Podcast
Authentic Thriving Podcast
Hosted by Abies Sonia · EN
Authentic Thriving Podcast is a trauma-informed mental health and personal development podcast hosted by Abies Sonia Ebenezer-Bamigbayan, a BACP-registered counsellor, life coach, and positive psychology practitioner.
This podcast supports individuals navigating trauma, burnout, emotional suppression, people-pleasing, faith-related emotional wounds, and identity loss, particularly within African and Black diaspora communities.
Each episode blends psychoeducation, cultural insight, reflective dialogue, and practical emotional tools to help listeners heal, reclaim self-worth, set healthy boundaries, and move toward inner harmony.
🎧 Important note: This podcast is educational and reflective and does not replace therapy
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Career Growth Without Burnout
2w ago00:47:49Tap to summarizeChronic work-related stress can make even a good job feel unsafe: you overthink every email, dread meetings, and carry the tension home. That is why I invited Foyeke Alibanogun, a programme development lead and multi-hyphenate professional, to talk through what actually helps when the workplace turns toxic. We keep it practical and honest, from the systems that support working parents to the mindset shifts that stop other people’s behaviour from controlling your day.We dig into the habits that lower stress without shrinking your ambition: building strong character and emotional intelligence, reading the room, listening to understand, and staying professional even when others are not. Then we move into career development strategies that create real leverage: strengthening your skills through CPD, staying grounded in your expertise, and keeping your CV updated so you are ready when opportunity appears. Foyeke also shares how networking across departments becomes a safety net that helps you solve problems faster and feel less alone.A key moment is our breakdown of mentor vs sponsor. A mentor guides you with experience and helps you grow; a sponsor speaks your name in rooms you are not in. We talk about how to find mentors, why you can have more than one, and how sponsorship is earned through consistent delivery, visible readiness, and a reputation for value. We close with discipline, boundaries, and the courage to move on when a workplace refuses to recognise your contribution, plus real-life ways to rejuvenate and avoid burnout.If you want clearer steps for navigating a toxic work environment, reducing workplace anxiety, and building long-term career resilience, press play, share it with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the conversation.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →The Truth Isn't Enough: Why Timing Matters For Your Mental Health
Apr 2400:24:05Tap to summarizeYou might be an honest person and still be the reason trust keeps cracking. That sounds harsh, but it’s one of the most common relationship traps: we tell the truth only when we’re asked, then we’re shocked when our partner, friend, or family member feels blindsided and betrayed. I’m unpacking the real difference between honesty and transparency, and why one can keep your conscience clean while the other keeps your connection alive. I walk through a story about a man who receives a long-awaited Canada visa approval and stays silent because he’s afraid of losing the woman he loves. When she finds out through someone else, everything explodes. Not because he lied, but because he withheld. From there, I break down what transparency actually sounds like in real life: sharing the facts early, naming the emotions underneath, and inviting the other person into your world before secrets turn into suspicion. We also get practical about how to build transparency in couples communication, family relationships, friendships, and business partnerships. I share steps like leading with honesty before you’re questioned, practising emotional visibility in everyday moments, checking the fear that drives hiding, and learning to listen without assuming judgement. You’ll also hear why “I was protecting you” can become a cover for distrust, and how emotional maturity turns uncomfortable talks into deeper intimacy and respect. If you’re ready for stronger trust and healthier communication, subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review telling me what transparency looks like in your life.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Stop Douching: A Conversation on Feminine Health, Mental Wellbeing and African Women
Apr 1000:50:21Tap to summarizeSilence can be deadly when it comes to women’s health, especially in communities where you’re taught to endure pain and keep private problems private. We sit down with Dr Ebunoluwa, a UK obstetrics and gynaecology doctor trained in Nigeria, to talk honestly about the health issues African women face worldwide and what changes when you finally get clear, practical information.We go beyond vague advice and name the red flags: period pain that stops you living your life, heavy bleeding that soaks pads hourly, clots, bleeding between periods, and symptoms that could point to fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, or PCOS. We also get real about itching and “thrush”, why over-the-counter creams can miss the real cause, and what good vulval hygiene actually looks like. If you’ve ever been told to douche, or felt embarrassed to ask for help, this conversation gives you language you can use at the GP or in clinic.We also tackle the stigma that keeps people stuck, from mental health to infertility. Dr Ebunoluwa reminds us that infertility is about the couple, not a woman’s “failure”, and shares ways to advocate for yourself, ask for a second opinion, and re-attend when your instincts tell you something is wrong. For anyone pregnant or planning a baby, we cover urgent warning signs like reduced fetal movements, bleeding, abdominal pain, persistent headaches, visual changes, and swelling, plus where to find trusted support and information. We close with a powerful reminder about cervical smear tests, HPV, and why early checks can prevent cervical cancer.Subscribe, share this with a sister or friend, and leave a review with the one point you want every woman to hear. What stood out to you most?Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Abies Sonia: Turning Trauma Counselling Into Strength
Mar 2800:55:49Tap to summarizeWe flip the script as our host becomes the guest, unpacking what trauma-informed coaching really means and why burnout can sit behind joy, competence, and a busy life. We share real signs of chronic stress, the beliefs that keep people stuck, and a simple first step to protect your emotional wellbeing this week. • joy, warmth, and upbringing as the foundation of identity • what trauma means when coping capacity is overwhelmed • trauma-informed practice through safety, trust, empowerment, and collaboration • chronic stress in migration, motherhood, work, and entrepreneurship • early burnout signs including fatigue, irritability, memory slips, rashes, alopecia • emotional numbness and loss of clarity as hidden red flags • common client surprises like low self-confidence, people pleasing, procrastination • belief systems in the diaspora and the pressure to always work hard • stigma and shame around counselling, therapy, and mental health support • self-love as the starting point and why silence is not peace If you’re ready to move from surviving to thriving subscribe, visit our website www.asebconsultancy.com Before you go, have you subscribed yet? Like, share, and comment what resonate with you so far on this episode Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →The Strong Black Woman Trap: Hidden Patterns Hurting Your Mental Health
Mar 1400:51:09Tap to summarizeThe people who make everyone laugh can be the closest to breaking. We talk with Oby Dike, a lawyer, about what happens when you wear too many hats and start believing you’re not allowed to fail: firstborn pressure, motherhood, marriage strain, career setbacks, and the quiet shame of “not being where you should be”. Obi shares how depression and chronic stress crept in gradually, not as one dramatic moment, but through years of over-responsibility, saviour mentality, and always being the reliable one. We unpack the warning signs that are easy to miss: withdrawing from family, losing joy in what used to feel natural, snapping at small things, and carrying a public smile while feeling hopeless inside. If you care about mental health, inner harmony, resilience, and burnout recovery, this conversation puts real words to what so many people live through silently. We also explore what helped her start healing: finding a safe person to speak to, learning to receive support without feeling like a “charity case”, rebuilding confidence after career knocks, and using practical tools like exercise, journalling, and intentional connection. Faith shows up here too, not as a performance, but as a lifeline, including the quiet moment she describes as hearing a tiny voice saying “look up”. If any part of this sounds familiar, don’t wait until it becomes unbearable. Listen, share it with someone who needs a gentle nudge, and subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more people can find these stories and feel less alone.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Demystifying God Spoke To Me
Feb 2800:52:30Tap to summarizeEver felt left out when someone says “God told me” and you’re still waiting for a voice from heaven? We open up a grounded, hope-filled guide to recognising how God actually speaks today often quieter than you expect, always kinder than you think. From scripture that comes alive at the exact moment you need it, to timely words from ordinary people, to dreams, visions, and the in-between focus of a trance, we map the differences and offer clear ways to test what you sense without fear or superstition.We walk through biblical anchors Joseph learning patience with dreams, Daniel interpreting with courage, Deborah leading with wisdom, Esther acting with strategy and show how the same God still guides through peace, conviction, and wise timing. You’ll hear how songs saturated with Bible verses can carry truth deeper than prose, why “shower thoughts” may land when your mind is finally quiet, and how to guard your heart from counterfeit shortcuts. Most of all, you’ll discover that hearing God isn’t a badge of holiness or a performance. It’s relationship: steady, personal, and shaped by time in the word, stillness after prayer, and a willingness to obey small steps.Expect practical tools you can use today: simple tests for alignment with scripture, ways to journal impressions and look for confirmation, tips for quieting digital noise, and gentle encouragement to stop comparing your journey with someone else’s. When you focus on the voice meant for you, pressure lifts and clarity grows. If you’ve ever wondered whether God speaks to you, this conversation will help you notice the signals already in your life and follow them with confidence.If this resonated, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review telling us the last time you sensed God nudging you forward.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Delayed, Not Denied: Trusting God's Process
Feb 1400:58:05Tap to summarizeWhat if the delay you fear is the very process that shapes your breakthrough? We sit down with Inibeghe Ebong to trace her path from newlywed expectations to a years-long wait for conception, across countries and a pandemic, and into a testimony that arrived before the fertility clinic could call her name. This is a grounded, hope-filled exploration of faith, medicine, discernment, and the quiet work of staying ready.We start with a small sign a baby bath gift that arrived late and the way simple moments can carry spiritual meaning we only understand in hindsight. From there, Ini opens her medical journey: costly tests at home, relocating to the UK, restarting referrals, and seeing COVID turn fertility into a non-urgent case. Rather than choosing between prayer and medicine, she shows how to hold both: get informed, ask the right questions, and keep listening for God’s voice. The delays weren’t romantic; they were exhausting. Yet they also clarified a calling to intercession, a commitment to guard the heart from offence and envy, and a posture of active waiting.We dig into the habits that sustain hope: serving like a true “waiter,” staying present in worship, studying scripture, and giving genuinely time, service, and resources without performance or bargaining. Ini shares how generosity reframed her perspective and taught her to celebrate others’ milestones without shrinking her own faith. The turning point lands quietly: after shelving monthly tests to protect their peace, a leftover kit during a house move showed positive then another, and another before the specialist appointment ever arrived.If you’re navigating infertility, medical uncertainty, or any long road of delay, you’ll find practical steps and spiritual anchors here: discern the cause, pursue wise care, pray with clarity, keep serving, and schedule real rest. Hope isn’t passive; it’s a rhythm. Subscribe, share with someone who needs courage today, and leave a review to help others find this story of purpose in the waiting.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Character Nurturing: Helping or Hurting Curiosity?
Jan 3100:32:16Tap to summarizeWe challenge harmful labels and show how to turn “too much” into strength through belief, guidance, and practice. Real stories and practical steps help parents and adults nurture curiosity, choose the right mediums, and build confidence that lasts.• seeing traits as raw material not flaws• stories of Edison, Wright brothers, Kamkwamba, Curie, Adichie, Myles Munroe• choosing mediums for storytelling beyond writing• respecting different learning styles and pacing• letting interest guide activities not stereotypes• scaffolding growth with clear feedback and boundaries• education across home, library, kitchen, studio, and street• parents as advocates and modelers of confident speech• adults returning to study and turning gifts into serviceThis episode is sponsored by ASAP Consultancy, a home of personal transformation for the mind, body, and soulWhy don't you visit our website www.asebconsultancy.comBefore you go, have you subscribed yet? Like, share, and comment on what resonates with you so far on this episode. If you have not done so, why don't you just click that button now?Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Faith In Action
Jan 1701:06:04Tap to summarizeWhat if the season you’re trying hardest to escape is the place where your character is forged and your joy deepens? Today we share a lived‑in story of practical faith: long visa delays that split a new marriage across continents, a miscarriage and a high‑risk pregnancy that ended with a healthy baby, a six‑year immigration battle that reshaped community, and a cancer diagnosis that closed with the words “cancer free.” None of it felt tidy. All of it became a classroom for service, scripture, and stubborn hope.We talk about moving to a small church in Newcastle and asking the simplest question,how can we help? then finding purpose in driving a bus, cooking for students, and showing up first and leaving last. Scarcity met unexpected provision: a neighbour at the door with a new microwave the day ours died, diapers stacked to the ceiling from grateful friends, and an envelope at Christmas that shifted us from anxiety to generosity. Along the way, three separate confirmations promised “you will laugh,” and that promise landed in a reunited home and a child whose test results defied fear. We unpack the difference between a good offer and a godly one, how to “faith not fear” when the wait drags on, and why serving keeps bitterness from taking root.There’s more: education doors once shut swung open, a master’s in social work arrived without the price tag, and career steps came faster than expected. Secondary infertility fears met healing, and the cancer chapter became another marker of God’s presence through community and scripture. If you’re navigating immigration uncertainty, health scares, or the ache of delay, you’ll find practical handles here one verse to hold, one person to tell, one simple act of service to start today. If this story lifted you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs courage, and leave a review with the line you’re taking into your week. Your words might be the confirmation someone else is waiting to hear.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →Space Is A Mirror: What You Allow Shapes Who You Become
Jan 300:27:21Tap to summarizeWhat if the quality of your life is simply the story your space is telling back to you? Today we pull apart the idea of “space” across four domains physical, mental, spiritual, and relational and show how small, deliberate shifts create outsized results in mood, clarity, and connection.We start with the tangible: how clutter quietly drains energy, steals focus, and makes even simple tasks feel uphill. You’ll hear why treating empty areas as intentional breathing room not gaps to fill can lower stress fast. Then we move inward to mental and emotional space, where conversations linger and interpretations set the tone for the day. We unpack how to identify energy “zappers,” why introverts and extroverts must manage their environments differently, and the practical art of reframing triggers so they stop replaying on loop.From there, we widen the lens to spiritual space. No grand rituals needed just consistent, ordinary moments of prayer, worship, and gratitude that invite perspective and calm into a crowded schedule. We talk about trading hustle-only thinking for quiet insight, and why creating time for God steadies your decisions when life gets loud. Finally, we confront the myth of transactional relationships. Real connection grows when you make unhurried room for the people who love you for you, partners, children, siblings, and friends. You’ll learn simple ways to stop making loved ones feel invisible and build rituals that last long after the busy seasons end.By the end, you’ll have a clear framework to edit your surroundings, curate your inputs, deepen your faith, and choose connection over convenience. If this conversation sparks a shift, share it with someone who needs lighter rooms, clearer thoughts, and warmer ties. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: which space will you change first?Send us Fan MailSupport the showFacebook : https://www.facebook.com/abiessoniaInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm8aAtpN2BN/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Transcribe →