The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

By Podcasters David Jones & Dr Naomi MurphySociety & Culture Health & Fitness Mental Health True Crime

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments episodes

June 19, 2024 Robert Verkaik; Exploring social inequality. (Audio)
Robert Verkaik, author and journalist, discusses his passionate interest in social inequality and the impact of poverty on communities. He shares his personal experiences and observations that have shaped his interest in the subject. The conversation also touches on the difference between being rich and being wealthy, the ethics of wealth, the impact of the austerity agenda, and the portrayal of poverty in the media. Robert suggests solutions such as tax reform, a universal basic income, and addressing the issues surrounding private education. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Robert's latest book, 'The Traitor of Arnhem', and the lingering effects of World War II on Russia's political culture.
Bio
Robert is an author and journalist specialising in security and social mobility. His journalism appears in the Guardian, Independent, i newspaper, Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times.
Robert was the home affairs editor and law editor at The Independent, where he worked for 12 years. After leaving the Independent he joined the Mail on Sunday as security editor.
Since the 9.11 attacks on America, he has covered the 'war on terror' and has visited the US detention camp at Guantanamo Bay and interviewed victims of torture in Syria. He has also headed media campaigns against ‘secret justice’ and in support of greater press freedoms. More recently he has been writing about the causes of extremism and social immobility.
His reporting has been long-listed for both the Orwell Prize and the Paul Foot Awards. He was a runner-up in the specialist journalist category at the 2013 National Press Awards. He is also a non-practising qualified barrister called to the Bar in 2007.

Robert is the author of six books: The Traitor of Arnhem (2024); The Traitor of Colditz (2022); Why You Won't Get Rich, how capitalism broke its contract with hard work (2021); Defiant: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain (2020); Jihadi John: The Making of a Terrorist (2016) and Posh Boys: How English Public Schools Ruin Britain (2018) His reporting has been long-listed for both the Orwell Prize and the Paul Foot Awards. He was a runner-up in the specialist journalist category at the 2013 National Press Awards.
His latest book is The Traitor of Arnhem which demonstrates why Putin is threatening the West today.
53 min
June 19, 2024 Robert Verkaik; Exploring Social Inequality. (Video)
Robert Verkaik, author and journalist, discusses his passionate interest in social inequality and the impact of poverty on communities. He shares his personal experiences and observations that have shaped his interest in the subject. The conversation also touches on the difference between being rich and being wealthy, the ethics of wealth, the impact of the austerity agenda, and the portrayal of poverty in the media. Robert suggests solutions such as tax reform, a universal basic income, and addressing the issues surrounding private education. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Robert's latest book, 'The Traitor of Arnhem', and the lingering effects of World War II on Russia's political culture.
Bio
Robert is an author and journalist specialising in security and social mobility. His journalism appears in the Guardian, Independent, i newspaper, Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times.
Robert was the home affairs editor and law editor at The Independent, where he worked for 12 years. After leaving the Independent he joined the Mail on Sunday as security editor.
Since the 9.11 attacks on America, he has covered the 'war on terror' and has visited the US detention camp at Guantanamo Bay and interviewed victims of torture in Syria. He has also headed media campaigns against ‘secret justice’ and in support of greater press freedoms. More recently he has been writing about the causes of extremism and social immobility.
His reporting has been long-listed for both the Orwell Prize and the Paul Foot Awards. He was a runner-up in the specialist journalist category at the 2013 National Press Awards. He is also a non-practising qualified barrister called to the Bar in 2007.

Robert is the author of six books: The Traitor of Arnhem (2024); The Traitor of Colditz (2022); Why You Won't Get Rich, how capitalism broke its contract with hard work (2021); Defiant: The Untold Story of the Battle of Britain (2020); Jihadi John: The Making of a Terrorist (2016) and Posh Boys: How English Public Schools Ruin Britain (2018) His reporting has been long-listed for both the Orwell Prize and the Paul Foot Awards. He was a runner-up in the specialist journalist category at the 2013 National Press Awards.
His latest book is The Traitor of Arnhem which demonstrates why Putin is threatening the West today.
53 min
June 12, 2024 Rosie; Surviving the Unthinkable: Overcoming Trauma and Rebuilding a Life
Rosie’s husband was convicted of sexual abuse involving contact offences committed against adolescent boys many years previously. He served 5 years in prison and has recently been released. They had been married for over 40 years when he was arrested. Rosie has stood by him as she sees he is much more than his offences; she also recognises that he has done a huge amount of good in his life which cannot be forgotten. What she has learned on this prison journey and the people who has met have made her rethink so much about herself, society and our criminal justice system.

In this podcast episode, Rosie shares her personal experiences and offers advice for individuals who have been through traumatic situations. She emphasizes the importance of being careful with triggers, such as music, and suggests having phone numbers of supportive people or helplines readily available. Rosie also highlights the significance of having a plan and being kind to oneself, especially during difficult times like evenings and weekends. She encourages taking one moment at a time and finding beauty in the small things around us. Rosie discusses the challenges of maintaining relationships in the face of trauma and suggests the need for more support to help relationships survive. She also mentions the importance of acceptance and not running away from one's problems. The conversation touches on the lack of support and information available to individuals in similar situations and the need for better resources. Overall, Rosie's story is powerful and offers insights into resilience and self-care in the face of adversity.

52 min
June 05, 2024Michael Davitt; Overcoming Emotional Neglect: A Story of Resilience
Michael Davitt, an author focused on mental health issues, shares his experience with complex PTSD stemming from emotional neglect in childhood. He chose a pseudonym, Luke Pemberton, to write about his parents and childhood to protect their identity. Michael discusses his struggle with attachment and the deep-seated fear of abandonment and rejection. He highlights the impact of emotional neglect and the difficulty in acknowledging and articulating its effects. Michael also talks about his career in the Diplomatic Service and how his lack of confidence hindered his progression. Drawing played a fundamental role in Michael Davitt's recovery from trauma. He started doodling stick figures and found it cathartic and useful. He eventually turned his drawings into books about his life experiences. Drawing allowed him to express complex emotions and convey them more quickly and powerfully than words. Michael emphasizes the importance of creative expression for anyone who has gone through trauma. He also discusses the need for a trauma-informed society and the barriers to seeking therapy for emotional neglect. Introspection and connecting with the inner child are key to healing.

KeywordsMichael Davitt, mental health, complex PTSD, emotional neglect, childhood trauma, attachment, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, toxic shame, pseudonym, Luke Pemberton, career, Diplomatic Service, lack of confidence, drawing, recovery, trauma, cathartic, creative expression, therapy, emotional neglect, introspection, inner child, trauma-informed society
Takeaways
Emotional neglect in childhood can have long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being.
The fear of abandonment and rejection can stem from a lack of attachment to parents.
Toxic shame can develop when a child blames themselves for emotional neglect.
Using a pseudonym to write about personal experiences may be a way to protect oneself and avoid confronting the pain.
Childhood trauma can hinder confidence and career progression.
Emotional abuse and neglect are often overlooked and difficult to articulate, but they can be as damaging as physical or sexual abuse. Drawing can be a powerful tool for expressing and processing emotions, especially for those who have experienced trauma.
Creative expression, such as drawing, writing, or music, is important for healing and recovery.
A trauma-informed society is necessary to raise awareness and support those who have experienced trauma.
Introspection and connecting with the inner child are crucial for healing from emotional neglect and trauma.

www.lukepemberton.com
Published books:
How to Put a Troubled Past Behind You: A FRESH, drawing-based approach (Find help, Record your feelings, Sketch your thoughts, and Harvest your success (self-published 2021).
How to Feel More Beautiful Inside: Learn to love yourself a little more, one step at a time (self-published, with ebookpartnership, 2020).
How to See Religion Differently: What questioning your beliefs can reveal, and why it can lead to a healthier mind (Silverwood Books, 2018)
How To Sort Your Head Out: Build Your Self-Esteem by Understanding Your Emotional Fears (self-published, with ebookpartnership, 2017),
How to Find Your Way Out When in Despair: a guide to rediscovering your self-worth (SilverWood books, 2016, re-issued 2018)
56 min
June 05, 2024Michael Davitt; (video) Overcoming Emotional Neglect: A Story of Resilience
Michael Davitt, an author focused on mental health issues, shares his experience with complex PTSD stemming from emotional neglect in childhood. He chose a pseudonym, Luke Pemberton, to write about his parents and childhood to protect their identity. Michael discusses his struggle with attachment and the deep-seated fear of abandonment and rejection. He highlights the impact of emotional neglect and the difficulty in acknowledging and articulating its effects. Michael also talks about his career in the Diplomatic Service and how his lack of confidence hindered his progression. Drawing played a fundamental role in Michael Davitt's recovery from trauma. He started doodling stick figures and found it cathartic and useful. He eventually turned his drawings into books about his life experiences. Drawing allowed him to express complex emotions and convey them more quickly and powerfully than words. Michael emphasizes the importance of creative expression for anyone who has gone through trauma. He also discusses the need for a trauma-informed society and the barriers to seeking therapy for emotional neglect. Introspection and connecting with the inner child are key to healing.

KeywordsMichael Davitt, mental health, complex PTSD, emotional neglect, childhood trauma, attachment, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, toxic shame, pseudonym, Luke Pemberton, career, Diplomatic Service, lack of confidence, drawing, recovery, trauma, cathartic, creative expression, therapy, emotional neglect, introspection, inner child, trauma-informed society
Takeaways
Emotional neglect in childhood can have long-lasting effects on mental health and well-being.
The fear of abandonment and rejection can stem from a lack of attachment to parents.
Toxic shame can develop when a child blames themselves for emotional neglect.
Using a pseudonym to write about personal experiences may be a way to protect oneself and avoid confronting the pain.
Childhood trauma can hinder confidence and career progression.
Emotional abuse and neglect are often overlooked and difficult to articulate, but they can be as damaging as physical or sexual abuse. Drawing can be a powerful tool for expressing and processing emotions, especially for those who have experienced trauma.
Creative expression, such as drawing, writing, or music, is important for healing and recovery.
A trauma-informed society is necessary to raise awareness and support those who have experienced trauma.
Introspection and connecting with the inner child are crucial for healing from emotional neglect and trauma.

www.lukepemberton.com
Published books:
How to Put a Troubled Past Behind You: A FRESH, drawing-based approach (Find help, Record your feelings, Sketch your thoughts, and Harvest your success (self-published 2021).
How to Feel More Beautiful Inside: Learn to love yourself a little more, one step at a time (self-published, with ebookpartnership, 2020).
How to See Religion Differently: What questioning your beliefs can reveal, and why it can lead to a healthier mind (Silverwood Books, 2018)
How To Sort Your Head Out: Build Your Self-Esteem by Understanding Your Emotional Fears (self-published, with ebookpartnership, 2017),
How to Find Your Way Out When in Despair: a guide to rediscovering your self-worth (SilverWood books, 2016, re-issued 2018)
55 min
May 29, 2024 Louis de Berniere-Smart; Abuse and adventure; Finding Inspiration in Untold Stories (Video)
Novelist Louis de Bernières was born into a military family, and flown out to Jordan in a bomber. At the age of eight he was sent to Grenham House in Kent, a prep school run by two headmasters, one of them a paedophile and the other a sadist. He became fluent in Latin. Then he went to Bradfield College in Berkshire where he spent a lot of time fishing, and working for a local farmer when he was supposed to be doing sports. He then spent four months failing to become an army officer at Sandhurst, when what he really wanted to do was grow his hair long and play the guitar. In disgrace, he fled to Colombia where he worked as a tutor on a ranch belonging to an Englishman who also turned out to be a paedophile. He learned to ride western style, use a lasso, and round up cattle.
He came home and studied philosophy at Manchester University, financing it by working as a landscape gardener. Afterwards he worked variously as hospital porter, landscape gardener, mechanic in a bent Morris Minor garage in East London, philosophy tutor, carpenter, motorcycle messenger, and English and Drama teacher in Ipswich. He trained to be a teacher in Leicester, and won a masters with distinction at the Institute of Education in London. He worked with truants in Battersea until his third novel was published and he was earning the same by writing as he had been as a teacher.

Summary Louis de Berniere-Smart discusses his experience of boarding school and the emotional impact it had on him. He shares the harsh realities, including physical abuse, poor living conditions, and emotional bullying. Louis reflects on the emotional detachment and stoicism that he learned as a coping mechanism, as well as the difficulty of forming attachments and relationships later in life. He also discusses his unconventional path after leaving school, including his time in Colombia and his diverse range of jobs. Louis values connecting with people from all walks of life and has a deep interest in understanding others. In this conversation, Louis discusses his diverse work experiences and how they have influenced his writing. He shares stories from his time working in a garage , highlighting the importance of meaningful connections with people. Louis also talks about his experiences as a father and the impact it had on his life. He discusses the process of writing and how it allows him to explore different kinds of love and escape from self-obsession.
51 min
May 29, 2024 Louis de Berniere-Smart; Abuse and adventure; Finding Inspiration in Untold Stories
Novelist Louis de Bernières was born into a military family, and flown out to Jordan in a bomber. At the age of eight he was sent to Grenham House in Kent, a prep school run by two headmasters, one of them a paedophile and the other a sadist. He became fluent in Latin. Then he went to Bradfield College in Berkshire where he spent a lot of time fishing, and working for a local farmer when he was supposed to be doing sports. He then spent four months failing to become an army officer at Sandhurst, when what he really wanted to do was grow his hair long and play the guitar. In disgrace, he fled to Colombia where he worked as a tutor on a ranch belonging to an Englishman who also turned out to be a paedophile. He learned to ride western style, use a lasso, and round up cattle.
He came home and studied philosophy at Manchester University, financing it by working as a landscape gardener. Afterwards he worked variously as hospital porter, landscape gardener, mechanic in a bent Morris Minor garage in East London, philosophy tutor, carpenter, motorcycle messenger, and English and Drama teacher in Ipswich. He trained to be a teacher in Leicester, and won a masters with distinction at the Institute of Education in London. He worked with truants in Battersea until his third novel was published and he was earning the same by writing as he had been as a teacher.

Summary Louis de Berniere-Smart discusses his experience of boarding school and the emotional impact it had on him. He shares the harsh realities, including physical abuse, poor living conditions, and emotional bullying. Louis reflects on the emotional detachment and stoicism that he learned as a coping mechanism, as well as the difficulty of forming attachments and relationships later in life. He also discusses his unconventional path after leaving school, including his time in Colombia and his diverse range of jobs. Louis values connecting with people from all walks of life and has a deep interest in understanding others. In this conversation, Louis discusses his diverse work experiences and how they have influenced his writing. He shares stories from his time working in a garage , highlighting the importance of meaningful connections with people. Louis also talks about his experiences as a father and the impact it had on his life. He discusses the process of writing and how it allows him to explore different kinds of love and escape from self-obsession.
51 min
May 22, 2024 Dr Brian Richardson; Shattered Trust: Unveiling the Trauma Faced by Whistleblowers and their families (audio)
In this conversation, David and Naomi talk with Dr Brian Richardson, a communications expert at the University of North Texas, who has conducted research on whistleblowers and the impact on their families. Brian explains that his interest in this subject began when he observed the negative response faced by a college basketball player who blew the whistle on his coach's abusive behaviour. This led him to question why individuals who speak the truth and raise concerns are often punished instead of celebrated. Brian's research focuses on the communication dynamics within families of whistleblowers and how they cope with the challenges they face. He highlights the importance of communal coping and negotiating how much conversation should be dedicated to the issue. Brian also discusses the use of metaphors by whistleblowers to describe their experiences and the need for families to maintain connections with outside support systems. He emphasizes the traumatic impact whistleblowing can have on families and the importance of providing resources and support for them.
Dr. Richardson is still interviewing whistleblowers and family members. If you are able to participate his email address is. [email protected]

Dr. Brian Richardson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, where he
then joined the faculty in Communication Studies at the University of North Texas. Specializing
his research in organizational whistleblowing, crisis/disaster communication, and sport
communication, Dr. Richardson was promoted to Associate Professor in 2008 and then recently
to the level of Full Professor. His research has been published in prominent venues including
Management Communication Quarterly, Human Communication Research, International
Journal of Business Communication, Communication and Sport, and the Journal of Applied
Communication Research. Dr. Richardson’s whistleblowing research has examined
whistleblowers in the collegiate sport industry, within K-12 educational contexts, and how
whistleblowing impacts families. He has also led Study Abroad programs in Peru, Nicaragua,
and Panama, and most recently, he won awards for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2022) and
for Excellence in Mentoring via the Ulys and Vera Knight Faculty Mentor Award (2023). He has
conducted communication training for a variety of organizations including the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs – Houston office, Texas Association of Fire Chiefs, UNT System, UNT Health
Science Center, Texas Association of County Auditors, and the Texas Department of Family &
Protective Services.

1 hr 2 min
May 22, 2024 Dr Brian Richardson; Shattered Trust: Unveiling the Trauma Faced by Whistleblowers and their Families (video)
In this conversation, David and Naomi talk with Dr Brian Richardson, a communications expert at the University of North Texas, who has conducted research on whistleblowers and the impact on their families. Brian explains that his interest in this subject began when he observed the negative response faced by a college basketball player who blew the whistle on his coach's abusive behaviour. This led him to question why individuals who speak the truth and raise concerns are often punished instead of celebrated. Brian's research focuses on the communication dynamics within families of whistleblowers and how they cope with the challenges they face. He highlights the importance of communal coping and negotiating how much conversation should be dedicated to the issue. Brian also discusses the use of metaphors by whistleblowers to describe their experiences and the need for families to maintain connections with outside support systems. He emphasizes the traumatic impact whistleblowing can have on families and the importance of providing resources and support for them.
Dr. Richardson is still interviewing whistleblowers and family members. If you are able to participate his email address is [email protected]

Dr. Brian Richardson earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, where he
then joined the faculty in Communication Studies at the University of North Texas. Specializing
his research in organizational whistleblowing, crisis/disaster communication, and sport
communication, Dr. Richardson was promoted to Associate Professor in 2008 and then recently
to the level of Full Professor. His research has been published in prominent venues including
Management Communication Quarterly, Human Communication Research, International
Journal of Business Communication, Communication and Sport, and the Journal of Applied
Communication Research. Dr. Richardson’s whistleblowing research has examined
whistleblowers in the collegiate sport industry, within K-12 educational contexts, and how
whistleblowing impacts families. He has also led Study Abroad programs in Peru, Nicaragua,
and Panama, and most recently, he won awards for Excellence in Graduate Teaching (2022) and
for Excellence in Mentoring via the Ulys and Vera Knight Faculty Mentor Award (2023). He has
conducted communication training for a variety of organizations including the U.S. Department
of Veterans Affairs – Houston office, Texas Association of Fire Chiefs, UNT System, UNT Health
Science Center, Texas Association of County Auditors, and the Texas Department of Family &
Protective Services.
1 hr 2 min
May 15, 2024Jenny Murphy; Exploring the Role of Interoception in Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior (Video)
Summary
Dr Jenny Murphy, is a senior lecturer at the University of Surrey. Here she discusses interoception and its importance in mental and physical health. Interoception refers to the processing of signals that come from inside the body, such as heart rate and breathing. People can differ in their ability to perceive these signals, as well as how much attention they pay to them and how they evaluate them. Interoception is associated with homeostasis and has been linked to various mental health conditions and higher-order cognitive abilities. Measurement of interoception is challenging but can be done through various tasks and self-report measures. Clinical applications include interoception training for anxiety and physical health conditions. Jenny discusses the role of perception and external cues in regulating the body, as well as the potential factors influencing interoception. She explains that her research focuses on measuring interoception and its development, and she is currently studying interoception across the menstrual cycle. Jenny also discusses the clinical implications of her work and the possible integration of interoception into therapy. She emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the need for more research on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Jenny mentions her upcoming textbook on interoception and concludes by offering advice on improving well-being through the understanding and regulation of interoceptive signals. She is editing a textbook on interoception at the moment that should be published by Springer, Nature at the end of the year.
Keywords
interoception, signals, perception, attention, evaluation, mental health, physical health, measurement, clinical applications, perception, external cues, regulation, body, interoception, development, menstrual cycle, clinical implications, therapy, interdisciplinary collaboration, thoughts, feelings, behavior, textbook, well-being
Takeaways
Interoception refers to the processing of signals that come from inside the body, such as heart rate and breathing.
People can differ in their ability to perceive these signals, as well as how much attention they pay to them and how they evaluate them.
Interoception is associated with homeostasis and has been linked to various mental health conditions and higher-order cognitive abilities.
Measurement of interoception is challenging but can be done through various tasks and self-report measures.
Clinical applications of interoception include training for anxiety and physical health conditions. Perception and external cues play a role in regulating the body and compensating for imperfect interoceptive signals.
Jenny's research focuses on measuring interoception and its development, with current studies on interoception across the menstrual cycle.
There are limited clinical implications of interoception research at present, but it may contribute to therapies like mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Interoception is an interdisciplinary field that can benefit from collaboration and integration with other areas of research.
The relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behavior is complex and requires further investigation in the context of interoception.
Jenny is working on a textbook on interoception that aims to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive resource for students and practitioners.
Improving well-being through interoception involves recognizing the balance between paying attention to bodily signals and focusing on external cues.
Publications https://www.jennymurphylab.com/publications
Bio
Jenny completed her PhD at King’s College London in December 2019. Here she investigated the measurement of interoception, it’s developmental trajectory and the relationship between interoception, health and higher order cognition. In April 2020 she took up a lectureship position at Royal Holloway University of London and in March 2024 she took up a senior lectureship position at the University of Surrey. Jenny’s work on interoception has been recognised by several awards for doctoral contributions (from the British Psychological Society, Experimental Psychology Society and King’s College London) and early career prizes (the American Psychological Society Rising Star Award and the Young Investigator Award from the European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience). Jenny is particularly interested in sex differences in interoceptive abilities, including how these emerge across development and whether they relate to sex differences in mental and physical health. She currently holds a New Investigator Grant from the Medical Research Council for investigating changes in interoception across the menstrual cycle.
1 hr 6 min

About The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

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Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be…