My Possible Self

Overcoming Overwhelm with Mary Meadows

Being overwhelmed is a deep emotional response to countless thoughts and experiences. So many of us struggle with feeling like there is just too much going on to cope with, and there aren’t enough hours in the day. Common causes of issues that may lead to overwhelm include underlying physical or mental health conditions, issues in relationships, work demands, financial troubles, life transitions such as buying a house, having a baby, or caring for an elderly relative, bereavement, sleep deprivation, poor diet, past trauma and insufficient time to complete tasks or rest. The list is endless and the danger with overwhelm is that we can live with it bubbling in the background for months, or even years, until finally it catches up with us.
The good news is that there is plenty that can be done and that’s where Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and NHS Superhero Mary Meadows, an expert in the subject of Overwhelm, is here to help. 

Food For Your Mood With Dr Uma Naidoo

Harvard trained psychiatrist Dr. Uma Naidoo is regarded nationally and internationally as a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychiatry. Author of “The Food Mood Connection” an incredible book that takes an in-depth look at how food affects our mental health, Dr. Uma couples her knowledge in psychiatry and nutritional science with her passion for food and experience as a professional chef to break down what food to avoid and consume to treat the most common mental health illnesses. 
Dr. Naidoo shares some highly beneficial food hacks with host Gabby to help with depression, anxiety and even slowing down Alzheimer's. She also offers invaluable advice on how to increase the nutritional value of children’s food and ‘treats’ plus, stresses why at the end of our fork we have such a powerful tool that should not be taken for granted.

Men Talking Mindfulness with Jon Macaskill & Will Schneider

Originating from ancient eastern and Buddhist philosophy, Mindfulness is a quality that every human already possesses, you just have to learn how to tap into it, to live a less stressful, reactive life. Hosts of the Men Talking Mindfulness podcast, Jon Macaskill, a retired navy seal commander turned mindfulness teacher and Will Schnider, a yoga and meditation guru, join Gabby to discuss how how mindfulness can help with the challenges men face, trying to live up to societal expectations of what is expected of the 'perfect man'. The MTM guys share powerful stories of how mindfulness has changed their lives and others and teach some basic steps anyone can take to get started on their mindfulness journey to instantly feel calmer and more relaxed. 

Marginalisation and Psychological Resilience with Grace Quantock

Trailblazing psychotherapeutic counselor, coach and award-winning international wellness expert Grace Quantock hasn’t let chronic illness or disability stop her from living a fulfilled, joyful life. Living – and thriving – with often debilitating illness, she understands the emotional and physical rollercoaster that accompanies diagnosis and life struggles.
Grace and host Gabby highlight and address the obstacles marginalized and multi-marginalized communities are met with. From discrimination and ignorance to technology and trauma, Grace works with clients all over the world that are faced with the question ‘how can we learn to live well in a society not designed for us?’ In this episode, Grace shares her own inspiring story, along with some tools and techniques that can help. 
 

Suicide Prevention with Prof. Rory O‘Connor

One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds and data suggests for every suicide, there are 20 attempts taken. Taking an in-depth look at suicide and suicide prevention, host Gabby talks to world leader on suicide research and prevention and author of 'When It is Darkest, Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It' Prof Rory O Connor. Rory is the President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, leads the Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory at the University of Glasgow and has studied the suicidal mind for the last 25 years. Warning, this episode contains content that may be triggering to some listeners.

Pulling Apart Perfectionism with Thomas Curran

Perfectionism is becoming a widespread problem sweeping the globe. While not considered a mental illness itself, perfectionism is a common factor in many mental disorders.Perfectionists tend to beat themselves up and wallow in negative feelings when their high expectations go unmet. Those with perfectionist tendencies can find their mental health deteriorating thus being led down a path of depression, anxiety, and addiction.
But there are things we can do to keep ourselves and loved ones in check. Social and personality psychologist Thomas Curran, who is an expert on the topic of Perfectionism, explains the difference between self-oriented, other-oriented, and socially prescribed perfectionism, why it’s not healthy to spend too much time on social media and why it’s so important to let go of comparison. 

Perinatal Mental Health with Prof. Carmine Pariante

Perinatal Mental Health problems occur during pregnancy and the very early stages of a child's life. And while postnatal depression is now widely spoken about, mental health problems in the perinatal period are less so and can leave a mother feeling isolated, ashamed and helpless. 
Carmine Pariante is a professor of biological psychiatry at King’s College London, and a consultant perinatal psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Specialising in the biological communication between the body and the brain, with a strong focus being in the areas of depression and fatigue, particularly in relation to the perinatal period and in those suffering from medical disorders, he discusses why it's so important to support a mother from a family, friends and societal level. 

Coping through Covid with Dr Hilary Jones

It’s coming up to 2 years since the first known case of the coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. Since then, the disease has spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic. When zooming out globally although we can say a lot may have escaped becoming physically unwell, there are few of us that have escaped the adverse effects it has had on our mental health. 
Dr Hilary Jones is a well-known face on UK breakfast TV and can be seen almost daily advising the British public on health matters for Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. The ITV doctor has never been busier and more of a source of information and comfort to the nation than he has in the last 20 months. 
In this conversation about covid and the mental health crisis, Dr Hilary discusses the mental health impact of long covid, advises on how to best communicate with your GP’s receptionist to ensure you get an appointment to be seen (which due to the pandemic continues to be a major challenge) and explains why perspective and patience are still so important right now. 

Burnout on the Body with Katie Maycock

While not considered a mental illness, burnout can be considered a serious mental health issue that leads to poor physical and mental health. Caused by excessive and prolonged stress, burnout takes its toll emotionally, physically, and mentally. The good news is, if you know what signs to look out for, it is preventable and curable. 
Katie Maycock is an anxiety and digestive health specialist and burnout expert. In this episode of the podcast, Katie breaks down the six stages of burnout, offers advice on how to cope with demanding work colleagues and pressure in the workplace, plus explains the effect stress has on the gut and why the key to better digestion is regular stress management. 

Dealing with Depression with Alastair Campbell

Depression can affect how you think, feel, and function in daily life. It's a complex mental illness that globally is estimated to affect 5.0% of all adults.
Alastair Campbell, the writer, broadcaster and mental health campaigner has battled with severe depression for most of his life, something that he explores in detail in his autobiographical book "LIVING BETTER, How I learned to survive depression." In this episode Alastair talks about his 'depression drowning drinking days', suicidal ideology, how his illness impacted on the family, Tony Blair's reaction to the full disclosure of his nervous breakdown and what tools and exercises Alastair has found to be the most effective to manage his depression and therefore, live better.