I know I’m late to the party but I’ve finally discovered a new found love for podcasts. Slowing down during lockdown gave me the opportunity to delve into a whole new world and whilst I’m still on a journey of discovery, I already have a top 3 I’d like to share with you.
Word – The Podcast by Megan Rose Lane
I’ve followed Megan on Instagram for a while (@megan_rose_lane) and find her one of the most inspirational, raw and honest people out there. There is no highlight reel here, Megan isn’t afraid to show her “flaws”, her reality or her struggles. She started her podcast in March, at the beginning of this crazy lockdown journey, when the reality of isolation hit home for all of us in one way or another.
Megan describes her podcast as “a safe space for you to tune in, listen to some honest and vulnerable and inspiring conversations and I hope this podcast helps you make a little more sense out of life.” Her eleven episodes cover everything from anxiety and break ups to body image and negativity and in each one the honesty pours from her soul into the listeners. She is able to talk from the latter stage of a journey I think we are all on as women. We start it at different stages in our lives and we experience things to different extremes, but the topics in each episode are ones we can all relate to.
If you’ve found yourself stuck in a rut, if the corona coaster has raised some questions from your inner critic and you’re not sure how to handle it, then sidestep out of the vicious cycle and have a listen to Megan. The topics really resonated with me and I find myself checking regularly for the next instalment.
Open Mind with Frankie Bridge
I remember a few years ago seeing Frankie on the cover of a magazine, opening up about her mental health breakdown and thinking at the time, surely not? She’s got everything right? But having my own struggles with poor mental health and going through my own personal breakdown, it’s not about what you’ve got or not got, depression and poor mental health knows no boundaries.
Frankie’s podcast accompanies her book Open (which I’ve purchased but not started yet – watch this space) and is about her hoping to help a generation of people to be more open about their mental health and ask for help when help is needed. Started in October 2019, there are a number of episodes to delve into, and whilst I haven’t listened to all of them yet, my personal faves are with Mollie King, Laura Whitmore and Tor Cook – Frankie’s sister. They are raw, they are honest and I’m sure for some people they may be a trigger for certain feelings but they are all handled with sensitivity and a reality which is refreshing to listen to.
Mental health is still engulfed in stigma, even in 2020. But if there is one thing we can do as individuals, it’s to educate ourselves. So even if you have never experienced poor mental health, have a listen, open your mind to what other people maybe experiencing. And if you are struggling, listen – see how opening up and asking for help could be the key to change.
House 21 Podcast
How could I not? House 21 – the home of female blogging. Each week on the podcast, Melanie is joined by one of the online contributors to discuss the blog picks of the week, chat about current events and give their own opinions on the latest Dear Donna problem.
I love listening to these podcasts – the contributors from House 21 are such a friendly, down to earth bunch of women, you feel like you are sat in a coffee shop surrounded by friends, having a good chin wag.
It’s the perfect Friday afternoon companion. Pass me a biscuit!