Stompcast

Pt 1: The Suicide Prevention Project That’s Sent 3.5 Million Letters | Ben West 15.06.2026 32min

TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness.Ben West is a mental health campaigner, who became an activist after losing his 15 year old brother, Sam, to suicide in 2018. Earlier this year, Ben launched the incredible Reasons to Stay project, a suicide prevention website where anyone in the world can write a letter to someone thinking about suicide.In part one, Ben joins Dr Alex George to discuss the extraordinary impact of Reasons to Stay, and how the project grew from a £16 web domain into a lifeline which has sent over 3.5 million letters to people struggling around the world.Plus, Ben also shares some of the powerful real-life stories that have emerged from the project and explores practical ways we can better support those who may be facing difficult times.Resources:SamaritansShoutCALMPapyrusFollow @iambenwest, check out his incredible project Reasons to Stay, and pre-order his latest book Reasons to Stay: Lessons of Hope from a World that Cares. (By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: The Freedom that Comes When Anxiety Stops Defining You | Owen O’Kane 10.06.2026 28min

In part three, Owen O’Kane shares the many ways modern life can fuel anxiety, how doomscrolling increases anxiety and why not letting your experiences define you can set you free.Plus, Owen and Dr Alex George discuss how happiness can be misinterpreted as a scary emotion and unpack why breakthroughs can often feel uncomfortable…Follow @owenokaneten and check out his latest book Addicted to Anxiety: How to Break the Habit.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: What Your Anxiety is Trying to Tell You | Owen O’Kane 09.06.2026 33min

In part two, Owen O’Kane explores how anxiety can sometimes serve a useful purpose and explains why separating the facts from the stories we tell ourselves can help reduce worry. He also reveals why a significant part of managing anxiety is learning to stop getting in your own way…Plus, Owen and Dr Alex George discuss the link between OCD and the need for control and why taking medication for your mental health should never be seen as a weakness.Follow @owenokaneten and check out his latest book Addicted to Anxiety: How to Break the Habit.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: How to Work With Anxiety Instead of Against It | Owen O’Kane 08.06.2026 33min

Owen O’Kane is a leading psychotherapist, mental health expert and author whose work has helped countless people better understand and manage anxiety.In part one, Owen joins Dr Alex George to discuss why you need to embrace anxiety, the importance of looking after your inner child and how shame can impact your relationship with anxiety.Plus, Owen unpacks the three core systems that drive anxiety forward, and reveals why he believes there is never one sole cause of anxiety…Follow @owenokaneten and check out his latest book Addicted to Anxiety: How to Break the Habit.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: Is Wellness Culture Making Your Anxiety Worse? | Anxiety Josh 03.06.2026 23min

In part three, Joshua Fletcher joins Dr Alex George to unpack why there’s no quick-fix for anxiety, how wellness culture can quietly damage your self-worth and the complex relationship between anxiety and self-trust.Plus, Josh and Alex discuss how using humour can sometimes be a healthy way to cope with anxiety, and why rumination never solves anything…Follow @anxietyjosh and check out his new book Same Time Next Week?: Living with Anxiety in the Modern World.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: What is Your Therapist Really Thinking? | Anxiety Josh 02.06.2026 21min

In part two, Joshua Fletcher explores whether you can still be a good therapist and struggle with mental illness, how to strike a healthy balance between self-improvement and self-obsession and why it’s better to be a “wounded healer” than a perfect one…Plus, Josh and Dr Alex George discuss why human connection is vital to impactful therapy, and whether it’s okay to accept that you’ve not “fixed” yourself yet.Follow @anxietyjosh and check out his new book Same Time Next Week?: Living with Anxiety in the Modern World.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: Is AI the Future of Therapy? | Anxiety Josh 01.06.2026 28min

This week, Joshua Fletcher - also known as Anxiety Josh - returns to the Stompcast! With over 300k followers, Josh is a content creator, author and psychotherapist specialising in anxiety and anxiety disorders.In part one, Josh joins Dr Alex George to discuss how to enjoy your life alongside anxiety, the importance of leaning into uncertainty and whether AI is the future of therapy…Plus, Josh shares his golden rules for navigating anxiety in today’s modern world.Follow @anxietyjosh and check out his new book Same Time Next Week?: Living with Anxiety in the Modern World.(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: ‘Concerts are Audio Described Because of Me!’ | How Claire Sisk is Making the World More Accessible 27.05.2026 19min

In part three, Claire educates us on how audio description works for TV, film and concerts and shares how she’s making the world more accessible. Plus, she shares how she pulls herself out of the darkest moments to find moments of joy. Follow Claire @canseecantsee_Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: What I Wish Sighted People Knew About Going Blind | Claire Sisk 26.05.2026 26min

In part two, Claire Sisk sheds light on the everyday obstacles she faces that, as a sighted person, you could take completely for granted. Claire explains the app that helps connect blind people with help around the world, the issues with travel assistance and the triggers that remind her of her blindness. Follow Claire @canseecantsee_Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: ‘I Didn’t Tell Anyone I Was Going Blind’ | Claire Sisk 25.05.2026 30min

At just 29, Claire Sisk suffered two strokes, which eventually led to her losing her sight. 17 years later, she’s thriving with a career in TV and content creation – but she’s come a long way from her self-described ‘rock bottom’.In part one, Claire reveals how her first marriage broke down at the same time of her illness, why she was terrified of losing her daughter and why she didn’t tell anyone about her sight loss.Follow Claire @canseecantsee_Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: The Taboo and Silent Struggle of Infertility and Faith | Gini Bhogal 20.05.2026 17min

In part three, Gini explains why she decided to open up about this deeply personal experience and her advice to anyone considering egg donation.Gini and Dr Alex discuss the complex intersection of science and religion, the power of a truly selfless good deed and how you never know what will come from a seemingly unremarkable interaction. Follow @ginibhogalOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: What Happened When the Truth was Revealed Almost 30 Years Later | Gini Bhogal 19.05.2026 21min

In part two, Gini reveals how the baby born from her egg reacted to finding out that his ‘auntie’ was actually his biological mother. Gini shares her anxieties around the secret coming out, why she was the most afraid to tell her parents and how her relationship has changed with Christopher since it all came out. Follow @ginibhogalOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: The Woman Who Donated Her Eggs to a Stranger on the Tube | Gini Bhogal 18.05.2026 23min

30 years ago, Gini struck up a conversation with a stranger on the tube, which would change both her and the stranger’s lives forever.Despite having no knowledge of the process, Gini agreed to donate her eggs to a complete stranger. She shares her extraordinary story with Dr Alex George, revealing what made her so certain she wanted to perform such a selfless act, what it was like hiding her egg extraction while living with her in-laws and why she believes that a karmic connection may have led to this incredible meeting. It’s only this year that Gini has gone public with this extraordinary story, so you don’t want to miss it. Follow @ginibhogalOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: How to Live When You Thought You Were Going to Die | Shell Rowe 13.05.2026 25min

In part three, Shell explains how her cancer diagnosis eventually led her on the path to her dream job.Plus, she opens up about the disgusting hate comments she’s received and how she doesn’t let them bother her.Follow @shellrowex and pre order her book Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: TMI! Why Oversharing Can Be The Key to Feeling Less Alone | Shell Rowe 12.05.2026 26min

In part two, Shell Rowe explains why humour was so important during her cancer treatment and why it’s so important not to define people as ‘cancer patients’.Shell and Alex discuss the loss of dignity during treatment and why being open about it helped her get through it, the videos that she never posted and why she dabbled with religion during the darker times. Follow @shellrowex and pre order her book Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: ‘No One Ever Thinks They’ll Get Cancer’ | Shell Rowe on her Mental Battle 11.05.2026 33min

Shell Rowe was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma at just 20 years old. Somehow, she found the humour in cancer, building a social following of over 1.1 million. In this episode, she joins Dr Alex George to share the devastating conversations that followed her diagnosis - including telling her girlfriend she didn’t need to stay - and the moment which left her thinking ‘it’s now or never’. Plus, she shares why she believes cancer is as much of a mental battle as a physical one, and why it’s the little moments you’d realise you’d miss. Follow @shellrowex and pre order her book Dying to Live: How to Thrive, Not Just Survive(By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: The Reality of Being a Mum to Neurodivergent Children | Laura Guckian 06.05.2026 30min

In part three, Laura Guckian and Dr Alex George compare notes on their AuDHD and how she spotted the signs in both herself and her children that they were autistic. Plus, she offers her advice on what to do during your child’s meltdown and the lesser-known signals of AuDHD in girls. Follow @MindMommyCoaching and listen to Momfessions.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 2: Mumfessions: ‘Did I Make the Right Choice Becoming a Parent?’ 05.05.2026 31min

In part two, Laura Guckian shares some of the confessions mum’s have shared with her and reveals how many of them wonder if they made the right choice by having children.Laura discusses the rage that is surprisingly prevalent in many mothers, the reality of gentle parenting and the things she does in order not to feel any mum guilt. Follow @MindMommyCoaching and listen to Momfessions.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 1: Why This New Mum Admitted Herself Into a Psychiatric Hospital | Laura Guckian 04.05.2026 33min

8 years ago, when Laura Guckian should have been experiencing the happiest time of her life, she instead found herself in a psychiatric hospital away from her 10-month-old baby.In this powerful episode, she joins Dr Alex George to share what it was like spending 2 months in hospital, the shocking reason behind many suicidal thoughts amongst new mums and why the idea of a ‘good mum’ can be an unachievable ideal. Follow @MindMommyCoaching and listen to Momfessions.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pt 3: A New Era: What Do YOU Want From the Stompcast? 29.04.2026 22min

In part three, Alex turns to the listeners to find out what YOU would change about Stompcast. If you’ve got ideas on how Stompcast can change for the better, share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/8v2Yw5JPB5dbT6AG9Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.