Best Founder of The Mental Lens Podcasts (2025)

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Progress Requires Radical Thinking: A New Lens for Clinical Anesthesia Practice 15:00

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8h ago15:00

15:00

Introduction Anesthesia has historically been described through metaphors of “sleep” and “reversible unconsciousness.” While simple, these metaphors obscure the active, dynamic, and engineered nature of anesthesia. Unlike sleep, anesthesia is not passive; it is a complex manipulation of neurobiological networks, physiology, and pharmacology—akin to…

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The Role of Late Autism Diagnosis in Eating Disorder Recovery and Social Support with James Downs and Marissa Adams 54:52

1d ago54:52

54:52

In this week's episode, Han is joined by James Downs and Marissa Adams to discuss their recent publication exploring the link between eating disorders, late-diagnosed autism and social connectedness. James is a mental health campaigner, peer researcher and expert by experience in eating disorders. He works to develop collaboration across a range of…

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No Shortcuts to Mastery in Anesthesia 14:05

3d ago14:05

14:05

In the Operating Room, the Easiest Path Is to Accept What You Already Know, and the Hardest Is to Face the Gaps in Your Knowledge—Because There Are No Quick Fixes for Ignorance. Just as Grief Has No Easy Answers, Anesthesia Has No Shortcuts to Mastery. Learn at Least One New Thing Every Day, and the Truth Will Become Your Ally Instead of Your Obsta…

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Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. 18:18

3d ago18:18

18:18

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” — Viktor E. Frankl Introduction Anesthesiology is a discipline of precision and urgency, where clinicians must respond to rapidly evolving physiological and technological stimuli. These responses, often reflexive, can determine patient outcomes in c…

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Contact. Communication. Connection: A Hidden Language in Clinical Anesthesia 17:48

6d ago17:48

17:48

Introduction In clinical anesthesia, the success of our practice is not determined only by drugs, monitors, or machines, but by how well we establish contact, maintain communication, and build connection—not just with patients, but with their biology. Every anesthetic encounter is a dialogue between human physiology and our interventions. This arti…

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Toxic Gay Currencies: How to Avoid the Attention, Sex, and Status Traps 39:56

7d ago39:56

39:56

Too often, gay men trade in “toxic currencies” like attention, sex, money, status, drama, and jealousy. They feel powerful in the moment but drain us over time. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, shares what healthier currencies look like — and how to build a richer, more grounded life.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST

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Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace: Small Actions, Big Impact 20:09

8d ago20:09

20:09

In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we explore what it really means to advocate for mental health in the workplace — and why it doesn’t require a title, a budget, or an HR mandate. From breaking stigma through everyday conversations to being a “sign-poster” who connects colleagues with resources, small actions can spark ripple effects that …

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Exploring the Risks of Unregulated Weight Loss Medications with Rachel Egan 38:28

9d ago38:28

38:28

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Rachel Egan. Rachel is a mental health campaigner who has personal experience of anorexia, laxative use, depression and anxiety. Rachel is the Strategic Communications and Marketing Manager for Dump the Scales, a trainer and activist who delivers eating disorder training sessions and has appeared on Sky News…

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Is AI My Therapist Now? 12:29

15d ago12:29

12:29

It’s 2 a.m. and you can’t sleep. Instead of calling a friend or waiting weeks for a therapy appointment, you open an app. A friendly chatbot greets you by name and asks, “What’s on your mind?” For millions of people, this isn’t science fiction, it’s everyday life. AI mental health tools like Woebot, Wysa, and Replika are becoming companions, coache…

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Understanding ARFID Through the Lens of Emetophobia with Mollie Campbell 35:25

19d ago35:25

35:25

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Mollie Campbell is a lived experience advocate with a history of ARFID. After a misdiagnosis of anorexia and lack of treatment for ARFID, Mollie shares her story to increase awareness to help others who are struggling. This week, we discuss: Mollie's experience (of lack there of) of ARFID treatment and her a…

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From Obama to Trump: Understanding the Whiplash in American Politics Through the Lens of Minority Stress and Gay Men's Mental Health 24:24

20d ago24:24

24:24

Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, unpacks the political whiplash from Obama to Trump and its impact on gay men’s mental health—exploring minority stress, cultural backlash, and strategies for resilience in a divided America.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST

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Break Free from Perfectionism: Embrace Self-Kindness and Flourish 12:03

25d ago12:03

12:03

Are you stuck in the endless loop of “just one more edit”? You’re not alone. In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, Chris digs into the hidden costs of perfectionism: why it keeps us stuck, how AI can make it worse, and what self-compassion can do to set us free. From a five-year cookbook that’s still simmering, to lessons learned building a w…

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The Illusion of Healing Binge Eating Disorder with Weight Loss Medication with Marcelle Rose 34:47

24d ago34:47

34:47

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Marcelle Rose. Marcelle empowers women to overcome binge eating, emotional eating, and eating disorders, enabling them to reclaim their lives through a unique synergy of nutritional therapy, eating psychology, and mindset coaching. She is the author of the bestselling book The Binge Freedom Method™: Your Fou…

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The Hidden Costs of Cosmetic Procedures in Body Dysmorphic Disorder with Brea Cannady 36:47

30d ago36:47

36:47

This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Brea Cannady. Brea is the founder of PREPÆRE™, a platform focused on integrating mental health safeguards into cosmetic care. Her work challenges the aesthetic industry to take emotional wellbeing seriously by creating tools and resources that support patients before treatment ever begins. Th…

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The Emotional Side Effects of Always-On AI 12:55

1M ago12:55

12:55

We live in a world where help is always just a prompt away. From writing emails to filling the silence with a joke from Alexa, Artificial Intelligence has become our ever-present assistant. But what happens when that constant support starts to blur the lines between help and replacement? In this episode, we explore the emotional side effects of alw…

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Gay Men Healing from Trauma: Why Substance Matters More Than Hype 23:40

1M ago23:40

23:40

Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explains why lasting trauma recovery for gay men comes from evidence-based approaches like CBT and Narrative Therapy—not trendy quick fixes. Learn how to move beyond shame, grief, and rejection toward resilience and authentic connection.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST

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Simple Ways to Recharge Your Mental Energy (Without Burning Out) 7:27

1M ago7:27

7:27

Feeling mentally drained? In this episode, we break down what mental energy actually is, why it matters more than you think, and how to protect it — without burning out. From Ironman training lessons to brain-fueling strategies you can use today, you’ll get practical, science-backed tips to help you focus better, think clearer, and stay motivated. …

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When “Non-Affirming” Therapists Keep LGBTQ+ Clients for the Money: An Ethical Failure with Real Consequences 23:35

1M ago23:35

23:35

Some therapists claim to be “welcoming to all” while secretly holding non-affirming values about LGBTQ+ identity and gay men's issues such as sexuality. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, exposes the harm, ethical breaches, and red flags of non-affirming therapy — and shows clients and parents how to spot it before it causes damage.…

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Raising the Profile of ARFID Through Clinical Insight with Dr. Stephen Linacre 32:30

1M ago32:30

32:30

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Dr. Stephen Linacre. Stephen is a Principal Clinical Psychologist in the NHS with extensive experience supporting individuals with eating disorders and neurodiversity. He’s published research, contributed to books, and chairs the trustee board of Freed Beaches, a Nottingham-based charity supporting people wi…

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Coping with Anxiety: Practical Tools That Actually Work 9:27

2M ago9:27

9:27

Anxiety isn’t just “worrying too much” — it’s a full-body, full-mind experience that can hijack your thoughts, emotions, and even your breathing. In this episode of The Mental Lens, I share two of my most memorable anxiety moments — including the time I had a full-blown panic attack while loading a moving truck — and the tools that helped me work t…

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The Realities of Living with Binge Eating Disorder with Zoe Hazel 37:49

2M ago37:49

37:49

This week, Han is joined by Zoe Hazel, a mental health advocate, campaigner, and public speaker with lived experience of binge eating disorder, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Zoe has shared her story at the Dump the Scales Summit & March, spoken in Parliament to push for Mental Health Act reform, and sits on the Rethink Ment…

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Fix Your To-Do List Anxiety: Practical Tips That Work 10:16

2M ago10:16

10:16

Is your to-do list secretly stressing you out? In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we dive into the hidden anxiety behind productivity tools — and how they might be doing more harm than good. From the psychology of anticipatory stress and the Zeigarnik Effect to the trap of tying your self-worth to checked boxes, we explore why these lists …

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Breaking the Cycle - How to Talk to Children About Food with Dr. Anna Colton 35:10

2M ago35:10

35:10

This week, we're joined by Dr. Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist passionate about helping families to prevent passing on food and body image struggles to the next generation. She's the author of How to Talk to Children About Food, recently featured in The Times and ITV’s This Morning. This episode is a must-listen …

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What Does A Mentally Healthy Life Actually Look Like? 10:20

2M ago10:20

10:20

In this episode of Through the Mental Lens, we dig into the real — and often messy — truth about what it means to live a mentally healthy life. Mental health isn't about chasing a calm aesthetic or pretending everything’s fine. It's about awareness: of your needs, your patterns, your limits — and the tools that actually help when things get hard. W…

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Exploring the Link Between Disordered Eating and Alcohol Misuse with Orlagh Reid 37:27

2M ago37:27

37:27

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Orlagh Reid. Orlagh is a qualified coach, accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with over 20 years' experience in complementary health, psychology and coaching. Orla specialises in women’s health, alcohol freedom, and clinical sexology. Orlagh joins Han to discuss the often-overlooked relationship betwee…

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Gay Men and The Cinderella Syndrome: From Outcast to Adonis 22:18

2M ago22:18

22:18

Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores “The Cinderella Syndrome” in gay men—the rise from rejection to confidence, and what happens when the glow-up fades. From body image to aging, learn how to build lasting self-worth, stay empowered, and thrive beyond appearances. Real talk, real tools, real growth.By Ken Howard, LCSW, CST

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Tragedy Turned to Abundant Purpose with Reggie Hubbard 57:47

2M ago57:47

57:47

Be Well Beautiful People podcast, the show that inspires you to live your best joy filled life by centering healing and liberation above all. In this episode, Demarra West is joined by Reggie Hubbard, a stroke survivor, an internationally recognized yoga and meditation teacher, political strategist, and founder of Active Peace Yoga LLC. This conver…

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My Mental Health Journey: A Story Of Resilience 5:23

2M ago5:23

5:23

In this first episode of Through the Mental Lens, I’m starting where it all began — with my own story. From white-knuckling anxiety to finally asking for help, this personal reflection sets the tone for the podcast: honest, human, and just a little messy. If you've ever struggled with your mental health or felt like you're the only one who doesn’t …

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Gay Men as Adult Children of Alcoholics - How the Past Talks in the Present 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

Do you struggle with control, fear of abandonment, or always expect the worst? You might be a gay Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACA). In this episode, Ken explores how unresolved childhood chaos shapes adult gay life—and how healing is possibleBy Ken Howard, LCSW, CST

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"Amenorhea Isn't Common, It's Normalised" - Understanding RED-S in Female Athletes 31:58

2M ago31:58

31:58

This week, Han is joined by Cerian Harries - a former elite swimmer and passionate voice for raising awareness around RED-S, amenorrhea, and fuelling properly in sport. After struggling with amenorrhea and an eating disorder during her swimming career, Cerian now shares her story to help other female athletes understand that health and performance …

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Gay Widowers: Navigating Loss, Identity, and Rebirth 23:36

2M ago23:36

23:36

Losing a partner is devastating—especially for gay men, whose grief is often marginalized. In this episode, gay men’s specialist psychotherapist Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores the emotional journey of gay widowers, including AIDS-era losses, the five stages of grief, coping strategies, and how therapy or coaching can help. Whether you're grieving …

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Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD and Disordered Eating with Kate Moryoussef 45:04

2M ago45:04

45:04

In this week's episode, Han is joined by Kate Moryoussef – host of the award-winning ADHD Women's Wellbeing Podcast, ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach, EFT practitioner, and newly published author of The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit. Kate shares her personal journey of receiving an ADHD diagnosis at 40, how it interlinked with her daughter’s dia…

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EP28: A Global Lens To Equity And Inclusion 49:31

3M ago49:31

49:31

In this episode of FARSIGHT Chats, host Farah Bala engages in a conversation with global DEI experts Rohini Anand and William Rolack to discuss the nuances of equity and inclusion across different global contexts. The discussion covers the importance of integrating DEI into core business strategies, and the necessity of both lead and lag indicators…

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Radical Erotic Aging: Gay Men, Desire, and the Audacity to Stay Sexy 14:45

3M ago14:45

14:45

Aging as a gay man can feel like becoming invisible—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, shares insights from 30+ years of helping gay men reclaim sexual confidence, confront ageism, and embrace desire at any age. It's time to get real about erotic aging—and radically refuse to disappear.…

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The Devastating Impact of T1DE: Megan’s Story and the Fight for Change with Lesley and Neal Davison 48:09

3M ago48:09

48:09

In this deeply moving episode, Han is joined by Lesley and Neal Davison. In 2017, their 27-year-old daughter, Megan, took her own life as a result of a long struggle with T1DE, a deadly combination of food and insulin restriction. Since her death, Lesley and Neal have campaigned on all platforms to raise awareness of this condition and successfully…

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EP27: Forging A Healthy Workplace - A Mental Health Perspective 50:07

3M ago50:07

50:07

In this episode of FARSIGHT Chats, hosted by Farah Bala, founder and CEO of FARSIGHT, the conversation centers around promoting mental health in the workplace. Farah is joined by Stephanie Forbes of Commerce Tools, and Eva Rüger from OpenUp, hosted by Nicole Hayworth, as they discuss the complexities of mental health at work. The discussion, part o…

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Reimagining Justice Through the Lens of Survivors with Carol Adams 1:15:18

3M ago1:15:18

1:15:18

Be Well Beautiful People podcast, the show that inspires you to live your best joy filled life by centering healing and liberation above all. In this powerful super extended episode, Demarra West is joined by Carol Adams, a survivor, retired officer, and advocate who has spent decades transforming the system from the inside out. Carol shares her de…

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The Comfort Blanket of Control: Neurodivergence & Eating Disorders with Rose 39:34

3M ago39:34

39:34

In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Rose, who shares her deeply personal story of struggling with an eating disorder while living with undiagnosed autism and ADHD. Key Takeaways: How masking neurodivergent traits can contribute to emotional distress The role of eating disorders as a “comfort blanket” and coping strategy C…

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EP26: Fatigue & Repair On The Way To EDIA 1:03:44

3M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

In this episode of FARSIGHT Chats, host Farah Bala engages with Lily Zheng, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategist. They discuss addressing fatigue and achieving meaningful change on the road to equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-oppression. Lily shares their background, emphasizing the importance of leadership consulting and DEI s…

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Gilligan’s Island & The Seven Deadly Sins: What a 60s Sitcom Can Teach Gay Men 15:26

3M ago15:26

15:26

What if Gilligan’s Island was more than a goofy sitcom? What if it was a mirror for gay men’s internal struggles with shame, identity, and survival? This episode explores how each castaway reflects one of the Seven Deadly Sins—and how these moral archetypes echo the messages many gay men internalize. Through humor, camp, and therapeutic insight, th…

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Dietetics Beyond the Meal Plan: A Trauma-Informed Nutritional Approach to Eating Disorder Recovery & Gut Health with Sarah Elder 41:51

3M ago41:51

41:51

In this episode of the Full of Beans Podcast, Han is joined by Sarah Elder, a registered eating disorder dietitian and advanced clinical practitioner, to explore the real role of dietitians in eating disorder recovery. Together, we unpack what it means to offer trauma-informed, compassionate, and culturally appropriate nutritional care, far beyond …

Founder Of The Mental Lens Podcasts