A Thought I Kept is a podcast about the ideas that stay with us, long after we’ve forgotten the rest. In each episode, a guest shares the one thought that shaped their life — the one they couldn’t let go of, and maybe you won’t either.
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When You Let Go of Beliefs That Aren’t Even Yours with Nicky Denson-Elliott
Season 2 · Episode 4
Monday, January 26, 2026 • Duration 49:00
In this episode of A Thought I Kept, I’m joined by Nicky Denson-Elliott for a conversation about the beliefs many women carry without ever consciously choosing them and what can shift when we begin to let those beliefs go.
We talk about the emotional weight of comparison, competition, and feeling like we have to stay small or agreeable just to feel safe. About confidence not as a personality trait, but as something that changes across the different life contexts. About money, worth and the subtle ways women are taught to doubt themselves — often in the name of being good, likeable, or successful.
Nicky brings a simple but powerful thought to the table: "In order for me to win, no one else has to lose". From there, we explore what it means to unlearn internalised ideas about scarcity, competition between women, and self-worth and how crafting a more generous belief system can change not just how we relate to ourselves, but how we relate to other women too.
This conversation is for anyone who has ever noticed themselves comparing, under-charging, holding back, or feeling uneasy when someone else succeeds. It’s about self-trust, emotional awareness, and creating more room — for rest, confidence, and connection — without needing to push or prove.
About Nicky Denson-Elliott
Nicky Denson-Elliott is a serial entrepreneur, founder of The Wilder Collective, host of the Women’s Business podcast, and a mum of two.
Everything Nicky does is about lifting the voices of female founders, and she empowers her community of women to break down conventional norms and become free to explore the lives and careers they want.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
How Neurodiversity Changes the Way We Experience the World with Matthew Bellringer
Season 2 · Episode 3
Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 58:54
In this episode, I talk to Matthew Bellringer about what it can feel like to move through a world that doesn’t always seem to be made for you and how impactful it can be to realise that other people may be experiencing that same world in fundamentally different ways.
We talk about neurodiversity, but always through lived experience rather than labels. About overwhelm, burnout, boredom, joy, and curiosity. About what happens when you’ve spent years mistrusting your own responses, your own pace, your own needs and how self-trust can begin to rebuild when you understand that difference isn’t failure.
Matthew shares how a later diagnosis of autism and ADHD helped them make sense of patterns they’d carried for a long time, from emotional intensity and exhaustion to creativity, insight, and the pull toward unconventional thinking. We explore rest that doesn’t look like stillness, wellbeing that doesn’t come from forcing yourself to fit, and the relief that can come from finding spaces — and people — where you don’t have to explain yourself quite so much.
Matthew Bellringer is a neurodiversity and innovation specialist who believes it takes an unconventional perspective to engage with some of the trickiest problems we face. They work with neurodivergent professionals, executives and business owners; organisations which want to support neurodiverse innovation; and organisations delivering innovative services to a neurodiverse audience.
Matthew specialises in supporting work that addresses problems from a unique perspective, co-production, and regenerative working practices. Alongside their private practice, Matthew is Chair and Co-founder of NeurodiverseIT, a group for neurodivergent IT professionals within BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT and the organiser and founder of Curious Being. Matthew is a late-discovery autistic ADHDer.
Joy, Grief, Squirrels, and the Real Work of Being Okay
Season 1 · Episode 15
Monday, November 3, 2025 • Duration 46:56
In this special episode of 'A Thought I Kept,' host Claire Fitzsimons is joined by Amanda Sheeren, her close friend and co-founder of 'If Lost Start Here', a wellbeing company aimed at helping people navigate modern life's complexities with creativity, curiosity and humour.
This episode centers on Amanda’s thought that even in the dark times there is light. They discuss how the hardest and best parts of life can coexist, touching on topics such as parenting, depression, Instagram, sobriety, and finding joy in small moments. Amanda shares personal experiences, underscoring the importance of embracing both positive and negative emotions. The conversation also highlights mindfulness, intentional living, and the significance of community and connection in wellbeing practices.
01:26 Navigating Life's Challenges
07:23 The Power of Tiny Joys
10:13 Balancing Emotions
21:28 Creative Practices and Wellbeing
22:32 Exploring the 10 Pathways to Wellness
23:45 The Challenge of Untethering from Technology
24:13 Navigating Connection and Purpose
24:33 The Dual Nature of Technology
28:28 The Sober Illustrator: A Journey of Connection
30:36 Misconceptions About Sobriety
33:53 Living a Values-Based Life
38:57 Finding Joy in the Present Moment
43:51 Concluding Thoughts on Wellness and Joy
About Amanda Sheeren:
Amanda Sheeren is with Claire Fitzsimmons the co-founder of If Lost Start Here. She is also a freelance writer, illustrator, and graphic designer from Marin County, California. Amanda is the creator of and
Following Joy Out of Burnout | A Conversation with Katharina Geissler-Evans
Season 1 · Episode 14
Monday, October 27, 2025 • Duration 32:04
In this episode of 'A Thought I Kept,' host Claire Fitzsimmons engages in a heartfelt conversation with Katharina Geissler-Evans, founder and editor-in-chief of heiter. The discussion explores how to find resilience during exhaustion and overwhelm, and how to create intentional and joyful connections in our increasingly online lives. Katarina shares how the philosophy 'if there's a will, there's a way' has guided her through challenges, and supported her through periods of perseverance. This conversation delves into the importance of small, joyful moments, and the value of community and gratitude practices during all life's seasons.
03:36 The Power of 'If There's a Will, There's a Way'
08:33 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Joy
10:31 Building a Community and a Brand
18:51 The Importance of In-Person Connections
23:17 Values and Future Plans
About Katharina
Katharina Geissler-Evans is the founder & editor-in-chief of heiter, an independent lifestyle publication and brand with a strong focus on supporting others in finding and celebrating joy in the chaos. If Katharina doesn’t write, curate and talk about all things heiter, she spends her time exploring different aspects of intentional living in her own life as well as fashion styling for other brands and indie publications. Katharina, who describes herself as “a multi-passionate creative”, lives with her husband and their two kids in Edinburgh.
Reclaiming Calm in a World on High Alert | A Conversation with Carrie Ekins
Season 1 · Episode 13
Monday, October 20, 2025 • Duration 47:39
Why do our hearts race at the sound of an email? Why does one glance at our phones send us into full-blown panic? In this episode, we're joined by massage therapist and author Carrie Ekins, who helps us understand what’s really going on in our bodies when everything feels like a threat.
Carrie shares how the nervous system can get stuck in survival mode and why modern life triggers ancient fear responses that were once meant to protect us from sabre-toothed tigers. Together, we explore simple, practical ways to return to safety, anchor ourselves in the present, and reclaim emotional steadiness in a world that often feels like too much.
You’ll learn:
Why your brain can't tell the difference between an email and a real-life threat
The hidden cost of being constantly “on” — and how to gently switch off
What “safety” actually feels like in the body
Small, powerful tools to regulate your emotions
Whether you’re feeling fried, frantic, or just a bit untethered lately, this conversation offers a warm, human path back to yourself. You don’t need to meditate for 40 minutes or change everything about your life – just a few small shifts can make a big difference.
01:41 The Saber-Tooth Tiger Analogy
02:46 Carrie's Journey into Massage Therapy
05:10 Understanding the Stress Response Cycle
07:03 Techniques for Managing Stress
08:57 The Disembodied vs. Embodied Self
13:19 The Importance of Mind-Body Connection
20:32 Storytelling and Myofascial Release
24:40 The Power of Breath and Softening
A Library Made of Moments | A Conversation with Andrea Rathborne
Season 1 · Episode 12
Monday, October 13, 2025 • Duration 45:37
In this week’s episode of A Thought I Kept, storyteller and creative leader Andrea Rathborne shares a memory so vivid, it feels like a short film stitched into the fabric of her life. This experience taught Andrea to appreciate the everyday small but meaningful moments, which she likens to a series of dashes and dots, forming a personal Morse code of memories.
Host Claire Fitzsimmons talks with Andrea about what it means to notice deeply, to be changed by presence, and to hold onto the moments that quietly shape us — the ones we shelve in our own inner library, ready to return to when we need them most.
Together Claire and Andrea explore how her project Half Betty is creating space for midlife women to be seen, heard, and celebrated. We discuss the importance of intergenerational wisdom, and the power of sharing our stories.
This episode emphasizes the need to notice and cherish the beauty, joy, and even the sorrows in life, encouraging listeners to find connection in the everyday.
00:36 Introducing Andrea Rathborne
02:22 Andrea's Thought: Life as a Series of Moments
05:27 A Memorable Encounter in Greece
12:20 Reflections on the Experience
31:48 The Inspiration Behind Half Betty
Andrea Rathborne is a storyteller, creative leader, and cultural voice whose work has always lived at the intersection of imagination and human connection. With more than two decades shaping the identities of purpose-led global brands, she is now the founder and host of Half Betty, a podcast and storytelling platform exploring identity, reinvention, and the quiet (and sometimes unruly) strength of midlife.
Are You Feeling Your Thinking? A Conversation with Anya Pearse
Season 1 · Episode 11
Monday, October 6, 2025 • Duration 29:04
In this episode of A Thought I Kept, host Claire Fitzsimmons invites Anya Pearse, a coach, mentor, and creative thinker, to discuss a thought that's stayed with her: 'Am I feeling my thinking?'
The conversation explores the origins of this thought, inspired by the works of Byron Katie and Michael Neil, and explores themes of self-awareness, self-compassion, and acceptance. Anya shares personal anecdotes and insights into how this thought has impacted her understanding of emotions and thinking.
This episode emphasizes the complexity and interconnectedness of ideas, thoughts, and feelings, and how understanding these can transform one's life. It also highlights the importance of accepting ourselves and the generous sharing of ideas to cultivate a richer, more connected life.
00:24 Meet This Week's Guest: Anya
01:37 The Thought: 'Am I Feeling My Thinking?'
02:03 Exploring Byron Katie's 'The Work'
04:02 Michael Neil and the Three Principles
15:51 The Ecosystem of Ideas
About Anya Pearse
Anya Pearse MAPP is a Positive Psychology Practitioner, intuitive advisor, coach and writer. She has an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and is the host of The A to Z of Happiness podcast. Anya is the community host at The Happy Startup School and has worked with the Museum of Happiness, Hay House and The Neurodiversity Education Academy.
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of , a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps people navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives. Claire writes on Substack about all things wellbeing at .
Transforming Fear into Adventure: A Conversation with Emma Simpson
Season 1 · Episode 10
Monday, September 29, 2025 • Duration 27:27
In this conversation, Claire Fitzsimmons and Emma Simpson explore the profound question of 'What's the worst that can happen?' as a guiding principle in life. Emma shares her journey of transforming fear into adventure, resilience through grief, and the balance between safety and freedom in parenting. They discuss the importance of emotional energy in nurturing friendships and the challenges of making connections as adults. The conversation emphasizes the value of community, the courage to embrace change, and the necessity of facing life's uncertainties with a positive mindset.
Takeaways
The phrase 'What's the worst that can happen?' can shift from fear to adventure.
Resilience is built through experiences of grief and loss.
Emotional energy is crucial in nurturing relationships and friendships.
Finding a balance between safety and freedom is essential in parenting.
Embracing change can lead to fulfilling new paths in life.
Community and connection are vital for overcoming loneliness.
It's important to invest in friendships and seek nurturing connections.
Life's challenges can be faced with a positive mindset and adaptability.
The journey of personal growth often involves taking risks.
Emotional energy can be replenished through creative expression and meaningful interactions.
Chapters
01:02 The Power of 'What's the Worst That Can Happen?'
02:35 Evolution of a Mindset: From Fear to Adventure
05:43 Resilience Through Grief and Loss
08:33 Balancing Safety and Freedom in Parenting
11:22 Embracing Life's Waves: Adapt and Overcome
14:27 Taking Risks: A New Chapter in Life
17:26 Facing Fear and Embracing Change
19:48 The Emotional Energy Exchange
24:36 Nurturing Friendships and Connections
Wellness Reimagined: A Conversation with Rosamund Dean
Season 1 · Episode 9
Monday, September 22, 2025 • Duration 42:23
In this episode of Thought I Kept, host Claire Fitzsimmons welcomes journalist and author Rosamund Dean, creator of the brilliant Substack Well, Well, Well. They discuss the complexities and contradictions of wellness including Rosamund's mindful approach to drinking and her experience with breast cancer.
This conversation explores how to make health choices fun and sustainable, the impact of competitive PE classes on kids, and the importance of community and playfulness in wellness.
It's a candid and timely discussion about experimenting with health habits, social connections, and redefining wellness on our own terms.
00:37 Exploring Wellness and Midlife
01:00 Rosamund's Career and Books
01:26 Conversation on Wellness Habits
02:51 Strength Training and Menopause
04:26 The Journey to Mindful Drinking
06:33 Reframing Health and Wellness
17:56 The Role of Social Connections
21:41 Embracing Personal Preferences in Wellness
22:16 Defining Personal Wellbeing Goals
22:40 The Impact of Early Menopause and Cancer on Health
22:59 Shifting Mindsets Post-Illness
24:32 Modeling Healthy Behaviors for Children
25:27 Reevaluating Physical Education and Activity
30:57 The Concept of a Modern Wellness Person
33:31 Writing About Wellness: Keeping It Real
38:04 The Practice of Drinking Less Alcohol
About Rosamund Dean:
Rosamund Dean is a journalist and author with a special interest in human behaviour and relatable wellness. Previously deputy editor of , she writes for , , and . She is the founder of popular wellness Substack, , as well as author of , and .
Leaving Space for Magic: A Conversation with Eleanor Tweddell
Season 1 · Episode 8
Monday, September 15, 2025 • Duration 41:55
In this episode of A Thought I Kept host Claire Fitzsimmons talks to Eleanor Tweddell, a writer, speaker, and change consultant. Eleanor discusses what it was like to write and publish her new book, Another Door Opens: Five Steps for Navigating Change in Life and Work.
The discussion ranges from the importance of pausing, the reassuring nature of messiness, and holding space for magic during transitions. Eleanor shares her experiences with the fluctuating nature of work and personal projects, emphasizing that meaningful change requires asking rather than rushing to answer questions and being intentional when we’re ready to do so.
The episode encourages listeners to navigate change thoughtfully, leaving space for unexpectedly positive outcomes.
01:38 The Launch Day Experience
02:38 Letting Go and Embracing Feedback
04:48 Always Leave Space for Magic
09:47 The Importance of Pausing and Resting
18:27 Navigating Unexpected Changes
19:58 Staying Calm in Chaos
20:38 The Power of Self-Talk
21:30 Exploring Archetypes
21:57 The Doers, Ponderers, and True Pausers
25:08 Intentional Living
25:52 Navigating Transitions
28:33 The Journey of Change
33:54 Celebrating Achievements
37:16 Embracing the Messiness of Change
About Eleanor Tweddell
Eleanor Tweddell is a change specialist - helping us to find joy and opportunity amongst messy changes in our life. After 20 years of corporate life, Eleanor decided to set up her own business, Another Door Opens, after being laid off in 2016. She is the author of the books , and . Eleanor encourages us not to fear change but embrace all the messy, uncomfortable feelings that come with it, and allow ourselves to have hope that it might just work out to be more than OK.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives. Claire writes on Substack under
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
Claire Fitzsimmons is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives. Claire writes on Substack
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
Emma Simpson is an award-winning debut author, wild swimmer and tea sommelier. Having spent a couple of decades being distracted by a career in air traffic control, and experiencing two life-wrenching events, Emma rediscovered her pen and her passion for storytelling at the same time as discovering how transformational cold-water swimming was for her health, wellbeing, and sense of connection with the wor
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, some
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
This is A Thought I Kept — Weekly conversations about the ideas that stay. Listen every Monday morning for a new thought to hold onto this week, especially when the world feels overwhelming.
About Claire Fitzsimmons
Claire is the host of A Thought I Kept, a wellbeing writer and the co-founder of If Lost Start Here, a company on a mission to get people to a better place, sometimes literally. As an ICF Associate Certified Coach and a certified Emotions Coach Practitioner, Claire helps women navigate the everyday lost moments of their lives and all the feelings, from anxiety to grief, overwhelm to loneliness. For personal coaching, reach out to Claire here.
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