An immersive audio series about the dreamscape of modern masculinity, for the perplexed gent - and anyone who knows one. The world our fathers and grandfathers grew up in has gone. The old model of masculinity is dead. But what does the new model look like? Man men are trying to work this out. Most men aren’t Man 1.0. But they’re not quite Man 2.0, either. They’re somewhere in-between, muddling along, doing their best. This series is about what that’s like. It’s about the new demands – and t ...
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Max Dickins Podcasts
Alonement is a podcast about the positive side of spending time alone. When being alone isn't lonely, it's alonement: finding joy and value in solitude. Each week, host Francesca Specter asks a new guest about the time they spend by themselves – and why it matters to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The Reliants Project is a podcast about how networks shape your wellbeing, relationships and community. Through conversations with the leading thinkers in the field of network science the show will help you actively cultivate your network, whether your goal is to build your relationships more deliberately, make better introductions, or activate networks to make an impact in the world.
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Brought to you by Inclusive Group, Inclusion Unlocked explores the most pressing equity, diversity and inclusion challenges in the world of work. We take a fresh look at the most effective ways to dismantle barriers standing in the way of inclusion and the everyday actions and behaviours that drive change. Through sharing lived experiences, delving into research and best practice and revealing practical tips, our guests will help you to unlock inclusion in your team or your organisation. We ...
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How to Cook for One, with Eleanor Wilkinson
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44:20Struggle to cook for one? We've got you - our guest Eleanor Wilkinson, recipe developer and author of One Pot, One Portion, has dedicated her career to overcoming some of the most common hurdles people face when cooking solo. Inspired by losing her father at a young age, Eleanor resolved to seize life's simple pleasures and make every moment count,…
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Cat Ladies of the World, Unite! With Comedian Katie Norris
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46:18Welcome to season 10 of Alonement! Katie Norris, an award-winning comedian and confirmed cat-cherlorette (OK, I came up with that) is my guest on the first episode of this season. Katie adopted her 'lockdown baby', Atticus, at the start of the pandemic. He's been her companion as she's established herself as a stand-up comedian, and taken a prolong…
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The final chapter of series one. If you think about the male gurus in the self-improvement space, they tend to have a certain flavour. It’s all about ‘high performance.’ You know, getting up at 5am for powerlifting, cold-water exposure and micro-dosing your own piss. We explore what this reveals about modern masculinity. Plus, you'll get to know jo…
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Men need to ‘talk about their feelings’ more. The modern man hears this refrain constantly: in the media, from online influencers – and often from their romantic partner. But what does it mean in practice? And how do we get better at it? You'll meet men’s therapist James Hawes who explains that the average man has just six words to express the full…
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According to researchers, men are facing a ‘friendship recession.’ And it’s making us miserable. But what can men do about it? You'll be introduced to evolutionary anthropologist Dr Robin Dunbar, probably the world’s foremost expert on friendship. He explains the differences between the male and female social worlds – and what guys need to do to ke…
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When his wife offers to pay for him to see a stylist, Max realises he’s a sartorial basket case - but he's not alone in this. So, in this chapter, you'll be invited to explore why many men have such an ambivalent attitude to fashion, with the help of men’s stylist Sarah Gillfillan. We also take a detour via the men's approach to dancing. CREDITS Wr…
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Exploring sex and the modern dating scene through the ubiquitous cultural trope of the ‘bad boy.’ In this chapter you're brought into a provocative question: can men and women be modern and moral and still, you know, hot? Helping Max make sense of it all is Hayley Quinn, the UK’s most in-demand dating coach - and former ghost writer for some of the…
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Infertility effects hundreds of millions of couples worldwide. And problems on the male side are the cause in around 50% of cases. In this episode, Max explores male infertility and invites you to come with him as he goes for a fertility test. Along the way we hear pained stories from the large constituency of men who are involuntarily childless, a…
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Why is it that blokes fantasise about having a ‘man cave’? Or that so many guys like nothing more than tending to their allotment? Or tinkering in the garage? Or building their model railway? And why do men spend so long in the toilet? We don’t shy away from any of the big issues as we explore men’s relationship with solitude. Plus, you'll meet She…
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What makes a man ‘successful’ now? And who gets to decide? In this opening chapter of The InBetween Man, Max reflects on what sort of bloke he aspires to be, taking the scenic route via Lynx Africa, Nuts magazine, and Jamie Oliver’s moped. He also meets Fernando Desouches, Managing Director of advertising agency New Macho, who explains: ‘Success is…
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Meet the Inbetween Man. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 18: Joelle Emerson on driving meaningful change in organisations
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47:10Efforts to level the playing field for diverse talent are in the spotlight. Will employers stand by their DEI commitments, or in an increasingly politicised landscape will diversity targets, diverse shortlists and DEI talent programmes be deemed high risk? Sasha is joined in conversation with Joelle Emerson to find out more. Joelle is the co-founde…
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Episode 17: Matt Boyd on helping organisations to become neuro-inclusive
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30:12As organisations and individuals realise the importance of building both their understanding of neurodiversity and their capability around neuro-inclusion, Sasha is joined in conversation by Matt Boyd. Matt is the founder of Exceptional Individuals a trailblazing organisation providing neurodiversity consulting to employers, while offering recruitm…
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Episode 16: Max Dickins on masculinity and loneliness - Do men have a friendship problem?
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41:08Do men have a friendship problem? Research indicates that, generally, men have less close friends than women - and the problem is getting worse. In the latest episode of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha speaks with actor, presenter, comedian and author Max Dickins on masculinity, mental health, loneliness, and why friendship can feel trickier for men. Max…
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Episode 15: Professor John Amaechi OBE on effective leadership and authentic workplace culture
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44:02In one of the most thought-provoking episodes yet of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha is joined by founder of APS Intelligence LTD, Professor John Amaechi OBE. John is widely recognised as an influential thinker in HR and a respected organisational psychologist who partners with businesses to build bespoke programmes focused behavioural change. We learn a…
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Episode 14: Sharon Peake on Workplace Diversity and the Essence of Authentic Leadership
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35:00In the latest episode of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha is joined by Sharon Peake, the award-winning founder and CEO of Shape Talent. In a wide reaching conversation, we learn about how Sharon's psychology and talent management background have influenced the way she works with organisations and leaders to drive authentic change. From navigating the comp…
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Maggie Smith: Financial Independence, Relearning Vulnerability & Dating After Divorce
42:03
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42:03Maggie Smith is a poet & writer who found overnight fame when her poem, ‘Good Bones’, went viral on social media in 2016. Later on, her life was to take a further change when her husband of 19 years, and the father of her children, announced he wanted a divorce two years later. Her memoir, You Could Make This Place Beautiful, published in April 202…
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There are certain rites of passage that take place after a major break-up. For some, it’s a hair-cut or a big solo trip, or a regrettable rebound with someone the polar opposite of your ex. My guest this week, Alice Vincent, departed from the cliches: for her, it was growing plants. In her partly autobiographical books, Rootbound and more recently …
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Leslie Stephens: The Joy of Living Alone, Plus How To Design a Home for One
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49:30Leslie Stephens is the writer behind Morning Person, a top 10 Substack newsletter that chronicles her life in Portland, Oregon. In August last year, shortly after her 30th birthday, Leslie announced to her readers that she was separating from her husband. Over the past 18 months, she’s chronicled her journey of living by herself for the first time,…
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Episode 13: Flipping the script - trauma, addiction and unlocking potential with Lewis Raymond Taylor
47:41
47:41
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47:41In one of the most candid episodes yet of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha is joined by Lewis Raymond Taylor. Lewis is the founder of global coaching phenomenon the Coaching Masters and has been listed among the top 10 coaches in the world by Yahoo Finance. Lewis recently featured in recent Netflix documentary, the Psychopath Life Coach, a powerful and, i…
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Max Dickins: On Male Friendship & Overcoming Weekend Loneliness
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42:17Getting engaged to your partner is typically a time for celebration. But for today’s guest Max Dickins, it was …. more complicated. As he prepared to propose to his girlfriend, Naomi, he had an uncomfortable revelation: he couldn’t think of anyone to ask to be his best man. This prompted a personal crisis for the writer and comedian – one which ins…
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Anita Bhagwandas: Finding a Social Balance When You Live Alone
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49:39My guest this week is Anita Bhagwandas, an award winning beauty director, and more recently the author of Ugly: Giving Us Back Our Beauty Standards, a book that examines the damaging impact of narrow beauty ideals and serves as a brilliant manifesto towards a more inclusive attitude. The book explores the importance of practising self care on your …
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Jessica Pan: The Introvert's Guide to Socialising
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50:54In this episode, Jessica Pan discusses her book 'Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come' and her journey of embracing extroversion. As we discuss on the show, Jessica is almost the opposite to me – she’s an introvert who learnt to be more extraverted, whereas I started exploring Alonement as a means of dealing with my fear, as an extrovert, of being…
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Poppy Jay: From Arranged Marriage to Falling in Love with Singlehood
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42:09
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42:09My guest on this week’s episode is Poppy Jay, best known as the co-host of Brown Girls Do It Too, which won Podcast of the Year at the British Podcast Awards 2020. She’s also a BAFTA-nominated documentary maker, devoted to chronicling difficult, real-life stories for BBC Three and Channel 4. But she’s also been honest about her own: after entering …
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Episode 12: Accelerating progress on gender diversity with Sonia Bate
40:04
40:04
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40:04Welcome to our latest episode of Inclusion Unlocked. Sasha is joined in conversation by one of the most respected leaders in the DEI space, Sonia Bate, founder and Managing Director of Edit Development. Edit was created with the goal of making a difference and since its inception in 2010, Edit has been at the forefront of advancing gender diversity…
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Thomas Curran: The Dark Side of Perfectionism
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43:39'That's the root of perfectionism: that chronic deficit thinking, the belief that we're not good enough. That we're not attractive enough, smart enough, fit enough, whatever it might be. In order to compensate for those feelings, we project on to the world a perfect persona that we feel like everybody wants to see – that we should be, essentially. …
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Episode 11: Transforming the Narrative, A Deep Dive Into Diversity and Inclusion With Funke Abimbola, MBE
29:29
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29:29In our latest episode of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha is joined by Funke Abimbola, MBE. Funke is an award-winning, C-suite diversity, equity and inclusion leader, lawyer, media commentator and author who, following a highly successful legal career, has become a leading figure in the DEI space. We explore Funke's early career, her experience of adversi…
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Episode 10: Thriving as a Purpose-Led Professional, Karima Green on Inclusion, Values and Resilience
41:27
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41:27Get ready for a thought-provoking journey in the newest episode of Inclusion Unlocked, as Sasha engages in one of our most open and candid discussions yet, with Director of Inclusion and Impact at CSM, Karima Green. We explore the nuanced landscape of sports and inclusion, and unpack the often-unseen challenges faced by DEI practitioners. Karima's …
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Vex King: How To Practise Self-Love Through Your Actions
49:48
49:48
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49:48You can’t really love anyone until you love yourself. While we see this a lot on Instagram, it’s something that actually requires a lot of exploration – and it’s my guest this week, the bestselling author and mind coach Vex King, that many of us have turned to over the past few years to teach us the true power of self-love, through his books, first…
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Ruby Warrington: My Marriage Wouldn't Work With Children
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49:15My guest this week is Women Without Kids author, Ruby Warrington. We're are at a fascinating time in history – where, both in the UK, US, and across almost every developed nation like Switzerland, Italy, Japan and South Korea, adults are having children later in life – or, indeed, not at all. While statistics vary, it is a recognised trend – and th…
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Donna Lancaster: Alone Is Where I Meet Myself
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49:56Donna Lancaster is a coach and therapist, best known as the co-creator of The Bridge, a retreat designed to help attendees navigate grief and loss, and the author of a book of the same name. More recently, Donna has published a pocket book called Wise Words for Women, full of advice on how to live a rewarding, connected life. I know we hear a lot o…
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Naoise Dolan: Autism, (Un)happy Couples & The Joy Of Being A Foreigner
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42:10
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42:10This week’s guest is author Naoise Dolan. I am absolutely thrilled to have Naoise on this season – she’s widely consider of the millennial generation’s most talented writers, ever since her Sunday Times bestseller debut novel Exciting Times was published in 2020. It’s currently being adapted into an Amazon Studios TV production starring Phoebe Dyne…
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Caggie Dunlop: Overcoming Anxious Attachment In A Relationship
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48:52My guest for this week’s episode is podcaster and author Caggie Dunlop, whom you might also recognise as a former cast member on the rather well known reality show called Made in Chelsea. Caggie has since reached a whole different audience. Her show Saturn Returns – which explores the coming of age happens somewhere around your late twenties and ea…
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Episode 9: The Power of Dialogue, Asif Sadiq on championing diversity, equity and inclusion
37:56
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37:56In this episode, Sasha is joined by Asif Sadiq MBE, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer for Warner Brothers Discovery. With a career spanning the City of London Police, EY, Adidas, and the Telegraph, Asif has emerged as one of the world's most prominent and influential DEI leaders. Asif has received a broad range of awards and recognitio…
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Adam Gopnik: Solitude And The City, Edward Hopper & The Joy Of Being Alone In A Crowd
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40:39This week's guest is Adam Gopnik, a long-standing staff writer at the New Yorker, and the award-winning author of a frankly intimidating number of books, most recently The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery, which explores the process of learning a new skill. And then there was his recent Hollywood debut – those who’ve seen Oscar-winning film Tar…
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Dr Nicole Lepera: How A Fear of Being Alone Feels In Your Body
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46:00This week’s guest is Dr Nicole LePera, whom you might be more familiar with as the Holistic Psychologist – the handle of her somewhat insanely popular Instagram account. She’s also the author of multiple books, including her New York bestseller How To Do The Work, and her latest title, a workbook called How To Meet Your Self. With fans including El…
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Amy Key: Single For 22 Years – A Life Story Told Through Joni Mitchell Songs
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49:05This week's guest on the podcast is the poet Amy Key. We're here to discuss her first work of prose, Arrangements in Blue: Notes on Love and Making a Life, which is a memoir inspired by the work of Amy's beloved musical icon, Joni Mitchell. Aged 44. Amy has been single for 22 years. Her book challenges us to consider the claim that life can both be…
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Susan Cain: The 'Quiet' Author On Free Falling Through Her Early 30s, Plus Why She Married An Extrovert
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49:44The Alonement podcast is back! And for the first episode of this season, I’m speaking to one of the most-requested guests since the show began: Susan Cain. Susan is the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, a book which spent eight years on the New York bestseller list after its publication in 2012. The book w…
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Episode 8: Emma Banks On Diversity, Innovation, And Shaping The Music Industry
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42:06In this new episode of Inclusion Unlocked, Sasha is joined by music industry powerhouse Emma Banks. Emma, a formidable music agent, represents some of the world's most successful artists, including Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Muse, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Florence & The Machine. Deeply respected for her ability to spot talent and her care for the…
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Episode 7: Wellbeing and removing barriers - Sasha Scott in conversation with Clare Balding CBE
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26:29In this episode, Sasha is joined by broadcaster, journalist and author Clare Balding CBE. Alongside being one of Britain's best known broadcasters, Clare is an ardent campaigner for the representation of women in sport. Clare's extensive charity work with organisations close to her heart include her role as Patron of Riding for the Disabled, the Br…
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Episode 6: Financial Wellbeing - Sasha Scott in conversation with Ellie Austin-Williams
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27:22In this episode, Sasha is joined by Ellie Austin-Williams, personal finance writer and founder of online community This Girl Talks Money. Ellie is a strong believer that understanding how to manage money and look after our financial wellbeing should not be reserved for the rich and privileged. This Girl Talks Money has helped to create a community …
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Hello Alonement listeners! So, a quick announcement to share that I've just launched a new project called The Shoulds. The Shoulds is an online Substack publication and community space that explores the hidden rules and stories that shape our lives. In many ways, this newsletter will be just like this podcast covering a lots of similar topics aroun…
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Me Time | Konnie Huq: Why Everyone Needs Anchors
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9:43This clip is taken from my guest interview with former Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, first released in August 2020. Konnie speaks about the sustaining power of having 'anchors' – close friends and family whom you know are at the end of the phone – and how this prevents loneliness, even when you are alone. Twitter: @ChezSpecter @Konnie_Huq Instag…
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Dr Marisa G. Franco: Why ‘Secure’ Attachment & Alone Time Go Hand In Hand
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46:47Season 7 finale! How did that happen?! We are, however, going out with a bang... This week, I have the pleasure of chatting to friendship expert & psychologist Dr Marisa G. Franco, whose new book Platonic: How Understanding Your Attachment Style Can Help You Make and Keep Friends combines two of the most zeitgeist-y lifestyle topics of the moment: …
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Episode 5: Dr Amit Patel - Hostility, kindness and humanity - insights into a sight loss journey
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43:00As a trauma doctor and rapid response driver, specialising in major incidents, when Dr Amit Patel lost his sight overnight in 2013, he felt he had lost 'who I was, and what I was'. Just six weeks later, in one of the fasted matches in guide-dog history, Amit was paired with Kika - who he credits with rebuilding his confidence and independence. Amit…
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In this clip, we hear from psychologist and Instagram sensation Dr Emma Hepburn – with one of my favourite pieces of wisdom from our original recording, released in April 2021. Emma Hepburn’s book, A Toolkit For Modern Life, discussed in this episode, is available to order now. * My book, Alonement: How To Be Alone & Absolutely Own It, is available…
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Nihal Arthanayake: We Need To Talk About Male Loneliness
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51:32This week my interviewee is radio and TV presenter Nihal Arthanayake. While I’ll be asking the questions today, Nihal is most used to playing the other role, having interviewed countless household names, including Minnie Driver, Ricky Gervais & Benedict Cumberbatch on his regular BBC 5 Live show. He’s recently written a book, Let’s Talk: How To Hav…
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Me Time | Daisy Buchanan: Life Advice From A Former Agony Aunt
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10:35Another week, another bitesize mini-episode from Alonement archives. This conversation with journalist and author Daisy Buchanan comes from the first season of Alonement, recorded in person at my flat in November 2019. Before pivoting towards writing books, Daisy worked as an agony aunt for Grazia magazine, answering reader questions around everyth…
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Holly Bourne: The Alternative Version of 'Happily Ever After'
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47:52This week I have the absolute pleasure of speaking to one of my favourite authors, Holly Bourne. After beginning her novel-writing career in the young adult genre, Holly has released three brilliant titles for adults over the past few years, which are full of wise reflections on relationships, navigating social pressure and recovering from trauma. …
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Me Time | Erling Kagge: London Is Lonelier Than Antarctica
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10:28Erling Kagge, one of the greatest living polar explorers – and the first in history to reach the 'three poles' – is the guest that we hear from in this week’s mini episode, taken from our longer conversation released in February 2022. Speaking to me from his home in Norway, Erling shares touchingly in this clip how the time he spent living in Londo…
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