Why You Should Set Creative Goals



Helli is a sickly Victorian child this week and Charlotte has her life together with new nails. Prepare yourself for a very in depth chat about Charlotte’s stringent Goodreads rating process and Helli’s meta take on reviewing books throughout life.

It’s February, maybe you’re struggling with your New Year goals or maybe you never made any, either way we feel like setting some creative goals rather than metrics-based goals is a great way to find more joy and authenticity in your life and to redefine what an achievement is. Yes, hitting sales targets or income goals is great, but not every goal has to be so black or white or come with so much stress/pressure. Trying something new, getting outside your comfort zone, making something imperfectly, enjoying yourself even if you’re not perfect at something, doing something in your community, these are all achievements, maybe it’s time we re-defined what goals and achievements look like.

Did someone say Substack?

Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.

Recommendations

Fin Carre Salted Pretzel Milk Chocolate Bar from Lidl / Reese’s Take 5

Hello Beautiful by Anne Napolitano


How We Feel About “Brain Rot” Content



Charlotte reveals which celebrities she gets mixed up and we’re both surprised to learn how literal the direct translation of the names are in Lion King… Plus who is the internet obsessed with right now.

So all this feels very fitting that we’re talking about brain rot content. Oxford English Dictionary named “brain rot” their word of the year for 2024, but what does it mean? What is brain rot content? How do we classify it and is it different for everyone? Is it fundamentally bad? And how much does our intention behind our content consumption decide whether or not it’s brain rot? Sometimes we find the low quality content or easy-to-consume content entertaining and it serves as escapism, but if that’s the dominant content we consume, how healthy is that for us?

Did someone say Substack?

Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.

Recommendations

The Muse podcast with Chloe Lloyd – episode with Mollie Campsie

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristin Perrin


Actually, we’re just like other girls



A discussion about ice hockey was not on our 2025 podcast bingo card, but we like to keep you (and ourselves) guessing!

This week we’re chatting about the phrase “you’re not like other girls”. This phrase feels like it was normalised in 90s rom-coms and was always the “ultimate compliment” from a guy. We both get a big ick from this phrase for many reasons, why shouldn’t we be like other girls? and how does this backhanded compliment double as a patriarchal means of controlling women? Also, why do you never hear “you’re not like other boys”? We’re dissecting it all and we’d love to hear your thoughts too.

Did someone say Substack?

Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations.

Recommendations

The Finch app – available on App Store and Play Store

Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action on Netflix


Everything on our to *not* do lists this year



We’re back and boy are we feeling REFRESHED. It could be the 5 weeks off, it could be that crisp New Year feeling or it could be our brand new look, music and Substack (!). Whatever combination it is, we’re thrilled to be back bringing you more unfiltered, honest conversations about society, culture and early adulthood. 

It’s no secret we love a to do list, but this year we’re looking at our “To NOT Do List”. The behaviours we want to change, the little things we want to stop doing and what we’re making more space for (or as the Wicked-fans say, “holding space” for). 

Did someone say Substack?

Click here to subscribe to our ✨brand new✨ Substack (we’ve got a free and a paid version so everyone can join!). Come for newsletters, rec wraps, more thoughts on the big topics, bonus podcast content and an insight into our (somewhat chaotic) conversations. 

Recommendations 

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Why is the internet blaming ChatGPT for the fires in LA? On The Cut 


228: How We’re Getting Ready for 2025



We missed last week’s episode which just tells you how chaotic this last month has been with Black Friday, wedding planning, travelling to Christmas Markets and Christmas prep. BUT we are back with our end of year wrap up and how we’re feeling about goals and intentions for going into 2025. If you’re not feeling sure about your goals or how you feel about going into the New Year, you’re not alone!

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

Shogun on Disney Plus

Glad We Had This Chat podcast with Caroline Hirons – episode with Emily English

Also mentioned

Black Doves on Netflix

Our Little Secret (Lindsay Lohan’s new Christmas movie on Netflix)

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha with soy milk (Charlotte’s favourite festive Starbucks order)

Helli’s top Christmas market tip – go to Christmas Markets during the week (Mon-Thurs) and not on Fri-Sun unless you love crowds!


227: Maintaining Momentum Towards the End of the Year



Charlotte has no hot water, Helli has injured her neck, it’s been a week of annoyances, made more stressful as we approach the busy end of the year. If the end of the year is starting to feel hectic and like you’re in a hamster wheel, you’re not alone! It’s easy to feel busy and stressed at this time of year but how do we maintain motivation and momentum? How do we get unstuck from the hamster wheel and find perspective and purpose?

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

Peer Suite Newsletter by Becky Van Djik

Boybands Forever documentary on BBC iPlayer

Also mentioned

The Amazon to do list notepad *affiliate link


226: Does Overthinking Steal Authenticity?



Anyone else feeling Christmassy early this year? We’re chatting birthday parties, netball, rubbish Christmas movies and how we’re feeling in the run up to December as well as two new recommendations this week.

We’ve all heard of overthinking and know what it is and the self-doubt and feelings of comparison that come with it, but what about the wider impact on your overall happiness and enjoyment of the moment? Does overthinking how you appear to others take away your authenticity? In a world where authenticity and relatability have become marketable – how to do you show up authentically in a way that feels true to you?

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

The Missing Family by Tim Weaver

The Business of Fashion Podcast – How Dupe Culture is Challenging Traditional Luxury

Also mentioned

Hot Frost

 


225: The Paris Debrief & Having Difficult Conversations



It’s the Paris debrief! We’re catching up after just getting back from Charlotte’s hen do in Paris – Moulin Rouge, friendship bracelets, Eiffel Tower, Dior Gallery, tune in for all the fun, girly weekend vibes! Of course we’re also back with two new recommendations and a conversation about having difficult converstions – how do we have them? what’s the right way to have them? When are they useful and when are they just not worth it?

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

The Trials of Marjorie Crowe by C.S. Robertson

Indyx – Outfit Planning App

Also mentioned

Moulin Rouge, Paris

Ali Goodbun – Moulin Rouge Dancer on TikTok

The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill

Whering Outfit Planning app


224: The Difference Between Selfish vs Self-focused



What’s the difference between being selfish and simply focusing on yourself and your own goals? And why does prioritising yourself often get branded as being selfish, or at least feel like you’re being selfish? Well that’s what we’re trying to get to the bottom of in this weeks episode. We’ve also got two brand new recommendations and some very out-of-character updates. Did someone say heavy metal concerts and Hyrox?

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

David Baddiel “Jews Don’t Count”

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell


224: Why Sometimes You Need To Slow Down



The irony of this week’s topic isn’t wasted on anyone, trust us. Between Helli spending just 4 days of October in the country and Charlotte being knee-deep in everything wedding (yes, she knows this is at risk of becoming her entire personality), we have not been slowing down. After a couple of recommendations and catching up on life lately, we’re discussing why sometimes slowing down is the best way to actually achieve your goals faster and in a more efficient way.

You can join our FREE quarterly newsletter here – https://growth-in-progress-podcast.ck.page/a9c9d06b12

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support us then the best way to do so is hit follow on your podcast player and let your friends know. We always want to hear from you so get in touch through the details below:

growthinprogresspod@gmail.com / @growthinprogresspod
charlottephoebe.com / @charlotte.phoebe
helenabradbury.com / @helenabradbury

Recommendations 

Free Soul Hydrate (click here to save 15% on your order – ad, affiliate link*)

What A Way To Go by Bella Mackie

Also mentioned:

Rail Journeys From Above on Channel 4 (truly the best mindless watching)

 

*ad/affiliate link: By using this link we will make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

PlayPlay