In this Agony Aunties episode, we answer a listener asking how to co-parent after a breakdown of trust. We focus on steadying yourself to steady your child, keeping them out of adult conflict while keeping communication open and age-appropriate, and putting clear, written boundaries in place - a simple parenting plan, predictable handovers, and one co-parenting app for all logistics. We suggest shared reading to build a common language, leaning on a small support team (friend, therapist, mediator), and simple self-care so you can be consistent. The aim is a workable, child-centred plan that protects secure relationships with both parents.

If safety is a concern, please seek professional and legal support.

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In this episode of Therapy Works, I have the privilege of speaking with Grace Spence Green - a junior doctor and wheelchair user whose life changed dramatically after a spinal cord injury caused by a traumatic accident.

Grace shares with such honesty the physical and psychological challenges she faced during her rehabilitation, and how she has learned to navigate the daily realities of life in an able-bodied world. What shines through is her remarkable courage, her ability to redefine her own story, and her deep commitment to disability justice movements.

We talk about the importance of community support, the role of radical acceptance in finding peace, and how she continues to build a fulfilling life and career as a doctor. Grace also speaks about her relationships, her writing, and her advocacy for better understanding and treatment of disabled individuals.

I hope you find Grace’s story as moving and inspiring as I did.

Find Grace:

Instagram: @gracesg

Buy Her Book: To Exist As I Am by Grace Spence Green | Waterstones

To Exist As I Am a book by Grace Spence Green - Bookshop.org UK

TO EXIST AS I AM by Grace spence Green is published by Profile, £16.99 hardback.

Support Links:

More from Therapy Works:

If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing — it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice

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In this episode of Agony Aunties, the Aunties tackle a listener’s heartfelt question: “How do I cope with the anxiety I feel around my adult children?”

Together, they explore:

Why anxiety often has roots in our earliest relationships

Practical self-soothing tools you can try straight away — from breath work to grounding exercises

How to find balance with a partner when worries spill over

Ways to set healthy boundaries around communication with your children

The power of separating facts from anxious thoughts

The conversation blends insight with compassion, reminding us that while worry is natural, it doesn’t have to run our lives.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self.

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In the first episode of the new season of Therapy Works, I sit down with historian and broadcaster Dan Snow to explore the powerful forces that have shaped his life: his family’s legacy of high achievement, his insatiable drive for professional fulfilment, and the challenges of finding joy in the present moment.

Dan speaks candidly about how closely his work and personal identity are entwined and how this sometimes makes it difficult to savour life’s simplest pleasures, like a beach holiday with his children.

We also discuss the influence of history not only on nations, but on individuals: how the personal lives of historical figures informed their decisions, and how curiosity and context can deepen our understanding of both the past and the present.

Dan shares movingly about loss, reflecting on his experience of a late-term miscarriage and the importance of family and community in helping us survive grief.Our conversation closes with reflections on what history can teach us about resilience, the power of storytelling, and why curiosity remains one of the most vital tools for personal growth.

 If you’d like to try BetterVits, you can get 15% off sitewide with my code JULIA15 at bettervits.co.uk/discount/Julia15. I’m keen to hear your thoughts!

Find Dan:

More from Therapy Works:

If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations.

If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice

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In this powerful mini recap, Therapy Works revisits my moving conversation with Nadiya Hussain.

Nadiya reflects on growing up surrounded by women who seemed exhausted and unfulfilled, and how that shaped her determination to carve a different future. She opens up about the moment her parents forbade her from going to university at 18, threatening to change the locks if she left home and the fury, grief, and powerlessness that followed.

Instead of giving up, Nadiya turned her anger into relentless hard work, taking on multiple jobs and forging her independence. Later in life, she reclaimed her dream, studying at university while raising three children, with the unwavering support of her husband Abdul - the same man who signed her up for Bake Off.

This is just a glimpse of our conversation. Nadiya’s honesty and courage were deeply inspiring, and I’d highly recommend listening to the whole episode - it’s a story of defiance, determination, and the power of finding your own path.

Listen to Nadiya's full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nadiya-hussain-on-defying-expectations-fighting-self/id1646616622?i=1000698819007

Find Nadiya:

Website: https://www.nadiyahussain.com/Instagram: @nadiyajhussain

Buy Nadiya's new book 'Rooza': https://www.nadiyahussain.com/book/rooza/

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 mini recap from our season-opening conversation with Dr. Julie Smith, we revisit her reflections on imposter syndrome, success, and the lessons she discovered while writing her bestselling book. Julie shares how the process of writing became as much about her own growth as it was about guiding others, and why cultivating metacognition — the ability to notice and direct our thoughts — is key to making choices that shape our lives.

She also opens up about facing fear during her cancer diagnosis, rewriting her chapter on fear in real time, and finding courage through small, daily decisions. It’s a powerful reminder that transformation often happens step by step. If you enjoyed this recap, be sure to listen to the full conversation with Julie for even more insight and inspiration here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/dr-julie-smith-on-cancer-career-and-parenthood/id1646616622?i=1000691252914

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In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Tara Porter, a clinical psychologist and author, about her new book, 'Good Enough.' Dr. Porter reflects on her 28 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and the pressing need to address rising mental health issues among young people. The conversation delves into the challenges of modern parenting, the dangers of perfectionism, and the importance of cultivating a 'good enough' approach. They discuss balancing firmness and kindness, modelling emotional competence, and the shifting landscape of childhood activities and expectations. The episode emphasises the value of being present in the moment and fostering a supportive and realistic parenting environment.

Read Dr Porter's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/hKy7HrI

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Sophie welcomes Noemi Orvos-Toth, a Hungarian clinical psychologist and author of 'Inherited Fate,' to discuss her work on trauma, family dynamics, and the importance of understanding transgenerational trauma. Noemi shares insights about the significance of education in mitigating trauma, the impact of unmet parental expectations, and the role of collective traumas. She emphasises the importance of storytelling in family life, the detrimental effects of secrets, and the potential for healing through acknowledgment and conversation.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/therapyworks and get on your way to being your best self.

Noemi's Website: https://orvostothnoemi.hu/en

Buy Noemi's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/bfbT3FH

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties address a listener's courageous question about pursuing romantic relationships after surviving childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The listener shares their struggle with complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and interest in dating, emotions they find challenging to navigate. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of going slowly, staying in therapy, and reclaiming one's sexuality and agency.

They suggest resources such as 'Healing Sex' by Staci Haines and Bessel Van der Kolk's 'The Body Keeps the Score,' among others. They also discuss the significance of communication and consent in new relationships and encourage the listener to be patient and compassionate with themselves during their healing journey.

If you’re going through something similar, I’d really recommend listening to Kate Silverton and Charles Spencer's episodes —they both offer comfort, insight, and a sense that you’re not alone. You can find the links below:

Kate Silverton: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/kate-silverton-on-the-hidden-struggles-behind-her/id1646616622?i=1000662497155

Charles Spencer: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/charles-spencer-on-speaking-out-about-his-experience/id1646616622?i=1000648985885

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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In this episode, the Agony Aunties answer a listener's question on how to help siblings of different ages get along better daily. They discuss the normality of sibling fights, the importance of setting realistic expectations, and strategies to avoid escalating conflicts. They emphasise the need for parents to remain calm, not intervene unnecessarily, and spend individual quality time with each child. The episode also offers insights into avoiding comparisons between siblings and reflects on how parents' own experiences with sibling rivalry can affect their children.

Follow Julia on Instagram for more tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges: @juliasamuelmbe

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