Yarns for the Soul
"Yarns" is a common way for New Zealanders to describe having a chat, a conversation. We might say 'I had a great yarn with Nicole the other day!'. For me, a yarn can go in many different directions, often including multiple tangents and side stories. It also involves having deeper discussions and diving into some vulnerability, before coming back up to a lighter level with some sarcasm or dark humour.
Yarns for the Soul was born out of a desire to champion more honest and vulnerable conversation (but also feel like you're sitting on a friend's couch with a cup of tea having a yarn with them- and that friend is me!).
I believe in the magic and power of story-telling, and everyone has stories that deserve to be shared with the world. We are all experts of our own lived experiences, and I hope by sharing these we can foster more curiosity and compassion for others and the world around us.
I yarn with my guests on a range of topics, often delving into subjects that are still considered socially taboo or not spoken about enough. In my mini-yarns, I also share parts of my own stories, and reflect on things that I'm learning while I continue to muddle my way forward and follow my nose!
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If you'd like to get in touch, or follow my journey, you can find me over in Instagram @yarnsforthesoulnicole. See you there!
Episodes
54 episodes
Episode 54- Mini-yarn on seasons of life and pressing pause
On this mini episode I share how Winter in New Zealand has been impacting the way I show up across all areas of life, and how I've given myself permission to reflect on what is currently serving me. I also yarn about the importance of listening...
Episode 53- Yarns on being a cycle breaker, finding your peace and the importance of crafts with Kim
On this episode I am joined by Kim Davis, an avid crafter and true crime enthusiast, mother, and co-host of the Slaycation podcast. Our yarn begins with the healing power of crafts- how sitting and knitting or stitching can be meditative, as we...
Episode 52- Mini-yarn on being future-focused and paying for "the audacity"
On this mini-yarn I share some of my recent experiences and learnings from working through stuff with coach Di Foster and EMDR therapy with a local psychologist. I yarn about feeling more future-focused in my current phase of life, and why that...
Episode 51- Yarns on style, spirituality and self-love with Maren
On this episode I am joined by the magical Maren Swenson, an intuitive stylist, fashion coach, podcast creator and mother. After leaving a high demand religion, Maren embarked on deep inner work to explore how she wanted to show up and be...
Episode 50- Mini-yarn on the origins of "yarns"
Welcome to episode 50!! I am celebrating this milestone episode with a special mini-yarn all about the origins of the word "yarn". Most people outside of New Zealand will only associate yarn with wool, and I have to tell people my p...
Episode 49- Heal the Hauraki: yarns on healing, helping and hope with Cassie and Mandy
Why is connection with nature just as important as connection with others? And how can we incorporate Mātaraunga Māori and the leadership of wāhine Māori in healing the world around us?On this episode I am joined by the powerhou...
Episode 48- The glass ceiling: yarns on gendered leadership and empowering women with Ros
What is the current model of leadership in businesses and organisations today? Is everyone represented in this model, and who does it serve?On this episode I had the pleasure of yarning with Ros Cardinal, an executive coach and ...
Episode 47- Yarns on trauma awareness, collective healing and recentering joy with Amanda
What is trauma, and why is it important on a collective level that we examine what's going on for us as individuals?On this episode I yarn with the incredible Amanda Hanna, director and creator of SomaPsych which offers trauma-i...
Episode 46- Yarns on asking powerful questions, the art of facilitation, and awareness of privilege with Paul
What if the best way to lead wasn’t about having the right answers—but asking the right questions?In this episode, I yarned with the ever-curious Paul McGregor, a leadership coach, author and MC based in Nelson, New Zealand. Wit...
Episode 45- Feminist mini-yarn on the 'spectrum of culpability' in cases of violence and abuse
Welcome to my first episode of 2025! I'm diving straight into the deep end with this one and yarning about some of the reasons why I have been in perpetual angry feminism mode recently. I discuss the French Mazan rape case, the incredible stren...
Episode 44- Colonial trauma and criminal justice: yarns on understanding the 'why', reparation, and the importance of connection to the land with Sarah
On this episode I am so grateful to be joined again by the incredible Sarah Salter-Kelly. She first joined me in Episode 38, so go back and check out that episode if you'd like to know more about Sarah's story and some context to this second ya...
Episode 43- Yarns on communicating through grief and starting 'Our Dead Dads' podcast with Nick
On this episode I yarn with the creator and host of 'Our Dead Dads' podcast Nick Gaylord. After the death of Nick's father (and a healthy dose of therapy to help move through the grief, anger and all of the feels), Nick realised we weren't havi...
Episode 42- Yarns on victims' rights and trauma in the law with Allison
On this episode I am joined by the incredible Allison Mahoney, a social justice, victim rights and civil rights litigator in America. In 2022, Allison started her own firm ALM Law, which specialises in representing children harmed in the child ...
Episode 41- Mini-yarn on my podcasting process, upcoming content, and acknowledging the darkness
On this mini-yarn I share with you part of my creative podcasting process around guest episodes, and explain that I only share with the world whatever my guests are comfortable with. I have some epic guest episodes coming up, and I also plan to...
Episode 40- Empowering women through travel: yarns with 'Greether' founder Vanessa
On this episode I am joined by the amazing Vanessa Karel, two-time business founder, entrepreneur and creative producer. Vanessa created the platform Greether, aimed at making travel more accessible, sustaina...
Episode 39- Mini-yarn on femininity and why I wear black
BONUS MINI-YARNOn this cheeky bonus episode I yarn about what femininity means to me, and the journey I have taken to feeling confident in my own version of being feminine. I talk about my experiences growing up in a rural part of New Z...
Episode 38- Yarns on homicide, forgiveness, and healing through trauma with Sarah
On this episode I yarn with the incredible healer, author and speaker Sarah Salter-Kelly. Sarah has been sharing her wisdom for over 16 years through her private healing practice and presenting at conferences and events, as well as facilitating...
Episode 37- Yarns on exploring the world and why we travel with Shelby and Scott
On this episode I was joined by the awesome duo that is Shelby and Scott, creators and hosts of the Balls Deep podcast. Our yarns go all the way from the origins of their romance to the "why" behind creating their podcast, and many things in be...
Episode 36- Yarns on intuitive and holistic healing with Polina
On this episode I yarn with Polina, a medical intuitive holistic wellness coach. She shares how she went from a PhD in Consumer Behaviour in Russia, to a wellness coach based in Colorado, USA. Polina explains how she uses a range of modalities ...
Episode 35- Yarns on living intentionally and creating a life by design with Rosie
On this episode I yarn with Rosie, a business and mindset coach who supports solo entrepreneurs to grow businesses they love. We dive into how Rosie got to where she is today, including stints in the world of corporate marketing as well as runn...
Episode 34- Yarns on healing and finding your sparkle with burnout recovery coach Sarah
On this guest episode I had the pleasure of yarning with Sarah, burnout recovery coach and recurring guest host of "Fried. the Burnout Podcast" with Cait Don...
Episode 33- Yarns on being childless not by choice (CNBC) and grief with Judi
On this episode I yarn with Judi about being childless not by choice. We dive into who this definition applies to, what it means, and how it can look in people's lives. Judi is an insurance expert turned grief coach currently based in New Zeala...
Episode 32- Mini-yarn on justice sensitivity
On this mini-yarn I delve into the idea of "justice sensivity"- this is a term that I discovered recently, and quickly realised how much it resonated with me and my experiences. On the episode I discuss how as an employee I have had stronger re...
Episode 31- Two Thumbs Up: Yarns on living off €1 per day for a year with Chloé and Youna
On this episode I am joined for the first time by two special guests! Inspired by a French TV show, Chloé and Youna travelled around the UK and Europe for over a year surviving on just €1 per day. During our yarns they share the details about h...
Episode 30- Yarn on solo travelling with chronic health issues + invisible conditions with Théa
On this episode I welcome back the amazing Théa to get into some yarns on solo travelling while managing chronic health conditions. We are both lovers of travel and value getting to explore new places, but have similar challenges in manag...