In this Healing 101, Bryony Gordon unpacks people pleasing as a learned survival response rooted in fear and control, rather than simply being “nice.” She explores how trying to manage others’ emotions can lead to burnout, resentment, and a loss of self, and why surrendering control can feel both uncomfortable and deeply freeing. The conversation highlights the importance of boundaries—not as selfish, but as essential protection—and challenges societal expectations around being agreeable, especially for women. With gentle, practical insights on noticing these patterns and reconnecting with yourself, this episode is a powerful reminder that you deserve to take up space, choose where your energy goes, and put yourself first without guilt.

Find Bryony:

Instagram: @bryonygordon

Books: https://www.headline.co.uk/contributor/bryony-gordon/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-of-bryony/id1763828544

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this episode, I am joined by Lucy Foulkes, psychologist, researcher, and author specialising in youth mental health, to unpack what we really mean by “mental health.” We explore the difference between everyday emotional experiences and clinical conditions, and why feeling anxious or low doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Lucy explains how mental health problems are defined by their severity, duration, and impact on daily life, and why adolescence is such a vulnerable period shaped by brain development, social pressures, and major transitions.

We also dive into the bigger picture, from the impact of poverty and peer dynamics to the growing demand for support that far outweighs available resources. Lucy offers a thoughtful perspective on the current mental health conversation—challenging over-diagnosis, questioning whether opening up is always the answer, and exploring how therapy, education, and even AI could play a role in better supporting those who need it most.

Find Lucy:

Website: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/

Read Lucy's books: https://www.lucyfoulkes.co.uk/books

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In today’s Healing 101 episode, I’m joined by TJ Power to talk about the “DOSE framework” - dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins - and how these four chemicals quietly shape how we feel day to day. We get into the subtle signs your brain might be feeling a little depleted, why you might be struggling with focus or motivation, and some really simple, gentle shifts you can make - like how you start your morning or finding moments of flow - to begin feeling more like yourself again.

Find TJ:

Website: https://tjpower.co.uk/

Instagram: @tjpower

Buy his book: https://thedoseeffect.co.uk/

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this week’s episode, I sit down with psychotherapist Joshua Fletcher (known to many as "Anxiety Josh") to dismantle the modern "optimisation era." Josh explains why our obsession with instant fixes - from 5:00 AM ice baths to AI therapy bots - is actually fuelling our anxiety by eroding our ability to tolerate discomfort. He challenges us to stop "running away" from our feelings and instead build the emotional scaffolding needed to find peace in the stillness.

Drawing from his book Same Time Next Week, Josh pulls back the curtain on the therapy room, sharing his own experiences with imposter syndrome and the "round table" of internal voices that shape our reality. We explore the "death of curiosity," the power of being truly seen, and why the most compassionate thing you can do for a racing mind is often the one thing we fear most: absolutely nothing.

Find Josh:

Buy his new book 'Same Time Next Week': https://amzn.eu/d/0gBZKClA

Website: School of Anxiety

Instagram: @anxietyjosh

LinkedIn: Joshua Fletcher

Linktree: All Resources & Contact

Podcast: Disordered

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this Healing 101 episode, historian David Courtwright explains how modern companies have "hacked" our brains to turn everyday pleasures into hard-to-break habits. He introduces the idea of Limbic Capitalism, a global system where things like social media, fast food, and addictive drugs are specifically designed to hijack the brain’s reward centre. David explores why digital technology is the new frontier of addiction - making "hits" of dopamine cheaper and more accessible than ever - and offers a hopeful perspective on recovery, reminding us that it often takes multiple attempts to finally reclaim our focus and freedom.

Find David:

Website: https://davidcourtwright.domains.unf.edu/

Buy his book 'The Age of Addiction': https://amzn.eu/d/01vG1z76

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Paul Conti, a world-renowned psychiatrist and graduate of Stanford and Harvard, who is widely recognized as one of the most insightful voices in modern mental health. Dr. Conti joins us to challenge the way we pathologise our minds, moving the focus away from "what’s broken" and toward the "human birthright" of what is actually going right. He shares how we can shift from feeling disempowered by labels to feeling truly empowered through what he calls compassionate curiosity.

We also dive into his highly anticipated upcoming book, The Architecture of Self, which provides a definitive map of the structure and function of the human mind. Dr. Conti explains how balancing our internal drives - assertion, pleasure, and the all-important generative drive - allows us to change our internal narratives and physically transform our reality. It’s a masterclass in reclaiming your identity and building a life grounded in agency and health.

Pre order Paul's book: https://amzn.eu/d/06VI4hKa

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this Healing 101 episode, Dr. Sharon Bergquist explains how "micro-doses" of intentional stress can actually disease-proof your body. We dive into the science of hormesis - the biological "sweet spot" where deliberate discomfort activates ancient vitality genes to repair DNA and boost resilience.

By balancing these stressors with strategic recovery, Dr. Bergquist reveals how we can "shape-shift" our biology to become more agile, mentally sharper, and physically robust.

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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On today’s episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by Gemma Styles. I recently read her book Why Am I Like This? and it resonated with me so much, so it felt really special to sit down and have this conversation with her.

We talk about her experience of anxiety and depression, what it felt like navigating university and early adulthood, and the impact of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. We also explore friendship, introversion, rejection sensitivity, social media and that constant inner voice that tells you you’re not quite enough. It’s a really honest, grounding conversation about understanding yourself more clearly and learning to meet yourself with more compassion.

Find Gemma:

Instagram: @gemmastyles

Buy Gemma's book: https://amzn.eu/d/01bZzYEI

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpod

TikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpod

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healing

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.