Advertise on podcast: How to Stay Sane in an Insane World (Shed Talks)

In this episode one brave south London born lady growing up with her parents and 3 sisters discusses how a string of terrifying near death ordeals changed everything.  The author of just published YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENOUGH, she has come a long way since 13 years at Croydon High School.  She has established a global network of Soulshine Rereats. She is also an inner transformation advisor and embodiment facilitator, 46 year old Soulla Demetriou admits "I don't know how many lives I have left but hopefully four!". With over 15 years expereince, she has guided thousands, from high performing leaders to founders and famillies through deep inner work, integrating self compassion and nervous system regulation. Through her Soulshsine Retreats Soulla supports indivdiuals to transform their relationship with themselves as the foundation to how they live, lead and create. Most people would feel lucky to have survived one near death experience, never mind beating the odds three times. Check out Soulla's Lifejacket choices to get a reall insight into her brave and cheerful character.

In this episode, Paul Sunderland downloads to Jeremy Thomas everything you always wanted to know about co-dependency but were afraid to ask. Paul Sunderland is a highly accomplished addictions specialist and psychotherapist with over 40 years of experience.  He is also a lifelong fan of David Bowie and led Zeppelin. He was the clinical director at Clouds House in the West Country and Cross Roads Addiction Recovery Centre, Antigua. This is an educational podcast episode, inasmuch as Paul will speak about the hot topic of co-dependency. He speaks candidly about what it is and what it isn’t. How people succumb to it.The effects it has on people, particularly partners.               .What you can do about it.

Welcome, Larry Lamb, best known for playing Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey, Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, and Ted Case in the final series of the BBC drama New Tricks. In conversation with Jeremy Thomas, Larry delves into the impact his childhood experiences have had on his mental health. He reflects on how overcoming personal demons, such as stage fright and substance use, has been integral to his growth, both as a father, person and as a performer. He joins Jeremy for a deep dive into his childhood, career, ambition and mental health. Topics covered include the childhood trauma of being abandoned at age nine by his mother, coping with a raging father, his success playing opposite the likes of Maggie Smith on Broadway and in the West End of London, and dealing with terrible stage fright. Ultimately, his search for a perfect relationship. Larry displays huge courage and honesty throughout this episode. If you'd like to watch the episode, click here - and subscribe if you like it. Larry has openly discussed his ongoing quest for the perfect relationship, a search often complicated by his tumultuous upbringing. He has faced and overcome struggles with alcohol, endured horrendous hangovers, and battled stage fright. His relationships with women have been numerous and, at times, unintentionally doomed, reflecting the complexities and difficulties that have shaped his personal journey. Larry Lamb's career has been marked by both critical and popular success on stage and screen. His diverse roles, from beloved comedies to intense dramas, showcase his adaptability and talent as an actor. In addition, his ability to speak five languages highlights his broad interests and abilities beyond acting.

From working-class beginnings to decades on stage and screen… Actor and broadcaster Larry Lamb joins Jeremy Thomas for an open and reflective conversation about his career, creativity, and the realities of protecting mental health in a demanding industry. Best known for his work across theatre, film and television, Larry talks candidly about longevity in acting, navigating personal and professional pressures, and the habits, mindset, and boundaries that help him stay grounded in an often chaotic world. He also reflects on identity, self-belief, and what he’s learned about resilience over the years. A thoughtful discussion on performance, survival, and staying sane while living a very public life. Find out more about podcasts, events, and more on the How to Stay Sane in an Insane World website: https://howtostaysaneinaninsaneworld.co.uk/

From the Hacienda Club all the way to the Riverside Studios cinema…Filmmaker Carol Morley talks (Typist Artist Pirate King, The Falling, The Alcohol Years, and Dreams of a Life) with Jeremy Thomas about the effects of bereavement on her teenager, how she nearly lost everything, and 4 years of addictive mayhem at the Hacienda Club in Manchester. With resilience and courage, she tells us how she made it out of dodge city and into art school, and eventually became a successful filmmaker. Since then, she’s worked with Florence Pugh, Monica Dolan, Maisie Williams, Patricia Clarkson, James Khan, and many more.

What do Florence Pugh, Monica Dolan, Toby Jones, Patricia Clarkson, and James Caan all have in common? Answer: Carol Morley.Born and raised in Stockport, Manchester, the youngest of three, Carol’s world was shattered by the tragic loss of her father. Grief hit hard. At just 11, she turned to books and booze, juggling life as her eccentric mother’s carer while throwing herself into a full-blown identity crisis—experimenting, rebelling, searching.By 16, she found a kind of refuge in Tony Wilson's infamous Hacienda Club, where the music was loud, the nights were long, and self-medication was easy. Four years of wild living, booze, drugs, and reckless abandon pushed her to the edge—until a moment of clarity sent her fleeing to London.What happened next? A First-Class degree from St Martin’s School of Art. A hard-fought climb into filmmaking. And an award-winning career working with some of the biggest names in the industry. Carol’s journey is one of chaos, creativity, and sheer determination.Take a look at some of her work 👉 https://www.campfilms.co.uk/

BONUS EPISODE:When life knocked him down, what kept Simon Woodroffe from sinking? In this bonus episode, the Yo! Sushi founder and Dragon’s Den star shares the unconventional lifelines—his "lifejackets"—that helped him stay afloat when he was stuck. From the adrenaline of mountaineering and sailing to the wisdom of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Spinal Tap, and the unexpected lessons from Clarkson’s Farm and The Crown, Simon unpacks the action, adventure, and mindset shifts that shaped his resilience.

At seven, he was sent away to boarding school, where abuse, fear, and loneliness shaped his early years. By his thirties, Simon Woodroffe masked the pain with bravado, drink, drugs, and a fast life that landed him briefly behind bars. But his story doesn’t end there.From rock-bottom to rock stages—designing for George Michael, Fleetwood Mac, and Rod Stewart—Simon turned his life around through 12-Step recovery, self-help, and a belief in pushing boundaries. He became a TV dragon on Dragon’s Den, launched the Yo! Sushi empire and is a relentless champion of stepping outside your comfort zone.Generous, courageous, and always shooting straight from the hip—practical, fearless, and undeniably inspirational.

Writer, special needs teacher, and editor of Toes in the Water, Rachel Jones shares how wild swimming became more than just a hobby—it became a lifeline. From navigating autoimmune disease and single parenthood to finding community, resilience, and self-worth in the open water, Rachel talks about the transformative effects of cold swimming on both mind and body.She discusses the healing power of nature, the unexpected connections it creates, and how it’s helped her, and others cope with trauma, divorce, ADHD, autism, and the everyday challenges of life.A refreshing, honest, and uplifting chat about mental strength, cold water courage, and the joy of taking the plunge—literally.📖 Read more in Toes in the Water → https://bit.ly/4bLFpbn

Rachel Jones is the editor of Toes in the Water: Stories of lives changed by wild swimming. In this Shed Chat she talks about resilience, having the love of fellow swimmers, the challenge of being a single parent with celiac disease, faith, humour,, learning good habits  and her time teaching at King Edward School, Southampton.

Writer, director, and Casualty co-creator Paul Unwin has spent his career telling other people’s stories, but this time, he’s sharing his own. He opens up about the trauma that shaped him at 19, the therapy that helped him heal, and why he refuses to let fear or regret define his life. His ethos is "Don't live with regret, don't live with fear".From working with Arthur Miller to running the Bristol Old Vic, Paul has done it all. He discusses his latest West End play, The Enfield Haunting, and his powerful new work, The Promise, about the birth of the NHS. But beyond the stage and screen, he reflects on grief, EMDR therapy, his love for drumming and Steely Dan, and the one best friend who has never let him down—his dog (but don’t call it a pet).A compelling, moving, and unexpectedly funny conversation about life, loss, and why looking back is never the answer.

Kicking off 2024 with a bang as Harvey Lisberg, legendary manager of Herman’s Hermits, 10CC, Graham Gouldman, and more, pulls back the curtain on his wild life in the music business. From Manchester to New York, Elvis to Mick Jagger, Harvey’s stories are as big as the names he’s worked with.Hear about the time Charlie Watts gave Mick Jagger a taste of his own medicine, what it was like to share a bill with The Rolling Stones, and how a self-confessed gambler made his own luck in an industry where the odds are never in your favour.But it’s not all rock ’n’ roll excess—Harvey shares how meeting his wife Carol shifted him from the fast lane to a much better life, and why family always comes first.

Doctor, scholar, mother, survivor—and dog lover.After 35 years as a GP, Mary Ryan has seen it all, but her own journey has been just as intense as the lives of the patients she’s treated. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), she opens up about the stigma, misunderstandings, and how her own views on it have changed over time.She talks about power, violence, and the times she wasn’t believed, reconciling with her Catholic faith after a traumatic childhood, and how a sudden stroke at 41 changed everything. From serious workplace bullying and hospital admissions to the one treatment that truly made a difference, Mary doesn’t hold back.And in between all the chaos? There’s her love for dogs, baking, The Archers, Barry Humphries, and the strangely therapeutic power of cold-water swimming.A fearless, funny, and brutally honest conversation about mental health, resilience, and finding strength through taking the plunge – literally.

Nick Drake was supposed to be a star. A Cambridge-educated, prodigiously talented songwriter, he released three critically acclaimed albums—Five Leaves Left, Bryter Layter, and Pink Moon—yet never saw commercial success in his lifetime. At just 26, he tragically took his own life.Music biographer and El vinyl boss Richard Morton Jack joins host Jeremy Thomas to dive deep into Drake’s lyrics, mental health, and the unanswered questions that linger decades after his passing. Was he struggling with severe depression or schizophrenia? Did he have romantic prospects we never knew about? And in today’s world, would his story have ended differently?With unprecedented access to private letters, recordings, and firsthand accounts from friends, family, and those closest to him, this episode sets the record straight on the mystery, music, and mind of Nick Drake.