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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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We also dive into her book Maternity Service, where Emma challenges outdated notions of maternity leave and reclaims the narrative of what it means to become a mother.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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Nadiya Hussain shares her journey from a housewife to a renowned baker and author, detailing the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the impact of her immigrant background, societal pressures, and personal struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Nadiya touches upon her career’s milestones, including her victory on The Great British Bake Off, and how each new project brings its own set of challenges and expectations. She also reflects on family dynamics, the significance of open communication, and the importance of maintaining dreams and aspirations despite obstacles. The conversation highlights Nadiya's relentless determination, love for family, and the unique challenges she faces as a British Bangladeshi Muslim woman in the public eye.

00:09 Nadiya's Multifaceted Identity

00:54 Challenges and Overcoming Them

02:15 Facing Criticism and Bias

06:25 Childhood Dreams and Realizations

09:34 Family Dynamics and Cultural Expectations

11:35 Pursuing Education Against All Odds

23:57 Marriage and Personal Growth

25:06 Navigating Family Dynamics and Adaptability

27:47 Understanding Parental Decisions and Forgiveness

29:23 The Legacy of Courage and Change

32:08 Overcoming Personal Challenges and Achievements

36:31 Facing Cultural and Professional Hurdles

41:39 Family, Fame, and Open Communication

48:11 Embracing Challenges and Personal Growth

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, the Agony Aunties discuss a delicate and complex issue brought up by a listener whose partner's brother has two adult daughters conceived using a sperm donor. Despite being aware of the donor conception, the daughters have never been told, and the listener seeks advice on whether and how they should be informed. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of the biological parents handling the conversation and suggest seeking support from organisations like the Donor Conception Network. They also recommend exploring personal fears around disclosure and preparing for the conversation through therapy. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the roles family members can play in providing support and maintaining strong relationships.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia Samuel welcomes Lucy Brazier, the author of 'The Honesty Box', who candidly shares the challenges she faces in her marriage due to her husband's longstanding struggles with depression. Lucy discusses the transformative impact of an eventual ADHD and autism diagnosis on their relationship, their coping mechanisms, and the critical role of honest communication. 

Their story also highlights systemic issues in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the episode features a discussion among Julia and her daughters about the broader implications of these struggles in marriages, underscoring the importance of understanding, patience, and resilience.

00:32 Struggles with Depression in Marriage

00:59 Decision to Divorce

02:25 Emotional Impact and Resentment

03:20 Challenges of Supporting a Depressed Partner

11:32 Discovery of ADHD

13:04 The Honesty Box Project

16:46 Impact of ADHD Diagnosis

26:44 Dual Diagnosis: ADHD and ASD

30:54 Understanding Family Dynamics

31:17 Balancing Openness and Protection

33:02 Collective Agency in Mental Health

34:23 Navigating Differences in Marriage

36:31 Embracing Imperfections and Courage

39:14 The Importance of Honest Conversations

40:24 Coping Mechanisms and Adaptations

54:05 The Role of Diagnosis and Acceptance

57:08 Reflections on Divorce and Relationships

Buy Lucy's book: https://amzn.eu/d/990Khdl

Instagram: @brazier.lucy

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging episode, Owen O'Kane, a psychotherapist, former palliative care specialist, and ex-NHS clinical lead for mental health, shares his professional journey and deeply personal story. He reflects on his transition from nursing in palliative care to training as a psychotherapist, a shift inspired by witnessing the profound psychological distress many patients faced. Owen also opens up about his upbringing in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and the personal struggles of coming out as gay in a Catholic family. He highlights how his lived experiences shape his therapeutic approach, emphasising the power of empathy, trauma awareness, and emotional resilience in mental health care.

Drawing from his latest book, Addicted to Anxiety, Owen introduces the concept that anxiety can function like an addiction, offering a false sense of safety while keeping individuals trapped in cycles of fear. He discusses practical strategies for managing anxiety, including learning to acknowledge, accept, and even befriend the anxious self rather than resisting it. His insights provide a fresh and compassionate perspective on understanding anxiety, helping listeners develop greater self-awareness and healthier coping mechanisms to break free from its grip.

Buy Owen's new book, 'Addicted to Anxiety': https://amzn.eu/d/cxRKYCD

Follow Owen: @owenokaneten

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, broadcaster, author, and political commentator Iain Dale shares an intimate look at his career and personal journey. He opens up about the pressures of public life, imposter syndrome, and health struggles, as well as the deeply personal experience of coming out to his family. Through candid storytelling, Iain reflects on the importance of being seen and validated by loved ones, the impact of childhood experiences, and the complex emotions surrounding his relationship with his mother.

Iain discusses the challenges of navigating a public career while staying true to himself, offering insights into the role of therapy, personal reflection, and overcoming self-doubt. A thought-provoking and heartfelt episode, this discussion reminds us of the importance of embracing vulnerability and finding strength in our personal stories.

01:22 Challenges of a Public Role

10:15 Health Struggles and Personal Reflections

19:36 Coming Out and Family Reactions

28:10 Reflecting on a Mother's Love and Regret

29:04 Complex Emotions and Unspoken Wounds

30:04 Career Reflections and Family Dynamics

30:45 Navigating Public and Private Life

31:47 The Journey of Acceptance and Identity

33:03 Thoughts on Parenthood and Personal Choices

35:33 Imposter Syndrome and Professional Growth

38:06 The Role of Education and Early Influences

39:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Finding Confidence

40:36 The Breakthrough in Radio

44:49 Final Reflections

Find Iain: 

Instagram: @iaindale

X: @IainDale

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices