Tough Love

How many times can you pick yourself up after life strikes you down? Where do you find the strength to escape religious fundamentalism? In this episode I talk to Canadian human rights activist Yasmine Mohammed about being married off to a member of Al Qaeda, re-learning to be free and surviving the betrayal of those who are supposed to protect you. Yasmine Mohammed is the author of Unveiled: How Western Liberals Empower Radical Islam and founder of Free Hearts Free Minds  an organization that provides psychological support for freethinkers living within Muslim majority countries where the state-sanctioned punishment for leaving Islam is death. ​ Find more about Yasmine on her website and follow her on Twitter @yasmohammedxx   The book: Sam Harris' The End of Faith   Here's the clip of Sam Harris, Bill Maher and Ben Affleck: https://youtu.be/vln9D81eO60   If you're curious about Ayaan Hirsi Ali, read her book Infidel: My Life or watch her interview at Pepperdine University

How does it feel to see the country you love devastated by a socialist regime? And what does it take to take the painful decision to leave friends and family behind to make your fortune elsewhere? In this unusual episode, I put the world to rights with Venezuelan musician Baldo Verdú who left Caracas for London in 2013 to escape the violence, the poverty and the criminality fueled by Chavez's and Maduro's government.   If you want to find out more about the situation in Venezuela, check out https://www.caracaschronicles.com/   The books: The Latin Americans: Their Love-hate Relationship with the United States by Carlos J. Rangel and Chinese Stories by Andres Oppenheimer    Follow Baldo on Instagram @BaldoVerdu and if you're interested in finding out more about his music search for Baldo Verdú on all music platforms.

The relationship with our body is a fraught one for men and women the world over. But anorexia goes beyond that. So how do you fight an illness that infiltrates your brain to override your most basic survival instinct? In this episode I talk to Yara Zgheib, author of The Girls at 17 Swann Street and we discuss anorexia, the obsession with perfection and how it was the love she felt for her family that finally pulled her through. Connect with Yara’ on her blog, Aristotle at Afternoon Tea The book: Rainer Maria Rilke's Letter to a Young Poet https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

In 2013 Zephyr's first husband, a touring musician and relapsed addict, died leaving her with two young daughters.   In this episode we talk about illness, addiction, and how she manages her grief and anger without allowing them to overwhelm her and define her.   Zephyr is a yoga teacher, a doula, a podcast and she also works with recovering addicts. Find more about Zephyr at zephyryoga.com where you can also find her podcast 'Zephyr Yoga Inspiration', and follow her on Twitter @zephyrpranayoga and on Instagram @zephyrwildman   The book: It's Ok That You're Not Ok by Megan Devine   Other resources: Alanon & Alateen UK  Alcoholics Anonymous  Narcotics Anonymous 

Despite its high incidence, divorce is still considered one of the most stressful experiences the average person can go through. London-based literary agent, Jemima Forrester talks about the breakdown of her marriage and how when the worst happens family and friends are what will pull you through. Follow Jemima on Twitter @JemimaForrester or on Instagram @JemimaForrester The book: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

For a woman or a couple trying to conceive, medical infertility is the worst case scenario. How do you come to terms with the loss of something you never had? In this episode, I'll talk to Katy Lindemann about the tyranny of hope, the healing power of dark humour and why sometimes hell really is other, well-meaning, people.   Katy Lindemann is a writer and patient advocate, in addition to her day job as a digital strategist.  Following multiple rounds of IVF and two miscarriages, in 2017 she was told her body would never be able to sustain a pregnancy. She now writes about infertility and pregnancy loss and advocates for better understanding of the patient perspective of fertility issues.  You can find Katy at uberbarrens.clubtwit and follow her on Twitter @uberbarrensclub and @katylindemann and on Instagram @uberbarrensclub The book she mentioned is It’s Ok that You’re Not Ok by Megan Devine

Welcome to the Tough Love Podcast.

Have you ever wondered how, after tragedy hits, some people are able to move forward and thrive?

In each episode of Tough Love, I'll interview a guest who has been through a traumatic experience such as medical infertility, divorce, abuse, the loss of a spouse, addiction, anorexia, a cancer diagnosis, a prison sentence.

I will listen to their story and ask questions. I'll concentrate on the strategies and the daily habits they implemented that helped them rebuild their life and move beyond trauma.

Tough Love celebrates human resilience, the amazing strength people display every day to live through what life has put in their path and move forward with courage and integrity.