Same Sh*t, Different Brain

In the eighth podcast episode of Same Shit Different Brain’s third series, Rebecca talks to Leticia Fonseca.Leticia is a personal finance mentor and she helps people, particularly women, to have a healthier relationship with money. She is the founder of Master Your Finances and a self-proclaimed ‘infectiously positive powerhouse’. Leticia talks about the close relationship between money and how we treat ourselves, after personally discovering the positive financial impact of getting to know and love herself more.They discuss the resilience Leticia’s built up over the years since experiencing depression when she was younger, and going through a divorce. She shares about the challenges she faced around that time and how she's now found the right practices to build up her self-esteem; and to have a whole new appreciation for life.They also chat about how Leticia came over from Brazil to London to change her life, ended up working in the city and built a career she loved; and how grateful she is to her younger self for doing that.If you like the show, please take a minute to review on Apple podcasts, rate it on Spotify, subscribe or follow ⭐️Email: hello@sameshitdifferentbrain.comFollow Same Shit Different Brain and Leticia Fonseca:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leticiafonseca/https://www.instagram.com/masteryourfinances.uk/

In the seventh podcast episode of Same Shit Different Brain’s third series, Rebecca talks to trans speaker and activist, George Evans.George became an in-demand speaker after his Pride Month 2022 LinkedIn post, proudly declaring his trans identity, got millions of views. He’s since become a celebrated public speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice and regularly travels around to share his story with different businesses and audiences, educating them on diversity and inclusion for the transgender community.In George’s own words: “I’m now using my voice to educate the world on what it truly means to be transgender, sharing the stories of my transition and mental health.”If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify.Email: hello@sameshitdifferentbrain.comFollow Same Shit Different Brain, George Evans and read George’s post:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/georgewynevans_lgbtqia-transgenderawareness-transpride-activity-6948243246305185793-YXCK/https://www.instagram.com/gwevs/https://www.tiktok.com/@gwevshttps://linktr.ee/georgewevans

In the sixth podcast episode of Same Shit Different Brain’s third series, Rebecca talks to producer for the creative and tech industries, Emma Jackson. You may have seen Emma landing a plane with Kevin Bacon in an EE ad. As she likes to put it, she only gets out of bed for world firsts. She racked up millions of views for content produced for Cut Youtube channel, and using entertainment to show diverse role models is a particular joy of hers. She’s proudly and loudly neurodivergent, and they talk about their shared experiences with late diagnosed ADHD.Emma  inspired Rebecca to talk about her ADHD publicly for the first time in a real-life space, during the Q+A of a panel talk she appeared in. As well as comparing notes on ADHD, they talk about female empowerment and how women can get better at recognising our own achievements, while businesses also need to have fairer systems for advancing people.Also, how to approach allyship and why we have to put the work in to speak up for people without speaking *over* them; positive psychology and the science of happiness; trauma around ADHD why meditation and somatic processing are so important with neurodivergence; and what it was like to land that plane with Kevin Bacon.If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify.Email: hello@sameshitdifferentbrain.comFollow Same Shit Different Brain, Emma Jackson and see Emma's work:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/ev_jackson/https://twitter.com/evjThe 5Gs - https://the5gs.co.ukLanding a plane with Kevin Bacon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XMsISVWz-wMy First Same Sex Girlfriend - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYgIKWrlffwHere are the allyship resources mentioned in the episode:Do the Work course - https://rachelcargle.com/Better Allies course - https://betterallies.com/

In the fifth episode of series 3, Rebecca talks to the brilliant Pete Barnes, founder of the Northern Pride Sports Collective, the Manchester-based LGBTQ+ badminton team Northern Cocks, and a board games community too. I met Pete when he appeared on the panel of SSDB’s first live event last year, which was all about How to Make Friends and Find Communities as an Adult.We talked about social anxiety, the power of communities, reinventing yourself through university and travelling the world, and why a lonely childhood can lead to a deepened determination to hone your skills at making friends in adulthood.Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Northern Cocks on the socials: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/aberpete13/https://www.instagram.com/northern_cocks/

In the fourth podcast episode of Same Shit Different Brain’s third series, Rebecca talks to Kashi Chellen, community and events executive at The Happiness Index. The Happiness Index is an employee engagement & happiness platform, helping organisations measure the key employee engagement AND happiness drivers to power their people strategy. 🧠👥They discuss destigmatising therapy, the importance of mindfulness, accessibility and inequality in digital wellness, how crucial it is to learn emotional self-regulation and why we’re not taught it in school.Plus, getting an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, finally gaining a better understanding of your own brain, managing co-occurring anxiety and working through the trauma that comes with spending your whole life feeling different, without knowing why. If you like the show, please take a minute to follow, leave a review or give it a rating. ⭐️Follow Same Shit Different Brain, Kashi and The Happiness Index on the socials: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/kashi1206/https://www.instagram.com/the_happiness_index/

This time, Rebecca speaks to Ellie Austin-Williams, founder of This Girl Talks Money.In her own words, Ellie is ‘Breaking the money taboo & putting financial wellbeing on the agenda’. She started TGTM because she was ‘bored of the same old financial tips written by middle aged white men in suits’, and wanted to ‘open the conversation up around earning, spending, saving and managing money.’Alongside building a community of 30,000 financially empowered women, Ellie has worked with brands from Glamour to American Express, as well as providing financial expertise for Refinery29, Stylist, BBC News & more. She was recently invited to 10 Downing Street to talk with the prime minister about the new strategy for tackling fraud AND she’s just announced the release of her first book, Money Talks: A Lifestyle Guide for Financial Wellbeing.Ellie gives invaluable insights around cultivating a healthy mindset around money, why so many of us end up in debt without knowing what we’re signing up for, and the way the system in the UK needs to be improved in order to support women, to close the gap when it comes to financial stability. Plus,  managing the pressure of running your own business, the fear of failure and the pressure to choose a career we’re going to enjoy.If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or give it five stars on Spotify.Follow Same Shit Different Brain and This Girl Talks Money on the socials: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/thisgirltalksmoney/https://twitter.com/girltalksmoneyhttps://www.thisgirltalksmoney.co.uk/Pre-order Ellie's book, Money Talks: A Lifestyle Guide for Financial Wellbeing.https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1786787997?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_WSC7PNA31Q0HFGCRAGYS_1

The second podcast episode of Same Shit Different Brain’s third series, Rebecca talks to Amy Proudfoot, founder and director of Sober Social.Sober Social’s mission is to revolutionise socialising within communities and make socialising inclusive to everyone. This is an open and honest chat between two sober girls about navigating life without alcohol, whether you’re going sober, doing Dry January or are just curious about the benefits of a rest from drinking.Amy spoke about her own journey to changing her relationship with alcohol, via stints living in Australia, Italy and Bali. During this time travelling the world, experiencing other cultures and changing her career, she experienced some unexpected, unforgettable twists and turns that would change the course of her life forever. Amy shares about the mental health experiences that led her to overhaul her life, from panic attacks to agoraphobia and body image.Amy is now a holistic personal trainer and human potential coach, bringing her passion for positive change and creating authentic relationships to her business. She is driving Sober Social to build happier, healthier groups of people through community-led wellness experiences, which are changing the way we feel and connect without the need for alcohol. If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify.Follow Same Shit Different Brain, Sober Social and Amy Proudfoot on the socials:  https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/sobersocialuk/https://www.instagram.com/amyproudfoot_/

Rebecca speaks to Stef Sword-Williams, founder and author of F*ck Being Humble, the incredible platform and career bible helping people be unapologetically proud of their achievements and overcome the fear of self-promotion. In Stef’s own words, “‘F*ck Being Humble’ is a mindset to adopt to make sure you never miss out on an opportunity because you were too modest”. Stef saw a lack of representation in the creative industries during her advertising career and decided she didn’t want to sell people things they don’t need anymore, so she made it her mission to celebrate amazing talent. Her motivational talks and workshops help individuals to know their worth and feel empowered in their professional development. Since starting F*ck Being Humble in 2018, becoming a worldwide public speaker and hosting radio shows, podcasts and endless events, Stef has been named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30, delivered a TEDx Talk and partnered with global brands from Google to Warner Music, Kerastase to NatWest and Estee Lauder. Stef has also founded the community platform This Might Help, providing peer-to-peer support for everyday carers, who are helping people in their lives experiencing mental health challenges, trauma and sexual assault. 👥 With more people like Stef leading the way, we could have a chance of changing this notion that we should be embarrassed to shout about the awesome things we achieve. If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or rate it on Spotify. https://www.fuckbeinghumble.com/https://www.thismighthelpus.com/Follow Same Shit Different Brain, F*ck Being Humble, This Might Help and Stef-Sword Williams on the socials: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrain https://www.instagram.com/fbeinghumble/https://www.instagram.com/thismighthelpus/https://twitter.com/fbeinghumbleldnhttps://twitter.com/stefaniesw

This week, Rebecca speaks to Phil Cookson, director of Creative Resource and Founder of the School of Thought.Phil spoke about the passing of his wife in 2019, before then losing his mum a few months later. He talked about how he found the process of grief, including navigating loneliness in lockdown, managing anniversaries, honing in on his own coping methods and helping his dad to come to terms with loss too.Phil made a children’s book about his wife to gift to his young niece, who was born just after she died. He wanted her to get to know the person her auntie was and the process of creating provided an invaluable positive focus point. Another cathartic experience was five days walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall in winter with his dog Oscar, raising £5,000 for a local cancer charity. He also spoke about starting the School of Thought to empower others in their career development and confidence.If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Visit the event page for Same Shit Different Brain's first ever live panel talk on 11th August, How to Make Friends and Find Communities: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-make-friends-and-find-communities-as-an-adult-tickets-379273576477 Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Phil Cookson on the socials: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrain https://twitter.com/PhilCooksonhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/philcookson/

This week, Rebecca speaks to Chloe Higgins, an author and writing coach. She runs her online business Write with Chloe from Thailand, where she recently moved to from her home of Australia. A big reason for this was her love of Muay Tai, with this form of exercise serving as an important coping tool for her mental health. Chloe spoke about losing two sisters in a car accident when she was 17, which led to a two-month stay in a psychiatric ward, undergoing treatment for trauma. There, she discovered her passion for writing after discovering The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, which helps with artistic creative recovery. Almost immediately, Chloe decided she wanted to be an author and in 2020, her debut The Girls won the People’s Choice Award at the 2020 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. Chloe now coaches others with their writing and reaching the point of publication, with a strong focus on mindset and self-work. She believes that writing and mental health are the same thing, that vulnerability is everything in literature, and that it is a political act to normalise honest, personal conversations.  Rebecca and Chloe also discuss: Her love of travel throughout adulthood Radical responsibility, victimhood and identifying collapsed boundaries Using journalling for both inner work and heightened emotional intelligence, better communication skills and also, for writers, develop fully rounded characters Being available to feel *all* her feelings, especially those she was previously scared of  If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Visit the event page for Same Shit Different Brain's first ever live panel talk:   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-make-friends-and-find-communities-as-an-adult-tickets-379273576477 Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Chloe Higgins on the socials:   https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/  https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrain https://www.instagram.com/write_with_chloe/ https://www.facebook.com/ChloHiggs/

This episode, Rebecca speaks to Rochelle Hanslow, an author, chronic illness and mental health writer, podcaster and M.E. Support UK ambassador.   Rochelle is doing incredible work promoting more education and challenging misconceptions around lesser-understood physical and mental health conditions. They discuss a range of important topics and issues, including:  Misunderstandings around the day-to-day difficulties of chronic illness, such as M.E. and fibromyalgia  The difficult relationship between body image and chronic illness  - and the value of the body neutrality movementHow animals help our mental health and coping with pet bereavement, which Rochelle’s debut children’s book ‘How to Rest on a Rainbow’ was based on  The gaps in knowledge and support for neurodiversity in children and adults, including ADHD and autism  Having a parent come out as transgender in childhood and dealing with the heartbreaking prejudice that affected her family  Coping with the trauma of an emotionally abusive relationship and the journey to regaining her sense of self If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Visit the event page more for Same Shit Different Brain's first ever live panel talk: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-make-friends-and-find-communities-as-an-adult-tickets-379273576477Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Rochelle Hanslow on the socials:  https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/ https://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast/ https://twitter.com/SameSDiffBrainhttps://www.instagram.com/thestingingbelle/ https://twitter.com/RLHanslow

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we hear a recap of every guest from series 1 talking to Rebecca about mental health, in the first of two special compilation episodes. Here's an overview of some of the themes discussed in these episode snapshots:  S1 Ep1 - Stewy Axon: Body image and social media S1 Ep2 – Sarah Wain: CBT and panic attacks S1 Ep 3 – Alison Carlin: Skin confidence with eczema and redundancy S1 Ep 4 - Jade McSorley: Anxiety and eating disorders S1 Ep 5 - Jade Hark: The stress of self-employment S1 Ep 6 – Fran Bibby: Intrusive thoughts S1 Ep 7 – Laura White: Seasonal affective disorder and PMT S1 Ep 8 - Rachel: OCD and imposter syndrome S1 Ep 9 - Hannah: Managing frustration and not being heard S1 Ep 10 - Caroline: The stages of grief S1 Ep 11 - Kristie: Anxiety and brain fog S1 Ep 12 - Lewis: Work-related stress and male mental health S1 Ep 13 - Liam: Depression as a new parent S1 Ep 14 - Helen: The different types of traumaIf you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/same-shit-different-brain/id1553870136https://open.spotify.com/show/0bmWeW2gx1YMriycq3A19d?si=bc3ef7f7cb004cd8Follow Same Shit Different Brain on social and visit the website:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.sameshitdifferentbrain.com/

This week, Rebecca speaks to Bonnie Bowron, a breathwork facilitator and energy healer from Birmingham. She discussed how breathwork changed her life after years struggling with addiction, and how getting clean from the coping mechanisms of alcohol and drugs helped her to become more self-empowered and find out who she really is. This then led her to train in breathwork so that she could help others and see them change their own lives for the better. Bonnie realised it was what she was meant to be doing and felt an inner calling while furloughed from work in the first lockdown, finding it a saviour after old traumas started to resurface. She shared how conscious connected breathwork has helped her to overcome her past and manage her mental health day-to-day. If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/same-shit-different-brain/id1553870136https://open.spotify.com/show/0bmWeW2gx1YMriycq3A19d?si=bc3ef7f7cb004cd8Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Bonnie Bowron on social:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/bonnie_breathwork/?hl=enhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bonnies-monthly-breathwork-journey-tickets-304648209997

This time on the podcast, Rebecca speaks to Liam Browne. Liam is a published author, with his two autobiographical books Dealer to Healer: A Modern Tale of A Fucked Up Male, and HITCHHIKING: Feel the good vibrations. He is also a healer, yoga teacher and the founder of Full Power Cacao, a powerful plant medicine which is also a superfood. Full Power Cacao regular ceremonies and chocolate dance parties around the UK, with healing, guided meditation, drumming, poetry and dancing. In addition to all this, Liam is the founder of Stone Cold Sober, which hosts nationwide sober raves and retreats, and this year is launching the UK’s first totally sober festival. Liam discussed his no-nonsense approach to spiritual coaching, helping people to reach self-realisation and enlightenment with loving honesty (even if it means risking losing them when they don’t want to hear it). He also discussed his journey from reaching rock bottom and going to prison after losing his mum, to turning things around as he went into his 30s and all the joy that’s brought him in this lifetime, after he went on a life-changing trip to Guatemala. His expediences have helped him to support others in rising up from their darkest moments, becoming the ‘magnificent’ beings we’re all supposed to be.If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify.Follow Same Shit Different Brain, Liam Browne, Full Power Cacao and Stone Cold Sober on social: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://instagram.com/liambrownelove?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://instagram.com/fullpowercacao?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://instagram.com/stonecold_sober?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=Liam’s full website, with details of all his brands, products and events, can be found at https://linktr.ee/liambrowne.

This time on the podcast, Rebecca speaks to Craig Seaton, whose Create Your Own Reality  retreat in Wales she recently went on for the second time (you may remember the previous episode with his co-host Briony). Craig is a Breathwork Facilitator, whose sessions you can book at Blok gyms, along with regular events in Manchester city centre and other venues. He’s also a kundalini yoga instructor, lucid dreaming coach and sound healer. He has so much knowledge and many experiences to share from his own really committed, far-reaching journey of self-discovery, training and studying in China, Japan as well as closer venues such as the Manchester Buddhist Centre. This has given him the ability to help and empower so many others with their healing, consciousness and emotional understanding through the work that he does. Craig shared his own story from starting out aiming to be in the fire service, then becoming a personal trainer and through his physical health transformation, being made aware of the positive changes he could make to his mental health too and discovering spirituality in a big way, going on to train under different gurus and philosophers. He discussed exploring consciousness through meditation, expanding the mind through psychedelics, including plant medicine like mushrooms and ayahuasca, and how we have it within ourselves to create those same mind-altering experiences through breathwork. They talk a little longer about lucid dreaming as it’s a little more mysterious and unknown, so a fascinating topic. If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Follow Same Shit Different Brain and Craig Seaton on social: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/craig_seatono2/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/craig.seaton.3

This week, Rebecca’s guest is Sarah Adams, who runs the brilliant Manchester Choirs. Run in three different venues, they are fantastically supportive and uplifting sessions singing gospel-inspired songs, providing a creative and emotional release singing with other ladies on a weekday evening. They allow members to feel the connection of community in a really fun way, allowing performance and expression without any pressure to be perfect.Sarah is a musician and performs both solo, with her new project And Loops, as well as with her vintage gospel band Canter Semper. She spoke about everything from having to start running her business online during the lockdown living at her parents, how she copes with anxiety and overthinking, to the huge benefits that therapy has had for her, dealing with the end of a relationship, why space is so important, and how there’s value in the little things we can do to feel better when we’re down. If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Follow Same Shit Different Brain, Manchester Choirs and Sarah’s solo and group musical acts on social: https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/choirsmanchester/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/andloops23/?hl=en

This week, Rebecca speaks to John Hester, co-founder of Lonely thoughts clothing, which he started with his wife Lyndsey in 2020. This independent local brand up in the Scottish Highlands have already made a more positive impact on the world than 10 big fast fashion companies. They support some fantastic causes, giving help to those in need around mental health by donating all sales to their chosen charity.Rebecca and John discussed numerous fascinating topics, from changed perceptions of those in key worker roles over the pandemic, to the difference we can all make to the world as individuals, the changing fashion market as more people shop consciously, the power of being vulnerable, and how we can appreciate our strengths and weaknesses in order to do the best we can in all areas of life.If you like the show, please take a minute to leave a review on Apple podcasts or rate it on Spotify. Follow Lonely Thoughts Clothing and Same Shit, Different Brain on social:https://www.instagram.com/lonelythoughtsclothingco/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/lonelythoughtsclothing/https://lonelythoughtsclothing.com/https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast

We're back for 2022 with episode five of series two!This week, Rebecca speaks to Darren Hodgkinson, who she first met in November taking part in cold water immersion with Reservoir Doggs, of which he was a founding member. She went on a hike he was leading and threw herself in the deep end, literally, and now takes part in these dips regularly with this wonderful welcoming community.Darren spoke about everything from living with ADHD and depression to being bullied as a child, his experiences in a successful career in the police, become more creative with photography, music, poetry and writing his first book, and going on his self-help journey following years in traditional mental health treatment. He’s found a lot of success in alternative therapies over the years, from hypnotherapy to reiki, breathwork and most importantly, cold water immersion. Darren has been doing cold water dips every single day, raising money for the Mental Health Matters charity, which he is doing for a full 120 days. Darren also discussed the unfortunate passing of his father during the first wave of Covid, and how that has impacted the way he perceives and lives his life. Follow Darren, Reservoir Doggs and Same Shit, Different Brain on social - and you can donate to Darren's charity page for his fantastic cold water immersion challenge:https://www.instagram.com/mancpov/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/breathimmersion/?hl=enhttps://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/120dayscoldwaterimmersionhttps://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast

For this special Christmas episode, Rebecca reunites with her former guests from series one. They talked about this year's 'realisations', achievements and what may have changed since they recorded their episodes during the last UK lockdown. They also discussed what they think of new year’s resolutions and whether they’ve made any for 2022.Rebecca hosts a festive quiz looking back at some of the insights from each of the guest's episodes, along with a few musical interludes.Thank you to everyone who listened to Same Shit Different Brain this year. Also, THIS IS EXCITING! You can now rate the podcast on Spotify (as well as Apple Podcasts). So if you have a minute, please go to the show page to award it stars out of five. Merry Christmas everyone, and a happy 2022, whatever it may bring.Follow Same Shit, Different Brain on socials:https://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcasthttps://twitter.com/thestyleryder

For episode three of series two, Rebecca spoke to wellbeing laughter yoga coach Sara Kay. She attended some of Sara’s laughter yoga sessions over Zoom during lockdown and, well, they’re genius. Laughter is of course, the best medicine, and we all know the difference it can make to our mood, but it perhaps isn’t part of our everyday, as we’re not always watching comedy, attending a show or having rib-tickling conversations with people.The beauty of laughter yoga is that you force yourself to laugh through various exercises, because your body doesn’t know the difference between real and pretend laughter. So it’s still just as effective, making for an excellent de-stressing activity. Dancing round her living room to Sara’s sessions laughing her head off (and scaring her neighbours) was just what Rebecca needed in the middle of the pandemic.Sara herself got into laughter clubs and workshops after being on antidepressants, coming out as LGBTQ and ending her marriage. So learning this skill and becoming a coach was a huge turning point for her,  helping her to better cope with everything life brings and becoming more resilient to challenges. She spoke beautifully about self-acceptance, the importance of ‘letting go’ and embracing your inner child; and helping others to overcome obstacles, improve their self-esteem and enjoy their lives again.Follow Sara and Same Shit, Different Brain on social - and check out Sara's laughter advent calendar on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBGG5sYNi8Qd1dhuDs_x1zwhttps://www.instagram.com/seriouslaughuk/?hl=enhttps://twitter.com/seriouslaughukhttps://www.instagram.com/sameshitdifferentbrain/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/SameShitDifferentBrainPodcast