Jo and JJ Go Mental

24/01/2022

Tax consultants don't wear pink.

During one of my more memorable performance reviews I received feedback that I wore too much pink, and whistled too much on the way to the coffee machine.

That went down like a pile of wet sick, you will imagine.

It's one of the topics we talk about in this podcast from last year, where JJ and I sit down with Marie-Louise Ashworth.

If you didn't hear it the first time around, check it out here

https://ed.gr/duwhk



https://ed.gr/duwhm

https://ed.gr/duwhl

13/10/2021

Check out this week's episode with the ever inspirational Reb.

Reb, helps women love their bodies enough to take back control of their health and confidence.

Reb is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, who has overcome massive physical and mental health issues to become the woman she is today.

Ending up in a wheelchair in 2019, Reb made the decision never to be pushed in the chair again, and in October 2019 wheeled the chair to the door of the gym, and started the long road back to health and fitness.

Today she's stronger than ever before, has lost over 50 pounds, and is now fully independent and working full time while getting her business off the ground to help others turn their lives around.

Many people, doctors, family, told her she couldn't do it. Instead, she chose to say, what if I can? And because of that, she's where she is now. We are delighted to have her on the show to learn more about how she did just that.

Check out the episode here: https://ed.gr/dovhu

11/10/2021

In this week's episode we welcome the inspirational Reb, Transformational Life Coach who is the driving force behind the Rise With Reb programmes and community.

Reb shares how she went from a wheelchair to walking, despite what the doctors said. We discuss why it’s so hard to let go of old habits, the responsibility we have of sharing our story on social media, the importance of advocating for yourself and doing your own research, and how not to live in a pity fest.

Check out the podcast here:
https://ed.gr/dop9a

04/10/2021

We recorded this episode the same weekend as the anniversary of 9/11, and during it, we talk, among other things, about grief.

We cover the topics of willfulness and balancing the need to be right, with the desire to be effective. (How many times have you been talking to someone and you find yourself needing to be right, against all costs, even if being right just creates more conflict).

And I also introduce you to my late 93-year-old Granny Molly who was a member of the Geriatric Mafia - think three little old ladies (one registered blind, one deaf as a post and the third one with a dodgy hip) all causing havoc on the bus and in the supermarket

https://ed.gr/dn7y9

30/09/2021

Catch us this Monday on FB for the latest episode of Jo and JJ going mental

27/09/2021

And the podcast is back for a second season.

In this week's episode we talk about when emotional intelligence is sincere, and when it can become a tick box exercise.

Many well intentioned leaders may just go through the motions of "I'm going to be empathetic", but this may hide a more self serving agenda.

Based on an HBR article https://ed.gr/dnscp?

Podcast here: https://ed.gr/dnscq

26/09/2021

20/09/2021

Our first guest of the season, Reb, helps women love their bodies enough to take back control of their health and confidence.

Reb is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, who has overcome massive physical and mental health issues to become the woman she is today.

Ending up in a wheelchair in 2019, Reb made the decision never to be pushed in the chair again, and in October 2019 wheeled the chair to the door of the gym, and started the long road back to health and fitness.

Today she's stronger than ever before, has lost over 50 pounds, and is now fully independent and working full time while getting her business off the ground to help others turn their lives around.

Many people, doctors, family, told her she couldn't do it. Instead, she chose to say, what if I can? And because of that, she's where she is now. We are delighted to have her on the show to learn more about how she did just that.

19/09/2021

Jj and I are sitting down with Reb from Rise with Reb on Monday

13/09/2021

Come join me and JJ as we go Mental on Monday evening at 7 pm UK time, 11 am Pacific.

Last week, we asked the question: how do you know if you are using emotional intelligence in an authentic and sincere way, or whether you are just ticking a box before you move on to the good stuff in the conversation - i.e. the bit that serves you.

Lets see what this week will have in store.

As always, if you have questions or topics you would like us to talk about, DM me (jo) or leave a comment and let me know

06/09/2021

After a well deserved summer break, we are back for season 2 of Jo and JJ Go Mental. Come join us on Monday 30 August as we record our first episode back.

02/09/2021

What a season!

As Jo and J.J. wrap up Season 1, they identify a few of the themes that came up with the fantastic array of guests. Between fear, shame, embracing your weirdness and much more, Season 1 was chock full of learning from each other and calling in new perspectives. This week, they highlight a few stand-out moments and give us a sneak peek of what we can look forward to in Season 2.

Listen again: https://ed.gr/dk38k

01/09/2021

So often we hide our differences so we can fit in and belong. For some, doing this at work is extremely difficult or not even an option.

In this episode, Jo and J.J. welcomed Faith Clarke, Organizational Health and Inclusion Specialist who works with value-driven and diverse teams so they can deliver on business and social impact promises at the highest level.

Faith is extremely passionate about inclusion for BIPOC and neuro-distinct individuals and advocating for those who “don’t belong”. She discusses the importance of mental health and how her children taught her to focus more on wisdom than having control. She talks about how organizations can change one small thing at a time and the importance of listening to the underserved and those having difficulties directly rather than assuming what they need.

Listen again to episode 22 "We Can Be Different Together: Faith Clarke" here: https://ed.gr/dk38i

31/08/2021

In episode 21, Jo and J.J. welcomed Reverend Erika Allison, Q***r interfaith minister, speaker, author, and spiritual counselor.

Rev. Erika talks about her own experience with conversion therapy, and how harmful it can be, causing long-term effects and even high cases of su***de. She talks about her healing and recovery, and the choice to forgive and let go of anger. Her book, Gay the Pray Away, guides readers on their own journey and can also serve as a powerful resource for someone who has a loved one coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She, Jo, and J.J. send a message to parents that almost anything can be worked through, and as more structures fall apart, we will welcome people more for who they truly are with open hearts.

Listen again to "One foot on the gas, one foot on the brake with Reverend Erika Allison" here:
https://ed.gr/dk38h

30/08/2021

Hi guys - sorry for the late notice - starting next week instead of this week

30/08/2021

Tax Consultants Don't Wear Pink!

Listen again to episode 20 where Jo and J.J. are joined by Marie Louise Ashworth, President of The Network, a network of female entrepreneurs and professionals in Luxembourg. The Network is devoted to developing a supportive community of women and helping them build resilience, avoid burnout, and thrive as they meet their personal and professional goals. Marie Louise is also a committed mentor for young women and startups. She talks with Jo and J.J. about how to maintain our individual character while working in a corporate setting, the importance of community, and how she got on the other side of her own burnout.

Listen here: https://ed.gr/dk38g

27/08/2021

Jo is on her own in episode 19 and shared her reflections on how the attitude around burnout has shifted throughout the generations, especially since the pandemic.

In this episode Jo discussed three perceptions of burnout that she has seen a shift: that if you burnout that means you are broken or weak; that burnout and exhaustion is just a side effect of being busy which is a good thing, and that life is just tough and you should just get on with it and not complain. After two burnouts in five years and coming through the other side, Jo now works with clients to help them do their best work without burning out. She is also on a mission to move through the still palpable stigma around burnout in both work and interpersonal settings.

Listen again to episode 19, "Changing Perceptions of Burnout Through The Generations" here:
https://ed.gr/dk38f

26/08/2021

In episode 18 Jo and J.J. revisit a few months back during the time of the election to check on one of the most judged and misunderstood emotions — anger.

They discussed why doing the deep work of anger is like wading through that infamous tunnel scene in The Shawshank Redemption, how anger signals that our boundaries are being crossed, and how letting go of anger needs to be a conscious choice. They also talked about how to process anger if you can’t really act on it right then and there, and why women have such a tougher time showing anger in public. Jo shared a story from her previous work that blows J.J. away and displays how women often stand up for each other before they stand up for their own needs.

Listen again to "Honoring The Anger" here:
https://ed.gr/dk38b

25/08/2021

Listen again to Season 1 of the Jo and JJ Go Mental Podcast

We may see horses as just cute animals grazing across the farm, but they are really incredible teachers, full of wisdom and life lessons about living in the moment and letting go of the past.

In this episode, Jo and J.J. are joined by June Burgess, Equine Coach, Business Director, and Entrepreneur. She talks about how she began her Equine Assistance Workshops and why working with horses can be so powerful for our mental health. Jo shares her own experience in learning to relax around the horses and how that mirrored so much about business and the need for perfectionism. June shares some amazing stories of working with veterans suffering from PTSD and CEO’s of large companies, and how they both had transformations after working with horses.

Listen again to "Letting Go and Learning To Smile With All Four Cheeks - Interview With June Burgess" here:
https://ed.gr/dk378

24/08/2021

Episode 16 - and boy did we have a lot to discuss!

We talked about all a lot of things, including the unfortunate passing of Jo’s family dog, takeaways from the recent appearance of Prince Harry on the Dax Shepard podcast, and how to share your vulnerable emotions without coming across as self-indulgent or too long-winded.

We also talked about how therapists balance transparency with boundaries, having conversations with people that may not have done the work yet, and why it’s important to give yourself the tenderness and space to think especially during a time of extra stress and grief. The episode ends with J.J. promising to meet up with Jo for a tour of a city close to you sometime in the not-too-distant future!

Listen again to "Oversharing, Doing the Mental Work, and The Wee Dog Died" here: https://ed.gr/dk377

23/08/2021

In episode 15 we are joined by Jo’s good friend, HR Manager and super step-mom Jessica Whytehorn.

She talked with us about families from different backgrounds coming together to form a strong and respectful unit. Jessica shared her own story about how she adapted to a family that originally spoke different languages, and worked to create an element of respect and tolerance. Jessica also talks with us about how to know when to let go so the kids can fly the nest. We may be thinking the kids are not ready to be on their own or even just to take a small step towards independence, but very often it comes from the grown up not being ready. There may never be a moment and sometimes it’s just a matter of letting go bit by bit for both. How do we know when it’s time?

Listen again to "Learning To Let Kids Go and Embracing Mistakes with Jessica Whytehorn" here:
https://ed.gr/dk374

20/08/2021

In this episode, Jo and J.J. welcomed Sascha Altman DuBrul, Writer, Educator, Coach, Counselor, and Co-Founder of the Icarus Project.

Sascha shares how his own experience with mental health and time in a psychiatric hospital led him to realize that the traditional mental health space had a lot of frailties and faults, and brought him to his life’s mission to bring like minded people together to start to get the education and training they would need to create lasting change. He talks about his decision to also add in traditional clinical education and why that was beneficial and explains the need for communities to come together to empower each other. He and Jo and J.J. also discuss how social and political context must be talked about to understand mental health.

Listen again to "Transforming Our Current Mental Health Infrastructure with Sascha Altman DuBrul" here: https://ed.gr/dk37s

19/08/2021

Macy Matarazzo is a Relationship Expert for Single Women, and creator and founder of The SuperLOVED System. Macy talks with Jo and JJ about the essential element of accepting yourself in order to find someone that accepts you too, and shares how one post about loving soup on a dating app changed her life forever.

In this episode we talked with Macy about dissolving the fear and limiting beliefs about finding love as a career-focused woman, how to stop “winging it” when looking for love, and that it’s okay to not have everything in life topped off with a big red bow.

Listen again to "You Had Me At Soup with Macy Matarazzo" here:
https://ed.gr/dk37p

18/08/2021

In this episode, Jo and JJ are joined by Pauline Carville, TV presenter, theatre director, and highly regarded singing teacher in Belfast.

Pauline talks about her commitment and passion towards mental health, her decision to get help for her own struggles, and how the process made her a better performer and artist overall. Pauline talks about meeting her husband Robert Elliot, who now joins her co-presenting The BIG Show on NVTV. She also talks about adapting her play, Am I Mad or What? into a book, and how that experience helped her process deep emotions and get through to the other side. All three women talk about how we can show up playing a role in our everyday lives, and how to recognize when that is happening so we can stop, get the help we need, and show up authentically for ourselves and others.

Listen again to episode 12, "Are we mad or what? Featuring Pauline Carville": https://ed.gr/dk37i

17/08/2021

In this episode of "Jo and JJ Go Mental" we welcomed Kristine Goad, author of Surfing Your Edge and personal transformation coach.

We talked with her about embarking on the biggest adventure in life, finding out who we really are and having the courage to embrace it and show it off to the world. Kristine feels most alive when doing something out of her comfort zone, and now helps facilitate people throughout their big events in life. Kristine talks with us about embracing her own so-called failures and turning them into life lessons, and advice for trusting your gut and just enjoying the process without having an attachment to a certain outcome. Whether it’s participating in a 48 day cross country bike ride, plunging herself into the ocean for a triathlon or just having the courage to get to know herself better, if there is a fear, Kristine is going to conquer it.

Listen again to episode 11, "The Biggest Adventure Is The One To Be Ourselves With Kristine Goad" here: https://ed.gr/dk37d

16/08/2021

Listen again to Season 1 of "Jo and JJ Go Mental".

In this episode, we talk about the need for intention and compassion behind self-care. If we see self care as another thing to check off on the to-do list, we are simply missing the point. We discuss how self-care can be swept up and glorified in our culture of crossing things off our list and showing others how calm and peaceful we are, when in reality that is just not the case. When we feel as though we don’t “self-care” enough or the right way, we flog ourselves and feel worse about ourselves then we even did before we started. We also talk about ways to tune in and feel the emotions that are arising during your self-care, and a powerful tip for ending your work day that your brain will thank you for time and time again.

Listen again to episode 10 "Self- Care - Its Not Just Another Tick Box Exercise" here:

13/08/2021

Listen again to Season One of the Jo & JJ Go Mental Podcast!

In episode 8, Jo and JJ sit down with Audrey Thorne, host of the Lights, Camera, Analysis podcast, teacher and mentor. Audrey herself is a film lover and invites her podcast guests to talk about life lessons through the lens of movies we all know and love.

Jo and JJ talked with Audrey about how we can learn about mental health and emotional intelligence through the movies we watch, what our emotions teach us about our values, and how teachers are coping with the long hours and stress in the profession, particularly during the pandemic.

Listen again to "Looking at Life Through the Lens Of Your Favorite Movie with Audrey Thorne": https://ed.gr/dkpmm