This week I explore how society and patriarchal rule has used magic and witchcraft as a way to continually marginalise women, with Witches being portrayed negatively and dangerously: whether it be back in ye olde Jacobean England or modern day media and film, such as 'The Craft'. I also play One Degree of Taylor Swift with a topical link to witchcraft.

In this week's episode I look at the feelings of loneliness and shame and how social, cultural and media stigma around mental health only adds to these emotions. The recent reactions, both supportive and critical, to Naomi Osaka only highlight the prejudice still present around mental health, but especially towards women and those from an ethnic background. For more information, and to self educate on these issues, please visit @whydontwediscuss and @diversifyournarrative

May is Mental Health Awareness month and this week I discuss how the LGBT+ community still needs allies to support them and fight for greater equality. I reflect on school experiences, data from a Stonewall research paper, and a surprisingly homophobic episode of medical drama 'E.R.' from 2006. If you would like to educate yourself on issues of LGBT+ allyship please follow @iweigh @whydontwediscuss and @diversifyournarrative on Instagram.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, I suggest a number of films and TV shows you could watch to explore and educate yourselves on this issue - such as The Breakfast Club and Black Swan. I also discuss Count Binface's bid for London Mayor in the recent elections. For more details about Mental Awareness Month please visit: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

This week I reflect on an essay I wrote last year about the place of sport in our lives - physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. And this means that I get to demonstrate my vast (joke) knowledge of football and slag off Matt Hancock. I also answer an email from a listener asking for advice when struggling with OCD.

In this short extra episode, I discuss the daily difficulties of having OCD - why it can flare up, the impact it can have socially, and how it can manifest itself. It's important to acknowledge when you are not at your best, which is why I made this extra podcast this week. For information on OCD please visit: https://ocdaction.org.uk/i-need-support/support-groups/

In this week's episode I look at the history of antidepressant medications: when they were first used, different types and brands, possible side effects, and discuss my own experiences of taking medication for depression. For more information about antidepressants please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/

In episode 12 I highlight Bipolar Awareness Month, which is currently taking place throughout April. I discuss my own history of suffering from intrusive thoughts as a teenager, occasions of erratic behaviour, and the feelings of both anger and shame that I felt as reactions to these challenging experiences. I also share the history of Lizzie Borden, accused of murdering her father and stepmother in 1892, whom historians now believe may have suffered from Bipolar Disorder. To learn more about Bipolar Disorder please visit https://www.bipolaruk.org/bipolar-awareness-day

This week, I reflect upon numerous recent news stories which have highlighted the rise in Asian-American hate crimes - in America and beyond. I also explore the treatment of women in society within a seven day cycle, which shows just how problematic language can be when discussing both the perpetrators and victims of a crime. Please visit these Instagram pages for more information: @whydontwediscuss @thefemaleactivists @diversifyournarrative

March is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, so in this episode I discuss my own experiences with an eating disorder in my early twenties. I also look at some cases where high profile celebrities have opened up about their own battles with food, such as Taylor Swift and Freddie Flintoff. And... I talk about THAT Meghan Markle interview (obvs) and the marvellous news that Piers Morgan has fucked off. A link for SEED, an eating disorder charity, is: https://seedeatingdisorders.org.uk/blog/weaponising-food-and-the-associated-feelings-of-body-shame