Edge Ahead is the university podcast that moves minds forward. Each season explores a bold theme, beginning with mental health and wellbeing, through candid conversations and expert insight. Hosted by voices like Chris Kirkland and Gareth Roberts, it leaves you informed, inspired and just a little more unstoppable.
Suicide Prevention with Nina Smith and Three Dads Walking
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding depression and suicide. Please read the show notes for more information. Viewer discretion is advised.
In this compelling episode, Chris and Gareth are joined by Edge Hill PhD student Nina Smith and Mike Palmer from the inspiring Three Dads Walking campaign. Nina shares how the tragic loss of her brother Will to suicide, just days before starting her Master’s in Mental Health, ignited her mission to prevent young people from ever reaching crisis point. “Suicide prevention is hope promotion,” Nina says, as she discusses the importance of upstream approaches that intervene early, before crisis hits. Awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, she travelled to Australia and the US to explore global best practices in school-based suicide prevention, with her findings now shaping teacher training at Edge Hill. Mike Palmer, who lost his daughter Beth, speaks about the national movement started by three bereaved fathers to make suicide prevention part of the UK curriculum. Their petition has gathered over 160,000 signatures and raised over £1 million for PAPYRUS. This emotional and hopeful conversation explores the power of education, community, and early support in saving young lives.
5 Feb 2026
From Selfie Addiction to Self-Acceptance with Danny Bowman
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding body dysmorphia. Please read the show notes for more information. This podcast may contain strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.In this candid episode, mental health campaigner Danny Bowman shares his personal story of developing a selfie addiction at age 14, taking hundreds of photos a day in search of perfection. His struggle with Body Dysmorphic Disorder led to isolation, dropping out of school, and a suicide attempt.
Nowin recovery, Danny speaks openly about the darker side of social media, thepressure to seek online approval, and the urgent need for early mental health intervention. We also explore the work being done at Edge Hill University to support young people’s mental wellbeing, through groundbreaking research, social prescribing, and creative therapies like the £2.5m Arts4Us project.
This is an honest, eye-opening conversation about digital culture, recovery, and why youth mental health must be a national priority.
45-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.
19 Jan 2026
From Crisis to Hope with Jake Mills
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding addiction, depression and suicide. Please read the show notes for more information. This podcast may contain strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
In this inspiring episode, Chris and Gareth hear from Jake Mills, founder of Chasing theStigma and creator of the Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest mental health support database.
Jake shares his personal journey with depression and a suicide attempt, how his recovery led him to create a platform that now helps thousands find support, and why so many people still fall through the cracks. We also explore his workwith football clubs, Edge Hill University and his mission to turn awareness into action through practical tools like the Ambassador of Hope training.
A powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and breaking stigma—with a few lighter moments, including Jake’s love of comedy and Everton.45-minute interviewrecorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Wednesday 12March 2025.
6 Jan 2026
Nature, Connection and The Power of Social Prescribing with Professor Michelle Howarth
In this episode, Chris and Gareth speak with Dr Michelle Howarth, a leading voice in social prescribing, onhow nature-based activities like walking, gardening, and community groups can transform mental health and wellbeing.
From her journey in nursing to shaping national green social prescribing programmes, Michelle shares how moving beyond the “clinical gaze” can offer more human, effective support. We explore how this approach is already making a difference on Edge Hill’s campus with our ‘Dose of Nature Walks’ and through national partnerships like Barnardo’s.
With real-world advice, powerful stories, and hope for change, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes, the best medicine is outside the clinic.
45-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Friday 30 May 2025.
2 Dec 2025
Life after Suicide with Angela Samata
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding addiction, depression and suicide. Please read the show notes for more information. This podcast may contain strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Chris and Gareth talk with Liverpool Woman of the Year and Ambassador for Survivors of the Bereaved by Suicide, Angela Samata, who shares her powerful lived experience following the loss of her husband Mark to suicide.
In this deeply personal conversation, Angela reflects on her journey through grief, the importance of her support network, and why breaking the stigma around men’s mental health remains urgent. She discusses her Bafta nominated BBC documentary Life After Suicide—a project she felt compelled to make after years of encouraging others to speak out: “I had to put my money where my mouth is.” Passionate about creating change, Angela also co-authored the award-
winning #SeeSaySignpost suicide prevention training, now accessed by over three million people worldwide. With honesty and hope, Angela explores how far we've come in talking about mental health—and the progress still needed to save more lives.
45-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Wednesday 5 March 2025.
19 Nov 2025
Rethinking Masculinity and Mental Health with James Sutton
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding addiction, depression and suicide. Please read the show notes for more information. This podcast may contain strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
In this episode, actor and mental health advocate James Sutton – known for his roles in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale – opens up about life in the spotlight, the pressures of public expectation, and his personal experience with panic attacks.
James shares how the breakdown of his marriage became a turning point, prompting him to reflect on his mental wellbeing, lifestyle and health. He also talks about how fitness has become a key part of his recovery and focus. An honest, relatable conversation about vulnerability, resilience, and starting over.
45-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Wednesday 9 July2025.
3 Nov 2025
Anorexia, recovery & creating space for Men's Mental Health with Paige Rivers and Jack McFen
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding eating disorders, trauma and abuse. Please read the show notes below for more information.
In this moving episode, Chris and Gareth speak to Paige Rivers, recent Edge Hill Students' Union President for Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine and Nursing Times Award-winning student nurse. Paige shares her deeply personal 10-year battle with anorexia, talking honestly and openly about her eating disorder, including moments where she sabotaged her own care and came dangerously close to end-of-life treatment. She reflects on what it took to begin gaining back control and rebuilding her life.
The discussion shines a light on the overlooked mental health needs of men and the development of The Monumental Programme, an initiative Paige founded in partnership with Edge Hill Sport, alongside Jack McFen, author of Habits, Happiness and Health and Sam Smith, Fitness Manager at Edge Hill. Monumental creates an environment which allows men to connect, share and support each other in a non-judgemental space. We also hear about Jack's personal journey with mental health and why he created his own podcast, Average Jacks.
45-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Wednesday 27 November.
7 Oct 2025
Reality after the ring: Tony and Rachael Bellew
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding addiction, depression and suicide. Please read the show notes for more information This podcast also contains strong language and frequent use of swearwords. Viewer discretion is advised.
In this special episode, former world champion boxer and TV personality Tony Bellew and his wife Rachael sit down for a powerful, personal conversation with Chris and Leona Kirkland. They reflect on life inside and outside the ring, grappling with pressure, fame, and the toll of 12-week training camps. Tony opens up about mental warfare in boxing, including his infamous press conference bust-up with David Haye and the intensity of facing Oleksandr Usyk, who pushed him to his physical and emotional limits. Rachael offers rare insight into what it was like behind the scenes—banned from attending fights, hearing people say they hoped Tony wouldn’t make it out of the ring, and holding the family together through it all. Tony also shares how he’s channelled his energy post-retirement, through golf, family, and suicide prevention work through projects like Men’s Shed and Men on a Mission. Tony is determined to show that no matter how tough you seem, speaking up can save your life.50-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Wednesday 9 April 2025.
15 Sept 2025
Behind the Gloves: Chris & Leona Kirkland on addiction and recovery
This podcast discusses mental health, including topics surrounding addiction, depression and suicide.
In this powerful first episode, Edge Hill Honorary Doctor and mental health advocate Chris Kirkland is joined by his wife Leona to share their deeply personal journey through his mental health challenges and recovery. Chris, a former Premier League goalkeeper, speaks candidly about his addiction to prescription pain medication, his battle with depression, and suicidal thoughts. He explains why supporting young people’s mental health is now central to his mission.
Leona offers a rare and moving insight into what it was like to support a loved one in crisis, and the coping strategies that helped their family through their most difficult time. Whether you’re a student yourself or supporting someone at university, this episode offers an honest look at the challenges of mental health and shares practical ways you can make a difference.
35-minute interview recorded in the TV studio in Creative Edge, Edge Hill University on Monday 7 October 2024
17 Jun 2025
Introducing the Edge Ahead podcast
Edge Hill University are proud to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast series, Edge Ahead, aiming at inspiring, informing and connecting students, staff and the wider community.
The first series, ‘What’s in your Head?’ delves into the vital topic of mental health, featuring candid conversations with leading figures from the University, sport, media and beyond.
Hosted by former Liverpool goalkeeper and honorary doctorate, Chris Kirkland, alongside acclaimed regional podcast host Gareth Roberts, Edge Ahead promises to deliver expert insight, guidance and support on issues that matter most to the Edge Hill University community.
Discover more at Edge Hill; ehu.ac.uk/discover (ehu.ac.uk/discover)
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