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Wired for Hope

Dr. Jessica Barton
Wired for Hope
Latest episode

19 episodes

  • Wired for Hope

    Three Decades in NHS Mental Health: A Clinical Psychologist's Perspective (Part 1)

    10/08/2026 | 30 mins.
    In this episode, Dr Jess spends some time with Dr Melinda Rees, a consultant clinical psychologist with more than three decades of experience across clinical, leadership, and commercial roles in mental health.

    Melinda is now CEO of the mental health technology company Psyomics.

    She opens up about her own journey: from her first day as a newly qualified psychologist arriving at a struggling GP practice in East London in 2000, to the culture war that erupted within psychology services when outcomes monitoring was introduced.

    She reflects on the changes NHS mental health services have been through in just the last decade, and what that shift means for quality, for staff, and for patients.

    And Melinda reflects candidly on what she sees as the biggest misconception the public still holds about the National Health Service.

    This is part one of a two-part conversation. Subscribe to the Wired for Hope podcast to make sure you don’t miss the second part when it is released.

    LINKS:
    Psyomics

    Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

    Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

    Produced by ⁠Anthony Zahra⁠

    Music Credit: ⁠SigmaMusicArt⁠

    DISCLAIMER:
    This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.
    UK Resources Include:
    • Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999
    • Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123
    • NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111
    • Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.
    • ⁠Headway⁠ – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
    Limitation of Liability
    While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.
    Please see full disclaimer in the show description.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Wired for Hope

    Nature Therapy, Poetry, and Healing (Part 2)

    27/07/2026 | 27 mins.
    In part two, Dr Mary Delaney picks up with the neuroscience of nature, exploring how natural environments reduce activity in the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, restore attentional capacity, and boost creativity.

    She highlights why that matters profoundly for people living with brain injuries and neurological conditions.

    Mary describes what a typical adapted forest bathing session looks like for Neuro in Nature's groups, including indoor and even online versions for those who can't easily get outside, and reflects on what a neurorehabilitation service designed from scratch around nature might look like.

    She also offers practical, accessible suggestions for anyone listening who wants to reconnect with the natural world.

    Links:
    Neuro in Nature: https://neuroinnature.co.uk/
    @neuroinnature on Facebook, instagram and linkedin

    More info about forest bathing: https://tfb.institute

    Forestry England virtual forest bathing: https://www.forestryengland.uk/virtual-forest-bathing

    Nature Connectedness Handbook: https://findingnature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/the-nature-connection-handbook.pdf

    Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

    Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

    Produced by ⁠Anthony Zahra⁠

    Music Credit: ⁠SigmaMusicArt⁠

    DISCLAIMER:
    This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.
    UK Resources Include:
    • Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999
    • Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123
    • NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111
    • Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.
    • ⁠Headway⁠ – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
    Limitation of Liability
    While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.
    Please see full disclaimer in the show description.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Wired for Hope

    Nature Therapy and the Brain (Part 1)

    13/07/2026 | 31 mins.
    In this episode, Dr Jess meets Dr Mary Delaney, a consultant clinical neuropsychologist in Greater Manchester and co-founder of the social enterprise Neuro in Nature.

    Mary shares the story of how she and her colleague Claire McDonald came to set up the enterprise, after noticing, during the Covid lockdowns, just how differently their clients with brain injuries engaged in sessions held outside, and how much calmer and more communicative they became.

    The conversation explores what distinguishes intentional nature therapy and forest bathing from a simple walk in the park - and why, for people with neurological conditions, the low cognitive load of being in nature can be a profound help alongside more traditional talking therapies.

    Mary describes the groups she and Claire run in a woodland park, shares a touching story of a gentleman with severe aphasia who spoke more during those sessions than he had since his stroke, and introduces two of her favourite nature metaphors - the lottery of the seed and the wood wide web.

    We also explore the science behind nature's effects on our nervous system, immune function, and mental health.

    This is part one of a two-part conversation. Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss part two which will be released in a fortnight.

    Links:
    Neuro in Nature: https://neuroinnature.co.uk/
    @neuroinnature on Facebook, instagram and linkedin
    More info about forest bathing: https://tfb.institute
    Forestry England virtual forest bathing: https://www.forestryengland.uk/virtual-forest-bathing
    Nature Connectedness Handbook: https://findingnature.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/the-nature-connection-handbook.pdf

    Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

    Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

    Produced by ⁠Anthony Zahra⁠

    Music Credit: ⁠SigmaMusicArt⁠

    DISCLAIMER:
    This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.
    UK Resources Include:
    • Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999
    • Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123
    • NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111
    • Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.
    • ⁠Headway⁠ – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
    Limitation of Liability
    While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.
    Please see full disclaimer in the show description.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Wired for Hope

    ProSocial in Action: From the NHS to the Ebola Crisis (Part 2) | Wired for Hope

    29/06/2026 | 30 mins.
    In part two, Richard Coates picks up with the third pillar of ProSocial: contextual behavioural science and ACT, and how psychological flexibility, values, and an awareness of our threat system shape how we behave within groups.

    Richard and Dr Jess discuss what a ProSocial session with a struggling NHS team actually looks like, including the ACT Matrix tool, and explore the common mistakes large organisations make when trying to foster teamwork from the top down.

    The conversation also covers the economic case for investing in team cooperation, the importance of bottom-up values over imposed ones, and a vivid real-world example of ProSocial in action during the 2014 Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.

    We end with a story about psychopathic chickens that just might change how you think about building a great team.

    If you missed part one of this conversation, find the Wired for Hope podcast on your preferred player to access previous episodes.

    Links:
    ProSocial World: https://www.prosocial.world

    Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

    Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

    Produced by ⁠Anthony Zahra⁠

    Music Credit: ⁠SigmaMusicArt⁠

    DISCLAIMER:
    This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.
    UK Resources Include:
    • Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999
    • Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123
    • NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111
    • Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.
    • ⁠Headway⁠ – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
    Limitation of Liability
    While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.
    Please see full disclaimer in the show description.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Wired for Hope

    ProSocial: How Cooperation Makes Us Human (Part 1) | Wired for Hope

    15/06/2026 | 35 mins.
    In this episode, Dr Jess welcomes Richard Coates back to the podcast to discuss the science of human cooperation and what it means for teams working under pressure in healthcare and beyond.

    Richard, who is a psychologist and ProSocial facilitator, introduces ProSocial - a framework rooted in three interlocking theories.

    He begins with evolutionary science, exploring why cooperation is not just a nice-to-have but a fundamental survival advantage, and why the story of Western individualism runs counter to biological and social reality.

    The conversation moves into the remarkable work of Nobel Prize-winning economist Elinor Ostrom, whose eight core design principles offer a practical blueprint for effective, fair, and sustainable cooperation.

    Richard and Dr Jess explore what those principles look like in practice, from shared identity and purpose to graduated responses to unhelpful behaviour, and why transparency within groups is so often the first thing to erode when things go wrong.

    This is part one of a two-part conversation. Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss part two which will be released in a fortnight.

    Links:
    ProSocial World: https://www.prosocial.world

    Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.

    Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica Barton

    Produced by ⁠Anthony Zahra⁠

    Music Credit: ⁠SigmaMusicArt⁠

    DISCLAIMER:
    This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.
    UK Resources Include:
    • Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999
    • Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123
    • NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111
    • Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.
    • ⁠Headway⁠ – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families.
    Limitation of Liability
    While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to “Wired for Hope” disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content.
    Please see full disclaimer in the show description.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More Health & Wellness podcasts
About Wired for Hope
On Wired for Hope we explore the brain, behaviour, and mental health with people who have lived with brain injury and those who have studied it.I'm Dr. Jess, an NHS clinical psychologist in the UK, university lecturer, and published author, passionate about making neuroscience more accessible.We’ll explore a range of topics from sports related concussion, to feminist perspectives on disability, and mental health and identity.We’ll also shine a light on some of the latest research from around the world, in our regular feature ‘what’s new in neuroscience’.Subscribe today to join the Wired for hope podcast community and learn with me.Written and hosted by Dr. Jessica BartonProduced by Anthony ZahraMusic Credit: SigmaMusicArtWired for Hope disclaimer 1. The content shared on "Wired for Hope" is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for personalised psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified mental health professional. 2. Listening to this podcast does not establish a therapist-client relationship between you and the host, or any guest contributors. No therapeutic services are being provided via this podcast. 3. Mental health is deeply individual. If you are struggling with your mental wellbeing or have concerns about your mental health, please consult a qualified, licensed mental health professional in your local area. 4. This podcast is not intended for use in crisis situations. If you are in immediate danger, experiencing suicidal thoughts, or facing a mental health emergency, please seek immediate help by contacting emergency services or a crisis line.UK Resources Include:• Emergency Services (Police/Ambulance): Call 999• Samaritans (Free, 24/7 Helpline): Call 116 123• NHS 111 (Non-Emergency Medical Help): Call 111• Contact your local Single Point of Access (SPA) for mental health referrals and support — a centralised hub in the UK for accessing local services.• Headway – A UK charity providing resources and support for individuals affected by brain injury and their families. 5. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of information shared, the host and contributors to "Wired for Hope" disclaim any liability for any direct, indirect, or consequential loss or damage that may arise from the use of the podcast or reliance on its content. 🗣️ Guest DisclaimerViews expressed by guest speakers on the podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or any affiliated organisations. ⚠️ Trigger WarningsSome episodes may discuss sensitive topics such as trauma, abuse, suicide, or mental illness. Listener discretion is advised. Trigger warnings will be provided at the start of relevant episodes. 🌍 Jurisdiction Notice"Wired for Hope" is created and hosted in the United Kingdom. The content reflects psychological practices and legal considerations relevant to UK regulations. Listeners from other jurisdictions should consult local professionals for region-specific guidance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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