Well Enough

This week, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and content creator Dr. Julie Smith joins us to dismantle the myth of constant happiness and offer practical tools for navigating life's inevitable storms.With over 10 million followers and two Sunday Times bestsellers (Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? and Open When), Julie has made it her mission to make high-quality mental health education accessible to everyone.In this conversation, we explore why young people are struggling despite having "the best it's ever been," the crucial difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, and how our modern obsession with optimization is setting us up for failure. Julie shares the powerful "predator mindset" that helped her through her own health crisis, explains why feelings are information rather than problems to fix, and introduces the "solid back five" concept - fundamental pillars of mental wellbeing that we constantly underestimate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world of aggressive optimization, morning routines, and relentless pressure to manifest a perfect reality, how do we experience actual joy when life falls apart?This week on Well Enough, we sit down with Kate Bowler - Duke University professor, religion scholar, and author - to explore the profound differences between happiness and joy. At 35, Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, an event that completely shattered her reality and forced her to confront the agonizing platitude that "everything happens for a reason."Kate dismantles toxic positivity and wellness capitalism, explaining why you don't always need to find a silver lining. Get Kate’s book “Joyful, Anyway” here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/joyful-anyway-9781037202582/Follow Well Enough on Instagram here https://www.instagram.com/wellenoughTimecodes:00:00 Why Joy Isn't What You Think03:10 Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Psychological Difference?06:25 Navigating Rage and Finding Joy After a Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis08:00 "Emotional Appropriateness" & The Myth of Constant Optimization10:45 The Danger of Toxic Positivity and "Everything Happens for a Reason"13:10 The Hidden History (and Harm) of Manifesting17:30 What is "The Ache"? Embracing the Bittersweet Longing of Being Human20:20 Wellness Capitalism and the Absurdity of the 24/7 Morning Routine23:30 Navigating the Seasons of Wanting & Opening Your "Vault of Jewels"29:10 How to Practice Joy: Service, Love, and Hope33:30 How to Experience Joy During a "Light Apocalypse"37:00 Absurdism: Why You Should Lean Into Your Weird Delights39:20 The Surprising Limits of Gratitude Journaling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the most powerful medicine was right outside your front door? In this episode, we explore the transformative role nature plays in healing, recovery and everyday wellness. Our guest is Julia Bradbury - TV presenter, Sunday Times bestselling author and one of the UK's most passionate advocates for the healing power of the outdoors. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 and a subsequent mastectomy, Julia rebuilt her health from the ground up and nature was at the heart of it.She joins Emilie to talk about her diagnosis journey, the science behind nature snacks, resistance training, morning light, walking backwards, and why the single most important wellness habit starts with what you say to yourself.Get Julia’s book Hack Yourself HealthyJulia Bradbury is supporting Vista Health’s Signs of Clarity campaign. Visit www.vista-health.co.uk00:00 The Healing Power of Nature & Movement02:07 Functional Medicine: Finding the Root Cause04:50 How Walking Calms Your Nervous System06:40 Breast Cancer Diagnosis & The Promise of Nature08:15 How to Take Daily "Nature Snacks"10:00 The Emotional Toll of Surgery 12:35 Finding Comfort & Life Lessons from Trees15:00 Redefining Health vs. Toxic Resilience17:36 How to Make Time for Your Wellbeing19:31 Strength Training for Women & Hope Molecules22:21 Building Non-Negotiable Healthy Habits24:35 Overcoming Vulnerability After a Health Scare27:15 An Emotional Expedition to Antarctica29:18 Healthy Travel Hacks & Plane Snacks32:19 The Ultimate Slow Morning Routine34:27 The Power of Positive Affirmations & Self-Talk36:01 Why You Should Start Walking Backwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Richards spent ten years being dismissed by doctors who said her crippling period pain was "normal" and she'd "get used to it." Six surgeries later, she finally got her endometriosis diagnosis.This week, Sophie joins Emilie to break down inflammation as your body's "first response team," how she discovered it was driving her symptoms, and the dangerous wellness trends she fell for.She also shares the love story of bringing her now fiancé to her fertility appointment on date three, why she wants to create a school curriculum so boys learn about periods too, and her six pillars of anti-inflammatory living that transformed her health.Get Sophie’s book ‘The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset’ here Follow Sophie on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here Timecodes00:00 Why I Share the Reality of Living with Endometriosis02:46 Six Surgeries & Ten Years of Chronic Pain04:16 The Period Pain Dismissed as "Normal"06:41 Bringing My Boyfriend to My Egg Freezing Appointment09:01 Educating Men About Women's Health: Why It Matters11:26 Why Boys Need Period Education Too13:41 What Is Inflammation? The First Response Team16:01 How I Discovered Inflammation Was the Root Cause18:46 Red Flags in the Wellness Industry21:31 The 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Reset Explained24:51 You're Not Crazy: Your Pain Is Real27:31 How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor30:41 The Doctor Who Finally Diagnosed My Endometriosis34:01 Breaking the Taboo: Men Talking About Periods36:46 Nourish Yourself Like You'd Nourish a Friend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison opens up about her personal battle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a debilitating condition that goes far beyond typical PMS symptoms. She candidly discusses the physical and emotional toll it's taken on her life, and how finally getting diagnosed changed everything.Vicky also shares her experience with egg freezing, offering an honest perspective on the process, the emotions involved, and why she made this important decision for her future. Her vulnerability about fertility and planning for motherhood will resonate with many listeners navigating similar choices.Vicky’s new show ‘Maybe, Baby?’ is available to stream now on Channel 4.Follow Well Enough on Instagram hereFollow Emilie on Instagram here Follow Vicky on Instagram here Timecodes:00:00 Introduction01:00 What Is PMDD? Understanding the Symptoms03:16 Two Weeks of Hell: Living with PMDD05:51 Five Years to Get a Diagnosis: Medical Gaslighting08:13 "Just a Period" - How Doctors Dismissed My Pain10:21 The Social Media Diagnosis That Changed Everything12:16 Finally Heard: Getting My PMDD Diagnosis14:46 Why Boys Need to Learn About Periods17:31 Antidepressants for PMDD: The Treatment Dilemma20:36 Navigating PMDD as a Couple24:11 Maybe Baby: Our Fertility Journey on TV27:01 Freezing My Eggs at 35: Taking Control30:31 The Hate I Got for Freezing My Eggs33:16 One Message That Made It All Worth It37:21 Can You Be a Good Mum with PMDD?42:01 Feel Your Feels: My Wellness Advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.