In this episode, Julia welcomes mother-daughter duo Doris and Athina to share their personal journey through Athina's struggle with anorexia. They describe how Athina developed the disorder during her teenage years amidst family and societal turmoil, leading to severe health issues and hospitalisation. They discuss the physical and psychological battles they faced, including the shame and denial associated with the illness and the relentless daily struggles of recovery. Doris highlights the importance of trusting parental instincts and maintaining a united front against the disorder, while Athina shares her journey toward acceptance, recovery, and ultimately, living a fuller life. The conversation emphasises the significance of early intervention, the power of professional support, and the enduring impact of family dynamics on recovery.

Support links for carers and advice: 

New Maudsley Carers: https://newmaudsleycarers-kent.co.uk/about-us/

Beat Charity: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties dive into a listener’s question about imposter syndrome. We open up about our own experiences of feeling undeserving or underqualified - even when the facts say otherwise - and unpack why so many of us carry these doubts. We explore how imposter syndrome often acts as a protective mechanism, and how reframing it can help shift the narrative.

From recognising emotional patterns to using stress reappraisal as a tool, we discuss ways to build self-trust, sit with discomfort, and see it as a sign of growth. This one’s all about giving yourself credit - even when your inner critic’s the loudest voice in the room.

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this compelling and candid conversation, Julia sits down with her close friend Mariella Frostrup – renowned author, broadcaster, journalist and tireless campaigner – for a wide-ranging and deeply personal discussion on life, loss, and the pursuit of equity.

Mariella reflects on her remarkable career path, from the world of music PR to becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable voices in journalism and broadcasting. She opens up about the early trauma of losing her father, the resilience forged in childhood, and the enduring impact it’s had on her outlook.

Mariella shares what drives her advocacy for women’s rights – particularly around menopause and midlife. As the UK government’s menopause ambassador, she’s on a mission to tackle workplace inequality and challenge long-standing stigma around women's health.

This episode is a celebration of fighting spirit, friendship, and the power of using your voice – not just for yourself, but for the generations of women who follow.

00:50 Early Life and Formative Experiences

02:25 Challenges and Resilience

08:45 Fighting for Women's Rights

21:16 Menopause and Advocacy

25:10 The Norm of Curvy Career Paths

25:46 Menopause and Workplace Discrimination

26:34 Campaigning Challenges and Strategies

27:23 Personal Reflections on Campaigning

35:09 The Importance of Menopause Awareness

41:29 Personal Growth and Overcoming Adversity

45:06 Parenting and Childhood Reflections

Find Mariella:

Website: https://www.mariellafrostrup.com

Instagram: @mfrostrup

Buy her book 'Cracking the Menopause': https://amzn.eu/d/ftcAjjL 

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener's question about feeling less valued than their younger half-brother by their stepmother. The listener shares experiences of unequal treatment and seeks advice on addressing these feelings without causing more tension. They discuss the challenges of adult children living at home, navigating complex family dynamics, and offer practical communication strategies. The episode emphasises the importance of being self-reflective and seeking supportive conversations both within and outside the family.

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.



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In this powerful and very moving episode, Esther Ghey shares her story of unimaginable loss — the tragic murder of her daughter, Brianna Ghey, in February 2023. Speaking with grace and courage, Esther opens up about her grief journey, her ongoing campaign to improve mental health support for young people, and her mission to create safer online spaces through her charity, Peace and Mind UK.

Esther discusses the healing practices that have helped her, including mindfulness, meditation, and the transformative power of self-compassion. She also reflects on the complexities of Brianna’s life and the harsh realities young people face online today. One of the most striking moments in this conversation is Esther’s expression of empathy toward the mother of one of her daughter’s killers - a testament to her capacity for forgiveness and her commitment to peace over hatred.

Through her book, Under a Pink Sky, and her advocacy work, Esther is turning personal tragedy into meaningful change - and this conversation is a deeply emotional and inspiring reminder of the human capacity for compassion and hope.

Timestamps:

00:19 – The Tragic Loss of Brianna Ghey

01:07 – Coping with Grief and Mental Health

02:28 – Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

06:07 – Reflections on Personal Struggles

13:24 – Brianna’s Complex Personality

16:30 – The Impact of Social Media and Lockdown

19:52 – Family Struggles and Addiction

21:28 – The Dangers of Online Content

25:09 – Parental Challenges and Public Perception

27:12 – A Mother’s Compassion: Meeting the Killer’s Mother

27:55 – The Power of Forgiveness and Empathy

29:22 – Building Bridges: Friendship with Emma

31:24 – Restorative Justice and Letting Go of Hate

34:14 – Peace and Mind UK: A Legacy of Hope

37:32 – Cherry Blossoms and Pink Skies: Signs from Brianna

39:21 – Grief, Acceptance, and the Mystery of Afterlife

42:13 – Reflections on the Conversation with Emily and Sophie

Buy Esther's book: https://amzn.eu/d/b59YwyE

Support Peace and Mind UK: https://www.peaceandminduk.org/

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this Agony Aunties episode, a listener writes in about the emotional challenges of caring for her mother who is starting to show signs of aging. The Agony Aunties discuss the delicate balance between providing help and respecting the parent's independence. They highlight the importance of having tender, collaborative conversations and preparing for the future. The discussion also touches on the emotional complexity of witnessing a parent's decline and offers practical advice for maintaining patience and understanding.

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Emma Barnett opens up about the unseen struggles that have shaped both her personal and professional life.

Emma shares her journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, the toll of chronic pain, and the emotional realities of going through IVF to have her children. Speaking with clarity, honesty and conviction, she dismantles taboos around women’s health and offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of motherhood — one that goes far beyond picture-perfect expectations.

We also dive into her book Maternity Service, where Emma challenges outdated notions of maternity leave and reclaims the narrative of what it means to become a mother. This episode is a candid reflection on resilience, identity, and why the stories we don’t often tell are the ones that matter most.

01:02 Emma's Health Challenges

03:13 IVF Journey and Motherhood

05:50 Living with Pain and Finding Strength

08:28 Emma's Background and Upbringing

15:11 Professional Life and Broadcasting

20:26 Discussing the Book 'Maternity Service'

33:25 Losing and Gaining Yourself

33:43 Balancing Career and Home Life

34:00 The Importance of Flexibility

35:12 The 'Let Them' Movement

35:26 Influence and Relationships

38:50 Community and Support

45:46 Survival Strategies for Parents

49:07 Hope and Determination

54:24 Reflections on Motherhood

Find Emma:

Instagram: @emmabarnett

Buy her book, Maternity Service: https://amzn.eu/d/3C2izpu

Website: https://www.emmabarnett.org/

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties tackle a listener's question about dealing with the pain of family estrangement. They provide thoughtful advice, suggesting outreach to communities in similar situations, the therapeutic use of letters, and the importance of individual and family therapy. They emphasise the necessity of processing grief, managing obsessive thoughts, and finding personal agency in the face of unresolved trauma. Lastly, they acknowledge the listener's own emotional journey and encourage self-support during this challenging time.

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In this heartfelt episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia welcomes Lindsey Burrow, widow of rugby legend Rob Burrow. Lindsey discusses the challenges of coping with Rob's battle against motor neurone disease and life after his passing in June 2024. She opens up about dealing with anticipatory grief, the struggle of single parenthood, and maintaining a positive mindset. Lindsey also shares her ways of coping through exercise, the importance of communication, and the support she received from family and friends. Lindsey also sheds light on the role of unpaid carers, the importance of exercise and communication, and her efforts to continue Rob's legacy through fundraising for a specialist MND care centre and her upcoming book, 'Take Care,' which which focuses on love, resilience, and the power of family during adversity.

Buy Lindsey's book: https://amzn.eu/d/epJlLxi

Follow Lindsey on Instagram: @rob7lindsey

00:22 Lindsey Burrow's Story: Life with Rob Burrow

01:11 Greatest Challenges After Rob's Passing

03:03 Coping with Grief and Loss

04:25 Balancing Parenthood and Personal Grief

06:02 The Role of a Carer

15:44 Children's Grief and Resilience

29:10 Rob's Legacy and Future Plans

30:17 Writing the Book: A Therapeutic Journey

32:57 Final Thoughts

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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In today's episode, a letter to the Agony Aunties sparks a deeply honest conversation about what it means to love two people at once. The writer shares her experience of being in a long-term marriage of 33 years while also falling for another man. The hosts explore the emotional weight of this dual connection and the very human complexities of desire, loyalty, and longing.

Drawing on the insights of relationship experts like Dan Savage and Esther Perel, the discussion unpacks the prevalence of extramarital affairs and the often-unspoken struggles within committed relationships. From trust and secrecy to self-reflection and growth, this episode invites listeners to sit with the grey areas and consider how we reconcile love, truth, and our evolving sense of self within a marriage.

Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.

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