Phone a Friend with George Ezra & Ollie MN

As the Phone A Friend hiatus begins, the boys look back on their 65 episodes of niche podcasting.  Follow @phoneafriendpod on Instagram for any news from the east relating to the podcast’s return.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.   mind.org.uk   

After a difficult week, George’s baby blues are missing their trademark twinkle. The boys share some news, discuss ska’s disappearance from the pop charts, and hear from some listeners about how they’re coping with the reopening of schools. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Brit Award recipient George Ezra moves a pile of mud from one side of a field to the other. Meanwhile, disassembling a piece of furniture ruins Ollie’s week. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George sits down at the piano and lets his magic fingers dance across the keys. The Messenger Boy's luck seems to be turning around, mostly at Ollie's expense, and the boys deliver a very important message from a listener. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George discusses the parade of useless thoughts that keeps him up at night. The boys chat about the relationship you build with your therapist, how guilt can get in the way of happiness, and official Scrabble regulations. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the arrival of spring brings out George’s glass-half-full mentality. Meanwhile, Ollie’s glass has rolled off the table, out the window, and into a mound of dog dirt. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys discuss grief, bubble baths, and George’s earliest forays into the glamorous world of show business. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, a listener rescues George from the sprouting mass of spuds slowly taking over his kitchen. The boys discuss their shared aversion to silence, the pros and cons of keeping busy, and ask that age-old question: what’s for dinner? Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys talk at length about some of George’s old potatoes, stretching the definition of the word “content” to its absolute limit. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie tries to get better at expressing that he is depressed without dancing around the big D word. The boys discuss the well-meaning but often unhelpful desire to provide “solutions” to someone in need of emotional support, the tendency to disguise our feelings, and steam trains. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys discuss the power of imagination. The human mind can go to some dark and upsetting places, but it is also the birthplace of great art; for example, a West End musical in which a man’s troubled marriage is saved after he transforms into a lynx. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George incorporates a punching bag into his fitness regime and the messenger boy breathes a sigh of relief. The boys discuss self-love and the myth of Blue Monday before reading out an inspirational email from a member of the gorgeous public. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys earn their place in the Health & Fitness Podcast Hall of Fame by discussing the importance of hydration. George dreams of a post-pandemic visit to the pub, and Ollie worms his way into Heathrow Airport’s first class lounge. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys discuss New Years resolutions, lockdown life, and all the ways George has been wronged by tech over the years. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George struggles to get shnuggly after his boiler treats itself to a nice Christmas break. The boys reflect on how 2020 has impacted their mental health, and manage to find a few positives to take into the new year. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

'Twas three days after Christmas, nearing the year's end, When a young man got shnuggly, and phoned his old friend; Though fate had come crashing into their festive plans, They still had each other, and a six pack of cans. One day every week, all through the uncertain year, The great distance between them seemed to disappear; And for that one blissful hour, they knew only joy, Two men, a horse, and their messenger boy. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie’s nephew will not allow him to write an episode description. He thinks Ollie’s laptop is a machine specifically designed to access Peppa Pig content, and will not be convinced otherwise. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie is back on the streets of old London town*, and a productive week in the studio has George feeling like the luckiest boy** in the world. The boys discuss travel anxiety, and explore why rational thinking is so difficult for someone in a state of panic. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk *self-isolating in his sister's loft **middle-aged man

This week, George barely mentions how tired he is. The boys discuss their experiences of Zoom therapy sessions, and Ollie fantasises about going to a big Sainsbury’s. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk If you’d like to find out more about The Lions Barber Collective you can find them here: https://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com/find-locate-a-lion/

This week, George barely mentions how tired he is. The boys discuss their experiences of Zoom therapy sessions, and Ollie fantasises about going to a big Sainsbury’s. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk If you’d like to find out more about The Lions Barber Collective you can find them here: https://www.thelionsbarbercollective.com/find-locate-a-lion/

This week, George’s Christmas Pecker is sky-high and he doesn’t care who knows it. Ollie’s bad batch of brain-fog begins to clear as soon as he talks to his dear podcast friend, and a listener encourages the boys to explore the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie puts his soul up for sale and struggles to find a buyer. Meanwhile, a visit to the optician threatens to destroy George’s famous bad-boy image.  Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George sharpens his pencils, grabs his lunch box, and heads back to school. Meanwhile, Ollie is forced to root around Lost Property for something to play rounders in after “forgetting” his P.E kit. The boys also hear from a university student about how their mental health has been affected by coronavirus restrictions. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

As the last call bell rings out in pubs across England, George prepares for another month of lockdown. The boys discuss their confinement coping strategies, as well as the habits they’re hoping to avoid this time round. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

 It was a dark and stormy night. Deep in the English countryside, the lonely light of a distant window strained against impenetrable blackness. Inside, a man with a horse’s head prepares to record an episode of his niche podcast. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie confronts George about his divisive new social media strategy. A week in the studio has George feeling excited about new music, and Jexton finally returns. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys take a trip down memory lane and discover that it stinks of K cider. This origin story begins a decade ago, on the muddy fields of Reading festival, when a fair-haired boy with a bright future seeks assistance from a scowling stranger. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

his week, the boys use the power of friendship to overcome a vibes deficit. George discusses how resuming his regular meditation routine has helped him cope with intrusive thoughts, while Ollie wonders if he has denied himself the thrill of chaos in his search for a quiet life. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the arrival of autumn makes Ollie very homesick. George awakes from his Big Sleep for long enough to discuss imposter syndrome, the feeling of accomplishment and Saint Nick’s Stag Do. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

Following a week of low vibes, the boys discuss the effect of routine on mood and stray dangerously close to becoming a fitness podcast. If you’d like to help the boys raise money for Mind UK, check out their fundraising page: https://moveformind.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/phone-a-friend. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

A serious case of Yoga-induced fatigue can’t stop your brave, handsome and humble hosts from providing another hour of quality content. This week, George is confronted by a spider with a bad attitude, and Ollie’s cursed Wednesday culminates in a visit from the fire department. If you’d like to help the boys raise money for Mind UK, check out their fundraising page: https://moveformind.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/phone-a-friend  Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

Ollie has achieved enlightenment after just three days of yoga, smashing all previous records and leaving Adrienne in his dust. Meanwhile, two days of hiking in deepest, darkest Dorset has left George weary and in need of his friend’s new-found zen energy. If you’d like to help the boys raise money for Mind UK, check out their fundraising page: https://moveformind.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/phone-a-friend Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

The Move for Mind fundraising challenge has officially begun! After Ollie attempts to jog to the mournful strains of Bon Iver, George suggests a slightly more upbeat running playlist. George also opens up about how headlines about him opening up make him more reluctant to open up, and a listener emails in about the NHS IAPT service.  To help the boys raise money for Mind, check out their fundraising page here: https://moveformind.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/phone-a-friend.  Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys discuss the Move for Mind challenge. During September, George and Ollie will be alternating between running and yoga every day in order to raise money for Mind. The act of typing this description gave Ollie a stitch, so he couldn’t be more thrilled about 30 consecutive days of physical activity. To learn more and donate, visit https://moveformind.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/phone-a-friend Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, a messy breakup with his phone is no match for George’s resilient pecker. A visit from his mum leads Ollie to reflect on how often life’s highs and lows coexist simultaneously, and the boys receive an email from an old friend. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George records the podcast from within the earth’s molten core. Ollie joins him on the line from the bowels of hell, and the two attempt an unprecedented feat of endurance podcasting. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George attempts to rescue a stray sheep, with mixed results. Meanwhile, a bad week and some missed therapy appointments leave Ollie feeling even more sorry for himself than usual. Plus, the boys read some follow-up emails from listeners who have previously been in touch with the show. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys travel back to a time when VHS was king and the streets were paved with counterfeit Linkin Park merchandise. George recalls the early formative experience of listening to the Shrek soundtrack, before Ollie ropes him into a domestic dispute. The boys then respond to a listener’s email about the importance of encouraging conversations about body dysmorphia among men. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George dons his favourite pair of striped pyjamas in preparation for a particularly cute and snuggly episode. Meanwhile, Ollie tries to compose himself after becoming the victim of bread-battery. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie issues a sincere apology for his Boggart Blunder in the last episode. The boys also discuss extraterrestrials and Ollie’s criminal past before an enormous vape cloud heralds the messenger boy’s arrival. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod on Instagram for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George (2019 Brit Award recipient) and Ollie (Simon Balle Sports Day 2010 Obstacle Relay participant) discuss grief, bathroom anxiety, and boggarts. The boys also cement their reputation as innovators by starting an official Phone A Friend instagram page. Follow @PhoneAFriendPod for extra resources, links, and content from each episode. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

After a high-speed journey up and down the winding streets of London Town, George dismounts from his micro scooter and prepares to podcast. Hundreds of miles away, Ollie’s back has bonded with his chair in a nightmarish fusion of flesh, sweat and leather. The boys discuss George’s weekly therapy sessions, the importance of mental health charities, and Tudor slang. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie helps his ageing friend understand youth culture. The boys also indulge in some pillow talk, before discussing obsessive thoughts and sleep-deprivation. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys encourage you to check out Black Minds Matter UK. Black Minds Matter is an organisation that provides free mental health services to Black people in the UK, including therapy, support groups, and mentorship. If you think you could benefit from any of this, or want to donate to keep this amazing organisation going, please check out www.blackmindsmatteruk.com

This week, all of George’s nearest and dearest come together to celebrate his birthday. Ollie discusses the anxiety caused by the easing of lockdown restrictions, and the boys debate what to do about George’s hair. Plus, George talks to Emily about how volunteering at a hospital during the Corona Virus crisis helped to keep her own well-being in check. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

After 21 episodes (and a decade of friendship), Ollie is delighted to hear that he’s finally growing on George. Topics discussed this week include the physical side effects of anxiety, toxic masculinity and the surprisingly positive reaction to George’s inventions. Plus, George chats to Chelsey, a biochemist working in the NHS, about how the Corona Virus has affected her. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

After a few difficult days, George and Ollie are desperate for an emergency injection of #GoodVibes. The boys discuss self-criticism, lack of motivation, and how helpful they both find their weekly conversations.  George also chats to Elaine, a Primary Mental Health Worker, about her job and the importance of self care. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, the boys discuss Ollie’s back hair for far too long. George reveals that he’s been working on some inventions during lockdown, and the messenger boy delivers emails on the subjects of online therapy and how to approach potentially difficult conversations. Plus, George talks to Dr Hazel Wallace about working on a Covid ward. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk

This week’s episode features the first in a series of conversations with key workers recorded via the wonders of modern technology. Penny, an ambulance worker, talks to George about her work and the ways she tries to keep her mental health in check. The boys also discuss panic attacks, uncertainty, and the healing benefits of loud grunting. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too. Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, Ollie’s first proper trip outdoors after two months of lockdown culminates in an altercation with some of the local wildlife. In between blasts of his harmonica, George proposes some modifications to the British national anthem. The boys also discuss safety mask anxiety, night-time rituals, and Iceland. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk

This week, George reveals that he’s been cheating on Ollie with other podcasters. Ollie tries to explain why he finds it so difficult to talk about his D*, and a moving email leaves the boys teary-eyed. Subscribe now to get new episodes of Phone A Friend every week, and don’t forget to rate and review too.  Visit Mind’s website for information and support on the subject of mental health.  https://www.mind.org.uk *depression.