Beyond the Surface brings you life-saving water safety education and practical mental well-being tools from someone who truly understands both worlds. Hosted by Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE, this podcast combines the heart of a mother who lost her only son to drowning with the expertise of a professionally trained trauma-informed practitioner and water safety specialist.
After transforming her profound grief into purpose, Debbie has worked directly with the RNLI, police, fire services and emergency responders to understand what really keeps families safe around water. Her unique approach makes safety education accessible to busy parents whilst addressing the mental health skills that support both individual wellbeing and family resilience.
Each episode delivers powerful conversations, practical and memorable safety knowledge you can implement immediately, alongside mental health ideas that help you manage stress, support others and create lasting positive change.
Whether you're a parent seeking confident water safety knowledge, a professional in caring roles or someone on a healing journey, you'll find actionable insights delivered with authenticity and compassion.
Perfect for: Safety-conscious parents, HR and wellbeing professionals, healthcare and education workers, anyone interested in trauma recovery and nervous system health.
New episodes every Thursday.
Exploring Belief Coding and Mental Health with Debbie Ann Turnbull and Tom Stanhope - Ep. 15
Exploring Belief Coding and Mental Health with Debbie Ann Turnbull and Tom Stanhope - Ep. 15. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, host, Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE sit down with Tom Stanhope to discuss powerful new approaches to mental health and recovery. The conversation dives into belief coding, transformative practices, and practical steps for personal growth. Chapters 00:00 Comprehensive Modalities for Brain Training 04:43 Shifting Beliefs, Transforming Minds 07:02 Therapeutic Proces...
12 Nov 2025
Healing After Abuse: Practical Strategies for Safety and Nervous System Regulation Ep. 14.
Healing After Abuse: Practical Strategies for Safety and Nervous System Regulation Ep. 14. Dr. Mandeep Kaur Khela joins Debbie Ann Turnbull to share her personal journey from medical research to trauma-informed coaching and support for families facing coercive control and the family court system. This episode offers practical insights and actionable advice for anyone dealing with hidden abuse and its lasting impact. Defining coercive control and how to spot early warning signs ("micro-courage...
5 Nov 2025
Building Safer Waters: Steve Wills’ Journey from RNLI to International Drowning Prevention Ep. 13
Building Safer Waters: Steve Wills’ Journey from RNLI to International Drowning Prevention Ep. 13. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, host Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE speaks with water safety expert Steve Wills about the evolution of drowning prevention and the impact of real-life stories. Discover how education, advocacy, and collaboration are shaping the future of water safety. The origins and growth of beach safety programs in the UKGlobal efforts in drowning prevention, including work wi...
29 Oct 2025
Immediate Support for Grieving Families: Rhian Mannings MBE from 2wish - Ep. 12
Immediate Support for Grieving Families: Rhian Mannings from 2wish - Ep. 12. In this powerful episode of Beyond the Surface, Debbie Ann Turnbull MBE sits down with Rhian Mannings MBE to discuss the heartbreaking losses that reshaped their lives and how they turned tragedy into vital support for grieving families. Discover practical insights on coping, hope, and the importance of immediate bereavement care. What you'll learn in this episode: Rhian Mannings' personal story of losing her son and...
22 Oct 2025
Saving Lives Through Education: Aaron Beacher's Work in Road Safety and Powerful Personal Motivations Ep. 11
Saving Lives Through Education: Saving Lives Through Education: Aaron Beacher's Work in Road Safety and Powerful Personal Motivations Ep. 11. Join host Debbie Ann Turnbull MBE as she sits down with Aaron Beacher, an award-winning road safety educator, to discuss his personal journey, impactful advocacy work and ongoing commitment to raising awareness. Their candid conversation touches on real-life tragedy, resilience and the importance of mental health. In this episode, you'll learn: Aaron's ...
8 Oct 2025
Uniting for Water Safety: Community, Partnership and Personal Stories That Save Lives with Dawn Whittaker - Ep.10
Uniting for Water Safety: Community, Partnership and Personal Stories That Save Lives with Dawn Whittaker - Ep.10. Join host Debbie Ann Turnbull as she sits down with Dawn Whittaker, a decorated leader in UK drowning prevention, to discuss what it really takes to keep families safe around water. Discover the hard truths, lived experiences, and strategies that are shaping water safety across the UK. Dawn’s personal journey and what drew her into drowning preventionThe evolution of water safety...
25 Sept 2025
From Tragedy to Mission: How Communication Saves Lives with Tom Stanhope | Beyond the Surface Ep. 9
From Tragedy to Mission: How Communication Saves Lives with Tom Stanhope | Beyond the Surface Ep. 9. In this special episode of Beyond the Surface, Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE sits down with Tom Stanhope from Podforge to explore the crucial role of communication in mission-driven work. After losing her son Chris to drowning, Debbie transformed her grief into a powerful water safety movement through River and Sea Sense. In this candid conversation, she shares how she learned to tell her deeply ...
6 Sept 2025
Why Strong Swimmers Drown: Chris's Story | Water Safety Truth - Beyond the Surface Ep. 8
n this powerful episode, Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE shares the devastating story of how she lost her son, Chris, to drowning. Despite being a strong swimmer, Chris fell victim to cold water shock when he jumped into water that was just 3-4°C - the same temperature as your fridge at home. What You'll Learn: - The reality of cold water shock and how it affects even the strongest swimmers - Why water temperature of 3-4°C is fatal regardless of swimming ability - The "boil" effect and underwater ...
27 Aug 2025
Meditation for helping your nervous system regulate. Beyond the Surface Ep.7.
Meditation for helping your nervous system regulate. Beyond the Surface Ep.7. -------------------------------------------- Connect with Debbie and find out more about her work here: W: www.riverandseasense.com E: debbie@riverandseasense.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverandseasense LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-anne-turnbull-mbe-33190510/ -------------------------------------------- Connect with Debbie and find out more about her work here: W: www.riverandsea...
20 Aug 2025
Why Your Nervous System Keeps You Stuck + How to Break Free - Beyond the Surface Ep. 6
Why Your Nervous System Keeps You Stuck + How to Break Free - Beyond the Surface Ep. 6. After losing my son Chris, I learnt the hard way that regulating your nervous system is the key to healing from trauma and preventing burnout. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, I share why your nervous system is like a command centre that's constantly scanning for threats, and how learning to regulate it transforms how you manage emotions, self-talk and limiting beliefs. What you'll discover: Why ...
15 Aug 2025
My Personal Development Journey - Beyond the Surface Ep. 5
My Personal Development Journey - Beyond the Surface Ep. 5 This solo episode is where I set out what drives me to keep on developing and expanding my knowledge. From the events that shaped me to the ideas that fuel me and help me keep moving forward, this episode shares it all in a raw and honest and, sometimes, emotional way. I hope that you find this useful. -------------------------------------------- Connect with Debbie and find out more about her work here: W: www.riverandseasense.co...
14 Aug 2025
A Partner’s Perspective: Supporting Firefighters in Their Battle for Water Safety - Ep. 3
A Partner’s Perspective: Supporting Firefighters in Their Battle for Water Safety - Ep. 3 Go beyond the uniform and discover what it really takes to stand beside a hero. In this episode, Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE interviews Julie Gowland Richardson about the reality of supporting a firefighter whose passion was born from tragedy. The rarely seen challenges faced by the families behind frontline heroesHow Julie supported her husband Tommy's transition from firefighting to water safety advocacyM...
14 Aug 2025
Drowning Prevention, Parental Support, and Education: Maxine Johnson Shares Her Powerful Story - Beyond the Surface Ep. 4
Drowning Prevention, Parental Support, and Education: Maxine Johnson Shares Her Powerful Story - Beyond the Surface Ep. 4. In this episode of Beyond the Surface, host Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE sits down with fellow water safety campaigner Maxine Johnson to share the powerful story of loss, resilience and advocacy following the drowning of Maxine’s son, Reuben. Together, they discuss the hard-earned lessons and urgent changes needed to prevent similar tragedies. The story of Reuben, his persona...
14 Aug 2025
Life-Saving Lessons: Firefighter Tommy Richardson’s Mission to Prevent Drownings Across the UK - Beyond the Surface Ep. 2
Life-Saving Lessons: Firefighter Tommy Richardson’s Mission to Prevent Drownings Across the UK - Beyond the Surface Ep. 2. Firefighter Tommy Richardson joins host Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE to discuss how personal tragedy inspired real change in UK water safety. Get the facts, practical advice and behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of rescue and prevention. Here's what you'll learn in this episode: The 2013 water incident that changed Tommy’s life and sparked new national safety eff...
14 Aug 2025
Beyond the Surface: Real Stories of Safety, Healing, and Personal Growth - Ep.1
Beyond the Surface: Real Stories of Safety, Healing, and Personal Growth - Ep.1. Welcome to the very first episode of Beyond the Surface with Debbie Anne Turnbull MBE, where we explore the real meaning of safety—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Discover how personal tragedy led to a mission for change and how you can be part of the journey to protect yourself and your loved ones. The inspiration behind the podcast: losing a son to drowning and turning grief into purposeWhat safety reall...
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