How Do You Cope?

How do you survive the music industry without losing creativity - or yourself?

This week, in our final episode of the series, John is joined by singer and actor Kate Nash.

Kate reflects on health difficulties that prompted her to rethink her future and pursue music, before skyrocketing to fame through Myspace and finding herself navigating a complex industry with little guidance or protection. 

She shares her experien...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian Nish Kumar shares what he is grateful for. Leading the list is Nish’s partner of 14 years, Amy, who he says is very wise and kind, “Clever is useless if it’s not got kindness going through it”.

Nish’s friends, his parents and comedy all feature on the list, as well as Bob Dylan’s recorded output. 

Head over to the main episode to hear Nish s...

What happens when you realise your mind has been protecting you in ways you never understood?

In this episode, John is joined by comedian Nish Kumar. 

After a gig in 2019 became the catalyst for a period of anxiety, fear and hypervigilance, Nish eventually received a diagnosis of PTSD. 

In this conversation, he reflects on the changing political landscape, the impact of sustained online abuse and why therapy transfor...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri shares what she is grateful for. Fatiha explains her gratitude for the rain, discussing her belief that ‘there is mercy in the rain’ to John. She is also grateful to be back in London after a busy few weeks touring her debut show, and for her publicist meeting her when she got off the train. 

Head to the main episode to hear Fatiha speak ab...

In this episode, John is joined by comedian and writer Fatiha El-Ghorri.

Fatiha grew up in Hackney as one of 13 children, in a British-Moroccan Muslim family.

She reflects on how both her upbringing and comedy have become enduring sources of strength. 

She also speaks about forging a career while often feeling she didn't fit other people's ideas of who she should be, the challenge of existing between cultures without a sense ...

In this correspondence special, John reads a selection of your emails and feedback. Recorded at home, he responds to listener reflections on food addiction, the difficult relationship between shame and compulsive behaviour, therapy and 12-step programmes. John also shares five things he is currently grateful for.

John's book references include Healing The Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw, I Thought It Was Just Me and The Gi...

In this week’s bonus episode, content creator Sam Bagshaw shares what he is grateful for. Number one on Sam’s list is his parents, who have supported him and helped build his confidence over the years. Sam is now more comfortable with travelling, which also features on his list, along with his job. 

Head to the main episode to hear Sam speak about the impact having a stammer has had on his identity, and how it h...

This week, John is joined by Sam Bagshaw, a content creator whose honest and insightful videos about living with a stammer have helped millions better understand the realities of speech difficulties.

Sam speaks about the impact having a stammer has had on his confidence and identity, and how it has shaped his life, from friendships and dating to education and work. He reflects on years spent avoiding situations that involved spe...

In this week’s bonus episode, Kelsey Waghorn, a survivor of the 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption in New Zealand, shares what she is grateful for.

It was an early start for Kelsey, recording from New Zealand, so the fact it didn’t rain when she walked her dog this morning makes the list, along with her morning coffee and, finally, sitting down with John after months of planning this conversation.

Head t...

This week, John is joined by Kelsey Waghorn, a survivor of the 2019 Whakaari/White Island Volcanic eruption in New Zealand. 

In their conversation, Kelsey reflects on surviving the disaster, the long and painful reality of burn recovery and the psychological impact of trauma. She speaks about developing PTSD and the impact it had on her life and relationships.

Kelsey also discusses the therapy that helped her make sense ...

In this week’s bonus episode, author, poet, broadcaster and activist Scout Tzofiya Bolton shares what they are grateful for. Family, sugar-free energy drinks, and getting their eyelashes done by Poppy, are just some of the items on the list. Along the way, they reflect on sobriety, parenting, self-care, creativity and the small rituals that help keep them grounded.

Head to the main episode to hear Scout reflect on living w...

What happens when a manic episode changes your life forever?

This week, John sits down with author, poet, broadcaster and activist Scout Tzofiya Bolton.

Scout speaks about living with schizoaffective disorder, experiencing psychosis, addiction and repeated struggles to access the right mental health support. They discuss the events that led to a prison sentence during a manic episode, the failings they encountered within ment...

In this week’s bonus episode, Rhian Mannings, founder of 2Wish shares what she is grateful for. Her parents, photos and videos feature, along with a discussion about ‘glimmers’ - Rhian’s term for the small moments of positivity we can try and find in the every day. 

Head to the main episode to hear about Rhian’s experience of the impact of grief, trauma, and the reality of trying to survive aft...

What happens when unimaginable loss changes your life forever?

In today’s episode, John is joined by Rhian Mannings, founder of 2Wish.

Rhian reflects on the devastating loss of her one-year-old son George, who died suddenly after suffering a seizure, and the death of her husband Paul just five days later. She speaks about grief, trauma, and the reality of trying to survive after losing what felt like everything.

The conv...

In this week’s bonus episode, presenter, writer, and former Royal Marine Commando Jason Fox shares what he is grateful for. Family, his physical and mental health and finding purpose through work all feature, alongside the barefoot shoes which helped him recover after breaking his leg.

Head to the main episode to hear about Jason’s experience of the impact of active service, navigating PTSD and what masculinity means to ...

How do you return to normal life after being trained for war?

John is joined by presenter, writer, and former Royal Marine Commando Jason Fox.

Jason opens up about the long-term psychological impact of active service, the pressures military life places on the mind and body, and why PTSD is often more complex than people realise. He reflects on the difficulty of transitioning back into everyday life, the strain it can place on...

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian, writer and podcaster Suzi Ruffell shares what she is grateful for. Suzi’s into gratitude in a big way, and overnight oats, her wife and daughter and the beach are just some of the things mentioned on her list. 

Head to the main episode to hear about Suzi’s relationship with anxiety, navigating self-acceptance and her experience of coming out. 

You can send in...

How do you learn to accept yourself after years of trying to be someone else?

In today’s episode, John is joined by comedian, writer and podcaster Suzi Ruffell.

Suzi opens up about how childhood anxiety shaped her early life, from intrusive thoughts and compulsive checking, to the fear of losing loved ones. She reflects on how these anxieties have evolved in the age of social media, and why she feels truly peaceful and ...

In this week’s bonus episode, Wall Street financier, broadcaster and former Director of Communications for Donald Trump Anthony Scaramucci shares what he is grateful for, health and his relationship with his wife feature, as well as finding inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning.

Head to the main episode to hear Anthony speak about how his childhood shaped his approach to work, and how i...