I’m joined in this episode by Myles Usher-Doyle, a speech coach and the founder of Speak-Well Coaching who has coached top tier communicators such as Chris Williamson (Host of Modern Wisdom).

We talk about what sits underneath confident communication - why so many of us struggle to be seen when we speak, how fear shows up in the body, and why confidence is often less about learning techniques and more about feeling safe enough to show up as yourself.

Myles shares insights from his work helping people find their voice, from eye contact and body language to the deeper emotional patterns that shape how we speak and how we listen.

This is a conversation about presence, vulnerability, and learning to communicate in a way that reflects who you really are.

If you’ve ever felt like you know what you want to say but struggle to say it out loud, this one will resonate.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Gladys Sanda, a tinnitus specialist who has spent over a decade supporting people living with tinnitus - and who also lives with it herself.

We talk about the emotional and psychological impact tinnitus can have, including the fear, isolation, and heightened awareness that often accompany it. Gladys shares her personal experience of living with tinnitus, offering rare insight into what it’s like to both experience the condition and support others through it.

Together, we explore how understanding what’s happening in the nervous system, alongside self-compassion, can change the way tinnitus is experienced. This conversation is about shifting the relationship with tinnitus - and about the possibility of living well, even when the sound doesn’t disappear.

1. Tinnitus affects far more than hearing, often impacting emotional safety, stress levels, and sense of connection
2. Understanding how the brain and nervous system respond to tinnitus can reduce fear and reactivity
3. Self-compassion plays a crucial role in learning to live well with tinnitus
4. A holistic approach that considers both emotional and auditory factors can support long-term wellbeing

📘 Beyond the Noise by Dr Gladys Sanda

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Noise-Practical-Tinnitus-Relief/dp/1036964973/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

🌐 Dr Gladys Sanda

https://drgladys.co.uk

https://www.instagram.com/tinnituswithgladys/

📸 The Lonely Chapter on Instagram

1. https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

This episode is a reflective close to the year - a curated collection of moments from conversations across 2025 that stayed with us.

It’s not a ranking of guests or episodes, and it’s not about what was “best”. Instead, these are moments where something honest was said, something meaningful clicked, or something human was revealed in a way that lingered long after the conversation ended.

Across the year, The Lonely Chapter explored life, loss, identity, mental health, purpose, resilience, and what it means to live well when the answers aren’t obvious. This highlights episode brings together those ideas through powerful excerpts from full conversations, offering space to reflect rather than conclusions to follow.

Episodes by order:

1. Episode 79 - Inside the Mind of a World Record Endurance Athlete | Sean Conway

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5jWpNXWM9cmBQG00Tz1vr6?si=_7nVvU5yTRqoRDezZ61trQ

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000737058489

1. Episode 52 - Exploring Origin Stories with David McIntosh: Motivation, Struggles & Triumphs

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4IHHWeIxIvXuH235ujp30Q?si=OQeC6MCIT_-et63ImZSgtw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000705215827

1. Episode 63 - Mastering the Art of Communication with Davina Hehn: Avoiding Conflict in Parenting

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1s7LFtCOAlXHv9r0TN8UZI?si=IIP3Yw8bRrW7qyP8QaC9mw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000713060803

1. Episode 44 - Why Men Struggle in Silence | Martin Seager on Men’s Mental Health

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Lw4H6aPImgdqgWL05Q5jW?si=PHlCPPmCRI-vkDhI87qPSw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000695470477

1. Episode 37 - Edward Troise: From Steroids to Strength — Rope Flow & Kettlebell Fitness Transformation

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1plkiMHLo0bJzKLr40nLgc?si=w9akoJxhQ9ix-QE0jrocCg

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000682838614

1. Episode 66 - The Truth About Mental Health in Frontline Services | James Bull

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/22HBEJg2021k1IaHKx0O4k?si=K7cnw6RmSaeDuvj8ay4olw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000721473832

1. Episode 57 - Overcoming SVT and Scoliosis: Jess Maclean’s Inspiring Journey of Resilience

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kfmXusrgkHaUvNyWT7vtB?si=2WafI-5IRby76poGPynqLQ

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000712058732

1. Episode 48 - Dr. Stevens on Low Testosterone and TRT: From Symptoms to Solutions

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Rw2YMPzveU8NNb2kXFnpU?si=mOLczgZlQL6kkO6RFywh0w

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000700566655

1. Episode 73 - From Anger to Art: Finding Purpose Through Dance | Shaun Dillon

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/40TmU21hNCMS6udVeWBOZr?si=K3D4XQNmTcWfYp3-WAiLxQ

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000729037578

1. Episode 82 - How to Build People Who Aren’t Afraid | Football Coach Mark Robinson on Leadership & Resilience

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/11x4qTO6qWPXCO6sabdF9G?si=R_9fZQLpTp2-i23-49je5g

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000740184967

1. Episode 64 - Mark O’Brien on Losing Football, Finding Himself & Life After the Game

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1dLU0yHZX7xbsuzU9agUGR?si=rh2k6bjdSr-jX27jErAyow

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-lonely-chapter/id1744173358?i=1000719462298

If any moment resonates, I would encourage you to return to the full episode it came from - because context always matters.

→ Conversations on grief, loss, and identity

→ Reflections on mental health beyond labels

→ Insight into physiology, resilience, and meaning

→ Stories of hardship, perspective shifts, and quiet strength

Thank you for listening, and for spending another year with The Lonely Chapter.

In this episode of the Lonely Chapter Podcast, I embark on an exploration of the questions that have punctuated our discussions over the past year, with the aim of igniting thoughtful dialogue among listeners.

Each question, derived from a diverse array of guests, serves as an invitation to delve into profound themes surrounding identity, vulnerability, and the essence of living authentically.

The inquiries I revisit range from the existential to the practical, prompting listeners to reflect on their own lives. For example, I contemplate the question posed by Stephanie Nicoletti, 'Who are you at your core?', and share my insights on the difference between identity and self-identification. This exploration reveals the intricacies of how we perceive ourselves and the potential impact of external factors on our sense of identity. The episode also addresses the importance of vulnerability in communication, inspired by Lisa Sugarman's question about nurturing deeper connections with those closest to us.

Ultimately, this episode is not merely a retrospective; rather, it is a call to action for listeners to engage with these questions in their own lives and to foster meaningful conversations with others.

As we navigate the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take the time to reflect on these inquiries, enhancing both personal growth and the bonds we share with those around us.

Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

Zack Sikora was born with Spina Bifida, but his story is not defined by limitation - it’s defined by independence, discipline and doing hard things.

From wheelchair tennis to MMA to building his own podcast studio, Zack shares the mindset and moments that shaped him.

This episode explores the reality of growing up with Spina Bifida, the misconceptions surrounding disability, the confidence he built through adaptive sport, and how he rewrote his story through discipline, creativity and self-belief.

In this episode:
→ Spina Bifida, identity & independence
→ Wheelchair tennis, coaching & adaptive sport
→ Discipline, systems & losing 60lbs
→ MMA, pressure & becoming formidable
→ Building a podcast studio alone
→ What the "Lonely Chapter" meant in his life
→ Why "this will be the story I'll one day tell" became his anchor

Follow Zack:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheelz3.14/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Wheelz3.14

Follow Sam:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

In this episode, football coach Mark Robinson - former Chelsea U21 Head Coach and the man who built AFC Wimbledon’s academy from scratch - joins me to explore leadership, mindset, player development and the role of failure in growth.

We dive into:
→ How to build non-fear learning environments
→ Coaching mindset and reflection processes
→ Why failure, mistakes and “hiccups” are essential to development
→ High-challenge / high-support coaching
→ Player ownership and accountability
→ Emotional resilience, confidence and anti-fragility
→ What great coaches do differently
→ The psychology behind growth, pressure and performance

Mark has coached and developed players who’ve gone on to the Premier League, led Chelsea’s U21s to a record unbeaten run, and transformed AFC Wimbledon during one of the toughest periods in the club’s history.

His insights into leadership, culture and human development go far beyond football.

If you’re interested in growth, mindset, coaching or resilience, this conversation will hit home.

November may be Men’s Health Month - but men’s health is a year-round issue.

In this solo episode of The Lonely Chapter, Sam reflects on co-hosting an International Men’s Day event at London Fire Brigade HQ and the eye-opening conversations around:

→ Men’s mental health & suicide
→ Loneliness and identity
→ Low testosterone and physical health
→ Gambling addiction
→ Prostate cancer
→ The strain of emergency service careers
→ The impact of shift work & sleep loss

Drawing on first-hand experience in the fire service and previous work with Samaritans, this episode highlights why men struggle in silence - and what can actually be done to change that.

You’ll also get simple, practical steps that can help improve your health, your connections, and your outlook - starting today.

If you found value in this episode, please follow the show and leave a rating. It helps more people find these conversations.

📍 Instagram: @lonelychapterpodcast

Most people aren’t calm — they’re emotionally numb.

In this episode of The Lonely Chapter, I sit down with sacred artist and creative guide Polina Davi to explore how creativity can become a powerful tool for emotional healing, self-discovery and transformation.

We talk about why so many people feel disconnected from themselves in a hyper-stimulated world, how suppressed emotions manifest as anxiety, anger and burnout, and why stillness, self-expression and connection to nature are essential parts of the healing process.

Polina shares her practices around sacred geometry, intuitive art, silence, body-based healing, emotional release and deep reconnection — offering a new perspective on how art can help you remember who you truly are.

If you’ve felt numb, overwhelmed, lost or disconnected, this conversation will meet you where you are.

🔗 Connect with Polina📲

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/polinadavi_sacred_art/

Website:
https://polinadavi.art/

Follow the podcast:

Instagram: @lonelychapterpodcast

What does it really take to break a world record — and then walk away from the title?

In this episode of The Lonely Chapter, world-record endurance athlete Sean Conway opens up about the mindset, philosophy and inner drive behind his extraordinary life of adventure.

Sean shares how he approaches world records, why he embraces a “90% chance of failure,” and how fear, pain and purpose fuel his biggest challenges.

We unpack Sean’s approach to resilience, problem-solving, identity, obsession, and what he’s learned from years of pushing the limits of human endurance.

Whether you’re drawn to extreme challenges, personal growth, or honest conversations about what it takes to do something remarkable, this episode offers rare insight into a truly unique mind.

🔗 Connect with Sean:
https://www.seanconway.com/
https://www.instagram.com/seanconwayadventure/

🔗 Follow the podcast:
https://www.instagram.com/lonelychapterpodcast/

Two days scrambling in Snowdonia reminded me how quickly life can snap into focus.

In this short solo episode, I share reflections from the Snowdon Horseshoe — the knife-edge Crib Goch, the flowers marked “RIP,” and how choosing to do hard things builds real resilience.

I also talk about the loss of hobbies in the age of screen-time, why testing yourself matters, and how following your curiosity is often enough to move forward.

A simple reminder to try your version of hard.