How Do You Cope?

In the final episode of the series, John reads a selection of your emails and feedback. We hear correspondence on our episodes with David Challen, Pierre Novellie and Nicky Campbell. And reflect on gratitude, neurodivergence and pets. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucopepod.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod Follow the show...

How do you live a fulfilling life after coming to terms with addiction problems? John speaks to the journalist, author and broadcaster Bryony Gordon about confronting her alcohol and drug addictions, finding ways to quieten the negative voice in her head, and how running and exercise have transformed her life for the better. Bryony talks about her difficult and reluctant journey towards confrontin...

In this week’s bonus episode author, presenter and musician Izzy Judd shares the things she’s grateful for. From the life lessons you can learn from your children, to a life where therapy is both accessible and acceptable for her and her family. Head to the main episode to hear about Izzy’s journey to becoming a mum, the trauma of the accident that changed the course of her brother’s life forever...

In this week’s bonus episode ex-cyclist, now journalist and author Philippa York shares the things she’s grateful for. Philippa talks about the importance of health, describes the gratitude she has for existing how she wants to exist, and explains the differences she has experienced entering the female world. Head to the main episode to hear about Philippa’s lifelong body and gender dysmorphia, ho...

What do great sporting achievements mean when you’re born in the wrong body? John sits down with ex-cyclist Philippa York, who competed in the Tour de France under the name Robert Millar, to talk about transitioning from male to female, having her privacy invaded by the press, and the ups and downs of competing in cycling’s most prestigious race. As Robert Millar, Philippa was the first British cy...

Can you ever prepare yourself for the challenges of parenthood — especially when faced with unexpected struggles? Author, presenter, and musician Izzy Judd joins John to talk about her experiences with IVF, miscarriage, and raising a neurodivergent child. Izzy reflects on her journey from growing up in a deeply musical family, through her early career as a violinist, to meeting her husband Harry J...

In this week’s bonus episode broadcaster, author and musician Nicky Campbell shares the things he’s grateful for. Unsurprisingly for a man who’s written a book about his dog, man’s best friend features front and centre of Nicky’s gratitude list. He also explores his love of the Scottish highlands, and gives thanks for the jobs he’s been able to do over the years. Head to the main episode to hear a...

Can you ever fully recover from experiences of childhood abuse? John is joined by fellow BBC 5 Live presenter; broadcaster, author and musician Nicky Campbell. They explore Nicky’s experiences of adoption, his bipolar disorder, and experiencing and witnessing abuse whilst at school. Nicky was taken in for adoption at a few days old, and describes the emotional journey of tracking down and meeting...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian and actor Sophie Willan shares the 5 things she’s currently grateful for. No stranger to writing gratitude lists, Sophie delves into her trusty No Probllama note book (complete with a llama on the cover) to describe everything she is thankful for. Head to the main episode to hear about Sophie’s experiences of growing up in the care system, receiving her recor...

How do you truly find your identity after growing up in care? John is joined by comedian Sophie Willan, the star and writer of Alma’s Not Normal, to talk about her experiences of the care system. Sophie discusses the many ways being in care has affected her life - from constantly thinking of herself as an outsider, to always feeling the need to make people happy. She also talks about growing up wi...

In this week’s bonus episode, musician and writer Jordan Stephens shares the five things he’s currently grateful for. There’s a disagreement about dogs, but a lot of excitement over a new way of drinking tea. Head to the main episode to hear about Jordan’s struggles with fame, addiction, and managing his ADHD. Plus why he thinks group therapy changed his life. You can send in your thoughts and ref...

How do you recover from a breakup you feel is your fault? John sits down with musician and writer Jordan Stephens, best known as one half of Rizzle Kicks, to talk about how his self-destructive behaviour led to infidelity and heartbreak. Jordan opens up to John about how he set his life back on the right path by admitting his faults, accepting his ADHD diagnosis, and throwing himself into group th...

In this week’s bonus episode, author and comedian Tom Rosenthal shares the 5 things he is grateful for. He explains why he thinks dogs resonate at a higher frequency to people, and why he’s grateful to be part of the comedy world. Head to the main episode to hear about Tom’s spiritual journey from sceptic to believer, his experiences of losing an unborn child, and his approach to living life by be...

How do we live the most fulfilled life possible? John sits down with his friend the comedian and actor Tom Rosenthal to discuss faith, coming to terms with loss, and experiencing a higher plane of existence. Tom describes how taking part in the BBC documentary Pilgrimage led to him confronting buried trauma around the loss of his unborn child. He also explains how he experienced a transcendental e...

In this week’s bonus episode, Chermal Williams from the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse shares the 5 things she is grateful for. She explains how getting up at 5am every day has changed her life, and why she’s grateful for herself. Head to the main episode to hear about Chermal’s experiences of domestic abuse as a child at the hands of her stepfather. And how coaching a boys’ foot...

How do you escape and recover from abuse by a parent? John talks to Chermal Williams, Head of Services for Health and Training at the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, about her difficult childhood. Chermal was the victim of domestic abuse as a child at the hands of her stepfather, experiencing physical and psychological abuse. Later as an adult, she found herself in an abusive rel...

In this week’s bonus episode, broadcaster and writer Angela Scanlon shares the 5 things she is grateful for. She explains how gratitude came into her life via Irish dancing, and expresses her love for the mundane. Head to the main episode to hear about Angela’s battles with anorexia and bulimia, her journey into parenthood, and how meditating for 10 minutes on the tube can change her day. You can...

How do you recover from an eating disorder? John speaks to presenter, writer and broadcaster Angela Scanlon about living with anorexia and bulimia in her younger years. Angela noticed her relationship with food change in her late teens, and went on to struggle with eating disorders for 15 years. She talks about how controlling her eating gave her a sense of safety, which years later morphed into a...

In a special episode, John reads a selection of your questions and emails. There are reflections on Megan Jayne Crabbe’s message of body positivity, reactions to Naga Munchetty highlighting the misogyny of the health service, and John answers questions about making big life decisions, and how to effectively check in on loved ones. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucope...

Why should footballers have to tolerate racism? John sits down with ex-footballer Anton Ferdinand, who found himself at the centre of a national racism scandal. Anton was playing for Premier League team Queens Park Rangers in October 2011, when Chelsea and England defender John Terry was caught on camera apparently saying a racist slur. Terry was subsequently charged with racially abusing Anton, b...

In this week’s bonus episode, domestic abuse campaigner and author David Challen shares the 5 things he is grateful for. In what turns out to be one of John’s favourite ever gratitude lists, David expresses his love for his bike and the film ‘You’ve Got Mail’. Head to the main episode to hear about how David fought to get his mother released from prison after she’d killed his father. He explains w...

How do you reconcile your mother killing her abuser, when her abuser was your father? John speaks to domestic abuse campaigner and author David Challen. He shares his experiences of fighting to get his mother freed from prison after she killed his father. David was just 23 when he found out his mother Sally was close to ending her own life after the incident. She was subsequently sentenced to life...

In this week’s bonus episode, author and digital creator Megan Jayne Crabbe shares the 5 things she is grateful for. Megan explains how her relationship with gratitude initially started from a place of scepticism. She also discusses the benefits of writing morning pages, and why she’s grateful for Gilbert the cat. Head to the main episode to hear about Megan’s journey with anorexia, transforming h...

How do you learn to love your body? John sits down with writer, presenter, and digital creator Megan Jayne Crabbe to talk about her experience of eating disorders, her journey into body positivity, and the reasons why women make themselves small. Megan began posting online about body positivity under the handle Bodyposipanda at the age of 21. In her teens she struggled with anorexia and binge eati...

In this week’s bonus episode, actor Leslie Ash shares the things she’s grateful for, including The Chelsea Detective, and her blue roan Cocker Spaniel. Head to the main episode to hear about Leslie’s ordeal with the life-threatening infection MSSA, her long road to recovery, and her treatment by the tabloid press after a procedure to plump up her lips went wrong. You can send in your thoughts and...