BREAKTHROUGH with Hayden Brown
Break your long-term patterns. Create real change. Build a more purposeful life.
BREAKTHROUGH helps you create change in your life by uncovering the “why” behind the long-term patterns and emotional challenges keeping you stuck.
In each episode, Hayden and co-host Greg Burgoyne help you gain clarity on why you’re stuck, what you truly want, and what your next best steps are to get there.
Episodes feature in-depth insights and real questions from callers stuck in long-term patterns like self-sabotage, relationship challenges, self-doubt, emotional triggers, and a lack of clarity or direction.
You’ll gain the understanding, practical tools, and mindset to break your patterns and start living a more purposeful life.
Follow Hayden on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
Listen on:
Episodes
9 hours ago
9 hours ago
Why do some people shrink back from success… Even when everything they want is within reach?
Why does standing out feel dangerous… Even when staying small is quietly costing you everything?
In this episode of Breakthrough In-Depth, Hayden and Greg explore one of the most deeply embedded cultural forces shaping the lives of New Zealanders and Australians: Tall Poppy Syndrome.
And just how much it may be holding you back without you even realising it.
Most people are aware of Tall Poppy Syndrome on the surface, they've felt the sting of being cut down, or noticed themselves holding back to avoid judgment, criticism, or damaged relationships.
Instead, many stay stuck, playing small and dimming their potential… Unknowingly bound by an unspoken social contract they absorbed from family, culture, and the world around them.
In this episode, we break down what Tall Poppy Syndrome actually is, where it comes from culturally and psychologically, and how it silently shapes your business, health, relationships, and sense of self.
👉 If you've ever found yourself:
• Feeling like you have to hold back to keep others comfortable
• Sensing you have more potential but feeling an invisible handbrake stopping you
• Worrying that success, visibility, or standing out will cost you your relationships
• Dismissing your own ambitions under the guise of humility or gratitude
👉 This episode will help you:
• Understand what Tall Poppy Syndrome actually is and where it comes from
• Recognise how it may be quietly limiting your business, health, and relationships
• Identify the unspoken social contracts you've been unconsciously living by
• Begin taking purposeful steps toward your potential, without losing your sense of belonging
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the "why" behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
Watch episode one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkmcZHaOI8&list=PLha8g7XKIK0Oyr7c2eazfNdhwScUDDJdk
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Wednesday Jun 10, 2026
Wednesday Jun 10, 2026
How much of your life is being shaped by fear… without you even realising it?
Nicki asks: “How do I stop fear of abandonment from controlling my life?”
After years of trauma, loss, and emotional pain, Nicki feels disconnected from herself, stuck in unhealthy patterns of self-sabotage, and unsure how to move forward.
She shares how a painful affair, ongoing health struggles, and a long-standing fear of abandonment have left her feeling trapped in cycles of emotional eating, overthinking, and self-doubt.
In this episode of BREAKTHROUGH, we explore the correlation between past trauma, self-sabotage, and identity.
We unpack why so many of the behaviours we judge in ourselves are often unconscious coping strategies designed to protect us from pain, and how unresolved emotional wounds can shape our relationships, health, and decision-making for years.
We also explore why fear of abandonment often has less to do with losing a valued relationship and more to do with the meaning we attach to it.
👉 If you’ve ever found yourself:
• repeating self-sabotaging behaviours you can't seem to break
• struggling with emotional eating, overthinking, or avoidance
• losing your sense of self after trauma, or a painful relationship
👉 This episode will help you:
• understand the connection between past trauma and your self-sabotage
• identify how fear of abandonment may be influencing your relationship
• begin rebuilding a stronger sense of self based on your values instead of fears
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the "why" behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
This episode explores how self-sabotage is rarely the real problem… but often a protective response to pain that no longer serves the life you're trying to create.
Watch episode one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkmcZHaOI8&list=PLha8g7XKIK0Oyr7c2eazfNdhwScUDDJdk
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Tuesday May 26, 2026
Tuesday May 26, 2026
Why does success sometimes create more pressure…
More comparison… and more fear of being “found out”?
Andy asks: “Why do I doubt myself at work? I feel like an imposter?” He shares how, despite reaching a prestigious position in his career, he constantly compares himself to others, feels like he doesn’t belong, and worries he’s somehow not truly capable enough for the role he’s in.
In this episode of BREAKTHROUGH, we unpack the deeper psychology behind imposter syndrome, comparison, and burnout.
We explore how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the pressure to constantly prove yourself can create a lifelong pattern of overcompensating, burnout, and never feeling “good enough” — no matter how much success you achieve externally.
We also explore how many people unknowingly build their identity around trying to meet the expectations and values of others, rather than understanding what genuinely gives them purpose and fulfilment.
👉 If you’ve ever found yourself:
• feeling like you’re “behind” or not good enough despite external success
• overworking, overcompensating, or burning yourself out
• feeling like eventually people will realise you’re not as capable as they think
• struggling to acknowledge or appreciate your achievements
👉 This episode will help you:
• understand the deeper psychological roots behind imposter syndrome
• recognise how over-delivering and people-pleasing patterns may be running your life
• begin separating your authentic identity from the expectations you’ve absorbed from others
This episode explores how self-doubt is often less about capability… and more about the unconscious expectations and coping strategies we build our identity around.
Watch episode one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkmcZHaOI8&list=PLha8g7XKIK0Oyr7c2eazfNdhwScUDDJdk
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Download the full values resource for free at https://breakthroughpod.com/
You know your values. You've gained clarity on what truly drives you.
But how do you actually build a life around them?
How do you turn insights into action and create sustainable change that lasts?
In Part 3 of our foundational Values series, Hayden and Greg dive deep into the practical strategies for designing your life around your values and purpose.
This isn't about more self-discovery - it's about implementation. You'll learn the exact frameworks and systems that help you translate your values into daily actions, weekly rhythms, and long-term vision.
Most people get stuck in the planning phase, endlessly journaling about their ideal life but never taking the concrete steps to build it. Others rush into action without proper foundation, leading to burnout and misalignment.
👉 If you've ever found yourself:
• Clear on what you want but unsure how to get there
• Starting strong but losing momentum after a few weeks
• Feeling overwhelmed by all the areas you want to improve
• Struggling to balance competing priorities and values
👉 This episode will help you:
• Create a compelling vision that emotionally excites you
• Use the "funeral exercise" to clarify what truly matters
• Apply the 80/20 rule to focus on high-impact actions
• Design sustainable weekly rhythms that honour your values
• Identify and overcome the blocks that derail your progress
Greg shares real examples from his own life design process, including how he and his wife Laura created a sustainable rhythm they never want to take a holiday from.
You'll discover why change of place + change of pace = change of perspective, and get practical frameworks for turning your values into a life you love living.
This is where transformation happens - when clarity meets action.
Watch episode one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkmcZHaOI8&list=PLha8g7XKIK0Oyr7c2eazfNdhwScUDDJdk
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Download the full values resource for free at https://breakthroughpod.com/
Ever wondered what truly drives the most successful, fulfilled people you know?
It's not just talent, luck, or circumstances...
It's their crystal-clear understanding of their core values and life purpose.
In Part 2 of our 3-part foundational series, Hayden takes you through the exact same process he uses with high-performing clients to uncover their deepest drivers and life purpose.
You'll watch a real, unscripted session as Matt (Hayden's accountant) discovers his true values through Hayden's proven framework - the same process that has transformed hundreds of lives.
Most people live according to values they've never consciously chosen - values inherited from family, society, or circumstance. This leaves them feeling unfulfilled, constantly comparing themselves to others, and chasing goals that look good but don't truly satisfy.
👉 If you've ever felt:
• Unclear about your true direction in life
• Like you're working hard but not feeling fulfilled
• Confused about what really matters most to you
• Stuck trying to live up to others' expectations
👉 This episode will help you:
• Discover your authentic core values through practical exercises
• Understand what gives you genuine energy and purpose
• Learn to distinguish between your values and others' expectations
• Create a clear foundation for meaningful decision-making
This is where theory meets practice. You'll see exactly how the process works and can follow along with your own answers.
In Part 3, we'll show you how to turn these insights into actionable strategies for building a life aligned with your true values.
Watch episode one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkmcZHaOI8&list=PLha8g7XKIK0Oyr7c2eazfNdhwScUDDJdk
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Wednesday Apr 22, 2026
Download the full values resource for free at https://breakthroughpod.com/
Why do some things energise you… While others drain you completely?
Why are you disciplined and reliable in some areas of your life… Yet avoid responsibility in others?
In this episode of Breakthrough In-Depth, Hayden and Greg explore the single most important foundation for creating real change and building a meaningful life:
Understanding how your values impact your life.
Most people lack real clarity on what truly drives them - what gives them a sense of purpose and direction.
Instead, many stay stuck, unfulfilled, and unclear… Unknowingly trying to live according to expectations and injected values they’ve absorbed from family, society, or others.
In Part 1 of this 3-part foundational series, we break down what your values and purpose priorities actually are, where they come from, and how they shape your actions, self-worth, and mental health outcomes.
👉 If you’ve ever found yourself:
• Feeling stuck, burnt out, or unclear on your direction in life
• Constantly comparing yourself to others or feeling like you’re behind
• Feeling unfulfilled or chasing goals that “look good” but don’t truly fulfil you
👉 This episode will help you:
• Understand what values actually are
• Learn how your values influence every area of your life
• Recognise how trying to live by the values of others will lead to a lack of clarity, frustration, and self-judgment.
This episode lays the foundation for our 3-part Values series.
In Part 2, Hayden walks you through the practical framework he uses with clients to uncover their true values and purpose priorities.
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com T
o learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
Tuesday Apr 07, 2026
You can want connection… Yet still feel like you can’t trust that you won’t be let down.
Indy asks… “Why can’t I trust people after losing someone I loved?”
She describes feeling unable to trust others after experiencing loss, noticing a pattern of pulling back, questioning people, and expecting disappointment, even when she genuinely wants connection.
In this episode, we explore what regularly sits beneath this pattern for many who value relationships.
Emotional protection, past experiences of grief, and the unconscious patterns that can shape how we try to connect with others.
👉 If you’ve ever found yourself:
• struggling to trust people after being hurt or losing someone
• pulling back or feeling guarded in relationships
• expecting disappointment even when things seem to be going well
• wanting real connection but feeling like something is holding you back
👉 This episode will help you:
• identify what past experiences may be shaping your current relationships
• change the protective patterns that may be keeping you guarded
• get clearer on what it would look like to build trust in a more authentic way
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern. This episode helps you reflect on the hidden foundations you may be building relationships on and what it could look like to move toward something more honest, grounded, and aligned.
Watch another episode of the podcast here: https://youtu.be/ZQm5JNyTIIM
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
You can want love… yet lose yourself in relationships.
Steve asks… “Why do I lose myself in relationships?”
He describes a pattern of meeting someone, falling hard, overlooking red flags, and then almost losing himself in the relationship, only to find himself in the same painful cycle again.
In this episode, we explore what often sits beneath that pattern… Infatuation, fantasy, people-pleasing, pain avoidance, and the unconscious beliefs that can drive us to seek euphoria while ignoring what isn’t truly aligned.
We also look at how earlier relational wounds and self-judgments can shape the kind of persona we bring into relationships and why losing yourself often starts long before the relationship itself.
👉 If you’ve ever found yourself:
• falling hard and ignoring obvious red flags
• trying to be who someone else needs you to be in a relationship
• confusing chemistry or euphoria with real alignment
• repeating painful relationship patterns and not fully understanding why
👉 This episode will help you:
• understand why infatuation can make you overlook what isn’t aligned
• identify how pain avoidance and fantasy may be shaping your relationship patterns
• reflect on the earlier wounds or beliefs that may be driving this cycle
• get clearer on what a healthy, values-aligned relationship would actually look like
The goal of BREAKTHROUGH is to help you uncover the “why” behind your challenges and gain clarity on your next best steps to break the pattern.
This episode helps you reflect on the hidden foundations you may be building relationships on and what it could look like to move toward something more honest, grounded, and aligned.
Watch the episode on youtube here: https://youtu.be/zgqwHUhvjVo
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.
Friday Mar 13, 2026
Friday Mar 13, 2026
How do you sustain focus so you can follow through on the goals you set?
In Part 2 of our Breakthrough In-Depth goal-setting special, Hayden and Greg give you practical strategies you can use to finally stick to your goals.
In the previous episode, we explored why most goals fail.
In this episode, we focus on the next question: How do you actually succeed?
This episode is about tools to take action… even when the motivation drops.
We break down the questions, frameworks, and tools that help you turn meaningful goals into consistent action through habit building and practical implementation.
We explore how identity, environment, and community shape your behaviour and why aligning your goals with your values drastically increases the probability of achievement.
In this episode you’ll learn:
• How your values and identity shape whether goals stick or fail
• The role environment and community play in sustaining change
• How to increase buy-in and “link” your goals to multiple areas of your life
• Why understanding the “cost” of a goal is critical for long-term commitment
• Practical tools to help you take action even when motivation drops
We also reference our Goal-Setting Resource in this episode to help you set and achieve your goals.
This resource guides you through the exercises discussed in this episode so you can clarify your priorities, set meaningful goals, and build habits that actually support them.
You can download it here: https://breakthroughpod.com
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Tuesday Mar 10, 2026
Why do so many people set goals… but fail to follow through?
In this first episode of Breakthrough In-Depth, our two-part series on goal setting, Hayden and Greg unpack the psychology behind why most goals don’t stick, even when we say we’re committed.
This episode focuses specifically on why most goals fail, exploring the psychological reasons goals collapse before we move into the practical tools in Part 2.
Many goals fail not because of a lack of discipline, but because they’re built on borrowed expectations, short-term motivation, or a misalignment with what we truly value.
In this conversation, we explore the difference between chasing goals to avoid pain or seek pleasure, versus pursuing goals that are aligned with your deeper values and long-term purpose.
In this episode you’ll learn:
• Why most goals and New Year’s resolutions fail
• The psychological patterns that cause goals to collapse
• The difference between pain-driven motivation and purpose-driven goals
• How “borrowed goals” or injected values can sabotage your progress
• How your perceived identity shapes your ability to follow through
• The habit framework that makes behaviour change more sustainable
This episode focuses on the psychology behind goal setting. In Part 2, we go deeper into the practical tools, questions, and frameworks you can use to create aligned actions and finally achieve your goals.
Want your question answered on the show? Submit your question here: https://breakthroughpod.com
To learn more about working with me privately, visit: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Follow Hayden on Social Media
Website: https://haydenbrownpsychology.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haydenbrownofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haydenhumanbehaviour/
Follow Greg on Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregburgoyne/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregburgoyne/
Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and personal growth purposes only. The content shared on this show is not a substitute for individual medical, psychological, or mental health advice. We do not diagnose or treat disease or provide medical care. Case studies and stories are shared to help illustrate concepts and create insight. Names and identifying details are regularly changed to protect confidentiality.