Therapy Works
Bestselling author and psychotherapist Julia Samuel invites listeners into her therapy room for conversations with known and unknown voices about life's biggest challenges. The podcast features therapeutic discussions that may evoke difficult emotions but ultimately bring light. Each episode concludes with Julia reflecting on the session with her two psychotherapist daughters, revealing that not all therapists agree on everything.
Episodes
Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely?
In this week's Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels deeply lonely despite appearing successful on the outside. Together, they explore why being truly known can feel so frightening, how fear of vulnerability keeps us disconnected, and why meaningful relationships begin with allowing ourselves to be seen. They discuss the difference bet
BONUS: Manon Lagrève on The Confidence to Be Yourself
This week, Julia is joined by cook, bestselling author and content creator Manon Lagrève for a heartfelt conversation about confidence, family and the values that truly sustain us. Together they explore imposter syndrome, social media comparison, motherhood and why genuine confidence comes not from perfection, but from staying connected to who we really are.
They also discuss the importance of e
Agony Aunties: Relationship Anxiety - Am I Overthinking or Is Something Wrong?
This week on Agony Aunties, they answer a listener's heartfelt question about what happens when a relationship begins to feel different. After two and a half years together, her boyfriend seems less affectionate, leaving her questioning whether this is simply the natural evolution of long-term love or a sign that something deeper has changed. The Agony Aunties explore why we so often create storie
Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely After Having a Baby?
In this episode of Agony Aunties, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels isolated after moving away from the city to start a family. Together they explore the unexpected loneliness of early motherhood, the lasting impact of childhood experiences on our sense of belonging, why we often protect the people we love by hiding our own struggles, and how small acts
Agony Aunties: Caring for a Difficult Parent
This episode of Agony Aunties tackles the emotional complexity of caring for an ageing parent when the relationship has always been difficult. Emily and Sophie respond to a listener whose 89-year-old mother’s declining health has reignited painful childhood wounds, sibling conflict, and feelings of duty, resentment, and guilt. Together, they explore how old family dynamics resurface during times o
Agony Aunties: How to Survive the Summer Holidays
The Agony Aunties are back, answering a listener's question about the pressures of parenting through the long summer holidays. Together, Sophie and Emily explore the guilt so many parents feel when they can't provide the picture-perfect summer they see elsewhere, why boredom may be far more valuable than we think, and how to help teenagers develop resilience, creativity and independence. They disc
Agony Aunties: Why Am I Never Good Enough?
This week on Agony Aunties, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a listener who has recently graduated but is struggling to feel proud of their achievement. Despite earning a good degree, comparisons with a high-achieving sibling and the pressure of perceived family expectations have left them feeling flat and unable to celebrate their success. Together, they explore the impact of comparison, perfec
Agony Aunties: I Bottle Everything Up Until I Explode
This week on Agony Aunties, they respond to a listener who avoids difficult conversations until their feelings spill out in anger or tears. Together, they explore why conflict can feel so threatening, how our childhood experiences shape the way we handle disagreement, and why keeping the peace often comes at the cost of our own needs. From conflict-avoidant partners to family dynamics, boundaries
Agony Aunties: My Husband Is Always On His Phone. How Do We Reconnect?
This week on Agony Aunties, the girls tackle a listener dilemma that will feel familiar to many couples: what happens when you're sharing a sofa but no longer feeling emotionally connected? As one listener opens up about feeling lonely in her marriage while her husband spends most evenings on his phone, Sophie, Emily and Julia explore why technology can so easily replace meaningful connection, and
Agony Aunties: Feeling Overwhelmed by the World?
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, Julia and her daughters respond to a listener struggling with the overwhelming anxiety of living in a world shaped by climate crisis, political unrest, social media overload, and constant bad news. Together, they explore how to stay compassionate and informed without becoming emotionally consumed — discussing everything from nervous system regulation and infor
Celebration Day: Megan Jones on Grief, Loss and the Parents Who Shaped Her
In this episode, I speak with England rugby captain Megan Jones about grief, pressure, identity and what it means to keep going when life changes completely. Megan shares the experience of losing both of her parents within six months, growing up alongside her mother’s addiction, and how rugby, journaling and the people around her have helped her carry both pain and love at the same time.
Ahead of
How to Make Life Happier with Mark Williamson (BONUS EP)
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia is joined by Mark Williamson, co-founder and director of Action for Happiness and author of the number one bestselling book Make Life Happier. Together, they explore what happiness really means, not as a perfect destination, but as a direction of travel shaped by agency, relationships, kindness, purpose and the small actions we take each day.
Mark reflects
Agony Aunties: When Your Adult Child Won’t Move Out
This week, our Agony Aunties tackle a dilemma that is becoming the "new normal" for many: the 30-something child who simply won’t fly the nest. When a listener writes in feeling a mix of deep love and growing resentment toward her 33-year-old son, the team explores how to transition from a parent-child dynamic to a boundary-led adult relationship. From discussing the "maturation crisis" among youn
Arit Anderson On Parkinson’s, Chelsea Flower Show And The Healing Power Of Gardens
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by garden designer, writer and Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson to talk about the deeply personal story behind her Chelsea Flower Show garden for Parkinson’s UK. Arit shares how her sister’s Parkinson’s diagnosis inspired the garden, and how she hopes it will raise awareness, understanding and support for those living with the condition.
We als
Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Alone in My Grief?
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily, Sophie and Julia respond to a moving question from a listener navigating grief after the loss of her husband, and the added pain of feeling let down by her siblings. Together, they explore the loneliness that can follow bereavement, why family members often struggle to show up in the way we need, and how unspoken expectations, old family dynamics and fear arou
Helen Fielding on Grief, Bridget Jones and Being Loved As You Are (LIVE)
In this special bonus episode of Therapy Works, recorded live, I’m joined by the wonderful Helen Fielding - journalist, novelist, and creator of the iconic Bridget Jones. Together we explore the challenge of writing about grief, the death of Mark Darcy, and the tender, complicated reality of supporting children through loss, while still allowing space for laughter, mess, and life.Helen speaks with
Agony Aunties: How to Help Your Teen With Exam Stress and Anxiety
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a parent struggling to support their son through GCSE exam stress, offering a compassionate reminder that while exams can feel overwhelming, the most powerful thing a parent can provide is connection—not solutions. The Agony Aunties explore how to open supportive, pressure-free conversations, encourage collaboration rather than control, and gently help
EXPERT EPISODE: Amir Levine on How to Build Secure Love
In this episode, I speak with psychiatrist, neuroscientist and author Amir Levine about his new book Secure, and how we can move towards more secure attachment in our relationships. Amir explains why attachment is not a fixed label, but something far more flexible and alive, shaped by the people and environments around us. We explore the biology of connection, why exclusion can feel like physical
Agony Aunties: Coping with Financial Anxiety in Uncertain Times
The Agony Aunties respond to a heartfelt question from a listener struggling with ongoing financial stress following COVID and the rising cost of living. They explore how money anxiety taps into deep feelings of uncertainty, lack of control, and shame, and why these pressures can ripple into sleep, relationships, and family dynamics. The Agony Aunties gently reframe the experience, encouraging sel
Liz Earle on Why Midlife Could Be Your Best Chapter Yet
In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Liz Earle, entrepreneur, author and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing, to talk about her powerful new book, How To Age. Together we explore what it really means to age well, and how midlife can become a time not of decline, but of renewal. Liz shares her own experience of turning 60, navigating divorce, loneliness and hormonal change, and how sh
Agony Aunties: Is This Grief or ADHD?
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener facing multiple bereavements, a late ADHD diagnosis, and ongoing anxiety, leaving her unsure how to understand what she’s feeling or what support she needs. They explore how grief, trauma, and ADHD symptoms often overlap, suggesting it’s more helpful to focus on regulating the nervous system than trying to separate causes. They discuss the i
Michael Morpurgo on Secrets, Loss, and the Stories That Save Us
In this episode, I sit down with Michael Morpurgo to talk about loss, memory and the quiet, often unspoken truths that shape a life. He speaks so movingly about growing older and the particular pain of outliving those you love, and how grief doesn’t disappear but changes form over time. We explore the hidden fractures of his childhood, the silence around family secrets, and the lasting imprint of
Agony Aunties: How Do You Handle the "Death Admin" While You’re Still Grieving?
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, we’re diving into a heartbreakingly relatable question: how do you manage the mountain of "Death Admin" - wills, probate, and paperwork - when you’re still in the fog of bereavement? Julia and Sophie explore the "two-track" reality of loss. They share why we need to stop rushing, how to "scaffold" your brain with the right support, and how to silence the "shit
Joanna King on Caring for a Parent with Alzheimer’s
In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Joanna King for a moving conversation about what it means to care for a parent with young onset Alzheimer’s while also raising young children of your own. Joanna speaks with extraordinary honesty about the death of her father, the slow and painful loss of the mother she knew, and the emotional complexity of being caught in that in-between space of loving
Julia Bradbury on Life After Cancer and Why Busyness Isn’t Healing
In this moving conversation, I talk to Julia Bradbury about the emotional aftermath of cancer, the pressure to keep going, and the hidden ways busyness can stop us feeling. We explore her new book Hack Yourself Healthy, the difference between reacting and responding, and why true wellness has to include our emotional lives as much as our physical health.
Julia Bradbury also reflects on childhood
EXPERT EPISODE: Returning to Work After Motherhood with Dolly Jones
In this episode, Emily Samuel is joined by author, journalist and digital strategist Dolly Jones to talk about her brilliant new book Leaving the Ladder Down and the messy, moving, often unspoken reality of motherhood and work. We talk about what happens when you return to work after having children and feel as though you’re expected to carry on as if nothing has changed, the silence and awkwardne
Jon Fox on Grieving the Future and the Injustice of Loss
This week, I am joined by Jon Fox for a deeply moving conversation about a love that was "robbed" of its time. After both surviving cancer, Jon and Katie found a profound connection online, only for Katie to tragically pass away at just 28 years old, mere months into their relationship. Jon opens up about the unique "injustice" of grieving a future that had barely begun and the complexity of navig
Agony Aunties: What to Say When Your Child Asks About War
The Agony Aunties respond to a listener grappling with how to talk to their children about the deeply unsettling news of the current war involving Iran - something many families are hearing about daily, often in fragments through headlines, playground conversations, or social media. With reports of airstrikes, civilian casualties, and even children affected by the conflict, they explore how to str
Thomasina Miers on Cooking, ADHD and Coming Home to Yourself
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by chef, writer, restaurateur and MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers for a rich and honest conversation about mental health, food, family and finding your way back to yourself. Thomasina speaks openly about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her twenties, later exploring ADHD, and the long journey of moving from shame and feeling “broken” towards s
Agony Aunties: When Grief Is Triggered by Other People’s Children
In this Agony Aunties episode, Julia and Emily respond to a deeply moving question from a mother whose son died suddenly at 12. Together, they explore the painful jealousy and grief that can arise when seeing other families, especially teenage boys, living out the future her son should have had. They talk about why these reactions are not something to be ashamed of, but an expression of love, los
How Families Are Made in More Ways Than One with Rebecca Coxon
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Rebecca Coxon — writer, journalist and documentary director, and author of the book Inconceivable. Rebecca speaks with extraordinary honesty about living with endometriosis, fertility struggles, and the many different forms abandonment can take. We talk about the shock of discovering in adulthood that the man who raised her is not her biological fath
EXPERT EPISODE: Pelvic Floor, Pleasure & Power - The “LibDdo” Conversation with Lucy Kohli
In this expert episode, Sophie is joined by Lucy Kohli - a LiBDO-trained practitioner and yoga teacher - for a refreshingly honest chat about pelvic health, libido, and what it really means to feel alive in your body again. We talk about why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies after childbirth, illness, ageing (or just… life), and how pelvic floor strength isn’t only about “leaking”
Sarah Perry on What Death Can Teach Us About Living
Today I am joined by Sarah Perry, award-winning author of The Essex Serpent, Melmoth and, most recently, The Death of an Ordinary Man. Sarah speaks with lyrical honesty about the aftermath of prolonged, severe pain and how terror can become encoded in the body, narrowing life into hypervigilance. She describes how therapy helped her reframe the mind not as an enemy, but as a protector, learning to
Agony Aunties: “I Regret Moving” - When a Fresh Start Doesn’t Feel Right
In this episode, Emily and Julia tackle a heartfelt dilemma from a listener who relocated to the North of England to be closer to family, only to find themselves deeply unhappy. Together, they explore the hidden emotional impact of moving, from loss of familiarity and identity to questions of control, grief, and expectation. Emily and Julia share compassionate, practical reflections on adjusting t
Matthew Gulliford on When Pet Grief Blindsides You
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Matthew Gulliford, who opens up about the loss of his beloved French bulldog, Mr. Carson. Matthew describes a kind of grief that completely blindsided him, visceral, physical, and all consuming, and we explore why pet loss can feel so intense when your animal is part of your daily rhythm, your home, and your sense of self.We talk about the parts peop
Agony Aunties: How Do You Get Loved Ones to Exercise?
In this Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a listener’s thoughtful question about how to gently introduce the idea that movement can “move the mind” to the people who may resist it most: teenagers and elderly family members. They explore why forcing exercise can backfire (especially with teens), and instead recommend modelling movement, keeping encouragement low-key, and mak
Cressida Bonas on Grief That Doesn’t Go in a Straight Line
In this episode of Therapy Works, I sit down with Cressida Bonas for a conversation that feels unusually intimate and quietly brave. We talk about the loss of her older sister Pandora and how saying the word “died” still lands with a kind of shock and finality. Cressida shares what she didn’t expect about grief, the fear that lives in her body, the numb days that feel lonelier than tears, and the
Agony Aunties: When Parenting Doesn’t Match the Picture in Your Head
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily and Sophie take the reins while Julia continues her recovery, diving into a thoughtful listener question about accepting children with SEN and learning difficulties as academic parents. Together they explore the often unspoken grief that can arise when parenting looks different from what we imagined, the importance of making space for complex emotions without g
Charlotte Bellamy on Grieving a Baby She Never Got to Know
In this week’s episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Charlotte Bellamy, who speaks with extraordinary openness about the death of her son Finn, who was stillborn at 28 weeks. Charlotte takes us through the shock of reduced movements, the devastating moment she was told “there’s no heartbeat”, and the surreal reality that even in loss, you still have to give birth. We talk about the grief of miss
Agony Aunties: Feeling Second Best to a Partner’s Late Wife
In this Agony Aunties episode, Sophie and Emily return to answer a deeply thoughtful listener question about feeling second best to a partner’s late spouse. Together, they reflect on communication within relationships, the role of the inner critic, and how comparison often reveals the stories we tell ourselves rather than the truth of how we are seen. The conversation offers gentle reframes, pract
Dr Alex George: “I Looked in the Mirror and Didn’t Recognise Myself”
On the first episode of Season 10 of Therapy Works, host Julia Samuel is joined by Dr Alex George for an unusually candid conversation about what happens when your inner world starts to feel like friction you can’t push through. Alex shares that he’s currently being assessed for autism, and reflects on how recent ADHD and OCD diagnoses have helped him make sense of longstanding patterns, from rumi
Agony Aunties: When You Want Another Baby and Your Partner Doesn’t
While Julia recovers from shoulder surgery, Sophie and Emily step in to respond to a painful and familiar dilemma, wanting another child when your partner doesn’t. They explore the emotional deadlock that can arise when a decision feels completely binary, and how the absence of compromise can intensify grief, fear, and resentment on both sides of a relationship.Together, they reflect on how meanin
Agony Aunties: When You Love Your Children… But Don’t Always Like Them
In this Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Sophie and Emily respond to a brave listener who admits she loves her two adult daughters deeply but often struggles to like them. With one daughter feeling unmotivated and the other frequently hurtful or unpredictable, she asks how to navigate disappointment, set boundaries, and understand what is reasonable to expect from adult children.Together, they explor
Agony Aunties: When the Therapist Becomes the Patient
In this special Agony Aunties episode, we pause our usual listener questions so Julia can share something personal as she prepares for a reverse shoulder replacement after years of complications from Ramsay Hunt syndrome and a serious injury. With Emily and Sophie beside her, she speaks openly about the dread of facing another major operation, the loss of trust in her body, the somatic shock that
EXPERT EPISODE: Why Divorce Hits Women Differently with Oona Metz
In this expert episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia speaks with psychotherapist Oona Metz, author of Unhitched, about her extensive experience supporting women through divorce. Drawing on over 30 years of clinical practice - including 15 years running divorce support groups - Oona also shares insights from her own personal experience of divorce.Together, they explore the emotional stages of
BONUS: Dealing with Feeling at Christmas with Professor Marc Brackett
In this bonus episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by Professor Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel and Dealing With Feeling. We talk about why so many of us grew up without an emotional ally, how fear stops us asking the people we love how they really feel, and why emotions aren’t something to suppress or fix. They are in
Agony Aunties: Surviving the First Christmas After Loss
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a deeply moving question from a widowed father facing his first Christmas after the death of his wife. Six months into grief, he is trying to support three adult children while barely holding himself together, worried he’s failing them and watching one daughter take on too much responsibility as the family adjusts to an unfillable absence. With compass
Agony Aunties: Shall I Leave My Husband?
In this Agony Aunties episode of Therapy Works, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a deeply moving letter from a listener questioning whether her long, emotionally disconnected marriage can be saved. They explore the complex layers of love, duty, financial dependence, neurodivergence, resentment, and midlife awakening - offering thoughtful reflections on grief, desire, the cost of staying, and the
BONUS: Dr Anna Colton on Navigating Food Conversations with Children
Emily Samuel engages in a conversation with Dr. Anna Colton about her book, 'How to Talk to Children About Food'. They address common parental fears and misconceptions regarding children's eating habits and emphasise creating a positive, low-stress relationship with food.
Dr. Colton highlights the importance of neutral and intuitive eating, discusses the role of family dynamics, and gives prac
Agony Aunties: Healing After a COVID Loss
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily, Sophie and Julia respond to a powerful letter from a listener in her fifties who is still grieving the sudden loss of her mother during COVID, while also supporting a teenage daughter who adored her grandmother and coping with a painful fallout with her sister. Together, they explore how trauma can fracture families, why unresolved love has nowhere to go, and
Agony Aunties: How Do I Stop Checking My Ex’s Instagram?
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Sophie and Emily answer a painfully relatable listener question about being unable to stop checking an ex’s Instagram — even from a secret second account. They explore why scrolling an ex feels so addictive (spoiler: it’s part heartbreak, part habit, part magical thinking), how it keeps us stuck in the past, and the practical behavioural tools that genu
Archie Bland on Parenting Through the Unthinkable
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia Samuel speaks with journalist Archie Bland - not in his role at The Guardian, but as Max’s dad. Archie describes the night his eight-week-old son stopped breathing, the frantic CPR, the ambulance to Great Ormond Street, and the brain injury that followed. He talks with raw honesty about naming it as a “catastrophe,” living with PTSD, the day-to-day realities
Agony Aunties: Friendship Breakups and the Courage to Reconnect
In this episode of the Agony Aunties series, the aunties respond to a heartfelt question from a listener about how to rebuild a sense of connection and community in midlife after losing several close friends. They explore the importance of actively nurturing relationships, reaching out to old friends, and embracing vulnerability as a way to form deeper bonds. The aunties share practical ideas - fr
Melissa Hemsley on Anxiety, IVF and Nourishing the Everyday
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia is joined by cook, writer and wellbeing advocate Melissa Hemsley for a heartfelt conversation about anxiety, self-compassion and finding steadiness in everyday life. Together, they explore how childhood experiences and family patterns can shape our emotional world, and how learning to live alongside anxiety - rather than fight it - can bring greater peace. M
Agony Aunties: Feeling Invisible as We Age
In this week’s episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener who shares a heartfelt question about feeling invisible and struggling with self-acceptance while growing older.Together, they explore how societal pressures around youth and beauty can erode our confidence and sense of self, and they offer compassionate, practical ways to rebuild a healthier relationship with ageing. They discuss how
Tracey on Infidelity, Anger and Becoming Herself
This week on Therapy Works, I speak with Tracey, a 55-year-old mother of three, whose story is one of heartbreak, courage, and ultimately, liberation.
Tracey describes the moment her marriage of 21 years ended in the most shocking and devastating way - a sudden revelation of her husband’s long-term infidelity. What followed was a period of deep grief, shame, and secrecy as she tried to protect he
Agony Aunties: How to Talk About Social Anxiety
In this Agony Aunties episode, they respond to a listener’s question about managing social anxiety within a relationship. They explore how to communicate openly using “I” statements and metaphors, the importance of self-compassion, and taking small, manageable steps to expand comfort zones. The conversation touches on how exposure therapy can help reduce anxiety over time, and the delicate balance
Lulu on Why It’s Never Too Late to Be Yourself
In today’s episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Lulu - a woman whose energy fills any room she walks into.From global fame at 15 to finding peace at 77, Lulu shares her remarkable journey of learning to let go of performance and finally come home to herself.
She talks honestly about the parts of her she left behind in Glasgow, the years she spent saying yes when she wanted to say no, and the dee
Agony Aunties: Facing the Hard Parts of Therapy
In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's question about the challenging nature of therapy. They discuss the misconception of therapy as a 'quick fix' and explain why the therapeutic process can sometimes feel more difficult as buried emotions resurface. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of pacing in therapy and the benefits of communicating feelings of overwhelm to one's th
Eve on How the Pressure to Have a Child Broke Her Marriage
In this episode, Eve shares her deeply personal story of coming out of a 23-year relationship, including 10 years of marriage, which ended in divorce due to not having children. She reflects on the red flags she missed in her youth, the challenges of poor communication, and the emotionally abusive dynamics that developed over time.
Despite her loving family and strong support system, Eve grapp
Agony Aunties: I Think My Partner’s Cheating or Am I Just Anxious?
In this episode, the Agony Aunties return to address a listener's concern about potential infidelity, offering advice on distinguishing between anxiety and genuine red flags. The hosts suggest approaches for starting calm and honest conversations with partners, discussing the importance of addressing relationship anxiety, maintaining personal well-being, and considering couples therapy. The episod
Olia Hercules on How Creativity Heals in Times of Crisis
In this powerful and tender conversation, I speak with Olia Hercules - author, chef, and activist - about her journey from Ukraine to the UK and the personal and collective challenges she has faced in recent years.
Olia reflects on living with Fragile X syndrome, both in her own life and with her son, and shares the deep psychological impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine. She speaks movingly abou
Agony Aunties: When Everyone Needs You and You’re Running on Empty
The Agony Aunties tackle a listener's question about managing the stress of a full-time job, parenting two young children, and caring for an ageing parent. They discuss the importance of self-compassion, prioritisation, and setting boundaries without feeling selfish. They suggest considering personal limits and adopting the concept of 'essential maintenance' instead of 'self-care'. Additionally, t
Deepa Paul on Marriage, Motherhood, and Polyamory
In this fascinating and candid conversation, I speak with Deepa Paul — a Filipino Indian author, mother, wife, and girlfriend about the complexities of love, identity, and open relationships.
Deepa shares her experience of a 17-year marriage alongside a 5-year relationship with her boyfriend, reflecting on the different needs these partnerships meet and the honesty required to sustain them. Her b
Agony Aunties: Navigating Separation and Talking to Children
In this Agony Aunties episode, we address a listener's question on how to talk to children about parental separation. Their answer covers the importance of having the initial conversation together as a family, being honest and age-appropriate, avoiding blame, and reassuring children about the changes and constants in their lives. Key points include practicing the conversation in advance, maintaini
Ben Goldsmith on Grief, Nature, and Finding Meaning After Loss
In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Ben Goldsmith - financier, environmentalist, and father - about the devastating loss of his teenage daughter, Iris, in 2019.
Ben shares with great honesty the harrowing moments surrounding her death and the tidal wave of grief that followed. He describes how he turned to nature as a source of solace and strength, and how his connection to the natural wo
Agony Aunties: Managing Social Anxiety in Midlife
In this week’s Agony Aunties, we answer a listener’s question about social anxiety returning in midlife. We talk about why it can resurface — from life transitions to physical changes — and share gentle, practical ways to manage it, from planning ahead to leaning on allies. Above all, it’s about self-compassion and staying connected.
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Lucy Gossage on The Joy of Difficult Things
In this episode, I talk with Lucy Gossage — oncologist, former professional triathlete, ultra-runner, and co-founder of the Move Against Cancer charity. From winning Ironman races to conquering Britain’s gruelling Spine Race, Lucy has built her life around challenge and growth.She speaks candidly about facing fear and failure, the heartbreak of betrayal, and the process of finding closure. We expl
Agony Aunties: What’s the Line Between Healthy Processing and Negative Self-Talk?
In this episode, the Agony Aunties return to address a listener's question about the often confusing advice regarding feeling emotions versus avoiding negative self-talk. They explain that emotions should be acknowledged and processed, whereas negative self-talk should be identified, challenged, and dialled down.
They discuss mindfulness techniques, the importance of self-awareness, and how our
Elizabeth Day on Belonging When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m delighted to welcome back my friend Elizabeth Day. Elizabeth has done so much to change the way we talk about vulnerability, self-acceptance, and failure - through her writing, her speaking, and of course her brilliant podcast How to Fail.
In our conversation, Elizabeth opens up about her personal journey through childlessness and fertility struggles, and h
Agony Aunties: Co-Parenting with an Ex When Trust Is Broken
In this Agony Aunties episode, we answer a listener asking how to co-parent after a breakdown of trust. We focus on steadying yourself to steady your child, keeping them out of adult conflict while keeping communication open and age-appropriate, and putting clear, written boundaries in place - a simple parenting plan, predictable handovers, and one co-parenting app for all logistics. We suggest sh
Grace Spence Green on What Disability Taught Her About Living Fully
In this episode of Therapy Works, I have the privilege of speaking with Grace Spence Green - a junior doctor and wheelchair user whose life changed dramatically after a spinal cord injury caused by a traumatic accident.
Grace shares with such honesty the physical and psychological challenges she faced during her rehabilitation, and how she has learned to navigate the daily realities of life in
Agony Aunties: How Do I Cope with Anxiety About My Adult Children?
In this episode of Agony Aunties, the Aunties tackle a listener’s heartfelt question: “How do I cope with the anxiety I feel around my adult children?”
Together, they explore:
Why anxiety often has roots in our earliest relationships
Practical self-soothing tools you can try straight away — from breath work to grounding exercises
How to find balance with a partner when worries sp
Dan Snow on Loss, Legacy, and Learning to Live in the Present
In the first episode of the new season of Therapy Works, I sit down with historian and broadcaster Dan Snow to explore the powerful forces that have shaped his life: his family’s legacy of high achievement, his insatiable drive for professional fulfilment, and the challenges of finding joy in the present moment.
Dan speaks candidly about how closely his work and personal identity are entwined a
Mini Recap: Nadiya Hussain on Turning Anger Into Determination
In this powerful mini recap, Therapy Works revisits my moving conversation with Nadiya Hussain.
Nadiya reflects on growing up surrounded by women who seemed exhausted and unfulfilled, and how that shaped her determination to carve a different future. She opens up about the moment her parents forbade her from going to university at 18, threatening to change the locks if she left home and the fury,
Mini Recap: Julie Smith on Imposter Syndrome & Everyday Courage
In this mini recap from our season-opening conversation with Dr. Julie Smith, we revisit her reflections on imposter syndrome, success, and the lessons she discovered while writing her bestselling book. Julie shares how the process of writing became as much about her own growth as it was about guiding others, and why cultivating metacognition — the ability to notice and direct our thoughts — is ke
EXPERT EPISODE: Embracing Good Enough Parenting with Dr. Tara Porter
In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Tara Porter, a clinical psychologist and author, about her new book, 'Good Enough.' Dr. Porter reflects on her 28 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and the pressing need to address rising mental health issues among young people. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern parenting, the dangers of perfectionis
EXPERT EPISODE: The Hidden Wounds We Inherit with Noemi Orvos-Toth
In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Sophie welcomes Noemi Orvos-Toth, a Hungarian clinical psychologist and author of 'Inherited Fate,' to discuss her work on trauma, family dynamics, and the importance of understanding transgenerational trauma. Noemi shares insights about the significance of education in mitigating trauma, the impact of unmet parental expectations, and the role of colle
Agony Aunties: Navigating Romantic Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse
In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's courageous question about pursuing romantic relationships after surviving childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The listener shares their struggle with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and interest in dating, emotions they find challenging to navigate. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of going slowly, staying in therapy, and reclaiming one's sexuality
Agony Aunties: Managing Sibling Squabbles
In this episode, the Agony Aunties answer a listener's question on how to help siblings of different ages get along better daily. They discuss the normality of sibling fights, the importance of setting realistic expectations, and strategies to avoid escalating conflicts. They emphasise the need for parents to remain calm, not intervene unnecessarily, and spend individual quality time with each chi
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Out To Lunch
