How Do You Cope?

In this week’s bonus episode journalist, author and broadcaster Bryony Gordon shares the things she’s grateful for. Books, free coffees and Arsenal football club feature, along with discussions of the vital importance of rightsizing.Head to the main episode to hear about Bryony’s difficult journey from alcohol and drug addiction to sobriety, her coping mechanisms for quieting the negative voice in her head, and the role that moving and exercise now play in her life.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In the final episode of the series, John reads a selection of your emails and feedback. We hear correspondence on our episodes with David Challen, Pierre Novellie and Nicky Campbell. And reflect on gratitude, neurodivergence and pets. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do you live a fulfilling life after coming to terms with addiction problems? John speaks to the journalist, author and broadcaster Bryony Gordon about confronting her alcohol and drug addictions, finding ways to quieten the negative voice in her head, and how running and exercise have transformed her life for the better. Bryony talks about her difficult and reluctant journey towards confronting her alcoholism, how even associating herself with the word was a huge challenge. She and John share their recovery journeys, and talk about the importance of reaching out for help.On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Bryony shares the 5 things that she is currently grateful for.If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing jo@samaritans.org or calling 116 123.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In this week’s bonus episode author, presenter and musician Izzy Judd shares the things she’s grateful for. From the life lessons you can learn from your children, to a life where therapy is both accessible and acceptable for her and her family. Head to the main episode to hear about Izzy’s journey to becoming a mum, the trauma of the accident that changed the course of her brother’s life forever and raising a neurodivergent child. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyocopepod

In this week’s bonus episode ex-cyclist, now journalist and author Philippa York shares the things she’s grateful for. Philippa talks about the importance of health, describes the gratitude she has for existing how she wants to exist, and explains the differences she has experienced entering the female world. Head to the main episode to hear about Philippa’s lifelong body and gender dysmorphia, how transitioning has affected her loved ones, and why meeting a young trans girl whilst filming a TV advert had a profound effect on her. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

What do great sporting achievements mean when you’re born in the wrong body?John sits down with ex-cyclist Philippa York, who competed in the Tour de France under the name Robert Millar, to talk about transitioning from male to female, having her privacy invaded by the press, and the ups and downs of competing in cycling’s most prestigious race.As Robert Millar, Philippa was the first British cyclist to win the King of the Mountains jersey in 1984’s Tour de France, and paved the way for future British cycling success.But ever since she was young, Philippa knew that something wasn’t right within her body, and it was only after retiring from cycling and withdrawing from the public eye, that Philippa was able to transition. She talks about the impact of body and gender dysmorphia, and discusses how transitioning affected not only herself, but all of her loved ones too.On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Philippa shares the things that she is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

Can you ever prepare yourself for the challenges of parenthood — especially when faced with unexpected struggles?Author, presenter, and musician Izzy Judd joins John to talk about her experiences with IVF, miscarriage, and raising a neurodivergent child. Izzy reflects on her journey from growing up in a deeply musical family, through her early career as a violinist, to meeting her husband Harry Judd and navigating the complexities of starting a family.She opens up about the emotional toll of fertility struggles, the importance of hope, and the moments of beauty she found during the IVF process. Izzy also shares what she’s learned about supporting a neurodivergent child, the power of community, and the small strategies that help her family thrive.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyocopepod

In this week’s bonus episode broadcaster, author and musician Nicky Campbell shares the things he’s grateful for. Unsurprisingly for a man who’s written a book about his dog, man’s best friend features front and centre of Nicky’s gratitude list. He also explores his love of the Scottish highlands, and gives thanks for the jobs he’s been able to do over the years.Head to the main episode to hear about Nicky’s powerful journey of experiencing abuse whilst at school and choosing to use his platform to bring his perpetrators to justice, his experience of tracking down and meeting his birth mother, and how bipolar disorder affects his life and work. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

Can you ever fully recover from experiences of childhood abuse? John is joined by fellow BBC 5 Live presenter; broadcaster, author and musician Nicky Campbell. They explore Nicky’s experiences of adoption, his bipolar disorder, and experiencing and witnessing abuse whilst at school. Nicky was taken in for adoption at a few days old, and describes the emotional journey of tracking down and meeting his birth mother. He also opens up about the abuse he experienced and witnessed whilst at The Edinburgh Academy; how he felt a sense of duty to use his platform and speak out years later, and how the language used to describe what actually happened can make a real difference. Nicky also celebrates the restorative power of dogs, and explains the healing role that music plays in his life.Helpful links: https://thesurvivorstrust.org/https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In this week’s bonus episode, comedian and actor Sophie Willan shares the 5 things she’s currently grateful for. No stranger to writing gratitude lists, Sophie delves into her trusty No Probllama note book (complete with a llama on the cover) to describe everything she is thankful for.Head to the main episode to hear about Sophie’s experiences of growing up in the care system, receiving her records in a plastic bag at a train station, and why it’s okay to just be okay.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do you truly find your identity after growing up in care?John is joined by comedian Sophie Willan, the star and writer of Alma’s Not Normal, to talk about her experiences of the care system.Sophie discusses the many ways being in care has affected her life - from constantly thinking of herself as an outsider, to always feeling the need to make people happy. She also talks about growing up with a drug-addicted mother and the boundaries she had to put in place to take care of her mental health.On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Sophie shares the 5 things that she is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok.

In this week’s bonus episode, musician and writer Jordan Stephens shares the five things he’s currently grateful for. There’s a disagreement about dogs, but a lot of excitement over a new way of drinking tea.Head to the main episode to hear about Jordan’s struggles with fame, addiction, and managing his ADHD. Plus why he thinks group therapy changed his life.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do you recover from a breakup you feel is your fault?John sits down with musician and writer Jordan Stephens, best known as one half of Rizzle Kicks, to talk about how his self-destructive behaviour led to infidelity and heartbreak.Jordan opens up to John about how he set his life back on the right path by admitting his faults, accepting his ADHD diagnosis, and throwing himself into group therapy.On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Jordan shares the 5 things that he is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In this week’s bonus episode, author and comedian Tom Rosenthal shares the 5 things he is grateful for. He explains why he thinks dogs resonate at a higher frequency to people, and why he’s grateful to be part of the comedy world. Head to the main episode to hear about Tom’s spiritual journey from sceptic to believer, his experiences of losing an unborn child, and his approach to living life by being a vessel for a higher power. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do we live the most fulfilled life possible?John sits down with his friend the comedian and actor Tom Rosenthal to discuss faith, coming to terms with loss, and experiencing a higher plane of existence. Tom describes how taking part in the BBC documentary Pilgrimage led to him confronting buried trauma around the loss of his unborn child. He also explains how he experienced a transcendental episode where he encountered a different plane of existence, and outlines his approach to spirituality.On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Tom shares the 5 things that he is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In this week’s bonus episode, Chermal Williams from the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse shares the 5 things she is grateful for. She explains how getting up at 5am every day has changed her life, and why she’s grateful for herself. Head to the main episode to hear about Chermal’s experiences of domestic abuse as a child at the hands of her stepfather. And how coaching a boys’ football team allows her to give children the childhood she didn’t have.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do you escape and recover from abuse by a parent?John talks to Chermal Williams, Head of Services for Health and Training at the charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse, about her difficult childhood.Chermal was the victim of domestic abuse as a child at the hands of her stepfather, experiencing physical and psychological abuse. Later as an adult, she found herself in an abusive relationship. But through reading self-help books, working with children, and finding time for herself, she managed to escape the cycle of abuse, and forge her own identity.You can find out more Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse on their website:https://www.standingtogether.org.uk/Other helpful links:Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline: https://dsahelpline.org/On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Chermal shares the 5 things that she is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In this week’s bonus episode, broadcaster and writer Angela Scanlon shares the 5 things she is grateful for. She explains how gratitude came into her life via Irish dancing, and expresses her love for the mundane.Head to the main episode to hear about Angela’s battles with anorexia and bulimia, her journey into parenthood, and how meditating for 10 minutes on the tube can change her day. You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

How do you recover from an eating disorder?John speaks to presenter, writer and broadcaster Angela Scanlon about living with anorexia and bulimia in her younger years. Angela noticed her relationship with food change in her late teens, and went on to struggle with eating disorders for 15 years. She talks about how controlling her eating gave her a sense of safety, which years later morphed into an addiction to work. Angela also explores how giving birth to her first daughter changed her mindset, and explains how meditating for 10 minutes on the tube can change her day.Her new podcast ‘Get A Grip’ with Vicky Pattison is out now.If you need support head to: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Angela shares the 5 things that she is currently grateful for.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.

In a special episode, John reads a selection of your questions and emails.There are reflections on Megan Jayne Crabbe’s message of body positivity, reactions to Naga Munchetty highlighting the misogyny of the health service, and John answers questions about making big life decisions, and how to effectively check in on loved ones.You can send in your thoughts and reflections to hello@howdoyoucopepod.com, or follow the show on Instagram and TikTok @howdoyoucopepod.