What really is toxic femininity—and how is it shaping our lives, relationships, and sense of self? In this powerful episode of Hey Soul Sista, I chat with mindfulness teacher Charlotte Thaarup about how cultural conditioning teaches women to be “nice” and self-sacrificing, and how those patterns can become toxic.

We explore everyday examples—like people-pleasing, gossip, victimhood, and indirect communication—and how they play out in friendships, workplaces, and relationships. Charlotte also shares practical tools for breaking free from these scripts and stepping into authenticity, accountability, and freedom.

If you’ve ever struggled with being “too nice” or dimming your truth, this conversation will inspire you to reflect, reset, and reclaim your voice.

Connect with Charlotte Thaarup:
🌐 themindfulnessclinic.com.au
📧 charlotte@themindfulnessclinic.com.au
🎧 Spotify: mindfulness_alive (meditations, articles, and free resources)

Connect with Mel Histon:
🎙️ Follow the Hey Soul Sista podcast wherever you listen
📸 Instagram: @melissahiston

📸 Instagram:@heysoulsistapodcast

Website: heysoulsista.com

 

 

What really is toxic femininity&mdash;and how is it shaping our lives, relationships, and sense of self? In this powerful episode of Hey Soul Sista, I chat with mindfulness teacher Charlotte Thaarup about how cultural conditioning teaches women to be &ldquo;nice&rdquo; and self-sacrificing, and how those patterns can become toxic.
We explore everyday examples&mdash;like people-pleasing, gossip, victimhood, and indirect communication&mdash;and how they play out in friendships, workplaces, and relationships. Charlotte also shares practical tools for breaking free from these scripts and stepping into authenticity, accountability, and freedom.
If you&rsquo;ve ever struggled with being &ldquo;too nice&rdquo; or dimming your truth, this conversation will inspire you to reflect, reset, and reclaim your voice.
Connect with Charlotte Thaarup: 🌐 <a data-start="2174" data-end="2244">themindfulnessclinic.com.au</a> 📧 <a data-start="2250" data-end="2287">charlotte@themindfulnessclinic.com.au</a> 🎧 Spotify: mindfulness_alive (meditations, articles, and free resources)
Connect with Mel Histon: 🎙️ Follow the Hey Soul Sista podcast wherever you listen 📸 <a href="mailto:Instagram:@melissahiston">Instagram: @melissahiston</a>
📸 <a href="mailto:Instagram:@heysoulsistapodcast">Instagram:@heysoulsistapodcast</a>
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://heysoulsista.com/">heysoulsista.com</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista—the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.

I’ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul—because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out. Because midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an awakening. 

And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come. So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine—no judgment here), and let’s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.

This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.

With love and soul, Mel Histon - your host xx

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista&mdash;the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL!&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you&rsquo;re in the right place.
Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.
I&rsquo;ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul&mdash;because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out. Because midlife isn&rsquo;t a crisis&mdash;it&rsquo;s an awakening.&nbsp;
And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come. So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine&mdash;no judgment here), and let&rsquo;s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.
This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.
With love and soul, Mel Histon - your host xx

Hey Soul Sista is the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Hey Soul Sista by Melissa Histon

 

Welcome to Hey Soul Sista—the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL! If you’re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you’re in the right place.

Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.

I’ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul—because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out.

Because midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s an awakening. And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come.

So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine—no judgment here), and let’s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.

This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.

With love and soul,

Mel Histon - your host xx

&nbsp;
Welcome to Hey Soul Sista&mdash;the podcast for women who are ready to live with more joy, purpose, and SOUL!&nbsp;If you&rsquo;re feeling the pull to re-discover yourself, embrace new possibilities, and create a life that truly lights you up, you&rsquo;re in the right place.
Each episode, I sit down with incredible women who are sharing their soulful wisdoms and finding deeper meaning in this life. We dive into real stories, honest conversations, and practical wisdom to help you feel inspired, seen, and ready to say YES to yourself.
I&rsquo;ll also bring on experts in health, wellness, mindset, and spirituality to share their best tips on how to nurture your body, mind, and soul&mdash;because thriving in midlife is about feeling good inside and out.
Because midlife isn&rsquo;t a crisis&mdash;it&rsquo;s an awakening. And Hey Soul Sista is here to remind you that the best is yet to come.
So hit that follow button, pour yourself a coffee (or a wine&mdash;no judgment here), and let&rsquo;s navigate this journey together with laughter, courage, and a whole lot of soul.
This is Hey Soul Sista, and you are exactly where you need to be.
With love and soul,
Mel Histon - your host xx

Hey Soul Sista 

Is your femininity toxic? - with Charlotte Thaarup

This is one of the most tender and powerful conversations I've ever shared on Hey Soul Sista.

My childhood friend, Melissa Demery, is a mother, dietician, and the heart behind the charity Charlie’s Run for Kids — but before anything else, she is Charlie Carr’s mum.

Charlie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just eight months old and spent her entire life courageously battling cancer. She passed away at eight years old.

In this episode, Mel shares:
The moment she was told her baby had stage 4 cancer
What it’s like to live through multiple relapses
The reality of palliative care as a mother
The impact of grief on relationships and identity
The heartbreaking conversation telling her son his sister would die
The moment Charlie took her final breath in her arms
All she has learned about love, acceptance and living your best life with joy!

She also shares a profound experience after Charlie’s passing that completely changed her understanding of life, death, and the soul.

This is a conversation about grief…
But also about courage, motherhood, legacy, and choosing to live fully — even after unimaginable loss.

Connect with Charlie's Run for Kids:
Instagram: charliesrun4kids
Website: https://www.charliesr4k.com/

Connect with Mel Histon: 
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!
Follow Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: @heysoulsistapodcast
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melissahiston
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com

This is one of the most tender and powerful conversations I've ever shared on Hey Soul Sista.
My childhood friend, Melissa Demery, is a mother, dietician, and the heart behind the charity Charlie&rsquo;s Run for Kids &mdash; but before anything else, she is Charlie Carr&rsquo;s mum.
Charlie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at just eight months old and spent her entire life courageously battling cancer. She passed away at eight years old.
In this episode, Mel shares:
<ul data-start="2627" data-end="2969">
<li data-section-id="nueynf" data-start="2627" data-end="2682">The moment she was told her baby had stage 4 cancer</li>
<li data-section-id="7lfq0n" data-start="2683" data-end="2735">What it&rsquo;s like to live through multiple relapses</li>
<li data-section-id="1e5ybdq" data-start="2736" data-end="2782">The reality of palliative care as a mother</li>
<li data-section-id="1w0sgzy" data-start="2783" data-end="2836">The impact of grief on relationships and identity</li>
<li data-section-id="11gvxj4" data-start="2837" data-end="2908">The heartbreaking conversation telling her son his sister would die</li>
<li data-section-id="591nj7" data-start="2909" data-end="2969">The moment Charlie took her final breath in her arms</li>
<li data-section-id="591nj7" data-start="2909" data-end="2969">All she has learned about love, acceptance and living your best life with joy!</li>
</ul>
She also shares a profound experience after Charlie&rsquo;s passing that completely changed her understanding of life, death, and the soul.
This is a conversation about grief&hellip; But also about courage, motherhood, legacy, and choosing to live fully &mdash; even after unimaginable loss.
Connect with Charlie's Run for Kids:
<ul>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Instagram: charliesrun4kids</li>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Website: <a href="https://www.charliesr4k.com/">https://www.charliesr4k.com/</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with Mel Histon:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!</li>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Follow Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: @heysoulsistapodcast</li>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Follow Mel on Instagram: @melissahiston</li>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li data-start="2971" data-end="3104">Website: heysoulsista.com</li>
</ul>

Mother, Melissa Demery, shares the unimaginable journey of losing her daughter — and the love, strength, and meaning she found in the aftermath.

She Held Her Daughter As She Died… Love, Loss & the Strength of a Mother

We all say it: “I was so triggered.”
But what’s actually happening in our brain, body, and nervous system when that wave hits?

In this deeply honest and practical conversation, host Mel Histon, sits down with psychologist Kaz Amos to unpack the science and the soul of emotional triggers — why they happen, where they come from, and how we can finally heal them.

Mel shares powerful personal stories — from family conflict to cancer surgeries — revealing how past experiences can live quietly in the body for years before suddenly resurfacing. Kaz brings clarity and compassion, explaining the psychology behind reactivity, trauma, nervous system responses, and why our reactions often make sense when we understand our history.

You’ll learn:

• What a trigger really is (and why it’s not “being dramatic”)
• The difference between reacting and responding
• How childhood and family experiences shape our emotional wiring
• Why small moments can feel overwhelming
• The surprising ways trauma lives in the body
• Practical tools to calm yourself in the moment
• How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps reframe thoughts
• What EMDR therapy is and how it helps heal trauma
• A simple SOS technique to regulate your nervous system fast
• Whether true emotional healing is possible

You are not broken. Your nervous system is trying to protect you.
And healing is possible.

🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward responding — not reacting.

Connect with Kaz:
Follow Kaz on Instagram: kaz.amos
Website: kazamos.com.au 
Through the Hummingbird Centre for psychology sessions, workshops, and speaking engagements. Hummingbird Centre

Connect with Mel:
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!
Follow Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: @heysoulsistapodcast
Follow Mel on Instagram: @melissahiston
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com

 

 

We all say it: &ldquo;I was so triggered.&rdquo; But what&rsquo;s actually happening in our brain, body, and nervous system when that wave hits?
In this deeply honest and practical conversation, host Mel Histon, sits down with psychologist Kaz Amos to unpack the science and the soul of emotional triggers &mdash; why they happen, where they come from, and how we can finally heal them.
Mel shares powerful personal stories &mdash; from family conflict to cancer surgeries &mdash; revealing how past experiences can live quietly in the body for years before suddenly resurfacing. Kaz brings clarity and compassion, explaining the psychology behind reactivity, trauma, nervous system responses, and why our reactions often make sense when we understand our history.
You&rsquo;ll learn:
&bull; What a trigger really is (and why it&rsquo;s not &ldquo;being dramatic&rdquo;) &bull; The difference between reacting and responding &bull; How childhood and family experiences shape our emotional wiring &bull; Why small moments can feel overwhelming &bull; The surprising ways trauma lives in the body &bull; Practical tools to calm yourself in the moment &bull; How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps reframe thoughts &bull; What EMDR therapy is and how it helps heal trauma &bull; A simple SOS technique to regulate your nervous system fast &bull; Whether true emotional healing is possible
You are not broken. Your nervous system is trying to protect you. And healing is possible.
🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward responding &mdash; not reacting.
Connect with Kaz:
<ul>
<li>Follow Kaz on Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaz.amos/">kaz.amos</a></li>
<li>Website: <a href="http://kazamos.com.au?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-start="1918" data-end="1957">kazamos.com.au</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Through the Hummingbird Centre for psychology sessions, workshops, and speaking engagements. <a href="https://www.hummingbirdcentre.com.au/our-team/kaz-amos/">Hummingbird Centre</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with Mel:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!</li>
<li>Follow&nbsp;Hey Soul Sista on Instagram: @heysoulsistapodcast</li>
<li>Follow Mel on Instagram: @melissahiston</li>
<li>Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.heysoulsista.com">heysoulsista.com</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

A powerful conversation on why we get emotionally triggered, what our reactions are really telling us, and how to finally heal.

Why You Get Triggered (It’s Not What You Think) — And How to Finally Heal

In this empowering episode, host Mel Histon and her guests, dive into why so many women hold back their voices—and why fear of judgment shouldn’t stop you from speaking up. Join Mel, Jamie Abbott and Alex Morris to explore:


Real stories of courage, authenticity, and speaking your truth


How societal pressures and “middle-age judgment” impact women


Practical advice for overcoming fear and embracing your confidence


Inspiring examples of women reclaiming their voices—regardless of age or background

Whether it’s speaking on stage, sharing your story online, or standing up in everyday life, this episode is your reminder: you’ll always be judged, so why not speak your truth anyway?

Listen in to feel empowered, inspired, and ready to show up as your boldest self.

Connect with JAIMIE ABBOTT: 
Follow Jaimie on Instagram: @jaimieabbott www.jaimieabbott.com.au
Listen Jaimie's podcast: Pitch Perfect with Jaimie Abbott

Connect with ALEX MORRIS:
Instagram @alexmorriswrite
Substack: alexmorriswrite.substack.com
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista

Connect with MEL HISTON:
Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!
Instagram @melissahiston
Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
Website: heysoulsista.com
Website: gotyourbacksista.com

 

In this empowering episode, host Mel Histon and her guests, dive into why so many women hold back their voices&mdash;and why fear of judgment shouldn&rsquo;t stop you from speaking up. Join Mel, Jamie Abbott and Alex Morris to explore:
<ul data-start="543" data-end="834">
<li data-section-id="1owwl6e" data-start="543" data-end="609">
Real stories of courage, authenticity, and speaking your truth
</li>
<li data-section-id="1uz4j8f" data-start="610" data-end="675">
How societal pressures and &ldquo;middle-age judgment&rdquo; impact women
</li>
<li data-section-id="140ydc7" data-start="676" data-end="746">
Practical advice for overcoming fear and embracing your confidence
</li>
<li data-section-id="5uunxe" data-start="747" data-end="834">
Inspiring examples of women reclaiming their voices&mdash;regardless of age or background
</li>
</ul>
Whether it&rsquo;s speaking on stage, sharing your story online, or standing up in everyday life, this episode is your reminder: you&rsquo;ll always be judged, so why not speak your truth anyway?
Listen in to feel empowered, inspired, and ready to show up as your boldest self.
Connect with JAIMIE ABBOTT:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Follow Jaimie on Instagram: @jaimieabbott <a href="https://www.jaimieabbott.com.au">www.jaimieabbott.com.au</a></li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Listen Jaimie's podcast: Pitch Perfect with Jaimie Abbott</li>
</ul>
Connect with ALEX MORRIS:
<ul>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Instagram @alexmorriswrite</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Substack: alexmorriswrite.substack.com</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
</ul>
Connect with MEL HISTON:
<ul>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista!</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Instagram @melissahiston</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Website: heysoulsista.com</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1110">Website: gotyourbacksista.com</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

In this episode, we explore why women fear judgment, share real stories of speaking up, and reveal why embracing your voice is the key to confidence and authenticity.

Is your femininity toxic? - with Charlotte Thaarup

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