Mind Over Grind from Dark Coffee

In this week’s festive episode, host Alice Lyons aims to give a pep-talk ahead of Christmas, discussing how the year has been and how we should all be congratulated on it! (Grace would like to clarify she did not request a Christmas episode be pre-recorded in November, she requested it be recorded in real time – a classic example of miscommunication and very representative of the year that is 2020...

In this week’s (half pep-talk, half lovingly telling you off) episode, host Alice Lyons talks about how self-care isn’t easy, particularly with everything going on this year. Primarily talking about how self-care isn’t a perk, as well as the fact employee wellbeing isn’t a perk, this episode talks about the difficulties of looking after yourself. Also discussed: (1:28) Introduction: how wellbeing...

A question from one of our lovely followers sparked this week's episode. Our host Alice Lyons explains what coaching actually is, the difference between coaching and therapy and four reasons why you should consider getting one. Also discussed:  (01:20) introduction (02:28) The first reason to get a coach is to upskill yourself. Coaching is a very specific kind of relationship that can help you rea...

Join our host, Alice Lyons, as she tackles the frustrating and, at times, dangerous myths that plague the mental health conversation. Alice also offers some key points to consider surrounding the language we use when discussing mental health topics.   Also discussed:    (00:56) Introduction to the episode.    (03:01) Mental health myth number one: ‘the broken brain’. The ignorant idea that all men...

In this week’s episode, host Alice Lyons gives some practical advice around managing stress as the UK is currently in its second lockdown and winter is upon us. Alice gives 4 tips for managing stress, including wallowing, prioritising your wellbeing, protecting your energy and reaching out. Also discussed: (01:49) Brief intro (02:42) Tip number 1 – Wallow: how powering through can be detrimental i...

Hello! Welcome to our 70th episode! We hope you're as excited as we are. In this episode our host Alice Lyons, discusses pain, pleasure and peace and how a book she's currently reading has both completely blown her mind and inspired her in so many ways.  Also discussed: (1:30) Introduction to the episode(1:59) Alice has found the secret to wellbeing after reading 'The Compassionate Mind' by Paul G...

Join our host Alice Lyons, as she discusses the role we should all play in the mental health discussion, no matter our profession. The pandemic has taught us a lot of lessons, particularly that what we were doing before, might not be enough, and that’s okay. We can move forwards together. Also discussed: (01:15) Introduction to the episode (02:58) We may not be educated in the field of psychology...

This week's solo episode follows host Alice Lyons as she gives 4 self care strategies for building resilience, covering the pandemic transition, the importance of reflection, the role of technology and how you can build your strength. Also discussed:   (00:55) Introduction to the episode (03:10) Weakness, discussing what we perceive as our weaknesses which are actually our strengths (05:59) Pandem...

Today’s episode is with Vikas Shah MBE, a serial-entrepreneur and philanthropist, having started his first technology business at age 14 and currently CEO of Swiscot Group. Talking around his own experiences with mental health, how the discussion around mental health isn’t nuanced enough for such a complicated topic and the differences in the approach to public health issues versus access to menta...

This week’s episode is with Anthony Vaughan (who prefers AJ), an out of the box, radical hybrid who is obsessed with all things entrepreneurship and employee experience. A current 3x Founder, Startup Advisor, Executive and proud son, Anthony’s rise in the world of HR/Entrepreneurship is not typical. His focus and dedication to putting employees first drives him to help forever change the world of...

Former Apprentice candidate and disruptive marketer Lewis Ellis about has learnt to forge his own way in the world through ignoring naysayers, embracing his quirks and building his self-confidence. He talks us through his career to date - from struggling financially alongside studying a Masters degree, through riding the publicity wave of The Apprentice, up to his recent redundancy (at the time of...

In today’s solo episode, Alice reflects back on the conversations she’s had with people during lockdown surrounding their fears; about Covid, their lives and the future. All sounds a bit meta and scary, but we found it reassuring to know that whatever we’re feeling (and however ‘well’ we think we coped with lockdown) we’re not on our own. We made it – maybe kicking and screaming – but we bloody ma...

Jenna Malone is a HTML Email Developer and the founder of ‘Underpaid Clothing’, a streetwear clothing brand grounded on standing up against corporate greed. A mental health advocate, Jenna speaks openly about how negative self-talk affected her throughout employment up until beginning her business, as well as toxic work environments and how she has found a purpose. Also discussed: (1:15) Introduct...

How is our mental health in the midst of a pandemic? This week’s episode is with the Dark Coffee team, Alice Lyons, Lucy Williams and Grace Hall, about Mental Health Awareness Week. They talk about the type of content they’ve seen around MHAW, how conversations around mental health are changing and how we can facilitate more openness around mental health. Stay tuned until the end of the episode fo...

This week’s episode is a recording from a Facebook Live between Alice Lyons and Dani Hakim, CoFounder of Safe Space, a societal impact agency committed to helping companies and individuals pursue better mental health. Dani has 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, which is experience she uses creatively within the business. The mission of Safe Space is to make mental health support acc...

Are things actually changing? Today’s podcast episode is with Phil Schofield (not that one), CEO of Ripple, a SharePoint software company. Phil describes himself as ‘bipolar and loud’, openly speaking about, and being an advocate for, mental health. Phil describes how his work/life balance has shifted, the day-to-day of his mental health and how he views it as systems driven and being better becau...

How do you start your own podcast? In today’s episode, host Alice Lyons gives advice on how to start your own podcast. Whether you’re intimidated by the technicalities or think that you might be unable to record yourself properly, there are a few ways you can begin taking steps towards starting your own podcast. Also discussed: (1:42) Introduction to the episode (2:59) Why do a podcast? (7:54) How...

How do transitions affect our mental health? Today’s podcast episode is with Nick Wilson, a speaker on mental health, resilience and change. Nick talks on a range of topics surrounding mental health in the workplace, including resilience and impact of change and transition. Having served 14 years in the Army, including deployments on several Operational Tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and...

Today’s interview guest is Paddy Howley, founder of ‘So let’s talk,’ a hospitality and mental health project aiming to ‘86’ the silence around mental health and addiction in hospitality. A bartender who became a GM and then a consultant, Paddy has 13 years of personal experience in the industry and knows how a destructive cycle of long hours, no sleep, poor diet and high alcohol consumption can af...

How does a social business adapt to distance? Today’s podcast episode is an interview with Marco Castelanelli, a professional Sommelier and CEO of Club Vino UK, organising exclusive wine-tasting events that share knowledge whilst creating an overall experience. Currently adapting to lockdown, Club Vino offers home wine-tasting, with packages including 6-12 wines, printable tasting notes, and an on...

What is therapy actually like? Today’s podcast episode is with Natalie Williams, a solicitor and mental health advocate who decided to seek out therapy in order to gain a better understanding of herself and feelings that were holding her back. Natalie discusses her initial apprehension towards therapy, how it gave her the tools to approach problems in her life and how essential a good therapist/cl...

The first ‘Dark Coffee Morning’ took place on Facebook and Instagram Live, on Monday 23rd March, the first official day of lockdown in the UK. Aiming to be a conscious stream of thought covering a multitude of topics, Dark Coffee Mornings have adapted each day along with the situation. This episode is a podcast version of the fourth ‘Dark Coffee Morning,’ on Thursday 26th March. Discussed over the...

How do we optimise our minds? This weeks episode is with Chris Beaumont, a Productivity Coach who helps Directors, Senior Mangers, Business Owners and their teams to gain proactive control over their work, manage priorities effectively and make more of the resources you already have to maximise potential. Chris is an advocate for aligning the day-to-day with the long-term strategy to give more cla...

How does mental health permeate the medical profession? This week’s interview is with Dr Edward Lynch, CEO and Co-founder of ‘LYFE’, a lifestyle app created to help integrate a busy lifestyle and a busy schedule to better your health. The idea of LYFE came from two busy physicians working in a fast-paced environment, struggling to consistently fit a healthy lifestyle into a hectic schedule. Dr Edw...

Hurray! It’s our 50th episode! Join host of the Dark Coffee Podcast Alice Lyons as she talks about reaching such an amazing milestone for the podcast, whilst she also discusses five lessons she’s learned along the way that she’d like to pass on! (1:18) Introduction to the 50th episode (3:42) First lesson – ‘Being heard’, how we fundamentally want to express ourselves and be understood by others (7...