Freaking The F Out

Travel - in AND out of covid is our topic for today.  For obvious reasons, the travel industry has been hugely impacted by the lockdown restrictions around the world.  Joining us this week is the entertainment and travel journalist Holly Rubenstein who hosts the UK's #1 travel podcast The Travel Diaries (which we would highly recommend for some healthy wanderlust).  In the episode we allow ourselves to dream a little about the travels we have loved and where we can't wait to go back to, as well as digging into what the restrictions on travel have been and what they're likely to be going forwards. We also ponder what our future travel anxieties might be and whether our behaviours around going on holiday and travelling for business may have changed for good... Freaking the F Out is a podcast where Kelsey Bennett and Maddy Scott examine the inner workings of their anxious minds.  Covering everything from the minute to the very big and life changing, they’re not mental health professionals but they do happen to h

The pandemic has hit charities HARD. We dig into why donating & fundraising are proving tricky (even before COVID) and how charities are doing brilliant things to pivot in these uncertain times. ⁠⁠We feel good about being involved but also we hate shaking our bucket and asking for people's attention and ...money!  And it can feel very vulnerable sharing such personal stories. ⁠⁠We speak to Rob Woods, Fundraising expert and Podcast Host of Fundraising Bright Spots to understand how charities themselves work and how they are adapting in the pandemic.  Freaking the F Out is a podcast where Kelsey Bennett and Maddy Scott examine the inner workings of their anxious minds.  Covering everything from the minute to the very big and life changing, they’re not mental health professionals but they do happen to have some experience in the field. Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Rob Woods: @woods_rob Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital: @chrismhs Music pro

The internet is a pretty wonderful thing, but with approximately 3.7 billion people having access to it...at times it's going to get...a bit nasty.  This week we are talking about 'trolling' and we are joined by the winner of 'The Circle' Series 1: Alex Hobern.  More specifically, we talk about: - What it is - Our personal experiences of it - Who gets trolled and why people troll - The concept of anonymity...and some celebrity trolls - What it can do to your mental health, what social media is doing about it and what you can do about it too Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Alex Hobern: @alexhobern  Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital: @chrismhs Music produced by Tom Dickinson: @tomldickinson

It's a big topic this week and a pretty timely one, with current redundancy rates in the UK shooting up past the rates from the last financial crisis and predicted to keep on rising in 2021.  Both of us pod-wives have experience of being made redundant, so we are talking about all the emotions we felt going through it.  Later we are joined by Hanna Andersen founder of As We Are in our brand new ASK THE EXPERT section.  She answers all of your questions and gives us heaps of resources to take a look at if you're being made redundant yourself.   TW: We do speak briefly about Sarah Everard and the topic of women's safety at the start of the episode because the news has affected all of us so deeply these last few weeks.  Resources: Acas: https://www.acas.org.uk/ Jobcentre Plus Rapid Response Centre: https://www.gov.uk/redundancy-your-rights/get-help-finding-a-new-job  As We Are: https://www.asweare.org.uk/  LinkedIn - Open To Work settings: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/67405/let-recruiters-know-y

Ready to take on the new week of the new month without fear? Yes? Good for you! No? Well, turns out, that's ok too (thankfully).  Chloe Brotheridge is a Hypnotherapist, Coach and Author of The Anxiety Solution and The Confidence Solution and she talks to us about 'Being Fearless' this week.  We delve into how bravery isn't really to do with an absence of fear and how confidence isn't really something you have or you don't - as well as taking a peek at our inner critic and core beliefs.  Eek! Very brave... Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Chloe Brotheridge: @chloebrotheridge https://calmer-you.com/ or search for the Calmer You podcast Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital: @chrismhs Music produced by Tom Dickinson: @tomldickinson

Oh gosh, this old thing? No, it's just our new podcast episode.  Embarrassing really... If this is how you sound when trying to talk about your successes and achievements then this is the episode for you! Our guest is Stefanie Sword-Williams, founder of F*ck Being Humble and she manages to convince us that Self-Promotion is not a dirty word and that it's very possible to sound confidence without coming across as arrogant.  It's actually pretty great... Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Stef Sword-Williams: @stefaniesw F*ck Being Humble: @fbeinghumbleldn https://www.fuckbeinghumble.com/ Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Recorded as part of Groupon's 'Wellness Week' we are talking to Isa Robinson - a Registered Associate Nutritionist - all about the topic of...Nutrition.  *Discussing fad diets and the link between mood and food.* Emotional Eating* Intuitive Eating * Critical self talk* Attachments to food Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Isa Robinson: Website - https://isarobinsonnutrition.co.uk Instagram - @isarobinson_nutrition Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Well the world turned upside down this year, in all the ways. We take a look back at the 2020 timeline, our personal highs & lows and give you our Top 5 (ish) book, podcast, film, TV recommendations (turns out, we're a soppy pair).  Books Plum (poetry)- Hollie McNish Where The Crawdads Sing- Delia Owens Educated- Tara Westover American Dirt- Janine Cummins The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck- Mark Manson About Race- Rennie Eddo Lodge A little Life- Hanya Yanagihara    Films Paddington 2 The Grinch (the Pharell Williams version) Podcasts Grounded by Louis Theroux Squiggly Careers (also a book) TV Bridgerton (Netflix) Schitt's Creek (Netflix) I May Destroy You (BBC iplayer) Instagram Luke Millington Drake (Keira Knightley impressions)     Enjoy and Happy New Year x    Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

It's a very weird old time at the moment.  Coronavirus has changed our way of life in a matter of weeks.  In this episode, rather than dwelling on the facts and the figures (because everyone already knows them), we are sending you a virtual care package: our episode on Coping In A Crisis.  What can you do to look after your mental health? What weird and wonderful ways can you find to entertain yourself and your friends and family? And how many episodes is too many episodes of The Chase?  Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Was there a HINT of Spring in the air this weekend? Has it made you remember that SUMMER exists? And what comes with Summer? Festivaaaaaaaaals.  Focusing in on the more trivial aspects of our anxious minds this week we are talking all about the highs and lows of listening to live bands in the sun...or sometimes the rain and the mud.  Kelsey is a hardcore festival fan.  Maddy has some reservations.  Mainly around the portaloo situation.  There's some slightly jazzy music included in this episode...we were trying something out...but back to normal next time.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

Break ups can be the WORST. The person you probably spent the most amount of time with is now...well...(not to quote Gotye but)...basically somebody that you used to know.  It's weird.  But is it worse and weirder if you're the 'breaker up-er' or the 'breaker up-ee'? Do your emotions differ depending on the age you are? Does it make it easier depending on the reason you've ended things? And what happens next - do you surround yourself with friends or like to deal with things solo? And what happens if you see an ex out in the wild? Oh, the HORROR.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This live episode from 14th February 2020 was recorded at The Horse & Stables pub as part of The Vault Festival and raising money for Child.org.  We were joined by Jamie Windust and, appropriately, tackled the subject of Valentine's Day and the worries that can crop up on the most romantic day of the year...and a little bit about the troubles of dating in general. It was OUR favourite V Day to date and we hope you enjoy! Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Jamie Windust: https://www.jamiewindust.co.uk/  @jamie_windust Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week we are delving back into the archives to look at dating.  It's Valentine's Day on Friday...so we thought it was appropriate! Ultimately, it’s really weird and most of the time you’ll have a better time staying home and watching TV in your trackies.  But sometimes you’ve got to take a chance, so strap yourself in for a discussion about the perils of online dating, going for unavailable, beardy hipsters and mutual ghosting.  This is the low down on our particular anxieties from the dating world.

Exercise! What does that word conjure up for you? Eighties aerobics? Pumping iron at the gym? Perhaps a zumba class! Were you a sporty child or did P.E. lessons fill you with dread? How much exercise are you MEANT to do a week? Do you do it more for your physical or mental health? How much money do you spend each month on the gym...and do you ever go? We found lots to be fearful of when it comes to getting a sweat on...but also lots of upsides.  Listen in, perhaps while on a gentle jog.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

This week we are joined by Miles Otway: born and raised in London but current resident of San Francisco (or SF to those in the know).  We discuss the terrifying logistics of moving to another country, the loneliness that comes with being away from your friends and family and how home will always be home but it can start to feel...different.  Living abroad can be fantastic, but there's a LOT to worry about.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs) Miles: Twitter - @milesotway  Insta - sirskanksalot

'Being a Parent' is the hot topic for this week and for obvious reasons we had a guest on. Leoni is the editor of Noctis magazine...and mother to delightful twin girls!  There's so much to talk about and in this episode we cover things like the famed 'pressure to have it all', how you can keep your identity when you become a parent, how much the little bundles of joy cost to raise and also...SLEEP. How much do you really get and HOW ON EARTH do you cope? Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

The vegan diet seems to have exploded in popularity in the last few years and people are often very passionate about it - whether they're for or against.  In this episode we look at exactly what the vegan diet is and the reasons why veganism is a choice for some.  We also consider some of the difficulties of being a vegan - when you're eating on the go, when your friends want to go to a steakhouse or when you're worried people might be making all sorts of assumptions about you at a party.  In this episode we are joined by John - an actual vegan - to help us make up our own minds about what our diets should be.   Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

It's 2020 baby and we're back with a brand new episode! The end of the year - and in this case the end of the DECADE - can be a good time to reflect on the highs and lows.  But what about going forwards? New year, new you? Or are you happy just the way you are?  Do new year's resolutions set us up for failure or do they give us inspiring goals to work towards? What's worked in the past and what have you given up by January 3rd? Whether you're still feeling strong in your resolutions, have fallen off the wagon already or joyfully didn't make any in the first place - listen in.  That's an easy resolution to stick to.   Contact:   Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

We're back with another mini-episode, this time challenging ourselves to write a letter from our 80 year old selves to our current selves.  In our main episode last week we were freaking out about turning 30...but how young would that seem to an octogenarian?  We consider what we would like to hear we get up to over the next 50 years...and what the important things are that we should value. Contact: Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)

In this week's episode we are talking about 'body shaming' with owner of The Pilates Pod (a studio in Hitchin, not a podcast!) - Michelle Smith.  Michelle talks about her own experiences of being body shamed and we consider how the 'desired' body shape for women has changed a lot over the last century.  We chat about the role of celebrity and social media in how we feel about our bodies - and also discuss whether body shaming is particularly rife in the sporting industry.   Contact: The Pilates Pod: @thepilatespod https://www.thepilatespod.co.uk/ Email:ftfopod@gmail.com Twitter: @ftfopod Instagram: @ftfopod Facebook: Freaking the F Out Artwork by Chris Hastings-Spital (@chrismhs)