In 2020, Mr Omar Hilmi sat across from Lee in a Glasgow hospital and told him he had six months to live.

Five years later, they sat down for a cup of tea and talked about it.

This episode covers: why surgeons owe patients the truth even when it's devastating, how you carry impossible conversations home with you, what David Gemmell's Legend has to do with surviving cancer, and how Omar Hilmi ended up singing at Darth Vader's funeral.

Honest, funny and genuinely unlike anything we've recorded before.

Lee and Paul bring you a special edition of Mind Bites, recorded live at the Golden Lion in Stirling. With laughter and camaraderie, the duo catch up over lunch, sharing updates on their lives and the quirky happenings since they last met in person.

Join them as they discuss:

• The joys and challenges of dog-sitting with Lee's collie, Rock.

• Paul's recent adventures in Japan and the excitement of performing in Shanghai.

• The potential monetisation of their podcast and the humorous idea of sponsorship from kids' shows.

• Paul's journey through hypnotherapy and Reiki, exploring how these therapies have impacted his mental health.

• The ups and downs of being a football fan, particularly as Hearts navigates a dramatic season.

• Lee's new knitting hobby, inspired by an intriguing way to connect with a potential podcast guest.

With plenty of banter, heartfelt moments, and a touch of the absurd, this episode is a delightful blend of life updates and relatable reflections. Tune in for a dose of laughter and insight!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging conversations!

This week Lee is joined by Jo Robinson-Howarth, founder of the Happiness Club — a woman who has experienced pretty much everything life can throw at a person and somehow turned it into a force for good.

Jo grew up in a chaotic household with an alcoholic, emotionally abusive stepfather, lost her biological father at 25, and spent years navigating grief, shame and the gap between how life looks from the outside and how it actually feels. She's now a hypnotherapist, mindfulness practitioner and happiness coach — not because she has all the answers, but because she's lived through most of the questions.

In this episode they talk about:

• Why happiness isn't a destination — and why chasing it might be the problem
• The biggest lie the wellness industry sells us
• Why "improve yourself" implies something's wrong with you (it isn't)
• The one-size-fits-all myth — and why wellbeing is more like a buffet
• Social media, highlight reels, and why Jo posts about crying on the regular
• What children can teach us about emotional intelligence

Honest, funny and completely free of media answers.

Find Jo and the Happiness Club at www.thehappinessclub.co.uk or to listen to the AI programme I was waffling on about with Hannah Fry, click here.

And if you're not getting enough SPAM, be sure to sign up to our newsletter here for all the latest cakery news.

What the heck is neurofeedback?
Is it science, is it mindfulness or is it your brain watching itself and quietly sorting its life out?

In this episode of Mind Cake, we’re joined by Neurofeedback Scotland founders Suzanne and Helen to unpack what neurofeedback actually is, how it works, and who it might help. Lee also shares his first-hand experience of sitting in the chair with sensors on his head while his brain responds in real time to what’s happening on a screen.

We explore:

• What neurofeedback really is (and what it isn’t)

• How the brain uses real-time feedback to regulate itself

• Why it’s often used for ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma and migraines

• Whether neurofeedback is training the brain or reminding it what it already knows

• How many sessions are typically needed and why consistency matters

• Possible side effects, risks, and how expectations are managed

• Why it feels a bit like real-time meditation with visuals

• Where neurofeedback fits into mental health care over the next decade

We also dip a toe into the slightly more woo-adjacent world of bioresonance therapy (described, with surprising accuracy, as “technological Reiki”), and discuss why some people are drawn to brain-based therapies when talking approaches haven’t quite landed.

No hype. No miracle claims. Just curiosity, lived experience, and an honest conversation about whether neurofeedback could be a useful tool for mental wellbeing.

🎧 Mind Cake is a podcast about mental health, curiosity, and the strange things that sometimes help us feel more regulated.

To find out more, visit NeuroFeedback Scotland

Wrong numbers, witches and an answerphone full of chaos. Happy New Year.

As we step into the New Year, Lee and Paul are back in the cosy confines of Mind Cake Tower, ready to share their thoughts on the festive season and the pressures that come with it. In this lively episode, they discuss the often tedious formality of New Year greetings, the ups and downs of holiday gatherings, and the peculiarities of Scottish traditions. Expect plenty of banter, as well as some candid reflections on mental health amidst the seasonal chaos.

🎙️ Join the duo as they sift through a series of listener messages filled with well-wishes, amusing anecdotes, and a few unexpected surprises. From the whimsical predictions of a friendly green witch to cheeky voicemails from their beloved listeners, this episode is packed with laughs and relatable moments.

💬 What were your New Year highlights? Share with us in the comments!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more engaging conversations and mental health insights!

#NewYear #MentalHealth #MindCakePodcast #FestiveFun #ListenerMessages #ComedyPodcast #MentalHealthMatters

Ever wondered what Christmas traditions and mental health have in common? Well, Lee and Paul are here to unwrap the conversation! In this festive episode, they dive into the real talk about Christmas, the pressure of New Year's resolutions, and... a surprise cameo from Officer Crabtree?! 🤔

🎙️ Expect laughter, mental health insights, and a bit of holiday chaos — because, let’s face it, Christmas can be both wonderful and wild.

💬 What’s your holiday stress-buster? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow for more fun and mental health talks!

#Christmas #MentalHealth #MindCakePodcast #HolidayBanter #ChristmasTalk #MentalHealthMatters #NewYearsResolutions #ComedyPodcast #FestiveFun #MindCake

It’s Christmas Eve Eve and the Mind Cake team is throwing a festive bash! In this special holiday episode, we’re joined by some very special guests from past episodes who pop round to join the party. Expect laughter, surprises, and plenty of light-hearted holiday chaos as we reflect on the year and celebrate with some Mind Cake-style cheer.

So grab a mince pie, settle in, and join us for a Christmas Eve like no other—packed with good vibes, a sprinkle of wisdom, and maybe a little too much eggnog. Merry Christmas from all of us at Mind Cake!

In this Mind Bite, Kerry explains the simple 5-10 minute nightly routine that keeps clutter from taking over your home — and your mental space.

We talk about decision fatigue, the psychology behind “just in case” clutter, the emotional weight objects carry, and why that box of 15-year-old cables absolutely needs to go.

If your house feels overwhelming, if you’re forever tidying, or if you have that drawer full of “might need it one day”… this episode will make your life easier immediately.

Featuring:
✔ The 10-minute rule
✔ The one-in-one-out method
✔ The 20/20 rule
✔ Why paper clutter builds so quickly
✔ The truth about “just in case” items
✔ How small daily routines beat weekend chaos

A short, sharp, very relatable guide to making your space feel lighter — without the guilt.

If you enjoyed this Mind Bite, you can listen to the full conversation with Kerri on our main episode:Decluttering the Chaos

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