Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace.

In this episode, host Dr. Jen Cottam speaks with Amber Keegan-Stobbs, former captain of Newcastle United Women’s Football Club and the club’s first female player ambassador.

Amber shares her journey with anxiety, panic attacks, and receiving an ADHD diagnosis at the age of 29, an experience that helped her make sense of the internal ‘storm’ she had lived with for years.

She speaks openly about masking her struggles, the positive impact of seeking help through counselling, and how she rediscovered her love for football. She also reflects on the challenges and strengths that come with ADHD, and how her own experiences have inspired her to train as a counsellor to support others.

Visit Talk Works:

https://talk-works.org.uk/

Connect with Jen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/

Connect with Amber:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-stobbs/

Learn more about the Newcastle United Foundation:

https://nufoundation.org.uk/

Recommended Read:

A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled by Ruby Wax - a helpful tool on Amber’s journey with mindfulness.

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace.

In this episode, host Jen Cottam speaks with Simon Whitaker, founder and CEO of the award-winning menswear brand Master Debonair. Simon shares the emotional story behind the business, reflecting on how personal loss, resilience, and a focus on wellbeing have shaped both his life and career.

He speaks openly about his relationship with alcohol and the life-changing decision to get sober in 2019. Simon also talks about the role of self-care and physical health in helping him overcoming the personal and professional challenges he's faced along the way.

If you're curious about your relationship with alcohol or looking for support, here are some helpful

• Drinkaware – A charity offering a free, easy-to-use app to track your alcohol intake: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/

• AUDIT Test – Developed by the World Health Organisation to help you assess your drinking habits: https://auditscreen.org/

• Alcohol Change UK – A leading charity working to reduce alcohol harm:  https://alcoholchange.org.uk/about-us/about-our-charity

Visit Talk Works:

https://talk-works.org.uk/

Connect with Jen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/

Connect with Simon:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonwhitaker1973/

Visit Master Debonair:

https://masterdebonair.co/

Welcome to The Talk Works Podcast, a space where we explore mental health, therapy, practical advice, and the tools needed to support wellbeing in the workplace.

In this episode, host Jen Cottam chats with Jane Austin, Director of HR at Wave, about how organisations can support their people and build a stronger, more inclusive workplace through thoughtful, people-focused HR practices.

Jane emphasises the importance of psychological safety and employee-led support groups such as Hot Flashes and Go with the Flow, which Wave has introduced to help break taboos and encourage open conversations in the workplace.

Jane also shares the impact of wellbeing initiatives, such as mental health awareness campaigns and the impressive 98% response rate to Wave’s employee engagement surveys.

This conversation is packed with practical insights for HR professionals and leaders seeking to strengthen employee resilience, increase inclusivity, and enhance wellbeing within their workplace culture.

Visit Talk Works: https://talk-works.org.uk/

Connect with Jen:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jencottam/

Connect with Jane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-austin-6037a366/

Access the Randstad work monitor Survey: https://workforceinsights.randstad.com/en/download-the-workmonitor-2025-report