It Can't Just Be Me

This week, Anna invites the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley into the studio to respond to a dilemma from a listener who is apprehensive about preparing for her second baby. She recounts just how challenging she found her first weeks and months of early motherhood and shares some of her unique memories of this time.  Anna and Jess are joined by psychotherapist, Sam Pennells-Nkolo , who shares her...

This week we have a special treat for anyone missing the glitz and glam of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing – Anna is joined in the studio by the show’s head judge, Shirley Ballas ! In the spirit of looking forward to the New Year, and the changes that may be on the horizon, they’re talking all about change, and how best to navigate it.  With the assistance of psychotherapist Fiona Kau , Shirley an...

This week we’re looking back on some of the fun, powerful and moving moments captured on It Can’t Just Be Me so far.   Since launching the podcast, we've welcomed extraordinary guests and experts into the studio who have shared their personal stories with us and given their advice in response to your burning dilemmas. So here are just some of our highlights from the series - are they the same as y...

It’s a festive special in the studio today as Anna and guests tackle the classic seasonal dilemma of how to split your time at Christmas while doing your very best to keep everyone happy. Our listener Ellie is not only trying to figure out how to fit in time with family and friends alongside a job with anti-social hours, but she’s also in a long-distance relationship. Luckily, Anna has seasoned po...

Today’s dilemma is from an entrepreneur and mum to two young children. She’s finding it increasingly frustrating that the responsibilities of parenting aren’t split equally between her and her male partner. It’s a cliche she’s always been keen to avoid, so she wants to know what practical steps she can take to redress the balance in her relationship. Cue iconic shoe designer, entrepreneur, and mum...

We are bursting with excitement as we have Dr Alex George in the studio this week to talk through a dilemma from a listener who’s thinking about cutting down on alcohol, in the run up to the festive season.  Dr Alex is a former A&E doctor, ex-Love Islander and expert Mental Health Ambassador. He gave up drinking in December 2022, so he couldn’t be better placed to give some advice to our liste...

Come on into this episode where we’re talking all about coming out as a teenager.    In the studio with Anna, we have the inspiring LGBTQ+ advocate, author, TV presenter and celebrity-masterchef, Riyadh Khalaf .  Riyadh’s challenging, but incredibly powerful, story of coming out as a teenager to his then Irish Catholic mother and Iraqi Muslim father, means he has much wisdom to pass on to our list...

Grace Victory is one of those people who just draws you in — she is utterly compelling. So, it was a total pleasure to have her join Anna in the studio to offer some advice to a listener who is struggling with intimacy following a previous trauma. Having experienced trauma herself — both in her early years, and more recently — Grace generously shares her own story and the wisdom she's gathered on...

Anna can really relate to this week’s dilemma - it comes from a woman who’s severely struggling with her perimenopause symptoms and is asking why it seems to be so much harder for some women than others.  So, Anna has called on the expert sports broadcaster and host of The Mid. Point podcast , Gabby Logan , to share her sage advice. With the assistance of TV doctor extraordinaire, Dr Ellie Cannon...

One more week until It Can't Just Be Me returns with special guest Gabby Logan! In the meantime, how's this to keep you busy? This is an episode of Where's Home Really?, an award-winning podcast that sets out to  discover what home means to famous faces from the worlds of TV, music, comedy, food and beyond. In this episode, Jimi meets chef, author and broadcaster Andi Oliver. to discuss cultural a...

We've got a little treat for you before Anna is back to solve more of your dilemmas and prove that it's not just you. This is an episode of Go Love Yourself, an award-winning podcast that’s helping us love ourselves a little more.  You might know its host, Laura Adlington, from the 2020 Bake Off final. Along with her best mate Lauren, Laura is unlearning everything she's been taught about body ima...

There’s no question about it - sex is a big deal in an intimate relationship. How often do we have it? How do we feel about it? Do our expectations align with our partner? And, how should we communicate when they don’t?  Well, this week Anna has a listener dilemma that skirts around all of these questions. It’s from a woman in a happy relationship, who’s looking for some advice on how to navigate...

It’s Mental Health Awareness day this week, so who better to join Anna in the studio than mental health advocate and the host of the Hurt to Healing Podcast , Pandora Morris. Pandora’s story is one of survival and resilience. And, in today’s episode, she shares her journey in response to a listener’s dilemma — as a reminder that everyone’s mental health journey is different. With the guidance of p...

This week, Anna is responding to a dilemma from a woman in her late 40s who has questions around her sexuality. This listener was in a relationship with a man for 30 years, but after the breakdown of this marriage, she had a whirlwind romance with a woman. Now, she’s navigating teenage kids, questions around her sexuality, and to top it all off… the menopause. Yikes!  To help Anna get to the botto...

Anna’s getting the low-down on non-monogamy this week, and, who better to guide us through this rich and fascinating topic than sex-positivity advocate, and practicer of non-monogamy themselves, Ruby Rare .  Ruby offers some guidance to a listener who has just opened up their previously monogamous relationship and is asking for some advice around how to approach conversations about their new sexua...

Anna Richardson is back with a brand new season of It Can’t Just Be Me, and she's primed and ready to answer your burning questions! To kick-start the season, Anna is joined by superstar anonymous Agony-Aunt, LalalaLetMeExplain .  Anna and Lala trawl through some of the juiciest dilemmas in the inbox. From belly-button kinks, parenthood, icks, and dating apps - Anna and Lala leave no stone unturne...

You loved the glorious Cici Colman when she joined me for last week's episode of It Can't Just Be Me. So, I'm sharing the first episode of her brilliant podcast, First Dates: The Podcast with you this week whilst I take a break for the summer. First Dates: The Podcast, is like a podcast version of the debrief you have with your best friend after you've gone on a first date. Co-hosted by Cici and t...

Cici Coleman is amazing at many things — she's the nation's favourite waitress, the co-host of First Dates: the Podcast , and a brilliant fitness and life coach. But, one thing Cici isn’t very good at is making decisions. And there's one decision that plagues her more than any other — whether or not to have children.  So, for this episode, I’ve beckoned her into my podcast studio to respond to a d...

It’s no secret that I love talking about sex… and judging by our inbox, it seems that you lot do too! So, I decided that the time has come to give the people what they want — advice about sex, pleasure, and everything in between! To help me get stuck into this sexy special, I’ve invited our resident psychotherapist — the fabulous Sam Pennells-Nkolo — to join me.  It’s a hot and steamy ride — from...

It's been more than ten years since Sali Hughes, The Guardian’s resident beauty columnist, went through a divorce. But she says it's still the most traumatic thing she's ever been through. In this episode Sali joins Anna and divorce coach, Maxine Clancy, in the studio to reflect on her experience and offer advice to a listener in the early stages of a separation. Together they share tips on how to...

Ever wondered if you have ADHD? In the past it seemed like this was a label reserved only for naughty boys, but these days more adults than ever are being diagnosed with the condition. Which begs the question: do some of us have it and don't even know? In this episode Anna is joined by comedian Shaparak Khorsandi , whose life was transformed for the better when she was diagnosed with ADHD (attenti...

Feed your soul with nourishing conversations from two best friends, one therapist - and zero filter. Listen to Best Friend Therapy with Elizabeth Day and Emma Reed-Turrell on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone wants to look their best for their wedding, but is it healthy to lose weight just for the big day? In this episode Anna is joined by Geordie Shore icon, body positivity advocate and soon-to-be-bride Vicky Pattison . Together, the pair grapple with a dilemma from a nutritionist who’s feeling conflicted: she tells her engaged clients they shouldn't lose weight just to look 'better', but now...

Suzi Ruffell is a professional comedian, a parent, and one of few people who has managed to turn crippling anxiety into a successful comedy show. So Anna knew she was the person to call on for this week’s dilemma, which comes from a parent who's feeling anxious about the fact they're feeling anxious. With the help of our resident psychotherapist, the wonderful Sam Pennells-Nkolo, Anna and Suzi con...

Owen O’Kane is a best-selling author and a qualified psychotherapist. His advice is hailed by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Fearne Cotton, so Anna is keen to make the most of having him in the studio and mine him for as much advice as possible.  In order to take full advantage of Owen’s expertise, this episode runs a little differently than usual. Anna puts several list...