Therapy Works

Ruby Wax on how she learnt to use comedy as a way to bear the unbearable


Listen Later

As most of you will know Ruby Wax is a comedian, actor and author as well as a mental health campaigner. 

Our conversation was particularly powerful because we got under the hood of the performer Ruby, and gained insight into who she really is, and how she got to be who she is. In listening to her honesty you will connect with yourself and recognise some of the influences that led you, the listener, to be you. 

We discussed complex issues like:

  • What led Ruby to be ‘not as well as [she] thought [she] was’ and her breakdown after 12 years of being stable.
  • Why her experience of depression was like a ‘holocaust inside’. 
  • How we navigate together the difficult line of describing her experience without triggering her to drop back into it.
  • The power of comedy as a defence and as a way to bear the unbearable
  • We discuss the roots of Ruby’s depression and how it stemmed from the abuse and terror of her childhood and how that terror lives on and plays out in our daily life, even if managed. 
  • For Ruby being at home is a place of threat and how she feels ’trapped’ when locked inside her house for too long.

  • You need to listen to this episode if you want to understand depression, yourself and what can help you. 

    Buy Ruby's new book: https://amzn.eu/d/aaTlK7b

    Find support at the Frazzled Cafe: https://www.frazzledcafe.org/

    ---

    Please buy a ticket to my Masterclass, 'Change your family dynamics with Julia Samuel at The School of Life' on 16th and 22nd May: https://www.theschooloflife.com/amsterdam/julia-samuel-change-your-family-dynamics/?utm_source=colla&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=juliapodcast

    • Discount code: TheSchool_Julia


    Find Julia:

    Julia’s Website: https://juliasamuel.co.uk/

    Julia’s Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe

    Grief Works app: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/grief-works-self-care-love/id1558867513


    --

    Produced by Georgie Rutherford

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Therapy WorksBy Julia Samuel

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    28 ratings


    More shows like Therapy Works

    View all
    Woman's Hour by BBC Radio 4

    Woman's Hour

    402 Listeners

    Age Better with Liz Earle by Liz Earle

    Age Better with Liz Earle

    223 Listeners

    Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee by Dr Rangan Chatterjee: GP & Author

    Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

    3,889 Listeners

    Happy Place by Fearne Cotton

    Happy Place

    1,082 Listeners

    How To Fail With Elizabeth Day by Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment

    How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

    1,151 Listeners

    Postcards From Midlife by Lorraine Candy & Trish Halpin

    Postcards From Midlife

    108 Listeners

    The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan by Gabby Logan

    The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

    186 Listeners

    The Shift with Sam Baker by sam baker

    The Shift with Sam Baker

    78 Listeners

    Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri by Annalisa Barbieri

    Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri

    21 Listeners

    Dial Emma by Emma Reed Turrell

    Dial Emma

    89 Listeners

    Off Air with Jane & Fi by The Times

    Off Air with Jane & Fi

    165 Listeners

    The Life of Bryony by Daily Mail

    The Life of Bryony

    30 Listeners

    Begin Again with Davina McCall by Begin Again

    Begin Again with Davina McCall

    585 Listeners

    What's Up Docs? by BBC Radio 4

    What's Up Docs?

    111 Listeners

    Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball by Persephonica

    Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball

    214 Listeners