Counsellor Convos with Sheila McMahon

Folks, if you haven't visited Kim's book store, Fiction and Fairy Lights, in Hednesford, please do so. You can follow Kim on Instagram @kimnashauthor   Folks, today we talk to Kim about the loss of a mutual friend, the challenges and community building associated with it, and simply the power of kindness. For thos who have someone struggling in life, please do pop a message to them, give them a ca...

What really makes us happy? In this episode of Counsellor Convos , Sheila McMahon sits down with broadcaster, DJ, MC and Birmingham Pride founder Phil Oldershaw for a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, friendship and the importance of genuine human connection. Phil shares how Birmingham has always drawn him back throughout his life and career, despite his love of travelling, meeting...

Keeping emotionally healthy within family businesses can be hard. But help is always available to those who ask. A bit of a different one for us today, folks - today we're talking with Simon Price of Arthur Price fame! Simon has deep roots within Birmingham and Lichfield and he has opened up to me about his multi generational business, the complex negotiations he faces week to week working with fa...

Folks, this week I had the wonderful privilege of being on Steven Quance's podcast, hosted by Lichfield Radio! Steven is a kind, caring soul who has been on my very own Counsellor Convos podcast, and getting to spend some time talking with him, openly, honestly, and quite frankly vulnerably, in front of an audience such as this was a true privilege.  #podcast Thank you Steve and the Lichfield Radi...

Wow, today folks we're speaking with Wendy Hill and, what can I say except again, WOW! I've spoken many times with Wendy over the years and each time gives me something new and valuable and, being a mental health champion, I would be doing us ALL a disservice by ignoring just how much our body, our fuel, and our rest and digest system affects our mood, mind, and mobility. Wendy is a fountain of kn...

Thank you so much Jono for joining me this week! to reach out to Jono, visit: https://www.jonotourism.co.uk/  Jono opened up about long term workplace conflict, how it felt to reach out for help over it, and how conflict and communication is a two way street, with both parties having been able to start up that dialogue of healing. Jono also very bravely opened up about his recent health issues, an...

'being anyone else is a waste of you' 'your brain is for having thoughts, not holding them' 'it's selfish to think one person can fulfill every need you have in life' 'consider how you spend your emotional budget' 'healing and life are not linear, we have peaks and valleys'   Folks, we cover a LOT of ground in this conversation between myself and my editor, Ben! Ben has been working with me for a...

Today, folks, we discuss some heavy topics. Love. Loss. License to feel our emotions. Fear of failiure and fatigue. Distress over death. A misalignment with autistic parents. The feelings we get as we go through life. Please note, this is going to have themes of loss, death, funerals, and diagnosis throughout. If you're going through a sensitive time or losing someone, please proceed cautiously.  ...

Folks, many of you have been following along with my motorcycle journey these past few years - rod has been central to its continued development.   This man, with his warm smile, kind heart, and understanding mind, not only helped me pause and progress my journey as and when needed, but quite honestly he may have  Saved my LIFE. Today, we discuss Rod and my experience approaching my latest test, t...

Okay Folks, let's get some housekeeping out the way first - important stuff! Trigger warnings: we will be discussing feelings of depression, experiences of depression, medication, panic attacks, suicidal feelings, therapy, and failings within the medical industry. A Key Reminder: It is not the fault of individual doctors, but a failing in the processes of training and maintaining education levels...

''I wonder what miracles will happen this week'' nobody has the power to hurt you without your permission - Eleanor Roosevelt mild explicit language throughout  content warning: themes of phobias, anxiety, and dental/surgery covered. Light language featured. Discussion of Bulimia and bulimic experiences discussed and bullying touched upon. Experience of an affair, emotional abuse and gaslighting d...

TW: Themes of disordered eating (though nothing explicitly detailed!) 'Our gut is our second brain. There is a direct correlation between what we're thinking and what we're feeling.' Folks, today we speak to Alison Taylor, who is an AMAZING individual who has spent her entire life educating people of all ages on their bodies, their eating habits, and how the gut influences our minds! Now, I've kno...

TW: Themes of depression, experiences with loss, suicide, mental health talks, and violence. If you need to speak with someone urgently and feel you may be at risk, reach out to a professional or contact the Samaritans at https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Today folks, we speak with Steven Quance, a jeweller who opens up about his experiences with mental health managemen...

TW: Postnatal Depression, self harm, themes of depression, impulsive thoughts Postnatal depression (PND) is a mood disorder that can affect people who are pregnant or have recently given birth. If you're having difficulties with your mental health and PND, please reach out to a professional or to friends and family.   You are not alone. Folks, today we're speaking with Becci Willis of Yarny Bees w...

TW: We are discussing themes of suicide throughout this episode. If you're feeling suicidal please reach out to the Samaritans at: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ or call 116 123 Folks, today we discuss bereavement by suicide. We discuss how it affects the family and how SOBS, an amazing supportive charity, helps people keep those support circles in their lives throug...

Folks, I want to say a huge Thank you to Phil Watson of HR Unlimited! I've known Phil for many years now and he's one of these bubbly guys who never fails to make you smile and put on a fantastic show! Which is why it was SO SURPRISING to me to see him so serious and passionate about this conversation. Phil lists out some of the barriers that men face in the workplace, including striking that gold...

Trigger Warnings:  Folks, we discuss some heavy topics in detail here. Please, do not listen with children under 16 in the car or at home. We are talking of themes of depression, suicide, drug abuse, alcohol addiction, relapses, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, historic abuse, unresolved abuse cases, sexual abuse, abuse of a minor, sexual grooming gangs, abuse of power grooming, and more. If y...

Wow, folks, I am just blown away with the level of support, the range of services, and the pro-active approach that Lighthouse demonstrates. Lighthouse has been established for many many years and provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to construction workers and their families. They're also not publicly funded - meaning they rely on the generosity of the industry and donors....

Trigger warnings updated: Contains discussions of bulimia, anorexia with passing, disordered eating and extreme body dysmorphia, bullying, workplace confrontation, financial depression, emotional and financial poverty, and poor mental health. If you are currently affected by any of these themes please consider reaching out to a professional. If you have feelings or thoughts of suicide, please spea...

Folks, usually I type out a lot in this description but, honestly, Matt says it better than I ever could in this episode. He's proactive, supportive, and implements practices exactly how a mental health first aider should operate.   So here's some useful info for you: https://www.talk-more.co.uk is where you can find Matt's page there are so many benefits to joining but they also look for promises...

This week we have the amazing Robin Denton of Alpha construction speaking with us. 87% of the construction workforce are male and 50% are self employed. This means they have the compounded worries of pension contributions, when will the contracts last or end suddenly, when is the next job coming in, and overall financial stability. Not only this, but many will be taking on physically challenging j...

Trigger warnings: Themes of suicide, suicidal thoughts, isolation, depression, medication, parental loss, spousal loss, and intrusive thoughts. If you're feeling Suicidal, reach out to a loved one or a friend as soon as possible or speak to a professional. You can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123 - Help is available. 'there's no point fixing the branches on a tree if the problem is in...

Trigger/Content Warning: Discussions of suicide, fatal depression, isolation, childhood abuse, and family disputes. If you're feeling Suicidal, reach out to a loved one or a friend as soon as possible or speak to a professional. You can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123 - Help is available. Folks, today we have such a WONDERFUL and truly inspiring guest. We are talking mental health wi...

Hi Folks,   Trigger warning: themes of depression, suicidal thoughts and experiences, and mental ill health. If you need urgent assistance please contact the Samaritans on 116 123   'there is so much power in saying no' James Fennelly gives us some amazing advice today and insights from his role at West Clare Mental Health Association. He also has some amazing info about the lighthouse building at...

Hi Folks,   Today we are talking through a very special, complex, and crazy journey with our guest who has name to match! Victoria Ann Spencer-Kibble (VASK) has been combatting symptoms, mental blocks, and correcting thought processes in her clients and today we see exactly how and, more importantly, WHY!   You see, it's common thought nowadays, folks, that our mind and body are operating separate...