to speak to ourselves like a friendThis episode is for anyone who’s tired of the inner critic running the show, who’s learning to begentler with themselves, and who’s ready to feel at home in their own skin again.Listen Now:Press play if you’re ready to hear a story of courage, compassion and what happens when we finally stop fighting ourselves. Hannah’s honesty, warmth and humour will remind you that you are enough - exactly as you are, right now.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoachConnect with Hannah Lilly:Instagram: @hannahlillybellaSubstack: https://substack.com/@joynoteswithhannahlilly

When work or business starts to feel misaligned, our instinct is often to move - but what if the answer isn’t escape, it’s alignment?Episode Summary:Have you ever found yourself in a role or situation that looks fine on the surface but doesn’t quite feel right underneath? In this reflective solo episode, Lisa shares a story from her coaching practice that opens up a deeper conversation about values - what they really mean, how they shape our choices, and why living in alignment with them changes everything.It’s a gentle yet powerful reminder that when we make decisions purely to get away from discomfort, we often recreate the same patterns in new places. But when we pause to understand what truly matters to us - and take responsibility for honouring those values in our daily lives - that’s when things begin to shift in a lasting way.In this episode, Lisa explores:The difference between moving away from something and moving towards what genuinely fits.Why understanding and living your values changes how you show up in work and life.Dr. John F. DeMartini’s perspective on how our values often grow from what we once lacked - and how recognising that can be deeply healing.Simple reflection questions to help you reconnect with what really matters and make choices that feel like home.This episode is perfect for anyone standing at a crossroads, feeling restless, stuck, or ready for a change but unsure what that next step should truly be.Listen Now:If you’ve ever felt like you might be “jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire,” this episode will help you pause, breathe, and find clarity before you leap. Tune in to discover how reconnecting with your values can help you move towards something that feels right, not just different.Connect with Lisa Birtles:Website: lisabirtles.comInstagram: @lisabthecoach

Sometimes purpose doesn’t feel like clarity or confidence - it feels like fear. In this first solo episode, I share what it really looked like to begin This Is What I’m Here For while hearing my inner voice whisper, Who do you think you are?This conversation isn’t about perfection or having it all figured out. It’s about choosing to begin, even when fear strikes, and trusting that purpose will reveal itself through the act of doing. Because sometimes the most aligned thing we can do is take one small step toward what feels meaningful  - even when it feels scary.In this episode, I share:The real story behind my wobble and the doubts that almost stopped me from startingThe quiet message from Spirit that helped me reconnect to why this podcast mattersHow purpose often unfolds in the small, grounded moments of everyday lifeWhat to expect from the This Is What I’m Here For series -  insights, reflections, real stories, and conversations about living on purposeA reminder that purpose doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerfulThis episode is for you if you’ve ever felt called to create or begin something new, but fear and self-doubt kept you hesitating on the edge. It’s an invitation to trust that if the nudge is there, that’s enough reason to start.Connect with Lisa Birtles:🌐 Website: lisabirtles.com📸 Instagram: @lisabthecoach

Welcome to This Is What I'm Here For! Hi, I'm Lisa, Intuitive Prosperity Coach, Money Breakthrough Business Coach, strategist, and creator of the Purposeful Prosperity Method™️, and the host of This Is What I'm Here For, a podcast for gifted purpose-led women who are ready to stop compromising their unique identity, energy, and values in order to fit someone else's version of success. This space is where brave choices are celebrated, where we talk about the things that activate us and what can hold us back, and where we reconnect with the version of ourselves we were always meant to be. Each week, I'll be sharing unfiltered stories from women who've pivoted, forced, or pioneered and redefined success on their own terms.I'll be sharing my own sacral-led reflections and teachings from the messy, uncomfortable bits to the moments of clarity and breakthroughs, plus insights from my work inside the Purposeful Prosperity Portal to help you build a business or career that feels like you. If you've ever asked yourself, is this really what I'm here for?Then this is for you.