Small Mercies

Steve Wood
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A short, honest look at the small things we can do to move life in the right direction—better sleep, less stress, more creativity, and stronger connections. No gurus (yet) no jargon (maybe a little bit) just practical shifts, delivered with humour and sincerity that you can actually use. New episodes every three weeks.

  1. MAY 4

    McLovin: The Problem of Being Honest

    This week on Small Mercies, I’m talking to artist McLovin, a mature MA fine art student, performer, and maker whose work sits somewhere between humour, awkwardness, and bold ambition. From changing his name, to building large-scale sculptures from everyday objects, McLovin uses comedy and performance to explore what it means to be seen, how we hide behind the versions of ourselves we present, and why honesty can feel so rare. We talk about photography, stand-up comedy, going to art school as a mature student, loneliness, confidence, and the strange freedom that can come from not waiting to feel ready before trying something new. This is a conversation about identity, risk, and the small mercy of giving yourself permission to do things differently. Artists website: https://mclovin.co.uk/ Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMystery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org Pixabay.com

    17 min

  2. APR 21

    Visioning, Manifesting and the Pressure to Have a Plan

    In this episode, I pick up where I left off last time, still sitting with a few questions I didn’t have answers to. How have I got this far in life without a clear plan?Why does it suddenly feel like I’m supposed to have one?And where is that pressure actually coming from?We’re often asked to imagine a future for ourselves at the exact moment life feels uncertain, messy, or unresolved, and I’m starting to question whether that’s realistic, or even helpful. I look at the idea of visioning and manifesting, where it might work, where it starts to fall apart, and why it can feel like a big ask when you’re not on steady ground. There’s also a small mercy for the week: a simple loving-kindness (Metta) practice that shifts the focus away from fixing the future, and back toward something more immediate. Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org Pixabay.com Jenny’s machine voice: luvvoice.com Drum Solo: Alban_Gogh (pixabay.com)

    34 min

  3. MAR 21

    Is the Future Really Yours: Rewriting the Story You Were Given

    In this episode, I reflect on the stories I inherited about who I am and what’s possible. From a school cinema warning about my dad to joining a punk band with no plan, I explore how stepping outside those narratives can help shape a future that truly belongs to you. ___________________________________________________________ Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Punk Guitar: Twisterium: SoundCloud: http://bit.ly/2DJQskEWebsite: https://www.freebackgroundtracks.com Sound Effects: Freesound.org Pixabay.com

    7 min

  4. FEB 19

    The Snack Machine

    When emotions are too big or messy to explain, the mind often turns them into metaphors. In this episode, I explore the metaphor I use to navigate depression — an abandoned hospital with rooms called Regret and Guilt — and how a small, ordinary memory becomes a way out. Not a cure. Just a chance to keep moving. Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org Pixabay.com BBC Sound Archive

    7 min

  5. JAN 26

    Is It Safe? Self-interrogation, the road to nowhere

    This week’s Small Mercy is about letting go of certainty. Questions like: Is this the right decision?Is this safe?Will this work out? When those questions stop being useful, they can become a trap — fuelling anxiety, avoidance, and a constant second-guessing of ourselves. Special thanks to: Otis Chetwyn-Woods Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org and Pixabay.com Piano music: Jenny’s machine voice: luvvoice.com

    18 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    Out of My Depth: A lesson in self forgiveness

    This episode gently explores what happens when we stop running from the past and instead turn towards it with honesty. At its heart lies a simple question:What does it take to let a memory remain in the past, and to forgive the version of ourselves who lived through it? If you would like to support the show, please keep listening and follow (if you haven’t already) and drop a few comments or likes. I have no marketing or social media strategy so if you could share the show with someone who you think would enjoy it, that would be nice.  Special thanks to: Andrea and the Seaford Swimmers Cast (in order of appearance): Kazuya Tsuji - Wise old man Luella Steed - Innocent child Eddie Trigg - Dark wolf Anabelle Angell - Light wolf Theme Tune: “Hot Summer” by SonicMysery (Pixabay License) Sound Effects: Freesound.org Piano music: Samuel F Johanns (Pixabay Licence) Jenny’s machine voice: luvvoice.com

    17 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way: From ancient wisdom to modern science, how feminine values can restore balance

    We explore: Stories from the Arrernte people of Central Australia; two sisters singing life back into a damaged world. Scientific evidence that men who adopt behaviours traditionally associated with women, caregiving, empathy, emotional connection; live longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives. Practical “Small Mercies” you can start today: joining in the lives of the women around you, pausing to listen before speaking, and championing women without needing credit. Personal reflections on what stepping back has taught me, and how it has changed the way I experience life, community, and leadership. Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or ready to try something new, this episode offers insight, humour, and actionable ways to restore balance, for yourself, and for the world around you. Audio Effects and Music  The Emerald Isle courtesy of Paul Winter AKA: Kaazoom from Pixabay.com  Australian Outback courtesy of Geoff Harvey: from  Pixabay.com   SFX and Pads: Pixabay.com and Freesound.org Jenny’s Machine voice Luvvoice.com

    27 min

  8. 10/21/2025

    Check your head: You're not who you think you are.

    I take listeners on a candid and thought-provoking journey into the mind, exploring the elusive inner critic that shapes our thoughts, choices, and self-perception. Blending personal stories, reflective insights, and practical strategies, this exploration reveals how the critical voice can both challenge and guide us. The podcast offers a map for understanding, confronting, and even befriending the inner critic, inviting listeners to step into a more aware and self-compassionate way of thinking

    30 min
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About

A short, honest look at the small things we can do to move life in the right direction—better sleep, less stress, more creativity, and stronger connections. No gurus (yet) no jargon (maybe a little bit) just practical shifts, delivered with humour and sincerity that you can actually use. New episodes every three weeks.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Wood
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Steve Wood
  • Show Website
    Small Mercies

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