In the forty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to journalist Natalie Morris. Natalie is Senior Lifestyle Writer for the Metro UK. In this pod we discussed Natalie's journalism journey, breaking into the industry as a black woman, her series 'Mixed-Up' and the emotional and mental toll that reporting on COVID-19 and the recent George Floyd protests against police brutality and racism has had on her. We also discussed her mental health journey, her experiences of health anxie...
Jun 11, 2020•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of Behind The Decks, we spoke to Connor aka Mr. Wax. Connor is a UK electronic music producer. He started his music production journey in the UK Jungle scene before becoming captivated by two genres from the internet music scene known as Future-Funk and Vapourwave. In this pod we discussed his journey as Mr. Wax, his love of Future-Funk and why in the last two years he decided to move away from the genre and carve out his own music identity. We also discussed his mental health jo...
Jun 07, 2020•1 hr 9 min
We're expanding the Just Checking In Podcast with the first episode of a brand new series, 'Behind The Decks'. In these podcasts, we'll be checking-in with DJs and producers from the UK music scene and beyond, discussing their musical journeys, their artistry and most importantly, the person behind the decks. The first special guest we go behind the decks with is Australian R&B producer Lachlan Dalton aka Jafunk. In this pod, we discussed Jafunk's muslcal journey, the role Disclosure had in insp...
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In the fortieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Nikhil Patel. Nikhil currently works as a secondary school English teacher and Head of Year at a school in Doha, Qatar and is the second Public Sector Hero we have had on the Just Checking In Pod. In this pod we spoke about Nikhil's teaching journey, issues affecting his pupils such as knife crime and social media and being able to turn to his mum for guidance and inspiration. We also spoke about his mental health journey, his ...
May 28, 2020•1 hr 15 min
In the thirty-ninth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to broadcaster, journalist and practising NHS GP, Dr Radha Modgil. Radha is co-host of BBC Radio 1's Life Hacks Podcast alongside Katie Thistleton. She was the presenter of the CBeebies show 'Feeling Better', highlighting the importance of talking about emotions for young children and the BBC Bitesize series ‘Exam Survivors’ on BBC Sounds. She’s also appeared as the medical reporter for 'The Sex Education Show' on Channel 4 and...
May 23, 2020•58 min
In the thirty-eighth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to father and son duo, Andy Kaye and George Kaye. Andy is Managing Director of AKLD Training Limited, where he delivers professional coaching and training qualifications to clients across the country. We discussed the work he does with AKLD and how mental health and well-being has become a bigger part of the training he delivers in recent years. We also discussed his cricket career and what the sport gave him during his teena...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 23 min
In the thirty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to co-founder of mental health non-profit Mad Millennials, Charlotte Brockman. Charlotte is also a professional solo performing artist, who performs under the moniker 'CHAR'. Charlotte was kind enough to invite us to speak at the launch event of Mad Millennials in December 2018. In this pod, we discussed the Mad Millennials journey, the work the platform does in her local community of Maidenhead and beyond, her relationship ...
May 10, 2020•1 hr 18 min
In the thirty-sixth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Service Level Operator and long-time friend of Vent, Tim Gibson. Tim and our Founder Freddie Cocker have known each other since childhood and Tim was keen to share his journey and what he's gone through to get to where he is today. In this pod we chatted about Tim's regret at not having friends at school he could talk about his mental health with, his overthinking about the future and the effect it has on him, the pressure ...
May 08, 2020•1 hr 16 min
In the thirty-fifth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion and stand-up comedian Graeme Rayner. Graeme has been one of Vent's biggest supporters since we started this platform and his mental health journey is an inspiration to so many in his local community and beyond. In this pod we discussed his stand-up career so far, the first ever performance he did, comedy idols, his own event series 'Live From The Cellar Bar' which he runs in his West Yorkshire community and hi...
May 03, 2020•1 hr 27 min
In the thirty-fourth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to mental health advocate Ash Ledran. Ash is the Founder of mental health platform Op_n. Op_n provides its audience with inspiration, resources and tools to help them feel safe expressing mental health issues that affect our day-to-day lives. Op_n gives people a platform to share their story and has built a community of mental health heroes determined to crush the stigma around mental health. Their mission is to do what they c...
Apr 26, 2020•1 hr 18 min
In the thirty-third episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we thought we'd do something a bit different. Everyone who listens to this podcast has been affected in some way by COVID-19 or Coronavirus as it’s more commonly called. It has swept across most of Europe and has already cost the lives of ten of thousands of people. In these moments, we can quite easily feel disconnected from the world around us. We can quite easily feel disconnected from our friends, our family and our work colleagues...
Apr 24, 2020•35 min
In the thirty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to Headteacher of ThornHill Community Academy School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Matthew Burton. Matthew came into a bit of fame through a little show called ‘Educating Yorkshire’, which was broadcast on Channel 4 in September 2013, after which he became affectionately known as 'Mr Burton' to the wider public. The show focused on the day-to-day life of ThornHill Community Academy School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire where he wa...
Apr 19, 2020•1 hr 12 min
In the thirty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to mental health advocate Sam Evans. Sam works in the pharmaceuticals industry in his full-time job but when one of his friends from University tragically took his own life, he felt compelled to do something. Since that moment, Sam has done multiple successful 'Movember' campaigns, raising thousands of pounds for Movember UK and has raised awareness around men's mental health in his hometown, his workplace and his social networ...
Apr 16, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In the thirtieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to videographer, photographer and Venue and Events Bar Manager in the live music venue industry, Colm Brett. Colm is also Founder of Colm Brett Visuals. where he shows clients and his audience the world through his lens. In this pod we discussed Colm's work as a events professional, the venues he has worked at and how they help the mental health of their respective clientele. We also discussed how he and his fellow colleagues mana...
Apr 12, 2020•1 hr
In the twenty-ninth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion Paola Bombo. 'Paz' as she is affectionately known to her friends is a Data Analyst and also former first team and club captain at Kings College London (KCL) University Women’s Rugby Team. In this pod we discussed her rugby journey from picking up a rugby ball for the first time at University to becoming club captain, the positive impact that rugby has had on her life, the progress that's been made in the women...
Apr 10, 2020•53 min
In the twenty-eighth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to UK DJ, Jack Sirkett. Jack is a regular DJ on the London and UK touring circuit and was the first contributor to our 'Behind the Decks' feature, which gives a voice to DJs and producers who wish to share their mental health experiences in the music industry or outside it. Jack is also Founder of London not-for-profit collective, Artsclub. Artsclub is a not-for-profit collective, which focuses on bringing the creative commun...
Apr 05, 2020•1 hr 16 min
In the twenty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to men's life coach Eldridge Cooke. We met Eldridge at an event run by the Whole Man Academy and we knew from speaking to him for five minutes about his story that we wanted him on the Pod. Originally from East London, Eldridge's journey is remarkable and not one constrained by stereotypes placed upon him when he was younger. We discussed his life coach business and his mantra #RaiseYourRoar, his journey, fatherhood, an expl...
Mar 28, 2020•2 hr 34 min
In the twenty-sixth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker and Founder of Nottingham-based community project, Helping Kids Achieve (HKA), Keiren Thompson. Helping Kids Achieve offers young people the opportunity to engage in sports, particularly basketball which Keiren coaches, as well as other interactive activities such as arts and crafts, and music, with the aim of keeping them away from gangs and getting involved in anti-social behaviour. Keiren came to the public's...
Mar 22, 2020•59 min
In the twenty-fifth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to guitarist in East London Rock band Cavalcade, Jack Campbell. Cavalcade first came to Vent's attention through their single 'Blueness Is A Heavy Stone' and the mental health themes which were present throughout the record. To mark the launch of that single, we did a More Than A Record interview with the band about it, which you can read here: http://vent.org.uk/more-than-a-record-cavalcade-interview In this pod, we spoke to J...
Mar 15, 2020•1 hr 15 min
In the twenty-fourth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker Shane Tewiah. Shane is a Lead Key Worker for high-risk young people, working with them on a daily basis to change their lives and make sure they do not take the wrong path in life. In this pod we spoke about the life-changing work Shane does on a day-to-day basis and the issues the young people he works with are facing such as knife crime, social media and perfectionism culture. We also discussed Shane's journe...
Mar 13, 2020•1 hr 10 min
In the twenty-third episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Engineer from East London, Jacob George. We pride ourselves on being a community platform that tries to help anyone who needs it. This pod is the first time Jacob has been open about his mental health, specifically his experiences of anxiety, panic attacks and depression. We also discussed his journey of becoming a father at a very young age, the negative impact that social media had on him and his mental health, the tools ...
Mar 07, 2020•1 hr 6 min
In the twenty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to freelance Science Journalist and Audio Producer, Izzie Clarke. After completing a Masters degree in Physics, Izzie worked as an assistant producer for BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 1, returning to science content a few years later as a producer and presenter for The Naked Scientists on BBC Radio 5 Live, ABC’s Radio National in Australia and their eponymous podcast. In addition to reporting on the latest science news, creating ...
Mar 01, 2020•1 hr 7 min
In the twenty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Senior Referee Officer at the English Football Association, Farai Hallam. Farai is a qualified professional referee and a former professional footballer having played for Stevenage before several injuries curtailed his career before he was released by the club and forced him to change career. Referees across the English football pyramid face abuse both verbal and in some extremely rare cases physical by players on the pitch...
Feb 22, 2020•1 hr 29 min
In the twentieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion and Head Chef at London restaurant Copper & Ink, Robert Parks. Rob got his big break in the industry when he made it to the Semi-Final of BBC cookery show MasterChef in 2015. In this pod we discussed the article he wrote for Vent in January 2018 about some of the realities of working in the restaurant industry and how it's pressure cooker environments can have an impact on one's mental health, with some important...
Feb 16, 2020•2 hr 38 min
In the nineteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to UK Disco & Soul recording artist, AMiR. AMiR spoke honestly about his experiences in the music industry in his career to date, his debut album, 'All or Nothing' he released in 2019 and his refusal to be pigeon-holed or stereotyped. We also spoke about the man behind the alias including fatherhood, family, football and of course, a mental health chat. You can stream or buy AMiR's debut album 'All or Nothing' on Amazon here: ht...
Feb 09, 2020•1 hr 7 min
In the eighteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion Bree Leahy. Bree at time of recording is a full-time University student at the University of East London and is studying for a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Sport, Physical Education and Development. She has written for Vent’s poetry section about her experiences as a young gay woman as well as an article about having to be a part-time carer for her grandmother and the grief she experienced when she lost...
Feb 02, 2020•1 hr 17 min
In the seventeenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to former professional rugby player, Kearnan Myall. Kearnan has played for a number of Premiership Rugby clubs including London Wasps and Sale Sharks. He started his career at Championship club Leeds Carnegie, now known as Yorkshire Carnegie. Kearnan has also been capped by England at both England U18 and England Saxons level and was included in former Head Coach Stuart Lancaster's squad for the 2013 tour of South America. Kear...
Jan 25, 2020•1 hr 14 min
In the sixteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Personal Trainer and Studio Manager at Rock Health & Fitness, Dean Clarke. In one of the most raw and in-depth interviews to date, we spoke to Dean about his mental health journey and living with Bipolar Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We discussed his experiences of being in the British Army, his tours of both Iraq and Afghanistan, fatherhood, his suicide attempt and of course, a mental health chat. Follow...
Jan 19, 2020•2 hr 42 min
In the fifteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to mental health advocate Paul McGregor. Paul is a Public Speaker, a guest Lecturer at University of the Arts London and Founder of the digital platform, ‘Every Mind At Work’. We talked about losing his dad to suicide, the impact that had on him growing up and how it's shaped his experiences as a father, public speaking and becoming a published author! You can follow Paul's work on social media on: Instagram: https://www.instagra...
Jan 11, 2020•1 hr 3 min
In the fourteenth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to mental health advocate, campaigner, public speaker and author, Hope Virgo. Hope is one of the most prominent and influential advocates for greater awareness and better treatment for eating disorders in the UK. Her campaign, 'Dump The Scales' aims to ensure nobody is turned away from treatment for eating disorders purely because of their weight. At the time of recording, the petition has gathered over 95,000 signatures. She is...
Jan 05, 2020•1 hr 6 min
