Episodes
Suzi Ruffell is a professional comedian, a parent, and one of few people who has managed to turn crippling anxiety into a successful comedy show. So Anna knew she was the person to call on for this week’s dilemma, which comes from a parent who's feeling anxious about the fact they're feeling anxious.With the help of our resident psychotherapist, the wonderful Sam Pennells-Nkolo, Anna and Suzi consider whether parents should be honest with their children about their anxieties, or if they should try and keep them hidden. They ask: is anxiety just part-in-parcel of being a parent? And - if we ...
Owen O’Kane is a best-selling author and a qualified psychotherapist. His advice is hailed by the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Fearne Cotton, so Anna is keen to make the most of having him in the studio and mine him for as much advice as possible. In order to take full advantage of Owen’s expertise, this episode runs a little differently than usual. Anna puts several listener dilemmas to Owen — ranging from bringing a partner home after coming out as gay, dating as a dog parent, burn-out, and grieving the breakdown of a friendship. Owen’s advice is as broad-in-topi...
Actor Evanna Lynch has come a long way since she played Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films. In this episode she looks back on her own relationships and mental health struggles to offer advice to a listener who’s concerned her partner is depressed.Anna and Evanna are joined by our resident psychotherapist Sam Pennells-Nkolo from The London Practice, as they ask: how much responsibility do we have for our partner’s happiness? And, if they won’t get help, at what point should we just walk away?This episode touches on the subject of suicide, so do bear this in mind when you’re deciding if ...
When comedian Sarah Keyworth lost their good friend Paul, they were floored by the strength of their grief. In the end, the only way to process it was to talk about the friendship in their stand-up routines, and relive the joyful, and sometimes silly, moments they enjoyed together. In this episode, Sarah reflects on their experience as they join Anna to unpack a dilemma from a listener who is grieving two important people in his life, and is struggling to move on.This episode touches on the subject of suicide, so do bear this in mind when you’re deciding if and when to listen. If you’re str...
This week's dilemma is one of the rawest we've had so far, so we brought Kate Ferdinand (the queen of blended families!) into the studio for some expert support. Listen in as Anna and Kate help out a step-mum who admits that when her stepchildren are around, she resents not being her partner's 'number one'. Along the way Kate discusses being step-mum to footballer Rio Ferdinand’s kids, and shares some of the challenges she’s faced. Anna and Kate are joined in the studio by the brilliant psychotherapist Sam Pennells-Nkolo from The London Practice.Kate Ferdinand is a big advocate for champio...
When Izzy Judd and her husband Harry decided to start a family, they had no idea what kind of journey lay ahead of them. They battled through miscarriage, IVF and some very dark days to get to where they are now - a happy family of five. In this week’s episode Izzy joins Anna to tackle a dilemma from a midwife who’s going through IVF. She wishes her friends and family could understand what she’s going through and stop suggesting she should ‘just adopt’ instead.Anna and Izzy are joined by Anne Bracken for this episode. Anne is a specialist fertility counsellor and author of Mind Body Baby.We...
Medical doctor and TV presenter Ranj Singh came out at the age of thirty after being married to a woman. In this episode he and Anna reflect on their own experiences of coming out, and unpack a dilemma from a gay woman who wants her male exes to know that their relationship was authentic.We want to thank Erene Hadjiioannou who joined Anna and Ranj for this recording. Erene is an Integrative Psychotherapist who specialises in LGBT+ matters. In the episode Erene recommends a resource called Mapping Your Sexuality. You can find it here. Dr Ranj also recommended The Sleep Charity.…Have questio...
Comedian Rosie Jones joins Anna to tackle a dilemma from a woman preparing to get back on the dating scene. Along the way Rosie opens up about her own dating history, and reveals the moving moment she realised she was worthy of love as a woman living with cerebral palsy.Anna and Rosie are joined in the studio by Jennie Williams, CEO of Enhance the UK. This charity runs The Love Lounge, an initiative that gives disabled people one-to-one advice on dating and intimacy. We want to thank Enhance the UK for their support in making this episode. …Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Men...
Scarlette Douglas (I'm a Celeb 2022, A Place in the Sun) helps Anna unpack a dilemma from a woman who thinks her boyfriend resents her successful career.In this episode Scarlette offers her advice and opens up about her own experience with an ex who she felt wasn’t supportive of her dreams. Anna and Scarlette are joined in the studio by psychotherapist Sam Pennells-Nkolo from The London Practice. …Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.If you have a dilemma ...
In the first episode of this series, Anna is joined by love and relationship coach Mel Schilling to tackle dilemmas on break-ups, friends who won’t take good advice, and telling your dates you don’t want kids.You’ve probably seen Mel advising new couples on Channel 4’s Married at First Sight. But while she’s an expert, she’s had her own fair share of ups and downs in the relationship department, so she really knows what she’s talking about!…Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going throu...
Anna Richardson is primed and ready to solve that big dilemma in your life. And she’s invited some very special celebrity guests and experts to help.Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood? Menopause? Mental health? With no topic off limits, Anna’s here to prove that whatever you’re going through, it’s not just you.If you have a dilemma you’d like unpacked, visit itcantjustbeme.co.uk and record a voice note. Or tell Anna all about it in an email to itcantjustbeme@podimo.comThis podcast contains adult themes that may not be suitable for children. Listener caution is advised.From Podimo...