Open Mic, Open Mind

Open Mic Productions
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

Hosted by Aidan and Evie, this podcast dives deep into the often-avoided world of mental health. With raw honesty, emotional depth, and a touch of humour, each episode tackles the real issues behind the stigma: anxiety, depression, identity, masculinity, and the everyday pressures of growing up in today’s world. Each week, we sit down with special guests for open, unfiltered conversations meant to help you feel seen, heard, and less alone. Whether you're on your own journey or trying to better understand someone else’s, this podcast is here to remind you that it’s okay not to be okay.

  1. Aug 23

    10) Aidan- Embracing Me: Neurodiversity, Identity and the Road to Acceptance

    Iris is putting Aidan in the hot seat for our season finale. Aidan (he/him) has faced self-harm, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and the challenge of finding peace with his sexual identity and autism diagnosis. Growing up, silence often felt like the only option, especially when school, peers, and wider society failed to provide the understanding he needed. In this vulnerable episode, Aidan shares the pivotal moments that made him realise his mental health needed attention, from the weight of lockdown to admitting himself to the mental health team with the support of his partner. He reflects on the stigma of being a young man opening up, the stereotypes that labelled him, and the difficulty of connecting with other men in a culture that discourages softness. He also speaks candidly about how autism intersects with his mental health, the impact of overthinking on his relationships, and what it means to navigate survival in the quieter moments. Through honesty and reflection, Aidan shows how conversation, connection, and taking things one day at a time have been key in moving forward. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt silenced, misunderstood, or “fine” when they weren’t. It’s a reminder that healing is slow, setbacks are normal, and vulnerability is a strength. If you or someone else you know requires mental health support at any time, no matter what, remember it is important to never suffer in silence. Be a part of the change and start talking. Below are the helplines listed in the episode: Samaritans📞 116 123 (Free, 24/7) SHOUT📲 Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (Free, 24/7) Mind📞 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Papyrus HOPELINE247 (for people under 35)📞 0800 068 41 41 / Text 07860 039 967 Childline (for under 19s)📞 0800 1111 (Free, 24/7)

    10) Aidan- Embracing Me: Neurodiversity, Identity and the Road to Acceptance

  2. Aug 21 ·  Bonus

    Aidan's Mic'd Minute

    This week's episode puts Aidan in the hot seat. Iris hosts as Aidan is interviewed. Here is Aidan's Mic'd Minute - the full episode is out this Monday at Midnight.

    Aidan's Mic'd Minute

  3. Aug 16

    9) Iris- Perfect on Paper: When School Pressure Cracks the Person

    Iris (she/they) has just completed Year Eleven, dealing with pressure, deadlines, and overwhelming expectations. As well as finding her identity, she found herself juggling ambition and an emotional toll that became too heavy to ignore. In this honest episode, Aidan sits down with Iris to talk about the mental strain that often comes with growing up, especially when it feels like you're supposed to have it all together. Together, they explore perfectionism, academic stress, teacher pressure, and the quiet burnout that comes from always being the one others rely on for advice. They also unpack the strain of friend fallouts, how expectations from others and ourselves can damage our wellbeing, and what it means to fall apart quietly behind closed doors. Iris brings humanity and humour to a conversation about trying to be everything to everyone while slowly learning to be kind to yourself. This episode is for anyone who’s felt like they’re failing simply by not coping, and a reminder that mental health challenges are real, valid, and deserving of space. If you or someone else you know requires mental health support at any time, no matter what, remember it is important to never suffer in silence. Be a part of the change and start talking. Below are the helplines listed in the episode: Samaritans📞 116 123 (Free, 24/7) SHOUT📲 Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (Free, 24/7) Mind📞 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Papyrus HOPELINE247 (for people under 35)📞 0800 068 41 41 / Text 07860 039 967 Childline (for under 19s)📞 0800 1111 (Free, 24/7)

    9) Iris- Perfect on Paper: When School Pressure Cracks the Person

  4. Aug 14 ·  Bonus

    Iris' Mic'd Minute

    Here is Iris' Mic'd Minute - the full episode is out this Monday at Midnight.

    Iris' Mic'd Minute

  5. Aug 9

    8) Scott- Fatherhood: The Things We Didn’t Say

    Scott (he/him) grew up in a very different generation, where talking about emotions was not always encouraged. As a father, he has carried the weight of expectations and responsibility, often feeling the pressure of being the one to hold it all together. While connection through conversation did not always come easily, his journey shows both the struggles and the strength in trying to break old patterns. In this episode, Aidan sits down with his dad to talk about family, fatherhood and the unspoken challenges of being a man. Together, they explore the barriers that made opening up so hard, the anger they have both wrestled with, and what it means to try to support each other even when words do not come easily. Scott’s story is one of quiet resilience and the attempt to unlearn old habits, to find connection where silence once stood. This episode is about family dynamics, generational expectations and the hope that it is never too late to start having honest conversations. If you or someone else you know requires mental health support at any time, no matter what, remember it is important to never suffer in silence. Be a part of the change and start talking. Below are the helplines listed in the episode: Samaritans📞 116 123 (Free, 24/7) SHOUT📲 Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (Free, 24/7) Mind📞 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Papyrus HOPELINE247 (for people under 35)📞 0800 068 41 41 / Text 07860 039 967 Childline (for under 19s)📞 0800 1111 (Free, 24/7)

    8) Scott- Fatherhood: The Things We Didn’t Say

  6. Aug 7 ·  Bonus

    Scott's Mic'd Minute

    Here is Scott's Mic'd Minute - the full episode is out this Monday at Midnight.

    Scott's Mic'd Minute

  7. Aug 2

    7) Millie- The Year I Sat Still: When Dreams Are Put on Pause

    Millie (she/her) has always had a passion for musical theatre and performance, but her journey took a turn when surgery on her leg set her back in training. While her classmates continued on, she was forced to face recovery, patience, and the emotional challenge of watching her dreams feel just out of reach. In this episode, Aidan sits down with Millie to talk about resilience in the face of setbacks, the frustration of being held back by circumstances beyond your control, and the determination it takes to come back stronger. They explore ambition, creativity, and the lessons that only hardship can teach about strength and perseverance. This conversation is about passion, recovery, and the hope that even when your path is interrupted, your love for what you do can carry you forward. Millie’s story shows that healing is not just physical but deeply emotional too. If you or someone else you know requires mental health support at any time, no matter what, remember it is important to never suffer in silence. Be a part of the change and start talking. Below are the helplines listed in the episode: Samaritans📞 116 123 (Free, 24/7) SHOUT📲 Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (Free, 24/7) Mind📞 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Papyrus HOPELINE247 (for people under 35)📞 0800 068 41 41 / Text 07860 039 967 Childline (for under 19s)📞 0800 1111 (Free, 24/7)

    7) Millie- The Year I Sat Still: When Dreams Are Put on Pause

  8. Jul 30 ·  Bonus

    Millie's Mic'd Minute

    Here is Millie's Mic'd Minute - the full episode is out this Monday at Midnight.

    Millie's Mic'd Minute
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Trailer

About

Hosted by Aidan and Evie, this podcast dives deep into the often-avoided world of mental health. With raw honesty, emotional depth, and a touch of humour, each episode tackles the real issues behind the stigma: anxiety, depression, identity, masculinity, and the everyday pressures of growing up in today’s world. Each week, we sit down with special guests for open, unfiltered conversations meant to help you feel seen, heard, and less alone. Whether you're on your own journey or trying to better understand someone else’s, this podcast is here to remind you that it’s okay not to be okay.

Information

  • Creator
    Open Mic Productions
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Open Mic Productions
  • Show Website
    Open Mic, Open Mind