Freaking The F Out

This is the first of our mini 'challenges' episodes - where we try to do something practical to address our anxieties.  In our episode about Success, Nadine Wild-Palmer told us that she always wonders what 6 year old Nadine would think about what she's doing now.  So, we decided to write our 6 year old selves a letter, to tell them what we've been up to with all our many decades - and where we think we can give ourselves a little pat on the back! Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Turning 30 is a bit scary isn't it? You start to not understand the 'youth of today', your crow's feet start really settling in and you no longer have the status of being the 'young person' at work.  That's before you start hearing the tick tock of the biological clock and getting invites to 17 weddings a summer.  But...there are lots of positives to the allegedly greatest decade...and you can have a fancy party to celebrate, so it's not all bad! This week we are joined by the lovely Amy Hawkins - clinical psychologist, great pal and - importantly for this episode - woman in her thirties.     Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

What does success mean to you? How do you measure it? Are you someone who makes a 5 year plan and tracks your progress towards it, or do you prefer to go with the flow? We know that comparison is the thief of joy - but can you resist sneaking a peak at what other people are achieving to check you are 'keeping up'? Sigh...it's a tough one. Come freak out with us you bunch of successful people!   The Tunnels Below: https://www.pushkinpress.com/product/the-tunnels-below/   Contact: Nadine Wild-Palmer: @nadinewildpalm Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

It's a bit of a hot potato of a subject this week.  We are talking about drugs with the beyond lovely Dr Suzi Gage, psychologist, epidemiologist and host of the phenomenally successful 'Say Why To Drugs' podcast.  In this episode we talk about what drugs really are, what we knew about them growing up and what we worry about now.  From taking them and thinking you might die, to not taking them and feeling like you're missing out - there is a lot of anxiety around the subject so there's lots to talk about.  We also discuss Suzi's research into the complicated relationship between drug use and mental health...it's all really very interesting! Contact: Dr Suzi Gage: @soozaphone  Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Namaste to you, our yogi pod-friends.  This week we are talking about Yoga with Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade.  Counselling psychologist and (handily) yoga teacher.  We talk about what yoga really is, its connection to mental health and feeling like you're doing it wrong.  Also - farting, feeling a bit 'wanky' and worrying that you're completely incompetent when everyone else in the class stands on their head.  Kirstie also talks us through a few moves that you can try at home!  Contact: Dr Kirstie Fleetwood-Meade: neverseenherbivore Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week's episode comes to you from BBC Radio Sheffield and is a collaboration with The Naked Podcast.  The wonderful Kat Harbourne and Jenny Eels talk all things 'being naked'.  Why do some people feel comfortable strutting about with nothing on, but others cover up walking from their bedroom to the bathroom? Were you brought up in a 'naked household' and has that affected your attitude to it now? What's your go-to gym changing room etiquette? And what does your anxious mind decide that other people are thinking when you do strip off? We bare all about our worries about...baring all.   Contact: The Naked Podcast: @TheNakedPodcast     thenakedpodcast Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week's episode is about a difficult topic...loneliness.  It's such an emotive word that it has Kelsey tearing up before we've even begun. We discuss what it is (which is actually more complicated than it sounds) and what our own experiences of loneliness have been.  Apparently over 9 million people in the UK report feeling lonely - and it's not just the older population. So, if you are feeling lonely, it turns out you're not alone. Tune in for our attempt to tackle this tricky topic! Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Holidaaaay! Celebraaaate! Holidays are, without a doubt, our favourite things of life.  If we could live on holiday, oh we would.  But.  That's not to say they don't come with their own fair share of worries and stress. Where to go. The holiday admin. Flying. The cost. Who to go with. Losing luggage. Getting ill. Staying in dodgy places.  Travel companies going bust.  And a very British fear...the weather.  Recorded on a gloriously sunny bank holiday in the UK with a prosecco in hand, join us as we try to navigate keeping calm while getting away from it all.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week's episode is a little different.  It's a mashup with the podcast People Soup, which was recorded as a live fringe event at the recent Brighton Podcast Festival.  Unfortunately Kelsey couldn't leave the M25 area so missed this episode, but Maddy spoke to Ross McIntosh - an organisational psychologist and coach - about Imposter Syndrome.  What is it? What's the origin of the term? What are our own experiences of feeling it? And, perhaps most importantly, what can we do about it? Ross is a 'global expert' in using Acceptance & Commitment Therapy in the workplace (although as he explains in this episode, that introduction makes him feel very uncomfortable) but he talked the audience through some exercises that can help you notice your imposter syndrome when it pops up.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out People Soup: Twitter @PeopleSoupPod    Instagram: people.soup    Website: peoplesoup.co Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week's episode is on alcohol and we invited Elliot Ball, founder of The Cocktail Trading Company onto the podcast.  It's a huge topic and probably deserves another episode at least, but this week we spoke about why we like drinking alcohol, what constitutes binge drinking and why we allow ourselves to drink too much even though we know hangovers are TERRIBLE.  We also speak about alcohol and mental health and why generation z seem to be choosing more and more to cut out alcohol altogether.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out The Cocktail Trading Company: Instagram - thecocktailtradingco Twitter - @CocktailTradeCo   Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week's episode is all about grief.  An emotional topic, but luckily we were joined by two expert guests.  Cariad Lloyd is a comedian, actress, writer and podcast QUEEN. She is usually found hosting the award winning Griefcast, where funny people talk about death and grief. Dr Erin Hope Thompson is the Founder & Director of The Loss Foundation, the only UK charity dedicated solely to providing bereavement support following the loss of a loved one to cancer. We talk personal experiences with grief, why Cariad thinks 'the grief cycle' is a load of bollocks and what to say to people who have lost someone close to them. A sensitive subject, but with a professional comedian onboard you can bet there are some laughs along the way. Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Cariad Lloyd: Intagram - @cariadlloyd Dr Erin Hope Thompson: Twitter - @erinhopet @LossFoundation . Instagram - @thelossfoundation Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Sleep, wonderful sleep! Feeling excited about going to bed is one of the things that makes you realise you are actually an adult.  But what about when you can't drift off? What about when you lie there, watching the hours tick by with you still awake? What if that happens night after night? In this episode we discuss all things sleep - dreams, insomnia and top tips to help you snooze, with our great pal, Holly Nicholson! Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Links: How to cope with sleep problems, from Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/sleep-problems/#.XKoDO6IrL3A A run through of some of the SAD lamps on the market: https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/lighting/best-sad-lamps-light-therapy-seasonal-affective-disorder-lumie-how-to-treat-a6839106.html

Living With Housemates Housemates! Can't live with them, can't live without them.  Living with friends can be the BEST. EVER.  A ready made bunch of buddies to come home to, cook with, drink with and even cry with.  But...living with other people can come with it's fair share of...challenges.  What do you do when someone you live with refuses to do the washing up? Or keeps 'forgetting' to pay their share of the bills? Can you let it pass, or do you turn to the passive aggressive notes? In this episode we cover all things living with housemates! Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out   Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Cancer This is the first live Freaking the F Out podcast and it was recorded at Channel 4 on 12/03/19 for Stand Up To Cancer.  Kelsey and Maddy were joined by the incredible Deborah James (aka @bowelbabe from the You, Me & The Big C podcast) and Dr Sam Godfrey (@sciencemansam, a Partnership Specialist at Cancer Research UK).   They discuss what cancer actually is, why people often have anxiety around getting themselves checked and how to be careful about the type of language to use when having these conversations.  Deborah also spoke about her experience of living with stage 4 bowel cancer with inspiring openness.  Informative and moving, with some laughs along the way and questions from a live audience.     Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Deborah James: @bowelbabe Dr Sam Godfrey: @sciencemansam Stand Up To Cancer: @SU2C Cancer Research UK: @CR_UK Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Links: Brought to you by Cancer Research UK an

Christmas It's Chrriiiiiiiiistmaaaaaassssssss!!!!!! It's the most, wonderful time, of the yeeeaaaaaar. And the most stressful. And the most expensive.  Our last episode for 2018 is all about the festive time of year. Spending time with family, commercialism, buying presents, feeling lonely, consuming enough red wine to feel constantly sozzled...there's a lot going on! We discuss it all whilst munching on a delicious roast rustled up by Ms. Bennett (for those who hate the sound of eating, we promise it's only for the first 5 minutes). We may have had a little wine too, which may have led to a few festive sing-songs. Sing along now. All we want for Christmas is yoooooooou (and your likes, shares and subscriptions!). Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Links: Follow Sarah Millican's #joinme hashtag on Christmas day this year to help tackle loneliness

Money - with Laura Whately, Author of Money: A User's Guide This week's episode is all about MONEY! Mortgages, savings, pensions, debt...the list of things to worry about just goes on. Not to mention the emotional side of it all - we're secretive about our salaries and our savings. No wonder we sometimes just go out and blow too much of it on a big spending spree. Luckily, there is a very clever guest on to help with all this muddle. Laura Whateley is a money journalist and author of the fantastic book 'Money: A User's Guide'. She had some very interesting things to say that really helped! Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Laura Whately: Twitter - @LWhately  Instagram - laurawhateley Links: Money: A User's Guide: https://www.harpercollins.co.uk/9780008308315/money-a-users-guide/ Money and Mental Health Policy Institute: https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org

Having a Business - with Don't Buy Her Flowers founder Steph Douglas When Steph had her first baby she received 8 bunches of flowers...which she just didn't know what to do with.  This slightly overwhelmed feeling led to the discovery that there wasn't much of an alternative when it came to gifts for new mums.  So, she created one.  Don't Buy Her Flowers is a thoughtful gift company, where you can send the new mum in your life to a real treat.  It's also expanded to packages for birthdays, get well, thank you, bereavement and any occasion where you might want to send something thoughtful.  We talk all things new business, taking the plunge and going your own way. Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Steph Douglas: @steph_dontbuyherflowers @dontbuyherflowers

Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Part 2 Looping back to finally finish where episode 1 started, this is all about fears relating to transport.  Cars, tubes, trains, bikes...they're all terrible in their own unique ways...but we have to use them to get to where we want to go.  So tuck yourself up under the nearest person's armpit on your next commute and give this episode a listen!     Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Links: A new TFL map to help people with claustrophobia and anxiety: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2017/july/new-map-to-help-people-with-claustrophobia-and-anxiety

Comedian Stevie Martin from the Nobody Panic podcast joins us in the studio / Kelsey's flat this week. The chat is about 'Being an Anxious Person'. What does anxiety mean? What can we do about the anxious thoughts that race around our heads at times? And why are our brains SO clever yet also SO easily distracted by just...kind of...counting things that we see? If you haven't already, check out Stevie Martin's podcast Nobody Panic on your favourite podcast platform. Her and Tessa Coates will teach you how to be an adult - with helpful advice and even more lols.  Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Stevie Martin is on Instagram and Twitter @5teviem Links: Check out Stevie's & Tessa's Nobody Panic podcast: https://www.acast.com/nobodypanic Anxiety UK is a national charity run by people with lived experience of anxiety: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ No Panic specialises in self-help resources: https:/

FTFO about Not Being Cool Enough - with Fraser Pender What does being cool mean? Don't ask us, our first thought was to look in the dictionary. But trying to fit in with the 'in-crowd' is something that can dominate our thoughts as teenagers - and even have us scratching our heads as confident adults, wondering when everyone in East London started rolling up their trousers and why you didn't get the memo.  We chat to Fraser about following trends, cool jobs and...Henry Winkler.  Give it a listen, if you're cool.  Contact: Email: ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) You can find Kate @KateHNaylor - or check out her work @E4Tweets! Links: Take the Metro 'cool' quiz for yourself https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/04/things-considered-cool-2018-apparently-7603287/?ito=cbshare