Podcast Playlist

Podcasts are undoubtably a brilliant form of self care. Putting those headphones in and escaping from the outside world, you can curate what you need in that moment. I listen mostly when I am doing something arduous like making dinner, ironing or running a long distance. In this blog I am sharing some of my favourites, covering a varied spectrum of topics. These topics serve me well through education, mindfulness and laughter. If you have any recommendations don’t hesitate to message me over on Instagram @gutsymum I would love to hear what you listen to!

Now this is one for the drive home where after a long and stressful day, you literally need to laugh out loud. As the name suggests it includes quite a bit of poo chat! It you look down the list of episodes you can see how extensive the range of bladder and bowel conditions covered are. If you fall under this category and are looking for someone to relate to this podcast it definitely for you. The beautiful Claudia and Evie invited me on to chat all things ostomy and motherhood with a little ostomate of my own. I had the best time, the girls were so warm and easy to talk to. It was lovely to see (during the video call) how real and kind these women were. They kick off each episode asking each other ‘how is your tum?’, usually met with a hilarious anecdote or two.

Launching two years ago this podcast has had over 10 million listens covering the world of health and wellbeing. I started to listen to this podcast before I had ostomy surgery, as a fan of the food products already. A big part of life after stoma surgery is learning how to nourish your new pipe work with its new configuration. What works for some may not work for others. I would read fellow ostomates stories and wonder why I couldn’t tolerate some of the foods they did. It’s easy to start comparing and getting into a negative space. Something I decided to do was educate myself more on what my body needed with my illness in mind. Fibre is something for example I don’t want a lot of due to a lack of large bowel. Experts include doctors, scientists and leading researchers which shows the commitment being made to ensure the most up to date and accurate information is being discussed.  

I had the pleasure of going on Amber’s podcast back in 2019. Patients, healthcare workers and athletes are featured on the podcast as Amber shines a light on how an ostomy, bowel condition, or wider disability can affect your everyday life. Amber shares her own story, which in the episode of how she met her boyfriend was lovely hearing from a partners perspective. I know it can be a daunting prospect in terms of dating and relationships when an ostomy is added to the mix. If this is you, this episode will leave you feeling warm and positive for sure. My favourite episode has to be with Colorectal Specialist and Consultant Dietician Sophie Medlin, where the ladies discuss gut health and in particular IBD and ostomies. General gut health and diet questions are also answered making it extremely informative. 

This is the number 1 health podcast in the WORLD. Mind, body, diet and food are covered in this feast for the soul where Jay himself promises to share his wisdom and boy does he have it in bucket loads. His voice is very soothing and the range of topics covered is extremely extensive. If ever you are going to find your inner self it will be by listening to one of Jay’s podcasts. Psychologists, scientists and experts alike join Jay twice a week. If you have had a stressful day and need some perspective, Jays calming tones help you to sit back and feel better. Topics range from manifesting, break ups, anxiety, depression, empowerment of women and how to stop being a people pleaser. Something for everyone where you will finish listening with a weight lifted.

I am bias to this podcast as I love everything Angela Scanlon does. Her home programs are favourites of mine and her bubbly, caring persona shines through in every episode. Her podcast ‘Thanks a million’ is warm and funny with guests including experts that share practical, mindful advice. In her own words Angela is ‘picking the brains of the the good, the great and the grateful’. It certainly gives you no excuse not to make your own list of gratitude which as we all know serves our minds well. Comedians, famous faces and wellbeing gurus feature and mini episodes are available if you are short on time but need your fix. One of my favourite episodes was with Wim Holf who chats about his journey of how his self named ‘Wim How Method’ can combat depression, anxiety, stress and burn out. Find out more about this here. https://www.wimhofmethod.com

With over 40 million downloads this podcast has spent a lot of time in the top 10. Fearne Cotton started the podcast as a way of finding joy in hard times, and boy does she deliver and more. Guests are from all walks of life. Fearne compliments the podcast with Instagram lives joined by experts giving in-depth advice and chat about all things mental health. When listening you get a real sense that Fearne has experience much of what is being spoken of, which in turn makes it honest, real and raw. I would definitely check the show notes before delving into an episodes as it may be triggering. For me the most triggering has certainly been Ashley Cain’s episode on the tragic death of his daughter Azaylia. Having being in hospital a lot with our son the memories he recalled resonated with me so much, and the rawness that was given in that episode was something I haven’t related to on such a topic in a long time. It was sensitively navigated by Fearne and Ashley made his family and daughter proud. 

I started running 6 weeks after my refashioning surgery back last year, and before finding my running buddy I used to struggle for motivation so turned to podcasts. This one by Jenni Falconer is the ultimate podcast for running if you like light hearted chat with some celebrities in the mix who share their running stories and what motivates them. I have picked up quite of few tips along the way and driving past you will see me laughing as guests share some unfortunate running stories which lets face it, most of us have! Jenni’s passion for running really shines through and some of the guests are people I never thought of as runners, which gave me even more incentive to give it a go. It gave me the motivation is start looking into races as I heard guests talk about how incredible the atmosphere is and the buzz you get after it. Fast forward a year and I have just done my first 10K race, have another booked next month and a half marathon next year! Thank you Jenni!

These podcasts can be played via Acast, Spotify and Global Player. 

Happy listening, Rach x