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The Just Checking In Podcast

By: The Just Checking In Podcast by VENT
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  • Summary

  • The Just Checking In Podcast is another step in Vent’s mission to give people a voice, change the conversation around mental health and provide an outlet where everyone, but especially men and boys, can express themselves. Each pod we check in with a special guest. We have a natter and a chat about all things mental health as well as anything and everything else they're passionate about. If it helps that person with their mental health, we'll discuss it!
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Episodes
  • JCIP #251 - Lauren Seager-Smith

    JCIP #251 - Lauren Seager-Smith
    Jul 26 2024
    In episode 251 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Lauren Seager-Smith. Lauren is the is the CEO of the For Baby’s Sake Trust (FBS), a charity which empower parents to break cycles of abuse, transform the life-chances of whole families and move forward in positive change, starting with the baby. The baby is at the heart of everything they do. The Trust was set up philanthropically by philanthropist Stelio Stefanou. His founding vision was to tackle the root causes of disadvantage and vulnerability, focusing on very young babies who do not have a voice. We came across For Baby’s Sake through an illuminating BBC News article which highlighted case studies of several individuals and couples who have been helped by the charity. Some of these couples were supported and stayed together, other men and women were supported and were able to successfully exit the relationship whilst protecting the child involved. Prior to joining FBS, Lauren was head of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, before moving to Kidscape and then joining the role at FBS where she is currently today. In this episode, we discuss her professional journey, the high percentage of parents who were bullied at school who they work with at FBS (both perpetrators and victims), the statistic that 70% of both parents have six or more adverse childhood experiences and where do we draw the line between abusive experiences and personal responsibility. We also discuss if people can change in domestic abuse cases, how do abusers reform and can they stay that way. For Lauren’s mental health, we discuss the support she provided to her sister who had severe Bipolar growing up from childhood and into adulthood. We discuss: the taboo of Bipolar growing up in a small mining town community in Scotland, the emotional strain of the reality of supporting someone with severe mental health issues, the hyper-vigilance Lauren had to have all the time, her sister’s experience of psychiatric wards and her father’s own experience of severe mental health difficulties too. As always, #itsokaytovent You can find out more about For Baby's Sake here: https://forbabyssake.org.uk/ You can follow For Baby's Sake on social media below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forbabyssake/ Twitter: https://x.com/forbabyssake You can read the BBC News article we discussed in full here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68942471 Support Us: Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-health Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • JCIP #250 - Connor Smart

    JCIP #250 - Connor Smart
    Jul 19 2024
    In episode 250 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked back in with Connor Smart. Connor currently works in emergency planning and lives in a rural part of the Midlands with his fiancé and now, young son. Connor and our Founder Freddie used to work together as interns at a think-tank in 2016 and Connor's first piece of Vent content was an article he wrote in November 2017. He then came on the podcast alongside his twin brother Lewis in JCIP #130 and once more in JCIP #144 where he interviewed Freddie for a very engaging and thought-provoking conversation through the lens of three concepts: 'Defeat', 'Struggle' and 'Growth'. In this solo episode, we're checking back in with Connor about a range of issues. We reflect on his pod with his brother, what’s changed in both their lives since we recorded and how he felt he did when interviewing Freddie. We also discuss fatherhood, finally feeling settled in a career path he is enjoying, the difference between urban vs rural life, his 10 year relationship with his fiancé and identity. As always, #itsokaytovent You can listen to JCIP #130 with Connor and Lewis here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/jcip-130-connor-smart-lewis-smart You can listen to Connor's interview with Freddie here: https://soundcloud.com/venthelpuk/jcip-144-freddie-cocker-part-4 Support Us: Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-health Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • JCIP #249 - Charlie Bethel

    JCIP #249 - Charlie Bethel
    Jul 12 2024
    In episode 249 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with Charlie Bethel. Charlie is currently the CEO of the UK Men's Sheds Association (UKMSA). The concept of the Men’s Shed started in Australia in around 1999. It then spread to New Zealand, Ireland, the UK, Canada and, more recently, Europe and the USA. At time of recording, there are a total of 1180 Sheds across the UK. Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds, in that they are a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. However, the difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. These unique concepts are about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge and a lot of laughter. Although labelled Sheds, they often aren’t sheds at all. They can be empty offices, portable cabin’s, warehouses, garages, and in at least one case, a disused mortuary. Some Sheds are purpose-built workshops, but they rarely start out that way. Many don’t have premises at all in the beginning and instead form a group that meets regularly for the social connection, company and camaraderie. Many Sheds get involved in community projects too – restoring village features, helping maintain parks and green spaces, and building things for schools, libraries and individuals in need. In this episode we discuss how Charlie came to be in the role of CEO at UKMSA and his background in Paralympic Sport, particularly Wheelchair Basketball. We then discuss the genesis of the Men’s Shed and the role they play in the lives of the men who are members, the statistics that back this up, the benefits they provide to the local community and in turn, for the mental health of the men in giving them connection, achievement and pride. We pick out some of Charlie’s favourite stories of the work the Sheds have done, how they have saved lives and some of the UKMSA’s key projects, including ShedFest. We explore how Sheds cut across class lines and age boundaries in bringing men together and building bridges. For Charlie’s mental health, we discuss fatherhood, his love of walking and the importance of self-care when he noticed his general mental health was declining during a house build he did with his wife. As always, #itsokaytovent You can find out more about the UK Men's Sheds Association and where to find your local Shed here: https://menssheds.org.uk/ You can follow UKMSA on social media below: Twitter: https://x.com/ukmenssheds?s=21 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukmenssheds?igsh=cnJlMnRoY2pzYzEx Support Us: Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-health Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk
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    49 mins
Social Sciences
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