Best Orion Publishing Ltd Podcasts (2024)

1
There's always hope 31:05

3y ago31:05

31:05

Nik and Eva Speakman believe it’s cruel to take hope away from people. There might not be a clear solution to your problem today, but there might be tomorrow. As they explain, hope is not only scientifically proven to boost immune function and decrease pain, but having hope that there is an answer is what will make sure you keep searching for that …

1
Deep rooted? That's just an excuse 33:58

3y ago33:58

33:58

Nik and Eva Speakman have a pet hate, and it’s when people are told their issues are too ‘deep rooted’ to be resolved. If you weren’t born with a phobia or anxiety, you can get over it. To prove this point, they’re joined by listener Nina who suffered with emetophobia (a fear of vomit) for 57 years, before having her perspective changed in under 10…

1
Letting the bullies build us 34:40

3y ago34:40

34:40

Nik and Eva Speakman talk through why what a bully does says more about them than it does about you. They’re joined by presenter, author, and DJ Gok Wan, who recalls his experiences of being belittled and called names at school, but explains why those incidents of bullying have shaped him into the compassionate, giving person he’s known as today. T…

1
Speaking is healing 32:10

3y ago32:10

32:10

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why a problem shared really is a problem halved. They believe that speaking is healing, as silence can make problems feel bigger when they only live inside your own head. Talking about trauma out loud takes power away from it. The process of speaking for the first time can be incredibly difficult, so the Speakmans talk …

1
The soul, with Tim Anderson 27:51

3y ago27:51

27:51

Why is it important that we feed our souls? And how do we square what we know about eating ‘healthily’ with our desire for food? Different foods will trigger the reward and pleasure centres of our brain to differing degrees; alongside chef Tim Anderson, Dr Giles Yeo explores what it is about certain foods that makes them so comforting. Why Calories…

1
It’s not what’s wrong with you, it’s what happened to you 33:33

3y ago33:33

33:33

Nik and Eva Speakman are joined by Jeremy and Ian, famously known as All On The Board on social media. They write positive poems and messages around mental health on the London Underground whiteboards. Their work is very personal; Jeremy has social anxiety, and Ian has a phobia of swallowing. The Speakmans help both of them look at their timelines …

1
Food poverty, with Spike Mendelsohn 33:22

3y ago33:22

33:22

How does malnutrition – through over or under-eating – affect people's bodies, minds, and lives? Why should nations care about the nutrition their citizens are getting? Dr Giles Yeo is joined by restauranteur and food policy advocate Spike Mendelsohn to discuss why eating less healthy food is often not a choice individuals can make for themselves. …

1
Confidence saboteurs 36:34

3y ago36:34

36:34

Nik and Eva Speakman are joined in their therapy room by The Chase’s ‘Vixen’ Jenny Ryan. Together, they explore their own experiences of how others have sabotaged their confidence, and how they’ve learnt to re-build their self-esteem. The Speakmans' advice includes setting clear boundaries with loved ones and looking back to change your perspective…

1
Ultra-processed food, with Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken 37:16

3y ago37:16

37:16

What is it about ultra-processed foods that makes us both crave them and struggle to stop eating them once we’ve started? And how might our genes affect our desire for them? Presenters, doctors, and identical twins Chris and Xand Van Tulleken join Dr Giles Yeo to explain what they’ve learnt about the effect UPFs can have on the body through their o…

1
Anything is possible 35:49

3y ago35:49

35:49

Nik and Eva Speakman explore one of their twelve core schemas – the idea that anything is possible. They explain why we often create self-limiting boundaries that stop us achieving our full potential. It’s vital to believe that anything is possible because that’s what will ensure you keep looking for a solution. To prove their point, Nik and Eva in…

1
The gut, with Lisa and Alana Macfarlane 34:22

3y ago34:22

34:22

What affect does your gut have on your physical and mental health? And how can your poo help you track the health of your gut? Once DJs travelling the world eating processed food and drinking alcohol, identical twins Lisa and Alana Macfarlane now think about putting lovely, fibrous food in their bodies in order to promote good bacteria in their gut…

1
Addiction is not for life 31:58

3y ago31:58

31:58

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why addiction is not a choice, that it’s a form of self-medication, and that the key is to understand what your brain’s positive intent in having this addiction is. A listener joins The Speakmans to talk through the technique that enabled her to stop eating the chocolate she was previously addicted to. Plus, Eva shares …

1
Exercise, with Alex Hutchinson 36:05

3y ago36:05

36:05

Why are people who are physically active better at regulating their appetite? And are fats or carbs a better fuel source when you’re exercising? Science journalist and former elite distance runner Alex Hutchinson joins Dr Giles Yeo to explore whether it’s possible to build muscle on a plant-based diet, and why it’s so much easier to consume calorie…

1
Lesser known symptoms of anxiety 31:42

3y ago31:42

31:42

Nik and Eva Speakman talk through some of the lesser known symptoms of anxiety, including sweating, developing acne, and one that a listener writes in about – heaving. They explain why being able to recognise these things as symptoms will help you find the cause, and ultimately work towards healing the underlying trauma. To ask a question or share …

1
Disease, with Dr Rupy Aujla 36:54

3y ago36:54

36:54

Why do people of different ethnicities have different susceptibilities to diseases like type 2 diabetes? And how are our fat cells affected by our genes? Dr Rupy Aujla is a doctor, author, and podcaster; he joins Dr Giles Yeo to talk about what modern medicine can learn from ancient principles and ingredients, and why obesity isn’t a choice, but a …

1
It’s the setbacks that move us forward 33:35

3y ago33:35

33:35

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why setbacks don’t have to set you back in life, in fact, they can be a great opportunity to actively chose your next step. Daughter Liv pops in to explain how she turned her biggest setback into motivation to work even harder towards the future she wanted, and Queen of the Jungle Vicky Pattison also talks through why o…

1
Genes, with Adam Rutherford 34:56

3y ago34:56

34:56

What role do our genes play in influencing what we like to eat? And what affect do genes have on body weight? Geneticist, author, and broadcaster Adam Rutherford joins Dr Giles Yeo to explain why how well your body handles certain nutrients is largely due to where in the world your ancestors were living thousands of years ago. Plus, he helps Giles …

1
Labels are for clothes, not people 31:14

3y ago31:14

31:14

Nik and Eva Speakman are very clear that labels are for clothes, not people, as they generally only serve to as a burden that limits what we feel we’re capable of being or achieving. If you feel weighed down by labels like anxiety, OCD, or PTSD, it’s important to remember it’s not what’s wrong with you, it’s what happened to you. To prove the point…

1
The Brain, with Kimberley Wilson 34:12

3y ago34:12

34:12

How does what we eat affect our brain... and how does our brain affect what we eat? Kimberley Wilson is a chartered psychologist with a degree in nutrition. She was also a finalist in series four of The Great British Bake Off. Alongside geneticist Dr Giles Yeo, she explores the role food can play in both our character traits and mental health, as w…

1
Dr Giles Yeo Chews The Fat - Trailer 2:48

3y ago2:48

2:48

We tend to reduce food and health to bitesize nuggets of information, like calories or BMI. It’s understandable; numbers are easily digestible when we’re looking for answers or a quick fix. But the thing is, there’s a lot more to health – hey, there’s a lot more to life! – than the numbers you see on the back of a crisp packet or on the scales. Gen…

1
On the good, bad, and ugly of family 31:11

3+ y ago31:11

31:11

Nik and Eva Speakman talk about how to cope with difficult relationships with family, especially over the festive period. They explain that when conflict arises in families it’s not because either person is right or wrong, it’s because they each have different expectations of the relationship and what it means to be a family, so learning to empathi…

1
On festive food anxieties 31:42

3+ y ago31:42

31:42

Nik and Eva Speakman tackle disordered eating – everything from overeating and undereating, to phobias of certain foods and kids who are fussy eaters. They discuss why these problems might be exacerbated over the festive period, but also give advice to begin tackling your specific issue whenever you’re ready. Eva explains why and how her anorexia d…

1
On being smart with your smart phone 33:15

3+ y ago33:15

33:15

Nik and Eva Speakman weigh up the pros and cons of smart phone use. On the one hand, they can be great for your mental health – they can help you connect with loved ones and relive fun memories. However, they can also have a detrimental effect on your self-esteem. The Speakmans explain how to spot the warning signs that your phone use is having a n…

1
On faking it ‘til you make it 29:39

3+ y ago29:39

29:39

Nik and Eva Speakman explain what they mean when they say you should ‘fake it ‘til you make it’. Want to feel more confident in social settings or at a job interview? Study the people you admire in those situations and copy their behaviours – after all, changing your outward behaviour first can change how you think and feel on the inside. Nik, Eva,…

1
On pausing your panic 31:51

3+ y ago31:51

31:51

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why panic attacks are your body’s way of protecting you and keeping you safe. Creating a timeline will help make sense of your panic long term, but what are some mechanisms to pause the panic in the moment? They talk through how sighing, focusing in on your senses, and saying thank you to your body could be useful for y…

1
On low self-esteem and confidence 32:46

3+ y ago32:46

32:46

Nik and Eva Speakman explain how to identify if you’re experiencing a lack of confidence and self-belief. Do you struggle to accept compliments from other people? Do you justify your achievements as ‘just good luck?’ Do you often compare yourself to others? The Speakmans talk through how to pinpoint where in your life your low self-esteem might com…

1
On being persistent 28:41

3+ y ago28:41

28:41

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why they believe persistence outweighs talent. Their son Hunter makes an appearance, telling his parents what makes him commit to achieving goals he’s set himself. The Speakmans also talk through the inspiring stories of people like Henry Ford and Jim Carey, as well as those they’ve met at their workshops, as examples o…

1
On why a bad day isn't a bad life 29:02

3+ y ago29:02

29:02

Nik and Eva Speakman talk through why a bad day doesn’t equal a bad life. Do you feel like a panic attack turned a bad day into a bad life? That’s exactly what happened to a number of people the Speakmans have helped, including a woman who was agoraphobic. They explain how timelines and celebrating positive outcomes can help you learn to reframe wh…

1
On doubting yourself 29:26

3+ y ago29:26

29:26

Nik and Eva Speakman explain the thinking behind one of their favourite phrases: “when doubt comes in, kick it out”. Maybe you’re doubting whether you can get that promotion, pass that exam, or even ask someone out on a date… the Speakmans talk through how disregarding the people who don’t support you and writing a list of achievements could help. …

1
On catastrophising 30:53

3+ y ago30:53

30:53

Nik and Eva Speakman ask: if you have an anxiety, what’s stopping you from getting better or moving forward? What do you fear will happen once you start down a new path?The Speakmans believe it’s oftenthe start that stops people, so in this episode they explain how writing down your goals, having someone to be accountable to, and using different te…

1
On setting life goals 31:24

4y ago31:24

31:24

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why the simple act of physically writing down goals is the first step to achieving them. Also key is being both persistent and consistent, as well as never saying you’ve ‘tried everything’. Plus, they get an exciting update from a woman who set the big goal of writing a book after attending one of their workshops… To as…

1
On creating happiness 32:50

4y ago32:50

32:50

Nik and Eva Speakman explain that the human brain isn’t designed to make you happy, so you have to take responsibility for your own happiness! They share the 12 schemas and beliefs that help keep them positive, including disregarding the doubters and giving others compliments. Plus, they reveal why they can’t bear the phrase ‘easier said than done’…

1
On anxiety 31:25

4y ago31:25

31:25

Nik and Eva Speakman discuss a range of anxiety disorders from PTSD and OCD, to health anxieties and agoraphobia. They explain why panic attacks should be renamed ‘protection attacks’, and how to take the next step once you’ve identified the cause of your anxiety. To ask a question or share your own story use the hashtag #MakingTheChange on social …

1
On relationships 29:34

4y ago29:34

29:34

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why strong relationships help us have better physical health and mental wellbeing. They discuss how to handle difficult relationships with colleagues, help a woman who’s feeling unappreciated by her adult children, and Eva opens up about how her life has changed after being in an abusive relationship. To ask a question …

1
On trauma 26:03

4y ago26:03

26:03

Nik and Eva Speakman explain how phobias, anxieties and negative behaviours often stem from trauma – be that a near death experience, heartbreak, or even a childhood prank. They help a woman who had a traumatic car crash, and Eva has a personal realisation about the cause of one of her own fears! To ask a question or share your own story use the ha…

1
On coping with uncertainty 26:14

4y ago26:14

26:14

Nik and Eva Speakman discuss how a lot of phobias and anxiety disorders are rooted in uncertainty. They explain why sticking to a routine can help you feel more in control, and how rehearsing uncomfortable scenarios in your head can help you feel calmer about uncertainties. Always being certain and in control means always staying in your comfort zo…

1
On healthy guts and healthy minds 29:05

4y ago29:05

29:05

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why good gut health means good mental health. Up to 95% of our serotonin (the happy hormone!) is created in the gut, which is why the Speakmans are so passionate about making sure you’re eating well to support your mental health. Plus, Nik reveals how his bowels helped develop their Schema therapy, and neuroscientist da…

1
On emotional eating 29:27

4y ago29:27

29:27

Nik and Eva Speakman reveal how and why we often use food to self-medicate a past pain, as well as how to stop this cycle. They explain why keeping a food diary is helpful in connecting eating to certain emotions, and Eva opens up about why being bullied as a child caused her to over-eat. To ask a question or share your own story use the hashtag #M…

1
On feeling broken 26:08

4y ago26:08

26:08

Nik and Eva Speakman explain why no matter how you feel, you’re absolutely not broken. As Nik says, if you’re not born with something, you don’t have to live with it. They discuss the role past trauma plays in current anxiety disorders, the importance of going to a therapist with a timeline of life events, and how phobias can develop from dreams. T…

1
On being capable of change 30:13

4y ago30:13

30:13

Nik and Eva Speakman ask whether people really can change. Over a mug of peppermint tea, they talk through how to condition new behaviours, help a 68 year old woman who’s always suffered with anxiety, and explain why horror films play such a big part in creating phobias. To ask a question or share your own story use the hashtag #MakingTheChange on …

1
Making The Change: trailer 1:43

4y ago1:43

1:43

Life change therapists and married couple Nik and Eva Speakman live in an 800-year-old home in the North of England surrounded by fluffy cats. In this podcast they sit down at the kitchen table – sometimes a comfy sofa – to explore a whole host of subjects that often come up in their therapy sessions, including OCDs, eating disorders, and panic att…

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