The Happy Employee Podcast

"EVERYONE can be an activist" - in conversation with Vicki Vidler (Founder, Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide)

(Warning - this episode contains discussion of suicide throughout) For this very special video episode of The Happy Employee Podcast, our Director of Training Mike was privileged to sit down for a conversation with Vicki Vidler, Founder of the Consortium for the Prevention of Suicide. Mike spoke to Vicki about the Consortium, her inspiration for founding the organisation, her own personal knowledge and experience around the subject of suicide and the aspirations that she has for suicide prevention moving forward. Vicki was a wonderful guest with not only an inspirational story, but a drive to affect real, systemic change in the most important field imaginable. To learn more about the Consortium and contribute your support, head over to www.suicidepreventionconsortium.org.

Preventing Young Suicide with 3 Dads Walking

*(WARNING: this episode discusses the subject of suicide in depth and at length - please exercise self-care and call Samaritans on 116 123 or Papyrus UK on 0800 068 4141 if you find yourself in distress)* In this illuminating, thought-provoking and deeply personal episode we are joined by Andy Airey, Tim Owen and Mike Palmer - also known as '3 Dads Walking'. Andy, Tim and Mike are connected in a way that they never would have wished to be. After tragically losing their daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily to suicide, the three dads communed not only through their shared experience but an unshakeable desire to change society for the better. The guys spoke to our director Mike about their personal stories, the understanding of suicide they possessed prior to the loss of their daughters, the incredible fundraising campaign for Papyrus UK [https://www.papyrus-uk.org/] that has helped them to process their grief, petitions for change, the inimitable power of peer support and their current focus - lobbying for compulsory, age-appropriate suicide prevention education as part of the national curriculum. We are unbelievably thankful to Andy, Time and Mike for giving so much of their precious time to talk to us and share their campaign with you, our valued listeners. They are used to talking to the Prime Minister these days, so to spare some time for little old Start Within feels really quite humbling! Please, please, please listen to this episode - it is so important and we all have a part to play. Find out more about 3 Dads Walking here [https://www.3dadswalking.uk/] and pledge your support today. Listen and subscribe, wherever you get your podcasts. *(WARNING: this episode discusses the subject of suicide in depth and at length - please exercise self-care and call Samaritans on 116 123 or Papyrus UK on 0800 068 4141 if you find yourself in distress)*

Menopause and Mental Health with Jo Clarke (CPSL Mind)

In this episode we are joined by Jo Clarke, Head of Training, Consultancy and Business Development at Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind, a local mental health charity that is working hard to destigmatise and educate on the relationship between menopause and mental health. During our discussion with Jo, we discussed the approach that society has often taken to the menopause, the potential symptoms a woman may experience from a mental health perspective, the impact that these challenges can have in the workplace and what we can all do to raise awareness and facilitate a more inclusive culture around this important issue. We also touch on the role of men in this conversation, with Mike sharing his own initial reservations on engaging with the subject of menopause. This is one of the most important and revealing podcasts to date - be sure to let us know what you think and subscribe for all of our upcoming episodes of The Happy Employee Podcast. Enjoy!

Behind The Walls - In Conversation with Angela Kirwin (author of Criminal: How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All)

We are extremely proud to welcome another fantastic author on to the podcast, with Mike joined by Angela Kirwin, author of the must-read Criminal: How Our Prisons Are Failing Us All [https://www.waterstones.com/book/criminal/angela-kirwin/9781398705838]. Angela [https://www.angelakirwin.com/] spoke brilliantly not only on her experiences as a social worker within the British prison system, but also shared with us her journey in social care inspired from a young age, the impact that her career has taken on her mental health and the lessons she has learned about the absolute necessity for self-care.  With admirable honesty and vulnerability, Angela also opened up on the growing understanding she has for her ADHD and the cathartic release that she finds through writing. We also couldn't have Angela on without getting her take on the prison system itself and some of the conclusions she has reached in her work in this specialist field. Criminal is an incredible read and we hope we did it justice with this conversation!

'Sort Your Head Out' - Special Episode with Sam Delaney

It’s been a little while but we are back with a bang, with a very special guest indeed! Sam Delaney [https://www.samdelaney.co.uk/] is a successful and extremely experienced journalist, broadcaster, podcaster and author, with his new book, 'Sort Your Head Out' [https://barnesbookshop.com/], out now in all good bookshops 📚 With disarming authenticity, Sam takes us through his own journey to emotional maturity, shares lessons learned in sobriety, celebrates the power of vulnerability and explains how, above all else, we can make it easier for the average Jack the Lad to talk about this scary mental health stuff. It was a genuine privilege to speak to Sam and we have no doubts that you will love listening to this conversation with him. (Warning - this episode contains some adult language)