It’s Christmas Eve, and the Mind Cake team is throwing a festive bash! In this special holiday episode, we’re joined by some very special guests from past episodes who pop round to join the party. Expect laughter, surprises, and plenty of light-hearted holiday chaos as we reflect on the year and celebrate with some Mind Cake-style cheer.

So grab a mince pie, settle in, and join us for a Christmas Eve like no other—packed with good vibes, a sprinkle of wisdom, and maybe a little too much eggnog. Merry Christmas from all of us at Mind Cake!

This week on Mind Cake, we are thrilled to host the legendary video game designer Howard Scott Warshaw, the creative mind behind iconic Atari games like Yar's Revenge and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Join us as Howard takes us on a journey through his fascinating career, from the dawn of video gaming to his transition into psychotherapy. In this episode, we explore:

• 🎮 The Atari Days: Howard shares his experiences at Atari, the unique work culture, and the creative process behind developing Yar's Revenge, one of Atari's best-selling games.

• 💡 Creative Challenges: Discover how Howard tackled the seemingly impossible task of creating the E.T. game in just five weeks, and the lessons learned from this high-pressure project.

• 🧠 Mental Health Journey: Howard opens up about his personal struggles, the impact of his career on his mental health, and how becoming a therapist transformed his life.

Howard's story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the human spirit. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that delves into the highs and lows of a pioneering career in video games and the healing journey that followed.

#MindCakePodcast #VideoGameHistory #Atari #MentalHealthAwareness #Creativity #Resilience

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!

Explore More

Once Upon Atari: How I Made History by Killing an Industry by Howard Scott Warshaw

Watch Atari: Game Over trailer on IMDb

From Pain to Purpose: Karen Roberts' Journey of Transformation

This week on the Mind Cake Podcast, we are joined by the inspiring Karen Roberts, founder of Vivendus, as she shares her incredible journey from managing chronic pain to establishing a thriving coaching business. Discover how Karen's life took a transformative turn when she embraced the autoimmune protocol and eliminated inflammatory foods, leading her to a path of personal growth and professional reinvention. In this episode, we explore ...

• 🍽️ Dietary Revelations: Karen discusses the impact of dietary changes on her arthritis and overall well-being, highlighting the autoimmune protocol that helped her live pain-free without medication.

• 🚫 Saying Goodbye to Alcohol: How cutting out alcohol led to newfound clarity, inspiring Karen to pursue a career in life coaching and counselling.

• 💼 Building Vivendus: The challenges and triumphs of transitioning from a corporate career to establishing a coaching practice focused on helping clients overcome perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and people-pleasing.

• 🌊 The Cold Water Cure: Karen shares her passion for cold water swimming and the physical and mental benefits it brings, from pain relief to mindfulness.

Join us for an insightful conversation that delves into the power of self-discovery, setting boundaries, and living authentically. Karen's story is a testament to the transformative power of lifestyle changes and personal growth.

#MindCakePodcast #Transformation #AutoimmuneProtocol #LifeCoaching #ColdWaterSwimming #PersonalGrowth

• 00:00 - Mind Cake is hosted by Lee Roberts and Karen Roberts

• 00:22 - Max started Vivendus after being diagnosed with arthritis at 21

• 05:51 - M is great with all dairy, which also is a blessing

• 12:32 - You've given up drinking to start a coaching business

• 15:04 - What are the most common challenges faced by your clients

• 19:24 - How do you help clients find fulfilment when they feel stuck or overwhelmed

• 21:22 - How do you measure progress or success with a client

• 27:14 - You talk about boundaries. So my question on boundaries is how important is setting boundaries

• 29:40 - How do you help clients identify what they actually want when maybe they don't

• 33:58 - You could draw your Venn diagram and see what overlaps in relationships

• 37:12 - If you could give younger self one piece of advice, what would it be

• 42:05 - Your daughter talks about confidence and just feelings on your podcast

• 47:50 - It came up that you like cold water swimming

• 52:55 - Karen Roberts has made a wooden whiskey barrel out of plastic

• 56:16 - Karen Roberts is creating content for LinkedIn and making paid workbooks

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!

#MindCakePodcast #Empowerment #SelfDiscovery #WellnessJourney

Connect with Karen Roberts

Visit Vivendus

Find Karen on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode, we sit down with the iconic voice of cricket, Jonathan Agnew, for an honest and heartfelt conversation. From his illustrious career as a player and beloved commentator to the personal and professional challenges he’s faced along the way, Jonathan opens up about:

• 🌍 Life on the Road: The strain of being away from home and its impact on relationships and mental health.

• 🏏 Mental Health in Sport: The immense pressures faced by athletes and the importance of mental well-being in cricket.

• 💪 Resilience in Tough Times: Supporting his wife through her breast cancer diagnosis and navigating life’s curveballs.

Tune in for insights that go beyond the boundary and resonate far beyond the world of cricket.

#JonathanAgnew #CricketLife #MentalHealthInSport #LifeBeyondTheBoundary #Resilience #MindCakePodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #CricketCommunity

Turning the Tables: Lee's Cancer Journey, Mental Health and Learning to Show Up

In this special bonus episode, Mind Cake guest Amy Alexander flips the script and puts Lee in the hot seat.

Together, they dive into Lee's personal journey—from his cancer diagnosis to the mental and emotional battles he faced, and what "showing up" truly meant for Lee during the hardest moments.

Lee opens up about the impact of cancer on his mental health, the turning points that helped him cope, and the practices that allowed him to find resilience and meaning.

Tune in for an honest, raw, and heartfelt conversation that reminds us all of the power of vulnerability, even when life takes us to our darkest places. #MindCakePodcast #BonusEpisode #MentalHealthJourney #CancerAwareness #Resilience #ShowingUp #CopingSkills #Vulnerability

"Energy is currency, and you get to choose where you put that energy."

In a fast-paced chaotic world, finding moments of calm and empowerment can feel out of reach. In this episode, Amy Alexander shares her transformative journey, one that led her to the peaceful shores of Bali and deep into the heart of yoga practice.

Diagnosed with scoliosis at a young age, Amy faced the difficult prospect of surgery and the challenges of a lifetime of physical limitations. But instead of giving in, she discovered the power of movement and mindfulness through yoga, using it as a path to healing and self-discovery. Bali’s spiritual atmosphere became a sanctuary where Amy could embrace her body’s journey, celebrate her strengths, and listen deeply to her own needs. Her story is a testament to the human spirit and a powerful reminder that true empowerment comes from within.

This episode also dives into the benefits of yoga as a holistic approach to health and well-being. Amy explores how yoga invites us to breathe deeply, live in the moment, and find balance in all areas of life. Her journey is a call to action for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed, demonstrating that yoga isn’t just a practice for seasoned yogis—it’s for everyone, no matter where you’re starting from.

Tune in to hear Amy’s inspiring story, discover the healing power of yoga, and find out how this practice can offer physical relief, mental clarity, and a deeper connection to yourself. Whether you're a long-time yoga enthusiast or a curious beginner, this episode has something special for you. Join us on this path of empowerment, healing, and transformation!

#Yoga #Mindfulness #Bali #Empowerment #Healing #WellnessJourney

"I ​see ​us ​as ​a ​holistic ​being. ​There ​is ​no ​separation ​between ​mind ​and ​body. ​We ​know ​that ​our ​thoughts ​can ​impact ​how ​we're ​feeling ​physically ​and how ​we're ​feeling ​physically ​can ​impact ​our ​thoughts ​and ​our ​emotional ​health ​as ​well."

In this enlightening episode of Mind Cake, we step into the tranquil therapy space of Lee-Anne Breen from Trossachs Wellbeing. Join us as we delve into the world of holistic healing, exploring the intricate mind-body connection and the transformative power of breathwork.

Lee-Anne shares her personal journey from battling emotional and physical health challenges to embracing complementary therapies like Reiki and acupuncture. Her insights into the interconnectedness of mind and body challenge the Western notion of separation, advocating for a holistic approach to well-being.

Discover the nuances of breathwork, from gentle mindful breathing to more intense techniques. Lee-Anne explains how these practices can lead to profound emotional releases and a deeper connection with one's inner self. We also touch upon the intriguing concept of sleep tape and the benefits of nasal breathing.

Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, this episode invites you to keep an open mind and perhaps, try a different 'cake' from the wellness cabinet.

#MindBodyConnection #HolisticHealing #Breathwork #Reiki #TrossachsWellbeing #PodcastLife #OpenMind #WellnessJourney