Same Sh*t, Different Brain

This episode, Rebecca speaks to Lewis Woodward, her former colleague, who is the first male guest since episode one, hallelujah! Lewis raised some really important points about male mental health and the specific ways men approach looking after themselves, or how they can start to, in many cases. He also shared about living alone in lockdown, being made redundant after many months on furlough, sta...

This episode, Rebecca speaks to Kristie Butterfield, her friend she used to work with and lived close to in Manchester City centre. Kristie opened up about living with fibromyalgia, which is a condition that causes pain all over the body and extreme fatigue, among other symptoms. This can inevitably impact on mental health too, and Kristie shared about how she’s managed all of this while living by...

This week, Rebecca talks to her friend Caroline Howley. Caroline shares some really valuable tips for handling grief, having had quite extensive experience with it in recent years. After losing five of the closest people in her life in the space of a few years, Caroline started to become somewhat familiar with the different stages of grief. However, after seeing her doctor about seemingly unrelate...

This week, Rebecca talks to Hannah McMahon, her former Bupa colleague and now a good friend. Hannah chats about the negative impact that social media has sometimes had during the pandemic, while also needing it to stay connected to people. She also gives advice for managing when we feel disengaged and frustrated in day-to-day life, and opens up about how it can feel when we're not listened to...

Rebecca talks to Rachel Smith, who she used to work with at a digital marketing agency. Rachel opens up about living with OCD and shares her experiences and advice around managing the condition, to try and help others who might be struggling or haven't got a diagnosis yet. Rachel also talks about postnatal depression, imposter syndrome, and what it's been like to raise a toddler in lockd...

Rebecca speaks to her uni housemate Laura White, who she hasn't seen in 10 years. They discuss Laura’s recent journey into motherhood, after she went on maternity leave just as the first lockdown hit, then gave birth while the UK was still under restrictions and was faced with raising a new baby in a socially-distanced world. They also chat about coping methods for anxious thoughts; the impac...

Rebecca speaks to Fran Bibby, who she kept in touch with after they attended the same creative writing class. They discuss managing mental health through self-development work, how spiritual health is becoming gradually less taboo and 'woowoo', and how living alone in a pandemic has given Fran a newly strengthened and compassionate relationship with herself. Follow Fran and Same Shit, Di...

Rebecca talks to Jade Hark, who she used to work with and is currently making a huge success of her luxury balloon display business Party Starters. She talked about the challenges of going self-employed after being made redundant when lockdown was announced, how she copes with a bad day and how she’s made her dreams come true by being forced into a situation she might not have made the leap into s...

Rebecca is joined by model and business founder Jade McSorley, who talks about her exciting new fashion rental business that’s about to revolutionise the industry, LoanHood. She also discusses her experiences with mental health, which started when she overcame anorexia as a teenager, going on to reach the final of Britain’s Next Top Model and move from the North East to New York to pursue her drea...

Alison Carlin joins Rebecca to talk about their shared love of vintage fashion and sustainability, with Alison's community interest company Manchester Fashion Movement currently making waves in the city. She also discusses managing social isolation in lockdown, the impact of work and redundancy on mental health, her journey with 'skin confidence' and finding a sense of calm and purp...

Rebecca's good friend Sarah joins her to chat about life in lockdown, what she's looking forward to after it (hint: wedding bells!), managing mental health, the pitfalls of social media and, as will be SSDB tradition, her go-to tracks for seizing the day. Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahsfoodandwellness

In the very first episode, Rebecca talks to her dear school friend Stewy Axon about body image, depression, the effects of social media, dealing with grief and how he's coped with a year of lockdown living away from his partner. Hear his words of advice around how showing up to the world, practising gratitude and tuning into your inner voice can help you to appreciate life. Follow Stew on Ins...