Gobsmacked!

At seventeen, Ruth Hasson believed she’d found somebody to love—a man who showered her with attention, making her feel like a princess. However, his obsessive need to monopolise her time gradually isolated her from family and friends, culminating in a harrowing six-hour assault that left her barely alive. Trapped in a coercive, violent relationship, Ruth’s awakening came on her 21st birthday with...

Jade Carson shares her raw and candid story of living with bipolar disorder, from unwittingly self-medicating with alcohol and drugs to the pivotal moment when her university lecturer noticed her fervent behaviour and started the process to diagnosis. Jade’s honest insights and lessons, inspired by the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh, reveal what it takes to embrace mental health challenges and grow. A...

Episode 35 of Gobsmacked! brings us Bill Bates on a journey through music and memories, marking the 8th anniversary of his son Matthew’s passing. With his signature blend of humour and honesty, Bill shares stories of love and loss while playing some of his own songs, each one reflecting moments of joy, resilience, and remembrance. A heartfelt episode that honours Matthew’s memory through words and...

Get ready for a Gobsmacked! episode that unpacks the “Ninender” mindset with Kate Berski! She’s taking on the myth of millennial milestones like hitting career goals, homeownership, or marriage by 30, and why “adulting” anxiety is at an all-time high. From feeling like she was “quarantined” by life’s pressures to thriving post-COVID with a new perspective, Kate’s here to redefine success beyond In...

In the blink of an eye, everything can change. On New Year’s Day 2022, Naomi Rees-Issitt lost her 18-year-old son Jamie to a sudden cardiac arrest. This searingly honest, highly emotional, and compelling account tells the story of how a mother’s love sparked a life-saving mission." Welcome to Heartbeat of Hope: A Mother's Love, A Son's Legacy—where one family's unimaginable loss becomes a movement...

Linda Clarke, a spirited Liverpudlian lass, is set to challenge, provoke, entertain, and inspire you. Drawing from her experiences supporting vulnerable children caught in county line drug operations and severe offences, and inspired by her nephew Jaxon’s journey with Kabuki Syndrome—a rare genetic condition—Linda now leads Lumiere, creating safe and inclusive spaces for children with special need...

Welcome to an extraordinary episode featuring Emma Smuts Muller, whose life journey is nothing short of jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring. Emma's story takes us through a whirlwind of experiences, from finding her soul mate and setting a wedding date, to facing the challenges of cancer, the heartbreak of bereavement, the struggles of lockdown, and the trials of infertility and surrogacy. Despite the...

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Brazilian-born entrepreneur and online TV channel host, Bia Rodrigues. Bia’s story is one of love, loss, and ultimate redemption. After meeting the love of her life in a restaurant in Spain, Bia followed her heart and left behind her home, career, and what felt like her entire identity to move to the leafy town of Leamington Spa. However, he...

Less than three years ago, Victoria Harpham was caught in a cycle of crack cocaine and heroin addiction that had spanned decades. Homeless and estranged from her children, she was living a life defined by despair. An offer to enter a Christian all-female rehab seemed unappealing to her, and she expected to stay only a few days. But they say God works in mysterious ways, and Victoria's transformati...

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring tale of David Barnes—a story of resilience, redemption, and the transformative power of cold water immersion. From the tough, wild mountains of West Cumbria to the depths of David's personal struggles, his journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the region and its people. Battling personal demons, facing the collapse of his marriage, and conf...

Julie White, a Coventry native who overcame chronic anxiety to become a formidable force in the world of business and advocacy. From navigating the 2008 recession to gracing the screens of BBC Question Time, Julie's story is all about grit determination with a dose of blag thrown in. Tune in as we explore her captivating tale of triumph against the odds and her ongoing mission to champion Small Me...

Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Matt Gallagher, a former rugby pro facing Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Rejecting despair, Matt channels his strength into the Matt Gallagher Foundation, raising funds and awareness for MND. Tune in to be inspired by his resilience and determination. https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-matt-gallagher-foundation-coventry-rugby-club Hosted on Acast. See acas...

This moving and challenging podcast features Sarah Warwick and Kelly Illes: mothers who formed a deep enduring bond when Sarah’s daughter Neive, aged 5, was diagnosed with embryonal/fusion negative parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma, in August 2022. The Enchanted Tea Rooms, owned by Kelly, was the backdrop to their friendship and the many happy memories Neive had during her treatment, which included n...

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome was first diagnosed in Japan in the early 90’s but it wasn’t until 2004 that it was recognised in the West. This type of heart attack is very prevalent in post-menopausal women making up 9 out of 10 cases. Killing almost 3 times as many women each year than breast cancer.  Julie Richards has been a fit and athletic woman all her life, so...

Gary ‘365 consecutive marathons’ McKee reflects on some of his gobsmacking moments of the last few challenges. Running the London Marathon on 10 pints and a curry. Sharing motivational anecdotes with Jürgen Klopp, lifting the cup in front of 70,000 crowd at the rugby World Cup. As well as how his heroic endeavours have been supported by fellow hero and ultra marathon runner, Kevin Sinfield. Buckle...

How anyone finds it in their heart to forgive the man who murdered their mum is beyond most's comprehension. Add to that her murderer is one of the most notorious serial killers - Peter Sutcliffe. This is not an easy listen but from it comes a message of compassion and forgiveness; gold in the darkest of places. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 year old Oliver Hodgson ‘dropped’ out of school. Bullied for years for being different he couldn’t stand another day of a system that he felt failed him. Setting up his business with his last £25 pounds and two weeks into Covid Lockdown, he had big dreams and bold goals. Now 19, he presides over a super successful PR Agency with a team of 7 making its first million and very much living his...

At just 23 years of age, heavyweight boxer Lewis Williams claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. We catch up with Lewis as he seeks to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Those of us that watched him triumph were indeed Gobsmacked! by his achievement. But what preparation and mindset do you need to cultivate to be a Gold medal winner? As a member of Gen Z, Lewis entertains us with h...

When Hazel Carter found true love in her 40’s, she was not to know that her time with her soulmate Alan would be cruelly cut short by his devastating diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease. When they said till death do us part in sickness and in health, she would have to face up to her vows. This is a sensitive and compelling account of the many aspects of love and turning pain to purpose. Hosted on A...

At the age of 16, Grant Harris started seeing visions of his 18 month old nephew who had previously passed. He talks about how the gift of mediumship has shaped forged his life. As well as the incredible responsibility of the power of words when faced with vulnerability and grief. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Askwith was in a dark, dodgy place in his early twenties. He discusses how deciding to go for a run one day was the beginning of his redemptive experience as well as the impetus to write his first award winning book ‘Feet in the Clouds’. His story of pitching himself against the mountains and fells of Cumbria has since led to other successful books. Yet running has remained a constant thro...

Burying your child is an experience no one wants to have. For Louise Bates, her son Matthew’s aggressive kidney cancer diagnosis and the grief that followed his death has given her a very personal set of insights. Though it deals with a tragic subject, this is not a sad podcast. There is love wisdom and hope in abundance. And how a woman found her voice following the example of her son. Hosted on...

In 2007, Ian Verge decided to find his birth mother. After putting it off for 20 years, this time he’s ready. A chance sighting of a painting of a woman, a bird and a baby led him to her. What unfolds is a story of what's possible when forgiveness is forthcoming and love transcends all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 year old Saoirse recognises she is lucky to be alive, having flipped her car, hit a tree and been cut out of her vehicle. That was a wake up moment - she got in that car 4 and half times over the legal limit. This is not a podcast for the faint hearted but it is a message of hope. It’s searingly honest, deals with the trauma of the tragic death of her brother. And her day to day strategies...

Chief Superintendent Kim Madill is a lifer. As a 10 year old, she knew she wanted to join the police. Nearly 3 decades later, she’s seen the worst and the best of humanity. Determined to use her abundant talents and drive, she explores how a horrendous crime 20 years ago directed her passion towards her mission for a safer fairer world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.