Now We’re Really Talking

For this week's episode, I am joined by Elliot Colburn. Elliot is a former MP, and now working for Samaritans.  Elliot shares his experience of first struggling with his mental health at university, and later facing a much more serious crisis while serving as a Member of Parliament. We explore how pressure, loneliness, and life in the public eye can intensify mental health difficulties and why it’s often impossible to point to one single “cause”. We talk about recovery and the fear many people carry about relapsing after starting to feel better. Elliot reflects on returning to work, eventually sharing his story in Parliament and the powerful response that followed. We also discuss losing his seat in 2024, the emotional impact of such a public job loss, and how leaning on others helped protect his mental health during that transition. Finally, Elliot shares how he came to work for Samaritans, and why he believes conversation and human connection are central to suicide prevention. Please leave a review or rating if you enjoyed the episode, it really helps the podcast reach more people.  If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.  If you’re elsewhere, you can find local helplines at findahelpline.com. If you’re in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services.  Find out more about Elliot: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-colburn-b13665104/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking  Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork  If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.  The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be The Change Media Network or its partners.

This episode is part two of my conversation with Sally Orange MBE. In this episode we explore her recovery journey and life beyond the Army. We talk about what healing really looks like, the role of therapy and self-compassion, and how small daily steps can help rebuild a sense of connection and purpose. Sally reflects on leaving the military after 22 years, redefining her identity, and how running, fundraising and public speaking became powerful tools in her mental health journey. We also discuss Sally’s recent breast cancer diagnosis, and the different ways physical and mental illness are experienced and understood. This is a conversation about recovery, transition, resilience, and learning to be kinder to yourself. Please leave a review or rating if you enjoyed the episode, it really helps the podcast reach more people.    If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.  If you’re elsewhere, you can find local helplines at findahelpline.com.   If you’re in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services.    Find out more about Sally: https://www.sallyorange.com/   Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking  Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork  If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.    The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be The Change Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, I sit down with Sally Orange. This is the first part of my conversation with Sally! Check out the second episode later this week! Sally is a former Army physiotherapist, mental health campaigner, adventure fundraiser and proud self-described “serial yes-sayer”. We talk about Sally’s experience of growing up with anxiety, exam pressure, rejection, and not feeling “good enough”, and how these early experiences shaped her mental health into adulthood. Sally reflects on navigating university, professional life, and leadership roles while managing anxiety, imposter syndrome, and the weight of high expectations. This is an honest and compassionate conversation about resilience, identity, and learning to listen to your mind and body. Please leave a review or rating if you enjoyed the episode, it really helps the podcast reach more people. If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org. If you’re elsewhere, you can find local helplines at findahelpline.com. If you’re in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services. Find out more about Sally:  Resources Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be The Change Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, I sit down with Conor Warren. the founder and CEO of Spark UK. We talk about Conor’s experience of growing up with anxiety, accessing counselling from a young age, and how grief and major life changes shaped his mental health. We explore what it was like to start a mental health organisation at 14, the bullying and backlash that came with it, and the pressure of growing up in the public eye while trying to create change. We also talk about burnout, the link between mental and physical health and how anxiety can show up in unexpected ways in the body. Conor reflects on balancing university, running a charity, learning when to say no, and the guilt that can come with rest. We go on to discuss faith, purpose, and why Conor believes young people are searching for meaning in an increasingly uncertain world. Please leave a review or rating if you enjoyed the episode, it really helps the podcast reach more people. If anything in this conversation brings up difficult feelings, you’re not alone, and support is available. If you’re in the UK, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org. If you’re elsewhere, you can find local helplines at findahelpline.com. And if you’re in immediate danger, please contact your local emergency services. Find out more about Conor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamconorjames/ Resources https://www.mind.org.uk/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, I sit down with Leigh Johnstone, the Beardy Gardner. Leigh is a theatre director turned garden designer. He is now an active mental health campaigner and has become popular on social media sharing gardening content. In this episode, we talk about Leigh’s experience of growing up with an alcoholic parent and how this still impacts him today. We also talk about the positive impact on mental health of theatre and gardening. We go on to talk about the double edged sword of social media, and the value of slowing down, and how reconnecting with creativity and nature can help us feel more human in an increasingly fast, digital world. Please leave a review or rating, if you enjoyed the episode!   Leigh on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardygardener/   Fluid Motion Theatre: https://fluidmotiontheatre.com/about-fluid-motion-theatre Resources https://www.mind.org.uk/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be The Change Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this fascinating episode, I am joined by Lara Rodwell. Lara is a writer, journalist and mental health advocate whose work explores neurodivergence, grief, identity, and loneliness. She also founded the Lonely Club. She speaks openly about growing up as an identical twin, navigating her sister’s eating disorder, discovering she is autistic and ADHD in adulthood, and how those revelations reshaped her understanding of herself. Lara also shares the deeply personal experience of losing her dad in 2020 and how grief became both a rupture and the start of a new chapter. If you found the episode insightful, please subscribe and give a review! Lara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lararodwell_/ All things The Lonely Club: https://linktr.ee/_thelonelyclub Resources: https://www.marmaladetrust.org/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com. The views and opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Be the change. Media Network or its partners.

In this episode, I am joined by Danny Bowman, an academic and Director at the Conservative Mental Health Group. Danny opens up about his experiences with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), reflecting on the period of his life when he became housebound and consumed by his self-image. The conversation explores why Danny went viral a decade ago, how BDD affects his everyday life and the long road toward recovery. We also delve into his academic and political work on mental health, including the lessons he took from standing in the 2024 general election. If you found the episode insightful, please subscribe and give a review! Danny on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannybowman96 Donate to Danny’s marathon: Link to Donate Resources: https://www.ocduk.org/ https://bddfoundation.org/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tanya Roy for an insightful and honest conversation about her experiences with mental health challenges. We explore her journey through school and university, including why she believes exam reform is urgently needed to better support students who are struggling. Tanya also opens up about the complex intersection between mental and physical health, and how the two can influence and complicate each other. We discuss her ongoing campaign work, what drives her, and the future she hopes to shape both personally and through advocacy. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues in this episode call Samaritans for free on their 24-hour phone line on 116 123. If you found the episode insightful, please subscribe and give a review! Tanya on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyaroy._/ MK Brownies: https://www.instagram.com/mkbrownieco/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode, I’m joined by Mathew Hulbert for an open and heartfelt conversation about grief, loss, and what coping really looks like. Mathew shares how comfort eating became a way to manage overwhelming feelings, and how, over time, he began to rebuild his sense of self-worth. We talk about the importance of telling the people around us that we love them, learning to disagree without losing compassion, and dealing with social media abuse. Mathew also shares his experience of coming close to death and how that moment changed his understanding of what it means to be alive. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues in this episode, call Samaritans for free on their 24-hour phone line on 116 123. If you found the episode insightful, please subscribe and give a review! Mathew on Twitter: https://x.com/MathewHulbert Political Frenemies: https://www.youtube.com/@PoliticalFrenemies Mathew & Andy Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@MathewAndyPod Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this powerful episode, we are joined by Glen Markey, who lost his daughter, Helena, to suicide in 2015. Since then, Glen has dedicated himself to campaigning for change in how schools support young people’s mental health through his campaign Smile4Helena. Together, we explore the impact of loss, how workplaces have evolved in talking about mental health, and the simple yet life-saving policy change Glen is fighting for: ensuring parents are always contacted when a young person becomes distressed in school. It’s an emotional and deeply human conversation about grief, resilience, and turning pain into purpose. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues in this episode, call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123. If you found the episode insightful, please subscribe and give a review! Glen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-markey-2110092/ Smile4Helena: https://www.facebook.com/smile4helena/ SOBS: https://uksobs.com/ Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode, I am joined by Poppy, a journalist, mental health advocate and spoken word dabbler (her words!). We delve into the intersection of journalism and mental health, exploring how Poppy’s experiences with her own mental health impact on her journalism. We also discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, and the importance of personal experiences in shaping one's understanding of mental health. Poppy shares her struggles with mental health, the role of therapy, and her involvement with the charity Words Matter. The conversation highlights the power of spoken word as a form of self-expression and the importance of navigating relationships while being mindful of mental health. If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week. Or call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123. If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review and subscribe to help more people find these conversations. Poppy on Instagram: @poppyelizab & @Poppyjourno  Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media: @bethechangemedianetwork If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode of Now We're Really Talking, we welcome Mia Hill, mental health advocate and content creator. We dive into her experiences with OCD and BDD, exploring some of the most taboo aspects of OCD. Mia shares her journey through therapy, the story behind why she keeps a photo of her younger self on her mirror, and how she channels her experiences to support others. We also discuss how she balances comedy and education online, and get a glimpse into her exciting future projects. If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review and subscribe to help more people find these conversations. Mia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/me_myself_and_mental_health/?hl=en Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media Network: @bethechangemedianetwork OCD UK: https://www.ocduk.org/ BDD Foundation: https://bddfoundation.org/ If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode of 'Now We're Really Talking', the guest is Elsa Arnold, a mental health campaigner. We discuss the importance of mental health awareness, the impact of bullying, and the significance of advocacy. Elsa shares her experiences with dual diagnoses of BPD and bipolar disorder, the challenges of navigating mental health systems, and the transformative power of kindness and empathy. The conversation also touches on the role of group therapy and the emotional complexities of sharing personal stories in advocacy work. If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review and subscribe to help more people find these conversations. Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media Network: @bethechangemedianetwork Please check out YoungMinds website for help & advice: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/find-help/ If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.

In this episode, I introduce myself, Paddy, and I share the story of my own mental health journey and what’s brought me to this point. You’ll hear why I decided to start this podcast, what you can expect from future episodes, and what I hope it will achieve. If you enjoy the episode, please leave a review and subscribe to help more people find these conversations. Follow the podcast on Instagram for updates: @nowwerereallytalking Check out Be the change. Media Network: @bethechangemedianetwork Please check out YoungMinds website for help & advice: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/find-help/ If you’d like to get in touch, you can reach me at crumppaddy@gmail.com.