The Torn Podcast

Episode 13 - Bonus Episode: Your Questions Answered

Across this first season of The Torn Podcast, we’ve explored what it means to feel torn between choices, identities, values, and the different parts of ourselves. In this bonus episode, we pause to reflect and respond directly to some of the questions that have come through from listeners along the way. From feeling stuck in indecision, to navigating conflicting desires, to wondering whether resolution is even possible, this conversation revisits some of the key themes of the series through a more personal and responsive lens. It’s a chance to go a little deeper, clarify some of the ideas we’ve introduced, and offer reassurance to those moments where inner conflict can feel overwhelming or hard to name. If you’ve found yourself relating to the stories in this series or noticing your own “torn” moments more clearly this episode is for you. Find more stories, resources and support at www.thetornproject.com [http://www.thetornproject.com/] Follow us on Instagram @thetornproject [https://www.instagram.com/thetornproject/] Or get in touch via susan@thetornproject.com [susan@thetornproject.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 12 - Resolutions Roundup

In this final episode of the series, the Torn Project team step back to reflect on what they’ve learned across the season with particular focus on resolutions that help us move through inner conflict. Drawing on the stories, frameworks, and insights explored throughout the season, resolution is seen not as a neat ending, but as an ongoing, human process. Click the link below to access a downloadable PDF with further resources related to this episode https://thetornproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/thetornproject-podcast-s1-e12-resources.pdf [https://thetornproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/thetornproject-podcast-s1-e12-resources.pdf] - Find more stories, resources and hope on all things inner conflict at www.thetornproject.com [http://www.thetornproject.com/]. Follow us on Instagram @thetornproject. To reach out directly, email susan@thetornproject.com [susan@thetornproject.com]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 11 - Talia's Story: My life or death choice

Sometimes an inner conflict is not about preferences, careers, or relationships, but about survival itself. In this episode, we hear the story of a woman facing a life-threatening cancer diagnosis. She finds herself torn between two radically different paths: evidence-based medical treatment, or alternative therapies. But this is not a simple choice - there are many other elements which add to her inner conflict. This episode contains discussion of life-threatening cancer and death so you may wish to consider where and when. you listen. A book mentioned in this episode: The Year of Magical Thinking Author: Joan Didion Publisher: Harper Perennial Available as: Paperback, Hardcover Kindle edition, Audiobook, 2009 For those who need support in coping with cancer - their own experience, in supporting someone else or dealing with a bereavement - the following link offers a wide range of resources. & lt; https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about- [https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-%20cancer/coping/general-books-links/general-cancer-organisations%20>] cancer/coping/general-books-links/general-cancer-organisations > [https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-%20cancer/coping/general-books-links/general-cancer-organisations%20>] —  Find more stories, resources and hope on all things inner conflict at our website www.thetornproject.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/68c3332a24c6e67e685e5752/shows/68da9517136216b12fe99e9d/episodes/www.thetornproject.com] Follow us on Instagram @thetornproject. [https://www.instagram.com/thetornproject/] To reach out directly, use the contact form on our website. [https://thetornproject.com/contact] The Torn Podcast is created by Susan Quilliam, Caitlin Cockerton and James Knight. Thank you to our producer, Fin Kinsella of Floom Creative, to our music composers Michal, Mikolaj and Bolek Błaszczyk, to our team of actors (for this episode Rachel Griffiths) and to all of those who have contributed their lived experiences specialist knowledge and professional support. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 10 - Richard's Story: I felt powerless to stop drinking

What happens when a relationship to alcohol that once felt easy and enjoyable begins to feel complicated? In this episode, Richard shares his experience of becoming torn about alcohol and how he used parts work to think through and reshape his changing relationship with drinking. Following a health scare, Richard knew something needed to change, but stopping outright didn’t feel simple or right. Instead, he found himself navigating competing inner voices: parts that valued pleasure, routine and social connection, alongside parts that wanted health, clarity and self-respect. This episode explores how parts work can help us move away from shame, rigidity and willpower-driven change, and towards curiosity, compassion and inner collaboration. To deepen your understanding of parts work, you may want to listen to Episode 9: What is Parts Work and Why Is It Important? In that episode, a therapist explains the original theory behind parts work and offers further insight into how you can use it yourself and how working with a trained therapist can provide additional support. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-torn-podcast/id1843063117?i=1000743928274 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-torn-podcast/id1843063117?i=1000743928274] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES We want to offer a range of resources alongside this episode, depending on where you or someone you care about may be in relationship to alcohol. For those rethinking their drinking: * Alcohol Change UK: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/ [https://alcoholchange.org.uk/] * NHS alcohol advice and support: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/ [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/] * Sober Curious podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sober-curious/id1460377009 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sober-curious/id1460377009] * This Naked Mind podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-naked-mind-podcast/id1287269357 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/this-naked-mind-podcast/id1287269357] For those actively worried about dependent or addictive drinking — their own or someone else’s: * NHS alcohol support: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/ [https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/] * Find local alcohol addiction services: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-alcohol-addiction-support-services/ [https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/find-alcohol-addiction-support-services/] * SMART Recovery UK (also supports other forms of addiction): https://smartrecovery.org.uk/ [https://smartrecovery.org.uk/] * We Are With You (drug, alcohol and mental health support): https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/ [https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/] Important note: This episode does not replace professional support. If alcohol use is causing harm or feels out of control, reaching out for specialist help can be an important next step. If you’ve ever felt torn between what you enjoy and what you sense might need to change, this episode offers insight, reassurance, and a compassionate framework for navigating that inner conflict. —  Find more stories, resources and hope on all things inner conflict at our website www.thetornproject.com [https://open.acast.com/www.thetornproject.com] Follow us on Instagram @thetornproject. [https://www.instagram.com/thetornproject/] To reach out directly, use the contact form on our website. [https://thetornproject.com/contact] Find out more about The Torn Project team [https://thetornproject.com/about-us]. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Episode 9 - What is Parts Work & Why's it Important? Conversation with a Therapist

What if the parts of you that feel anxious, critical, or overwhelming aren’t problems to fix, but parts of you trying, in their own way, to protect you? In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Alex, a London-based psychotherapist working with Internal Family Systems (IFS). For professional confidentiality reasons, Alex’s voice is performed by an actor, but the insights shared are very real and deeply practical. Together, they explore how IFS helps us understand inner conflict by recognising that we are not a single, unified voice, but a system of “parts” each with its own role, fears, and good intentions. Rather than silencing or fighting these parts, IFS invites us to listen to them, befriend them, and restore balance within ourselves. This is an episode about self-acceptance, compassion, and understanding that being torn is not a failure, but a sign that different parts of you are trying to help in different ways. Books Recommended: * Self Therapy: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Inner Wholeness Using IFS, a New, Cutting-Edge Therapy. By Jay Earley * No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model. By Richard Schwartz.   * Also find No Bad Parts via our We Love filter in our resources section Resources to help you work out if professional help is needed, and how to go about finding it: * Do I need professional support * When giving support isn’t enough * We love: Befrienders Worldwide * —  Find more stories, resources and hope on all things inner conflict at our website www.thetornproject.com [https://open.acast.com/networks/68c3332a24c6e67e685e5752/shows/68da9517136216b12fe99e9d/episodes/www.thetornproject.com] Follow us on Instagram @thetornproject. [https://www.instagram.com/thetornproject/] To reach out directly, use the contact form on our website. [https://thetornproject.com/contact] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.