The Just Checking In Podcast

In the thirty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to co-founder of mental health non-profit Mad Millennials, Charlotte Brockman. Charlotte is also a professional solo performing artist, who performs under the moniker 'CHAR'. Charlotte was kind enough to invite us to speak at the launch event of Mad Millennials in December 2018.In this pod, we discussed the Mad Mille...

In the thirty-sixth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Service Level Operator and long-time friend of Vent, Tim Gibson. Tim and our Founder Freddie Cocker have known each other since childhood and Tim was keen to share his journey and what he's gone through to get to where he is today. In this pod we chatted about Tim's regret at not having friends at school he could ta...

In the thirty-fifth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion and stand-up comedian Graeme Rayner. Graeme has been one of Vent's biggest supporters since we started this platform and his mental health journey is an inspiration to so many in his local community and beyond. In this pod we discussed his stand-up career so far, the first ever performance he did, comedy id...

In the thirty-fourth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to mental health advocate Ash Ledran. Ash is the Founder of mental health platform Op_n. Op_n provides its audience with inspiration, resources and tools to help them feel safe expressing mental health issues that affect our day-to-day lives. Op_n gives people a platform to share their story and has built a community of mental h...

In the thirty-third episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we thought we'd do something a bit different. Everyone who listens to this podcast has been affected in some way by COVID-19 or Coronavirus as it’s more commonly called. It has swept across most of Europe and has already cost the lives of ten of thousands of people. In these moments, we can quite easily feel disconnected from the wo...

In the thirty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to Headteacher of ThornHill Community Academy School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Matthew Burton. Matthew came into a bit of fame through a little show called ‘Educating Yorkshire’, which was broadcast on Channel 4 in September 2013, after which he became affectionately known as 'Mr Burton' to the wider public. The sho...

In the thirty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to mental health advocate Sam Evans. Sam works in the pharmaceuticals industry in his full-time job but when one of his friends from University tragically took his own life, he felt compelled to do something. Since that moment, Sam has done multiple successful 'Movember' campaigns, raising thousands of pounds for Movemb...

In the thirtieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to videographer, photographer and Venue and Events Bar Manager in the live music venue industry, Colm Brett. Colm is also Founder of Colm Brett Visuals. where he shows clients and his audience the world through his lens. In this pod we discussed Colm's work as a events professional, the venues he has worked at and how they help...

In the twenty-ninth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion Paola Bombo.'Paz' as she is affectionately known to her friends is a Data Analyst and also former first team and club captain at Kings College London (KCL) University Women’s Rugby Team. In this pod we discussed her rugby journey from picking up a rugby ball for the first time at University to becoming...

In the twenty-eighth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to UK DJ, Jack Sirkett. Jack is a regular DJ on the London and UK touring circuit and was the first contributor to our 'Behind the Decks' feature, which gives a voice to DJs and producers who wish to share their mental health experiences in the music industry or outside it. Jack is also Founder of London not-for-profi...

In the twenty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to men's life coach Eldridge Cooke. We met Eldridge at an event run by the Whole Man Academy and we knew from speaking to him for five minutes about his story that we wanted him on the Pod. Originally from East London, Eldridge's journey is remarkable and not one constrained by stereotypes placed upon him when he was...

In the twenty-sixth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker and Founder of Nottingham-based community project, Helping Kids Achieve (HKA), Keiren Thompson. Helping Kids Achieve offers young people the opportunity to engage in sports, particularly basketball which Keiren coaches, as well as other interactive activities such as arts and crafts, and music, with the aim of kee...

In the twenty-fifth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to guitarist in East London Rock band Cavalcade, Jack Campbell. Cavalcade first came to Vent's attention through their single 'Blueness Is A Heavy Stone' and the mental health themes which were present throughout the record. To mark the launch of that single, we did a More Than A Record interview with the band abou...

In the twenty-fourth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker Shane Tewiah. Shane is a Lead Key Worker for high-risk young people, working with them on a daily basis to change their lives and make sure they do not take the wrong path in life. In this pod we spoke about the life-changing work Shane does on a day-to-day basis and the issues the young people he works with are...

In the twenty-third episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Engineer from East London, Jacob George. We pride ourselves on being a community platform that tries to help anyone who needs it. This pod is the first time Jacob has been open about his mental health, specifically his experiences of anxiety, panic attacks and depression. We also discussed his journey of becoming a father at...

In the twenty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to freelance Science Journalist and Audio Producer, Izzie Clarke. After completing a Masters degree in Physics, Izzie worked as an assistant producer for BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 1, returning to science content a few years later as a producer and presenter for The Naked Scientists on BBC Radio 5 Live, ABC’s Radio National in A...

In the twenty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Senior Referee Officer at the English Football Association, Farai Hallam. Farai is a qualified professional referee and a former professional footballer having played for Stevenage before several injuries curtailed his career before he was released by the club and forced him to change career. Referees across the English footb...

In the twentieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion and Head Chef at London restaurant Copper & Ink, Robert Parks. Rob got his big break in the industry when he made it to the Semi-Final of BBC cookery show MasterChef in 2015.In this pod we discussed the article he wrote for Vent in January 2018 about some of the realities of working in the restaurant industry a...

In the nineteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to UK Disco & Soul recording artist, AMiR. AMiR spoke honestly about his experiences in the music industry in his career to date, his debut album, 'All or Nothing' he released in 2019 and his refusal to be pigeon-holed or stereotyped. We also spoke about the man behind the alias including fatherhood, family, football...

In the eighteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion Bree Leahy. Bree at time of recording is a full-time University student at the University of East London and is studying for a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Sport, Physical Education and Development. She has written for Vent’s poetry section about her experiences as a young gay woman as well as an article...

In the seventeenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to former professional rugby player, Kearnan Myall. Kearnan has played for a number of Premiership Rugby clubs including London Wasps and Sale Sharks. He started his career at Championship club Leeds Carnegie, now known as Yorkshire Carnegie. Kearnan has also been capped by England at both England U18 and England Saxons level and...

In the sixteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Personal Trainer and Studio Manager at Rock Health & Fitness, Dean Clarke. In one of the most raw and in-depth interviews to date, we spoke to Dean about his mental health journey and living with Bipolar Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We discussed his experiences of being in the British Army, his tours o...

In the fifteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to mental health advocate Paul McGregor. Paul is a Public Speaker, a guest Lecturer at University of the Arts London and Founder of the digital platform, ‘Every Mind At Work’.We talked about losing his dad to suicide, the impact that had on him growing up and how it's shaped his experiences as a father, public speaking and bec...

In the fourteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to mental health advocate, campaigner, public speaker and author, Hope Virgo. Hope is one of the most prominent and influential advocates for greater awareness and better treatment for eating disorders in the UK. Her campaign, 'Dump The Scales' aims to ensure nobody is turned away from treatment for eating disorders pure...

In the thirteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to co-founder of the Whole Man Academy, Matthew Shaw. Since September 2018, the Whole Man Academy has been creating spaces for men to talk. Their public and corporate events, workshops and 1-2-1 coaching sessions are designed to help men build a strong mindset and improve their resilience in today’s challenging and demanding world...