Ella Podcasts

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! If you truly love animals, should you always adopt rather than buy? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Ronina Stevens, Victoria Toy and Kim Norman to explore the emotional, ethical and practical debate around adopting pets versus buying them from breeders or pet shops. We discuss why people still choose to buy pets when shelters are full, the difference between ethical breeders and puppy mill...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! People Pleasing: When Being Nice Starts Costing You When does being kind and considerate cross the line into constantly putting everyone else first? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Ronina Stevens, Simon J. Littlewood and Jasmin Dhillon to explore why some people feel such a strong need to please others, where that pattern begins, and what it can cost us in our careers, relationships and sense of ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Being made redundant can feel deeply personal, even when you know it is a business decision. The shock, shame and stress of losing your job can make it incredibly difficult to think clearly — yet that is often the exact moment you are expected to review documents, understand your rights and negotiate your exit package. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Jonathan Marshall, Renee Conklin and Dr ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Why are so many women still expected to manage menopause quietly while performing at the highest level of their careers? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Ronina Stevens, Clinical Psychologist at The Other Clinic; Latha Prasad, Corporate Change Consultant; and Kathleen Ngkaion, International School Administrator, to talk openly about menopause in the workplace, the impact it can have on confidence a...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Did working from home give employees their lives back — or did it quietly damage collaboration, learning and workplace culture? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore one of the biggest workplace battles of the post-pandemic era: work from home versus return to office. Is the debate really about productivity — or is it about trust, control and how senior leaders believe work should look? Dr Ronina Steve...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! What if waiting to feel confident is the very thing keeping you stuck? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore why body confidence often doesn’t come first — action does. Small, consistent choices can help rebuild self-belief, energy and a healthier relationship with your body after a period of feeling disconnected or neglecting yourself. Dr Jonathan and I sat down with Amanda Lim, Metabolic Health Coach, and C...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! What happens when someone you love dies - and life carries on, even though you feel completely changed? In this deeply personal episode of Ella Podcasts, Dr Jonathan and I sat down with Dr Jane Tuomola and Sapna Makwana to talk openly about grief, bereavement and the overwhelming pain of losing someone you love. Dr Jane shares the heartbreaking experience of losing her daughter Sofia on the day she was born, while ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Why do so many people reach senior positions without ever becoming effective leaders? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, Dr Jonathan and I sat down with Dr John Isaac and Gary Brooks to explore what separates genuine leadership from simply having authority, a title or seniority. We discuss why high performers are often promoted into roles they’re not suited for, whether leadership is something you’re born with or can ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Past Lives: Real Memories or Made Up? The Controversial Truth About Hypnosis Can hypnosis really unlock memories from another lifetime, or is your mind simply creating an incredibly convincing story? Past life regression remains one of psychology’s most controversial subjects. While there is strong evidence that hypnotherapy can help with certain conditions, whether people can genuinely access memories from previou...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Did the COVID pandemic protect society—or expose just how quickly fear, pressure and distrust can divide us? In this controversial episode of Ella Podcasts, Dr Jonathan and I sat down with Brad Bowyer and Iris Koh to revisit one of the most polarising periods in recent history: COVID, vaccine mandates, medical autonomy, public trust and the psychological impact of being either compliant or resistant. The conversati...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Why do so many couples stop talking about intimacy? And is it really possible to reignite passion after years together? In this honest and insightful episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore one of the biggest challenges long-term couples face: maintaining emotional and physical intimacy. As relationships evolve, desire often changes too—but that doesn’t mean connection has to disappear. Joining me are Dr Jonatha...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Struggling to cope with unemployment, repeated job rejections, or the emotional toll of searching for work? In this deeply honest episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the psychological impact of job loss, prolonged unemployment, and the exhausting reality of today’s job market. Losing a job isn’t just a financial setback—it can shake your confidence, identity, relationships and sense of purpose. As rejection after r...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! As women become more educated, financially independent, and successful, are men struggling to understand their place in modern relationships and society? In this provocative episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore changing gender roles, the perceived crisis of masculinity, and whether men and women still need one another - or simply choose to be together for love, companionship, attraction, and shared values. Joining ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! In a world filled with stress, burnout, anxiety and constant demands, laughter is often overlooked as one of the simplest and most powerful tools for improving our wellbeing. But what does science say about humour, and why do we laugh so much less as adults? In this uplifting episode of Ella Podcasts, I’m joined by Dr Jonathan Marshall, Dr Ronina Stevens, clinical psychologist specialising in trauma, anxiety and dep...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Love may bring two people together, but cultural differences can shape everything that comes after. From family expectations and religion to parenting, communication styles and identity, cross-cultural relationships often face unique challenges—but they can also be incredibly rewarding. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore why some intercultural relationships thrive while others struggle, how couples can nav...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! For decades, we’ve been told that losing weight comes down to eating less, moving more, and having enough willpower. But with medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro transforming weight loss around the world, many are asking whether we’ve entered a new era in obesity treatment—or simply found another quick fix. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the science, psychology, and controversy behind weight...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of child abuse, childhood trauma, PTSD, violence, dissociation, and mental health that some viewers may find distressing. Please take care while listening. Childhood abuse doesn’t always stay in childhood. Long after the physical events have ended, many survivors continue to carry invisible wounds that affect their relationships, confidence, mental health, and se...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Ever felt like you’re about to be “found out” despite having the qualifications, experience, and evidence to prove you’re capable? You’re not alone. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the psychology behind imposter syndrome - that persistent feeling of self-doubt that can affect students, professionals, leaders, entrepreneurs, and even CEOs. Despite success on paper, many people continue to question whether...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Does society value women less as they get older? Why are men often seen as experienced “silver foxes” while women are judged as being past their prime? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of ageism facing women in the workplace and wider society. From hiring bias and career progression to appearance standards and workplace stereotypes, we examine why so many highly skilled, experienced women fee...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! People often celebrate the passion of young love, but what happens to sex, desire, and intimacy as we move into our 40s, 50s, and beyond? In this honest and thought-provoking episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore one of society’s most overlooked topics: sex in middle age. Many assume aging means declining libido, less intimacy, and fewer opportunities for connection. Yet for many people, midlife brings greater confid...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Few of us realise how much of ourselves we leave behind in the pursuit of stability. Careers grow, responsibilities increase, and somewhere along the way, creativity - once natural and instinctive - quietly fades into the background. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore what happens when we disconnect from our creative selves, why so many people abandon artistic passions as they enter the workforce, and what ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Selling is not just about persuasion, targets, or closing deals. It is deeply connected to psychology, emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, and understanding human behaviour. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the psychology behind influence, negotiation, confidence, rejection, and why some people consistently succeed in high-pressure business environments while others struggle to build trust ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Raising a child with autism or additional needs can be one of the most emotionally demanding, isolating, and misunderstood journeys a parent can face. In this deeply honest episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of parenting children on the autism spectrum and with special needs - the fear, exhaustion, uncertainty, grief, love, and resilience that often exist behind closed doors. Many parents silently carry...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Some jobs are already disappearing. Others are rapidly evolving. And for millions of people, the real fear is no longer whether AI is coming, but whether humans will still have a meaningful place in the future workforce. Hosted by Ella Sherman, Host and Founder of Ella Podcasts, and Dr. Jonathan Marshall, Co-Host and Clinical Psychologist, this episode explores how AI, automation, and emerging technologies are reshap...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! AI is moving faster than most people expected, and with it comes a growing sense of uncertainty about jobs, careers, and the future of work. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of artificial intelligence and whether it will replace jobs or fundamentally change them. While some see AI as a powerful tool for efficiency and growth, others are increasingly concerned about automation, layoffs, and lon...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Most people will face a difficult boss at some point in their career. But when that boss is narcissistic, controlling, or lacking empathy, it can slowly erode your confidence, mental health, and sense of self. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore what it’s really like to work under a toxic boss and why so many people stay longer than they should. From workplace politics and micromanagement to emotional strain...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! This episode includes discussion of child abuse and trauma. Child abuse is one of the most difficult and uncomfortable topics to talk about, yet it affects far more people than we realise. Many survivors carry the impact quietly for years, sometimes decades, without fully understanding how deeply it has shaped their lives. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of childhood abuse and its long-term p...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Few topics divide opinion as deeply as the MeToo movement. What began as a necessary reckoning-giving voice to those who had been silenced—has also raised difficult, uncomfortable questions about truth, power, and what happens when allegations are tried in the court of public opinion. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, Ella Sherman is joined by Dr Jonathan Marshall, Simon J Littlewood, and Samir Kothari to explore the...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Everyone wants to get paid what they’re worth and be recognised for their work. You’re told that if you perform well, stay loyal, and deliver results, the promotion or pay rise will follow. But in reality… it often doesn’t. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we unpack why career progression isn’t just about performance. From workplace politics and perception to confidence and timing, this conversation looks at what ac...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Few issues affect as many people, as quietly and as deeply, as addiction. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of addiction — not just as a behaviour, but as something far more complex. Is addiction a disease, a choice, or a coping mechanism? And why do some people recover, while others struggle to break the cycle? From alcohol and drugs to social media, work, gambling and even exercise, addicti...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! From being seen as experienced and capable… to suddenly being “too old,” “overqualified,” or “out of touch”—ageism is one of the most overlooked and accepted forms of discrimination in modern society. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the reality of ageism in the workplace, in culture, and in how we see ourselves. Why does growing older—something every single one of us will experience—so often come with b...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Few things shake us as deeply as the end of a relationship. Breakups can feel like grief, rejection, confusion, and loss all at once. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore why relationships end, why some people stay too long, why others move on quickly, and what heartbreak really asks of us when love falls apart. This is a deeply human conversation about attachment, hope, and the stories we tell ourselves when...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! *Trigger Warning*: This episode discusses suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, depression, self-harm, and mental distress. Please take care while listening. If you feel unable to stay safe, please contact your local emergency services or a suicide crisis helpline immediately. In this deeply personal episode of Ella Podcasts, we talk openly about managing suicidal thoughts, why they happen, what can trigger them, wha...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Society often tells men to “man up.” Be strong. Be stoic. Solve problems. But never talk about your own. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the hidden emotional struggles many men face — and why expressing vulnerability is still widely seen as weakness. From childhood, boys are taught to suppress emotions. Crying is mocked. Sensitivity is ridiculed. And by adulthood, many men have learned to bottle up stres...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Burnout has become so normalized in modern workplaces that many people wear it like a badge of honor. But burnout isn’t just “being tired.” It’s emotional exhaustion. Cynicism. Detachment. Loss of joy. And sometimes… depression. In this powerful episode of Ella Podcasts, we unpack what workplace burnout really is — how it differs from normal stress, why it’s rising globally, and how both...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Job interviews can be nerve-wracking. The pressure to perform, impress, and land the role can affect how you present yourself — even when you're highly qualified. In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we break down how to pass a job interview with confidence, from calming your nerves beforehand to answering difficult questions like “What’s your biggest weakness?” Dr. Jonathan Marshall, Chris J. Reed, and Aya AlimKulova s...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Sexual harassment in the workplace is more common than many people realise - and often more subtle than we expect. In this powerful episode of Ella Podcasts, we have an honest and necessary conversation about workplace sexual harassment, professional boundaries, power dynamics, and what you can do if you experience inappropriate behaviour at work. Our guests share real-world insights on how harassment can show up — f...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! If you’re job hunting right now, networking is just as important as applying for roles online. As the saying goes: It’s not what you know - it’s who you know In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we break down how to network strategically, confidently, and authentically - whether you’re an introvert, mid-career professional, or navigating a competitive job market shaped by AI and ageism. From surviving awkward networking...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! “Toxic relationship” has become one of the most commonly used phrases in modern dating - but what does it really mean? Are some relationships genuinely unhealthy, or has the word toxic become a catch-all label for pain, conflict, and disappointment? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we unpack the psychology behind so-called toxic relationships — why people stay, why red flags are often ignored, and how early li...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! The Changing Role of White Men in the Workplace | DEI, Meritocracy & Fairness at Work What does fairness in the workplace really look like today? Has diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) corrected historical imbalances — or created new tensions? In this episode of Ella Podcasts, we explore the changing role of white men in the corporate world, the impact of DEI policies, and the complex questions surroundi...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Why do political differences feel more divisive than ever? Have you ever lost a friend because of a political disagreement? In today’s episode of Ella’s Podcasts, host Ella is joined by Dr. Jonathan Marshall (psychologist and former professor, Stanford & Harvard graduate), Simon J. Littlewood (BBC World Service journalist, business advisor, and author), and Samir Kothari (international fund manager). Together, th...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Have you ever felt like you did everything right but still didn’t get the outcome you hoped for? Episode 3: When IVF Fails & Motherhood Eludes You is one of the hardest conversations I’ve recorded — and one I felt was essential to have. Infertility and IVF failure can bring a grief that’s deeply personal, often invisible, and incredibly isolating. In this episode, we talk honestly about the devastation of not bec...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! If Christmas feels a little quieter, heavier, or simply unlike years past, you’re not alone—and this conversation is for you. With the launch of Ella Podcasts just in time for the festive season, I wanted to create a space for those navigating grief, loneliness, or the aching weight of things not going as expected. Episode 4, "Alone for Christmas & New Year," is all about those honest moments—when we wonder...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Are you struggling to pick up the pieces after a sudden job loss? In today’s episode, we dive deep into the challenging emotions and practical realities that follow losing your job—whether from redundancy, corporate restructuring, or even company closure. Losing a job can shake far more than your finances; it can impact identity, self-worth, relationships, and mental health — often in ways people feel unable to talk ...

If you'd like to suggest episode subjects please reach out to us. Thank you! Have you ever felt your heart break after losing a beloved pet? If so, you’re not alone—and your feelings are absolutely valid. This reel is from Episode 1 of my new podcast, Ella’s Podcasts, launching next week, where we address the profound and too-often misunderstood journey of pet bereavement. In this heartfelt conversation, we explore why saying goodbye to our animal companions can be so devastating, the unique,...