107 episodes

Crisis What Crisis? provides authentic, judgement-free and useful storytelling from those who have been at the brutal, sometimes life threatening, sharp end of crisis and who survived and thrived in the process. Host Andy Coulson’s own background as a newspaper editor, Downing Street Communications Director, one-time inmate of HMP Belmarsh and now sought-after adviser to CEOs, allows him to bring a unique perspective to these conversations.

Crisis What Crisis‪?‬ Andy Coulson

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 15 Ratings

Crisis What Crisis? provides authentic, judgement-free and useful storytelling from those who have been at the brutal, sometimes life threatening, sharp end of crisis and who survived and thrived in the process. Host Andy Coulson’s own background as a newspaper editor, Downing Street Communications Director, one-time inmate of HMP Belmarsh and now sought-after adviser to CEOs, allows him to bring a unique perspective to these conversations.

    Jonathan Aitken's Crisis Comforts

    Jonathan Aitken's Crisis Comforts

    As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments.     
    Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     
    In this short episode – Revd. Jonathan Aitken - a man who has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis – shares his three crisis comforts.  

    Full episode
    https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/jonathan-aitken-on-prison-priesthood-and-purpose/    

    Links    
    Aitken is a trustee of the Saïd Foundation, McDonald Agape Foundation, and Trinity Forum Europe. Aitken is Honorary President of Tempus Novo and Patron of CSW. Aitken is the founder of Chance to Change Foundation/Friends of Pentonville.  

    Books
    Letters for the Ages Behind Bars: Letters from History's Most Famous Prisoners, 2024.
    Doing Time: A spiritual survival guide, 2021.
    Porridge and Passion, 2005.
    Pride and Perjury, 2000.  

    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    

    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   
    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      

    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com   

    Full transcript: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/jonathan-aitkens-crisis-comforts/ 

    • 4 min
    87. Jonathan Aitken on prison, priesthood and purpose

    87. Jonathan Aitken on prison, priesthood and purpose

    The Reverend Jonathan Aitken has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis. The former government minister, author, ordained prison chaplain and priest and, like me, a former inmate of Belmarsh prison – Jonathan has a lifetime of stories to tell and wisdom to impart. From spending childhood years battling TB to working as a reporter in Saigon; to being tipped as a future Prime Minister described as ‘not just gilded but golden’ from pleading guilty and being sentenced for perjury, to finding faith and rebuilding his life’s purpose as a priest - Jonathan has seen and been through it all. Jonathan’s most recent crisis almost claimed his life. But, throughout it all he has pushed on and pushed through with a sense of resilience – and an incredible rate of productivity - that is truly inspiring and from which I think we can all learn.  

    Links    
    Aitken is a trustee of the Saïd Foundation, McDonald Agape Foundation, and Trinity Forum Europe. Aitken is Honorary President of Tempus Novo and Patron of CSW.
    Aitken is the founder of Chance to Change Foundation/Friends of Pentonville.  

    Books
    Letters for the Ages Behind Bars: Letters from History's Most Famous Prisoners, 2024.
    Doing Time: A spiritual survival guide, 2021.
    Porridge and Passion, 2005.
    Pride and Perjury, 2000.  

    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682  

    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   
    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      

    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com   ...

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Three Dads Walking Crisis Comforts

    Three Dads Walking Crisis Comforts

    As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     
    In this short episode - Three Dads Walking – a trio of remarkable men who connected over the loss of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, to suicide, share their three crisis comforts.   

    Please remember - if you, or anyone you know is having or have had suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to Papyrus UK suicide prevention on 0800 068 4141.  

    Full episode: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-on-suicide-grief-and-finding-light-in-the-darkest-of-places/

    Links    
    Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Dads-Walking-Miles-Hope/dp/1472148444
    3 Dads Walking https://www.3dadswalking.uk/
    PAPYRUS: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

    Papyrus has been campaigning for a suicide-safer internet for nearly twenty years. Do you want to ensure technology companies are held accountable for the safety of users on their platforms? Download their draft letter to send to your local MP here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/online-safety-bill-write-to-your-mp/
    Send your letter to your MP here: https://www.writetothem.com/  

    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    

    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   
    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    

    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com      

    Full transcript:   https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-crisis-comforts/

    • 8 min
    Bryony Gordon's Crisis Comforts

    Bryony Gordon's Crisis Comforts

    As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments.     
    Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     
    In this short episode – Bryony Gordon - a woman with an abundance of accomplishments, yet who talks about her struggles with astonishing candour – shares her three crisis comforts.   

    Full episode  https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/85-bryony-gordon-on-addiction-ocd-and-endless-ing-anxiety/   

    Links    
    Mental Health Mates https://www.mentalhealthmates.co.uk/   

    Books
    Mad Woman (Bryony’s new book) https://amzn.eu/d/61O5NQ5
    The Wrong Knickers: A decade of chaos 
    Mad Girl   
    Bryony’s book of choice – Louise Hay – You Can Heal Your Life
    https://amzn.eu/d/8cuaDcJ


    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Photo Copyright: Laurie Fletcher         

    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   
    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    

    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com   

    Full transcript
    https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/bryony-gordons-crisis-comforts/

    • 5 min
    86. Three Dads Walking on suicide, grief and finding light in the darkest of places

    86. Three Dads Walking on suicide, grief and finding light in the darkest of places

    In this episode I’m joined by three remarkable men, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen – better known as Three Dads Walking. All would rather have never met but through a common and tragic bond – the loss of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, to suicide – they did.  
    Brought together by a shared grief, these three dads connected and decided to shine a light on the shocking number of young people who take their own lives in the UK.  
    A 300-mile walk between their homes in Cumbria, Manchester, and Norfolk in 2021 was their first epic venture. A 600-mile walk then followed, and another is planned for this year. So far, over £1m has been raised for the incredible suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.  
    Their new book – 3 Dads Walking, 300 Miles of Hope - tells the story of the courage and hope they’ve found on those walks. It is out now.  

    Please remember - if you, or anyone you know is having or have had suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to Papyrus UK suicide prevention on 0800 068 4141.  

    Links   
    Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Dads-Walking-Miles-Hope/dp/1472148444  
    3 Dads Walking
    PAPYRUS
    Papyrus has been campaigning for a suicide-safer internet for nearly twenty years. Do you want to ensure technology companies are held accountable for the safety of users on their platforms?
    Download their draft letter to send to your local MP here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/online-safety-bill-write-to-your-mp/
    Send your letter to your MP here: https://www.writetothem.com/  

    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    

    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   
    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    
    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com     

    Key Words #suicide #grief #guilt #recovery #positivity #friendship #hope #walking

    Full transcript
    https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-on-suicide-grief-and-finding-light-in-the-darkest-of-places/

    • 1 hr 6 min
    85. Bryony Gordon on addiction, OCD and ‘endless ****ing anxiety’

    85. Bryony Gordon on addiction, OCD and ‘endless ****ing anxiety’

    In this episode I’m joined by the force of nature that is Bryony Gordon. Journalist, author, presenter, podcaster, mental health campaigner, marathon runner, cold water swimmer… there’s nothing this woman cannot do. Yet accomplishing all this whilst also dealing with demons is no mean feat – it is a testament to her resilience, her work ethic and her bravery.   
    Bryony has an honest attitude towards and astonishing candour about her struggles, both physical and mental, including extreme OCD or pure O, binge eating and severe anxiety.   
    She tells her story in a way that is as helpful as it is compassionate, champions her charity Mental Health Mates and gives voice to the crisis we face in this country when it comes to the services that are available – or too often not available – for young people who are struggling.   
    Bryony’s mental strength, especially in the difficult moments, is just one of many valuable take outs from this episode. Her new book, Mad Woman, is out now. Thank you, Bryony.    

    Key Words
    OCD, mental health, addiction, alopecia, trauma, eating disorder, bulimia, shame, depression, anxiety, boundaries, positivity, running, work ethic, balance, acceptance.

    Links    
    Mental Health Mates https://www.mentalhealthmates.co.uk/  

    Books
    Mad Woman (Bryony’s new book) https://amzn.eu/d/61O5NQ5
    The Wrong Knickers: A decade of chaos 
    Mad Girl   

    Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    
    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      
    Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Photo Copyright: Laurie Fletcher    
         
    Host – Andy Coulson   
    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    
    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – podcast@coulsonpartners.com      

    Full transcript
    https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/85-bryony-gordon-on-addiction-ocd-and-endless-ing-anxiety/

    • 1 hr 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
15 Ratings

15 Ratings

Taidie Bumps ,

Inspiring

Andy, I thoroughly enjoy your podcasts / James Timpson’s interview the most recent which I found so very incredible / very honourable man. You have engaged some very wonderful and interesting characters. Thank you 🙏🏼 we live and learn from others experiences and you do a wonderful job. Claire Kosinski

MarthaWilkie ,

Episode 47 on brain cancer is moving and wise

Really thoughtful, touching, and brutally honest episode on glioblastoma, the worst type of brain cancer.

LindseyLaine ,

Honesty and crisis cures- great podcast

Andy and his guests are bitingly honest in looking back at times of crisis in their lives. My favorite content is the end of each episode when each guest is asked for their 3 “crisis cures”- as guidance and help for everyone now trying to survival a global pandemic crisis of our own.

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