Podcast

Welcome to another episode of The Dynamics of Everyday Life. In this festive episode, I dive into the unique emotional landscape leading up to Christmas, exploring why the “most wonderful time of the year” can also feel overwhelming, exhausting, or even anticlimactic.The Long Build-Up:How Christmas has become an extended season, starting as early as July for some retailers,...

In this episode, I dive into that feeling of chaos in December, the pressure of festive readiness, and the hilarious truth of barely keeping up with the day-to-day—let alone big-picture life planning. I draw on a classic 90s pop song (A1’s Same Old Brand New You) as a metaphor for our perennial attempts at self-reinvention, especially around New...

In this festive episode, I explore why certain seasonal films—especially the beloved “Love, Actually”—may leave some of us cold (or even unsettled). With her signature wit and a psychodynamic perspective, I dive into the unconscious emotional patterns that emerge during December, using Freud’s theories to pull apart the charm, nostalgia, and suppressed feelings invoked by the holiday narrative machine....

Welcome to another episode of Dynamics of Everyday Life with your host Julia! In today’s episode, I dive into the often-used (and sometimes grating) phrase, “You got this.” From personal tech catastrophes to the emotional shortcuts we use in day-to-day interactions, this episode explores why seemingly supportive statements can sometimes leave us feeling unseen. Notice when you reach for tidy,...

Welcome back to “The Dynamics of Everyday Life”! In this festive episode, I draw brilliant parallels between the classic movie Home Alone and the ways our psychological defence mechanisms can “run the house” – especially during the holidays. Key Takeaways: Home Alone as Psychodynamic Metaphor: Julia explores how the film’s characters and setting represent parts of our inner...

Welcome back to the Dynamics of Everyday Life. This week, we’re channeling the unapologetic energy of Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones—not her questionable morals, but her boundary-setting prowess. Classic scenarios get the “Cersei treatment”—from relentless school WhatsApp requests to the friend who treats your diary like a communal resource, plus the workplace colleague who...

In this episode of Dynamics of Everyday Life, I delve into the allure of “glitter” in our lives—those shiny, appealing things that may lack true substance beneath the surface. Drawing from both personal anecdotes and experiences within the coaching industry, I explore why we’re drawn to what looks good, the projection of our desires onto shiny promises,...

I explore the theme of guilt and those everyday situations where we “just don’t have the heart” to make a change—even when we know we should. Drawing inspiration from Cliff Richard’s classic song and personal experiences (including a hairdresser dilemma!), I break down why these small endings feel so difficult, delving into the psychodynamic concepts at play. I explain...

In this episode, I dive into the origins of our ideas, why originality feels scarce, and how our wish to belong can sometimes lead us to imitate rather than create. Inspired by a clever Blackadder moment and enriched with psychodynamic insight I invite you to consider moments when you’ve gone along with ideas or frameworks...

Welcome back to The Dynamics of Everyday Life! In this episode, I dive headfirst into the fascinating world of audacity and “brass neck”: those jaw-dropping moments when someone’s outlandish behaviour stops us in our tracks and leaves us wondering, “Is it me, or has the world gone mad?” 00:01:22 – I discuss why brazen behavior gets under...