Emotipod: Arts & Emotions

In this final episode of Emotipod, host Frances Butt looks for hope in dark times, and chiefly references one of the best books ever written: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl.  Every adult should read it at least once. Many thanks to all participants and listeners over the three series, which will remain available to listen to again. -- Music: Frances  Join Frances on Instagram: @fra...

...the Big One! In this penultimate episode of Emotipod, host Frances Butt talks to Internal Family Systems coach Alex Bollag, about shame, a sensitive topic for everyone. For excellent writings by Alex and to find out more about Internal Family Systems, visit her website,  The Healing Life Buy The Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren -- Music: Frances  Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbristol...

Stories of heroes and villains, good versus (preferably conquering) evil, have always been with us, and extremely popular. But have they always been conflated with our views of daily life and people, which seem to have become so polarised? Why  does do more people these days seem to be either worshiped or vilified? . Having listened to the brilliant Jon Ronson on Joseph Campbell and the Hero'...

Dissatisfaction or discomfort with one's appearance - we all have a little bit, but the beauty and slimming industries as well as popular culture feed the body shaming and 'othering' that can lead to very serious dysmorphic disorders like anorexia, addictions, extreme plastic surgery, etc. Host Frances talks to peri-menopause, body image and confidence coach Tamsin Broster about how...

What is MHFA?  Mental Health First Aider and trainer Fabiola Doano fills in the details to host Frances Butt. Trigger warning: this episode includes some references to sexual assault. Here is a link to Fabiola's Mental Health First Aid training courses: http://www.apoyocourses.co.uk And her LinkedIn page: Fabiola Doano, LinkedIn You can also find out about MHFA within and beyond the UK here:...

An overblown sense of pride and self-importance in political leaders and high-achievers is nothing new.  Hubris is a very human thing and we’ve always been susceptible.  Join host Frances Butt in this very short solo journey through a few artistic and real-life examples of hubris. - Music: Frances Butt Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbristol or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/francesbvoice Or visit...

What is the Jungian 'human shadow'? Is it only the worst of ourselves, that we hide from ourselves and the world, or is there more to it? Host Frances Butt explores with interior design psychologist Michelle Armitage. Michelle's website - Light & Frank Music: Frances Butt Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbristol or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/francesbvoice Or visit Frances&apos...

As a performer, artist or just as someone aiming to promote your business, do you ever worry that you're bragging rather than sharing your talents, and that this might be harming rather than hindering you? Host Frances Butt consults women's business network founder Sarah Cook and Internal Family Systems coach Alex Bollag to find out how to distinguish sharing from showing off. Music:  Fr...

Rage, not being an everyday emotion (ideally not at least), can be hard to understand and deal with.  It isn’t ‘nice’ either. So we don’t talk about it that much - but maybe we should… Step forward intrepid interior designer  Zoe Hewett of stylemongersofbristol.co.uk to share experiences of rage with host Frances Butt.  - Music Intro : Frances Butt La Danza Del Tezcatlipoca Rojo : Ramiro Musotto R...

... or manners?  Are they the same thing?  Is etiquette just a relic of the upper echelons of society, or does it still exist in various forms?   No answers promised, no solutions, just explorations. Host Frances Butt chats to friend Hilary Lewis about etiquette, convention and rules. - Music:  Titles/credits: Frances Butt The Blue Danube, Johann Strauss Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbristol...

Well, we all make them, but we don't always enjoy them.  Yet mistakes, as commercial photographer Marcus Ahmad tells host Frances Butt, are essential to creativity. If you're feeling crushed by a recent screw-up, we hope this conversation might help soothe.  You're not alone. Click here for Marcus Ahmad 's photography website And here for Vivian Maier 's social history pho...

This episode is for anyone struggling with being consistent at work. Sarah Cook, founder of a successful women's business network, was for some years an advisor on social media marketing; something most self-employed must learn to use these days.    Sarah's not a 'corporate creature', despite descriptive words like 'networking' and 'marketing' attached to he...

Are we talking about our moral compass, or just general tidiness and orderliness, when we use the word 'conscientious'?  And do we get our meanings mixed up? Frances talks to Michelle Armitage, an expert in interior design psychology, about conscientiousness, with Michelle's excellent book, Your Design Personality at Home as their starting point. Michelle Armitage's website, Li...

Why does resentment often prove so hard to get rid of, once it sets in?   Countless relationships, artistic collaborations and businesses have folded because of it. In this second episode of Series 3, host Frances is joined by Hilary Lewis, who shares her personal perspective on feelings of resentment and making possibly unfair judgments about others. -- Music: Frances Join Frances on Instagram: @...

Why does cheekiness cheer us up?  It's a mysterious but wonderful art, and some people are really good at it. Comedy legends and cheeky chars Dolly and Gracie are a case in point.  They share with host Frances Butt a little of what's involved in their particular nostalgic brand of cheek, a week before they walk once again among the crowds at the Goodwood Revival Festival, leaving joy and...

Here we go again! Emotipod returns September 2023 with more great discussions on the curious things we come up against as human beings. Host Frances Butt recaps Series 1 and 2, and introduces Series 3. Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbristol or LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/francesbvoice Or visit Frances's website: francesbutt.com

In this final episode of Series 2, Creative Blocks, Dr. Nicola Harker shares with host Frances Butt her experience of burnout, re-education, recovery, and her subsequent journey towards helping many other people who burn out.  Being overwhelmed and overworked, crashing and burning is all too common. The question is, how to avoid it? . The Thinking Toolbox     Join Frances on Instagram: @francesbbr...

It's never a great feeling when you're giving your all but people just aren't into it. In this penultimate episode of Emotipod Series 2, Creative Blocks, host Frances Butt once again seeks help from her friends, creatives and coaches, to discuss experiences of indifference and possible ways of dealing with it. Guests: Lisa Jones psychotherapist Knud Stüwe , guitarist and oud player...

It's all too common to say 'yes' to something we should have said 'no' to, and vice versa. Why do some of us have so much trouble with this?  How can we learn to exercise better judgment and self-control, if at all? Host Frances Butt discusses with artistic friends the tricky balance of saying 'yes' to the right stuff, and 'no' to things that won't...

Is it a mortal sin, to procrastinate? Or can it sometimes be the right thing to do? Host Frances Butt discusses the ins and outs of putting things off, with a series of helpful artistic friends. Guests and links: Helen Gill, writer Hannah Rose Platt , singer-songwriter Elizabeth Mikellides , digital artist Oliver Lee , copywriter & Alexander Technique teacher Sadia Ghazanfar , international co...

It's definitely a thing.  Our attention spans are more severely challenged these days then ever before, and sadly shorter as a result.    What can creatives do to help stay on course? Host Frances Butt talks to friends (and family) about their experiences and strategies. Guests & Links: Lisa Jones , psychotherapist Dan Butt, TV editor Sarah Cook , networking director A.A.Abbott , crimewri...

It's never nice being on the receiving end of snobbery, but it's common - after all, if we're honest with ourselves, we're all capable of being snobby about something or other.  Prejudice is more serious and difficult to deal with. Can artists build more resilience to snobbery and prejudice if they need to?  Host Frances Butt discusses these things with friends, family, and Emo...

Many artists succumb to envy - some to the point of feeling demotivated and pessimistic about their own creative output.  But can it be a positive thing? Host Frances Butt and guests discuss experiences and opinions about envy. Guests: Lisa Jones psychotherapist Oliver Lee , copywriter & Alexander Technique teacher Victoria Firth , performer, theatre maker, director Amos Childs , music produce...

Being all over the place hardly helps get things done; yet making art is often kind of messy.  It can sometimes be tricky to balance creating spontaneity, freedom and flow, without descending into more general chaos. Are some of us just fated to be disorderly, or can we get a little better at being more organised without 'forfeiting our artistic souls'?   Host Frances Butt and friends di...

A lack of confidence can really hold back even the most talented of artists and performers, but self doubt often goes with the creative territory. With the help of friends, host Frances Butt peers into the spectrum of confidence, including those unpleasant extremes we'd rather not be associated with - arrogance and narcissism. Guests and links: Lisa Jones psychotherapist and performer Birdsmi...