Episodes
This episode centres around one powerful voicenote from a listener called Fiona – a trans woman who grew up in the 1950s. Fiona got in touch to share the turmoil she went through growing up and the ripple effect it’s had on her life. Fiona asks how we can stop young trans people today feeling the same level of shame and ultimately create a more accepting society for future generations. To unpack this question, Anna is joined by one of the most prominent trans male voices in the UK today Jake Graf, along with Sarah Taylor – a trans-woman who appeared on Naked Attraction twice: once before tr...
Nearly 14 million people watch porn every month in the UK alone. Yet, many people keep their relationship with porn under wraps – a secret between us and our screens.In this episode, Anna opens conversations about porn into the public sphere by having an honest and frank conversation about porn and the ethics behind its production. She’s joined by television personality, Megan Barton-Hanson, who made a name for herself on Love Island and is now one of the UK’s highest earners on Only Fans. And, she’s also joined by two friends of the show, sex educator and presenter, Ruby Rare, and psychoth...
For this Valentine’s Day special , Anna is joined in the studio by actor, broadcaster and CEO Kelle Bryan, alongside author Becky Holmes to deep dive into romance scams and coercive relationships.With psychotherapist Fiona Kau, Anna and her guests share their personal experiences of scams and coercive relationships and tackle a dilemma from a listener who’s worried their colleague is caught up in a romance scam.You can find out more about fraud, including how to report it, via ActionFraud. You can find suggestions of where to go for emotional support following a scam on this Citizens Advice...
A couple of weeks ago, Anna asked you to get in touch with your questions about the menopause. And, oh boy – did you deliver! We were inundated with your responses – which varied from questions about vaginal dryness, worries about the impact of menopause on libido, concerns around HRT, and experiences of mental health struggles during the menopause. So today in the studio, Anna is joined by broadcaster and presenter, Kate Thornton and GP and menopause specialist, Dr Louise Newson. Together, they’re on a mission to answer your burning questions and share everything they know to support you t...
Anna is joined this week by Irish icon, Vogue Williams – one of the few people who could bring a touch of humour to the difficult subject of grief. Vogue reflects on her own experience of navigating grief, after losing her dad, Freddie, in 2010. She recounts the guilt she felt following his passing, and – with the power of perspective gained after 14 years – considers her reaction in the early days of grief. With the assistance of psychotherapist Fiona Kau, Vogue and Anna respond to a dilemma from a listener who is looking for advice on how to support her partner to move through the process...
This week, Anna is joined by comedian, author, actor and host of the podcast 28 Dates Later, Grace Campbell to talk all about family breakdowns over politics and toxic jealousy in friendships. Anna, Grace and psychotherapist Fiona Kau discuss Grace’s experience growing up in a family where she witnessed her fair share of intense debates. Now, as an adult, Grace speaks about how she sees her feminism influencing her father's (Alastair Campbell) politics.Together, they get into a dilemma from a listener who has fallen out with a family member over differing political views, and discuss whethe...
In today's episode, Anna digs into rage, anxiety and intrusive thoughts with Psychotherapist, best-selling author and fellow podcaster, Anna Mathur. Together, they speak candidly about collective rage in the world today, the shame attached to anger and how to express this emotion in a healthy way in our personal relationships. They also tackle two dilemmas - one from a listener who’s struggling to live with her partner’s temper and another from a listener who is experiencing intrusive thoughts after having a baby.If you are worried that you might be in an abusive relationship, please see th...
Is it ever possible to transition from a romantic relationship to a friendship? This week, Anna welcomes writer, actor, presenter, comedian and all-around National Treasure - Sue Perkins - to unpick this very question, along with the help of psychotherapist Sam Pennells-Nkolo.The trio hear from a listener who, after coming out as gay to her husband, is struggling with their new dynamic. Together they consider how deep love and respect can still exist in a relationship even when it's no longer romantic, how younger generations are finally embracing more fluidity when it comes to sexuality an...
This week, Anna invites the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley into the studio to respond to a dilemma from a listener who is apprehensive about preparing for her second baby. She recounts just how challenging she found her first weeks and months of early motherhood and shares some of her unique memories of this time. Anna and Jess are joined by psychotherapist, Sam Pennells-Nkolo, who shares her professional advice, as well as relating to Tiffany as a mum. The trio discuss the importance of building a network, consider the value they found in returning to work, and encourage Tiffany to be a ...
This week we have a special treat for anyone missing the glitz and glam of the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing – Anna is joined in the studio by the show’s head judge, Shirley Ballas! In the spirit of looking forward to the New Year, and the changes that may be on the horizon, they’re talking all about change, and how best to navigate it. With the assistance of psychotherapist Fiona Kau, Shirley and Anna respond to a dilemma from a listener called Amanda. She’s experiencing two major changes – one personal, and the other professional – and is looking for advice around how to step into a new pha...
This week we’re looking back on some of the fun, powerful and moving moments captured on It Can’t Just Be Me so far. Since launching the podcast, we've welcomed extraordinary guests and experts into the studio who have shared their personal stories with us and given their advice in response to your burning dilemmas.So here are just some of our highlights from the series - are they the same as yours? Get in touch and let us know your favourite moments from the series so far! We’ll be back next week with a new episode of It Can’t Just Be Me. In this episode, you will hear: 1:14 - Kinks, Icks...
It’s a festive special in the studio today as Anna and guests tackle the classic seasonal dilemma of how to split your time at Christmas while doing your very best to keep everyone happy. Our listener Ellie is not only trying to figure out how to fit in time with family and friends alongside a job with anti-social hours, but she’s also in a long-distance relationship.Luckily, Anna has seasoned podcaster, TV personality and content creator Sophie Habboo on hand to help work through Ellie’s conundrum. Sophie not only co-hosts the podcast Wednesdays but she is, of course, co-star of the podcas...
Today’s dilemma is from an entrepreneur and mum to two young children. She’s finding it increasingly frustrating that the responsibilities of parenting aren’t split equally between her and her male partner. It’s a cliche she’s always been keen to avoid, so she wants to know what practical steps she can take to redress the balance in her relationship.Cue iconic shoe designer, entrepreneur, and mum to five – Sophia Webster. Sophia has found a way to make this seemingly impossible balancing act work, although she admits that it isn’t always easy and she doesn’t have everything sorted, by any m...
We are bursting with excitement as we have Dr Alex George in the studio this week to talk through a dilemma from a listener who’s thinking about cutting down on alcohol, in the run up to the festive season. Dr Alex is a former A&E doctor, ex-Love Islander and expert Mental Health Ambassador. He gave up drinking in December 2022, so he couldn’t be better placed to give some advice to our listener. With the help of psychotherapist Nadiyah Davis, Anna and Dr Alex talk about why it’s not just to do with the amount we drink, but also about reflecting on why we drink and how it makes us feel. The...
Come on into this episode where we’re talking all about coming out as a teenager. In the studio with Anna, we have the inspiring LGBTQ+ advocate, author, TV presenter and celebrity-masterchef, Riyadh Khalaf. Riyadh’s challenging, but incredibly powerful, story of coming out as a teenager to his then Irish Catholic mother and Iraqi Muslim father, means he has much wisdom to pass on to our listener today. Our dilemma is from a listener struggling to come out to her parents, whilst also dealing with grief over losing the only family member who knew she was gay and who was a great support to ...
Grace Victory is one of those people who just draws you in — she is utterly compelling. So, it was a total pleasure to have her join Anna in the studio to offer some advice to a listener who is struggling with intimacy following a previous trauma. Having experienced trauma herself — both in her early years, and more recently — Grace generously shares her own story and the wisdom she's gathered on her own healing journey. With the assistance of super psychotherapist, Sam Pennells-Nkolo, Grace and Anna discuss the listener’s dilemma, consider its echoes with Grace’s story, and ultimately shar...
Anna can really relate to this week’s dilemma - it comes from a woman who’s severely struggling with her perimenopause symptoms and is asking why it seems to be so much harder for some women than others. So, Anna has called on the expert sports broadcaster and host of The Mid.Point podcast, Gabby Logan, to share her sage advice. With the assistance of TV doctor extraordinaire, Dr Ellie Cannon, Anna and Gabby share anecdotes from their own perimenopause and suggest some of the tips and tricks that have helped them navigate this aspect of their mid-life journeys. The trio discuss the medical ...
One more week until It Can't Just Be Me returns with special guest Gabby Logan!In the meantime, how's this to keep you busy?This is an episode of Where's Home Really?, an award-winning podcast that sets out to discover what home means to famous faces from the worlds of TV, music, comedy, food and beyond.In this episode, Jimi meets chef, author and broadcaster Andi Oliver. to discuss cultural appropriation, jerk rice and the time Andi accidentally joined a punk band.You can subscribe to Where's Home Really? wherever you're listening to this.___________________________________Have questions ...
We've got a little treat for you before Anna is back to solve more of your dilemmas and prove that it's not just you.This is an episode of Go Love Yourself, an award-winning podcast that’s helping us love ourselves a little more. You might know its host, Laura Adlington, from the 2020 Bake Off final. Along with her best mate Lauren, Laura is unlearning everything she's been taught about body image, acceptance and confidence.This episode is about the effect that magazines have had on our body image and what we can do to repair the damage - we think you'll love it.You can find Go Love Yoursel...
There’s no question about it - sex is a big deal in an intimate relationship. How often do we have it? How do we feel about it? Do our expectations align with our partner? And, how should we communicate when they don’t? Well, this week Anna has a listener dilemma that skirts around all of these questions. It’s from a woman in a happy relationship, who’s looking for some advice on how to navigate her dwindling desire for sex with her partner. To help out with this one, Anna is joined by someone who is no stranger to talking about sex on a podcast — the brilliant TV chef and previous co-host...
It’s Mental Health Awareness day this week, so who better to join Anna in the studio than mental health advocate and the host of the Hurt to Healing Podcast, Pandora Morris. Pandora’s story is one of survival and resilience. And, in today’s episode, she shares her journey in response to a listener’s dilemma — as a reminder that everyone’s mental health journey is different. With the guidance of psychotherapist, Shabnam Yasmin, Anna and Pandora respond to a dilemma from a listener who found that having a dog was detrimental to their mental health. What follows is a powerful and moving conver...
This week, Anna is responding to a dilemma from a woman in her late 40s who has questions around her sexuality. This listener was in a relationship with a man for 30 years, but after the breakdown of this marriage, she had a whirlwind romance with a woman. Now, she’s navigating teenage kids, questions around her sexuality, and to top it all off… the menopause. Yikes! To help Anna get to the bottom of this dilemma, she’s joined by the brilliant Milena Sanchez. Milena is one-third of The Receipts Podcast, and has a lot to share on the topic of this dilemma, having come to terms with her own s...
Anna’s getting the low-down on non-monogamy this week, and, who better to guide us through this rich and fascinating topic than sex-positivity advocate, and practicer of non-monogamy themselves, Ruby Rare. Ruby offers some guidance to a listener who has just opened up their previously monogamous relationship and is asking for some advice around how to approach conversations about their new sexual-liaisons with their long-term partner. With the assistance of Chris Sheridan (The Queer Therapist), Ruby shares some top tips and tricks on how they make non-monogamy work in their relationship. An...
Anna Richardson is back with a brand new season of It Can’t Just Be Me, and she's primed and ready to answer your burning questions! To kick-start the season, Anna is joined by superstar anonymous Agony-Aunt, LalalaLetMeExplain. Anna and Lala trawl through some of the juiciest dilemmas in the inbox. From belly-button kinks, parenthood, icks, and dating apps - Anna and Lala leave no stone unturned and have a good old laugh along the way. For more from LalalaLetMeExplain, you can listen to her podcast It’s Not You, It’s Them…But It Might Be YouPlease note, this episode strays into a discussio...
You loved the glorious Cici Colman when she joined me for last week's episode of It Can't Just Be Me. So, I'm sharing the first episode of her brilliant podcast, First Dates: The Podcast with you this week whilst I take a break for the summer.First Dates: The Podcast, is like a podcast version of the debrief you have with your best friend after you've gone on a first date. Co-hosted by Cici and the fabulous Frankie Bridge - I just know you're going to love it!You can find the show wherever you're listening to this or on listentofirstdates.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Cici Coleman is amazing at many things — she's the nation's favourite waitress, the co-host of First Dates: the Podcast, and a brilliant fitness and life coach. But, one thing Cici isn’t very good at is making decisions. And there's one decision that plagues her more than any other — whether or not to have children. So, for this episode, I’ve beckoned her into my podcast studio to respond to a dilemma from a woman who is child-free by choice and is struggling with feeling like she has to explain her decision to others. With the help of Zoë Noble — the founder of We Are Childfree — Cici and ...
It’s no secret that I love talking about sex… and judging by our inbox, it seems that you lot do too! So, I decided that the time has come to give the people what they want — advice about sex, pleasure, and everything in between! To help me get stuck into this sexy special, I’ve invited our resident psychotherapist — the fabulous Sam Pennells-Nkolo — to join me. It’s a hot and steamy ride — from secret masturbation, orgasms, infidelity, long-distance relationships, and even some scandalous personal revelations from me. You’re going to love it! …Have questions about sex? Divorce? Motherhood...
It's been more than ten years since Sali Hughes, The Guardian’s resident beauty columnist, went through a divorce. But she says it's still the most traumatic thing she's ever been through.In this episode Sali joins Anna and divorce coach, Maxine Clancy, in the studio to reflect on her experience and offer advice to a listener in the early stages of a separation. Together they share tips on how to approach the horrible practical tasks that come with a separation — like divvying up shared stuff — and offer some glimmers of hope about what’s waiting on the other side. You can stay up to date w...
Ever wondered if you have ADHD? In the past it seemed like this was a label reserved only for naughty boys, but these days more adults than ever are being diagnosed with the condition. Which begs the question: do some of us have it and don't even know? In this episode Anna is joined by comedian Shaparak Khorsandi, whose life was transformed for the better when she was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in her forties. With the support of NHS consultant psychiatrist Dr Jessica Eccles, Anna and Shaparak explore how ADHD can affect us as adults, and what we can do i...
Feed your soul with nourishing conversations from two best friends, one therapist - and zero filter. Listen to Best Friend Therapy with Elizabeth Day and Emma Reed-Turrell on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.