The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Podcasters David Jones & Dr Naomi Murphy

Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be relentlessly competitive? What it’s like to live or work in a prison? Does working with people who commit murder, child abuse and rape affect people who work in prisons and the wider criminal justice system? How do people survive and thrive when facing significant challenges to our emotional health over a lengthy period? How do we protect ourselves and stay compassionate, loving and trusting? Importantly, how do we find and preserve hope? Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote that “The degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons”. In this weekly podcast ,your hosts, David Jones (Forensic psychotherapist) and Dr Naomi Murphy (Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist) hope that exploring less visible aspects of prisons will help listeners see that prisons are a window into society and let us see people not only at their worst but also at their best. We feature a rich range of guests sharing snap shots of life in prisons and take a look at hospitals, schools, sport and the police in order to learn from other institutions. We learn about challenges to human integrity and hear important lessons and heart-warming stories about survival and growth when facing adversity in harsh places. We hope that sharing our conversations can help you make changes to your own relationship with institutions that might challenge your emotional health and well-being. Follow and connect with us and give us feedback. Let us know what you think works, and also what doesn’t. We want you to look forward to the podcast each week. We’ll also be extremely grateful for any reviews that you give us. A simple star or two or a thumbs up will do. Email: lockedupliving@gmail.com or connect with us on: Substack: https://lockedupliving.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedUpLiving Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimurphypsychologist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jones-41910b12/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lockedupliving/

  1. 5d ago

    Dr Pawel Szczesny (Audio); The hidden AI risk nobody talks about: your thoughts start sounding borrowed

    Dr Naomi Murphy, David Jones and Dr Pawel Szczesny have a conversation about AI. This conversation explores how AI is shaping human thinking, decision-making, creativity, and workplace habits. Dr Szczesny, co-founder and CEO of Impersonato, explains why his company builds synthetic personas as “crash test dummies” for AI systems and why he believes AI should be treated more like a tool than a conversational companion. We also discuss the risks of over-reliance, especially in mental health, the workplace, and personal identity, plus what healthy AI deployment could look like in organizations. Impersonato — AI psychology company. We build psychologically realistic crash-test dummies. Key topics Pawel Szczesny’s background and development. He describes a career path spanning experimental biology, computational biology, medical research, pharmaceutical research, pro-cognitive supplements, and psychology of AI systems. Biology taught him humility: theories about complex systems are usually incomplete, and no system works in isolation. Why Impersonato exists How AI mirrors users Why mirroring can become dangerous Creativity: individual gains, collective loss Good AI versus bad AI Jobs, unemployment, and the “mass layoff” narrative Why fluent AI sounds authoritative Pawel says people still confuse polished language with expertise. He warns that AI can produce beautifully written output that is entirely wrong, especially in areas that cannot be externally verified. The “Claude Boys” phenomenon Blurred authorship and reduced enjoyment Who shapes AI systems Ethics belongs to humans, not the model How organizations should use AI How he uses AI personally, he does not use AI outside work.   Timestamps (00:00) Introduction to Dr Pawel Szczesny and why synthetic personas matter for AI safety   (01:05) From biology to psychology through a series of career pivots   (03:58) What Inpersonato does and why AI needs crash test dummies   (06:21) Testing therapy-support chatbots and companion systems   (07:33) How GPT-3 changed Pawel’s view of chatbot behavior   (09:25) Why AI mirrors education level, preferences, and psychology   (10:24) When AI reinforcement starts to resemble delusion   (12:29) How AI responds to loneliness and paranoia in users   (14:32) Career changes and subtle language adoption after heavy AI use   (16:44) Individual creativity rises, but collective creativity shrinks   (19:15) Why the healthiest AI should not rely on a conversational interface   (23:28) Lessons from typists, office assistants, and changing work   (24:27) Why mass unemployment is more marketing story than reality   (28:55) Why fluent writing is mistaken for expertise   (31:51) The “Claude Boys” and reverse cyborg behavior   (33:59) How constant AI advice can amplify anxiety   (35:00) Blurred authorship and the loss of creative joy   (37:49) Identity risk when writing or creating stops feeling rewarding   (38:48) Why Claude reflects a narrow entrepreneurial worldview   (43:52) Why ethics belongs to humans, not the AI model   (49:32) How organizations can build healthier AI habits   (53:58) A better internal rollout model: let employees experiment first   (56:04) How Pavel uses AI personally and why he takes breaks

  2. 5d ago ·  Video

    Dr Pawel Szczesny; The hidden AI risk nobody talks about: your thoughts start sounding borrowedideo; The hidden AI risk nobody talks about: your thoughts start sounding borrowed

    Dr Naomi Murphy, David Jones and Dr Pawel Szczesny have a conversation about AI. This conversation explores how AI is shaping human thinking, decision-making, creativity, and workplace habits. Dr Szczesny, co-founder and CEO of Impersonato, explains why his company builds synthetic personas as “crash test dummies” for AI systems and why he believes AI should be treated more like a tool than a conversational companion. We also discuss the risks of over-reliance, especially in mental health, the workplace, and personal identity, plus what healthy AI deployment could look like in organizations. Impersonato — AI psychology company. We build psychologically realistic crash-test dummies. Key topics Pawel Szczesny’s background and development. He describes a career path spanning experimental biology, computational biology, medical research, pharmaceutical research, pro-cognitive supplements, and psychology of AI systems. Biology taught him humility: theories about complex systems are usually incomplete, and no system works in isolation. Why Impersonato exists How AI mirrors users Why mirroring can become dangerous Creativity: individual gains, collective loss Good AI versus bad AI Jobs, unemployment, and the “mass layoff” narrative Why fluent AI sounds authoritative Pawel says people still confuse polished language with expertise. He warns that AI can produce beautifully written output that is entirely wrong, especially in areas that cannot be externally verified. The “Claude Boys” phenomenon Blurred authorship and reduced enjoyment Who shapes AI systems Ethics belongs to humans, not the model How organizations should use AI How he uses AI personally, he does not use AI outside work.   Timestamps (00:00) Introduction to Dr Pawel Szczesny and why synthetic personas matter for AI safety   (01:05) From biology to psychology through a series of career pivots   (03:58) What Inpersonato does and why AI needs crash test dummies   (06:21) Testing therapy-support chatbots and companion systems   (07:33) How GPT-3 changed Pawel’s view of chatbot behavior   (09:25) Why AI mirrors education level, preferences, and psychology   (10:24) When AI reinforcement starts to resemble delusion   (12:29) How AI responds to loneliness and paranoia in users   (14:32) Career changes and subtle language adoption after heavy AI use   (16:44) Individual creativity rises, but collective creativity shrinks   (19:15) Why the healthiest AI should not rely on a conversational interface   (23:28) Lessons from typists, office assistants, and changing work   (24:27) Why mass unemployment is more marketing story than reality   (28:55) Why fluent writing is mistaken for expertise   (31:51) The “Claude Boys” and reverse cyborg behavior   (33:59) How constant AI advice can amplify anxiety   (35:00) Blurred authorship and the loss of creative joy   (37:49) Identity risk when writing or creating stops feeling rewarding   (38:48) Why Claude reflects a narrow entrepreneurial worldview   (43:52) Why ethics belongs to humans, not the AI model   (49:32) How organizations can build healthier AI habits   (53:58) A better internal rollout model: let employees experiment first   (56:04) How Pavel uses AI personally and why he takes breaks

  3. Aug 5

    Neil Wallace (Audio); So We Adopted: The Untold Truths of Building a Family Through Adoption

    In this conversation with Naomi Murphy and David Jones Neil shares the raw reality of adopting two siblings in 2023 in this heartfelt episode. From navigating the invasive process to managing the emotional rollercoaster, Neil provides honest insights into a journey many find daunting but rarely talk about openly. If you're considering adoption or simply curious about the unseen side of creating a unique family, this episode offers invaluable perspectives. Key Topics Covered: Neil’s motivation for writing his book after adopting two siblings The emotional challenges of the adoption process and post-placement realities How the system's focus on children can overlook the feelings of adoptive parents The impact of trauma responses and differentiating normal toddler behavior from trauma signals Strategies for managing the stress and emotional numbness during early parenting The significance of the two-week rule for coping with work stress and family challenges The disparities in emotional experiences between adoptive parents and their attachment journeys Insights into the training social workers receive and its focus on worst-case scenarios Neil’s thoughts on the fairness of resource allocation in fertility treatments The importance of humour and resilience in processing difficult life experiences Neil’s involvement in organizing a wellbeing festival and his interest in mental health Timestamps: 00:00 - Neil’s story: from infertility to adoption and writing his book   02:17 - Challenges of the adoption process and systemic focus on protecting children   05:03 - Why Neil decided to document his journey for others   09:32 - The emotional complexity of IVF and the invasive procedures involved   12:32 - Feelings of fairness and resource disparity in fertility treatments   15:51 - Managing stress: the two-week rule for coping with family and work challenges   18:22 - Improving adoption training and system efficiency   24:52 - Differentiating trauma responses from normal behaviour in children   27:36 - The emotional numbness during initial parenting and its protective role   29:52 - How different attachment experiences influence adoptive parents' journeys   38:28 - Addressing unspoken gratitude and the myths of family obligations   41:28 - The role of humour in Neil’s approach to life’s difficulties   43:19 - Decision-making style and embracing uncertainty in challenging situations   46:26 - Neil’s journey into being a published author and his involvement in the wellbeing festival   48:19 - Final thoughts and key takeaways Notable Quotes: "The process is very child focused, but understanding your own feelings is a whole other conversation." "You have to think of adoption as a long game—it's about forming attachments slowly, not instant bonds."

  4. Aug 5 ·  Video

    Neil Wallace (Video); So We Adopted: The Untold Truths of Building a Family Through Adoption

    In this conversation with Naomi Murphy and David Jones Neil shares the raw reality of adopting two siblings in 2023 in this heartfelt episode. From navigating the invasive process to managing the emotional rollercoaster, Neil provides honest insights into a journey many find daunting but rarely talk about openly. If you're considering adoption or simply curious about the unseen side of creating a unique family, this episode offers invaluable perspectives. Key Topics Covered: Neil’s motivation for writing his book after adopting two siblings The emotional challenges of the adoption process and post-placement realities How the system's focus on children can overlook the feelings of adoptive parents The impact of trauma responses and differentiating normal toddler behavior from trauma signals Strategies for managing the stress and emotional numbness during early parenting The significance of the two-week rule for coping with work stress and family challenges The disparities in emotional experiences between adoptive parents and their attachment journeys Insights into the training social workers receive and its focus on worst-case scenarios Neil’s thoughts on the fairness of resource allocation in fertility treatments The importance of humour and resilience in processing difficult life experiences Neil’s involvement in organizing a wellbeing festival and his interest in mental health Timestamps: 00:00 - Neil’s story: from infertility to adoption and writing his book   02:17 - Challenges of the adoption process and systemic focus on protecting children   05:03 - Why Neil decided to document his journey for others   09:32 - The emotional complexity of IVF and the invasive procedures involved   12:32 - Feelings of fairness and resource disparity in fertility treatments   15:51 - Managing stress: the two-week rule for coping with family and work challenges   18:22 - Improving adoption training and system efficiency   24:52 - Differentiating trauma responses from normal behaviour in children   27:36 - The emotional numbness during initial parenting and its protective role   29:52 - How different attachment experiences influence adoptive parents' journeys   38:28 - Addressing unspoken gratitude and the myths of family obligations   41:28 - The role of humour in Neil’s approach to life’s difficulties   43:19 - Decision-making style and embracing uncertainty in challenging situations   46:26 - Neil’s journey into being a published author and his involvement in the wellbeing festival   48:19 - Final thoughts and key takeaways Notable Quotes: "The process is very child focused, but understanding your own feelings is a whole other conversation." "You have to think of adoption as a long game—it's about forming attachments slowly, not instant bonds."

  5. Jul 29

    Francisco Baptista (Audio); Why Focusing on Individual Resilience Ignores Systemic Conditions That Burn Out Teams

    In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones explore how systems thinking, internal family systems, and leadership mindset shifts can transform organizations from within. Francisco Baptista shares insights on addressing systemic dysfunction, fostering resilience, and the power of small interventions to create culture change. In this episode: The significance of systemic and relational approaches in leadership coaching How physics and systems thinking reveal organizational dysfunctions missed by psychological lenses The role of systemic resilience versus individual resilience and how organizations often shift burden onto individuals Recognizing early warning signs of a culture approaching a breaking point The importance of naming, making explicit, and working through organizational trauma and ghosts of past events Practical strategies for leaders to influence culture through small yet impactful interventions The integration of internal family systems (IFS) and parts work in organizational contexts How decision-making and responsibility influence resilience and momentum Protecting personal well-being while delivering tough messages in consultancy Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to systemic coaching and Francisco Baptista's background 01:10 - The shift from technical mastery to relational systemic work 02:22 - How physics and systems thinking provide unique insights into dysfunction 03:49 - Bringing physics into coaching to address organizational culture 04:22 - Systemic resilience versus individual resilience and organizational burdening 06:49 - How organizations unconsciously set their breaking points through tolerated behaviors 07:39 - Recognizing early warning signs of a culture crisis 09:25 - The slow process of cultural degradation and importance of naming trauma 10:50 - The presence of organizational ghosts and collective trauma 12:36 - Dealing with organizational wounds that are hard to talk about 13:30 - Distinguishing genuine change from surface-level coping 14:12 - The influence of coaching on transformation, not just problem-solving 16:18 - The embodied change versus purely intellectual approaches 17:36 - How transformative contact challenges AI and enhances human relational qualities 18:12 - Strategies to help executives navigate systemic thresholds and internal dilemmas 19:58 - Exploring polarity, polarization, and how to shift perspectives 21:36 - Recognizing grey ground and parts work in coaching and organizations 22:13 - Why internal family systems (IFS) works well both individually and collectively 23:37 - Integrating parts and understanding internal managers in organizational contexts 25:50 - Addressing the myth of bad parts and collective scapegoating 27:19 - Leaders' blind spots: projecting harshness onto the market instead of themselves 29:15 - The importance of slack time for organizational learning and innovation 30:08 - Differentiating external pressure from internal stress and building boundaries 32:36 - Handling organizations that resist change through personal responsibility and decision-making 34:22 - Advice for individuals in brutal systems: ownership and decision sovereignty 36:00 - Small interventions with the potential for cultural shifts, exemplified by leadership and visibility 37:55 - The impact of values like grit on organizational burnout and pace 39:07 - Protecting coaches’ well-being while delivering tough truths 40:14 - Cultivating purpose, fulfillment, and alignment in coaching practice 41:16 - The role of inner walls, transgenerational beliefs, and breaking down barriers 42:31 - Overcoming organizational trauma echoes from penal systems to corporate environments 42:53 - Final thoughts: systemic work as a pathway to resilience and transformationResources & Links: Conference of the Birds ;  https://www.franciscobaptista.com/conference https://ifs-institute.com/

  6. Jul 29 ·  Video

    Francisco Baptista (Video); Why Focusing on Individual Resilience Ignores Systemic Conditions That Burn Out Teams

    In this conversation Naomi Murphy and David Jones explore how systems thinking, internal family systems, and leadership mindset shifts can transform organizations from within. Francisco Baptista shares insights on addressing systemic dysfunction, fostering resilience, and the power of small interventions to create culture change. In this episode: The significance of systemic and relational approaches in leadership coaching How physics and systems thinking reveal organizational dysfunctions missed by psychological lenses The role of systemic resilience versus individual resilience and how organizations often shift burden onto individuals Recognizing early warning signs of a culture approaching a breaking point The importance of naming, making explicit, and working through organizational trauma and ghosts of past events Practical strategies for leaders to influence culture through small yet impactful interventions The integration of internal family systems (IFS) and parts work in organizational contexts How decision-making and responsibility influence resilience and momentum Protecting personal well-being while delivering tough messages in consultancy Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to systemic coaching and Francisco Baptista's background 01:10 - The shift from technical mastery to relational systemic work 02:22 - How physics and systems thinking provide unique insights into dysfunction 03:49 - Bringing physics into coaching to address organizational culture 04:22 - Systemic resilience versus individual resilience and organizational burdening 06:49 - How organizations unconsciously set their breaking points through tolerated behaviors 07:39 - Recognizing early warning signs of a culture crisis 09:25 - The slow process of cultural degradation and importance of naming trauma 10:50 - The presence of organizational ghosts and collective trauma 12:36 - Dealing with organizational wounds that are hard to talk about 13:30 - Distinguishing genuine change from surface-level coping 14:12 - The influence of coaching on transformation, not just problem-solving 16:18 - The embodied change versus purely intellectual approaches 17:36 - How transformative contact challenges AI and enhances human relational qualities 18:12 - Strategies to help executives navigate systemic thresholds and internal dilemmas 19:58 - Exploring polarity, polarization, and how to shift perspectives 21:36 - Recognizing grey ground and parts work in coaching and organizations 22:13 - Why internal family systems (IFS) works well both individually and collectively 23:37 - Integrating parts and understanding internal managers in organizational contexts 25:50 - Addressing the myth of bad parts and collective scapegoating 27:19 - Leaders' blind spots: projecting harshness onto the market instead of themselves 29:15 - The importance of slack time for organizational learning and innovation 30:08 - Differentiating external pressure from internal stress and building boundaries 32:36 - Handling organizations that resist change through personal responsibility and decision-making 34:22 - Advice for individuals in brutal systems: ownership and decision sovereignty 36:00 - Small interventions with the potential for cultural shifts, exemplified by leadership and visibility 37:55 - The impact of values like grit on organizational burnout and pace 39:07 - Protecting coaches’ well-being while delivering tough truths 40:14 - Cultivating purpose, fulfillment, and alignment in coaching practice 41:16 - The role of inner walls, transgenerational beliefs, and breaking down barriers 42:31 - Overcoming organizational trauma echoes from penal systems to corporate environments 42:53 - Final thoughts: systemic work as a pathway to resilience and transformationResources & Links: Conference of the Birds ;  https://www.franciscobaptista.com/conference https://ifs-institute.com/

  7. Jul 22

    Rhia Canady (Audio); Building Bridges: How Fly Girl Foundation Supports Women Post-Incarceration

    Rhia Canady (Video); Building Bridges: How Fly Girl Foundation Supports Women Post-Incarceration In this episode Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet Rhia Canady who shares her powerful journey from incarceration to founding Fly Girl Foundation, highlighting resilience, community support, and the importance of targeted interventions for women with lived experience of the criminal justice system. https://www.flygirlfoundation.co.uk/ keywords; prison reform, women empowerment, lived experience, social impact, Fly Girl Foundation, rehabilitation, community support key topics Rhia Canady’s personal journey through incarceration and trauma The founding and mission of Fly Girl Foundation The importance of support systems for women leaving prison Challenges faced during legal proceedings and reintegration The role of community and mentorship in recovery and empowerment Experiences of prison life and the impact of routine and relationships The significance of early intervention and prevention for at-risk youth Rhia’s work with Eastwood Park and prison reentry programs The emotional toll of trauma and coping strategies The importance of self-care and professional support for social workers and advocates takeaways Support networks are crucial for women reentering society after prison Early intervention can prevent women from entering the criminal justice system Routine and community connections aid in recovery and reintegration Self-care and professional support are vital for those working with trauma Legal battles can be navigated successfully with determination and evidence Sound Bites "Prison's awful, but it teaches resilience." "Routine and community support aid recovery." "Support networks are crucial for women reentering society." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Rhia Canady and her background 02:09Rhia’s journey through trauma and incarceration 04:03Reflections on prison life and emotional challenges 05:56Reentry into society and the start of Fly Girl Foundation 07:52The impact of community support and mentorship 09:47Experiences of legal battles and overcoming obstacles 11:54The importance of early prevention and intervention 14:00Supporting women and young girls through education and empowerment 16:02Returning to Eastwood Park and reflections on progress 18:14The emotional toll of trauma and coping mechanisms 19:50The role of physical activity and routine in healing 22:10Supporting women at the moment of release from prison 23:48The significance of community and peer support 26:09Legal challenges and fighting for justice 27:59The importance of self-belief and resilience 29:46The future of Fly Girl Foundation and ongoing projects 32:03Advice for others working in social justice and support 33:52Closing thoughts and message of hope

  8. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Rhia Canady (Video); Building Bridges: How Fly Girl Foundation Supports Women Post-Incarceration

    In this episode Naomi Murphy and David Jones meet Rhia Canady who shares her powerful journey from incarceration to founding Fly Girl Foundation, highlighting resilience, community support, and the importance of targeted interventions for women with lived experience of the criminal justice system. https://www.flygirlfoundation.co.uk/ keywords; prison reform, women empowerment, lived experience, social impact, Fly Girl Foundation, rehabilitation, community support key topics Rhia Canady’s personal journey through incarceration and trauma The founding and mission of Fly Girl Foundation The importance of support systems for women leaving prison Challenges faced during legal proceedings and reintegration The role of community and mentorship in recovery and empowerment Experiences of prison life and the impact of routine and relationships The significance of early intervention and prevention for at-risk youth Rhia’s work with Eastwood Park and prison reentry programs The emotional toll of trauma and coping strategies The importance of self-care and professional support for social workers and advocates takeaways Support networks are crucial for women reentering society after prison Early intervention can prevent women from entering the criminal justice system Routine and community connections aid in recovery and reintegration Self-care and professional support are vital for those working with trauma Legal battles can be navigated successfully with determination and evidence Sound Bites "Prison's awful, but it teaches resilience." "Routine and community support aid recovery." "Support networks are crucial for women reentering society." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Rhia Canady and her background 02:09Rhia’s journey through trauma and incarceration 04:03Reflections on prison life and emotional challenges 05:56Reentry into society and the start of Fly Girl Foundation 07:52The impact of community support and mentorship 09:47Experiences of legal battles and overcoming obstacles 11:54The importance of early prevention and intervention 14:00Supporting women and young girls through education and empowerment 16:02Returning to Eastwood Park and reflections on progress 18:14The emotional toll of trauma and coping mechanisms 19:50The role of physical activity and routine in healing 22:10Supporting women at the moment of release from prison 23:48The significance of community and peer support 26:09Legal challenges and fighting for justice 27:59The importance of self-belief and resilience 29:46The future of Fly Girl Foundation and ongoing projects 32:03Advice for others working in social justice and support 33:52Closing thoughts and message of hope

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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Can institutional culture challenge your mental health? What if your job makes you feel shame, sadness, grief, disgust and fear? What if you are expected not to feel? Or you are expected to be relentlessly competitive? What it’s like to live or work in a prison? Does working with people who commit murder, child abuse and rape affect people who work in prisons and the wider criminal justice system? How do people survive and thrive when facing significant challenges to our emotional health over a lengthy period? How do we protect ourselves and stay compassionate, loving and trusting? Importantly, how do we find and preserve hope? Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote that “The degree of civilisation in a society can be judged by entering its prisons”. In this weekly podcast ,your hosts, David Jones (Forensic psychotherapist) and Dr Naomi Murphy (Consultant Clinical & Forensic Psychologist) hope that exploring less visible aspects of prisons will help listeners see that prisons are a window into society and let us see people not only at their worst but also at their best. We feature a rich range of guests sharing snap shots of life in prisons and take a look at hospitals, schools, sport and the police in order to learn from other institutions. We learn about challenges to human integrity and hear important lessons and heart-warming stories about survival and growth when facing adversity in harsh places. We hope that sharing our conversations can help you make changes to your own relationship with institutions that might challenge your emotional health and well-being. Follow and connect with us and give us feedback. Let us know what you think works, and also what doesn’t. We want you to look forward to the podcast each week. We’ll also be extremely grateful for any reviews that you give us. A simple star or two or a thumbs up will do. Email: lockedupliving@gmail.com or connect with us on: Substack: https://lockedupliving.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedUpLiving Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimurphypsychologist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jones-41910b12/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/lockedupliving/

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