The Waffle Shop

Welcome to The Waffle Shop!Today I'm by Natasha Wicks — a professional cuddler and mental health therapist — to explore the transformative power of touch and the often misunderstood world of cuddle therapy.Natasha shares her unique journey into this unconventional form of healing, explaining how cuddle therapy supports emotional well-being by helping clients feel safe, seen, and supported. The conversation dives into the impact of the pandemic on human connection, the therapeutic role of music and cold water therapy, and the growing need for non-sexual physical touch in today’s fast-paced, disconnected world.Taylor and Natasha also unpack techniques like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) and how it’s used to help process trauma. Together, they debunk common myths about cuddle therapy and highlight how intentional, platonic touch can play a crucial role in mental health, self-worth, and emotional regulation.If you want to find out more about Cuddle Therapy please check out Natasha's work - https://natashawicksmindmatters.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Waffle Shop!Joining me in the studio is the brilliant Ellie Forsyth!Ellie joins me for a waffle about her journey to happiness, healing, and self-discovery.Ellie opens up about her formative years, the emotional armour she built through family dynamics, and her career in the prison service, which reinforced her need to appear strong. But behind the bravado was a woman searching for peace and purpose.Ellie also opens up about her Mum's dementia diagnosis and how it became a pivotal moment that forced her to confront grief, seek support, and redefine her idea of happiness.We also explore the importance of therapy, vulnerability, and community, and how sharing your story—no matter how painful—can not only transform your own life but also help others feel seen and supported.The episode also touches on Ellie’s own podcast, You Look Happier, which was born from her own healing process.This episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t found—it’s built, one brave step at a time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back babyyyy!Joining me for my first waffle of 2025 is the brilliant Omar Foster!Omar is an incredibly talented chef and MasterChef finalist known for his bold flavours and creative flair in the kitchen. With a passion for modern twists on traditional dishes, Omar has quickly become a standout voice in the culinary world. His journey on MasterChef captivated audiences and showcased his commitment to excellence, innovation, and heartfelt cooking.He joins me for a waffle about his journey so far, personal growth, culinary exploration, and navigating identity. We waffle about the impact of the pandemic on Omar's culinary journey, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of support from loved ones. Omar shares insights on finding one's own path and the lessons learned from participating in MasterChef, emphasising the significance of self-discovery and the ongoing journey of personal development. He reflects on the influence of his family, particularly his mother's work ethic, and discusses the empowerment of women in the culinary industry. This episode is a really nice reminder of how important it is to embrace your identity and be unapologetically you!If you want to find out more, head to the below links:The Waffle Shop PodcastOmar Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Waffle ShopToday I'm joined in the studio by the incredible Emma Conway!Emma is a podcast host, author, YouTuber and the creator of Brummy Mummy of 2. She joins me for a chat about her journey so far, her recent heart surgery and the importance of being kind.We also have a waffle about all things content creation and the complexities of being a parent in the age of social media. Emma shares her experiences with openness and vulnerability online, the importance of community support, and the balance of positives and negatives across social mediaWe also have a bit of a deep dive into the importance of personal boundaries while being open and honest with her audience. She reflects on the impact of social media on self-perception, the importance of authenticity, and the supportive community she has built!Bloody loved this waffle so I hope you do too!If you want to find out more about Emma and her B&M hauls, click here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Waffle ShopToday we are straight from winning at The Independent Podcast Awards to the studio with fellow podcaster Tom McCormick!Tom joins me for a waffle about his brilliant podcast 'Inside A Mind', which aims to provide relatable conversations about mental health struggles and provides some incredible tools that the listener can implementWe also delve into Tom's ADHD journey and the misconceptions surrounding it. ADHD seems to be a bit of a buzzword at the moment, so it was refreshing to hear Tom's take on the diagnosis process and the dangers of social media's impact on self-diagnosingThe conversation also touches on the need for boundaries to protect mental well-being, the struggle with work-life balance, and the concept of 'mental masturbation' in productivity.I really hope you enjoy it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Waffle Shop!This week's episode is chaotic, which fits very nicely into the theme...BRAT!Charli XCX is on fire at the moment with her BRAT era, so we take a deep dive into the meaning behind BRAT, the aesthetic of it, and what it really means to be BRAT!We also take a little trip down memory lane and cringe at the trends we fell victim to, as well as bratty behaviour and how it can impact your ego and accountabilityWhat do you think? We would love to hear from you! Email Taylor@waffleshopodcast.com to get in touch!If you enjoyed this week's episode, don't forget that you can join us live on the 19th of October at the Cheerful Earful podcast festival!Get tickets here: https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/the-waffle-shop-live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-19th-oct-tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WELCOME TO THE WAFFLE SHOP!This week Taylor is straight from The British Podcast Awards to the studio!Unfortunately, The Waffle didn't win; however, Taylor did come away with a lovely pillow and a new fire in his belly! Emma joins him for a waffle about energy, expectations, and the concept of winning and losing in life.They dive into personal anecdotes, discuss the importance of celebrating small wins, and reflect on the emotional impact of loss. The conversation delves into cultural perspectives on success and failure, emphasising the value of resilience and learning from experiences.Ultimately, they conclude with the fact that the win is in the loss!If you enjoyed this weeks episode, don't forget that you can join them live on the 19th October at the Cheerful Earful podcast festival!Get tickets here - https://cheerfulearful.podlifeevents.com/festival/the-waffle-shop-live-from-cheerful-earful-podcast-festival-19th-oct-tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.