The Talk Works Podcast

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Rie Pearson, a former police officer, domestic abuse specialist and author of Be Kind, No Excuses. Rie reflects on her 27 years in policing, specialising in Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. S...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Anthony Hutton, winner of Big Brother 2005 and founder of the Never Throw In The Towel Project. Anthony talks openly about life after sudden fame, the impact it had on his identity, which led to...

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Dr Vicky Jervis, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working full-time in the NHS within a Specialist Adult Autism Team. Alongside her NHS role, Vicky provides supervision and mentoring thro...

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Jan Garcha, a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in adult grief and bereavement with experience in both NHS and private mental health services. Jan shares her personal journey of l...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Claire McLean, founder of the award-winning consultancy Realise HR and Chair of Northern Cancer Voices. Claire shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Dr Charlotte Armitage, a leading voice in the conversation around children, technology, and mental health. Charlotte is the author of Generation Zombie: Why Devices are Harming our Children and...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Damian Baetens, business consultant, coach, and advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. Diagnosed with ADHD at 53, Damian shares his journey from a career in music management to business...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Jamie Gamble, Partner at Ward Hadaway and an expert in employment law. Together, they discuss the rise in mental health-related issues in the workplace, common misunderstandings employers have...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Kayleigh Laverick, social entrepreneur and founder of Mama Social Co. Kayleigh shares her story of experiencing postnatal depression and trauma following the birth of her second child, and...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Mark Deeks; musician, choir leader, speaker, and advocate for mental health. Mark joins Jen for a deeply moving conversation about grief, baby loss, and finding comfort through music. Mark talk...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam speaks with Amber Keegan-Stobbs, former captain of Newcastle United Women’s Football Club and the club’s first female player ambassador. Amber shares her journey with anxiety, panic attacks, and receiv...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Jen Cottam speaks with Simon Whitaker, founder and CEO of the award-winning menswear brand Master Debonair. Simon shares the emotional story behind the business, reflecting on how personal loss, resilience, and a foc...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Jen Cottam chats with Jane Austin, Director of HR at Wave, about how organisations can support their people and build a stronger, more inclusive workplace through thoughtful, people-focused HR practices. Jane emphasi...

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Jen Cottam speaks with Di Gates, founder of Connection Heroes, about why human connection is more critical than ever in the workplace and what leaders can do to nurture it. With a background in creative leadership an...

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this first episode, host Jen Cottam is joined by Paul O'Donnell, Clinical Lead at Talk Works, to discuss the different types of therapy available and how to choose the approach that's right for you. Whether you are managing trauma, anx...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Jen Cottam speaks with Vicki Kneafsey, HR Manager for the outsourced partnership at Jackson Hogg, about how organisations can better support employees during sick leave. Vicki shares why first-line managers are key t...

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cottam. With more people reporting mental health conditions each year, knowing how to find the right support, whether for your employees or yourself, has never been more important. In the Talk Works podcast Jen and her guests have open, honest conversations about mental health, exploring the different types of therapy and of...