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PODCAST · health

This Makes Sense

by Stuart Mackey

These are reflections rather than prescriptions, our exploration of mental health, relationships and human behaviour, we are fascinating, constantly learning, questioning and experiencing along the way. A few honest conversations with myself about the ideas, patterns and lessons that are helping me understand who I am, who other people are and how life can get a little better. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Sep 14, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Manifest with Purpose: The Neuroscience of Visualization

    A grounded and science-backed episode of the Magic of Manifestation.The work of neurosurgeon and author Dr. James Doty "Into the Magic Shop" holds depth, intention, and self-compassion. Simple and fascinating insights into the neuroscience of visualization, how the brain literally rewires itself...

  2. Can Anxiety be an Advantage

    TIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frozen, or caught in the spiral, this is your invitation to reframe fear, move with intention, and breathe your way back to yourself. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, healing from burnout, or simply wanting to live more grounded and awake this episode is…

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  3. Mind-Body Mastery: Deepak Chopra

    As part of our People of Interest Series we dive into: Deepak Chopra who's profound teachings on the mind body connection and what it means to live a life of balance, clarity, and conscious presence. TThe science on neuroplasticity merge with meditation, and holistic wellbeing on a journey into...

  4. Adriene Mishler: Yoga for Everyone

    As part of our People of Interest Series we dive into: Adriene Mishler, the beloved teacher behind Yoga With Adriene. Known for her mantra “find what feels good”, Adriene has built a global community by making yoga accessible, playful, and profoundly human. Why Adriene’s philosophy resonates with...

  5. Mark Manson: A Subtle F* Off

    Happy New Year!!! This episode marks the beginning of our new Persons of Interest series. A spotlight on thinkers, practitioners, scientists, wellness leaders, and creators from around the world whose voices help us grow. We focus on Mark Manson, the bestselling author whose blunt, honest…

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  6. The Richest Lessons from Babylon: Ancient & Modern Freedom

    A thousand year journey written a century ago. George S. Clason gave us one of the most timeless books on money and mindset ever written: More than just a book about gold and ancient parables, but how Babylon’s wisdom saving first fuels our wellbeing and mental health which is just as relevant in...

  7. Your Anam Cara

    In todays episode we go through John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, a timeless work that invites us to rethink friendship, belonging, and the sacredness of human connection. Anam Cara means “soul friend,” is at the heart of Celtic spirituality. It represents a bond that…

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  8. Braving the Wilderness: Belonging Without Fitting In

    The raw terrain of belonging, identity, and authenticity, inspired by Brené Brown’s powerful concept of “braving the wilderness.” Through personal reflection, psychological research, and spiritual wisdom, Stuart explores the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, why so many of us…

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  9. Unmasking Celebrities & Anxiety

    A reflective look at the world of celebrity and fame; the breakdowns, perfectionism, and the pressures we place on ourselves in an image-obsessed culture. Why do the people we admire most celebrities, influencers, icons so often collapse under the very success we crave? And more importantly, what...

  10. The Better Self: Emotional Intelligence, Letting Go, and Learning to Live

    An episode about hose moments of anxiety on a train, the sting of failure, the tenderness of grief, and the surprising freedom that came when we stopped trying to control everything. When relationships act as mirrors, how memory shapes meaning, and why small, identity-based habits often matter…

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  11. Staring at the Sun: Mortality & Life

    Our Book Review of the Month is on how to confront the one truth we all share: we’re all going to die. Inspired by Irvin D. Yalom’s profound book "Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death", We explore what it really means to live with the awareness of our own mortality and how that...

  12. Online to Real Life: Creative Expression in the Digital Age

    How are you really? What happens when the online world collides with the real one; like meeting internet friends for the first time? And what does it truly take to show up for others while staying grounded in your own healing? Reference: .The Creative Act A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Digital...

  13. Are you a Worrier or Warrior: How Emotional Wiring Shapes Your Life.

    Some of us feel everything, others not so much move through life with steadiness and calm. Psychologists call this the difference between high neuroticism and low neuroticism. The strengths and challenges of each emotional style. How worriers and warriors can connect without clashing. Tools to...

  14. Samhain: Ancient Ireland to the World’s Halloween

    Today let's explore the Celtic festival of Samhain, the ancient New Year marking the end of summer and the thinning of the veil between worlds. The origins of today’s most beloved Halloween customs—bonfires, costumes, lanterns, divination games—and the communities that kept them alive through...

  15. A Reflecting Martyr: Witness Over Spectacle

    Spoiler Disclaimer: This episode contains detailed discussion of the plot and characters of Martyr! Our Book of the Month to reflect on is Martyr! by Kaveh Akbara. A story that forces us to confront the weight of attention, grief, and meaning in our own lives with characters that define what...

  16. Influence: The Hidden Cost of Being Seen

    key insights from books like Irresistible by Adam Alter, Influence by Robert Cialdini, and Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz, Stuart unpacks what it really means to live for likes and what we lose in the process. The mental toll of constant performance. How social media rewires our self-worth.…

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  17. Stories That Heal: Feeling Through the Page

    Exploration of how stories whether lived, imagined, or inherited can become powerful tools for healing. The ways fiction, memoir, and our own untold narratives help us process grief, reclaim identity, and rediscover connection. Equal parts reflective and practical, this conversation is an…

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  18. To Live a Meaningful Life Without Regrets

    Lessons from the Living and the Dying. Why “Don’t Wait” may be the most important life advice you’ll ever hear. How mortality can become a mirror for living with purpose. The emotional and scientific cost of distraction. Why slow, intentional mornings can reshape your mind and mood. The healing...

  19. Flame, Reflection & Growth through Fantasy

    Fantasy, gives us the chance to rehearse being human. We can find mirrors in stories showing the rawness of human struggle. Fantasy , isn’t escape it’s a simulator for life’s hard moments. Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass has great beats and moments of this sense. Through Aelin,Chaol & Dorian we…

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  20. Are We Really As Connected As We Think You Are?

    Inspired by Johann Hari’s provocative book Lost Connections, this episode explores the real roots of depression — not just as a chemical imbalance, but as a symptom of a society disconnected from meaning, belonging, and community. A fresh understanding of depression, a renewed sense of hope, and...

  21. The Healing Link Between Fitness and Mental Clarity

    The connection between physical movement and mental clarity. Blending neuroscience, reflection unpacking how regular movement can reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect us to ourselves. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John J. Ratey The Body Keeps the...

  22. Ireland: A Short History of a Mighty People

    An episode on the long and layered story of Ireland from ancient settlers and mythic cycles to famine, colonization, revolution, and renewal. The pain, poetry, and persistence have shaped the global consciousness and how Ireland has offered the world a profound example of how a people can…

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  23. Turning Pages: Emotional Weight of A Little Life

    Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life is a relentless emotional landscape where love, shame, survival, and identity collide. Through its unflinching portrayal of abuse, chronic pain, and the sustaining force of chosen family, A Little Life confronts the myth of linear healing and asks whether love…

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  24. How to Stay Committed When No One’s Watching

    Ever started something meaningful… and quietly walked away from it. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You're just human. And your comeback can start right here. Why distraction is often self-doubt in disguise. How micro-commitments build momentum. The silent power of designing your environment....

  25. Love, Villains & Book Boyfriends

    mirror characters — like Tamlin and Rhysand from Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses — reveal the most intimate truths about how we love, justify, forgive, and evolve. A heartfelt thank-you to @katrynn for the innovative and emotionally charged question sent via Cameo — which inspired this...

  26. I Burnt-Out

    From burn out to accountability and an invitation to anyone on the path to becoming a better, more grounded version of themselves. No filters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  27. Our Morning; Our Success

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  28. Are You Celebrating Your Progress Enough?

    Having conversations that spark self-reflection, inspire action, and shift your mindset. From celebrating progress to overcoming self-doubt, we tackle the everyday struggles that shape who we are. Join us every week as we explore deep, meaningful topics that push you to pause, reflect, and grow....

  29. The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

    Mental barriers that hold us back from success, fulfillment, and personal growth. Inspired by Jim Murphy’s Inner Excellence and insights from thought leaders like Robert Greene, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud, what is the psychology behind self-doubt, comparison, and self-sabotage. Inner...

  30. Take a Break; Stepping Back

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  31. The Courage to Be Disliked

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  32. Are We Setting Boundaries or Burning Out

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  33. Liz Moody & The Science to Level Up

    This episode has Science-backed strategies for holistic personal development, inspired by Liz Moody’s groundbreaking book, 100 Ways to Change Your Life: The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success. From rewiring your mindset to overcoming resistance and building…

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  34. What is the Secret to Lasting Motivation

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  35. Is self Care Selfish or Essential

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  36. Embracing Life Through Death

    We are delve into how understanding death can be a catalyst for truly embracing life and becoming your best self. Drawing insights from Ernest Becker’s The Denial of Death and Irvin D. Yalom’s Staring at the Sun. We explore themes of personal growth, mental wellness, and the meaning found in...

  37. Bringing Fantasy to Life with Juliette Sureau

    Today we dive deep into conversations with creator Juliette Sureau, a filmmaker, actress, and community builder whose journey is all about merging fantasy with reality. Juliette’s story is a testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and wellness in an often fast-paced, demanding world.…

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  38. Reclaiming Your Mind in the Digital Age

    We are diving deep into the cognitive and emotional effects of our hyper-connected, screen-driven world. Drawing from: Nicholas Carr (The Shallows), Cal Newport (Digital Minimalism and Deep Work), Adam Alter (Irresistible), We explore how constant digital engagement rewires our brains, making us...

  39. Our Relationships

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  40. Why we need Habits

    Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  41. Vitality Unlocked Thriving Through Life

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  42. A Thought 1: Self Awareness

    Hey everyone, welcome to "A Thought" segment of the This is Stuart podcast. I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you. Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more...

  43. Self-Sabotage -Demand Your Life Back | Gary John Bishop

    We are diving deep into the journey of overcoming self-sabotage and taking control of your life. Inspired by Gary John Bishop’s Stop Doing That Sht*. Each episode unpacks the mental barriers allowing us to reclaim our mindset, break destructive habits, and commit to a path of self-development,...

  44. You are Powerful - Wim Hof Part 2

    This is the second part of our Wim Hof series; A comprehensive exploration of the Wim Hof Method. We unpack the transformative effects of this powerful technique on mental, physical, and spiritual health. Join us as we continue to explore controlled breathing, cold exposure, and their profound...

  45. Finding Self-Love in the Small Victories with Amy Brislane

    Today Amy and I, dive deep into the transformative journey of rediscovering self-love, celebrating the small successes that keep us going, and navigating the beautiful chaos that is life. Reconnecting after years apart, we've become each other's greatest support laughing through the absurd…

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  46. The Body Keeps the Score Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

    We are hanging up the Iceman for a minute whilst we dive deep into the world of trauma recovery, drawing insights from experts, groundbreaking research, and personal experiences. In this podcast, we take inspiration from Dr. Bessel van der Kolk's revolutionary work, "The Body Keeps the Score," to...

  47. You are Powerful - Wim Hof Part 1

    This is the first part of our Wim Hof series; A comprehensive exploration of the Wim Hof Method. This series kicks off with our first deep dive into the Wim Hof Method, exploring its profound impacts across four key areas: Enhancing Interoception - Learn how this method helps tune into your…

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  48. Unlock Your Gut

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  49. The Journey to Ikigai

    Today we delve into the Japanese concept of Ikigai — 'a reason for being.' Drawing from the inspiring work of Héctor García in "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life," this episode offers a detailed exploration of how finding your Ikigai can significantly enhance your life's…

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  50. Mastering Love & Life with Honesty

    Drawing on a wealth of knowledge from leading thinkers and books, including Vex King's *Things No One Taught Us About Love*, Tony Robbins’ motivational teachings, the resilience lessons from David Goggins, the stoic wisdom of Seneca, the actionable strategies from Mel Robbins, and the reflective...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

These are reflections rather than prescriptions, our

exploration of mental health, relationships and human behaviour, we are fascinating, constantly learning, questioning and experiencing along the way. A few honest conversations with myself about the ideas, patterns and lessons that are helping me understand who I am, who other people are and how life can get a little better.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOSTED BY

Stuart Mackey

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does This Makes Sense have?

This Makes Sense currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is This Makes Sense about?

These are reflections rather than prescriptions, our exploration of mental health, relationships and human behaviour, we are fascinating, constantly learning, questioning and experiencing along the way. A few honest conversations with myself about the ideas, patterns and lessons that are helping me...

How often does This Makes Sense release new episodes?

This Makes Sense publishes regularly with 106 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to This Makes Sense?

You can listen to This Makes Sense on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts This Makes Sense?

This Makes Sense is created and hosted by Stuart Mackey.
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