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Getting vulnerable with yourself might be the most attractive thing you ever do. This kiss-and-tell episode unpacks why my relationship ended, and what I learnt.

I’ve just kissed goodbye to someone I dated three years ago. She couldn’t really remember why we split… but I can. The truth is simple, but uncomfortable: it wasn’t her. It was me.

In an honest, very vulnerable reflection, I talk about the gap between looking confident and feeling confident, how neediness can show up when you’re not meeting your own needs, and why people-pleasing + over-giving can quietly wreck your emotional availability.

The core takeaway: you’ll only get what you want from a relationship when you prioritise self-care and protected time out. Not as a luxury—as a prerequisite.

If you’re navigating dating, ADHD overwhelm, emotional burnout, or you want healthier relationships with better boundaries, maybe this episode's for you!?

About the host:
I am a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
I offer a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find my contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching
ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

Jump in the car with me (literally) for my first truly rambly recording on the way to work.

I had no idea where this one was going!

I kick off with two years of stress headaches and end up covering:

- My experience from not drinking

- What podcasting has brought me

- How my limited company was holding me back

- Finally unmasking at the age of 50

- Authenticity, owning your personal brand and getting out your own way.

- A beautifully morbid but powerful question I ask of you too

- Finding the right coach for yourself

It's a messy, honest, but passionate episode and I really enjoyed recording it.

If you like heartfelt bollocks with a side-serving of “Shit, that’s me,” you’re in the right episode.

About the host:
I am a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
I offer a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find my contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching
ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

Episode 7: Get Comfortable Asking for Help

If you’re the one people come to, it’s hard for you to ask for help or admit you need some. It doesn’t come naturally to the people-pleasers among us.

In this episode of Something for the Busy Brain, I am talking about why asking for help can feel so hard, especially when you’ve got ADHD or a brain that never switches off. Not because you’re unwilling. Not because you’re difficult. But because you’ve learned, over time, that coping alone is what makes you “good enough.”

And I want to gently challenge that.

Because so many people with busy brains are walking around with invisible weight: overwhelm, decision fatigue, emotional overload, self-doubt, shame, the constant feeling of being behind… and a private fear that if you stop holding it all together, everything will fall apart.

This episode is a reminder that support isn’t weakness - it’s scaffolding.
It’s the thing that helps you breathe again.
Sleep again.
Think again.
Feel like yourself again.

I talk about what real support looks like (not being “fixed” - being supported), why the right people make all the difference, and a few simple ways to start asking without needing a full meltdown first.

And I’ll leave you with a small challenge: in the next 24 hours, to ask for one small piece of support - specific, simple, doable. Just one. Because you were never meant to do all of this on your own. You just got used to it.

About the host:
I am a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
I offer a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find my contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching
ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

Episode 6: Be More Human

Feel like tech is dominating your world?

In this episode, I unpack how digital overload and cognitive offloading (outsourcing your thinking) can leave you anxious, distracted, and disconnected — even when you’re “connected” all day.

You’ll hear why the algorithm isn’t built for your peace — it’s built for your attention.

And why attention is your steering wheel.

Then I give you a simple, practical reset:
✅ a 7-day Think For Yourself Challenge
✅ boundaries that actually stick
✅ more calm, more space, more self-control
✅ more real connection — because humans need humans

About the host:
I am a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
I offer a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find my contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching

ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

One Word Instead of a Resolution

Calling Bullshit on New Year's Resolutions...

January often begins with exhaustion rather than motivation — especially for people with busy brains.

In this short, reflective episode of Something for the Busy Brain, Ben Cook gently challenges the idea of New Year’s resolutions and offers a calmer, more achievable alternative: focusing on how you want to feel, rather than what you think you should achieve.

If you feel overstimulated, peopled-out, or overwhelmed as routines return, this episode is a grounding pause — a simple anchor to help you start the year with more compassion and less pressure.

About the host:
Ben Cook is a mental health and wellbeing coach who supports adults with busy brains — including ADHD — to find calm, clarity, and self-trust.

Support beyond the podcast:
Ben offers a free, no-obligation 30-minute call.
You’ll find his contact details below:

https://www.goodtothinkdifferently.com/coaching

ben@goodtothinkdifferently.com

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

This is a highly practical, actionable episode from Ben, with advice, guidance and hacks to help busy-brained individuals like him develop their own 'Toolbox of Calm'.

Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Ben encourages listeners to explore various approaches to calm, including writing, sensory experiences, and playful activities. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to start building their own toolbox of calm today.

Ben refers to a headache/stress cap available on Amazon below:

https://amzn.eu/d/eSsqaDb

Takeaways

• Calm is learnable
• Finding personal strategies is essential for relaxation.
• It's important to adapt techniques to fit your unique brain wiring.
• Writing can help regulate emotions and clarify thoughts.
• Sensory experiences can enhance relaxation and calmness.
• Building a toolbox of options can support resilience.
• Exploring different environments can help find calm.
• Engaging in activities with others can enhance the experience of calm.
• Starting small can lead to significant changes in well-being.

Sound Bites

• "Calm is learnable."
• "You need to set the terms."
• "Find what works for you."

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Building Calm

05:54
Finding Personal Calm Strategies

10:14
Practical Tools for Decompression

16:57
Exploring Sensory Experiences

20:59
Building Your Toolbox of Calm

26:49
Conclusion and Call to Action

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Ben welcomes his first guest James Hansen, addictions counsellor, ADHD life coach and founder of the Escape the Chaos programme:

https://www.escape-the-chaos.co.uk/

In a powerfully honest and raw episode, Ben and James discuss the complexities of alcohol consumption, from the role it plays, to societal expectations, the damage to our mental health, and the importance of connection.

James shares his personal journey with alcohol, the impact of his family background, and how he navigates social situations without drinking.

They emphasise the need for self-awareness, planning, and support in making healthier choices regarding alcohol. The episode provides practical advice and support in navigating our lives with or without alcohol.

busybrain, somethingforthebusybrain, goodtothinkdifferently, boundaries, mentalhealth, selfawareness, alcohol, sobriety, connection, adhd, adhdcoach, lifecoach, bencook, addiction, support, ADHD, recovery

Takeaways

Connection with others is crucial for mental health.
Alcohol can serve as a depressant, impacting mood.
Planning ahead can help manage alcohol consumption.
It's important to set healthy boundaries around drinking.
Self-awareness plays a key role in making choices about alcohol.
The societal expectation to drink can create pressure.
Support from friends can help in social situations.
Understanding personal triggers is essential for managing alcohol use.
Creating a life worth living involves developing healthy habits.
The opposite of addiction is connection, not sobriety.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
04:54 James Hansen's Journey with Alcohol
10:02 The Impact of Family and Environment on Alcohol Use
15:01 Understanding Alcohol's Role in Mental Health
19:49 Navigating Social Situations and Alcohol Consumption
25:03 Strategies for Healthy Boundaries and Support
29:58 The Importance of Connection Over Alcohol
34:56 Planning Ahead for Alcohol-Free Experiences
40:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Listeners

Send me a message, from episode feedback to theme requests.

Ben discusses the importance of self-reflection and understanding yourself, especially during reflective times like Christmas. He emphasises the need to invest in yourself, connect with the REAL you, and utilise tools available for self-discovery. This episode highlights that knowing your needs and emotions is crucial for a fulfilling life.

Self-discovery resources recommended in this episode are: 16personalities.com, viacharacter.org, high5test.com, thevaluesbridge.com, scottjeffrey.com and the Clifton Strengths Assessment on gallup.com.

#busybrain #somethingforthebusybrain #goodtothinkdifferently #selfreflection #personalgrowth #mentalhealth #selfawareness #happiness #investinginyourself #emotionalwellbeing #connection #adhd #adhdcoach #lifecoach #switchingoff #bencook