THE SLOW DOWN

Award-winning psychologist Dr. Lalitaa Suglani unpacks why the most capable people in the room are often the most anxious — and how to stop performing wellness and start feeling it. A conversation about burnout, workaholism, inner child work, and what real success actually looks like. Dr. Lalitaa is a renowned speaker, somatic practitioner, and the author of High Functioning Anxiety — a book that has helped thousands of high achievers move from survival mode to intentional living. Her holistic approach combines science-backed strategies with practical tools for personal growth to help people rebuild self-trust from the inside out.In this episode we cover: Her own childhood as 1 of 5 kids and examples of successFollowing her intuition to psychology The Swan Analogy to help explain High Functioning Anxiety Shifting from anxiety-driven doing to grounded, intentional being. Her step-by-step clinic exercise: The Trigger Worksheet Every yes is a no to you - A reframe on people-pleasing.Why highly sensitive individuals unconsciously absorb other people's emotional statesWhy real-world interactions are the antidote to the highlight reelThe connection between menstrual cycles, mood, and anxietyMentions: Kirtan - singingOmnom restaurant Links:https://www.instagram.com/dr.lalitaa/

I’ve been obsessed with Eugene’s insightful and razor sharp cultural analysis reels on Instagram and Tiktok - along with literally millions of others who watch them. Eugene Healey is a strategist whose insights help brands, individuals and organisations make sense of the soup that is culture, consumerism, taste, aesthetics and social media. He is also a gifted keynote speaker and original thinker - sharing ideas in his substack Considered Chaos. He was a lecturer at the Melbourne Business School and continues to use his content as a way to educate. He asks questions like: How can you have authenticity in environments that are about performance? Something I think about A LOT in terms of how I can show up in spaces driven by algorithms. What is status anxiety? Are we living to be perceived? Are we on social media to consume fiction or reality? What is Netflexification? We explore all of this and more in this episode. In this episode we cover: Growing up an Asian immigrant in New Zealand Is ‘hard work’ a virtue? Selling ideas: discovering brand strategy as a career Learning how to perform intelligence Putting ‘authenticity’ as a concept in the bin ‘Don’t lose yourself in self-analysis’How to make your career EXACTLY what you want it to be Mentions:Filterworld: How Algorithms Make Everything the Same by Kyle Chayka The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Eugene Healey on vulnerability for The GuardianTony Wang Matt Klein on The Slow DownLinks: https://www.instagram.com/eugbrandstrat/ https://www.eugenehealey.com/

Arizona Muse has graced more than 40 international Vogue covers and starred in campaigns for some of the world’s most iconic houses: Prada, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Chopard, Chloé… . She is one of the most recognisable faces in modern fashion. But the part of Arizona’s story that moves me most is her becoming a climate activist, educator and founder of DIRT — a charity dedicated to regenerating soil and restoring ecosystems. Arizona now works as an impact consultant for brands trying to meaningfully reduce their environmental footprint and serves as an advisor and ambassador to the John Innes Centre for soil and crop research. She also co-founded Soilonic and co-curates Landed, a nature-based solutions investment conference in partnership with Founders Forum. Arizona is working on what I think is the most important resource we have: soil, and has beautiful routines and practices that help her and her family feel grounded. In this episode we cover: Growing up in Arizona and becoming a model Juggling motherhood with global fame and chronic insecurity The power of learning new things for your mental health The dark side of the fashion industry Discovering regenerative farming Lessons learnt from her partner Re-defining her relationship with time Mentions: DIRT - www.dirt.charity Soilonic - soilonic.comDemeter - demeter.netFounders Forum Group - ff.co Links:www.instagram.com/arizona_muse

Katri Josling doesn’t have a job title, awards, or even an active social media account - she’s a housewife. But she’s also a constant learner - whether it’s completing a new boating license, a culinary chemistry course to create the most amazing meals, learning her fourth language, going skitouring in Svalbad or training her two giant Rhodesian Ridgebacks. She was a consultant with a UCL degree in Political Science and an MA in European Politics. She was working and traveling the hours you can imagine - so when her husband’s career took off - she had to make a choice between her own career and spending what time was possible, together. I want to know about her decision to leave work, how she found purpose, what architecting a world for a partnership looks like and her view on it all now.One of the things I’ve always held judgement around is the idea of being a “housewife.” But after years of chasing goals, building things, and burning out, I’ve started to see that choice differently — with empathy, understanding, and even admiration. I’ve started to ask myself: if I could build enough of a passive income, would I stop working? In a culture where you are pushed to overachieve, where the only goal touted by the media seems to be to have a multi-billion dollar business - I want to share a story that makes those who have chosen NOT to do that also feel worthy, valuable and acknowledged.In this episode we cover: Growing up in the USSR and moving between Estonia, Russia and SwedenThe freedom of going to UCL for university Meeting her partner and how getting married was the most rebellious thing they could do Living in London, Nigeria, Geneva and (almost) Johannesburg The dinner party moment when they ask: what do you do? The battle with self and ego that she has overcome

Stefanie Sword-Williams is an award-winning founder, speaker and author of the book F*ck Being Humble: Why self-promotion isn’t a dirty word. A global mission, movement and training consultancy inspiring individuals to be unapologetically proud of their achievements and overcome the fear of self-promotion.She has spoken at the offices of Apple, Netflix, Unilever, Nike, Google, L’oreal and Microsoft, at Universities for the Wharton Business School in New York to London College of Fashion, trained over 700 people in her Side Hustle School programme, has been Forbes 30 under 30, recently won the ‘Future is Female’ LinkedIn award for her positive contributions and impact on the industry and did a TEDx on why the world needs to be less humble. Stef’s support towards those who were unemployed during the pandemic led to her being invited to become a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts and she continues to reinvest profits and time into community projects to help improve the lives of many.Her new book is called The Career Comedown. In this episode we cover: Switching from agency work to self-employedThe reality behind the ‘big’ moments Managing your own expectations on growth Why someone needs to pay for your recovery time The career comedown - are you feeling it? Finding Ease in a world that values “Hard” work The power of having a business coach Mentions: Surreal - cereal brand Tiny Experiences by Anne-Laure Le CunffLinks: LinkedinInstagram (Personal)Instagram (F*ck Being Humble)

New member of the prestigious NatGeo Explorers: listen to Alice Aedy share her journey and mission on climate and social justice storytelling. Saving the planet is now, in part, a communications challenge and Alice Aedy has risen to the occasion.Alice Aedy is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and co-founder of Earthrise Studio — a creative agency focused on climate and social justice storytelling. With a camera as her entry point into activism, Alice has travelled from refugee camps in Europe to the frontlines of climate change around the world, capturing stories that cut through apathy and ignite action. Her work has been featured in Vogue, The Guardian, and The New York Times, and she’s collaborated with organisations like the UN Refugee Agency and Extinction Rebellion. But beyond powerful visuals, Alice is also deeply reflective — asking not only what kind of world we’re building, but how we live and work as changemakers within it. In a world addicted to speed and profitability, Alice represents a new kind of leadership: intentional, collaborative, and rooted in purpose. On The Slow Down, she opens up about the personal cost of urgency, her creative process, and how redefining success means honouring your values as much as your voice.In this episode we cover: Becoming a photojournalist in a male-dominated space Learning to protect your emotional space at work Building Earth Rise Studio Becoming at NATGEO Explorer Meeting Jane Goodall & Sir David Attenborough Why long-term activism means pacing yourself Mentions: Photograph of Alan Kurdi Photo journalist Anastasia Taylor- Lind Museum of the UN Earth Percent Seat at the Table - Earthrise Studio The Salt Of The Earth - documentary on Sebastião SalgadoLinks: https://www.instagram.com/aliceaedy/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/earthrise.studio/?hl=enSeason 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along.Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

‘In my mind, people didn’t change the world by becoming a parent at 22’ - but that’s exactly where Catherine found herself while at drama school and working for the UN. Catherine Joy White is an award-winning actor, author, filmmaker, gender advisor and Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford. Her debut 2023 book This Thread of Gold reclaims the narratives of extraordinary Black women throughout history and is currently being adapted into a feature film. She published her second book, Rebel Takes: On the Future of Food in October 2024. Her debut screenplay, the multi-award winning Fifty-Four Days, which she also directed and starred in was selected for over 50 film festivals worldwide, won the 2024 Cannes Film Festival Diversity in Cannes showcase and is now available to watch on all American Airlines flights.As an actor she is in the upcoming Season 4 of a HUGE Netflix show (to be announced very soon!) and is currently filming Black Samphire - a film raising awareness around water pollution, starring Cathy Tyson and Stephen Fry, with several other projects on the go. Catherine regularly gives talks on gender and race equality ranging from UK media appearances to international organisations such as the African Union and the UN Human Rights Council. Her work has been featured in Refinery 29, Metro, BBC, Rolling Stone, Variety and the World Humanitarian Forum. She is a proud ambassador for PAPYRUS, the UK's national charity for the prevention of young suicide. Through film, literature, and activism, Catherine is reshaping the cultural landscape with grace and grit, inspiring a new generation to tell their stories unapologetically.In this episode we cover: Becoming a mum at 22Writing her book Making a film to process her grief When something just has to give Mentions:Audrey Lorde Michaela Cole Emmy Speech - Don’t be afraid to see what comes in the silence This Thread of Gold, Catherine Joy White Fifty-Four Days, Catherine Joy White Parent Trap Links: https://www.instagram.com/catherinejoywhite/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along.Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

From Freuds, to Bumble to Headspace to CLUE: Louise Troen’s non-linear career journey from PR to mission-driven tech, equity and body autonomy is one you have to hear. Louise Troen is the CMO of Clue - the female-founded cycle and fertility tracker, with over 100 million downloads to date. Previously, Louise was VP of Marketing at Bumble and Headspace where she led international growth, Global brand marketing and strategic communications. She is passionate about women’s rights to health equity and body autonomy, and has been vocal throughout her career on the role brand and marketing play in creating a more equitable world for all.In this episode we cover: Moving to LA to do PR for Paris Hilton, Afrojack and Gene Simmons (KISS). The ‘just start’ mentality The power of naivety The tendency to overwork when you love the work Detoxing between work sprints The practicality of work-life balance What if women worked with their period cycles? Mentions:Make the Ordinary Come Alive - William Harris Links: https://www.instagram.com/clueapp/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-troen-1895a235/ Season 3 of The Slow Down is created in partnership with period and cycle tracking app Clue. Especially for The Slow Down listeners, CLUE is offering a 75% discount on the annual Clue Plus subscription via their website. To redeem, go to helloclue.com and enter the code SLOWDOWN at checkout). So, download Clue today in the App Store or Google Play, and start making space for the signals your body’s been sending all along.Link to sign up with discount already included: https://helloclue.com/login?discount_code=SLOWDOWN

I have something unusual for you today. An interview with me! I was interviewed on Asim Amin’s podcast Immigrants Building Companies. It was an opportunity to really reflect on my immigrant experience and what it offered me: the good, bad and ugly. I also share my full career journey, my burnout experience and my turning point for a desire to re-define success for myself.Asim Amin is a wonderful listener and incisive interviewer. No pre-shared questions, just a natural flow. If you like this episode check out his podcast, Immigrants Building Companies, and if you’re listening on Spotify - leave a comment. Enjoy.

Tamu Thomas is the author of Why Women Work So Much and a passionate advocate for joyful living, boundaries, and sustainable success. She challenges the burnout culture and toxic productivity that so many women find themselves trapped in and explores how we can redefine ambition, rest, and self-worth beyond productivity. As a qualified social worker, somatic coach and public speaker, Tamu challenges the pervasive culture of burnout and advocates for a more balanced approach to ambition and self-care.In this episode we cover: The immigrant experience Anxiety attacks & how we get there How to approach your relationship with work differently Effort precipitates ease - create systems for success How to Slow Down but also pay the bills Why productivity hacks for men don’t work for women The myth of the martyr mother How to self-regulate How to part with compassion Mentions:Why Women Work So Much - Tamu Thomas The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisLife is What you make it - Frighty & Colonel Mite Links: https://www.instagram.com/tamu.thomashttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tamuthomas/ Cover photo image credit: Vicki Knights photography

Molly Johnson-Jones is the co-founder and CEO of Flexa, a platform that showcases companies offering flexible working environments. Her personal experience of being dismissed from a finance role after requesting flexible work (working from home one day a week) accommodations for her autoimmune condition led her to establish Flexa in 2019. The platform now serves millions of users globally and collaborates with major corporations like Mars UK and Microsoft UK to promote transparency in workplace flexibility.In this episode we cover: Graduating from Oxford - but at what cost? How her autoimmune condition got her fired How overachieving can internalize sexism Being in a relationship and running a business together Work-life blend Having a non-visible disability Making FLEXA the first port of call for job searching Why freedom is success Taking life in phases & normalising career breaks Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-johnson-jones/ https://flexa.careers/

Chrissy Rutherford is a writer, consultant and mental wellness advocate. She was a digital editor at Harper’s Bazaar.com for 9 years, from 2011-2020, in New York City- spearheading the magazine’s instagram account - which got over 4 million followers under her influence- along with writing fashion and celebrity articles, styling, producing and hosting their Youtube series Heel Hunters. Since departing Harpers, Chrissy is now a writer and digital content creator working with brands like J Crew, Caudalie, JW Marriott Hotels, DeBeers and American Express . She has a newsletter called FWD JOY which is dedicated to the journey of self-discovery, self-care, and self-investment. In this episode we cover: What it took to get an Editor’s job at Harper’s And what it took to leave Living with your parents as an adult Pulled back from digital activism after going 5.4m+ viral on a post The joys of being 39 and single Why you should move around in your career Mentions:A New Earth - Eckhart Tolle Notes from the Universe (app) Clueless (1995) directed by Amy Heckerling The Places That Scare You - ​​Pema ChodronLinks: https://chrissyrutherford.comhttps://www.instagram.com/chrissyford

Marine Tanguy was the youngest gallery manager in Europe before founding MTArt Agency, the first talent agency dedicated to visual artists. They represent top visual artists and integrates their art into various contexts, from digital platforms to public art projects. She is also the author of her new book The Visual Detox - challenging the dominance of commercial imagery in public spaces.In this episode we cover: - What visual literacy means - What you can do to become a more conscious visual consumer - How an image of her used in a slander campaign became on of the most viewed images on Le Monde - Raising boys - How visuals can catalyse important conversations - Taking a “30 minute holiday” every day Mentions:At 21 Marine was the manager of Steve Lazarides Gallery (Banksy and other street art)Marine’ gallery she opened at 23 was called De Re Gallery (named after the island she came from in France) on Melrose Avenue in Los AngelesMarine was mentored by Michael Ovitz , co-founder of CAATineye.com - reverse image search BBC VerifyPina (2012) documentary by Wim Wenders on choreographer Pina BauschLinks: https://www.instagram.com/marinetanguyart/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marine-tanguy-303b4a103/ https://www.instagram.com/mtartagency/