How to Stay Sane in an Insane World (Shed Talks)

Blue Baltic Entertainment Ltd
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Life is unpredictable, messy, and, at times, completely insane. So, how do we stay afloat? Hosted by Jeremy Thomas—renowned speaker, author, mental health advocate, and all round survivor—this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of resilience, recovery, and what it truly takes to maintain mental well-being in a chaotic world. Having faced his own battles with bipolar disorder and addiction, Jeremy brings both lived experience and hard-earned wisdom to every conversation. Each episode features fascinating guests—bestselling authors, musicians, industry leaders, athletes, and mental health experts—who open up about their struggles, triumphs, and the lifejackets that helped them through. Whether it’s music, poetry, a trusted friend, or a four-legged companion, we all need something to keep us steady. Honest conversations, hard-earned wisdom, and practical tools—because in an insane world, we could all use a little help staying sane. For more on How to Stay Sane in an insane World visit our website: howtostaysaneinaninsaneworld.co.uk Follow our socials @jeremythomastalks Or contact us enquiries@howtostaysane.co.uk

  1. Revered psychotherapist, Paul Sunderland spills the beans on Co-dependency, what it is and what it is not.

    1D AGO

    Revered psychotherapist, Paul Sunderland spills the beans on Co-dependency, what it is and what it is not.

    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.

    50 min
  2. Larry Lamb discussing his childhood, career, ambition and mental health

    FEB 4

    Larry Lamb discussing his childhood, career, ambition and mental health

    Welcome, Larry Lamb, recently best known for playing Mick Shipman in the BBC comedy series Gavin & Stacey, Archie Mitchell in the BBC soap opera 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.Contrary to popular opinion, Larry was not born in the East End, but in Enfield, North London. He also speaks five languages. He joins Jeremy Thomas for a deep dive into his childhood, career, ambition and mental health. Topics covered include the childhood trauma of being abandoned aged 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, 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.

    1h 14m
  3. Film Director Carol Morley is filmed talking about how she stayed sane in insane world t Staying Sane in an Insane World

    12/08/2025

    Film Director Carol Morley is filmed talking about how she stayed sane in insane world t Staying Sane in an Insane World

    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.

    1h 11m
  4. Carol Morley: From Drinking at 11 Years Old, Hacienda Club at 16, to a Big Time Screen Director

    07/25/2025

    Carol Morley: From Drinking at 11 Years Old, Hacienda Club at 16, to a Big Time Screen Director

    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/

    1h 14m
  5. Simon Woodroffe’s Lifejackets: “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”

    09/19/2024 · BONUS

    Simon Woodroffe’s Lifejackets: “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway”

    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.

    32 min
  6. Simon Woodroffe: From Boarding School Bullying to Yo! Sushi Empire

    08/29/2024

    Simon Woodroffe: From Boarding School Bullying to Yo! Sushi Empire

    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.

    47 min
  7. Rachel Jones: Wild Swimming, Autoimmune Battles & Single Parenthood

    06/01/2024

    Rachel Jones: Wild Swimming, Autoimmune Battles & Single Parenthood

    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

    23 min
  8. Paul Unwin: Survivor’s Guilt, Casualty & Living Without Regret

    05/07/2024

    Paul Unwin: Survivor’s Guilt, Casualty & Living Without Regret

    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.

    1h 29m
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About

Life is unpredictable, messy, and, at times, completely insane. So, how do we stay afloat? Hosted by Jeremy Thomas—renowned speaker, author, mental health advocate, and all round survivor—this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of resilience, recovery, and what it truly takes to maintain mental well-being in a chaotic world. Having faced his own battles with bipolar disorder and addiction, Jeremy brings both lived experience and hard-earned wisdom to every conversation. Each episode features fascinating guests—bestselling authors, musicians, industry leaders, athletes, and mental health experts—who open up about their struggles, triumphs, and the lifejackets that helped them through. Whether it’s music, poetry, a trusted friend, or a four-legged companion, we all need something to keep us steady. Honest conversations, hard-earned wisdom, and practical tools—because in an insane world, we could all use a little help staying sane. For more on How to Stay Sane in an insane World visit our website: howtostaysaneinaninsaneworld.co.uk Follow our socials @jeremythomastalks Or contact us enquiries@howtostaysane.co.uk

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