Best James Leith Podcasts (2026)

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Books of the Year | Sam Leith & Philip Hensher 34:54

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4d ago34:54

34:54

Sam Leith is joined by Philip Hensher to pick over their books of the year. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts Contact us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa…

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Episode 97 - Toronto Under Construction with Sarah Segal from Simplydbs, Jasmine Young from Zonda Urban, and Jane Renwick from RenwickCorp 1:41:27

12d ago1:41:27

1:41:27

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben welcomes the first-ever all-female panel to the podcast: Sarah Segal (Simplydbs), Jasmine Young (Zonda Urban), and Jane Renwick (RenwickCorp). From shifting consumer expectations to urban planning bottlenecks, generational change, and leadership at the executive level, this conversation unpacks whe…

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Speaker series: Bernard Cornwell – Sharpe's Storm 1:04:09

18d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

The Spectator’s associate editor Toby Young sits down with master storyteller Bernard Cornwell, author of more than 50 international bestselling novels, including The Last Kingdom and much-loved Sharpe series. They delve into Cornwell’s life and career, discuss the real history behind his riveting tales of war and heroism and explore the enduring a…

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Jonathan C. Slaght: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger from Extinction 49:24

26d ago49:24

49:24

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Jonathan C. Slaght, whose new book is Tigers Between Empires: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger from Extinction. He tells me about these remarkable animals, the remarkable people who studied them, and how their fates have been entwined with the shifting politics of post-Soviet Russia. Become a Spect…

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Episode 96 - Toronto Under Construction with Bob Blazevski from Blaze Urban, Sasha Cucuz from Greybrook Realty & Jake Cohen from The Daniels Corporation 1:31:19

26d ago1:31:19

1:31:19

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by Bob Blazevski (Blaze Urban), Sasha Cucuz (Greybrook Realty), and Jake Cohen (The Daniels Corporation) for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of real estate development in the GTA. From the impacts of the 2025 federal budget to the shifting economics of condo and rental projects, …

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James Geary: A Brief History of the Aphorism 43:29

1M ago43:29

43:29

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is James Geary, talking about the new edition of his classic The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism. He tells me about what separates an aphorism from a proverb, a maxim or a quip; about the long history of the form and his own lifelong infatuation with it; and about whether – given our dwin…

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Leon Craig: The Decadence 29:39

1M ago29:39

29:39

On this week’s Book Club podcast I’m joined by debut author Leon Craig to talk about her novel The Decadence – a story of millennial debauchery in a haunted house which uses a knowing patchwork of literary influences from Boccaccio and Shirley Jackson to Martin Amis and Mark Z. Danielewski to make an old form fresh. She discusses how and why it too…

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Benjamin Myers: Jesus Christ Kinski 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

Ben Myers joins Sam Leith to discuss his book Jesus Christ Kinski, which he describes as a ‘novel about a film about a performance about Jesus’. Klaus Kinski was one of Germany’s biggest actors of the 20th Century – but he was also one of the most controversial, and Ben questions if he was one of the worst people to have ever lived. In this novel, …

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Episode 95 - Toronto Under Construction with Eric Lascelles from RBC Asset Management, James Marple from TD Economics and Peter Norman from Altus Group 1:27:56

2M ago1:27:56

1:27:56

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of Canada's top economists to break down the macroeconomic forces shaping the housing market in 2025 and beyond: Eric Lascelles (RBC Global Asset Management), James Marple (TD Economics), and Peter Norman (Altus Group). The conversation covers interest rate cuts, Canada’s economi…

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Wikipedia founder on his 'friend' Elon Musk & finding truth online 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

Sam Leith’s guest this week is Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust. They discuss why trust is such an important value for public debate, and how it can address polarisation in society. Jimmy addresses the challenge Elon Musk has posed to Wikipedia after the entrepreneur branded the site as ‘woke’, despite th…

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The Science and Soul of Sound Healing with Leith James 55:36

2M ago55:36

55:36

Have you ever felt the vibration of a sound that seemed to move something deep within you — a note that resonated through your body and calmed your mind? In this week’s episode of Transcending Trauma, I interview Leith James, founder of the Australian Sound Healers Association (ASHA), to explore “The Science and Soul of Sound Healing.” Together, we…

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Graham Robb: The Discovery of Britain 39:43

2M ago39:43

39:43

Sam Leith's guest this week is Graham Robb. In his new book The Discovery of Britain: An Accidental History, Graham takes us on a time-travelling bicycle tour of the island's history. They discuss how Graham weaves together personal memories with geography and history, his 'major cartographic scoop' which unlocks Iron Age Britain and contemporary d…

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Nat Jansz: Comet in Moominland turns 80 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

Nat Jansz joins Sam Leith to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Moomin novels. The first of these, Comet in Moominland, was revised by author Tove Jansson a decade after the original publication date. To celebrate the anniversary Sort of Books, co-run by Jansz, is publishing this revised edition for the first time in English. Jansz discusses why…

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Episode 94 - Toronto Under Construction with Andy Brethour from PMA Brethour Realty, Riz Dhanji from RAD Marketing, and Debbie Cosic from In2ition Realty 1:12:30

2M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of the GTA’s most influential names in real estate sales and marketing: Andy Brethour (PMA Brethour Realty), Riz Dhanji (RAD Marketing), and Debbie Cosic (In2ition Realty). The conversation covers the current downturn in the condo market, investor behaviour, affordability, and ho…

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Peter James: Jack Higgins's The Eagle Has Landed 39:32

2M ago39:32

39:32

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the crime writer Peter James. Peter has contributed the introduction to a new edition of the classic thriller The Eagle Has Landed, which is 50 years old this month. He tells Sam what it was that made Jack Higgins's novel so groundbreaking, about what it takes to make you root for the bad guys, …

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Luke Kemp: The History and Future of Societal Collapse 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Luke Kemp. In his new book Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse, Luke seeks lessons from prehistory to understand how societies grow and flourish, what kills them, and where we are now. He tells me what Hobbes got wrong, why ‘civilisation’ isn’t always the boon we have been taught…

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Episode 93 - Toronto Under Construction with Henry Chung from First National, Jason Marks from Collecdev-Markee, and Mitch Abrahams from Benvenuto Group 1:39:35

3M ago1:39:35

1:39:35

In episode 93 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by three industry insiders to unpack how financing, data, and design innovation are shaping the future of Canadian housing. Henry Chung (First National), Jason Marks (Collecdev-Markee), and Mitch Abrahams (Benvenuto Group) bring candid insights on everything from CMHC's evolving …

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Ben Schott: An Unexpectedly Essential Guide to Language 38:20

3M ago38:20

38:20

his week’s Book Club podcast is Ben Schott. The author of the world- (or downstairs-loo-) conquering Schott’s Original Miscellany returns with Schott’s Significa, a deeply reported and constantly surprising book in which he uses the private languages of various communities – from gondoliers to graffiti writers and from Swifties to sommeliers – as a…

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Speaker series: Jeffrey Archer – End Game 50:41

3M ago50:41

50:41

Michael Gove speaks to Jeffrey Archer about his life, career and his new novel End Game, which marks the gripping finale of the William Warwick series. This discussion was part of the Spectator's speaker series. To see more on our upcoming events – including with Charles Moore and with Bernard Cornwell – go to events.spectator.co.uk Become a Specta…

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Philippa Gregory: Boleyn Traitor 39:17

3M ago39:17

39:17

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the historical novelist Philippa Gregory. In her gripping new book Boleyn Traitor, Philippa seeks to rescue Jane Boleyn from the vast condescension of history. She tells Sam how fiction allows her to make plausible speculations about the gaps in the record, how she works to make the Tudors speak…

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Nichola Davenport Midlife Confidence Catalyst 45:12

3M ago45:12

45:12

This week on Transcending Trauma, Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist interviews the incredible Nichola Davenport — a life coach, hypnotist, and midlife confidence catalyst. Nichola empowers women over 40 to reset their lives, rebuild their confidence, and live unapologetically. Through her programs — The Midlife Reset Blueprint and her perso…

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Sudhir Hazareesingh: Daring to be Free 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

Sam's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the historian Sudhir Hazareesingh, whose new book Daring to Be Free: Rebellion and Resistance of the Enslaved in the Atlantic World reframes the story of Atlantic slavery. He explains why the familiar tale of enlightened Europeans bringing about abolition leaves out the most important voices of all – …

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Episode 92 - Toronto Under Constuction with Kathy Black from Fiera Real Estate and Geoff Matthews from Capital Developments 1:20:13

3M ago1:20:13

1:20:13

In episode 92 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by two seasoned development leaders to discuss what’s really happening in Canada’s housing market and how their firms are responding to current headwinds. Geoff Matthews (Senior VP, Capital Development) and Kathy Black (Head of Real Estate Development, Fiera Real Estate) break do…

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Roger Lewis: The Life and Death of Peter Sellers 37:31

4M ago37:31

37:31

Sam Leith's guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Roger Lewis, whose book The Life and Death of Peter Sellers has been republished to mark 100 years since the comedian's birth. Roger tells Sam about the difference between Sellers's public persona and private life, plus his influence on comedy today. They also discuss how Roger reinvented the wa…

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Andrew Bayliss: Sparta – The Rise and Fall of An Ancient Superpower 42:38

4M ago42:38

42:38

Sam Leith’s guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Andrew Bayliss, author of Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower. Andrew tells Sam what we know — and don't know – about these much-mythologised figures from the Ancient world and tells the story of how a tiny city-state punched above its weight, until it didn't. This is Sparta. Prod…

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Lea Ypi: Indignity 47:50

4M ago47:50

47:50

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the Albanian-born political philosopher Lea Ypi, whose new book Indignity: A Life Reimagined reconstructs the story of her grandmother's early life amid the turbulence of the early and mid twentieth century. She talks to me about using the techniques of fiction to supply the gaps in the archive, about Al…

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Episode 91 - Toronto Under Construction with Matt Kingston from H&R REIT, Jeremiah Shamess from Colliers and Joshua Marlowe from Berkshire Axis 1:24:33

4M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

In episode 91 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by three commercial real estate experts to unpack the current market turbulence, and more importantly, where developers are heading next. Matt Kingston (VP, Asset Management at H&R REIT), Jeremiah Shamess (Executive Vice President, Colliers), and Joshua Marlowe (Principal, Berksh…

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Brideshead Revisited, 80 years on: from the archives 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

This week's Book Club podcast marks the 80th anniversary this year of the publication of Brideshead Revisited. This conversation is from the archives, originally recorded in 2020 to mark its 75th anniversary. To discuss Evelyn Waugh's great novel, Sam Leith is joined by literary critic and author Philip Hensher, and by the novelist's grandson (and …

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Max Hastings: Sword – D-Day, Trial by Battle 31:54

5M ago31:54

31:54

Sam Leith's guest for this week's Book Club podcast is Max Hastings. Max joined Sam earlier this year for a live recording to discuss his new book Sword: D-Day, trial by battle, which tells the story of the individual stories who risked their lives as part of Operation Overlord. The discussion was arranged to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On …

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Dr Purity Carr MMN 10 10 Menopause Reset 59:37

5M ago59:37

59:37

Listen in as Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist interviews Dr Purity Carr on the Transcending Trauma Radio show & Podcast about her MMN Menopause Momentum Network 10:10 Reset Dr Purity blends the precision of science with the wisdom of whole-person healing, guiding women through the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause with compass…

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The Winter Within – Why You’re Feeling Low and What It Really Means 48:36

5M ago48:36

48:36

The Winter Within – Why You’re Feeling Low and What It Really Means Listen to the Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist at the Transcending Trauma Podcast. “Flat. Foggy. Fatigued. If you’ve been feeling low this winter and can’t seem to ‘push through’ like you used to—this conversation is for you.” In this episode, I explore the hidden wisdom i…

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Episode 90 - Toronto Under Construction with Gabriel Leung from Concord Adex, Derek Goring from Northcrest, and Anton Katipunan from RioCan 1:29:55

5M ago1:29:55

1:29:55

In Episode 90 of the Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers sits down with three major developers who are helping reshape how Toronto grows: Gabriel Leung of Concord Adex, Derek Goring of Northcrest, and Anton Katipunan of RioCan. From transforming airport runways into walkable communities to building Toronto’s most iconic mixed-use development…

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Joanna Pocock: Greyhound 35:23

5M ago35:23

35:23

Sam Leith's guest for this week's Book Club podcast is Joanna Pocock, whose new book Greyhound describes two trips she took across America by Greyhound bus in 2006 and 2023. They talk about the literature of the road, that distinctively American and usually distinctively male genre, and the meaning of travel – and Joanna tells Sam how the America y…

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Nicola Barker: TonyInterruptor 26:34

5M ago26:34

26:34

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Nicola Barker, talking about her new book TonyInterruptor -- about how a man who interrupts a free jazz concert becomes a viral sensation on social media. Nicola tells Sam why some of her books are bouts of the flu and some are sneezes, how hard she works on her apparently spontaneous prose, why…

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Friendship as Medicine. Suicide Prevention with Leigh Milne 49:55

5M ago49:55

49:55

💛 Friendship is Medicine: A Lifeline for Suicide Prevention Created in support of the Collie Suicide Prevention Network (SPN). Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist. In honour of World Friendship Day, this episode of Transcending Trauma is dedicated to one of the most underestimated yet powerful tools for suicide prevention: friendship. We’re n…

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Your Listener John Cuturilo interview with Leigh Milne 1:03:18

5M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

🎧 This Week on Transcending Trauma… Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist interviews a man who helps people think clearly, speak honestly, and live wisely. John Cuturilo, counsellor and founder of Your Listener Counselling in Melbourne, Victoria, brings a grounded yet intellectually vibrant approach to mental health. With a unique blend of logi…

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Gary Shteyngart: Vera, or Faith 34:38

5M ago34:38

34:38

Sam Leith is joined for this week's Book Club podcast by Gary Shteyngart — whose new novel Vera, or Faith is set in a near-future America whose politics seems to be less science-fictional by the day. It tells the unexpectedly tender story of a bright but lonely ten-year-old girl contending with her parents' failing marriage and navigating the begin…

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Episode 89 - Toronto Under Construction with Paul Golini from Cardea Homes, Leith Moore from Assembly and Julie DiLorenzo from Mirabella Corp. 1:30:05

5M ago1:30:05

1:30:05

In Episode 89 of Toronto Under Construction, Ben Myers is joined by three of the most candid and experienced voices in the development world: Paul Golini of Cardea, Leith Moore of Assembly, and Julie DiLorenzo of Mirabella. All three have held leadership roles at BILD and continue to advocate for better planning, faster approvals, and housing polic…

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Frances Wilson: Electric Spark – The Enigma of Muriel Spark 44:01

6M ago44:01

44:01

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the biographer Frances Wilson, whose new book Electric Spark: The Enigma of Muriel Spark was recently lauded in these pages as "mesmerising" and "a revolutionary book". She tells me how she immersed herself in the spooky life and peerless art of the great novelist, and why a conventional biographical tre…

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Irvine Welsh: Men In Love – Trainspotting Sequel 34:18

6M ago34:18

34:18

My guest this week is Irvine Welsh – who, three decades after his era-defining hit Trainspotting, returns with a direct sequel, Men In Love. Irvine tells me what Sick Boy, Renton, Spud and Begbie mean to him, why his new book hopes to encourage a new generation to discover Romantic verse and shagging, and why MDMA deserves more credit for the Good …

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M. John Harrison: The Course of the Heart 34:30

6M ago34:30

34:30

My guest this week is the writer M. John Harrison, who joins me to talk about the rerelease of his 1992 novel The Course of the Heart – a deeply strange and riddling story of grief, friendship, memory and occult magic. We talk about why this book is so personal to him, what he learned from Charles Williams and Arthur Machen, turning his back on sci…

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Episode 88 - Toronto Under Construction with Ilana Altman from The Bentway, Brandon Donnelly from Globizen, and Rob Spanier from The Spanier Group 1:18:41

6M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

In Episode 88 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by Ilana Altman (The Bentway), Brandon Donnelly (Globizen), and Rob Spanier (Spanier Group) for a lively exploration of what makes great public spaces, how Toronto is evolving under infrastructure like the Gardiner, and what it means to design cities with people at the forefront.…

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Karin Slaughter: We Are All Guilty Here 35:43

6M ago35:43

35:43

Sam Leith's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is one of the most popular living thriller writers. Karin Slaughter has made her native Georgia her fictional territory, and she joins Sam as she launches a new series set in a whole new county, with the book We Are All Guilty Here. They talk 'planning versus pantsing', what it means to write viole…

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Carl Zimmer: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe 44:03

6M ago44:03

44:03

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is science writer Carl Zimmer, whose new book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life We Breathe explores the invisible world of the aerobiome – the trillions of microbes and particles we inhale every day. He tells me how Louis Pasteur's glacier experiments kicked off a forgotten scientific journey; how C…

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GREY AREA DRINKING Sarah Rusbatch interviewed by Leigh Milne 54:01

7M ago54:01

54:01

On today's episode of Transcending Trauma, Leigh Milne holistic focused registered psychologist interviews the incredible Sarah Rusbatch—Certified Gray Area Drinking Coach, author, and founder of The Alcohol-Free Challenge. In the episode we dive deep into: What is Gray Area Drinking—and why it matters How trauma and stress affect our relationship …

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Episode 87 - Toronto Under Construction with Max Steiner from Elm Developments, Mark Zaky from Greenwin and Todd Nishimura Baker Real Estate 1:27:55

7M ago1:27:55

1:27:55

In Episode 87 of the Toronto Under Construction podcast, host Ben Myers is joined by Max Steiner (Elm Developments), Mark Zaky (Greenwin), and Todd Nishimura (Baker Real Estate) for a candid conversation about the current state of purpose-built rental housing. From taking over distressed sites to launching rental-first divisions and navigating publ…

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William Dalrymple: The Golden Road 49:01

7M ago49:01

49:01

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is the historian William Dalrymple, whose bestselling account of ancient India’s cultural and economic influence, The Golden Road, is newly out in paperback. He tells me why the ‘Silk Road’ is a myth, how Arabic numerals are really Indian – and how he responds to being Narendra Modi’s new favourite author. …

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EATING DISORDERS PART 2 Dr Amanda Bolton 58:36

7M ago58:36

58:36

EATING DISORDERS Part 2. This week on Transcending Trauma, Leigh Milne Holistic Focused Registered Psychologist, welcomes Dr. Amanda Bolton, Senior Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of Eating Disorders Training Australia, for Part 2 of our deep dive into eating disorder recovery, treatment, and long-term healing. With over a decade of experience…

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EATING DISORDERS Part 1. Dr Sarah Egan 50:55

7M ago50:55

50:55

In this episode, Leigh Milne holistic focused registered psychologist interviews Dr. Sarah Egan, senior clinical psychologist and co-founder of Eating Disorders Training Australia, to explore a deeply misunderstood topic: Eating Disorders—Identification, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. Learn about: How eating disorders affect both the mind and body The di…

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Lucy Mangan: How Reading Shapes Our Lives 34:02

7M ago34:02

34:02

In this week’s Book Club podcast I am joined by Lucy Mangan, author of Bookish: How Reading Shapes Our Lives. She tells me what teenagers did before they had Young Adult books to read, the bizarre demise of the author of Goodnight Moon, and the wisdom of forsaking the busy world for an armchair and a good book. Become a Spectator subscriber today t…