Explorez tous les épisodes de On The Mend
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 2024 | My Honest Thoughts On Social Media | 00:21:15 | |
The secret is out… Matt Willis and his wife, Emma, are currently on a 3-week long social media break. They’re doing this alongside a group of year 8 students, whose experiment will be the star of an upcoming Channel 4 documentary. | |||
| 17 Jul 2024 | DR JAMES KUSTOW: how to thrive with adult ADHD | 01:14:32 | |
Matt speaks to his very own psychiatrist, Dr James Kustow, about adult ADHD. James studied medicine, before training in psychiatry. He’s now a consultant who specialises in ADHD and has trained further in psychotherapy and nutrition. But being an expert is only half of the story. Because, like Matt, James was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. In this wide-ranging conversation, the pair talk about ADHD symptoms, diagnosis, the correlation with addiction, the use of medication, and the different targets for intervention that James explores, before taking a pharmaceutical approach. Related links: How to Thrive with Adult ADHD: 7 Pillars for Focus, Productivity and Balance Dr William Dodson on emotional regulation Dr Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset EFT (emotional freedom techniques) NHS Guide to ADHD (01:55) James’ training and specialism in ADHD (05:06) What is ADHD (09:50) Matt’s ADHD diagnosis (10:47) Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) (13:25) The clarity that comes with diagnosis (15:10) More on the symptoms of ADHD (17:50) Adult onset ADHD, and other factors (environment, hyper-mobility & inflammation) (22:18) The ADHD assessment and childhood history (28:57) James’ ADHD diagnosis (34:25) The challenge of achieving goals and completing tasks (37:42) Variations in the presentation of ADHD (41:38) ADHD and addiction (45:46) Medication (55:18) Growth mindset (59:56) Sleep, routine & ADHD (1:01:33) Taking control of your time (1:05:02) Systems to avoid feeling overloaded (1:08:30) Looking at physical health (1:11:00) Emotional regulation techniques (1:12:36) Matt’s outro | |||
| 09 Jul 2024 | How To Deal With Criticism From Loved Ones | 00:25:25 | |
This week we're getting personal! (0:00) Daily gratitude | |||
| 26 Jun 2024 | Opening Up About My Recovery (Answering YOUR Questions) | 00:46:20 | |
Matt is putting himself in the hot seat for today’s episode! We’ve rounded up some of your most pressing questions for an honest, judgment-free Q and A session, where Matt shares some of his own personal experiences in hopes that some of you guys will resonate. We’re diving deep into the aspects of sobriety nobody talks about, how to deal with anxiety, managing family life, and much more. If you have a question that Matt didn’t cover, we’d like to do more of these! Just leave a reply in the Q and A box below. (00:00) – Introduction (00:31) – Daily gratitude (03:54) – How am I? (struggling with sleep) (06:40) – How to manage your time better (07:56) – Quick breathing exercise for anxiety (11:00) – Following a 12-step programme for sobriety (16:24) – Maintaining a schedule (18:08) – Has being in a band made addiction harder? (21:26) – Setting boundaries (23:16) – Busted tours are better sober! | |||
| 06 Aug 2024 | Q and A Special: Busted, Relapsing And More | 00:38:11 | |
Matt is back in the hot seat for our second Q and A episode! We loved our first Q and A episode so much that we're back with a new round of questions from some of our listeners. Get ready to hear about a range of topics, as Matt opens up about being in a band as a recovering addict, how to best support an addict in your life, removing guilt from relapsing, and so much more. Missed the previous Q and A episode? Catch up here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5KNbgwGGqo5GzZTCez4cNy?si=nxmDA9RXRQaLI9_9O7axUA --will tweak these timestamps when final edit comes through-- (0:00) Intro (0:59) What has Matt been up to? (3:16) Playing at Download Festival (6:59) Answering your questions about Busted (8:57) Addiction and song writing (10:43) Would Matt ever go solo? (12:58) Recovery and creativity (15:42) The power of music (17:03) How to support a binge drinker (18:57) Communication is key (20:53) Is it possible to be a ‘cured’ addict? (24:23) Life sober vs as an addict (26:26) What to do if you keep failing at sobriety (30:00) How to get over the guilt of relapse? (33:19) How to stay positive (36:30) Matt’s new tattoo! (38:38) Will Emma Willis join the podcast? (40:50) Who’s Matt’s dream guest on On The Mend? (43:33) Outro | |||
| 19 Jun 2024 | ANDY RAMAGE: motivation and the joy of living alcohol-free | 01:00:51 | |
Matt meets Andy Ramage, a footballer who became a commodities broker, when injury ended his career. While Andy's career was a success, something was missing. He felt broken. And so ten years ago, he embarked on a journey to transform his life. Andy realised that alcohol was impacting how he felt, and his ability to get things done. So, he set his sights on a 90 days booze-free challenge. And he’s never looked back. If you need a bit of motivation right now, whatever challenge you want to take on, Andy’s the man for the occasion. Related links: Andy’s website (with free resources and coaching workshops) Andy’s books: Let’s Do This & The 28 Day Alcohol-Free Challenge The Alcohol-Free Advantage Podcast with Andy Ramage The Dryy App Nick Littlehales’ Sleep BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits (01:23) Andy’s move from football into broking (05:40) Andy’s definition of “middle-lane drinking” (08:42) Wanting to try alcohol-free (and the social pressure around drinking) (14:37) Andy's diagnosis of coronary artery calcification (16:32) Living optimally alcohol-free - the health benefits (20:46) Matt’s experience of people asking him about their own drinking (21:58) Andy’s advice for starting an alcohol-free journey (moving past the excuses) (25:33) The effect that middle lane drinking has on your sleep, performance and health (31:00) What’s going on in your brain (chasing that dopamine spike (34:32) Relationships with people who aren’t alcohol-free (37:57) The red wine myth (resveratrol) and “magic grannies” (40:34) Socialising, alcohol-free drinks, and Dryy Fest (46:57) Studying in later life (48:22) Willpower and motivational psychology (49:48) Andy’s advice for building exercise habits (and core values) (54:40) The stages of change and accepting that you will slip up (58:14) Matt’s outro | |||
| 09 Oct 2024 | JORDAN STEPHENS: managing ADHD, sobriety, and healthy relationships | 00:57:03 | |
This week’s guest is the musician, actor, writer, and podcaster Jordan Stephens. Jordan’s probably best known for Rizzle Kicks, the chart-topping duo he formed with his friend Harley Alexander-Sule, back in 2008. He's since released music as a solo artist, starred in various TV and film projects, published a children’s book, and now he’s written a memoir: Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs. In this conversation the pair discuss education, the impact of overnight success, ADHD, medication and self-medication, as well as their shared interest in psychedelics and Jordan’s journey towards healthier relationships. For more information on some of the subjects Jordan mentioned, there are links below (including more on Professor Nutt and that toad venom). And Jordan WILL return to On The Mend. These two just have too much in common. Related links: Jordan’s website Rizzle Kicks on Instagram Matt’s interview with Jordan on MTV Faces BRIT School bursaries Alan Watts on education The Anxious Generation by Joanthan Haidt Johann Hari’s episode of On The Mend Professor David Nutt and drug classification A 2002 overview of the link between football hooliganism and ecstasy The effects of the inhalation of dried toad secretion containing 5-MeO-DMT The ongoing study at King’s College, London The Esther Perel quote was incorrectly attributed but she’s a fan of the person who said it, Terry Real: “Under patriarchy, you can be connected, or you can be powerful, but you can't be both at the same time because power is power over, not power with, it’s dominance. So, if you move into power, you lose connection. If you move into accommodation, you lose your power. I want to break that binary.” Donna Lancaster & The Bridge Retreat (01:02) Jordan’s childhood (05:28) BRIT School and creative education (11:48) Rizzle Kicks, Busted and dealing with overnight success (16:36) ADHD: from voice notes to diagnoses (plural) (20:34) ADHD: medication and self-medication (27:40) Pattern recognition and relationships (29:07) Sobriety and overcoming writer’s block (30:54) Managing social media use (35:52) Psychedelics (including dried toad secretion) (45:43) Pressure to achieve vs connection (47:02) Educating the next generation about relationships (54:15) Matt’s conclusion | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | SOLO EPISODE: On Love | 00:30:56 | |
This week, Matt is opening up about a topic that makes many of us uncomfortable… love! | |||
| 13 Jul 2023 | On The Mend (COMING SOON) | 00:01:30 | |
On The Mend - a brand new podcast hosted by Matt Willis - launches soon! Subscribe and follow now so you don't miss an episode... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 17 Jul 2023 | DOUGIE POYNTER: addiction, resilience and rhythm | 00:55:20 | |
For the first episode of On The Mend, Matt Willis welcomes his friend and fellow musician, Dougie Poynter, to the studio. In this candid chat, the McFly bassist opens up about his drug addiction and his recovery, sharing raw and honest stories, which he has never done publicly before. He talks about his time in rehab, his lowest and darkest times when coming off drugs, and how he tries to live his life now. Matt and Dougie share the story of how they met, how they've helped each other through hard times and discuss their individual routines for recovery. They are both very into gut health and talk about how changing their diets has made them feel so much better physically and mentally. Dougie's career and stardom has been a rollercoaster ride, with huge rises and huge falls, and we learn a lot about the man who has, up until now, been quite shy and quiet about this side of his life. It is, above all, a life-affirming conversation between two friends, who after many years of dark times are thriving and healthy and happy. *Please be advised that some listeners may find some of the topics discussed disturbing. HELPFUL LINKS AND ADVICE: UK ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 24 Jul 2023 | BRYONY GORDON: alcohol, living with OCD and walking towards wellness | 00:50:21 | |
This week, Matt is joined by journalist, columnist, writer and mental health ambassador, Bryony Gordon. Bryony is full of life and joy and brings such positive energy with her wherever she goes - including this podcast! But her life has not been without dark moments and in this episode she opens up about her alcohol addiction and how she got sober and came through the other side. Bryony is the founder of Mental Health Mates - a peer support group for those who are struggling with their mental health and need to talk and walk. She talks to Matt about how this came about and how it has grown into something she could never have imagined. They also discuss parenthood, friendships and the joys of Body Camp - which both Matt and Bryony have experienced and found invigorating. We cover a lot of serious topics in this episode - and reference some organisations who offer help and advice. You can find links to those below - as well as some other websites you might find useful, if you have been effected by any of the things you have heard in this episode. USEFUL LINKS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 31 Jul 2023 | DJ FAT TONY: sobriety, branches of addiction and I Don't Take Requests | 01:00:21 | |
This week, Matt welcomes the DJ and author Fat Tony to the studio. Tony has had an incredible career, spanning nearly four decades, he has had his say in paving the way for the UK’s current music scene. He held a weekly show in New York, at The Palladium for Streve Rubell – during the height of Paradise Garage – AND is a regular at Ministry of Sound and Glitterbox. As official DJ to the Beckhams and Versace – he is also one of the fashion scene’s go to performers. Now 16 years sober, Tony discovered drugs when he was 18, and would convince himself that he couldn’t DJ unless he was high. He would sometimes go four or five nights straight without sleeping. He became so psychotic from his cocaine addiction that he believed creatures lived inside his gums. He also lost his teeth and became homeless. In this episode we look back at Tony’s extraordinary life and career, how he faced his demons and what recovery means to him. **Please be advised that this episode contains strong language and some content which listeners may find disturbing. If you are affected by anything you hear in the episode - there are links below to some organisations which may be able to help you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 07 Aug 2023 | LIZ KARTER: the all consuming power of gambling | 00:59:22 | |
In this episode Matt welcomes gambling addiction expert, Liz Karter, to the studio. Liz's area of specialisation is gambling addiction. This includes all of its causes and consequences which she has found to be stress, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and sometimes trauma.
Liz has built an excellent reputation for helping women successfully overcome gambling addiction. She also works very successfully with men, too, and helps people overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, digital devices and love relationships, including the complexities of online dating. She established her private practice, Level Ground, in 2010 and over the years has helped hundreds of people to live happier, healthier lives. In this episode, Matt and Liz discuss the all-consuming power of gambling, how technology has made it easier than ever to gamble (and hide it) and the steps someone should take if they're wanting to quit. Here are some links discussed in our episode - and others you may find useful: Liz's Website Liz's Book - Four Weeks To Freedom NHS - gambling addiction help page National Gambling Treatment Service Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 14 Aug 2023 | RYLAN CLARK: navigating fame, heartbreak and success in the spotlight | 00:44:36 | |
This week's guest is the TV and Radio presenter, Rylan Clark. He joins Matt in the studio to talk about the brilliant highs and crushing lows he's experienced in his life recently. After exploding on to our TV screens in 2012, as a contestant on the X-Factor, Rylan has become one of the most recognisable personalities in the UK. Known for his high energy, laughter and fabulous teeth - he is hard to miss, whether on the TV, Radio or just walking down the street. But a couple of years ago, Rylan went through a very difficult divorce, which left him feeling the lowest he had ever been. He didn't want to leave the house, or get out of bed, and he became very ill and turned to drink. In this episode, he opens up to Matt about the highs and lows of fame, loneliness, going through that incredibly difficult time and how he has come through the other side. Below are some helpful links for help and advice, if you have been affected by anything you have heard in this episode. The Samaritans Alcohol Support on the NHS website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 21 Aug 2023 | RAPHAEL ROWE: wrongful convictions, positivity after darkness and hope | 00:56:49 | |
On this week's episode of On The Mend, Matt is joined by the journalist, presenter, author and podcaster Raphael Rowe. Raphael was wrongly convicted of a crime in the late 1980s, and spent 12 years in prison. During that time, he never gave up trying to prove his innocence and never gave up hope, even in the darkest of times. Since being acquitted and released, Raphael has gone on to work for the BBC as a reporter on Radio 4 and regularly appears on The One Show. He hosts 'Inside The World's Toughest Prisons' on Netflix and his own podcast, 'Second Chance'. He talks to Matt about his time in prison (and in solitary confinement), how exercise and yoga helped him get through the days and how he eventually got the authorities to listen to his appeal. His memoir 'Notorious' talks about some of his darkest times and questions the justice system in the UK, which he also touches on in this episode. They also discuss hope and the power of having the mental strength to get through hard times. You can hear more from Raphael on his own podcast, Second Chance And you can read more about the Raphael Rowe Foundation, here If you have been affected by anything you have heard in this episode, there are some links to organisations who might be able to help you below. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 29 Aug 2023 | TYRONE BRENNAND: hardship to healing, yoga and entrepreneurial success | 00:55:54 | |
This week, Matt welcomes author, entrepreneur motivational speaker and personal trainer Tyrone Brennand to the studio. Tyrone is the founder of Be The Fittest, a personal training company in London, and has looked to exercise and yoga his whole life, to help him through hard times. He talks to Matt about some of the darkest times in his life, growing up without a father figure, his passion for yoga and what he does week in, week out to stay healthy in mind and body. They also discuss his book and his tips for people wanting to try yoga for the first time. If you have been effected by anything you have heard in this episode, there are some links to help and guidance below: The Mind Charity (Mindfulness techniques) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE: the four pillars, the power and negativity of shame | 01:03:27 | |
On our latest episode, Matt Willis visits Dr Rangan Chatterjee at his home for an in-depth chat about mental health and wellbeing. Rangan has practiced medicine for over 20 years and believes that good health is accessible to all of us. His goal is to change the way we look at illness and shares his learnings and expertise on his own podcast - 'Feel Better, Live More' - which Matt was a guest on previously. They discuss the feeling of shame, how powerful and negative it is, and what can be done to help people disassociate with that emotion. Dr Chatterjee also shares some simple tips for better mental health, as well as talking about the 'Four Pillars' that he lives by. Rangan's books are bestsellers, and his passion for making people feel better is so evident in the way he writes and speaks. In this episode, we cover addiction, mental health and mindfulness, and hope there are some good takeaways. If you are effected by any of the topics discussed today, here are some links which may be helpful: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 07 Nov 2023 | LAUREN MAHON: breaking the taboos around The Big C | 00:50:37 | |
Matt Willis is joined by podcaster, charity founder and cancer activist, Lauren Mahon (and her dog, Ray). Lozza, as she likes to be called, talks to Matt about breaking the taboos around cancer, talking more openly about illnesses and death and how friends and family can really help in dark times. They discuss her own breast cancer diagnosis, which she got aged 31, her activism, her overactive brain and why sometimes you just need to go to the cinema. Lozza's podcast 'You Me And The Big C' can be found here, although she doesn't host it anymore, for reasons she discusses on the podcast. It's a very open, honest and inspirational chat, and we hope that you will find it as powerful a listen, as we did recording it. (and apologies for the swears!) If you have been effected by anything you've heard in today's episode, there are some links below for help and advice: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| 04 Sep 2024 | SOLO Episode: The Books I Owe My Recovery To | 00:23:21 | |
This week Matt is sharing the top 3 books that have shaped his life and his journey as a recovered addict. He’ll be breaking down exactly why they mean so much to him – and why you should consider checking them out too!
0:00) Intro (0:11) Gratitude list (0:39) Spending time in Ibiza (1:03) Struggling with sleep (1:38) Matt on getting to work with his wife Emma (2:09) Gratitude for the On The Mend team (3:15) Struggling to read (4:42) How To Be Your Own Therapist by Owen O’Kane (5:16) Alcoholics Anonymous (11:23) The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters (13:33) The War Of Art by Stephen Pressfield (16:35) Dr Gabor Mate (17:13) Johann Hari (18:26) What books do the On The Mend listeners recommend? (21:40) What to do if you don’t like reading (22:28) Outro | |||
| 02 Oct 2024 | Why I'm Taking A Break From Social Media (with live Q and A) | 00:29:24 | |
Matt is back with another social media special episode! Since so many of you resonated with Part 1 (episode: My Honest Thoughts On Social Media) we're bringing you a Part 2, where Matt is diving deeper into his relationship with his mobile phone.
Matt spills some details on why he feels the need to take a break from social media, how he's doing it, and why others should consider it too.
Plus, since so many of you had your own ideas and experiences to share, Matt sat down in the second half of this episode to answer some questions from listeners! We hope you all enjoy and would love to hear your thoughts. Do leave a comment or review!
Useful links:
Part 1: My Honest Thoughts On Social Media
Chanel 4 documentary: Swiped: The School that Banned Smartphones
(0:00) Intro
(0:13) Daily gratitude
(3:15) Matt is currently in a good place!
(4:53) Taking a break from social media
(5:12) Matt’s TikTok obsession on tour
(6:43) Matt’s detox from his mobile phone
(8:00) The importance of boredom
(9:13) Song writing with Busted
(10:16) Answering your questions about social media
(27:15) Introducing the burner phone
(29:15) Outro
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| 28 Aug 2024 | JOHANN HARI: rethinking the war on drugs | 01:16:51 | |
This week’s guest is Johann Hari, whose books and TED Talks on depression, anxiety, and addiction have reached millions of people. His 2015 talk Everything You Think You Know About Addiction Is Wrong had a huge impact on Matt, changing how he thought about his own recovery. Matt then devoured Johann’s first book Chasing The Scream which looked at the war on drugs, through the story of Billie Holiday. While writing this book, Johann travelled the world to find out how different countries and cultures are dealing with addiction. Because, when it comes to treatment, prevention and enforcement, some countries have got it nailed... and some really haven't. In fact, many countries (including the UK) have got a lot to learn when it comes to our attitudes towards drugs and addiction. This conversation dives into Billie Holiday’s story and the legacy of Harry J Anslinger’s war on drugs; the importance of connection and compassion in addiction recovery; and what we can learn from innovations in countries like Portugal and Switzerland, and, at the community level, in Vancouver. (01:10) Johann’s funeral song (a surprising choice, but perhaps not for Busted fans) (02:44) The impact of Johann’s Ted Talk on Matt (04:45) Johann’s motivation for researching addiction (08:43) The Rat Park experiment and the importance of connection (13:26) The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday and what this story teaches us about the war on drugs (27:36) Addiction treatment in the prison system (32:32) Shame and stigma in addiction (and the importance of looking at multiple factors) (43:40) The impact of junk values in contemporary society (51:00) Looking for, and fixating on, negative feedback (53:36) The different approach to addiction in Portugal (59:07) Andrew Sullivan, gay marriage, and important cultural change (01:01:59) Decriminalisation vs. legalisation and the Swiss approach to addiction (01:06:22) The power of ordinary people in cultural change (01:07:54) What we can learn from Vancouver (Bud Osborn and Philip Owen) (01:14:24) Concluding thoughts from Johann and Matt Related links: Johann’s books The film adaptation of Chasing The Scream: The United States vs, Billie Holiday Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit Bruce K Alexander’s Rat Park experiment Professor Tim Kasser’s The High Price of Materialism and his experiment with Nathan Duncan Portugal’s Dr João Goulão Virtually Normal by Andrew Sullivan Former President of Switzerland Ruth Dreifuss The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users: VANDU Former Vancouver Mayor Philip Owen | |||
| 12 Jun 2024 | What I Do For My Mental Health | 00:29:53 | |
Matt is braving it for a solo episode this week! He’s stepping out of his comfort zone for a candid chat about a big part of any addict’s recovery: mental health. It’s a topic lots of our listeners have been asking Matt to open up about. So today, he’s breaking down the day-to-day practices that have helped him the most – and can help you too. Some of these habits Matt developed early on in his recovery journey. Others he’s only beginning to see the potential of today. From a beginner’s introduction to meditation, to the power of a freezing cold shower (just hear us out!), to the number one way to start your day, we hope that everyone can take something away from this conversation. (00:00) Introduction (02:29) Start everyday with gratitude (07:00) What I do for my mental health (08:45) An introduction to meditation (14:14) Relaxation with binaural beats (16:03) Getting dopamine from cold water therapy (21:20) Get moving everyday (23:00) Changing my relationship with my past self (24:00) The power of therapy (27:47) Follow evidence over self belief | |||
| 11 Sep 2024 | GABBY LOGAN: navigating grief, competitiveness and middle age | 00:58:11 | |
Gabby was the first female football anchor on terrestrial television and she’s perfected the art of asking great questions, while covering a wide range of international sporting events. In this episode, Matt turns the tables on Gabby, and she speaks with great honesty, sharing moments and insights from her life and career. Sporty and very driven from an early age, Gabby competed at the Commonwealth Games when she was still a teenager. But when her gymnastics career came to an abrupt end, she had to find a new direction. And this big change was followed by the shocking loss of her brother Daniel, when he was just 15 years old. Gabby talks about the impact of grief on her family and how she found the support to deal with her own. She shares how she found confidence as a broadcaster and learned to accept the competitiveness that was forged in a sporting environment. Gabby also reflects on the challenges and the joy she’s experienced raising her own family; and the wisdom and life-changing lessons she’s gained through her own podcast, The Mid.Point. (01:40) Gabby’s sporty childhood (04:01) Owning competitiveness (07:24) British self-deprecation vs. the mentality in the US (09:06) Honesty vs. brutal honesty (10:28) Gabby’s love of order and finding compromise as a family (12:33) Gabby’s gymnastics career (and finding a new direction when it was gone) (15:27) The death of Gabby’s brother, Daniel, when he was just 15 (18.28) The impact on Gabby’s family (and varied ways of dealing with grief) (21:30) The negative consequences of avoiding grief (26:35) Her father’s self-destructive behaviour and the challenge of providing support (38:26) Gabby’s mentor Ed Percival, NLP, and finding confidence at work (44:06) Meeting her husband Kenny (45:16) Wim Hoff and trying cold water therapy on Freeze The Fear (48:03) Gabby’s podcast, The Mid.Point (53:14) The importance of exercise and being truly present at family time (55:34) Writing The Midpoint Plan (56:44) Matt’s outro Related links: The Mid.Point: The Prostate Episode, with Kenny Logan NHS guidance on prostate cancer Gabby’s new book: The Midpoint Plan Gabby’s memoir: The First Half Gabby takes the plunge on BBC One’s Freeze The Fear
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| 03 Jul 2024 | RUBY WAX: taking depression seriously | 00:53:37 | |
This week’s guest is Ruby Wax. A comedian, writer, and mental health advocate, who has wisdom to spare. When she was younger, Ruby often felt lonely - like she didn’t fit in - and she turned to comedy. A reinvention that gave Ruby a taste for attention and led her to drama school, and eventually her own television show in which she met the biggest celebrities of the day. After 25 years in television, Ruby reinvented herself once again. She studied mindfulness-based cognitive therapy at Oxford University. And she now works to remove the stigma around mental health. Not least in her book - I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was - a very personal account of depression and the adventures she followed to find meaning in her life. Related links: Ruby’s website Ruby’s books, including I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was and A Mindfulness Guide For Survival Ruby’s tour When Ruby Wax Met (BBC series) NHS Guide to Local Mental Health Services Mind’s Guide to Crisis Services Esther Perel (one of Ruby’s heroes) The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk (02:14) Soft toy vs green juice (04:22) Ruby’s book (I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was) (12:00) Depression, and coming off antidepressants (13:38) EMDR, ECT, and other treatments (17:19) De-stigmatising depression, while taking it seriously (20:24) Psilocybin therapy (22:41) Mindfulness and a 30-day silent retreat (28:24) Ruby’s mindfulness practice (37:36) The addict label and the victim mentality (39:55) Ruby’s heroes, including Esther Perel, Bessel van der Kolk, Dan Siegel and Sam Harris (42:17) Reinvention (and the addictiveness of fame) (45:15) Ruby Wax Meets (Pamela Anderson, Carrie Fisher, Donald Trump & Liza Minnelli) (48:42) Ruby’s tour (and playing all the parts in her book) (51:26) Matt’s outro | |||
| 05 Jun 2024 | VICKY PATTISON: anxiety, alcohol and advocating for yourself | 01:01:48 | |
Matt Willis returns for a second series of On The Mend. His first guest is Vicky Pattison, a Jungle Queen, whose feet haven’t touched the ground since she first appeared on our screens in 2011. Geordie Shore was a baptism by fire, at a time when reality television was “a bit like the Wild West”. Vicky was only in her early 20s, she was unprepared for the spotlight, and she created a caricature of herself to hide the vulnerable person struggling inside. But since then, Vicky has put in the work. She’s learned what makes her tick, the tools which help her anxiety, and how to navigate her own relationship with alcohol, and her father’s alcoholism. Vicky was determined to become the best version of herself, she seized the opportunity to change public opinion on I’m A Celebrity… And she wants to inspire the next generation of women to never dim their sparkle, and go after exactly what they want. This interview was recorded in March 2024, a few months after Vicky had returned from an endurance mission in the Arctic Circle, raising funds for Comic Relief. Related links: NACOA (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics) Vicky Pattison: Alcohol, Dad and Me (Channel 4) Matt Willis: Fighting Addiction (BBC) Snow Going Back: Comic Relief v the Arctic (BBC) The Secret to Happy: How to build resilience, banish self-doubt and live the life you deserve (Vicky’s book) Vicky Pattison: The Secret To (podcast) | |||
| 31 Jul 2024 | NIKKI LILLY: finding power and beauty in our differences | 00:57:23 | |
Matt chats to the BAFTA Award-winning YouTube star, and campaigner, Nikki Lilly. At the age of six, Nikki was diagnosed with a high flow craniofacial AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). A rare condition which causes life-threatening nose bleeds and extreme swelling. Since then, Nikki’s had almost one hundred medical procedures, as well as therapy, to help process the trauma and pain. When Nikki started vlogging two years later, she was spending a lot of time at home. She often felt disconnected from the world, from her peers, and she was looking for something to do. But her YouTube channel had an unexpected impact – helping her reach millions of people, while covering a range of topics, from online bullying, to chronic illness, mental health, and make-up (a big passion). Nikki was only 19 at the time of recording this conversation but she has wisdom and strength beyond her years. And she’s determined to make a positive difference by sharing her story and films. Related links: Nikki’s YouTube Channel Nikki’s award-winning BBC documentary: Born To Vlog (01:35) Nikki on her BAFTA Award (and fear of public speaking) (04:16) Posting her first YouTube video (and dealing with negative comments) (18:49) Nikki’s time in hospital and disconnection from her peers (22:02) What is AVM? (Arteriovenous Malformation) (26:33) How therapy has helped Nikki (35:02) Dissociation and how Nikki grounds herself (37:37) Importance of alone time (42:45) Parental support (45:36) The power in make-up (51:36) Being an inspiration and advocate for visible difference | |||
| 23 Jul 2024 | The Biggest Lesson My Guests Have Taught Me | 00:26:31 | |
We’re 8 episodes into series 2 of On The Mend… and what a journey it’s been so far! It’s about time we looked back on some of our best moments. So today, Matt is reflecting on the lessons his recent guests have taught him. Unpicking the key messages that have stuck with him for weeks on end – and are sure to stick with you too. We’re looking back on our chats with Geordie Queen Vicky Pattison, Alcohol-Free Advocate Andy Ramage, and Mental Health Pioneer Ruby Wax. Each had their own story to tell. From the fear of passing problems on to your kids, to understanding what ‘middle lane drinking’ is, to taking the stigma away from depression, there’s plenty for us to dive into. What’s been your favourite moment from series 2? Leave a comment. We’d love to know! (0:00) Intro (0:59) Daily Gratitude (new ice bath!) (1:51) Spending more time with my wife (3:05) Spending more time with my son (4:40) What have I learnt from On The Mend’s guests so far? (5:12) What I’ve learnt from Vicky Pattison (8:30) Is addiction genetic or generational trauma? (12:45) What Andy Ramage taught me about ‘middle lane drinking’ (21:05) What Ruby Wax taught me about mental health (25:36) Outro | |||
| 14 Aug 2024 | DR DAVID SPIEGEL: using hypnosis to take back control (with a demo) | 00:54:05 | |
Matt dives into the world of hypnosis with the psychiatrist Dr David Spiegel. In this episode, Matt finds out just how susceptible he is to hypnosis, with results that truly blow him away, and he gets some practical tips on how to reduce anxiety. Dr Spiegel is the Director of the Center on Stress and Health at Stanford University School of Medicine and a leading authority on hypnosis. He has 50 years experience in this field and he uses hypnosis as a problem-solving tool to treat physical and mental issues - including pain, addiction, anxiety and trauma. He talks to Matt about this fascinating therapeutic tool and how he’s giving more people the opportunity to use self-hypnosis, to better manage their minds and bodies, through his Reveri app. Related links: The Reveri app use the code MATT20 for a 20% discount More on Dr David Spiegel Dopamine Nation by Dr Anna Lembke (01:46) Dr Herbert Spiegel (David’s father and a pioneer in hypnosis) (04:38) What is hypnosis and how does it work? (05:46) Dr Spiegel’s first experience of using hypnosis (09:41) Is hypnosis safe? (11:54) How cyclic sighing calms your body and improves your mood (15:56) The many conditions hypnosis can help (including migraines and phobias) (19:52) Differing levels of hypnotisability (21:44) Dr Spiegel tests Matt’s hypnotisability (27:40) Hypnosis and addiction (including smoking) (30:00) Hypnosis and trauma (40:18) Relapse prevention (and the role of dopamine in addiction) (42:08) The Reveri hypnosis app (45:09) Hypnosis and anxiety (including practical tips for performers like Matt) (53:01) Matt’s outro (he’s both amazed and more relaxed) | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | DAN MURRAY-SERTER: from anxiety, bulimia and insomnia to better mental health | 01:08:06 | |
This week’s guest is the entrepreneur and mental health advocate Dan Murray-Serter. Dan has ten years’ experience of building up businesses but, also, of winding them down. He’s spoken publicly about his failures, as well as his personal experience with anxiety, insomnia, depression, burnout, body dysmorphia and bulimia. And the steps Dan took towards improving his own mental and physical health, led him to a new business in nutrition and supplements. Dan and Matt get quite deep in this conversation, which covers spirituality, mental health, ayahuasca. and much more. Related links: The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Height (01:28) The benefits and joy to be found in a regular walk (04:43) A few of Dan’s favourite non-fiction books (06:10) Finding fulfillment and embracing spirituality (11:18) Dan on his upbringing and what he learned from his father (18:44) Living in the present and getting the balance right as an entrepreneur (20:26) Dan’s own mental health history (including insomnia) (24:02) Dan’s life-changing visit to a dietician (33:51) Dan’s experience with bulimia (42:38) Assisted psychedelic therapy and ayahuasca (56: 02) Finding your purpose (with a small p) (01:02:28) Managing comparison and social media (01:07:09) Matt’s outro | |||