The Just Checking In Podcast

In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with Herman from UK Garage group, the Sakawah Boys.The group originally started making hip-hop beats but changed musical direction and have been making Garage music ever since. In this episode we discuss how the four boys met at university, starting out MC’ing and gained the confidence to start the group it's become today.We also discuss the challenges of working a 9-5 whilst being a working musician.For Herman’s mental health, we discuss a lack of direction he felt in his late teens and how he’s grown and accepted himself as he’s navigated his mid-20s and the importance of knowing your limits. We finish by discussing the loss of his best friend to suicide in 2022, the shock of that death on Herman and his social circle and why he’s a lot better now at spotting the red flags in his male friends when it comes to their mental health. As always, #itsokaytoventListen to Sakawah Boys on streaming platforms below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sakawahboysSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6acCQ9HxRoWqOHUMMROhkP?si=43a631f4053346deFollow Sakawah Boys on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakawah_boys/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: Sakawah Boys - Belly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91FoUMzTvs&pp=ygUSc2FrYXdhaCBib3lzIGJlbGx5

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In this episode of Behind The Mic we checked back in with east London band, See You At Home.In Part 1 Josh and Charlie talked about their experiences of anxiety, Josh’s tendency to ‘overcheck’ thing and the impact of Covid-19 as we recorded it in November 2020, just before we went into a second lockdown.In Part 2, for Josh we get an update from the band, why they had to shelve an entire album because of its pandemic-related song writing themes and their new plans for a debut album. We also discussed the highs and lows of doing music as a hobby vs full-time.For their continued mental health journey, Josh talks about when he contracted shingles of all things at the start of 2021, why it was a big moment for him to start doing more self-care and the independence he’s achieved since moving out into his own flat. For Charlie, we discuss his mental state as he turned 30 this year and the reflections he’s had on his life as he reached this milestone, the phenomenon of 'delayed adulthood' and the economic and social factors as to why people are feeling it.As always, #itsokaytoventListen to See You At Home on streaming platforms below:Bandcamp: syah.band/bandcampSpotify: syah.band/spotifyYouTube: syah.band/youtubeSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/wearesyahYou can also follow the band on social media below:Instagram: syah.band/instagramTwitter: syah.band/twitterListen to Part 1 with See You At Home here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/behind-the-mic-see-you-at-homeSupport 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: See You At Home - twenty-five (feat. Bentham's Hed): https://soundcloud.com/wearesyah/twenty-five

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In this episode of Reel Stories, we checked in with Heydon Prowse. Heydon is a is a writer, actor, producer and was one half of BBC Three show ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’ (RWBT).He is now the Founder of production company Flying Shoe Films, where he has done advertising work for clients including Greenpeace, Heineken, Netflix, Oxfam, Jonathan Pie, Amnesty International, Sony, War Child and more.In this episode we chart his journey into the arts and political satire, moving away from social justice activism, identity politics and the projects he works on now. We also discuss how Heydon's identity became tied to his work for a long time, the mental exhaustion he felt from the fame of RWBT and how he now enjoys being behind the camera rather than in front of it. For Heydon’s mental health, we discuss his sobriety journey and the issues he had with alcohol as well as his Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which he has had since childhood.As always, #itsokaytoventFind out more about Flying Shoe Films here: https://flyingshoefilms.com/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: gofund.me/92a0004dMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @ekkah - Backseat Driver: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFhgxYuoP8U

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In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with UK R&B artist JVSMINE.JVSMINE is a solo artist and also sings vocals in friends of the pod Rayowa. In this episode we discuss how Jasmine got into music and singing when she lived in Fiji before she moved to the UK as a young adult and the story of how she joined Rayowa. We discuss the very high highs and very big lows that comes with being in the music industry and the grind it can sometimes be to gain traction and momentum.We also female representation in the industry and navigating being the only female in Rayowa too.For Jasmine’s mental health, we discuss her parents divorce when she was a teenager and the effect that had on her mental health, relationships and identity.We finish by discussing the therapy she sought to deal with the mental health consequences of the divorce, self-doubt and confidence issues. As always, #itsokaytoventListen to JVSMINE on streaming platforms below: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JVSMINESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/08oS3MoYLjPVX3PSN4zSg1?si=53fa4d20f36c4dedFollow JVSMINE on social media below:TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@jvsminemusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvsminemusic/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jvsminemusicSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: gofund.me/92a0004dMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In this episode of our Behind The Mic series, we checked in with Matheus Piovesan. Matheus is a music promoter and the Founder of Effervescent Sounds, a music platform which shines a spotlight on new and emerging artists in the UK music scene.Matheus is originally from Brazil and moved to the UK when he was 30 years old.In this episode we discuss how and why he started Effervescent Sounds, some of his favourite artists he’s worked with and his proudest achievements running the platform. We also discuss the mental process behind putting on one of his showcase music nights, the highs and lows and what happens behind the scenes.For Matheus’s mental health, we discuss the impact that moving to the UK had on his mental health. We talk about why he felt he had to ‘prove’ himself in the UK as an immigrant more than native-born English people in the workplace and to build his career. We also discuss his sexuality as a gay man and the struggles he had in accepting this growing up, bullying he experienced in school for it and his experience of therapy, which he has done for the last five years.We finish by talking about the positives he’s found in tools like therapy as well as meditation, yoga and exercise in managing and improving his mental health.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Effervescent Sounds on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/effervescentsounds/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: https://gofund.me/92a0004dMerchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shopMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 177 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with journalist Amber Haque.Amber is a freelance journalist and the presenter of 'Hometown: A Killing' series two. The show followed Amber as she went back to her hometown of Manchester to investigate the death of teenager Yousef Makki, who was privately educated.In this episode we discuss the themes the series explores through a mental health lens including: why so many private school boys are gravitating towards carrying knives and the mental stress Amber faced from presenting the series when she knew so many of the people involved in the series personally. We also discuss anxiety she’s felt in the workplace throughout her varied career and the financial challenges of being a freelancer in the industry.For Amber’s mental health, we discuss her desire to be mentally assessed after she realised she may have ADHD and has exhibited symptoms of it throughout childhood and adulthood respectively.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can watch Hometown series two on BBC iPlayer here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0d2xchv/hometown-a-teenage-killing-episode-1You can follow Amber on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmberSofiaHInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Co4JCP9gxVn/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=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 176 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Joe Isaacs. Joe works in healthcare and is a long-time university friend of friend of the pod Alex Hensman.In this episode Alex comes back on the podcast as a moral support for Joe who is speaking about his mental health for the first time.Joe has struggled with anxiety and depression for a long time but went through periods where he didn’t recognise it or was unsure if it was something everyone goes through or something which he needed help with. A big trigger for Joe’s mental health difficulties was the aftermath of a previous relationship which he put a lot of his self-worth and self-esteem into. When the relationship ended, it affected him severely. Since that moment, there have also been several periods on and off where Joe has felt suicidal or suicidality. We discuss how and why those feelings come and go and the therapy he is going through at the moment to try and address the scars from that relationship, manage it and hopefully get better.We finish with a discussion about him and Alex's friendship, the ‘mystery trip’ they do together as a group of university friends every year, how they support Joe's mental health as a group of friends when he is in those difficult periods and the lack of judgement they provide.As always, #itsokaytoventSupport 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 discussion about suicide and suicidality, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In episode 175 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Lucy Connolly. Lucy is a mental health advocate for Inflammatory Bowel Conditions (IBDs) awareness.Lucy was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in July 2020 at the height of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this episode we discuss when she first started experiencing symptoms, the shame and stigma she felt in hiding them from her family, before she finally addressed it and began treatment for it.Lucy is also at time of recording being screened for ADHD and Autism as she has shown symptoms of both these conditions throughout her life. Whilst she is still undiagnosed, we discuss these symptoms and how they’ve affected her mental health but do not explicitly state she has them for the purposes of this podcast. We also discuss how you listeners can support someone in your life who lives with Crohn’s or an IBD if you live with one yourself, the factors that can affect someone developing one and her mental health advocacy journey she has recently embarked on.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Lucy on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucymcon/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=d70wfeJSEvk

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In episode 174 of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Zachary James. Zach is a mental health advocate for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) awareness.Zach was diagnosed with OCD when he was 19 years old. His OCD manifested in how it affected his romantic relationships as a gay man and a short-lived period of paedophile OCD. In this episode we discuss how and why those two forms of OCD affected his mental health, how he addressed them and got control of them. Thankfully, he now considers himself recovered. We also discuss the impact of Covid-19 on his mental health which ironically was largely positive for him and the legacy of the AIDS crisis on the mental health and physical health of gay men from the 1980s.We finish by discussing Zach’s mental health advocacy journey, societal attitudes towards gay men and the stigmas and taboos within the dating scene for gay men and the mental health impact they can have. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Zach on social media below:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocdestigmatize/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=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: This podcast contains a brief discussion about suicide and suicidality, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In this episode of Behind The Decks we checked in with Australian producer, Harry Hayes.In this episode we discuss Harry’s journey into music production and dance music, how he fell in love then out of love and back into love with music, comparison culture, imposter syndrome and being in a state of music purgatory in the industry.For Harry’s mental health, there have been an accumulation of life events which have caused him mental health difficulties. Harry sometimes felt like an outsider in his school days and felt a lot of anxiety for not liking stereotypically masculine activities, preferring music to sport. We discuss that anxiety, some overthinking and compulsive thinking and why he wants clarity on his mental health state in order to move forward with his life.As always, #itsokaytoventListen to Harry Hayes on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7BBSATOdEaY07XbxlUzfFu?si=_YLfbG1aTQSNLKfL1O1sCAYou can follow Harry on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrisonhayess/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@harryhayes_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: Harry Hayes - Making Me Go Crazy

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