Bestselling author and psychotherapist, Julia Samuel, invites us into her therapy room as she talks to both known and unknown voices about some of life’s bigges...
Agony Aunties on Feeling Like the Forgotten Sibling
In this episode, the Agony Aunties respond to a listener's question about feeling less valued than their younger half-brother by their stepmother. The listener shares experiences of unequal treatment and seeks advice on addressing these feelings without causing more tension. They discuss the challenges of adult children living at home, navigating complex family dynamics, and offer practical communication strategies. The episode emphasises the importance of being self-reflective and seeking supportive conversations both within and outside the family.
Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.
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17:50
Esther Ghey on Life After the Murder of Brianna Ghey
In this powerful and very moving episode, Esther Ghey shares her story of unimaginable loss — the tragic murder of her daughter, Brianna Ghey, in February 2023. Speaking with grace and courage, Esther opens up about her grief journey, her ongoing campaign to improve mental health support for young people, and her mission to create safer online spaces through her charity, Peace and Mind UK.
Esther discusses the healing practices that have helped her, including mindfulness, meditation, and the transformative power of self-compassion. She also reflects on the complexities of Brianna’s life and the harsh realities young people face online today. One of the most striking moments in this conversation is Esther’s expression of empathy toward the mother of one of her daughter’s killers - a testament to her capacity for forgiveness and her commitment to peace over hatred.
Through her book, Under a Pink Sky, and her advocacy work, Esther is turning personal tragedy into meaningful change - and this conversation is a deeply emotional and inspiring reminder of the human capacity for compassion and hope.
Timestamps:
00:19 – The Tragic Loss of Brianna Ghey
01:07 – Coping with Grief and Mental Health
02:28 – Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
06:07 – Reflections on Personal Struggles
13:24 – Brianna’s Complex Personality
16:30 – The Impact of Social Media and Lockdown
19:52 – Family Struggles and Addiction
21:28 – The Dangers of Online Content
25:09 – Parental Challenges and Public Perception
27:12 – A Mother’s Compassion: Meeting the Killer’s Mother
27:55 – The Power of Forgiveness and Empathy
29:22 – Building Bridges: Friendship with Emma
31:24 – Restorative Justice and Letting Go of Hate
34:14 – Peace and Mind UK: A Legacy of Hope
37:32 – Cherry Blossoms and Pink Skies: Signs from Brianna
39:21 – Grief, Acceptance, and the Mystery of Afterlife
42:13 – Reflections on the Conversation with Emily and Sophie
Buy Esther's book: https://amzn.eu/d/b59YwyE
Support Peace and Mind UK: https://www.peaceandminduk.org/
Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.
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1:03:35
Agony Aunties on Parenting Your Parent
In this Agony Aunties episode, a listener writes in about the emotional challenges of caring for her mother who is starting to show signs of aging. The Agony Aunties discuss the delicate balance between providing help and respecting the parent's independence. They highlight the importance of having tender, collaborative conversations and preparing for the future. The discussion also touches on the emotional complexity of witnessing a parent's decline and offers practical advice for maintaining patience and understanding.
Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.
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18:49
Emma Barnett on Motherhood, Pain, and Rewriting the Narrative
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Emma Barnett opens up about the unseen struggles that have shaped both her personal and professional life.
Emma shares her journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, the toll of chronic pain, and the emotional realities of going through IVF to have her children. Speaking with clarity, honesty and conviction, she dismantles taboos around women’s health and offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of motherhood — one that goes far beyond picture-perfect expectations.
We also dive into her book Maternity Service, where Emma challenges outdated notions of maternity leave and reclaims the narrative of what it means to become a mother. This episode is a candid reflection on resilience, identity, and why the stories we don’t often tell are the ones that matter most.
01:02 Emma's Health Challenges
03:13 IVF Journey and Motherhood
05:50 Living with Pain and Finding Strength
08:28 Emma's Background and Upbringing
15:11 Professional Life and Broadcasting
20:26 Discussing the Book 'Maternity Service'
33:25 Losing and Gaining Yourself
33:43 Balancing Career and Home Life
34:00 The Importance of Flexibility
35:12 The 'Let Them' Movement
35:26 Influence and Relationships
38:50 Community and Support
45:46 Survival Strategies for Parents
49:07 Hope and Determination
54:24 Reflections on Motherhood
Find Emma:
Instagram: @emmabarnett
Buy her book, Maternity Service: https://amzn.eu/d/3C2izpu
Website: https://www.emmabarnett.org/
Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.
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1:16:47
Agony Aunties on Family Estrangement and the Grief No One Talks About
In this episode, the Agony Aunties tackle a listener's question about dealing with the pain of family estrangement. They provide thoughtful advice, suggesting outreach to communities in similar situations, the therapeutic use of letters, and the importance of individual and family therapy. They emphasise the necessity of processing grief, managing obsessive thoughts, and finding personal agency in the face of unresolved trauma. Lastly, they acknowledge the listener's own emotional journey and encourage self-support during this challenging time.
Please subscribe and leave a review—it truly makes all the difference! Follow Julia at @juliasamuelmbe for more insights, tips, and conversations on life's challenges and how to improve your mental well-being.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bestselling author and psychotherapist, Julia Samuel, invites us into her therapy room as she talks to both known and unknown voices about some of life’s biggest challenges.
Therapy Works is full of therapeutic conversations which may contain difficult emotions but those that can paradoxically bring light, in all its form.
Listeners will hear what the guests have learnt, failed to learn and how they have grown through their experience. At the end of each episode, Julia reflects on her session with her two psychotherapist daughters who will share their thoughts on the conversation. You’ll quickly discover that not all therapists agree on everything!
Follow @juliasamuelmbe
Australia