Hello Folks,

Firstly, I want to thank you all for many things: supporting me through my recent tour dates and booking tickets to my upcoming mental health show, for supporting my silence and space as I went through a difficult, pensive moment in life, and for supporting the release of my latest book! It all means so much to me.

For those that know me, I have always juggled identities - whether that's been me as a comedienne, as Sheila the counsellor, the Irish Sheila, the English Sheila, Sister Mary, the Poet Sheila, Author Sheila... the list simply goes on. Well, today, we're talking to someone who has likely worn even more hats than myself!

Entrepreneur, serial role picker-upper, and incredibly introspective, we have Ruth Redgate to thank for today's insights. Our discussion covers origins, self worth, people pleasing, and getting through those rough moments in life.

Please enjoy today's episode and, for more information on Ruth, please check out her social media (often under her name or 'Hunnypot Cottage') or visit her website https://hunnypotcottagebakery.co.uk

Together, folks, we make a difference. for more information on myself and my services, visit https://www.mindmanagementforyou.com

Folks, if you haven't visited Kim's book store, Fiction and Fairy Lights, in Hednesford, please do so. You can follow Kim on Instagram @kimnashauthor

Folks, today we talk to Kim about the loss of a mutual friend, the challenges and community building associated with it, and simply the power of kindness. For thos who have someone struggling in life, please do pop a message to them, give them a call, ask to hang out for a while, because together, we can make a difference.

All my love,

Sheila McMahon

What really makes us happy?

In this episode of Counsellor Convos, Sheila McMahon sits down with broadcaster, DJ, MC and Birmingham Pride founder Phil Oldershaw for a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, friendship and the importance of genuine human connection.

Phil shares how Birmingham has always drawn him back throughout his life and career, despite his love of travelling, meeting people and experiencing different cultures. From his years as a BRMB presenter to life behind the mic as a DJ and MC, connection has always been at the heart of what he does.

Together, Sheila and Phil explore why socialising matters more than ever in today's world of homeworking and digital communication. Phil speaks passionately about the need for people to get out, meet others, build confidence and develop meaningful relationships — not just personally, but professionally too. He also discusses why business owners should actively encourage social interaction and relationship-building within the workplace to support wellbeing, confidence and stronger teams.

As founder of Birmingham Pride, Phil reflects on the importance of community, visibility and creating spaces where people feel accepted, connected and free to be themselves.

Hosted by counsellor and mental health champion Sheila McMahon, this episode is an uplifting reminder that happiness is often found through connection, conversation and community.

Keeping emotionally healthy within family businesses can be hard. But help is always available to those who ask.

A bit of a different one for us today, folks - today we're talking with Simon Price of Arthur Price fame! Simon has deep roots within Birmingham and Lichfield and he has opened up to me about his multi generational business, the complex negotiations he faces week to week working with family, the hardships that he felt in childhood over a parental split, and the changing tides of conversations between parent and child.

Thank you so so much, Simon. This was truly a fantastic episode to share with you. I feel I've learned so much about family businesses and the nuances that go into running and maintaining them and, as you say, when people feel they're struggling, they only need to ask for help. What a beautiful message, folks. I hope you take as much away from this conversation as I did and, remember, together we truly DO make a difference.

Just a reminder also that my latest book, Behind Closed Doors, has almost sold out entirely of it's first print run! If you're looking to pick up a copy then grab it from my website, https://www.mindmanagementforyou.com , as soon as possible otherwise you'll be waiting for the second print run to complete.

Folks, this week I had the wonderful privilege of being on Steven Quance's podcast, hosted by Lichfield Radio!

Steven is a kind, caring soul who has been on my very own Counsellor Convos podcast, and getting to spend some time talking with him, openly, honestly, and quite frankly vulnerably, in front of an audience such as this was a true privilege.

#podcast Thank you Steve and the Lichfield Radio team

In other news, my brand new book launches today!!!

Behind Closed Doors is now available to purchase from my website (and it costs less than two cups of coffee, depending on where you get your coffees of course!)

https://www.mindmanagementforyou.com/store/Behind-Closed-Doors-p821426312

Wow, today folks we're speaking with Wendy Hill and, what can I say except again, WOW!

I've spoken many times with Wendy over the years and each time gives me something new and valuable and, being a mental health champion, I would be doing us ALL a disservice by ignoring just how much our body, our fuel, and our rest and digest system affects our mood, mind, and mobility.

Wendy is a fountain of knowledge and experience, and It's truly lovely from one health advisor to another to see just how much mental health is considered by all. Wendy talks deeply about how we can fuel ourselves easily for a better set up day, how we often leave our health on the back burner until it's the only thing we can think of, and how we should look after ourselves as we've only got one body and one mind so, as always, let's treat it with love and respect and take care of it so that it can take care of us.

Thank you so much for your time, Wendy. Wendy is a wonderful person to connect with, and if you'd like to do so you can find her on her website here:

https://hillstart.me.uk

For more information on my practice then visit my website:

https://www.mindmanagementforyou.com

Together we make a difference. Thanks for watching x

Thank you so much Jono for joining me this week! to reach out to Jono, visit: https://www.jonotourism.co.uk/

Jono opened up about long term workplace conflict, how it felt to reach out for help over it, and how conflict and communication is a two way street, with both parties having been able to start up that dialogue of healing. Jono also very bravely opened up about his recent health issues, and how this impacted his day to day life as well as his mental health.

Again, I cannot thank you enough for joining me today and being so open about everything going on - such amazing life experience and insights shared! Folks, remember, together we truly do make a difference.

Sheila McMahon

'being anyone else is a waste of you'

'your brain is for having thoughts, not holding them'

'it's selfish to think one person can fulfill every need you have in life'

'consider how you spend your emotional budget'

'healing and life are not linear, we have peaks and valleys'

Folks, we cover a LOT of ground in this conversation between myself and my editor, Ben! Ben has been working with me for a couple of years now producing my visual content across my socials and I've loved exploring this topic with him. At one point, I even became the interviewee!

Folks, going into christmas this is a great episode to keep in mind. Remember, you're in control of your reactions above anyone elses and you can help define the quality of life you have over this christmas. Ben likes to be proactive about his dealings with difficult people - how about yourselves?

All my love folks,

Sheila

Today, folks, we discuss some heavy topics.

Love. Loss. License to feel our emotions. Fear of failiure and fatigue. Distress over death. A misalignment with autistic parents. The feelings we get as we go through life.

Please note, this is going to have themes of loss, death, funerals, and diagnosis throughout. If you're going through a sensitive time or losing someone, please proceed cautiously.

Thank you for being so wonderfully open with me, Margaret! I loved hearing about your life, your worries about death and how you empowered yourself to push through those concerns, and how your relationship with your father somewhat mirrors my own.

Folks, together we can (and we are!) make a difference to the lives of those around us.

All my love,

Sheila

Folks, many of you have been following along with my motorcycle journey these past few years - rod has been central to its continued development.

This man, with his warm smile, kind heart, and understanding mind, not only helped me pause and progress my journey as and when needed, but quite honestly he may have Saved my LIFE.

Today, we discuss Rod and my experience approaching my latest test, the grief I was in, poor mindsets and how it affects us as drivers, learners, and individuals.

Thank you so much, Rod. It's always an honour to get to spend time with you and I love the words of advice you shared in our chat together.

Lichfield Advanced Motorcyclists: https://www.lichfieldadvancedmotorcyclists.co.uk

thanks, folks.

Together, let's SAVE a life.