Advertise on podcast: Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge

A glass gold gilded conker from Effie Burns collection is the inspiration for our final reflection room taster session. We are thinking about what brings out our prickly side, what are we protecting and why? I also share details of the Reflection Room, starting on 14th September, details here on how to sign up https://www.leilaainge.co.uk/reflectionroom https://www.effieburnsglass.co.uk

What if a room could become a self-portrait? This week in the Reflection Room, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge pairs a painting by Lottie Cole with a simple but thought-provoking reflection about identity, environment and the spaces we quietly create around ourselves. Drawing on psychology, art and everyday observation, this episode invites you to look differently at the rooms you spend time in and to consider what they might reveal about who you are and who you're becoming. Perfect if you're looking for a few minutes of calm reflection, creative thinking and a gentle psychological prompt to carry into your week. https://lottiecole.com/ https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/sargent-and-fashion https://thehomepage.co.uk/the-art-of-home/

What happens when you've left one chapter behind but haven't quite arrived at the next? Inspired by Frances Featherstone's Dower House from her Threshold series, this Reflection Room episode explores the psychology of liminality—the in-between spaces where identity, perspective and possibility begin to shift. https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/paintings

What stories have you inherited about where you belong? This week's reflection uses art and psychology to help you revise your own narrative. Join psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge for the first Reflection Room prompt, where psychology, art and curiosity come together to help you see yourself—and your work from a different perspective. Inspired by Coral Woodbury's Revised Edition series and the work of artist Lubaina Himid, this episode explores how the stories we inherit shape our sense of identity, belonging and possibility. Drawing on ideas from social identity psychology, Leila reflects on why representation matters, how assumptions influence the way we see ourselves, and why some of our most meaningful insights arrive when we're walking, wandering or simply paying attention. Listeners are invited to consider one simple but thought-provoking question: Where could your contribution be revised? Through a guided reflection and an optional creative activity, this episode encourages you to notice where you may have underestimated yourself, overlooked your own potential, or quietly written yourself out of opportunities before anyone else had the chance. Perfect for anyone who enjoys reflective practice, psychology, art and evidence-informed personal development, this is an invitation to spend fifteen minutes looking again at the story you're telling yourself and whether it's time for a revised edition. https://artuk.org/discover/curations/art-design-gcse-2026-theme-woman https://artuk.org/discover/stories/seven-questions-with-coral-woodbury https://vimeo.com/665634788?fl=pl&fe=sh - video interview with Coral Woodbury Cover art credit : collage made by Leila Ainge, including Photo by Dan Farrell on Unsplash, Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash , Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

How do we make better decisions when certainty is impossible? In this solo episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge explores why confidence isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions. Drawing on psychology, decision-making research and reflections from this season's conversations, Leila explains why our brains crave certainty, how identity and ego can shape the way we respond to new information, and why curiosity is one of the greatest advantages we can develop. You'll discover: Why certainty can sometimes hold us backThe psychology behind ego, identity and confirmation biasWhy "the evidence is mixed" is one of a researcher's favourite phrasesHow psychology, art and reflection help us see problems differentlyWhy research doesn't replace intuition—it strengthens itHow to make better decisions by gathering perspectives, not just opinions Whether you're leading a business, launching something new or navigating an important decision, this episode will help you think differently about risk, evidence and the stories we tell ourselves. 📩 If you'd like support exploring a complex question through a psychological and research-informed lens, contact Leila at [email protected].

What if the biggest risk isn't failing—but standing still? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge is joined by entrepreneur, UK Innovator Founder visa holder and CEO of The Doula Hive, Tif Bryant. Growing up in poverty, becoming a teenage mum and leaving school early weren't the end of Tif's story. After building a successful birth business in the United States, she made the bold decision to sell everything, move her family across the world and start again. Today she's building The Doula Hive a technology platform designed to transform the birth care industry through better infrastructure, data and community. Together they explore: Why stagnation became the biggest risk in Tif's lifeThe psychology of entrepreneurship and innovationWhat motherhood teaches us about leadership and resilienceWhy women underestimate the skills they develop through parentingThe future of maternity care and birth supportHow data, technology and community could improve outcomes for families This conversation goes far beyond birth. It's about identity, purpose, entrepreneurial courage and what happens when you stop waiting for someone else to build the future you know is possible.

What does it really mean to invest in yourself? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila is joined by marketing strategist and entrepreneur Niki Hutchison, founder of Enjoy Marketing®. With more than 25 years in marketing strategy and two six-figure businesses behind her, Niki helps founder-led businesses become known for what they do best. Together, they explore the psychology behind investing in yourself, taking business risks and building a business that reflects who you are. They discuss why some investments exceed expectations while others don't, how to think about return on investment beyond money, and why the greatest opportunities often come from the people you meet rather than the programme you buy. The conversation also explores identity, imposter experiences, group belonging and why so many entrepreneurs hesitate to put themselves in the rooms where growth happens. Drawing on Leila's research in social identity alongside Niki's experience helping thousands of business owners grow through strategic marketing, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on confidence, visibility and backing yourself. Whether you're considering joining a membership, investing in coaching, launching a new offer or simply wondering if you're ready for your next step, this conversation will challenge the way you think about riskand what it really means to invest in yourself. Make your success inevitable - https://www.nikihutchison.com/ Adventures in Marketing https://www.adventuresinmarketing.uk/ Leila's adult inset day - Sept 15th - sign up here https://psychologicallyspeaking.myflodesk.com/adultinsetday

Louise Duncum spent nearly a decade designing for major high street fashion brands before realising she'd become successful at something that no longer felt like her.In this episode we talk about leaving, comparison, taking on debt to grow a business, multiple identities, and why building a business that reflects who you are is riskier, but far more rewarding, than staying where you no longer fit. https://weizstyles.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/weizstylespersonalstylistlondon/ https://www.instagram.com/weizstyles

What happens when body shame isn't actually about your body? This week I'm joined by coach and facilitator Emma While, who decided to evict what she calls "the patriarchy squatting in my temple" by taking a beginners' burlesque class at 49. We talk about shame, visibility, motherhood, neurodivergence, identity, and why the scariest risks are sometimes the ones that bring us closest to ourselves. What follows is a conversation about far more than burlesque. We explore shame, motherhood, neurodivergence, identity, imposter experiences and why confidence isn't something you have—it's something you experience. And we ask what becomes possible when shame stops making your decisions. https://www.courageandchamomile.com/become Join the waitlist for Leilas adult inset day on September 15th here: https://psychologicallyspeaking.myflodesk.com/adultinsetday

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge is joined by strategic advisor and facilitator Rachel Cashman to explore the relationship between imposter phenomenon, risk taking, legitimacy, and trust. Rachel has worked across government, healthcare, defence, and the life sciences, helping leaders navigate high-stakes conversations, organisational conflict, and complex people dynamics. Together, Leila and Rachel unpack what it means to trust your gut, how women learn to scan for risk, and why imposter experiences may actually sharpen our awareness rather than diminish our capability. The conversation explores: imposter phenomenon and legitimacypsychological safety and leadershipgut instinct and decision makingrisk scanning and strategic thinkingwomen, visibility, and authenticityrumination, reflection, and leadership decision making Rachel also shares the story of turning down a major contract despite financial pressure because her instincts told her something wasn’t right and how experience, strategy, and bodily awareness all played a role in that decision. This episode is for leaders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone navigating visibility, uncertainty, or the feeling of asking: “Who am I to be here?” https://fearlessfacilitator.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-cashman-b310557/ https://open.spotify.com/show/4XZmHkp5geqXz74qaHGPPq

Why do some things feel emotionally bigger than they “should”? In this bonus episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge introduces The Hard Thing Challenge — a free five-day reflection challenge exploring the psychology behind difficult tasks, imposter feelings, avoidance, identity, and risk. This episode also introduces the next season of Psychologically Speaking. You’ll also get: – details of Leila's free 5 day challenge. – an introduction to The Reflection Room – details on how the challenge works – and a preview of the new podcast season exploring imposter phenomenon through the lens of risk Join the challenge at www.leilaainge.co.uk

What happens when loss changes everything—not just emotionally, but structurally? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge is joined by wellbeing consultant and psychotherapist Chrissy Orson to explore grief, identity shifts, and the moment your life no longer fits the way it used to. After losing both her sister and father within weeks during lockdown, Chrissy shares how grief didn’t just affect her personally—it completely changed how she saw work, time, family, and what actually matters. We talk about the psychology of grief, why many women “keep going” until they hit a wall, and how organisations often fail people at the moments they most need support. This is a conversation about loss—but also about clarity, boundaries, and building a life that reflects what you now know to be true. We cover: Grief, trauma, and identity shiftsWhy women keep going (even when they shouldn’t)The hidden admin and emotional labour of lossPsychological safety at work during life eventsWhy flexible working often isn’t truly flexibleTherapy vs coaching—and when you actually need each Link to EMDR explainer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIJZQAr9nQo You can find Chrissy at: Chrissy Orson MBACP (Accred) | She / Her | www.chrissyorson.co.uk

What happens when your life doesn’t follow the path you thought it would? A conversation on identity, belonging, and the courage to build a career that doesn’t look right on paper but feels right in your life. In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I’m joined by coach and podcast host Fiorenza Rossini to explore identity, belonging, and the unexpected turns our careers can take. From financial engineering to full-time coaching, Fiorenza shares what it means to step away from “safe” career paths and build a life that aligns with your values. We talk about the psychology of belonging, multicultural identity, working parenthood, and why so many of us feel like we don’t quite fit until we find the right spaces. If you’ve ever questioned your career, your direction, or where you belong, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale. We cover: Career pivots and “non-linear” successIdentity shifts (especially motherhood and work)The psychology of belonging and communityWhy traditional paths don’t fit everyoneWhat actually drives fulfilment (hint: not just money)

We often assume interviews are a way of capturing what people already think. But qualitative psychology suggests something different. Interviews can be active sites of meaning-making, where thoughts are not just shared, but formed in real time. Drawing on ideas like the double hermeneutic from Anthony Giddens and reflexive approaches to qualitative research, I reflect on what it means to ask questions that might shift how someone understands their own experience. As an insider researcher studying online communities I belong to, this raises a deeper question: what trace does research leave behind? This episode explores: Why interviews are not neutral data collection toolsHow questions can shape reflection and self-understandingThe role of reflexivity in qualitative researchThe ethical tension between insight and influenceWhat happens when someone thinks something for the first time… out loud If you’re a researcher, writer, coach, or simply curious about how we make sense of our experiences, this episode invites you to listen a little more closely to the pauses.

“I refuse to hate myself in any way… I hope women reclaim ageing as a gift.” When everything shifts at once, home, body, identity, what does it take to rebuild a sense of safety and self? Leila Ainge and Emma Seville explore menopause, midlife transitions, and the psychology of starting over. In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist Leila Ainge speaks with menopause coach Emma Seville about navigating unexpected life changes, financial precarity, ADHD, and the psychological impact of midlife transitions. Together, they explore agency, belonging, and how women can reclaim ageing as a powerful, identity-shaping experience.