Gareth talks about his near death experience and how it helped him realise what was important in life. Our heroes discuss some research that develops theories and strategies on how to become less afraid of death. How, by not denying death and knowing we are on the clock, can spur creativity. They look at the Terror Management Theory – denial, self …

Our heroes toss around all manner of nihilistic topics, muse on the abject pointlessness of existence and perhaps what a flipping relief it is now we realise. Maybe now that question is resolved, we can get on with actually enjoying life - or can we? Is it resolved - does life actually have a point? Did Tinky-Winky actually have a point? Does anyth…

Michelle talks about her convent education, the impact her catholic upbringing has had on her life, how nuns can float, and discusses the beauty and majesty of cult-like religion.By essentialguide

Gareth talks about the culture and traditions of Judaism, his sense of belonging and being turned away from his own Bar Mitzvah and other classic hypocrisies.By essentialguide

Michelle talks about her journey of self-discovery trying a whole plethora of self help courses and retreats and a smorgasbord of quackery seeking enlightenment about what makes her who she really is. She shares what she was trying to achieve, and what she managed to discover, all the while testing boundaries, learning to say no, finding how to get…

Michelle and Gareth, following the last series of diatribes, relate actual events to parts of established written works on the subject of self-help. M and G discuss the potential dangers of buying into the cultish nature of contemporary gurus/philosophers/quacks. They muse on how some celebrities claim to have become enlightened to suit a certain a…

Michelle talks about her tumultuous experience as a contributor on a very early reality TV show. We focus on her initial excitement, the build up, how it played out, the editing and misrepresentation. Once the dawn of realisation came to her, we explore how she faced the humiliating aftermath that in part lasts to this day. Gareth helpfully warbles…

Having discussed (disgust?) narcissism in theory Michelle shares her experience of being the Daughter Of A Narcissist (there is a Brownies badge apparently) We explore her personal healing journey and the final sanction - a mother/daughter divorce and what to do if you recognise yourself in this.By essentialguide

Gareth is rocked on his heels as Michelle explains what in the Sam Hill is a narcissistic personality disorder all about and how to recognise someone with one. Michelle has properly done her research (as per) and traces the history of the self through the ages citing Alexander Lowen, Will Storr and of course Russell Brand who all opine about the de…

Heather, (Gareth's long-suffering partner) is interviewed by Michelle and gives an overview of how to bring up a child single-handedly while at the same time saving the world. Heather discusses how she learnt as much from her daughter as her daughter did from her and how to deal with neuro-diverse children in an uncompromising world.…

Michelle shares what it feels like not to have had the chance to become a mother and we discover what events and people got in the way. Gareth talks about the ups and downs of becoming a dad and how to use your child as a prop at meetings. Gareth talks about being a stepfather to a young man who is now a woman and how that feels.…

How the influx of wealth Into Richmond has changed the feel of the area and impacted the sense of community hence losing its soul - perhaps. They muse on how this brings up house prices and the costs of everything. The upsides and the downsides are fully explored and much moaning ensues. the upside perhaps - better charity shops? Dip in and find ou…

Michelle and Gareth struggle to nail down a suitable description of the differences between love, lust and infatuation. What attracts us to certain types, how partners influence us and what makes a relationship work? Really we want to know. The dynamics of a relationship are explored with much hilarity and we are introduced via TV to the concept of…

Michelle talks us through Freud’s theory of the 5 stages of childhood development and the formation of the personality. How Gareth discovered that he was the object of a weird experiment by his mother, and the satisfaction that came from destroying some pink papers. G and M compare notes about being different from everyone else at school and their …

The first episode in the ongoing discussions Michelle Frost and Gareth Wax about life and death and everything else Gareth talks about being a ‘bit of a card’ how to stay young without too much effort, loading dishwashers, being different and how eating a knickerbocker glory triggered some deep seated emotions. Who knew? A sense of humour, active m…