We All Get Pins & Needles: Recent Episodes
Alexandra Shaw
Welcome to this podcast because it’s true, right? We do all get pins and needles. That seizing, painful sensation when pressure on a body part compresses our sensory nerves. In the moment, we want to stay still to avoid the pain, but the only way to ease it is to move the pressure away. Every Wednesday, Alexandra Shaw has constructive conversations with people about their experiences and their ways of overcoming versions of pins and needles in life: moving through struggle. This is an opportunity to be lifted, even a little. Here we come! Find me @a.e.shaw Intro and Outro Music produced by Paradis Farahati: @paradismusic
In this bonus episode, Lizzie and I speak about the pins and needles caused by the social concept of 'cool'. From aloof antisocial behaviour, perceived social statuses, censoring oneself, to warm and natural connection, we reflect on the liberation of the self and how progress is never made when everyone maintains the status quo.
Link for Soaring Segment
The Mix: support for under 25s
Mind: for better mental health
Shout: 24/7 Helpline
Samaritans: 24/7 Helpline
Under a brilliant blue sky, Ana and I speak about the pins and needles of feeling not good enough. From intentional self-development, anticipating rejection, the self-consciousness of being both not enough and too much, the conflict between personal choices and everyone else, fluctuations in confidence and positive outlook, to remembering perspective over ego, this is the eleventh and final episode of the first season!
Link for her chosen Soaring Segment
Ana as the Lead in a New Television Series
@anastasiamartin11
The Mix: support for under 25s
Mind: for better mental health
With a breathtaking view before us, Bella and I speak about the pins and needles of itching to take action. From how to move out of a rut, comparison with other people's productivity, scepticism towards creative careers, the place of the arts in society, to self-belief and being honest about hopes, this is the tenth constructive conversation of the series.
Bella's Music
@is_a_bellaluca
The Arts Quotation From 'Dead Poets Society' 1989
The Mix: support for under 25s
Mind: for better mental health
Out in the dear town of St Andrews, Rob and I speak about the pins and needles of lows not involving professional help. From chance difficulties, expectations around University, surface-level perceptions, the move from home and homesickness, men's mental health, to looking ahead as a young adult, this is the ninth constructive conversation of the series.
CW: anxiety and depression mentioned
Link for his chosen Soaring Segment
Movember: men's mental health
Mind: for better mental health
Samaritans: 24/7 helpline
In the beautiful city of Edinburgh, Nessa and I speak about the pins and needles of discomfort either when you're restless or sluggish. From pent-up energy, boredom and idleness, the joys and challenges of stand-up comedy, nerves and confidence, boundaries and self-control, to sidestepping clichés around meditation, this is the eighth constructive conversation of the series.
Link for her chosen Soaring Segment
Headspace Meditation: a practice rooted in ancient history and a topic of modern science
Mind: for better mental health
Nessa's Stand-Up Comedy
On a hot summer day by the river, Pary and I speak about the pins and needles of extremes. From the highs when performing creatively and around people, the lows when spending time alone, judgement and preconception, affirmations and visualising, to being content regardless, this is the seventh constructive conversation of the series.
Link for her chosen Soaring Segment
Pary's Music: @paradismusic
Amidst the breeze and rustling leaves in Regent's Park, Katie and I speak about the pins and needles of adolescence. From choosing how and with whom to spend your time, social pressure, different lifestyles at university, to knowing, accepting and not changing yourself, this is the sixth constructive conversation of the series.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, Leon and I speak about the pins and needles of uncertainty. From moving countries and changing environments, comfort zones, overthinking, to self-confidence, this is the fifth constructive conversation of the series.
Please Excuse Audio Quality - Recorded Virtually
His Soaring Segment: "An Aymara poet said to Vicente Huidobro: 'The poet is a god, don't sing about rain, poet. Make it rain.'" pg. xiii of The Cambridge Companion to Latin American Poetry.
In the peaceful Orleans House Gardens, Soph and I speak about the pins and needles of anxiety. From what it is and the experience, OCD tendencies, opening up and going to therapy, to self-worth and celebrating progress, this is the fourth constructive conversation of the series.
CW: anxiety and OCD
Scarlett Curtis
Florence Given
Sarah Powell
Michelle Obama
Elizabeth Gilbert
As the summer evening approaches, Lizzie and I speak about the pins and needles of being demotivated. From challenging life events, finding and maintaining resilience, day-to-day mundanity, to feeling truly appreciative, this is the third constructive conversation of the series.
Mind: for better mental health
Relate: the relationship people
Shout: 24/7 text service
Thankfully, we are not approached by any deer in Bushy Park while Lucy B. and I speak about the pins and needles of discomfort when you decide not to strive for perfection or to people-please. From becoming more self-aware, managing expectations, addressing the link between identity and achievement, to communicating issues in any kind of relationship, this is the second constructive conversation of the series.
Link for her chosen Soaring Segment
Article about her chosen Soaring Segment
Relate: the relationship people
Mind: for better mental health
Amidst the seagulls, the chinking pebbles and the piano in the background, Lucy H. and I speak about the pins and needles of low depressive states. From how to keep going, the effects of social media, first love, to finding connection in something larger than yourself, this constructive conversation is a general start to the series.
CW: depression and heartbreak
Link for her chosen Soaring Segment
Text Version of Soaring Segment
Stephen Fry on First Love
24/7 Emotional Support Samaritans
24/7 Crisis Text Service
Listen for a full explanation of the podcast's title: the foundation for the episodes to come!