Headstraight: Teen Mental Health Support without Labels

Mark Taylor | Mental Health Nurse | Host of the Headstraight Podcast
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
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Headstraight: Teen Mental Health Support without Labels with Mark Taylor brings you real answers to the real issues young people face — overwhelming feelings, self-doubt, people pleasing, guilt trips, and motivation that comes and goes. You’ll get honest guidance, practical tools, and straightforward support to help you feel safe, think clearly, and take charge of your mental health. If you’re curious about what’s really going on inside your head, this teen mental health podcast offers relatable guidance and honest support for teens who want to understand their teen mental health on a deeper level.

  1. 6D AGO

    Doing Better? Here’s Why Setbacks Suddenly Hurt More

    This episode focuses on setbacks that feel bigger than they are. A reaction, a bad day, or an old habit can suddenly make it feel as though all progress has been undone. We explore why setbacks often hit harder during periods of change and how one moment can quickly turn into self-doubt or loss of motivation.  The episode is about learning to pause before those conclusions take over. If you have been questioning yourself after slipping back into familiar patterns, this episode offers reassurance without minimising the struggle. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    8 min

  2. JAN 7

    Feeling Disconnected? Let’s Sort That Out

    This episode explores the quiet sense of distance that can show up after change. Things may appear fine on the surface, but closeness feels different, and conversations do not quite land in the same way. We look at why this feeling can be part of growth rather than a sign that something has gone wrong. The episode talks about missing aspects of old connections while still knowing that going back would not feel right. If you feel more distant even though there has been no conflict or fallout, this episode helps put language to that experience. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    9 min

  3. 12/31/2025

    You’re Growing. Not Everyone Will Like It

    This episode looks at what happens when people start responding differently to you as you change. You may do less emotional work, explain yourself less, or stop stepping into old roles, and notice that others react to this shift. We talk about why these reactions can feel personal, even when they are not, and how unspoken expectations in relationships can surface during periods of growth. There is also space given to the urge to go back to how things were just to make life easier. If you are torn between growing and keeping others comfortable, this episode helps you understand that tension. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    8 min

  4. 12/24/2025

    You Didn’t Start the Stress — Stop Absorbing It

    This episode is about staying steady when other people are stressed, reactive, or on edge. It is not because you are out of control, but because stress has a way of spreading quickly and landing on people who are more aware of what is going on around them. We explore how tension gets picked up before you have time to think, why some people absorb pressure more than others, and what it actually means to stay calm in everyday situations. The episode focuses on small choices that help you avoid carrying stress that does not belong to you. If you often feel drained after dealing with other people’s moods or problems, this episode speaks directly to that experience. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    8 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    You Changed on Purpose… So Why Is Everyone Acting Weird?

    Sometimes nothing dramatic happens — no argument, no fallout — but something still feels off. You start responding differently. You stop people-pleasing. You pause instead of reacting. And suddenly, other people notice before you’re even sure what’s changed yourself. In this episode of Headstraight, Mark Taylor explores that unsettling moment when personal change stops being private and starts showing up in your relationships. Why do people react when you begin to grow? Why does emotional wellbeing sometimes create distance before it creates clarity? And why does self-esteem work often feel uncomfortable rather than empowering? This is a real talk mental health episode for teens and young adults who are trying to make better choices, protect their mental health, and stop self-sabotage — only to find that others don’t always adjust at the same pace. We look at shifting roles, unspoken expectations, guilt trips, self-doubt, and the quiet pressure to “go back to how you were.” There’s no push to explain yourself. No advice to fake it or smooth things over. Just grounded, straight-talk support to help you feel safe sitting with change, understanding emotions, and trusting that discomfort doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. If you’re navigating teen challenges, emotional confidence, or that awkward space between who you were and who you’re becoming, this teen mental health podcast episode is for you. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    7 min

  6. 12/10/2025 · BONUS

    Season 4 – Introduction: When Change Doesn’t Feel the Way You Thought It Would

    Most people expect change to feel clear and decisive. They expect a moment where things finally click and start making sense. In reality, change often shows up much more quietly than that. You start doing small things differently. You pause more. You react less. You handle situations in a new way without really making a big deal of it. And instead of feeling confident or settled, things can start to feel awkward. Other people may respond differently to you, and situations can feel slightly out of sync. This season exists because that stage of change is often misunderstood. It is easy to think you have done something wrong when things feel uncomfortable, slow, or unclear. Season 4 is about understanding why that assumption is usually false. Across the episodes, we focus on what happens after the initial decision to change. We talk about how growth can affect relationships, why things can feel lonelier even when you are doing better, and how doubt often shows up after progress rather than before. We also explore why growth becomes harder to spot over time, and why effort can start to feel tiring even when it has helped you. This season is not about fixing yourself or pushing for more improvement. It is about learning how to live inside the changes you have already made, without constantly analysing them or trying to prove they are working. You do not need to listen in order, and you do not need to take notes or remember anything. These episodes are meant to be company rather than instruction. Some of them will land, and some may not, and that is fine. If you are in the middle of change and things feel awkward, slower than expected, or more tiring than you imagined, this season is here to help you understand that part of the journey. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    6 min

  7. 12/03/2025

    What Season 3 Taught Us About Habits, Growth, and Real Success

    This season has been about spotting the patterns that hold you back and building the tools to push through. From self doubt, self-sabotage, and losing motivation, to habits, setbacks, and redefining success — we’ve tackled the everyday struggles of teens and young adults and how they affect your emotional well-being. In this recap, hosted by Mark Taylor, we’ll pull together the key lessons. You’ll hear how you've used self control and self esteem to stay steady, how you made better choices when fear took over, and why real, grounded advice for teens made all the difference in protecting your teen mental health. This episode is about looking back at your growth, recognising the mental challenges you’ve worked through, and how you found the confidence to keep overcoming fear as you moved forward. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources pagefor helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    7 min

  8. 11/26/2025

    Why Success Isn’t What You’ve Been Told It Is

    Success gets thrown around like it’s one definition, but it isn’t. For teens and young adults, chasing someone else’s version of success often fuels self doubt and damages your emotional well-being. In this episode, hosted by Mark Taylor, we’ll explore how ideas of success are shaped, how they affect teen mental health, and how to step back from scripts you never agreed to. You’ll hear how to build self esteem, use self control to stay on track, and make better choices that align with your own values. This is about facing mental challenges head-on, protecting your mental well-being, and finding advice for teens that helps you define success in a way that actually fits. Want to get involved?I’d love to hear from you: Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contactLeave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemailShare your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/newExplore more from Headstraight: Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blogFind out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/aboutNeed support right now?If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page - https://www.headstraight.co.uk/p/resources/for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world. Headstraight: Real Teen Mental Health Support is built on honest conversations — proper Mental Health real talks that make sense in real life. Each episode brings real talk mental health guidance designed to offer steady support for teens navigating the messy, complicated parts of growing up. If you’re looking for a teen mental health podcast that gives grounded support, you’re in the right place.

    16 min
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Headstraight: Teen Mental Health Support without Labels with Mark Taylor brings you real answers to the real issues young people face — overwhelming feelings, self-doubt, people pleasing, guilt trips, and motivation that comes and goes. You’ll get honest guidance, practical tools, and straightforward support to help you feel safe, think clearly, and take charge of your mental health. If you’re curious about what’s really going on inside your head, this teen mental health podcast offers relatable guidance and honest support for teens who want to understand their teen mental health on a deeper level.

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