Explore every episode of the podcast Therapy Works
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Gilbert on Love Addiction, Grief and Life After Eat, Pray, Love | 11 nov. 2026 | 01:16:27 | |
Elizabeth Gilbert became a worldwide phenomenon with Eat, Pray, Love, a memoir about finding herself after heartbreak, but in this interview she tells Julia Samuel her story didn't end on the final page. Despite years of talking therapy, extraordinary success and profound self-awareness, she continued to find herself caught in destructive relationships, searching for someone who could finally make her feel safe. In her new memoir, All the Way to the River, Elizabeth Gilbert writes about her relationship with Rayya Elias, the great love of her life, whose addiction and eventual death brought them both to devastating places. She speaks openly about identifying as a sex and love addict, the difference between understanding our behaviour and actually changing it, and how her desperate need for love and connection led her to abandon herself. Together, Elizabeth Gilbert and Julia explore the childhood experiences that shape our relationships, why we can become addicted to emotional intensity, and the difference between feeling good and genuinely being well. Elizabeth also shares the painful reality of grieving Rayya, the shame surrounding love addiction and how recovery has taught her to set boundaries, stop people-pleasing and begin caring for the younger parts of herself. This is a powerful conversation about love, obsession, grief and recovery, and what it really takes to stop looking to other people for the safety and belonging we need to find within ourselves. – Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here. Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visit www.samueltherapypractice.com. Support resources:
Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 03:21 Elizabeth Gilbert on sex and love addiction 07:13 Why understanding your behaviour isn't enough to change it 11:20 How do you recognise addiction? 16:14 Childhood wounds and the fear of abandonment 20:26 Elizabeth's relationship with Raya and the dangers of addiction 25:06 When love becomes destructive 29:45 Why sex and love addiction remains a taboo 33:05 Recovery, honesty and learning to see yourself 34:47 The difference between feeling good and being well 42:01 Grieving Raya and questioning how we grieve 48:00 Learning to put yourself first in recovery 55:30 Spirituality, surrender and finding peace 1:02:38 Mother/Daughter Reflection: Love, addiction and emotional sobriety 1:08:36 Why self-awareness alone isn't enough 1:13:33 Why healthy relationships can feel boring If you found this conversation helpful: You may also enjoy Julia's conversation with Rosanna Brown, exploring profound grief, the impact of bereavement on family life and finding a way forward after tragedy. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Watch Therapy Works on Julia's YouTube channel and subscribe to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional wellbeing. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Elizabeth Gilbert Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Prepping: how to stop living in fear of disaster with Professor Lucy Easthope | Special Episode | 06 nov. 2026 | 00:33:11 | |
With frightening headlines, global uncertainty and growing conversations about disaster prepping, more of us are wondering whether we should be stocking up on emergency supplies, putting together survival kits or preparing for the worst. But when does sensible preparation become a source of anxiety? And how do we make sure that prepping for a potential disaster doesn't leave us living in constant fear? In this special bonus episode of Therapy Works, Julia Samuel is joined by Professor Lucy Easthope, one of the UK's leading experts in disaster preparedness and recovery, who has spent more than 20 years advising governments and supporting communities through crises. Drawing on her experience responding to disasters, and her books When the Dust Settles and Come What May, Lucy explores the psychology of prepping, why uncertainty can feel so overwhelming and how we can prepare for emergencies without allowing fear to take over. Together, Julia and Lucy discuss everything from prepping emergency survival kits and priming for power cuts to the psychological impact of living through the pandemic and why we often avoid thinking about worst-case scenarios. They explore the difference between practical preparedness and doomsday thinking, how constant exposure to frightening headlines and doomscrolling can fuel anxiety, and why having a simple emergency plan can actually help us feel more in control. They also reflect on the importance of community and looking out for one another during a crisis, the sudden death of Lucy's father and what it taught her about living in the present, and why true resilience isn't about preparing for every possible disaster, but knowing when to put the survival kit away, stop worrying about what might happen and find joy in everyday life. Books mentioned: When the Dust Settles by Professor Lucy Easthope Come What May by Professor Lucy Easthope Chapters: 00:00 – Introducing Professor Lucy Easthope 02:20 – Why preparing for disasters can increase anxiety 04:35 – Is the world really becoming more dangerous? 06:15 – Why we avoid thinking about the worst 09:57 – The psychological impact of the pandemic 13:40 – How to prepare without living in fear 16:06 – Practical ways to manage anxiety and doomscrolling 21:51 – What the death of Lucy's father taught her about life 23:28 – Why community and connection build resilience 31:09 – Lucy's top tips for feeling prepared and staying calm Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here. Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visit www.samueltherapypractice.com. Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia's YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional wellbeing. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Lucy Easthope Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Gyles Brandreth: Why I can't stop talking and the secret to happiness | 04 nov. 2026 | 01:02:13 | |
Can we ever stop trying to earn our parents' approval? Gyles Brandreth joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss grief, being “too much” and happiness. Broadcaster, author, former MP and much-loved television personality, Gyles Brandreth, joins Julia for a revealing conversation about childhood, grief, the need for approval and what it really takes to live a happy life. Known for his extraordinary energy, colourful jumpers and endless stories, Gyles Brandreth has spent a lifetime entertaining people. But beneath his public persona, he reveals something he has only come to understand in recent years: how much of his life has been shaped by his desire to fulfil his father's ambitions. From his time at the University of Oxford to his political career, Gyles reflects on the childhood expectations that continued to influence his decisions long into adulthood. Gyles Brandreth also opens up about the deaths of his parents, the impact of his sister's mental illness and his realisation that his mother may have experienced depression. He discusses the painful experience of losing his parliamentary seat in 1997, the failures he rarely speaks about and how a friendship with psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare helped him develop his Seven Secrets of Happiness. In a particularly revealing exchange, Julia challenges Gyles to consider why he feels the need to fill every silence, whether his constant talking might be connected to a deeper need for love and approval, and what happens when he allows himself to stop performing. Gyles reflects on his desire for applause, his fear of being too much for other people and the surprising difficulty of simply being himself. Together, Gyles Brandreth and Julia Samuel explore how childhood experiences shape our adult identities, the relationship between achievement and self-worth, and why happiness may have more to do with connection, curiosity and learning to listen than we realise. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Gyles Brandreth 03:11 – The impact of political rejection, grief and finding happiness 08:11 – How childhood shapes our ambitions 10:32 – Living out his father's dreams and expectations 13:47 – Why Gyles feels the need to keep talking 17:07 – Are we lovable without achievement or approval? 23:51 – Dealing with failure, disappointment and regret 28:13 – Grieving his parents and learning to accept setbacks 31:44 – Why silence can feel uncomfortable 34:13 – Growing up around mental illness and understanding therapy 37:09 – The childhood experiences behind his optimism 39:50 – The seven secrets of happiness 43:09 – Being yourself versus being present with others 46:18 – Gyles asks Julia for another therapy session 47:35 – Mother/Daughter Reflection: Can we change our personalities? 53:22 – How parental expectations shape our adult lives 01:00:27 – The difference between optimism and forced positivity Join Julia, Emily and Sophie for a special live Therapy Works event in London on 7th December, exploring how to navigate the challenges of Christmas. Book your tickets here. Looking for therapy? Julia runs the Samuel Therapy Practice alongside her daughters, Emily and Sophie. If you're looking for support or help finding the right therapist, visit www.samueltherapypractice.com. If you found this conversation helpful: You may also enjoy Mark Foster on hiding his sexuality and learning to be himself, a conversation about achievement, self-worth and why even extraordinary success doesn't always bring the happiness or acceptance we're searching for. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Watch Therapy Works on Julia's YouTube channel and subscribe to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional wellbeing. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Jess Mills Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My daughter nearly died. How do I cope with the anger and guilt? | Agony Aunties | 30 oct. 2026 | 00:12:50 | |
This week’s listener is struggling with overwhelming guilt, anger and fear after her 27-year-old daughter survived a devastating fall from a balcony. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the emotional toll of parenting an adult child with longstanding mental health difficulties, how to manage conflicting feelings during a family crisis and why loving your child doesn't mean you can control what happens to them. After years of supporting her daughter through mental health challenges, including self-harm, eating disorders and substance misuse, the listener’s daughter is now facing the uncertainty of a long rehabilitation. Although deeply grateful that her daughter survived, she also feels exhausted and angry about what has happened, and guilty for having those feelings. Alongside her daughters Sophie and Emily, Julia explores why gratitude and anger can coexist, how parents can separate their sense of worth from their children's struggles, and why self-compassion is essential when a family is living through trauma. The Agony Aunties also discuss practical ways to manage anxiety about an uncertain future, the importance of seeking support, like talking therapy, outside the family and how to protect the wellbeing of siblings whose needs can become overlooked during a crisis. Support and further reading: If you are supporting a loved one through a mental health crisis, or if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, the following organisations and resources may be helpful:
Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Jess Mills on processing the grief of her mother Tessa Jowell | 28 oct. 2026 | 00:59:42 | |
How do you process grief and find your way forward after the death of the person who made you feel most at home in the world? Musician, author, and CEO of the Tessa Jowell Foundation, Jess Mills, joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss the loss of her mother, former Labour MP and cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell. Together, they explore how profound grief reshapes our understanding of motherhood, family, and identity. Just ten weeks after giving birth to her first daughter, Jess learned her mother had terminal brain cancer. Already navigating anxiety following a traumatic birth, she found herself balancing the intense joy of new motherhood with caring for her dying mother. In this episode, she reflects on the overwhelming grief that followed, the complexities of family mourning, and the difficult decision to sell their family home. Eight years on, Jess shares how her processing of grief has evolved, why writing her book We Are Each Other helped her make sense of the tragedy, and how she is learning to embrace a new chapter in life. Join Jess and Julia as they delve into how grief transforms us, why feeling loved is essential, and how our ongoing relationships with those who have died continue to shape our emotional growth. Jess also shares the extraordinary comfort of knowing there was nothing left unsaid between her and her mother, whose final words were simply: “love forever.” Please note: This episode contains discussions of terminal illness, traumatic childbirth, anxiety, and bereavement. Support resources: Mentioned in this episode: Chapters: 00:00 Introduction: Jess Mills on grief, motherhood and love 01:03 Writing We Are Each Other 03:15 Finding permission to move forward after grief 06:31 Becoming a mother while her own mother was dying 10:39 How grief and joy can coexist 12:42 Why love builds resilience 17:26 Why grief isn't linear 19:01 Learning to live alongside grief 21:20 How families grieve differently 43:22 Mother & Daughter Reflection: Julia, Sophie and Emily 48:04 Finding meaning and purpose after grief 51:43 When birth and death happen together 55:43 How love and trauma pass through generations If you found this conversation helpful: You may also enjoy Julia's conversation with Rosanna Brown, exploring profound grief, the impact of bereavement on family life and finding a way forward after tragedy. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Watch Therapy Works on Julia's YouTube channel and subscribe to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional wellbeing. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Jess Mills Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My abusive father has died. Why am I grieving? | Agony Aunties | 23 oct. 2026 | 00:11:49 | |
This week’s listener is struggling with the death of her father, who sexually abused her as a child and never acknowledged what he had done. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse, the complicated grief that can follow the death of an abusive parent and how to find healing from childhood trauma. After confronting her father thirty years ago, the listener was met with denial so cut off contact. While she believed she had moved forward, his recent death has resurfaced unresolved childhood trauma, leaving her processing grief for not receiving justice or validation. Alongside her daughters Sophie and Emily, Julia explores why the death of an estranged parent can reignite childhood trauma, the complicated shame carried by survivors of abuse, and how to find validation when an apology will never arrive. The Agony Aunties discuss the pathway to trauma recovery, how to navigate contradictory emotions like anger and relief, and why emotional healing does not depend on forgiveness, but can start with self-compassion. Warning: This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse and trauma. Support and further reading: If you have experienced childhood sexual abuse, or if this conversation has brought up difficult feelings, the following organisations and resources may be helpful:
Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Ore Oduba on hiding his addiction: “I lived my entire life in fear” | 21 oct. 2026 | 01:07:10 | |
How does childhood trauma fuel adult addiction? Broadcaster, actor and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba joins psychotherapist Julia Samuel to discuss his 30-year struggle with pornography addiction, childhood trauma, shame and the journey towards mental health recovery. Growing up in a strict Nigerian household, Ore learnt that achievement and obedience were closely tied to acceptance. After being exposed to pornography at just nine years old, he developed a dependency that followed him into adulthood. What began as a secret source of comfort became a cycle of addiction, shame and self-loathing that affected his mental health, relationships and sense of identity. Ore opens up about the breakdown of relationships, reaching a point where he questioned whether he wanted to carry on living, and how therapy helped him understand the connection between childhood experiences and addictive behaviour. He also reflects on his complicated relationship with his father, whose death in 2023 brought an unexpected sense of relief, and the realisation that so many of his decisions had been driven by fear. In a deeply moving part of the conversation, Ore discusses losing his younger sister to suicide in 2025, the grief he continues to carry and how her death gave him the courage to speak publicly about his addiction. Together, Ore Oduba and Julia Samuel explore the psychological roots of addiction, the lasting impact of childhood trauma, and why self-compassion is essential to breaking patterns of shame and secrecy. They also discuss the risks of childhood exposure to pornography, breaking generational cycles and what it means to rebuild a life on your own terms. Warning: this conversation contains some discussion of suicide and suicidal thoughts. Support resources mentioned:
Sources discussed: Naked Truth Impact Report 2021-22 Children's Commissioner paper on pornography 2023 If you found this conversation helpful: Listen to Julia's conversation with Charles Spencer, exploring childhood trauma, shame and the lasting impact of abuse on relationships and self-worth. You may also enjoy Agony Aunties: Why Do I Keep Sabotaging Myself?, on how childhood experiences shape our adult behaviour, why we develop destructive coping mechanisms and the importance of self-compassion in breaking old patterns. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional wellbeing. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Ore Oduba Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My adult sons are estranged. Should I intervene? | Agony Aunties | 16 oct. 2026 | 00:12:00 | |
This week’s listener is heartbroken by sibling estrangement. Psychotherapist Julia Samuel and her daughters Sophie and Emily explore the pain it causes, why family conflicts can be so difficult to repair and the challenges of parenting adult children when you can no longer influence their decisions. The listener’s two adult sons, once incredibly close, have stopped speaking to each other following a family fallout. What began as unresolved tensions from their younger years escalated when their partners fell out, leaving the brothers locked in sibling estrangement for over a year. Although she still has a loving relationship with both sons, she is processing grief for the family they once were and wonders whether she should step in to help them reconcile or leave them to work things out themselves. The Agony Aunties discuss the risks of taking sides, the necessity of creating healthy boundaries, the importance of allowing time for reconciliation, and how parents can support their children’s emotional healing without becoming caught in the middle. They also reflect on the guilt parents can feel when their adult children fall out, why sibling estrangement doesn't always last forever and how families can hold on to hope even when reconciliation feels impossible. Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The hidden grief of baby loss and TFMR | 14 oct. 2026 | 00:57:50 | |
To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, author and former teacher Rosanna Brown joins Julia Samuel to share the story of her son William and her experience of termination for medical reasons (TFMR). Rosanna was approaching 24 weeks pregnant when she and her husband learnt that William had a condition incompatible with life. She speaks candidly about the trauma of ending a much-wanted pregnancy, the medical procedure itself and the words from a midwife that helped her begin to reframe what had happened: “You didn't choose, you consented to medical advice.” Rosanna and Julia explore the often hidden grief surrounding TFMR and baby loss, the difference between grief and trauma, and why Rosanna struggled to feel entitled to mourn her son. They also discuss how couples can grieve differently, the role talking therapy played in her recovery and how she and her husband found ways to remember William together. Rosanna also reflects on pregnancy after loss, becoming a mother again and why another baby can bring enormous joy without replacing the child who died. Now an advocate for greater awareness of TFMR, Rosanna shares why she wants other parents facing termination for medical reasons to feel less alone, ashamed and silenced. Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of termination for medical reasons (TFMR), baby loss and pregnancy loss. If you found this conversation helpful: Listen to Julia's conversation with Geraint John, on losing his wife, navigating grief as a family and learning to rebuild life after loss: Listen here. You may also enjoy Agony Aunties: How Do You Handle the "Death Admin" While You're Still Grieving?, exploring the emotional and practical challenges of bereavement, and why we need to give ourselves time and support after losing someone we love: Listen here. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Rosanna Brown Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| My family doesn’t believe my ADHD diagnosis. What Do I Do? | Agony Aunties | 09 oct. 2026 | 00:11:05 | |
This week’s listener has recently been diagnosed with ADHD after a lifetime of struggling with strong emotions and impulsivity. While the diagnosis has brought her and her husband a huge sense of relief, understanding and emotional healing, her mother and sisters refuse to accept it, believing her successful career and relationship mean she couldn’t possibly have ADHD. Julia, Sophie and Emily explore what happens when a new diagnosis challenges long-held family roles, why we can so quickly revert to childhood dynamics and how reparenting supports personal growth. They discuss setting boundaries when family members see things differently, learning to tolerate different versions of the same family story, navigating family expectations, and protecting your mental health when old childhood wounds are reopened. Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Elif Shafak: “All I wanted from my father was an apology” | 07 oct. 2026 | 01:08:24 | |
What happens when a parent is absent from your childhood, and how does that shape the person you become? Bestselling author Elif Shafak joins Julia Samuel to explore her relationship with her father, the loneliness she experienced growing up and how storytelling became a tool for personal growth and mental health recovery by helping her find connection and belonging. Raised largely by her grandmother and mother in Turkey, Elif grew up surrounded by strong women but with very little contact with her father. She opens up about the pain of discovering that he had been a present and loving parent to her half-brothers, the anger that followed and how those early experiences influenced her personal growth and instinct to write about people whose voices have been forgotten or silenced. They also explore the emotional cost of Elif Shafak's prosecution in Turkey following the publication of her novel, The Bastard of Istanbul, her complicated relationship with her homeland and the sense of grief that can accompany living between cultures. Elif speaks candidly about her mental health and experiencing postnatal depression, losing her ability to write during that period and the challenges of navigating motherhood alongside her creative identity, experiences she later explored in her memoir Black Milk. Elif Shafak reflects on the family patterns we inherit, why literature helps personal growth by helping us understand ourselves and others, and the importance of human connection in an increasingly anxious and divided world. Elif Shafak’s new novel is In One Brief Moment All Eternity (published on 15 Oct). If you enjoyed this conversation: Listen to Julia’s conversation with Mary Berry, on family, grief and learning to live alongside loss: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/therapy-works/id1646616622?i=1000791219769 You may also enjoy Sathnam Sanghera on bridging conflicting cultures, exploring family, identity, heritage and the search for belonging: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/therapy-works/id1646616622?i=1000674940873 Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Elif Shafak Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Can I care for my elderly father without getting overwhelmed? | Agony Aunties | 02 oct. 2026 | 00:11:46 | |
This week’s listener is struggling with the growing responsibility of caring for her elderly father. Although increasingly frail, he refuses offers of help and becomes angry when she tries to intervene, leaving her constantly worried about the next crisis. Julia, Sophie and Emily explore how to care for an ageing parent while protecting your own wellbeing, and what happens when old parent-child dynamics continue long into adulthood. Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on Julia’s YouTube page. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being (hyperlink 'subscribe here' with the link) Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Mark Foster on hiding his sexuality and learning to be himself | 30 sept. 2026 | 00:58:13 | |
What happens when the person the world sees doesn’t quite match who you are behind closed doors? In this open conversation with five-time Olympian and former world champion swimmer Mark Foster, we explore the double life he lived for much of his extraordinary sporting career. For 20 years, Mark was one of the fastest swimmers in the world, breaking world records and competing at five Olympic Games. But while his public identity was defined by success in the pool, privately he kept his sexuality hidden from teammates, coaches and much of the world around him. He opens up about why he felt unable to share that part of himself, and the fears that kept his public and private lives separate. Mark Foster also shares his relentless pursuit of improvement at the highest level of sport, why even becoming the fastest swimmer in the world never felt like an endpoint, and what years of competition taught him about failure, resilience and separating what you achieve from who you are. We talk about his childhood, his relationship with his parents and the importance of finding people who give us a sense of belonging. Mark also reflects on why he eventually decided to speak publicly about his sexuality at 47, the importance of visibility and what he discovered when he allowed himself to be more vulnerable in therapy. From Olympic success to self-acceptance, this is a conversation about identity, happiness and what can happen when we feel able to show other people who we really are. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being. Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. Guest: Mark Foster Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Off Air X Therapy Works | 28 sept. 2026 | 00:25:31 | |
Welcome to this special Off Air X Therapy Works crossover episode, celebrating Therapy Works joining The Times podcast family. Julia joins Jane Garvey and Fi Glover from Off Air for a wide-ranging conversation about therapy, relationships and mental health. They discuss how to find a good therapist, whether therapy should have an end date, the value of the stiff upper lip and what to do when you find yourself overthinking at 3am. Julia also answers some of Jane and Fi’s listeners’ questions along the way. Off Air with Jane & Fi is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you’d like to send a question to Therapy Works, please email: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Off Air Producer: Eve Salusbury Therapy Works Producer: Georgie Rutherford Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Agony Aunties: How do you know when something in your life needs to change? | 25 sept. 2026 | 00:10:16 | |
After some time away from her usual routine, this week’s listener found herself questioning parts of her work and relationships, only to feel those doubts fade once normal life resumed. Julia, Sophie and Emily explore how to tell the difference between a passing feeling and something that genuinely needs our attention, why busyness can sometimes stop us noticing what we really feel, and how looking for patterns can help. Please do send in your Agony Aunties questions to: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on my YouTube page. Hosts: Julia Samuel, Emily Samuel, Sophie Samuel Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Dame Mary Berry: "I never asked why after my son died" | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:54:25 | |
How do you move forward after the loss of a child? In this personal conversation with cooking legend Dame Mary Berry, we explore raw grief, building resilience and the most meaningful lessons she’s learnt in 91 years of life. Behind the warmth so many know her for in her cooking shows and books, is a life shaped by profound loss. In this conversation Dame Mary Berry opens up about the devastating death of her son William, how her family approached processing grief, and how she found the strength to keep moving forward. She also shares the traumatic experience of surviving polio as a teenager, how she’s developed resilience and her emotional healing capacity, and the power of talking therapy during challenging times. Dame Mary Berry also reflects on the secrets of a 60 year marriage, why kindness matters above all else, as well as the comfort of cooking and food when life feels uncertain. From navigating grief to finding joy, this is a profound conversation about connection, care, and family. Never miss an episode: follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe here to Therapy Works on Substack for weekly insights into emotional well-being Subscribe here to The Times and The Sunday Times to enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism. You can also watch episodes of Therapy Works on my YouTube page. Guests: Dame Mary Berry Producer: Georgie Rutherford Executive Producer: Emily Leahy Video Producer: Darren Michael Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Agony Aunties: How Do I Know If I Actually Need Help? | 04 sept. 2026 | 00:10:44 | |
Social media has made it easier than ever to recognise ourselves in conversations about ADHD, trauma, anxiety and burnout. But what happens when every diagnosis feels familiar and you leave feeling more confused than before? This week, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a listener's question about knowing the difference between the ordinary struggles of life and when it's time to seek help. They explore why labels can be useful but aren't always the starting point, how to notice the areas of life where you're feeling stuck, and why your own experience of distress is reason enough to ask for support. It's a compassionate conversation about self-understanding, diagnosis and learning to trust yourself before the noise around you. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: My Cancer Has Gone… So Why Am I Still Struggling? | 28 août 2026 | 00:12:16 | |
A listener shares the hidden reality of life after cancer. Three years after successful treatment for anal cancer, she is cancer-free but continues to live with chronic pain, changes to her body and the lasting physical and emotional effects of radiotherapy. While those around her assume she's "better", she feels forever changed. Julia, Emily and Sophie explore the loneliness of invisible illness, the grief of losing the body you once trusted, and how to help others understand what life is really like after treatment. They discuss living with chronic pain, finding support from people who truly understand, and why healing isn't always the same as being cured. It's a deeply compassionate conversation for anyone navigating life after serious illness or supporting someone who is. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: We've Stopped Having Sex. What Do We Do Now? | 21 août 2026 | 00:11:43 | |
A listener shares a dilemma that will resonate with so many couples: after almost 20 years together and two young children, she and her husband have drifted into a relationship that works beautifully as a partnership but has lost its intimacy. Julia, Emily and Sophie explore why this happens, how the demands of parenting and everyday life can leave us feeling more like co-managers than lovers, and why rebuilding connection starts long before sex. They discuss rediscovering curiosity, nurturing your own sense of self, communicating openly without blame, and finding small ways to reconnect, offering compassionate, practical advice for anyone wondering how to move from surviving together to truly finding each other again. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: How Do I Say Goodbye to Someone I Love? | 14 août 2026 | 00:12:38 | |
A listener asks one of the hardest questions imaginable: how do you visit a close friend who is nearing the end of their life? Julia, Emily and Sophie explore how to show up with love when there are no perfect words, why your presence matters far more than saying the "right" thing, and how to navigate the grief, fear and uncertainty of a final goodbye. They discuss letting go of the pressure to perform, meeting someone where they are, expressing what truly matters while you still can, and caring for yourself afterwards. It's a compassionate conversation about love, loss and the courage it takes to simply be there. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| BONUS: Yasmine Naghdi on Why Confidence Isn't About Being Perfect | 12 août 2026 | 00:48:15 | |
In this special episode of Therapy Works, in partnership with Code8's Confidence Comes From Within campaign, Julia is joined by Royal Ballet Principal Yasmine Naghdi for a fascinating conversation about confidence, perfectionism and what it really takes to perform at the highest level. Together, they explore the difference between striving for excellence and chasing perfection, the psychology of self-belief, learning to trust your body, and how becoming a mother has transformed Yasmine's relationship with both her career and herself. They also discuss the power of rituals, the importance of identity beyond work, why rest can make us stronger, and how true confidence isn't about being flawless—it's about feeling secure enough to be fully yourself. Visit Code8: https://codeeight.com/ Follow Code8 on Instagram: @code8beauty Follow Manon: @manonlagreve More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: How Do I Deal With a Difficult Mother-in-Law? | 07 août 2026 | 00:14:45 | |
Family holidays are meant to be relaxing, so why do they so often leave us feeling exhausted? This week, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a listener's question about navigating a passive-aggressive mother-in-law and the tension that can build when one person's mood begins to shape everyone else's experience. Together, they explore the power of radical acceptance, why we can't change other people's behaviour, how to protect your own peace without carrying someone else's emotions, and practical ways to set boundaries, repair relationships and enjoy your holiday - even when family dynamics are anything but simple. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Why Do I Keep Sabotaging Myself? | 31 juil. 2026 | 00:12:49 | |
This week, the Agony Aunties answer a question that so many of us will recognise: why is it so hard to make the changes we desperately want to make? From skipping the exercise class you've already paid for to using food, smoking or spending as a way to cope, Julia, Sophie and Emily explore the hidden roots of self-sabotage, shame and the belief that we're incapable of change. Together, they discuss how our childhood experiences shape our sense of agency, why self-compassion is the key to breaking old patterns, and practical ways to begin building a kinder relationship with yourself—one small step at a time. Resources mentioned:
••Find out more about Internal Family Systems (IFS): https://ifs-institute.com
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| Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely? | 24 juil. 2026 | 00:15:19 | |
In this week's Agony Aunties episode, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels deeply lonely despite appearing successful on the outside. Together, they explore why being truly known can feel so frightening, how fear of vulnerability keeps us disconnected, and why meaningful relationships begin with allowing ourselves to be seen. They discuss the difference between loneliness and connection, the stories we tell ourselves about being a burden, and share practical ways to build deeper, more authentic relationships. If you've ever worried you'll end up alone or struggled to let people in, this conversation is for you. Resources mentioned in this episode:
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| BONUS: Manon Lagrève on The Confidence to Be Yourself | 22 juil. 2026 | 00:42:08 | |
This week, Julia is joined by cook, bestselling author and content creator Manon Lagrève for a heartfelt conversation about confidence, family and the values that truly sustain us. Together they explore imposter syndrome, social media comparison, motherhood and why genuine confidence comes not from perfection, but from staying connected to who we really are. They also discuss the importance of everyday rituals, the joy of gathering around the table, and how caring for ourselves can strengthen our sense of self. This special bonus episode is supported by Code8, whose philosophy that confidence comes from authenticity rather than imitation provides a fitting backdrop to a conversation about self-worth, connection and living with intention. Visit Code8: https://codeeight.com/ Follow Code8 on Instagram: @code8beauty Follow Manon: @manonlagreve More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Relationship Anxiety - Am I Overthinking or Is Something Wrong? | 17 juil. 2026 | 00:15:24 | |
This week on Agony Aunties, they answer a listener's heartfelt question about what happens when a relationship begins to feel different. After two and a half years together, her boyfriend seems less affectionate, leaving her questioning whether this is simply the natural evolution of long-term love or a sign that something deeper has changed. The Agony Aunties explore why we so often create stories in our minds before having the conversation we most need to have, how old attachment patterns can shape our fears in relationships, and why vulnerability - not mind-reading - is the key to real intimacy. They also share practical tools from Esther Perel, the Gottmans and Terry Real on bids for connection, love languages, and how to have difficult conversations with warmth rather than blame. If you've ever found yourself analysing texts, worrying you've become 'too much', or wondering how to reconnect with your partner, this episode is for you. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Lonely After Having a Baby? | 10 juil. 2026 | 00:14:22 | |
In this episode of Agony Aunties, Julia, Emily and Sophie answer a heartfelt question from a listener who feels isolated after moving away from the city to start a family. Together they explore the unexpected loneliness of early motherhood, the lasting impact of childhood experiences on our sense of belonging, why we often protect the people we love by hiding our own struggles, and how small acts of vulnerability can help us rebuild connection. They share gentle reminders that meaningful friendships take time, asking for support is a strength, and feeling lonely doesn't mean you're alone. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Caring for a Difficult Parent | 03 juil. 2026 | 00:13:29 | |
This episode of Agony Aunties tackles the emotional complexity of caring for an ageing parent when the relationship has always been difficult. Emily and Sophie respond to a listener whose 89-year-old mother’s declining health has reignited painful childhood wounds, sibling conflict, and feelings of duty, resentment, and guilt. Together, they explore how old family dynamics resurface during times of crisis, the importance of setting boundaries, slowing down reactive communication, and seeking support through therapy, community, or practical caregiving tools. Their compassionate conversation is a reminder that it's possible to care for someone while also protecting yourself and that navigating these difficult moments with kindness, both towards others and yourself, is enough. Podcast mentioned in the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/do-i-know-you-understanding-dementia/id1896564566 Follow the podcast: Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: How to Survive the Summer Holidays | 26 juin 2026 | 00:13:03 | |
The Agony Aunties are back, answering a listener's question about the pressures of parenting through the long summer holidays. Together, Sophie and Emily explore the guilt so many parents feel when they can't provide the picture-perfect summer they see elsewhere, why boredom may be far more valuable than we think, and how to help teenagers develop resilience, creativity and independence. They discuss the trap of comparison, the emotional challenge of watching your children struggle, and why being present and connected matters far more than keeping them constantly entertained. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Why Am I Never Good Enough? | 19 juin 2026 | 00:13:47 | |
This week on Agony Aunties, Julia, Emily and Sophie respond to a listener who has recently graduated but is struggling to feel proud of their achievement. Despite earning a good degree, comparisons with a high-achieving sibling and the pressure of perceived family expectations have left them feeling flat and unable to celebrate their success. Together, they explore the impact of comparison, perfectionism and internalised expectations, sharing practical tools for building self-worth, challenging critical inner voices and learning to recognise that being "good enough" is often more than enough. Send us your Agony Aunties questions: jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: I Bottle Everything Up Until I Explode | 12 juin 2026 | 00:13:29 | |
This week on Agony Aunties, they respond to a listener who avoids difficult conversations until their feelings spill out in anger or tears. Together, they explore why conflict can feel so threatening, how our childhood experiences shape the way we handle disagreement, and why keeping the peace often comes at the cost of our own needs. From conflict-avoidant partners to family dynamics, boundaries and people-pleasing, Julia, Emily and Sophie share honest reflections on their own experiences and offer practical tools for expressing yourself before resentment takes hold. If you've ever struggled to speak up, worried about upsetting people, or found yourself bottling things up until you explode, this episode is for you. Send us your Agony Aunties questions:jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: My Husband Is Always On His Phone. How Do We Reconnect? | 05 juin 2026 | 00:14:07 | |
This week on Agony Aunties, the girls tackle a listener dilemma that will feel familiar to many couples: what happens when you're sharing a sofa but no longer feeling emotionally connected? As one listener opens up about feeling lonely in her marriage while her husband spends most evenings on his phone, Sophie, Emily and Julia explore why technology can so easily replace meaningful connection, and how resentment can quietly build when our emotional needs go unmet.
Send us your Agony Aunties questions:jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Feeling Overwhelmed by the World? | 29 mai 2026 | 00:10:39 | |
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, Julia and her daughters respond to a listener struggling with the overwhelming anxiety of living in a world shaped by climate crisis, political unrest, social media overload, and constant bad news. Together, they explore how to stay compassionate and informed without becoming emotionally consumed — discussing everything from nervous system regulation and information boundaries to collective hope, small acts of kindness, community, rest, joy, and the importance of staying grounded in the present moment. This is a conversation for anyone feeling the weight of the world right now. Resources & References Mentioned
Send us your Agony Aunties questions:jsamuelpod@gmail.com Or message Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Celebration Day: Megan Jones on Grief, Loss and the Parents Who Shaped Her | 22 mai 2026 | 00:46:20 | |
In this episode, I speak with England rugby captain Megan Jones about grief, pressure, identity and what it means to keep going when life changes completely. Megan shares the experience of losing both of her parents within six months, growing up alongside her mother’s addiction, and how rugby, journaling and the people around her have helped her carry both pain and love at the same time.
More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| How to Make Life Happier with Mark Williamson (BONUS EP) | 20 mai 2026 | 00:54:20 | |
In this episode of Therapy Works, Julia is joined by Mark Williamson, co-founder and director of Action for Happiness and author of the number one bestselling book Make Life Happier. Together, they explore what happiness really means, not as a perfect destination, but as a direction of travel shaped by agency, relationships, kindness, purpose and the small actions we take each day.
More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: When Your Adult Child Won’t Move Out | 15 mai 2026 | 00:11:10 | |
This week, our Agony Aunties tackle a dilemma that is becoming the "new normal" for many: the 30-something child who simply won’t fly the nest. When a listener writes in feeling a mix of deep love and growing resentment toward her 33-year-old son, the team explores how to transition from a parent-child dynamic to a boundary-led adult relationship. From discussing the "maturation crisis" among young men to the financial realities of modern housing, they offer a toolkit for having the "big talk" without it sounding like a rejection. It’s a thoughtful look at why multigenerational living doesn't have to be a failure - it just needs a serious reorientation of expectations and a naming of the "silent things" in the room. Send in your question to jsamuelpod@gmail.com More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Arit Anderson On Parkinson’s, Chelsea Flower Show And The Healing Power Of Gardens | 13 mai 2026 | 00:46:19 | |
In this episode of Therapy Works, I’m joined by garden designer, writer and Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson to talk about the deeply personal story behind her Chelsea Flower Show garden for Parkinson’s UK. Arit shares how her sister’s Parkinson’s diagnosis inspired the garden, and how she hopes it will raise awareness, understanding and support for those living with the condition.
More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Why Do I Feel So Alone in My Grief? | 08 mai 2026 | 00:09:16 | |
In this Agony Aunties episode, Emily, Sophie and Julia respond to a moving question from a listener navigating grief after the loss of her husband, and the added pain of feeling let down by her siblings. Together, they explore the loneliness that can follow bereavement, why family members often struggle to show up in the way we need, and how unspoken expectations, old family dynamics and fear around grief can create distance. They reflect on how to communicate needs more clearly, make sense of disappointment, and gently find support beyond your immediate family when it’s not available in the way you hoped. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Helen Fielding on Grief, Bridget Jones and Being Loved As You Are (LIVE) | 06 mai 2026 | 00:56:40 | |
In this special bonus episode of Therapy Works, recorded live, I’m joined by the wonderful Helen Fielding - journalist, novelist, and creator of the iconic Bridget Jones. Together we explore the challenge of writing about grief, the death of Mark Darcy, and the tender, complicated reality of supporting children through loss, while still allowing space for laughter, mess, and life. Instagram: @helenfielding More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: How to Help Your Teen With Exam Stress and Anxiety | 01 mai 2026 | 00:11:21 | |
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a parent struggling to support their son through GCSE exam stress, offering a compassionate reminder that while exams can feel overwhelming, the most powerful thing a parent can provide is connection—not solutions. The Agony Aunties explore how to open supportive, pressure-free conversations, encourage collaboration rather than control, and gently help teenagers manage anxiety by breaking things into smaller, more manageable chunks. They also highlight the importance of honesty around parental expectations, the value of rest and self-care (balanced with realism about teenage habits), and reassuring both parent and child that even worst-case scenarios are not the end of the road. Above all, the Agony Aunties emphasise that feeling understood and not alone is often the greatest stabiliser during stressful times—and that, ultimately, exams will pass. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| EXPERT EPISODE: Amir Levine on How to Build Secure Love | 29 avr. 2026 | 00:48:57 | |
In this episode, I speak with psychiatrist, neuroscientist and author Amir Levine about his new book Secure, and how we can move towards more secure attachment in our relationships. Amir explains why attachment is not a fixed label, but something far more flexible and alive, shaped by the people and environments around us. We explore the biology of connection, why exclusion can feel like physical pain, and how our ancient need for safety and belonging still drives so much of our behaviour today. Buy his book 'Secure: Rewire Your Attachment Style and Transform Your Relationships, Health and Happiness': https://amzn.eu/d/05fucNjI Find Amir: https://amirlevinemd.com/ More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Grieving someone you love? Julia's Grief Works Support Programme offers structured, expert-led help, with 94% of people reporting feeling better after using it. As a podcast listener you can get 25% off plus a 30-day money-back guarantee here - www.griefworks.com/therapy Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Coping with Financial Anxiety in Uncertain Times | 24 avr. 2026 | 00:13:12 | |
The Agony Aunties respond to a heartfelt question from a listener struggling with ongoing financial stress following COVID and the rising cost of living. They explore how money anxiety taps into deep feelings of uncertainty, lack of control, and shame, and why these pressures can ripple into sleep, relationships, and family dynamics. The Agony Aunties gently reframe the experience, encouraging self-compassion over self-blame, and highlighting how external factors - like global instability and economic shifts - play a significant role. Alongside emotional support, they offer practical guidance: balancing worry with moments of gratitude, having open and honest conversations to reduce shame, seeking connection and shared experiences, and taking small, manageable financial steps to regain a sense of agency. This episode is a compassionate reminder that you’re not alone, that this is hard, and that support - both emotional and practical - is available. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Liz Earle on Why Midlife Could Be Your Best Chapter Yet | 22 avr. 2026 | 01:07:14 | |
In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Liz Earle, entrepreneur, author and passionate advocate for women’s wellbeing, to talk about her powerful new book, How To Age. Together we explore what it really means to age well, and how midlife can become a time not of decline, but of renewal. Liz shares her own experience of turning 60, navigating divorce, loneliness and hormonal change, and how she found her way to feeling stronger, fitter and happier than she did in her forties and fifties. Buy Liz’s book (out 23rd April): https://amzn.eu/d/0h4HNpXT
Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: Is This Grief or ADHD? | 17 avr. 2026 | 00:09:47 | |
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener facing multiple bereavements, a late ADHD diagnosis, and ongoing anxiety, leaving her unsure how to understand what she’s feeling or what support she needs. They explore how grief, trauma, and ADHD symptoms often overlap, suggesting it’s more helpful to focus on regulating the nervous system than trying to separate causes. They discuss the importance of connection, updating coping strategies when they stop working, and creating gentle daily structure to ease overwhelm. Above all, they encourage allowing the messiness of grief and embracing this uncertain “in-between” space with compassion and patience. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Michael Morpurgo on Secrets, Loss, and the Stories That Save Us | 15 avr. 2026 | 01:03:42 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Michael Morpurgo to talk about loss, memory and the quiet, often unspoken truths that shape a life. He speaks so movingly about growing older and the particular pain of outliving those you love, and how grief doesn’t disappear but changes form over time. We explore the hidden fractures of his childhood, the silence around family secrets, and the lasting imprint of war, alongside the threads of loneliness, love and belonging that run through both his life and his writing. What stayed with me most is Michael’s profound belief in the power of story to help us make sense of ourselves and the generations that came before us. We talk about the enduring strength of his marriage to Clare, the emotional roots of his work, and his deep connection to people, animals and the natural world. It’s a gentle, wise and very human conversation about resilience, repair and what it really means to be remembered well. Buy his book ‘Funny Thing About Getting Older’: https://amzn.eu/d/00DwvcXB More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Agony Aunties: How Do You Handle the "Death Admin" While You’re Still Grieving? | 10 avr. 2026 | 00:10:06 | |
In this week’s Agony Aunties episode, we’re diving into a heartbreakingly relatable question: how do you manage the mountain of "Death Admin" - wills, probate, and paperwork - when you’re still in the fog of bereavement? Julia and Sophie explore the "two-track" reality of loss. They share why we need to stop rushing, how to "scaffold" your brain with the right support, and how to silence the "shitty committee" that tells you you’re failing at a time when you have the least capacity. It’s a gentle reminder that while grief is a slow work, you don't have to navigate the practical demands of it alone. More from Therapy Works: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Joanna King on Caring for a Parent with Alzheimer’s | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:56:05 | |
In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Joanna King for a moving conversation about what it means to care for a parent with young onset Alzheimer’s while also raising young children of your own. Joanna speaks with extraordinary honesty about the death of her father, the slow and painful loss of the mother she knew, and the emotional complexity of being caught in that in-between space of loving, grieving, resenting, protecting and carrying on. We talk about anticipatory grief, sibling dynamics, guilt, anger, boundaries, and the particular loneliness of feeling that life has split into before and after.
Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| Julia Bradbury on Life After Cancer and Why Busyness Isn’t Healing | 01 avr. 2026 | 00:53:49 | |
In this moving conversation, I talk to Julia Bradbury about the emotional aftermath of cancer, the pressure to keep going, and the hidden ways busyness can stop us feeling. We explore her new book Hack Yourself Healthy, the difference between reacting and responding, and why true wellness has to include our emotional lives as much as our physical health.
Find Julia Bradbury: Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Download the Grief Works app here: https://www.griefworks.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit: The Samuel Therapy Practice
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| EXPERT EPISODE: Returning to Work After Motherhood with Dolly Jones | 27 mars 2026 | 00:37:21 | |
In this episode, Emily Samuel is joined by author, journalist and digital strategist Dolly Jones to talk about her brilliant new book Leaving the Ladder Down and the messy, moving, often unspoken reality of motherhood and work. We talk about what happens when you return to work after having children and feel as though you’re expected to carry on as if nothing has changed, the silence and awkwardness that can surround parenting in professional spaces, and the guilt, identity shifts and impossible standards so many women carry. It’s a conversation about ambition, care, friendship, asking for help, and why we need to make the workplace a more human place for parents. Find Dolly: Instagram: @dolly_jones Buy her book: https://amzn.eu/d/0fCSUaR0
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| Jon Fox on Grieving the Future and the Injustice of Loss | 25 mars 2026 | 00:52:57 | |
This week, I am joined by Jon Fox for a deeply moving conversation about a love that was "robbed" of its time. After both surviving cancer, Jon and Katie found a profound connection online, only for Katie to tragically pass away at just 28 years old, mere months into their relationship. Jon opens up about the unique "injustice" of grieving a future that had barely begun and the complexity of navigating his own chronic health struggles alongside this heartbreak.
Subscribe to the Therapy Works Substack for guidance on everyday struggles and access to Julia’s monthly live webinar: https://juliasamuel.substack.com/ Follow Julia on Instagram: @juliasamuelmbe for tips, tools, and conversations about navigating life’s challenges. If you enjoy this episode, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing - it makes a big difference and helps others discover these conversations. If you need help finding a therapist, visit The Samuel Therapy Practice: https://www.thesamueltherapypractice.com/
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