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In Our Nature
Why do we feel so overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected and lost...and what does that have to do with what's happening on our planet?
This show explores the hidden connections and deeper patterns that are forming our inner struggles and the wider crises unfolding around us. From mental health to ecological collapse, productivity culture to planetary grief, from burnout to reconnection, join me to poke around in the stories, systems and patterns shaping this extraordinary time...
...and then let's riff on what becomes possible when we stop pretending it’s fine and feel the feels.
Your host is me: Siobhán Friel. I'm a mental health practitioner, a Work That Reconnects facilitator and I was probably a lavender plant in a past life.
This podcast offers a way to make sense of your inner and outer world, especially if you were shaped by capitalism (like me) and not by a lineage of ecological literacy, love and wisdom.
You haven't missed the boat. There are many boats and this is one. Get in.
In Our Nature
"Your Anxiety Will Take Care of Itself" with James Abbott
It was my honour to have the amazing, smart and funny James Abbott on the show. James is an expert in helping young people transform their relationship with anxiety (my words, not his, he is far too modest).
He is co-founder of the brilliant Our Mental Health Rocks organisation, a wellbeing coach, facilitator and trainer, author, podcaster and doting dog dad to two scrummy sausage dogs.
This episode is a long one but our chat is so illuminating and builds in awesomeness as it progresses, so get it bookmarked for a time when you have a chance to listen to the whole thing.
Please join James and me to explore:
- How experiencing anxiety can make us feel like our real selves have been replaced by this condition that now needs to be managed (but 'we' never go anywhere - yay)
- How it's normal to try and fix anxiety - but we don't need to do that (yay again)
- The trick of anxiety and what it actually means
- The last time James experienced 'anxiety' and what he 'did' about it
- How turning away from techniques and turning toward yourself transforms anxiety (and what we mean by this)
- How we are perfectly designed to feel anxiety, and how it passes on its own
- and much more in the enormous episode!
Cool shit from James:
Our Mental Health Rocks - home
Our Mental Health Rocks - the podcast
It's Not What You Think - his book
The dogs Gus and Bosley on Instagram
And:
- What would two sausage dogs tell us humans about how to deal with our feels?
- Why was James doing lavender-flavoured burps at a training session?
- Mentioned: Michael Neill's book "The Inside Our Revolution" and the lovely anxiety coach Nicola Bird
- Want to be a guest on the show or want to nominate one? Email me at hello@siobhanfriel.com
- Are you coming to the next hangout? Hope so! Plop yourself onto my friends list at siobhanfriel.com/subscribe and I'll be sending details soon.
Question, comment, idea, anything else? Contact me here.
(Gosh those show notes were long as hell. Still with me? You can go now, my friend)
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