Being Human with Nadia

In this conversation, Naomi Shimada discusses her journey of self-discovery, the impact of social media on identity, and the importance of reclaiming one's voice through writing. She reflects on the challenges of self-worth, the lessons learned from relationships, and the evolving understanding of purpose beyond societal expectations. Naomi emphasises the significance of body practices in nurturing self-awareness and navigating the complexities of modern life.Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way.From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.About the Host:Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.Featured Guest:In this episode, author, model, and writer of Substack Tender Contributions, Naomi Shimada shares her journey of self-worth and reclaiming her voice through writing. We discuss the duality of modelling as both a source of independence and a challenge to her values, how change is an inside job, and the power of storytelling in finding your place in the world.Connect with Naomi https://www.instagram.com/naomishimada/?hl=en + https://naomishimada.substack.com/TakeawaysThe commoditization of social media has changed how we perceive ourselves.Writing serves as a powerful tool for self-expression and reclaiming identity.Self-worth is often tied to external validation, especially in the modeling industry.Personal growth often comes from navigating difficult relationships and experiences.True confidence stems from understanding one's inner self, not external achievements.Societal pressures can distort our sense of purpose and worth.Hope should be viewed as an active pursuit rather than passive waiting.Body practices like yoga and Qigong can enhance self-awareness and healing.Transformation begins from within before manifesting outwardly.The current societal challenges require a deeper understanding of our roles and responsibilities.Sound Bites"I don't doubt my voice.""Hope is something that is active.""We have to change at the root."Chapters00:00The Awakening of Social Media Awareness05:54Rediscovering the Power of Writing10:59Navigating Self-Worth and Identity15:47The Journey of Self-Discovery21:00Understanding Purpose and Soul Work25:52Facing the Reality of Our World32:02The Importance of Body Wisdom34:37New Chapter34:42Introduction to Being Human34:43Exploring Personal GrowthThrough these personal yet universal stories, Being Human invites you to reflect, challenge your perspective, and step into your own evolution.Hosted, Produced + Edited : Nadia BirchPhoto: Yumna Al-Arashi - no copyright intendedEnjoy!Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Nahid De Belgeonne discusses the importance of somatic movement and interoception, emphasising how tuning into our body's signals can alleviate anxiety and depression. She reflects on the impact of modern society on mental health, particularly during events like the pandemic and social movements. Nahid shares her personal journey of vulnerability, including her experience with appendicitis, which led her to reevaluate her life and career. She talks about the courage it takes to navigate career changes and the importance of cultivating daily practices for well-being, such as movement, light exposure, and breathwork. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and find joy in their lives.Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way.From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.About the Host:Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.Featured Guest:Somatic movement coach and author of Soothe: The Book Your Nervous System Needs, Nahid de BelgeonneConnect with Nahid https://www.instagram.com/thehumanmethoduk/ + https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/TakeawaysInteroception helps in understanding our body's signals.Modern society can contribute to anxiety and depression.Vulnerability is a part of being human.Career changes can be driven by personal growth.Daily practices are essential for mental well-being.Curiosity can lead to personal discovery.Breathwork is a powerful tool for self-regulation.Creating a refuge within oneself is crucial.You are not broken; you are human.Enjoy your life and embrace your experiences.TitlesThe Power of Somatic MovementNavigating Mental Health in Modern SocietySound Bites"We are told that we are the problem.""You need to create refuge within yourself.""Curiosity for me really saves me."Chapters00:00Understanding Somatic Coaching and Interoception04:39The Impact of Modern Life on Mental Health07:33Personal Vulnerability: A Journey Through Illness10:55The Shift in Life Perspective After Crisis13:46Cultural Reflections: The Working Class and Wellness15:59Navigating Identity and Community in London18:49The Importance of Locality and Diversity22:10Finding Home: The Search for a Peaceful Life29:12Navigating Life Changes During the Pandemic31:37The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Studio Ownership38:33Recognizing When to Move On43:28Cultivating Courage and Self-Confidence47:51Creating Inner Refuge and CommunityAll interviews hosted, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.Photo: no copyright intended.Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Being Human, Nadia speaks with Estée Lalonde, a creative director and founder of Mirror Water. They discuss Estée's journey of self-discovery, the challenges of building a beauty brand, and her ongoing search for belonging. Estée shares her experiences of feeling out of place, navigating friendships, facing failures, and ultimately finding her path in life. The conversation highlights the importance of courage, self-reflection, and the pursuit of authenticity in both personal and professional realms.Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.About the Host:Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.Featured Guest:Estée Lalonde, a creative director, founder of beauty brand MIRROR WATER.Connect with Estée https://www.instagram.com/esteelalonde/?hl=en + https://mirrorwater.earth/TakeawaysEstee felt a sense of not belonging from a young age.Independence became a crucial part of Estée's identity.She faced significant challenges during her early life.Moving to England marked a pivotal change in her life.Blogging provided Estee with a sense of direction.The pandemic prompted deep self-reflection for Estée.Launching Mirror Water was a significant risk for her.Estée emphasises the importance of support from loved ones.She believes in the value of self-discovery and personal growth.Courage is essential in pursuing one's true self.TitlesFinding Belonging: Estee Lalonde's JourneyBuilding a Beauty Brand with IntentionSound Bites"I was really depressed.""I felt so out of place.""I live for it."All interviews, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.Photo: No Copyright intended.Enjoy!Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Brita shares her insights on life-defining moments, the awakening to gender inequality, the emotional toll of advocacy, and the transformative power of fear. She emphasises the importance of community healing and the journey of motherhood, ultimately framing life as a continuous journey of self-discovery and empowerment.Being Human is a limited conversation series exploring the life experiences that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this podcast features raw, honest conversations with authors, activists, creatives, and coaches who have navigated transformation, self-doubt, and change—sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From redefining success to finding confidence, breaking patterns to embracing uncertainty, each episode offers deep insight and practical wisdom.About the Host:Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.Featured Guest:Brita Fernandez Schmidt, an author of her book Fears to Fierce: A Woman's Guide To Owning Your Power, speaker, and transformational life coach who believes fear can be a guide, not an enemy. She takes us through the defining moments that shaped her—from discovering her passion for women's rights in Venezuela to leading a global organisation. We discuss burnout, intuition, and what it really takes to break free from self-imposed limitations.Connect with Brita https://www.instagram.com/britafs/ + https://www.fierce-power.com/Themes: life-defining moments, gender inequality, fear, transformation, emotional well-being, community healing, motherhood, self-discovery, personal growth, empowermentTakeawaysLife-defining moments shape who we are, regardless of their nature.Acceptance of our experiences can lead to healing and empowerment.Witnessing gender inequality can ignite a lifelong mission for change.Fear is a natural part of transformation; embracing it can lead to growth.Emotional work in advocacy can lead to burnout if self-care is neglected.Healing occurs in the community; we are interconnected in our experiences.Motherhood challenges our perceptions of responsibility and attachment.Personal growth often comes from facing our traumas and vulnerabilities.We must allow others to experience their pain to foster their strength.Life is a journey of self-discovery, not a destination.Sound Bites"How is this possible?""I want to know my fear.""You are already whole."Chapters00:00Exploring Human Experiences and Defining Moments05:09The Impact of Gender Inequality09:57Navigating Fear and Embracing Change14:49The Emotional Toll of Advocacy Work19:59Motherhood: A Journey of Love and Growth25:10Healing Through Connection and Community29:53Life as a Journey: Embracing the Process36:04Exploring Fear and Self-Belief36:05The Role of Purpose in Personal Growth36:25All interviews Hosted, Produced Edited by Nadia Birch.Photo - no copyright intendedEnjoy!Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being Human is a short-run podcast series exploring the moments that shape us. Hosted by Nadia, this series features raw and reflective conversations with authors, creatives, activists, and coaches about transformation, self-doubt, resilience, and personal growth.Through deep, honest discussions, guests share how they’ve navigated change, redefined success, and found confidence in their own journeys. Each episode offers insights and practical wisdom to help listeners embrace uncertainty, break patterns, and step into their own evolution.About the Host:Nadia Birch, a multidisciplinary creative capturing the moments that shape us—documenting human stories through film, podcasts, and storytelling.Featured Guests:Estée Lalonde – Creative director and founder of Mirror Water on building a beauty brand and the search for belonging.Naomi Shimada – Author and model on reclaiming her voice through writing and the challenges of being a personal brand.Brita Fernandez Schmidt – Transformational coach and author on overcoming fear, self-belief, and daring to dream bigger.Nahid de Belgeonne – Somatic movement coach and founder of The Human Method on balancing the nervous system and navigating stress.Topics Covered:Personal transformation and self-discoveryNavigating change and overcoming fearConfidence, self-worth, and redefining successBreaking patterns and embracing uncertaintyThe impact of modern life on our well-beingResourcesConnect with Estée https://www.instagram.com/esteelalonde/?hl=en + https://mirrorwater.earth/Connect with Naomi https://www.instagram.com/naomishimada/?hl=en + https://naomishimada.substack.com/Connect with Brita https://www.instagram.com/britafs/ + https://www.fierce-power.com/Connect with Nahid https://www.instagram.com/thehumanmethoduk/ + https://www.thehumanmethod.co.uk/Artwork + interviews hosted, produced and edited by Nadia Birch.Themes : personal growth podcast, self-improvement, transformation, overcoming fear, navigating change, confidence building, redefining success, resilience, mindfulness, well-being, personal development, women in business, creativity, finding purpose, somatic movement.Enjoy!Subscribe to being human with nadia newsletter https://nadiabirch.substack.com/ for life, ideas and inspiration! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.