Question The Default

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by former Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sir Sajid Javid to explore the personal loss that reshaped his perspective on mental health and responsibility.

Sajid opens up about the devastating moment he learned his brother Tariq had died by suic*de, and the resulting determination to prevent future suic*des while serving in one of the most demanding roles in government.

The conversation explores the stigma surrounding suic*de, particularly within cultural and religious contexts, and why openness and honesty play a critical part in preventing further harm.

Drawing on his time in government, he also discusses why suic*de must be treated as a national health emergency, the importance of cross-government action, and the limits of what policy alone can achieve without cultural change.

Sajid opens up about:

• The moment he found out his brother had died and the shock that followed

• Supporting his family, including navigating difficult conversations with his mum

• Challenging stigma around suic*de in cultural and religious communities

• The guilt and reflection that often follows losing someone to suic*de

• Why “just checking in” can make a meaningful difference

• Treating suic*de as a public health issue, not a private shame

• The role and limits of government in preventing suic*de

• Concerns around technology, AI, and online harms for young people

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by former Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sir Sajid Javid to explore the personal loss that reshaped his perspective on mental health and responsibility.

Sajid opens up about the devastating moment he learned his brother Tariq had died by suic*de, and the resulting determination to prevent future suic*des while serving in one of the most demanding roles in government.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by Professor Rory O’Connor, one of the world’s leading suic*de prevention researchers and Director of the Suic*dal Behaviour Research Lab at the University of Glasgow.

Drawing on more than three decades of research, Rory explores the science behind suic*dal thoughts, the social inequalities that increase risk, and why simple human connection can be life-saving in moments of crisis.

Rory also reflects on the personal experiences that shaped his work, including losing both a mentor and a close friend to suic*de, and how those losses deepened his commitment to understanding and preventing it.

Rory opens up about:

• Why suic*de is often driven by feelings of defeat, humiliation and entrapment

• The myths and misunderstandings that still surround suic*de

• Why asking someone directly about suic*de can save lives

• The role of stigma and why silence allows suic*dal thoughts to thrive

• The link between inequality and suic*de risk in society

• Why compassion and small acts of kindness can be powerful interventions

• How safety planning can help people navigate moments of crisis

A powerful conversation about understanding suic*de, challenging stigma, and why human connection remains one of the most important tools we have to prevent it.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by Professor Rory O’Connor, one of the world’s leading suic*de prevention researchers and Director of the Suic*dal Behaviour Research Lab at the University of Glasgow.

Drawing on more than three decades of research, Rory explores the science behind suic*dal thoughts, the social inequalities that increase risk, and why simple human connection can be life-saving in moments of crisis.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by Dr Paul Litchfield, Independent Chief Medical Adviser to ITV and compass Group, on workplace mental health.

Paul shares the defining moment early in his career that set him on a lifelong mission to improve how workplaces respond to mental health.

The conversation explores how workplace culture has evolved, why many organisations still struggle to implement effective wellbeing strategies, and the simple evidence-based framework Paul believes every company should adopt. Paul also discusses his later work advising the television industry on duty of care, including supporting reality TV productions in protecting participants before, during and after filming.

Paul opens up about:

• The moment early in his career that sparked his commitment to workplace mental health

• Why “stress” became the entry point for mental health conversations in organisations

• Why many workplace wellbeing initiatives fail to create lasting change

• Supporting reality TV participants through screening, on-set care, and aftercare

• The hidden mental health risks of sudden fame and online scrutiny

• Why younger generations are experiencing declining happiness and rising isolation

A thoughtful episode about leadership, responsibility, and what it really takes to build workplaces that treat people as human beings.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by Dr Paul Litchfield, Independent Chief Medical Adviser to ITV and compass Group, on workplace mental health.

Paul shares the defining moment early in his career that set him on a lifelong mission to improve how workplaces respond to mental health.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by award-winning comedian, writer and actor Rosie Jones for a powerful, funny and eye-opening conversation about disability, representation and mental health.

From believing she might not live into adulthood to becoming the representation she once needed, Rosie reflects on how visibility can quite literally change what feels possible.

Rosie shares how her Channel 4 sitcom Pushers uses comedy to spotlight the real-life consequences of benefit cuts, and why she hopes non-disabled viewers, in particular, are paying attention.

Rosie opens up about:

• Growing up with cerebral palsy

• Using humour as survival mode

• The impact of mainstream education and representation on her life trajectory

• The reality of disability benefits assessments and why policy must be human-first

• Supporting Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and the link between disability, isolation and mental health

• The need for disabled representation across health services

A bold, funny and thought-provoking episode about representation, resilience, and a moving reminder that advocacy and vulnerability can coexist.

🔗 Support The Rosie Jones Foundation

[https://www.rosiejonesfoundation.com/](https://www.rosiejonesfoundation.com/)

🔗 Find out more about Disability Plus

[https://www.disabilityplus.co.uk/](https://www.disabilityplus.co.uk/)

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by award-winning comedian, writer and actor Rosie Jones for a powerful, funny and eye-opening conversation about disability, representation and mental health.

From believing she might not live into adulthood to becoming the representation she once needed, Rosie reflects on how visibility can quite literally change what feels possible.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by spoken word artist and musician Dan Whitlam to discuss the power of words and creativity in coping with grief and making sense of trauma.

From losing his mum at a young age and being stabbed at 16 to finding his voice through poetry, Dan opens up about his journey through grief and the unexpected healing that came from releasing his art.

The conversation explores how creative expression can help us process pain, why men are often taught to bottle things up, and how vulnerability can be a radical act, for ourselves and for others who see their own stories reflected back at them.

Dan opens up about:

• Losing his mum as a child and how grief shaped his inner world

• Growing up between countries and feeling the impact of constant change

• Being stabbed at 16 and living with panic attacks and fear

• Turning trauma into poetry and performance

• Challenging toxic ideas of masculinity and emotional silence

• The power of spoken word to help others feel less alone

• Why slowing down, reflecting, and “not having it all figured out” matters

A moving episode about language, loss, and the strength it takes to speak honestly.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Question The Default, Harry is joined by spoken word artist and musician Dan Whitlam to discuss the power of words and creativity in coping with grief and making sense of trauma.

From losing his mum at a young age and being stabbed at 16 to finding his voice through poetry, Dan opens up about his journey through grief and the unexpected healing that came from releasing his art.

Question The Default is in support of Campaign Against Living Miserably.

👤 Follow Host Harry Corin

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrycorin

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/harry.corin

🔗 Follow Question The Default

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/questionthedefaultpod

🎧 TikTok – @questionthedefaultpod

💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/questionthedefaultpodcast

This episode discusses sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. We understand this can be distressing or triggering, so please take care of yourself and only listen if you feel safe to do so. If you need support, crisis resources and helpful links are below:

Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight) or visit thecalmzone.net

Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm) or visit mind.org.uk

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7) or visit giveusashout.org

GamCare - Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7)

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

For listeners outside the UK, visit findahelpline.com for international support lines.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.