Social Harmony - Time to Talk

Today I'm joined by "Caty" who shares her story of a 33-year marriage to a dark tetrad narcissist and her subsequent journey to freedom from an abusive relationship. The term narcissist is often used as a slur in modern parlance but what does it actually mean and what does it look/feel like to be so entangled with someone like this? "Caty" talks me through the traits that d...

Today I'm joined by Annie Baker Atwood - a Reiki master, qualified hypnotist, former kindergarten teacher and an accomplished All-American sailor. While our discussion was initially about reiki itself, this led on to a wider understanding of our own spirituality, gaining that extra 2%, the importance of being there in the moment and a great deal more - including a remote session between us to...

Today I'm joined by Steve McNamara - owner, operator and driving force behind the Wildman Revolution. For over a decade, Steve has been working with men who were disenfranchised, stuck, lost or just wanted to take life to that next step by helping them to unlock their inner power, rediscover their masculine energy and reclaim their role in society. We talk about how society places expectations on...

Today I'm joined by Chelsea Powell - she's a Stress and Confidence Coach, Podcaster and self-confessed 'Boss Bitch' who doesn't play small. Having been entrenched in a merry-go-round of feeling the need to achieve and do more, feeling unheard or dismissed, then blotting with excessive alcohol, Chelsea reached a point where she just knew that she wanted more than life was currently offering - and t...

To see out Men's Mental Health Month, Johnny and I return to continue on from the previous conversation relating to wellbeing, communicating and seeking help as a man struggling in modern society. Today we look more at the options available while suggesting possible ways of widening the net and making these services more accessible, finding your 'safe space' while cringing at the termi...

As we draw to the end of Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, Jonny and I look at some of the potential causes of mental health issues that seem to affect men, societal attitudes to wellbeing and masculinity, possible supports, barriers to access and plenty more besides. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts ⁠Men's Health Month | National Alliance on Mental Illness ⁠ ⁠(NAMI)⁠ ⁠Richard V....

Today is talk with Tosombra "Tai" Adecia about the transition from 'Resilient to Radiance' and so much more... Tai is a one-woman force of nature, with so many stories to share that will resonate with all of us. Having been raised in the military life and going on to carve out her own path, Tai talks about her near-death experiences in daily life, learning what matters and making...

There is a famous quote that states "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men" but in a society that is too quick to label and dismiss broken children, who is there to build them up from a life that has shown them dysfunction and cruelty? Today I speak with Ron, who has spent his career working with just such children following a traumatic childhood of his own t...

In an age of self-improvement and endless avenues promising us a quick fix, what is the best way to reach your goals and live a fulfilled life? Is it more money? Is it bigger muscles? A pretty girlfriend? While we each have our own view on what constitutes a good life, it is clear that there is no 'silver bullet' solution and that continued perseverance is key. Today, Abhi and I discuss ou...

The recent UEFA Cup Final (currently rebranded as the Europa League) between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur was understandably a big fixture but took on greater significance to Andre and his family. His Dad was brought up in Bilbao and was entranced by watching the Busby Babes, just one year before the Munich Air Disaster claimed them - but Pepe was hooked. He moved to England in 1961 and...

In a time when things seem rather busy and stressful, we often look to outside pressures or solutions, regularly seeking to work or think our way out of our current predicaments - ironically adding to our problems rather than solving them. Today I'm joined by Imelda Curtin, a mindset coach who has extensive experience working in a number of disciplines including hypnotherapy, counselling and N...

Has society become more divided? Does our current individualist society provide us with the happiness and the answers we seek? Many commentators have suggested not and that some of the reasons for the current rise in depression, etc. is that society has moved away from the Church. Today I'm joined by my friend Jah, a musician, counsellor and practising Christian who talks about his own persona...

Today Adam and I look back on life as a young man in the North of England, what caused him to get on a plane for a new life in Spain at 16 years old, learning humility in the USA, the importance of keeping your people around you and why he feels the need to hang onto the youthful enthusiasm he had as a kid. Honest and upfront while humorous and at times poignant, Adam and I share a few of the less...

Emma and I have known one another for many years after working together in a restaurant in the North of England. Carrying on from my recent catch-up's with friends from my formative years, we discuss life as it was, what choices we made to change things up and both the struggles and the triumphs along the way, including the loss of family, starting a new life abroad and working for yourself. J...

From being 90's rave buddies to suburban parents, Suzanne and I have each been through a few things to get us where we are today from our working-class Northern upbringing. Suzanne talks about growing up and not feeling accepted, which moved onto feelings of extreme rejection as an adult. This continued through her life while moving to the other end of the country and resettling, becoming a pa...

Chris and I have known one another since we were 10 years old and were close friends in our teenage years but life took us down different paths that we discover were eerily similar now that we catch up properly after 30+ years. Chris talks about his battles with depression and massive social anxiety, moving to France and various cities around England, marriage and subsequent separation, co-parenti...

Joined again by Jules, where we follow on from our previous episode where we talked about being single in your 40's. Jules talks openly about her current relationship and how things have progressed in their six months together, namely all the good things, challenges in communication, navigating boundaries and compromise, along with things that she has learnt about herself.

Alison talks with me about her realisation from an early age that not everyone has "audible thoughts", battling irrational beliefs alone, her breakdown and subsequent rebuild, getting the diagnosis right, how the 'magic pill' is just a dream and the personal growth achieved from her condition. Alison talks openly and candidly about a topic that is often misunderstood and can soun...

Many opinions swirl around relating to spirituality, awareness and consciousness but what does it mean to the individual and how can a greater knowledge of such concepts provide support in a busy and stressful world? Today Vikas and I talk about our own paths to mindfulness, the benefits we've found and how despite all our perceived differences, we are all connected in various ways.

Victoria and I reconnect after more years than we care to count, where we catch up over the lessons we've learnt after living and travelling in different countries, the benefits of having a supportive partner, love at first sight and making the move from a small town - both mentally and physically.

Neil returns to join me for a discussion around emotional regulation, Stoicism, at what point does keeping it in become harmful and some deep topics in amongst a few epiphanies.

Following on from the previous discussion with Dave around the impacts of kitchen culture, I speak with Andre - the manager (and friend) who we credited with creating an incredible team in a highly demanding environment. Andre and I discuss the highs and lows of life in the industry, how it can cause issues with 'outsiders', the impacts of loss, putting a positive spin on things and appreciating t...

Dave and I discuss our kitchen roots, the culture within that brought our demons to the surface, past trauma and how that presented itself before hitting rock bottom and finding a way back to happiness.

Today Ben and I talk openly about our experiences of blended families, moving on from past relationships while working on repairing old wounds, conflicting schedules and the immense gains on both a personal and wider level.

Sabrina and I discuss the impact of grief and trauma upon the body based on her heart attack following the death of her best friend - but also how she showed up in the world. This prompted a shift in outlook, both in her appreciation of being alive but more importantly taking care of herself and those dear to her.