The Just Checking In Podcast

In the ninety-ninth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Debbie Hayton. Debbie is a teacher, writer and commentator. She has written for outlets including UnHerd and The Spectator. Debbie is also a transsexual woman. In this episode we talk about her teaching journey, her proudest moments and the positivity that helping students has on her mental health. We talk about Debbie's transition and her journey from her former name David to Debbie, the gender dysphoria she experienced from early childhood, self-harm, transitioning whilst still working as a teacher, autogynephilia and why it's such a taboo term. We also talk about her views on the trans debate at the moment including gender identity, children with gender dysphoria and social media abuse. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Debbie on social media below:Twitter: https://twitter.com/DebbieHaytonYou can read more of Debbie's writing here: https://debbiehayton.com/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep and detailed discussion about self-harm, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In this episode of Behind The Mic, we checked in with Harry and Tom aka The Night Society. The Night Society are a dance floor indie-pop duo based in Guildford, UK. Drawing inspiration from their indie heroes such as The Wombats and Bombay Bicycle Club, they make unashamedly crystalline 80s dance-floor indie.Since the release of their debut single in March last year, The Night Society have racked up over 400K streams and gained extensive support from BBC Introducing, with BBC Intro Norfolk naming their second single ‘Believe’ their ‘Record of the Week’ and BBC Intro The South choosing them as one of their featured artists last year.In this episode we talk about how the duo met, comparison culture in the music industry, the streaming wars and developing your stage persona. We also talk about the grief that Harry went through with the loss of his grandad and the creative drain Tom has experienced when he would return home from university. As always, #itsokaytoventListen to The Night Society on streaming platforms below:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Q0FwVZnN1lK38DO5s6LYe?si=eada936e77aa440bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKFue624x1YmpthpRq8_seAFollow The Night Society on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenightsociety/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: The Night Society - TV Dinner: https://open.spotify.com/track/269VP2UvZ6mlRAWder1UFY?si=9bf7f7a9d788413dTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief and loss, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In the ninety-eighth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Sinéad Watson. Sinéad is a detransitioned woman who has spoken openly about her journey from transition to detransition. In this episode we discuss the sexual abuse Sinéad experienced as a child, teenager and young adult and how she says this created her gender dysphoria and fuelled her desire to live as a trans man. We discuss the double mastectomy she underwent aged 26, how being on testosterone affected her mental and physical health and her decision to come off it. We also discuss her issues with alcoholism and how she came to the realisation that she wanted to desist and live as a natal woman again. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow Sinéad on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ImWatson91Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep and detailed discussion about sexual abuse and suicide, which some listeners may find extremely upsetting or distressing, so please listen with caution.

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In the ninety-seventh episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with freelance illustrator and designer Peter O'Toole. Pete has worked with clients including Adidas, Mundial Magazine, Nike, Scotts Menswear, The Telegraph, Men’s Health USA and Huddersfield Town Football Club. In this episode we discuss how Pete became an illustrator and designer, class in the industry, self-doubt, comparison culture and the precarious nature of being a freelancer. We also discuss burnout, Pete’s experience of therapy and the stigma he felt in accessing it, managing your physical and mental health and the early mid-life crisis he had just before the first Covid-19 lockdown. As always, #itsokaytoventFind out more about Pete's work here: http://www.peter-otoole.co.uk/Follow on Pete on social media below:Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterotooleartSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In the ninety-sixth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with author Fiona Scarlett. Fiona recently published her first novel 'Boys Don't Cry' which we dive into in this episode. We discuss the themes it explores including masculinity, grief, brotherhood and fatherhood. Fiona also works full-time as a teacher. We discuss her teaching journey, the impact that social media has had on the mental health of boys and girls in Gen-Z (including her own children) and the impact that losing her father had on her in December 2020. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can buy Boys Don't Cry here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/boys-dont-cry/fiona-scarlett/9780571366071You can follow Fiona on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Scarlett_for_yaSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief and loss, so please listen with caution.

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In the ninety-fifth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Naama Kates.Naama is a film-maker, writer, musician and the Founder of The Incel Project. The Incel Project is a podcast takes a deep dive into the involuntary celibate community. We talk about Naama's writing journey, the challenges she faced as an actor and why she chose to cover a topic like incels and incel culture.We also discuss the struggles she faced fitting in at school as a child and teenager, loneliness, self-worth and the impact that losing her mother to suicide had on her aged 17. The taboo around suicide death is still incredibly high and we explore how that taboo manifested in her family, the lack of mental health support Naama had after her mother died and how its shaped her into the woman she is today. As always, #itsokaytovent Listen to The Incel Project here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/incel/id1469915971Follow The Incel Project on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/IncelProjectReferences:- 'What the media gets wrong about incels' - UnHerd: https://unherd.com/2021/08/what-the-media-gets-wrong-about-incels/- 'Online dating trends: Men outnumber women on Tinder by 9 to 1 (while Grinder wins for age diversity)' - Net Imperative: https://www.netimperative.com/2019/04/05/online-dating-trends-men-outnumber-women-on-tinder-by-9-to-1-while-grinder-wins-for-age-diversity/- 'It's Not You, it's TINDER. Let's talk sexonomics...' - Laci Green: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZNmt-XpqZo&ab_channel=lacigreen (1:02)Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief, loss and the suicide of a loved one, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In the ninety-fourth episode of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Figen Murray. Figen is a former psychotherapist, life coach and author of the book ‘Bears Have Issues Too’. Figen worked as a counsellor for over 23 years and offered clinical supervision to other counsellors as well. She is the mother of five children but on 22nd May 2017, her life changed forever. One of her children, Martyn attended a concert by Ariana Grande at the Manchester Arena. Little did Martyn know that a terrorist was amongst the crowd and a bomb went off, killing Martyn along with 21 other people. It was a moment that shocked and devastated the entire country, with many wondering how a bomb could be smuggled into a venue like that with so many people in attendance. From that moment on, Figen gave up her career as a therapist to advocate for greater security at venues like the Manchester Arena and began speaking at schools, universities and conferences, talking to children and trying to stop attacks at the MEN happening in the future. She is the architect behind ‘Martyn’s Law’, a campaign which calls for entertainment venues to improve security against the threat of terrorism and would like to make it a requirement in legislation that all venues in Manchester and cities and towns across the UK have a counter-terrorism plan. Her petition to make Martyn's Law mandatory has received over 23,000 signatures. On top of all that, to help people feel less alone, Figen knits bears and gives them personalities and backstories that often relate to mental illness. In this episode we talk about her counselling journey and how even therapists need therapy themselves, Martyn’s life, the events surrounding his passing, how she carries his memory with her today and what she hopes to achieve with Martyn’s Law.As always, #itsokaytoventFind out more about Figen's work here: https://www.figenmurray.co.uk/You can follow Figen on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/FigenMurrayInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/figenmurray/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief and loss, which some listeners may find extremely upsetting or distressing, so please listen with caution.

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In the ninety-third episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Mark Wyatt. Mark works as a Fitness Manager and Senior Personal Trainer for Nuffield Health.In this episode we discuss Mark’s journey into fitness, his transition from aspiring teacher to personal trainer, the social status culture that exists in some personal trainer circles and the relationship between physical health and mental health.We also discuss the mental health difficulties Mark has had in some relationships he's had, self-acceptance, therapy and his relationship with his phone.As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow Mark on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markwyatt_fitness/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In the ninety-second episode of The Just Checking In Podcast, we checked in with Patricia Faulks. Trish is the Founder of 'Just Me & Lilley', which is a platform she uses to talk about her lived experience of being involuntarily childless. In this episode we talk about Patricia's issues with conceiving children in her early-20s with her first husband, perfectionism and all of the social stigmas associated with living without children as a woman. We also talk about the massive positivity that her dog Lilley has brought to her life, how she treats her like her own child and how the death of her dog before Lilley caused her to come very close to taking her own life. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Trish on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustMeandLilleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justmeandlilley/Support Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @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 Mic, we checked in with Cal from UK indie/pop group Isla Rico. Isla Rico originally started as another band called Off Shore and we chart the evolution and journey from Off Shore to Isla Rico, which has culminated in their joyous debut single 'Laying In The Summer Rain'. We also discuss the importance of perseverance and hard work in the music industry and how Isla Rico has given Cal a major boost to his mental health. We also discuss Cal’s upbringing and growing up with family members who’ve had mental health difficulties as well as his own lived experience of suicidality. On one occasion, Cal came very close to taking his own life and we discuss the story behind it and how a text message saved his life. Demystifying the concept of mindfulness is also on the menu as well as the importance of an individualist approach to mental health treatment. As always, #itsokaytovent Listen to Isla Rico on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xMn4GPdB4PbXb5GpE7v6Y?si=bddb07b793f848d6SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/islaricoFollow Isla Rico on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareislarico/?utm_source=ig_embedTwitter: https://twitter.com/weareislaricoSupport Us:Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpukGoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-healthMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: Isla Rico - Laying In The Summer Rain: https://soundcloud.com/islarico/isla-rico-laying-in-the-summerTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep and detailed discussion about suicide and suicidality, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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