Today on The Rest Effect Podcast I’m joined by Kirsty Hagen, founder of Essential Earthing. You may remember Kirsty from Rest Easy Expo, where she shared her wisdom as both a vendor and a speaker. This time, she’s joining us to talk about her upcoming Yoga Nidra & Journaling session at Breathe on *Saturday 30th August. Yoga Nidra—often called yogic sleep—is a powerful practice that invites you into a state of true nervous system rest. With Kirsty’s gentle guidance, you’ll be able to let g...

In this episode of The Rest Effect Podcast, I sit down with Tanya Ramprasad from Inner Atman Expressions to explore the healing power of creativity, presence, and expression. Tanya shares the story of how she was called to become a Creative Arts Therapist and Holistic Counsellor, and why she believes art-making can reach places that words alone can’t. We talk about the benefits of her unique approach—how combining creative arts, somatic awareness, and counselling offers a safe, supportive way...

What if your breath was the key to unlocking clarity, resilience, and inner strength? In this episode, I chat with Olympian, breathwork coach, and speaker Anna-Liza Mopio-Jane. A proud Papua New Guinean and former elite swimmer, Anna-Liza represented her country at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, three Commonwealth Games, and five World Championships. Today, she helps high achievers—from CEOs to athletes—regulate their nervous systems, reconnect with their truth, and rise into their fullest potent...

What actually is hypnosis—and what isn’t it? In this powerful episode, I chat with Amanda Cremonini, founder of the Worthy AF Club, Self-Worth Coach, and Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapist. If you’ve ever been curious about subconscious programming and how hypnosis can help you shift deep patterns of burnout, people-pleasing, and perfectionism—this one’s for you. Amanda shares her personal journey from chronic overachiever to self-worth advocate, how hypnosis became a life-changing tool in...

In this episode of the Rest Easy podcast, I’m joined by Sherree Sparks, CEO and founder of SipSistah, a wellness brand born from a deeply personal journey through menopause, hydration, and healing. After struggling with the frustrating symptoms of menopause, Sherree discovered something unexpected during her research into hydration: hydrogen water. Unlike regular water, this supercharged version is infused with extra hydrogen molecules, providing a powerful antioxidant boost that neutralises ...

In this episode, we're joined by Rebecca Roberson from One80Coaching – a returning vendor and speaker from last year’s Rest Easy Expo. We start by reflecting on the beautiful energy of last year’s event—the atmosphere, the community, and what makes Rest Easy so different from your typical expo. Spoiler alert: it’s all about real connection, genuine care, and unapologetic self-care. Becc shares her refreshing take on rest and self-care, reminding us that rest doesn’t always mean sleep. It migh...

In this soothing episode, Holly chats with Neeka from ASMR Massage — Brisbane’s, and Australia’s, very first dedicated women’s-only ASMR massage experience. With over 22 years in the wellness industry, Neeka shares her journey to discovering ASMR and how it inspired her to create a unique sanctuary for women seeking calm through sensory relaxation. She explains what ASMR really is, the difference between auditory and tactile sensations, and the array of tools and techniques she uses to create...

In this episode, Holly is joined by Cassandra Roberts from Finding Your Wild Potential—a social worker with over eight years’ experience in the mental health field, a Dare to Lead trained practitioner, and a qualified Mental Health First Aid instructor. Through her work, Cassandra helps people reconnect with themselves, their mental wellbeing, and what truly matters. Cassandra shares what it means to be a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and why she believes everyone should have mental heal...

In this episode, Holly sits down with returning Rest Easy Expo vendor and group session facilitator Rachel from Restorative Rach. A passionate advocate for breathwork, Rachel shares how this powerful practice transformed her own life—from high stress and emotional overwhelm to grounded calm and resilience. You'll learn what breathwork actually is, how learning to breathe with intention can help you regulate emotions, navigate everyday stress, and reconnect with your body and mind. Rachel also...

In this episode, I chat with Ann Whitaker from Ann Whitaker Style—a colour and image consultant and self-described confidence creator. Ann shares her insight into how dressing well is more than just about appearance—it's a powerful form of self-care. We explore the magic of wearing the right colours for you and how it can shift how you feel, boost your confidence, and even change the way others respond to you. From helping with career promotions to attracting aligned people into your life, An...

In today’s episode, I chat with Jesse, the founder of Breastezz Pillow, a groundbreaking product designed to provide ultimate comfort while laying on your front. Jesse’s journey started with a simple yet significant question—why was it so uncomfortable to lie face down during a massage? After experiencing this discomfort herself, she realised she couldn’t be the only woman facing this challenge. Inspired by a dream, Jesse set out to design a pillow that would alleviate this problem, and after...

In this dreamy episode, I’m joined by the incredible Melissa Johnson — owner of Night Nectar and The Dream Hub, and a returning favourite from last year’s Rest Easy Expo. We reflect on the magic of last year’s event, the friendly energy, the connections made, and the collaborations that blossomed after the day was done. Melissa shares what she’s bringing to this year’s expo, including her beautiful Night Nectar Sleep & Dream Tea — crafted to support deeper rest and vivid dreaming — with a...

In this episode of the Rest Easy Expo Podcast, Holly sits down with Suzanne Butler from Harmonising Energies with Feng Shui to explore how the energy of your environment can shape every aspect of your life—from your mental health and sleep to your relationships, finances, and overall sense of well-being. Suzanne reflects on her wonderful experience as a vendor at last year’s Rest Easy Expo and shares real stories of how she’s helped clients transform their homes—and their lives—through the po...

In this episode of the Rest Easy Expo podcast, I chat with Kirsty Hagen, the founder of Essential Earthing, a beautiful business dedicated to crafting natural self-care products with love. Kirsty shares the inspiring story of why she started her business, and how she uses the emotional characteristics of essential oils to create her unique recipes and blends. We discuss the importance of being mindful of what we put on our bodies, especially when it comes to self-care products, and why the ha...

We’re welcoming back a returning favourite on the podcast – the inspiring Ana Salido, Self-Care & Empowerment Coach! Ana is joining us at this year’s Rest Easy Expo not only as a vendor but also as a featured speaker. In this episode, Ana gives us a preview of her powerful talk, "Self-Care & Your Hormonal Cycle," where she dives into how women can honour their natural rhythms, understand the power of their cycle, and begin working with their body rather than against it. This is a must...

Are weighted blankets really the sleep saviour they claim to be? Do essential oils actually calm the nervous system? And can a cup of herbal tea truly help you drift off into dreamland? In this episode of the Rest Easy Expo Podcast, host Holly Allen dives into the science behind these popular sleep aids to separate fact from fiction. Discover how deep pressure stimulation from weighted blankets can ease anxiety, why lavender oil is more than just a nice scent, and which herbal teas have real ...

In this episode, we’re diving into practical strategies for managing stress, especially when life feels overwhelming. Whether you’re navigating year-end pressures, juggling multiple setbacks, or just feeling the weight of it all, this conversation is packed with tips to help you stay calm, focused, and resilient. We’ll explore: How to prioritise what truly matters.Simple self-care practices that make a big difference.The power of reframing setbacks as opportunities for growth.Quick stress-bus...

In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Holly sits down with Jo Goddard from ImHer Women's Wellbeing—an inspiring author, Kahuna bodywork practitioner, and sensuality and pleasure mentor for women. Jo shares her remarkable journey of self-discovery and healing, offering insights into how embracing pleasure can be one of the most powerful forms of self-care. Jo opens up about her past, where she seemed to have it all but felt disconnected from her true self. As a parent facing burn...

Join in this episode as Holly sits down with Anna Foley, a Gold Leader with doTERRA and mum of three, to explore her personal journey of learning that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Anna opens up about how she struggled to embrace self-care, especially as a busy mum, and how she came to terms with its importance for her well-being and her family. She shares how she now weaves moments of self-care into her everyday life, from simple rituals to intentional use of essential oils for e...

In this episode, I chat with with Adrien Sala, the creative mind behind WikiSleep—an innovative sleep app designed for curious minds. Born out of a personal need during the pandemic, WikiSleep blends storytelling with calming content to help listeners drift off effortlessly. Adrien shares his journey from reading Wikipedia pages over soothing music to creating a growing library of content designed to distract the mind and guide it gently into rest. We explore the pr...