The Choice Space

Dr Lee David
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

The Choice Space is a podcast for busy people who want to pause, reset and make wise choices — without overhauling their lives to get there. Hosted by Dr Lee David — GP, CBT therapist and author — each episode offers practical tools, expert insights and evidence-based strategies to support your mental wellbeing, energy and focus. From burnout and boundaries to healthy habits, menopause and inner critics, this is your space to reflect and move forward — one small, meaningful step at a time.

  1. Why Trauma Often Goes Unseen

    4D AGO

    Why Trauma Often Goes Unseen

    Many people live with patterns of anxiety, stress or physical symptoms without realising that past experiences may still be shaping how they feel today. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Susanna Petche, GP and founder of Trauma Sense, about why trauma is often missed – and how it can affect both mind and body in ways that are not always obvious. The conversation explores how trauma is frequently minimised or overlooked, both by individuals and within wider systems of care. They discuss how experiences that were never fully acknowledged can continue to influence how safe life feels, how we relate to others, and how we see ourselves. They also reflect on how trauma responses can show up in everyday ways – through anxiety, physical symptoms, or reactions that don’t seem to make sense. This includes the role of the body in holding stress, and how triggers can operate outside of conscious awareness. They explore how trauma can remain unrecognised for many years, sometimes being understood as anxiety, depression or physical health problems. This can make it harder for people to make sense of their experiences, and to find the right kind of support. The discussion highlights the importance of being seen and believed, and how simple, human responses can support healing. They explore the role of self-compassion, curiosity and body-based approaches in helping people begin to make sense of their experiences. This is a thoughtful conversation about recognising trauma, offering a more compassionate and realistic way to understand ourselves and others. Key moments 00:00 Personal experience of trauma 04:16 Why trauma is often missed 05:03 Minimising and dismissing trauma 07:28 Trauma and loss of safety 09:17 Why validation matters 10:12 Trauma, shame and self-blame 17:36 Signs of trauma responses 21:57 Understanding triggers 24:01 The Choice Pause 27:46 Self-compassion and healing 32:05 Starting to make sense of trauma About the guest Dr Susanna Petche is a GP with over 25 years’ experience and the founder of Trauma Sense. Her work focuses on improving understanding of trauma and its wider impact on health. She integrates insights from neuroscience, functional medicine and coaching to support individuals and professionals. Through her teaching, speaking and clinical work, she aims to bring greater awareness to how trauma can be recognised and understood in everyday life. You can contact Susanna via her website, Instagram and watch her TEDx talk About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    44 min
  2. Why We Need to Talk About Men’s Mental Health

    MAY 13

    Why We Need to Talk About Men’s Mental Health

    Many men don’t grow up being shown how to recognise, name or talk about their emotions. So when life becomes challenging, there often isn’t a clear way to make sense of what’s happening or how to respond. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Chris Hemmings, therapist and founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, about why men’s mental health can be harder to recognise, talk about and support. They explore how men are often socialised to disconnect from emotions, making it harder to understand what’s going on or to ask for help. This can show up through behaviour rather than words – irritability, withdrawal, overworking or isolation – where something feels wrong but is hard to explain. The conversation also reflects on the role of shame, both culturally and internally, and how this can delay men seeking support until things reach crisis point. Alongside this, they discuss how connection, curiosity and compassion – from friends, family and wider society – can begin to shift this. Chris shares practical ways men can start to take small steps, including building awareness through behaviour, opening up gradually and finding spaces where it feels possible to be heard without judgement. This is a thoughtful and grounded conversation about understanding men’s mental health with more compassion, and creating space for earlier support and connection. Key moments 00:00 Feeling alone in struggle 01:37 Chris’s story and coping patterns 04:18 Why men suppress emotions 07:06 Strength vs flexibility 09:33 Crisis before seeking help 12:05 Supporting boys and listening 17:49 Why men come to therapy 23:37 Choice Pause – heavy moments 26:17 Behaviour as a signal 30:28 Reaching out for support About the guest Chris Hemmings is a therapist and coach who specialises in working with men. He’s the founder of Men’s Therapy Hub, a directory of male therapists for male clients. Before training to be a therapist he was a BBC journalist, writing and making documentaries about men, masculinity and mental health. He’s also the founder of M-Path, who go in to schools across the UK speaking to students about what it means to be a man. Connect with Chris via his website, and Men’s therapy hub via Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn No Man's an Island podcast About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    42 min
  3. Small Steps To A Happier Life

    MAY 6

    Small Steps To A Happier Life

    Many people spend years chasing the next goal, hoping life will feel better when they finally arrive. But what if feeling happier works differently? In this episode, Dr Lee David is joined by Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness and author of a new book about how to make life happier. They explore why happiness is often misunderstood as something we reach through success, achievement or finally getting everything in place. Mark shares why many people fall into the trap of “I’ll be happy when…”, and how this can keep fulfilment feeling just out of reach. The conversation looks at a more realistic path to wellbeing – including where we place our attention, the habits we build and how small repeated actions can shift the direction of daily life. Lee and Mark discuss mindfulness, gratitude and why noticing what genuinely helps matters more than chasing perfect routines. They also reflect on the importance of relationships, kindness and listening well. Mark explains why connection remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term happiness, and how even small everyday interactions can have wider ripple effects. This is a thoughtful and grounded conversation about creating a happier life through realistic choices, meaning and everyday moments that often go unseen. Key moments 00:00 Kindness and ripple effects 01:21 Introduction 02:09 What happiness really means 07:45 The “I’ll be happy when” trap 12:21 Agency and values-led choices 16:29 Mindfulness in daily life 21:51 Gratitude and noticing good 29:00 Tiny habits that last 32:38 Why relationships matter 35:28 Listening and reducing conflict 43:20 Choice Space takeaway 45:04 Being interested, not interesting About the guest Dr Mark Williamson is the Director of Action for Happiness and has led this social movement from an idea on paper to a thriving community with over 800,000 members in 100+ countries. He was previously Director of Innovation at the Carbon Trust, Senior Manager at Accenture and worked at Hewlett-Packard Labs and Orange.  Mark’s new book, Make Life Happier: 23 Practical Ways to Feel Better, Find Meaning and Make a Difference was published in April 2026. You can follow Mark on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    46 min
  4. Making Sense of Worry When Life Feels Uncertain

    APR 29

    Making Sense of Worry When Life Feels Uncertain

    Many people seem to be managing day to day, while privately dealing with a mind that rarely switches off. Worry can go round in circles – replaying conversations, looking for reassurance, imagining what might go wrong or trying to feel certain about an uncertain future. In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David is joined by GP and author Dr Martin Brunet to explore why worry happens, what keeps it going and what can help when it starts to take over. They discuss the role of uncertainty in anxiety, and why the mind often responds to uncertainty by producing more thinking rather than more clarity. From health anxiety to fears about loved ones, they explore how checking, reassurance seeking and repeated mental reviewing can bring short-term relief while keeping the cycle alive. Martin shares practical ways to respond differently, including shifting from “what if?” to “even if”, using planned worry time, and learning how to calm the body through breathing and inner tone of voice. The conversation also explores his memorable character Wilbur – an anxious companion who is trying to protect us, but often uses unhelpful methods. Together, they reflect on a more compassionate relationship with anxiety – not handing it control, but not fighting it endlessly either. They also explore the value of taking laughably small steps towards the life that matters to you, even when fear is present. This is a warm, practical conversation about understanding worry, building flexibility and creating more choice in the moments that matter. 00:00 Why worry feels so powerful 01:05 Understanding anxiety differently 03:32 Fear, avoidance and self-judgement 06:09 Anxiety as one part of us 06:56 Meeting Wilbur 11:40 Patience instead of criticism 13:44 Health anxiety and symptom checking 18:07 What if versus even if 25:07 Choice Pause – moments of uncertainty 31:39 Using worry time well 35:04 Breathing and calming the nervous system 41:14 Laughably small steps forward About the guest  Martin Brunet is a GP, speaker and author with an interest in communication and mental health. He works three days a week as a GP and spends the rest of his time writing, teaching and posting about mental health on social media, where he has been surprised to find that his @doc_martin_gp accounts have built a large following. His first book, The GP Consultation Reimagined, a Tale of Two Houses, was published in 2020 and outlines the Two Houses model for the consultation. Your Worry Makes Sense, his new book on anxiety and burnout, was published in 2025 for a general readership.  You can connect with Martin on Instagram and TikTok About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    45 min
  5. Sexual Health and Intimacy for All Bodies

    APR 22

    Sexual Health and Intimacy for All Bodies

    In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Samantha Evans, sexual health and pleasure expert and co-founder of Jo Divine, about sexual health, intimacy and how our relationship with our bodies can change across life. The conversation explores how changes in hormones, health and life experiences can affect desire, comfort and confidence. They discuss how common issues such as vaginal dryness, irritation and reduced sensation are often misunderstood – and how small, practical changes can make a meaningful difference. They also reflect on why sexual health is still difficult to talk about, both for individuals and healthcare professionals. Samantha shares insights into how shame, lack of education and cultural messaging can prevent people from seeking help, and why open, informed conversations can support both physical and emotional wellbeing. The discussion highlights the importance of inclusive language and avoiding assumptions about age, identity or relationships. It explores how intimacy can take many forms and how people can reconnect with their bodies – and with others – in ways that feel right for them. This is a thoughtful and practical conversation about understanding change, reducing self-judgement and finding new ways to approach intimacy across different stages of life. Key moments 00:00 Why sexual health matters 02:30 Common intimacy concerns 06:00 Vaginal dryness and irritation 09:30 Ingredients and product awareness 12:00 Inclusivity in sexual health 14:30 Why it’s hard to talk about sex 18:00 Intimacy, grief and loss 21:20 Myths about desire and arousal 23:30 Aging, identity and assumptions 25:10 Body image and confidence 27:30 Self-criticism and kindness 29:00 Choosing intimacy on your terms About the guest Samantha Evans is a sexual health and pleasure expert, former nurse and co-founder of Jo Divine, an online company specialising in skin-safe, irritant-free sexual wellbeing products. She works with healthcare professionals across the NHS and private practice to support patients with sexual function, intimacy and pleasure, including lubricants, vaginal moisturisers and appropriate products. Samantha is also a writer and educator, producing practical resources that help normalise conversations about sex and support people to explore intimacy in ways that work for them. She collaborates with cancer and menopause charities, delivers training and webinars for healthcare professionals, and has contributed to media discussions on sexual health, including appearing in Sex, Myths and the Menopause.  You can connect via the Jo Divine website, Facebook or Instagram: @samtalkssex and @jo.divine 10% discount code for Jo Divine: CHOICESPACE (£5 minimum spend on full priced products excluding P&P) ENDS 30/6/26  About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    45 min
  6. Exploring Patterns of Premenstrual Distress

    APR 15

    Exploring Patterns of Premenstrual Distress

    In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Dr Sally Doust, GP and women’s health specialist, about premenstrual distress, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). The conversation explores how hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle can affect mood, energy, sleep and emotional sensitivity – and why these patterns are often overlooked or misunderstood. They discuss the wider context of women’s health inequalities, including the lack of research and the ways this can affect recognition and treatment. Sally explains how changes in oestrogen and progesterone interact with the brain and body, and why premenstrual symptoms can look very different from one person to another. The episode also looks at how to tell when symptoms may be cyclical, why tracking patterns can be so helpful and how recognition itself can reduce self-blame. There is thoughtful discussion of PMDD, including the severity of symptoms some women experience and the importance of feeling believed and supported. Lee and Sally also explore practical support, from cycle tracking and self-compassion to lifestyle changes, supplements and medical treatment options. This is a grounded conversation about understanding patterns, widening choice and responding with more care and clarity. Key moments 00:37 Introduction 02:48 Women’s health inequalities 04:27 Hormones across the cycle 08:52 Hormones and the brain 11:16 What PMS can look like 14:22 Cyclical patterns and timing 16:42 Choice Pause – changing mood and energy 25:35 Understanding PMDD 31:35 Supportive choices for PMS 35:29 Treatment options 41:52 Cycle tracking takeaway 42:50 The 30 – 30 – 30 approach About the guest Dr Sally Doust is a GP with a specialist interest in women's health and medical educator. She works in the NHS, in private practice, and at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. In her GP work she found many women had adverse experiences of healthcare because of gender biases and lack of research into women's health - this inspired her to specialise in this area and remains the key purpose of her career. She holds diplomas in obstetrics and gynaecology (DRCOG) and sexual and reproductive healthcare (DFSRH). She is a member of the Primary Care Women's Health Society and the British Menopause Society. For the past two years she's been a delegate for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. You can connect with Sally on LinkedIn. Here is a link to the NAPS PMS guidelines About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    44 min
  7. Getting Unstuck From the Success Trap

    APR 8

    Getting Unstuck From the Success Trap

    In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with Nic Malcomson, integrative psychotherapist, about the success trap – the pattern where strengths that once helped us thrive can gradually become rigid and exhausting. The conversation explores how early success, positive feedback and high standards can shape identity over time. When life becomes more demanding or circumstances change, the same qualities that once worked well can begin to create pressure, self-doubt and a fear of slipping. Lee and Nic discuss how this can show up in different ways – from ongoing over-striving and perfectionism to a deeper sense of feeling stuck after a setback. They reflect on the link between performance and self-worth, and how difficult it can be when identity becomes tied to always coping, achieving or getting things right. The episode also explores Nic’s idea of fallible flourishing – a more compassionate and realistic way of thinking about growth, motivation and thriving. Together, they consider the value of naming the pattern, recognising the role of environment and finding space for being human rather than endlessly performing. This is a thoughtful conversation about pressure, identity and self-worth, offering a kinder and more sustainable way to think about success. Key moments 00:00 Why naming it matters 00:29 Introducing the success trap 01:30 Nic’s own experience 04:27 How identity develops 06:37 Burnout and breakdown 07:03 Chronic, acute and stuck patterns 11:01 Why setbacks can help 13:37 Ideal lived self and feared self 19:08 The importance of normalising 26:54 Under, over and optimal motivation 31:49 Fallibility and connection 33:18 Environment and supportive change About the guest Nic Malcomson is an integrative psychotherapist who has delivered more than 5,000 therapy sessions for doctors through NHS Practitioner Health and in his private practice, Eudemedics: Well-being for Doctors. He developed the Fallible Flourishing Model, which explores how early experiences of success can later create psychological traps around performance, identity and self-worth, and how these patterns can shift towards more sustainable flourishing.  You can connect with Nic on LinkedIn or through his website: www.eudemedics.com  About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    39 min
  8. Balancing Body and Mind in Menopause

    APR 1

    Balancing Body and Mind in Menopause

    In this episode of The Choice Space, Dr Lee David speaks with GP and menopause specialist Dr Carys Sonnenberg about the complex ways menopause can affect emotional wellbeing, physical health and everyday life. Menopause is often described in terms of hormones alone, yet the experience is rarely that simple. In this conversation, Lee and Carys explore how hormonal changes interact with sleep, stress, lifestyle habits and wider life pressures. Many women find themselves navigating fluctuating moods, disrupted sleep and changes in concentration at the same time as managing work, family responsibilities and other demands. The discussion highlights how menopause is highly individual. Some women experience few symptoms, while others notice significant changes in mood, anxiety or energy. Understanding these differences can help create a more compassionate and personalised approach to care. They also explore practical ways of supporting wellbeing during this time – including the role of lifestyle medicine, cognitive behavioural strategies, nutrition and hormone treatment where appropriate. Rather than focusing on a single solution, the conversation reflects on how multiple approaches can work together to support women through the menopause transition. This is a thoughtful conversation about complexity, choice and self-understanding during a significant stage of life. Key moments 00:00 Emotional symptoms in menopause 02:22 Mood changes and mental health 04:01 The six pillars of lifestyle 09:10 Habits, coping and awareness 12:21 Hormones and brain chemistry 20:27 CBT approaches for menopause 28:35 Hot flushes and thoughts 32:28 Breathing and stress regulation 37:37 Nutrition and neurotransmitters 41:01 A small wellbeing choice About the guest Dr Carys Sonnenberg is an NHS GP and British Menopause Society menopause specialist. She founded Rowena Health, an online service providing holistic menopause care for women. She is trained in CBT and nutrigenomics and is co-author of Women’s Health Made Easy, due to be published in 2026. Carys is also a member of the Primary Care Women’s Health Society wider committee and contributes to education through national conferences and webinars. You can contact her via her website, or on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram: @drcaryssonnenberg About the host Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david), Facebook and LinkedIn.  You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here:  https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david

    44 min
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Ratings & Reviews

About

The Choice Space is a podcast for busy people who want to pause, reset and make wise choices — without overhauling their lives to get there. Hosted by Dr Lee David — GP, CBT therapist and author — each episode offers practical tools, expert insights and evidence-based strategies to support your mental wellbeing, energy and focus. From burnout and boundaries to healthy habits, menopause and inner critics, this is your space to reflect and move forward — one small, meaningful step at a time.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Lee David
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Choice Space
  • Show Website
    The Choice Space

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