This week's dilemma is one of the rawest we've had so far, so we brought Kate Ferdinand (the queen of blended families!) into the studio for some expert support. 



Listen in as Anna and Kate help out a step-mum who admits that when her stepchildren are around, she resents not being her partner's 'number one'. Along the way Kate discusses being step-mum to footballer Rio Ferdinand’s kids, and shares some of the challenges she’s faced.  



Anna and Kate are joined in the studio by the brilliant psychotherapist Sam Pennells-Nkolo from The London Practice.



Kate Ferdinand is a big advocate for championing and celebrating blended families. You can hear more from her by listening to her podcast Blended, or reading her book How To Build a Family. Kate’s latest book, The Family Tree, is out on the 8th of June. 

 

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Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional. 



From Podimo & Mags Creative

Producer: Alice Homewood with support from Laura Williams

Editor: Kit Milsom

Theme music: Kit Milsom

Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White

Follow @annarichardso and @podimo_uk on Instagram for weekly updates

6: Envious of my stepchildren? With Kate Ferdinand

Anna Richardson is primed and ready to solve that big dilemma in your life. And she’s invited some very special celebrity guests and experts to help.

Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.

If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit http://itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com

This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised.

From Podimo & Mags Creative
Producer: Alice Homewood with support from Laura Williams
Editor: Kit Milsom
Theme music: Kit Milsom
Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White
Follow @annarichardso and @podimo_uk on Instagram for weekly updates

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Relationships

Last week, it was reported that the middle-aged population in Britain is the loneliest in Europe, so Anna has invited TV presenter and broadcaster, Gaby Roslin, to interrogate why that might be. 



Gaby is passionate about curbing the epidemic of loneliness, which can impact people of all ages and looks different for everyone. In this episode, she shares some of what she’s learnt from her investigations into loneliness – including tips on how to prevent it, as well as explaining just how detrimental loneliness can be for both our physical and mental health. 



Alongside super-psychotherapist, Sam Pennells-Nkolo, Gaby and Anna offer advice to a listener in her 50s who feels lonely, despite having a busy and full life with family living close by. The trio offer her words of encouragement, recommend some strategies that might minimise her sense of loneliness, and suggest places where she could meet some like-minded folk. 



This is our final episode for this season of It Can’t Just Be Me, so we’ll be taking a short-break. But, fear not… we’ll be back soon! Stay subscribed to keep up to date with all future episodes.



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Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional.



From Podimo & Mags Creative 



Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale



Editor: Kit Milsom



Theme music: Kit Milsom 



Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White



Executive Producer for Mags: Faith Russell 



Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for weekly updates. You can also watch the full episode on Youtube.

41: Why do I feel so lonely? With Gaby Roslin

The entire nation was gripped by the lies and betrayals in the hit TV show The Traitors, with viewers particularly impressed by Jaz Singh’s (a.k.a Jazatha Christie) ability to sniff out the traitors. Today, Anna has Jazatha Christie himself in the studio to talk about earth-shattering family secrets, to which Jaz is no stranger.



When Jaz revealed on The Traitors that his dad has a second family, he was overwhelmed with messages on social media from people going through similar heartbreak over family betrayals.  



Together, Jaz and Anna tackle a dilemma from a listener who may be on the verge of a life-altering discovery. He’s unearthed something unexpected about his late dad that could force him to re-evaluate who his dad really was. Along with psychotherapist Fiona Kau, they debate the merits and risks of getting to the truth, bearing the consequences of finding out information you can't “unknow”, and what it means to re-build your life after secrets are unearthed. 



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Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional.



From Podimo & Mags Creative 



Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale



Editor: Kit Milsom



Theme music: Kit Milsom 



Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White



Executive Producer for Mags: Faith Russell 



Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for weekly updates. You can also watch the full episode on Youtube.  

40: My dad’s secret life? With Jaz Singh

The wellness industry is worth about $5 trillion worldwide and it feels like there's always something we should be spending money on to benefit our mind, body and soul. But the quest to feel our best can come at a cost that extends beyond the financial - it can impact our relationships too.



Here to unpack the world of wellness, spirituality and radical healing with Anna is Charlotte Church (singer and founder of wellness and healing centre, The Dreaming) and Michele Knight (psychic, astrologer and Sunday-Times best-selling author). 



Together, they discuss a dilemma from a listener who is skeptical about his partner’s belief in alternative therapies and the validity of the wellness industry as a whole. They also address a dilemma from someone who is concerned his partner is becoming overly dependent on her psychic. 



During the conversation, Charlotte and Michele explore the tension between helping people and monetisation, the dangers of spiritual and psychic practices when not conducted ethically, and whether it’s possible to build a relationship with someone who fundamentally has different beliefs.  



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Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional.



From Podimo & Mags Creative 



Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale



Editor: Kim Milsom



Theme music: Kit Milsom 



Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White



Executive Producer for Mags: Faith Russell 



Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for weekly updates. You can also watch the full episode on Youtube.  



Headshot by Rekha Garton






39: The Cult of Wellness? With Charlotte Church and Michele Knight

To mark International Women's Day this week, Anna puts the spotlight on one of the most dangerous issues that many women are facing - domestic abuse. 



Anna is joined in the studio by Charlie Webster (award-winning broadcaster, journalist, and Women's Aid Ambassador) who shares her own moving story of surviving abuse, Sarah Davidge (Women's Aid Head of Research) and psychotherapist Fiona Kau. 



Together, the group unpack a dilemma from a woman who had an abusive partner when her daughter was young. Along the way, they also touch on the subject more broadly, considering how society views victims of domestic abuse and what needs to be done to provoke meaningful change. 



The advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. You can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. There are further resources on the Women’s Aid website.



—



Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional.



From Podimo & Mags Creative 



Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale



Editor: Kit Milsom



Theme music: Kit Milsom 



Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White



Executive Producer for Mags: Faith Russell 



Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for weekly updates. You can also watch the full episode on Youtube.  



Headshot by Laura Ribatallada 






38: International Women’s Day Special - With Charlie Webster

This episode centres around one powerful voicenote from a listener called Fiona – a trans woman who grew up in the 1950s. Fiona got in touch to share the turmoil she went through growing up and the ripple effect it’s had on her life. Fiona asks how we can stop young trans people today feeling the same level of shame and ultimately create a more accepting society for future generations. 



To unpack this question, Anna is joined by one of the most prominent trans male voices in the UK today Jake Graf, along with Sarah Taylor – a trans-woman who appeared on Naked Attraction twice: once before transitioning, and once after. 



Joining the trio, is Chris Sheridan (AKA - the queer-psychotherapist) to offer their expertise to this impassioned and important conversation about what it means to be transgender in the UK today. 



Jake is a patron for Mermaids, a charity that supports trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse young people and their families. 



—



Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.



If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com.



This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional.



From Podimo & Mags Creative

Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale

Editor: Kim Milsom

Theme music: Kit Milsom

Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White

Executive Producer for Mags: Faith Russell



Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for weekly updates. You can also watch the full episode on YouTube.








6: Envious of my stepchildren? With Kate Ferdinand

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