In this episode, I talk about Johann Hari's new book, 'Lost Connections', which is about depression. He discusses 9 different causes of depression, or disconnections, such as the disconnection from other people, from nature, or from meaningful work. He then goes on to share 7 solutions, or reconnections, that can help us deal with or even cure anxiety and depression. I found this book so interesting and helpful, and could really identify times in my life when I felt very disconnected, and consequently deeply unhappy. In contrast, the happiest times of my life have been times when I've experienced many of the connections he writes about. 

This book is important because it challenges the brain-chemical-imbalance story of depression that dominates our culture, and presents in great detail a lot of research that shows this story is just not true. Our society is sick, and depression is a message, showing us that something needs to change, if only we will listen.

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

http://www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk/p/home_13.html

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/

In this episode I talk about mental health, and how compassion can be the key for moving on and healing.

In 2013 I suffered a mental breakdown. It was a terrifying experience, at the height of which I was convinced everyone around me was imaginary, and my mum had to fly to Indonesia to bring me home. For years I suppressed the memories, and was flooded with feelings of guilt and shame every time I thought about it. 

In the years that followed, two things have helped me more than anything to move on - yoga, and finding my purpose in life. Lately I've been learning about self-compasssion, and how learning to be kind and understanding to ourselves can help us deal with guilt and shame (something I feel that many with addiction issues can identify with)

I hope that by sharing my experiences I can help shift the taboo that still surrounds much of the dialogue around mental health, and in turn help others and myself to heal.

Check out How to Fail with Elizabeth Day - this is the interview with John Crace https://howtofail.podbean.com/e/how-to-fail-john-crace/

Dr Kristen Neff's website: https://self-compassion.org/

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

In this episode I interview Ryan, my partner and fellow FREEDOM junkie! He's been sober for just over a year as well, but our journeys  to this destination have been very different, so I wanted to get his thoughts on what motivated him to give sobriety a try, and how things have changed. We also chat about our camper van adventure, and how a simple life and a sober life can complement each other. 

You can check out Ryan's music at https://www.facebook.com/junkiekut/

and https://junkiekut.blogspot.com/

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

In this episode I talk about something that affects us all...stress! 

I look into what stress actually is, the difference between good and bad stress, and what problems can come from experiencing high levels of stress.

Finally, I share some ideas for how to combat stress - things you can do both in the moment and on a regular basis to help you deal with stress and become more resilient over time.

You can read our blog post on gratitude here: http://www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk/2018/06/not-so-great-expectations.html

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

In this episode I take a look at clutter - physical, emotional and digital - and the effects it can have on our mental health. I discuss some ideas for how to combat the different types of clutter, and the benefits that can come from tidying up. 

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

This episode I talk about my first year of total sobriety - what benefits I've experienced, what I've learnt and what tools I've used to help me through the year. 

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

In this episode, I interview Annie Grace, author of This Naked Mind - Control Alcohol, and creator of This Naked Mind Podcast, which I am huge fan of. We talk about how her relationship with alcohol started, different approaches to quitting drinking, and her new book, The Alcohol Experiment, which is a whole new take on sober months. 

Check out Annie's podcast at http://thisnakedmind.libsyn.com/

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, our Facebook page and group. Links below:

www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/ 

In this episode I introduce myself, and the podcast! I explain what my aims for Breaking Free are, and go over a few important housekeeping points.

If you can relate to what you've just heard, let's continue the conversation! Sharing stories is one of our most powerful tools, so check out our blog, Facebook page and group. Links below:

http://www.thefreedomjunkies.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/thefreedomjunkies/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Thefreedomjunkies/