In this episode I speak with Miguel Da Silva. Miguel is a radio DJ presenter and Shaman. Born in Portugal and growing up through the civil war, Miguel’s childhood was far from easy. In his teenage years he sought escape through drugs and alcohol. After several failed relationships he moved to England. His love of music attracted him to pirate radio where he became a DJ presenter, something he still does to this day. His life experiences drew  him towards Shamanism, ancient beliefs connecting with nature and the universe.It’s a moving account of one man’s life and through adversity, he learnt to be resilient and  finally love himself once again.

Charlotte Dugdale is a yoga teacher with her business based in Bispham near Blackpool.In this episode I talk with Charlotte about her childhood, her work in prisons and social care which caused her mental health to unravel. She describes her diagnosis of OCD and how yoga became a large part of her life to the extent that she traveled to India to train as a yoga teacher. She has realised her goal and has her own business near Blackpool.You can find her website HERE

TRIGGER WARNING: ⚠️ The following podcast contains frank discussions around PTSD and police trauma which some listeners may find distressing. If you have been affected by anything in this podcast you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123.My guest today was a career police officer who entered into the world of undercover operations. That work took its toll on his wellbeing causing his mental health to slowly unravel. But it was also his experiences as a uniformed response officer that ultimately contributed to his PTSD diagnosis. In a frank and graphic conversation, he describes those experiences and how it affected him and his family.

Sir Andy Cooke is due to retire from his role as His Majesty’s  Chief Inspector of HMICFRS, an organisation set up to inspect and advise police forces and Fire Services within the UK on their operational performance. As  a former Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, he has more than enough operational experience throughout his career and has held every rank as Detective status. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at a leading University. Sir Andy is in reflective mood as we discuss UK policing, the recent government white paper on police reform, wellbeing within the police service and his plans for the future.

Canadian Police Officer and ADHD and PTSD sufferer.Lana is a Canadian police officer who has been diagnosed with both ADHD and PTSD. As part of her recovery she started to write down her thoughts which turned into a book. We talk about her experiences of her diagnosis and how she was treated by her employer.Ultimately this is a story of resilience and pure bloody mindedness. A woman who refused to be beaten by the job or her demons.

Nick Garnett has spent nearly four decades as a presenter and journalist, twenty five of which were at BBC Radio 5 Live. A pioneer of mobile journalism, we talk about how he got into radio, his failed ambition as a rock god and on a more serious note, the effect of the many tragedies he has had to report on and how it affected his own wellbeing. Its a fascinating insight into the world of journalism.  

Social Influencer and Chef.In this episode I chat to Bobby Sharma, the man behind the social media personality Yorkshire Indian. Bobby was born and bred in Leeds to Indian parents. That multi cultural upbringing would later provide the inspiration for Yorkshire Indian. We talk about his childhood, his love of cooking which he learnt from his mother and the lock down caused by Covid. Like many, that affected his mental wellbeing and he turned to social media to make people happy by sharing his creative Indian recipes. He quickly became an internet sensation attracting over half a million followers.What you see is what you get with Bobby. A genuine bloke just trying to do his best. It’s a funny and yet touching conversation. I hope you enjoy it.

Murder Squad Senior Detective.On the 8th February 2024, former prison officer Lenny Scott was shot six times outside a gym in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. Tragically Lenny succumbed to his injuries several days later.A murder investigation was launched, headed up by DCI Lee Wilson, which ultimately led to the conviction of Lennys killer, Elias Morgan. Morgan will spend the next 45 years in gaol before being considered for parole.Throughout the investigation, Lee never lost sight of the family left behind after Lenny’s murder and they were always a critical part of every decision Lee made.It is a fascinating insight into the life of a Senior Investigating Officer within a Homecide squad.

In this fifth episode of my podcast series looking at the rising rates of police suicide, I talk with Dr. Noreen Tehrani on how the brain processes trauma from a clinical viewpoint. It’s a fascinating insight into how our brains work, some of which may surprise you. TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.

In this fourth episode of my podcast series looking at the rising rates of police suicide, I share my own experience of the breakdown I suffered in 2021. A busy detective working in family protection, I was dealing with a case of two sisters having been sexually abused by their father. It tore the family apart. At the same time I was dealing with a bereavement of a close family member and the cherry on the cake were unresolved adverse childhood experiences. All this came together to create the perfect storm. It floored me and I describe it as the punch I didn’t see coming. Ultimately, it made me a stronger person but in hindsight it was the end of my police career and fortunately I was eligible to retire. I hope you get something out of this podcast. Be gentle with yourself. 🌱TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️ These podcasts examine and discuss suicide and associated trauma. If you have been affected by anything in these podcasts, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123For several years now, the levels of mental health and well-being within the UK police have been in decline. Many will argue that this is a result of an ever-increasing workload, a reduction in capacity and experience, underfunding, and a perception that social and mainstream media proactively portray a negative narrative of law enforcement within the UK.Additionally, lenient sentencing, poor organizational practices, and the disproportionate time spent on officers under investigation have contributed to create a perfect storm. In this short series of podcasts, I will be looking at the rising trend of police officers taking their own lives. I will be speaking with a variety of people to put a spotlight on police suicide, the reasons behind it, and hopefully how we can halt its rise.