The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones are joined by Joseph Millson, actor, writer, filmmaker and singer, currently appearing in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End. He’s also the author of Miller Rose Roberts, a novella that moves between psychological realism and something more mysterious while exploring trauma, memory, identity, love, and recovery. In this conversation, Joseph talks about why creativity matters to wellbeing, how writing became a kind of journaling for him, and why he prefers ambiguity over neat explanations. They also discuss resilience, grief, anger, motherhood, and the role storytelling can play in making sense of painful experience.
Key topics
In this episode, Joseph argues that creativity is not reserved for artists, because everyone uses creative thinking in some form, from mechanics to doctors to chefs.
He shares the “right hand and left hand” idea: one side of life handles rent, family, and responsibilities, while the other side protects creative expression and imagination.
Joseph explains why actors often feel the urge to move into writing and directing, because acting is usually interpreting someone else’s story rather than telling their own.
We discuss how writing, especially journaling, can function as emotional processing even when no one else ever reads it.
Joseph describes Miller Rose Roberts as a seven chapter novella built around seven year cycles, with the protagonist revisited at ages 7, 14, 21, 28, and beyond.
He shares how the book blends realism with magical realism, including the recurring ringing in Miller’s ears that becomes an instruction to walk away.
They talk about ambiguity in art and why Joseph prefers not to over explain mental health, grief, or the meaning of Miller’s experiences.
Joseph reflects on writing female characters, saying he is fascinated by women’s experiences and by people who carry pain privately rather than sharing it.
The conversation also touches on anger management, emotional numbness, and the idea that people need an outlet for grief and pain instead of suppressing it.
Joseph closes by explaining how actors can access deep emotion safely through imagination, scaffolding, and play, without relying on unhealthy emotional recall.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introducing Joseph Milson and the themes of creativity and wellbeing00:37 - Why creative work and day jobs often coexist01:37 - The “right hand and left hand” model of creative life03:33 - Why acting is a uniquely difficult art form04:32 - Writing as mental health support between auditions05:57 - Creativity as something everyone does07:47 - Why Signs of Life emerges from struggle08:13 - How Joseph moved from acting into writing and directing09:14 - Work and Other Four Letter Words and the value of self-reflection10:33 - Lockdown, screenwriting, and the start of Signs of Life11:33 - Grief, kindness, and the idea behind the film12:58 - Why actors eventually want to tell their own stories15:41 - Journaling as a form of creative processing18:42 - Writing from a woman’s perspective22:30 - The caravan park, the name Miller Rose Roberts, and the book’s origin23:55 - Seven year cycles and the structure of the novella24:49 - Tinnitus, the desert, and the magical realist premise26:51 - Leaving space for multiple interpretations29:29 - Grief, psychosis, and privacy as a defense mechanism30:36 - Anger management and the need for emotional outlets32:15 - Plant medicine, journaling, and looking at what hurts33:39 - Writer’s block and finding the ending35:08 - Why Joseph chose to write a novella rather than a full novel37:02 - Stephen King’s influence and Joseph’s admiration for novella length38:12 - Why resilience is hard to explain and impossible to reduce41:12 - Motherhood, loss, and the book’s emotional core44:08 - The deliberate use of “the mother” as a distancing device46:46 - Researching the 1980s, cigarettes, and period detail48:24 - Storytelling as a way of healing and narrating our lives50:42 - How actors protect themselves when working in deep emotional territory
Notable quotes
“The mistake are mistake. Something a lot of creatives do is put their creative life over here and everything else over there.”
“I believe my creative work is my journaling.”
“Art is a question mark.”

 
In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones are joined by Joseph Millson, actor, writer, filmmaker and singer, currently appearing in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End. He’s also the author of Miller Rose Roberts, a novella that moves between psychological realism and something more mysterious while exploring trauma, memory, identity, love, and recovery. In this conversation, Joseph talks about why creativity matters to wellbeing, how writing became a kind of journaling for him, and why he prefers ambiguity over neat explanations. They also discuss resilience, grief, anger, motherhood, and the role storytelling can play in making sense of painful experience.
Key topics
In this episode, Joseph argues that creativity is not reserved for artists, because everyone uses creative thinking in some form, from mechanics to doctors to chefs.
He shares the “right hand and left hand” idea: one side of life handles rent, family, and responsibilities, while the other side protects creative expression and imagination.
Joseph explains why actors often feel the urge to move into writing and directing, because acting is usually interpreting someone else’s story rather than telling their own.
We discuss how writing, especially journaling, can function as emotional processing even when no one else ever reads it.
Joseph describes Miller Rose Roberts as a seven chapter novella built around seven year cycles, with the protagonist revisited at ages 7, 14, 21, 28, and beyond.
He shares how the book blends realism with magical realism, including the recurring ringing in Miller’s ears that becomes an instruction to walk away.
They talk about ambiguity in art and why Joseph prefers not to over explain mental health, grief, or the meaning of Miller’s experiences.
Joseph reflects on writing female characters, saying he is fascinated by women’s experiences and by people who carry pain privately rather than sharing it.
The conversation also touches on anger management, emotional numbness, and the idea that people need an outlet for grief and pain instead of suppressing it.
Joseph closes by explaining how actors can access deep emotion safely through imagination, scaffolding, and play, without relying on unhealthy emotional recall.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introducing Joseph Milson and the themes of creativity and wellbeing00:37 - Why creative work and day jobs often coexist01:37 - The “right hand and left hand” model of creative life03:33 - Why acting is a uniquely difficult art form04:32 - Writing as mental health support between auditions05:57 - Creativity as something everyone does07:47 - Why Signs of Life emerges from struggle08:13 - How Joseph moved from acting into writing and directing09:14 - Work and Other Four Letter Words and the value of self-reflection10:33 - Lockdown, screenwriting, and the start of Signs of Life11:33 - Grief, kindness, and the idea behind the film12:58 - Why actors eventually want to tell their own stories15:41 - Journaling as a form of creative processing18:42 - Writing from a woman’s perspective22:30 - The caravan park, the name Miller Rose Roberts, and the book’s origin23:55 - Seven year cycles and the structure of the novella24:49 - Tinnitus, the desert, and the magical realist premise26:51 - Leaving space for multiple interpretations29:29 - Grief, psychosis, and privacy as a defense mechanism30:36 - Anger management and the need for emotional outlets32:15 - Plant medicine, journaling, and looking at what hurts33:39 - Writer’s block and finding the ending35:08 - Why Joseph chose to write a novella rather than a full novel37:02 - Stephen King’s influence and Joseph’s admiration for novella length38:12 - Why resilience is hard to explain and impossible to reduce41:12 - Motherhood, loss, and the book’s emotional core44:08 - The deliberate use of “the mother” as a distancing device46:46 - Researching the 1980s, cigarettes, and period detail48:24 - Storytelling as a way of healing and narrating our lives50:42 - How actors protect themselves when working in deep emotional territory
Notable quotes
“The mistake are mistake. Something a lot of creatives do is put their creative life over here and everything else over there.”
“I believe my creative work is my journaling.”
“Art is a question mark.”

This conversation explores Dr Beverley Samways work with people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma and use little or no spoken communication. The discussion focuses on how self-injury has often been misunderstood through behavioural frameworks, and why a more relational, trauma-informed approach can reveal what people are actually trying to communicate. It also covers the role of grief, culture, power, and co-regulation in care.Beverley Samways, founder of Unique Connections and author of Unspoken Stories, shares findings from her PhD and years of frontline work. Naomi Murphy and David Jones bring in their own clinical reflections, especially around psychodynamic practice, person-centred care, and the importance of really seeing the person in front of you.
Unspoken Stories: Learning to Listen to People with Intellectual Disabilities who are Non-Speaking. https://pavpub.com/health-and-social-care/health-autism/unspoken-stories-learning-to-listen-to-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-who-are-non-speaking
Key topics
In this episode, Beverley explains how Unspoken Stories grew out of her PhD research with three teenagers who had learning disabilities, little or no speech, and histories of self-injury.
She challenges the long-standing tendency to interpret self-injury in learning disability services mainly through applied behavioural analysis and “challenging behaviour.”
Beverley argues that distress is often rooted in trauma, grief, attachment, and adverse experiences, not just immediate environmental triggers.
She describes how, in her research, all three participants had trauma histories and all three eventually communicated more than they had on paper, despite being labelled non-verbal.
Naomi reflects on her own shift from a behavioural placement into person-centred and sensory motor psychotherapeutic work, connecting Beverley’s account to Valerie Sinason’s influence.
Beverley shares how communication happened differently with each young person, including drawing and writing with Cassie, and silent co-regulation and bodily attunement with Owen.
The conversation returns repeatedly to the idea that people who do not speak still have a unique voice, and that listening long enough can reveal it.
Beverley explains that many experiences become traumatic more easily for non-speaking people, especially hospital procedures, restraint, repeated transitions, and hidden grief.
The episode also examines why care systems can become harmful, including the role of institutional culture, power, fear of emotion, and the pressure to keep people “happy.”
Beverley describes how the sector is shifting slowly toward therapeutic and trauma-informed models, and how Unique Connections is trying to support that change one school and one team at a time.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction to Dr Beverly Samways and her work with trauma, learning disabilities, and non-speaking communication(01:30) How Unspoken Stories emerged from PhD research with three teenagers and their histories of self-injury(05:14) Why self-harm research shows similar patterns across geography and time(05:52) Beverley’s background in children’s social care, residential settings, and therapeutic training(08:47) The traditional behavioural approach to self-injury and why it can miss emotional meaning(14:08) How trauma exposure is much more common for people with learning disabilities, especially non-speaking people(17:09) Research methods that relied on time, presence, and psychodynamic attunement rather than words alone(19:11) How communication emerged differently with Cassie and Owen through drawing, silence, and co-regulation(21:08) Psychodynamic influences from Valerie Sinason, Anne Alvarez, and Frances Tustin(23:21) Naomi’s reflection on person-centred work and the surprise of what the research revealed(24:20) The most striking surprise: all three participants spoke in some form when given enough space and listening(27:09) Trauma in everyday care settings, including hospitals, restraint, transitions, and repeated moves(30:07) Why grief is often mistaken for trauma, and why emotional expression is frequently discouraged in care(32:34) Institutional history, deprivation of liberty, and the long shadow of segregation(34:59) How recovery depends on being seen, heard, and understood rather than treated as a behaviour problem(38:28) Bad actors, harmful systems, and why “bad apple” explanations are not enough(42:44) The emotional impact of the research on Beverley, including sustained sadness and changed assumptions(45:35) Unique Connections’ aims and the gradual move from behavioural models toward trauma-informed practice(48:20) How Beverley stays well through relationships, laughter, prayer, presence, and ordinary self-care
Notable quotes
“If we listen long enough, people will speak. Not necessarily with words, but everybody has something to say.”
“We’re cutting out an enormous chunk of ordinary human functioning from the way that we are understanding somebody simply because they have a learning disability.”

This conversation explores Dr Beverley Samways work with people with learning disabilities who have experienced trauma and use little or no spoken communication. The discussion focuses on how self-injury has often been misunderstood through behavioural frameworks, and why a more relational, trauma-informed approach can reveal what people are actually trying to communicate. It also covers the role of grief, culture, power, and co-regulation in care.Beverley Samways, founder of Unique Connections and author of Unspoken Stories, shares findings from her PhD and years of frontline work. Naomi Murphy and David Jones bring in their own clinical reflections, especially around psychodynamic practice, person-centred care, and the importance of really seeing the person in front of you.
Unspoken Stories: Learning to Listen to People with Intellectual Disabilities who are Non-Speaking. https://pavpub.com/health-and-social-care/health-autism/unspoken-stories-learning-to-listen-to-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-who-are-non-speaking
Key topics
In this episode, Beverley explains how Unspoken Stories grew out of her PhD research with three teenagers who had learning disabilities, little or no speech, and histories of self-injury.
She challenges the long-standing tendency to interpret self-injury in learning disability services mainly through applied behavioural analysis and “challenging behaviour.”
Beverley argues that distress is often rooted in trauma, grief, attachment, and adverse experiences, not just immediate environmental triggers.
She describes how, in her research, all three participants had trauma histories and all three eventually communicated more than they had on paper, despite being labelled non-verbal.
Naomi reflects on her own shift from a behavioural placement into person-centred and sensory motor psychotherapeutic work, connecting Beverley’s account to Valerie Sinason’s influence.
Beverley shares how communication happened differently with each young person, including drawing and writing with Cassie, and silent co-regulation and bodily attunement with Owen.
The conversation returns repeatedly to the idea that people who do not speak still have a unique voice, and that listening long enough can reveal it.
Beverley explains that many experiences become traumatic more easily for non-speaking people, especially hospital procedures, restraint, repeated transitions, and hidden grief.
The episode also examines why care systems can become harmful, including the role of institutional culture, power, fear of emotion, and the pressure to keep people “happy.”
Beverley describes how the sector is shifting slowly toward therapeutic and trauma-informed models, and how Unique Connections is trying to support that change one school and one team at a time.
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction to Dr Beverly Samways and her work with trauma, learning disabilities, and non-speaking communication(01:30) How Unspoken Stories emerged from PhD research with three teenagers and their histories of self-injury(05:14) Why self-harm research shows similar patterns across geography and time(05:52) Beverley’s background in children’s social care, residential settings, and therapeutic training(08:47) The traditional behavioural approach to self-injury and why it can miss emotional meaning(14:08) How trauma exposure is much more common for people with learning disabilities, especially non-speaking people(17:09) Research methods that relied on time, presence, and psychodynamic attunement rather than words alone(19:11) How communication emerged differently with Cassie and Owen through drawing, silence, and co-regulation(21:08) Psychodynamic influences from Valerie Sinason, Anne Alvarez, and Frances Tustin(23:21) Naomi’s reflection on person-centred work and the surprise of what the research revealed(24:20) The most striking surprise: all three participants spoke in some form when given enough space and listening(27:09) Trauma in everyday care settings, including hospitals, restraint, transitions, and repeated moves(30:07) Why grief is often mistaken for trauma, and why emotional expression is frequently discouraged in care(32:34) Institutional history, deprivation of liberty, and the long shadow of segregation(34:59) How recovery depends on being seen, heard, and understood rather than treated as a behaviour problem(38:28) Bad actors, harmful systems, and why “bad apple” explanations are not enough(42:44) The emotional impact of the research on Beverley, including sustained sadness and changed assumptions(45:35) Unique Connections’ aims and the gradual move from behavioural models toward trauma-informed practice(48:20) How Beverley stays well through relationships, laughter, prayer, presence, and ordinary self-care
Notable quotes
“If we listen long enough, people will speak. Not necessarily with words, but everybody has something to say.”
“We’re cutting out an enormous chunk of ordinary human functioning from the way that we are understanding somebody simply because they have a learning disability.”

 
 
In this important conversation David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy talk about why so many boys underachieve at school with Mike Bell. And why has so little research been done on this subject?
Mike is a former science teacher, evidence-based teaching trainer, author of Fundamentals of Teaching, founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Men and Boys issues, and lead researcher for the APPG’s 2023 inquiry into boys’ educational underachievement, explains the findings behind his latest book ‘Yes He Can’. He argues that boys’ underachievement is real, widespread, and not inevitable.
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Closing-Attainment-Boys-Secondary-School/dp/1041242158)
We discuss the data behind the attainment gap, why the problem is most visible in secondary school, and what six British schools did to close the gap without extra resources or special training. Mike also challenges common assumptions about male teachers, toxic masculinity, and the causes of boys’ poor outcomes.
Key topics
Why Yes He Can is built largely from teacher transcripts and school practice, not theory
The size of the attainment gap from school readiness through GCSEs, A levels, and university
Why the gap narrows in primary school but widens again in secondary school
How primary teachers’ close knowledge of pupils creates more individualised support
The consequences of boys’ underachievement, including disengagement, NEET outcomes, and wider social costs
Why some boys become hostile to school when they feel lost, punished, and misunderstood
How school culture can become a place where boys actually want to come
Why the research base is weaker than people assume, despite widespread concern
Why Mike does not see male teacher shortages as the main explanation
Why the schools he studied were effective because they shared intentions, not identical methods
Timestamps (Approx)
00:00 - Technical setup and Mike Bell’s introduction
01:47 - What Yes He Can is about
03:27 - How the APPG inquiry led to the book
06:28 - The attainment gap from primary school to university
09:59 - Why secondary school widens the gap
11:30 - Social consequences of boys switching off
13:42 - Making school a place boys want to come to
15:16 - How school structure affects less able pupils
17:10 - Why boys were once seen as advantaged and girls as disadvantaged
18:57 - How the six schools were found and why primary practice mattered
20:26 - Why the research base on boys’ underachievement is so weak
23:33 - What the six successful schools had in common
24:58 - Why male teachers are not the key solution
26:58 - Why he rejects toxic masculinity as the root cause

In this important conversation David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy talk about why so many boys underachieve at school with Mike Bell. And why has so little research been done on this subject?
Mike is a former science teacher, evidence-based teaching trainer, author of Fundamentals of Teaching, founder of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Men and Boys issues, and lead researcher for the APPG’s 2023 inquiry into boys’ educational underachievement, explains the findings behind his latest book ‘Yes He Can’. He argues that boys’ underachievement is real, widespread, and not inevitable.
(https://www.amazon.co.uk/Closing-Attainment-Boys-Secondary-School/dp/1041242158)
We discuss the data behind the attainment gap, why the problem is most visible in secondary school, and what six British schools did to close the gap without extra resources or special training. Mike also challenges common assumptions about male teachers, toxic masculinity, and the causes of boys’ poor outcomes.
Key topics
Why Yes He Can is built largely from teacher transcripts and school practice, not theory
The size of the attainment gap from school readiness through GCSEs, A levels, and university
Why the gap narrows in primary school but widens again in secondary school
How primary teachers’ close knowledge of pupils creates more individualised support
The consequences of boys’ underachievement, including disengagement, NEET outcomes, and wider social costs
Why some boys become hostile to school when they feel lost, punished, and misunderstood
How school culture can become a place where boys actually want to come
Why the research base is weaker than people assume, despite widespread concern
Why Mike does not see male teacher shortages as the main explanation
Why the schools he studied were effective because they shared intentions, not identical methods
Timestamps (Approx)
00:00 - Technical setup and Mike Bell’s introduction
01:47 - What Yes He Can is about
03:27 - How the APPG inquiry led to the book
06:28 - The attainment gap from primary school to university
09:59 - Why secondary school widens the gap
11:30 - Social consequences of boys switching off
13:42 - Making school a place boys want to come to
15:16 - How school structure affects less able pupils
17:10 - Why boys were once seen as advantaged and girls as disadvantaged
18:57 - How the six schools were found and why primary practice mattered
20:26 - Why the research base on boys’ underachievement is so weak
23:33 - What the six successful schools had in common
24:58 - Why male teachers are not the key solution
26:58 - Why he rejects toxic masculinity as the root cause

David Jones and Naomi Murphy meet Kelly Edmondson, healthcare executive, former trauma ICU nurse, board certified grief counsellor, bereaved mother, and founder of Timely Presence. This is a very powerful and moving account as Kelly describes some of the tragic moments that have led to her founding of Timely Presence. Kelly shares how years in high-pressure care shaped her understanding of trauma, resilience, and human connection. She also explains how the death of her son Darius led her to build a milestone-based grief support model that helps people show up meaningfully long after the funeral.
We discuss how grief changes over time, why people often struggle to support the bereaved, and the simple principles Kelly uses to help others stay present without saying the wrong thing. This is a deeply personal conversation about loss, purpose, and turning pain into practical support.
Key topics
Kelly Edmondson’s path from new graduate nurse in trauma ICU and burn care to grief counsellor and founder of Timely Presence
What caring for patients at the edge of life taught her about fragility, resilience, and the value of relationships
Why good clinicians should care deeply, while still maintaining enough emotional protection to keep functioning
The moment a young quadriplegic patient and his children reshaped her sense of purpose in care
How Kelly’s own family life and her son Darius’s death changed the way she saw grief, holidays, and time
Why the holiday season can be especially painful for bereaved families, and how her family uses “reframing the ritual”
The importance of saying a deceased person’s name, telling their stories, and keeping their legacy present
How Timely Presence was born from a Mother’s Day weekend that turned a looming trigger into a meaningful, supported experience
Why grief support is often front loaded around funerals, but the hardest moments usually come later
The three R’s Kelly recommends for supporting someone who is grieving: regulate, respond, remain
Timestamps
00:00 - Kelly Edmondson’s background in trauma care and grief support
01:39 - Entering trauma ICU and learning from life interrupted
04:44 - A young quadriplegic patient and the emotional weight of care
07:28 - Self-care habits that helped her stay grounded
09:48 - Parenthood, Christmas, and seeing grief through a caregiver’s eyes
13:51 - Reframing holiday rituals after the death of her son Darius
16:39 - Why talking about loss matters instead of avoiding it
21:31 - The Mother's Day weekend that inspired Timely Presence
24:58 - How Timely Presence works across the emotional calendar of grief
28:14 - Why people welcome structured grief support for difficult losses
30:56 - Advice for people going through loss and those trying to help
34:49 - The three R’s: regulate, respond, remain
37:46 - Closing reflections on Kelly’s story and legacy

David Jones and Naomi Murphy meet Kelly Edmondson, healthcare executive, former trauma ICU nurse, board certified grief counsellor, bereaved mother, and founder of Timely Presence. This is a very powerful and moving account as Kelly describes some of the tragic moments that have led to her founding of Timely Presence. Kelly shares how years in high-pressure care shaped her understanding of trauma, resilience, and human connection. She also explains how the death of her son Darius led her to build a milestone-based grief support model that helps people show up meaningfully long after the funeral.
We discuss how grief changes over time, why people often struggle to support the bereaved, and the simple principles Kelly uses to help others stay present without saying the wrong thing. This is a deeply personal conversation about loss, purpose, and turning pain into practical support.
Key topics
Kelly Edmondson’s path from new graduate nurse in trauma ICU and burn care to grief counsellor and founder of Timely Presence
What caring for patients at the edge of life taught her about fragility, resilience, and the value of relationships
Why good clinicians should care deeply, while still maintaining enough emotional protection to keep functioning
The moment a young quadriplegic patient and his children reshaped her sense of purpose in care
How Kelly’s own family life and her son Darius’s death changed the way she saw grief, holidays, and time
Why the holiday season can be especially painful for bereaved families, and how her family uses “reframing the ritual”
The importance of saying a deceased person’s name, telling their stories, and keeping their legacy present
How Timely Presence was born from a Mother’s Day weekend that turned a looming trigger into a meaningful, supported experience
Why grief support is often front loaded around funerals, but the hardest moments usually come later
The three R’s Kelly recommends for supporting someone who is grieving: regulate, respond, remain
Timestamps
00:00 - Kelly Edmondson’s background in trauma care and grief support
01:39 - Entering trauma ICU and learning from life interrupted
04:44 - A young quadriplegic patient and the emotional weight of care
07:28 - Self-care habits that helped her stay grounded
09:48 - Parenthood, Christmas, and seeing grief through a caregiver’s eyes
13:51 - Reframing holiday rituals after the death of her son Darius
16:39 - Why talking about loss matters instead of avoiding it
21:31 - The Mother's Day weekend that inspired Timely Presence
24:58 - How Timely Presence works across the emotional calendar of grief
28:14 - Why people welcome structured grief support for difficult losses
30:56 - Advice for people going through loss and those trying to help
34:49 - The three R’s: regulate, respond, remain
37:46 - Closing reflections on Kelly’s story and legacy

Dr Naomi Murphy, David Jones and Dr Pawel Szczesny have a conversation about AI.
This conversation explores how AI is shaping human thinking, decision-making, creativity, and workplace habits. Dr Szczesny, co-founder and CEO of Impersonato, explains why his company builds synthetic personas as “crash test dummies” for AI systems and why he believes AI should be treated more like a tool than a conversational companion.
We also discuss the risks of over-reliance, especially in mental health, the workplace, and personal identity, plus what healthy AI deployment could look like in organizations.
Impersonato — AI psychology company. We build psychologically realistic crash-test dummies.
Key topics
Pawel Szczesny’s background and development.
He describes a career path spanning experimental biology, computational biology, medical research, pharmaceutical research, pro-cognitive supplements, and psychology of AI systems.
Biology taught him humility: theories about complex systems are usually incomplete, and no system works in isolation.
Why Impersonato exists
How AI mirrors users
Why mirroring can become dangerous
Creativity: individual gains, collective loss
Good AI versus bad AI
Jobs, unemployment, and the “mass layoff” narrative
Why fluent AI sounds authoritative
Pawel says people still confuse polished language with expertise.
He warns that AI can produce beautifully written output that is entirely wrong, especially in areas that cannot be externally verified.
The “Claude Boys” phenomenon
Blurred authorship and reduced enjoyment
Who shapes AI systems
Ethics belongs to humans, not the model
How organizations should use AI
How he uses AI personally, he does not use AI outside work.
 
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction to Dr Pawel Szczesny and why synthetic personas matter for AI safety
 
(01:05) From biology to psychology through a series of career pivots
 
(03:58) What Inpersonato does and why AI needs crash test dummies
 
(06:21) Testing therapy-support chatbots and companion systems
 
(07:33) How GPT-3 changed Pawel’s view of chatbot behavior
 
(09:25) Why AI mirrors education level, preferences, and psychology
 
(10:24) When AI reinforcement starts to resemble delusion
 
(12:29) How AI responds to loneliness and paranoia in users
 
(14:32) Career changes and subtle language adoption after heavy AI use
 
(16:44) Individual creativity rises, but collective creativity shrinks
 
(19:15) Why the healthiest AI should not rely on a conversational interface
 
(23:28) Lessons from typists, office assistants, and changing work
 
(24:27) Why mass unemployment is more marketing story than reality
 
(28:55) Why fluent writing is mistaken for expertise
 
(31:51) The “Claude Boys” and reverse cyborg behavior
 
(33:59) How constant AI advice can amplify anxiety
 
(35:00) Blurred authorship and the loss of creative joy
 
(37:49) Identity risk when writing or creating stops feeling rewarding
 
(38:48) Why Claude reflects a narrow entrepreneurial worldview
 
(43:52) Why ethics belongs to humans, not the AI model
 
(49:32) How organizations can build healthier AI habits
 
(53:58) A better internal rollout model: let employees experiment first
 
(56:04) How Pavel uses AI personally and why he takes breaks
 

Dr Naomi Murphy, David Jones and Dr Pawel Szczesny have a conversation about AI.
This conversation explores how AI is shaping human thinking, decision-making, creativity, and workplace habits. Dr Szczesny, co-founder and CEO of Impersonato, explains why his company builds synthetic personas as “crash test dummies” for AI systems and why he believes AI should be treated more like a tool than a conversational companion.
We also discuss the risks of over-reliance, especially in mental health, the workplace, and personal identity, plus what healthy AI deployment could look like in organizations.
Impersonato — AI psychology company. We build psychologically realistic crash-test dummies.
Key topics
Pawel Szczesny’s background and development.
He describes a career path spanning experimental biology, computational biology, medical research, pharmaceutical research, pro-cognitive supplements, and psychology of AI systems.
Biology taught him humility: theories about complex systems are usually incomplete, and no system works in isolation.
Why Impersonato exists
How AI mirrors users
Why mirroring can become dangerous
Creativity: individual gains, collective loss
Good AI versus bad AI
Jobs, unemployment, and the “mass layoff” narrative
Why fluent AI sounds authoritative
Pawel says people still confuse polished language with expertise.
He warns that AI can produce beautifully written output that is entirely wrong, especially in areas that cannot be externally verified.
The “Claude Boys” phenomenon
Blurred authorship and reduced enjoyment
Who shapes AI systems
Ethics belongs to humans, not the model
How organizations should use AI
How he uses AI personally, he does not use AI outside work.
 
Timestamps
(00:00) Introduction to Dr Pawel Szczesny and why synthetic personas matter for AI safety
 
(01:05) From biology to psychology through a series of career pivots
 
(03:58) What Inpersonato does and why AI needs crash test dummies
 
(06:21) Testing therapy-support chatbots and companion systems
 
(07:33) How GPT-3 changed Pawel’s view of chatbot behavior
 
(09:25) Why AI mirrors education level, preferences, and psychology
 
(10:24) When AI reinforcement starts to resemble delusion
 
(12:29) How AI responds to loneliness and paranoia in users
 
(14:32) Career changes and subtle language adoption after heavy AI use
 
(16:44) Individual creativity rises, but collective creativity shrinks
 
(19:15) Why the healthiest AI should not rely on a conversational interface
 
(23:28) Lessons from typists, office assistants, and changing work
 
(24:27) Why mass unemployment is more marketing story than reality
 
(28:55) Why fluent writing is mistaken for expertise
 
(31:51) The “Claude Boys” and reverse cyborg behavior
 
(33:59) How constant AI advice can amplify anxiety
 
(35:00) Blurred authorship and the loss of creative joy
 
(37:49) Identity risk when writing or creating stops feeling rewarding
 
(38:48) Why Claude reflects a narrow entrepreneurial worldview
 
(43:52) Why ethics belongs to humans, not the AI model
 
(49:32) How organizations can build healthier AI habits
 
(53:58) A better internal rollout model: let employees experiment first
 
(56:04) How Pavel uses AI personally and why he takes breaks
 

In this conversation with Naomi Murphy and David Jones Neil shares the raw reality of adopting two siblings in 2023 in this heartfelt episode. From navigating the invasive process to managing the emotional rollercoaster, Neil provides honest insights into a journey many find daunting but rarely talk about openly. If you're considering adoption or simply curious about the unseen side of creating a unique family, this episode offers invaluable perspectives.
Key Topics Covered:
Neil’s motivation for writing his book after adopting two siblings
The emotional challenges of the adoption process and post-placement realities
How the system's focus on children can overlook the feelings of adoptive parents
The impact of trauma responses and differentiating normal toddler behavior from trauma signals
Strategies for managing the stress and emotional numbness during early parenting
The significance of the two-week rule for coping with work stress and family challenges
The disparities in emotional experiences between adoptive parents and their attachment journeys
Insights into the training social workers receive and its focus on worst-case scenarios
Neil’s thoughts on the fairness of resource allocation in fertility treatments
The importance of humour and resilience in processing difficult life experiences
Neil’s involvement in organizing a wellbeing festival and his interest in mental health
Timestamps:
00:00 - Neil’s story: from infertility to adoption and writing his book
 
02:17 - Challenges of the adoption process and systemic focus on protecting children
 
05:03 - Why Neil decided to document his journey for others
 
09:32 - The emotional complexity of IVF and the invasive procedures involved
 
12:32 - Feelings of fairness and resource disparity in fertility treatments
 
15:51 - Managing stress: the two-week rule for coping with family and work challenges
 
18:22 - Improving adoption training and system efficiency
 
24:52 - Differentiating trauma responses from normal behaviour in children
 
27:36 - The emotional numbness during initial parenting and its protective role
 
29:52 - How different attachment experiences influence adoptive parents' journeys
 
38:28 - Addressing unspoken gratitude and the myths of family obligations
 
41:28 - The role of humour in Neil’s approach to life’s difficulties
 
43:19 - Decision-making style and embracing uncertainty in challenging situations
 
46:26 - Neil’s journey into being a published author and his involvement in the wellbeing festival
 
48:19 - Final thoughts and key takeaways
Notable Quotes:
"The process is very child focused, but understanding your own feelings is a whole other conversation."
"You have to think of adoption as a long game—it's about forming attachments slowly, not instant bonds."

In this conversation with Naomi Murphy and David Jones Neil shares the raw reality of adopting two siblings in 2023 in this heartfelt episode. From navigating the invasive process to managing the emotional rollercoaster, Neil provides honest insights into a journey many find daunting but rarely talk about openly. If you're considering adoption or simply curious about the unseen side of creating a unique family, this episode offers invaluable perspectives.
Key Topics Covered:
Neil’s motivation for writing his book after adopting two siblings
The emotional challenges of the adoption process and post-placement realities
How the system's focus on children can overlook the feelings of adoptive parents
The impact of trauma responses and differentiating normal toddler behavior from trauma signals
Strategies for managing the stress and emotional numbness during early parenting
The significance of the two-week rule for coping with work stress and family challenges
The disparities in emotional experiences between adoptive parents and their attachment journeys
Insights into the training social workers receive and its focus on worst-case scenarios
Neil’s thoughts on the fairness of resource allocation in fertility treatments
The importance of humour and resilience in processing difficult life experiences
Neil’s involvement in organizing a wellbeing festival and his interest in mental health
Timestamps:
00:00 - Neil’s story: from infertility to adoption and writing his book
 
02:17 - Challenges of the adoption process and systemic focus on protecting children
 
05:03 - Why Neil decided to document his journey for others
 
09:32 - The emotional complexity of IVF and the invasive procedures involved
 
12:32 - Feelings of fairness and resource disparity in fertility treatments
 
15:51 - Managing stress: the two-week rule for coping with family and work challenges
 
18:22 - Improving adoption training and system efficiency
 
24:52 - Differentiating trauma responses from normal behaviour in children
 
27:36 - The emotional numbness during initial parenting and its protective role
 
29:52 - How different attachment experiences influence adoptive parents' journeys
 
38:28 - Addressing unspoken gratitude and the myths of family obligations
 
41:28 - The role of humour in Neil’s approach to life’s difficulties
 
43:19 - Decision-making style and embracing uncertainty in challenging situations
 
46:26 - Neil’s journey into being a published author and his involvement in the wellbeing festival
 
48:19 - Final thoughts and key takeaways
Notable Quotes:
"The process is very child focused, but understanding your own feelings is a whole other conversation."
"You have to think of adoption as a long game—it's about forming attachments slowly, not instant bonds."

In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones explore how systems thinking, internal family systems, and leadership mindset shifts can transform organizations from within. Francisco Baptista shares insights on addressing systemic dysfunction, fostering resilience, and the power of small interventions to create culture change.
In this episode:
The significance of systemic and relational approaches in leadership coaching
How physics and systems thinking reveal organizational dysfunctions missed by psychological lenses
The role of systemic resilience versus individual resilience and how organizations often shift burden onto individuals
Recognizing early warning signs of a culture approaching a breaking point
The importance of naming, making explicit, and working through organizational trauma and ghosts of past events
Practical strategies for leaders to influence culture through small yet impactful interventions
The integration of internal family systems (IFS) and parts work in organizational contexts
How decision-making and responsibility influence resilience and momentum
Protecting personal well-being while delivering tough messages in consultancy
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to systemic coaching and Francisco Baptista's background01:10 - The shift from technical mastery to relational systemic work02:22 - How physics and systems thinking provide unique insights into dysfunction03:49 - Bringing physics into coaching to address organizational culture04:22 - Systemic resilience versus individual resilience and organizational burdening06:49 - How organizations unconsciously set their breaking points through tolerated behaviors07:39 - Recognizing early warning signs of a culture crisis09:25 - The slow process of cultural degradation and importance of naming trauma10:50 - The presence of organizational ghosts and collective trauma12:36 - Dealing with organizational wounds that are hard to talk about13:30 - Distinguishing genuine change from surface-level coping14:12 - The influence of coaching on transformation, not just problem-solving16:18 - The embodied change versus purely intellectual approaches17:36 - How transformative contact challenges AI and enhances human relational qualities18:12 - Strategies to help executives navigate systemic thresholds and internal dilemmas19:58 - Exploring polarity, polarization, and how to shift perspectives21:36 - Recognizing grey ground and parts work in coaching and organizations22:13 - Why internal family systems (IFS) works well both individually and collectively23:37 - Integrating parts and understanding internal managers in organizational contexts25:50 - Addressing the myth of bad parts and collective scapegoating27:19 - Leaders' blind spots: projecting harshness onto the market instead of themselves29:15 - The importance of slack time for organizational learning and innovation30:08 - Differentiating external pressure from internal stress and building boundaries32:36 - Handling organizations that resist change through personal responsibility and decision-making34:22 - Advice for individuals in brutal systems: ownership and decision sovereignty36:00 - Small interventions with the potential for cultural shifts, exemplified by leadership and visibility37:55 - The impact of values like grit on organizational burnout and pace39:07 - Protecting coaches’ well-being while delivering tough truths40:14 - Cultivating purpose, fulfillment, and alignment in coaching practice41:16 - The role of inner walls, transgenerational beliefs, and breaking down barriers42:31 - Overcoming organizational trauma echoes from penal systems to corporate environments42:53 - Final thoughts: systemic work as a pathway to resilience and transformationResources & Links:
Conference of the Birds ;  https://www.franciscobaptista.com/conference
https://ifs-institute.com/

In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones explore how systems thinking, internal family systems, and leadership mindset shifts can transform organizations from within. Francisco Baptista shares insights on addressing systemic dysfunction, fostering resilience, and the power of small interventions to create culture change.
In this episode:
The significance of systemic and relational approaches in leadership coaching
How physics and systems thinking reveal organizational dysfunctions missed by psychological lenses
The role of systemic resilience versus individual resilience and how organizations often shift burden onto individuals
Recognizing early warning signs of a culture approaching a breaking point
The importance of naming, making explicit, and working through organizational trauma and ghosts of past events
Practical strategies for leaders to influence culture through small yet impactful interventions
The integration of internal family systems (IFS) and parts work in organizational contexts
How decision-making and responsibility influence resilience and momentum
Protecting personal well-being while delivering tough messages in consultancy
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to systemic coaching and Francisco Baptista's background01:10 - The shift from technical mastery to relational systemic work02:22 - How physics and systems thinking provide unique insights into dysfunction03:49 - Bringing physics into coaching to address organizational culture04:22 - Systemic resilience versus individual resilience and organizational burdening06:49 - How organizations unconsciously set their breaking points through tolerated behaviors07:39 - Recognizing early warning signs of a culture crisis09:25 - The slow process of cultural degradation and importance of naming trauma10:50 - The presence of organizational ghosts and collective trauma12:36 - Dealing with organizational wounds that are hard to talk about13:30 - Distinguishing genuine change from surface-level coping14:12 - The influence of coaching on transformation, not just problem-solving16:18 - The embodied change versus purely intellectual approaches17:36 - How transformative contact challenges AI and enhances human relational qualities18:12 - Strategies to help executives navigate systemic thresholds and internal dilemmas19:58 - Exploring polarity, polarization, and how to shift perspectives21:36 - Recognizing grey ground and parts work in coaching and organizations22:13 - Why internal family systems (IFS) works well both individually and collectively23:37 - Integrating parts and understanding internal managers in organizational contexts25:50 - Addressing the myth of bad parts and collective scapegoating27:19 - Leaders' blind spots: projecting harshness onto the market instead of themselves29:15 - The importance of slack time for organizational learning and innovation30:08 - Differentiating external pressure from internal stress and building boundaries32:36 - Handling organizations that resist change through personal responsibility and decision-making34:22 - Advice for individuals in brutal systems: ownership and decision sovereignty36:00 - Small interventions with the potential for cultural shifts, exemplified by leadership and visibility37:55 - The impact of values like grit on organizational burnout and pace39:07 - Protecting coaches’ well-being while delivering tough truths40:14 - Cultivating purpose, fulfillment, and alignment in coaching practice41:16 - The role of inner walls, transgenerational beliefs, and breaking down barriers42:31 - Overcoming organizational trauma echoes from penal systems to corporate environments42:53 - Final thoughts: systemic work as a pathway to resilience and transformationResources & Links:
Conference of the Birds ;  https://www.franciscobaptista.com/conference
https://ifs-institute.com/

Rhia Canady (Video); Building Bridges: How Fly Girl Foundation Supports Women Post-Incarceration
In this episode Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet Rhia Canady who shares her powerful journey from incarceration to founding Fly Girl Foundation, highlighting resilience, community support, and the importance of targeted interventions for women with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
https://www.flygirlfoundation.co.uk/
keywords; prison reform, women empowerment, lived experience, social impact, Fly Girl Foundation, rehabilitation, community support
key topics
Rhia Canady’s personal journey through incarceration and trauma
The founding and mission of Fly Girl Foundation
The importance of support systems for women leaving prison
Challenges faced during legal proceedings and reintegration
The role of community and mentorship in recovery and empowerment
Experiences of prison life and the impact of routine and relationships
The significance of early intervention and prevention for at-risk youth
Rhia’s work with Eastwood Park and prison reentry programs
The emotional toll of trauma and coping strategies
The importance of self-care and professional support for social workers and advocates
takeaways
Support networks are crucial for women reentering society after prison
Early intervention can prevent women from entering the criminal justice system
Routine and community connections aid in recovery and reintegration
Self-care and professional support are vital for those working with trauma
Legal battles can be navigated successfully with determination and evidence
Sound Bites
"Prison's awful, but it teaches resilience."
"Routine and community support aid recovery."
"Support networks are crucial for women reentering society."
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Rhia Canady and her background
02:09Rhia’s journey through trauma and incarceration
04:03Reflections on prison life and emotional challenges
05:56Reentry into society and the start of Fly Girl Foundation
07:52The impact of community support and mentorship
09:47Experiences of legal battles and overcoming obstacles
11:54The importance of early prevention and intervention
14:00Supporting women and young girls through education and empowerment
16:02Returning to Eastwood Park and reflections on progress
18:14The emotional toll of trauma and coping mechanisms
19:50The role of physical activity and routine in healing
22:10Supporting women at the moment of release from prison
23:48The significance of community and peer support
26:09Legal challenges and fighting for justice
27:59The importance of self-belief and resilience
29:46The future of Fly Girl Foundation and ongoing projects
32:03Advice for others working in social justice and support
33:52Closing thoughts and message of hope

In this episode Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet Rhia Canady who shares her powerful journey from incarceration to founding Fly Girl Foundation, highlighting resilience, community support, and the importance of targeted interventions for women with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
https://www.flygirlfoundation.co.uk/
keywords; prison reform, women empowerment, lived experience, social impact, Fly Girl Foundation, rehabilitation, community support
key topics
Rhia Canady’s personal journey through incarceration and trauma
The founding and mission of Fly Girl Foundation
The importance of support systems for women leaving prison
Challenges faced during legal proceedings and reintegration
The role of community and mentorship in recovery and empowerment
Experiences of prison life and the impact of routine and relationships
The significance of early intervention and prevention for at-risk youth
Rhia’s work with Eastwood Park and prison reentry programs
The emotional toll of trauma and coping strategies
The importance of self-care and professional support for social workers and advocates
takeaways
Support networks are crucial for women reentering society after prison
Early intervention can prevent women from entering the criminal justice system
Routine and community connections aid in recovery and reintegration
Self-care and professional support are vital for those working with trauma
Legal battles can be navigated successfully with determination and evidence
Sound Bites
"Prison's awful, but it teaches resilience."
"Routine and community support aid recovery."
"Support networks are crucial for women reentering society."
Chapters
00:00Introduction to Rhia Canady and her background
02:09Rhia’s journey through trauma and incarceration
04:03Reflections on prison life and emotional challenges
05:56Reentry into society and the start of Fly Girl Foundation
07:52The impact of community support and mentorship
09:47Experiences of legal battles and overcoming obstacles
11:54The importance of early prevention and intervention
14:00Supporting women and young girls through education and empowerment
16:02Returning to Eastwood Park and reflections on progress
18:14The emotional toll of trauma and coping mechanisms
19:50The role of physical activity and routine in healing
22:10Supporting women at the moment of release from prison
23:48The significance of community and peer support
26:09Legal challenges and fighting for justice
27:59The importance of self-belief and resilience
29:46The future of Fly Girl Foundation and ongoing projects
32:03Advice for others working in social justice and support
33:52Closing thoughts and message of hope

In this fascinating episode, Naomi and David talk with Leon Towers who shares his extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood in foster care to becoming a multifaceted professional, including roles as  a performer, dog behaviourist, and advocate. His story highlights resilience, forgiveness, and finding purpose in helping others, all while navigating complex personal struggles.
Main Topics Covered:
Leon’s early life in foster care and the childhood adversities that shaped him
The impact of childhood trauma on trust, vulnerability, and social relationships
How therapy, self-awareness, and forgiveness foster healing and growth
The significance of purpose: from dreaming of TV stardom to helping people and animals
Transitioning careers: from boy band vocals to dog hydrotherapist and behaviouralist
The lessons dogs teach about human emotion, trauma, and forgiveness
The importance of freedom, boundaries, and letting go of toxic relationships
Insights into resilience, resourcefulness, and making meaningful change
The role of spirituality, kindness, and love in mental and emotional wellbeing
Practical advice for those feeling trapped by their past to find hope and change
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Leon’s background in overcoming adversity01:06 - Childhood in care: stigma and early influences02:04 - How media influenced perceptions of childhood adversity03:03 - Impact on friendships and social environment04:31 - Childhood labels and their emotional weight05:22 - Lessons from difficult childhood: trust and vulnerability05:52 - How childhood experiences shape adult trust and suspicion07:19 - Vulnerability and naive trust: the risks of openness08:47 - Managing social perceptions and approaches to trust09:46 - Dealing with rejection and misunderstanding in social settings10:25 - Healing through rehab and EMDR therapy11:23 - Rediscovering kindness and emotional expression12:50 - Life transitions: from music and entertainment to dog therapy13:09 - Personal spiritual visions and purpose at age 814:38 - Childhood resourcefulness: using imagination as a survival tool16:37 - The accidental journey into dog hydrotherapy18:07 - Learning and qualifications in dog behaviour19:59 - Working with challenging dogs and trust issues21:22 - Making sense of seemingly unrelated career paths22:36 - The impact of negative foster experiences and finding a voice23:34 - Childhood silence and the significance of expression24:33 - Imaginary escapes and how fantasy helped survive trauma26:01 - Forgiveness and emotional detachment as pathways to freedom27:28 - Resourcefulness: focusing on hope and survival28:51 - Letting go of hate and embracing emotional resilience29:19 - Instinctive kindness and natural forgiveness30:19 - The importance of freedom in healing and life choices32:18 - Parallels between human and dog behaviour in trauma response34:13 - Lessons from dogs about emotional health and human behaviour35:12 - Reinventing careers: courage and inevitable fear36:02 - Moving beyond toxicity and the importance of self-belief37:56 - The cyclic nature of life journeys and purpose39:22 - Defining a purposeful life: helping others and spiritual growth40:20 - Following love's guiding principle in decision-making41:04 - Advice for those feeling trapped by their history42:01 - How change begins within: inner transformation as key43:24 - Personal stories of survival and resourcefulness44:50 - Words to younger self: focus on identity, self-belief, and authenticity46:09 - Reflections on growth, change, and staying true to oneself47:07 - Closing notes and gratitude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-towers-6899791ba/
https://thepowerofdog.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fix-Your-Three-Easy-Steps/dp/1788405005

In this fascinating episode, Naomi and David talk with Leon Towers who shares his extraordinary journey from a challenging childhood in foster care to becoming a multifaceted professional, including roles as  a performer, dog behaviourist, and advocate. His story highlights resilience, forgiveness, and finding purpose in helping others, all while navigating complex personal struggles.
Main Topics Covered:
Leon’s early life in foster care and the childhood adversities that shaped him
The impact of childhood trauma on trust, vulnerability, and social relationships
How therapy, self-awareness, and forgiveness foster healing and growth
The significance of purpose: from dreaming of TV stardom to helping people and animals
Transitioning careers: from boy band vocals to dog hydrotherapist and behaviouralist
The lessons dogs teach about human emotion, trauma, and forgiveness
The importance of freedom, boundaries, and letting go of toxic relationships
Insights into resilience, resourcefulness, and making meaningful change
The role of spirituality, kindness, and love in mental and emotional wellbeing
Practical advice for those feeling trapped by their past to find hope and change
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction and Leon’s background in overcoming adversity01:06 - Childhood in care: stigma and early influences02:04 - How media influenced perceptions of childhood adversity03:03 - Impact on friendships and social environment04:31 - Childhood labels and their emotional weight05:22 - Lessons from difficult childhood: trust and vulnerability05:52 - How childhood experiences shape adult trust and suspicion07:19 - Vulnerability and naive trust: the risks of openness08:47 - Managing social perceptions and approaches to trust09:46 - Dealing with rejection and misunderstanding in social settings10:25 - Healing through rehab and EMDR therapy11:23 - Rediscovering kindness and emotional expression12:50 - Life transitions: from music and entertainment to dog therapy13:09 - Personal spiritual visions and purpose at age 814:38 - Childhood resourcefulness: using imagination as a survival tool16:37 - The accidental journey into dog hydrotherapy18:07 - Learning and qualifications in dog behaviour19:59 - Working with challenging dogs and trust issues21:22 - Making sense of seemingly unrelated career paths22:36 - The impact of negative foster experiences and finding a voice23:34 - Childhood silence and the significance of expression24:33 - Imaginary escapes and how fantasy helped survive trauma26:01 - Forgiveness and emotional detachment as pathways to freedom27:28 - Resourcefulness: focusing on hope and survival28:51 - Letting go of hate and embracing emotional resilience29:19 - Instinctive kindness and natural forgiveness30:19 - The importance of freedom in healing and life choices32:18 - Parallels between human and dog behaviour in trauma response34:13 - Lessons from dogs about emotional health and human behaviour35:12 - Reinventing careers: courage and inevitable fear36:02 - Moving beyond toxicity and the importance of self-belief37:56 - The cyclic nature of life journeys and purpose39:22 - Defining a purposeful life: helping others and spiritual growth40:20 - Following love's guiding principle in decision-making41:04 - Advice for those feeling trapped by their history42:01 - How change begins within: inner transformation as key43:24 - Personal stories of survival and resourcefulness44:50 - Words to younger self: focus on identity, self-belief, and authenticity46:09 - Reflections on growth, change, and staying true to oneself47:07 - Closing notes and gratitude
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leon-towers-6899791ba/
https://thepowerofdog.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fix-Your-Three-Easy-Steps/dp/1788405005

 
 Discover how strength training can revolutionize health, aging, and self-confidence through evidence-based insights from Dr Lynette Ewart. This episode explores the intersection of medicine, coaching, and the psychological power of physical resilience.
In this episode, we discuss:
Lynette's journey from NHS GP to strength coach and health advocate
How strength training can serve as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare
The psychological transformation that comes with building physical strength
The barriers that prevent people from adopting healthier habits
Myths around weight, health, and beauty standards online
The importance of function, capacity, and resilience over appearance
The impact of social media on health perceptions and misinformation
The differences in fitness culture across genders and generations
How to rebuild trust in one’s body after injury or trauma
Strategies for shifting from coping to thriving in health and life
Lynette’s upcoming book on strength as a central pillar of health
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Lynette Ewart and her mission01:14 - Transition from GP to strength coaching02:38 - The magic of weightlifting in health04:13 - Medicine vs coaching: understanding behavior change05:57 - Challenges faced by GPs in motivating patients07:35 - Realities of system constraints on doctors08:57 - The mental health of healthcare professionals10:36 - How social media influences health perceptions12:19 - The risk of early GP retirement and workforce shifts13:54 - The influence of online coaching and misinformation16:16 - Myths about weight and fitness18:22 - The psychological effects of feeling physically strong22:41 - Overcoming body shame through strength24:55 - The importance of functional fitness in aging26:26 - Rebuilding trust in your body after injury30:35 - Self-compassion and managing self-critical voices34:43 - Moving from punishment to restorative activity37:12 - Gender and generational differences in fitness culture39:00 - Shift from appearance to function in health43:50 - The evolving goals around health and confidence44:23 - The psychology of stepping into a new identity50:12 - Moving from coping to thriving in life52:12 - Lynette’s upcoming book on strength and health54:24 - Final thoughts and meeting in October
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-prescription-strength-podcast/id1762298788
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555348196566&locale=en_GB
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lynette-ewart-23323b80/

Discover how strength training can revolutionize health, aging, and self-confidence through evidence-based insights from Dr Lynette Ewart. This episode explores the intersection of medicine, coaching, and the psychological power of physical resilience.
In this episode, we discuss:
Lynette's journey from NHS GP to strength coach and health advocate
How strength training can serve as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare
The psychological transformation that comes with building physical strength
The barriers that prevent people from adopting healthier habits
Myths around weight, health, and beauty standards online
The importance of function, capacity, and resilience over appearance
The impact of social media on health perceptions and misinformation
The differences in fitness culture across genders and generations
How to rebuild trust in one’s body after injury or trauma
Strategies for shifting from coping to thriving in health and life
Lynette’s upcoming book on strength as a central pillar of health
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Lynette Ewart and her mission01:14 - Transition from GP to strength coaching02:38 - The magic of weightlifting in health04:13 - Medicine vs coaching: understanding behavior change05:57 - Challenges faced by GPs in motivating patients07:35 - Realities of system constraints on doctors08:57 - The mental health of healthcare professionals10:36 - How social media influences health perceptions12:19 - The risk of early GP retirement and workforce shifts13:54 - The influence of online coaching and misinformation16:16 - Myths about weight and fitness18:22 - The psychological effects of feeling physically strong22:41 - Overcoming body shame through strength24:55 - The importance of functional fitness in aging26:26 - Rebuilding trust in your body after injury30:35 - Self-compassion and managing self-critical voices34:43 - Moving from punishment to restorative activity37:12 - Gender and generational differences in fitness culture39:00 - Shift from appearance to function in health43:50 - The evolving goals around health and confidence44:23 - The psychology of stepping into a new identity50:12 - Moving from coping to thriving in life52:12 - Lynette’s upcoming book on strength and health54:24 - Final thoughts and meeting in October
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-prescription-strength-podcast/id1762298788
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555348196566&locale=en_GB
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lynette-ewart-23323b80/