Figuring It Out

Dr Alex George

Having amassed millions of downloads with his hugely successful Stompcast podcast, Dr Alex George is putting down his stomping boots to try and answer life’s big questions. But he’s not alone. Dr Alex is joined by research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates. Combining their two worlds to answer the questions we all carry around with us, about our minds, our relationships, our choices and our health. We Google them at 2AM, we talk about them with friends and we wonder if we’re the only ones. Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated.

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628 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes628

Newest first

Sep 16, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 2: The Secret to Success is Learning to Fail | Dr James Gough
In part two, Dr James Gough shares how his life changed after leaving the military, discusses his various career ventures since quitting medicine and explains why he believes accepting failure is actually the secret to unlocking success… Plus, James and Dr Alex George discuss how VR technology is being used to completely transform how military medics are trained. Check out the David Nott Foundation and watch James’ Ted Talk here. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 15, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 1: Life on the Frontline as a Military Doctor | Dr James Gough
James Gough is a former military doctor turned humanitarian leader, who is currently serving as CEO of the brilliant David Nott Foundation. In part one, James joins Dr Alex George to share his experience working as a military doctor in some of the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, and reveals how getting injured in Afghanistan changed the trajectory of his life… Plus, James discusses how his injury impacted more than just his physical health, and shares how he overcame unexpected feelings of fear when he first joined the military. Check out the David Nott Foundation and watch James’ Ted Talk here. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 10, 2025 · 18 min
Pt 3: Three Simple Steps to Reduce Stress | Jane Ollis
In part three, Jane Ollis gives some actionable advice for dealing with stress, unpacks the concept of intergenerational stress and explains how accepting your stress could be the key to overcoming it… Plus, Jane and Dr Alex George discuss the importance of discipline when building resilience and how doing activities with others can help build feelings of motivation. Follow @jane.ollis.104 and check out her website Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 9, 2025 · 30 min
Pt 2: This Nerve Could Be the Key to Managing Your Stress | Jane Ollis
In part two, Jane Ollis and Dr Alex George discuss the power of the vagus nerve. They explore what it is, what it does and how activating it can help reduce stress. Plus, Jane tells all about how she developed her neurotech device Sona and shares the importance of building resilience to help combat stress… Follow @jane.ollis.104 and check out her website Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 8, 2025 · 25 min
Pt 1: What You Know About Stress is Probably Wrong | Jane Ollis
Jane Ollis is an entrepreneur, former medical biochemist and chronic stress expert on a mission to change how we understand and manage stress. In part one, Jane joins Dr Alex George to explore why our natural stress response hasn’t evolved over time, how to recognise the signs of chronic stress and why cortisol isn’t the villain you think it is… Plus, Jane explains how stress is linked to conditions such as tinnitus and reveals how simple breathing exercises can rapidly reduce feelings of stress. Follow @jane.ollis.104 and check out her website Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 3, 2025 · 38 min
Pt 3: Three Powerful Breathwork Techniques to Eliminate Worry | Stuart Sandeman
In part three, Stuart Sandeman takes Dr Alex George through a series of transformative breathing practices, and shares how breathwork can access things that talk therapy cannot. Plus, Stuart discusses how breathing is the map for the human experience and why we can’t shy away from feeling our emotions… Follow @breathpod and check out Stuart’s book ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 2, 2025 · 36 min
Pt 2: Using Breathwork to Heal Trauma and Calm Your Mind | Stuart Sandeman
In part two, Stuart Sandeman shares how breathwork can transform the way you feel, how breath connects us to the present moment and how taking a moment to breathe can help you process and release your trauma. Plus, Stuart takes Dr Alex George through the ‘breath test’ and reveals why babies are the real breathing gurus… Follow @breathpod and check out Stuart’s book ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 1, 2025 · 30 min
Pt 1: Are You Breathing in the ‘Right’ Way? | Stuart Sandeman
Stuart Sandeman is a breathing expert and performance coach, who is on a mission to help people reach their full potential through the power of breathwork and music. In part one, Stuart joins Dr Alex George to share how grief led him to breathwork, how deep breathing can foster human connection and whether there is actually a ‘proper’ way to breathe… Plus, Stuart unpacks the different types of breathing and discusses how breathwork helped dismantle his ‘big boys don’t cry’ mentality. Follow @breathpod and check out Stuart’s book ‘Breathe In, Breathe Out’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 27, 2025 · 17 min
Pt 3: How Stress REALLY Impacts Your Decision-Making | Dr Shawn Watson
In part three, Dr Shawn Watson unpacks the key things that impact your brain health, debates whether we can actually multitask and reveals what he’s most excited for regarding research into decision fatigue. Plus, Shawn and Dr Alex George discuss how a sense of purpose can improve your mental wellbeing and how exercising can boost your decision-making abilities… Follow @decisionsthatcount and check out Shawn’s podcast here. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 26, 2025 · 23 min
Pt 2: Science-Backed Solutions to Overcome Decision Fatigue | Dr Shawn Watson
In part two, Dr Shawn Watson shares some useful tips for overcoming decision fatigue, unpacks why mindfulness is more than a spiritual practice and explains why you need to ditch your to-do list and start a decision list instead… Plus, Shawn and Dr Alex George discuss how our decision-making has been impacted by toxic productivity culture and ponder whether we have reached the limit of what humans are actually capable of when it comes to work. Follow @decisionsthatcount and check out Shawn’s podcast here. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 25, 2025 · 30 min
Pt 1: The REAL Reason You Have Decision Fatigue | Dr Shawn Watson
Dr Shawn Watson is a neuroscientist specialising in decision fatigue, and is regarded as a breakthrough mind in Alzheimer’s research. We make around 35,000 decisions every day, but what actually is decision fatigue? In part one, Shawn joins Dr Alex George to unpack what happens in the brain when we’re making decisions, discusses the different neurotransmitters involved in the decision-making process, and reveals why we need to think of decision fatigue as a physical limitation - not a psychological one. Plus, Shawn breaks down the consequences of decision fatigue and explains how we’ve ended up with an evolutionary mismatch when it comes to our daily decision-making. Follow @decisionsthatcount and check out Shawn’s podcast here. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 18 min
Pt 3: Turning Self-Doubt into Confidence | Ro Mitchell
TW: This episode contains reference to eating disorders and poor self-worth. In part three, Ro provides some actionable advice for turning self-doubt into confidence, how to learn to trust yourself and why you need to learn to sit with your emotions, no matter how hard it first seems… Plus, Ro and Dr Alex George share their experiences with rejection sensitivity dysphoria and discuss the concept of ‘post-traumatic growth’. Follow @romitchell and buy her book ‘How to Talk to Yourself: From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 19, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 2: The Key to a Kinder Inner Monologue | Ro Mitchell
TW: This episode contains reference to eating disorders and poor self-worth. In part two, Ro Mitchell shares the key tip that transformed the way she spoke to herself. She unpacks the idea that you don’t have to love yourself, you just need to go through a day without hating yourself. Plus, Ro and Dr Alex George discuss the impact of journaling on mental wellbeing and share actionable tips for overcoming comparison. Follow @romitchell and buy her book ‘How to Talk to Yourself: From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 18, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 1: Getting Rid of Your Inner Critic | Ro Mitchell
TW: This episode contains reference to eating disorders and poor self-worth. Ro Mitchell is a content creator and mental health advocate, who has documented her recovery journey online and curated a warm, engaged audience in the process. In part one, Ro joins Dr Alex George to discuss the concept of the ‘inner critic’ - a voice inside your head that’s actively harming you, not helping you. She dissects how she broke her spiral of negative thinking to transform her life. Plus, Ro discusses how debilitating life with an eating disorder can be and unpacks how negative self-talk can damage your relationships… Follow @romitchell and buy her book ‘How to Talk to Yourself: From Self-Doubt to Self-Confidence’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 13, 2025 · 34 min
Pt 3: The Best Longevity Supplement | Dr Nichola Conlon
In part three, Dr Nichola Conlon discusses the importance of getting to know your own biology, reveals the supplements you should actually be taking and why the best thing about ageing is that it’s reversible… Plus, Nichola and Dr Alex George talk about the powers of the molecule NAD, and dive into Nichola’s research into how it can be vital in reversing our biological age. Follow @drnicholaconlon and check out Nuchido. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 12, 2025 · 31 min
Pt 2: The REAL Impact of Stress on Your Biological Age | Dr Nichola Conlon
In part two, Dr Nichola Conlon shares her tips for living healthier for longer: ice baths, saunas, red light therapy - Nichola reveals why it’s so important to get the balance right and not over-do the biohacks. Plus, Nichola and Dr Alex George discuss the factors that cause us to age the fastest, the real impact stress has on our biological age and why loneliness is as detrimental to our health as smoking cigarettes… Follow @drnicholaconlon and check out Nuchido. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 11, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 1: How to REVERSE Your Biological Age | Dr Nichola Conlon
Dr Nichola Conlon is a molecular biologist and biohacking and longevity expert, you may also recognise her as the resident scientific expert on Katherine Ryan’s ‘What’s My Age Again?’ podcast. In part one, Nichola joins Dr Alex George to unpack the science of ageing, the 12 hallmarks of ageing and whether or not it’s actually possible to reverse your biological age… Plus, Nichola discusses the differences between biological and chronological age, and reveals what actually happens to our cells as we grow older. Follow @drnicholaconlon and check out Nuchido. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 7, 2025 · 37 min
The Healing Power of Dogs | Emily Dean x ManyPets
This episode of the Stompcast is sponsored by ManyPets pet insurance, four time winner of ‘Pet Insurance Provider of the Year’ at the Money Facts Consumer Awards. In this special bonus edition, Dr Alex George is joined by Emily Dean, host of the brilliant Walking the Dog podcast. In this episode, Alex and Emily share how becoming dog owners has changed their lives, the different ways their pets have contributed to their mental wellbeing and how their dogs have helped them process grief and get through difficult times. Plus, the pair discuss how they look after their dogs and how having pet insurance can help provide peace of mind. Visit ManyPets online to find out more or to get a quote in just a few minutes. Policy terms and conditions apply, offers subject to change, policies are underwritten by Wakam SA. Follow @emilyrebeccadean and check out the Walking the Dog podcast. Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 6, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 3: This ONE Financial Practice Will Change Your Life | Vicky Reynal
In part three, Vicky shares some useful tips for unlearning toxic beliefs around money, how to overcome the fear of checking your bank account and the importance of recognising where you are with money. Plus, Vicky and Dr Alex George discuss how to deal with overwhelm and whether there’s a risk of becoming too obsessed with money… Follow @vickyreynalpsychotherapy and buy her book ‘Money on Your Mind: The Psychology of Your Financial Habits’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 5, 2025 · 26 min
Pt 2: How to Rebuild Your Relationship with Money | Vicky Reynal
In part two, Vicky shares how your experience of money in childhood could influence your perception of it in later life, how to overcome associating guilt with finance and why some people may use money in a way to self-sabotage. Plus, Vicky and Dr Alex George discuss what a healthy relationship with money in childhood looks like and why you need to give yourself permission to change the narrative of finance that you may have grown up with… Follow @vickyreynalpsychotherapy and buy her book ‘Money on Your Mind: The Psychology of Your Financial Habits’. By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! Preorder Happy Habits here Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcast Get the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual now Download Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.