The Just Checking In Podcast

In our final Just Checking In Pod before Christmas, we wanted to do something a little different. Grief is something all of us have felt more aware of or affected by this year, given the pandemic we have been living through. In this episode, our Founder Freddie Cocker speaks about a close friend and former work colleague, Matt, who he lost to a Sudden Cardiac Death in 2017. Matt's passing affected everyone in the company he worked for. Freddie talks about the impact that losing Matt had on him. You'll also hear from several other former colleagues who open up about the person Matt was and their favourite memories of him. This is the story of 'My Mate Matt'.As always, #itsokaytovent If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this pod, please find some resources below: British Heart Foundation: https://www.bhf.org.uk/The Justin Edinburgh Foundation: https://je3foundation.com/The Good Grief Trust: https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion of grief and loss, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In the sixty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Alexandra Kaschuta. Alex is a writer, commentator and the founder of her own writing platform 'Sort Alex Out'. In this episode we discussed Alex's love of writing and topics she has written about including the dating economy, feminism, politics and the mental health implications around each of those. We also discussed Alex's ADHD diagnosis, ex-pat culture and social integration. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Alex on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaschutaYou can also read the articles we referenced on the podcast in full below:'Why we can't talk to each other': https://www.sortalexout.com/writing/2019/11/10/why-we-cant-talk-to-each-other'Dating in 2019: The Harsh Truth': https://www.sortalexout.com/writing/2018/9/18/dating-in-2018-the-harsh-truthYou can watch the Benjamin Boyce interview Alex did here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NeJ8Fig5aI&t=1070sMusic: @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 Julian aka MC Saabii Boi. Julian is a Master of Ceremonies, event host and entertainer. He is also part of UK music and events collective SoFar Sounds London, which brings communities together to experience live shows.Crowd management, self-confidence, Julian's experience in the British Army and the black mental health experience are all on the menu for this episode. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can follow MC Saabii Boi on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mc_saabii_boi/You can find out how to book Julian for your event or show here: https://www.mcsaabiiboi.com/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In the sixty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to journalist and documentary film-maker, Jake Hanrahan. Jake is the founder of independent conflict journalism platform, Popular Front. Popular Front is conflict journalism done differently. They report on the parts of war big media rarely acknowledges and talk to people they'll never find.Jake has worked for outlets including HBO, VICE News, Esquire, Frontline PBS, ProPublica, BBC News and The Guardian.In this podcast we discussed Jake's journalism journey, working at VICE News, his arrest and detainment by the Turkish government in 2015 and staying calm whilst reporting on the front-line. We also discussed Jake's upbringing and growing up with a father who lived with alcohol addiction, taking medication for his depression and masculinity in the modern age. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow Jake on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jake_HanrahanFind out more about Popular Front here and how to support them here: https://www.popularfront.co/You can also listen to the two podcasts Jake hosts, 'Popular Front' and Q Clearance below: Popular Front: https://soundcloud.com/popularfrontcastQ Clearance: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/q-clearance-the-hunt-for-qanon/id1534027012Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkTRIGGER WARNING: this podcast contains a deep discussion about grief, loss and the impact that losing a loved one to suicide can have, which some listeners may find distressing or upsetting, so please listen with caution.

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In the sixtieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we checked-in with Daniel John. Dan is the founder of mental health platform 'You, Me & Anxiety'.In this episode we discussed the origins of the platform, becoming a podcast host and producer and his own mental health journey which included his experiences of anxiety, panic attacks, bullying, religion and much more. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow You, Me & Anxiety on social media platforms below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/YouMeAndAnxietyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/youmeandanxiety_/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouMeAndAnxiety1/Follow Dan on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanJ93Music: @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 Harry from UK Dream-Pop band, VICTORS.Hailing from Leeds, we discussed the journey of VICTORS, the mental health impact of the streaming wars on musicians, anxiety, FOMO and music being taken seriously as a life choice in the education system. As always, #itsokaytoventListen to VICTORS on streaming platforms below: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/163g9TCjTPJMjem8Iwv6iN?si=97_6axhwS7Gs2Ka3bPfubAYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq-H6qmB1U59D2XqRNl2EcQSoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/victorsofficialFollow VICTORS on social media platforms below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorsofficial/Twitter: https://twitter.com/victorsliveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/victorsofficial/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvkOutro: VICTORS - Slow Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-nKL_IOoUs

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In the fifty-ninth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we checked-in with Florence Craig. Flo works as a journalist and social media producer for BBC Reel, telling stories about amazing ideas, people and places.In this episode we talk about Flo’s journalism journey, her Welsh roots, comparison culture in journalism and self-care when it comes to social media. We also talk about two long-term health conditions called Crohn's Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and how they have affected her life and her mental health.As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Flo on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flo_craig/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In the fifty-eighth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we checked-in with Kyle Hawker. Kyle is an artist and the founder of 'Acrylics by Kyle', where he crafts acrylic prints for pleasure and commissions pieces for clients!In this pod we discussed Kyle's journey as an artist, anxiety, depression, perseverance and overcoming the challenges life throws at you. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Acrylics by Kyle on social media and find out how to commission him for your own print below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acrylicsbykyle/You can follow Kyle's personal social media channel as well below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khawker_/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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In the fifty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we checked-in with Jay Fisher. Jay is the founder of 'anotherletterj', a poetry platform with words for your dark times, good times and all the times in between.He is also the founder of his own photography business, 'Jay Fisher Photography'.In this pod we discussed his love of poetry, photography and roller-blading as well as the relationships which have shaped his life and his mental health. We also talk about his experiences of toxic masculinity growing up and the relationship he has with his school-friend and Mind On The Game guest, Jay Williams. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow anotherletterj, Jay Fisher Photography and Jay's personal channel on social media below: anotherletterj: https://www.instagram.com/anotherletterj/Jay Fisher Photography: https://www.instagram.com/jayfisherphoto/Jay Fisher: https://www.instagram.com/jyfshr/You can also visit his website for more information here: https://www.jayfisher.co/Music: @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 two members of North-East London band, See You At Home, Josh and Charlie. We discussed the SYAH journey, Josh and Charlie's lived experience of anxiety, how they support each other's mental health as a band and much more. As always, #itsokaytoventYou can listen to See You At Home on streaming platforms below:Bandcamp: https://syah.band/bandcampSpotify: https://syah.band/spotifyYouTube: https://syah.band/youtubeYou can also follow the band on social media below:Instagram: https://syah.band/instagramTwitter: https://syah.band/twitterMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

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