Welcome back to Healing 101. This is Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Sami Tamimi, where we continue peeling back the layers of how we understand mental health and emotional pain.

In this episode, Sami shares his thoughts on the impact of COVID, helicopter parenting, and how our culture's obsession with control and certainty may be contributing to rising levels of anxiety and distress—especially among young people.

We discuss the ‘treatment-prevention paradox,’ why current mental health services may be better at creating long-term patients than solving distress, and what a new, more humane paradigm might look like.

If you've ever felt defined by your diagnosis or dismissed by your struggle, this episode is for you.

I highly recommend you try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Find Sami Timimi:

Website & Resources: https://www.samitimimi.co.uk/

Read Searching for Normal: https://amzn.eu/d/fAhMxgH

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, I just want to say upfront — this is one of those conversations that really stays with you. Today I’m talking to the brilliant Helen Kirwan-Taylor, who honestly blew me away with how open, and completely unfiltered she is about trauma — real trauma. Helen lost her sister in an unimaginably tragic way when she was 12, and we talk about what happens when no one around you talks about it, and you're just expected to get on with things — and how that silence seeps into everything: your body, your relationships, your anxiety, your ability to feel safe.

What I found so powerful is how Helen challenges a lot of the current language around trauma — she talks about the difference between real, shattering trauma and what she sees as the overuse of the term in pop culture. But she also gets into what it actually looks like when your nervous system doesn’t feel safe for years — the health stuff, the spirals, the coping. And she does it all with this really sharp, self-aware humour that just cuts through the heaviness. It’s a big, honest conversation — and I’m really grateful she had it with me but a warning for anyone who may find references to murder, death and grief triggering as this might not be one for you.

Try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.

Find Helen:

Instagram: @helenkirwantaylor

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Healing 101, and today, we're bringing you Part 1 of a two-part conversation with the extraordinary Dr. Sami Timimi—psychiatrist, author, and a powerful voice challenging mainstream ideas around mental health.

In this first half, we explore fundamental questions: What is mental health, and just as importantly, what isn’t it? Sami shares his perspective on the subjectivity of psychiatric diagnoses, the dangers of over-medicalisation, and the false binary between mental health and mental illness.

We also discuss the cultural and commercial forces shaping our definitions of distress, and how the concept of ‘normal’ might be more harmful than helpful.

Get ready to question everything you thought you knew about diagnosis, disorder, and what it means to suffer.

I highly recommend you try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Find Sami Timimi:

Website & Resources: https://www.samitimimi.co.uk/

Read Searching for Normal: https://amzn.eu/d/fAhMxgH

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s conversation is with someone whose work has truly shaped the way I think about time, productivity, and what it means to live a meaningful life. I’m joined by Oliver Burkeman — author of the best-selling Four Thousand Weeks and Meditations for Mortals. In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology behind our need for control — how it shows up in our perfectionism, our people-pleasing, and our constant striving to stay ahead of life. We talk about why so many of us feel the pressure to optimize every moment, and how that pressure can leave us more disconnected from ourselves than ever.

This is a rich and honest conversation about learning to live with our limitations — and even finding freedom in them. Oliver shares his own struggles with deficit thinking, the myth of the “perfect day,” and what it really means to rest without guilt. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that mindset of “just get through this and then I’ll live,” this episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and let go — even just a little. I really loved this one, and I think you will too.

Try Bettervits for yourself, head on over to bettervits.co.uk and get 15% off your 1st order with my code PANDORA15.

Find Oliver:

Website: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/ 

Books:

https://www.oliverburkeman.com/meditationsformortals 

https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeks

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this special mini episode of Hurt to Healing with the incredible Dr. Shefali — a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and trailblazer in conscious parenting and personal transformation. In just a few powerful moments, Dr. Shefali unpacks how we unknowingly pass on our unhealed wounds, the pressure women face around body image, and how we can begin breaking free from cultural conditioning.

This is a grounding, wise, and deeply compassionate conversation about shame, self-acceptance, and the first small steps toward inner healing. Whether you're a parent, on your own healing journey, or simply feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic expectations — this episode is an invitation to begin coming home to yourself.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Find Dr Shefali:

Website & Resources: DrShefali.com

Instagram: @doctorshefali

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrShefali

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m joined by the extraordinary Jean Campbell—model, writer, and host of the podcast I’m Fine, where she explores the many shapes and layers of pain, both physical and emotional. Jean’s story is one of resilience forged through adversity. From a traumatic accident at 12 to living with chronic pain through her teenage years and beyond, Jean brings rare honesty and compassion to a subject so often misunderstood. She invites us to rethink what it means to live with discomfort—not just in the body, but in the mind, and in the stories we tell ourselves.

In this conversation, Jean opens up about the loneliness of pain, the frustration of being misread, and the journey from resentment and hopelessness toward acceptance and agency. We talk about the role of creativity, movement, meditation, and reframing pain not as a weakness, but as something deeply human—and even, at times, transformative.

Find Jean:

Instagram: @jean_campbell

I'm Fine Podcast: https://www.if-podcast.com/

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by Professor James Brown — one of the UK’s leading voices on adult ADHD, co-creator of the chart-topping podcast The ADHD Adults, and co-author of the forthcoming book ADHD Unpacked.

Together, we delve into the often misunderstood world of emotional dysregulation and its overlooked connection to ADHD. Drawing on both cutting-edge research and his own lived experience (James was diagnosed in adulthood), he offers relatable, real-life insights into how emotional dysregulation can shape our relationships, self-esteem, work, and everyday decision-making.

We explore why this symptom is so frequently missed, how it can lead to patterns of overreaction or emotional shutdown, and — crucially — the practical tools that can help restore emotional balance. From mindfulness and breathing techniques to medication and cognitive reappraisal, this episode is full of actionable advice for anyone navigating the highs and lows of emotional intensity.

Find Professor James Brown:

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/6GqLojX

Instagram: @adhdadult_james

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're tackling a topic that’s often wrapped in silence, secrecy, and shame—porn addiction. It’s something many people struggle with but few feel safe enough to talk about. My guest today, Jeremy Lipkowitz, is helping to change that. Once a high-achieving academic with a hidden addiction, Jeremy’s journey from compulsive porn use to Buddhist monk, mindfulness coach, and men's mental health advocate is nothing short of remarkable.

In this conversation, he opens up about the emotional roots of his addiction, the deep shame it carried, and the steps he took to break free. We explore how porn hijacks the brain, how it affects intimacy and relationships, and why so many are silently struggling in a culture that’s saturated with sexual content but still terrified to talk about it.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy.

Find Jeremy:

Website: https://www.jeremylipkowitz.com/

Podcast: https://unhooked.buzzsprout.com/

Instagram: @jeremylipkowitz

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tommaso Barba from Imperial College London to explore how psychedelics are transforming mental health research. We break down what these compounds are, how they work in the brain, and why they offer hope for conditions like depression, anxiety, OCD, and addiction. Tommaso also shares insights on the future of psychedelic therapy — and the importance of safety, integration, and realistic expectations.

Find Tommaso:

Instagram: @tommaso.barba

Work: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/tommaso.barba20

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommaso-barba-88220a177/?originalSubdomain=uk

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is the brilliant Dr Anna Colton — clinical psychologist and author of How to Talk to Children About Food. In this episode, we get real about how our relationship with food starts from birth and is shaped by family, culture, and early experiences — often without us even realising it.

Dr Colton unpacks the key stages of eating development, why treats and rewards can backfire, and how parents’ own habits and beliefs directly shape their kids’ attitudes to food. We tackle diet culture, fasting, identity, and the hidden messages kids pick up at the table — plus, practical advice on how to help children build a healthy, balanced, and stress-free relationship with food.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or just want to rethink the way we talk about eating, this is a must listen.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Find Anna:

Website: https://www.dranna.co.uk/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drannacolton

Book (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Children-About-Food/dp/1785120557

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re exploring a relationship we all have—but often misunderstand: our relationship with food. My guest is psychotherapist and author Andrea Oskis, whose work unpacks how the way we eat reflects the way we feel, especially when it comes to attachment, control, and emotional safety.

Andrea helps us understand why food becomes a stand-in for comfort, connection, or even self-worth—particularly for those struggling with anxiety, trauma, or disordered eating. This episode is a deeply human look at how our earliest relationships shape our habits around the table, and how healing your attachment story might just transform your relationship with food too.

Find Andrea:

Website: https://cupboard-love.co.uk/

Read The Kitchen Shrink: https://cupboard-love.co.uk/ask-andrea

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special Pride Week episode, I sit down with broadcaster Rich Clarke for a deeply personal conversation about identity, authenticity, and the toll of hiding in plain sight. Rich shares his journey of navigating a high-profile media career while carrying a secret identity, and how years of masking his true sexuality led to burnout, breakdown, and ultimately, a turning point.

We explore what it really means to come out — not just to the world, but to ourselves — and how the weight of shame, fear, and societal expectation can shape (and limit) our lives. From therapy and sobriety to standing on stage at Brighton Pride and finally saying, “I’m gay,” Rich reflects on what healing has looked like for him, and why connection, honesty, and self-compassion are essential to moving forward.

Find Rich Clarke:

Instagram: @therichclarke

Listen to This Was Always Me Podcast: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42L3VY/

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we're diving into one of the most misunderstood and deeply felt mental health experiences: panic attacks. My guest is Joshua Fletcher—better known as “Anxiety Josh”—a psychotherapist, author, and someone who knows firsthand what it’s like to live with panic disorder.

Josh doesn’t just explain what panic attacks are—he breaks down why they happen, how they hijack your mind and body, and most importantly, how to reclaim your life from them. With his trademark honesty and wit, he shares his own journey of being stuck in the panic loop, the myths that keep people suffering longer than they need to, and the powerful tools that can help you break free.

Find Josh:

• Website – schoolofanxiety.com
• Instagram – @anxietyjosh
• Podcast – Disordered with Joshua Fletcher
• Books – Panicking About Panic, Untangle Your Anxiety, And How Does That Make You Feel?

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a long time. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Shefali – a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and the global voice behind the conscious parenting movement. Her work has changed the way millions of people approach not only how they raise their children, but how they reparent themselves.

In this episode, we explore the ways we become disconnected from our authentic selves, how childhood conditioning shapes our adult lives, and why so many of us unknowingly carry generational trauma into our relationships — especially as parents. Dr. Shefali speaks with such clarity, compassion, and raw honesty, and she shares her own experiences of being a mother, a woman in transformation, and someone who has had to face her ego head-on. This conversation is a powerful reminder that our healing begins with awareness — and that true liberation often starts with the courage to look inward.

If you’re struggling, consider therapy with our paid partner. Visit https://betterhelp.com/hurttohealing for a discount on your first month of therapy..

Find Dr Shefali:

Website & Resources: DrShefali.com

Instagram: @doctorshefali

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrShefali

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the difference between everyday selfishness and true narcissism — and how do you know if you’re in a relationship that’s quietly eroding your self-worth?

In this episode of Healing 101, I speak with Dr. Sarah Davies, a psychotherapist and expert in narcissistic abuse, about the subtle red flags, the power of gaslighting, and how to begin reclaiming your sense of self.

From setting clear boundaries to understanding the psychology behind emotional manipulation, this conversation is a lifeline for anyone who’s felt silenced, confused, or overwhelmed.

Find Sarah:

Website: https://www.drsarahdavies.com/

Books: https://www.drsarahdavies.com/books

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode I sit down with consultant psychiatrist and former elite rugby player Dr. Phil Hopley to explore the mental health challenges we face in high-pressure environments — from boardrooms to Formula One pits. With decades of experience supporting top performers in sport, law, and finance, Phil shares how his own journey from the rugby field to psychiatry led to a passion for building resilience and emotional recovery.

From founding Cognacity, a trailblazing mental health consultancy, to coaching professionals on navigating burnout, anxiety, and perfectionism, Phil breaks down how to shift from reactive to proactive care. He reveals what elite athletes, CEOs, and everyday professionals can do to regulate stress, avoid cognitive traps like catastrophising and rumination, and take back control. Plus, he speaks candidly about the mental toll of retirement, and why connection and purpose are essential to sustaining wellbeing.

Find Phil: https://www.cognacity.co.uk/team/dr-phil-hopley/

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re told that new motherhood should feel magical — but what happens when it doesn’t? In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by writer and art historian Sarah Hoover, whose raw honesty about postpartum depression cuts through the silence and shame that so many new mothers carry alone.

We explore what postpartum depression really looks like — beyond the clichés — and how it can show up as rage, disconnection, anxiety, or even laughter that masks pain. Sarah shares her personal experience, how birth trauma can play a role, and why it’s so important to let go of the pressure to feel grateful all the time.

If you or someone you love has struggled with new motherhood, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone — and you deserve support, not silence.

Connect with Sarah Hoover

• Book: The Motherload – Order here
• Instagram: @sarahhoov
• Website: sarahhoover.com

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hurt to Healing, I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Beth Mosley—clinical psychologist and author of Happy Families. Beth brings her warmth, honesty, and lived experience as both a parent and therapist to help us make sense of the emotional minefield of raising teenagers today. We explore why mental health is declining among young people, how social media complicates their development, and what parents can do to foster resilience, connection, and open communication. Beth shares invaluable advice on setting boundaries, repairing ruptures, and letting go of perfection—reminding us that being a good enough parent is more than enough.

Connect with Beth Mosley

• Website
• Instagram

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Healing 101, I sit down with the remarkable Laura Hearn — a journalist, mental health advocate, and the founder of Flip It Works — to explore the critical role that vulnerability, storytelling, and humanity play in shaping healthier, more compassionate workplaces.

Today, she helps organisations create meaningful and lasting mental health initiatives through real human connection, not just policies and apps. We talk about the importance of leaders showing up as their full selves, the fear so many employees face in being seen as “defined by their diagnosis,” and the fine line between performative wellbeing and genuine support. Laura also shares powerful insights about navigating panic, grief, and how small acts of compassion — like simply asking someone what they need — can make a world of difference.

This episode is an honest reminder that the foundation of mental health in the workplace isn't about perfection or tick-boxes — it’s about empathy, listening, and above all, being human.

Find out more:

Website: www.flipitglobal.com

Instagram: @laura_lhearn

Podcast: https://www.flipitglobal.com/podcast/

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we’re diving deep into the raw, unfiltered reality of motherhood with writer, art historian and author of US national bestseller The Motherload, Sarah Hoover. You might know her from her sharp wit and searing honesty online, but in this conversation, Sarah opens up in a way that’s deeply personal and profoundly important. From the trauma of her birth experience to the quiet devastation of postpartum depression, she walks us through what it really means to become a mother in a world that still doesn’t know how to care for women.

Sarah’s story isn’t just about pain—it’s also about reclaiming agency, finding your voice after silence, and daring to say the things so many women feel but are too afraid to speak out loud. Whether you're a mother, thinking about becoming one, or simply want to understand the often invisible emotional toll of birth and parenting, this episode is for you.

Connect with Sarah Hoover

• Book: The Motherload – Order here
• Instagram: @sarahhoov
• Website: sarahhoover.com

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.