How Did We Get Here?: More fly-on-the-wall therapy, with a light-hearted spin

The Premise (from Apple Podcasts):

In this new original series from Somethin' Else, Claudia Winkleman and Professor Tanya Byron identify struggles faced by real-life parents and family members by inviting them in and hearing their story, in a one-time unscripted session with a real person. Claudia listens in to the conversation to discover how Tanya begins to unlock the story behind the issue and help find solutions. With topics ranging from parental estrangement, gender identity, domestic violence, trauma, inheriting mental health issues, family dynamics after cancer and raising a severely disabled daughter, How Did We Get Here? is a passionate, insightful and moving experience with clear outcomes to each episode.[...] Each episode passes on useful links and contacts which listeners can find in the programme notes.

Series or standalone:

Standalone

Begin listening to:

Any episode--and then listen to them all!

Format:

Discussion/fly-on-the-wall therapy

Host(s):

TV presenter Claudia Winkelman and psychologist/professor Tanya Byron

Sound/production quality:

Very good

Rating/age suitability:

Older/teen adult (explicit language/situations)

Approximate length of episodes:

45 minutes

Curricular ties:

n/a

Similar recommended pods:

Where Should We Begin; Dear Therapists

Podcast Librarian’s Review:

HDWDH is actually quite similar to Where Should We Begin (last week’s review) but with two hosts instead of one. Claudia, who is a well-known TV host in the UK, is the first person who each guest speaks to, and she has them summarize the reason they’re there. Then, psychologist Tanya Byron talks to the guest and gives them practical suggestions for how they can face their issue. Often, the guests have been in therapy before and know in theory what they need to do, but Tanya has a way of making the next steps feel much more manageable. Although the topics can be quite heavy, Tanya has a way of making the guests so comfortable that they can even laugh a bit. She is kind, funny, empowering, empathetic, and comes off as a supportive but no-nonsense friend who wants to help the guest. Meanwhile, Claudia listens in from another room and follows up during breaks with Tanya about things that happened in the session--something poignant that came up, a certain psychological concept mentioned, etc. Claudia is the bridge to us as listeners and also does a final check-in with the guest, who always sounds much lighter and more optimistic at the end of the session. No emotion is off limits, and the guest always seems amazed at the breakthrough and motivated to take the next step. Claudia and Tanya are real-life friends, and their camaraderie shines through so that even the very heavy episodes end on a fun note as they crack a joke at the end. This podcast is lovely, compelling, and positive!