In this Healing 101 bonus episode, I’m joined by psychologist and author Lucy Foulkes to explore how to tell the difference between normal emotional struggles and a diagnosable mental health condition. We discuss the rise in self-diagnosis, the overuse of terms like anxiety, OCD, and trauma, and why not every difficult feeling needs to be pathologised - alongside when it’s important to seek help and how to better understand what you’re really experiencing.

Find Lucy:

Website: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/

Read Lucy's books: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/books

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’m joined by writer and creator Ella Willis to talk about autism, masking, sensory overwhelm and what it feels like to move through the world feeling different from everybody else.

We discuss Ella’s brilliant new book, Literally, and have a really honest conversation about late diagnosis, friendships, relationships, people pleasing, routine and the exhaustion that can come from constantly trying to fit into environments that don’t feel built for you.

What I loved so much about this conversation is how relatable it is, whether you are neurodivergent yourself or simply someone who has ever felt misunderstood, overstimulated or emotionally overwhelmed.

Ella speaks with such honesty, humour and self awareness, and I think so many of you will take comfort from this episode.

Find Ella:

Instagram: @_ellawillis

Buy Ella’s book: https://amzn.eu/d/0cmX9SiQ

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s Healing 101, I speak with psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (Anxiety Josh) to bridge the gap between the mind and the body. Josh explains the 'bell curve' of a panic attack - reassuring us that it is physically impossible to stay stuck in that peak state and breaks down the 'threat mode' that can make us feel like we’re watching life through glass. We dive into practical tools for expanding a world shrunk by avoidance, from the 'non-anxious you' test to the 'Wise Mind' technique for silencing rumination. It’s a masterclass in reclaiming your agency and moving from a state of constant monitoring to one of authentic resilience and joy.

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’m joined by psychologist and bestselling author Dr Tara Porter for a conversation about parenting, perfectionism and what children really need from us emotionally.

We talk about why so many young people are struggling with anxiety, overwhelm and feelings of not being good enough, and how modern parenting can sometimes unintentionally fuel those pressures.

Tara shares such wise and compassionate insights about attachment, boundaries, overachievement, social media and the importance of being a good enough parent rather than a perfect one.

What I loved most about this conversation is that it feels deeply reassuring. It’s not about getting everything right. It’s about connection, curiosity and allowing children the space to become fully themselves.

I think every parent, and honestly every adult, will take something from this episode.

Find Dr Tara Porter:

Website: https://www.taraporterpsychologist.com/

Instagram: @drtaraporterpsychologist

Books: https://www.taraporterpsychologist.com/school-packages

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by Hannah Alderson to explore the often-overlooked link between our hormones and our mental health - because sometimes what we think is anxiety, low mood, or burnout might actually have a deeper, physiological root. We talk about the subtle signs your symptoms could be hormonally driven, how things like sleep, stress, and your cycle all play a role, and why learning to tune into your body is just as important as any test or diagnosis. It’s a really empowering, eye-opening conversation that reminds you to trust yourself, advocate for your health, and approach your body with a little more curiosity and compassion.

Find Hannah:

Website: https://www.hannahalderson.com/

Instagram: @hannahaldersonnutrition

Pre-Order Her Book (out in May): https://amzn.eu/d/0hitUyCn

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tommy Wood to explore how we can better look after our brains in a world that often leaves us overstimulated, overwhelmed, and mentally exhausted. We discuss his new book, The Stimulated Mind, and what it really means to future-proof your brain—not just against dementia, but against brain fog, burnout, and the daily demands of modern life.

Tommy explains why cognitive decline isn’t inevitable, how our brains can keep changing at any age, and why small, realistic habits can make a meaningful difference over time. From sleep, movement, nutrition, focus, and social connection to the impact of AI, multitasking, and constant notifications, this conversation is a practical and reassuring guide for anyone who wants to feel sharper, calmer, and more in control of their brain health.

Find Tommy:

Website: https://www.drtommywood.com/

Instagram: @drtommywood

Listen to his podcast: https://www.drtommywood.com/podcast

Buy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/0g37QBhj

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Healing 101, Bryony Gordon unpacks people pleasing as a learned survival response rooted in fear and control, rather than simply being “nice.” She explores how trying to manage others’ emotions can lead to burnout, resentment, and a loss of self, and why surrendering control can feel both uncomfortable and deeply freeing. The conversation highlights the importance of boundaries—not as selfish, but as essential protection—and challenges societal expectations around being agreeable, especially for women. With gentle, practical insights on noticing these patterns and reconnecting with yourself, this episode is a powerful reminder that you deserve to take up space, choose where your energy goes, and put yourself first without guilt.

Find Bryony:

Instagram: @bryonygordon

Books: https://www.headline.co.uk/contributor/bryony-gordon/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-of-bryony/id1763828544

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Foulkes, psychologist, researcher, and author specialising in youth mental health, to unpack what we really mean by “mental health.” We explore the difference between everyday emotional experiences and clinical conditions, and why feeling anxious or low doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Lucy explains how mental health problems are defined by their severity, duration, and impact on daily life, and why adolescence is such a vulnerable period shaped by brain development, social pressures, and major transitions.

We also dive into the bigger picture, from the impact of poverty and peer dynamics to the growing demand for support that far outweighs available resources. Lucy offers a thoughtful perspective on the current mental health conversation—challenging over-diagnosis, questioning whether opening up is always the answer, and exploring how therapy, education, and even AI could play a role in better supporting those who need it most.

Find Lucy:

Website: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/

Read Lucy's books: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/books

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

Substack: substack.com/@hurttohealing

Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.