The NottAlone Podcast

In this special bonus episode, Dr Maddi and Dr Orlaith explore how to start a conversation with someone who may be struggling with their mental health. They chat about why mental health matters and what to do if you’re worried about someone. This is a standalone, short 22-minute episode with practical tips for you to use the next time you want to start a conversation about mental health. Plus, som...

Series three of The NottAlone Podcast is a special four-episode podcast series which explores some challenging topics, hearing young people’s first-hand experiences of grief,loss, eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks.    In this episode, Dr Maddi and Dr Orlaith discuss the young guests they have had on the podcast this series, their inspirational stories and what they...

NottAlone co-founders Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Órlaith Green sat down with 18-year-old university student Shova to discuss her experience with anxiety and panic attacks and the effect on her school attendance. Shova tells her story, explaining when she started to struggle to attend school, how her attendance rate dropped as low as 60% and her fear that she would never be able to cope with going to...

Grace Wood sat down with The NottAlone Podcast hosts Dr Órlaith Green and Dr Maddi Popoola to talk about her road to recovery from an eating disorder and her plan to run the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that helped her. Maddi and Órlaith chat to Grace about her challenges seeking medical help, the techniques that helped her overcome her eating disorder and what she wants more peo...

Fifteen-year-old Ella Mai Blower from Colwick shares her moving experience of coping with grief following the loss of her younger brother. Leo was just six years old when he passed away from a terminal brain tumour four years ago, leaving Ella and her family devastated. Like many young people, Ella turned to social media to find other people who had also lost siblings, but was unable to find anyth...

As series two wraps up, Maddi and Órlaith look back on the conversations from this season and share moments that left a lasting impact. From suicide prevention and addiction to workplace burnout, men’s mental health, motherhood, and the psychology of sport, this season we explored many sides of mental wellbeing. We’d love to hear your thoughts on series two and any suggestions on what you want us...

Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Órlaith Green are joined by Dr Melissa Morrison, also known as ‘The Sporty Ed Psych’. Together, they explore the often-overlooked connection between sports and mental health, discussing how the principles of sports psychology can enhance everyday well-being.   Mel shares her personal journey from struggling in traditional education to discovering her strengths through sport...

Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Órlaith Green are joined byNottAlone’s Jessica Beckwith for an open and honest conversation about women’s mental health. Jess is a Communications and Marketing professional currentlyworking with NottAlone, and she is the producer of The NottAlone Podcast. As Jess prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birthof her second child, she opens up about the highs and lows o...

We're joined by Nottingham’s own Alex Mighten (formerly performing as Karizma) — rapper, singer-songwriter, and event host — for a heartfelt conversation about men’s mental health and masculinity. Alex opens up about his personal journey through counselling, early fatherhood, and the silent struggles many men face balancing the societal pressures to “be strong” and “provide.” We explore the st...

What is the difference between stress and burnout? Host Maddi is put to the test with a quick quiz to kick off this episode.   Special guest Nardia O’Connor (Senior Health, Wellbeing and Organisational Development Practitioner) joins the conversation offering powerful and practical insights on how burnout is showing up in today’s workplaces and what leaders can do to tackle it head on and create w...

Content warning: this episode contains explicit language.   In this episode, Nottingham rapper, poet, and youth mentor Jourdan Blair, better known as Jah Digga, opens up about his personal journey through addiction, the grip of gambling, and the long road to recovery.   We explore the psychology of addiction: the highs, the spirals, and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild. Jah speaks candidly a...

Content warning: this episode contains discussions around suicide and bereavement. In our first episode of series two, we’re joined by Nottingham-based rapper, beatboxer and performer Alex Young, also known as Motormouf. Alex shares his personal journey of losing friends to suicide, opening up about the impact of grief, the complexities of bereavement by suicide, and the importance of mental healt...

That’s a wrap! Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Orlaith Green look back on series one of The NottAlone Podcast and share their highlights.   This series has been all about young people’s mental health, from infants to teenagers, with real conversations, personal experiences and expert advice aimed at busy parents and professionals, including teachers, who are working with children and young people. If you&...

In this episode, Maddi and Orlaith are joined by infant mental health expert Elayne Walker to explore what does resilience mean? How do babies experience mental health? And what can parents and carers do to lay the foundations for positive mental health in their baby’s early years? We delve into the development of how babies brains and what that means for their mental health and wellbeing. The epi...

In this episode, Maddi and Orlaith are joined by Rachel Deane for this conversation all about understanding neurodiversity and how it impacts mental health.   Discover what a ‘social rulebook’ is, why navigating change can be especially challenging for neurodiverse people and how to put yourself in a child’s shoes to understand their perspective. We focus on young people’s experiences with autism...

In this episode, Maddi and Orlaith discuss exam stress and talk about the strategies that can help young people manage their mental health during exam season and beyond.   The hosts delve into what exactly exam stress is, how stress impacts mental health, strategies to manage during difficult times and how to empty your ‘stress bucket’.  They discuss the pressure that society puts on young people...

In this episode, Maddi and Orlaith explore the powerful connection between physical activity, creativity, and mental health wellbeing. They’re joined by Simon Green from Freedom Foundation , an organisation dedicated to empowering children and young people, building confidence and self-worth through music, dance, spoken word poetry and creative expression. Simon shares stories and insights from th...

Join hosts Maddi and Orlaith for an enlightening discussion with Charlotte Lewis-Gordon, the Mental Health Improving Attendance Team Manager at Nottingham City Council. In this episode, we discuss the complex connection between anxiety and school attendance. Charlotte sheds light on the challenges of Emotional Behavioural School Avoidance (EBSA) and shares effective strategies to support children...

Welcome back to The NottAlone Show, hosted by NottAlone co-founders Dr Orlaith Green and Dr Maddi Popoola.   In this episode, we’re talking about young people’s mental health. Find out what you need to know about the mental health challenges facing young people today, how to have an effective conversation about mental health and what makes the biggest difference when a young person is struggling....

Welcome to The NottAlone Podcast: real talk about mental health. Join hosts Dr. Orlaith Green and Dr. Maddi Popoola, co-founders of NottAlone, as they open up honest conversations about mental health and wellbeing on The NottAlone Podcast. Each episode brings you real-life stories, practical advice and insights from local professionals and advocates from across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. From...