The Just Checking In Podcast

In episode 206 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with writer and Swindon Town fan Liam Walsh.Liam is the author of ‘Red Balloons: A Father, A son: A Memoir’, where he writes about losing his 15-year-old son Patrick in January 2020. Patrick had gone to a football match to watch Tottenham Hotspur, Liam and Patrick's second team play and collapsed suddenly for no clear, explainable reason. He died on the streets of west London, held in his arms by his brother Euan.Tragically, just two weeks later, Liam's father and his children’s grandparents died too, giving Liam and his family two, unimaginable heartbreaks in a short space of time.In this episode we discuss the grief of losing his son and his father in quick succession, the bond they forged through supporting Swindon Town, Tottenham Hotspur and Gaelic hurling, the power of community and people who supported him and his family in their time of need.We also discuss how the book provided Liam with a cathartic tool to help him through his grief, support his wife Kate and his two surviving children Euan and Niamh.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can purchase a copy of 'Red Balloons' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Balloons-Father-Son-Memoir/dp/B0C5JWGKJK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35HFOTQVUEITI&keywords=red+balloons+book+liam+walsh&qid=1698238752&sprefix=Liam+Walsh+%2Caps%2C115&sr=8-1You can follow Liam on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/liampwSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep and detailed discussion about grief and loss, which some listeners may find upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In this episode of Behind The Decks, we checked in with DJ and producer Russell Small. Russell Small is the founder of two iconic UK house music groups, Phats & Small and later, the Freemasons.The very first record Phats & Small ever put out called ‘Turn Around’ in 1999 was a smash hit, peaking at number two on the UK singles chart and catapulted them both into international fame and stardom. They performed on Top of The Pops four times and went on global tours. Six years later, Russell founded another iconic house duo called the Freemasons which would reach those heights once more with a string of hits. A lot of these came on their album ‘Unmixed’, which contained singles including ‘Uninvited’, ‘Watchin’ and ‘Love On My Mind’ which still get played in clubs and on the radio today. This was then accompanied by a string of iconic remixes including ‘Work’ by Kelly Rowland, Beyonce’s ‘Green Light’ and Beyonce & Shakira's ‘Déjà vu’, the latter they were nominated for a Grammy award.In this episode we chart Russell’s music journey, from DJing in a mobile disco around Brighton with his dad at school discos and youth clubs, to catapulting into stardom overnight, to remixing some of the biggest artists in the world. For Russell’s mental health, he lives with diagnosed ADHD which he was only diagnosed with during the Covid-19 lockdown. He was able to mask it his entire life but was labelled as a ‘dreamer’ and was told he wouldn’t amount to anything in school because of the way his ADHD presented itself and the lack of education and stigma around the condition at the time. We discuss the build-up to his ADHD diagnosis, how it felt when he was diagnosed, management tools he's developed since and finding balance in his life now.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can listen to Freemasons on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/49H2dQUNhIlso7VNkS8nFR?si=2e6cd88e4e75458dYou can follow Russell on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freemasonsmusic/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: Phats & Small - Turn Around: https://open.spotify.com/track/60qbU5QgEnzBqUfXSUh0mc?si=ea9b2605cd534354

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In episode 205 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with YouTuber and writer, Alexander L.Alex lives in Norway and moved there from Poland when he was 16 years old. He suffered severe bullying when he was at school in Poland which caused him to develop sex dysphoria and a feeling he was not 'good enough' to be a man. He also felt disgust towards his genitalia and had a strong desire to escape his sexuality and sexual desire. All of these combined to draw Alex towards the idea of transition and he went on oestrogen and a testosterone blocker when he was 19 years old. He then socially transitioned and made the decision to get penile inversion surgery when he was 21 years old. Fast forward a few years and he realised that transition was not the path for him and he decided to detransition. Unfortunately, during his attempt to detransition, he was sexually assaulted and also had issues with addiction, specifically antipsychotic medication and painkillers.Alex is now 30 years old and speaks about his transition and detransition on his YouTube channel as well as other political and cultural issues. In this episode we chart this journey of transition, detransition and how he is carving out a new path in life now. We discuss the current state of the healthcare system for men and boys like him in Norway suffering from sex dysphoria, his plans to publish a book in the future and wanting to start an organisation for other people who have detransitioned in Norway.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can subscribe to Alexander L's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@alexanderl9721You can follow Alex on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AleXenomorpheusSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains deep discussions about sexual abuse and brief discussions about suicide, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In episode 204 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Stephen J Shaw. Stephen is an academic, data scientist and the writer, director and producer of the film 'Birthgap - Childless World'.Birthgap analyses the data of falling birth-rates across the world, the societal, economic and cultural reasons this is happening and what the consequences of it will be. Stephen also speaks to a range of people in the field of fertility medicine, couples who don’t have children and most powerfully, men and women who are involuntarily childless.In this episode we discuss Stephen’s academic journey, a deep dive into the film and all of the issues it explores through a mental health lens and the reaction it’s had upon its release both positive and negative.We also discuss the mental toll that the filming of Birthgap had on Stephen himself and hearing these hugely traumatic stories of grief from the interviewees who were involuntarily childless. For Stephen’s mental health, we discuss the impact that his divorce had on his mental health and the trauma of being separated from his children.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can watch Part 1 of Birthgap on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6s8QlIGanA&pp=ygUYYmlydGhnYXAgY2hpbGRsZXNzIHdvcmxkYou can find out more about Stephen's work here: https://www.birthgap.org/You can follow Stephen on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenJShawSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 203 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with firefighter Dean Corney. Dean is also the co-founder of Walk & Talk 999, which is a men's walking group in the in the UK for any man in the emergency services to walk and talk about their mental health, if they want to, and be met with empathy, trust and understanding.The group was setup in 2018 by four women and two men, including Dean, who realised there weren’t any support groups for firefighters specifically to talk about their mental health. On 21st September 2021, the group did their first ever walk round a local park near their station and 11 brave men turned up. Since then, the group has grown exponentially, with 13 walking groups now setup across the UK. Because of its success, Dean operates the group full-time such is the level of expansion that’s taken place. The groups have now expanded to include any man from an emergency services background who can attend and they have had letters of praise from HRH Prince William, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and had support from celebrities like Dr Alex George and Joe Wickes. In this episode we discuss his journey into firefighting, the stress and strain that the job puts on men like him as well as the purpose it gives him when he has to save lives and the camaraderie amongst his fellow firefighters.We also discuss how, contrary to popular belief how the lionisation of firefighters from well-meaning friends, family or members of the public can actually put more pressure on men like him when it comes to disclosing when they are struggling with their mental health. For Dean’s mental health, 11 years ago he struggled with depression which developed into an eating disorder and he lost a huge amount of weight in a short period of time. We discuss the stigma he faced in the job and outside the job which prevented him from addressing it, seeking support and recovering, the progress he has made since then and the role he holds in helping other men like him. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can find out more about Walk & Talk 999 and find your local walk if you're in the emergency services here: https://www.walkandtalk999.co.uk/You can follow Walk & Talk 999 on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/WalkandTalk999Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 202 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with journalist Angela Walker.Angela has over 20 years’ experience as a news reporter including twelve years as a Senior Journalist with BBC News.She now works freelance and has her own podcast ‘Angela Walker Reports’.In this episode we chart her journalism journey, from a chance opportunity to go on local radio to talk about the motorcycle company she was working at as a receptionist, to working for North Norfolk radio, to moving to Moscow to work for Russia Today when it was first created. For industry issues, we discuss the cuts that have been made to local journalism in recent years and the impact that has had on holding politicians to account across the country. For Angela’s mental health we discuss motherhood and the discovery she made after childbirth where pregnancy caused her to discover she had a condition called hypermobility syndrome. We discuss the long battle she fought to be taken seriously with this condition, getting treatment for it and the impact it’s had on her physical and mental health. We finish by discussing balancing motherhood with a career, why she strives to juggle both as best as she can to be a role model for her daughter and to educate her about the stories she covers.As always, #itsokaytoventFind out more about Angela's work here: https://www.angelawalkerreports.com/You can subscribe to Angela's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AngelaWalker-newsYou can follow her on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AngieHWalkerSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 201 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with journalist and author Madeleine Davies.Madeleine is currently Senior Writer at The Church Times.Madeleine is also the author of the book 'Lights For The Path', which aims to help young adults and teenagers dealing with grief. Madeleine wrote the book out of her own grief she experienced when she lost her mother when she was 12 years old and wanted a resource that would have helped her when she was younger. In this episode we discuss how she got into journalism including being a member of CBBC’s Newsround press pack as a child, the role of the church in local communities in supporting people with mental health difficulties, the relationship between prayer and mental health and how many vicars and members of the clergy have suffered with mental health issues themselves. We also discuss how she maintains professional balance as a journalist in her reporting when writing about scandals that hit the Church of England as an institution, particularly issues of child sexual abuse (CSA).We then discuss the themes she discusses in her book and move onto Madeleine’s mental health journey where we discuss the grief for her mother in-depth, how it impacted her desire to have children of her own and the power of her own faith in shaping her decisions, her mental health and her outlook on life.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Madeleine on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadsDaviesYou can purchase a copy of Lights For The Path here: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/lights-for-the-pathSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In this episode of Behind The Mic we checked in with UK artist Lily Ward.Lily started working in the industry when she was 16 years old and has been singing and playing instruments for far longer. In this episode we chart her journey from a 16-year-old starting out to where she is now, how much growth and potential she has going forward as she is still only 23 years old and the pressure she feels to be successful whilst she is young. We also discuss work-life balance, artist comparison culture and streaming numbers. For Lily’s mental health, we discuss her panic disorder which causes her to have random panic attacks at night and how its impacted her belief in being an artist, her experience of taking anti-depressants and building a life in Bristol where she lives now! As always, #itsokaytoventYou can listen to Lily on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1kYMGmkw8ta4nvMiK0pcdF?si=a1e713a08833493aYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LilyWardyYou can follow Lily on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilywardy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lily.wardy?lang=enSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: Lily Ward - Like I Used To: https://open.spotify.com/album/4Z6UqZVSJmXYfRwV5AEigL?si=bWAJ2vVGTe6tmpHr3OD0Kg

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In this landmark two hundredth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with conflict journalist and researcher Aram Shabanian. Aram is the Open-Source Information Gathering (OSIG) Manager at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy.In this episode we discuss his unconventional route into conflict journalism, after having to study at two different universities after dropping out from the first one after failing his exams in his second year.He then got an opportunity to appear on great friend of the pod Jake Hanrahan’s Popular Front podcast in 2018 and Matthew Gault’s podcast ‘War College’ and used those opportunities to get into the Middlebury Institute of International Studies for his post-graduate degree. From there, he befriended a woman based in Iraq who brought him on board at the New Lines Institute where he got a foot in the door, before becoming a permanent member of staff through hard work and successfully predicting the Russia-Ukraine war.In this episode we chart that unconventional journey in conflict journalism, class and elitism in this field and the problematic industry belief that in order to cut your teeth as a researcher, you must view a lot of harrowing content which can traumatise early-stage researchers. We also discuss the latest situation in the war in Ukraine, the mutiny by the Putin-backed Wagner Group and the sexual abuse and war crimes being committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) and the Ukrainian population. For Aram’s mental health, we discuss his experience of depression, his diagnosis of ADHD, how medication has helped his mental health and the impact of the death of his mother which took place during a difficult time for his mental health already. We finish by discussing his experience at the Evergreen State College from 2014-2017 during the most tumultuous time in its history as it was taken over by a group of hard-left activist students.Thank you for helping us get to JCIP #200 and as always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Aram on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShabanianAramSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 199 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with academic Dr Andrew George Thomas. Andrew is currently Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Swansea University, researching in the area of Evolutionary Psychology. Andrew did his BSc in Psychology at Cardiff university but moved to Swansea university for his PhD where he studied with Professor Steve Stewart-Williams.In order to fund his PHD, Andrew worked part-time and then full-time in the private sector before he managed to get his foot in the door in academia and has stayed there for the last seven years. Andrew is also the founder of blog ‘Darwin does dating’ where he writes about dating, relationships and the sexual marketplace through an evolutionary psychology lens. We came across Andrew through one of his tweets which said: “Don't make the mistake of assuming men have a similar experience to women in terms of receiving compliments, affection, touch. Compliment a man who isn't in the top 5% of desirability and chances are you'll have been the first person to do so for months...”In this episode we discuss all of the mental health angles around that tweet, his academic journey, social class, mating strategies, becoming a counsellor and the concept of ‘dysphoric singlehood’.Andrew was also involved in conducting the largest ever study of incels and we discuss what he and his team uncovered. For Andrew’s mental health, we discuss the mental health impact that a previous relationship break-up had on him which ended through his ex-partner being unfaithful as well as two separate but serious bouts of depression and anxiety which took place in around 2012 and 2016 respectively. We discuss those experiences, how he managed them and overcame them AND how he used them to train as a mental health counsellor and his attitude towards therapy and medication.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Andrew on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrThomasAGYou can read Andrew's 'Darwin Does Dating' blog here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/darwin-does-datingSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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