Becoming You - The Podcast with John Fleming

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John Fleming sits down with Dr. Vanessa Lacey, a psychotherapist, educator, parent, and one of Ireland’s leading voices in trans advocacy.Vanessa shares her deeply personal story - from growing up in 1960s Waterford, through years of survival and silence, to finding her truth and stepping into a life of authenticity, compassion, and service.This is a conversation about identity, family, healing, and the quiet courage it takes to live in alignment with who you are, even when the world doesn’t make it easy.Together, John and Vanessa explore the human side of gender, mental health, and the journey of becomingWhat You’ll Discover in This Episode:Vanessa’s story of growing up in 1970s Waterford,The emotional and physical toll of suppressing her gender identity - and the impact it had on her education and mental healthHow psychotherapy supported her begin to understand her truth and choose lifeVanessa’s journey of transitioning her gender to align with her natureHer work in gender identity advocacy, education, and family support — and why listening and language matterThe lifelong process of becoming and how that relates to our identityFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Dr. Vanessa Lacey:Website: www.gendercare.ieLinkedIn: Dr. Vanessa Lacey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vanessa-lacey-8525b335/?originalSubdomain=ieWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John Fleming is joined by Kamla de Haas, a dancer, somatic coach, and lifelong observer of the human experience, for a rich conversation about the body - and what it means to listen to the body.Kamla shares her early experiences of growing up adopted in the Netherlands, her deep curiosity about human behaviour, and how dance became her first language of expression and freedom. From a young age, she was someone people opened up to and now, through her work, Kamla invites others to come back into relationship with their bodies.This episode is a gentle invitation to get curious about your relationship with your body — and how it shapes your journey of becoming.Together, John and Kamla explore:How Kamla’s early experience of being adopted shaped her desire to observe and understand human behaviourThe wisdom of the body and why it’s often ignoredThe difference between thinking about your body and being in itWhy we focus so much on the head when the body holds so much moreWhy Kamla calls herself a “spiritual cheerleader” and stands beside, not above, the people she works withHow simple daily rituals - like touch, breath, and movement - can transform our relationship to ourselves.Follow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Kamla: https://www.splendid-coaching.com/ourstoryWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John speaks with Michelle Thomé, a counsellor and Transactional Analysis practitioner from Brazil, whose work explores the emotional and relational dimensions of money.Michelle shares her personal journey of becoming and how her relationship with money has been a powerful lens into deeper questions of identity, self-worth, and belonging.Together, Michelle and John explore how our money patterns are often inherited, unconscious, and shaped by the roles we take on in childhood - and how reconnecting with ourselves can begin to shift our financial narratives in gentle, embodied ways.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:Why our relationship with money is rarely just about moneyHow grief, family dynamics, and loss shape financial identityThe link between Transactional Analysis “scripts” and the stories we tell ourselves about worthWhat Michelle means by “being loyal to a dysfunctional system” - and how to begin healing itHow small moments of joy, like browsing flights or enjoying a shower, helped her to build connection with the present selfWhy curiosity, community, and compassion are key to transforming your relationship with moneyFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Michelle Thome on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellethome/?originalSubdomain=brDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John Fleming welcomes Dr. Luke Beardon, senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. Luke has worked for over three decades in the autism field. He is an advocate of autistic individuals’ rights and seeks to redress inequalities often faced by the autistic community. He has published several books on autism and has won several autism - related awards.Together, they explore what it really means to support neurodivergent people - not by trying to fix them, but by changing the systems, expectations, and environments that get in their way.Luke shares how his own journey began as a child when he first realised that adults - even those closest to us - don’t always know what’s right for you. Since then, his work has centred around challenging the assumption that neurodivergent people need to change or be “fixed” - and instead focusing on creating environments where people can be exactly who they are.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:The childhood moment that sparked Luke’s questioning of normative behaviourWhat masking means and why people do itWhat “autistic courtesy” means and how we can use it to create more inclusive spacesHow environments - not individuals - are often the biggest barrier to inclusionThe importance of lived experience and participatory research, especially in autism studiesFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieWould you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookConnect with our guest Dr. Luke Beardon: https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-profiles/luke-beardon#firstSectionDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this episode of Becoming You – The Podcast, John Fleming welcomes Martin Duffy, shamanic practitioner, psychotherapist, and founder of The Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies, for a moving and expansive conversation about healing, soul retrieval, and what it means to truly come home to yourself."People are now waking up to the idea that they need to take on their own spiritual autonomy and that there's more to life than the simulated reality that we see in our digital world nowadays."Martin shares how his own journey led him away from the psychiatric system, where he spent over 35 years as a nurse, into the world of counselling, psychology, shamanic practice, and ancestral wisdom. In a world that’s becoming louder, faster, and more disconnected, this episode is an invitation to return to something deeper.Together, John and Martin explore what it means to feel fully alive, and how healing can be found not through fixing, but through deep listening - to our dreams, our bodies, our memories, and the earth beneath our feet.What You’ll Discover in This Episode:Why Martin left psychiatric nursing - and what he learned by stepping outside the medical modelWhat shamanism, soul loss and soul retrieval mean in the context of trauma, grief, and identityHow we can reconnect with the parts of ourselves that were lost through pain or disconnectionThe role of dreams, spirit guides, and ancestors in personal and collective healingMartin’s thoughts about technology, AI, and digital overload - and the invitation to return to body, earth, and soulFollow Becoming You on Social Media:Instagram: @becoming_you_TikTok: @becoming_you_Share Your Story:John would love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, send an email to john@becomingyou.ieVisit the website at www.becomingyou.ieConnect with Martin Duffy and Shamanism IrelandShamanism Ireland Website: https://www.shamanismireland.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/shamanism_courses/Would you like to explore the idea of uncovering, embracing and being your true self?Download your free self led workbook: https://www.becomingyou.ie/#workbookDisclaimer: The content shared in this podcast represents the personal experiences, opinions, and insights of the host, guests, and contributors. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, whether medical, psychological, therapeutic, legal, or financial. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, emotional distress, or require professional support, we strongly encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified professional or relevant support services.

In this engaging discussion, Jayne Morris, a burnout coach, psychotherapist, and author, shares her transformative journey from burnout to self-discovery. She explores the heavy toll of perfectionism and societal pressures that led her to feel depleted. Jayne emphasizes the importance of rest, not as a luxury but a necessity for well-being. The conversation addresses the need to challenge hustle culture and reconnect with one’s true identity. Listeners gain insights on how to navigate burnout, reclaim creativity, and prioritize authentic living.

Viv Grant, a coach and director at Integrity Coaching, shares her transformative journey shaped by the loss of her mother and her own health challenges. She discusses how these events redefined her identity and the profound impact of race on self-discovery. Viv introduces the concept of soul activism, emphasizing its significance in personal growth and societal change. The conversation also highlights the responsibilities of leaders in promoting anti-racism and the importance of authentic dialogue around race and identity for lasting transformation.

Moira Geary, known as The Recombobulator, uses her expertise to guide others in overcoming limiting beliefs and anxiety. In this engaging discussion, she shares her journey from anxiety and self-doubt to self-discovery and empowerment. Moira explains how these beliefs form and shape our identities, while highlighting the transformative power of language and self-talk. Listeners learn practical techniques to rewire their thinking and trust their intuition, ultimately inspiring them to break free from what holds them back.

In a heartfelt conversation, John Fleming chats with his colleague Jayne Morris about the journey of self-discovery and authenticity. Jayne shares insights on the longing for love and identity, while John reflects on pivotal moments that shaped his path, including experiences of queerness and grief. They discuss the importance of diverse healing modalities and how each journey of becoming is unique. Together, they encourage listeners to embrace their individual stories and embark on their own personal transformations.

Dive into the journey of self-discovery and authenticity! The host shares his experiences and motivations behind exploring identity. Expect heartfelt stories and expert insights into personal transformation. Discover the holistic approach that integrates mind, body, heart, and spirit for lasting change. Join the conversation that promises to inspire and empower you to embrace your true self!