Good Thinking Podcast

Navigating a relationship was difficult enough before, but lockdown has added another level of complexity. Amber from Brook, a nationwide charity supporting young people with sexual health and wellbeing advice, talks about what has changed and offers some useful tips. No doubt helpful for her own blossoming relationship with her…….pot plants Amber Newman-Clark is an Education & Wellbeing Specialist at Brook

Lockdown is helpful for infection control, but not for Eating Disorders; they thrive in isolation. CEO, Andrew Radford and Director of Services, Caroline Price, of BEAT, the UK's Eating Disorders charity, share how a combination of agility and innovation helped them respond to the still increasing demand for support, whilst funding was less certain.

The Beatles sang ‘Eight days a week is not enough to show I care'; never more true. Paula Ludley co-founded “Nine Day Week” to support those who were working and caring both for their children, their elderly parents, and even their pets. The demands are great, but peer support from friends and family makes it possible, as does the longing to sit and talk again with those shielded, with a good cup of tea.

In this podcast Professor Kevin Fenton unpacks all of the knowledge and thinking behind the public health response to the COVID-19, and shares how looking after your health is the best way to protect yourself in the future? Who knew you could sail a ship at the same time as building it? Professor Kevin Fenton if the Regional Director for Public Health in London, Public Health England

Between the ages of 14 and 25 years, most young people invest more of themselves in their education than anything else. What happens when the reward for that suddenly becomes uncertain, unknown? The impact of coronavirus on students has been significant as a huge part of their culture and structure suddenly disappeared when education settings mostly shut their doors. Mhairi Underwood shares how The Student Room, the UK's largest online student community, is supporting children and young people to connect and support each other through uncertainty, with a focus on maintaining hope that things will get better. Mhairi Underwood is Head of Community at The Student Room

It takes courage to reach for support when you are struggling, perhaps in crisis. Victoria Hornby shares how Shout: Crisis Text Line have used innovation and technology to make it as easy as we can to support those that have had the courage to reach out by texting 85258. And that number is really, very interesting… Victoria Hornby is the CEO at Mental Health Innovations, a digital mental health charity which launched Shout

During the pandemic we might have thought that working from home was temporary, but for some it is now a permanent arrangement. Dr Nicola Millard shares fantastic insights from almost 30 years with British Telecom on how to do it well. And it turns out, it's a bit like drinking at a wedding… Dr Nicola Millard is a Principal Innovation Partner at BT

As lockdown eases, unease may take its place. Professor Neil Greenberg shares insights on how we now respond to the stress, even traumas, that many have lived with in past months, not least those on the frontline, and how we can learn much from how the military manage transitions. Done well, there is the prospect of hope, and growth. Professor Neil Greenberg is an academic, occupational & forensic psychiatrist, founder & director of March on Stress; Professor with King's College, London

Many families are currently juggling many competing demands during Pandemic from home schooling to money concerns. They are also grappling with the challenges their children face in the digital world, as we live through changes not seen since the industrial revolution. World expert on digital parenting, Sonia Livingstone provides insights and advice about parenting in the digital present and future. Cellos, optional.

People are often using online communities to seek support and advice to manage their mental health. Here, Darren Gough, provides insights into the world of online communities and how important it is to look after those who run them……..community managers, who may be now, frontline workers.

Coronavirus for those with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) the Pandemic can be particularly challenging. But the psychological impact goes further; our worries during the Pandemic can drive us to ‘safety behaviours' that we might struggle to give up when they are no longer needed. Some may struggle later to leave lockdown, psychologically. Clinical Lead for the National OCD Service, Tracey Taylor, shares insights and advice for those trying to overcome OCD at this time, and her recommendations on how to live well after lockdown.

As the worlds of work, education and our social lives become screen-based, now more than ever it is time to master the screen/life balance. Digital wellbeing expert Tanya Goodin provides tips about balancing screen time with other activities and how establishing boundaries between work and play, for us all, is key to wellness.

In isolation, many will turn to online communities for support and information, and get much in return. But if you are uncertain, what can help you get the best from online spaces without too many risks? Online safety expert Annie Mullins shares what to check for, and how to start out in any online community.

When overwhelmed and stressed, it can feel like there is nothing that can help you. Janet Wingrove shares how even a small pause, some breathing space, can start the journey to feeling calmer and more resilient, and reconnect you with those values that help you to keep going. Janet Wingrove is a Mindfulness Trainer and Consultant Psychologist, SLaM.

In better times, Bill Shankly said “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” So how does a football club balance life, death and football, when in lockdown? Ivor Heller, AFC Wimbledon, shares, and with feeling.

What do you do as a Headteacher when the support your school gives to some vulnerable families can no longer be offered in the same way? Headteacher Emma Murray shares how leadership skills during the time of lockdown helped her to hold on to her values and priorities, way beyond education.

As schools close and education is delivered using technology to young people in their homes, many are online more than ever. Catherine McAllister, Head of Editorial Standards at BBC Children's Department, shares her insights into how children and teenagers can stay safe online and how the BBC Own It App and resources can support them.

Dr Tom Coffey OBE, GP and Senior Advisor to the Mayor of London, talks about how much he has changed his ways of working in recent weeks, more than during the rest of his career, and in many ways for the better.

Coronavirus means that life may be on hold for many people at the moment. Jack Apperley will be discussing what that means and the strategies he's using to be mentally healthy.

Dr Michael Farquhar, a consultant in paediatric sleep medicine, joins us for a discussion on how Londoners can improve sleep during the coronavirus pandemic.

As Londoners suddenly were facing the challenges of working from home, many also lost the social and other rewards that come with working in an organisation, together. Kathryn Davies shares what has helped a dispersed, global workforce come together, and maintain their wellbeing.

Dr Richard Graham is in discussion with Edward Breen, a musicologist from City Lit. One of the many side-effects of isolation is a compulsion to self-improve, such as learning a language or new skill. It can become relentless. Musicologist, Edward Breen suggests another path, and one less driven. If we can stop, and allow for some space in our lives, we can rediscover and find things of value, such as a deep listening to music.

Richard Graham is in discussion with Stephen Oliver, the retired Bishop of Stepney and a former chief producer for the BBC. We will be discussing how the world has changed and how we can keep hope alive during the COVID-19 outbreak.

These are challenging and uncertain times for all of us. This podcast will include a range of experiences during the COVID-19 crisis – from experience of people directly or indirectly affected by coronavirus and the approaches they are taking to staying mentally well to top tips on what you can do to stay healthy. In this first podcast, Good thinking's clinical director, psychiatrist Dr Richard Graham is on discussion with GP Dr Bob Levin. Bob was in the unique position of being in the first cluster of Britons to contract coronavirus. Here he discusses his experience and the approaches he took to cope with being medically isolated away from his family.