In this heartwarming episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle is joined by ‘instagram poet’ and author Donna Ashworth to explore the transformative power of poetry, vibrant colours and the bravery women show in everyday life, especially in midlife. Donna shares her personal journey from blogger to celebrated poet, discussing how creative expression can heal and uplift. She also treats listeners to a live reading of one of her powerful poems from new book Growing Brave, showcasing how poetry can connect and inspire women. Together, they dive into topics like embracing colour for a positive mindset, finding courage in daily choices and the importance of acceptance.

Key Insights:

🎙️ Dopamine Dressing for a Brighter Outlook: Donna introduces “dopamine dressing” — the idea that wearing bold, vibrant colours can instantly elevate your mood and mindset. Something as simple as a bright outfit can have a huge impact on how you feel and move through the day.

🎙️ Bravery in Everyday Life: Bravery doesn’t always mean facing big, dramatic events. Donna and Michelle talk about how women show courage in small, everyday actions—whether it’s through resilience, kindness, or self-care.

🎙️ Neurodiversity and hyper empathy: Donna shares how she deals with the ADHD chaos of thoughts, not allowing herself to be 'gaslit' by her inner voice - and how she connects spiritually to the energy of others both past and present.

🎙️ Healing Through Acceptance: Accepting your emotions—whether they’re from anxiety, grief, or daily stresses—helps foster healing. Donna explains how writing can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and talks about the emotional connection between generations of women.

Enjoyed this episode? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line at twowomenchatting@gmail.com and leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform.

Episode Resources:

Donna Ashworth's Poetry Collections: Explore Donna’s books, which celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of women, available on major online retailers.

Insta: @donnaashworthwords

Connect with Us:

🌟 Midlife Library: TwoWomenChatting.com

🌟 Instagram: Two Women Chatting

🌟 Twitter: ChattingTwo

🌟 Facebook: Two Women Chatting

🌟 Youtube: TwoWomenChatting

Join us for this inspiring episode, Growing Brave, where we celebrate the joy of colour, the quiet acts of everyday bravery, and the power of poetry to connect women across generations.

Donna Ashworth, poetry, bravery, empowerment, midlife women, mental health, colour therapy, energy connection, acceptance, anxiety, hyper empathy, neurodiversity, ADHD, manifesting, inner voice

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this captivating episode of Two Women Chatting, Michelle sits down with the beloved Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver to explore her deeply personal journey and her new book, A Work in Progress. Sue opens up about the complexities of her life, from being adopted and always feeling a bit different to her experiences of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about ageing positively, embracing who you are and finding joy in life’s second act.

Key Insights:

🎙️Navigating Life as an Adoptee: Sue discusses how being adopted shaped her identity, making her feel different even though her family always loved and supported her. Her rebellious spirit helped her navigate the challenges of feeling othered and searching for belonging.

🎙The Power of Connection: An almost unbelievable coincidence resulted in Sue finding her birth mother and revealed a family history steeped in the world of acting, bringing Sue’s life full circle. Introducing her birth mother to her adopted mother created a beautiful, extended family, underscoring the power of love and connection.

🎙Embracing Midlife and Beyond: Sue shares her journey of questioning long-held beliefs, including her relationship with alcohol during the pandemic. By embracing curiosity and the three principles of mind, consciousness, and thought, she found freedom and trained as a therapist with a renewed sense of purpose.

Enjoyed this conversation? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Drop us a line at twowomenchatting@gmail.com, and don’t forget to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform.

Episode Resources:

Sue Cleaver's New Book: A Work in Progress

Discover more about Sue's personal journey of resilience, self-discovery, and the profound moments that shaped her life. Available at all major bookstores and online retailers.

Instagram: @official_suecleaver

Connect with Us:

🌟 Midlife Library: TwoWomenChatting.com

🌟 Instagram: Two Women Chatting

🌟 Twitter: ChattingTwo

🌟 Facebook: Two Women Chatting

🌟 Youtube: TwoWomenChatting

Join us for this inspiring episode with Sue Cleaver, where we explore ageing positively and the power of embracing every chapter of life!

Sue Cleaver, Coronation Street, adoption, feeling different, rebelliousness, resilience, becoming a mother, working as a nanny, serendipitous meeting, birth mother, acting, belonging, othered, alcohol, pandemic, freedom, thoughts, beliefs, three principles, mind, consciousness, thought, joy, midlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Ford is back with more inspiring chats, heartfelt stories, and laughter-filled moments in Season 8 of Two Women Chatting!

Coming up, Michelle will be welcoming incredible guests, including Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver, who opens up about her new book A Work In Progress. Sue opens up about the complexities of her life, from being adopted (and her incredible story of finding her birth mother), always feeling a bit different, to her experiences of resilience, rebellion, and self-discovery. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about ageing positively, embracing who you are, and finding joy in life’s second act - with behind-the-scenes stories, life lessons and what it's like to be part of such an iconic TV show.

Michelle also sits down with the brilliant Donna Ashworth, whose new book Growing Brave encourages us to embrace our inner strength and courage through her poetry beloved by millions.

Three clues to one of Michelle's celebrity guests: she loves chunky jewellery, wears fab bright colours and is a dab hand at a Victoria sponge. You'll have to wait for announcements to see who will be joining TWC to chat about visibility and confidence as we age. Follow on instagram @michelleford_twc or Facebook for an announcement very soon!

But that's not all! Stay tuned as we explore important topics like brain health, caring for elderly parents, and strategies to improve our sleep. You won't want to miss these insightful conversations that could make a real difference in your life.

And if you're in the mood for some adventure, Michelle shares a thrilling story about a pirate rescue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's a tale of bravery, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.

Plus, she'll be discussing how to find the bright side of winter, the importance of adding strength training to our health routine to future proof our health with Kate Rowe-Ham, and the power of breathwork for overall well-being. These are topics that will empower you to live your best life.

So, grab a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and get ready to be inspired, enlightened, and entertained. Follow Two Women Chatting podcast on your smart speaker or any platform for conversations that will uplift your spirit and nourish your soul.

Subscribe now so you don't miss a single moment of these engaging discussions.

Thank you for tuning in, and remember, you are never alone in this journey of life. Thanks for being part of the TWC community!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.