Create Your Kindspace

Tips for an Organised, Stress-Free Home with Debbie Junor

Welcome to another episode of the ’Create Your Kindspace’ podcast, with me your host Caroline Laurenson. Create Your Kindspace is all about wellbeing and the different ways in which we care for ourselves and those around us.

Our homes are such an important aspect of our wellbeing. But for many of us, they can be a source of stress and overwhelm when our stuff becomes too much to manage. Today’s guest Debbie Junor from Clean Slate is going to share all her top organising and decluttering tips and also how to approach more challenging things like bereavement, children’s toys and gifting in the run-up to Christmas.

Timestamps:

00:02:08 How Debbie became a professional organiser

00:06:40 Decluttering is not just about hoarders

00:09:44 How to get the stuff out of your home

00:16:54 Debbie’s advice for bereavement and sentimental items

00:21:40 Giving and receiving gifts without the guilt

00:24:33 Children’s toys and capturing memories

00:30:16 The rewards of helping people transform their living spaces

00:32:29 Challenges of running an organising business

00:37:04 The APDO community and professional support opportunities

00:41:25 Where to start on your decluttering journey

00:45:27 Debbie's kind space and future plans

 

Links:

Clean Slate Website: https://cleanslateuk.co.uk/

Debbie’s Countdown to Christmas Planner: https://cleanslateuk.co.uk/countdown-to-christmas-planner/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleanslateuk.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleanslateuk.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-junor-90500419a/

APDO the UK's professional body for Declutterers and Organisers: https://www.apdo.co.uk/

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/tips-for-an-organised-stress-free-home-with-debbie-junor/

 

There is something so very freeing about letting things go, but often that can be hard to do on your own, and so I can see how working with someone like Debbie would make such a massive difference and kind of help you get back not only your physical space but also lighten some of that mental load too. So I really hope that you enjoyed this episode and you’re able to kind of implement some of the ideas that we talked about.

Thank you so much for listening, before you go, I have a little favour to ask, so if you’ve liked this episode, please screenshot it, tag us on social media @createyourkindspace and maybe share what your key takeaway was from the episode. It would also be so wonderful if you could rate and review this podcast as it helps other people to find it. Thank you so much.

 

Disclaimer:

The information on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your own circumstances. You should not disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice because of any information contained on this podcast.

Unless specifically mentioned on the podcast, Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson do not formally endorse or have any affiliation with any product or service mentioned in the podcast. The opinions and content provided and/or shared by any third-party guests, any third-party material or third-party website referenced in this podcast does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson.

Essential Alexa Tips and Tricks for Busy Families

Welcome to another episode of the ’Create Your Kindspace’ podcast, with me your host Caroline Laurenson. Create Your Kindspace is all about wellbeing and the different ways in which we care for ourselves and those around us.

In today's episode, we're diving into the world of Alexa smart speakers. Last month I had the huge honour of performing a show as part of the Aberdeen Science Festival and I wanted to share it with you too. The show covered some of our favourite family-friendly tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Alexa. There’s so much that people don’t know about these devices, so let's jump in and discover how Alexa can create a kinder, smarter space for you and your family.

 

Timestamps:

00:01:10             Introduction and Overview

00:08:33             Important Data Privacy Advice

00:14:09             Getting Started and the Basics

00:16:02             Family-Friendly Features

00:18:36             Customising Your Alexa Experience

00:20:30             Some Alexa Skills to Try

00:25:57             Flash Briefings and Widgets

00:30:18             Hidden Features and Accessibility

00:33:07             It’s Quiz Time

00:36:57             Inspiring the Next Generation of Voice Developers

00:38:19             Resources for Further Learning

00:39:32             End of the Show Alexa Musical Piece

 

Links:

What can I say to Alexa? Book: https://tltechsmart.com/what-can-I-say-to-Alexa

HuggingFace https://huggingface.co/

Claude https://claude.ai/

Amazon Party Rock https://partyrock.aws/

Voice Flow https://www.voiceflow.com/

Vector Shift https://vectorshift.ai/

Alexa Skills Kit: https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/start

Alexa Developers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbx0SPpWT6yB7_yY_ik7pmg

Dabble Lab: https://learn.dabblelab.com/alexa/

Codecademy: https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-alexa

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/essential-alexa-tips-and-tricks-for-busy-families/

 

Outro:

It was so much fun putting on this show. I think I slightly underestimated how much work it would be, but I’m so glad to have had the opportunity to share our Alexa knowledge. It was so amazing to share the stage with my daughter Eilidh too. If you’ve listened to this in audio format, you might also want to check out our YouTube channel for the video, where you’ll see our Alexa demo come to life when Eilidh pops out of the smart speaker box for the first time. If you’re looking for the list of resources mentioned, I’ve also popped these in the show notes for you. And of course if you have any Alexa questions, I’d be delighted to help.

Thank you for listening all the way to the end, before you go, I have a little favour to ask, so if you’ve liked this episode, screenshot it, tag us on social media @createyourkindspace and maybe share what your key takeaway was from the episode. It would be so wonderful as well if you could rate and review the podcast as this helps other people to find it. Thank you so much.

 

Disclaimer:

The information on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your own circumstances. You should not disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice because of any information contained on this podcast.

Unless specifically mentioned on the podcast, Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson do not formally endorse or have any affiliation with any product or service mentioned in the podcast. The opinions and content provided and/or shared by any third-party guests, any third-party material or third-party website referenced in this podcast does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson.

Pei-I Yang Helps Us to Find Family Harmony

Welcome to another episode of the ’Create Your Kindspace’ podcast, with me your host Caroline Laurenson. Create Your Kindspace is all about wellbeing and the different ways in which we care for ourselves and those around us.

Today I’d like you to meet my wonderful friend Pei-I Yang from Rainbow Parenting Practice. We’re delving into the tricky topic of family relationships and specifically the tensions and issues that many of us face navigating the teenage years.

Timestamps:

00:01:11             Introduction and Pei-I's Background

00:04:07             The Importance of Seeking Help with Parenting

00:09:38             Understanding Family Dynamics and Inherited Parenting Traits

00:15:33             Pei-I's Approach to Helping Families

00:20:15             Success Stories and Transformations

00:28:19             Pei-I's Media Appearances and GB News Interview

00:34:26             The "Teen Talk" Podcast

00:42:15             Tuning into Your Soul and Self-Care

00:45:45             How to Connect with Pei-I and Rainbow Parenting Practice

 

Links:

Website: https://www.rainbowparentingpractice.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pei-i-yang/

Teen Talk Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4VZsroFmjmAyju7sHtDlkN?si=eca2ae1da3174d12

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/pei-i-yang-helps-us-to-find-family-harmony/

 

There is not a day goes by that I don’t feel grateful for my family and my kids. There is nothing that I wanted more growing up than to have a stable normal life. So it’s very comforting to know that there are people like Pei-I out there dedicating themselves to helping families through difficult times and allowing them to repair and rebuild those fragile relationships. If you are listening to this and you’re in need of support, I know Pei-I would be delighted to hear from you.

Thank you for listening all the way to the end, before you go, I have a little favour to ask, so if you’ve liked this episode, screenshot it, tag us on social media @createyourkindspace and maybe share what your key takeaway was from the episode. It would so wonderful as well if you could rate and review the podcast as this helps other people to find it. Thank you so much.

 

Disclaimer:

The information on this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should seek the advice of an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your own circumstances. You should not disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice because of any information contained on this podcast.

Unless specifically mentioned on the podcast, Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson do not formally endorse or have any affiliation with any product or service mentioned in the podcast. The opinions and content provided and/or shared by any third-party guests, any third-party material or third-party website referenced in this podcast does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Create Your Kindspace and Caroline Laurenson.

Catherine Ann Reid Helps Us to Conquer Life's Admin

If I say the words Life Admin, what feelings come up for you? Is it immediate overwhelm? I think at this time of year, when we’re thinking about getting back to school and realising how the end of the year isn’t actually that far away, it can cause a slight sense of panic when you realise how many balls you are juggling. My guest today, Catherine Ann Reid has created a super user-friendly digital solution called Doqit that brings together all that life admin into one place and offers timely reminders so you’ll never drop a ball again.

Timestamps:

00:01:21             Introduction and Catherine Ann’s Background

00:03:31             The Inspiration Behind Doqit

00:06:44             Solving the Life Admin Problem

00:09:29             Implementing Doqit and User Stories

00:19:50             The Role of AI and Future Possibilities

00:23:26             The Tech Founder Journey

00:35:23             Reflections and Lessons Learned

00:41:15             Inspiring and Being Inspired By Our Kids

00:48:38             Finding Balance and Creating Kind Spaces

 

Links:

Website: https://www.doqit.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineannreid/

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/catherine-ann-reid-helps-us-to-conquer-lifes-admin/

It never ceases to amaze me how resilient people can be. I am so blessed to be able to have such beautiful guests on, who share their life lessons and passion for helping others. You can hopefully tell from this episode that I feel a deep connection with Catherine Ann and Chloe, I’ve walked a similar path with my own disability. My mum had five kids and had to juggle all my appointments and treatment and I know she would have loved something like Doqit to help keep her organised.

Can I ask you a favour? If you’ve liked this episode, please screenshot it and tag us on social media @createyourkindspace. It would also be so wonderful if you could rate and review the podcast to help other people find it.

Daring to Grow and the Power of Self-Coaching with Gemma Burns

Today on Kindspace I’m delighted to introduce you to Gemma Burns, a life coach and author of the book "Dare to Grow." Gemma shares her personal journey, including losing her brother at a young age, becoming a single mother, navigating her career and finding a path to personal growth through coaching. Keep listening to find out more about techniques to identify core values, self-reflect and define those small steps to achieve your goals.

Timestamps:

00:02:17             Gemma's Background and Path to Coaching

00:05:42             Challenges of Balancing Work, Studies, and Motherhood

00:08:51             Developing Study Techniques (Mind Maps, Memorisation)

00:14:41             Exploring Core Values and Self-Reflection

00:20:55             Imposter Syndrome and Accepting Positive Feedback

00:26:07             The Importance of Not Comparing Yourself to Others

00:28:51             Techniques for Goal Setting

00:32:35             Managing Grief and Difficult Life Transitions

00:39:38             Using the "Gap Analysis" Tool to Identify Growth Areas

00:41:43             The GROW Model and WOOP goals

00:47:40             Coaching and Building Resilience

00:57:28             Finding Contentment and Pursuing Passions Like DIY

 

Links:

Website: https://www.lilibetcoaching.com/

Dare to Grow book: https://amzn.to/3QDyWXE

What can I say to Alexa book: https://tltechsmart.com/what-can-I-say-to-Alexa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmaburns-lilibetcoaching/

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/daring-to-grow-and-the-power-of-self-coaching-with-gemma-burns/

Now you might have heard us mention my book and be thinking what book? To support people on the smart home side of our business I’ve created a guide book for the Amazon Alexa smart speakers called “What can I say to Alexa?” Essentially, it’s a reference guide to help people learn about the different Alexa features and commands. If you want to check it out it’s on Amazon, you can type in the book title “What can I say to Alexa?” or just type in something like “Alexa commands” and you should find it in the search results. I’ll also pop a link in the show notes here as well.

As the podcast series continues, I encourage you to get in touch and share your stories and tips, I’d love to hear from you! Pop me an email at caroline@tltechsmart.com or message on social media @createyourkindspace

Stories that Shape Us with Caroline Laurenson

It's not every day that you get the opportunity to share your story and do it on a day as meaningful as International Women's Day. Our life experiences have such a profound way of shaping our future selves and not always in the way that you might expect. There will be amazing people in your life that have gone through things and overcome things that you could never even imagine. I was honoured to share my story and also hear the stories of other brave inspirational women, but in all our stories what came out was how much our own mother's have influenced the women we have become. So this is my story...

Timestamps:

00:01:20             It’s Halloween 1989

00:02:02             The Chaos of Family Life

00:03:32             Leaving Home at 16

00:04:05             My Career as a Chemical Engineer

00:05:01             The Interesting Thing About Fear

00:06:12             Working with Your Other Half

00:07:34             Labels Don’t Define Us

00:09:19             Stories that Shape Us

00:09:53             Finding Kindspace

00:10:27             Honouring My Mum

 

Links:

TL Tech Website: https://www.tltechsmart.com/

Kindspace Website: https://www.createyourkindspace.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-laurenson/

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/stories-that-shape-us-with-caroline-laurenson/

 

As the podcast series continues, I encourage you to get in touch and share your stories and tips, I’d love to hear from you! Pop me an email at caroline@tltechsmart.com or message on social media @createyourkindspace

Understand Brain Health, Sleep and Nutrition with Dr. Clara Doran

Imagine you’ve just become a mum for the first time, but you’re struggling with your health. Appointment after appointment, test after test, you finally get the news you have Multiple Sclerosis. My guest, Dr Clara Doran, opens up about her diagnosis and experience of living with a long-term health condition. She also shares how writing about her feelings and the challenges of becoming the patient instead of the doctor and how has led to her forthcoming memoir, Dr Interrupted. I can’t wait to find out more, so let’s dive in.

Timestamps:

00:02:16             Pursuing Medicine and General Practice

00:03:38             The AccelerateHer Programme's Impact

00:06:13             Doing Scary Things & Funny First Times

00:08:19             Discovering Brain Health and Founding Noggin

00:13:25             Living with Multiple Sclerosis

00:16:41             Sleeping and Newborns

00:19:00             Prioritising Sleep for Brain Health

00:27:51             Nutrition Tips for Better Sleep

00:36:20             The Journey of Writing a Memoir

00:47:03             Creating Kind Spaces through Writing

00:49:54             Looking Ahead: Children's Brain Health Product

 

Links:

Website: https://nogginbrain.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NogginTheBrainPeople/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nogginthebrainpeople/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-clara-doran-mbbs-mrcgp-81667958/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nogginbrain/

X: https://twitter.com/NogginPeople

Curtis Brown Writing Courses: https://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/creative-writing-courses

Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay: https://amzn.to/3J5k4gA

The Psychology Mum - A Toolkit for Your Emotions: 45 ways to feel better https://amzn.to/49qZ8Ls

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/understand-brain-health-sleep-and-nutrition-with-dr-clara-doran/

 

Outro:

I think there’s nothing more powerful than when someone takes a life experience and uses that to help others. Dr Clara is one of the most courageous, intelligent and kind people I’ve ever had the honour of meeting. I’m very excited for the book launch and I hope you’ll all get behind her to help broaden the reach of her amazing work helping others through difficult diagnoses and educating us about the importance of brain health.

As the podcast series continues, I encourage you to get in touch and share your stories and tips, I’d love to hear from you! Pop me an email at caroline@tltechsmart.com or message on social media @createyourkindspace

Darren Crombie Bridges the Gap to Support Unpaid Carers

Would you believe it if I told you that unpaid carers do the equivalent of 162 billion pounds of work every year? But despite the vital role that unpaid carers provide, support is significantly lacking and the limited support that there is, can be so hard to navigate. My guest today has made it his mission to bridge this gap. Darren Crombie founded Bridgit Care and his resourcefulness and ability to adapt to the changing technology landscape shines through in our discussion. Keep listening for this fascinating insight into how human-centric tech can empower carers and communities.

Timestamps:

00:02:17             Darren's journey from management consulting to founding Bridgit Care

00:04:49             Why support for unpaid carers matters

00:05:47             Putting lived experience at the heart of Bridgit Care

00:12:34             How Bridgit Care identifies, supports, and connects carers

00:15:54             Partnering with charities and councils to enhance existing carer services

00:17:14             Using WhatsApp and AI personas to provide tailored support and advice

00:25:02             The role of AI in health and social care

00:28:03             Expanding the model to support other communities in need

00:31:08             Pivoting from hardware to software

00:33:43             A day in the life of Darren at Bridgit Care

00:37:35             How does Darren create his kind space?

00:40:49             Where to find out more about Bridgit Care

00:43:07             Supporting other social entrepreneurs

 

Links:

Website: https://bridgit.care/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgitcare

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridgitcare/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgitcare

X: https://twitter.com/BridgitCare

Aster Foundation: https://www.aster.co.uk/foundation

Barclay Eagle Labs Health Tech: https://labs.uk.barclays/our-industries/healthtech/

Codebase Techscaler Start-up Support: https://www.techscaler.co.uk/

 

Transcript:

https://createyourkindspace.com/darren-crombie-bridges-the-gap-to-support-unpaid-carers/

If you’d like to be a guest on the show or collaborate on content, I would love to hear from you! Pop me an email at caroline@tltechsmart.com or message me on social media @createyourkindspace

It would also mean a lot to me if you could rate and review this podcast as it helps other people to discover our content.