The Reset by Sam Delaney

As a young police officer, Leon MacFayden experienced extreme trauma that forced him out of his job and tormented him for the next twenty years. After years of failed treatment, he finally found a way to heal himself. He shares his inspirational story via his excellent newsletter From Trauma To Strength. I was very pleased to chat with him on this week’s pod.

Ruby Wax has been raising awareness of mental health issues and fighting stigma for decades now. She shares her own experiences to help others. I was honoured to speak to her about her excellent charity Frazzled and her latest book ‘I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was.’Funny, clever, compassionate and insightful: Ruby was everything I hoped and expected her to be.

Ruth Whippman is a writer and author of ‘Boy Mum - Raising Boys In An Age Of Toxic Masculinity.’ It’s a great read by a mum of young lads who wants to understand the constant pressures and often dodgy influences surrounding young men growing up. How can we stop our sons from falling under the spell of people like Andrew Tate and Donald Trump? I really enjoyed discussing this and more with Ruth.

After recovering from alcoholism, Lucy Da Silva gained a masters in psychotherapy and now specialises in the use of ketamine and psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders. She joined me to discuss this fascinating new area of therapy and her own powerful story of childhood trauma, addiction and recovery.Find out more about Lucy’s work here https://silvawellness.com/

Steve Mann is the UK’s top dog trainer, a great broadcaster and a prolific author. His new book, ‘Another Day, Another Collar - Confessions Of A Dog Trainer’ is a memoir of dogs he has known and the impact they have had on his life. I’m a big beleiver in the power of dogs to help with people’s mental health (I know my dog, Cookie, manages to put a smile on my face every day). Steve is a top bloke with loads to say about dogs, happiness and life. I really enjoyed talking with him for this week’s pod.

Charlie Hyman started Bloomsbury Football in London to provide top level coaching and facilities to everyone, whatever their background, resources or ability. Now, there are hundreds of kids across the capital whose lives have been changed by Bloomsbury. Charlie joined me to explain the positive impact football and helping others can have on anyone’s mental health.

OCD, addiction, toxic relationships…Dr Natalie Cawley encountered patients with all of these issues and more during her first year working as a psychotherapist. Simultaneously, she was trying to cope with her own emotional pressures, as she adapted to a new job in a new city after the breakdown of a long term relationship. Now, she has written a moving and funny memoir about that time: ‘Just About Coping - A Real-Life Drama From The Psychotherapists Chair.’ She joined me to discuss the fascinating and challenging work of a mental health professional.

Daniel Reisinger is an Australian born, award-winning filmmaker. His new movie ‘& Mrs’ is a romantic comedy-drama starring Aisling Bea and Tom Hanks. It’s about a bride-to-be coping with the sudden death of her fiancé just weeks before their planned wedding. For Daniel, the film had a special resonance as he lost his mother shortly before going into production. He talks about processing his grief while trying to make his first movie, what he learned about bereavement and why he thinks we should all get more comfortable talking about death.If you are dealing with a bereavement, find support at The Good Grief Trust (as mentioned in this episode)