In Episode 23 of Well, That’s Awkward!, co-hosts Rachel Branson and Susan Osman explore a powerful shift in how we understand wellbeing — moving away from rigid, linear self-improvement and towards something far more human: the spiral.
This episode introduces the story behind Rachel’s Spiral cards, a reflective wellbeing tool designed not to “fix” you, but to help you understand yourself more deeply.
Why the Linear Wellbeing Model No Longer Works
For decades, the wellness industry has promoted a simple idea:
improve, progress, arrive.
But as Rachel explains in this episode, real life rarely follows a straight path. Instead, we revisit the same emotional landscapes again and again — stress, purpose, identity, relationships — each time from a slightly different perspective.
This is where the concept of the spiral emerges.
Rather than seeing repeated challenges as failure, the spiral reframes them as evidence of growth.
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The Spiral Concept: A New Way to Understand Growth
The spiral represents a journey that is:
- Non-linear – there is no final destination
- Cyclical – themes repeat, but with new awareness
- Expansive – each loop brings a broader perspective
- Gentle – progress doesn’t require constant forward motion
Rachel describes how this model reflects real human experience far more accurately than traditional goal-based systems. It allows space for setbacks, pauses, and reflection — without labelling them as failure.
How the Idea for the Spiral Cards Came to Life
The Spiral cards weren’t created as a product first — they emerged naturally from Rachel’s own exploration of wellbeing.
As Editor-in-Chief of Wellbeing Magazine, Rachel has spent years interviewing experts, exploring wellness practices, and observing patterns in how people grow, struggle, and evolve.
Over time, a clear insight surfaced:
People don’t need more information — they need better ways to process their experience.
The Spiral cards were designed to meet that need.
They act as:
- Prompts for reflection rather than instructions
- Anchors for awareness in moments of uncertainty
- Tools to pause in a world that constantly pushes forward
Unlike traditional oracle or tarot-style decks, the Spiral cards are not about prediction. They are about perspective.
What Problem the Spiral Cards Are Solving
Modern wellbeing often feels overwhelming:
- Too many tools
- Too much advice
- Constant pressure to improve
Rachel recognised that many people feel stuck not because they lack knowledge — but because they lack space to reflect.
The Spiral cards address this by helping users:
- Make sense of repeated patterns
- Navigate moments of feeling “stuck”
- Reframe the idea of “going backwards”
- Build a more compassionate relationship with themselves
They create a moment of interruption — a pause in the noise.
The Spiral as a Modern Wellbeing Toolkit
In Episode 23, Susan and Rachel explore how the Spiral cards could become an essential part of a modern wellbeing toolkit.
Not as something you use once and complete — but something you return to, again and again.
Because the power of the spiral lies in returning.
Returning to:
- the same question
- the same feeling
- the same theme
…but with new insight.
Why “Going Backwards” Might Actually Be Growth
One of the most powerful ideas in this episode is the reframe of regression.
That feeling of:
- “I thought I’d dealt with this”
- “Why am I back here again?”
The spiral suggests:
You’re not back at the beginning.
You’re meeting the same point from a higher level of awareness.
This shift alone can transform how we experience setbacks — turning frustration into curiosity.
A More Honest Approach to Wellbeing
What makes this episode of Well, That’s Awkward! so compelling is its honesty.
There are no quick fixes.
No 5-step plans.
No promises of constant progress.
Instead, Rachel Branson introduces a quieter, more sustainable idea:
Wellbeing isn’t about becoming someone new.
It’s about understanding yourself more deeply each time you return.
Listen to Episode 23
If you’ve ever felt like your wellbeing journey isn’t going in a straight line — this episode will resonate deeply.
Episode 23 explores:
- The origin of the Spiral cards
- Why linear self-improvement falls short
- How to reframe repeated patterns
- A more compassionate way to grow
Final Thoughts
The Spiral cards are more than a tool — they’re a philosophy.
In a world obsessed with forward motion, they offer something radically different:
Permission to pause.
Permission to return.
Permission to grow in your own way.
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Our Editorial Team are writers and experts in their field. Their views and opinions may not always be the views of Wellbeing Magazine. If you are under the direction of medical supervision please speak to your doctor or therapist before following the advice and recommendations in these articles.
