Episode 1: Welcome to reThink: Unpacking Ideas, Innovation, and Insights
In this first episode of reThink, I introduce you to the heart of the podcast—exploring creative ways to reimagine ideas, improve processes, and gain fresh insights. You’ll learn what the three pillars of reThink—Ideas, Innovation, and Insights—really mean and how they can help you navigate your work, learning, and team dynamics.

I’ll also share a bit about my background as a teacher and coach, how I discovered the power of visual thinking, and the story behind MapChat™, my method for helping others capture ideas visually during meetings and projects. And yes, I know it’s ironic to talk about visual thinking on a podcast, but I’ll walk you through every concept in a way that’s clear and engaging—and I’ll share bonus visual resources later!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many tasks or unsure how to organize your thoughts, you’re not alone. In this episode, you’ll get a preview of what’s to come, including practical tools for brainstorming, team collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Join me as I explain how visual thinking can transform the way you approach challenges, and stay tuned for the next episode, where I’ll introduce the Crazy 8s method—an easy, no-pressure exercise to help you turn mental chaos into clarity (with a pen in hand!).

Whether you're a student, educator, or team leader, this podcast is here to empower you with simple yet impactful strategies that you can start using right away.
We all need a reThink once in a while—so why not start today? 

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

🎙️ Episode 3: Drawing – The Superpower for Thinking

Think you can’t draw? Think again! 🎨

Most of us stop drawing around age 7 to 9, the last time we truly enjoyed it. But what if drawing isn’t about art—it’s about thinking? In this episode of rethink, I explore how sketching can boost memory, enhance problem-solving, and clarify ideas.

📌 Science-backed insights:
✅ The Drawing Effect – How sketching helps you remember twice as much
✅ Dual Coding Theory – Why combining visuals + words makes ideas stick
✅ Doodling for Focus – How simple scribbles keep your brain engaged

Plus, I’ll share practical ways to use drawing in daily life—even if you think you "can’t draw"! And keep an eye out for my upcoming video on how to draw simple, easy images Nicki-style.

🖍 Listen now & start thinking visually!

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Crazy 8 is designed to help you rethink brainstorming and spark connections and it is fast, fun, and full of ideas. Whether you’re working alone or in a team, this quick and creative technique gets ideas flowing and uncovers patterns you might not see otherwise.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Bad design is CRAP. 

No, really—there’s an actual design principle called CRAP: Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity. 

If you’re not using these, your spatial organisation might be working against you.

In this episode of rethink: The Podcast, we explore how spatial organisation transforms the way we think, communicate, and design—whether in presentations, learning materials, or even how we arrange our workspaces.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why the CRAP principles (from The Non-Designer’s Design Book by Robin Williams) are a secret weapon for clarity.
✅ How Gestalt Theory explains why our brains love well-organised spaces.
✅ Simple tweaks that make layouts, slides, and study notes instantly more effective.
✅ Why white space is powerful and how you can use it to avoid information overload.

Because when design is bad, it’s CRAP—but when it’s good, it’s transformational

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Ever struggled to structure your thoughts or explain an idea clearly? What if you could break it down visually—step by step—just like a storyboard?

In this episode of rethink: The Podcast, we explore how storyboarding can transform the way you think, communicate, and bring ideas to life.

📌 What you’ll discover:
🔹 Why storyboarding works for different types of thinkers—from creatives to leaders.
🔹 How breaking an idea into 3 or 5 panels makes it clearer and more actionable.
🔹 The science behind storytelling & visuals—and why our brains love them.
🔹 How I used storyboarding to create The Confessions of an Introvert comic.
🔹 A hands-on guide to sketching your own storyboard—no artistic skills required!

Whether you’re mapping out a project, explaining a concept, or shaping a vision, storyboarding helps you clarify your message and make it stick.

🎧 Tune in now and rethink how you communicate—one frame at a time!

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Ever struggled to explain a complex idea? What if you could capture it in a single, powerful image?

In this episode of rethink: the Podcast, we explore how visual metaphors can transform the way we think, communicate, and problem-solve.

📌 What you’ll discover:
🔹 How metaphors help make abstract ideas concrete.
🔹 The power of turning concepts into visual journeys.
🔹 Real-world examples, including my work with Paul Vincent on the 25 Questions for 2025 project.
🔹 How graphic facilitators like Brendon O’Brien and Ralph Mann bring ideas to life.
🔹 A step-by-step guide to mapping your own big-picture thinking.

Whether you’re a leader, educator, or creative, this episode will show you how to use metaphors as maps to navigate ideas and find clarity.

🎧 Tune in now and start seeing the big picture with visual metaphors!

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 5: Concept Mapping for Better Thinking

Feeling overwhelmed by scattered ideas and messy notes? Ever struggled to pull everything together and make sense of your thoughts? You’re not alone!

In this episode of rethink: the podcast, I explore how concept mapping can transform your thinking, memory, and problem-solving skills by mirroring the way your brain naturally organises information.

🔹 Why mapping works – backed by neuroscience & Gestalt theory
🔹 Different types of concept maps – it’s not just mind maps!
🔹 How to use mapping effectively – from learning and planning to creative thinking
🔹 Who benefits most – students, professionals, teams, and neurodivergent thinkers

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to structure your thoughts, this episode will help you rethink how you organise and connect ideas.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Ever been in a meeting where only the loudest voices dominate? Thought Threads is a spatial, silent brainstorming technique designed to ensure every idea gets seen and valued—especially for introverts, reflective thinkers, and neurodiverse team members. 

In this episode, we explore how visual, anonymous ideation can turn scattered thoughts into structured collaboration. Learn how to cluster, connect, and amplify ideas using this inclusive visual thinking approach.

Tune in and discover how to weave your team’s ideas into a powerful collective web of insights!

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 28: The Bridge – Turning Insight into Action

You’ve done the deep thinking. You’ve uncovered what’s really going on. But now what?

In this episode, I introduce the Bridge Framework: a visual strategy to help you move from insight to action. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or standing at the edge of something new, this simple tool will help you break things down, find your footing and take your next small step.

I’ll walk you through:
 – Identifying where you are now
 – Defining your desired state
 – Mapping out realistic steps forward
 – And choosing the supports that will help you stay steady

You’ll also hear a story of how I used this with a friend navigating a big life change and how a simple sketch turned into a guiding tool he still uses today.

Plus: there’s a free visual you can download and use for your own conversations.

Because sometimes insight is just the beginning.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 27: Peeling Back the Layers. Visual Frameworks for Deeper Thinking

In this episode of Rethink: The Podcast, we’re digging beneath the surface. Nicki Hambleton explores the power of the onion metaphor to unpack complexity and reveal what’s really going on.

Using visual thinking strategies, we peel back the outer layers of what’s being said, how it’s being said and dive into the beliefs, emotions and assumptions hidden underneath. You'll learn how to work through each layer to reach deeper clarity, greater empathy and more meaningful solutions.

🔍 Whether you're coaching, leading, learning, or facilitating, this episode will help you visualise conversations differently with tools to guide others through solving problems or complex thinking.

You’ll hear:

• Why metaphors like the onion work so well in thinking and communication
• A step-by-step visual framework to guide deeper insight
• How to apply this in strategy sessions, team coaching, learning and reflection

Plus, there’s a free template to help guide your own layer-peeling journey to check it out on LinkedIn or on the website: https://nihconsultancy.com/resources

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 18: Hacking Your Brain with Visuals, with Brendon O’Brien

What if you could turbocharge your thinking just by drawing it out?

In this episode of rethink: the podcast, I’m joined by visual facilitator Brendon O’Brien of Cue Vision to explore how visual thinking isn’t just a creative tool, it’s a cognitive superpower.

Brendon talks us through the science behind how visuals help us remember more, communicate clearly and even rewire our brains. 

From dual coding to cognitive load, external memory fields to third-point communication, Brendon explains it all through his wonderfully visual lens.

🧠 Why visuals “hack” your brain and boost memory
 🎯 How drawing helps you process, understand and act
 💬 What happens when teams see the problem instead of just talking about it
 ✏️ Simple ways to get started. You don't need to be an artist!

🔗 Connect with Brendon: https://www.cue-vision.com/  LinkedIn: Brendon O’Brien

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

In this episode, I’m taking you right back to where it all began, 2012, a new iPad, and a conversation over lunch that changed how I think, listen, and learn.

That was the moment I discovered the power of visual note-taking. 

Not just as a fun way to doodle in the margins, but as a strategy that genuinely helped me remember, reflect and make sense of what I was hearing.

I’ll walk you through my 5 Step Method: a simple, visual approach you can literally hold in your hand, while exploring Dual Coding Theory.

Whether you're taking notes in a meeting, in class, or while listening to a podcast this technique is designed to help you process and retain ideas more clearly.

In this episode:
 ✋ The Five-Step Method for visual note-taking
 🧠 A simple explanation of Dual Coding Theory
 📚 Why words and images together boost memory
 🎁 A free visual download to help you try it for yourself

For more strategies and conversations, follow me on https://www.instagram.com/nihconsultancy/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-hambleton-436bb086/

Tune in to rethink how you take notes—because sometimes clarity is just one sketch away.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 16 Design Your Day: Map Your Time to Match Your Mind

Do you ever get to the end of the day and think… what did I actually do?
Busy, yes. But productive? Not quite.

In this episode of rethink: the podcast, we explore a simple but powerful visual strategy to help you take back control of your day, without the overwhelm.

I’m sharing how visual planning (instead of endless to-do lists) can help you design your day to match your energy, reduce stress and prioritise what really matters.

This episode is especially helpful for:
 – Anyone feeling pulled in different directions
 – Neurodivergent thinkers who find traditional planners don’t work for them
 – Leaders, educators, creatives and entrepreneurs looking for more clarity and flow

🛠️ You’ll learn how to:

• Break your day into manageable blocks
• Map your natural energy patterns 
• Prioritise with visual task markers 
• Build in breathing space (and stop feeling guilty about it)

This isn’t about squeezing more in, it’s about rethinking how your day feels to live through.

🎧 Listen now and give it a go! 

Because rethinking your day starts with seeing it differently.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Feeling overwhelmed but can't pinpoint why?
In this episode of Rethink: The Podcast, Nicki Hambleton introduces Mood Mapping — a simple visual strategy to track emotional patterns, manage stress and boost self-awareness.
Learn how to plot your energy and mood visually, spot hidden trends and adjust your work and life with more clarity, kindness, and control.
Perfect for leaders, professionals, creatives and lifelong learners ready to rethink how they navigate their energy, mood, and mindset each day.

And you can download a free template to start mapping your mood! 

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

The 5 Visual Thinking Myths Busted: Why You're Already More Visual Than You Think

Description:
Think you're not a 'visual thinker'? Think again.
In this episode, we bust five common myths about visual thinking — from the belief that it's only for artists, to the idea that it slows you down.
You'll discover why visual thinking is a power tool for clearer ideas, faster learning, and better collaboration — and why you’re already more visual than you realise.

This episode includes quick interactive actions you can try today to rethink how you work, learn, and solve problems.

Resources and Further Reading:

• Dual Coding Theory – Overview from Learning Scientists:
   https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2017/5/18-1
• Cognitive Load Theory – A Brief Introduction:
   https://www.cognitiontoday.com/cognitive-load-theory-applications-in-learning-and-teaching/
• The McKinsey 7S Framework Explained:
   https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/enduring-ideas-the-7-s-framework
• Introduction to Issue Trees and Structured Thinking:
   https://www.strategyu.co/issue-tree-framework-structured-problem-solving/
• The Value of Visual Thinking in the 21st Century (XPLANE):
   https://www.xplane.com/the-value-of-visual-thinking-in-the-21st-century/

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Feeling overwhelmed by ideas? Or just joining the podcast now and wondering where to begin? This special recap episode is your chance to pause, zoom out, and connect the dots from Episodes 1 to 12.

In Rethink The Recap, I walk you through the stepping stones we’ve travelled so far, how we’ve moved from chaos to clarity using visual thinking tools, creative strategies and inclusive ideas that spark action.

Each cluster of episodes builds on the last, from brain dumps and thought threads, to concept maps, storyboarding and strategies for neurodivergent brilliance. 

Whether you're a long-time listener or brand new to the show, this episode will help you see the bigger picture (and spot the episodes you'll want to revisit next).

🎈 What we cover:

• Why Rethink exists (and who it’s for)
• 5 visual thinking themes woven through the podcast
• How drawing, structure and metaphor can help you think and communicate more clearly
• What’s coming next: neurodivergent voices, visual storytelling for memory care, and collaboration tools for teams

✨ So if you need a rethink - here’s your gentle nudge to start today.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Tired of bullet-point overload and slide decks that send your audience to sleep?

In this episode, we flip the focus from listener to leader and rethink how we design and deliver presentations. 

Whether you’re leading a meeting, teaching a class, or pitching an idea, your slides shouldn’t be your script. They should be your support act.

We’ll explore:

• Why reading from slides leads to disengagement
• How to reduce cognitive overload, especially for neurodivergent minds
• The science behind what makes visuals more effective
• A practical 5-step framework to design presentations that land with every brain in the room
• Expert insights from Duarte, Reynolds, and more

💡 Clear slides = clear minds.
 🎯 One idea per slide.
 🎨 Visual metaphors that stick.
 🧠 Design for every brain in the room.

🔗 Show Notes & References:

• Broca & Wernicke Effect: Why talking over your slides disrupts processing
• Dual Coding Theory – Allan Paivio: Pairing visuals and language for better recall
• Picture Superiority Effect: Why we remember images better than words
• Cognitive Load Theory – John Sweller: Reducing overload to increase learning
• Slide:ology by Nancy Duarte
• Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 11

Do you leave meetings feeling frazzled? Find yourself scribbling furiously only to end up with unreadable notes and a foggy memory?

You’re not alone.

In this episode, I share how sketchnoting became a game-changer for my neurodivergent brain. Not just a creative outlet, sketchnotes helped me learn to listen differently—focusing on meaning, calming the overwhelm, and capturing ideas I’d actually use.

We’ll explore:

• Why all-talking meetings cause cognitive overload
• What sketchnoting really is (hint: it’s not about being an artist!)
• The science of dual coding and memory
• How visual thinking can support better listening and focus
• A step-by-step guide to start sketchnoting today

🎧 Listen now and see why listening, sketching, and simplifying might just be your new secret strategy.

........................................................................................................................................

📚 Resources:

Here are the research references and links mentioned in this episode, along with some additional reading if you’d like to explore further:

✍️ Sketchnoting Inspiration

• 🧠 The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde
  rohdesign.com/handbook
• ✏️ Dave Caleb's Sketchnote: View the sketchnote on Flickr

🔬 Key Research & Theory

• 📖 Dual Coding Theory (Paivio, 1986)
  Combining visuals and words improves recall.
  Dual Coding blog post by The Learning Scientists
• 📖 Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller, 1988)
  Why our brains struggle with too much information at once.
  Explainer video by John Spencer
• 🧠 Drawing and Memory – The Wammes Study
  Drawing leads to deeper processing and stronger recall compared to writing, as it engages visual, motor, and semantic encoding. Edutopia article

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 10: Seeing Differently – How Visual Thinking Unlocks Neurodivergent Brilliance

What if the very thing you once saw as a struggle was actually your strength?

In this episode, I share a personal story about discovering I likely have dyslexic thinking and how that realisation helped me reframe not only my challenges but also my greatest gifts. 

From struggling to retain information through spoken word to thriving with colour-coded mind maps and visual metaphors, I explore how visual thinking can transform the way neurodivergent minds learn, lead, and create.

You’ll also get a step-by-step guide to using concept mapping to chunk information and reduce cognitive overload—an essential strategy for visual learners and thinkers.

🧠 Big-picture thinking
 💡 Creative problem-solving
 📊 Turning complexity into clarity

These aren’t just learning tools. They’re superpowers.

See the accompanying post and visual on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicki-hambleton-436bb086/  

Visit my website for more visual thinking strategies: https://nihconsultancy.com/

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Seeing the Big Picture: Visual Thinking Meets Business Strategy

How do you make big ideas stick?

In this episode I talk to Paul Vincent, Global Leader in Service Design, Randstad Enterprise. Paul set himself a challenge: to create 25 Questions for 2025, a series of thought-provoking prompts designed to help leaders, businesses, and individuals rethink the future.

But how do you make complex ideas engaging? That’s where our collaboration began. Instead of using stock images, we started crafting custom visuals that tell a story—turning abstract concepts into something instantly recognisable and memorable.

In this episode, we explore:
 ✔ The power of questions over statements in sparking conversation
✔ How visual thinking unlocks deeper understanding
✔ The process behind creating compelling visuals that bring ideas to life

If you’ve ever struggled to explain an idea, pitch a concept, or engage an audience, this one’s for you.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 26: Rethink Thinking with AI
with guest Nici Foote, founder of Unbarrier Me

In this episode of Rethink the Podcast, I’m joined by Nici Foote, founder of Unbarrier Me, an educator and creative problem-solver who helps schools, multi-academy trusts, and teachers build inclusive, future-ready learning environments using tools that are practical, neurodivergent-friendly, and genuinely engaging.

We explore how both of us are weaving AI into our creative processes, not to replace thinking, but to enhance it. From uploading style references and prompts into ChatGPT, to using AI-generated images as a springboard for design and tracing in Procreate, this episode unpacks how AI can unlock new directions and take the pressure off the blank page.

Together we chat about:

• How Nici blends AI with visual storytelling to support schools and educators
• Our shared workflow of idea generation → AI input → Procreate illustration
• Why working with AI is more spark than shortcut
• The value of visual clarity for neurodivergent learners and thinkers
• How educators and creatives alike can start experimenting with AI tools in thoughtful, human-centred ways

Whether you’re curious about creativity, AI, or inclusive education, this episode invites you to rethink how technology might open up new ways to think, work, and create.

References: Procreate, ChatGPT and Otter.ai

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 20: Can't say it? Draw it! How Metaphors Make Emotions Visible

What do you do when words just aren’t enough? 

When feelings are swirling and thoughts feel tangled? 

In this second episode of our Visual Thinking for Wellbeing mini series, I explore how visual metaphors can help you make sense of complex emotions, stress and  confusion.

We’ll unpack why drawing what you feel can offer clarity, comfort and even humour in challenging moments. 

With real-life examples, a guided reflection and creative prompts this episode will help you turn overwhelm into something visual, memorable and manageable.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting students, or navigating your own messy mind, this episode invites you to rethink how drawing might just be your best thinking tool.

🧠 Visual thinking isn’t just for creatives—it’s for clarity, connection, and emotional wellbeing.

🎧 Listen now and grab your pen: Can’t see it? Draw it.

Book ref: K Blanchard The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Ep 25: Framing the Conversation. How a Folded Paper Game Can Guide Deeper Thinking
What do you do when a conversation feels like too much to hold? 

In this episode, I share the moment that led to creating MapChat, a visual way to map conversations as they unfold. 

Then I introduce the Conversation Catcher, a simple, playful tool for opening up reflective conversations when mapping isn’t practical. 

Whether you're coaching, checking in, or just trying to get unstuck, this tool can help bring clarity, one question at a time.

Download the free Conversation Catcher template so you can try it yourself.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 24: Visual Frameworks – Making the Invisible Visible

Do you ever feel like your brain’s full but nothing’s clear?

In this episode of RETHINK, we dive into visual frameworks: simple, shape-based tools that help you organise messy thinking, untangle ideas and make better decisions. Whether you're planning a project, navigating a tricky conversation, or just feeling overwhelmed, frameworks offer scaffolding for your thoughts.

I walk you through 5 clear steps to build your own visual framework (no drawing skills required) and explain how to match the shape to the kind of challenge you're facing.

🔍 Learn how to:

• Name the real challenge
• Choose a visual structure that fits
• Add prompts to guide your thinking
• Fill it in with the chaos, questions and insights
• Step back and actually see the big picture

Practical, visual and calming, this episode gives you tools to stop spiralling and start seeing clearly.

🎧 Tune in and try it for yourself.
 Because sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to draw it.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 23: The Switch. Becoming visible again.

What happens when you step back into a space you love and suddenly feel seen again?

In this reflective episode, Nicki shares what attending the Jigsaw24 Education Summit unlocked for her: a quiet but powerful moment of clarity, confidence, and reconnection. From feeling on the fringes of education to realising the power of her work anew, she explores how one simple conversation flipped the switch and helped her become visible again.

Whether you’re a creative, educator, or someone whose work doesn’t fit into a neat box, this episode is your reminder that visibility doesn’t require shouting it just takes one moment of resonance.

🎙 You’ll hear:

• The subtle power of being seen and understood
• Why clarity often matters more than credentials
• A light switch metaphor that might just change how you show up
• A listener prompt to help you step into your own visibility

💡 Flick the switch. You deserve to be seen.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 22: Can a Picture Say 1000 Words?

Visual thinking isn’t just about drawing, it’s about showing meaning. And sometimes, one powerful image can communicate what paragraphs of text struggle to explain.

In this episode, Nicki explores how using visual thinking and the Power Image strategy can:

✅ Replace text-heavy presentations, reports and student portfolios
 ✅ Reduce cognitive load for your audience
✅ Support neurodivergent and EAL learners
✅ Bring greater clarity to leadership communication, team conversations and classroom learning

Whether you're an educator, team leader or creative thinker, you'll take away simple, practical steps to rethink how you share information and discover how one image can truly say 1000 words.

🎙 Listen now and rethink how you use visuals in your next portfolio, meeting or presentation.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 21: From Fog to Focus using the SEE Framework to Clear Overwhelm

Overwhelmed? Stuck in a mental fog? 

In this third episode of the Visual Strategies for Wellbeing series, Nicki shares the SEE Framework – a powerful visual tool to help you go from frazzled to focused.

Whether your brain feels like it has 73 tabs open or you're facing a big decision that feels impossible to start, this episode helps you make sense of the chaos.

You’ll learn how to:

• Dump out the overwhelm (visually!)
• Use visual triage to make sense of what’s going on
• Apply a Visual Thermometer to identify pressure points
• Sketch out a simple path forward

From students and creatives to team leaders and teachers, this framework works for anyone trying to see their way through a tough moment.

Grab a pen and some paper and let’s rethink overwhelm together.

Book ref: Eat that Frog (Brian Tracy)

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

🎙 Part 1 of 5 in the Visual Thinking for Wellbeing Series

Episode 19: Resetting the Stressed out Brain

When the pressure piles up and your brain feels like it’s short-circuiting, how do you find clarity? 

In this episode, the first in a five-part series on visual thinking for wellbeing, we explore what happens in the brain when stress takes over and how simple drawing strategies can help you reset.

We’ll look at:

• What neuroscience tells us about overwhelm
• Why visuals offer a shortcut to calm and clarity
• Three simple sketches you can do (no drawing skills needed!)

Whether you’re a student feeling stuck, or someone who just needs a mental breather, this episode offers a pen-and-paper lifeline when your brain’s had enough.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 29: Constellation Mapping – Connecting Ideas into Shared Direction

When ideas are flying in all directions, it can feel like looking at a night sky full of stars, beautiful but scattered. 

In this episode, I introduce Constellation Mapping, a visual strategy for gathering, clustering and connecting ideas so your team, class, or group can see patterns, choose a guiding “North Star,” and move forward together.

You’ll hear how to use this approach, discover the origins of the KJ Method by Jiro Kawakita, and learn a simple 5-step process you can apply right away, whether you’re in a boardroom, classroom, or creative space.

🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What the KJ Method is and how it works
• How to connect ideas into constellations
• The 5 steps of Constellation Mapping
• Why this method is inclusive, visual, and effective

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

 Episode 32: Inside–Outside

In this episode of Rethink: the Podcast, Nicki Hambleton explores the Inside–Outside strategy: a simple yet powerful visual tool to help us see beyond the surface.

We all project something on the outside through our actions, body language, and behaviours, but inside we carry thoughts, feelings, and hidden strengths that others don’t always see. 

This episode guides you through drawing your own outline figure, to capture external pressures and internal experiences and to reflect on how what’s inside impacts what flows out to others.

Nicki shares her own personal story and how that experience led her to develop this activity in her workshops. She shows how the strategy can be applied in different contexts, from classrooms to team meetings to personal wellbeing check-ins.

You’ll walk away with a practical tool for empathy, communication, and collaboration and a way to rethink how you see yourself and those around you.

✨ Key takeaways:

• How to use the Inside–Outside figure to map behaviours, emotions, and pressures
• Why this strategy helps reveal hidden strengths and unseen struggles
• Practical applications for education, leadership, teams, and wellbeing
• A guided activity you can try as you listen

Because sometimes the most important things aren’t what we see on the outside, it’s what’s happening within.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 31: Authenticity in the Age of AI

In this unscripted and personal episode, Nicki Hambleton pauses the regular format to reflect on what it means to stay authentic in an increasingly AI-shaped world.

Recorded straight from her lounge with no script, no polish, Nicki explores the quiet tension between using AI to support her creative work and the risk of losing her own voice in the process.

From a conversation that challenged her to define her "authentic Nicki voice" to her concerns about her hand-drawn visuals being mistaken for computer-generated art, this episode unpacks the growing complexity of authorship, identity, and originality in the age of automation.

Nicki also weaves in:

• Stories about AI-generated music, illustrations, and advertising
• Reflections on the pressure to be perfect, even in podcasting
• A powerful visual metaphor: the fingerprint as a symbol of creative identity

This is not an episode against AI, it's an invitation to rethink how we use it, how we show up, and how we hold on to what makes our work uniquely ours.

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 30: Rewind & Recap – 7 Months of Visual Thinking

In this episode of Rethink: the podcast, host Nicki Hambleton reflects on the first 30 episodes and seven months of recording since launching in January 2025. The episode highlights the major themes that have emerged, the problems they help to solve, and the insights that visual thinking continues to unlock.

Nicki revisits four central strands that run throughout the podcast:

• Learning & Memory – exploring concept mapping and design principles to make knowledge easier to recall.
• Visual Frameworks – using metaphors, images, and structures to make complex ideas clearer.
• Big Picture Thinking & Creativity – connecting ideas, revealing patterns, and making the invisible visible.
• Inclusion, Confidence & Authenticity – creating spaces where every voice is heard and valued.

She also reflects on the contributions of her guests: Nici Foote, who shared lived experiences of ADHD and dyslexia; Paul Vincent, whose collaboration with Nicki reframed communicating concepts through his series 25 Questions for 2025; and Brendon O’Brien, who demonstrated how visual landscapes can bring clarity to business challenges.

This recap episode also surfaces Nicki’s own “aha moments,” including how many strategies designed for students also translate directly to the workplace, and how visual thinking provides a consistent golden thread across learning, collaboration, and leadership.

Looking ahead, the podcast will continue with an upcoming episode on authenticity and further conversations with guests, as Nicki expands on the question: what other problems can visual thinking help solve?

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?

Episode 33: Shining the light on how visuals support executive function

In this episode of Rethink: The Podcast, Nicki Hambleton speaks with executive function coach Suzanne Kamal, who specialises in helping children and families build routines, strategies, and systems that support learning and everyday life.

Together, they explore how visual thinking can be a game changer for learners who are neurodivergent or studying in English as an additional language (EAL). From simple sketchnotes to calendars, reminders and visual strategies for organisation, Suzanne and Nicki unpack why visuals reduce overload, build confidence, and make learning more inclusive.

This episode also highlights recent research into cognitive load and dual coding, showing why the brain benefits from combining words and visuals. You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how small changes can make a big difference, whether in the classroom or at home.

Resources:

Suzanne Kumal, Executive Function Coach on LinkedIn

Clarity Education Coaching Website

Clarity Education Coaching Facebook Group

Atomic Habits by James Clear

"Values are not Goals" research paper, by Chase, Hayes, Ward, & Ramona (2013)

“The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking” by Pam A. Mueller & Daniel M. Oppenheimer (2014)

We all need a rethink once in a while, so why not start today?