The Choice Space

Becoming a parent is one of life's biggest transitions. Alongside the practical changes of caring for a new baby can come profound shifts in identity, relationships, emotions and mental health. In this episode, perinatal psychologist Julianne Boutaleb joins Dr Lee David to explore why this period can feel so challenging and why many new parents are surprised by the intensity of the experience...

Some women spend years wondering why everyday life feels more difficult than it seems to for other people. They may appear calm, capable and organised on the outside, yet privately struggle with overwhelm, overthinking, self-criticism and exhaustion. In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by Gabrielle Treanor, ADHD coach, author and founder of the Quiet ADHD Club, to explore how ADHD can be misse...

When does clutter become more than too much stuff? For many people, clutter is simply a practical challenge. But for others, it can become linked to grief, shame, overwhelm, changing identities and life experiences that are much harder to untangle than the possessions themselves. In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by professional organiser and author Lesley Spellman to explore the hidden emot...

What if movement in midlife is less about performance – and more about protecting the life you want to live? In this episode of The Choice Space Podcast , Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Juliet McGrattan – former GP, runner, coach and author of The Runner’s Guide to Menopause – about why movement becomes especially important during midlife and menopause, and how to approach it in a way that feels real...

Many people recognise times when it becomes harder to switch off. We may feel constantly under pressure, more emotionally reactive or as though we are just about keeping up. But sometimes ongoing stress can begin to shift into something else – where we feel more exhausted, detached and less able to think clearly or recover. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Claire Pl...

Many people live with patterns of anxiety, stress or physical symptoms without realising that past experiences may still be shaping how they feel today. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Susanna Petche, GP and founder of Trauma Sense, about why trauma is often missed – and how it can affect both mind and body in ways that are not always obvious. The conversation expl...

Many men don’t grow up being shown how to recognise, name or talk about their emotions. So when life becomes challenging, there often isn’t a clear way to make sense of what’s happening or how to respond. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Chris Hemmings , therapist and founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, about why men’s mental health can be harder to recognise, talk about and...

Many people spend years chasing the next goal, hoping life will feel better when they finally arrive. But what if feeling happier works differently? In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness and author of a new book about how to make life happier. They explore why happiness is often misunderstood as something we reach through success, achievement...

Many people seem to be managing day to day, while privately dealing with a mind that rarely switches off. Worry can go round in circles – replaying conversations, looking for reassurance, imagining what might go wrong or trying to feel certain about an uncertain future. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David is joined by GP and author Dr Martin Brunet to explore why worry happens, what...

In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Samantha Evans, sexual health and pleasure expert and co-founder of Jo Divine, about sexual health, intimacy and how our relationship with our bodies can change across life. The conversation explores how changes in hormones, health and life experiences can affect desire, comfort and confidence. They discuss how common issues such as vag...

In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Sally Doust , GP and women’s health specialist, about premenstrual distress, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The conversation explores how hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle can affect mood, energy, sleep and emotional sensitivity – and why these patterns are often overlooked...

In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Nic Malcomson , integrative psychotherapist, about the success trap – the pattern where strengths that once helped us thrive can gradually become rigid and exhausting. The conversation explores how early success, positive feedback and high standards can shape identity over time. When life becomes more demanding or circumstances change,...

In this episode of The Choice Space , Dr Lee David speaks with GP and menopause specialist Dr Carys Sonnenberg about the complex ways menopause can affect emotional wellbeing, physical health and everyday life. Menopause is often described in terms of hormones alone, yet the experience is rarely that simple. In this conversation, Lee and Carys explore how hormonal changes interact with sleep, stre...

Modern family life can leave parents feeling pulled in all directions – trying to support their children, manage daily pressures and make the right decisions in a world full of advice, expectations and opinions about getting it right. In that context, the idea of being a good enough parent can feel both reassuring and like an important reset. In this episode of The Choice Space , Dr Lee David is j...

Spending time in the mountains can offer something rare in modern life – space to think, to feel and to see our lives from a wider perspective. For many, the outdoors provides not only challenge and adventure but also regulation, clarity and meaning. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David is joined by adventurer and Mind Over Mountains founder Alex Staniforth to explore how time outdoor...

In a world of constant notifications and competing demands on our attention, many of us feel too busy to read. Yet books and stories offer something increasingly rare – a quiet, immersive space where we can reflect, feel and make sense of our experiences. In this episode of The Choice Space , Dr Lee David is joined by Dr Charley Baker , Associate Professor of mental health at the University of Not...

For many people, the word selfish is linked with guilt and a sense of having done something wrong. It’s often understood as putting yourself first at the expense of others, which can lead to a habit of placing your own needs last. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David is joined by Suzy Reading , psychologist and author of How to Be Selfish , to offer a different perspective. Suzy refra...

Concerns about our bodies are common and part of being human. For some people, they remain occasional worries. For others, they begin to take up more attention, influence mood and shape everyday choices about food, movement, relationships and confidence. In this episode of The Choice Space , Dr Lee David is joined by Joanna Silver , a psychologist specialising in eating disorders and body image di...

There’s something quietly powerful about singing alongside other people. Music is known to support emotional wellbeing, and singing in a group brings breath, sound and attention together in a shared space. Shared voices and shared rhythm can create a sense of connection and ease, even when life feels busy or full. In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Glen Harvey – musician and long-standing c...

Shame is rarely spoken about openly, yet it quietly shapes how many people see themselves and relate to others. It can affect how safe we feel, whether we believe we belong and how harshly we judge ourselves. For many people, shame grows from repeated experiences of feeling different, criticised or not quite fitting in. In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Simon Lyne – CBT therapist with spec...

Weight is often treated as a simple matter of willpower or discipline, yet for many people it carries a heavy burden of shame and judgement. Conversations about weight can feel exposing and personal, making it harder to seek support or make changes that genuinely improve health. In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi – GP and lifestyle medicine specialist – to explore why...

Alcohol is woven into many people’s daily lives as a way to unwind, connect or mark the end of the day. For some, it can also become a way of managing difficult emotions, stress or disconnection, often without feeling like a “problem” in the traditional sense. In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Navneet Singh – psychotherapist and addiction specialist – about how people develop relationships...

Winter can be a difficult time for many people. Shorter days, less light and increased pressures at work and home can affect mood, energy and motivation, making everyday life feel heavier and harder to manage. In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Helen Garr – Medical Director at NHS Practitioner Health – about finding a way through low mood in the winter months. They explore why winter oft...

Grief is something most of us will encounter, yet it remains rarely talked about. It can follow the death of someone we love, but also the loss of health, identity or relationships. When grief arrives, it often brings a complex mix of emotions that feel overwhelming or unexpected. In this episode, Dr Lee David speaks with Professor Lucy Selman – a leading researcher in palliative and end-of-life c...

Christmas is often portrayed as joyful and effortless, yet many families experience something far more complex. Sensory overload, disrupted routines and shifting expectations can build pressure quickly, and for neurodivergent families these challenges can be especially pronounced. Old roles and stories can also resurface, adding emotional weight to a time that comes with more noise, movement and c...