Figuring It Out

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. In part two, Dr Alex George and his mother Jane open up about the devastating loss of their brother and son, Llŷr,  who died by suicide in 2020. They reflect on the reality of navigating grief after suicide, the impact it has had on their family, and how they have each found ways to move forward whilst keeping Llŷr’s memory at...

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. To mark the final episode of the Stompcast, Dr Alex George is joined by a very special guest: his mother, Jane George. In part one, Jane reflects on Alex’s childhood, shares what it was like watching her son appear on Love Island, and reveals her reaction when Alex first told her about his ADHD diagnosis… Plus, Jane and Alex revisi...

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. In part three, Ben West and Dr Alex George discuss what it’s really like to be a mental health activist in today’s world, the challenges of driving meaningful policy change and whether either of them could ever see themselves stepping into politics… Plus, in this penultimate episode of Stompcast, Alex shares his favourite place he’...

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. In part two, Ben West reflects on how the Reasons to Stay project has transformed his life, why hope matters in suicide prevention and whether we should ban social media for under 16s… Plus, Ben and Dr Alex George discuss the three things social media should provide, and why it may be worth reassessing your relationship with certai...

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness. Ben West is a mental health campaigner, who became an activist after losing his 15 year old brother, Sam, to suicide in 2018. Earlier this year, Ben launched the incredible Reasons to Stay project, a suicide prevention website where anyone in the world can write a letter to someone thinking about suicide. In part one, Ben joins Dr...

In part three, Owen O’Kane shares the many ways modern life can fuel anxiety, how doomscrolling increases anxiety and why not letting your experiences define you can set you free. Plus, Owen and Dr Alex George discuss how happiness can be misinterpreted as a scary emotion and unpack why breakthroughs can often feel uncomfortable… Follow @owenokaneten and check out his latest book Addicted to Anxie...

In part two, Owen O’Kane explores how anxiety can sometimes serve a useful purpose and explains why separating the facts from the stories we tell ourselves can help reduce worry. He also reveals why a significant part of managing anxiety is learning to stop getting in your own way… Plus, Owen and Dr Alex George discuss the link between OCD and the need for control and why taking medication for you...

Owen O’Kane is a leading psychotherapist, mental health expert and author whose work has helped countless people better understand and manage anxiety. In part one, Owen joins Dr Alex George to discuss why you need to embrace anxiety, the importance of looking after your inner child and how shame can impact your relationship with anxiety. Plus, Owen unpacks the three core systems that drive anxiety...

In part three, Joshua Fletcher joins Dr Alex George to unpack why there’s no quick-fix for anxiety, how wellness culture can quietly damage your self-worth and the complex relationship between anxiety and self-trust. Plus, Josh and Alex discuss how using humour can sometimes be a healthy way to cope with anxiety, and why rumination never solves anything… Follow @anxietyjosh and check out his new b...

In part two, Joshua Fletcher explores whether you can still be a good therapist and struggle with mental illness, how to strike a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-obsession and why it’s better to be a “wounded healer” than a perfect one… Plus, Josh and Dr Alex George discuss why human connection is vital to impactful therapy, and whether it’s okay to accept that you’ve not “fixed”...

This week, Joshua Fletcher - also known as Anxiety Josh - returns to the Stompcast! With over 300k followers, Josh is a content creator, author and psychotherapist specialising in anxiety and anxiety disorders. In part one, Josh joins Dr Alex George to discuss how to enjoy your life alongside anxiety, the importance of leaning into uncertainty and whether AI is the future of therapy… Plus, Josh sh...

In part three, Claire educates us on how audio description works for TV, film and concerts and shares how she’s making the world more accessible.  Plus, she shares how she pulls herself out of the darkest moments to find moments of joy.  Follow Claire @canseecantsee_ Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now!  Follow the podcast on Instagram @thes...

In part two, Claire Sisk sheds light on the everyday obstacles she faces that, as a sighted person, you could take completely for granted.  Claire explains the app that helps connect blind people with help around the world, the issues with travel assistance and the triggers that remind her of her blindness.  Follow Claire @canseecantsee_ Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! O...

At just 29, Claire Sisk suffered two strokes, which eventually led to her losing her sight. 17 years later, she’s thriving with a career in TV and content creation – but she’s come a long way from her self-described ‘rock bottom’. In part one, Claire reveals how her first marriage broke down at the same time of her illness, why she was terrified of losing her daughter and why she didn’t tell anyon...

In part three, Gini explains why she decided to open up about this deeply personal experience and her advice to anyone considering egg donation. Gini and Dr Alex discuss the complex intersection of science and religion, the power of a truly selfless good deed and how you never know what will come from a seemingly unremarkable interaction.  Follow @ginibhogal Order Alex’s latest book Am I Norm...

In part two, Gini reveals how the baby born from her egg reacted to finding out that his ‘auntie’ was actually his biological mother.  Gini shares her anxieties around the secret coming out, why she was the most afraid to tell her parents and how her relationship has changed with Christopher since it all came out.  Follow @ginibhogal Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order...

30 years ago, Gini struck up a conversation with a stranger on the tube, which would change both her and the stranger’s lives forever. Despite having no knowledge of the process, Gini agreed to donate her eggs to a complete stranger. She shares her extraordinary story with Dr Alex George, revealing what made her so certain she wanted to perform such a selfless act, what it was like hiding her egg...

In part three, Shell explains how her cancer diagnosis eventually led her on the path to her dream job. Plus, she opens up about the disgusting hate comments she’s received and how she doesn’t let them bother her. Follow @shellrowex and pre order her book Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive (By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for eve...

In part two, Shell Rowe explains why humour was so important during her cancer treatment and why it’s so important not to define people as ‘cancer patients’. Shell and Alex discuss the loss of dignity during treatment and why being open about it helped her get through it, the videos that she never posted and why she dabbled with religion during the darker times.  Follow @shellrowex and pre or...

Shell Rowe was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma at just 20 years old. Somehow, she found the humour in cancer, building a social following of over 1.1 million.  In this episode, she joins Dr Alex George to share the devastating conversations that followed her diagnosis - including telling her girlfriend she didn’t need to stay - and the moment which left her thinking ‘it’s now or n...

In part three, Laura Guckian and Dr Alex George compare notes on their AuDHD and how she spotted the signs in both herself and her children that they were autistic.  Plus, she offers her advice on what to do during your child’s meltdown and the lesser-known signals of AuDHD in girls.  Follow @MindMommyCoaching and listen to Momfessions . Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! O...

In part two, Laura Guckian shares some of the confessions mum’s have shared with her and reveals how many of them wonder if they made the right choice by having children. Laura discusses the rage that is surprisingly prevalent in many mothers, the reality of gentle parenting and the things she does in order not to feel any mum guilt.  Follow @MindMommyCoaching and listen to Momfessions . Orde...

8 years ago, when Laura Guckian should have been experiencing the happiest time of her life, she instead found herself in a psychiatric hospital away from her 10-month-old baby. In this powerful episode, she joins Dr Alex George to share what it was like spending 2 months in hospital, the shocking reason behind many suicidal thoughts amongst new mums and why the idea of a ‘good mum’ can be an unac...

In part three, Alex turns to the listeners to find out what YOU would change about Stompcast.  If you’ve got ideas on how Stompcast can change for the better, share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/8v2Yw5JPB5dbT6AG9 Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now!  Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mi...

In part two, Alex and Abby discuss the future of the Stompcast with some controversial changes…  What does a rebrand look like? Are we moving away from guests? Is it in a studio? Is it with a cohost? Listen to find out more… Give us your feedback on the Stompcast: https://forms.gle/8v2Yw5JPB5dbT6AG9 Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now! Order Happy Habits - out now!  Follow th...