Who shaped your understanding of financial independence? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments. When my sister and I were about 10 years old, my mum, June Hocart, often said, "My job is to make you financially independent." At the time, we didn’t fully grasp what she meant. But as we grew older, we saw how she lived those words—studying by torchlight under the sheets in her dormitory to become a nurse, later running a pharmacy with my father, and always making sure we understood the value of hard work, smart decisions, and standing on our own two feet.

Mum believed financial independence wasn’t just about money but about having freedom, security, and choices. It was about never feeling trapped in a situation because of financial constraints.

Despite the stereotype that women are less engaged in investing, research suggests they often outperform men. Why? Mindset.

Investing is as much about mindset as it is about numbers. Women tend to approach investing with patience, discipline, and risk-awareness—key traits of successful investors.

It's time to challenge outdated perceptions and empower more women to take control of their financial future.

In honour of her wisdom, this episode of Thriving Minds Podcast #185 is dedicated to helping people take control of their financial future. I sat down with David Hobart, a performance coach with decades of experience in investment management, to talk about how we can develop the mindset and strategies needed to make sound financial decisions in an uncertain world.

💡 What we covered:
🔹 How David’s career as a hedge fund manager shaped his approach to coaching
🔹 Why a culture of blame and denial holds people back from financial freedom
🔹 Tools to overcome performance anxiety and make confident financial decisions
🔹 The paradox of uncertainty—how embracing it can lead to better outcomes
🔹 Why women are underrepresented in investing and how to change the game

Mum’s words have stayed with me my entire life, and I hope this conversation helps others gain the confidence and knowledge to step into their financial independence.

🔗 Learn more about David: [https://davidhobart.com/]

. 💬⬇️ #ThrivingMinds #FinancialIndependence #RiskManagement #Investing #DavidHobart

💬 What’s been your experience with investing? Let’s discuss. ⬇️ #Investing #FinancialIndependence #WomenInFinance

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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

In this episode, Yush Sztalkoper shares her transformative journey as a parent raising neurodiverse and twice-exceptional children—kids who are both gifted and experience challenges such as ADHD or dysregulated behaviours.

By replacing screen time with enriching activities like reading, outdoor play, and family board games. Within two weeks, her children exhibited reduced impulsivity and became more autonomous, underscoring the power of reducing dopamine-seeking behaviours.

Diagnosed with ADHD herself, Yush reframed her understanding of behaviours as linked to brain function and dopamine regulation. This realization led her to leave her corporate career and dedicate herself to raising awareness about twice-exceptionality, fostering innovation and community in this often-isolated parenting journey.

Key Insights:

Screen Detox and Family Connection

Recognizing the impact of technology addiction, Yush implemented a strategic family-wide screen detox. Key steps included:

Educating her children about the harmful effects of screens on brain development.

Building buy-in by involving her kids in creating the plan.

Yush emphasized the need for parents to model the behaviours they want to see, create healthy boundaries, and prioritize quality connections. She highlighted how small, intentional steps—like spending time in nature and saying no to overcommitment—can significantly improve family dynamics.

Support for Neurodiverse Families

Yush founded a nonprofit to help parents navigate the challenges of raising neurodiverse children, offering authentic community connections and practical resources. She stressed the importance of in-person support groups to combat isolation and foster shared growth.

Building Resilience and Shifting Perspectives

Yush advocates for a strengths-based approach to parenting, where understanding a child’s unique brain and behavior replaces judgment with empathy. She encourages parents to focus on personal growth, recognizing how trauma and environment shape behaviors and brain development.

Breaking Generational Patterns

Inspired by research on epigenetics and early life experiences, Yush underscores the importance of love, connection, and healing in parenting. She shares personal insights about overcoming generational trauma and fostering a thriving environment for her children.

Final Message:

Yush calls on parents to step away from screens, create healthier boundaries, and connect deeply with their children. She reminds us that parenting neurodiverse children is challenging but immensely rewarding, requiring community, intentionality, and a willingness to grow alongside our kids.

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Subscribe and support the podcast at
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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

"When I ask 16-21 year olds what they wish their parents had known about social media, they say, number one, don’t give us phones and social media too young."

- Children's Commissioner for England, Rachel De Souza

As the first smartphone generation hits adulthood, they are reflecting on their lost wonder years, a precious period of their lives they can never get back. Too many of them regret a childhood wasted on screens and they wish their parents had set firmer boundaries.

Let's not repeat the mistake with the next generation.

Delay smartphones, delay social media, join the Heads Up Alliance family and secure for your younger children the gift of a full childhood.

eSafety Commissioner

Children's Commissioner for England

We dive into the heart of the HeadsUp Alliance, co-founded by Dany Elachi a burgeoning movement among Australian families committed to rethinking the role of technology in their children's lives. With the digital age advancing rapidly, these families have chosen a path less traveled, delaying the introduction of social media and smartphones to their children's daily routines.

Join us as we explore the philosophy and motivations behind the HeadsUp Alliance.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in the intersection of technology and child development, this episode offers valuable insights into a community that's choosing to press pause on the digital rush, prioritizing real-world experiences and connections for the next generation.

Tune in to learn how the HeadsUp Alliance is making waves in Australia and potentially setting a new standard for children's digital consumption worldwide.

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeadsUpAlliance/

Support the show

Subscribe and support the podcast at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new
Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com