The Talk Works Podcast

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  • MENTAL HEALTH

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, hosted by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cottam. With more people reporting mental health conditions each year, knowing how to find the right support, whether for your employees or yourself, has never been more important. In the Talk Works podcast Jen and her guests have open, honest conversations about mental health, exploring the different types of therapy and offering practical insights on seeking help or supporting others in the workplace.

  1. 016: Red Flags of Domestic Abuse with Rie Pearson

    12/02/2025

    016: Red Flags of Domestic Abuse with Rie Pearson

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Rie Pearson, a former police officer, domestic abuse specialist and author of Be Kind, No Excuses. Rie reflects on her 27 years in policing, specialising in Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. She talks about how control builds gradually, why leaving is far more complex than most people realise, and the red flag behaviours that are a precursor to abuse in intimate relationships. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/   Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam  Connect with Rie: Instagram: @bekindnoexcuses_cic TikTok: @riepearson (me.actually) Website: riepearson.com Be Kind, No Excuses (Book): Available via Amazon

    31 min
  2. 015: Never Throw in the Towel with Anthony Hutton

    11/18/2025

    015: Never Throw in the Towel with Anthony Hutton

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Anthony Hutton, winner of Big Brother 2005 and founder of the Never Throw In The Towel Project. Anthony talks openly about life after sudden fame, the impact it had on his identity, which led to unhealthy habits, including alcohol and drug use. He shares the importance of breathwork, how you sometimes need to disguise mental health for men and why you need to get in the best shape of your life for the sake of your own mental health. He also shares the power of community and the inspiration behind the Never Throw In The Towel Project. Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk   Connect with Jen:  LinkedIn: Jen Cottam    Connect with Anthony: LinkedIn: Anthony Hutton Instagram: @theanthonyhutton https://www.instagram.com/theanthonyhutton/ Visit Never Throw in the Towel Project: Website: https://neverthrowinthetowel.website/ LinkedIn: Never Throw In The Towel Project Instagram: @neverthrowinthetowelproject

    36 min
  3. 014: Adult Autism and Late Diagnosis with Dr Vicky Jervis

    11/04/2025

    014: Adult Autism and Late Diagnosis with Dr Vicky Jervis

    Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Dr Vicky Jervis, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working full-time in the NHS within a Specialist Adult Autism Team. Alongside her NHS role, Vicky provides supervision and mentoring through ACP-UK and the Royal College of Psychiatry’s national Autism Training Programme. Vicky shares her experience of spending much of her life undiagnosed before receiving a late autism diagnosis in 2021, and what that was like for her. Jen and Vicky discuss masking at work, what a neuroaffirmative approach looks like in practice, and why identity-affirming support matters. They also explore the role of language and how employers can create environments where autistic and neurodivergent people don’t feel pressure to hide who they are. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/    Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam   Connect with Vicky: LinkedIn: Dr Vicky Jervis   Recommended Resources: The Autistic Anthology: Neuro Narratives of Mental Health Professionals

    42 min
  4. 013: Grief Therapy: Living with Loss with Jan Garcha

    10/14/2025

    013: Grief Therapy: Living with Loss with Jan Garcha

    Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace In this episode, host Dr Jen Cottam is joined by Jan Garcha, a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist specialising in adult grief and bereavement with experience in both NHS and private mental health services. Jan shares her personal journey of losing her daughter and how that experience deepened her understanding of grief, shaping the compassionate, relational approach she brings to her clients. She reflects on the many ways grief can show up and the importance of giving people space to process their emotions, as well as practical ways friends, family, and workplaces can offer support. Jan also explores therapeutic approaches, including relational therapy, mind-body techniques like grief yoga and Pilates, and the benefits of a grief support group. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/ Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam Connect with Jan: LinkedIn: Jan Garcha Recommended Resources and Organisations: Dr Tonkin’s Model of Grief: The Fried Egg Model Cruse Bereavement Care: https://www.cruse.org.uk/

    39 min
  5. 012: Realising Resilience: A Cancer Journey with Claire McLean 

    09/30/2025

    012: Realising Resilience: A Cancer Journey with Claire McLean 

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Claire McLean, founder of the award-winning consultancy Realise HR and Chair of Northern Cancer Voices. Claire shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37 while stepping into her first HR Director role, and how that experience shaped her perspective on life, work, and leadership. She reflects on the challenges of balancing treatment with work and family life, the importance of employer flexibility and compassion, and the small but powerful ways colleagues and managers can make a difference. She also offers professional insights on how organisations can better support employees affected by cancer, emphasising the need for empathy, reasonable adjustments, and open communication. Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam Visit Realise HR: https://realisehr.co.uk/ Connect with Claire: LinkedIn: Claire McLean Recommended Organisations: Northern Cancer Voices: https://northerncancervoices.co.uk/

    36 min
  6. 011: Helping Children Break Free from Devices with Charlotte Armitage

    09/16/2025

    011: Helping Children Break Free from Devices with Charlotte Armitage

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Dr Charlotte Armitage, a leading voice in the conversation around children, technology, and mental health. Charlotte is the author of Generation Zombie: Why Devices are Harming our Children and What We Can Do About It, and the founder of Be Device Wise, a pioneering organisation delivering training and interventions. Charlotte shares her expertise on the risks of excessive device use, the alarming trends she’s observed, and the practical steps families, educators, and workplaces can take to set healthier boundaries. Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk Connect with Dr Charlotte Armitage: LinkedIn: Dr Charlotte Armitage Website: https://charlottearmitage.co.uk/ Be Device Wise: https://bedevicewise.com/

    42 min
  7. 010: Tuning into ADHD with Damian Baetens

    09/02/2025

    010: Tuning into ADHD with Damian Baetens

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Damian Baetens, business consultant, coach, and advocate for neurodiversity in the workplace. Diagnosed with ADHD at 53, Damian shares his journey from a career in music management to business consultancy, and how his diagnosis has transformed the way he works, lives, and supports others. He discusses the challenges of ADHD, including burnout and rejection sensitivity, and the strategies that have helped him succeed, such as body doubling and focusing on strengths. Damian also introduces the Smarta app, a platform supporting neurodivergent entrepreneurs and businesses to build more inclusive workplaces. Visit Talk Works: talk-works.org.uk Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam Connect with Damian: LinkedIn: Damian Baetens Smarta Website: https://gosmarta.com/

    52 min
  8. 009: Workplace Wellbeing and the Law with Jamie Gamble 

    08/19/2025

    009: Workplace Wellbeing and the Law with Jamie Gamble 

    Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Jen Cottam is joined by Jamie Gamble, Partner at Ward Hadaway and an expert in employment law. Together, they discuss the rise in mental health-related issues in the workplace, common misunderstandings employers have about their responsibilities, and key insights from tribunal cases, including unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. Jamie highlights the importance of early intervention, reasonable adjustments, and well-trained managers. He also shares his personal experience with mental health and how it inspired him to champion wellbeing initiatives at Ward Hadaway. Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk Connect with Jen: LinkedIn: Jen Cottam Connect with Jamie: LinkedIn: Jamie Gamble Ward Hadaway: https://www.wardhadaway.com/ Recommended Resources: 2023 CIPD Report ACAS Mental Health Guidance

    37 min
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About

Welcome to the Talk Works Podcast, hosted by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jennifer Cottam. With more people reporting mental health conditions each year, knowing how to find the right support, whether for your employees or yourself, has never been more important. In the Talk Works podcast Jen and her guests have open, honest conversations about mental health, exploring the different types of therapy and offering practical insights on seeking help or supporting others in the workplace.

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