In this Healing 101 episode, Dr. Sharon Bergquist explains how "micro-doses" of intentional stress can actually disease-proof your body. We dive into the science of hormesis - the biological "sweet spot" where deliberate discomfort activates ancient vitality genes to repair DNA and boost resilience.

By balancing these stressors with strategic recovery, Dr. Bergquist reveals how we can "shape-shift" our biology to become more agile, mentally sharper, and physically robust.

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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On today’s episode of Hurt to Healing, I’m joined by Gemma Styles. I recently read her book Why Am I Like This? and it resonated with me so much, so it felt really special to sit down and have this conversation with her.

We talk about her experience of anxiety and depression, what it felt like navigating university and early adulthood, and the impact of being diagnosed with ADHD later in life. We also explore friendship, introversion, rejection sensitivity, social media and that constant inner voice that tells you you’re not quite enough. It’s a really honest, grounding conversation about understanding yourself more clearly and learning to meet yourself with more compassion.

Find Gemma:

Instagram: @gemmastyles

Buy Gemma's book: https://amzn.eu/d/01bZzYEI

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this Healing 101 episode, I am joined by Oona Metz to explore the agonizing "slow fade" of a marriage and why it so rarely ends in a single moment. We discuss the physical toll of chronic disconnection - from autoimmune issues to nervous system burnout - and the "denial" that keeps many trapped in the hope of a better tomorrow. Oona offers vital insights on the difference between a marriage that needs repair and one that is defined by abuse, reminding us that you should never have to "light yourself on fire to keep someone else warm." Whether you are contemplating a split or struggling with the shame of initiating one, this conversation is a compassionate guide to reclaiming your self-worth.

Find Oona:

Website: https://www.oonametz.com/

Read Unhitched: https://amzn.eu/d/0bZl9mXV

Instagram: @oonametz

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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On today’s episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Bryony Gordon, and it was such a joy to record this one together in person.

We talk about her new novel People Pleaser, and the pressure so many women face to keep everyone happy, hold everything together and never let a single plate drop, even when we’re completely exhausted. Bryony shares so openly about people pleasing, perfectionism, addiction, OCD and motherhood, and what it really takes to start setting boundaries and live more truthfully.

It’s a funny, sharp and very relatable conversation, and I think so many of you will see yourselves in it.

Find Bryony:

Instagram: @bryonygordon

Books: https://www.headline.co.uk/contributor/bryony-gordon/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-life-of-bryony/id1763828544

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this episode of Healing 101, I’m joined by neuroscientist Marc Berman to explore how our environment shapes the way we think, feel and function. As the days get longer and we naturally start spending more time outside, this conversation feels especially timely. We unpack attention restoration theory and the difference between the kind of focus that gets depleted through modern life and the kind that is gently restored through “soft fascination” found in nature. Marc shares simple, practical ways to reduce mental fatigue, from designing more restorative spaces to small daily habits that can help reset your mind. This is a hopeful reminder that even brief moments of connection with nature can support clarity, calm and a deeper sense of wellbeing.

Find Marc:

https://psychology.uchicago.edu/directory/marc-g-berman

Buy Marc's book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/305368/marc-berman

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In this episode, I’m joined by neuroscientist, speaker and bestselling author TJ Power, whose work has helped so many people understand what modern life is doing to our brains. TJ is the author of DOSE, a book all about the four key brain chemicals that shape how we feel — dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins — and how our screens, habits and lifestyles can throw them completely out of balance. If you’ve ever felt wired but flat, hooked on your phone, constantly waiting for the next thing, or like your mind just won’t settle, this conversation will feel incredibly familiar. We talk about dopamine, anticipation, ADHD, OCD, flow state, overstimulation and why so many of us feel both burnt out and unable to stop. It’s a fascinating, relatable and genuinely useful conversation about how we can start to understand our brains better and create lives that feel calmer, clearer and more connected.

Find TJ:

Website: https://tjpower.co.uk/

Instagram: @tjpower

Buy his book: https://thedoseeffect.co.uk/

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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In today’s Healing 101, I’m joined by Dr Lalitaa Suglani, author of High Functioning Anxiety, to unpack a term so many of you have messaged me about. We talk about what high functioning anxiety actually is, the “swan” analogy of looking calm on the surface while paddling frantically underneath, and how it can hide behind productivity, perfectionism and people pleasing. Lalitaa explains the difference between high functioning anxiety and high functioning depression, why shame keeps these patterns alive, and how rejection sensitivity can send us spiralling over the smallest things.

Find Lalitaa:

Website: https://drlalitaa.com/

Instagram: @dr.lalitaa

Order Her Book: https://drlalitaa.com/lalitaa/highfunctioninganxiety

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

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Today’s episode is a really personal one with Melanie Lawson, founder of Bare Biology and a previous sponsor of the podcast. We talk honestly about living with OCD, how it can shape shift over time, and what intrusive thoughts and compulsions actually feel like in the body, especially when you’re tired, stressed, hormonal, or going through change.

We also get into the overlap with ADHD and rejection sensitivity, how OCD shows up in motherhood and relationships, and the small, practical things that help Melanie keep it from taking over. If you have OCD, love someone who does, or you’re stuck in loops of doubt and self blame, I really hope this makes you feel less alone.

Visit Bare Biology: https://www.barebiology.com/

Stay Connected with Hurt to Healing:

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Website: hurttohealing.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.