The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be relentlessly competitive? What it’s like to live or work in a prison? Does working with people who commit murder, child abuse and rape affect people who work in prisons and the wider criminal justice system? How do people survive and thrive when facing significant challenges to our emotional health over a lengthy period? How do we protect ourselves and stay compassionate, loving and trusting? Importantly, how do we find and preserve hope? Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote that “The degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons”. In this weekly podcast ,your hosts, David Jones (Forensic psychotherapist) and Dr Naomi Murphy (Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist) hope that exploring less visible aspects of prisons will help listeners see that prisons are a window into society and let us see people not only at their worst but also at their best. We feature a rich range of guests sharing snap shots of life in prisons and take a look at hospitals, schools, sport and the police in order to learn from other institutions. We learn about challenges to human integrity and hear important lessons and heart-warming stories about survival and growth when facing adversity in harsh places. We hope that sharing our conversations can help you make changes to your own relationship with institutions that might challenge your emotional health and well-being. Follow and connect with us and give us feedback. Let us know what you think works, and also what doesn’t. We want you to look forward to the podcast each week. We’ll also be extremely grateful for any reviews that you give us. A simple star or two or a thumbs up will do. Email: lockedupliving@gmail.com or connect with us on: Substack: https://lockedupliving.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedUpLiving Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimurphypsychologist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jones-41910b12/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lockedupliving/

Episodes

July 16, 2025 54 mins

Keywords

energy medicine, heart health, quantum physics, compassion, healing, consciousness, spirituality, medical model, collective coherence, NextGenHealth

 

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mitchell Abrams discusses the profound connection between energy medicine, the heart, and consciousness. He shares his personal journey from a scientific background to exploring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing,...

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Keywords

energy medicine, heart health, quantum physics, compassion, healing, consciousness, spirituality, medical model, collective coherence, NextGenHealth

 

Summary

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Mitchell Abrams discusses the profound connection between energy medicine, the heart, and consciousness. He shares his personal journey from a scientific background to exploring the emotional and spiritual dimensions of healing,...

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Keywords

boxing, youth violence, criminology, masculinity, trauma, desistance, community, mental health, gender, sports sociology

Summary

In this conversation, Deborah Jump discusses her extensive research on the intersection of boxing, youth violence, and masculinity. She explores why boxing is particularly appealing to young men at risk of crime, the complex relationship between boxing and violence, and the societal perceptions s...

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Keywords

boxing, youth violence, criminology, masculinity, trauma, desistance, community, mental health, gender, sports sociology

Summary

In this conversation, Deborah Jump discusses her extensive research on the intersection of boxing, youth violence, and masculinity. She explores why boxing is particularly appealing to young men at risk of crime, the complex relationship between boxing and violence, and the societal perceptions s...

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Keywords

criminal justice, parole, life sentences, probation, reintegration, mental health, support systems, identity, relationships, research

Takeaways

  • Preparation for parole does not equate to preparation for community life.
  • The parole board's focus is on compliance rather than personal growth.
  • Academic credentials can provide a pathway for reintegration.
  • Probation often lacks effective support for individuals on life senten...
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Keywords

criminal justice, parole, life sentences, probation, reintegration, mental health, support systems, identity, relationships, research

Takeaways

  • Preparation for parole does not equate to preparation for community life.
  • The parole board's focus is on compliance rather than personal growth.
  • Academic credentials can provide a pathway for reintegration.
  • Probation often lacks effective support for individuals on life senten...
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keywords

Next Chapter Scotland, stigma, parenting, criminal justice, children's book, identity, mental health, support, resilience, sexual offences.

summary

In this conversation, with David and |Naomi Eppie Sprung, the founder of Next Chapter Scotland, shares her journey of navigating life after a conviction for a sexual offense. She discusses the inspiration behind her children's book (Here with You) aimed at helping parents talk ...

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keywords

Next Chapter Scotland, stigma, parenting, criminal justice, children's book, identity, mental health, support, resilience, sexual offences.

summary

In this conversation, with David and |Naomi Eppie Sprung, the founder of Next Chapter Scotland, shares her journey of navigating life after a conviction for a sexual offense. She discusses the inspiration behind her children's book (Here with You) aimed at helping parents talk ...

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keywords

assisted dying, suicide, palliative care, mental health, grief, legislation, death, cultural attitudes, pandemic, healthcare

summary

In this conversation, Dr. Rachel Gibbons, David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy discuss the complexities surrounding assisted dying, its implications, and the cultural shifts in attitudes towards death. The dialogue explores the differences between assisted dying and suicide, the role of palliative...

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keywords

assisted dying, suicide, palliative care, mental health, grief, legislation, death, cultural attitudes, pandemic, healthcare

summary

In this conversation, Dr. Rachel Gibbons, David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy discuss the complexities surrounding assisted dying, its implications, and the cultural shifts in attitudes towards death. The dialogue explores the differences between assisted dying and suicide, the role of palliative...

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Keywords

abuse, gymnastics, Olympians, memoir, survivors, systemic issues, education, self-care, healing, change

Summary

In this conversation, Emma (not her real name) shares her powerful journey of survival and healing after experiencing abuse in gymnastics. She discusses the importance of sharing her story through her memoir, the complicity of those in power, and the systemic issues within sports that allow abuse to persist. Emma...

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Keywords

abuse, gymnastics, Olympians, memoir, survivors, systemic issues, education, self-care, healing, change

Summary

In this conversation, Emma (not her real name) shares her powerful journey of survival and healing after experiencing abuse in gymnastics. She discusses the importance of sharing her story through her memoir, the complicity of those in power, and the systemic issues within sports that allow abuse to persist. Emma...

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Keywords

Independent Monitoring Board, prison reform, criminology, Faith Spear, criminal justice, prison advocacy, emotional toll, monitoring prisons, recommendations, prison conditions

Summary

In this conversation, Faith Spear, a criminologist and former chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), shares her experiences and insights into the role of the IMB in monitoring prisons. She discusses the challenges faced by IMB memb...

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Keywords

Independent Monitoring Board, prison reform, criminology, Faith Spear, criminal justice, prison advocacy, emotional toll, monitoring prisons, recommendations, prison conditions

Summary

In this conversation, Faith Spear, a criminologist and former chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), shares her experiences and insights into the role of the IMB in monitoring prisons. She discusses the challenges faced by IMB memb...

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summaryThis 'special' conversation between Naomi and David delves into the complex case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1993. They have recently been resentenced and potentially be released on parole. The discussion explores the underlying motives behind their actions, the role of media in shaping public perception, the dynamics of family abuse, and the intricacies of the legal proceedings...
  • Mark as Played
    summaryThis 'special' conversation between Naomi and David delves into the complex case of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1993. They have recently been resentenced and potentially be released on parole. The discussion explores the underlying motives behind their actions, the role of media in shaping public perception, the dynamics of family abuse, and the intricacies of the legal proceedings...
  • Mark as Played

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, hosts David Jones and Naomi Murphy meet with Ariella Steinhorn, a writer and media entrepreneur whose work focuses on relationship dynamics and the abuse of power. Ariella shares her journey from founding the whistleblower platform Lioness to her current project, Nonlinear Love, which explores the complexities of dating, relationships, and breakups. The conversation delves into the impact of non-d...

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    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, hosts David Jones and Naomi Murphy meet with Ariella Steinhorn, a writer and media entrepreneur whose work focuses on relationship dynamics and the abuse of power. Ariella shares her journey from founding the whistleblower platform Lioness to her current project, Nonlinear Love, which explores the complexities of dating, relationships, and breakups. The conversation delves into the impact of non-d...

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    In this episode, Naomi Murphy and David Jones sit down with Gemma Applegarth, an expert in mindfulness and running, to explore the fascinating intersection of these two practices. Gemma shares her insights on what mindfulness truly is, dispels common myths, and discusses how it can enhance our running experience. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this episode offers valuable tips on incorporating mindfulness in...

    Mark as Played

    In this episode, Naomi Murphy and David Jones sit down with Gemma Applegarth, an expert in mindfulness and running, to explore the fascinating intersection of these two practices. Gemma shares her insights on what mindfulness truly is, dispels common myths, and discusses how it can enhance our running experience. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this episode offers valuable tips on incorporating mindfulness in...

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