The Placemat Various

In the fourth and final episode of "Rise," titled "Anger is an Energy," Craig Gould presents a deeply emotional yet uplifting message of hope to others facing similar battles. 

This episode captures Craig's unwavering optimism, even as he confronts the next stage of his journey with cancer. 

Reflecting on his experiences, Craig shares how he transformed anger and adversity into a driving force for positivity and resilience. He discusses where to find hope in the darkest times and how to harness inner strength. 

Listeners will be moved by Craig's heartfelt advice and his ability to find light in the face of overwhelming challenges. This episode is not just a reflection but a beacon of inspiration, embodying the spirit of eternal optimism that Craig represents.
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In this third episode of Rise, Craig Gould takes us through the intense and perilous journey of his second bone marrow transplant. 

Facing near-fatal complications and a fight for survival, Craig's story is one of extraordinary resilience. 

This episode sheds light on the physical and emotional challenges he endures, the impact on his mental health, and the unwavering support of his family, including his wife and children, through these testing times. 

Join us for a powerful narrative that showcases the human spirit's capacity to find strength and humour amidst life's toughest battles with a Christmassy happy ending.
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In "Part 2 - A New Normal," the second episode of this special podcasts season, "Rise," Craig  takes us through the challenging phase of his cancer treatment, including intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. This episode provides a candid look at Craig's journey towards adapting to a drastically altered way of life, a 'new normal' that tests the limits of physical and emotional endurance. It also delves into the impact of this uncertain period on his family, highlighting the delicate balance of shielding his children from the harsh realities of his condition. Join us in this deeply moving episode as he navigates the complexities of hope and resilience in the face of life's most daunting challenges.
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In the first episode of our Rise special episodes, a  good friend  Craig Gould shares the earth-shattering moment of his cancer diagnosis, its impact on his family, and the life-altering discussions with his wife. This episode not only explores their challenging journey through the NHS but also Craig’s near-death experiences and the flicker of hope that sustained them. This sets the stage for upcoming episodes, where Craig will delve into his treatments, personal battles, the power of support systems, and the invaluable lessons learned throughout his extraordinary 12-year journey.
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So the boys are back in town with a brand new season of the Placemat.

What have they learned during the hiatus? Well, not an awful lot to be honest. 

Is the new CEO of NHS England worth investing in or should you wait for the next update?

Find out who Ed Waller and Ian Dodge are and the safeguards NHSE has to stop the magic being ruined in Skipton House.

Find out how and if GPs would ever strike and how they might organise themselves, as long as they get backfill for it. 

And finally listen to Chris Hopson talk candidly about the NHS, GPs and how he once chained himself to a railing.
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The Placemat has a long history of correctly predicting the major events in the NHS and beyond. 

In this special bonus episode we showcase some of our finest and most prescient moments, from the resignation of Simon Stevens and the appointment of Amanda Pritchard, to the results of the Euro 2020 competition, the Covid pandemic, the outbreak of the first world war and Judas' betrayal of Jesus.

We confidently predict that we'll be back for another season of The Placemat later in the year.  

The Placemat - forecasting with compassion since 3600 BC.
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