The Gap

Mohammed is a refugee who grew up in Syria and now lives in the UK having fled his hometown, due to ISIS’ invasion. Owen has lived in the UK longer than he lived in Jamaica, moving at the age of 4. In this episode, both men discuss the discrimination they faced upon arrival into the UK, the challenges they have faced as a migrant and asylum seeker and the biggest misconceptions people have about them.This episode references suicide, listener discretion is advised.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisation may be able to provide help and advice:www.migranthelpuk.org

Danny and Carl spent 9 years on the streets between them in Manchester and Birmingham. Having served 12 years in the army, Danny suffered PTSD and after being admitted to hospital was left with nowhere to go. Carl grew up in care, lacking guidance and life skills to stay on the right path. He ended up sleeping rough and taking drugs, finding himself in dangerous, violent situations. Their conversation exposes how homelessness could happen to anyone and reminds us not to judge a book by its cover.This episode references substance addiction and violence. Listener discretion is advised.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice:centrepoint.org.ukwww.crisis.org.uk

Nic Hamilton sits down with John Stubbs to discuss life as a sportsman living with a disability. Nic was born with cerebral palsy and now races cars against able-bodied people in the British Touring Car Championship. John was left for dead when he was knocked off his motorbike in 1989. He had to have one leg amputated and has lost use of the other. He is now Britain’s most successful archer, winning a Paralympic gold medal in Beijing. Their conversation opens up discussion about finding mental strength through physical adversity, the impact their disability has had on their relationships and their sporting achievements.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisation may be able to provide help and advice:www.supportline.org.uk

Two people from different generations discuss addiction in this week’s episode of The Gap. After suffering a bereavement, Russell spiralled into alcohol addiction - at his worst, consuming a litre of gin in one hour. This week, we asked him to talk to Thomas, a recovering drug addict, about their experiences. Thomas started taking drugs with friends, but what started as a party habit became all-consuming. Both now in recovery, their conversation opens up discussion around the impact addiction has on relationships, misconceptions about addiction and what gave them the motivation to get help.This episode references substance addiction, listener discretion is advised.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisation may be able to provide help and advice:www.recovery.org.uk

John was a gunner in WWII; Ste led battalions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. In this week’s episode of The Gap, the two war veterans talk about fighting for their country on the frontline of war. Discussing how soldiers are viewed in society and the impact warfare has on mental health, John and Ste reflect on how being a soldier has changed over the years and life after serving in the forces.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisation may be able to provide help and advice:www.combatstress.org.uk

Meet Noel, a former bank robber and Cornai, a former drug dealer. Noel has served decades behind bars at some of Britain’s toughest prisons, while Cornai was caught with 50 kilos of cutting agent for cocaine which landed him 6 years jail time. The pair discuss the addictive nature of violence, how much money they made from their criminal activity and what they have gone on to do after choosing education over a life of crime.This episode features strong language and references to violence and drugs. Listener discretion is advised.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisation may be able to provide help and advice:www.unlock.org.uk

Welcome to the first episode of The Gap. In this week’s episode we hear two-time heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury and ex-Premier League footballer Dean Windass discuss their experiences with depression and mental health. The sporting legends discuss their experiences with mental illness, the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sport and the lack of education around mental health they received growing up.This episode references mental illness, suicide and contains strong language, listener discretion is advised.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice.www.mind.org.ukwww.nhs.uk

Listen in on a conversation between two people from different generations who have a life experience in common. From LADbible, The Gap opens up discussion around confronting issues and experiences, from war and crime to mental health and addiction.The Gap will premiere Monday 22 June. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the ACast app or wherever you like to listen so you don't miss the first episode.