They kayaked Ireland’s longest River Shannon, cycled 160km and climbed Ireland’s highest mountain Carrauntoohil, all over 8 days to raise funds for better mental health literacy for young people. 

The Rising 2024 is complete and this week Niall reminisces on the journey, everything he and the team learned along the way and what it means to complete it. Although there were challenges along the way, from injuries to capsizes, and moments where they had to dig deep, we have almost reached the €200k target which will go towards developing further programmes to help our young people. 

You can donate to The Rising here: https://www.alustforlife.com/therising 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

How we listen to music has changed. With streaming, social media and 15 second TikTok’s it’s rare we listen to a full album anymore. Sometimes, though, a body of work comes along that stops you in your tracks. 

This week, Niall is joined by Gary Lightbody, lead singer and guitarist with Snow Patrol. The Irish band have just released their first album in 6 years, ‘The Forest Is The Path’, which may be their most vulnerable record to date. The band approached this album in a different way than they have before, with the first lyrics coming to Gary while emerging from a numbness following the death of his father. Niall and Gary get into the process of making the album, along with Gary’s relief to finally feel again after grief and putting it in writing. They also discuss their shared passion for mental health reform, with Gary’s particular focus on the suicide rates in Northern Ireland, and how music is what saved him when he went through his own dark night of the soul. 

This episode discusses some sensitive topics, please take care when listening.

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

#newmusic #album #snowpatrol #psychology #anxiety #mindfulness #mentalhealth #therapy #musictherapy

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

Relationships are at the core of our very being. How we relate to others can tell us a lot about ourselves and act as a window into our past. 

In this week’s episode Niall is joined by Todd Baratz, renowned psychotherapist and sex therapist. Todd has just released his book ‘How to Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind’ which is a brutally honest guide about modern relationships and the culture which they exist in. Niall and Todd discuss how societal norms, both past and present, are living in our relationships and the ways we can better show up for our partners to break the patterns of history. Todd is not a self-help guru, but explains how he guides his clients to approach relationships with curiosity and compassion because no one partnership is the same, and no one is going to save you.  

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

This meditation accompanies episode 1 of Where Is My Mind. You can do this meditation at any time of day, lying or sitting down. Niall Breslin guides you step by step of the way through this short guided meditation, designed for first time and experienced meditators alike, with the aim of using the body as an anchor to present moment awareness. 

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Where Is My Mind is a podcast series where Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin talks about the impact our society has on us, and how we can deal with it by introducing the basics of mindfulness practice and meditation... in this series you’ll learn how to get off autopilot, how to navigate constant distraction, how to be a more skillful stress-head, how to focus on the parts of our world that are truly wonderful…. and even how to be deadly at Jenga.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

In our current CAMHS system, vulnerable children are being left behind, over-prescribed and under-supported, which was brought to light in the shocking report about the system last year. 

In this week’s episode Niall is joined by three mothers whose families have been through the immense stress and struggle of accessing the CAMHS system in Ireland. Hannah Ní Ghiolla Mhairtín, having received no support for her young daughter and after taking part in commissions and consultations to no avail, decided to set up Families for Reform of CAMHS to support other parents and campaign for better care for the children of Ireland.

Jenny and Anne have both had horrific experiences trying to get help for their children in crisis, with lack of access in certain parts of the country and blockages due to intellectual disability diagnoses. All three women are calling for a complete reform of the system, to create better access, a new model of care and eradicate the discrimination against children with additional needs. 

They very bravely share their stories in this episode, which contains difficult topics. Please take care when listening. 

You can find out more about Families for Reform of CAMHS here: 

https://www.families-for-reform-of-camhs.com/ 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

As we begin to better understand the immense impact that trauma and environment have on our psyche and body we need to develop new pathways to healing. 

In today’s episode, Niall is sharing a very exclusive discussion with world-renowned trauma expert and physician, Dr. Gabor Maté. Niall recently took part in a panel with Dr. Maté, along with Tammy Darcy, Founder of the Shone Project and Brent Pope, former rugby player and mental health advocate. Hosted by Claire McKenna, the panel discussed the current state of mental health in Ireland, along with solutions to change our toxic culture and create healing in society. Dr. Maté’s new book ‘The Myth Of Normal’ is a groundbreaking investigation into the causes of illness, a bracing critique of how our society breeds disease, and a pathway to health and healing.

This panel recording took place at ‘Exploring The Myth Of Normal In A Toxic Culture’, presented by Jacqueline Kyne on Thursday, 20 June 2024 at RDS Concert Hall, Dublin. Thank you to Jacqueline Kyne Events, find out more about their events at https://www.jacquelinekyne.com/ 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Mindfulness and music are two things Niall is incredibly passionate about, and a combination of both can be an easy and accessible way for people to create their own practice. 

Today, Niall is joined by Niamh McCarthy, the creator of Mindful Nation, an app that connects meditation and music from some of the world’s biggest producers and DJs. Having spent her early career touring with Madonna and U2, the gruelling lifestyle took its toll on Niamh and she ended up in hospital with burnout and an array of illnesses. From the guidance of her doctor and a good boss she discovered breathwork and studied under Deepak Chopra, which eventually led her to sharing what she’s learned with others. Niall and Niamh discuss their shared love for the power of music in meditation, the unnatural ways we’re all living that are causing us to struggle and why taking just a few minutes a day to practice mindfulness can help you reconnect with yourself and your powerful intuition. 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

One of the most powerful supports for our wellbeing is community, a shared sense of humanity that can really nourish the soul. 

In this week’s episode, Niall is joined by Meggan Roxanne, writer, poet, digital artist and entrepreneur. Meggan is the face behind The Good Co, and the 24 million strong Instagram account The Good Quote. When faced with her own mental health crisis Meggan began sharing quotes from songs, writers and herself online and quickly built a community that made her feel less alone in her struggles. Having mostly been anonymous in her sharing until now, Meggan is releasing her debut book ‘How To Stop Breaking Your Own Heart’ which is a memoir of her incredible journey, from growing up in a battleground of abuse, dropping out of university, losing her mother, who single-handedly raised her, to creating The Good Quote. Niall and Meggan discuss her inherent drive to be a rebel and a disruptor, the comfort in seeing your pain in someone else's words and how community connects us to something bigger, as well as back to ourselves. Meggan also shares her fear of revealing herself online following the hate and racism she has experienced, but why it’s all for the greater good of freeing herself and remembering her Mum. 

This episode discusses some difficult topics, please take care when listening. 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Every so often on the podcast Niall likes to sit down and share some thoughts, feelings and observations he’s been having and today he’s focusing on the idea of impermanence. 

This year has brought health scares to Niall and people very close to him, and it’s shook him to his core, giving him a different perspective on life. He dives into the complexity of navigating grief and fear of the unknown, and how we can move into a place of sitting with discomfort, embracing impermanence and accepting change. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Those who are a fan of The Therapy Room episodes will know the wisdom and magic of Dr. Tony Bates. Our team was lucky enough to visit Tony in his hometown of Sligo during the Where Is My Mind? tour.

This week Niall is sharing the on-stage interview with Tony in the beautiful Hawkswell Theatre. Tony and Niall have been on a similar journey with their own minds and have a mutual passion for changing how we see and how we hold people’s pain. With his long career as one of Ireland’s top psychologists, Tony shares some stories from his time working with interesting patients (one which never made it into his book) his own healing that led him to write his memoir, Breaking The Heart Open, and we get a glimmer of the mystery and fun’ that lives in him. The show finishes with a very special collaborative spoken word piece exploring the intricacies pain.

This podcast discusses some difficult themes, please take care when listening. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Ireland has been experiencing a housing crisis for the last number of years and it’s having a devastating effect on the wellbeing of children and young people. 

In the episode, Niall is joined by Rory Hearne, a leading expert on the Irish housing crisis and an Associate Professor of Social Policy at Maynooth University. Rory is a candidate for the European Parliament Elections in 2024, under the Social Democrats party in Midlands-North West. Having spent most of his career working on housing, economic inequality, poverty, fiscal policy, public services, and European social policy, Rory decided to run for the elections to try and have his voice heard once and for all. Niall and Rory discuss the dire state of housing and public services in Ireland, how that’s having an immense impact on our collective mental health and sense of being and why politicians need to move away from neoliberal ideas to bring a sense of community and belonging back to the people. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Mental health experiences can be deeply personal, but we need to look for the solutions at a political level. Mental health is connected to capitalism and social issues and we need change in these areas to see change in ourselves. 

In this episode, Niall is joined by Micha Frazer-Carroll, an award-winning journalist, culture commentator and author of ‘Mad World: The Politics of Mental Health’. Having grown up with mental health issues all around her, Micha is passionate about changing the narrative on how we understand and treat issues that are deep-rooted in our culture. Her work is a disruptive and hopeful approach to our current concepts around mental health. Niall and Micha discuss how mental health has been determined throughout history and how our health is often decided upon our ‘ability’ to perform under capitalist constructs. They also discuss pros and cons of mental health diagnosis and what a progressive, human-led system should look like. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Mental health stereotypes can often show the experience in just one way, debilitating, unable to get out of bed or function. Although this can be the case for some, there are many of us battling our minds while living a fully-functioning life. 

In this episode, Niall is joined by Dr. Lalitaa Suglani, a psychologist and author of ‘High-Functioning Anxiety’. Lalitaa coined the term after experiencing this herself, along with seeing her patients appear accomplished and successful on the outside, while dealing with something entirely different on the inside. Niall and Lalitaa discuss how anxiety can sometimes be confused with high-achieving, and how it can lead to a life caught on the hamster wheel of success. Lalitaa shares the two sides to high-functioning anxiety and the damage that ‘masking’ can have on our wellbeing, as well as some practices to help you navigate your way around anxious thoughts. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

If you’ve been following Niall on social media you’ll know he’s spent the last number of months training for another intense fundraiser to improve mental health supports for young people in Ireland. 

Niall and the team are back for the second year to take on the grueling challenge of The Rising. This year consists of a kayak of the Shannon, followed by a 160 km cycle from Limerick to Carrauntoohil, and culminating in a climb up Ireland's highest peak, Carrauntoohil, totaling 393km. In this episode we hear from the incredible souls in the team and their big ‘WHY’ for taking on something like this to better the future of children and young people’s mental health. Some of the team are parents, some are driven by their own and their families struggles with mental health, but they all want to create change from how things were in their past.

If you would like to donate to The Rising challenge: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/x6dc29-we-need-your-help 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We’ve just landed back from our tour around many beautiful parts of Ireland and we’ve got some great live guest interviews to bring you over the coming months. 

One particular stand out interview was in The Source Arts Centre in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, with an incredible man, Aidan Loughnane. After a lengthy battle with grief, anxiety and an eating disorder, that almost pushed him to the brink of death, Aidan decided to turn his life around. He found a love for running and began sharing his story and love for exercise on his Instagram, Running with Aidan, where he has built a community of runners and supporters with his tough love approach. Niall and Aidan discussed their similar journeys with mental health and exercise, the good, the bad and the obsessive, and the small moments of hope and perspective that pulled Aidan out of a dark place. It was an important moment for Aidan as his Dad was in the audience and hearing him speak about the extent of his struggles for the first time.  

This episode discusses some sensitive topics, including eating disorders and suicide, please take care when listening. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

As we pursue the radical reimagining of Ireland, and the world’s, mental health frameworks, we must be open minded to new ideas and treatment models. 

In this episode, Niall is joined by Dr. Jessica Schleider, Founding Director of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health and author of ‘Little Treatments, Big Effects’. Jessica’s mission is to create evidence-based solutions that bridge previously-unfillable gaps in mental health ecosystems. Based on research that most people seeking support will only attend one session, she has developed a ‘Single Session Intervention’ model for young people to ensure that one interaction counts. Niall and Jessica discuss the content of these single session solutions and how they can provide support that differs from traditional therapy and psychiatry. They also enforce their shared belief that showing people their own strengths and encouraging self-compassion can create a fantastic foundation for dealing with suffering and the complexities of growing minds.

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/

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

As some of you may know, we’re on tour with the podcast across Ireland. It’s been great to get out and meet some of you guys, to share space with you and of course our incredible guest interviews. 

Today, we thought we’d share one of our live interviews with a long-time friend of Niall’s, Danny O’Reilly, front man of The Coronas. Niall and Danny have come up through the music industry together over the last 15 years and share some of their stories from ‘the good old days’ before 15 second TikTok songs and streaming. Danny also shares how proud he is of the longevity of the band, why he’s grown to love his alone time in Dingle with his dog and what it was like growing up in a musical dynasty and having Mary Black as his Mam. You’ll also hear a very special performance from Niall and Danny. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

Where is My Mind? is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mymind 

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We have spoken many times on the podcast about masculinity, something that has come under constant scrutiny in recent years as men try to navigate the problems, struggles and strengths of their being. As masculinity is being redefined, how can we raise young men in a supportive, encouraging manner so they can thrive? 

Niall is joined by Jordan Conroy, Olympic athlete, Rugby 7s player and host of new RTE show 'Man Up'. Jordan has spent time working with young men from all different backgrounds and interests, mentoring them and listening to their issues they’re facing in the modern world. Niall and Jordan discuss how these struggles differ to what they experienced growing up with the influence of social media and other expectations with their sexuality, body image and success. Both men share what advice they would give to their younger selves and their hopes for the young men who will shape our future. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

Where is My Mind? is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mymind 

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

As we dive deeper into the social structures around mental health it is becoming abundantly clear that we need to find a new approach to treating people. 

In this episode, Niall is joined by Robert Whitaker, a medical journalist, author and founder of Mad In America. Robert has dedicated his career to turning a critical lens on the work of psychiatry, debunking the claims of chemical imbalances and miracle treatments and tracing back the unimaginable history that still casts a shadow of stigma on mental health today. Niall and Robert discuss the questionable science that backs up psychiatry, how it was used to control those considered unfit or different and the reason it still holds so much power in our treatment models. They also put forward a case for the paradigm shift needed to ensure people have informed consent and a true understanding of the root of their symptoms, moving away from the ‘broken brain’ theories and examining the social, political and environmental factors at play. 

This episode discusses some difficult subjects, please take care when listening. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

Where is My Mind? is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try and get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/mymind 

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

There are many phases to move through when processing a difficult event or experience in your life. A good therapist will guide you as you encounter difficult emotions, learn to really feel them and then let them go. One of the most difficult and sometimes resisted parts of this process is forgiveness. 

Niall is joined by our expert psychologists Louize Carroll and Dr. Tony Bates as they dissect the complexities of forgiveness. Although forgiveness can be incredibly freeing, it needs to be done at the right time, in the right context and be accompanied by firm boundaries. Tony and Louize discuss some of their personal experiences with forgiveness, how they approach it with their clients in the therapy room and how embracing it can be the biggest gift you give to yourself. Niall also asks how we can even begin to consider forgiveness in a world full of so much pain, particularly pain that is caused by societal injustice, war and atrocities like we’re seeing unfolding everyday. 

This episode discusses some difficult subjects, please take care when listening. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Title: What We’ve Become with Jonathan M. Metzl 

Every single day we are seeing unbearable atrocities across the world and we have a front row seat to them through our phones and the media. When you add this to the cultural tensions and division being driven in our society, how does our psyche adapt? 

Today Niall is joined by Jonathan M.Metzl, a psychiatrist and sociologist who has done immense work in researching and writing about gun violence and race in America. Jonathan’s unique lens casts a wider view of how the modern world is polluted with power and vested interests, and why that can leave us feeling hopeless as humans. Jonathan explains the historical and modern place of gun politics in the U.S. and how being exposed to constant tragedy desensitises us and dehumanises victims. Niall and Jonathan ask the big question that is also the title of Jonathan’s latest book, ‘What We’ve Become’ and share their own fears and hopes for the future of humanity. 

This episode discusses some difficult subjects, please take care when listening. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Dealing with uncomfortable situations, conversations and feelings can be incredibly difficult and make us want to run for the hills, but getting comfortable with discomfort is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself. 

Having just presented at his first academic conference in Trinity College, Niall became engulfed by uncomfortable feelings when he got the call and in the month leading up to it. However, his mindfulness practice has taught him how to welcome these difficult emotions in. Looking back over this experience Niall discusses his fear that we’re too quick to remove ourselves from anything out of our comfort zone, how we can push through the avoidance to build our confidence and guides a mindfulness meditation to help you sit with your own sense of discomfort.

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Although many of us want to leave the Covid-19 pandemic in the past, it’s important we reflect and really consider the impact it had on us individually and societally, and the incredible coping skills it highlighted in us all. 

Niall is joined by Dr. Brendan Kelly, a psychiatrist and author with a list of degrees as long as your arm, including epidemiology, health management, history and Buddhist studies. Brendan’s new book ‘Resilience’ looks back on the profound impact that Covid had on our lives, but also the perseverance and growth it brought to the forefront. Niall and Brendan discuss the need to redefine how we use the word resilience, to see it as something innate in us and not something to constantly strive for. They also discuss the lessons we can learn from history in our mental health treatment, along with Brendan’s second recent book ‘Asylum: Inside Grangegorman’ which tells the stories of those who lived and worked in one of Ireland’s most infamous asylums. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

In today’s society we come across a lot of grandiose characters. From politicians to social media gurus, in our careers and in our personal relationships, we’re bound to encounter people who have the biggest voice in the room and want everyone to believe their ideas and opinions are best. 

In this episode of The Therapy Room, Niall is joined by our expert psychologists Louize Carroll and Dr. Tony Bates to break down the complexity of grandiosity in all its forms. They discuss the difference between grandiosity and narcissism, the subtle ways it can show up in our daily interactions and the not-so-subtle presentations in some of our world leaders and the silencing effect it can have on a person in a relationship. They also look at why someone may act in a grandiose demeanour and how, really, it can be a counter-reaction to shame. 

Check out Niall’s Sleep course over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Anxiety can feel like something that is there to ruin our life, but the little alarm system going off inside us is actually incredibly important in giving us warning signals and keeping us alive. 

In this week’s episode Niall is joined by Dr. Richard Hogan, renowned psychotherapist and clinical director of Therapy Institute. Richard’s work as a family psychotherapist has given him a deep understanding of anxiety and the function it provides. From sleep to screens, environment to emotions, there are a number of potential root causes of your anxiety but understanding that it’s only trying to protect can be a big step in moving forward. Niall and Richard discuss the anxiety that is being emanated in the modern world and how what we’re feeling is most likely a very human response. They also look how children are growing up more anxious with a lack of resilience and a fear of growing up. 

If you would like to donate to The Rising challenge: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/x6dc29-we-need-your-help 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

There is a paradigm shift happening in how we view our mental and physical health, recognising the innate link between our brains and our bodies. Physical health issues can impact our mental health and our mental health can impact our physical health. New emerging research is also beginning to show a link between trauma and chronic conditions like autoimmune disease. 

Niall is joined by friend of the podcast Dr. Sara Gottfried, who you may remember from our ‘Hormone Health’ episode. Sara’s latest work focuses on this relationship between trauma and autoimmune conditions, and other triggers. Sara explains the root cause of autoimmune disease and why, even as a medical doctor, she sees the need to look for answers outside of the GPs office. They also discuss the need to reach people before the point of crisis, preferably with prevention, empowering people with autonomy, accessibility support to take care of their health and the promising research in psychedelic therapy that could be life-changing for those with chronic illness. 

You can listen to Dr. Sara’s ‘Hormone Health’ episode with us here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0be2MGGGDPSWn7rd6gaE8v?si=49553974ddae45d0 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/

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

At a time when the events happening in the world are terrifying and overwhelming, it’s important we focus on what is in our control. 

Niall is joined by renowned performance psychologist, coach and co-founder of ‘Soul Space’, Gerry Hussey. Gerry has a unique and holistic approach to personal development, which combines elements of psychology, mindfulness, spirituality, and physical health. Niall and Gerry, like the rest of the world, have been deeply affected by the atrocities happening in Palestine and have a candid conversation about what we can do as individuals and how we can cope with the devastation we’re seeing everyday. They also discuss the importance of values, how taking care of ourselves can reignite our drive and passion for life, the interesting beginning of Gerry and Niall’s friendship and how they’ve influenced each other’s way of thinking about the world. 

This podcast discusses some difficult topics, please take care when listening. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Most of us end the year feeling burnt out and a little bit b@ll*xed and make promises to ourselves that next year will be different. Although a lot of us have felt or relate to being burnt out, it’s important we get to the route cause of what it actually is and what’s causing it. 

Niall is joined by Dr. Sharon Grossman, aka The Burnout Doc and author of The 7E Solution to Burnout. As a self-professed over-achiever, Sharon has worked through her own experiences with burnout and now works with some of the world’s biggest companies to shift their culture to support their people. Niall and Sharon discuss the sometimes subtle, sometimes all consuming symptoms, how knowing your personality type can help you decode your burnout and why rest is the most important ingredient to help with recovery and prevention long term. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Do you ever find yourself feeling stuck? We can get lost in relationships, work, addiction issues, body struggles or other situations that leave us dealing with immense guilt and shame when we can’t shake ourselves out of it. 

Niall is joined by Britt Frank, a neuropsychotherapist, teacher, trauma specialist and author of ‘The Science of Stuck’, a practical guide on the neuroscience of stuck-ness and how we can break free from the patterns that keep us there. Having experienced immense trauma as a child, Britt’s life has given her a unique perspective on how it impacts us psychologically and physiologically, which for her eventually led to meth addiction, time spent in a cult and a Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis. Niall and Britt dive into the failings of our mental health systems in how they see and treat our symptoms without looking any deeper, the important messages this feeling of stuck can be trying to communicate and how sometimes the why isn’t as important as taking those small steps to get yourself moving again. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

As we grow from babies into adults we learn to adapt ourselves to fit the environment we’re in. If we grow up in a space where our needs are not met emotionally, we can develop what has been coined the ‘Survivor Self’ or the adaptive self. 

Niall is joined by our resident expert psychologists, Dr. Tony Bates and Louize Carroll, as we step inside the therapy room to see how our survival self can come to hurt us later in life. These patterns of behaviour can come to harm our relationships, work life, health and sense of self, so it’s important we recognise this part of ourselves. Louize and Tony break down the complex and nuanced ways our survivor self develops, manifests and can wreak havoc in our relationships, and the tools they use to help their clients move out of these patterns to finally come home to themselves. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

January can be a difficult month for a lot of people, but we must hold onto hope even in the longest and darkest days. 

Niall is joined by Dan Murphy, lead singer of Irish band Hermitage Green. The band’s latest single ‘Younger Days’ comes with a profound and timely message about our current mental health crisis, something Dan has seen burgeoning in his own hometown of Limerick, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Dan explains why now felt like the right time to address this topic in their music, and how the beautiful spoken word piece by Gregory David Roberts came to be. He and Niall also discuss the complexity of masculinity, how it’s leading men to the bridge of the River Shannon and why reconnecting with community and spirituality may be the thing that brings us back to hope. 

This podcast discusses some difficult subjects, please take care when listening. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

As we take a slow approach to January Niall sits down to meander through his thoughts ahead of the new year. 

After a health scare over Christmas, Niall reiterates his feelings on the ‘new year, new me’ b*llsh*t that gets thrown at us every January. Life isn’t a straight line and Niall shares how he navigated the intense emotions, the shift in perspective he stumbled upon in the process and why accepting change as the only certain thing in life can be very freeing. 

Check out our 31 Days Of Mindfulness over on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

A very happy new year to all of our listeners. Before we move forward into 2024, we’re taking a look back at some of our biggest episodes of 2023. 

From deeply moving conversations in the Men’s Shed in Ballybrack, to interviewing one of the world’s biggest rock stars live in the 3Olympia Theatre, we’ve had quite the eclectic year. However, at the core of every single one of our episodes is an immense passion to find out more about our human experience and the beautiful messiness of our heads and our hearts. This year we’ve told some incredible personal stories, while dissecting social, societal and personal influences on our minds and meeting some incredible souls along the way.

Please note there are some difficult topics discussed in this episode, take care when listening. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

A very happy Christmas to our wonderful Where Is My Mind? listeners, we hope you're enjoying a great festive break. 

Hopefully most of you will be winding down and taking a much deserved rest, but we know this season can bring a lot of rush, full on family moments and it's own level of exhaustion. 

That's why Niall is bringing you this moment of calm to help you through, to encourage to have a half hour to yourself, take some space or go for a walk. We hope you enjoy. 

From all of us, thank you for listening this year and we look forward to having you along in 2024. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

For some people it’s the most wonderful time of the year but for other’s Christmas can be a time of great overwhelm, stress or sadness. It’s also a time when we’re thrown into all sorts of festivities, Christmas parties and meet ups, 12 pubs and pints with your mates, which all tend to centre around alcohol. 

Although all of these events can be fun, December can really highlight our culture’s complicated relationship with alcohol. Niall is joined by psychotherapist, Olympic medalist and recovery advocate Kenneth Egan, and Alcohol Action Ireland’s Head of Policy & Advocacy, Jennifer Hough, to shine a light on the toxic behaviours that have become so ingrained in society and to open your mind to exploring your own relationship with alcohol. Both Kenneth and Jennifer share their own experiences with alcohol harm but also explain the bigger forces at play in a country that often prioritises an economy over society, and the mental health issues that are often underlying in alcohol abuse. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We’ve talked a lot about connection and relationships recently on the podcast, but they are at the beating heart of our very being. 

In this episode Niall is joined by our very own Louize Carroll of The Therapy Room, to dive deeper into how relationships mould and mirror our psychology. Louize has a deep passion for understanding how we relate to each other and how that impacts our own inner world. She has created a 12 week programme that helps individuals heal wounds, master triggers and transform relationships. Niall and Louize get into the core of healthy attachments, looking at the three vital ingredients of self worth, communication and vulnerability and how our past experiences can make it difficult to break down the walls and achieve those. They also look at love in the modern world with the influence of reality TV, porn and the trend of trying to diagnose each others attachment styles, and how damaging this external noise can be. 

If you would like to donate to The Rising challenge: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/x6dc29-we-need-your-help 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

In the last number of months we’ve been exploring how social and societal factors impact the little piece of meat between our ears. Our biggest question, and challenge, is to break down barriers with governance to create better systems for mental health and wellbeing. 

Niall is joined by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, to ask what the missing links are when it comes to Ireland's governance and our collective wellbeing. They discuss why policies often feel like they prioritise economic growth over people, how inequality leads to social issues that are damaging on so many levels and Ireland's chance to be world leaders in better resourcing housing, healthcare and wellbeing for a healthier and happier society. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Whether you’re a parent, guardian, teacher or anyone with children in your life, you have the power to do the work and build secure attachments that will support and bring safety to young people. 

Raising children is probably the most difficult job you will ever do, and most people don’t want to pass on the pain they experienced in their own childhood. Niall is joined by one of Ireland’s top experts in child and adolescent mental health, Dr. Malie Coyne, who does immense work with children and parents. Growing up as an anxious child herself, Malie has an ability to see the pain of struggling children, and also support parents as they try to navigate the difficulties and worries of parenthood. Her advice is based around just being ‘good enough’ and drives away from the idea of perfection in parenting and our expectations on emotions and wellbeing. Malie believes ruptures are always going to happen, but it’s how we repair them that really counts. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/

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

If we are ever going to truly help people, we need to change the way we look at people’s wellbeing and mental health. Exercising, breathwork, yoga, self help books and even mindfulness are all great tools, but they are not going to be the fix when our whole foundation is in tatters. 

We’re back in the Therapy Room with our expert psychologists Louize Carroll and Dr. Tony Bates, taking a look at Gallup’s ‘Five Essential Elements of Well-Being’. 

These are career, social, financial, physical and community, and Tony and Louize break down why these foundational elements of our existence are vital and how when they’re not met people can end up in the therapy room thinking they are the problem. Social forces have so much influence on us and are often completely out of our control, but there are some small steps we can take to steady ourselves amongst the chaos. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/

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

Where is My Mind? has been on a tour of Ireland over the last number of weeks and we promised we'd bring you some of our most moving conversations from the road. 

We have spoken many times about the harrowing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) report that came out earlier this year and how detrimental some of the treatment has been to children and young people. When Niall took the podcast to a stage in Listowel, Co. Kerry he knew he wanted to speak to local man Davin Godfrey, who has been one of the young people gravely affected by the services, having been put on six different types of medication at once despite no formal diagnosis. Davin is a wonderful young man and tells the story of how this impacted his life, the reason behind him waiving his anonymity and why we can't let this happen to any child or person ever again. 

This episode touches on some difficult subjects, take care when listening. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Rejection is a part of life, but it is one of the most difficult things to process and deal with. 

Niall gives an insight into his own experience with rejection, as a musician, podcaster and personally. He tells the story of a very recent personal rejection, dissecting the emotions and reactions while appreciating the learnings and new directions it brought. He also presents one of his rejected projects, a guided meditation with music from the incredible Nick Zinner of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We live in an unequal society, one that doesn’t support or protect our most vulnerable and marginalised people. We can have all of the mental health programmes and motivational talks we want, but if people’s most basic needs aren’t being met how can we expect them to survive, never mind thrive? 

Niall is joined by Katriona O’Sullivan, a Doctor of Psychology and Senior Lecturer who grew up in deep poverty. Having endured abuse, addicted parents, a teenage pregnancy, homelessness and a society that told her she would never amount to anything, it was education that changed Katriona’s life. She explains how education opened her eyes to the inequalities in the world, why virtue signalling with poor people is just not good enough and what real, impactful ways we can begin to level the playing field and create real change for those living in poverty. 

This episode deals with some difficult topics, please take care when listening. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/

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

As we become more trauma-informed it is becoming clear that we are all impacted by things way outside of ourselves. Generational trauma is experienced through families, communities and collective experiences in the world, so how can we begin to unravel the pain that we carry? 

Niall is joined by Dr. Mariel Buqué, psychologist, intergenerational trauma expert and author of upcoming book, ‘Break The Cycle’. Mariel came to working in this space through the experiences of her clients but soon realised it was also her lived reality within her own family. Despite the tough work and dark places it can take you, she decided it was time to break the cycle. Dr. Mariel shares how generational trauma impacts people biologically and psychologically, along with some ways we can begin to integrate healing into our lives and why she believes that it’s in the pain and the darkness that we find our way forward. 

We tackle some difficult topics in this episode, so please take care when listening. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

Addiction is such a widespread issue in our society but many of us don’t realise it surpasses alcohol, drugs and gambling. Our brains are wired with reward systems controlled by dopamine, and dopamine hits are plentiful in the modern world. With social media, entertainment, our phones, the news, our brain's reward system is constantly overloaded. 

Niall is joined by Dr. Anna Lembke, prominent psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist known for her expertise in addiction, pleasure, and the impact of modern life on our brains, and author of ‘Dopamine Nation’. Dr. Lembke explains the many forms of addiction she has seen in her work, why our phones are so addictive and what steps we can take to interrupt the habit loops that may be negatively impacting our lives. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We are only beginning to understand the complexity of trauma and how it impacts on our physiology. Experts now believe that trauma experienced during childhood can have an impact on our development. 

Niall is joined by Dr. Bruce Perry, a renowned psychiatrist and expert in childhood trauma and brain development who developed Neurosequential Model©, a developmentally sensitive, neurobiology-informed approach to clinical work, education and caregiving. Bruce explains just how impactful our early experiences can be on us, how generational trauma plays out over generations and why he believes we need a wholly new approach to how we help children who are traumatised. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

We all know the digital media has had a profound impact on our lives, in some great ways and some terrible ways, but is it actually eroding some of the incredible skills that make us human? 

This week Niall is joined by digital skills expert Graham Lee, who has just released his book ‘Human Being’. The book takes an insightful look into twelve human skills that are being challenged by the digital world and how our use of these skills has proved important throughout history. Niall and Graham discuss these twelve skills in depth, from navigation to conversation, art to dreams, and ask what future lies ahead of us if we don’t embrace our own autonomy and relationship with digital media. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

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

We now have solid evidence that social connection is vital to our wellbeing and as crucial to our health as our diet and exercise. So is our modern divided world making us sick? 

In this week’s episode Niall is joined by David Robson, science journalist and author of ‘The Laws of Connection’. We are living in times of great tension that is only exacerbated by our reliance on social media. Unfortunately, this is pushing us further and further away from each other, creating a deficit in our most basic needs as social beings. In his new book, David Robson explains the psychological barriers that are preventing us from forming strong and meaningful connections, along with strategies to overcome our social awkwardness. Niall and David discuss how connection feels really lost in the world right now, along with how algorithms are driving us apart. They also discuss how powerful connection can be in changing the course of our lives and the ways we can push ourselves outside of our comfort zone to begin building a more connected existence. 

If you would like to donate to The Rising challenge: 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/x6dc29-we-need-your-help 

For more mindfulness content check out Niall’s Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/niallbreslin

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

This week Niall has a very special chat with The Therapy Room’s Dr. Tony Bates. 

Tony has just released his incredible memoir ‘Breaking the Heart Open’ where he turns a therapeutic eye to himself and tells the story of what made him the insightful thinker and incredible psychologist that he is today. 

Niall and Tony dive into the book, with Tony recalling some of the traumatic moments of his childhood, what he learned through his own therapy journey through the years, and the incredible people he worked with who influenced his work so deeply. Tony’s long-standing and impactful career has also left him with many thoughts on how we can better treat those who are experiencing pain. 

Some difficult subjects are discussed in this episode, please take care when listening. 

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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

‘We become so busy chasing a life that we ultimately end up missing living one.’ 

In this episode, Niall dives into one of the principles of practice of mindfulness that has been on his mind a lot recently. He also guides a short meditation on the subject. 

The fast-pace of the modern world can be very overwhelming, and it can feel difficult to keep up sometimes. Especially when you have people on social media telling you they have a 5 to 9 routine before their 9 to 5, or that because you’re not giving 100% all of the time, you are an abject failure. It is very easy to fall into the trap of comparison and tell ourselves we are not enough. 

This is why the mindfulness principle of non-judgement is so crucial, not just in judgement of others, but of ourselves.

Tickets for the Where Is My Mind? live tour: https://linktr.ee/bressie 

Follow Niall on IG @bressie, TikTok @niallbreslin, FB @whereismymindpodcast and Twitter @nbrez and visit his website: www.niallbreslin.com.

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. You can contact one of the resources below for free. 

In Ireland/U.K.: https://www.samaritans.org/

In the U.S.: https://988lifeline.org/ 

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