The Soft Way

Is there something in your life that wants to be expressed…but fear keeps you in your head?In this episode, we explore a different way of relating to fear.Not by getting rid of it,but by allowing it.So there’s more space.More clarity.And the ability to take a step forward. Even when fear is still there.✧ A Question to PonderWho am I becoming by allowing this fear to be felt…and taking a step forward anyway?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

There’s something in you that responds to life.A quiet pull… towards what feels meaningful, alive, or true.But it’s easy to lose sight of that.To get caught up in the noise… in what’s expected… in the ways we’ve learned to question ourselves.In this episode, I gently point you back to that inner spark.✧ A question for youWhat lights you up? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

When something heavy takes hold in the mind…it can start to feel like our whole world.In this episode, I explore what it means to step out of that feeling of being consumed, and gently reconnect with the infinite space that’s always here.✧ We exploreThe shift that can happen when anxieties are met with presenceA simple way of relating to thoughts and emotions as passing, not permanentAn experiential practice of resting in a wider sense of awareness✧ A question for youWhat changes when you begin to notice the space that’s always here?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

We spend so much time trying to figure things out.Trying to make the right decision.Pushing ourselves to act, even when it doesn’t quite feel right.And often, that’s where things start to feel heavy.In this episode, I explore what happens when we stop trying to force answers, and instead come back to the body.✧ We exploreThe felt difference between forcing and being tuned inHow clarity often comes when we stop pushing for itSimple ways to come back into the body and reconnect with yourself✧ A question for youWhat might it be like to let ease guide me, instead of tension?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Be guided to meet your experience with gentle acceptance.This is for those tricky moments when things feel: heavy  unclear  or just a little too much ✧ We Practice Coming out of the thinking mind and into the body  Allowing sensations and emotions to be as they are  Meeting your experience with warmth instead of resistance  Including even the part of you that wants things to change  Resting in a more spacious awareness This meditation is inspired by the teachings of Sustainable Compassion Training, developed by John Makransky and Paul Condon. If you’d like to explore more of their work, visit: sustainablecompassion.orgWith warmth and compassion, Rachael THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

If life has been feeling intense… overwhelming… like a LOT is being asked of you right now. Well, this episode is for you!In this conversation, I explore what it means to move through unsettling moments that feel like a 'baptism of fire' Rather than trying to stomp it out, or simply endure it, we explore how to stay grounded within it… and how to work with the transformation that’s unfolding.This is a gentle, grounded guide for navigating intensity with compassion, steadiness, and quiet inner strength.✧ We explore• How to stabilise and support yourself when things feel intense• Using awareness to create space from thoughts, emotions, and reactions• Turning toward your inner fire and moving forward with intention✧ A question for youIf you’re in a moment that feels intense or challenging, you might gently ask:What would it look like for me to stay grounded here?And what is one small step forward I can take from where I am right now?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Inside each of us, there are many different voices.In this episode, we focus on two in particular — the loud, protective voice that tries to keep us safe, and the quieter, steadier voice that supports growth.Through examples from relationships, creative work, and decision-making, we explore how these voices shape our experience — and how recognising them strengthens inner authority.✧ We explore– The difference between the loud, protective voice and the quieter, steady one– How fear can disguise itself as discernment– How listening to the quieter voice builds self-trust and forward movement✧ A question for youBring to mind a situation that feels testing or unresolved.What does the louder voice say? How does it feel in your body?Now notice the quieter voice.What shifts when you listen to that one instead?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Sometimes life just feels like a lot.In this episode, I reflect on a moment of feeling downtrodden, and share what helps me when the instinct is to push through.✧ We explore– Naming and normalising moments when everything feels like a lot– A short guided practice to help you slow down in real time (6:17–9:38)– The RAIN framework as a steady way to meet difficult emotions– Building steadiness through self-compassion✧ A question for youWhat are you carrying right now?What would it look like to respond to yourself with care?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Have you ever caught yourself thinking *“That’s just who I am”…*and it didn’t feel good?In this episode, we explore the identity stories we internalise, and how anxiety, self-doubt, and early experiences can shape the way we see ourselves.Sometimes what we call personality is actually adaptation. A pattern formed in a particular environment. And when safety shifts, internally and externally, identity can shift too.We explore:✨ How early experiences shape the way we see ourselves✨ The difference between personality and context✨ How feeling safer can soften rigid identities✨ How replacing a full stop with an ellipsis opens space for growthThis episode includes a short reflective pause to help you notice the conclusions you may be carrying, and create a bit of breathing room around them.🌀 A question for youWhat’s a defining sentence you’ve been saying about yourself?Is it truly fixed, or could there be more to the story…?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

When life pushes your buttons, it can feel automatic to spiral, justify, or resist. But what if the very moments that feel like blocks are actually invitations to reclaim your authority?In this episode, we explore:✨ Why daily irritations aren't in the way — they are the way✨ The “secret satisfaction” of getting swept up in reactivity✨ The choice that’s available in moments of contraction✨ How steady presence shifts the tone of your dayWe conclude with a gentle guided practice to help you experience the shift into centered awareness in real time.🌀 A question for youWhere in your life do you feel pulled into reactivity?What would choosing your response look like?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

This episode explores the art of consciously letting life love you (also known as ‘savouring’).The mind naturally clings to what feels wrong, so it’s easy to end up feeling like it's all an uphill battle. Savouring helps bring balance back to our emotional life, widening the lens so we can experience the gems of our existence more deeply.In this episode, we explore:✨ The 3 core steps of savouring: Have, Enrich, Absorb✨ The feelings you’re really seeking, and how to experience them now✨ How building energy through savouring makes action feel more natural✨ The optional step of Linking — using positive moments to steady yourself during difficultyThis episode also includes a brief guided moment so you can practice in real time.🌀 A question for youWhat feelings are you hoping a current goal will give you?Where are small moments of those feelings already present in your life?ANOTHER RESOURCEIf you’d like to explore this practice more deeply, I created a short video series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLESMxST7GMUNEgS0NfqpTe97RA-0ae2GaTHANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re ‘in-between’ chapters, lost or finding it hard to make peace with uncertainty.If you’ve been caught in the pressure of “I should know by now,” this is a gentle reminder that uncertainty isn’t failure......A Question For YouWhat would it feel like to listen to the deepest part of me instead of the ‘shoulds’?THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

This episode is for anyone who’s feeling stuck or trapped in a job (or another situation) that isn’t easy to change right now.WE EXPLORE ✨Five gentle perspective shifts to help you protect your energy and stay empowered.REFLECTION QUESTION 🌀What inner strength could I embody to make this feel almost like a non-issue?A NOTE TO REMEMBER 🤍You don't have to figure out how to fix this right now. Just keep choosing peace again and again.THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

A reflection on shedding old layers, trusting what’s unfolding, and moving forward without forcing clarity or certainty.In this episode, we explore:How noticing what felt heavy last year can lead to lightnessTrusting yourself in decision-making without needing guarantees or “right answers”The sense of a new energy this year; one that invites trust, openness, and gentle forward movementReflection QuestionsWhat feels lighter or clearer for me now?What’s my personal intention for this year?Note to RememberYou don’t need to know all the steps to move forward gently.THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Beyond The Scrunched-Up Self -In this episode, we explore who we are beneath the habits, beliefs, and identities we’ve picked up over time.This is a gentle invitation to soften, loosen identification with the reactive parts, and reconnect with the spacious, steady awareness that’s been here all along.Key PointsWhen we forget who we are, we tend to live from a contracted, fear-based identity that makes change feel harder than it needs to beYou don’t need to fix or eliminate any part of yourself — freedom comes from noticing what you are beyond habits, thoughts, and emotionsSoftening and presence help us dis-identify from old stories and reconnect with clarity, trust, and inner stabilityNote to RememberIf a thought makes you feel hard and contracted, it’s not truth. Let it go. Come into stillness. That’s where you the true you lies.THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

In this episode of The Soft Way, we explore the subtle but powerful shift that happens when we soften our inner world.So much of modern life is lived from effort, control, and resistance. In this episode, we begin to notice the quality of the energy we’re living from, and how tension and overdoing can be invitations to let go.Key PointsHow overdoing and inner rigidity often arise from resistance rather than inspirationWhy softness and presence can restore clarity, energy, and inner balanceExperiencing a quieter form of power that comes from being rather than forcingReflection QuestionsWhat happens in my mind when I let my body be soft?What happens in my body when I release the need to control?Note to RememberPresence and peace, and any actions that come from that place, is true power.(Intro music: Butterflies in my head by Mountaineer - Source: Uppbeat)THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

How Self-Compassion Changes Everything - In this episode, we explore what it really means to be on our own side.Key PointsWhy self-criticism is often a learned form of protectionHow kindness and self-compassion create inner safety and strengthSimple ways to offer yourself support when things feel overwhelmingReflection QuestionHow can I best support myself today?Note to RememberBeing a true friend to yourself increases your capacity to thrive.(Intro music: Butterflies in my head by Mountaineer - Source: Uppbeat)THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

Stepping Off the Hamster Wheel -In this first episode of The Soft Way, we begin by slowing down.We reflect on what it feels like to live in constant motion, and why so many of us feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or caught in a loop of busyness. Rather than adding another task or strategy, this episode invites us to let go.Key PointsWhy pausing is not avoidance, but a powerful act of self-connectionHow presence helps soothe overwhelm and gently reveal clarityLearning to trust stillness as fertile ground, rather than something to fearReflection QuestionWhat can I give myself permission to release right now, so that I can make room for whatever wants to naturally unfold for me?Note to RememberNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.(Intro music: Butterflies in my head by Mountaineer - Source: Uppbeat)THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer. 

A brief introduction to The Soft Way, and to me, Rachael.This is a space for women who are tired of pressure and ready for a gentler, more authentic way of living.Welcome. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.If this episode resonated with you, a quick rating will help more people discover The Soft Way.How to do it?⭐ On Apple Podcasts (iPhone/iPad): open the show page, scroll to the bottom, where it says Ratings & Reviews, and tap the stars.⭐ On Spotify: open the show page and tap the ⭐ rating under the title.Thank you for helping the podcast grow! 🌿OTHER WAYS TO CONNECTJoin my email list: https://rachaelebanksgold.myflodesk.com/newsletterListen to my audio tracks on Insight Timer.