Hurt to Healing

In this Healing 101 episode, I sit down with James Withey - writer, speaker, and founder of The Recovery Letters project - to explore what it really means to live with depression.James shares his personal journey, from struggling with depression since childhood to facing suicidal thoughts and time in psychiatric hospitals. Through vulnerability, wit, and warmth, he helps break the silence and stigma around mental illness.In this episode, we discuss:How depression can feel like deep isolation—and why connection is so vitalThe power of tracking small wins and challenging internal negative narrativesWhy asking for help doesn’t mean surrendering controlNavigating shame, support, and the difficult act of reaching outA message of hope: that healing is possible, and joy can returnWhether you're supporting someone with depression or facing it yourself, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not alone - and that even in darkness, there’s a path forward.Buy James's book on depression: https://amzn.eu/d/igcshWM Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m joined by James Longman, an award-winning journalist and author of The Inherited Mind, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about mental illness, family history, and the complexities of healing.James opens up about his father’s struggles with schizophrenia and suicide, and how that experience shaped his own battles with depression and anxiety. Writing his latest book—a deeply personal exploration of his family’s history—was both cathartic and incredibly challenging, forcing him to confront his past while also trying to make sense of mental illness in a wider context.We also discuss the stigma that still surrounds mental health, the complexities of diagnosis and treatment, and the role of medication and community-based care. But more than anything, this conversation is about humanising mental illness, understanding it beyond labels, and recognizing the real people behind these experiences.It’s a raw, thought-provoking discussion, and I’m so grateful to James for sharing his story.Find James:Instagram: @jamesaalongmanBuy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/fzUO5B5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my first ever solo episode, I open up about the challenges of living with OCD, the fear of doing something new, and the everyday battles that come with a long-term mental health condition. I reflect on the power of saying "yes" even when it feels uncomfortable, the slow process of reclaiming joy, and what it’s taken to begin moving beyond the rigid, compulsive structure my OCD once demanded. This episode is about the tension between survival and connection—and the courage it takes to let people in, even when it feels safer to hide.I also share a few thoughts from my weekly Substack newsletter, talk about the shame that so often comes with mental illness, and my hope for building a more open, empathetic community. From feeling misunderstood to learning how to trust myself again, this is a deeply personal reflection on what it means to heal in public—not just in hindsight. If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health journey, I hope this resonates with you.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, we explore the fascinating link between gut health and mental well-being with Dr. Federica Amati. The gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in everything from mood regulation to cognitive function, and emerging research shows that what we eat directly impacts our mental health.Dr. Amati breaks down:How the gut microbiome influences brain chemistry and mental well-beingThe role of diet in reducing symptoms of depression and anxietyWhy inflammation, leaky gut, and SIBO can disrupt the gut-brain connectionHow the Mediterranean diet supports both gut and brain healthThis episode is packed with practical, science-backed insights on how small dietary changes can make a big difference to mental well-being. If you’re looking for an easy yet powerful way to support your health, this conversation is a must-listen.Find Fede:Instagram: @dr.fede.amatiBuy Fede's book: https://amzn.eu/d/8wIhU2cFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Hurt to Healing, I talk with journalist and editor Annabel Fenwick Elliot, who shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD at age 34. Annabel reflects on how ADHD impacted her life, from struggles in school and university to managing depression and navigating adulthood.She candidly discusses the strategies that have helped her work with, rather than against, her ADHD tendencies, including the use of medication and embracing openness about her condition. Beyond ADHD, Annabel opens up about her experience with alcoholism and how the drug naltrexone played a key role in her recovery.Whether you or someone you know is affected by ADHD, addiction, or the challenges of mental health, Annabel’s story offers hope, understanding, and practical insights.Find Annabel:Instagram: @annabelmaudFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this Healing 101 episode, where we tackle one of the most pressing topics in mental health today—how to support teenagers through the challenges of growing up.I’m joined by Dr Beth Mosley, a psychologist who works closely with young people and families, to unpack the pressures teens face, from social media and school stress to navigating family relationships. Beth shares practical advice for parents, including how to set healthy boundaries around technology, keep communication open, and most importantly, model self-compassion in a way that helps teenagers do the same.We also explore the role of family dynamics in shaping mental health and how building a supportive community can make all the difference. This is an insightful and encouraging conversation, full of real-world strategies to help parents foster resilience and emotional well-being in their children.Find Beth: Website: https://www.drbethmosley.com/Read Beth's book: https://amzn.eu/d/3n5g4ABInstagram: @drbethmosley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Josh Connolly, an emotional resilience coach, speaker and author of the transformative book It’s Them, Not You. Josh opens up about his personal journey of healing from a childhood shaped by trauma and growing up with a toxic, alcoholic parent. He shares how these early experiences influenced his struggles with addiction and self-worth, and how he’s since transformed those challenges into a mission to help others.Together, we explore the long-term impacts of dysfunctional family systems, the importance of breaking unhealthy patterns, and the power of self-compassion in the healing process. Josh also offers practical advice on navigating difficult relationships, reparenting yourself, and the importance of finding community. Find Josh:Website: https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/Instagram: @josh_ffwBuy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/ehjEkcpFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s Healing 101 I am joined by Katie McKenna once again to talk about something that isn’t always visible but can have a profound and lasting impact—emotional abuse. Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse can be subtle, insidious, and difficult to recognise, but its effects on self-worth, confidence, and relationships can be just as damaging.In this episode, we’ll explore the hidden signs of emotional abuse—from gaslighting and silent treatment to intense jealousy and role reversal in parent-child relationships. We’ll talk about why emotional abuse can make someone more vulnerable to future abusive relationships, and most importantly, how to begin the process of healing. Katie shares powerful insights on how to rebuild your sense of self, set boundaries, and take small but meaningful steps toward self-empowerment. If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, questioned your reality in relationships, or found it hard to say "no," this episode is for you.Find Katie:Instagram: @katiemckennapsychotherapistWebsite: https://www.katiemckenna.ie/Follow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Hurt to Healing! Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Federica Amati, a medical scientist and registered nutritionist, to talk about how we can build a healthier relationship with food—without all the guilt and restriction. So often, nutrition advice focuses on what to cut out, but Federica believes the real power lies in what we add in. We’ll be talking about how to personalise your diet based on your age, life stage, and health needs, and why enjoying food is just as important as making healthy choices.We also get into some big topics—like the demonisation of carbohydrates, whether continuous glucose monitoring and blood testing can help us understand our bodies better, and what we actually need to know about supplements and the wellness industry. Plus, Federica shares practical, sustainable ways to make changes to your diet without feeling overwhelmed. This episode is all about empowering you to nourish yourself in a way that works for you, so let’s get into it!Find Fede:Instagram: @dr.fede.amatiBuy Fede's book: https://amzn.eu/d/8wIhU2cFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline — and it certainly doesn’t play by the rules. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a version of yourself, grief can show up in unexpected ways and stay longer than we’d like. In this episode, I speak with James Withey — therapist, speaker, and author of How to Get to Grips with Grief — to talk about what it really means to live with loss. James shares his own experience of bereavement and depression, and together we explore how grief can shape our mental health, our relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves.This conversation gently unpacks the myths around moving on, the importance of emotional expression, and how we can show up for others (and ourselves) when grief hits. James brings so much honesty, compassion, and even some lightness to the conversation — and it’s a powerful reminder that grief isn’t something we need to fix. It’s something we need to understand.Buy James's book on grief: https://amzn.eu/d/ahBrRlgFollow us on social media for more insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and community discussions. Share your thoughts and connect with us at @hurttohealingpod on Instagram and YouTube. We’d love to hear from you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.