Episodios
-
We're starting off Season 6 of Therapy Works with a wonderful talk with Jake Humphrey. Join us as we explore Jake's varied career as a sports presenter, businessman, and podcaster. Through this enriching conversation, Jake shares insights on balancing success with personal life, family values, and his mental health journey. We dive into the beauty of ordinary life, the importance of vulnerability, and finding joy in simple moments. Discover how sharing our deepest fears can lead to healing and connection, and learn from Jake's experiences of resilience amidst life's pressures.
Resources
If you found this conversation interesting, you can find Jake Humphrey’s work in many places, including:
Twitter/X - https://x.com/mrjakehumphrey
High Performance Podcast - https://podfollow.com/highperformance
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jakehumphrey/
Otherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, we’re addressing a listener's question about the fear of their child, particularly during the teenage years. We’ll discuss the power dynamics between parents and children, the emotional challenges of parenting, and strategies for maintaining calm and establishing boundaries. We’ll also dig into how personal childhood experiences can influence parental fears, as well as the importance of repair and trust in parent-child relationships. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the complexities of parenting and overcoming fear.
As well, we’re only sharing what’s top of mind for us in these answers, and we’d love to keep the conversation going. Do you have any frameworks you use, perhaps similar to Sophie’s, in how you show up for your children? I’d love to know. And if you have any questions you’d like us to tackle for the next Agony Aunties, do share!
Otherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
¿Faltan episodios?
-
For this week’s bonus episode of the Therapy Works Podcast, we’re featuring psychotherapist and founder of Brown Girl Therapy, Sahaj Kaur Kohli. In this episode, Sahaj delves into her journey as a daughter of Indian immigrants in the United States, her professional and personal challenges, and the cultural straddling that influences her work with clients. She shares insights on navigating mental health, identity, and transgenerational trauma while discussing her new book, 'But What Will People Say?' and the importance of healing through cultural sensitivity and curiosity. Discover how Sahaj blends her bicultural experience in her therapeutic practice and offers invaluable advice for children of immigrants and their families. Dive into the conversation and explore Sahaj's story and expertise, filled with relatable experiences and professional wisdom
Resources
You can learn more about Sahaj Kaur Kohli, and get her book, on her website - https://sahajkaurkohli.com/book
For those of you on Instagram, check out her profile over at - https://www.instagram.com/browngirltherapy/
Otherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week's episode of Agony Aunties, we're addressing a listener's question about not feeling anything. We'll discuss the potential link between numbness and depression, recommend ways to explore and understand this emotional state, and emphasize the importance of professional help. We'll also talk about holistic lifestyle changes and the value of communicating your feelings to those close to you.
Resources:
I mentioned that I’ll be sharing an online test, for those of you who are interested in their emotional wellbeing. You can find it here - https://checkwellbeing.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/
Otherwise, if you have any questions, send me a message on my Instagram - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
For more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this very engaging conversation, Jonathan Haidt, Professor of Ethical Leadership at the Stern School in New York, discusses his latest book “The Anxious Generation” where he goes into the significant impact digital devices and social media have on the younger generation, particularly the broader implications of technology on children's development, mental health, and social interactions. Highlighting four foundational rules for healthier childhoods, Haidt emphasizes the urgent need for collective action among parents, schools, and governments to mitigate the adverse effects of a digital upbringing and restore a play-based, real-world childhood that fosters resilience and social competence.
Resources:
For starters, you’re going to love “The Anxious Generation” - https://www.anxiousgeneration.com
If you’re interested in taking action, we mentioned a few websites you can check out, namely:
http://letgrow.org
http://anxiousgeneration.com
http://smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk
http://delaysmartphones.org
Otherwise, if you’d like to connect, I post regularly on Instagram, with more thoughts and some Monday Top Tips - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
And for more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
For this week’s Agony Aunties, we address a listener's concern about feeling numb after the recent death of their mother. We’ll talk about the stereotypes of what people think grief looks like, and then address the shock and emotional numbness that often follows sudden loss, along with the adaptation process during mourning, and when it might be necessary to seek professional help. We’ll also talk about the importance of proper support systems, the timing of therapeutic interventions, and accessible resources for those dealing with grief.
Resources:
I’ve created an app to help people navigate Grief, called Grief Works. I think it can be very useful in helping work through grief and its many stages. Please find a link to download it here - https://illumeapps.com/griefworks/
Please follow me on Instagram - http://instagram.com/juliasamuelmbe/
For more info, check out my website - https://juliasamuel.co.uk
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
While we’re preparing for Season 6 of Therapy Works, we have a special expert episode we wanted to share between Emily and Satya Doyle Byock, a psychotherapist from Portland and author of the book 'Quarter Life: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood.” Satya explains the concept of the 'quarter life' phase, identifying it as the first stage of adulthood between adolescence and midlife, and discusses the unique challenges faced during this period. She shares her motivation for writing the book, rooted in her personal struggles and professional experiences, which I’m sure many of us can relate to as well. The conversation delves into the societal expectations, psychological development, and family dynamics that impact individuals in their twenties and thirties, and also discusses how we usually talk about this stage of life, which - oftentime - isn’t met with a lot of compassion or patience. Emily and Satya also discuss the importance of ritual, and the role of therapy in navigating this critical life stage, and the importance of understanding and supporting this majorly transformative phase of our lives.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Doyle Byock and His Book on Quarter Life
00:39 Defining Quarter Life and Its Importance
01:26 The Struggles of Quarter Lifers and the Lack of Societal Language
03:20 Generational Perspectives and Misunderstandings
05:05 The Four Pillars of Growth in Quarter Life
12:05 The Meaning vs. Stability Framework
20:03 The Role of Parents and Society in Navigating Quarter Life
24:21 The Power of Therapy and Self-Exploration
26:39 Closing Thoughts and the Impact of Supporting Quarter Lifers
Resources: If this conversation resonated with you, and you’d like to find ways to understand the quarter-life experience from a different angle, check out Satya’s book “Quarter Life: The Search for Self in Early Adulthood” - https://satyabyock.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, a listener is asking us for healthy ways to move forward after the early death of a brother, who died from addiction, and whose death caused major challenges for the entire family. Let’s begin by saying that there are no quick and easy ways to answer this in a video. This is a profound, life changing challenge, and we really encourage seeking individual therapy, and to explore how the addiction impacted everyone’s relationships, as well as discussing these difficult topics with children to help them understand and process their feelings.
We’d also like to emphasise self-compassion here, to cope with shame and self-judgment, as there is a major stigma around dying early from addiction, and processing it is not going to be easy. We also go on to suggest that connecting with groups and others who have gone through similar losses can aid in the healing process. Thank you to whoever sent this question in. We’re so sorry to hear about the challenges you’re going through, and we’re really happy that you reached out to speak about it. We hope this helped, in some small way.
Thank you for submitting your questions, and for giving us a chance to help provide some advice. If you have a question, please DM me at @juliasamuelmbe or email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
For this week’s episode of Therapy Works, we’re having a special talk about Mental Health Awareness Week, which - this year - is focusing on the theme of movement and its significance in mental health. We have a lot to say on the subject, including some of the language we want to share around Mental Health awareness, and how people are identifying with different states of mental health. If describing the state of our mental health is difficult to verbalise, writing can reveal to us the parts that we keep hidden and unvocalised.
On the theme of movement, we’ll talk about how it can unlock one of the most powerful medicines, as well as making sure we explore our relationship with movement overall. If we’re avoiding it, why is that? And if we’re exercising in order to avoid something else that we’re trying not to feel, that’s something to bring awareness to as well. Also we all find excuses to not do any movement, but it doesn’t have to be high intensity exercise, it can be as small as little walks to break up the day or as Sophie says a little boogie when doing the washing up!
Resources:
To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week, check out - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week
Otherwise, if you’re in London and want to dance, here’s Pineapple Studios - https://www.pineapple.uk.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
For this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, we’re answering a question from someone struggling after a recent breakup and full of fear of relapsing into a previous nervous breakdown.
If we go through a really challenging ordeal post breakup, it would make sense that we’d be afraid of how we will be in the future, if another breakup occurs. What’s important to note is that we’re all different people now than we were before. And so, how you’ll process a future challenge isn’t the same way you’ve handled a past challenge. With that being said, we’d also like to acknowledge grief as a natural process, which often involves the full spectrum of emotions. For future challenges, we recommend practicing self-care in many forms, such as seeking therapy, journaling, and spending time with loved ones who provide positive reflections of ourselves. We’ll talk about all of this and more in this week’s episode.
Thank you for submitting your questions, and for giving us a chance to help provide some advice. If you have a question, please DM me at @juliasamuelmbe or email [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
As we’re preparing for Season 6 of the Therapy Works podcast, I wanted to share a special episode here where I spoke with Rahul Jandial, famous Neuroscientist, speaker, author, and friend. Rahul is a dual-trained neurosurgeon and neurobiologist, and the author of “This is Why You Dream” which is what we spend most of our time discussing.
We get in depth about how dreams reflect our waking life, the interconnectedness of dreams, creativity, and the human brain. Rahul shares insights on the science of dreaming, its effects on problem-solving and creativity, and the impact of dreams across various stages of life including the significance of erotic dreams and nightmares.
The conversation also touches on the exploration of the dreaming brain's activities, the interpretation of dreams, and the profound relationship between dreaming and death. This conversation was so delightful to have. Being able to talk for so long about the importance of dreaming was utterly fascinating for me, and I hope you find it fascinating as well.
Apologies for the audio quality, as we faced considerable technical difficulties. If you’re interested in the topic of dreaming, I know you’re going to love Rahul’s new book “This is Why You Dream,” which you can find here:- https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/454635/this-is-why-you-dream-by-jandial-rahul/9781529909449
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/therapyworks today to get 10% off your first month. That's BetterHelp.com/therapyworks.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
For this week’s Agony Aunties episode, we were asked how to handle mood swings. And to answer that, as usual in these episodes, we have a few different angles to approach. The first thing we suggest is to bring awareness to the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems within us, and to ground our approach towards mood regulation in the physical. If our bodies and nervous systems are dysregulated, we can experience a range of affective states, both positive and negative, and so finding ways to regulate ourselves first - be it through rest, diet, or exercise - is one approach to settle the body and to manage these mood swings.
We also recommend a sense of self-compassion here, as there are negative connotations to mood swings, and we hope that you don’t adopt any self-blaming language while trying to regulate your nervous system, but to approach your needs with a sense of softness and care. And, as always, we thank you for your questions here and for your prompts to these conversations. We really enjoy exploring these topics with you, so do please keep sending in your questions, and we’ll do our best to answer as many of them as we can.
Please email your questions to [email protected] or DM Julia on her Instagram @juliasamuelmbe.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
As we just wrapped up Season 5, and we’re ramping up for Season 6, I’d like to share with you a bonus episode with you all this week. Emily speaks to Josephine Hughes, who shares her deeply personal experience as the mother of two transgender daughters. She discusses the initial shock and adjustment period after her daughters came out, the challenges they faced, and the broader societal reactions. Josephine emphasises the importance of parental support and understanding through this transformative journey. She also touches on the misconceptions and struggles associated with transgender identity and how it affects both the individual and their family. Through her narrative, Josephine provides insight and guidance to other parents navigating similar experiences, advocating for acceptance and informed support.
Resources:
Josephine’s Podcast - https://gloriouslyunready.com
And here’s the handout she mentioned in the episode:- https://gloriouslyunready.com/transgender/
DISCLAIMER: We are psychotherapists and are not in the position to provide medical advice. If you require support for you or your children, please find more advice here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/gender-identity/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, a new therapist asks how she can help her clients develop more self-esteem. And while the three of us practice differently with our clients, what we all agree on is the importance of exploring the client’s relationship with their self-esteem. Where does that struggle with come from? Adding some context to the moments of struggles with self-esteem, especially through practices of mindfulness and journaling, can be helpful for us to notice when our esteem is suffering, and - moreso - when these challenging thoughts arise, we can also choose to not overly identify with them.We’ll talk about this and more in this week’s episode. I hope you find it helpful. If you have any questions you’d like us to answer, please do send them over, as we love taking on your suggestions and seeing what the three of us come up with.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this special episode, I’m delighted to be speaking with Caitlin Moran seeing as my daughters and I are huge fans of her writing. In this episode, she reflects on her tough upbringing and speaks about the power and joy she found with words. She also shares her opinions on masculinity and the challenges men face in society. With her characteristic humour and sharp wit, Caitlin discusses the cultural and personal implications of men's roles, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to navigate manhood in today's world.
Key Points Discussed:
The Power of Words: As Caitlin is a very skilled and prolific writer, she shares her love of writing, the power of writing, and how us finding the language to express ourselves can impact the world.
The Language We Use Around Children: Caitlin offers her thoughts on how younger generations are facing challenges, especially after hearing how the adults around them speak about the state of the world.
Masculinity in Crisis: Caitlin explores the crisis of masculinity, noting how societal expectations and traditional roles can lead to emotional suppression among men, resulting in a range of mental health issues.
Impact of Feminism on Men: She discusses the impact of feminism on men, arguing that while feminism has empowered women, it has also inadvertently highlighted the lack of emotional tools available to men, contributing to a generational disconnect.
I really enjoyed this conversation and found myself laughing a lot with Caitlin. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did!
Resources:
Get Caitlin’s new book, now in paperback: “What About Men?” - https://amzn.eu/d/cSlWgWt
American Institute for Boys and Men - https://aibm.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
For this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, a listener asks an important question: how can they be happy when someone in their family is deeply depressed? And so, to answer this, we’re not going to discuss what the listener can do to fix their family member’s problems, even though that might be the urge that arises in us instantly. Instead, we’ll talk about ideas of codependency, and highlight the importance of not anchoring our emotional wellbeing on the state of other’s. Finding ways to take care of ourselves is very important, so that we can be better resourced. We’re not going to help our depressed family member by getting depressed as well, and it can be very easy to catch the emotions of others. So, please make sure that you’re finding ways to find your own happiness as well.
Resources mentioned:
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - https://www.thecalmzone.net
Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/
Papyrus - https://www.papyrus-uk.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of Therapy Works, Heather shares the deeply emotional and challenging journey of raising her daughter, Lizzie, who has profound and multiple learning disabilities. Heather's story is one of love, loss, resilience, and the constant navigation of a life profoundly different from what she once envisioned. Through her journey with Lizzie, Heather illuminates the deep, often unspoken realities faced by families navigating similar paths.
Key Points Discussed:
Living with Profound Disabilities: Heather describes Lizzie's condition, underscoring the daily realities of caring for someone who is entirely dependent on others for their needs, coupled with the significant intellectual disabilities that shape their interactions with the world.
Grief and Acceptance: The conversation delves into the grief that accompanies the loss of the life Heather expected for Lizzie and herself, and how acceptance and acknowledgment of this grief have been crucial for moving forward.
Finding Meaning and Coping: Heather reflects on how acknowledging Lizzie's condition and the accompanying challenges have allowed her to find meaning, cope better, and thus provide better care.
Community and Representation: Highlighting the importance of representation and community support, Heather discusses the value of connecting with others who understand their family's experience and the ongoing battle for visibility and understanding in a broader societal context.
This episode stands as a powerful testament to the complexities of love, the weight of unfulfilled expectations, and the strength found in community and understanding. Heather's insights offer invaluable perspectives for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of caring for a loved one with profound disabilities.
Read Heather's letter to Lizzie: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QjCGIa85aS_8jBUQUbKCdi1F0aakf1RkwvIIZQQavH4/edit?usp=sharing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of Agony Aunties, we’re answering a viewer who is struggling with their 10-year-old daughter's dislike for their new partner. We’ll talk about how to empathise with the complexity of the situation, and we’ll offer some insights and advice on handling such family dynamics. The daughter’s resistance might stem from feelings of loss and change rather than a genuine dislike for the new partner.
Another important point is to ensure continued one-on-one time with the daughter, to maintain open and non-judgmental communication, and to slowly integrate the new partner without forcing acceptance. It’s important to allowing the daughter to express her feelings and fears about the new family dynamic, and for the parent to with manage their expectations for the transition period. Growth is non-linear, after all.
And on that note, if you’re interested in more discussions about blended family dynamics, here’s the podcast Emily mentioned - https://open.spotify.com/show/2olc42wsIsoLyGuqrAYQns
If you have any questions for the Agony Aunties then please do email them to [email protected].
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Dr. Rachel Clarke shares her journey through the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, her transition from journalism to palliative care medicine, and her ongoing advocacy for better end-of-life care. Reflecting on the paradox of human existence—the intertwining of love, death, and the essence of being—she discusses the daily challenges within the NHS, the psychological cost of providing care in an overburdened system, and the deeply personal impact of her father's passing.
Key Points Discussed:
Navigating NHS Challenges: Rachel details the struggle of providing compassionate care during Covid and emphasises the psychological toll it had on her and the healthcare professionals she knows.
Personal Growth Through Adversity: She reflects on her path from philosophy to medicine, highlighting how facing death and vulnerability has shaped her perspective on life and her practice in palliative care. For someone that’s confronted by death so often, hearing Rachel’s perspective on death, and outlook on life, is enlightening.
The Power of Human Connection: Rachel shares insights on the significance of sincerity and presence in the face of mortality, underscoring the importance of embracing life's dualities. When we are on our deathbeds, we don’t regret not sending more emails or earning more money. What matters to us most is the connections we have.
Legacy and Advocacy: Through her books and involvement in healthcare debates, she advocates for systemic change, particularly in palliative care, driven by her experiences and the profound lessons learned from the dying.
This episode underscores the importance of compassion, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning amidst life's greatest challenges.
If you’d like to know more about Dr Rachel Clarke’s experience, you can find her book “Breath taking” on Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathtaking-UKs-human-story-Covid/dp/0349144567/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In this week’s episode of "Agony Aunties," our discussion focuses on a parent finding their purpose as their children have grow up and left home. And so, we’ll talk about the importance of starting with self-awareness and exploration, and how mindfulness can help, along with small steps towards activities that bring joy or spark curiosity. On a broader scope, we’ll also talk about a concept that we’ve covered a few times already - the fertile void - where we transition from the end of one major undertaking to another. And we’ll also mention the importance of self-compassion at this time, and how it might be useful to look for inspiration from others' paths.
Resources:
Here’s more from Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices - Mostrar más
