
Psychotherapist Allan Clarke hosts a fortnightly podcast with worldwide guests talking all things mental health. The difference with the Straight Talking Mental Health Podcast? It is both informative and informal! Complicated and sensitive subjects are presented in a down to earth and relatable manner.
Over the years of the podcast we have been able to touch a lot of people’s lives and make a difference to people we have never met! This is a privilege we don’t take for granted and we have been amazed at the feedback we have received so far, whether that is people just letting us know how much they love the show, or people letting us know they are alive because of the show! Read below for just a tiny fraction of the feedback we have received so far:
I had an idea in my head of what to do to end this shit existence even although I really did not want to, but I cannot see a way or even how to fix things or myself. A friend sent me a link saying, “try listening to this mate, it might help.” It was the link to Straight Talking Mental Health, even in my hopeless state you guys are helping me right now. All in all, you guys and your team are worth your weight in gold! The fight is real, and you guys are helping, I’m hoping to win.
Phil
Love the show, you put out the real honest topics that people are afraid to talk about, you help make them sound more normal and highlight to people it’s great to talk. Fair play to you for discussing your autistic diagnosis too and I really look forward to an episode on that subject. For someone who has always struggled with my mental health your podcast is such a boost and an informative chat every week. I could easily be in the snug in Cunningham’s with the lads having the chats & bants. It’s great hearing all the feedback you get and people you are reaching, I’ve shared your page numerous times and had people messaging me for details to your podcast, so I’m glad to spread your podcast around because I know what good it can do. You really do deserve great praise for your show , it’s done off your own back out of your own time and you are reaching a lot of people. Again great job and thank you for your podcast can’t wait for many more great episodes.
Dean
I want to say a huge thank you for the amazing podcasts you both do. Listening to your podcasts has really helped me to learn about a wide variety of issues and people’s stories and has helped me to not feel so alone. I love that you keep things upbeat as much as you can as I find some podcasts about mental health can be all doom and gloom but you guys are just brilliant. I love listening to your general chat at the start of each episode and often find myself laughing out loud. I listen to your podcasts when I’m walking and they really motivate me to get up and go for a walk each day even when I don’t feel like getting out of bed. So thank you for helping me to start my days in a positive way by making me smile.
Charlotte
I started listening to you guys just after a breakup and I’d often go for very long walks out into the local woods and countryside and your straight talking chat, great advice and funny craic helped me an awful lot in those dark months. On advice from Allan in the podcasts I started practicing meditation, it really helped at the time. Thank you so much guys. You’re helping so many people with this. It’s the best podcast I’ve come across and I’ve learned so much.
Paul
I wasn’t in a great place at the time for a number of reasons but found the podcasts extremely helpful. I find Allan extremely knowledgeable in so many areas. The “shite talk” part is also great as it feels like your sitting in on the conversation without having to talk which for someone who suffers with social anxiety over the last few years is a dream! Have to admit I’m a bit gutted now that I am up to date and have to wait for each episode. Glad to say I’m feeling a lot better than I did for last few months and that is partly down to you lads so a big thank you!
Keith
Thank you so much for making this podcast, you have helped me a lot lately, I came bad with such horrible social anxiety and depression lately. Your show is giving me hope that I will get better one day! I’ve felt so alone and your show has brought me back! I listen to all your podcasts when I’m at work to calm me down.
Nick
I’m writing you this email today to commend you on your work, I love your podcast and the way you speak about all things mental health and especially love the way you knock the craic out of things. Not everything got to do with mental health is dreary and sad and I love the way you that you two portray that.
Stephen
You guys are definitely making a difference and I love to listen in every week. Keep up the fantastic work, ye work brilliantly together. Stay well and congrats on this new step forward!
Laura
I started listening to your podcast this week. It’s been really interesting, and honestly exciting, to listen to this podcast both as a sufferer of anxiety who has been through CBT and as a mental health practitioner in my current workplace.
Sam
I just wanted to reach out and say, I am loving your podcasts and its great to see two lads normalising all these issues and straight talking. It’s informative and inspiring!
MIchael
I absolutely love listening to yere podcast. It really has helped me. I find it both relaxing but also very informative which I think is a beautiful balance and can be hard to come by in the podcast world.
Eimear
Thank you so much for your podcast! As a long-time sufferer of depression and anxiety, it’s something I appreciate on a personal level and something that we absolutely need to talk about more.
Mike
I recently discovered the podcast and wanted to commend you both on an excellent production. I love the content and the humour in which it is delivered. I can resonate with the topics. I’m not one for putting myself out there but listening to your show inspired me to get in touch.
Nigel
It’s become one of my favourite mental health podcasts. I love your straight talking/down to earth style and it’s great that yous can have a bit of a laugh too! Yous are doing great work by bringing more awareness to mental health issues in Ireland. Looking forward to your future episodes!
Abigail
I’ve just discovered your podcast and think it’s great. The ones I’ve listened to so far have been amazing. I’m just on the 3rd mindfulness podcast of the trilogy and I’ve now recommended these to family and colleagues. I mainly listen to them when I’m out running and put the front cover on my Strava to show others what I’m listening to. On many a run I’ve been ‘in the flow’ then burst out laughing! I think your approach is bang on, mental health always seems difficult to talk about but your down to earth approach and mix of banter and seriousness really works.
Mark
I am a massive fan of the podcast, been listening for a couple months and it has been a real emotional experience at times – not in a bad way but just me coming to terms with certain areas. A lot of the episodes have hit me differently, the main one being Single in Lockdown as I have been single all my life and it just struck me hard – it helped me to learn to appreciate myself more though, so thank you for this episode.
Lloyd
I came across your podcast purely because I was looking for something/anything that would help me understand what’s going on inside my head. Even just the little of your podcast I’ve listened to has opened my eyes to things I ordinarily wouldn’t have thought were an issue because it was normal to me growing up and now questioning why, but not having the answers. The comment about passing the sorrow or sadness on to the next person is something I’m definitely struggling with especially when I see it as they will grow and manage as I’ve seen so many people do, they are stronger, they have people to help them through, they will cope. Just want to say I’ve appreciated listening to you guys so far, it’s obviously something that is needed, only wish I could have known these things decades ago.
Marty
I think it’s brilliant and really helpful for people to learn how to understand their own mental health and those around them also and to be just more aware.
Ellen
I am a new listener to the podcast, and I have to say, it is top of the pops. Well done on creating something that is so needed, I bet it is a huge stepping stone for many to get help. For something that is so heavy, its a breeze to listen to.
Alan
I just want to thank you for all your efforts, you are doing great work. You have helped me survive some very dark times.
Christy
I’m yet another case of a young person with a tough history of mental illness who thinks your podcast is awesome and has been helped by listening. I love the humour, and smiling along while I’m walking has really boosted my mood.
Vera
I have listened to your podcast for a few months now and I really do enjoy it. I like it when you talk your day to day stuff, what you have been doing, it is really down to earth and you have some brilliant topics each week.
Rachel
Love the rapport you guys have and the humour is brilliant (I’ve laughed out loud a number of times already) which is really refreshing for a subject matter that can be really heavy at times. I’ve become a real fan of your podcast in a short space of time and can’t wait to listen to some more episodes. It’s so important to talk about these things and you are doing this in a new and easy to listen way whilst still getting all the important messages across which is not an easy thing to do but sounds so natural to you guys. You are making a huge difference to many people out there I’m quite sure about that so keep up the great work.
Stuart
I wouldn’t normally be the type of guy to speak out about mental health but I was referred by a friend to listen to ye, particularly your podcast relating trauma as over the course of the last six months the cracks began to appear in my both my personal and professional life as I wasn’t feeling myself. Today on my way home from work I decided to listen to it not really knowing what to expect. My general opinion of podcasts until today is that they are for people who have nothing better to do but talk shit. But all I was doing on the way home was holding the tears back as I couldn’t have resonated anymore with the words that were said. I truly admire ye for just speaking about things in general. I honestly respect the time that ye give to what ye do. It breaks the stigma, particularly for men. I feel like I have been one of those men for quite a long time. Please keep up the great work. Keep talking, keep podcasting and continue to educate us all.
Maurice
I just came across your podcast and absolutely love it. I have personal experience of PTSD and find your podcast so eye opening and interesting, It has helped me realise why the therapy I have had in the past hasn’t really work for me. I find the relaxed approach of the podcast so good as it’s educational but also fun to listen to.
Kirsten
I just wanted to mention how much I appreciate your podcast. It has really helped me want to understand my own mental struggles and helped me feel not alone in some of the things I go through day to day. I also love learning about other peoples experiences and how they have overcome/are working on overcoming their struggles as it gives me and I am sure others a lot of hope. Thanks so much for doing this podcast, it has encouraged me to try get to the bottom of why I feel the way I do and start therapy again.
Shannon
I wanted to take a minute to let you know how much I love the show and how brilliant it is to have some real talking! The sheer fact you guys say life as it f*#king is, rather than wrapping up with ribbons and bows is so good to hear. The show has me laughing so much, listening to you chatting, moaning, talking as we all do is a breath of fresh air. Yet covers the issues of mental health in a down to earth but to the point way, has me trying to find time in a busy day to grab a podcast if I can. Keep doing what you’re doing, love the show!!
Emily
I just want to take this time to say your podcasts are really helping me figure things out. I can’t even put into words how glad I am the podcast exists.
Lily