Mind Over Grind from Dark Coffee

Andy Salkeld is an accountant by trade, having worked in corporate finance on transactions across Europe and globally. Specialising in business intelligence, Andy also works with startups and is currently an Investor and Finance Director at dscvr, a Leeds-based tech business. In this interview episode, Andy speaks about his book that is due to be published in May, ‘Life is a Four-Letter Word,’ inc...

How can we connect in times of isolation? Today’s episode is an interview with Omar Latif, founder of ‘WeAreASSIF’, a soon-to-launch digital platform used to alleviate poor mental health and promote positive health and wellbeing through peer-to-peer support, behavioural change tools, videos and games for stress and anxiety. WeAreASSIF’s origins began with Omar’s personal experiences with his own m...

Is it better to have faith, or to have hope? This week’s episode is a solo episode about the words ‘hope’ and ‘faith’ when it comes to mental health and the comfort it can bring some people, and how it isn’t representative for others. It also explores the concept that faith is different from hope in terms of certainty and being passive or active. It also includes: ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ – Vikt...

Today’s episode is with James Rhys of Farm Boy Brews, a business established in 2019 that combines his love of coffee with a passion for raising awareness of the importance of good mental health. Farm Boy Brews aims to use great coffee as a tool for good, by raising awareness and some much-needed funds for mental health charities in the UK. This episode revolves around the importance of doing what...

The first ‘Dark Coffee Morning’ took place on Facebook and Instagram Live, on Monday 23rd March. Later that same day, the UK was officially placed in 'lockdown.' Aiming to be a conscious stream of thought covering a multitude of topics, the Dark Coffee Mornings adapted each day along with the situation. Discussed over the course of the Dark Coffee Mornings: 1st day of lockdown in the UK, coming to...

How do you market your business in a crisis? This week’s episode is an interview with Lewis Kemp, CEO of Lightbulb Media, a digital marketing agency. In a time of crisis, there’s an open debate on exactly how we adapt our businesses and marketing to match the situation. Lewis and Alice discuss how businesses can approach the tricky business of marketing during a crisis, also discussing:   (1:25) I...

How do you learn in limbo? This week’s podcast episode is a three-person interview/discussion with the Dark Coffee team: Alice Lyons, host of the Dark Coffee podcast, Lucy Williams, the newest collaborator, and Grace Hall. Focusing on the post-university limbo and applying it to the uncertainty of the current situation with coronavirus, the team discuss their own personal experiences with job sear...

Lucy Williams is a collaborator of Dark Coffee, having graduated with a degree in Psychology last summer. Lucy has experienced OCD and feelings of anxiety intermittently throughout her life and shares her experiences in a time where fixations on feelings of guilt due to the media and the high priority of hygiene have made some of the general population more likely to manifest symptoms similar to t...

Why don't we prioritise people's mental wellbeing as much as their physical wellbeing? Today’s episode is an interview with Robert Fletcher of Heart Relocation, a company founded with the mission to provide the best possible customer service to assignee's relocating by working with them through their mobility journey through collaborative and innovative communication. This interview focuses on the...

How can spirituality help you and your business? Today’s guest is Intuitive Coach Benjamin Stubbs. An Intuitive Coach brings a perceptive rather than prescriptive approach to working with their clients and Ben relies on his intuition to know the questions to ask to help them access their own ‘inner wisdom’ to achieve professional and personal success. He notes the work of Dr Joe Dispenza as being...

Eating disorders are multi-faceted. This week’s episode coincides with Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and is an interview with Dark Coffee collaborator Grace Hall, revolving around eating disorders/disordered eating and aspects such as the mental and physiological connection and how it can manifest. The concept of eating behaviours stemming from the societal and familial influence is also touched...

Hustle culture is bullshit. This week’s podcast episode follows on from Tuesday 18th February’s ‘Mind Over Grind’ event, a panel discussion focused on entrepreneurial mindset and mental health, covering topics such as imposter syndrome, burnout and resilience. Host Alice Lyons and collaborator Grace Hall discuss how the event has evolved and what are the key takeaways from the event. A response to...

This week, I felt low-key suicidal feelings. Don’t freak out! The word ‘suicide’ can throw us into a fearful head spin, but I want to take this opportunity to talk about the episode to illustrate what suicide ideation can look like. It isn’t always highly dramatic and explosive – sometimes it’s recognising a quiet intrusive thought when it enters your mind and learning to let go of the judgement t...

We could all use a little head space. (No, not the app) This weeks solo episode focuses on the importance of finding head space, namely, the importance of giving ourselves time to relax and process things at a manageable pace rather than the endless stream of work we're used to in the working week.  The episode also includes: (1:12) The importance of head space and how it helps with depression, an...

Is there courage in vulnerability? Today’s episode is with Mike Richards, a trainee counsellor, Primary School teacher and mental health advocate. Mike is the founder of ‘Talk About It Mate,’ championing strength through vulnerability and starting open and honest discussions amongst men through simplicity. Mike was diagnosed with ADHD in late 2018, through self-exploration, planning on completing...

Do you hold on to things, or let them go? Today’s takeaway coffee focuses on the concept of holding on versus letting go. I’d consider myself the type of person who is on the ‘letting go’ end of the spectrum. I discuss the fact that people often are one or the other, and how this may present in your life and adulthood. I also discuss: My past, specifically how I approached relationships and jobs a...

What makes the ‘entrepreneurial mindset’? This week’s episode is an interview with Annabell Gast, from the Natwest entrepreneur accelerator programme. Annabell currently coaches 37 entrepreneurs across industries and has coached 150 entrepreneurs in total over the two years she has been at Natwest. Fascinated with entrepreneurs and their mindset, how they solve problems and the energy they bring,...

Host Alice Lyons and collaborator Grace Hall continue their review of the year, touching on further subjects such as authenticity, the need to apologise, honesty and superficial attachments to things that might not bring us happiness in the long term. New Year game: take a shot every time the words authenticity, honesty and value are said (at your own discretion). Questions in this episode include...

A look back on 2019 with host of the Dark Coffee Podcast, Alice Lyons, and collaborator Grace Hall both reflecting on what the year has brought in terms of wellbeing, mental health and overall lessons. Between the laughter, odd references and multiple directions of this episode, there is a focus on the value of reflection, the importance of self-awareness and how being in recovery isn't a negative...

A rallying cry to the changemakers, mavericks and downright good guys who want to make a positive difference in the world. Fresh off the back of the December election, I sit down to reflect on the state of the world. But don’t worry, it’s very uplifting (in a militant sort of way!) I make the observation that the biggest reason that the Bond-Villains and dickheads of the world get into positions o...

An interview episode around disability, empowerment, accessibility, self-acceptance and connection. This week, host Alice Lyons interviews Rachael Mole, talking about a range of subjects relating to disability and mental health, such as the lack of accessibility in society, difficulties in diagnosis, the importance of down-time and asking questions and resources available to those feeling isolated...

It's that time of year when everyone talks about being single....   This weeks episode focuses on the positives of being single, how it is viewed in retrospect and the present and how platonic relationships can often mirror what we're looking for in a romantic relationship. I also discuss: (1:20) Opening (3:08) The counter-argument to ‘being single sucks’ (3:45) Relationships in retrospect, the di...

Ever thought about how singing helps us connect? Episode 27 of the podcast is an interview with guest Emma Baylin, founder of Shared Harmonies, a business focusing on the power of human connection through singing. Em believes human connection and its power to influence positive change is the passion and thread that links all of her work. You can find out more about Emma here: https://www.sharedhar...

Today’s podcast episode is a follow-up from the Pods Up North event, covering the main takeaways from the event. The event included discussions around diversity in podcasting, how it has evolved form traditional broadcasting platforms, and how podcasters have a freedom to discuss vital topics and give voice to minority communities. This podcast also includes: Differences between podcasts & traditi...

Today’s short episode revolves around an article on LinkedIn, titled ‘A letter to my suicidal self’, in which I explore my transformation over the years, my relationship with mental health, including suicidal feelings and feelings of guilt. This episode also includes topics such as: The relationship we have with mental health, and how it may change How important it is to live for yourself, rather...