The Maisie Hill Experience

What if being nice isn't always the kindest thing you can do? Many of us have been taught to be pleasant, agreeable, and considerate of others, but constantly trying to be liked and avoiding uncomfortable conversations can come at a cost. In this episode, I'm exploring why being nice can actually be harmful and what makes kindness a more valuable alternative. I look at the difference between being nice and being kind, and why the two aren't always the same thing. Listen in to discover how to recognise when you're prioritising being liked over being genuinely helpful, and what it takes to start choosing kindness instead. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/303 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Are you genuinely tired, or is your brain trying to convince you to avoid something? Knowing when to push forward and when to slow down isn't always straightforward, especially when you're used to being productive and getting things done. In this episode, I'm exploring why recognising your need for rest is so important and what can happen when you ignore it. With the change of seasons leaving so many people feeling tired and less motivated than usual, I'm sharing how I distinguish between my body asking for rest and my brain wanting to avoid something uncomfortable. I also look at why doing less can feel so challenging, particularly when you've been conditioned to measure your worth by how much you do for others, and how self-criticism can get in the way of actually resting. Listen in to discover how to recognise when you need to slow down and make decisions that support your physical and mental wellbeing. You'll learn how to assess your energy, reconsider your commitments, and give yourself the rest you need without turning it into another reason to criticise yourself. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/302 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

What if the things you're ready to let go of are also the things that can help you grow? Autumn is a powerful reminder that growth isn't always about adding more or moving forward. Sometimes, it's about recognising what has served its purpose, making space for something new, and appreciating the beauty of what comes next. In this episode, I'm reflecting on a childhood memory of planting conkers and watching them grow into trees to explore how our beliefs, experiences, and early influences shape who we become. I look at how some of those beliefs continue to support us while others hold us back, and why the natural cycles of growth, decay, and renewal offer such a useful perspective on our own lives. Listen in to discover how to reflect on the beliefs and narratives you've carried with you, recognise what you're ready to release, and intentionally nurture new ways of thinking. You'll learn how to honour your own pace of growth and use the lessons of your past to influence what happens next. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/301 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

What shapes the way you connect with the people in your life? For the 300th episode of the podcast, I'm celebrating by sharing some of the teachings from my recent Relationship Skills Workshop and exploring the foundations that influence how we experience our relationships. In this episode, I'm looking at the thoughts we have about other people, the values we bring to our interactions, and what helps us feel connected. I'll also show you why connection can look very different from person to person and how your stress responses can influence the way you show up with others. Listen in to better understand the patterns playing out in your relationships and what helps you become more available for connection. You'll come away with greater awareness of what shapes your relationships and where you can start making intentional changes in how you relate to the people in your life. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/300 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful Get access to the Relationship Skills Workshop replay at maisiehill.com/relationships .

What does it actually mean to be good at relationships? You might think it means getting along with everyone, avoiding conflict, or being the person everyone can rely on. But sometimes those things come at the expense of speaking up, expressing what you need, and letting other people experience the real you. In this episode, I'm exploring the ideas many of us have absorbed about what good relationships are supposed to look like, particularly when we've been socialised to be agreeable, accommodating, and responsible for keeping everyone else happy. Drawing on my own experiences and years of coaching, I'm sharing seven things I believe it means to be good at relationships and the skills that can help you put them into practice. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/299 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful Sign up for the Relationship Skills Workshop on the 3rd of October, 2026 at maisiehill.com/relationships .

What thoughts have you repeated so many times that you've stopped questioning whether they're actually true? Some thoughts can sound so reasonable and factual that we barely notice them, yet they can quietly shape how we feel, what we do, and what we believe is possible for us. In this episode, I'm taking on some of the automatic thoughts I hear most often from my clients and exposing the assumptions underneath them. From believing you're behind or not doing enough to questioning whether you're ready, I'm showing you why these seemingly factual thoughts deserve a closer look and what can happen when you stop automatically believing them. Listen in to learn how to spot the thoughts that may be holding you back and bring them into the light. You'll discover how to interrogate the stories your brain offers you, recognise when perfectionism and self-worth are shaping your thinking, and decide which thoughts you actually want to keep. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/298 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Have you ever achieved something you really wanted, only to wonder why it didn't feel as good as you thought it would? We can spend months or even years working towards a goal, expecting that reaching it will change how we feel about ourselves or our lives. Then we get there, the initial excitement fades, and we're left wondering, is that it? In this episode, I'm exploring goal disappointment and arrival fallacy, the belief that achieving a particular goal will finally make you feel happy, fulfilled, confident, or enough. I look at why we become so attached to external markers of success, how perfectionism and self-worth can intensify this cycle, and what changes when you start paying attention to who you're becoming along the way. Listen in to discover how to pursue meaningful goals without relying on the end result to change how you feel about yourself. You'll learn why celebrating your progress matters, how to recognise everything you're gaining through the process, and what it means to arrive within yourself rather than waiting for an achievement to get you there. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/297 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever find yourself so focused on what is happening right now that you lose sight of where you are going? In this episode, I'm exploring what it means to be future-focused and how far ahead you need to look in order to stay effective while still responding to what is happening in your life today. I talk about how stress and overwhelm can pull your attention towards whatever feels most immediate, making it harder to see beyond the problem in front of you. I also explore why having a vision, destination, or goal gives you a sense of direction, and how to hold that bigger picture while bringing your attention back to the next part of the road you actually need to travel. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer sense of where to place your focus when you are working towards something that matters to you. You'll be invited to notice whether you are looking too closely at today's problems or too far into the future, and consider what the right point just ahead of you looks like so you can keep moving forward. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/296 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you tend to think of perfectionism as a sign that you care about doing things well? In this episode, I'm returning to the topic of perfectionism, the many ways it can show up, and how it can hold you back through procrastination, self-criticism, fear of mistakes, and the exhausting cycle of high achievement and burnout. I explore why messy, imperfect action can be such an effective way to challenge perfectionist tendencies by helping you get started, experiment, and build your tolerance for mistakes. I also introduce another approach: choosing precision over perfectionism, and focusing your attention on being clear and specific about what actually matters rather than trying to get everything exactly right. By the end of this episode, you'll have several ways to approach perfectionism differently. You'll be invited to get precise about what you want, define your goals and priorities clearly, focus on the next step in front of you, and set expectations that reflect the energy and capacity you actually have while remaining flexible about how you get there. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/295 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

A change in your circumstances does not mean you have lost progress. In this episode, I explore why it can feel as though you've gone backwards when your life changes, and how much of that judgement comes from ideas about success and progress that we have absorbed from society. I look at the expectations you may be using to judge where you are in life and what happens when your circumstances no longer fit the timeline you thought they would. I also explore the difference between the facts of what has changed and the meaning you attach to those changes, including what you might be making them mean about you. This episode will help you question your assumptions about what moving forwards is supposed to look like. You'll be invited to consider whose definition of success you are using, separate circumstance from interpretation, and make room for the possibility that different does not have to mean worse. Sometimes, even going backwards can be exactly what is needed. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/294 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

What if anger isn't something you need to suppress, avoid, or regulate your way out of? Many of us have been conditioned to see anger as irrational, harmful, or something we shouldn't express. In this episode, I'm exploring why anger and the fight response are important, and what becomes possible when we learn to work with them rather than fear them. I look at the ways we've been taught to relate to anger, particularly those of us socialised as female, and why suppressing it can lead to resentment, passive aggression, or eventually reaching a boiling point. We also explore how anger can be protective and corrective, helping us set boundaries, advocate for ourselves and others, and recognise when something needs to change. Listen in to discover how to build your capacity to feel and express anger without using it to harm or control. You'll learn how to recognise the information your anger is giving you, access your fight response when you need it, and channel that energy in an intentional and responsible way. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/293 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

What happens when you make a big change, only to find yourself wanting to retreat to the way things were before? Levelling up can bring discomfort, uncertainty, and fear, even when you're excited about where you're heading. In this episode, I'm exploring why the urge to step back is such a normal part of moving beyond what's familiar. I look at what can come up as you stretch into the next version of yourself, from fear of judgement and questions about your worthiness to procrastination and the temptation to hide. I also explain why discomfort doesn't necessarily mean you've made the wrong decision, and how becoming aware of your own patterns can help you stay with the changes you want to make. Listen in to learn how to make space for the discomfort of levelling up without turning it into a problem. You'll discover how to question the fears that could hold you back, take action when you're tempted to retreat, and create your own narrative about what stepping into your next level means about you. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/292 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever have days where even the simplest things feel impossible? When you're already struggling, it's easy to pile on self-criticism for how you're coping, making a hard day feel even harder. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple approach that can help you reduce that extra layer of judgement and move through difficult days with more self-compassion. I introduce the concept of a Hard Day Protocol and explain why it's very different from a traditional self-care routine. Rather than creating an ideal list of things you think you should do, I show you how to build a plan based on what you already do on your toughest days, so you can reduce the shame and self-judgement that often make those days even harder. This episode invites you to rethink what support can look like when you're struggling. You'll discover how a Hard Day Protocol can make difficult days more manageable, help you let go of unnecessary self-judgement, and understand when self-care becomes available to you again. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/291 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

What do you do when things don't go according to plan? Setbacks can leave you questioning yourself, replaying what happened, or wondering if you should give up altogether. In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shifts and practical steps that have helped me recover from setbacks, build resilience, and keep moving towards the things that matter most. Drawing on my own recent experience, along with coaching conversations inside the membership, I explore why the way you respond in the moments after a setback matters just as much as the setback itself. I explain why your thoughts, emotions, and the story you tell yourself can either keep you stuck or help you find your way forward, and why resilience isn't about pretending you're unaffected or simply pushing through. Listen in as I walk you through my seven-step process for overcoming setbacks with greater intention and self-compassion. You'll learn how to process what happened, challenge unhelpful narratives, recognise what went well, identify the support you need, and take the next step with confidence, even when things haven't gone to plan. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/290 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Are you moving quickly, or are you actually making progress? We're often taught that faster is better, but what if slowing down is the very thing that helps you move forward? In this episode, I'm exploring why strategic pauses can be one of the most powerful tools for creating meaningful, sustainable progress. I share why slowing down can feel so uncomfortable, especially when we measure success through constant action, growth, or productivity. From business and personal goals to burnout, illness, and even horse riding, I explain why stepping back to reflect, recalibrate, and prepare is often what allows us to move forward with greater clarity, intention, and momentum. Listen in to discover how to recognise when it's time to slow down, why pausing isn't the same as standing still, and how challenging your assumptions about progress can help you make better decisions. You'll leave with a fresh perspective on the relationship between speed and progress, and a practical way to create progress that lasts. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/289 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Have you ever caught yourself offering advice that no one actually asked for? In this episode, I'm exploring why we feel the urge to jump in with suggestions, what's really driving that impulse, and why even the most well-intentioned advice can sometimes create distance instead of connection. I look at what unsolicited advice can reveal about our own thoughts, emotions, and need to help, along with why it can be so difficult to simply listen without trying to fix someone else's problem. We also explore the role of boundaries, codependency, social conditioning, and the importance of trusting others to find their own answers. This episode invites you to look differently at both giving and receiving unsolicited advice. You'll notice your own urges with greater curiosity, strengthen your relationships through deeper listening, and create more space for connection by resisting the impulse to take over. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/288 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever catch yourself describing parts of your personality as flaws that need to be fixed? In this episode, I'm exploring how the labels you use to describe yourself shape the way you see who you are, and why some of the traits you criticise may actually be strengths viewed through a negative lens. I explore how self-critical narratives often develop over time and why making yourself the problem can leave you believing you need to change who you are before you can create the results you want. Through examples of traits such as being bossy, controlling, anxious, or lazy, I illustrate how reframing your perspective on yourself creates space for greater self-acceptance, self-responsibility, and more intentional change. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new perspective on the traits you've been judging in yourself. You'll be invited to question the stories you've been carrying, appreciate your strengths more fully, and make any changes you want to make from a place of self-belief rather than self-criticism. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/287 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever feel like different parts of you are pulling in opposite directions? In this episode, I'm introducing the concept of the Inner Boardroom, a simple framework for understanding the different voices within you and how they influence the decisions you make every day. I explore how the various aspects of your personality each bring valuable perspectives, from the visionary and strategist to the nurturer and protector. Rather than seeing these parts as being in conflict, I share how stepping into self-leadership allows you to listen to each voice, understand what it has to offer, and make decisions from a place of clarity and intention. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new way of understanding your internal dynamics and the role they play in your life. You'll be invited to identify the different voices within your own Inner Boardroom, recognise which ones are leading your decisions, and strengthen your ability to guide them with confidence and compassion. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/286 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever find yourself reaching the start of a new season, unsure what to focus on next? In this episode, I'm exploring why seasonal goals can be such a powerful tool for creating direction in your life and how having a clear focus can make decision-making simpler, even when you're feeling uncertain, exhausted, or pulled in multiple directions. I discuss some of the common reasons people avoid setting goals, including the need for rest and recovery, uncertainty about what they want, and concerns about failure. I also share how goals can take many different forms, including external goals, internal growth goals, and goals centred around fun, connection, and self-care. By the end of this episode, you'll have a new way of thinking about goals and the role they play in your life. You'll be invited to consider what this season is really for, identify the direction that feels most supportive right now, and use that clarity to guide your decisions over the months ahead. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/285 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful

Do you ever find yourself second-guessing purchases, delaying decisions, or worrying that you'll make the wrong choice? In this episode, I'm looking at the mindset behind buying and decision-making, and the hidden patterns that can affect everything from everyday purchases to bigger investments. I share some of the filters and questions I use when making purchases and explain how understanding your own patterns can make decision-making simpler and more intentional. We also look at the role of worthiness, regret, emotions, and self-trust, along with why getting clear on what works for you can transform the way you approach buying and investing. By the end of this episode, you'll have a better understanding of the mindset behind confident decision-making and the practical tools that can support it. You'll be invited to examine your own habits, trust yourself more fully as a buyer, and make choices that align with your values, needs, and long-term goals. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://maisiehill.com/284 Join us in the Powerful membership, or join the waitlist: https://maisiehill.com/powerful