The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments cover art

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

By: Podcasters David Jones & Dr Naomi Murphy
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Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be relentlessly competitive? What it’s like to live or work in a prison? Does working with people who commit murder, child abuse and rape affect people who work in prisons and the wider criminal justice system?

How do people survive and thrive when facing significant challenges to our emotional health over a lengthy period? How do we protect ourselves and stay compassionate, loving and trusting? Importantly, how do we find and preserve hope?

Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote that “The degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons”. In this weekly podcast ,your hosts, David Jones (Forensic psychotherapist) and Dr Naomi Murphy (Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist) hope that exploring less visible aspects of prisons will help listeners see that prisons are a window into society and let us see people not only at their worst but also at their best. We feature a rich range of guests sharing snap shots of life in prisons and take a look at hospitals, schools, sport and the police in order to learn from other institutions. We learn about challenges to human integrity and hear important lessons and heart-warming stories about survival and growth when facing adversity in harsh places. We hope that sharing our conversations can help you make changes to your own relationship with institutions that might challenge your emotional health and well-being.

Follow and connect with us and give us feedback. Let us know what you think works, and also what doesn’t. We want you to look forward to the podcast each week. We’ll also be extremely grateful for any reviews that you give us. A simple star or two or a thumbs up will do.

Email: lockedupliving@gmail.com or connect with us on:
Substack: https://lockedupliving.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedUpLiving
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimurphypsychologist/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jones-41910b12/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lockedupliving/Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Max Schurer (Audio); The Unseen Power Dynamic: How Comedians Control the Room Without Saying a Word

    Max Schurer (Audio); The Unseen Power Dynamic: How Comedians Control the Room Without Saying a Word
    Jun 24 2026

    summary In this episode which is a bit outside of our usual conversations, we meet Max Schurer who shares his multifaceted relationship with comedy, exploring what makes things funny, the purpose of comedy, and its impact on society and individual well-being. We look at the art of stand-up, societal boundaries, and how comedy can both divide and unite.

    keywords comedy, stand-up, societal boundaries, humour, mental health, cultural boundaries, comedy festivals, audience engagement

    key topics

    • What makes people laugh and the subjectivity of humour
    • The purpose of comedy beyond entertainment
    • The role of comedy in reflecting and challenging society
    • Different genres of comedy including stand-up and TV comedy
    • The relationship between comedy and mental health
    • Cultural boundaries and societal norms in comedy
    • The craft of performing and the importance of audience reading
    • Using comedy for societal healing and community engagement

    Sound Bites

    • "What makes one person laugh can insult another"
    • "Comedy can challenge society and hold a mirror up"
    • "Laughter releases chemicals that are good for you"

    Chapters approximate

    0:00Introduction to Max Schurer's Background

    01:00Max's Relationship with Comedy

    02:36What Makes People Find Things Funny?

    04:54The Purpose of Comedy

    06:38Genres and Forms of Comedy

    07:07Timelessness of Certain Jokes

    09:05Repeating Comedy Acts and Audience Loyalty

    10:28Visual Comedy and Persona (Tommy Cooper)

    10:57Defining 'Good' Comedy and Cultural Boundaries

    12:02Different Forms of Comedy: Stand-up, TV, and Sketches

    15:26Comedy's Role in Well-being and Happiness

    17:03Offense, Boundaries, and Audience Reactions

    19:21Comedy and Audience Expectations

    20:56Performance Variability and Audience Reception

    23:42The Challenges of Being a Comedian

    25:37Mental Health and Comedy

    33:14Power Dynamics in Comedy

    35:35The Challenge of Being Funny on Demand

    38:40Authenticity and Boundaries in Comedy

    41:52Societal Boundaries and Evolving Norms

    45:39Comedy as a Reflection and a Tool for Society

    51:40Max's Work in Promoting Comedy and Well-being
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • Max Schurer (Video); The Unseen Power Dynamic: How Comedians Control the Room Without Saying a Word

    Max Schurer (Video); The Unseen Power Dynamic: How Comedians Control the Room Without Saying a Word
    Jun 24 2026

    summary In this episode which is a bit outside of our usual conversations, we meet Max Schurer who shares his multifaceted relationship with comedy, exploring what makes things funny, the purpose of comedy, and its impact on society and individual well-being. We look at the art of stand-up, societal boundaries, and how comedy can both divide and unite.

    keywords comedy, stand-up, societal boundaries, humour, mental health, cultural boundaries, comedy festivals, audience engagement

    key topics

    • What makes people laugh and the subjectivity of humour
    • The purpose of comedy beyond entertainment
    • The role of comedy in reflecting and challenging society
    • Different genres of comedy including stand-up and TV comedy
    • The relationship between comedy and mental health
    • Cultural boundaries and societal norms in comedy
    • The craft of performing and the importance of audience reading
    • Using comedy for societal healing and community engagement

    Sound Bites

    • "What makes one person laugh can insult another"
    • "Comedy can challenge society and hold a mirror up"
    • "Laughter releases chemicals that are good for you"

    Chapters approximate

    0:00Introduction to Max Schurer's Background

    01:00Max's Relationship with Comedy

    02:36What Makes People Find Things Funny?

    04:54The Purpose of Comedy

    06:38Genres and Forms of Comedy

    07:07Timelessness of Certain Jokes

    09:05Repeating Comedy Acts and Audience Loyalty

    10:28Visual Comedy and Persona (Tommy Cooper)

    10:57Defining 'Good' Comedy and Cultural Boundaries

    12:02Different Forms of Comedy: Stand-up, TV, and Sketches

    15:26Comedy's Role in Well-being and Happiness

    17:03Offense, Boundaries, and Audience Reactions

    19:21Comedy and Audience Expectations

    20:56Performance Variability and Audience Reception

    23:42The Challenges of Being a Comedian

    25:37Mental Health and Comedy

    33:14Power Dynamics in Comedy

    35:35The Challenge of Being Funny on Demand

    38:40Authenticity and Boundaries in Comedy

    41:52Societal Boundaries and Evolving Norms

    45:39Comedy as a Reflection and a Tool for Society

    51:40Max's Work in Promoting Comedy and Well-being
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Simon Scott 2 (Audio); The Hidden Emotional Toll on Families of Long-Sentenced Prisoners

    Simon Scott 2 (Audio); The Hidden Emotional Toll on Families of Long-Sentenced Prisoners
    Jun 17 2026
    Simon Scott 2 (Video); The Hidden Emotional Toll on Families of Long-Sentenced Prisoners This episode examines the often-overlooked emotional and social consequences faced by families of prisoners serving lengthy or life sentences. David Jones and Naomi Murphy talk with Simon Scott, a researcher with lived experience, about his groundbreaking PhD study on the ripple effects of incarceration on loved ones and society. Main Topics: The emotional burden and "dark sentences" borne by families of long-term prisonersChallenges and systemic absurdities within probation and criminal justice support systemsThe societal stigma, moral contamination, and moral judgments attached to familial ties with convicted individualsThe concept of a "dark sentence" and its relational impactRecommendations for recognizing families' roles and improving systemic support structures Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Simon Scott’s background and research focus 02:46 - Exploring why family impact of long sentences is vital to understand 04:28 - Methodology: research with family members of prisoners 06:00 - The importance of closeness and confidentiality in research 08:33 - The theme of family as emotional "punch bag" and displacement 11:09 - Family members’ roles in absorbing emotional blows 13:24 - Use of phenomenological language like "Kafkaesque" to describe systemic absurdities 14:11 - Real-life examples of systemic absurdities impacting families 16:06 - The political and systemic obstacles to compassionate policies 17:13 - Society’s difficulty in understanding and supporting families of prisoners 18:49 - The systemic assumption that more conditions equate to safety 20:20 - The absurdity in supporting evidence requests and policy inconsistencies 21:22 - Emotional distress, grief, and stigma experienced by families 23:03 - Coping mechanisms: silence, peer groups, and advocacy 24:49 - The social and relational "dark sentences" that extend beyond incarceration 27:16 - The concept of "dark sentences" and their emotional weight 30:07 - The relationship between families and probation services 32:56 - The societal tendency to stigmatize and judge loved ones of offenders 34:42 - The moral contamination of families associated with serious crimes 36:19 - Media influence on public attitudes and policy priorities 37:38 - What needs to change: recognition and systemic support for families 39:12 - Practical suggestions for offering support without systemic fear of repercussions 41:02 - Community-led and peer support networks as vital resources 42:07 - Personal reflections from Simon on the emotional toll of research 44:57 - Final thoughts on change and systemic reform 47:13 - Closing remarks and appreciation for sharing this challenging and vital research Resources & Links: Partners of Prisoners (POPs)Probation Services – Official UK Gov Site This episode examines the often-overlooked emotional and social consequences faced by families of prisoners serving lengthy or life sentences. David Jones and Naomi Murphy talk with Simon Scott, a researcher with lived experience, about his groundbreaking PhD study on the ripple effects of incarceration on loved ones and society. Main Topics: The emotional burden and "dark sentences" borne by families of long-term prisonersChallenges and systemic absurdities within probation and criminal justice support systemsThe societal stigma, moral contamination, and moral judgments attached to familial ties with convicted individualsThe concept of a "dark sentence" and its relational impactRecommendations for recognizing families' roles and improving systemic support structures Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Simon Scott’s background and research focus 02:46 - Exploring why family impact of long sentences is vital to understand 04:28 - Methodology: research with family members of prisoners 06:00 - The importance of closeness and confidentiality in research 08:33 - The theme of family as emotional "punch bag" and displacement 11:09 - Family members’ roles in absorbing emotional blows 13:24 - Use of phenomenological language like "Kafkaesque" to describe systemic absurdities 14:11 - Real-life examples of systemic absurdities impacting families 16:06 - The political and systemic obstacles to compassionate policies 17:13 - Society’s difficulty in understanding and supporting families of prisoners 18:49 - The systemic assumption that more conditions equate to safety 20:20 - The absurdity in supporting evidence requests and policy inconsistencies 21:22 - Emotional distress, grief, and stigma experienced by families 23:03 - Coping mechanisms: silence, peer groups, and advocacy 24:49 - The social and relational "dark sentences" that extend beyond incarceration 27:16 - The concept of "dark sentences" and their emotional weight 30:07 - The relationship between families and probation services 32:56 - The societal tendency to stigmatize and judge loved ones of offenders 34:42 - The moral contamination of ...
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
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