Épisodes

  • S3E15 - School and Mental Health, with Caro Giles

    S3E15 - School and Mental Health, with Caro Giles
    Sep 5 2025
    In this episode we are joined by author: Caro Giles to talk about school and mental health.

    Caro has worked as a teacher across the education sector. She is winner of the inaugural BBC Countryfile New Writer Award, author of Twelve Moons, published by Harper North and writes a regular monthly column for Psychologies Magazine.

    Her latest book - Unschooled - published by Little Toller Books, is a memoir about her life as a single mother who was forced to educate her four daughters at home due to our underfunded school system being unable to cater for young people with special educational needs.

    In this episode we are going to discuss how conducive our current school system is for children’s positive mental health, the challenges that it can present for children with additional needs and what needs to change in order for school to become a place that supports everyone’s wellbeing.

    UNSCHOOLED is available in all good bookstores.

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds
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    29 min
  • S3E14 - High Functioning Depression, with Dr Judith Joseph

    S3E14 - High Functioning Depression, with Dr Judith Joseph
    Aug 1 2025
    Depression isn’t just about a presence of sadness, it’s also about an absence of happiness. And whilst ceasing to function is a long-understood symptom of Depression, those that cope by never stopping aren’t necessarily in any less need of help.

    In this episode of Lively Minds we discuss High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher. Dr. Joseph, who is also the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research and the resulting book 'High Functioning: Overcoming Your Hidden Depression and Reclaiming Your Joy.'

    The conversation explores the distinction between high functioning depression and classic depression, the importance of early identification, and Dr. Joseph's innovative five V framework (validation, venting, values, vitals and vision) for cultivating joy and mental wellbeing.

    The episode emphasises the necessity of a proactive approach to mental health to prevent breakdowns and highlights the vital role of understanding trauma and anhedonia in managing depression.

    You can buy Dr Joseph’s book: High Functioning at all good bookstores or find out more by clicking here

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds

    00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast
    00:16 Meet Dr. Judith Joseph
    01:15 Understanding High Functioning Depression
    03:23 Proactive Mental Health Approaches
    04:37 Defining High Functioning Depression
    05:38 The Role of Trauma in High Functioning Depression
    07:54 Identifying Anhedonia
    17:15 Listener Engagement Break
    17:59 Exploring Masochistic Behaviours
    19:46 Understanding People Pleasing and Trauma
    21:41 Masochistic Personality Disorder Explained
    22:27 Big T vs. Small T Trauma
    27:01 Coping Mechanisms in High Functioning Depression
    30:13 The Five V Framework
    37:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    38 min
  • S3E13 - The evolutionary basis for anxiety, with Professor Melissa Bateson

    S3E13 - The evolutionary basis for anxiety, with Professor Melissa Bateson
    Jul 4 2025
    Professor Melissa Bateson, an expert in ethology, explains the biological functions of anxiety, its evolutionary importance, and how it prepares humans and animals to detect and respond to threats.

    The conversation covers the smoke detector principle, the optimal threshold for anxiety responses, and the potential impact of modern environments on anxiety levels.

    The episode also delves into how understanding animal behaviour can offer insights into human mental health.

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, or see our links at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds

    00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast
    00:21 Meet Professor Melissa Bateson
    01:04 Understanding Ethology and Human Behavior
    01:58 Evolutionary Basis for Anxiety
    05:43 The Smoke Detector Principle
    06:56 When Anxiety Becomes a Problem
    18:00 Biological Perspective on Anxiety Thresholds
    23:46 Modern Threats and Anxiety
    27:54 Learning from Animals
    29:26 Conclusion and Farewell
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    30 min
  • S3E12 - Antidepressants, with Dr Alex Curmi

    S3E12 - Antidepressants, with Dr Alex Curmi
    Jun 13 2025
    We take a deep dive into SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which is the most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant in the UK. We discuss with Consultant Psychiatrist: Dr Alex Curmi what we know about the effectiveness of SSRIs, what we don't, and why there is so much debate about their use.

    Check out the Thinking Mind Podcast by searching for it wherever you get your podcasts.
    Or you can find it on Spotify by clicking here

    In particular, you might be interested in Alex's conversations with
    • Prof Joanna Moncrieff about her skeptisim of SSRIs

    • Prof David Taylor about SSRI research, their effectiveness and side effects
    Mark Horowitz's website can be found here


    Weblinks are provided in good faith and Lively Minds is not responsible for the content of external sites.

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com


    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links https://www.bio.link/livelyminds


    00:00 Introduction to Lively Minds Podcast
    00:19 Today's Topic: Antidepressants and SSRIs
    00:47 Guest Introduction: Dr. Alex Kmy
    01:52 Understanding SSRIs: Mechanism and Function
    03:21 Hosts' Personal Experiences with SSRIs
    09:39 Debate on SSRIs: Effectiveness and Over-Prescription
    22:19 Effectiveness of SSRIs: Research Insights
    25:34 Understanding Antidepressant Effect Sizes
    25:49 Comprehensive Depression Assessment
    26:20 Exploring Treatment Options Beyond Antidepressants
    27:23 SSRIs for Various Mental Health Conditions
    28:47 The Role of Psychological Interventions
    29:46 Personal Development and Mental Health
    31:20 Debating the Usefulness of Diagnoses
    32:28 Personal Journey with SSRIs
    34:36 Stigma and Medication
    37:11 Modern Life and Mental Health
    39:57 The Mystery of How SSRIs Work
    41:22 Supporting Patients in Tapering Off SSRIs
    44:47 Alternative Biological Treatments for Depression
    46:05 The Future of AI in Psychiatry
    46:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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    48 min
  • Sorry for the delay

    Sorry for the delay
    Jun 6 2025
    Sorry for the delay
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    1 min
  • S3E11 - Rethinking Happiness Part 2, with Professor Mark Fabian

    S3E11 - Rethinking Happiness Part 2, with Professor Mark Fabian
    May 2 2025
    What does it mean to live a happy life? Can happiness be more than just feeling good? And how might ideas like meaning, community, and values help us rethink wellbeing?

    In this second of a two part series, hosts Will and Ellie are joined by Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy.

    They explore happiness as something more complex than mood—touching on meaning, self-actualisation, nihilism, community, and the impact of culture and policy on our ability to live well.
    The conversation also reflects on how mental health and happiness intersect, and why moving beyond self-optimisation might bring us closer to fulfilment.

    Mark's book Beyond Happy is published by Bedford Square and available to buy now by clicking here.

    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links https://www.bio.link/livelyminds

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    00:00 Introduction to Today’s Episode
    01:05 Beyond Feeling Good: A New Take on Happiness
    04:18 Wholeness, Fulfilment and Practical Wisdom
    09:31 Nihilism and the Search for Meaning
    15:58 Culture, Community and Belonging
    22:00 Mental Health, Self-Help, and Social Structures
    26:57 Concluding Reflections
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    31 min
  • S3E10 - Rethinking Happiness, Part 1 - with Professor William Tov

    S3E10 - Rethinking Happiness, Part 1 - with Professor William Tov
    Apr 4 2025
    What is happiness? How does it change across cultures? How might notions of happiness change for people with mental health challenges? What does it mean to live a “happy life”?

    In this first of a two part series, we revisit an interview from May 2023 with Professor William Tov of Singapore Management University. We discuss the broad and varied definitions of happiness, cultural differences in how happiness is perceived, and the role personality plays in happiness.

    The conversation also touches on the impact of mental health on happiness, the distinction between fleeting emotions and deeper life satisfaction, and how cultural norms can shape our understanding of what it means to live a happy life.

    Follow @livelymindspod on social media, click here or links https://www.bio.link/livelyminds

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode
    01:03 Defining Happiness
    04:18 Cultural Perspectives on Happiness
    16:00 Personality and Happiness
    19:31 Mental Health and Happiness
    26:19 Concluding Thoughts
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    28 min
  • S3E9 - Collective Care, with Charlie Fitz and Miss Jacqui

    S3E9 - Collective Care, with Charlie Fitz and Miss Jacqui
    Mar 7 2025
    In this episode of 'Lively Minds,' Ellie discusses the importance of collective care and mental health through a conversation with artists: Charlie Fitz and Miss Jackie.

    They explore how their artist collective, Triad, created during the Covid pandemic, became a vital support system for their well-being.

    The shared experiences of disability and creativity fostered a unique bond among them, providing a space for emotional support, mutual understanding, and collective care.

    They also offer insights on how others can cultivate similar supportive networks.

    You can find out more about Triad and see examples of their work at https://www.triad.org.uk/exhibition/

    Charlie Fitz's website can be found at https://www.charliefitzartist.co.uk/ and Miss Jacqui's at https://www.missjacqui.co.uk/

    Follow @livelymindspod on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and more at https://www.bio.link/livelyminds

    Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find out more about the show and get signposting to support on our website livelymindspod.com

    00:00 Introduction and Content Warning

    00:18 Meet the Hosts: Will and Ellie

    00:36 Today's Episode: A Unique Approach

    1:45 Introducing Charlie and Miss Jackie

    03:08 How Triad Collective started

    05:07 Collective Care and Its Importance

    11:23 Boundaries and Respect in the Collective

    21:17 Creating Supportive Spaces

    25:34 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    29:35 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
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    30 min