Lively Minds: The Mental Health Podcast

06/09/2025

🎙️ Episode 15 is here!

📚 In this episode we are joined by author Caro Giles to talk about school and mental health.

🏫 Caro has worked as a teacher across the education sector. She is winner of the inaugural BBC Countryfile New Writer Award, author of Twelve Moons, published by HarperNorth and writes a regular monthly column for Psychologies Magazine

👩‍👧‍👧 Her latest book - Unschooled - is a memoir about her life as a single mother who was forced to educate her four daughters at home due to our underfunded school system being unable to cater for young people with special educational needs.

💬 In this episode we discuss how conducive our current school system is for children’s positive mental health, the challenges it can present for children with additional needs, and what needs to change in order for school to become a place that supports everyone’s wellbeing.

📖 UNSCHOOLED is published by Little Toller Books and is available in all good bookstores: https://www.littletoller.co.uk/shop/books/little-toller/new-books/unschooled-by-caro-giles/

Listen & subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts

https://www.livelymindspod.com

01/08/2025

Series 3 Episode 14 has landed with a very special guest indeed!

We were fortunate to speak to renowned Psychiatrist, Researcher and Author, Dr. Judith Joseph MD about her research into High Functioning Depression as well as her latest book, 'High Functioning: Overcome Your Hidden Depression and Reclaim Your Joy' published by

Depression isn’t just about a presence of sadness, it’s also about an absence of happiness. And whilst ceasing to function is a long-understood symptom of Depression, those that cope by never stopping aren’t necessarily in any less need of help.

In this episode of Lively Minds we discuss High Functioning Depression with Dr. Judith Joseph, a board-certified psychiatrist and researcher. Dr. Joseph, who is also the founder and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, discusses her groundbreaking research and the resulting book 'High Functioning: Overcoming Your Hidden Depression and Reclaiming Your Joy.'

The conversation explores the distinction between high functioning depression and classic depression, the importance of early identification, and Dr. Joseph's innovative five V framework (validation, venting, values, vitals and vision) for cultivating joy and mental wellbeing.

The episode emphasises the necessity of a proactive approach to mental health to prevent breakdowns and highlights the vital role of understanding trauma and anhedonia in managing depression.

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https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/462085/high-functioning-by-joseph-dr-judith/9781529936803

04/07/2025

Series 3 Episode 13 is here!

We talked to expert ethologist Professor Melissa Bateson about the evolutionary basis for anxiety; its biological functions, its evolutionary importance, and how it prepares humans and animals to detect and respond to threats.

Subscribe and listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

https://www.livelymindspod.com

15/06/2025

Series 3 Episode 12 is here!

We take a deep dive into SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), which is the most commonly prescribed form of antidepressant in the UK. We discuss with Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Alex Curmi what we do and don't know about the effectiveness of SSRIs, and why there is so much debate within the medical profession about their use.

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08/05/2025

In our latest episode we chat with Dr Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick, about what it means to live a 'happy' life.

This is the second of a two-part series called 'Rethinking Happiness'. In the first episode, with William Tov, Associate Professor of Psychology at Singapore Management University, we talked about the definition of 'happiness' and how this concept varies in different parts of the world.

Listen to both at livelymindspod.com or search Lively Minds wherever you get your podcasts!

05/05/2025

What does it mean to live a happy life? Can happiness be more than just feeling good? And how might ideas like meaning, community, and values help us rethink wellbeing?

In this second of a two part series, we are are joined by Mark Fabian, Associate Professor of Public Policy at the University of Warwick and author of Beyond Happy.

We explore happiness as something more complex than mood, touching on meaning, self-actualisation, nihilism, community, and the impact of culture and policy on our ability to live well.
The conversation also reflects on how mental health and happiness intersect, and why moving beyond self-optimisation might bring us closer to fulfilment.

Beyond Happy is published by Bedford Square Publishers and is available to purchase from your favourite bookstores now!

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

07/03/2025

Art, friendship, and mental health come together in the latest episode of Lively Minds the mental health podcast!

Our very own Ellie Page joins Charlie Fitz, and Miss Jacqui to share how their artist collective - Triad - became a vital source of support through the power of connection and collective care.

https://livelymindspod.com/listen/

Image Description: The text reads, Lively Minds the mental health podcast. Collective Care with Charlie Fitz and Miss Jacqui. Season 3, Episode 9.

There are two circular frames, each containing a portrait photographs of artists: Miss Jacqui and Charlie Fitz.

14/02/2025

Episode 8 has dropped!

We had a wonderful time discussing self-harm, busting myths, talking about how to support a friend, and much more with the very wonderful Naomi Salisbury, who we can't wait to have on again soon.

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts!

https://www.livelymindspod.com

09/01/2025

Co-host Will has written an article for North East Bylines about North East England's ongoing mental health crisis.

It includes a conversation - featured on this podcast - with Alisdair Cameron of Re-Co-Co, where we try to fathom out what on Earth is going on.

You can read the article here
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/news/health/why-is-north-east-england-still-so-mentally-unwell/

You can listen to Will and Alisdair's conversation on the podcast by clicking below or searching Lively Minds wherever you get your podcasts.
https://www.anyamedia.net/livelymindspod/s3e6-why-is-north-east-england-so-mentally-unwell-with-alisdair-cameron/

"...your lack of proximity to power means that your voices are not heard, your concerns are not heard, and you are essentially forgotten about.”

07/01/2025

Series 3 Episode 7 is here!

I (Ellie, me, from the show n that) will be talking to Will about my recently published research paper, based on my MSc Psychology thesis: Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shift to online formats on hearing voices group facilitators in the UK, published in Psychosis journal by Taylor & Francis.

We discuss the "rapid and forced" transition that many community peer support groups (in this particular case, the wonderful Hearing Voices Groups) experienced over the pandemic, moving to online and teleconferencing formats.

What was it like for facilitators? What was it like for participants? I don't think it is as simple as pros and cons, but interested to know your thoughts...

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Link in bio

https://buff.ly/3DKs336

01/11/2024

Episode 5 has landed!

And it is a LONG overdue episode (the first of many) on the topic of Art and Mental Health with the marvelousssss Doll!

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www.livelymindspod.com

07/10/2024

Will and Ellie - cohosts of the Lively Minds mental health podcast - discuss what their ingredients are for good mental health. 👩‍🍳

We are really interested to hear what your ingredients are - please let us know in the commments! ⬇️

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Please note that this show does not constitute medical advice and is not a replacement for seeking professional help. You can find our more about the show and get signposting to support on our BRAND NEW SHINY website livelymindspod.com