Mastering Change | The trauma, mental health & wellbeing podcast

Masters Events
  • 4.0 (2)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to Mastering Change, a podcast co-hosted by Emma and Araminta, where we engage in meaningful conversations centred around healing. In this series, we bring together leading experts, innovative thinkers, and emerging voices to connect knowledge with real-world impact in the areas of trauma, mental health and wellbeing.    Each episode features insightful discussions with respected figures as well as promising new contributors to the field. We explore a range of topics with a focus on making this knowledge available for anyone interested in supporting their own healing journey or that of others.    At Mastering Change, we understand the significance of conversation as a means of fostering understanding and growth. Our aim is to create a ripple effect, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and establishing a community where impactful voices are heard.     Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, we invite you to engage in thoughtful discussions that can inspire meaningful change in your practice and personal life. Join us as we explore critical insights and perspectives, encouraging a shared commitment to healing trauma. 

  1. 2d ago

    The Pain We Carry: Trauma, Masculinity and Recovery | George Stoimenov | #085 Mastering Change

    What happens when the emotional pain we avoid begins to shape the way we treat ourselves and others?  In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma Stapleton and Araminta are joined by author and frontline practitioner George Stoimenov to explore unresolved trauma, masculinity and the possibility of breaking cycles of pain.  Originally from Bulgaria, George has spent more than a decade supporting people facing significant adversity, from unaccompanied young asylum seekers and young people experiencing homelessness to men on probation.  But his work is also deeply personal.  George reflects on his own experiences of childhood trauma, the ways he once avoided difficult emotions and the transformative experiences that eventually changed his understanding of himself. Drawing on his personal journey and professional work, he explores how unresolved pain can influence anger, relationships and destructive behaviour, and why meaningful change may require us to look beneath what someone does to understand what they have experienced. The conversation also considers the wider consequences of disconnection, including how declining community ties and growing polarisation can make it easier to project our pain onto others. We explore: How unresolved childhood experiences can shape adult behaviourWhy avoidance can prevent us from recognising emotional painWhat George has learned working with vulnerable young people and men on probationThe relationship between trauma, masculinity, anger and violenceHow the father–son relationship can influence identity and emotional developmentWhy connection and community matter for recoveryHow unresolved pain can contribute to conflict and polarisationWhat breaking cycles of trauma might look like in practiceMoment of Care: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, violence, criminal justice experiences and emotional distress. Please take care while listening if these subjects feel close to your own experiences. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  2. Oct 9

    The Hidden Grief of Infertility and Reproductive Trauma | Anita Guru | #084 Mastering Change

    When someone is struggling with infertility, we often encourage them to keep going, stay hopeful and try again.  But what happens when that encouragement becomes part of the pressure they're already carrying?  This week on Mastering Change, we're joined by reproductive trauma advocate Anita Guru, who shares her deeply personal experience of endometriosis, infertility, IVF and the psychological impact of a reproductive journey that unfolded very differently from the life she had imagined.  Through years of treatment, loss and uncertainty, Anita came to recognise something that is still too often overlooked: infertility is not only a medical experience. It can also involve profound grief, shame, guilt and trauma. One of the most powerful moments in our conversation comes when Anita describes reaching the point where she wanted to stop treatment, but was waiting for someone to give her permission. Her story raises important questions about how we support people through reproductive trauma, why grief can go unrecognised when there is no visible loss, and how we can create space for different futures without diminishing the pain of letting go. We explore: Why infertility and pregnancy loss need to be understood through the lens of reproductive traumaThe emotional impact of endometriosis and fertility treatmentHow shame and guilt can shape someone's sense of identity and self-worthWhy well-intentioned encouragement can sometimes deepen distressThe often-unrecognised grief of ending fertility treatment without a childHow earlier traumatic experiences can resurface during reproductive challengesWhy feeling seen, heard and supported can make such a differenceWatch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  3. Oct 2

    The Ecology of Mental Health: Why Everything Is Connected | Joanna Cheek | #083 Mastering Change

    Everything is connected. Diversity is essential for survival. And living systems have feedback mechanisms that tell us when something is out of balance. What might happen if we applied these principles of ecology to mental health? This week on Mastering Change, psychiatrist and psychotherapist Joanna Cheek introduces us to the idea of an “ecology of health” – a way of looking beyond the individual to understand our wellbeing in the context of our relationships, communities, social structures and wider environment. One idea particularly stayed with us: distress can be feedback. In trauma-informed care, we have learned to move beyond asking “What’s wrong with you?” towards “What happened to you?” Joanna invites us to widen the lens further. What is happening around us? What systems are we part of? And could some of the feelings we are trying to eliminate actually be signalling that something is out of balance? It opens up a fascinating conversation about where individual healing meets collective wellbeing – and whether caring for ourselves can ever be entirely separated from caring for the world around us. We explore: What the principles of ecology can teach us about mental healthWhy distress can sometimes be understood as feedback rather than dysfunctionHow “What happened to you?” can widen to include the systems around usWhy focusing solely on the individual can leave important causes of distress unseenThe relationship between our individual and collective wellbeingWhy diversity and connection matter for healthy living systemsWhat changes when we see self-care and collective care as interconnectedWatch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  4. Sep 25

    Can Ancient Wisdom Tell Us Something About Trauma? | Lawrence Hillman and Vanja Popovic | #082 Mastering Change

    Much of what we understand about trauma recovery is rooted in psychology, neuroscience and the nervous system.  But once enough safety and capacity have been established, what helps people make sense of what they have experienced?  This week on Mastering Change, Araminta is joined by trauma educator Vanja Popovic and archetypal psychologist Lawrence Hillman for a wide-ranging conversation about archetypes, astrology, spirituality and the human search for meaning after trauma.  They explore how symbols, stories and archetypal patterns can offer different ways of understanding our experiences and why meaning-making may become particularly important as people move towards post-traumatic growth.  Rather than viewing astrology as prediction or personality typing, Lawrence describes archetypal psychology as a language for understanding the deeper patterns that shape our inner lives. Vanja explains how these ideas can become valuable during post-traumatic growth, helping people make sense of their experiences once enough safety and capacity has been established.   The conversation also examines where ancient wisdom might sit alongside modern psychology and neuroscience, why science and spirituality may not be as far apart as they first appear and what our rapidly evolving relationship with AI can reveal about our very human search for connection and meaning.  We explore:  What archetypes are and why they appear across cultures Why meaning can become important after trauma Where ancient wisdom, psychology and spirituality intersect How archetypal thinking may contribute to post-traumatic growth What our relationship with AI reveals about human needs and relationships Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  5. Sep 17

    From Suppression to Expression: Healing Through Music, Movement and Community | Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff W. Jones | #081 Mastering Change

    Have we forgotten some of the ways humans have always sought to heal?  In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma Stapleton and Dr Keisha Siriboe are joined by Leslie Salmon Jones and Jeff W. Jones, co-founders of Afro Flow Yoga, for a conversation about healing through movement, music and community.  Drawing on nearly two decades of creating embodied healing experiences, Lesley and Jeff explore why trauma recovery can involve more than talking. Together, they discuss the role of rhythm, ancestry, breath and movement in helping people reconnect with themselves, their communities and their bodies.  The conversation explores agency, belonging and the idea that healing may sometimes be less about learning something new than reconnecting with practices that have existed across cultures for generations.  We explore:  Why movement can reach places words cannot The relationship between trauma, music and rhythm What ancestral practices can teach us about healing The role of community in recovery How safety and agency can create conditions for healing Reconnecting with the body's innate wisdom Moving from suppression to expression Moment of Care: This episode discusses sensitive topics related to trauma, mental health and distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take a moment to check in with yourself and seek support.  Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  6. Sep 11

    What Glycans Reveal About Stress, Trauma and Ageing | Gordan Lauc | #080 Mastering Change

    Can trauma and psychological stress actually influence how quickly our bodies age? In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma Stapleton and Araminta are joined by Professor of Biochemistry Gordan Lauc to explore the emerging science of glycans – molecules that can provide insight into inflammation, immune function and biological ageing. Gordan explains why psychological stress may play an important role in accelerated glycan ageing, particularly in younger people and how trauma and chronic stress may become reflected in our biology. But these biological markers are not necessarily  fixed. Gordan shares striking examples of people's measured glycan age changing following major shifts in their lives and explores whether biomarkers could one day help us understand not only when something is wrong, but whether the interventions we're trying are working. We explore: How psychological stress can influence biological ageingWhat glycans reveal about inflammation and immune healthWhy trauma affects different people differentlyHow fight-or-flight changes immune, reproductive and digestive functionWhether biological markers could help measure therapeutic progressWhy physiological changes can begin long before disease appearsWhat this emerging science could mean for more personalised approaches to healthMoment of Care: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, serious violence, mental health and other potentially distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take care of yourself and seek support if you need it. Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  7. Sep 4

    Open Dialogue: Could This Change the Future of Mental Healthcare? | Russell Razzaque | #079 Mastering Change

    A major UK trial has just put a radically different approach to mental healthcare to the test. Open Dialogue puts relationships, collaboration and the individual's own voice at the centre of care. Now, findings from ODDESSI, the first randomised controlled trial of the approach, have been published in The Lancet Psychiatry. In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma Stapleton and Araminta Jonsson are joined by consultant psychiatrist and Professor of Relational Psychiatry Russell Razzaque to explore what they found and what it could mean for the future of mental healthcare. ODDESSI followed 494 people presenting to NHS mental health services in crisis over two years. The findings were striking: people receiving Open Dialogue were less likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospital or referred back to crisis services and reported improvements in recovery, quality of life and satisfaction with care. Russell also shares one particularly striking figure: 54% fewer days spent in hospital. But the conversation goes beyond the numbers. Russell explores what changes when clinicians are no longer the  sole experts in the room, families and support networks become part of care and therapeutic relationships are treated as fundamental rather than an afterthought. We explore: What Open Dialogue actually looks like in a mental health crisisWhat the ODDESSI trial found and what the results could mean for mental healthcareWhy relationships may be one of the most powerful tools in mental healthcareWhat changes when people become active participants in their own careWhy continuity and trust matter when someone experiences another crisis The surprising relationship between Open Dialogue and mindfulnessWhat it could take to implement this approach across the NHSMoment of Care: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, serious violence, mental health and other potentially distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take care of yourself and seek support if you need it. Russell Razzaque at Transform Trauma Oxford 2026 Russell will take this exploration of relationships further at Transform Trauma Oxford this September in Open Dialogue & Mindful Listening: How Healing Happens in Relationship.  In this experiential session, he will explore how the quality of our attention can help people feel safer, understood and more connected and why learning to listen rather than immediately solve or fix can strengthen the healing potential of relationships. Through mindfulness, practical teaching and experiential exercises, participants will have the opportunity to practise these skills themselves and explore how they can be brought into therapeutic conversations. Russell will be speaking alongside leading experts Gabor Maté, Bessel van der Kolk, Kristin Neff, Dan Siegel, Jack Kornfield, Ruby Wax, Rangan Chatterjee and many others. In-person ticket: £995Virtual ticket: £395Get tickets here Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

  8. Aug 28

    Can Childhood Trauma Make Someone Violent? | Gwen Adshead | #078 Mastering Change

    What can childhood trauma tell us about why some people become violent? In this episode of Mastering Change, Emma and Araminta are joined by forensic psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr Gwen Adshead, who has spent decades working with both perpetrators and survivors of serious violence. Gwen explores the significant overlap she has encountered between trauma and violence, while challenging any simple assumption that trauma causes violent behaviour. Instead, she asks what we can learn by looking beyond categories of “victim and perpetrator” or “good and bad" and understanding the complex pathways that can lead someone towards violence. Drawing on her work in hospitals, prisons and therapeutic groups, Gwen explores what happens when people who have committed serious violence begin to understand their own histories, confront shame and take responsibility for their actions. We explore: Why childhood trauma can be one factor on the pathway towards violence – but never tells the whole story What people who have committed serious violence actually confront in therapy Why understanding someone's history does not mean excusing their behaviour Why Gwen believes dividing people into “victims and perpetrators” or “good and bad” can be unhelpful How shame, isolation and social exclusion can shape recovery Why being able to understand and articulate your own mind may be a privilege we underestimate What working with violent offenders has taught Gwen about responsibility and change Why preventing future trauma may require supporting the adults who are struggling to care safely for childrenMoment of Care: This episode includes discussion of childhood trauma, serious violence, mental health and other potentially distressing experiences. If you feel triggered at any point, please take care of yourself and seek support if you need it. Gwen Adshead at Transform Trauma Oxford 2026 Dr Gwen Adshead will be speaking at Transform Trauma Oxford this September in her session, Unspeakable: Trauma, Language and Therapy.  Bringing together neuroscience, narrative identity and psychotherapy, Gwen will explore why trauma can leave people struggling to put their experiences into words, how it can shape autobiographical memory and the stories we tell about ourselves and how the therapeutic relationship can help people discover a new voice. If you are interested in learning more about Gwen’s work, her Oxford session offers an opportunity to explore the science of trauma and language in greater depth alongside hundreds of practitioners committed to advancing trauma-informed care.  Gwen will be speaking alongside leading experts Gabor Maté, Bessel van der Kolk, Kristin Neff, Julia Samuel, Shi Heng Yi, Jack Kornfield, Matthias Barker, Rangan Chatterjee, Ruth Cohn and many others. In-person ticket: £995 Virtual ticket: £395Get your ticket here: https://mastersevents.com/oxford-2026/?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=GwenAdshead%2FTraumaAndViolence%2FAugust2026 Watch this episode on Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/masteringchangepodcast Follow us on instagram: www.instagram.com/masterseventsltd Visit mastersevents.com/oxford-2026 for more details.

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About

Welcome to Mastering Change, a podcast co-hosted by Emma and Araminta, where we engage in meaningful conversations centred around healing. In this series, we bring together leading experts, innovative thinkers, and emerging voices to connect knowledge with real-world impact in the areas of trauma, mental health and wellbeing.    Each episode features insightful discussions with respected figures as well as promising new contributors to the field. We explore a range of topics with a focus on making this knowledge available for anyone interested in supporting their own healing journey or that of others.    At Mastering Change, we understand the significance of conversation as a means of fostering understanding and growth. Our aim is to create a ripple effect, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and establishing a community where impactful voices are heard.     Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, we invite you to engage in thoughtful discussions that can inspire meaningful change in your practice and personal life. Join us as we explore critical insights and perspectives, encouraging a shared commitment to healing trauma. 

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