The Talk Works Podcast

016: Red Flags of Domestic Abuse with Rie Pearson

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Rie Pearson, a former police officer, domestic abuse specialist and author of Be Kind, No Excuses. Rie reflects on her 27 years in policing, specialising in Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. She talks about how control builds gradually, why leaving is far more complex than most people realise, and the red flag behaviours that are a precursor to abuse in intimate relationships. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/ [https://talk-works.org.uk/]   Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/]  Connect with Rie: Instagram: @bekindnoexcuses_cic [https://www.instagram.com/bekindnoexcuses_cic/] TikTok: @riepearson [https://www.tiktok.com/@riepearson?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc] (me.actually) Website: riepearson.com [http://riepearson.com] Be Kind, No Excuses (Book): Available via Amazon [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kind-Excuses-recognise-behaviours-relationships-ebook/dp/B099NNLK9N?ref_=ast_author_mpb]

015: Never Throw in the Towel with Anthony Hutton

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Anthony Hutton, winner of Big Brother 2005 and founder of the Never Throw In The Towel Project. Anthony talks openly about life after sudden fame, the impact it had on his identity, which led to unhealthy habits, including alcohol and drug use. He shares the importance of breathwork, how you sometimes need to disguise mental health for men and why you need to get in the best shape of your life for the sake of your own mental health. He also shares the power of community and the inspiration behind the Never Throw In The Towel Project. Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk [http://talk-works.org.uk]   Connect with Jen:  LinkedIn: Jen Cottam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/]    Connect with Anthony: LinkedIn: Anthony Hutton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-hutton-9b5440102/] Instagram: @theanthonyhutton https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyhutton/ [https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyhutton/] Visit Never Throw in the Towel Project: Website: https://neverthrowinthetowel.website/ [https://neverthrowinthetowel.website/] LinkedIn: Never Throw In The Towel Project [https://www.linkedin.com/company/never-throw-in-the-towel-project/] Instagram: @neverthrowinthetowelproject [https://www.instagram.com/neverthrowinthetowelproject/]

014: Adult Autism and Late Diagnosis with Dr Vicky Jervis

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Dr Vicky Jervis, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working full-time in the NHS within a Specialist Adult Autism Team. Alongside her NHS role, Vicky provides supervision and mentoring through ACP-UK and the Royal College of Psychiatry’s national Autism Training Programme. Vicky shares her experience of spending much of her life undiagnosed before receiving a late autism diagnosis in 2021, and what that was like for her. Jen and Vicky discuss masking at work, what a neuroaffirmative approach looks like in practice, and why identity-affirming support matters. They also explore the role of language and how employers can create environments where autistic and neurodivergent people don’t feel pressure to hide who they are. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/ [https://talk-works.org.uk/]    Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/]   Connect with Vicky: LinkedIn: Dr Vicky Jervis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-jervis-bb8826286/]   Recommended Resources: The Autistic Anthology: Neuro Narratives of Mental Health Professionals [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autistic-Anthology-Neuro-Narratives-Mental-Professionals/dp/B0DKTV9Y3H]

013: Grief Therapy: Living with Loss with Jan Garcha

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Jan Garcha, a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in adult grief and bereavement with experience in both NHS and private mental health services. Jan shares her personal journey of losing her daughter and how that experience deepened her understanding of grief, shaping the compassionate, relational approach she brings to her clients. She reflects on the many ways grief can show up and the importance of giving people space to process their emotions, as well as practical ways friends, family, and workplaces can offer support. Jan also explores therapeutic approaches, including relational therapy, mind-body techniques like grief yoga and Pilates, and the benefits of a grief support group. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/ [https://talk-works.org.uk/] Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/] Connect with Jan: LinkedIn: Jan Garcha [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-garcha-5ab6a9162/] Recommended Resources and Organisations: Dr Tonkin’s Model of Grief: The Fried Egg Model [https://www.sueryder.org/grief-support/helping-you-cope-with-grief/growing-around-grief/] Cruse Bereavement Care: https://www.cruse.org.uk/ [https://www.cruse.org.uk/]

012: Realising Resilience: A Cancer Journey with Claire McLean

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Claire McLean, founder of the award-winning consultancy Realise HR and Chair of Northern Cancer Voices. Claire shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 while stepping into her first HR Director role, and how that experience shaped her perspective on life, work, and leadership. She reflects on the challenges of balancing treatment with work and family life, the importance of employer flexibility and compassion, and the small but powerful ways colleagues and managers can make a difference. She also offers professional insights on how organisations can better support employees affected by cancer, emphasising the need for empathy, reasonable adjustments, and open communication. Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk [http://talk-works.org.uk] Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/] Visit Realise HR: https://realisehr.co.uk/ [https://realisehr.co.uk/] Connect with Claire: LinkedIn: Claire McLean [https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-mclean-3b50231b/] Recommended Organisations: Northern Cancer Voices: https://northerncancervoices.co.uk/ [https://northerncancervoices.co.uk/]