Trigger Warning: This special episode of This Is A Token is an open conversation between Alex and his daughter Connie about experiences of mental health, eating disorders and suicide.

There are two weeks dedicated to raising awareness about eating disorders. Firstly, the National Eating Disorders Association’s week is running from the 21st to 27th February - and the second by Beat Eating disorders is from 28th February to 6th March. 

"Both Connie and I have had our challenges with mental health, and we think of it as very normal so we talk openly about it. During Eating Disorder Awareness Week, Connie and I recorded an episode talking about our experiences. I have had to deal with anxiety myself, and we have a history of mental illness in our family. Eating disorders are complex with no one sole cause, but research has shown that individuals might be predisposed due to their genetic or biological make up. There has been a sharp increase in the number of young people experiencing mental health issues and eating disorders. Services are hugely underfunded. Although we may not have the solutions, Connie and I hope that by talking about our experiences, we can help raise awareness of some of the issues.”

Did you know?

- Approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder.

- 1 in 5 females aged 16 to 24 has an eating disorder. 

- Around 25% of those affected by an eating disorder are male.

- Research has shown that 20% of people living with anorexia will die prematurely from their condition. 

Here are some useful links for further reading on issues discussed by Alex and Connie:

For further information on anorexia www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

For more information on Orri, a specialist clinic, as mentioned by Alex and Connie www.orri-uk.com/

For further reading around Children’s Mental Health Services www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/report/briefing-on-childrens-mental-health-services-2020-2021/

For more information on mental health www.mind.org.uk

If you have any questions, issues or experiences associated with Eating Disorders Awareness Week, please feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected].

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The driving force behind so many of the actors, writers and directors we all know and love, (including household names James Corden and Luke Evans), the brilliant and hugely respected talent agent Ruth Young steps into the limelight and joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most meaningful pieces of jewellery. From a striking gold acorn necklace by New York designer Wendy Mink gifted to her by her husband, to her Grandad's solid gold medal won in a Snooker Championships in 1907 - Ruth is a true jewellery enthusiast with so many wonderful pieces (and accompanying stories) to talk about! 

Listen in as Alex and Ruth have an interesting and insightful discussion about her love of jewellery, sparked by her father who gifted her a piece every birthday and Christmas, how in the world of acting disappointment is often the path to success, and how managing the career of legendary star of Hollywood cinema Lauren Bacall led to a passionate love for gold jewellery!

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Renowned jewellery journalist, founder of The Jewellery Cut, and true industry insider - the brilliant Racheal Taylor joins Alex and Connie on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast amongst a background of seagulls in stormy Brighton for a chat about her favourite pieces of jewellery - spanning an eclectic range of innovative designers and makers. From a pair of Hoop Earrings where clever design details are not what they first appear, to a treasured trilogy ring which has evolved in meaning over the years, connecting Racheal to three very important women in her life.

Listen in, as Alex and Racheal discuss her fascinating career starting ‘by chance’ at Retail Jeweller, and going on to become the founding editor of Professional Jeweller, her passion for discovering and bringing to light pioneering jewellery designers across the world, and how she fell in love with the people across all facets of the jewellery industry, before she even fell for the jewellery itself.

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Fashion Stylist, Creative Director and renowned ‘Queen of Thrift’ - the vibrant and pioneering Bay Garnet joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most treasured pieces of jewellery. Discover an incredibly glamorous, baroque style pearl bracelet - passed down from Bay's Grandmother, and a white gold signet ring by designer Solange - described by Alex as a ‘squishy sweet, peppered in diamonds!'

Listen in as Alex and Bay have a fascinating discussion about her groundbreaking work fusing fashion and sustainability since the late 1990’s - from the creativity of thrift as an powerful antidote to commercial fashion, and how art students across generations will simply never wear new clothes!

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An unstoppable Australian sportswoman who has represented her country in both cricket and football - the inspirational, pioneering and incredibly down to earth Ellyse Perry joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most meaningful pieces of jewellery. From early undefined memories of a Polly Pocket charm bracelet to her treasured Alex Monroe Peacock Feather necklace which her wonderful and supportive mum gifted her on her 18th birthday!

Listen in as Alex and Ellyse have a fascinating conversation about the joys of being able to ‘play’ rather than ‘work’ for a living, her passion for encouraging girls to stay engaged in sports as they grow up, and how the fleeting moments of ‘flow’ when she is performing at her best, are what life is all about! 

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Cook, food writer. columnist and celebrated author of ‘Made in India’ and ‘East’ - the wonderful and vibrant Meera Sodha joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most treasured pieces of jewellery. From an enamelled Jemima Puddle-duck brooch she has treasured since she was 4 years old, to a cinnamon red Rudraksha seed bead gifted to her by a beloved grandmother, whose touch keeps her grounded in uncertain moments. 

Listen in as Alex and Meera have a rich and uplifting discussion about a her life experiences as a creative home cook inspired by her Gujarat Indian and Ugandan roots, to harnessing the mood of food, relishing the ‘happiness’ of coriander seeds and the process of taking a toolbox of precious ingredients and conjuring up something truly magical!

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Award winning Political Journalist and Radio 4 broadcaster, with her 'Today' programme Alex's favourite thing to listen to - the bright and bee-rilliant Martha Kearney joins Alex for a chat about her most treasured pieces of jewellery! From an epic charm bracelet from a Varinasi market documenting a year of travelling in her thirties, to a pair of striking Minoan Bee Earrings celebrating a blended passion for pollinators and antiquity!

Listen in, as old friends and fellow bee enthusiasts Alex and Martha have a lively discussion about a host of fascinating things - from her experiences in Afghanistan and the Middle East as a BBC journalist, to her Northern Irish Great Grandfather’s lemonade fortune, and how journalism acts as a licence for the curious to get to know people’s stories and share them with others!

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Award winning writer, broadcaster, Frank Skinner’s radio show and host of the much-loved ‘Walking the Dog’ podcast - the brilliant, funny and insightful Emily Dean joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most treasured pieces of jewellery! From a glamorous 90’s Vivienne Westwood choker that taught her an incredible life lesson, to a gold ‘E’ necklace studded with a diamond - the story of which brings together her best friend, producer Jane Goldman and the iconic 70’s singing icon Lynsey de Paul!

Listen in, as Alex and Emily have a fascinating and moving discussion about processing the loss of her beloved sister Rachel, a childhood of benign chaos and canapés for breakfast, and how the world just feels like an infinitely better place when you have a dog by your side! 

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Auctioneer, Jewellery and Silver specialist, Gemologist AND one of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Experts - the brilliant and pioneering Kate Flitcroft joins Alex on our ‘This is a Token’ podcast for a chat about her most treasured pieces of jewellery. From a series of special and sentimental treasures tying her to her much-loved late grandmother, to a simple 'magic' necklace that allowed her to feel close to her mother in Kansas, upon the birth of her first child in London during the pandemic.

Listen in as Alex and Kate have a fascinating chat about her sparkling career as an auctioneer in the decorative arts, her role in orchestrating the energy and mood of a room full of buyers, and how the true value of jewellery so often lies in it’s emotional significance as opposed to its monetary value.  

Here are some useful links for further reading on issues, events and artefacts discussed by Alex and Kate.

You can follow Kate on Instagram and Twitter @kateflitcroft www.instagram.com/kateflitcroft/?hl=en

Watch Kate expertly discuss some exquisite pieces on BBC’s Antique’s Roadshow www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mj2y

If you are interested in attending one of Kate’s auctions, go to www.bonhams.com/auctions/

Discover more about Rubover Setting Rings www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/article/rubover-settings-strikingly-contemporary-look-dates-back-thousands-years/

For all things Alex Monroe Jewellery, visit www.alexmonroe.com

If, like Kate, you enjoy mixed metal jewellery, discover our mixed metal pieces www.alexmonroe.com/jewellery/material=silver-and-gold-plate

Explore Alex Monroe Sapphire Jewellery, with all naturally coloured sapphires www.alexmonroe.com/jewellery/sapphire-jewellery

If you would like to speak to one of our Bespoke team about possibly repurposing an heirloom stone, go to www.alexmonroe.com/bespoke

Illustration by Connie Bella Monroe

Edited by Emily Sandford

Music by Daniel Patrick Cohen

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