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What kind of life must you have lived, when friends ask mutual friends if everything you say about your life is actually true?
I invited my wife, Angie to the podcast, not because Ang is my wife, but because having lived with Ang for 14 years, I see the other side of having lived that interesting life which makes people ask such questions. The lives that challenge us are also the lives that aren't seen because people don't quite believe your truth.
Ang grew up with an absent father and a mother with manic depression. Add neurodiversity and being gay in there too and you start to appreciate the challenges, the grace, the opportunities, the wisdom that Ang holds.
Angie talks candidly about her childhood, how it's impacted their adult life and important relationships, plus offers us an opportunity to reflect on our own hardships to see if we can see them through new eyes.
In this Episode:
Trigger Warning:
The podcast includes mention of a golly doll. The doll was given to Ang by her father in recognition of her African childhood, which is very dear to her heart. We acknowledge that the use of the word also represents outdated cultural depictions and advise listener discretion.
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Follow Angie
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources
UK
Menopause Support UK - Support and information
NHS Menopause - Information
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
The Australasian Menopause Society - for medical professionals + the public
HealthTalk Australia - Resources and information
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
Mensline - help, support, referrals and counselling for men
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
Office on Women's Health - Government website (info, support, treatments)
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
The number of menopausal women is expected to reach 1.1 billion by 2025. Whilst virtually every woman will go through menopause, it remains a hushed subject, a taboo, that in many countries sees women suffering in silence. Out of the 48 symptoms named in the Invisibility Report 51% of women can only name 3.
Woman often start to feel the symptoms in their 40s, when at the peak of their careers. In the UK, one in four women will experience severe debilitating symptoms from menopause. In the USA, 73% of women don't treat their symptoms.
This week, I speak with Mandy Preece who shares her experiences of living with menopause for the past 7 years. It's an insightful conversation as Mandy talks about the ups and downs....yes there are some ups! :) Mandy is proof that you can live the s**t and start to come out the other side still smiling.
In This Episode
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Follow Mandy
Mentioned in the podcast
Fleabag - BBC Series by Phoebe Waller-Bridge (whole series)
Fleabag Menopause scene - BBC III
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources
UK
Gen M - The Menopause Partner for Brands. Home of the Invisibility Report
Menopause Support UK - Support and information
NHS Menopause - Information
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
The Australasian Menopause Society - for medical professionals + the public
HealthTalk Australia - Resources and information
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
Mensline - help, support, referrals and counselling for men
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
International Menopause Society - Promoting education and research
Office on Women's Health - Government website (info, support, treatments)
The Menopausal Expats - Facebook community for support and information
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
We all appreciate that being poor and struggling to make ends meet is difficult, but what about being wealthy? Is it really as desirable as we might think? Does it solve our problems and make us happy?
I invited Alice for an honest conversation about what it's like to grow up in a wealthy family and to live with wealth. It's certainly not a very woke subject, but it has a place in this series of conversations. Challenges go both ways and life is life whomever you are. Alice adds a thoughtful commentary on the nuances of living with wealth; its freedoms and complexities.
In this Episode
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources
UK
MIND - Support for Postnatal and perinatal mental health
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Treatment -Postnatal depression
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
PANDA - Support for parents after birth
Raising Children - Support for partners of those with postnatal depression
Pregnancy Birth and Baby - information and support for parents
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
National Institute of Mental Health - Perinatal Depression information
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
Twenty five years ago Sue's life changed forever.
Unexpectedly and suddenly, she found herself on a murder charge. How does a person cope with this kind of 'life shock'? The unexpected collision point which takes over your life and leaves its mark indefinitely?
In this episode, Sue talks about the traumatising events that led to her arrest, how it completely blindsided her, and the ways in which she managed to begin healing and find her way back to herself.
In this Episode
Mentioned in this Episode
Life Shocks by Sophie Sabbage - book
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources
Worldwide
International Domestic Violence Resource Guide 2021
UK
Refuge - National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Citizens Advice - Help for domestic violence and abuse
Victim Support - Help for domestic abuse
NHS - Getting help for domestic violence and abuse
Controlled, Abused and Criminalised - BBC Sounds 'File on 4' story
Adfam - Help for families dealing with drug and alcohol addiction
Al Anon - Family group support alcohol addiction, drug addiction and addictive behaviours
Prisoners’ Families Helpline - Support (England and Wales only)
Partners of Prisoners - Support to family and offenders
Carers UK - Support for carers
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
1800 Respect - National sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service
Lifeline - How to get help for domestic and family violence
White Ribbon Australia - List of helplines for domestic abuse
Bars Between - Support organizations in Australia and NZ
Community Restorative Centre - Help to prepare for prison and court dates
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Help and Support Services
USA
National Domestic Violence Helpline - Domestic violence support
National Institute of Mental Health - A range of helplines
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical/legal/law enforcement in your country.
Women are commonly asked, "do you have children?" It's a loaded fact-checking question and the woman's answer hovers as a tenuous balancing point from which they know there are two choices, being met with approval or judged.
In this episode, Sarah talks honestly about the prejudice she faces in being a woman without children. She shares personal stories about her experiences, when and why she's felt most judged, as well as explaining why she's the person you especially want in your life.
Listen in to this episode to understand why society needs to do better. WE need to do better. Sarah's experiences shine a light on how a woman's purpose is viewed, why that can be so damaging, and how everyone can see women as much more than just 'baby machines'.
In This Episode:
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Follow Sarah
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Mentioned in the podcast:
Share the Love - blogpost about pregnancy troubles as the expat
Resources:
UK
The Miscarriage Association - Support and resources
Tommy's - Baby Loss Support
SANDS - Stillbirth and neonatal death (information/support)
The Child Death Helpline - support regardless of when the loss occurred
Adoption UK - Support and advocacy for those parenting or supporting children who cannot live with their birth parents
New Family Social - information/support for LGBT+ adoptive & foster families
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
Pregnancy Birth and Baby - information and support for parents
Mensline - help, support, referrals and counselling for men
IVF Australia
SANDS - Miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
March of Dimes - Pregnancy Health
The Compassionate Friends - Support for Loss generally
Very Well Family - Support for Pregnancy and Parenting
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
What happens when you find yourself before someone who challenges you because their experiences are outside society's accepted norm of good behaviour?
Do you judge? Do you make a note to keep your distance? Do you politely remove yourself from the conversation because they are not like you?
I invited Harvey to Drawn to a Deeper Story to talk about being in prison. It felt pertinent to understand what it is like and to explore if there is space to practice compassion for prisoners/ex-prisoners.
I knew it would be a good conversation, but what I didn't expect was an incredibly rich and insightful discussion also about the impact of living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
Harvey talks personally and candidly about living with undiagnosed ADHD, how it's shaped his life including ending up in prison. He also eloquently explains why people with ADHD can struggle with work, personal relationships and mental health.
If you're interested in something with my condition, you can function at a very high level, but the flip side is if it bores you, you cannot function at all. - HarveyListening to Harvey will take you to a place that most of us will never have been. He's insightful, erudite, and invites us all to look at 'othering' with new eyes.
In this Episode:
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Mentioned in the podcast:
The Koestler Awards
Hannah Arendt
Resources:
UK
NHS ADHD Information and treatments
ADHD Foundation - Health and education service
National Autistic Society - Support, guidance and advice
Ambitious About Autism - For autistic children, young people, their parents and carers
Prisoners’ Families Helpline - Support (England and Wales only)
Partners of Prisoners - Support to family and offenders
The Prison Reform Trust
Carers UK - Support for carers
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
ADHD Australia - Support groups (States and Territories)
Bars Between - Support organizations in Australia and NZ
Community Restorative Centre - Help to prepare for prison and court dates
Autism Spectrum Australia - National service provider for people on the autism spectrum
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
Tips for Managing Adult ADHD
Autism Society - Information and support
Autism Society of America - Advocacy
National Institute of Mental Health - A range of helplines
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
Hailey Slade is a yoga-loving, hippy tattoo artist with Aspergers. With poignancy and humour she shares what it's like to be on the autism spectrum.
Living with autism is challenging; especially in a world that is made for people who think and process differently. It can be incredibly beautiful, but too often, people on the autism spectrum spend years trying to work out why they experience the world as they do.
"I've never really wanted anyone to think of me as moody or grumpy or not friendly or approachable. I realized since having my diagnosis, that I finally care a lot less about what other people think, because I know I can't do so much." - Hailey SladeListen in to go on a journey of understanding as Hailey explains what it's like, why it's so challenging and what the rest of us can do to help.
In this Episode:
Follow Hailey's work
More information about Autism:
Adulting with Autism - Instagram account
The Autistic Life - Instagram account
Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome - Book by Rudy Simone
Asperges in Girls - Lecture by Prof. Tony Attwood
Resources:
UK
National Autistic Society - Support, guidance and advice
Online Safety for people with ASD - A great guide to stay safe online
Ambitious About Autism - For autistic children, young people, their parents and carers
Carers UK - Support for carers
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Australia
Autism Awareness Australia - Support for Autism families
Autism Spectrum Australia - National service provider for people on the autism spectrum
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
USA
Autism Society - Information and support
Autism Society of America - Advocacy
National Institute of Mental Health - A range of helplines
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
OR contact medical services in your country.
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
"Behind every addict is someone traumatized by loving them". If you've never experienced addiction, these words tend to hang in the air. Poised. Heavy. Looking for somewhere to land. They took my breath away.
Such is the power of talking with this week's guest, Antonia Rolls. Antonia Rolls is an artist and uses painting and words to explore difficult subjects such as end of life, and addictions.
There is addiction in her family and over the last ten years she has seen how destructive, chaotic and hopeless life with and around addiction can be. She's just completed the first stage of a project of paintings and words called 'Addicts And Those Who Love Them'.
Behind every addict is someone traumatized by loving them. It is not so simple to just walk away when your addict is your child, your parent, your sibling, your spouse. Love complicates it all, and we are traumatized, and yet we do still love. We have to learn that this love has to start with ourselves, which gives us the courage to create boundaries in order to survive, to detach and keep our sanity. - Antonia Rolls.
Join me for an insightful conversation with this remarkable woman.
In this Episode:
Follow Cath at Drawn to a Story
Contact Antonia
Episode information
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources for help:
In the UK
Adfam - help for families dealing with drug and alcohol addiction
Al Anon - Family group support alcohol addiction, drug addiction and addictive behaviours
Carers UK - Support for carers
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Mind - Addiction and Dependency Support
In the USA
National Institute of Mental Health - a range of helplines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Tel: 1-800-273-8255
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
USA Government - Help for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
In Australia
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Help and Support Services
OR contact medical services in your country.
In this teaser episode, Cath talks about why this podcast is so needed right now. She also introduces you to what you will experience over the coming weeks. It's a heartfelt conversation where she explains why we 'other' people and the impact it has on our lives.
If you've ever wanted to have better conversations, connect more deeply with people and hold a desire to drop judgement, Cath prepares you for that journey - The journey of listening to Drawn to a Deeper Story.
Be sure to follow Cath on Instagram and Facebook.
Music by Grant McLachlan
Resources for help:
In the UK
Samaritans - FREE Help - Tel: 116 123, E: [email protected]
NHS Depression Support Groups
NHS Mental Health Services
The British Psychology Society - Find a Psychologist
Mind - Addiction and Dependency Support
In the USA
National Institute of Mental Health - a range of helplines
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Tel: 1-800-273-8255
American Psychologist Association - Psychologist Finder
USA Government - Help for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
In Australia
Beyond Blue - Mental health support
Headspace - National Youth Mental Health Foundation with support services
The Black Dog Institute - Medical health resources, services and research
SANE Australia - Counselling support, Tel: 1800 187 263 (10am - 10pm)
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Help and Support Services
If you're unsure, contact medical services in your area.
From the publisher's feed