What's On Your Mind? - Olive

What if one simple decision could save your life?

This Saturday on What's On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive welcome special guest Peter Ellis for an important, honest and deeply personal conversation about men's health, prostate cancer and the importance of taking responsibility for our wellbeing.

As Peter approached his 50th birthday, he decided to have a routine health check. He had no symptoms and no particular concerns about prostate cancer. But a last-minute decision to have a PSA blood test changed everything.

The result led to further investigations and a prostate cancer diagnosis.

In this powerful conversation, Peter shares his journey from diagnosis through treatment and recovery, including the emotional impact, the difficult decisions and the challenges men rarely discuss openly.

We explore the importance of understanding PSA results, the particular risks faced by Black men, how families can support loved ones and why men shouldn't be afraid to ask questions about their health.

Peter's message is simple: Don't wait until something goes wrong before taking your health seriously.

This is a conversation for men, women, partners, families and anyone who cares about the men in their lives.

Join DJ Val and Olive for another thought-provoking edition of What's On Your Mind.

📅 Saturday 10 October 2026

🕘 9:00 AM UK

📻 Soul Food Gospel Radio

Peter's website

https://www.iamtheoneinthree.org/Useful resources

Prostate Cancer Research

https://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/Prostate Cancer UK: https://prostatecanceruk.org

NHS – Prostate Cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/

This programme shares personal experiences and is intended to encourage informed conversations about health. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak to your GP about your individual risk and whether a PSA test is appropriate.

Subscribe, share and join the conversation. Someone you know may need to hear this.

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What happens when you know something isn’t right with your body — but nobody can tell you why?

On this special edition of What’s On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive are joined by Gemma Westall, founder of Glow Within, for an open and revealing conversation about women’s wellbeing, perimenopause, menopause and learning to listen to your own body.

Gemma’s own journey began unusually early. At just 27, following the birth of her second child, she began experiencing symptoms that she would only much later connect with perimenopause.

What followed was a journey through recurring symptoms, night sweats, brain fog and depression, alongside repeated investigations that didn’t provide the answer she was looking for. Gemma explains that it took years before she finally recognised what was happening.

In this conversation we discuss:

* Gemma’s experience of early perimenopause

* Why menopause can look completely different from one woman to another

* Brain fog, sleep, mood and other symptoms

* Learning to listen to your body

* Why keeping a record of symptoms can help when speaking to a healthcare professional

* The overwhelming amount of menopause information and supplements available

* Movement, rest and making small sustainable lifestyle changes

* How menopause can affect partners, children and the wider family

* Why men need to be part of the menopause conversation

* Gemma’s work through Glow Within

* Yoga, Pilates, meditation, sound baths and the importance of slowing down

One of Gemma’s recurring messages is that wellness isn’t one size fits all. Each person is different, and understanding what is normal for you can be an important part of recognising when something has changed.

This is a conversation for women — but definitely not only for women.

If you’re a husband, partner, son, brother, father or friend, there’s something here for you too.

🎥 Watch, share and join the conversation in the comments.

What’s On Your Mind with DJ Val & Olive

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Gemma's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/glowwithin.online?stkn=OGd5ejJoZmJsYmp4

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How aware are you of what’s happening around you?

In Part 2 of our special What’s On Your Mind conversation with former Metropolitan Police officer and first-aid trainer Ian “Scotty” Scott, DJ Val and Olive move from first aid into something that affects all of us — personal safety.

Scotty explains why preparation and situational awareness can make such a difference when we're out and about.

Are you walking while staring at your phone?

Are your headphones stopping you from hearing what's happening around you?

Do you know your route before you leave home?

And if something simply doesn't feel right — do you listen to that feeling?

Scotty explains how apparently small behaviours can make us more vulnerable and why walking confidently, planning your journey and remaining aware of your surroundings matter.

The conversation also covers:

📱 Mobile phone theft and protecting the information stored on your device

🎧 Headphones, distractions and situational awareness

👵🏾 Practical safety for older people living independently

🏠 Neighbours, holidays and home security

🛵 Mobility and planning safer journeys

🌐 Social media privacy

❤️ Online dating, honesty and recognising red flags

👥 Looking out for friends and family

Scotty also shares a simple philosophy that runs throughout both programmes:

Prepare for the worst and expect the best.

And when it comes to helping somebody else, the message from both episodes is clear: don't simply be a bystander — assess the situation, consider your own safety and respond appropriately.

👉 If you haven't watched Part 1, watch that episode too. The two conversations were designed to go together.

Connect with Scotty

Proactive First Aid Training

What’s On Your Mind with DJ Val & Olive
Soul Food Gospel Radio — the home of great Christian entertainment.

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What can 30 years in policing teach you about people, conflict, preparation and staying safe?

In this special on-location edition of What’s On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive sit down with Ian “Scotty” Scott for the first of a two-part conversation about safety, security and being prepared for the situations life can bring.

Scotty spent 30 years with the Metropolitan Police, serving in Wembley and Hillingdon, with much of his career focused on community policing. Since retiring from the Met, he has continued to train, teach and serve others, including through Proactive First Aid Training and his work as an event medic.

In Part 1, we discover the man behind the uniform and the values that have shaped his life.

Scotty shares the enormous influence of his father and two principles that have stayed with him:

“Good luck favours the well prepared.”

and

“Poor planning promotes poor performance.”

The conversation then takes us inside his policing career — from community policing and working with young people to the importance of kindness, professionalism and treating people with respect.

Scotty also shares a remarkable story about a struggling young police cadet who regained his confidence, returned to education, went to university and eventually became a secondary school teacher.

We also explore conflict and de-escalation and a simple but powerful principle: you may not be able to control another person's behaviour, but you can control how you respond to it.

There is plenty of practical wisdom, humour and life experience in this one.

And this is only Part 1.

👉 Part 2 continues the conversation with first aid, emergency preparedness and practical personal-safety advice.

Connect with Scotty

Proactive First Aid Training:

Visit Proactive First Aid Training

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What do you need to let go of before you can move forward?

In the Season 9 finale of What’s On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive close out the season with a reflective conversation about The Art of Letting Go — Making Room for a New Season.

As summer gives way to autumn, Olive looks at what nature can teach us about change. Trees don’t desperately hold onto their leaves when the season changes. They release what was once beautiful while remaining firmly rooted.

Perhaps there is something in that for us too.

A new season could mean children leaving home, starting a new job, moving somewhere new, a changing relationship, breaking an old habit or simply recognising that something which worked in the last season may not belong in the next one. 

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But letting go doesn’t necessarily mean giving up.

It doesn’t mean forgetting.

It doesn’t mean walking away from responsibility or losing ambition.

Sometimes it simply means acknowledging what has been, being grateful for it, learning from it and recognising that the season has changed. 

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Olive gives us three simple questions to help us take stock:

Can I control this?
Can I influence this?
Is this something I cannot control?

Knowing the difference can help us decide when to take action, when to influence what we can and when we need to surrender what is outside our control. 

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The conversation also explores forgiveness, reconciliation and finding peace when the conversation or apology we would like to have simply isn’t possible. The challenge is to learn from something without continuing to live in it. 

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And throughout it all is the reminder that our faith gives us roots. Like a tree losing its leaves, things around us may change while our roots continue to grow deeper.

As Season 9 comes to an end, perhaps the question for all of us is:

What am I carrying that I don’t need to take into my next season?

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What’s On Your Mind S9 E11 | A Few Things That Make Us Happy: Finding Joy in Everyday Life

What are the little things that make you happy?

After three weeks exploring longevity and ageing well, Olive and DJ Val turn the seriousness down a notch for a lighter and very entertaining conversation about the everyday things that can make life just that little bit better.

From finding the perfect parking space to good food, a relaxing day doing absolutely nothing, gadgets, shopping, reality TV and those songs that instantly transport us back to another time, this episode is all about the small pleasures we sometimes take for granted.

DJ Val reveals some of his guilty pleasures — including KFC and a certain fascination with 90 Day Fiancé — while Olive admits that browsing and filling her online shopping basket can be one of hers.

Then it's time for the soundtrack of our lives, as music brings back memories and DJ Val discovers just how many songs are tied to particular moments and places in his life — including hearing Computer Love for the first time in Kano.

So grab your tea or coffee and join us for a relaxed, funny and nostalgic episode.

What’s one simple thing that makes YOU happy? Tell us in the comments.

Soul Food Gospel Radio, the home of great Christian entertainment.

What’s On Your Mind S9 E10 | Longevity & Ageing Well Part 3: Keeping Your Brain Young

We have talked about living longer
We have talked about ageing well
We have talked about retirement purpose and remaining fruitful

Now in the final episode of our three-part Longevity series we turn our attention to perhaps the most extraordinary organ in the human body

The brain

As we get older does cognitive decline have to be inevitable

Can exercise actually protect the brain

How important is sleep

What happens to the brain during menopause

And what role can nutrition supplements and everyday habits play in maintaining our cognitive health

DJ Val and Olive explore the research surrounding brain ageing neuroplasticity dementia Alzheimer’s disease exercise sleep and cognitive resilience

One of the most encouraging messages from the discussion is that getting older does not automatically mean losing cognitive function. The brain retains an ability to change adapt and respond to experience through neuroplasticity and what researchers describe as cognitive reserve

The aim is not necessarily to keep a 25 year old brain forever but to keep the brain active adaptable and engaged

Among the topics discussed

🧠 What happens to the brain as we age
🏃 Why exercise can be brain medicine
💪 Resistance training and brain health
🦵 Why training your legs may matter
🤹 Hand eye coordination and challenging the brain
😴 Why quality sleep becomes increasingly important
👩 Menopause estrogen sleep and women’s brain health
🥗 Nutrition and metabolic health
❤️ The connection between the heart and the brain
🔥 HIIT exercise and cardiovascular fitness
🧖 Sauna and healthy ageing
💊 Omega 3 Vitamin D B12 magnesium and creatine
🙏 Faith purpose and looking after the body God has given us

The researchers discussed include Dr Wendy Suzuki Dr Louisa Nicola and Dr Rhonda Patrick whose work looks at exercise cognitive health neuroplasticity Alzheimer’s prevention longevity and metabolic health

One message appeared repeatedly throughout the research

Exercise is one of the greatest investments you can make for your brain and sleep is the maintenance of that investment

And rather than looking for one magic intervention the conversation encourages us to think about creating a complete brain health system built around movement sleep nutrition stimulation and healthy lifestyle choices

💬 Join the conversation

What change from this three-part series are you actually going to put into practice

Have you changed the way you think about ageing

Let us know in the comments

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Last week we began our conversation about longevity and ageing well looking at lifespan healthspan exercise nutrition and some of the science behind what happens to our bodies as we grow older

This week on What’s On Your Mind DJ Val and Olive continue the conversation and ask an equally important question

What happens when we stop seeing ageing as something to fear and start seeing it as a privilege

We explore how age can bring perspective wisdom and a greater understanding of what really deserves our energy including learning that not every argument needs to be won and not every criticism needs a response

Then we tackle one of the biggest transitions many of us will eventually face

Retirement

After decades of meetings deadlines responsibilities and routines what happens when suddenly Monday morning arrives and you have nowhere you have to be

Retirement can bring freedom but freedom without purpose can also feel empty. The challenge is to see retirement not as the finish line but as a gear shift and to become retired but not tired

In this episode we discuss

❤️ Ageing as a privilege
🧠 The wisdom and perspective that comes with experience
🩺 Giving yourself a personal health MOT
🌱 Legacy and the impact we leave behind
🚗 Why retirement should be a gear shift not a finish line
🤝 Mentoring and investing your knowledge into the next generation
👨‍👩‍👧 Grandchildren family and community
🙏 Finding continued purpose in later life
🌳 Remaining fruitful even in old age
💼 Why your skills do not expire when your employment ends
📖 Biblical encouragement for ageing with purpose

One of the key messages from this episode is simple

Purpose does not have a retirement age

Psalm 92 reminds us that those who are planted in the Lord can still bear fruit in old age and remain fresh and flourishing.

And if you are worried that your best years are behind you this conversation is a reminder that they do not have to be.

💬 Join the conversation

If you retired tomorrow what would you want the next chapter of your life to look like

And if you are already retired what has given your life purpose since leaving work

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We are all getting older — but ageing well is about much more than simply living longer.

In this special outdoor edition of What’s On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive take the conversation into the park to explore longevity, health span and how we can approach ageing with strength, joy and purpose.

The discussion looks at the difference between lifespan and health span, the science behind ageing, and some of the lifestyle choices that can influence how well we age.

Among the topics covered:

❤️ Why ageing should be viewed as a privilege
💪 Why maintaining muscle becomes increasingly important
🥗 Nutrition and foods that support healthy ageing
🧠 Staying mentally sharp as we get older
🩺 The importance of regular health checks
😴 Sleep, stress and recovery
🚶 The benefits of regular movement and exercise
👨‍👩‍👧 Staying connected with friends, family and community
🧬 The role genetics can play in longevity
🌳 Why simply getting outside can make a difference

Olive also shares the biblical reminder from Proverbs 16:31 that grey hair can be viewed as a crown of splendour, while DJ Val talks about embracing his own silver look!

And, because this is What’s On Your Mind, expect plenty of spontaneous outdoor moments — including an unexpected four-legged guest called Lucky! 😂🐕

This is Part 1 of our conversation on longevity. In Part 2 we’ll explore ageing as a privilege, retirement, staying fulfilled and continuing to live with purpose in our later years.

💬 Join the conversation:
What are you doing now to help yourself age well?

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Can you feel lonely even when you're surrounded by people?

In this thought-provoking episode of What's On Your Mind, DJ Val and Olive explore one of today's most significant social challenges—the loneliness epidemic.

Despite living in a world where we're more connected than ever through social media, messaging apps and video calls, many people still experience deep loneliness and isolation. Drawing on research from the World Health Organization and other international studies, they discuss why loneliness has become a growing public health concern and what we can do about it.

During this episode they discuss:

✔️ What loneliness really means
✔️ Can you feel lonely in a crowd?
✔️ Social media: connection or illusion?
✔️ Why teenagers and young adults are particularly affected
✔️ How loneliness impacts physical and mental health
✔️ The importance of genuine friendships and support networks
✔️ Practical ways to build meaningful relationships and stronger communities

This honest and engaging conversation offers encouragement, practical advice and hope for anyone who has ever felt unseen, disconnected or alone.

We'd love to hear from you.

Have you ever felt lonely even when surrounded by people? What has helped you build meaningful connections? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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