Shows
Minds AloudEpisode 24: Portsmouth Rock societyIn this episode we change things up to talk about student mental health as I am joined by Faith and Hari from the University of Portsmouth's Rock Society. We Talk the importance of finding your tribe, the mental health challenges students face, the acceptance of the alternative music communities and more!
2025-11-121h 02Minds AloudEpisode 23: Rogue AwakeningJoin me as I talk to Kimberly & Tom from Rogue Awakening. A fun conversation where we cover the on stage persona's, the mental health benefits of writing & performing, the pressures of growing a band and more!
2025-10-291h 21Minds AloudEpisode 22: Andy BawdenWe have our first returning guest to the show as Andy Bawden who came on the pod last year with Call of Sirens returns. We talk about looking after your wellbeing through changes to band line-up's & projects coming to an end, the importance of supporting local venues and Andy share's some of his own personal mental health story.
2025-10-141h 12Minds AloudEpisode 21: Jonny AmosWith over 25 years of experience within the music industry in various roles and as the host of the Music Business Buddy Podcast Jonny is a fascinating person to talk to. We chat about how the music industry has changed and what Jonny feels are some of the mental health pressures faced by musician's today.
2025-09-3053 minMinds AloudEpisode 20: WrexI sat down with Mae & George who collectively are known as Wrex. This one covers a wide range of topics from their history as a band, how mental health themes are found throughout their lyrical content and the benefits that music and performing has brought them both. Really fun episode with two super talented, incredibly honest and down to earth people. Check it out!
2025-09-181h 19Minds AloudEpisode 20: Mike Yates from SkaramanIn this episode I sat down with Mike Yates from the ska group Skaraman. Conversation ranged from how performing benefits Mike's mental wellbeing, advice for aspiring grassroots musicians, the importance of supporting small music venues and losing shoes at a Goldfinger gig! Check it out!
2025-08-261h 17Minds AloudEpisode 19: Baz from Massive WagonsIn this episode Baz from Massive Wagons took the time about the work the band has done with Andy's Man Club & Metal for Good, reaching fans who may be struggling throught heir songs and more! Baz was incredibly down to earth, insightful and fun to chat to. Make sure you check it out!
2025-06-2444 minMinds AloudEpisode 18: Liam Gifford from Zoie Logic/The Big MovementI sat down with Liam Gifford who works with Zoie Logic to talk about the Big Movement, Men's mental health and the power of movement for our wellbeing. As usual for a Minds Aloud episode plenty of laughs and real & unfiltered talk about mental wellbeing. Check it out!
2025-06-101h 18Minds AloudEpisode 17: Frank TurnerFrank Turner took some time out whilst on tour to sit down and chat about supporting the mental health of touring musician's, how his own mental health journey has influenced his song writing and more! Frank was incredibly open and honest and it made for a really interesting conversation. Some slight sound issues as Frank was joining backstage from a gig venue.
2025-05-1339 minMinds AloudEpisode 16: Rich LansleyIn this episode I chat with artist, writer & spoken word performer Rich Lansley. An uplifting and funny conversation Rich shares about his own mental health journey, the importance of engaging with our creativity and finding joy in all life's little moments. A really positive and heart warming episode here!Triger Warning: includes some discussion of suicide.
2025-04-291h 15Minds AloudEpisode 15: Call Me Malcolm Call Me Malcolm are one of the best Ska Punk Bands on the British scene. I sat down with Lucius & Mark from the band to chat about their history, how they address Lucius' own mental health journey in their lyrics, the realities of being in a band and much more. We had plenty of laughs recording this one and I think you'll enjoy listening!
2025-04-161h 22Minds AloudEpisode 14: Cecily HollandIn this episode I talk with Poet and Author Cecily Holland. We talk about how Cecily started writing poetry when going through her own mental health difficulties, the benefits poetry & the arts can have for our wellbeing and more!
2024-12-3057 minMinds AloudEpisode 13: Open Ya Mouth!Trash Arts Open Ya Mouth is a local CIC. On this episode I talk to Omar who compere's the open mic night and Kizz and Ella. We talk about the history of Open Ya Mouth, how music & poetry can be beneficial for our mental wellbeing, how they can help build communities and more. We had people joining this one at different times but we rolled with it as was a really fun conversation. Check it out!
2024-12-101h 01Minds AloudEpisode 12: Sean Gill from Andys Man ClubReleased on International Men's Day this episode has a bit of a different focus from the usual as I talk to Sean Gill one of the regional coordinators from Andys Man club. We talk Men's mental health, the work AMC does, the power of music to communicate when we're struggling and more! Check it out!
2024-11-191h 02Minds AloudEpisode 11: Eileen PhyallI sit down with author & poet Eileen Phyall who has recently released her first novel "About Time."
We talk about how Eileen's writing and poetry have supported her mental wellbeing through challenging periods in her life, her new book and more.
2024-11-1245 minMinds AloudEpisode 10: Heavy Metal Therapy!In this episode I talk to Kate Quinn from Heavy Metal Therapy. We talk about the work Heavy Metal Therapy does, Peer Support, the mental health benefits of listening to Metal and more!
2024-10-2258 minMinds AloudEpisode 9: Jeordie Shenton form Tonic MusicIn this episode I chat with Jeordie Shenton who works for Tonic Music. We talk about the work Tonic does supporting people at all levels in the music industry, the pressures faced by those trying to make a career in thew music industry the power of music and more! Apologies for some sound balance issues in this one I didn't want to lose the awesome conversation I had with Jeordie and wasn't to get everything perfect after using a new recording setup for first time.
2024-08-011h 10Minds AloudEpisode 8: Call of SirensIn this episode I talk to some of the guys from Call of Sirens. Topics range from the mental health benefits of playing and performing music to how their own mental health has impacted on their song writing. A really fun episode to record as we all enjoyed chatting away on this one. Some sound quality issues where internet connections went out at a couple of points.
2024-07-021h 14Minds AloudEpisode 7: Anna Fiers from Talking TherapiesIn this episode I talk with one of my former colleagues Anna Fiers who is now working for an NHS Talking Therapies service. We talk about how music and art are important for Anna's wellbeing and she also shares some wellbeing tips and coping strategies
2024-05-011h 05Minds AloudEpisode 6: Conversation with Kevin ChildRecorded back in January I sit down with Kevin Child Director of Student Support Services at the University of Portsmouth. We talk about Kevin's work, Men's mental health, the power of music (particularly a shared love of Punk) and Kevin share's some of his own lived experience of dealing with Stress & Anxiety.
2024-04-221h 06Minds AloudEpisode 5: Millie MandersMillie Manders is the outspoken vocalist from Millie Manders and The Shutup! She is well known for her brutally honest lyrics ranging from songs where she references her own mental health struggles, bombings in Syria and the state of our society. Millie doesn't hold back on her opinions and it makes for a really fun and insightful conversation.
2024-03-3046 minMinds AloudEpisode 4: A chat with Amy HydeIn this episode I sit down with a colleague from Hampshire's largest mental health Charity Solent Mind Amy Hyde. Amy and I talk about her love of musical theatre, how she sometimes recommends YouTube covers to her clients who call the lighthouse and much more!
2024-03-1657 minMinds AloudEpisode 3: Southern Ska Collective part 2 with Jo WebbThe second episode where I sit down with a member of the Southern Ska Collective as I talk with Jo Webb. Really interesting discussion as we talk through what performing with choir has meant for her, the power of music and more mental health goodness!
2024-03-0257 minMinds AloudEpisode 2: Southern Ska Collective Part 1 with Phil ReeceThe first of two episodes where I sit down and talk with members from the Southern Ska Collective (formerly the Tonic Ska Choir)
Phil and I talk about how performing with the Southern Ska Collective has had an incredible positive impact on her life and mental wellbeing.
2024-02-171h 07Minds AloudMinds Aloud episode: Daniel Winter-Bates from Bury TomorrowFor the very first episode of Minds Aloud I talk to Daniel Winter-Bates from Bury Tomorrow. First formed in 2006 Bury Tomorrow have had multiple top 40 albums and have played festivals such as Download, Reading & Leeds and Slamdunk. Dan has been with the band since day one and as well as touring and performing with the Band he also works for his local NHS trust.
Dan talks openly & honestly about the pressures of balancing his dual roles, his own mental health struggles and we talk about the impact music can have on our wellbeing.
Trigger warnings...
2024-02-031h 19