Episode 39:

This week we're straight talking with Borderline Personality Disorder. We chat with Seán Keyes about his experience of having BPD. Seán shares his amazing story of a traumatic childhood growing up with an "evil" father who would deliberately hurt him, how his father's internalised words contributed to his suicide attempt in later life and the disfigurement of his hand after cutting his wrist to the bone. Seán also tells us what he has implemented into his life to live with BPD. Peter is smiling because someone is alive because of the podcast and Allan is riled just trying to register with the HSE for a vaccine. Also, we have BIG news about bringing in a new team member! Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 38:

This week we're straight talking with Mike Schlossberg. Mike is a sci-fi author and member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Mike tells us his experience of mental health issues and about his book Redemption. He discusses mental health in politics, people needing therapy after Trump was elected, generational trauma from his Jewish grandparents being interned in WW2 concentration camps including Auschwitz and his hope that things can change in America now. Allan & Peter discuss the genius of Billy Connolly, Allan is riled by the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), Peter is smiling after treating himself to a new pair of runners, we discuss the Tommy Tiernan Show and being the romantics we are - we chat about Valentine's Day Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 37:

This week we're straight talking toxic masculinity. We talk about what it is, from sending messages to young children that "big boys don't cry" to the more extreme versions of misogyny and homophobia. We also discuss the myth of alpha males, the societal and cultural beliefs which reinforce these attitudes and we talk about the long term impact on the mental health of men as a result. We also have our smiles and riles as usual - Allan gets the MRI results of his back, he doesn't like 2 Broke girls but continues to watch it, why we laugh after getting a fright and Peter slips into middle age with buying a tracksuit to be comfortable and reminiscing about vinyl shopping back in the day. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 36:

This week we're straight talking cannabis induced psychosis. We talk to Eimear about her experience. She tells us how she started smoking recreationally but then the stress of being unemployed due to covid and being intimidated living in a loyalist part of Belfast lead to her smoking more, becoming paranoid and then developing obsessive behaviour over the Black Lives Matter movement. We also discuss her experience of being hospitalised and generational trauma in Northern Ireland. Also on this week's show, Peter installs TikTok and has a wonky horn and Allan is impressed with EZ Living's customer service, not so impressed with DPD delivery drivers. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 34:

This week we're straight talking to New York rapper Homeboy Sandman. Angel Del Villar II aka Homeboy Sandman joins us to discuss his brutally honest song "Trauma." Angel breaks down the song for us and opens up about his creative process, his faith in god, his experience of psychotherapy, the reaction to the song on a global scale and by those closer to him. Angel tells us how his relationship with his mother has improved since the release of the song and by extension his relationships with women in general. We also have our regular Smiles & Riles. Joe Biden's inauguration has Peter smiling and Pixar's "Soul" has Allan emotional. Allan gets riled by Pieta House and we discuss if theatre is still mostly just a middle/ upper class interest. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 34:

This week we're straight talking bipolar disorder. We talk to Pam who tells us about her experience of living with bipolar, her history of self harm and suicide attempts and what it was like for her in the mental health services of St. Patrick's hospital. Allan explains the symptoms of Bipolar and the difference between Type 1 & Type 2. We also discuss lockdown (again), if it will change the attitudes towards big weddings in future and Peter asks Allan how acting and being a psychotherapist match  for him. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 33:

We're back baby and we're straight talking fitness & food. New year, new me hun! We've probably all put on a few pounds over Xmas, that's why we're kick starting the year with an episode to get in better shape. Peter talks about how his fitness and nutrition journey started years ago after realising he couldn't fit into a medium size and he elaborates on his man crush for Joe Wicks. Allan talks about why, historically, we crave certain foods and how just a few minutes of exercise a few days a week can improve your mental health. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

We're still not straight talking anything this week. What we've go though is the best of our Mindfulness series. We know, new year and you're thinking "New year, new me hun!" Well, kick off that year with learning to meditate. It's not all tree hugging hippy bullshit, we wouldn't do you like that! Allan's 3 guided meditations are all in this episode. Sit in an upright position, arse in at the back of the chair and listen to an episode which is the least amount of shite talking you'll hear from us. First - Body Scan. Second -19 minutes in is Mindfulness of Breathing. Third - 43:30 in is Loving Kindness Meditation. We'll be back next week and we'll get back to doing what we do best - shite talking and being sometimes informative. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

We're not straight talking anything this week, because we're lazy fucks! It's Christmas still (sorta) so you know what that means, Roses or Quality Streets for breakfast, maybe a mince pie, lunch of crisps (King or Tayto?) maybe even some Pringles, then a dinner of self loathing cos you're such a greedy pig but it doesn't stop you from ordering a take away anyway. So we're going all Hollywood this week... yeah a lazy clip show! But it's good shit, or maybe it's not, but sher fuck it... it's Xmas! We'll be back soon anyway and we'll get back to doing what we do best - shite talking and being sometimes informative. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com

Episode 30:

We're straight talking Christmas. A time of joy, family and friends... well... not for everyone. It can be a very depressing time, anxiety filled and something to dread for other people who are plagued with traumatic memories. We talk about missing the traditional Xmas atmosphere, the aul wans on Henry St selling "wrappin' paaaypor", the boom times of going to New York with empty suitcases, our own Christmas memories, new traditions we try to start for ourselves and our own hopes for the new year. We have your smiles from the year (pets, jobs, therapy...), our smiles and our guests'. Going out with some good news thanks to #stmhsmile. Follow Straight Talking Mental Health on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, email hello@stmhpodcast or check out www.stmhpodcast.com