Welcome to part two of my Healing 101 conversation with psychiatrist and researcher Joanna Moncrieff. If you haven’t yet listened to part one, I’d encourage you to go back - it lays the groundwork for this shorter bonus episode. Here, Joanna answers some of the most pressing questions about antidepressants: what they’re really doing in the brain, why withdrawal can be so difficult, and how we might need to rethink depression altogether. It’s a concise but powerful follow-on to our main discussio...
Oct 02, 2025•12 min
What happens when, from the outside, it looks like you’ve got everything - opportunity, privilege, excitement - and yet on the inside, you’re running on empty? In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Branson - entrepreneur, adventurer, musician, and yes, the son of Richard Branson - for a deeply honest conversation about burnout, purpose, and the long road back to self-acceptance. Sam shares the unseen side of growing up in a famous family, the self-imposed pressure to prove himself, and the moment o...
Sep 30, 2025•46 min
For decades, we’ve been told that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain - something wrong with our serotonin that only a pill can fix. But what if that story was never actually backed by science? In this Healing 101 episode - part one of a two-part conversation - I’m joined by psychiatrist and researcher Joanna Moncrieff, whose groundbreaking work has challenged one of the biggest myths in modern mental health. Together, we explore where the chemical imbalance theory came f...
Sep 25, 2025•26 min
So many of us make promises to ourselves out of shame - “From Monday, I’ll be better. I’ll drink more water, I’ll stop doing that thing, I’ll finally get it right.” And yet, by Tuesday, we’ve broken our own rules and slipped back into self-sabotage. In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist and bestselling author Anna Mathur, whose new book The Good Decision Diary is an invitation to step away from that exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking and instead learn how to make gentler, more ...
Sep 23, 2025•52 min
in today’s Healing 101 episode we’re focusing on a condition that is so often misunderstood and misrepresented - bipolar disorder. To help us unpack it, I’m joined by Rosie Viva - model, mental health advocate, and someone who has lived experience of bipolar 1. Rosie speaks with such honesty about what it really feels like to live with bipolar day-to-day, from the highs of mania to the lows of depression, and everything in between. This episode is all about breaking down stigma, recognising the ...
Sep 18, 2025•9 min
Today we’re exploring a subject that’s so often misunderstood, oversimplified, or brushed aside - ADHD in adulthood, and particularly what it means for women. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why you feel constantly overwhelmed, why you can be so capable in some areas but struggle so deeply in others, or why that inner critic of yours feels louder than anyone else’s voice — this conversation might just be a lightbulb moment. I’m joined by Professor James Brown, co-author of ADHD Unpacked,...
Sep 16, 2025•51 min
If you’ve ever felt like talk therapy just wasn’t getting to the root — this episode might open something up for you. Today I’m joined by Mariko Bangerter, regression therapist and founder of Mindsetting, to talk about a form of therapy that honestly blew my mind. Regression therapy goes deeper than the conscious mind — guiding you into a relaxed, altered state to access the subconscious, where so many of our unhealed wounds and limiting beliefs live. We talk about how past trauma gets stored no...
Sep 11, 2025•30 min
This episode might be one of the most confronting and important conversations I’ve ever had. I’m joined by psychoanalyst, parent coach and author Erica Komisar to talk about the emotional and neurological development of children in the earliest years of life – and why those first three years matter more than we’ve been led to believe. Erica doesn’t sugarcoat things. She talks openly about how modern parenting culture – especially the pressure on mothers to “do it all” – is clashing with what bab...
Sep 09, 2025•43 min
In today’s HEALING 101 episode, I speak with broadcaster and host of This Was Always Me, Rich Clarke and we get really honest about shame, identity, and what it’s like growing up feeling like you have to hide who you are. Rich opens up about internalised homophobia, the impact of staying silent for years, and why “coming out” still feels like this weird performance — when really, it should just be… living. It’s moving, it’s raw, and it’s also full of hope. If you’ve ever struggled to accept a pa...
Sep 04, 2025•20 min
What if the person who seems to have it all together is actually struggling in silence? In this episode, I’m joined by the extraordinary Dr. Judith Joseph – psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning – to unpack a form of depression that so many people relate to but rarely talk about: high-functioning depression. We dive into why it’s often missed, how it hides behind achievement, and what it really means to live without joy – even while ticking every box of a “successful” life. Dr...
Sep 02, 2025•54 min
If you're a parent, a loved one, or just someone who’s struggled with food or body image – this episode is essential listening. I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Anna Colton, clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist, for a conversation that is raw, practical, and full of compassion. We explore the early warning signs of eating disorders, why binge eating is so misunderstood, and how things like orthorexia and ARFID can quietly take root – especially in a culture obsessed with control a...
Aug 28, 2025•25 min
In today’s episode, I sit down with the actual founder of Internal Family Systems, Dr. Dick Schwartz. IFS isn’t just another therapeutic tool or model – it’s a whole new lens through which to see ourselves. One that says we’re not broken, or bad, or beyond help – but actually, beautifully complex. That all these parts of us – the inner critic, the perfectionist, the compulsive exerciser, the overachiever, even the saboteur – are just trying, in their own often misguided ways, to protect us. And ...
Aug 26, 2025•48 min
So, today’s episode is with someone I absolutely love having on the podcast - James Withey. He’s been on Healing 101 not once, but twice before, and both times were full of that honest, no-nonsense kind of wisdom that just really hits. If you haven’t already listened to those episodes, I’d really recommend going back and giving them a go. This time, we’re talking about something so many of us wrestle with: self-esteem. That nagging feeling that you’re not good enough, or that you’re somehow flaw...
Aug 21, 2025•24 min
So this episode is with the brilliant Rosie Viva - model, mental health advocate, long-distance runner, and now author of the incredibly honest and moving book Completely Normal and Totally Fine (which I love the title of, by the way - it kind of says everything in four words). Rosie was diagnosed with bipolar one after a full-blown psychotic episode at Stansted Airport - which she talks about here in such raw and courageous detail. And we really go there - the experience of being sectioned, wha...
Aug 19, 2025•37 min
Welcome back to Healing 101. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Sami Tamimi, where we continue peeling back the layers of how we understand mental health and emotional pain. In this episode, Sami shares his thoughts on the impact of COVID, helicopter parenting, and how our culture's obsession with control and certainty may be contributing to rising levels of anxiety and distress—especially among young people. We discuss the ‘treatment-prevention paradox,’ why current mental health servic...
Aug 14, 2025•21 min
So, I just want to say upfront — this is one of those conversations that really stays with you. Today I’m talking to the brilliant Helen Kirwan-Taylor, who honestly blew me away with how open, and completely unfiltered she is about trauma — real trauma. Helen lost her sister in an unimaginably tragic way when she was 12, and we talk about what happens when no one around you talks about it, and you're just expected to get on with things — and how that silence seeps into everything: your body, you...
Aug 12, 2025•49 min
Welcome to Healing 101, and today, we're bringing you Part 1 of a two-part conversation with the extraordinary Dr. Sami Timimi—psychiatrist, author, and a powerful voice challenging mainstream ideas around mental health. In this first half, we explore fundamental questions: What is mental health, and just as importantly, what isn’t it? Sami shares his perspective on the subjectivity of psychiatric diagnoses, the dangers of over-medicalisation, and the false binary between mental health and menta...
Aug 07, 2025•30 min
Today’s conversation is with someone whose work has truly shaped the way I think about time, productivity, and what it means to live a meaningful life. I’m joined by Oliver Burkeman — author of the best-selling Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals. In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology behind our need for control — how it shows up in our perfectionism, our people-pleasing, and our constant striving to stay ahead of life. We talk about why so many of us feel the pressure to...
Aug 05, 2025•46 min
Welcome to this special mini episode of Hurt to Healing with the incredible Dr. Shefali — a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and trailblazer in conscious parenting and personal transformation. In just a few powerful moments, Dr. Shefali unpacks how we unknowingly pass on our unhealed wounds, the pressure women face around body image, and how we can begin breaking free from cultural conditioning. This is a grounding, wise, and deeply compassionate conversation about shame, self-acceptan...
Jul 31, 2025•18 min
Today, I’m joined by the extraordinary Jean Campbell—model, writer, and host of the podcast I’m Fine, where she explores the many shapes and layers of pain, both physical and emotional. Jean’s story is one of resilience forged through adversity. From a traumatic accident at 12 to living with chronic pain through her teenage years and beyond, Jean brings rare honesty and compassion to a subject so often misunderstood. She invites us to rethink what it means to live with discomfort—not just in the...
Jul 29, 2025•36 min
In this episode of Healing 101 , I’m joined by Professor James Brown — one of the UK’s leading voices on adult ADHD, co-creator of the chart-topping podcast The ADHD Adults , and co-author of the forthcoming book ADHD Unpacked . Together, we delve into the often misunderstood world of emotional dysregulation and its overlooked connection to ADHD. Drawing on both cutting-edge research and his own lived experience (James was diagnosed in adulthood), he offers relatable, real-life insights into how...
Jul 24, 2025•12 min
Today, we're tackling a topic that’s often wrapped in silence, secrecy, and shame—porn addiction. It’s something many people struggle with but few feel safe enough to talk about. My guest today, Jeremy Lipkowitz, is helping to change that. Once a high-achieving academic with a hidden addiction, Jeremy’s journey from compulsive porn use to Buddhist monk, mindfulness coach, and men's mental health advocate is nothing short of remarkable. In this conversation, he opens up about the emotional roots ...
Jul 22, 2025•46 min
In this episode, I’m joined by Tommaso Barba from Imperial College London to explore how psychedelics are transforming mental health research. We break down what these compounds are, how they work in the brain, and why they offer hope for conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, and addiction. Tommaso also shares insights on the future of psychedelic therapy — and the importance of safety, integration, and realistic expectations. Find Tommaso: Instagram: @tommaso.barba Work: https://profiles.im...
Jul 17, 2025•19 min
Today’s guest is the brilliant Dr Anna Colton — clinical psychologist and author of How to Talk to Children About Food. In this episode, we get real about how our relationship with food starts from birth and is shaped by family, culture, and early experiences — often without us even realising it. Dr Colton unpacks the key stages of eating development, why treats and rewards can backfire, and how parents’ own habits and beliefs directly shape their kids’ attitudes to food. We tackle diet culture,...
Jul 15, 2025•51 min
Today, we’re exploring a relationship we all have—but often misunderstand: our relationship with food. My guest is psychotherapist and author Andrea Oskis, whose work unpacks how the way we eat reflects the way we feel, especially when it comes to attachment, control, and emotional safety. Andrea helps us understand why food becomes a stand-in for comfort, connection, or even self-worth—particularly for those struggling with anxiety, trauma, or disordered eating. This episode is a deeply human l...
Jul 10, 2025•20 min
In this special Pride Week episode, I sit down with broadcaster Rich Clarke for a deeply personal conversation about identity, authenticity, and the toll of hiding in plain sight. Rich shares his journey of navigating a high-profile media career while carrying a secret identity, and how years of masking his true sexuality led to burnout, breakdown, and ultimately, a turning point. We explore what it really means to come out — not just to the world, but to ourselves — and how the weight of shame,...
Jul 08, 2025•44 min
Today, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood and deeply felt mental health experiences: panic attacks. My guest is Joshua Fletcher—better known as “Anxiety Josh”—a psychotherapist, author, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like to live with panic disorder. Josh doesn’t just explain what panic attacks are—he breaks down why they happen, how they hijack your mind and body, and most importantly, how to reclaim your life from them. With his trademark honesty and wit, he shares his ...
Jul 03, 2025•22 min
I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a long time. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Shefali – a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and the global voice behind the conscious parenting movement. Her work has changed the way millions of people approach not only how they raise their children, but how they reparent themselves. In this episode, we explore the ways we become disconnected from our authentic selves, how childhood conditioning shapes our adult lives, and why so...
Jul 01, 2025•40 min
What’s the difference between everyday selfishness and true narcissism — and how do you know if you’re in a relationship that’s quietly eroding your self-worth? In this episode of Healing 101, I speak with Dr. Sarah Davies, a psychotherapist and expert in narcissistic abuse, about the subtle red flags, the power of gaslighting, and how to begin reclaiming your sense of self. From setting clear boundaries to understanding the psychology behind emotional manipulation, this conversation is a lifeli...
Jun 26, 2025•15 min
In today’s episode I sit down with consultant psychiatrist and former elite rugby player Dr. Phil Hopley to explore the mental health challenges we face in high-pressure environments — from boardrooms to Formula One pits. With decades of experience supporting top performers in sport, law, and finance, Phil shares how his own journey from the rugby field to psychiatry led to a passion for building resilience and emotional recovery. From founding Cognacity, a trailblazing mental health consultancy...
Jun 24, 2025•41 min
