Explore every episode of the podcast Joyful with Chloe Markham

I couldn’t help but share this on the pod’ with you this month: I met two women at a volunteering gig recently. I told them both the same thing about myself and my work, but I left one of those conversations feeling about two inches tall and the other feeling fucking brilliant.

Same conversation, almost the exact same sentence, but completely different approach and outcome. And it was down to me how I spoke about myself.

The stories we tell about ourselves — to ourselves and others — matter way more than we think. This will make you reconsider the next time you downplay how awesome you are and stop trying to make yourself smaller to fit. Because: fuck that.

Want more? Everything I make lives here.

I discovered something about myself as I was rushing to get ready for a funeral last month. I was in a chaotic house with six adults, two babies, a toddler, and two dogs. All of us needing to use one iron, one shower, and a small kettle. And I became really aware of the mellow discomfort I felt being in the front of the queue.

I realised this is a part of my — and probably your own — taught condition: put everyone else before yourself.

Everyone else eats first. Everyone else gets the iron first. Everyone else’s needs are the ones that count, not our own.

In this ep, I talk about that instinct, and how setting boundaries isn’t the same as being difficult. It’s about the vulnerability hangover that comes after you finally say what you need, and about why feeling like a bitch for asking isn’t a sign you’ve done something wrong.

Want more? My free writing, short courses, and one-to-one coaching all live on my resources page.

I burnt out last month. Proper dramatic burn-out. And it taught me a brilliant lesson in self-trust.

For years I’ve handed the decisions over to someone else first. Whether it’s about my business, my body, my rest… I used to run it all through a partner, then a coach, then whoever’s shouting loudest on Instagram. Never my own instincts.

Because that’s what some of us have been taught: don’t get it wrong, ask for permission first, you’re not capable to do it alone.

I used to think I just needed to find the right system. But I didn’t. I just needed to start trusting the thing I’d been outsourcing to other people the whole time: my own instinct.

This episode is about that pattern — in relationships, in business, in the algorithm’s advice on how to eat, sleep, and heal. About the peculiar gift of burnout. And about finding real certainty in the face of chaos.

Want more? My free writing, short courses, and one-to-one coaching all live here.

The pressure to optimise everything is everywhere. But not everything needs to be useful and productive to be worthwhile. In fact, we need more useless and unproductive time in our days, not less.

In this ep, I talk about why I’m failing to take a day off, how I’m trying to be better at that, and why I’ve decided to learn how to make pasta from scratch for absolutely no productive reason whatsoever.

Things I mentioned:

* Lina Stores – the London-based Italian that sparked my sudden desire to make pasta from scratch. Don’t mess about, go visit. Delicious.

* News Feed Eradicator – the amazing tool I use to remove feeds from my desktop (think there’s a Safari plug-in, too).

Want more? All my resources live here.

This is a really simple guided reset for when everything feels a bit… much.

Most of your nervous system runs like windscreen wipers — automated and brilliant.

But we can also press that little button to take control.

And this is what I guide in this session:a really simple breath technique your nervous system does automatically, that we can do manually to bring in more calm.

It’s not magic, but it feels like it.

I also ask you one simple question to tip the balance in your favour.

Asking this question becomes the game… and every time you remember it, you win 😉

If you’re someone who finds it hard to switch off, even when you finally have the time, this is for you.

Want more? My free writing, short courses, and one-to-one coaching all live here.

You don’t need better goals. You probably just need a more regulated nervous system.

In this live, I talked about uncertainty, and why so many of us use goal-setting as a way to make it feel safer.

Goals promise clarity, direction, a sprinkling of control over an uncertain future.

But I see this so often: they also create more pressure, self-surveillance, and more stress than they solve.

Here’s another way to relate to uncertainty:

Instead of forcing outcomes, we can run experiments.Instead of demanding certainty, we can practise curiosity.Instead of tightening, we can regulate.

This conversation explores:

* Why control doesn’t equal safety

* How goals can activate the nervous system

* Why experiments create more steadiness

* And how to build the capacity to sit in the unknown

At the end, I guide a short interoceptive practice so you can actually feel the difference in your body, not just understand it intellectually.

If you’re tired of trying to out-plan uncertainty…this is for you.

Want more? All my resources live here.

This was my first official Substack Live — a proper hello, a simple practice, and a reminder that joy doesn’t require moving to Bali.

I talk about:

* Why joy isn’t about constant happiness, peak experiences, or walking around like you’re in a yoghurt advert

* How nervous system regulation quietly changes everything

* Why “just calm down” doesn’t work when you’re already burnt out

* And how small, gentle practices — not dramatic life overhauls — can slowly change your relationship with life

And we practice:

* An easy-going nervous system down-regulator you can return to anytime you feel overwhelmed, wired, flat, exhausted, or like you might cry over a mildly aggressive email

* The practice begins at 4:28.

I also share a little about Joy Unplugged — my 8-week programme for burnt-out, sensitive humans who want genuine relief, not another self-optimisation project.

This isn’t about fixing yourself, it’s about stopping the fight with yourself.

If this resonates, you’re super welcome here (I’ll put the kettle on).

Big love,

Chloe🧡

Want more? All my resources live here.

This session is free for everyone.

Eight minutes is enough to change your state.

And the state you’re in — not your to-do list, not your intentions, not the busy-ness of the season — decides the quality of your day.

And this session will improve the quality of your day. It’s a state-changing reset you can use anywhere, calming the body first, then allowing everything else to follow.

You don’t need a routine, you don’t need willpower, you just need eight minutes.

Practice and let me know what shifts — I’d love to hear.

(And this one’s totally free, share with someone who needs it today.)

Big love,

Chloe🧡

Eight minutes is brilliant for the middle of a chaotic day. But sometimes our systems need longer. The Deep Rest Collection is six nidras (from 11 to 29 minutes) for six different types of tired. Only £10, press play anytime.

What a conversation!

Big love to the wonderful Anna Rose for chatting with me live on her Toolkit Series earlier this week.

We talked about burnout, nervous system weirdness, finding joy (like, actually feeling it), and remembering how to feel anything at all in this chaotic world.

A few things we touched on:

* How joy isn’t fluffy — it’s radical, grounding, and necessary.

* Nervous system stuff (but make it kind and not overcomplicated).

* Why resting doesn’t always feel restful.

* The real reasons we stay in burnout cycles.

* Joy Unplugged — the program I’ve built for women who are done running on empty.

This chat is warm, honest, a bit sweary (hi), and might just give you something you didn’t know you needed today.

Here’s those articles of mine that Anna mentions:

Joy Unplugged

We talk about this in the conversation: Joy Unplugged is my signature program—an 8-week journey back to yourself, for brilliant, world-bettering women who are done with burnout and ready for real joy, ease, and nervous system restoration.

A big thank you to Lucy Werner, Chloë Jones, and so many others for tuning in with us live. Make sure to subscribe to Anna Rose’s stack to get the next live in this series.

And thank you, Anna, for being a joy-bringer and letting me go off on one about joy, burnout, and life.

Catch you soon,

Chloe🧡

Want more? All my resources live here.

TL;DR – What we talked about:

* Why burnout isn’t just about “doing too much”

* The moment I knew something had to change

* How I rebuilt my life after rock bottom

* Why nervous system care is deeper than bubble baths and long weekends

* The joy practices that still carry me now

Welcome to the Healing is Living series

“This isn’t just about healing. It’s about living it. Together.”

That’s how Janki opened our live—with intention, honesty, and warmth. This conversation kicked off her Healing is Living series, and I was so honoured to join from Yorkshire, England while she tuned in from India.

We started with gratitude and presence. No rush or script, just two women chatting burnout, recovery, and joy.

Want more? All my resources live here.

Is work-life balance is the key to happiness? No, with bells on. In this episode, I break down why trying to achieve perfect balance actually leads to more stress and burnout, and what you should be doing instead.

I’ll share:

Why work-life balance doesn’t work (and never has)

How to find a sustainable rhythm that actually fits your life

Simple, practical shifts to protect your energy and avoid burnout

The mindset shift that will help you worksmarter, not harder

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re constantly juggling everything, this episode is for you.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Let's talk about REAL-LIFE morning routines. Here's the foundation you can make into a 10-minute routine, a 90-minute routine, or something in-between, that will give you all the magic you need for a great day.

I mention music being a big part of my routine, and that Spotify playlist I mention liveshere.

Leave a comment and let me know if you try this and how you get on.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

December hustle (or pre-holiday hustle) is real. Here's why you're feeling the pressure, and what to do about it to feel SO much better.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Find deep rest in just 11 minutes with this soothing NSDR (non-sleep deep rest) or yoga nidra practice. Featuring a gentle body scan, this episode is perfect for calming your mind, easing tension, and recharging your energy any time you need it.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This episode is about how letting go of rigid routines can actually bring you more joy.

Listen to learn how that guilt you feel when you let a habit slip is more damaging than you know, and four ways to get some flexibility in your routines when life happens.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

In this episode, we explore the magic of everyday signs—like the simple joy of spotting two magpies. Are they universal messages, or just coincidences? Tune in as we dive into the fine line between superstition and reality, and how finding meaning in the small things can bring joy to our lives. If you've ever wondered whether the universe is sending you signs—or if we create our own—this episode will leave you questioning, smiling, and ready to embrace the magic in your own day.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

In this episode, we’re diving into the real truth about self-care. Forget the luxury spa days and elaborate routines—we’re busting three of the biggest self-care myths that might be holding you back from truly looking after yourself.

This chat will help you reframe self-care in a way that feels accessible, nurturing, and doable.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Join me for a stroll in an English woodland while I talk aliveness, living with joy, what the 'yoga lifestyle' really should look like, as well as my brand new life-bettering program, Joy Unplugged.

Learn more about Joy Unplugged here

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Welcome to the first yoga nidra, or NSDR, of Joyful, one designed to give you a restful, rejuvenating night of great sleep.

This session provides a total nervous-system reset, which will guide you through gentle breath practices, a body scan, and visualisations to help you completely unwind.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Ever feel guilty for taking time off? Same. Listen to know you're not alone, get perspective, and learn 3 easy ways to embrace the slowing down and unproductive time you and your body really need.

I go on (another) mini-rant about social media, talk about a daft video game that soothes me, and how we should be complimenting each other's outfits way more.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This is the episode for you if you've ever dropped a habit and felt bad about it, taken way longer than 30 days to do a 30-day challenge, or want an amazing nugget of a mindfulness hack for right here, right now.

I speak about Married At First Sight again (sorry), taking yoga off the mat, and being kind to ourselves no matter what.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This is a crucial listen if you're interested in living a more joyful life. Learn what it is—what it really is—and how to find joy way more every single day. You'll come away with a habit focus and inspiration to live a more connected, freeing life. I also talk about Married At First Sight breakdowns, emotional house parties, and my recent love of too-much kimchi.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Let's talk about self-care in springtime. This episode is about renewal, mindfulness, being kinder to ourselves, and the four focus areas you need to dive into to make your life feel a little more alive. I talk about how much I hate social media, why you should rest more, and a wonderful paper jellyfish.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This episode will introduce you to the wonderful Harriet Frank and her story of resilience through challenge.

Harriet Frank is a business owner, yoga teacher, and has been given some seriously hard knocks in her business since the pandemic.

You'll learn Harriet's tried-and-tested coping mechanisms, get inspiration to keep going, and know that you're not alone with your own challenges.

Listen to dive into our easy-going talk about those knocks and how she's stayed sane, her resiliency, and what tools she uses to keep her head under pressure.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Introducing the brand new podcast name, with the same exact podcast goodness. Learn why it's now called Joyful, and how we're going to make your world a brighter place.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

I overshare in this one, mainly because I think we should all talk about our menstrual cycles more. This is the episode to remind you this stuff is a big deal, and to give you the permission you're probably really in need of.

Check out the wonderful book I speak about in this episode here.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn about that time I made a crappy decision and why I made it, so you can learn to make brilliant decisions all the time (or thereabouts). You'll learn (probably unexpected) actionable tips to make your life less anxiety-inducing, less stressful, and way calmer.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Gratitude isn't just a fluffy concept that does no good. Learn about the major ways it can impact your life and how to start the habit in the first episode of a brand new season (there's also a side-note about naked butts in 18th century artwork).

Get The Joy Journal—the best gratitude habit hack.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

In this episode, I talk about the concept of enjoying this moment right now, especially when it sucks, I mention the lead character on The Bear (and what one of my bestie's reckons to the actor), as well as the concept of living a 'yogic' life.

Share your Good To Be Alive Moments in the comments.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Okay, you caught me, I'm starting a cult*. Can someone bring the Kool Aid? In this ep I talk about TYR in 2024 and how my own healing journey is now allowing me to make the changes I need to. I also discuss the idea of being able to do the splits (it's pointless) and how we should collectively take better care of ourselves.

*Not really, I just fancy myself with a collection of Rolls Royces.

Share your Good To Be Alive Moments in the comments.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This is the episode about happiness and the four key things you need to do to live a happy and fulfilled life. I talk about my own struggles with happiness, how you need to be easier on yourself (always), and give a gentle shout-out to Einstein (obviously...).

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

In this episode I talk about breaking habits, the reason we have 'good' habits in the first place, wellness overwhelm and what to do about it, and our ultimate aim in life (hint: it's nothing to do with getting the longest streak on Wordle).

I also speak about my amazing therapist Ashley who's sessions have probably been the best thing I've ever done. Find out more about Ashley here.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

I talk about productivity - the 'mania of modernity' - in this episode, shifting our focus and priorities, and taking care of our nervous system health.

I speak about my Oura ring in this ep. Find more info here.

I also speak about the importance of restorative yoga. Find a free session perfect for better sleep here.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

In this episode I talk about how to enjoy life more rather than working hard to make it 'right', how to switch on a better guide to decision-making, how to up-level everything in your life, and I give the finger to hustle culture.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Dive into your nervous system in this episode, how to listen to it, and what to do when you need to feel a bit better. You'll also hear about my really shitty university experience and how I mistook my first panic attack for a fun bout of asthma.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn how to determine and refine your life mission in this episode, without the woo-woo or faffery. You'll also learn my own mission in life, why you should expect more from your yoga classes, and how kettles really can't handle brackish water.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn about the perfect morning routine (how 'perfect' doesn't exist), and what you should start doing to begin every day well. Also, I talk about acceptance when going through hard times and answer a member question about wrists and down dog.

As promised, here are the Loop earplugs I use to get good sleep (even when I'm next to someone breaking decibel records for snoring).

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

This episode is a massive call for self-care and hibernation. Learn why we need to be less productive (shock!), kinder to ourselves, and more in-tune with our own energy cycles, especially PMS. I also bring up Selling Sunset in this one, will no cult TV show be free from my damning!? Learn more about my online therapist, Ashley (she does more than just relationship therapy).

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Expect to hear my opinion on Bridget Jones, confessions of being a bad student, and that time I took a class with a teacher who didn't want to be there.

You'll also hear my story about wanting to become a yoga teacher, why my mum didn't encourage me, and how I still sort of look like a jellybaby in a wetsuit.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn the best barometer for a good yoga class and hear the story of 'the best wedding ever' (involving getting over anxiety, doing hard things, and plane epiphanies).

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Yoga gave me a hip impingement yet I'm still a massive advocate for the practice. Learn the whys in this episode, and also how to motivate yourself to get on the mat (or practice your movement thing) way more.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn about somatic surfing, improving your body image, and the concept of everything going your way (hint: it's not always a good thing).

This episode has been hugely inspired by the amazing nervous system coach Jonny Miller (nsmastery.com).

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Introducing the all-new format: it's not about yoga (until sometimes it is). Learn to care less about what people think of you and how to find good to be alive moments.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Creating habits - in our yoga and mindfulness practice as well as everywhere else - can be a massive challenge. In this episode you'll learn how to refine your habits, make them easier, and ultimately make them stick.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn how slow yoga isn't always about being relaxed, heavy, and low-effort, and how the idea of slowing down can help you get stronger in your yoga practice.

You'll also get a big old reminder that you probably need to slow down regardless of what you're doing.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn an easy-going approach to meditation and how to incorporate it into your every day. I also answer member questions about the physical yoga practice in this episode: how to strengthen knees, how to prevent overstretching in the lower back, how to remember to breathe out as well as in, and why twists feel so good.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack

Learn about restorative yoga, why it's important, and how impactful it can be. I also share a student story about the healing benefits of this amazing practice. This is the slow-down motivation you didn't know you needed.

For more of my things:

Website | Joy Unplugged | Substack