The post Acast brings together UK and Ireland’s favourite podcasters to talk mental health appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>‘What piece of advice do I wish I could tell my younger self?’
The conversation series encourages podcast fans to listen, learn and find comfort in talking about mental health, as well as hear about ways to support yourself or others. The podcasters involved include:
- Kate Mason and Jim Campbell of The Football Ramble talking to Dr Rupy from The Doctor’s Kitchen Podcast about gym anxiety and how physical health can help mental health.
- Actor and podcaster Scroobius Pip from Distraction Pieces Podcast talking to birth doula Lauren Mishcon and women’s coach Nicole Goodman of Self Care Club about worrying what others think of you.
- Podcaster and one half of The Rubberbandits Blindboy talking to neuroscientist and podcaster Dr Sabina Brennan of Super Brain about understanding how the brain works.
- Historian, presenter and podcaster Dan Snow talking to Caroline Foran, author and host of Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast about accepting failure.
The series makes use of Acast’s recently launched Sponsored Stories ad format, with the segments dynamically inserted at the end of episodes of the podcasts taking part. There will also be videos of the conversations posted across Acast’s social channels.
Acast believes there’s power in podcasts, with compassion, companionship, and comfort to be found for all sorts of situations — whether it’s turning to a familiar voice in your favourite podcast host, listening in on an intimate discussion about a guest’s own mental health journey, or relaxing with a welcome distraction from the day-to-day.
Podcasts also offer a way for people to stay entertained away from screen fatigue. Recent studies have investigated the association between screen time and mental health during COVID-19, and Acast recently ran a representative survey of the UK population of more than 2,000 respondents, where more than 52% of Brits said they feel as though they need to reduce the amount of screen time they’re getting in a day.
Sam Shetabi, Content Director Acast UK/IE, said: “It’s not surprising to see so many of us eager to spend less time in front of screens in a year that was defined by endless Zoom calls and TV series binging. We think podcasts are a perfect way to get away from looking at glaring screens and still be kept up to date with news and culture, learn something new or have a laugh — as well as hear the most unguarded conversations on issues like mental health. It’s important to bring these discussions to listeners, and we’re doing it with the help of some of the most exciting names in podcasting.”
Dr. Rupy Aujla, host of The Doctor’s Kitchen, said: “It was really cool to talk to the Football Ramble team about physical activity, food and how they are related to mental health. It’s brilliant that Acast are facilitating these open conversations and it was great to be connected to such fantastic podcasters too.”
Dan Snow, host of History Hit, said: “All of us experience mental health challenges at some point in our lives. I found it so useful listening to Caroline’s advice and will definitely adopt some of her methods for being more present, sleeping better and not letting stress and anxiety get out of control. Focusing on mental health, after the year we’ve all had, is really important.”
Caroline Foran, host of Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast, said: “My goal is to normalise mental health issues, to empower us all to get comfortable talking about the tricky stuff in life — so that the anxiety about what people will think of us, or the stigma that surrounds mental health, will start to dissolve. Podcasting is, in my opinion, the fastest and most effective route to achieving this goal and so I’m thrilled to join the brilliant Dan Snow’s History Hit for Mental Health Awareness Week.”
The conversation series launches today, all made possible by Acast’s dynamic ad insertion technology. Acast hosts more than 27,000 shows worldwide, with more than 65 million monthly listens in the UK alone.
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]]>The post #072 • Rule Not The Exception • The Log Books • Self Care Club appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>Adam is right here with you for another week of podcast news and interviews, this week featuring full on chat with presenters and hosts of RULE NOT THE EXCEPTION, THE LOG BOOKS and SELF CARE CLUB podcasts! Follow and listen on all links below… ENJOY!
LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!
Rule Not The Exception • Apple Podcasts • Spotify
The Log Books • Acast • Spotify
Self Care Club • Acast • Spotify
LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!
Making Gay History • Acast • Spotify
Scary Stories • Acast • Spotify
PODBIBLE LINKS!
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]]>The post Self Care Practices to Get You Through Lockdown 2.0 appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>With England settled into a second lockdown and the continuation of COVID restrictions all over the world, self care has never been more relevant or important. Enter the Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested – a podcast that tests out self care so you don’t have to. With new episodes coming out every Tuesday, women’s coach Nicole Goodman and birth doula Lauren Mishcon are trying it all: from menstrual cups to face yoga!
I interviewed Lauren and Nicole last month about the podcast and their process. I knew they’d be the perfect podcasters to speak to about what self care practices they would recommend to help us stay grounded throughout lockdown 2.0!
Give yourself permission to say ‘no’
In a desperate bid to implement those lessons learned in the lockdown first, it seems as if we all threw ourselves back into FaceTimes with friends, Zoom quizzes, and online social event after online social event. The first week of lockdown, I ended up completely overcommitting myself, to the point where I was left feeling exhausted and hoping that my friends would just forget about our plans. In that moment, I needed to give myself permission to say no and reclaim my time. In this sense, saying ‘no’ becomes a real act of self care – one that the Self Care Club ladies cover in their episode ‘Saying NO!’.
“Many of us are taught to be people-pleasers and say ‘yes’ automatically, even when we actually want to say ‘no’,” Nicole points out. “We don’t want a confrontation, we don’t want to let the other person down, we don’t want to seem selfish and we want to be likeable; but by always saying yes we risk causing ourselves stress, mental exhaustion and resentment. This leads you to be critical of yourself and spiral into negative self-talk, which can lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Not saying ‘no’ has serious side effects.”
“Saying ‘no’ is also about the boundaries you set with yourself,” Lauren says. “The relationship you have with yourself very much depends on what you do and don’t allow into your space and learning how to say ‘no’ is a great place to start.” In lockdown, it may be tempting to lie in bed for hours, doom scrolling through Instagram and Twitter, and spend your waking hours numbing out and constantly consuming upsetting news. In this case, being firm with yourself and saying ‘no’ to activities that drain your energy and leave you feeling sad is a profoundly self-loving act. Keeping boundaries with yourself is just as important as keeping them with others. Although, don’t follow up your ‘no’ with an onslaught of self-shaming and guilt! It’s okay to not always be coping perfectly.
Saying ‘no’ is often the most generous thing you can do – for yourself and others. Asserting ourselves frees us from making shallow and insincere commitments and it ensures we spend time on the things we really care about. ‘No’ leaves space for us to say ‘yes’ to the things we want for ourselves. Show yourself love and honour your boundaries by saying no to activities or things that drain your energy. This is not a selfish act, but an honourable one.
Go on an ‘awe’ walk
Staying cooped up at home all day in your pyjamas can, for most people, be a one way ticket to Depression City. It’s hard to feel positive and energized when you’ve spent most of your day catatonic on the couch or in bed. For that reason, it’s good to get out of the house every once in a while for an ‘awe’ walk, a practice Lauren and Nicole tried out in October.
“Scientists have revealed that a short awe walk – where you make a conscious effort to look for things to be amazed by – can combat negative emotions and help to maintain a healthy mind,” Lauren explains. “Feelings of awe increase positive emotions like compassion and gratitude, reduce self-focus and promote social connection. Our problems may seem big and overwhelming, but awe shifts our attention outward. When we feel awe, we feel small in the relation to the rest of the universe but we feel more connected to the world and people around us.”
“The benefits of awe walking are plenty,” Nicole adds. “It’s been found to boost your immune system, improve your memory and attention span, as well as reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease in middle age. A 20-minute stroll in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature is enough to significantly lower your stress hormone levels. It relaxes the brain.”
Awe can be found in any environment – whether you’re traipsing through a storybook forest or walking about your city neighbourhood. You are also more likely to feel awe in a new place where sights and sounds are unfamiliar. So, if you’re in the city, maybe try wandering around streets you would not normally go down – so long as you remember your way back! It’s not so much the destination that matters, rather the journey itself. “Wherever you are, the key is to be in the right frame of mind,” Lauren points out, “turning your ordinary walk into a series of awe inspiring moments.”
Declutter!
Although it may sound like more work, decluttering can actually do worlds of good for your mental health. Clutter and mess can cause distress, so why not spend a day or two restoring order to your surroundings?
“Decluttering is the process of putting the miscellaneous physical things around you away where they belong,” Lauren describes. “While it’s probably not something that you dream about spending your precious free time doing, decluttering can actually be one of the most successful forms of self care and one of the most effective ways of making you feel better in the long term.”
Scientific studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between clutter and stress. While we may not always realise it, clutter can have a negative impact on your life. What is the clutter in your home stealing from you? Definitely your time, space and energy. But it can also steal your peace as well. Living in a cluttered space is associated with reduced productivity and chronic procrastination.
“When there’s lots of clutter, you lose control over your physical environment – which can feel very defeating and bring on stress, depression, or anxiety,” Nicole continues. “It can take a toll on your social life, too, if it gets to the point of embarrassment where you won’t have people over. Clearing out the clutter means you literally give yourself more space in your home. And more space means you create breathing space, making rest and relaxation easier.”
Sometimes we don’t even realise how heavy and overburdened our stuff makes us feel until we start letting it go. Once you start letting go, you can experience a huge relief as you feel lighter, happier and begin to feel the benefits of having less. It is freeing in so many ways. Letting go of the excess “stuff” that fills your home often feels like a weight is lifted from your life. Instead, you have the opportunity to fill your life with what matters most to you.
Lauren and Nicole just recently tried out decluttering, so give this episode a listen for tips on where and how to start.
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The Self Care Club has become a valuable tool for those who want to put more energy into taking care of their mental health, but who might be intimidated by the sheer amount of options available to them. This lockdown, put some time aside to take care of yourself – you deserve it!
If you’re interested in self care and mental health, or want to learn more about the practices we described, listen to Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested every Tuesday via Spotify, Acast, or Apple Podcasts.
Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Production Assistant at Stakhanov and lives in London.
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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com
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]]>The post #067 • The Art Of Asking Everything • Distraction Pieces • Self Care Club appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>Adam is back and in full and total control this week, taking you through the week’s podcast showroom, featuring a chat with Amanda Palmer about ‘The Art Of Asking Everything’ podcast, followed by recommendations from Scroobius Pip (Distraction Pieces), and Nicole from Self Care Club!
LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!
The Art Of Asking Everything • Acast • Spotify
Distraction Pieces • Acast • Spotify
Self Care Club • Acast • Spotify
LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS RECOMMENDATIONS!
Mum & Mummer • Acast • Spotify
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha • Apple Podcasts • Spotify
Unlocking Us • Acast • Spotify
PODBIBLE LINKS!
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]]>The post #064 • Self Care Club • Off The Cuff • ImPODster Syndrome appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>A very special edition of Pod Bible this week as Adam steers us through three all-podcast chats with no room for recommendations this time! Just the pure prime podcast details of three shows that need to be heard, explained by the hosts themselves. Starting with Lauren and Nicole of Self Care Club, followed by Fols and Vans from Off The Cuff and rounded off with Nick from ImPODster Syndrome, it’s a rammed week for your ears so have fun – three more notable candidates for your listening agenda right here!
LISTEN TO THIS WEEKS GUESTS!
Self Care Club • Acast • Spotify
Off The Cuff • Acast • Spotify
ImPODster Syndrome • Acast • Apple Podcasts
PODBIBLE LINKS!
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]]>The post Self Care Club: Self Care to the Test appeared first on POD BIBLE.
]]>Both Nicole and Lauren have worked with women for decades; Nicole as a women’s coach and Lauren as a birth doula. “We realised how aligned we are in our passion for women’s wellness and self care,” Lauren explains. The idea for the podcast sparked out of the blue after the two met for a coffee one morning and were discussing how women’s mental load seems to be increasing by the day and how even self care has slowly become just another chore. That day, The Self Care Club was born! “We wanted to figure out what really works so women can concentrate on looking after themselves without wasting more of their precious time,” Lauren and Nicole enthuse.
In the week leading up to a recording session, the ladies give one form of self care a good old college try with an emphasis on how it made each of them feel as well as the science and research behind each method. Throughout the experiment, Lauren and Nicole record their impressions and take stock of their reactions and experiences as they go along. Once the week is up, they sit down together and compare notes to answer the big questions: is this form of self care viable? Is it worth your time? Does it make a noticeable difference?
The show’s setup is rather unique, what do you think are the benefits of this format?
“We are so different – what one of us despises, the other adores,” Lauren laughs, “We do exactly the same practice each week but walk away with such unique responses—”
“Which we hope mirrors the different reactions a broad spectrum of women listening may experience themselves,” Nicole chimes in.
“We never discuss how we have found the practices (which is hugely challenging as we speak at least twice a day, every day!) so when we meet in the studio to record the podcast each week we come to it completely fresh with no idea what the other will say.”
Both women thoroughly enjoy the practices and challenges they set for one another each week—“It’s a great exercise in pushing our boundaries and going outside of our comfort zones.”
“We always ask the same questions at the end of the show so we can summarise what we have learned and how the listeners can apply it to their own lives in a way that doesn’t create extra work.”
If all were to fall into place and money were no object, what would be your dream episode?
“A silent retreat in Bali where no one can make contact,” Nicole quips, “No phones, no work, no kids, no washing, no one – just silence, massages and lots of cauliflower.”
As for Lauren? “A weekend with the guys from ‘Queer Eye.’ In the daytime, doing Equine therapy on a fabulous ranch somewhere in America run by cowboys who all look like Bradley Cooper and in the evenings having wine, one on one life coaching, and personal book group sessions with Oprah.” Nothing too flashy, really.
All in all, The Self Care Club’s innovative format and bubbly, lighthearted tone make the podcast an invaluable tool for those who want to put more energy into taking care of their mental health, but are intimidated by the sheer amount of options available to them. Lauren and Nicole remind their listeners to maintain a learning mind, empowering women as they go. If you’re interested in self care and mental health, listen to Self Care Club: Wellness, Road Tested every Tuesday via Spotify, Acast, or Apple Podcasts.
Blandine Hoge is a Podcast Production Assistant at Stakhanov and lives in London.
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This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com
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