What does it mean when your coping mechanism stops working for you?

John speaks to comedian, podcaster, writer and actor Alison Spittle about using food as protection, and how it shaped her sense of self. 

After a serious health scare forced a change, Alison found herself confronting feelings she had numbed with food. She reflects on being treated differently since her weight change, how it feels to address emotions she had previously buried, and the complexity of labels.

On Thursday in our bonus episode The Gratitude List, Alison shares the 5 things that she is currently grateful for.

You can send in your thoughts and reflections to [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube 

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook 

If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

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In this week’s bonus episode best-selling author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman shares the things he's grateful for. Having suffered with poor eyesight his whole life, Richard appreciates the things he can see. Daytime TV and sport also feature, along with a detailed discussion about Ronnie O'Sullivan and what the last signs of humanity might be.

Head to the main episode to hear about Richard's food addiction, his relationship with shame and navigating changing behavioural patterns.

You can send in your thoughts and reflections to [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

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How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

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John is joined by best-selling author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman for a conversation about food addiction, shame, and the challenge of changing behavioural patterns. 

Richard reflects on how his addiction developed during childhood, and why he sought therapy in his thirties after becoming “tired of weird behaviour”. 

Richard also speaks about his relationship with shame and how he manages it, as well as sharing some practical insights for anyone navigating similar struggles with food addiction.

There’ll be more from Richard on Thursday in our bonus episode, The Gratitude List, where he shares the five things he’s most grateful for right now.

You can send in your thoughts and reflections to [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Do You Cope is back for a brand new series! 

Each week John Robins will be speaking to fascinating guests, including former Communications Director to Donald Trump Anthony Scaramucci, comedian Alison Spittle and campaigner and author Esther Ghey. 

The first episode drops on Monday 20th April and features author, podcaster and TV host Richard Osman.

Gratitude List bonus episodes are back on Thursdays too.

Plus, now you can watch watch full episodes on YouTube.

Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out!

You can send in your thoughts and reflections to [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.

How Do You Cope? is a Significant Production.

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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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

You can send in your thoughts and reflections to [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

If you need support, you can find advice and someone to talk to by visiting www.samaritans.org, emailing [email protected] or calling 116 123.

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 [email protected] or via howdoyoucopepod.com

Watch and subscribe on YouTube @howdoyoucopepod

Follow the show on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook @howdoyoucopepod

How Do You Cope is a Significant Production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.