SafeSpace.

Mariam Pereira
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
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SafeSpace is a new grounding and respite podcast aimed at Healthcare Professionals focused on staff wellbeing in the healthcare work environment, a grossly overlooked issue and yet, I would argue, the cornerstone of the healthcare system which is why it is crumbling. There are 3 components to the podcast:   - Candid interviews with healthcare leaders, and a wide variety of passionate healthcare professionals about their own experiences and struggles with their wellbeing as they have progressed through their careers   - Reflective discussions with a clinical psychologist, my co-host, regarding key topics that have arisen such as coping with bullying, depression, burnout, grief, menopause etc   - Guided meditations specific to the healthcare worker getting ready for the day ahead, a pause during, and winding down and acceptance following the working day.   This podcast is not a panacea or substitute for a formal management plan, but a motivating, and catharsis tool to help during a stressful day.

  1. Compassion in Every Corner: From Rural Nepal to Hospice Leadership

    MAY 5

    Compassion in Every Corner: From Rural Nepal to Hospice Leadership

    How do we maintain our humanity in a system that often feels dehumanising? Today, Dr. Melissa Everett joins us to share her remarkable journey through general practice, international medicine, and her role as Medical Director at Nightingale House Hospice. Melissa challenges us to see patients not as "body systems," but as individuals with stories, values, and legacies. We dive into the "patientification" of doctors, the emotional treadmill of palliative care, and why clinical supervision is a non-negotiable tool for longevity in medicine. Melissa also reveals how her personal choice to home-educate her children has shaped her leadership style, teaching her the power of curiosity and individuality. This is an honest look at the "soft" side of medicine that is often the hardest to measure—but the most vital to preserve. Stick around for a special guided sleep meditation at the end of the show to help you unwind. Key Takeaways Holistic Presence: True compassion involves being "curious" about a patient's life story, moving beyond the symptoms to see the person who was once a lorry driver, actor, or shopkeeper. The Vulnerability of Being a Patient: Dr. Mariam shares how wearing a hospital gown and having a cannula immediately "patientified" and overwhelmed her, highlighting the inherent vulnerability in clinical settings. Support as an Investment: Implementing clinical supervision and monthly one-to-ones for staff isn't just a kindness; it is an investment that prevents burnout and improves patient safety. Shame vs. Curiosity in Governance: Shifting the culture of "incident investigations" from blame to curiosity helps dismantle the destructive power of shame among clinicians. Lessons from Home Education: Applying child-centered learning principles to healthcare allows for more flexible, person-centered leadership and care delivery. Quotes "Patients are people with their own stories, their own suffering... they're not just a symptom or a body system." "Medicine so often can be quite dehumanising... you can very easily lose sight of the person." "I don't know if I would have lasted in that job if I hadn't had my clinical supervision." "Shame is such a destructive emotion. And it tends to disappear when you shine a light on it." "Every one of us has the ability to figure things out for ourselves if we're given the chance to." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 17m

  2. APR 28

    Reclaiming Compassion in Healthcare with Dr. Tim Rigg

    In this episode, Mariam and Dr. Tim Rigg explore the transformative power of community-led and holistic primary care. Dr. Rigg, a GP whose international medical journey has spanned from Lewisham to Sydney, New Zealand, and now Frome, Somerset, shares the pivotal moments that led him to question the rigidity and commodification of traditional Western medicine.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Toxic hierarchy drives burnout: Early career experiences in academic hospitals often expose junior doctors to ego-driven environments that lack support, pushing many to seek community or overseas roles where the culture is healthier. Treating versus healing: Traditional Western medicine excels at treating disease to achieve an absence of symptoms, but frequently fails to heal individuals to a point where they can truly flourish. The power of community connection: The Frome model's focus on social prescribing and combating loneliness through community initiatives resulted in a dramatic 40% swing in all-cause admissions to the local acute hospital. Holistic health requires four walls: The Māori health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, conceptualizes well-being as a house requiring physical, psychological, spiritual, and family/community walls, all built on a foundation of connection to the land (whenua). Nature is an essential therapeutic tool: Integrating the natural environment into healthcare, from playing birdsong in clinical waiting rooms to staff nature immersion days, can significantly reduce anxiety and create a genuinely healing atmosphere. BEST MOMENTS "You're treating people to get to a point of an absence of disease. You're not healing them to the point where they can flourish." "The patient was spoken of as more of a commodity rather than actually a human." "Without one piece of it, the house falls down or is ineffective, and considered collectively, it allows for the health of the individual and health of the community at large." "When the chips are down, the people that are involved in the system, and if the system is allowing for it, is able to change." "We're trained to treat. And yet the healing piece is rarely given air to breathe." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 31m

  3. APR 21

    Overcoming Nursing Shock: Dina Paoloni on the International Nurse Experience

    In this episode, Mariam is joined by Dina Paoloni, a pioneer in international nursing with over 22 years of global healthcare experience and the founder of Nurses Move. Dina shares her deeply personal journey into the nursing profession following the tragic loss of her mother, and how her move from Italy to the UK exposed her to the stark cultural and professional differences in nursing worldwide.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The Concept of "Nursing Shock": International nurses often experience a severe culture shock when they transition to new countries. This phenomenon, coined "nursing shock" by Dina, occurs because nurses must navigate vastly different professional regulations, scopes of practice, and levels of recognition compared to their native countries. The Need for a Global Identity: Unlike the medical profession, which has a centuries-old established global identity, nursing is a relatively young profession with only about 200 years of history.  Systemic Exploitation of International Nurses: Wealthy countries frequently use their monetary power to recruit highly skilled nurses from poorer nations. Unfortunately, these international nurses are often placed in entry-level or lower-banded roles with low pay. The Compounding Nursing Crisis: The healthcare system is facing a severe retention crisis, with undervalued and burned-out nurses leaving the profession entirely. This mass exodus places unprecedented pressure on the remaining staff, including junior doctors, and threatens the stability of the entire healthcare ecosystem. Education as Empowerment: To combat exploitation, it is crucial to educate international nurses about their rights, the new culture, and career pathways before and after they migrate.  BEST MOMENTS "I want help the nursing profession to be value as what it is. No less, no more, but what it is." "The medical profession, doctors had their own identity from centuries... This made possible for nurses because nursing is a profession that is kind of young, is 200 years of history." "I call nursing shock because it's really a culture shock in nursing profession." "They use their monetary power to bring nurses from abroad... So these nurses are not valued and kind of exploited in a way or another." "If we educate nurses abroad and in the country, we can help all nurses, native nurses and international nurses." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 24m
  4. Why Smart Leaders Still Get Stuck | Dr Toomas Särev

    APR 13

    Why Smart Leaders Still Get Stuck | Dr Toomas Särev

    The discount code SAFESPACE20 gives 20% off all 12-month access on Pastest’s post-graduate exam platforms https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=46017&awinaffid=2708016&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pastest.com%2F If you like the episode, please follow on Instagram @safespace.hcp and TikTok @safespacer0 for more content and share. Extended guided meditations are coming soon on my Substack and website www.saferspace.info What if the real leadership crisis in healthcare isn’t a lack of knowledge — but a lack of space to act on what we already know? Mariam is joined by consultant cardiologist, coach and red team thinking instructor Dr Toomas Särev for a thoughtful conversation on regenerative leadership, the “knowing-doing gap”, and why so many capable leaders end up stuck on autopilot. From emotional intelligence and psychological safety to courage, reflection and systems thinking, this is a powerful exploration of what it really takes to lead well in complex environments. If you’ve ever felt like you’re functioning, but not fully aligned, this one will land deeply. KEY TAKEAWAYS Leadership isn’t hierarchy — it’s coherence. Autopilot can look like competence while quietly driving burnout. The “knowing-doing gap” is often emotional, not intellectual. Heart, mind and hand must align for sustainable action. Real change starts with reflection, courage and small consistent shifts. QUOTES “I didn’t leave clinical medicine. I repurposed it.” “A clinician treats, but regenerative leader restores and multiplies.” “Smart leaders are not short on skill. They’re short of space.” “When people say they are stuck, it’s rarely laziness. It’s misalignment.” “The most radical thing you can do in a system that thrives on speed is pause and reflect.” HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 15m
  5. Personal vs. Positional Power: Lessons in Compassionate Leadership

    APR 7

    Personal vs. Positional Power: Lessons in Compassionate Leadership

    The discount code SAFESPACE20 gives 20% off all 12-month access on Pastest’s post-graduate exam platforms https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=46017&awinaffid=2708016&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pastest.com%2F If you like the episode, please follow on Instagram @safespace.hcp and TikTok @safespacer0 for more content and share. Extended guided meditations are coming soon on my Substack and website www.saferspace.info In this episode, Mariam is joined by Dr Emma Jane Hosking, a consultant anaesthetist and senior healthcare leader with over 30 years of NHS experience. They delve into Dr Hosking’s transition from clinical work in the operating theatre to executive leadership, exploring the vital importance of psychological safety, flat hierarchies, and compassionate leadership. Dr Hosking shares practical strategies for fostering a supportive environment, such as the Three Good Things exercise, and discusses the challenges of navigating complex crises and board-level pressures.  KEY TAKEAWAYS A leadership job title may give you a seat at the table, but true change is driven by personal power, building genuine relationships and utilising your ability to influence rather than relying on control and command. True psychological safety exists when staff feel empowered to speak up, challenge the status quo, and raise concerns without fear of retribution or being ignored. A clear warning sign of a psychologically unsafe environment is when difficult face-to-face conversations are avoided in meetings, only to be followed up by aggressive or combative emails afterwards. Simple practices, like starting meetings by asking team members to share "Three Good Things," can break down hierarchical barriers, build human connections, and lift the mood, especially in remote or hybrid working environments. Leaders and clinicians often wear different "masks" depending on the situation. Deliberately taking off that mask to show vulnerability and share personal joys or sorrows helps build the deepest, most resilient teams. BEST MOMENTS "I quickly learned that it's much more important to have that personal power. To build the relationships and perhaps what comes with the job titles and the opportunity that they give you is the opportunity to influence, rather than control." "Psychological safety is all about being able to speak up without fear of what might happen in response to you doing that." "Well, if you're not prepared to say it, I'm going to ignore it... you need to get to a situation where those conversations are happening rather than people doing the keyboard warrior thing." "The best teams I've worked in, all the way through, are the teams where the individuals genuinely care about each other in that whole sense." "We're all good mask wearers... when we go into a meeting or we're going to see family or a certain group of friends, we're different and we bring what we perceive to be the best mask for that group to that table." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 16m
  6. Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science with Radharani Patel

    MAR 30

    Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science with Radharani Patel

    The discount code SAFESPACE20 gives 20% off all 12-month access on Pastest’s post-graduate exam platforms https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=46017&awinaffid=2708016&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pastest.com%2F If you like the episode, please follow on Instagram @safespace.hcp and TikTok @safespacer0 for more content and share. Extended guided meditations are coming soon on my Substack and website www.saferspace.info In this episode, Mariam sits down with Radharani Patel, an advanced clinical pharmacist, yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic consultant. Radha shares her fascinating journey of integrating seemingly disparate fields, pharmacy, fitness, and ancient wisdom, into a unified approach to health and well-being. They explore the importance of holistic care, especially for geriatric patients, the power of community and connection, and practical Ayurvedic principles that can transform your daily routine. Radha's mission is to empower individuals to take control of their health through sustainable and grounded practices, moving beyond a purely medicinal approach to a more integrative model of care. KEY TAKEAWAYS True health involves looking at the whole person, nutrition, sleep, lifestyle, and social interactions, not just treating symptoms with medication. Social prescribing and community engagement can be as effective as medical interventions in improving patient outcomes and mental wellbeing. Shifting the narrative from ‘managed decline’ to empowerment allows patients, especially the elderly, to regain control and vitality. Simple practices like mindful eating and living in tune with the seasons can have a profound impact on health and digestion. Rest is not a luxury but a necessity for physical and mental consolidation and growth. BEST MOMENTS "I want to find ways of allowing people not to feel intimidated by the science when they are very into the spiritual and the ethereal, and then allowing the scientist to also have an opportunity to look at ways they can bring some of the more spiritual practices with a strong evidence base into their life." "The solution is not going to be a single pill. The solution is also going to be multi-factorial. And what you're describing is health as empowerment rather than health as a dependency on a pill." "We can often listen to symptoms and hear what's wrong and try and almost deal with the voice that's crying out from our body by trying to quieten it. And what I really wanted to understand was why was that voice crying out in the first place." "A strong digestion is the core to good health." "Rest is not the time between the worthwhile moments; it's probably some of the most worthwhile moments." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 17m
  7. The Complexities of Change: A Deep Dive with Dr. Johann Malawana

    MAR 24

    The Complexities of Change: A Deep Dive with Dr. Johann Malawana

    The discount code SAFESPACE20 gives 20% off all 12-month access on Pastest’s post-graduate exam platforms https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=46017&awinaffid=2708016&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pastest.com%2F If you like the episode, please follow on Instagram @safespace.hcp and TikTok @safespacer0 for more content and share. Extended guided meditations are coming soon on my Substack and website www.saferspace.info In this insightful episode, Mariam is joined by the multifaceted Dr. Johann Malawana, a doctor, advocate, and entrepreneur. Dr. Malawana shares his remarkable journey from his early days as an obstetrician to becoming a leading voice for junior doctors at the BMA, where he secured significant improvements in their working conditions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Dr. Malawana's work with the BMA highlights the importance of organized advocacy in improving workplace conditions for healthcare professionals. Quality medical education and leadership training are essential building blocks for a sustainable and happy healthcare workforce. Implementing change in healthcare involves managing a "myriad of complexity," from political interests to intricate public sector contracts. Effective healthcare leadership requires the ability to remain focused on goals despite personal attacks and the inevitability of not being able to please everyone. Dr. Malawana's career shift was driven by a passion to solve large-scale problems rather than a desire to leave clinical practice. BEST MOMENTS "Education and training are therefore the kind of building block... it gives you the ability to find the right people, put them in the right roles, make sure they're happy." "The BMA is... one of the most political organizations going." "The problem isn't often the solutions. The problem is the implementation... how to make the system own the solution." "If you want universal love... these are not the jobs for you." "I don't necessarily regret anything... you make the decisions you thought were important with the information you had available to you at the time." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 11m
  8. The Power of Visibility: Building a Culture of Transparency in Healthcare with Dr. Manjit Obhrai

    MAR 17

    The Power of Visibility: Building a Culture of Transparency in Healthcare with Dr. Manjit Obhrai

    The discount code SAFESPACE20 gives 20% off all 12-month access on Pastest’s post-graduate exam platforms https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=46017&awinaffid=2708016&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pastest.com%2F If you like the episode, please follow on Instagram @safespace.hcp and TikTok @safespacer0 for more content and share. Extended guided meditations are coming soon on my Substack and website www.saferspace.info In this episode of SafeSpace., Mariam is joined by Dr. Manjit Obhrai, a former consultant obstetrician and gynecologist who became an NHS executive leader. They discuss leadership in times of crisis, building trust through transparency and visibility, and the importance of accountability and honesty in healthcare. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dr. Obhrai emphasises that leaders must be present and approachable, actively engaging with staff at all levels to foster a sense of connection and shared purpose. Open communication, even when uncomfortable, is crucial for addressing failures and building a culture of accountability. Every member of the healthcare team, from consultants to support workers, plays a vital role in patient safety and organisational success. Effective leaders must be able to adjust their style to meet the specific needs of their team and the challenges they face. When things go wrong, it's important to understand the underlying causes and barriers to change, rather than simply assigning blame. BEST MOMENTS "Everybody's important in this organisation. It's building those little bridges that makes a difference." "Leadership, there is no one style of leadership that works. I think you've got to be adaptive to what the circumstances are." "Be curious rather than judgmental. So if people aren't implementing something, it's a question of finding out what is it that stops them." "We shouldn't be hiding behind things that we're struggling with." HOST BIO Mariam is a GP trainee in Wales passionate about improving our healthcare colleagues' wellbeing. She has experience on the Schwartz Round Steering group and as a facilitator for her health board, and she created and led the Balint Group Programme for Foundation Doctors in her hospital. These are regular spaces for healthcare professionals to speak about real issues that affect their well-being amongst colleagues to improve mutual support and camaraderie in the workplace. She also holds qualifications in Life Coaching and healthcare leadership and management. Whatever your reason for joining us on this podcast, we are glad you have taken the time.  If you are having stressful days at work, leaving you feeling demotivated, and depleted, I'm hoping I can help here. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

    1h 11m
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About

SafeSpace is a new grounding and respite podcast aimed at Healthcare Professionals focused on staff wellbeing in the healthcare work environment, a grossly overlooked issue and yet, I would argue, the cornerstone of the healthcare system which is why it is crumbling. There are 3 components to the podcast:   - Candid interviews with healthcare leaders, and a wide variety of passionate healthcare professionals about their own experiences and struggles with their wellbeing as they have progressed through their careers   - Reflective discussions with a clinical psychologist, my co-host, regarding key topics that have arisen such as coping with bullying, depression, burnout, grief, menopause etc   - Guided meditations specific to the healthcare worker getting ready for the day ahead, a pause during, and winding down and acceptance following the working day.   This podcast is not a panacea or substitute for a formal management plan, but a motivating, and catharsis tool to help during a stressful day.

Information

  • Creator
    Mariam Pereira
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    SafeSpace.