Best Peer Support Meaning Podcasts (2026)

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EP 34: Alex on peer support, recovery beyond services, and surviving harm in mental health care 38:32

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2d ago38:32

38:32

Send us a text Alex was first hospitalised at 16 - and spent much of the next eight years in and out of the same psychiatric unit. By the time she was discharged at 24, she was labelled “clinically recovered” but inside, she felt empty, hopeless, and lost. In this conversation, Alex talks honestly to Cate about the harm she experienced in mental he…

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SCI Peer Support: The what, the how, and the why? 54:49

26d ago54:49

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Send us a text The Engagement and Peer Support SIG would like to bring the audience through the story of peer support from a historical perspective to its research implications. Teri, Erik, Shane, and Gill will provide how peer support came to be, what it looks like and how different it is, the magic behind it, and how to transform that magic to me…

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Episode 234: What is Metacognition? 15:13

18d ago15:13

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It’s time to wrap up our core competency mini series, with Metacognition. Why is consistent practice of metacognitive strategies essential for improvement? What is Andy talking about when he says the teacher needs to act the buffoon? Plus, we revisit why the core competencies are so important.

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Beatrice Birch and Inner Fire, the healing community offering an alternative to medication 1:00:34

23d ago1:00:34

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Welcome to episode 237 with Beatrice Birch, who is a Hauschka Artistic Therapist and the founder of Inner Fire, a proactive healing community that offers a choice for adults to recover from debilitating and traumatic life challenges with minimal use of medications. Beatrice has worked as an artistic therapist and consultant since 1986 and over thes…

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EP 33: From Trauma to Peer Support: José Argudo on Recovery, Resilience & Giving Back 37:40

29d ago37:40

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Send us a text What happens when a car accident stops life in its tracks — leaving you facing pain, uncertainty, and a future you never imagined? In this powerful episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with José Argudo — husband, new dad, volunteer, and trauma survivor. Just two weeks into a new job, having recently moved house and with a bab…

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Live at Mental Wealth Festival 2025 with Sam Delaney and Shaun Flores 1:02:17

30d ago1:02:17

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Welcome to episode 236 recorded live at the City Lit Mental Wealth Festival 2025! On Saturday 11th October I was joined by Sam Delaney and Shaun Flores for a live recording of Proper Mental which was titled ‘On Being a Man: Contemporary Masculinities & Mental Health’ We set out to explore what it means to be a man in 2025, the mental health challen…

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EP 32: Debbie Frances on carers, suicide prevention, and the power of peer support 49:53

1M ago49:53

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Send us a text Debbie brings a rare mix of lived experience, professional insight, and deep empathy to the world of suicide prevention. She became a carer at a time when support was scarce, patchy, and hard to navigate — and those early years shaped her determination to make sure other families aren’t left alone in the dark. In this conversation, D…

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Opportunities for Data Standardization to Enhance Spinal Cord Injury Research 9:03

1M ago9:03

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Send us a text Key points: International collaboration is required to produce research that can be interpreted and applied across different regions As outcome measures and collection methods continue to evolve a methodical approach to updating research best practices is required A larger focus should be on including the thoughts of persons with liv…

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Episode 233: Understanding Number Sense 12:26

1M ago12:26

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This week’s core competency is Number Sense. What does having good number sense mean? How can we spot if students have poor number sense? Plus, the gang share the importance of contextual understanding of number.

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EP 256: Isabella Nichols & Jakob Gjerluff Ager – Nordborn, Returning to her Danish roots, Wave and air temperatures in cold-water, The meaning of hygge, Off-season, Expectations, & Carissa and Steph returning ... 1:01:11

1M ago1:01:11

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Dave sits down with WSL Championship Tour standout Isabella Nichols and filmmaker/photographer Jakob Gjerluff Ager to dive into their new film Nordborn, a cinematic ode to Isabella’s Danish heritage and the quiet strength found in cold-water surfing. Fresh off a season of heavy travel, Isabella reflects on a year that pushed her physically and emot…

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Louise Beech on the the day her mother jumped from the Humber Bridge and the memoir it inspired 1:04:26

1M ago1:04:26

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Welcome to episode 235 with Louise Beech, who is an award-winning author and writer who was making up stories in her head before she was even old enough to hold a pen. One of her many published works is the incredible memoir ’18 Seconds’ where she writes about the day her mother jumped from the Humber Bridge and somehow survived the fall. This even…

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EP 31: Professor Fiona Lobban on lived experience, peer support, and rethinking mental health research 45:36

1M ago45:36

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Send us a text Fiona Lobban has spent her life at the intersection of mental health, research, and lived experience. Growing up in the North East, she applied to Oxford “almost on a whim” — and walked straight into a culture shock that left her struggling, isolated, and without support. Her own mental health collapsed during her degree, and she lat…

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Episode 232: Communication — Peer interaction is vital for learning 15:12

2M ago15:12

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This week’s focus is another core competency, Communication. We’re wondering — Is reading mathematically completely overlooked? What did Lev Vygotsky teach us about interactions and social learning? And should teachers be facilitating more opportunities for talk? Listen to find out!

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SCI and the Climate Crisis: From Impact to Action 1:40:15

1M ago1:40:15

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Send us a text People with the lived experience of SCIs are one of the most vulnerable groups of in the world-both to the extreme heat and weather events which have increased in frequency because of climate change. Although health care professionals have an opportunity to educate their patients about actions they can use to protect themselves durin…

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Andy Ellis on feeling things deeply, dealing with rejection and This is England 1:01:13

1M ago1:01:13

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Welcome to episode 234 with Andy Ellis, who is an actor, voice actor and film maker known for his roles in This is England, The Walk In and Supertato. He is also acting coach at Scene to Screen Acting School in Manchester. Andy found a passion for acting in high school and it was almost by chance that he landed a part in Shane Meadow’s BAFTA winnin…

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Australia/New Zealand Guidelines for the Physiotherapy Management of Spinal Cord Injury 15:05

2M ago15:05

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Send us a text Key points: This podcast summarizes the results of a rigorous evaluation of the evidence for physiotherapy interventions in spinal cord injury using the GRADE methodology Muscle strengthening exercises are effective for partially paralyzed muscles with MRC Grade 3 and 4 strength Further evidence is required in the optimal management …

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EP 30: Louise Christie on lived-experience leadership and peer support in Scotland 51:54

2M ago51:54

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Send us a text Louise Christie leads the Scottish Recovery Network and has spent over a decade shifting power from systems to people with lived experience. She came into mental health from housing, regeneration and social enterprise — an outsider who saw how medicalised services miss what people actually need. We talk family and identity, and the m…

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Episode 231: Generalisation — key for fostering adaptability, independence, and problem-solving abilities 12:36

2M ago12:36

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The next core competency our hosts want to chat about is Generalisation. How important is it for learners to make links and apply certain knowledge to new and varied situations? Plus, ever heard of Zoltan Dienes? Andy explains the two types of variation that Dienes is famous for discussing.

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Finding meaning and answering life's big questions with Brother Richard Hendrick 58:48

2M ago58:48

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Welcome to episode 233 with Brother Richard Hendrick, who is a Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar, a mindfulness and meditation teacher, and a poet and author. For over 20 years, he has worked to bring the insights of the Christian Contemplative tradition to wider public awareness, particularly in relation to modern mindfulness theory and has worked …

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EP 29: Claire Kendall on BBC journalism, burnout, and building peer support at work 43:22

2M ago43:22

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Send us a text Claire Kendall has spent three decades at the BBC and watched the job shift from fast hits to long, immersive reporting. The stories go deeper. So does the emotional load. When she saw that weight landing on reporters — and on the people they film — Claire helped build a peer support network that now counts 300 trained volunteers acr…

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Episode 230: Exploring the 5 Core Competencies - Visualisation 9:58

2M ago9:58

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Over the next five weeks we’re diving into the '5 Core Competencies'. This week, we look at visualisation, a crucial skill needed for problem solving. Our trio discuss the importance of Jerome Bruner's CPA approach, the dangers of rote, and more!

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Finding meaning and purpose after spinal cord injury: Reflecting on 5 years of the Engage Program 1:29:43

2M ago1:29:43

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Send us a text Rebuilding a sense of meaning and purpose following trauma is a vital contributor to post-traumatic growth and adapting well to a spinal cord injury (SCI). This webinar shared the co-design process undertaken to develop a course that uses the concept of post-traumatic growth to foster a stronger sense of meaning and purpose after SCI…

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I'm sorry my mental illness isn't sexy enough for you with Katja Pavlovna from Lives Not Labels 1:08:59

2M ago1:08:59

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Welcome to episode 232 with Katja Pavlovna, who is an educator and award-winning activist and the co-founder of Lives Not Labels, a project designed to shine a light on the mental health conditions and labels that are stigmatised, discriminated against and typically left out of the mainstream conversation. After years of struggling with her mental …

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EP 28: Survival, Support & Strength: Rob Hope & Cat Neill on Trauma, Recovery and Peer Connection 55:21

2M ago55:21

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Send us a text When Rob lost his arm in a motorbike crash — and was left fighting to save his leg and shoulder — and Cat nearly lost her leg while out running, neither imagined their recoveries would become intertwined. In this moving episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Rob Hope and Cat Neill, two survivors of catastrophic injury whos…

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Episode 229: Teachers only get THIS many hours of maths training 21:04

2M ago21:04

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Oboe experts, Being anti-maths, and more. We’re reposting this fantastic episode about teacher training — with our hosts looking into how many hours teachers actually get to explore maths during their training. How serious can the knock-on effects be if something is misunderstood by a child early on? Why are there different attitudes to other subje…

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Krystal Evans on how to survive a fire and a chaotic childhood without losing your sense of humour 1:00:29

2M ago1:00:29

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Welcome to episode 231 with Krystal Evans who is a writer and stand-up comedian. Krystal is also the author of The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp, a memoir about growing up poor in America, living with a mentally ill mother and narrowly escaping a house fire that led to the unimaginable tragedy of losing her sister. In this episode I chat to Krystal abo…

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EP 27: Belonging After Trauma: Emily Sole on Catastrophic Injury, Peer Support & Starting Again 52:01

2M ago52:01

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Send us a text What happens when your life changes in an instant — and nothing feels familiar anymore? In this moving episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Emily Sole, a trade union professional, trainer, and peer support volunteer, about her ongoing recovery following a catastrophic head-on collision in early 2024. Left with life-threa…

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Episode 228: Curriculum decisions — Who makes them and how impactful are they? 24:03

2M ago24:03

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This week our trio discuss the complexities of curriculum organisation in mathematics education. How are curriculum decisions are made? Does the secret to success lie more in the curriculum or in the classroom? Plus, hear how scales and analogue issues might be a problem without the right guidance!

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EP 255: Morgane Herculano – High diving in an abandoned mine, Finishing top 5 in the world, Going from free education in Switzerland to $80k per year at Harvard, Redefining fear & focus, Finding opportunity ... 50:39

3M ago50:39

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Morgane Herculano is a professional high diver, Harvard graduate, and one of the most fascinating athletes you’ve never heard of. Born and raised in Switzerland, Morgane turned a love of flips at her local pool into a global career, diving from cliffs and platforms towering nearly 60 feet above the water. Now based between Boston and Montreal, she …

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Experiencing cauda equina syndrome and its aftercare in the UK 14:49

2M ago14:49

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Send us a text Points: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a common emergency condition that neurosurgeons and spine surgeons deal with. The long term consequences and the impact on the person dealing with CES are poorly defined. This podcast explores the impact of CES on the person, including pain and autonomic dysfunction, and management strategies wh…

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EP 26: Pain, Power & Peer Support: Ryiah Beesley-Gibson on Recovery, Identity & Starting Again 46:55

3M ago46:55

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Send us a text What happens when a single moment changes everything — your body, your identity, your future? In this moving episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Ryiah Beesley-Gibson — a mental health practitioner, trauma survivor, and now a passionate peer supporter. Just weeks before starting a new job in crisis mental health care, Ry…

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Episode 227: Can AI Replace Teachers? 20:19

3M ago20:19

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In this episode, our hosts discuss the implications of AI in education, exploring whether it could replace teachers. Is human connection even that important? Will the future of education involve a blend of AI and human teaching? Plus, the crew note that the role of a teacher goes beyond just transferring knowledge……

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EP 254: Nic von Rupp – From Nazaré to The Eddie, QS Days, His pioneers and peers in big wave surfing, German/Swiss/Portuguese upbringing, State of the industry, Should we pay groms?, and Von Froth 1:11:23

3M ago1:11:23

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Nic von Rupp joins The Lineup with Dave Prodan as he prepares for another Big Wave season, coming off one where he earned the 2025 Best Team Performance Award and added to his growing legend as one of big wave surfing’s most complete athletes. Calling in from home after a ten-foot barrel session, Nic reflects on how far his country and his career h…

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EP 19: CARERS WEEK SPECIAL: The Power of Care - Redefining the Economy with Ruth Hannan & Hannah Webster 50:02

3M ago50:02

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Send us a text In this inspiring episode of the podcast, we sit down with Ruth Hannan and Hannah Webster, co-founders of Care Full Economy, to explore how personal experiences as carers shaped their mission to transform the UK’s approach to care. Ruth and Hannah share their personal journeys into the world of unpaid care, opening up about the emoti…

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Sophie Scott on how to support a loved one's mental health without losing your own 51:14

3M ago51:14

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Welcome to episode 230 with Sophie Scott, who is a practicing transpersonal psychotherapist and the Founder of Balance, an award-winning wellness media brand working to bring mental and physical wellbeing to the masses. Sophie is also the author of ‘You Are Not Alone in This’ a book aimed at the partners, parents, siblings and children of people wh…

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EP 253: Laura Crane – Prep for the 2025/26 Big Wave season, Working with Antonio Laureano, Nazaré, Overcoming injuries, Surf industry standards, Mental health, Dryrobe®, Finding purpose through Crane Surf ... 52:37

3M ago52:37

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Big-wave surfer and Dryrobe® ambassador Laura Crane joins the pod to talk about her rise at Nazaré, the power of resilience, and finding identity through the heaviest water on Earth. Fresh off her second full season in Portugal, Laura reflects on the highs of qualifying for the WSL Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge and the lows of breaking her ankle dur…

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"Labels are for jars mate!" Glyn Butcher and the life saving power of true peer support 1:14:56

3M ago1:14:56

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Welcome to episode 229 with Glyn Butcher, who is a member of the People Focused Group in Doncaster and an Ambassador for the Citizen Network. Growing up Glyn experienced racism, abuse, poverty and discrimination on a daily basis. When he was 11 his Mum was sectioned under the mental health act and not long after that he left to school to care for h…

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EP 25: Ian Smith: Former Rugby Super League Referee on Mental Health, Identity, and Peer Support 40:41

3M ago40:41

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Send us a text In this episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Ian Smith, a former Rugby Super League referee turned mental health advocate with the charity State of Mind Sport. After officiating over 300 professional matches, Ian’s unexpected exit from the sport led to a personal mental health crisis and a deep loss of identity. In this …

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Episode 226: Building trust and creating a culture of improvement — The impact of Professional Learning Communities 25:15

3M ago25:15

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We’re Andy-less this week, but luckily joined by the fantastic Neil and Rosie from St Bridget’s once again. This week we’re discussing the importance of professional learning communities in education, focusing on how they foster collaboration, trust, and continuous improvement among teachers. Just how key is that supportive environment for teachers…