This episode is part of Podcasthon 2026, a global podcast movement highlighting the work of charities around the world. For this special release on Friday 20 March, we are proud to support SHOUT, the UK’s free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone struggling to cope.

Grief can make the world feel smaller, quieter, and strangely far away from who we used to be.

In this deeply honest conversation, John Kammer joins Nicky Perfect to share how repeated loss shattered his illusion of invincibility and pushed him into years of numbing inside the relentless pace of the hospitality industry. Sobriety eventually opened the door to something different — an active, deliberate approach to healing.

The conversation moves from raw guilt and unspoken words to an unexpected bridge: building an ethical, text-based AI designed to help people express what feels stuck when the room is dark and the heart is loud.

Together we explore why the familiar “stages of grief” often miss the mark, and instead focus on Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning:
• accepting the loss
• processing the pain
• adjusting to life without the person physically present
• creating an enduring connection that allows us to move forward without erasing love.

John explains how structured prompts can help organise scattered thoughts, make therapy sessions more effective, and turn late-night spirals into clear reflections you can take to a professional.

We also step into difficult territory — men and vulnerability, the way strength is often confused with silence, and why caring for others starts with acknowledging what we ourselves are afraid to feel.

From psychodrama tools such as letter writing and the empty chair, to the thoughtful design choices behind his AI project, the conversation stays grounded in dignity. No voices. No avatars. No pretending anyone comes back. Just language that gives shape to the presence we already carry.

If you’ve ever wanted a simple way to support someone who is grieving, borrow this question:

“Tell me about them.”

Stories unlock connection.
Stories keep memory alive.

As part of Podcasthon, this episode also shines a light on SHOUT, whose volunteers support people across the UK through text conversations during moments of crisis. Their work reminds us how powerful a few words — and a listening presence — can be.

🎧 Listen now.
💬 Share with someone who may need it.
⭐ Leave a review to help more people find these conversations.

And remember — sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer someone is simply the space to speak.

• Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• Shout: Text 85258 (free, 24/7)
• PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141

Explore more tools & training:
🌐 www.nickyperfect.com

🌐 www.thecommunicationcoach.co.uk

💬 Join our community: Courageous Conversations About Suicide

— a safe, supportive space to listen, share, and find connection.

A quiet smile can hide a collapsing world. Michele D’Souza joins us to share the story of her brother Nick and the hard truth many of us avoid: suicidal distress often looks like recovery on the surface. We walk through the uncertainty that followed his death, the relentless guilt of being the last to see him alive, and how a decade of grief reshaped Michele’s life and work.

From there, we shift into what actually helps. Michele breaks down trauma-informed leadership with practical clarity: recognize dysregulation, build psychological safety, and respond with empathy rather than pressure. We talk about the frontline—police, nurses, paramedics, social care—where exposure to trauma is routine and burnout is accelerating. You’ll hear why “call the helpline” isn’t enough when someone’s nervous system is overloaded, and how simple, human actions like debriefs, warm handoffs, and small one percent interventions can move a person from freeze to fight.

We also tackle the silent crisis in construction, where macho norms and unforgiving timelines collide with grief, addiction, and isolation. Michele explains why mental health first aid should be as common as fire safety, how to spot meaningful shifts in behaviour, and why a bowl of fruit isn’t a wellness strategy. Her mission, through Puzzle Peace Coaching, is simple and profound: teach people to listen, to sit with discomfort, and to act in small, specific ways that create real safety.

If you’ve lost someone to suicide, worry about a colleague, or lead a team under pressure, this conversation offers tools you can use today. Subscribe, share with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find these insights. Your one percent might save a life.

• Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• Shout: Text 85258 (free, 24/7)
• PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141

Explore more tools & training:
🌐 www.nickyperfect.com

🌐 www.thecommunicationcoach.co.uk

💬 Join our community: Courageous Conversations About Suicide

— a safe, supportive space to listen, share, and find connection.

A hard truth unlocked everything for us: the second time you ask “Are you really okay?” is when the real answer shows up. Susie shares how she moved from being sectioned as a teenager to building a life she once thought was out of reach—work promotion, supportive love, and plans for a youth‑focused suicide prevention project.

Together we break down practical tools for supporting someone in crisis: ask twice, speak plainly about suicide, and be ready for an honest “yes” without recoiling. You’ll hear why direct language does not plant the idea, how to respond in the moment, and what to avoid when your own fear tries to take the mic.

We also draw a clear line between self‑harm and suicidal intent, cutting through common myths that can add panic and shame. Susie explains how readiness shapes recovery more than any single therapy, and why patience and presence matter more than pushing. Her strategy for resilience is deceptively simple: isolate bad moments so they don’t devour the day, notice small wins, and choose the next doable step. From the “ask twice” approach to reflective language that keeps the focus on the person in pain, the conversation turns evidence and lived experience into practical, compassionate action.

Looking ahead, Susie sketches a stigma‑free space for young people that blends training, peer support, and open conversation about suicide. The aim isn’t to make impossible promises; it’s to make the hardest talk feel speakable. If you want concrete guidance on what to say, what not to say, and how to stand steady beside someone you love, this is for you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more people find the skills—and the hope—to get through their darkest moments.

To get in touch with Susie , send her a message on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/suzie.simkins.3

• Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• Shout: Text 85258 (free, 24/7)
• PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK (under 35s): 0800 068 4141

Explore more tools & training:
🌐 www.nickyperfect.com

🌐 www.thecommunicationcoach.co.uk

💬 Join our community: Courageous Conversations About Suicide

— a safe, supportive space to listen, share, and find connection.