How Do You Cope?

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri shares what she is grateful for. Fatiha explains her gratitude for the rain, discussing her belief that ‘there is mercy in the rain’ to John. She is also grateful to be back in London after a busy few weeks touring her debut show, and for her publicist meeting her when she got off the train.  Head to the main episode to hear F...

In this episode, John is joined by comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri. Fatiha grew up in Hackney as one of 13 children, in a British-Moroccan Muslim family. She reflects on how both her upbringing and comedy have become enduring sources of strength.  She also speaks about forging a career while often feeling she didn't fit other people's ideas of who she should be, the challenge of existing...

In this correspondence special, John reads a selection of your emails and feedback. Recorded at home, he responds to listener reflections on food addiction, the difficult relationship between shame and compulsive behaviour, therapy and 12-step programmes. John also shares five things he is currently grateful for. John's book references include Healing The Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw, I T...

In this week’s bonus episode, content creator Sam Bagshaw shares what he is grateful for. Number one on Sam’s list is his parents, who have supported him and helped build his confidence over the years. Sam is now more comfortable with travelling, which also features on his list, along with his job.  Head to the main episode to hear Sam speak about the impact having a stammer has had on his id...

This week, John is joined by Sam Bagshaw, a content creator whose honest and insightful videos about living with a stammer have helped millions better understand the realities of speech difficulties. Sam speaks about the impact having a stammer has had on his confidence and identity, and how it has shaped his life, from friendships and dating to education and work. He reflects on years spent avoid...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kelsey Waghorn, a survivor of the 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand, shares what she is grateful for. It was an early start for Kelsey, recording from New Zealand, so the fact it didn’t rain when she walked her dog this morning makes the list, along with her morning coffee and, finally, sitting down with John after months of planning this con...

This week, John is joined by Kelsey Waghorn, a survivor of the 2019 Whakaari/White Island Volcanic eruption in New Zealand.  In their conversation, Kelsey reflects on surviving the disaster, the long and painful reality of burn recovery and the psychological impact of trauma. She speaks about developing PTSD and the impact it had on her life and relationships. Kelsey also discusses the therap...

In this week’s bonus episode, author, poet, broadcaster and activist Scout Tzofiya Bolton shares what they are grateful for. Family, sugar-free energy drinks, and getting their eyelashes done by Poppy, are just some of the items on the list. Along the way, they reflect on sobriety, parenting, self-care, creativity and the small rituals that help keep them grounded. Head to the main episode to hear...

What happens when a manic episode changes your life forever? This week, John sits down with author, poet, broadcaster and activist Scout Tzofiya Bolton. Scout speaks about living with schizoaffective disorder, experiencing psychosis, addiction and repeated struggles to access the right mental health support. They discuss the events that led to a prison sentence during a manic episode, the failings...

In this week’s bonus episode, Rhian Mannings, founder of 2Wish shares what she is grateful for. Her parents, photos and videos feature, along with a discussion about ‘glimmers’ - Rhian’s term for the small moments of positivity we can try and find in the every day.  Head to the main episode to hear about Rhian’s experience of the impact of grief, trauma, and the reality of trying to survive a...

What happens when unimaginable loss changes your life forever? In today’s episode, John is joined by Rhian Mannings, founder of 2Wish . Rhian reflects on the devastating loss of her one-year-old son George, who died suddenly after suffering a seizure, and the death of her husband Paul just five days later. She speaks about grief, trauma, and the reality of trying to survive after losing what felt...

In this week’s bonus episode, presenter, writer, and former Royal Marine Commando Jason Fox shares what he is grateful for. Family, his physical and mental health and finding purpose through work all feature, alongside the barefoot shoes which helped him recover after breaking his leg. Head to the main episode to hear about Jason’s experience of the impact of active service, navigating PTSD and wh...

How do you return to normal life after being trained for war? John is joined by presenter, writer, and former Royal Marine Commando Jason Fox. Jason opens up about the long-term psychological impact of active service, the pressures military life places on the mind and body, and why PTSD is often more complex than people realise. He reflects on the difficulty of transitioning back into everyday lif...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian, writer and podcaster Suzi Ruffell shares what she is grateful for. Suzi’s into gratitude in a big way, and overnight oats, her wife and daughter and the beach are just some of the things mentioned on her list.  Head to the main episode to hear about Suzi’s relationship with anxiety, navigating self-acceptance and her experience of coming out.  You...

How do you learn to accept yourself after years of trying to be someone else? In today’s episode, John is joined by comedian, writer and podcaster Suzi Ruffell. Suzi opens up about how childhood anxiety shaped her early life, from intrusive thoughts and compulsive checking, to the fear of losing loved ones. She reflects on how these anxieties have evolved in the age of social media, and why she fe...

In this week’s bonus episode, Wall Street financier, broadcaster and former Director of Communications for Donald Trump Anthony Scaramucci shares what he is grateful for, health and his relationship with his wife feature, as well as finding inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning. Head to the main episode to hear Anthony speak about how his childhood shaped his approach to w...

How do you handle working with Donald Trump, and what happens when failure plays out in public? John is joined by Anthony Scaramucci, Wall Street financier, broadcaster and former Director of Communications for Donald Trump. Anthony reflects on how his childhood shaped his approach to work, and how it ultimately prepared him for one of the most high-pressure roles in politics today. He shares what...

In this week’s bonus episode, campaigner Esther Ghey shares what she is grateful for. John and Esther reflect on silent retreats, time with friends, morning walks and the tulips in Postman’s Park, as well as the work of the Brianna Ghey Legacy project team.  Head to the main episode to hear Esther speak about how her own past has shaped her capacity for compassion, and how mindfulness became...

How do you navigate the world after the murder of your child? John is joined by Esther Ghey, mother of Brianna Ghey who was murdered in 2023. Following her daughter’s death, Esther found herself confronting an online world filled with hostility and harm. Esther shares how her own past has shaped her capacity for compassion, and how mindfulness became a lifeline in the aftermath of her daughter’s d...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian, podcaster, writer and actor Alison Spittle shares the things she’s grateful for. Podcasting, the TV show Pointless , and late-90s pop bands such as the Spice Girls and S Club 7 all feature, along with Mounjaro and the freedom that comes from not constantly thinking about food. Head to the main episode to hear Alison speak about using food as protection, how...

What does it mean when your coping mechanism stops working for you? John speaks to comedian, podcaster, writer and actor Alison Spittle about using food as protection, and how it shaped her sense of self.  After a serious health scare forced a change, Alison found herself confronting feelings she had numbed with food. She reflects on being treated differently since her weight change, how it f...

In this week’s bonus episode best-selling author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman shares the things he's grateful for. Having suffered with poor eyesight his whole life, Richard appreciates the things he can see. Daytime TV and sport also feature, along with a detailed discussion about Ronnie O'Sullivan and what the last signs of humanity might be. Head to the main episode to hear about Richar...

John is joined by best-selling author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman for a conversation about food addiction, shame, and the challenge of changing behavioural patterns.  Richard reflects on how his addiction developed during childhood, and why he sought therapy in his thirties after becoming “tired of weird behaviour”.  Richard also speaks about his relationship with shame and how...

How Do You Cope is back for a brand new series!  Each week John Robins will be speaking to fascinating guests, including former Communications Director to Donald Trump Anthony Scaramucci, comedian Alison Spittle and campaigner and author Esther Ghey.  The first episode drops on Monday 20th April and features author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman. Gratitude List bonus episodes are b...

In this week’s bonus episode journalist, author and broadcaster Bryony Gordon shares the things she’s grateful for. Books, free coffees and Arsenal football club feature, along with discussions of the vital importance of rightsizing. Head to the main episode to hear about Bryony’s difficult journey from alcohol and drug addiction to sobriety, her coping mechanisms for quieting the negative voice i...