Hurt to Healing
Pandora Morris hosts this personal podcast about her ongoing battle with mental health, sharing her journey from struggle to healing. She aims to support others by talking with people who have faced invisible struggles, as well as experts and doctors on various disorders and therapies. The show provides solace and practical knowledge for listeners on their own healing paths. Produced by Rutherford Productions.
Episodes
HEALING 101: Understanding Intrusive Thoughts | Zachary Tucker
Today I'm joined by OCD advocate and content creator Zachary Tucker for a conversation about one of the most misunderstood aspects of OCD: intrusive thoughts.We explore what intrusive thoughts really are, why reassurance can actually keep OCD going, some of the lesser-known forms of the condition, and where to find support if you think you might be struggling yourself.Stay Connected with Hurt to H
Why We Never Feel 'Enough' | Katriona O'Sullivan
Today I'm joined by the brilliant Katriona O'Sullivan - psychologist, bestselling author, and one of the most insightful voices on trauma, self-worth and our relationship with our bodies. We talk about her powerful new book, Hungry, and explore how our earliest experiences shape the way we see ourselves, why so many of us feel we're never enough, and what it really takes to heal. This is an honest
HEALING 101: How Breathwork Can Help You Heal with Josh Connolly
Today I'm joined by resilience coach and breathwork facilitator Josh Connolly for a conversation about somatic healing, breathwork and the powerful connection between our minds and bodies.We explore how emotions can become trapped in the body, why practices like breathwork and movement can help us process difficult experiences, and some simple tools you can use to feel more grounded, present and c
The Truth About Teen Mental Health, Smartphones & Social Media | Natasha Devon
This week I'm joined by writer, broadcaster and mental health campaigner Natasha Devon.Natasha has spent nearly two decades working in schools, speaking to thousands of young people about everything from anxiety and perfectionism to social media, body image and friendship. In this episode, we get into what's really happening to the next generation, from the impact of smartphones and AI to why genu
HEALING 101: What We Get Wrong About Autism with Ella Willis
Today I'm joined by content creator and autism advocate Ella Willis for a conversation all about autism spectrum disorder, diagnosis, sensory overwhelm and what it's really like to navigate the world as an autistic person.We explore some of the biggest misconceptions about autism, how autism can present differently in women, the diagnosis process, and practical ways to better understand and suppor
ADHD, Autism & the Hidden Cost of Masking | Ellie Middleton
This week I'm chatting to author, speaker and neurodiversity advocate Ellie Middleton, whose brilliant book Unmasked has helped thousands of people better understand what it really means to be autistic or ADHD.We talk about what it feels like to receive a late diagnosis, the exhausting reality of masking, why so many women go undiagnosed for years, and how finally understanding your brain can comp
HEALING 101: How to Build a Healthier Relationship with Sex | Kate Moyle
On today's Healing 101, I'm joined by the brilliant Kate Moyle, psychosexual therapist and relationship expert, for a conversation all about intimacy, desire, communication and what it really means to have a healthy relationship with sex.We talk about why so many people feel disconnected from their bodies, the impact mental health can have on intimacy, how to communicate your needs with a partner,
How to Build Resilience When Life Feels Hard (Without Having It All Figured Out) | Josh Connolly
Today's guest is someone many of you will know and love from previous episodes, the brilliant Josh Connolly.Josh is a resilience coach, breathwork facilitator and one of the most honest voices in the mental health space. In this conversation, we talk about everything from community and connection to modern masculinity, dating, boundaries, healing and why so many of us feel exhausted by the pressur
HEALING 101: How to Stop Using Food to Fix Your Feelings with Shahroo Izadi
Hello and welcome back to Healing 101.Today's episode is with the brilliant Shahroo Izadi, behavioural change specialist and author of *Why Diets Make Us Fat*.If you've ever struggled to understand the difference between emotional hunger and physical hunger, found yourself trapped in cycles of dieting or binge eating, or wondered how to build a healthier relationship with food, this conversation i
Zachary Tucker: 'Reassuring Someone With OCD Is The Worst Thing You Can Do'
Today I'm joined by OCD advocate and content creator Zachary Tucker for a powerful conversation about living with OCD, intrusive thoughts, uncertainty and recovery.Zack shares his personal journey with OCD, from relationship OCD and health anxiety to the misconceptions that so many people still have about the condition. We talk about the role of fear and doubt, why OCD attaches itself to the thing
HEALING 101: What Teenagers Really Need | Dr Tara Porter
Welcome back to Healing 101. Today I’m joined by psychologist and bestselling author Dr Tara Porter for a conversation about parenting, teenagers, boundaries and what children really need emotionally from us. We talk about the difference between normal teenage behaviour and genuine warning signs, why parents so often panic when children begin to pull away, and how important it is to stay connected
Why Modern Dating Is Making Us Feel More Alone | Kate Moyle
Today’s guest is the brilliant Kate Moyle, psychosexual therapist, relationship expert and author, for a fascinating conversation about sex, dating, relationships and the impact they have on our mental health.We explore everything from dating burnout and ghosting to body image, intimacy, libido and why so many of us feel pressure to get sex and relationships ""right"". Kate shares practical advice
HEALING 101: Why Understanding Yourself Is the Key to Healing | Dr. Paul Conti
In this Healing 101 bonus episode, I’m joined by Dr. Paul Conti to explore the power of self-inquiry and why understanding ourselves is at the heart of true healing. We discuss how approaching ourselves with curiosity rather than judgment can help us break free from limiting beliefs, better regulate our emotions, and create meaningful change from within. Dr. Conti shares simple, practical ways to
Why Diets Make Us Fat: The Truth About Binge Eating, Shame & Lasting Change | Shahroo Izadi
Today I’m joined once again by the brilliant Shahroo Izadi for a conversation about dieting, binge eating, shame and why so many of us feel trapped in exhausting cycles with food.We talk about her powerful new book, Why Diets Make Us Fat, and explore why restriction so often leads to overeating, why food becomes such an emotional coping mechanism, and how so many of us internalise the belief that
HEALING 101: When Does Anxiety Become a Mental Health Condition? | Lucy Foulkes
In this Healing 101 bonus episode, I’m joined by psychologist and author Lucy Foulkes to explore how to tell the difference between normal emotional struggles and a diagnosable mental health condition. We discuss the rise in self-diagnosis, the overuse of terms like anxiety, OCD, and trauma, and why not every difficult feeling needs to be pathologised - alongside when it’s important to seek help a
Why So Many of Us Are Diagnosed With Autism Late | Ella Willis
Today I’m joined by writer and creator Ella Willis to talk about autism, masking, sensory overwhelm and what it feels like to move through the world feeling different from everybody else.We discuss Ella’s brilliant new book, Literally, and have a really honest conversation about late diagnosis, friendships, relationships, people pleasing, routine and the exhaustion that can come from constantly tr
HEALING 101: Why You Can't Get Stuck In A Panic Attack with Joshua Fletcher
In today’s Healing 101, I speak with psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh) to bridge the gap between the mind and the body. Josh explains the 'bell curve' of a panic attack - reassuring us that it is physically impossible to stay stuck in that peak state and breaks down the 'threat mode' that can make us feel like we’re watching life through glass. We dive into practical tools for expandi
Are We Accidentally Making Our Children More Anxious? | Dr Tara Porter
Today I’m joined by psychologist and bestselling author Dr Tara Porter for a conversation about parenting, perfectionism and what children really need from us emotionally.We talk about why so many young people are struggling with anxiety, overwhelm and feelings of not being good enough, and how modern parenting can sometimes unintentionally fuel those pressures.Tara shares such wise and compassion
HEALING 101: Are Your Hormones Affecting Your Mental Health?
In today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by Hannah Alderson to explore the often-overlooked link between our hormones and our mental health - because sometimes what we think is anxiety, low mood, or burnout might actually have a deeper, physiological root. We talk about the subtle signs your symptoms could be hormonally driven, how things like sleep, stress, and your cycle all play a role, and w
How to Future-Proof Your Brain Against Burnout & Brain Fog with Tommy Wood
In this episode, I’m joined by Tommy Wood to explore how we can better look after our brains in a world that often leaves us overstimulated, overwhelmed, and mentally exhausted. We discuss his new book, The Stimulated Mind, and what it really means to future-proof your brain—not just against dementia, but against brain fog, burnout, and the daily demands of modern life.Tommy explains why cognitive
HEALING 101: Setting Healthy Boundaries with Bryony Gordon
In this Healing 101, Bryony Gordon unpacks people pleasing as a learned survival response rooted in fear and control, rather than simply being “nice.” She explores how trying to manage others’ emotions can lead to burnout, resentment, and a loss of self, and why surrendering control can feel both uncomfortable and deeply freeing. The conversation highlights the importance of boundaries—not as self
The Difference Between Feeling Bad and Being Mentally Ill with Lucy Foulkes
In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Foulkes, psychologist, researcher, and author specialising in youth mental health, to unpack what we really mean by “mental health.” We explore the difference between everyday emotional experiences and clinical conditions, and why feeling anxious or low doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Lucy explains how mental health problems are defined by their se
HEALING 101: How Dopamine Affects Motivation, Mood & Focus with TJ Power
In today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by TJ Power to talk about the “DOSE framework” - dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins - and how these four chemicals quietly shape how we feel day to day. We get into the subtle signs your brain might be feeling a little depleted, why you might be struggling with focus or motivation, and some really simple, gentle shifts you can make - like how y
Why Your Self-Care is Making You Anxious with Joshua Fletcher (AKA Anxiety Josh)
In this week’s episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (known to many as "Anxiety Josh") to dismantle the modern "optimisation era." Josh explains why our obsession with instant fixes - from 5:00 AM ice baths to AI therapy bots - is actually fuelling our anxiety by eroding our ability to tolerate discomfort. He challenges us to stop "running away" from our feelings and instead bui
HEALING 101: Breaking the Global Addiction Machine with David Courtwright
In this Healing 101 episode, historian David Courtwright explains how modern companies have "hacked" our brains to turn everyday pleasures into hard-to-break habits. He introduces the idea of Limbic Capitalism, a global system where things like social media, fast food, and addictive drugs are specifically designed to hijack the brain’s reward centre. David explores why digital technology is the ne
Dr Paul Conti on Taking Back Control of Your Mind
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Paul Conti, a world-renowned psychiatrist and graduate of Stanford and Harvard, who is widely recognized as one of the most insightful voices in modern mental health. Dr. Conti joins us to challenge the way we pathologise our minds, moving the focus away from "what’s broken" and toward the "human birthright" of what is actually going right. He shares how we can
HEALING 101: The Power of Micro-Stress with Dr. Sharon Bergquist
In this Healing 101 episode, Dr. Sharon Bergquist explains how "micro-doses" of intentional stress can actually disease-proof your body. We dive into the science of hormesis - the biological "sweet spot" where deliberate discomfort activates ancient vitality genes to repair DNA and boost resilience.By balancing these stressors with strategic recovery, Dr. Bergquist reveals how we can "shape-shift"
Gemma Styles on Navigating ADHD, Anxiety, and the Struggle to Feel ‘Enough’
On today’s episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by Gemma Styles. I recently read her book Why Am I Like This? and it resonated with me so much, so it felt really special to sit down and have this conversation with her.We talk about her experience of anxiety and depression, what it felt like navigating university and early adulthood, and the impact of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. We a
HEALING 101: When a Marriage Slowly Fades (And How to Find Yourself Again) with Oona Metz
In this Healing 101 episode, I am joined by Oona Metz to explore the agonizing "slow fade" of a marriage and why it so rarely ends in a single moment. We discuss the physical toll of chronic disconnection - from autoimmune issues to nervous system burnout - and the "denial" that keeps many trapped in the hope of a better tomorrow. Oona offers vital insights on the difference between a marriage tha
Bryony Gordon on People Pleasing, Boundaries and Why Women Feel Pressure to Do It All
On today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Bryony Gordon, and it was such a joy to record this one together in person.We talk about her new novel People Pleaser, and the pressure so many women face to keep everyone happy, hold everything together and never let a single plate drop, even when we’re completely exhausted. Bryony shares so openly about people pleasing, perfectionism, addiction, OC
HEALING 101: How Nature Restores Your Mind with Marc Berman
In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by neuroscientist Marc Berman to explore how our environment shapes the way we think, feel and function. As the days get longer and we naturally start spending more time outside, this conversation feels especially timely. We unpack attention restoration theory and the difference between the kind of focus that gets depleted through modern life and the kind
Dopamine, Digital Addiction & Why You Can’t Relax with TJ Power
In this episode, I’m joined by neuroscientist, speaker and bestselling author TJ Power, whose work has helped so many people understand what modern life is doing to our brains. TJ is the author of DOSE, a book all about the four key brain chemicals that shape how we feel — dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins — and how our screens, habits and lifestyles can throw them completely out of bal
HEALING 101: High Functioning Anxiety, Perfectionism and People Pleasing with Dr Lalitaa Suglani
In today’s Healing 101, I’m joined by Dr Lalitaa Suglani, author of High Functioning Anxiety, to unpack a term so many of you have messaged me about. We talk about what high functioning anxiety actually is, the “swan” analogy of looking calm on the surface while paddling frantically underneath, and how it can hide behind productivity, perfectionism and people pleasing. Lalitaa explains the differe
Understanding OCD Loops, Intrusive Thoughts & ADHD with Melanie Lawson
Today’s episode is a really personal one with Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology and a previous sponsor of the podcast. We talk honestly about living with OCD, how it can shape shift over time, and what intrusive thoughts and compulsions actually feel like in the body, especially when you’re tired, stressed, hormonal, or going through change.We also get into the overlap with ADHD and rejectio
HEALING 101: Can Supplements Actually Speed Up Recovery? with Pupinder Ghatora
In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and founder of Ingenious, to explore the powerful connection between physical recovery and long-term wellbeing. Pupinder shares the story of his own health crisis and spinal surgery, and how it led him to rethink how we support the body through healing, from the inside out. We talk about collagen, supplements, and the scien
Why Modern Life Hijacks Our Brains with David Courtwright
Today’s episode is one I’ve been so excited to share because we’re talking about addiction in a way that feels much more human and much less “labels and lectures”. I’m joined by David Courtwright, historian and author of The Age of Addiction, and we explore how addiction so often begins in pleasure, then quietly tips into something compulsive, shame-filled and costly not just for the person, but f
HEALING 101: The Power of Glimmers for Your Nervous System with Nadia and Katia Narain
On today’s HEALING 101, I’m joined by Nadia and Katia Narain, for a gentle but powerful conversation about the beautiful concept at the heart of their new book: glimmers.We explore what glimmers really are - those small, often overlooked moments that signal safety and ease to the nervous system - and why they’re so different from gratitude. Together, we talk about how learning to notice these tiny
It’s Not Just You, It’s Your Hormones: Anxiety, Burnout & Feeling Off with Hannah Alderson
On this week’s episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m talking to nutritionist and hormone specialist Hannah Alderson about something so many of us hear about all the time, but don’t always fully understand - our hormones.From anxiety and low mood to brain fog, burnout, PMT, perimenopause and feeling completely unlike yourself, Hannah explains how hormones can shape so much of how we think, feel and funct
HEALING 101: Ore Oduba on Bringing Hidden Struggles Into the Light
In this episode of Healing 101, Julia is joined by broadcaster and presenter Ore Oduba for a deeply honest conversation about addiction, shame and the coping mechanisms we develop to manage difficult emotions. Ore speaks openly about his relationship with pornography, the moment it stopped feeling like a harmless habit and began to feel like something more troubling, and the internal struggle that
Dr Sharon Bergquist on the Stress Paradox and Why Some Stress Makes Us Stronger
In today’s episode, I’m joined by preventive medicine physician and author Dr Sharon Bergquist, whose book The Stress Paradox challenges the idea that all stress is harmful and offers a far more hopeful, evidence-led way of thinking about what’s happening in our minds and bodies.Together, we explore the difference between chronic, depleting stress and the kinds of “good stress” that can build resi
HEALING 101: What Does “Normal” Really Mean? with Dr Alex George
On today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by doctor, mental health advocate, and bestselling author Dr Alex George for a conversation about what it really means to be “normal.”Together, we explore why normality is often a misleading lens for understanding ourselves, the difference between impulsivity and compulsivity, and the many hidden ways OCD can show up beyond the stereotypes. Alex shares pe
Why Nature Makes Us Feel Better with Dr Marc Berman
Today I’m joined by Dr Marc Berman, a leading researcher on how nature impacts the brain, attention, and mental health.Marc explains the difference between directed (voluntary) attention and involuntary attention, why so many of us feel depleted by modern life, and why time in nature can genuinely restore focus - even if you don’t “feel like it.” We talk depression, anxiety and ADHD-like symptoms,
HEALING 101: Simple Ways to Reset When Life Feels Overwhelming with Claudia Hammond
On today's Healing 101, I’m joined by broadcaster, author, and psychology expert Claudia Hammond, whose latest book, Overwhelmed, explores why so many of us feel like life has simply become too much.In this episode, we unpack what overwhelm actually is, when stress shifts from helpful to harmful, and the subtle signs that your mind and body may be under strain. Claudia shares practical, research-b
Divorce for Women: Why It Feels So Hard and How to Start Again with Oona Metz
Today on Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by therapist and divorce expert Oona Metz, author of Unhitched: The Official Divorce Guide for Women. We talk about why divorce can still feel so loaded with shame, why women so often carry the guilt (especially with children), and the difference between ending a marriage legally and leaving it emotionally - which often happens long before the paperwork. Oona s
Healing 101: Why We’re Getting Youth Mental Health Wrong with Will Dobud
In this episode, I’m joined by Will Dobud, therapist, researcher, and author of Kids These Days, to explore why so many young people are struggling - and why more intervention doesn’t always mean better outcomes. We talk about his outdoor, solution-focused approach, the unintended harm of over-diagnosis and over-medicalisation, and why engagement, connection and doing more of what already works of
The Hidden Struggle of High-Functioning Anxiety with Dr Lalitaa Suglani
Today we’re talking about something that so many people silently live with: high-functioning anxiety - that feeling of looking like you’ve got it all together on the outside, while inside you’re paddling furiously just to keep afloat. I’m joined by Dr Lalitaa Suglani, psychologist and author, and we unpack why “high functioning” isn’t the same as “fine” - and how perfectionism, people-pleasing and
HEALING 101: The Reality of Workplace Burnout and Rebuilding Wellbeing with Jamie White
In today’s HEALING 101 episode, I’m joined by Jamie White, a life coach and business mentor who works closely with entrepreneurs navigating stress, burnout, and the hidden emotional costs of success.Jamie shares his own journey from early entrepreneurial success into severe burnout, and how chasing achievement to fill an internal void eventually caught up with him. We talk about why business and p
When Burnout Breaks You: Jan Gerber on Depression and Rebuilding Yourself
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Jan Gerber, founder of Paracelsus Recovery in Zurich, for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, depression, and what those experiences can really feel like when they hit, often suddenly and without warning.Jan shares his own recent journey through depression, how it showed up for him, and what helped him begin to recover. We also explore Paracelsus Recovery’
HEALING 101: Caring for Your Mind Before Breaking Point with Julia Bradbury
In today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by Julia Bradbury for a deeply grounding conversation about what mental wellbeing really means - beyond diagnoses, labels, or the absence of anxiety and depression.We talk about balance, self-awareness, and why understanding your triggers, values and support network is just as important as managing symptoms. Julia shares powerful reflections on connection
What Does It Really Mean to Feel Loved? with Harry Reis
For this special Valentine’s Day episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by psychologist and relationship researcher Harry Reis, co-author of How to Feel Loved, to talk about something we don’t often stop to ask: what does it actually mean to feel loved, not just by other people, but inside ourselves. Why is it that even when we’re cared for, chosen, or wanted, so many of us still struggle to belie
HEALING 101: Nature Prescriptions - Small Ways Nature Can Help When You’re Struggling with Alexis Johnson
Welcome back to Healing 101. Today I’m joined by Alexis Johnson, Nature & Wellbeing Officer at the RSPB, and we’re talking about something I found genuinely eye-opening: nature prescriptions - a simple, supportive way for healthcare professionals (and other trusted adults) to encourage people to use nature as part of their wellbeing toolkit, without it feeling like yet another thing to “get pe
Ore Oduba: “The First Relationship I Ever Had Was Porn”
Today I’m speaking to broadcaster Ore Oduba about something many people struggle with silently: porn addiction. Ore opens up about his thirty-year journey with a honesty that is rare and incredibly powerful - how it began in childhood, how shame and secrecy kept it alive, and how it shaped his sense of self, relationships and mental health.We also talk about recovery: what it took to finally ask f
HEALING 101: When Exercise Stops Being Healthy with Margo Steines
Today on Healing 101 I’m joined by writer and teacher Margo Steines for a conversation about something many people quietly struggle with: when movement stops being healthy and starts becoming consuming. Margo shares how what began as empowerment gradually tipped into something far more controlling, and we explore the emotional undercurrents that can sit beneath compulsive exercise - from perfectio
Overwhelm Explained: Why Modern Life Feels Too Much with Claudia Hammond
Hi guys, welcome back to the Hurt to Healing podcast. In today’s episode I’m joined by Claudia Hammond - author and broadcaster - for a really grounding conversation about overwhelm: what it is, how it’s different from everyday stress, and why so many of us feel like we’re constantly carrying too much.We talk about perfectionism, decision fatigue, comparison, and the pressure to be “good at everyt
HEALING 101: ADHD, Anxiety & Disordered Eating with Ro Mitchell
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Ro Mitchell for a really honest and grounding conversation about the link between ADHD, anxiety and disordered eating and the role control often plays when your mind feels chaotic or overwhelming.We talk about learning to soften the inner critic, rebuilding trust with your body, and why recovery isn’t about giving up control entirely, but about finding safer, more
The Small Habits That Transform Your Health with Dr Tommy Wood
Hi guys, welcome back to Hurt to Healing. Today I’m joined by Dr Tommy Wood - neuroscientist, researcher and performance consultant based in Washington DC - and this conversation genuinely blew my mind.We talk about the real pillars of wellbeing - food, movement, sleep and connection - and why “more, more, more” isn’t always better. Tommy explains allostatic load (the total stress your body is car
HEALING 101: Guilt vs Shame and Why the Difference Matters with Annalie Howling
For this Healing 101 episode, I wanted to focus on something that quietly underpins so much of our mental health, so I sat down with Annalie Howling to talk about guilt, shame, and why understanding the difference really matters. We break it down in a simple, relatable way - how guilt is about what we do, while shame becomes a painful belief about who we are - and why shame can be so corrosive to
Dr Alex George on ADHD, OCD and His ‘Am I Normal?’ Journey
In today’s episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by Dr Alex George for a very honest and very relatable conversation about his brand new book Am I Normal? and what it’s like to grow up feeling different without knowing why. We talk about his ADHD diagnosis at 31, living with OCD, grief, emotional dysregulation and the painful “what if?” loops that can quietly run your life - and what finally star
HEALING 101: How to Care for Yourself When Winter Feels Heavy with Suzy Reading
I thought this would be the perfect Healing 101 episode for January, so I’m joined by Suzy Reading, psychologist and author of Self-Care for Winter. We talk about why winter can feel so heavy on our mood, energy and motivation, how cold and lack of light affect both mind and body, and why easing our expectations of ourselves really matters at this time of year. Suzy shares practical, down-to-earth
What Being Healthy Actually Means with Julia Bradbury
In this first episode of the year, I’m joined by the brilliant Julia Bradbury for a really grounding, eye-opening chat about what “being healthy” actually means when you look beyond the surface. Julia talks me through how her breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 completely changed the way she thinks about her body and her life - not in a “perfect routine” kind of way, but in a very real, human I want t
HEALING 101: Understanding ADHD in Women with Pearl Lowe
On today’s Healing 101, I’m chatting with Pearl Lowe, who was recently diagnosed with ADHD - something that finally helped so many pieces of her life fall into place. Pearl talks openly about the signs she’d been living with for years: the chronic scattiness, impulsive decisions, the “hundred tabs open” feeling, and the unfiltered honesty that sometimes got her into trouble long before she underst
Kathleen Saxton on Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent
In today’s episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Kathleen Saxton, whose new book My Parent the Peacock dives deep into one of the most confusing dynamics out there: narcissistic parents. We talk about what a narcissist actually is – beyond the buzzword – and the difference between someone with a few narcissistic traits and someone with a full clinical disorder.We explore how growing up
HEALING 101: The Problem With “Normal” Mental Health with Alastair Santhouse
On today’s Healing 101, I’m sitting down with psychiatrist and author Alastair Santhouse, and we’re diving into a surprisingly tricky question: what do we actually mean when we talk about “normal” mental health? It’s one of those phrases we all use, but when you look a little closer, it gets messy fast.Alastair and I chat about why “normal” can feel so loaded, how it shapes the way we think about
Professor Marc Brackett on Why There Are No “Bad” Emotions
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Professor Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the newly published Dealing With Feeling, to untangle one of the big questions: what actually are emotions - and how are they different from feelings, moods, or just “being in a state”? We talk about why there’s no such thing as a “bad” emotion, how emotions act
HEALING 101: Reading the Signals Beneath Your Symptoms with Dr Chloe Saunders
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr Chloe Saunders, a clinician and researcher specialising in functional somatic symptoms and the mind–body connection. We explore what it means when your body begins to talk and medicine doesn’t always find the answer - fatigue, pain, gut issues and other flare-ups that don’t quite show up on scans.Dr Saunders helps us understand why these symptoms are real, even
Annalie Howling on Burnout, Breakdowns & Becoming Your Real Self
Today I’m joined by the brilliant Annalie Howling - a performance coach, trauma specialist and author whose story is honestly fascinating. She opens up about hitting complete burnout at 29, when life looked perfect from the outside but felt totally wrong on the inside. As she puts it, she wasn’t intolerant to gluten… she was intolerant to her life.We talk about how childhood shame and perfectionis
HEALING 101: Unlocking the Subconscious with Mariko Bangerter (Part 2)
In this Healing 101 bonus episode, I’m joined again by Mariko Bangerter, regression therapist and healer, to explore how accessing the subconscious mind can unlock deep and lasting change.We talk about how our earliest memories - even ones we don’t consciously recall - can shape our adult behaviours, and why true healing often requires working beyond logic and into the subconscious. Mariko also sh
Ro Mitchell on Body Checking, Mirrors, and the Moment You Choose Yourself
Today I’m chatting to Ro Mitchell, who so many of you will know from TikTok for speaking really openly about anorexia, ADHD and recovery and doing it in a way that actually makes you feel less mad and less alone.Ro talks about developing an eating disorder at 14, getting really good at hiding it, going into CAMHS and then hospital, and what it actually took to choose recovery for herself - not for
HEALING 101: How the Body Holds (and Heals) Grief with Jonny Miller
In this Healing 101 bonus episode I’m joined by Jonny Miller, nervous system educator and host of The Inner Frontier podcast. Jonny’s work was forged in something unbearably human: the loss of his fiancée, Sophie, to suicide in 2017. We talk about how grief completely dismantled the life he thought he was going to live, and how by actually letting the grief move through him instead of armouring up
Pearl Lowe on Sobriety, ADHD and the Beauty of Imperfection
Today I’m joined by Pearl Lowe - singer, designer and author, who’s just brought out her gorgeous new book, Faded Glamour in the City. Pearl’s story is incredible: from a dreamy but chaotic London childhood to teenage rebellion, addiction, undiagnosed ADHD, motherhood at 18, and then a total reinvention - getting sober, moving to Somerset, and finding peace in creativity and slower living.We talk
HEALING 101: A Kinder Morning Routine with Kate Oliver
Today’s Healing 101 is a conversation with Kate Oliver - chartered psychologist, executive coach, and co-author (with her brother, Toby) of the brilliant book Rise and Shine.If, like me, mornings can feel wobbly because of that 4am worry spiral, this one’s for you. Kate has spent 35 years helping people show up better at work and in life, and she shares how a tough period of anxiety (and perimenop
Anna Wolfe on Finding Hope in the Mess of Recovery
Today I’m joined by journalist Anna Wolfe - who’s funny, frank and gloriously unfiltered and we go deep on eating disorders and addiction. We talk about the binge–restrict cycle, the shame that keeps you stuck, sobriety, and the messy, non-linear reality of recovery. So much of what Anna shared resonated with me personally, which is why I found this conversation so interesting - and, honestly, hop
HEALING 101: How to Find Calm When Life Feels Too Much with Anna Mathur
Today we’re talking about everyday anxiety, overwhelm, and that loud inner critic that tells you you’re not doing enough. I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Anna Mathur, who’s brilliant at making mental health feel doable in real life. Anna shares simple ways to steady your nervous system (think a 60-second reset), how to swap “shoulds” for choices, set kinder boundaries without guilt, and b
Alastair Santhouse on What “Normal” Mental Health Really Means
Today I’m joined by consultant psychiatrist and author Alastair Santhouse to ask a big question: what counts as “normal” mental health? We explore the difference between everyday ups and downs and problems that really stop you living your life, and how labels can both open doors to support and stick in unhelpful ways. We talk about why ADHD and autism diagnoses seem to be rising, how Alastair asse
HEALING 101: The Hidden Signs of Exercise Addiction with Dr Martin Turner
On today’s Healing 101 we’re talking about something that can hide in plain sight: exercise addiction. We’re taught that “more is better”, but when movement slides from choice to compulsion, the thing that helps us can start to hurt us - physically, mentally, and socially. To unpack that paradox, I’m joined by Dr. Martin Turner, Reader in Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Martin lo
Harriet Walker on What a Psilocybin Retreat Taught Her About Anxiety
Today I’m joined by the brilliant journalist Harriet Walker. You may know her work from The Times newspaper, and perhaps you read her article about attending a psilocybin retreat. In this conversation, Harriet opens up about what drew her there - the low hum of anxiety, the mental load of motherhood, and that constant striving so many of us feel but rarely admit.We explore her experience on the re
HEALING 101: Naming the Monster with Bryony Gordon
Hi everyone, and welcome to this Healing 101 bonus episode with the wonderful Bryony Gordon.If you’ve already listened to my longer conversation with Bryony earlier this week, you’ll know just how honest and generous she is when it comes to talking about mental health and especially her experience of living with OCD.In this shorter episode, I wanted to go a little deeper into some of the practical
Bryony Gordon on What OCD Really Feels Like & How She Learned to Live with It
Today’s episode is a really special one with the brilliant Bryony Gordon, who’s been such a powerful voice in changing how we understand OCD.Bryony’s honesty about her experience - from intrusive thoughts to the shapeshifting ways OCD can attach itself to what we love most - has helped so many people feel seen. She’s written, spoken and lived her story with such courage and humour, and I was genui
HEALING 101: What Actually Helps When OCD Spikes with Kimberley Nixon
If you found Tuesday’s main episode with Kimberley Nixon interesting, I wanted to share a bonus Healing 101 with her too.This is a short, practical companion about what actually helps when a spike hits. We talk about moving from retreat to reach-out, turning the lights on shame, dropping the rope in that tug-of-war with your mind, and the tiny wins that count on the hardest days. Kimberley also sh
Kimberley Nixon on Postnatal OCD and the Reality Behind the Myths
To mark OCD Awareness Week - something very close to my heart - I’m talking with actor Kimberley Nixon on today’s episode.This isn’t the “tidy house” stereotype. We’re talking about the real OCD: the disorder of doubt. Intrusive thoughts you don’t choose. Compulsions people can’t see.Kimberley shares her experience of peri- and postnatal OCD after her son was born - the fear, the shame, and what a
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