The Life of Bryony

Lou Beckett is back to talk about the three things she simply cannot live without. From accepting help without guilt to refusing to dismiss “just a coffee” with friends as frivolous, Lou shares the habits and mindsets that keep her vaguely upright while juggling kids, school admin and everyone else’s emotions. We chat about why asking for help is actually a life skill we need to model for our children, why social time is stress relief not indulgence, and how finding a comforting, low-stakes TV obsession can be its own form of meditation. If you’re an exhausted default parent, this one is for you.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODELou’s Book, Lessons from a Default Parent: Surviving the Front Line of Family Life (Without Losing Your Sh*t), is available to buy from 12th February 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Lou BeckettProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Lou Beckett – mum of two, history teacher and wife of comedian Rob Beckett – who shares a hilariously raw take on what it really means to be the default parent. Lou talks about carrying the invisible labour and mental load while Rob is away, the identity freefall of stepping away from work, and why women are still expected to “have it all” while running on no sleep. We get into birth trauma, breastfeeding guilt, and why feeding your baby formula is not a moral failing. Lou explains what it really means to be the default parent, why schools always ring mum first, and how resentment quietly builds over time. We also talk about being completely “touched out” by kids hanging off you all day, and then being expected to switch into sex kitten mode the minute your partner walks through the door. This is a funny, deeply validating conversation for anyone who has ever thought: I love my kids, but I am absolutely done. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODELou’s Book, Lessons from a Default Parent: Surviving the Front Line of Family Life (Without Losing Your Sh*t), is available to buy from 12th February 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Lou BeckettProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie EastA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, the wonderful Emma Kirk-Odunubi is back with us. If you heard her main episode, you’ll know she’s a 15-time marathon runner, coach and all‑round running legend – but today, we’re finding out the three things she simply cannot live without.​ We talk about why the most important part of running might happen when you’re not running at all, why it’s sometimes not just okay but wise to skip a run, and how “forwards is a pace” became Emma’s mantra on and off the road. This is a gorgeous, grounding conversation for anyone who needs permission to slow down, be kinder to themselves, and still call themselves a runner.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s book, Find Your Pace, is available from 5th February 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma Kirk-OdunubiProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I sprinted (okay, jogged) into the studio this week because I knew this conversation would change how you think about running. My guest is performance coach and running legend Emma Kirk‑Odunubi, whose new book Find Your Pace is the gentle, funny, no‑nonsense guide I wish I’d had when I first stumbled out in leopard‑print Converse and a Tommy Tippee cup.​ We talk about how Emma found running in the depths of grief after losing her dad, and how moving her body helped her mind when nothing else worked. She explains why “just showing up is where the magic happens”, why walking breaks don’t make you any less of a runner, and how her “FETCH” method and chunking tricks make running feel doable, even if you’re a very busy, very tired human. Whether your goal is 10 minutes alone, a first parkrun or a marathon, this episode will get you lacing up. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s book, Find Your Pace, is available from 5th February 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma Kirk-OdunubiProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lovely people, Charley Webb is back. In the main episode, Charley talked about being a mum of three, navigating her mum’s Alzheimer’s and trying to stay afloat in the middle of it all. In this bonus conversation, she lifts the lid on the three non‑negotiables she leans on to keep going – the everyday things that help her feel connected, calm and vaguely human. We talk about the power of real friendship, why small rituals matter when life feels overwhelming, and how giving yourself permission to do “nothing” can actually be the most productive choice of all. If you are part of the exhausted sandwich generation, or just craving a few simple ideas to make your own days feel more manageable, this one is for you.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf Charley’s story of her mother’s illness resonated with you and you would like support, please consider the following charities:Dementia UK:https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/looking-after-yourself-as-a-carer/Alzheimer’s UK:https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care/getting-supportWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Charley WebbProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If, like me, you are a bit of a soap addict, you will know Charley Webb from her decades-long stint on Emmerdale. But in this episode of The Life of Bryony, you will hear a far more intimate, unfiltered version of her story. Charley talks candidly about pursuing an autism and ADHD diagnosis, parenting a neurodivergent child, and how hyperfixation shows up everywhere from skincare to intrusive thoughts.​ She also revisits the sudden death of her dad when she was 14, the bullying that oddly set her free, and the complicated, lonely reality of her mum’s early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We talk about grieving someone who is still here, the guilt of struggling to visit, and why honesty about “not coping” can be such a relief.​ If you are navigating dementia, neurodivergence, or that exhausting sandwich-generation juggle, this conversation might help you feel a little less alone.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf Charley’s story of her mother’s illness resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:Dementia UK:https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/looking-after-yourself-as-a-carer/Alzheimer’s UK:https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care/getting-supportWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Charley WebbProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Sam RhodesStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Alex George is back to share the three things he absolutely cannot live without. These aren’t flashy wellness fads, but grounded, realistic practices that support his mental fitness, help him reset on tough days, and remind him that life can still feel joyful and expansive. We talk about why movement has become completely non‑negotiable for him, how a simple daily ritual changes the tone of his whole day, and the slightly surprising passion that makes him feel most alive.​ If you’re looking for doable ideas to weave into your own routine – without becoming a full‑time self‑improvement project – this episode is a very gentle place to start.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEAlex’s new book ‘Am I Normal?’ is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Dr. Alex GeorgeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Dr. Alex George for an incredibly powerful and tender conversation. Alex talks about losing his younger brother, Llŷr, to suicide, the strange expectation that we should “get over” grief, and what really happens to a family when the worst thing imaginable actually happens. We discuss how alcohol became his way of pushing the pain down, the day he decided he couldn’t drink – or live – like that anymore, and why stopping drinking was the single best decision he has ever made. Alex also opens up about a late diagnosis of OCD, the torture of rumination, and the night a run quite literally saved his life. If you’ve ever felt broken by loss, plagued by your own mind, or unsure you can face another day, this conversation is for you. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEAlex’s new book ‘Am I Normal?’ is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Dr. Alex GeorgeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After our main chat about addiction and the difference between fast, spiky dopamine and the slower, steadier kind, Catherine returns to share the three things that genuinely keep her grounded.​ We dig into what “slow dopamine” actually feels like in real life – the kind of calm, long-lasting reward you don’t regret the next morning – and Catherine talks me through the simple daily habits that help her get there. We cover movement, mindset and even what you put on your body, and why all of it matters if you’re trying not to be at the mercy of your moods.​ If your brain tends to wake up shouting “the end is nigh” and you’re craving more ease, this conversation is for you.​BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODECatherine’s new book, Little Addictions, is available to buy from the 29th January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Catherine GrayProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you already “failed” at Dry January? If that’s the case, welcome to the club. In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Catherine Gray to unpick why you can’t just grit your teeth and get through a month off booze – and why resolutions in general are so hard to keep. We talk about what is really going on in your brain when you suddenly remove your usual drink, why your nervous system kicks off, and how shame and self‑loathing make you more likely to reach for the thing you’re trying to quit. From Dry January to doom‑scrolling, biscuits, vapes, porn, shopping and phone use, Catherine explains how our “stone age” brains are trying to survive in an ultra‑addictive modern world.​ We dig into dopamine, “little addictions”, friction, and tiny cogs of change – so you can feel informed and be a little bit kinder to yourself. If you’ve ever wondered “What’s wrong with me?” around addiction, this episode will help you realise: absolutely nothing. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODECatherine’s new book, Little Addictions, is available to buy from the 29th January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Catherine GrayProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Cooke is back with me to reveal the daily non‑negotiables that keep him grounded, sane and able to show up for his life. He shares the simple practices that support his body, brain and energy, and explains how you can start building your own versions, even if you think you’re too busy, too “all over the place”, or too burnt out to begin. We talk morning and evening routines, movement that calms a racing mind, and how to protect your energy from the people and situations that drain you.​ If you’ve ever wondered what really underpins a “high‑vibe” life, this chat is your sign to find your own three things.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMatt’s book, Beyond Wanting, is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Matt CookeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this week is manifestation coach, speaker and author Matt Cooke, whose book Beyond Wanting genuinely shifted how I think about this stuff. Matt was once a stressed‑out estate agent and total sceptic, until grief, a strange spiritual experience and a deep dive into quantum physics blew his world open.​ We talk about how manifestation really works, why it is not as simple (or as cruel) as “your thoughts create your reality”, and how to use it safely if you live with anxiety, OCD or intrusive thoughts. Matt explains the science of observation, neuroplasticity and why your brain always drags you back to the old path, plus the simple daily tools he uses – journaling, affirmations, meditation and “gratitude for what isn’t here yet”.​ If you’ve ever thought, “Manifesting is for other people”, this episode is for you. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMatt’s book, Beyond Wanting, is available to buy now.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Matt CookeProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the most wonderful – or sometimes, challenging – time of year, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome back the glorious Gaby Roslin for this very special festive bonus episode! Gaby’s back to share her three top tips for having a truly joyous Christmas. We chat tiny tasks, courage in colour, and why it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference during the Christmas season. Settle in with your favourite treat, enjoy the sparkle, and remember: joy is found in the little things (and in this episode!).BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEGaby’s book, Spread the Joy, is available to buy in paperback now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of Gaby’s episodes resonated with you and you would like support, please consider the following charities:SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.MindCall 0300 102 1234 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Gaby RoslinProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by TV and radio legend, Gaby Roslin and we’re talking all about hacking happiness – especially when life feels anything but festive. Together, we chat about why Christmas and the holidays can feel really hard, what loneliness actually looks like (and how to talk about it), navigating toxic people, and why it’s okay to just let yourself feel down sometimes. Gaby shares her own struggles with shyness and self-judgment, her family’s approach to gratitude, and her tips for finding small moments of brightness when everything around you feels dark. We also dive into the joy of musical theatre, embracing your age, compassionate living – and of course, plenty of laughter. If you need a little lift (or just some solidarity), this episode is one for you. Find helpful links and helplines in the show notes below – don’t forget, you are never alone. BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEGaby’s book, Spread the Joy, is available to buy in paperback now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.MindCall 0300 102 1234 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Gaby RoslinProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Gannon is back with me, fresh from talking about her ‘year of nothing’, to share the three things she simply cannot live without. As someone who has come through serious burnout, Emma has thought deeply about what genuinely keeps her grounded, rested and sane – and it’s probably not what you’d expect. We chat about carving out tiny pockets of sanctuary at home, the importance of true laughter and connection, and the simple rituals she uses to listen to her intuition. If you’re exhausted, over-stimulated, or just craving a bit more everyday magic, this gentle, cosy conversation is for you.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s new book, ‘A Year of Nothing’ is available to pre-order now and will be released on 22nd January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma GannonProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by my friend Emma Gannon – award-winning author and Substack writer – to talk about something so many of us are secretly fantasising about: stopping. Properly stopping. Emma tells me about her “year of nothing”, the breakdown that forced her to confront burnout, and how stepping off the hustle treadmill completely changed her life. We talk about the fantasy of being “hospitalised for exhaustion”, why so many women feel they can’t hack modern life, and what happens when your body says “no more”. Emma shares her experience with panic attacks and disassociation, the friendships and work she had to let go of, and how she learned to rest deeply instead of putting on a show of productivity. If you’re exhausted, edging towards burnout, or just craving permission to do less, this conversation is for you.​ BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEEmma’s new book, ‘A Year of Nothing’ is available to pre-order now and will be released on 22nd January 2026.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Emma GannonProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millie Mackintosh is back to chat about the three absolute essentials she relies on to not just survive but thrive without alcohol during the festive season. We talk wellbeing, self-care, finding little rewards that feel even better than a tipple, and just how transformative those small daily choices can be. Whether you’re newly sober or just curious, Millie’s approach – and her honesty about learning to embrace Christmas in a whole new light – will leave you feeling inspired and supported. This chat will give you some practical advice, a giggle or two, and a reminder that you’re not alone this December!BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMillie’s book, Bad Drunk, is available in paperback from the 8th January 2026.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of Millie’s episodes resonated with you and you would like support, please consider the following:DRINKLINE – For anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.To speak to someone call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).ALCOHOL CHANGE UK – For anyone seeking help with their own or someone else’s drinking.Visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ THE FORWARD TRUST – For anyone needing support to recover from addiction.Chat to someone online at https://forwardtrust.org.uk/talk-to-us (weekdays 9am-5pm) ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS – For anyone who feels their drinking is causing problems or who has a desire to stop drinking.Call 0800 917 7650 visit https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:Bad Drunk: Millie Mackintosh on Sobriety, Motherhood, and HealingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Millie MackintoshProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Life of Bryony, I’m joined by my wonderful friend Millie Mackintosh to talk about something so many of you have been asking for – how to survive and actually enjoy the festive season without alcohol. Millie shares her honest and heartfelt experiences of giving up drinking, the challenges of those first few Christmases sober, and practical tips for navigating parties, family gatherings, and the pressures of December without drowning out your feelings with booze. We discuss how to plan your social calendar, finding your tribe, and the small wins that make all the difference. If you’re sober curious or newly sober, this episode will remind you you’re not alone. Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODEMillie’s book, Bad Drunk, is available in paperback on the 8th January 2026.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today, and you would like support, please consider the following:DRINKLINE – For anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's.To speak to someone call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)ALCOHOL CHANGE UK – For anyone seeking help with their own or someone else’s drinking.Visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ THE FORWARD TRUST – For anyone needing support to recover from addiction.Chat to someone online at https://forwardtrust.org.uk/talk-to-us (weekdays 9am-5pm) ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - For anyone who feels their drinking is causing problems or who has a desire to stop drinking.Call 0800 917 7650 visit https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:Bad Drunk: Millie Mackintosh on Sobriety, Motherhood, and HealingWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us on @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it – it really helps! Bryony xxCREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Millie MackintoshProducer: Laura Elwood-CraigAssistant Producer: Tippi WillardStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, psychotherapist Sophie Scott joins me again to answer listener questions on supporting loved ones with mental health challenges: How do you step back from a parent’s mental health needs when guilt keeps pulling you in? What’s the best way to help a sibling with OCD, beyond just managing their rituals? And how do you avoid feeling completely drained by a friend who’s is struggling? Sophie shares how setting boundaries can actually be an act of love, and why “detaching with love” might be the healthiest thing you can do – for you and for them. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance caring for others while protecting your own wellbeing, you are absolutely not alone – this chat is for you.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODESophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/ OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.CREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Sophie ScottProducer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’SullivanAssistant Producer: Ceyda UzunStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East  A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I sit down with integrative psychotherapist and author Sophie Scott to talk about what it really takes to support loved ones through mental health challenges without losing yourself along the way. Sophie shares her personal story of growing up in a family touched by OCD and loss, and how those experiences shaped her approach to mental health. We explore the power of listening over giving advice, why boundaries are essential for everyone’s wellbeing, and how burnout affects caregivers who often feel unseen or unsupported. Sophie offers practical strategies – from the 4-7-8 breathing technique to finding individual purpose and accepting messy emotions that can help you care for others and for yourself. If you’re navigating relationships affected by OCD or other mental health issues, this episode is packed with compassion, relatability, and genuinely helpful advice.BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODESophie’s book, You Are Not Alone in This, is available now.LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPSIf the content of this episode resonated with you today and you would like support, please consider the following charities:Mind – Mental health charity that has resources for managing your own wellbeing whilst caring for someone else.Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/support-for-you/ Al Anon – for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking.Call 0800 0086 811 or visit https://al-anonuk.org.uk/FamAnon – for family members and friends affected by another’s abuse of mind-altering substances, or related behavioural problems.Call 0207 4984 680 or visit https://famanon.org.uk/OCD Action – for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.Call 0300 636 5478 or visit https://ocdaction.org.uk/SamaritansCall 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ for free, 24-hour support.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUGot something to share? Message us @lifeofbryonypod on Instagram.CREDITS:Host: Bryony GordonGuest: Sophie ScottProducer: Laura Elwood-Craig & Jonathan O’SullivanAssistant Producer: Ceyda UzunStudio Manager: Sam ChisholmEditor: Luke ShelleyExec Producer: Jamie East A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.