Modern Day Issues We Love To Ignore

We sit down with Tania to talk about something many of us avoid: grief. After the sudden loss of her wife Charlotte in February 2024, Tania found herself navigating unimaginable change — from the practical realities of loss to the emotional weight of loneliness, identity shifts, and rebuilding a life that no longer looks the way it once did. This is an honest, powerful conversation about what grie...

In this episode, we’re joined by Julie, whose career spans teaching, mental health services, and university change leadership. Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience of mental health challenges, Julie shares what it really takes to build confidence, resilience, and growth in the workplace. We explore why psychological safety isn’t just a buzzword, but a foundation for learning...

Technology promises connection, yet more people than ever report feeling isolated, overwhelmed, or emotionally unsupported. In this episode, Nina sits down with data scientist and AI specialist Vasilij Nevlev to explore one of the most urgent questions of our time:   Is AI helping us combat loneliness — or quietly making it worse?  From digital companionship to therapy chatbots, from overreliance...

In this powerful episode of Modern Day Issues We Love to Ignore , we sit down with Ant Willis — host of The Grind Diaries — to explore the side of men’s mental health that often goes unseen. Ant opens up about the invisible pressures many men carry: the expectation to provide, the fear of appearing weak, the impact of social media, and the confusion around what it really means to “man up.” With ra...

In this episode of Modern Day Issues we Love To Ignore , we explore how the way we speak to ourselves shapes our confidence, resilience, and overall well-being. Host Nina Kelly is joined once again by clinical psychologist James Southwood and person-centered psychotherapist Angela Whitmore to discuss the transformative power of positive self-talk and why cultivating a sense of belonging is essenti...

Loneliness doesn’t just feel isolating — it can fuel anxiety, depression, andemotional struggles. In this episode, we sit down with clinical psychologistJames Southwood and person-centred psychotherapist Angela Whitmore to explore practical ways to build stronger social connections, reduceloneliness, and nurture resilience. From joining groups and volunteering, to cultivatinggratitude, hope, and s...

Loneliness isn’t just uncomfortable — it has a real impact on our mental health. In this episode of Modern Day Issues We Love to Ignore , we sit down with clinical psychologist James and person-centred psychotherapist Angela Whitmore to unpack how loneliness feeds anxiety, depression, hopelessness and emotional dysregulation. We talk about why loneliness creates such destructive cycles of self-cri...

Loneliness isn’t just being alone — it’s the ache of not being understood. In this episode, Nina Kelly is joined by psychologist James Southwood and psychotherapist Angela Whitmore to explore why loneliness exists inside relationships, its impact on our mental health, and the 3 proven factors that can help us reconnect: hope, belonging, and meaningful social contact.

In this moving follow-up episode, host Nina Kelly continues her conversation with Dominic White from Andy’s Man Club, diving even deeper into the reality of men’s mental health.  Dominic opens up about his personal journey — from being the “problem solver” and “strong one” to hitting rock bottom after the death of his mum. In his raw and relatable story, we explore how grief, identity, and silence...

in this powerful episode of Modern Day Issues, We Love to Ignore , host Nina Kelly sits down with Dominic White from Andy’s Man Club, a leading UK men's suicide prevention charity.  Dominic shares the story behind the movement that started after the tragic loss of Andy Roberts at just 23. With over 300 support groups across the UK and 6000+ men talking every Monday night, Andy’s Man Club is br...

In this moving follow-up episode, Abba Abbaszadi the CEO and founder of Wilson Prize, returns to share the emotional story of losing his father during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the country in lockdown, hospitals overwhelmed, and loved ones isolated, Abba was left to grieve under extraordinary circumstances—while still holding his family, career, and mental health together.  He reflects on how th...

In this powerful debut episode of season 5, we speak with Abba Abbaszadi about the silent struggle of grief—especially in a society that often avoids it. Abba shares the deeply personal story of losing his brother, the cultural differences in mourning, and how trauma shaped his resilience and mental health journey. From Iran to the UK, from isolation to strength, this is a raw and relatable conver...

In this powerful debut episode of season 5, we speak with Abba Abbaszadi about the silent struggle of grief—especially in a society that often avoids it. Abba shares the deeply personal story of losing his brother, the cultural differences in mourning, and how trauma shaped his resilience and mental health journey. From Iran to the UK, from isolation to strength, this is a raw and relatable conver...

Navigating Change and Connection. In this episode, Makomberero Kasipo, a registrar in psychiatry, explores the impact of remote working post-pandemic, discussing how the convenience of online work can sometimes come at the cost of deeper and more meaningful professional relationships.  James Southwood, a clinical psychologist, examines the challenges of stepping out of our comfort zones and embrac...

In this episode, Makomberero Kasipo, a registrar in psychiatry, and James Southwood, a clinical psychologist, explore practical ways to address loneliness and build meaningful connections.  Mako reflects on the experience of being part of someone else’s support network and the importance of recognising when people in our lives may be isolating themselves. James highlights that loneliness isn’t alw...

Big life changes often bring disruption, and loneliness can emerge as a part of that shift. In this episode, James Southwood, Clinical Psychologist, explores how we can check in with ourselves to ensure we're leading healthy, balanced lives. He delves into key questions such as:  🔹 What is this loneliness trying to tell me?  🔹 How can discomfort move us toward growth?  🔹 What’s our toleranc...

In this episode, clinical psychologist James Southwood and Makomberero Kasipo, a medical registrar specialising in psychiatry, explore the complex relationship between loneliness and mental health.  Mako examines the link between adverse health complications and loneliness—questioning whether loneliness is the cause or the effect. James delves into the vicious cycle between loss of motivation, dep...

The fourth series of Modern-Day Issues We Love to Ignore begins with an exploration of loneliness, examining its physical and mental impact on both body and mind.  In this episode, James Southwood, clinical psychologist, and Makomberero Kasipo, a medical registrar specialising in psychiatry, discuss the stigma surrounding loneliness and why so many people are reluctant to talk about it.  James cha...

In this powerful episode of Modern Day Issues We Love to Ignore , host Nina Kelly from Safe New Futures is joined by Professor Tim Wildschut, Professor of Psychology at the University of Southampton, to explore an unexpected remedy for loneliness: nostalgia. Discover how fond memories of the past can help us feel more socially connected, inspire optimism, and even motivate new relationships. From...

In the final episode of our powerful trilogy on adolescence, host Nina Kelly, CEO of Safe New Futures, reconnects with Oscar Thomas to dive deeper into the emotional world of young men.  Oscar talks openly about the pressure of “bro codes,” toxic expectations of masculinity, and the struggle to show vulnerability in a world that tells boys to “man up.” From broken friendships to healing after hear...

In this powerful follow-up episode, host Nina Kelly, CEO of Safe New Futures, sits down again with Oscar Thomas—a young man whose raw honesty and lived experience shed light on the struggles that many adolescents face today. From bullying, body image, and mental health to the pressure of relationships and navigating anger, Oscar opens up about his journey through the chaos of school life, the pain...

In the first episode of our new series on adolescence, host Nina Kelly sits down with Oscar Thomas, a young adult who opens up about overcoming debilitating anxiety, bullying, and social isolation. From living in fear to finding strength through doing our Safe New Futures youth programme, Oscar shares raw insights on school trauma, the pressure of social media, and the disconnection plaguing today...

In this raw and deeply moving episode, Safe New Futures CEO Nina Kelly sits down with Senior CAMHS Nurse Jenny Plasidi to confront the quiet devastation of ambiguous loss — the kind of grief that hits when someone is still physically present, but no longer the same. Jenny opens about the slow, painful journey of caring for her mother with vascular dementia, and the emotional toll of grieving someo...

Navigating Life Beyond Ambiguous Loss"  When closure is impossible, how do we move forward?  In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, Nina shares her journey through ambiguous loss —a form of grief experienced when a loved one is physically absent but psychologically present, or physically present but emotionally unreachable. From the sudden disappearance of her parents in childhood...

In this final episode on workplace loneliness, the focus shifts to the importance of supportive peer networks.  Michael Holbrow, Managing Director at Inspired Leadership Solutions, shares insights from his experience running a consultancy from home, revealing key strategies for staying connected and engaged. Peter Taylor, Partner at Paris Smith, highlights the role of confidentiality and accountab...