In this refreshingly honest episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela unpack the complex and often misunderstood concept of discipline. Spoiler alert: it’s not about punishment or pushing harder—it’s about values, alignment, and knowing when to pause.

They dive into personal stories of work patterns, burnout, procrastination, and productivity guilt, comparing Juliet’s love of planning and project management with Angela’s seasonal, all-or-nothing work style. Together, they challenge the rigid, hustle-based definitions of discipline and explore gentler, more sustainable approaches to getting things done—especially for those navigating neurodivergence, perimenopause, or emotional overwhelm.

They discuss influential voices like Jocko Willink (military-grade discipline) and James Clear (author of Atomic Habits) to contrast two ends of the discipline spectrum. Along the way, they reflect on how trauma, values, and even motherhood shape how we show up in our work and personal lives.

This episode is a compassionate exploration of self-leadership, reminding listeners that sometimes the most disciplined thing you can do is rest—and that true growth comes not from perfection, but from staying connected to what truly matters.

In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet and Angela unpack the raw themes explored in the hit drama Adolescence, using it as a springboard to explore real-life challenges faced by teenagers, parents, and society as a whole. From knife crime and social media to emotional misattunement and family dynamics, they open up a thoughtful conversation about what’s really going on beneath the surface in adolescent development.

Juliet reflects on her own parenting experiences, particularly around emotional safety, connection, and navigating the complexity of raising teens in a tech-saturated world. Angela offers her insights on trauma, misinterpretation of emotional cues, and how unresolved childhood issues can influence a child’s behaviour and sense of self. Together, they explore the fine line between discipline and emotional disconnection, the importance of creating safe spaces, and how modern parenting often misses the mark due to time, stress, and societal expectations.

They also critically examine the show’s depiction of working-class family dynamics, school environments, and whether programs like this should be shown in schools. Conversations around masculinity, “toughening up,” social media regulation, bullying, and the deep psychological impact of feeling misunderstood make this episode a must-listen for any parent, educator, or anyone reflecting on their own teenage years.

In this incredibly insightful and personal episode of Growth Through Friendship, Juliet opens up about her real-life journey with home education, shedding light on the motivations, challenges, and everyday realities of choosing a non-traditional path for her children’s learning. Angela takes on the role of the curious friend, asking the questions many parents wonder but rarely get honest answers to.

Juliet walks us through how she transitioned away from mainstream schooling—not as a rebellious stance, but as a response to her children’s emotional needs and learning styles. From village hall learning hubs to forest-based education and forming mini learning communities with other parents, she shares how her family created a hybrid approach that prioritizes emotional safety, individuality, and freedom over conformity.

Together, they explore key themes like socialisation, the myths about home-educated children, the financial and emotional tolls, and the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent—even when it means going against societal expectations. They also discuss how home education affects sibling dynamics, mental health, and the parent-child relationship.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning the mainstream education system, considering alternative routes, or simply curious about what “home education” looks like in the real world.