Stronger Minds

Prison violence is a chronic global crisis. With rates rising in the UK, US and around the world. Prison violence can have a devastating effect on prisoners, prison staff and wider society. So, in this episode, I'm asking a bold question: Can improving nutrition reduce violence in prison? And if so—why aren’t we doing it already? Crime & Nourishment Series The Kids Aren't Alright The Prison St...

You may have read recent articles discussing new data linking maternal diabetes and ADHD and autism in children. Maybe you’re planning a pregnancy or trying to conceive and you’ve never heard of gestational diabetes. Or you’re currently pregnant and worried about what this means. So, in this week’s episode, I give you an overview of what we know about gestational diabetes and baby’s brain developm...

In the episodes on stress and burnout I mentioned how magnesium played a role in the stress response and how an adequate intake of magnesium can support stress resilience. But that is far from all that magnesium gets up to. In this much-requested episode of the Stronger Minds podcast, I’m taking you through the many and marvellous actions of magnesium in the brain.  ___ Newsletter sign up Cor...

Whether it's a difficult breakup, a stressful job, or an unexpected crisis, our ability to handle distressing situations without becoming overwhelmed plays a crucial role in our mental well-being, so on this week’s episode we’re going to get better at feeling bad as we learn all about Distress Tolerance. ___ Newsletter sign up   Corporate Speaking   How to Build a Healthy Brain *  ...

  You’ve probably experienced the sensation of butterflies in your stomach, or the urge to rush to the toilet when you are nervous. These are some of the clearest indications of the relationship between the gut and the brain. But is there more to the story of psychological stress and gut symptoms? Should you be worried? And what, if anything, should you do about it? In this week’s episode of...

I know, I know. You have felt stress enough times to know what it is. But do you really? Maybe you think stress ius all in your head or that a couple of drinks will take the stress away? In this week’s episode of the Stronger Minds podcast I am deep diving into stress – what it is, the different types, how it affects the brain and body and some surprising things that might just be able to help.&nb...

In the previous episode we looked at burnout, the physical and emotional exhaustion associated with chronic workplace stress. One of the supportive tools I mentioned was a breath practice and I promised to record a guide for you. And here it is.  You'll find two versions, with and without background music. Time Stamps 1.40 Start or practice with background audio 9.15 Start of practice without...

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, detached from your work, or like no matter how hard you try, you’re running on empty—this episode is for you. Because, in this week's episode of the Stronger Minds podcast we’re taking a look at Burnout. What its, what causes it, and how to recover. NB: There is not set amount of time that it takes to recover from burnout or chronic stress. That will depend on the...

In the previous episode we looked at the process of decision-making, the brain areas involved, your brain as a simulator creating alternate futures based on the available options, and the internal and external factors that affect even our smallest decisions. But you had questions. How do I cope with decision paralysis, what’s the impact of childhood trauma on decision-making ability and how to mak...

Get the guide! Overcome Decision Paralysis The simple truth is that the quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life. So getting better at making choices is itself a great decision. In this week’s episode, we’ll explore the brain regions involved in decision-making , the internal and external influences that shape our choices , and how to improve our decision-making skills for a b...

Data published last week shows that more Brits than ever have high blood sugar and diabetes. The charity Diabetes UK is calling for government action on prevention because complications of diabetes include damage to the retina, kidneys, hearts and impaired sexual functions. But, we hear much less about the impacts of conditions of high blood sugar on the brain. So, that’s what we’re gonna do today...

How are you feeling right now? Tired? Flat? A bit…meh? Maybe you can’t really remember the last time you felt mentally sharp, fresh and raring to go? That resonates with you then stick around because, in this week’s episode, I am going to guide you through the clouds of brain fog: what it is, why it happens and what you can do about it. ___ Newsletter sign up   How to Build a Healthy Brain *...

Inflammation is one of the big buzzwords in health and wellness. It’s been linked to everything from skin complaints to cancer. But do you really know what it is? And is it all bad? If all the talk about inflammation has left you more confused than a mosquito in a mannequin factory then listen on. Because in this week’s episode of the Stronger Minds Podcast I’m giving you the lowdown on inflammati...

It’s the last week of Dry January. Some people will be looking forward to the first sip of their favourite tipple. While other will perhaps be thinking about how much better they feel going alcohol-free. And perhaps some of your are just curious about what goes on in the brain when we have a drink. So, on this week’s episode of the Stronger Minds Podcast, I’m digging in to the science of what happ...

It’s the New Year and we’ve all pledged to stay hydrated. This week, I answer your question on water and hydration including, whether hot drinks count, should you get a water filter and the best way to stay hydrated without having to spend the day running to the loo! WHO Water Filter Report ___ Newsletter sign up   How to Build a Healthy Brain *   Unprocessed: What Your Diet is Doing to...

Proper hydration helps to prevent constipation and kidney stones, and some even claim that it will help plump out your wrinkles. But what about your brain? If, like me, you have recommitted to staying hydrated this year, but you’re in need of a little motivation, then this one is for you. In this week’s episode of the Stronger Minds podcast, how staying hydrated can give your brain a boost. ___ Ne...

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year! I hope you had a little time to rest and restore. I am back at work this week and I can finally reveal the podcast that I have been working on. It's all about the link between the brain and body (my fave!) and how simple body hacks can improve your brain health and support your mental wellbeing. Tune in! Episodes   Episode 1: Eat A Rainbow Eating brightly co...

One in four adults around the world describes themselves as lonely, and loneliness can feel even more acute during the holidays when the cultural emphasis is on family and socialising. Whether it’s the office party or adverts filled with images of tables bursting with guests, if you are lonely at this time of year, it can be easy to feel like you’re the only one. If this is you, I want to tell you...

I often meet people for whom this time of year is incredibly difficult. Maybe family relationships aren’t where they’d like them to be, maybe they visit their family more out of a sense of duty than pleasure, maybe they find themselves pulled into early life dynamics they wish they could leave behind. It can be really challenging to navigate, which is why, in this week’s episode of the Stronger Mi...

We now know the technical definition ultra-processed foods. These ready to eat or ready to heat products whose ingredients have individually gone through several stages of processing, and require ingredients or processes that you won’t find in a domestic kitchen. But how does this affect your everyday food choices? Should it?   In this week’s episode, I’m talking practical tips and answering...

According to the news headlines, ultra processed foods (UPF) can do everything from increasing your cancer risk to giving you dementia. But most people would have a hard time even defining UPF. If that’s you, then you’re in luck because in this week’s episode, I’m giving you the lowdown on ultraprocessed foods. What they are and what’s so bad about them. In part two I'll be answering your question...

Ninety percent of us experience food cravings – the intense desire to eat a specific food that is often distinct from physiological hunger. But if they’re not about being hungry, why do we get them, what do our cravings mean and what, if anything, should we do about them? In this week’s episode of the Stronger Minds Podcast, we’re digging in to the Science of Food Cravings. Urge surfing Feelings W...

Over the last few years you may have heard a lot of talk about the gut-brain axis. But do you know what it is? And more to the point, why should you care? In this week’s episode I’m giving you a beginner's guide to the gut-brain axis.  ___ Newsletter sign up   How to Build a Healthy Brain *   Unprocessed: What Your Diet is Doing to Your Brain *   Patreon   Original music b...

A report from Goldman Sachs estimates that generative AI like ChatGPT could expose the equivalent of 300mn full-time jobs to automation. Therapy is one of the current parts of the workforce that is considered to be more resilient to these technological changes. But not immune. This week: what are the capabilities of AI in the therapy space? And what are the limitations? Ultimately, are the robots...

Artificial intelligence permeates the full range of our lives, from something as casual as a song recommendation to matching us with our perfect partner. But, increasingly, we are building relationships with AI itself. Last week mother filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Character. AI, a generative AI chatbot platform. She says that the technology played a key role in her teenage son’s de...