What Next?

We kick on series 3 chatting to the Mayor of St Neots Stephen Ferguson. Stephen chats to Katie all about how becoming mayor has impacted on his life, he speaks openly about the amount of internet trolling he received once appointed and how he deals with it on a day to day basis. He also talks about his imposter syndrome, feeling like he’s never quite good enough at work and how he overcomes it. A brilliant guest with a great mindset on how he deals with life. Grab a cuppa and sit back and enjoy. Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk  Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk  Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

You didn't think we would miss World Mental Health Day, did you? This week's guest is someone very special. Dale, who is known as the Medicinal Chef chats to Katie about how we can use food to benefit our mental health. You may recognise Dale from ITV's This Morning as well as the television programme Eat Shop Save, having degrees in Human Nutrition and Herbal Medicine and a Masters in Nutritional Medicine he is the voice of reason when it comes to food. In this episode he chats to Katie about how the highs and lows that he has felt in his life, particularly through grief, and gives advice on the foods that we should be putting in our bodies to help improve our mental health. A brilliant episode, which we really hope you enjoy. Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

We are back! Sorry it has been a while, we have missed you. Obviously due to Covid-19 things have been on hold but we are excited to bring you this podcast with two amazing guests. As last month was pride month we wanted to find guests who could talk openly about being gay. Josh and Jonny speak to Katie about their experiences with coming out as gay and the challenges that it may have brought for them. A brilliant podcast with two amazing guests, grab and cuppa and enjoy! If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. STONEWALL - https://www.stonewall.org.uk MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

We understand that at this moment in time thing are strange. Life is uncertain restrictions are making us feel suffocated. Katie and Chris discuss helpful hints and tips on how to work from home, and how to deal with isolation anxiety straight from their home. Chris also speaks about how he is finding the Covid-19 pandemic and he he is dealing with it. Whether it be on your daily walk, lunch break or just tuning n before bed, we will be here to provide a sense of friendship, security and solidarity. Hang in there, we got this. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

We know that times are hard so we hope that we can offer you 40 minutes of escape for you. Craig speaks to Katie about his mental breakdown and how he has managed to deal with anxiety and depression through music. Craig also has a huge ambition to raise £1million for MIND through music. We hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoyed recording it. You can find him Craig on Instagram at @craiggouldmusic. Helplines provided: *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

After suffering from depression and anxiety for years, Tom and his friend Ryan decided that there was a gap in the market for a men mental health group. We Are MENtal Health is a group for people of all ages in Somersham where they can come along and off-load every week. The group has grown since they set it up last year, and have now even launched a 'fit club' using exercise to health combat mental health problems. Tom also opens up about his years of drug and alcohol abuse and how he used them to help mask his depression and anxiety. A great podcast with two amazing guests who are really doing something to help people who need it! You can follow Tom and Ryan on: Facebook: WeAreMENtalHealth Twitter: @WeRMENtalHealth Instagram: @wermentalhealth *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of drug abuse. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Here is the first episode of series two, and I promise you, it is a good one! Darryn has spent most of his life realising that things aren't right, but could never quite put his finger on it. From the start depression and anxiety have manifested inside of him in different ways, but it wasn't until he had a breakdown that he realised that he needed help. Darryn speaks honestly about his struggles with divorce, being a father and his suicide attempts and how he deals with them today . What a great episode to start a new chapter off with, I promise you it's worth a listen. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Living in a society so fast paced that we don't get a minute to breathe, how easy would it be for you to wake up and take half an hour for yourself? This week Katie speaks to MariaElena about how she changed her life. MariaElena use to live a fast life in London where she spent most of her time partying. However, she found something that helped change her outlook on life and now is trying to help others do the same. A warm episode which will leave you feeling zen. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. WOMENS AID: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

This is the second part of Clare's interview where she chats to Katie about the affect that domestic abuse has had on her and her children, and how she has managed to cope with it day to day. The police recorded 599,549 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2018. This was an increase of 23% from the previous year. Ps. Clare uses two names so you might hear me refer to her as Beth. Same person, just a different name. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of domestic abuse. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. WOMENS AID: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

The police recorded 599,549 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year ending March 2018. This was an increase of 23% from the previous year. Beth chats to Katie about her past experience with domestic abuse, and how it has shaped her life. A mum-of-two she has had to encounter so many experiences in her life that has got her where she is today. A true inspiration and someone with so much strength, this episode is really worth a listen. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of domestic abuse. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. WOMENS AID: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/ MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Yesterday was World Mental Health day and what a way to celebrate our differences than with a What's Next podcast. It's not surprising to anyone that mental health is being spoken about more, especially with awareness days like this one. However, our aim here at the podcast is to keep talking until we are blue in the face. We will never stop discussing mental health and what we can do about it. This week Katie and Jamie Archer answer questions sent in by listeners for a special mental health awareness day podcast! *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide and self harm. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Mental health and education manager at the YMCA, Ryan came into the studio to chat about mental health in children and why it is important to invest in it. As part of the work they do at the YMCA Ryan and his team are now offering a mental health app to students in schools to help tackle the long waiting lists for counselling and fill a void. One in eight children in England is living with a mental health problem, according to an NHS report that shows an increase in the conditions over the last decade. So why is it only just now that they are starting to change the way things work in school? It's lucky we have people Ryan to help cushion the stresses of children in todays society. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide and self harm. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Around three quarters of a million people are thought to be living with severe, life impacting and debilitating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the UK. Angela talks about her daughter being diagnosed with OCD at the age of 10, and how she coped with it. There are many different forms of OCD, but no-one seems to understand what they are. Angela talks openly about the diagnosis, and how she dealt with it as a mother. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide, self harm and OCD. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

"I was handed my baby and I felt nothing." One in 10 new mums in the UK experience postnatal depression after giving birth, so why is there such a stigma attached to it? Delphine chats to Katie about being diagnosed with postnatal depression after giving birth and how she copes. She also speaks about what it is like to bedifferent, and what it was like to be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Research conducted in 2014 shows that more of us than ever have had therapy, according to a new study, which reveals that more than a quarter of people in the UK have consulted a counsellor or psychotherapist, compared to just one in five people in 2010. After spending months having counselling, Katie speaks to the lady she has talking therapy with on the show. Julie Kerr, who is a mental health counsellor, talks about Katie's problems, in a hope that other people can relate. The pair also chat about methods that can be used in recovery, and how Julie got to where she is today. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

For some people, music can be a huge stress reliever. But how do the people who make the music deal with the fast growing industry? Katie chats to Jamie about being in a band, and what it is like to not feel good enough. According to a new study conducted by Record Union, 73% of musicians suffer with either anxiety, depression or stress, but only 45% of them felt that there was enough support. Katie and Jamie explore the reasoning behind the figures, and how music can be used as therapy. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com The Basement Strippers - https://www.facebook.com/BasementStrip/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

As a paediatrician Dr Nik chats to Katie about the difference between being a doctor now and when he first trained, saying the biggest difference being the amount of issues surrounding children mental health nowadays. 75% of adults will experience a mental health condition before the age of 24 - but why? Katie and Dr Nik discuss the challenges around social media, school, home life and sexuality. They also answer questions sent in from young listeners. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide and self harm. Help - If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Schools haven't always had the best track record when it comes to dealing with mental health, shoving children in the corner, and referring them for counselling when something isn't quite right. However, one educational facility in Cambridge has said that they are doing everything to support the mental health and well-being of their staff and students. Cambridge Regional College is among the first further education establishments in the country to sign a national mental health charter, pledging support everyone. Commitments include challenging mental health stigma and providing targeted individual mental health support. Emily, who works at the college, joins Katie in the studio for a chat about what they are doing to help people, and how you can spot signs of mental health, especially in younger people. Is this a major breakthrough in eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health? Also on the podcast Katie chats to editor and producer Marcus about where the podcast is heading next as they reflect back on the show. Let us know what you want to hear next. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Qualifying for the Ironman World Championships is something that takes great mental strength, alongside physical. Michael Taylor chats to Katie about strength in sport and his job in the military and how he struggled with detachment. He also opens up about his experience with grief after losing his granddad, and how he manages to deal with it. Sport plays a big part in his life, with Michael even admitting that it is 99% mind that got him to where he is today. Humble and caring, he also explains to Katie how he dealt with his divorce, and gives advice to listeners about how to handle it. Michael is a true inspiration to everyone out there, and is living proof that "you can do anything you set your mind to do." If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Two years after leaving the police, Andy Cohen-Wray had a breakdown after bottling up memories from his time in the service came back to haunt him. He now chats to Katie about his dissociative amnesia which wiped his memory, and made it so he could no longer remember things. Andy explains to Katie how he can't remember his wedding day, or the birth of his child and how the trauma affected him. But this wasn't the only thing terrible to happen. Getting a call from his mother telling him that his brother had been hit by a train, and had died by suicide, Andy explains how he dealt with the loss of his brother and how the stress of what happened led to him having a stroke. Now years on, Andy has channeled his experiences into something positive and delivers talks about his experience. An exceptional guest who will leave you feeling thankful. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide. Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. You can find Andy on Instagram at: Athleteinmind Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

This week's episode of What Next is a special one. Our host Katie Ridley opens up about her struggle with depression and anxiety and how she opened up to her family and friends about it. Katie talks honestly about the pressure of social media, losing friendships and how she has overcome some of her biggest struggles. As a journalist it is hard to switch of, and she explains to producer Paulo about how she manages her illness day in day out. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

After appearing on the Victoria Derbyshire show earlier this year to chat about her eating disorder, Hannah Robinson joins Katie Ridley and chats to her about the struggles of living with the condition and how it consumed her life. She also explains how she was turned away by her GP because her BMI wasn't low enough to be given treatment for her anorexia. She is now joining others who have been campaigning for fairer treatment across the NHS when it comes to dealing with eating disorders. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of eating disorders. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message

Construction manager Jamie Archer, talks to Katie Ridley about his suicide attempts and how he now copes with waves of depression and anxiety. Sometimes life isn't always as straight forward as we would like it to be. Battling with low self esteem and major lows, this guests chats about anti-depressants, and having the courage to talk. *Trigger warning* This episode does discuss some issues that may be triggering to other individuals, including the mention of suicide. If you are affected by anything discussed in this podcast you can get help in many different places. Don't be scared to go to your GP, you wouldn't think twice if you had a broken leg. MIND - https://www.mind.org.uk Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org Young Mind - https://youngminds.org.uk Social Media: Find us on Twitter @WhattNext and Instagram @whatisnextpodcast. Keep an eye out for our next episode next Friday at 6pm. Remember to leave us a review - we would love your feedback. As always let us know what you think! Email us on whatisnextpodcast@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/katie-ridley/message