The Just Checking In Podcast

In the thirty-second episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to Headteacher of ThornHill Community Academy School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Matthew Burton. Matthew came into a bit of fame through a little show called ‘Educating Yorkshire’, which was broadcast on Channel 4 in September 2013, after which he became affectionately known as 'Mr Burton' to the wider public. The show focused on the day-to-day life of ThornHill Community Academy School in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire where he was an English Teacher, when the show was filmed. Stories focused on children and staff alike, from Year 9s struggling to manage school life to stressed-out Year 11s concentrating on their GCSE exams, teenage relationships, fights, bullying and one truly inspirational young lad called Musharaf.In this pod we talked about the show, how Matt, his colleagues and the students dealt with fame as well as Musharaf and the life-changing story which catapulted them both into the national spotlight. We also discussed his teaching journey to date, Matt's experiences of imposter syndrome and fatherhood, including his wife's miscarriage which occurred shortly before the filming of Educating Yorkshire took place.Also on the menu was COVID-19 and how it has affected his students lives, particularly GCSE and A-Level students, Matt's newly published book 'Go Big: The Secondary School Survival Guide' as well as his new podcast, 'Until Further Notice'. As always, #itsokaytovent Follow Matt on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MatthewCBurtonYou can purchase Matt's new book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Go-Big-Secondary-School-Survival/dp/152636235X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TRTP0BBGCTIH&dchild=1&keywords=go+big+matthew+burton&qid=1587318618&sprefix=Go+big+the+%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1Listen to episode of 'Until Further Notice' here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OF0trhwdFPQWk6hMAJiYVIf you have been affected by miscarriage and the discussions on this podcast, access information and support via the Miscarriage Association here: https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/ or phone 01924 200799 (open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the thirty-first episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to mental health advocate Sam Evans. Sam works in the pharmaceuticals industry in his full-time job but when one of his friends from University tragically took his own life, he felt compelled to do something. Since that moment, Sam has done multiple successful 'Movember' campaigns, raising thousands of pounds for Movember UK and has raised awareness around men's mental health in his hometown, his workplace and his social network. In this pod we discussed Sam's upbringing in the Welsh valleys and his hometown of Aberdare, the role that rugby had in his community and shaping him into the person he is today, his mental health journey, being seen as a mental health advocate and of course a mental health chat!As always, #itsokaytoventFollow Sam on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_evans23/Find out more about Movember UK here: https://uk.movember.com/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the thirtieth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to videographer, photographer and Venue and Events Bar Manager in the live music venue industry, Colm Brett. Colm is also Founder of Colm Brett Visuals. where he shows clients and his audience the world through his lens. In this pod we discussed Colm's work as a events professional, the venues he has worked at and how they help the mental health of their respective clientele. We also discussed how he and his fellow colleagues manage their own mental health amongst the long hours, unsociable working patterns and the camaraderie that fosters amongst them.Also on the menu was Colm's own mental health journey and his experiences of anxiety and panic attacks whilst writing his University dissertation, travelling and of course a mental health chat! As always, #itsokaytoventFollow Colm on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colm1342/Follow Colm Brett Visuals on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colmbrett_visuals/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCube0t_NcOF4DbRgi0bd0Xw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colmbrettvisuals/Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-ninth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Vent Champion Paola Bombo.'Paz' as she is affectionately known to her friends is a Data Analyst and also former first team and club captain at Kings College London (KCL) University Women’s Rugby Team. In this pod we discussed her rugby journey from picking up a rugby ball for the first time at University to becoming club captain, the positive impact that rugby has had on her life, the progress that's been made in the women's game at grass-roots and international level and Maggie Alphonsi! We also discussed her mental health journey, her experiences of anxiety and depression which led her to make the decision to drop out of University for a year and of course a mental health chat! As always, #itsokaytoventMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-eighth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to UK DJ, Jack Sirkett. Jack is a regular DJ on the London and UK touring circuit and was the first contributor to our 'Behind the Decks' feature, which gives a voice to DJs and producers who wish to share their mental health experiences in the music industry or outside it. Jack is also Founder of London not-for-profit collective, Artsclub.Artsclub is a not-for-profit collective, which focuses on bringing the creative community together by showcasing music and the visual arts and gives opportunities for artists within club culture to express themselves, whether they DJ, design or exhibit. With an emphasis on raising money for local charities, Artsclub wants to give something back to the music scene they know and love so much.Jack also wrote an article for Vent about his experiences of living with tinnitus which was the first topic we discussed with him. We also discussed his music and DJing journey, his favourite music literature, his mental health journey and of course a mental health chat! Read the article Jack wrote on tinnitus in full here: http://vent.org.uk/surface-noise-my-experience-with-tinnitus You can also read the article Jack wrote for Behind the Decks here: http://vent.org.uk/dangers-of-the-booth-how-djing-affects-mental-healthIf you're a musician and have lived experience of tinnitus and need extra help or support, you can find out about the Musicians Hearing Health Scheme mentioned on the pod here: https://www.musicianshearingservices.co.uk/what-we-do/musicans-hearing-health-scheme/ If you are a musician and are struggling with your mental health, you can find out about Music Minds Matter mentioned on the pod here: https://www.musicmindsmatter.org.uk/ Follow Jack on social media below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sirkettmusic/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacksirkett/ Follow Artsclub on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsclubldn/ As always, #itsokaytoventMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-seventh episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to men's life coach Eldridge Cooke. We met Eldridge at an event run by the Whole Man Academy and we knew from speaking to him for five minutes about his story that we wanted him on the Pod. Originally from East London, Eldridge's journey is remarkable and not one constrained by stereotypes placed upon him when he was younger. We discussed his life coach business and his mantra #RaiseYourRoar, his journey, fatherhood, an exploration of black identity, stereotypes, literature and of course a mental health chat. Follow Eldridge on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eldridgecooke1/Website: https://linktr.ee/eldridgecooke1As always, #itsokaytovent Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-sixth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker and Founder of Nottingham-based community project, Helping Kids Achieve (HKA), Keiren Thompson.Helping Kids Achieve offers young people the opportunity to engage in sports, particularly basketball which Keiren coaches, as well as other interactive activities such as arts and crafts, and music, with the aim of keeping them away from gangs and getting involved in anti-social behaviour.Keiren came to the public's attention when he won the 2019 BBC Sports Personality of the Year 'Unsung Hero' Award. We chatted about how and why he started Helping Kids Achieve and the incident which hospitalised him as a teenager and was the catalyst for him to start HKA.We also discussed him winning the award itself, the issues facing young people today and of course a mental health chat. Follow Helping Kids Achieve on social media below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Helpingkidsachieve1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpingkidsachieve/Follow Keiren on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/keiren_hkaAs always, #itsokaytovent Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-fifth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to guitarist in East London Rock band Cavalcade, Jack Campbell.Cavalcade first came to Vent's attention through their single 'Blueness Is A Heavy Stone' and the mental health themes which were present throughout the record. To mark the launch of that single, we did a More Than A Record interview with the band about it, which you can read here: http://vent.org.uk/more-than-a-record-cavalcade-interview In this pod, we spoke to Jack about Cavalcade's journey, how and why Jack got into music and Jack's experiences of living with disassociation and anxiety. We also discussed the impact that losing Jack's father only a couple of years ago has had on him, his family and his mental health. Listen to Blueness Is A Heavy Stone here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkWZFpRzPgIFollow Cavalcade on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cavalcadeband/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CavalcadeBand/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cavalcade__As always, #itsokaytoventMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-fourth episode of the Just Checking In Podcast we spoke to youth worker Shane Tewiah. Shane is a Lead Key Worker for high-risk young people, working with them on a daily basis to change their lives and make sure they do not take the wrong path in life. In this pod we spoke about the life-changing work Shane does on a day-to-day basis and the issues the young people he works with are facing such as knife crime, social media and perfectionism culture. We also discussed Shane's journey, his family, his mixed-heritage of Zimbabwe and Ghana and of course a mental health chat!As always, #itsokaytoventMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise

In the twenty-third episode of the Just Checking In Podcast, we spoke to Engineer from East London, Jacob George. We pride ourselves on being a community platform that tries to help anyone who needs it.This pod is the first time Jacob has been open about his mental health, specifically his experiences of anxiety, panic attacks and depression. We also discussed his journey of becoming a father at a very young age, the negative impact that social media had on him and his mental health, the tools he uses to help his mental health and of course, a mental health chat! As always, #itsokaytoventMusic: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

Support Us:

• Patreon
• PayPal
• Merchandise