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How do you recover from an eating disorder? John speaks to presenter, writer and broadcaster Angela Scanlon about living with anorexia and bulimia in her younger years. Angela noticed her relationship with food change in her late teens, and went on to struggle with eating disorders for 15 years. She talks about how controlling her eating gave her a sense of safety, which years later morphed into an addiction to work. Angela also explores how giving birth to her first daughter changed her mindset...
In a special episode, John reads a selection of your questions and emails. There are reflections on Megan Jayne Crabbe’s message of body positivity, reactions to Naga Munchetty highlighting the misogyny of the health service, and John answers questions about making big life decisions, and how to effectively check in on loved ones. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucopepod.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod Follow the show o...
Why should footballers have to tolerate racism? John sits down with ex-footballer Anton Ferdinand, who found himself at the centre of a national racism scandal. Anton was playing for Premier League team Queens Park Rangers in October 2011, when Chelsea and England defender John Terry was caught on camera apparently saying a racist slur. Terry was subsequently charged with racially abusing Anton, but was found not guilty. Anton talks to John about the impact this incident has had on his life - fr...
In this week’s bonus episode, domestic abuse campaigner and author David Challen shares the 5 things he is grateful for. In what turns out to be one of John’s favourite ever gratitude lists, David expresses his love for his bike and the film ‘You’ve Got Mail’. Head to the main episode to hear about how David fought to get his mother released from prison after she’d killed his father. He explains what men can do to combat violence against women. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to he...
How do you reconcile your mother killing her abuser, when her abuser was your father? John speaks to domestic abuse campaigner and author David Challen. He shares his experiences of fighting to get his mother freed from prison after she killed his father. David was just 23 when he found out his mother Sally was close to ending her own life after the incident. She was subsequently sentenced to life in prison. But David felt the need to speak out and uncover his parents’ relationship for what it w...
In this week’s bonus episode, author and digital creator Megan Jayne Crabbe shares the 5 things she is grateful for. Megan explains how her relationship with gratitude initially started from a place of scepticism. She also discusses the benefits of writing morning pages, and why she’s grateful for Gilbert the cat. Head to the main episode to hear about Megan’s journey with anorexia, transforming her relationship with food and body image, and her thoughts on modern dating. You can send in your th...
How do you learn to love your body? John sits down with writer, presenter, and digital creator Megan Jayne Crabbe to talk about her experience of eating disorders, her journey into body positivity, and the reasons why women make themselves small. Megan began posting online about body positivity under the handle Bodyposipanda at the age of 21. In her teens she struggled with anorexia and binge eating. Since then, she has amassed over 1 million followers and written 2 books. The latest - ‘We Don’t...
In this week’s bonus episode, actor Leslie Ash shares the things she’s grateful for, including The Chelsea Detective, and her blue roan Cocker Spaniel. Head to the main episode to hear about Leslie’s ordeal with the life-threatening infection MSSA, her long road to recovery, and her treatment by the tabloid press after a procedure to plump up her lips went wrong. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucopepod.com Watch and subscribe on YouTube @...
What do you do when your career is derailed by a life-threatening infection? John speaks to actor Leslie Ash, best known for playing the role of Debs in the 90s sitcom Men Behaving Badly, about catching an infection that nearly killed her. After being admitted to hospital with cracked ribs, Leslie contracted the life-threatening infection MSSA, which left her unable to walk. She discusses her long road to recovery, and how the illness affected her career. She also talks about the ridicule she su...
In this week’s bonus episode, comedian Pierre Novellie shares the 5 things he is grateful for. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gets a shout out, as does Pierre’s own memory. Head to the main episode to hear about Pierre’s experiences of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder later in life, how hyper-focusing at school led to teachers thinking he was deaf, and why Pierre thinks TV show The Big Bang Theory loses its humour when you reframe its main characters as autistic. You can send in your tho...
In this insightful episode, comedian Pierre Novellie shares his candid experience with receiving an autism diagnosis at 31, triggered by an audience member's observation. He delves into how this recontextualized his childhood, his unique way of learning social cues and humor, and the pervasive communication barriers he faces in a neurotypical society. Pierre also discusses the critical role of self-advocacy, managing autistic burnout, and the profound shift from seeking a "fix" to embracing acceptance and self-kindness in his life and relationships.
In this week’s bonus episode, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, shares the 5 things she is grateful for. Rebecca praises her hair and make up team, and expresses gratitude for a device that lets her listen to Peep Show whilst falling asleep. Head to the main episode to hear about Rebecca’s need to reinvent both herself and her career, and the coping mechanisms she’s developed for the days when she struggles to get out of bed. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucop...
At what point do you decide to take the plunge and make that life-changing decision? John sits down with musician and actor Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem, to talk about how she reinvented both herself and her career. Rebecca left the band Slow Club in 2017 and started releasing her own music under the moniker Self Esteem. She talks about the years leading up to the band’s split, and how the pressure to do her own thing became an urge she could no longer ignore. She also talks about the ro...
In this week’s bonus episode, RedHanded host Hannah Maguire shares the 5 things she is currently grateful for. Narrow ruled notebooks make an appearance, and there’s a heated debate around Lime bikes. Head to the main episode to hear about Hannah’s experiences of receiving an ADHD diagnosis aged 33, how taking the first dose of medication left her in tears, and how the loss of her father at the age of 12 affected her childhood. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopep...
Why are so many women only finding out as adults that they are neurodiverse? Host of the hugely successful true crime podcast RedHanded Hannah Maguire sits down with John to talk about her experiences of living with undiagnosed ADHD. Hannah always had an inkling that her brain worked differently to most people’s, but she was only diagnosed last year aged 33. She discusses why women are under-diagnosed, how a criticism left her bedridden for 3 days, and what impact losing her father at the age of...
In this week’s bonus episode, Professor Jason Arday shares the 5 things he is grateful for. He explains how a McDonald’s triple cheeseburger acts a barometer for his gratitude, and why everyone needs to remain faithful. Head to the main episode to hear about Jason’s experiences of learning to speak aged 11, and read and write aged 18, and how was he able to channel his determination to become the youngest black professor at Cambridge University. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to h...
Jason was diagnosed with autism and global developmental delay as a child, and was non-verbal. Despite these challenges, through determination and the support of family and teachers, he learnt to speak aged 11, and read and write by 18, before going on to forge a successful career in academia. He discusses his incredible journey with John... On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Jason shares the 5 things that he is currently grateful for. You can send in your thoughts and reflecti...
In this week’s bonus episode, Andrew and Lisa Roussos share the 5 things they are grateful for. After losing their daughter Saffie in the Manchester Arena bombing, Andrew and Lisa questioned whether they would ever find joy again. Here they describe their gratitude for the emergency services, for the people of Manchester, and for Saffie herself. Head to the main episode to hear about Andrew and Lisa’s experiences of the bombing, and how they were able to cope in its aftermath. You can send in yo...
How do you survive an unimaginable tragedy? John sits down with Andrew and Lisa Roussos, parents to Saffie, the youngest victim of the Manchester Arena bombing. The attack not only took their youngest daughter, but also left Lisa with life changing injuries. Lisa remained in a coma for 6 weeks following the terrorist attack, and awoke to the news that Saffie had lost her life. Andrew and Lisa then campaigned for transparency from the government and the intelligence services to find out what happ...
In this week’s bonus episode, broadcaster and author Naga Munchetty shares the 5 things she is currently grateful for. For Naga, Rory McIlroy and discovering strength training are both good reasons to be grateful. Plus John gets reprimanded for his sub-par golfing ethos. Head to the main episode to hear about Naga’s work to have women’s health taken seriously and her own experience battling painful periods and the medical establishment. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howd...
Why are women still asked to accept pain by the medical establishment? John speaks to broadcaster and author Naga Munchetty about how women’s health is still ignored and dismissed within our healthcare system. Naga discusses how her own painful periods have impacted every corner of her life, and the shocking stories she uncovered while researching her book “It’s Probably Nothing - Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis (and How to Thrive Despite It)”. You can send in your thoughts a...
In a special episode, John reads a selection of your emails and feedback. He shares how he felt preparing for an interview with one of his favourite artists, Bonnie "Prince" Billy. He reflects on the joys of going to bed sober, and why it’s important to hear the experiences of people we don’t agree with. Lastly, he turns the Gratitude List over to you, to hear what’s making you smile. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucopepod.com Watch and ...
At what point do you accept that you need help? John talks to political strategist, author and broadcaster Alastair Campbell about his battles with depression. Alastair has been very vocal about the after-effects of a psychotic episode that left him hospitalised in 1986, and seeing his brother Donald live with schizophrenia. He talks about his resistance towards seeking help, how his spell in hospital has impacted his outlook, and how looking at a raisin helped calm his thoughts. You can send in...
In this week’s bonus episode, Snow Patrol lead singer Gary Lightbody shares the 5 things he is currently grateful for. Gratitude plays a big part in Gary’s life, and he describes a transcendental experience he had whilst swimming in Belfast Lough. Head to the main episode to hear about Gary’s experiences of grief after the death of his father, how he felt guilt and shame in the wake of his passing, and the importance of finding stillness and calm in his everyday life. You can send in your though...
What do you do when the grief of losing a loved one becomes all-consuming? Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody sits down with John to talk about losing his father, and the all-encompassing grief that followed. Gary talks about the sometimes challenging relationship he had with his Dad Jack. In the wake of Jack’s death, he was forced to confront the ways in which their relationship could have been better. He also discusses his experience of being a single man, and the importance of finding stilln...
In this week’s bonus episode, member of the House of Lords Craig Mackinlay shares the 5 things he is currently grateful for. Beginning unsurprisingly with gratitude for life itself, Craig explains how, from the moment he woke up from his coma, he was determined to live. Head to the main episode to hear about Craig’s ordeal with sepsis; from losing both his arms and legs to having to relearn how to walk. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucop...
How do you recover both mentally and physically from a life-changing operation? John sits down with member of the House of Lords Craig Mackinlay who developed sepsis in 2023 and was given a 5% chance of survival. Craig spent 16 days in an induced coma and then had both his arms and legs amputated. He discusses how his wife’s tenacity kept him alive, how he’s adapted to life with prosthetic arms and legs, and how old ladies often hug him when he’s out and about. You can find more information abou...
In this week’s bonus episode, musician Bonnie “Prince” Billy, aka Will Oldham, shares the 5 things he is currently grateful for, and explains why he sees gratitude as acts of reverence and defiance. Head to the main episode to hear about Will’s experiences of caring for his mother when she developed Alzheimer’s, how he copes with grief, and why streaming has harmed our appreciation of music. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com or via howdoyoucopepod.com Wat...
How do you cope when caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s? John speaks to one of his musical heroes, the musician and actor Bonnie “Prince” Billy, aka Will Oldham. After the death of Will’s father, his mother started showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. John also discusses Will’s journey into music, his difficulty in calling himself an artist, and the effect that streaming has on our appreciation of music. On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Will shares the 5 things that he is ...
In this week’s bonus episode, comedian Rosie Jones shares the 5 things she is currently grateful for. There’s an in-depth conversation about central heating, and Rosie extols the virtues of long (and slightly erotic) hot water bottles. Head to the main episode to hear about Rosie’s coping mechanisms in the face of online hate and abuse, how she was able to stand up to Matt Hancock, and why she’s unwilling to shape her career around others’ expectations. You can send in your thoughts and reflecti...
