Octopus Psychology

25/02/2026

What's it like to be sharing news from a war zone?

This week, Naomi Murphy and David Jones are joined by Crispin Thorold, former BBC foreign correspondent turned trauma-focused psychotherapist-in-training. Dive into his extraordinary journey covering global conflicts and his honest reflections on the impact of trauma—both on those in war zones and the journalists who report from them.

Highlights:
• Life inside war zones like Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, and Iraq
• The psychological toll of frontline reporting (and why news can be "sugar for the brain")
• Learning to heal: From field producer to mental health professional

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in journalism, trauma, or what it really takes to tell the world’s toughest stories.

Listen now and join the conversation! Find us wherever you get your podcasts or via the links below.

22/02/2026

Does this preoccupation with titles and succession demonstrate the performative nature of leadership regret?

Latest blogpost by Des McVey - link in comments as well as a link to our new podcast focused on coping with Epstein files

21/02/2026

19/02/2026

🔒 New Podcast Episode! 🔓
We’re excited to share our latest Locked Up Living episode where David Jones and Dr Naomi Murphy sit down with Kate Eves—a leader with 25 years’ experience investigating deaths and violence in prisons across the UK and US.
If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind closed doors in prisons or how society deals—or doesn’t—with tragedy and loss, this episode is for you. Whether you work in criminal justice, care about social issues, or just have an interest in how systems (and people) cope with life’s toughest moments, you’ll take something away from this conversation.
Kate Eves sheds light on:
• The unseen emotional impact of investigating deaths in custody—not just for staff, but the hidden toll on admin teams and family members.
• How society, the media, and individuals try (and sometimes fail) to make sense of death behind bars.
• Why learning lessons from tragedies is complex and what it really takes for change to happen.
• Honest tips on caring for your own mental health when your work deals with grief, trauma, or high-stress environments.
This isn’t just a talk about prisons—it’s a powerful discussion about compassion, responsibility, and resilience. If you’re interested in how institutions can be more humane—or if you want to better understand your own response to difficult topics—tune in.
🎧 Listen now and join us in rethinking how we deal with the hardest things in life, inside and outside the walls. Find us wherever you get your podcasts or via links in comments

13/02/2026

Are we all at risk of being traumatised right now?

Two weeks ago today, the USA government released 3 million of the apparent 6 million Epstein files held by the FBI. And it feels like the world is reeling. Along with shocking allegations of paedophilia and s*x trafficking, we are beginning to see the deep layers of corruption at the heart of our governments and many of the organisations we’ve come to rely on collectively. And the journalists and independent podcasters are only just getting started. This is going to get much deeper.

In the 1990s, clinical psychologist, Jennifer Freyd coined the term Betrayal Trauma to describe the impact of being deceived or manipulated by a person or institution that you rely upon. Collectively, we now all face this. We see how those with power have betrayed us. Freyd arrived at her theory when reflecting on the harm caused by her s*xually abusive parents. Parents who subsequently formed the False Memory Society to act as a defensive shield. Gaslighting, denigration and counteraccusation as key weapons of defence. Whilst taking zero accountability. This is what we are facing now.

Octopus Psychology staff have spent decades working with people who’ve experienced betrayal trauma. We’re on the verge of launching a new podcast to help us all navigate the months ahead. Follow here to catch links to the first episode when it lands.



Daniel Forester

12/02/2026

🔒 New Episode Alert: Locked Up Living Podcast
In the aftermath of the Epstein file drop, there’s shock at the references to satanic ritual abuse that are peppered throughout the files.
This week, hosts Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones sit down with Daniel Forester: a former military man and survivor of childhood s*xual abuse who shares his story with raw honesty and courage. Daniel opens up about surviving calculated grooming, psychological conditioning, and the enforced dissociation he experienced at the hands of his father and his associates.

You’ll hear Daniel’s journey of memory recovery, including the role of therapies like MDMA-assisted sessions, the long road through PTSD, and the struggle for belief from those closest to him. More than just a survivor, Daniel talks about finding self-compassion, setting boundaries, supporting fellow survivors, and reclaiming hope—even after profound trauma.

This episode is vital listening for professionals supporting marginalized groups, as well as anyone seeking deeper understanding into the complex realities of abuse, memory, and healing. Join us for an eye-opening, deeply human conversation that reminds us: even after unimaginable challenges, transformation is possible.

🎙️ Listen now on your favourite podcast platform or via the links below. There’s also a link to Daniel’s website below if you want to learn more. It's full of thoughtful reflections on the challenges of recovery from complex csa.

*xcrimes

08/02/2026

Curious about how our bodies shape our identities and everyday experiences? In the latest Locked Up Living Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Cole, retired consultant clinical neurophysiologist and author of "Hard Talk."
Together with hosts Naomi Murphy and David Jones, Jonathan shares fascinating stories about loss of movement, speech, and facial expression—revealing just how much we take our bodies for granted until something changes.

Whether you're interested in neuroscience, literature, or the power of personal narratives, you'll find unique insights on everything from rehabilitation and resilience to the hidden impact of gesture and group support.

Tune in for a conversation that will make you think differently about embodiment, communication, and what it really means to be human. Find us wherever you get your podcasts or via the links below

01/02/2026

Is the world at risk for vicarious trauma?

This weekend saw a huge dump of Epstein files and it seems the world is reeling. Some of us have seen this coming a long way off but recognising the sheer scale of it has a colossal impact. And there’s more to come.

You do need to know what’s been going on. You can’t afford to look away. But make sure you only read it in bite sized pieces. And you also need to find a way to cope with what you’re going to have to digest.

Vicarious trauma typically impacts on people in helping professions – first responders, therapists, social workers. But it can also affect anyone exposed to graphic violent and distressing material. Coupled with betrayal and the realisation of how we’ve been duped, things are going to feel tough. There’s a real risk of harm. Rather than withdraw in overwhelm, reach out to others and connect. We are stronger in solidarity with one another.

There’s a link to resources in the comments.



Daniel Forester

10/01/2026

Is medically unnecessary circumcision of boys as harmful as it is of girls?

If you're wondering why the government is considering classifying it as child abuse, check out the episode of Locked Up Living linked to in the comments in which we meet with Leeanne Morris and Dr Alejandro Sanchez on the National Secular Society

Exclusive: Possible revision of guidance for prosecutors in England and Wales comes amid safety concerns from courts

10/01/2026

🎧 Why should you tune in to this episode of Locked Up Living?
This week on Locked Up Living, a compelling dive deep into the world of incarcerated women, guided by Dr. Kathryn Whiteley—an expert with decades of experience researching women serving life sentences for violent crimes across Australia, the U.S., and Ireland. Kathryn joined Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones to discuss how sentencing, institutional life, and personal histories shape the unique experiences of these women—beyond the stereotypes and sensational headlines.
You’ll learn:
• The untold realities behind women’s pathways to crime
• Surprising international differences and what truly drives resilience and hope in the harshest environments
• How research can be both ethical and empowering for marginalized voices
• Why true crime culture fascinates us—and what’s often overlooked in the conversation

If you’re interested in criminology, psychology, social justice, or simply want to hear human stories that challenge assumptions, this episode is eye-opening, nuanced, and deeply moving. Check out Locked Up Living for fresh perspectives every Wednesday

Follow Locked Up Living on Spotify, Apple wherever you get your podcasts

Links to watch and listen below.

03/01/2026

Quantum theory, love and psychiatry

Ready to rethink mental health and the true meaning of connection?

In this episode of Locked Up Living, Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones are joined by psychiatrist Dr Shivam Dubey and retired obstetrician/neonatologist Dr Salil Gupta for a fascinating conversation that moves from the science of emotions to quantum consciousness, spirituality, and the urgent need for real mental health education.

The discussion weaves together insights from Western medicine, philosophy, and ancient wisdom—tackling why "love" is more than just a feeling, why consciousness is still one of science’s greatest mysteries, and how their Mind Sync curriculum is changing how schools (and adults) nurture emotional resilience.
If you’re curious about the intersection of science, the soul, and practical tools for well-being, this episode will spark your imagination—and maybe even challenge some of your deepest assumptions.

Tune in for ideas that go beyond the ordinary.

Find us wherever you get your podcasts or via the links below