Hurt to Healing

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/fourthousandweeksStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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.comInstagram: @doctorshefaliYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrShefaliStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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_campbellI'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/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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/6GqLojXInstagram: @adhdadult_jamesStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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: @jeremylipkowitzStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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.barbaWork: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/tommaso.barba20LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommaso-barba-88220a177/?originalSubdomain=ukStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drannacoltonBook (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Children-About-Food/dp/1785120557Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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-andreaStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: 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: @therichclarkeListen to This Was Always Me Podcast: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42L3VY/Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.ukIf 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.comInstagram – @anxietyjoshPodcast – Disordered with Joshua FletcherBooks – Panicking About Panic, Untangle Your Anxiety, And How Does That Make You Feel?Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.