In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener's question about feeling less valued than their younger half-brother by their stepmother. The listener shares experiences of unequal treatment and seeks advice on addressing these feelings without causing more tension. They discuss the challenges of adult children living at home, navigating complex family dynamics, and offer practical communication strategies. The episode emphasises the importance of being self-reflective and seeking supportive conversations both within and outside the family.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this powerful and very moving episode, Esther Ghey shares her story of unimaginable loss — the tragic murder of her daughter, Brianna Ghey, in February 2023. Speaking with grace and courage, Esther opens up about her grief journey, her ongoing campaign to improve mental health support for young people, and her mission to create safer online spaces through her charity, Peace and Mind UK.Esther discusses the healing practices that have helped her, including mindfulness, meditation, and the transformative power of self-compassion. She also reflects on the complexities of Brianna’s life and the harsh realities young people face online today. One of the most striking moments in this conversation is Esther’s expression of empathy toward the mother of one of her daughter’s killers - a testament to her capacity for forgiveness and her commitment to peace over hatred.Through her book, Under a Pink Sky, and her advocacy work, Esther is turning personal tragedy into meaningful change - and this conversation is a deeply emotional and inspiring reminder of the human capacity for compassion and hope.Timestamps:00:19 – The Tragic Loss of Brianna Ghey01:07 – Coping with Grief and Mental Health02:28 – Mindfulness and Self-Compassion06:07 – Reflections on Personal Struggles13:24 – Brianna’s Complex Personality16:30 – The Impact of Social Media and Lockdown19:52 – Family Struggles and Addiction21:28 – The Dangers of Online Content25:09 – Parental Challenges and Public Perception27:12 – A Mother’s Compassion: Meeting the Killer’s Mother27:55 – The Power of Forgiveness and Empathy29:22 – Building Bridges: Friendship with Emma31:24 – Restorative Justice and Letting Go of Hate34:14 – Peace and Mind UK: A Legacy of Hope37:32 – Cherry Blossoms and Pink Skies: Signs from Brianna39:21 – Grief, Acceptance, and the Mystery of Afterlife42:13 – Reflections on the Conversation with Emily and SophieBuy Esther's book: https://amzn.eu/d/b59YwyESupport Peace and Mind UK: https://www.peaceandminduk.org/Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Agony Aunties episode, a listener writes in about the emotional challenges of caring for her mother who is starting to show signs of aging. The Agony Aunties discuss the delicate balance between providing help and respecting the parent's independence. They highlight the importance of having tender, collaborative conversations and preparing for the future. The discussion also touches on the emotional complexity of witnessing a parent's decline and offers practical advice for maintaining patience and understanding.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Emma Barnett opens up about the unseen struggles that have shaped both her personal and professional life.Emma shares her journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, the toll of chronic pain, and the emotional realities of going through IVF to have her children. Speaking with clarity, honesty and conviction, she dismantles taboos around women’s health and offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of motherhood — one that goes far beyond picture-perfect expectations.We also dive into her book Maternity Service, where Emma challenges outdated notions of maternity leave and reclaims the narrative of what it means to become a mother. This episode is a candid reflection on resilience, identity, and why the stories we don’t often tell are the ones that matter most.01:02 Emma's Health Challenges03:13 IVF Journey and Motherhood05:50 Living with Pain and Finding Strength08:28 Emma's Background and Upbringing15:11 Professional Life and Broadcasting20:26 Discussing the Book 'Maternity Service'33:25 Losing and Gaining Yourself33:43 Balancing Career and Home Life34:00 The Importance of Flexibility35:12 The 'Let Them' Movement35:26 Influence and Relationships38:50 Community and Support45:46 Survival Strategies for Parents49:07 Hope and Determination54:24 Reflections on MotherhoodFind Emma:Instagram: @emmabarnettBuy her book, Maternity Service: https://amzn.eu/d/3C2izpuWebsite: https://www.emmabarnett.org/Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, the Agony Aunties tackle a listener's question about dealing with the pain of family estrangement. They provide thoughtful advice, suggesting outreach to communities in similar situations, the therapeutic use of letters, and the importance of individual and family therapy. They emphasise the necessity of processing grief, managing obsessive thoughts, and finding personal agency in the face of unresolved trauma. Lastly, they acknowledge the listener's own emotional journey and encourage self-support during this challenging time.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this heartfelt episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia welcomes Lindsey Burrow, widow of rugby legend Rob Burrow. Lindsey discusses the challenges of coping with Rob's battle against motor neurone disease and life after his passing in June 2024. She opens up about dealing with anticipatory grief, the struggle of single parenthood, and maintaining a positive mindset. Lindsey also shares her ways of coping through exercise, the importance of communication, and the support she received from family and friends. Lindsey also sheds light on the role of unpaid carers, the importance of exercise and communication, and her efforts to continue Rob's legacy through fundraising for a specialist MND care centre and her upcoming book, 'Take Care,' which which focuses on love, resilience, and the power of family during adversity.Buy Lindsey's book: https://amzn.eu/d/epJlLxiFollow Lindsey on Instagram: @rob7lindsey00:22 Lindsey Burrow's Story: Life with Rob Burrow01:11 Greatest Challenges After Rob's Passing03:03 Coping with Grief and Loss04:25 Balancing Parenthood and Personal Grief06:02 The Role of a Carer15:44 Children's Grief and Resilience29:10 Rob's Legacy and Future Plans30:17 Writing the Book: A Therapeutic Journey32:57 Final ThoughtsPlease subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode, a letter to the Agony Aunties sparks a deeply honest conversation about what it means to love two people at once. The writer shares her experience of being in a long-term marriage of 33 years while also falling for another man. The hosts explore the emotional weight of this dual connection and the very human complexities of desire, loyalty, and longing.Drawing on the insights of relationship experts like Dan Savage and Esther Perel, the discussion unpacks the prevalence of extramarital affairs and the often-unspoken struggles within committed relationships. From trust and secrecy to self-reflection and growth, this episode invites listeners to sit with the grey areas and consider how we reconcile love, truth, and our evolving sense of self within a marriage.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Nadiya Hussain shares her journey from a housewife to a renowned baker and author, detailing the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the impact of her immigrant background, societal pressures, and personal struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. Nadiya touches upon her career’s milestones, including her victory on The Great British Bake Off, and how each new project brings its own set of challenges and expectations. She also reflects on family dynamics, the significance of open communication, and the importance of maintaining dreams and aspirations despite obstacles. The conversation highlights Nadiya's relentless determination, love for family, and the unique challenges she faces as a British Bangladeshi Muslim woman in the public eye.00:09 Nadiya's Multifaceted Identity00:54 Challenges and Overcoming Them02:15 Facing Criticism and Bias06:25 Childhood Dreams and Realizations09:34 Family Dynamics and Cultural Expectations11:35 Pursuing Education Against All Odds23:57 Marriage and Personal Growth25:06 Navigating Family Dynamics and Adaptability27:47 Understanding Parental Decisions and Forgiveness29:23 The Legacy of Courage and Change32:08 Overcoming Personal Challenges and Achievements36:31 Facing Cultural and Professional Hurdles41:39 Family, Fame, and Open Communication48:11 Embracing Challenges and Personal GrowthFind Nadiya:Website: https://www.nadiyahussain.com/Instagram: @nadiyajhussainBuy Nadiya's new book 'Rooza': https://www.nadiyahussain.com/book/rooza/Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, the Agony Aunties discuss a delicate and complex issue brought up by a listener whose partner's brother has two adult daughters conceived using a sperm donor. Despite being aware of the donor conception, the daughters have never been told, and the listener seeks advice on whether and how they should be informed. The Agony Aunties emphasise the importance of the biological parents handling the conversation and suggest seeking support from organisations like the Donor Conception Network. They also recommend exploring personal fears around disclosure and preparing for the conversation through therapy. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the roles family members can play in providing support and maintaining strong relationships.Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Therapy Works podcast, Julia Samuel welcomes Lucy Brazier, the author of 'The Honesty Box', who candidly shares the challenges she faces in her marriage due to her husband's longstanding struggles with depression. Lucy discusses the transformative impact of an eventual ADHD and autism diagnosis on their relationship, their coping mechanisms, and the critical role of honest communication. Their story also highlights systemic issues in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the episode features a discussion among Julia and her daughters about the broader implications of these struggles in marriages, underscoring the importance of understanding, patience, and resilience.00:32 Struggles with Depression in Marriage00:59 Decision to Divorce02:25 Emotional Impact and Resentment03:20 Challenges of Supporting a Depressed Partner11:32 Discovery of ADHD13:04 The Honesty Box Project16:46 Impact of ADHD Diagnosis26:44 Dual Diagnosis: ADHD and ASD30:54 Understanding Family Dynamics31:17 Balancing Openness and Protection33:02 Collective Agency in Mental Health34:23 Navigating Differences in Marriage36:31 Embracing Imperfections and Courage39:14 The Importance of Honest Conversations40:24 Coping Mechanisms and Adaptations54:05 The Role of Diagnosis and Acceptance57:08 Reflections on Divorce and RelationshipsBuy Lucy's book: https://amzn.eu/d/990KhdlInstagram: @brazier.lucyPlease subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices