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Danielle Jata-Hall is a parent of three neurodivergent children and a blog writer at www.pdaparenting.com. She has worked in education supporting many children with SEND and has run a support group for other parents. She is a public speaker, PDA advocate and an online campaigner. With the support of her local MP, Danielle has succeeded in tabling an early-day motion to get the PDA profile more nationally recognised.  She co-authored the children’s book I’m Not Upside Down, I’m Downside Up: Not a Boring Book About PDA and is currently working on a fictional novel for adults called Black Rainbow.

We're back for season two. To launch our new season, we are joined by the very awesom parent, James Hunt. James is a parent carer to two gorgeous young boys who are both autistic. Today James joins Debs and talks about how he stays motivated, how he gets back up after a bad day, how he keeps the plates spinning and more. You can find out more about James and how to follow him on the show's page.

On the podcast today, I am joined by the very entertaining Emma Murphy. Emma is a special needs teacher, a mum of two boys and has a crazy springer spaniel who drives her mad and saves her sanity in equal measures.  She juggles teaching part time with being a carer for her 10 year old who has complex medical needs and profound learning disabilities and she also occasionally guest lectures to health and educational professionals about how best to support families like ours.  She eats far too much cheese and enjoy more than the occasional glass of wine. She loves reading and writing but never does either of those as much as she'd like. Emma talks about how she used to have notes on back of envelopes, on white boards, on her phone and random places around the house and how using the Bullet Journal method has helped her to stay on top of everything. She also shares the importance of always having a Plan B - something we don't all make time for.  Emma talks about allowing ourselves time to process the bad times, allowing ourselves to be sad so that we don't implode. She also talks about her sheer laziness when it comes to exercise and always being able to find something else she would much rather be doing. Have a listen as we talk Motivation, Productivity and more over on the podcast. Find out more on this episode page - https://lifeas-pland.com/podcast-emma-murphy-always-have-a-plan-b/

This week I am joined on the podcast by Angela Kelly Angela is a parent and step parent to five children - two biological children and three step children, Her step children are all grown up. She also has three step grandchildren - who are all fabulous. Angela works as a counsellor and psychotherapist which she trained for later in life when she realised how early trauma impacts adult functioning and the huge importance of early intervention.  Angela then focused more on neuro diversity and how so many neuro diverse people experience early trauma and it prompted her to study for a postgraduate certificate in Autism. She is very proud to say she passed the course with a distinction in 2019.

Joining me this week is the lovely Emma. In the podcast we refer to Emma as Emma Barritt but she is now Emma Stoneman. Emma is a midwife who qualified during Lockdown. She is a mum of three, a runner (although she doesn’t think of herself as a runner) and in today’s episode she shares with us how she has managed to get and stay motivated when studying for the last four years, how she unwinds and how she keeps the plates spinning. She shares her tips for others and I love her story of how she starting running and hated every minute but now counts running in her self care habits. Emma can be found on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/emma_j_stoneman/

Isabelle is a mum of two extra-ordinary young people, one of whom has autism and learning disability.  She has a post-graduate diploma in autism and ran an autism support team in a federation of mainstream primary schools.  These days, she campaigns for homes not hospitals for people with learning disability and autistic people and also runs training on supporting autistic young people.  Isabelle is also an NHS England Expert by Experience. Her website is – https://humantoo.net/ Facebook Group – Human Too  Twitter – @isabelle241212

Join me as I chat to Ceri Gillett of Mubo. Ceri talks about what motivates her to work as hard as she does, the changes they have had to make during the pandemic, life as an ex-perfectionist and gives some great tips to any parents looking to start their own business or those who already have one. Some of her habits are really simple to introduce to your own work/home life and even if you don't run a business, Ceri has some great insights into what makes us tick and how to overcome negative beliefs.. Find out more about Ceri and Mubo at https://lifeas-pland.com/podcast-ceri-gillett-talks-about-business-in-a-pandemic/

Jo has worked in IT for local government for more than 18 years and is also in her third year of training to be a counsellor. Jo quite likes exercise and has done several runs for charity including a few half marathons. Join me as we chat about spinning plates, having three older brothers and making new habits and plans as lockdown happens.

Sometimes the chaos at home seems overwhelming. Here are some quick easy steps to help you take back control and find some calm amidst the chaos. Four quick tips - easy to do but each one of them is a step towards feeling more productive and motivated. Find out more about a Life AsPland at https://lifeas-pland.com

This week I am joined by the lovely Sarah Roberts. Sarah is an award winning blogger (2 BAPS Awards, UK Blog Awards 2015 and winner of Best Newcomer at Mad Blog 2014). She is a writer, having written a book all about their life with son, Oscar – For the Love of Oscar. She has ran a marathon and so much more. You can find Sarah on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dontbesorry2/ Instagram – https://instagram.com/dontbesorry2 Find out more about Life Aspland at https://lifeas-pland.com Join me as I chat to Sarah about reality checks, helping others, having 3 children under 7 and comparisons. Sarah also shares her top tip for writing a book. You can find Sarah on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/dontbesorry2/ Instagram – https://instagram.com/don’tbesorry2

This week I am chatting to Mark Raynsford, a personal trainer of 19 years. Mark works with business owners, tv presenters and parents - on line and in person. His goal is to bring some self focus back to help people Look and Feel Great You can find out more about Mark: Website: www.markspt.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/lookgreatfeelgreatgroup Twitter: www.twitter.com/lookgreatPT Instagram: www.instagram.com/improvingyou_pt He also hosts his own podcast - just search "Look Great Feel Great) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Find out more about Debs and Life AsPland at www.lifeas-pland.com

I am joined in this episode by the very lovely, colourful character, Jo Henley, aka Ojo of Ojo’s World Jo is a happily married mother of 3, grown up, boys. Two boys have autism, the other has anxiety issues. She lives a quiet life in South Wales.  She is also a lover of rainbows and butterfly’s, ( her hair is usually a rainbow and she has a butterfly tattoo). Join us as we chat about setting three alarms, coffee in bed, choosing your plates and her love of lists. You can find out more about Jo: Her website:  https://www.Ojosworld.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ojosworld Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ojosworld Instagram: https://instagram.com/ojosworld ________________________________ Find out more about Debs over at her site https://lifeas-pland.com

Many of the productivity books and ideas start with you ready to take action and sat at your desk, or in front of the cleaning cupboard, or with tools in hand for the garden. I wanted something different. Something that started with me sat on the sofa, thinking about doing something but then procrastinating. The 5 second rule was the answer for me. Thanks Mel Robbins. A great book, an easy concept and one which really works. Have a listen and give it a go. I would love to hear if it works for you. Head over to my site for more tips on productivity. Life AsPland: https://lifeas-pland.com/

Mother to three children who are autistic. Jodie has self-published a series of children’s books and products with the main character based on her middle daughter Lola. The series Autism with Lola is dual designed to help autistic children relate to a main character and to also help other children understand some things that autistic children may do differently or may find difficult. Helping ALL children understand and accept differences. Jodie’s dream is simply this: Imagine a life where we needn’t explain, a life where kids are happy not being the same! Join us as we talk about spa dates, writing masterpieces at 1am and more You can find out more at Life AsPland You can follow Jodie on her website, on Facebook or on Twitter ______________________________ You can follow Debs at Life Aspland on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook - Or head over to the site for more

Steph, a suburban mother, sometime Marketing Director, now family plate spinner, journalist, carer, nurse, spokesperson, campaigner and marathon runner (actual as well as metaphorical).  Steph has four extraordinary children, her two boys have a diagnosis of high functioning autism yet they could not be more different, her eldest daughter is a creative social justice warrior, her youngest daughter was born with a very rare genetic condition. In December 2015 Steph also became a widow, her husband, the father of her children & her partner of 27 years, Andy, died of cancer, leaving them with a gaping hole in their lives. 13 months later their darling daughter Daisy died. Steph’s life was never going to be predictable but as Andy always said, it is what it is, it’s how you respond which makes the difference. Join us as we chat about choosing excuses, going from a family of 6 to a family of 4 in 13 months, and how being vain can be a great motivator Find out more over on Life AsPland You can follow Steph on her website, on LinkedIn, on Facebook, on Twitter and also on Instagram ______________________________ You can follow Debs at Life Aspland on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook - Or head over to the site for more

Tina is mum to an extraordinary 12 year old who goes by the name of Joseph.  Once upon a time, she wrote a blog called Joseph and his Amazing Spectrum Coat (ASC – ASC Spectrum, get it?). It’s been resurrected to provide some reading material during the Covid-19 Lockdown but will almost certainly be retired again as soon as “normal” life resumes.  Then Tina will be back to writing about her other favourite pastime – running Join us as we talk about “having lower standards”, planning and routines, along with no desire to do the housework when lockdown happened. You can find Tina on Facebook – Joseph and his Amazing Spectrum Coat and on Instagram – My Running My Way _____________________________ You can follow Debs at Life Aspland on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook - Or head over to the site for more

A quick hello to say who Life AsPland is, why I wanted to do this podcast and what to expect from future episodes. Find out more at Life Aspland