Small Mercies

A transmission arrives from deep space. In this immersive episode of Small Mercies , HAL 9000 reflects on scale, fragility, memory, and what it means to be alive in a universe vast enough to swallow stars whole. Through collapsing signals, cosmic imagery, and fragments of human culture drifting through the void, the transmission moves from exploding suns and black holes… back toward the smallest a...

This week on Small Mercies, I’m talking to artist McLovin, a mature MA fine art student, performer, and maker whose work sits somewhere between humour, awkwardness, and bold ambition. From changing his name, to building large-scale sculptures from everyday objects, McLovin uses comedy and performance to explore what it means to be seen, how we hide behind the versions of ourselves we present, and...

In this episode, I pick up where I left off last time, still sitting with a few questions I didn’t have answers to. How have I got this far in life without a clear plan? Why does it suddenly feel like I’m supposed to have one? And where is that pressure actually coming from? We’re often asked to imagine a future for ourselves at the exact moment life feels uncertain, messy, or unresolved, and I’m...

In this episode, I reflect on the stories I inherited about who I am and what’s possible. From a school cinema warning about my dad to joining a punk band with no plan, I explore how stepping outside those narratives can help shape a future that truly belongs to you. ___________________________________________________________ Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Punk Guitar: T...

When emotions are too big or messy to explain, the mind often turns them into metaphors. In this episode, I explore the metaphor I use to navigate depression — an abandoned hospital with rooms called Regret and Guilt — and how a small, ordinary memory becomes a way out. Not a cure. Just a chance to keep moving. Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org...

This week’s Small Mercy is about letting go of certainty. Questions like: Is this the right decision? Is this safe? Will this work out? When those questions stop being useful, they can become a trap — fuelling anxiety, avoidance, and a constant second-guessing of ourselves. Special thanks to: Otis Chetwyn-Woods Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org...

This episode gently explores what happens when we stop running from the past and instead turn towards it with honesty. At its heart lies a simple question: What does it take to let a memory remain in the past, and to forgive the version of ourselves who lived through it? If you would like to support the show, please keep listening and follow (if you haven’t already) and drop a few comments or like...

We explore: Stories from the Arrernte people of Central Australia; two sisters singing life back into a damaged world. Scientific evidence that men who adopt behaviours traditionally associated with women, caregiving, empathy, emotional connection; live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. Practical “Small Mercies” you can start today: joining in the lives of the women around you, pausing...

I take listeners on a candid and thought-provoking journey into the mind, exploring the elusive inner critic that shapes our thoughts, choices, and self-perception. Blending personal stories, reflective insights, and practical strategies, this exploration reveals how the critical voice can both challenge and guide us. The podcast offers a map for understanding, confronting, and even befriending th...

In this episode, I explore what happens when you step outside your comfort zone; from laughter yoga and gong baths to talking with shamanic practitioner Jessica about darkness, healing, and connection. I’ll admit, I was expecting a lot more woo-woo . But what I found instead was a grounded way of connecting with ourselves through nature, and with nature through truth and ritual. I also share a sto...

I sit down with Michael Isted, founder of The Herball, to talk about his deep connection to plants and the creative ways he brings them to life through herbal drinks, flavour, and ritual. In our conversation, we explore how noticing the plants around us, whether in a garden, a cup of tea, or a cocktail, can offer unexpected insights and small mercies in everyday life. This episode is about plants,...

Today I’m reflecting on my conversation with Dr Nick Lewis and thinking deeper about Byron's jug of cold water from te previous episode I explore the small mercy of asking for help. From the awkwardness of tiny favours to the deeper challenge of seeking emotional support, and how letting others in can prevent small problems turning into bigger ones. There’s also a great true story about a frie...

How can we tell when something’s not right in our lives before it reaches breaking point? In this episode, I sit down with Dr Nick Lewes to explore the signals we might be missing, and why it’s often so hard to see them in ourselves. Nick shares insights from his work and research into mental health and wellbeing, and we talk about how awareness, small changes, and honest conversations can make a...

In this episode of Small Mercies, we explore how gentleself-reflection and kindness toward ourselves can shift the way we handle setbacks and build resilience. Drawing on insights from compassion-focused therapy and recent research, we uncover simple but powerful practices to break free from self-blame and rumination. Join me with some personal stories andpractical steps to help you move forward w...

We explore the vital role of rest in our lives:  why ignoring our natural circadian rhythms comes at a cost. From the history of working to the clock during the Industrial Revolution, to the modern-day hustle culture fueled by constant connectivity and the “Nerd Reich,” we unpack how work-life boundaries have blurred. Discover the science behind strategic pauses, micro-naps, and the “4 o’clock slu...

Show Notes This week on Small Mercies , we explore the healing ritual of cooking — not for performance, but for presence. When you handle, prepare, and taste real food with attention, it can soothe the nervous system, support your gut, and help you feel steady in yourself. Whether it’s a hot lemon in the morning or a bowl of soup at night, feeding yourself consciously — not perfectly — is a quiet...

This week on Small Mercies, we explore the quiet power of connecting to nature — not for a reward, but because something in us recognises something in it. From ancient folk stories to cutting-edge research on forest bathing, we uncover how even 20 minutes among trees can lower stress, calm the mind, and restore attention. You don’t need a forest — just a willingness to notice. Episode Notes: Fores...

In this episode, we explore how fleeting interactions can have lasting effects on emotional well-being, what the science says about “positivity resonance” and social synchrony, and how to keep showing up gently, even when the world feels sharp. Whether you’re out in the world or stuck indoors, there’s always a way to connect with others, with yourself, with the day. Because the opposite of lonelin...

In this episode, I dive into the unexpected power of gratitude—drawing surprising evidence from a U.S. military training programme that reduced PTSD and addiction rates, not with weapons or survival tactics, but with gratitude . Joined briefly by 'Cynical Steve' (unsurprisingly) we explore how a simple shift in perspective can disrupt our ancient threat-response systems, bring calm to our...

Saying no shouldn't feel like a moral failure—but for many of us, it does. In this episode, I dig into why setting boundaries feels so awkward, and why that discomfort is actually a sign you're doing something right. I’ll explain how a simple risk assessment (yes, really) can help you spot where your energy is leaking—and where you need to draw the line. Featuring the voice of Patrick Readings as...

Marginal gains aren’t sexy, but they work. This episode explores how small, deliberate changes—starting with something as simple as putting your phone down—can reshape your sleep, your energy, and eventually, your life. I introduce small mercies as an antidote to overwhelm: not grand solutions, just quiet acts of self-respect. Because life is not for beginners.