TeaTalk Conversations

06/02/2025

This week's Thursday Conversation: 'Why do 'Neurodivergent' individuals often also have depression?'

There are many links made between neurodisabilites and the increased onset of anxiety and depression. But why is this?

If you'd like to breach this question further, make sure to tune into my podcast episode on Friday 5PM GMT where I will dive into prevalence of poor mental health among the 'neurodivergent' community. (Link in Bio).

follow for more weekly questions.

31/01/2025

Episode Five: 'The Next Steps: The Story after Cancer Treatment, Activism and the Importance of Psychological' Part 2. Out now! (Link in Bio).

In this podcast episode, I continue my amazing conversations with surrounding her childhood diagnosis of osteosarcoma and the challenges she faced as a paediatric cancer patient, including the impact on her psychological wellbeing. We also have an important discussion into the importance of choice, assent and Cheyenne's post surgery story.

[Full content warning in the introduction of the episode].

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, IHeartRadio and more, so you can enjoy TeaTalk podcasts on your favourite app. See the link in my bio for more.

: A blurred green wood background with a heart imprint and rust flecks dotted over the wood. In the middle of the heart is the TeaTalk Conversations logo in white, and a circular photo of a young woman in a beige dress with shoulder length brown hair. She is sitting in a wheelchair, infront of a background that reads 'Amputee Coalition'. Across the center of the post is a horizontal radio wave. Title at the top reads: 'TeaTalk Conversations: Episode Five: 'The Next Steps: The Story after Cancer Treatment, Activism and the Importance of Psychological' Part 2. Left bottom reads 'With special guest: Cheyenne Heflin'. Right bottom reads 'Your Host: Jules Balchin' Below that reads 'Episode Five' in black letters and 'Series two' in white letters.

24/01/2025

Episode Four: 'Childhood Interrupted: Surviving Paedatric Cancer and the Invisible Psychological Journey Within' Part 1. Out now! (Link in Bio).

In this podcast episode, I have an amazing conversations with surrounding her childhood diagnosis of osteosarcoma and the challenges she faced as a paediatric cancer patient, including the impact on her psychological wellbeing. We also have an important discussion into the importance of choice, assent and Cheyenne's post surgery story.

[Full content warning in the introduction of the episode].

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, IHeartRadio and more, so you can enjoy TeaTalk podcasts on your favourite app. See the link in my bio for more.

: A blurred green wood background with a heart imprint and rust flecks dotted over the wood. In the middle of the heart is the TeaTalk Conversations logo in white, and a circular photo of a young woman in a beige dress with shoulder length brown hair. She is sitting in a wheelchair, infront of a background that reads 'Amputee Coalition'. Across the center of the post is a horizontal radio wave. Title at the top reads: 'TeaTalk Conversations: 'Childhood Interrupted: Surviving Paedatric Cancer and the Invisible Psychological Journey Within' Part 1. Left bottom reads 'With special guest: Cheyenne Heflin'. Right bottom reads 'Your Host: Jules Balchin' Below that reads 'Episode Four' in black letters and 'Series two' in white letters.

10/01/2025

Episode Three: 'Psycho Killer: The Damage Behind Condition Related Terminology Embedded in Everyday Language'. Out now! (Link in Bio).

In this podcast episode, I discuss the much needed conversation surrounding common words, insults, and slurs that are inappropriately embedded into the English language, and showcase the impact on the mental health of individuals who are disabled and directly impacted by these offensive terms.

[Full content warning in the introduction of the episode].

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, IHeartRadio and more, so you can enjoy TeaTalk podcasts on your favourite app. See the link in my bio for more.

: A blurred green wood background with a heart imprint and rust flecks dotted over the wood. In the middle of the heart is the TeaTalk Conversations logo in white, and a circular, monochrome photo of the upper profile of Jules with shoulder length hair and wearing a white shirt. Across the center of the post is a horizontal radio wave. Title at the top reads: 'TeaTalk Conversations: 'Psycho Killer: The Damage Behind Condition Related Terminology Embedded in Everyday Language'. Left bottom reads 'With your host Jules Balchin'. Below on the left reads 'Episode Two' in black letters and 'Series two' in white letters.

20/12/2024

Episode Two: 'Chapter Two: An Author's Journey of Mourning, TMS and ADHD.' Out now! (Link in Bio).

In this podcast episode, I have a fantastic conversation with () to discuss how her writing and her experience of mourning a close relative was influenced by her struggles with ADHD, severe anxiety and depression.

[Full content warning in the introduction of the episode].

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, IHeartRadio and more, so you can enjoy TeaTalk podcasts on your favourite app. See the link in my bio for more.

: A blurred green wood background with a heart imprint and rust flecks dotted over the wood. In the middle of the heart is the TeaTalk Conversations logo in white, and a circular photo of the upper profile of a young woman with brown wavy hair and a white blouse, against a black background. Across the center of the post is a horizontal radio wave. Title at the top reads: 'TeaTalk Conversations: Chapter Two: An Author's Journey of Mourning, TMS and ADHD.' Left bottom reads 'With special guest: Jessica Nixon AKA Levon Rider'. Right bottom reads 'Your Host: Jules Balchin' Below that reads 'Episode Two' in black letters and 'Series two' in white letters.

19/12/2024

This week's 'Thursday Conversation' is: Why is Crohn's associated with bad Mental Health?

In this post, I take you through what current research suggests about stress, anxiety and depression and how Crohn's can elevate these conditions. I also look at what current research suggests about how these conditions can influence Crohn's symptoms.

Have your own thoughts on this question? Drop it in the comments below or message me :)

Have a question for Thursday Conversations? I'd love to hear your question.
The Thursday Conversations snippet is a chance for YOU to ask me anything about mental health and neurodiversity. Each week I will select a question to answer.

Keep up to date with these posts by following

13/12/2024

Episode One: 'Identity Unlocked: How Transition, Trans Rights and Solidarity directly impact mental health'. Out now!

https://open.spotify.com/show/6BgLb8Bfi6SPIQ9gn44sbF?si=c446f6b34d96427e

In this podcast episode, I team up with to have a vital discussion about their transgender journeys, how transitioning has influenced their mental health and how positive societal perspective is crucial for the wellbeing and safety of the transgender community.

[A content warning will be given in the introduction of the podcast]

This podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, IHeartRadio and more, so you can enjoy TeaTalk podcasts on your favourite app.

Thank you also to Felix () for being my first TeaTalk assistant, providing us with current, reliable research into puberty blockers and running the Instagram takeover for this podcast.

During the podcast, a campaign is discussed for a young activist called Kwabena, who has been arrested for speaking in support of Palestine. Please show her support following 'Justice for Kwabena': link in the podcast description.


Post description: A blurred green wood background with a heart imprint and rust flecks dotted over the wood. In the middle of the heart is the TeaTalk Conversations logo in white, and a pink and blue logo that reads the words Trans Strike Back in black lettering. Across the center of the post is a horizontal radio wave. Title at the top reads: 'TeaTalk Conversations. Identity Unlocked: How Transition, Trans Rights and Solidarity directly impact mental health'. Left bottom reads 'With special guest: Trans Strike Back'. Right bottom reads 'Your Host: Jules Balchin' Below that reads 'Episode One' in black letters and 'Series two' in white letters.

12/12/2024

Today's 'Thursday Conversation' is: What does it mean to be prescribed antipsychotics?

In this post I take you through some of the conditions in which this medication is offered, what psychosis is and debunk a few of the stigma backed myths about psychosis symptoms.

Have your own thoughts on this question? Drop them in the comments below, I'd love to hear them :)

Want to ask the next Thursday Conversations question? Comment below, or send me a message with your question. 💜🫖

Keep up to date with these sorts of posts by following
Listen out for Episode One, Series Two of my podcast Friday 6pm GMT on Spotify, Apple Podcast and other platforms.

10/12/2024

TeaTalk Conversations needs YOU!

I have started a for TeaTalk Conversations. Read below for why...
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-teatalk-conversations-platform

Since it's creation, has been independently run by myself with no team behind me. Since TTC doesn't generate any money, it's reliant on funding and a very small budget from my own personal savings.

As we wrap up this year, I'm discovering that I cannot fund TeaTalk Conversations anymore in the same way. From podcast equipment, website maintenance, editing software and media promotions...among other costs: TeaTalk Conversations cannot raise the voices and perspectives I set out for it to do, without help.

What can you do to help keep TeaTalk Conversations alive?
LIKE this post, SHARE this and the funding link to anyone and in anyway you can, FOLLOW TeaTalk Conversations and DONATE to the crowdfunder.

Any help at all would be appreciated :)

Jules 💜

18/09/2024

This week's "Thursday Conversation", I was asked: Why aren't children diagnosed with Anti-social Personality Disorder?


Follow TeaTalk Conversations for the next 'Thursday Conversations' update and more posts aiming to reduce stigma around mental health conditions.

08/09/2024

Insomnia is can be caused by a large range of mental and physical conditions, and if experienced, can have a profound impact on our daily lives.

Here are a few things that have been tried and tested (also by me!) that have assisted some people in improving their sleeping habits.


Make sure to follow TeaTalk Conversations for regular posts that challenge societal perspectives and encourage open conversation around all mental health.

06/09/2024

This week I explore the question: What is Autistic burnout?

Autistic burnout is frequently misdiagnosed as clinical depression and can often be overlooked in workspaces or schools. This post aims to show why Autistic burnout needs to be differentiated from regular burnout.

This post kicks off a new section of 'Thursday Conversations', where each post will pose a question that aims to challenge current awareness and perception of a variety of mental health and neurodivergent conditions.

Next week's question is: Why can't children be diagnosed with Anti-Social Personality Disorder?

Have a question? Message me on social media, or head to www.teatalkconversations.com

05/09/2024

Three things you don't need to justify to anyone:

- Why you have trauma
- Why you may need additional support
- Why you need sick leave for your mental health

🧠

29/08/2024

A new blog is up! Why is there an estranged relationship between mental health and the education system?

In this blog, I discuss some of the barriers that are hindering schools from providing the necessary support needs to students with mental health conditions or are neurodivergent.

Have a read on TeaTalk Conversations: https://www.teatalkconversations.com/post/mental-health-and-the-education-system-an-estranged-relationship

Follow TeaTalk Conversations for mental health support, rambles and join the fight against stigma in mental health conversations.

23/08/2024

Bipolar disorder is continually misunderstood and harmful myths only add to the stigma. It's time to debunk some of those assumptions.

Let's replace uncertainty and fear with support, positivity and respect. 💜

Thank you to my amazing friend Adrienne for contributing your opinion and experience to this post :)

Follow TeaTalk Conversations for frequent mental health rambles and support.
Link in my bio for my website and podcast!

20/08/2024

Are we desensitising mental health disabilities? In this new blog, I address the potential risks of the growing mental health recognition and the impact of social media self-help trends.

Are we desensitising mental health disabilities now that recognition is on the rise? I address the potential risks of the growing mental health recognition and the impact of social media self-help trends.

30/05/2024

You may have noticed some significant inactivity on this account recently, and I'm sorry that I disappeared for so long. Over the next month I'll be preparing lots of material for this account and exciting things for you to enjoy and interact with.

Until then, I'll be stepping back from posting and being active on TeaTalk social media. Please be patient ... I'm not going anywhere for long! ✨💛

Jules x

23/04/2024

In this episode I sit down and have a conversation about trauma, its misconceptions and trauma therapy, with my wonderful guest Shelley Bradley-Scholey: trauma therapist and founder of Fortitude Psychological Therapy.

🔗Listen on Spotify Now - link in my bio.

Derailing stigma and bias around mental health one ramble at a time. TeaTalk Conversations episodes are full of advice, neurodivergent rambles and funny events all to prove to the world that mental health doesn't need to be seen as so controversial. How can I help someone suffering? What is Misophon...