In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with Cal from UK indie/pop group Isla Rico. Isla Rico originally started as another band called Off Shore and we chart the evolution and journey from Off Shore to Isla Rico, which has culminated in their joyous debut single 'Laying In The Summer Rain'. We also discuss the importance of perseverance and hard work in the music industry and how Isla Rico has given Cal a major boost to his mental health. We also discuss Cal’s upbringing and growing up...
Aug 18, 2021•1 hr 12 min
In the ninety-first episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with YouTuber and advocate for greater gambling awareness, Joshua's Opinion. Joshua talks about his lived experience of gambling addiction on his channel as well as topics covering self-acceptance, personal responsibility and growth. In this episode we talked about his gambling addiction and his recovery to where he is today, how gambling addiction is viewed and talked about in Afro-Caribbean communities and what he's lea...
Aug 14, 2021•2 hr 39 min
In the ninetieth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Aaron Kimberly. Aaron is a transsexual man (this is the term he prefers) and the Founder of the Gender Dysphoric Alliance Canada (GDAC). GDAC was formed in 2021 by a small group of community members made up of trans and detransitioned people who say they are concerned about the direction that gender medicine and activism has taken. GDAC is not formally affiliated with any political party, religious organization or profe...
Aug 08, 2021•2 hr 40 min
In this episode of Behind The Decks we checked in with one of the leaders in the UK House & Disco scene, Louis La Roche. Louis has been in the game since 2008 and came to prominence on a track he made called ‘Love’ which sampled Michael Jackson and was originally mistaken by many people to be a Daft Punk record. He formed his own record label ‘Ever After Records’ in 2008 and has put out three studio albums and 10 EPs. He has put out official remixes for the likes of Fatboy Slim, Basement Jaxx, D...
Aug 01, 2021•1 hr 20 min
In this episode of Mind On The Game, we check back in with women's footballer Chloe Bellerby for part 2 of her journey. We discuss her lived experience of self-harm, suicide and the constant pressure she felt at school to mask her mental health difficulties. We also discuss her move into mental health advocacy, how she's turned this massive negative in her life into a positive and the importance of emotional detachment as an advocate when she receives direct messages from people in deep emotiona...
Jul 23, 2021•30 min
In the eighty-ninth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Holly Swinyard. Holly is a writer, podcaster and cosplay lover. They are the Editor-In-Chief and Head Writer of the Cosplay Journal, which is a UK based cosplay magazine & publication that promotes the craft, skill & diversity in the cosplay community. They are also the co-host of the Ray Gunn & Starburst podcast, a science-fiction and comedy audio drama podcast, which acts as a love-letter to the famous sci-fis of t...
Jul 17, 2021•57 min
In this episode of Reel Stories, we checked in with actor and writer, Louise Bryant. We discuss classism in acting, the impact of #MeToo on the industry, the importance of consent and cut-throat culture. We also talk about Louise's lived experience of anxiety, panic attacks and the grief she experienced losing her dad to Hodgkin's lymphoma when she was a teenager. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow Louise on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/louisejbryant Support Us: Patreon: www.pa...
Jul 14, 2021•2 hr 30 min
In the eighty-eighth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with James Whittaker. James is a contributor for Huddersfield Town fan channel 'And He Takes That Chance' and works in the public sector at time of recording. In this episode we discuss how he got involved with AHTTC and the community it has given him. We also discuss James's experience of anxiety as a teenager, FOMO and FOBLO (Fear of Being Left Out), the grief he has experienced in 2021 through the loss of his father t...
Jul 10, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In the eighty-seventh episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Dr Robin Hadley. Robin is a mature early career researcher and social gerontologist who is a world expert on male childlessness and ageing. In this pod we discuss how and why he came to be an expert on male childlessness, classism in academia, the stigma around male broodiness and male fertility. As always, #itsokaytovent Find out more about Robin's work here: https://www.robinhadley.co.uk/ Follow Robin on social m...
Jul 07, 2021•2 hr 42 min
In the eighty-sixth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Tom Fleming. Tom works for The Big Step, a campaign project formed and run by people who have suffered gambling harm. They are part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by bereaved family members and friends who have lost loved ones to gambling-related suicide. Together, they advocate for a public health approach to preventing gambling harms, which would include an end to all gambling promotion, especially in foo...
Jul 03, 2021•59 min
In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with lead singer from London psychedelic-rock group, Beach For Tiger, Pete Anderson. We discussed the journey of Beach For Tiger, who have been going for over a decade, the realities of being a working musician, how Covid-19 has impacted the industry and perfectionism culture in music production. We also talk about how the pandemic triggered a wave of health anxiety in Pete which has severely impacted his physical and mental health, the anxiety of...
Jun 27, 2021•1 hr 24 min
In this episode of Behind The Decks, we checked in with Indigo Eyes. Joe, as he is known to his mates, has been producing records in the UK dance-R&B and funk scene for a couple of years now. In this episode we discuss performing on SG Lewis’s lockdown livestream, the mental exhaustion that comes with pitching songs to Spotify playlists with questionable gatekeepers and perfectionism culture in music production. We also discuss his experience of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Ther...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 18 min
In the eighty-fifth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with fine artist Sophie Green. Sophie is a conservation & wildlife artist, who specialises in capturing the photorealistic details of animals and their surroundings. Sophie has dedicated her time and artistic work to raising awareness for issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment. Sophie donates 10% of her profits to wildlife & conservation charities and has worked closely with foundations such as the Internat...
Jun 16, 2021•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of Mind On The Game we checked in with women's footballer and mental health advocate Chloe Bellerby. Chloe has played for Harrogate Town Ladies and has gone on a big adventure of her own to the United States where she joined New Jersey University on a college scholarship. She then moved to Sussex County where she is soon to move back to at time of recording. In March 2019, 3 days before her 18th birthday, Chloe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis or MS, which is a life-changing...
Jun 07, 2021•20 min
In the eighty-fourth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Matthew Tubb. Matt is a close friend of previous Behind The Decks guest and big friend of the pod Mr. Wax. Matt is a regular lad who works in retail but has an incredible journey and one which we are really pleased to be sharing with you Venters. In this episode, we discuss Matt’s experience of bullying in school, as well as self-esteem and body image issues as he has moles on his face. We also discuss the mental he...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In the eighty-third episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Isabella De George. Izzy is the Founder of 'Positive Changes In Placements', which campaigns for universities to update their policies and improve well-being services for placement students. Izzy started this platform in memory of her brother Harrison, who was a placement student at a university in the north of England, who tragically took his own life in December 2020. In this episode we discuss Izzy’s lived experien...
May 25, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with Andy from alt-pop band, Bad Love. We discuss Andy's music journey and how he formed the band, social anxiety, comparison culture in the music industry and authenticity in pop music. We also discuss Andy's lived experience of social anxiety, suicidality, his therapy journey and how class has shaped his mental health and the world around him. As always, #itsokaytovent Listen to Bad Love on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotif...
May 16, 2021•1 hr 24 min
In the eighty-second episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Spike Potter-Clark. Spike is an old friend of our Founder Freddie Cocker. The pair have known each other for over 15 years and met whilst playing for Wanstead Cricket Club. Spike's dad Bryan also played and coached them both during their time there. This is the first time Spike has opened up about his mental health and his lived experience of social anxiety and depression. Self-acceptance, the power of sport, living...
May 12, 2021•1 hr 15 min
In the eighty-first episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Ana Diamond. Ana is a British political commentator, researcher and human rights activist who is one of the founding members of the political advocacy group 'The Alliance Against State Hostage Taking'. In the summer of 2014, Ana visited her birth country of Iran when she was in her second year of university. What started out as a fun experience turned extremely worrisome as Ana and her family were imprisoned by the I...
May 01, 2021•1 hr 24 min
In the eightieth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with mental health campaigner Tom Rebair. Tom is an Ambassador for The Princes Trust and has worked with the likes of Beat ED, Young Minds and Time for Change. Tom lives with Anorexia and was also diagnosed with Autism when he was 22 years old which he says shaped the way his Eating Disorder impacted his mental health. In this episode, we discuss his journey with his Eating Disorder, his relationship with exercise and sport,...
Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of Reel Stories we checked in with our first female guest in the series, Emily Jane Kerr. Emily is an actor who trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and is currently part of ‘Notflix’, The UK's original all-female long-form musical improvisation team. In this episode we discuss work-life balance in the industry, female body image and the negative side of theatre reviews on actor’s mental health. We also discuss her lived experience of imposter syndrome, self-ha...
Apr 21, 2021•1 hr 16 min
In the seventy-ninth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with presenter Joe Walker. Having started out at CLASH, PUSH and RWD magazines, Joe joined start-up community radio station Reprezent in 2015 and has hosted his own show on there ever since. He was named by Complex UK in their 14 UK Music Radio Hosts Pushing The Culture Forward for 2021. Joe has hosted shows on Apple Music 1, where the likes of Zane Lowe and Charlie Sloth have had mainstay slots. He is also the co-founde...
Apr 17, 2021•2 hr 30 min
In the seventy-eighth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with sports journalist Steven Chicken. Steven currently works as Huddersfield Town writer for Examiner Live. Before this role, Steven's main profession was in accountancy and finance. In this episode we discuss Steven's professional journey, the mental health difficulties he experienced whilst in the finance world, breaking into sports journalism and the persistence he had in achieving his goals. We also discuss the pro...
Apr 14, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In the seventy-seventh episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Sam Northwood. Sam is the founder of 'Sam Well Cooks', a cooking page where he shares his cooks and bakes for anyone who's interested and to help his own mental health! In this episode we discuss his cooking journey and the confidence its given him in and out of the kitchen. We discuss the difficulties that Sam experienced at university with his studies, his coming out story as a gay man and why his life changed i...
Apr 11, 2021•46 min
In Part 2 of our check in with Lucy Nevitt and Verity Nevitt, we discussed all the amazing work they do with The Gemini Project. We talk about the campaigning work they are working on at time of recording, what they hope to achieve with the project and how its helped them on their respective recovery journeys. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow The Gemini Project on social media below: Twitter: twitter.com/thegeminiproj Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegeminiproj/?hl=en You can follow Lucy and Veri...
Apr 07, 2021•23 min
In the seventy-sixth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with twin sisters Lucy Nevitt and Verity Nevitt. Lucy and Verity are the founders of The Gemini Project, a non-profit organisation aiming to end sexual violence through advocacy and campaigns, dispelling myths and demanding justice along the way. Lucy and Verity’s desire to start The Gemini Project was borne out of their own lived experience of sexual abuse in their teens and then again in 2017 where after a night out wi...
Apr 07, 2021•1 hr 18 min
It's a family affair for this episode of Mind On The Game as our Founder Freddie Cocker checks in with his half-Swedish cousin, Lucas Burns. Lucas is currently studying for a Masters in IT & Management at Linkoping University but growing up he was quite a handy handball player (pardon the pun). Lucas played the sport until he was 19 years old and almost took it up professionally aged 15 when he was offered the opportunity. In this episode we discuss his handball journey, how it shaped his identi...
Apr 03, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In the seventy-fifth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Liam Laruelle-Mongelard. Liam is a writer and a trainee trainee psycho-sexual therapist. He is also the author of the book ‘Screen to Screen, the spaces in-between: conversations with my closest friend’. In this episode we discuss how the book came about and the ups and downs of his friendship with his best mate Damian that are told in its pages. We also discuss grief, growing up being a carer for his mother as a te...
Mar 31, 2021•2 hr 36 min
In the seventy-fourth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Jaikishan Mehta. Jaikishan is the founder of men's mental health platform, 'More For Men's Minds' (MFMM). MFMM is a page dedicated to raising awareness of men's mental health and suicide. The page offers advice, links to support and encourages men to share their personal experiences. Speaking about his mental health journey for the first time, Jaikishan talks about his lived experience of anxiety, depression and bod...
Mar 28, 2021•54 min
In Part 2 of our check in with author and men's mental health consultant, Toni, we talked about all the amazing work she does as the Founder of 'For Our Men'. For Our Men is a community space dedicated to educating and discussing men’s mental and emotional health in the workplace. We discuss the stories from emergency workers she has hosted on the platform and what they have taught her about herself and her own journey. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Toni on social media below: Twitter...
Mar 21, 2021•43 min
