It Can't Just Be Me

We are bursting with excitement as we have Dr Alex George in the studio this week to talk through a dilemma from a listener who’s thinking about cutting down on alcohol, in the run up to the festive season. Dr Alex is a former A&E doctor, ex-Love Islander and expert Mental Health Ambassador. He gave up drinking in December 2022, so he couldn’t be better placed to give some advice to our listener. With the help of psychotherapist Nadiyah Davis, Anna and Dr Alex talk about why it’s not just to do with the amount we drink, but also about reflecting on why we drink and how it makes us feel. They explore what we might gain from cutting down on alcohol, how to deal with the social side of not drinking, and share tips for anyone thinking of giving it a try. They also give advice to a listener seeking purpose in their life, and another listener experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you’re worried about your alcohol consumption, please see this NHS webpage that has more information and includes advice about getting the help you might need: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/ . You may also like to contact the charity With You who provide free, confidential support to people in England and Scotland who have issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health.

It’s a festive special in the studio today as Anna and guests tackle the classic seasonal dilemma of how to split your time at Christmas while doing your very best to keep everyone happy. Our listener Ellie is not only trying to figure out how to fit in time with family and friends alongside a job with anti-social hours, but she’s also in a long-distance relationship. Luckily, Anna has seasoned podcaster, TV personality and content creator Sophie Habboo on hand to help work through Ellie’s conundrum. Sophie not only co-hosts the podcast Wednesdays but she is, of course, co-star of the podcast Newlyweds with her husband Jamie Laing. Having spent several Christmases with Jamie’s family already, and with both parents living abroad, Sophie is no stranger to finding creative ways to portion up her time over the festive season. Bringing psychological expertise (as well as even more Festive magic) to the conversation is psychotherapist Fiona Kau. Together, Anna, Sophie and Fiona discuss why we put so much pressure on ourselves at this time of year, unspoken family dynamics and learning to make space for your partner’s family. Not to mention the guilt, arguments, and passive-aggressive emails! They also share advice for a listener who is, like so many of us, on a tight budget this Christmas, and offer up tips for someone who wants to approach the New Year with a more positive mentality. So get comfy with your favourite festive treat. This one’s a Christmas feast for the ears! … Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you. If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional. From Podimo & Mags Creative Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale Editor: Kit Milsom Theme music: Kit Milsom Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for regular updates.

Today’s dilemma is from an entrepreneur and mum to two young children. She’s finding it increasingly frustrating that the responsibilities of parenting aren’t split equally between her and her male partner. It’s a cliche she’s always been keen to avoid, so she wants to know what practical steps she can take to redress the balance in her relationship. Cue iconic shoe designer, entrepreneur, and mum to five – Sophia Webster. Sophia has found a way to make this seemingly impossible balancing act work, although she admits that it isn’t always easy and she doesn’t have everything sorted, by any means. Anna and Sophia are joined by psychotherapist, author, podcaster and parenting specialist, Anna Mathur. Together, they discuss navigating the career and motherhood jigsaw puzzle; feeling “mum guilt;” and Sophia shares how she and her husband manage to work together, live together, and parent together, all at the same time. And, naturally, there’s also a lot of talk about shoes! … Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you. If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional. From Podimo & Mags Creative Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale Editor: Kit Milsom Theme music: Kit Milsom Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram and @itcantjustbemepod on TikTok for regular updates

Grace Victory is one of those people who just draws you in — she is utterly compelling. So, it was a total pleasure to have her join Anna in the studio to offer some advice to a listener who is struggling with intimacy following a previous trauma. Having experienced trauma herself — both in her early years, and more recently — Grace generously shares her own story and the wisdom she's gathered on her own healing journey. With the assistance of super psychotherapist, Sam Pennells-Nkolo, Grace and Anna discuss the listener’s dilemma, consider its echoes with Grace’s story, and ultimately share advice on how the listener can begin to confront her challenges with intimacy. They also consider the contested question of young children and screen-time, and what gifts to buy for a new mother. This episode is powerful and amazing, but Grace’s story does cover heavy topics such as abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, anxiety, sexual assault, and depression. So please approach the episode with care. … Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you. If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional. From Podimo & Mags Creative Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale Editor: Kit Milsom Theme music: Kit Milsom Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram for weekly updates

Anna can really relate to this week’s dilemma - it comes from a woman who’s severely struggling with her perimenopause symptoms and is asking why it seems to be so much harder for some women than others. So, Anna has called on the expert sports broadcaster and host of The Mid.Point podcast, Gabby Logan, to share her sage advice. With the assistance of TV doctor extraordinaire, Dr Ellie Cannon, Anna and Gabby share anecdotes from their own perimenopause and suggest some of the tips and tricks that have helped them navigate this aspect of their mid-life journeys. The trio discuss the medical options available to those dealing with difficult menopause symptoms, highlight the importance of caring for and understanding our bodies as we grow older, and consider the value of naming and identifying the menopause to our families, friends and colleagues. To hear more from Gabby on the subject of mid-life, you can listen to her brilliant podcast The Mid.Point (https://podfollow.com/midpoint). And you can find out more about Menopause Matters, the magazine and forum that supported on us on this episode, via their website. … Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you. If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.com This podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised. Please note that advice given on this podcast is not intended to replace the input of a trained professional. If you’ve been affected by anything raised in this episode and want extra support, we encourage you to reach out to your general practitioner or an accredited professional. From Podimo & Mags Creative Producers: Laura Williams and Christy Callaway-Gale Editor: Kit Milsom Theme music: Kit Milsom Executive producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White Follow @itcantjustbemepod and @podimo_uk on Instagram for weekly updates