The Dynamics Of Everyday Life

The yellow brick road is a fabulous analogy of the different journeys in our lives.  But how tempting could it be to take a short cut?  We all have our own personal witches that we want to avoid, but would we even do this by cutting some corners?

In this episode I explore what might be going on for Dorothy and her friends as she makes her way to the emerald city.  I introduce a different defence mechanism and share the motivation behind the name of the podcast.  And James Bond seems to be queuing at the Hanger L...

Do we know why we do things?  What can our reasons be?  We have been told over the last few years that we should have “purpose” or know what our “why” is.  Yet sometimes that’s not so easy to do.  And how do we feel if we are the ones struggling to find out our “why” in a world that seems to respond best to those of us who seem to know?

Join me as I consider just what might be getting in the way of us finding out.  Have your defence mechanism bingo card at the ready!

Here ar...

In this episode I am exploring why we might be consciously – or unconsciously – avoiding looking in certain areas of our lives.  It won’t surprise you to learn that we will be delving back into the world of defence mechanisms.  What you might not be expecting is a nod to Melanie Klein, as well as our usual check in with Freud.

My mother’s home decor gets a mention too!  Have a listen and see how this all comes together.

Here are the highlights of this episode:

(1.45) What might be going on for us?

(2.2...

Following on from a previous episode on sibling rivalry I’m delighted to introduce my next guest to the show, Natasha Rose.  As well as being an accomplished and celebrated businesswoman in a traditionally male industry (construction) Natasha is also a talented amateur actress.

Natasha is starring in an upcoming version of the Jane Austen classic, Sense and Sensibility, which highlights the challenges we all face when putting other people’s needs before our own.  Austen’s Elinor and Marianne beautifully portray the family dynamics that can play out in these scenarios and the impact that these can have o...

We all know that feeling of “I’ll do it tomorrow” whilst being fully aware that we won’t do it tomorrow, or even the next day.  Why do we do this to ourselves?  Are we just making our lives harder for no reason? 

In this episode as well as meeting our old friends rationalisation and denial we are also welcoming back the repetition compulsion.  And James Bond and Stan Wawrinka get a mention too!  What’s not to enjoy?

Here are the highlights of this episode:

(1.42) Procrastination makes us uncomfortable

(3.06) Rationalisation

Sibling rivalry isn’t just something that we leave at home, only to be brought out again at family events and Christmas.  The way that we learn to be in the sibling dynamic can have a profound impact on how we relate to people as we grow and develop in life.  Sibling rivalry can exist for only children too.

In this episode we are not just picking up our defence mechanism bingo cards again, we are having a think about Oedipus and the Murray brothers, whilst taking a trip to Cromer beach.  It’s a packed show!

Here...

Power takes on many shapes and forms.  There is the power wielded over us by those who govern us and those who hold an authoritarian role in our lives, and there is our own personal power.  The power that is unique to us, and yet this is the one that we are often not in touch with or find it hard to hold on to.  

In this episode we are picking up our defence mechanism bingo cards again and bringing Dick Dastardly and Matthew Hussey in to illustrate a couple of points.  What’s not to enjoy?

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There are many different reasons as to why we can’t leave a relationship, friendship or situation.  And so many times we beat ourselves up for not being strong enough.  Maybe we feel we lack confidence.  But what if it’s actually our minds trying to protect us?  What if it’s something that’s – ironically - trying to keep us safe?

In this week’s episode I consider what might be going on for us when this is happening, and how we can give ourselves some grace.  And what song will be going round your head by the end of it?  The...

How often do we say something and then worry that we have said the wrong thing?  Often we will then run this over and over in our minds, thinking about if we have upset other people or what we could have said instead.  We can tie ourselves up in knots about a particular conversation or event, frequently catastrophising about what people now think about us or if we have damaged our friendship.

In this episode I explore why this universal tendency occurs, how we can become more aware of it and what we can do to help ours...

I’m excited to welcome my next guest to the show today; Dr Jill McGarry.  Jill is a Clinical Psychologist with 28 years of NHS experience in psychological support for people with mental health issues.  She has built up a wealth of knowledge and experience at improving sleep for several client groups, including setting up a reasonable adjustment sleep apnoea clinic for Greater Manchester. Currently Jill runs a private practice for improving sleep whilst working part time in the psychology department at Manchester’s NHS Sleep Service. Over the past two years Jill has carried out numerous sleep awareness courses for well...