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
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Episodes628

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Aug 4, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 1: The Psychology of Money and Overspending | Vicky Reynal
Vicky Reynal is a psychotherapist and pioneering financial therapist, who is committed to helping others unpack the emotional layers that impact their personal finances. We know that money is a huge stressor for many people, but we rarely discuss the psychology behind our financial habits. In part one, Vicky unpacks the psychological side of money: why do we overspend? When does being careful with money become a problem? Plus, Vicky and Dr Alex George discuss the importance of understanding what you think money will bring to your life and debate whether money is actually the route to happiness… 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.
Jul 30, 2025 · 20 min
Pt 3: You’re Not Behind! How to Let Go of Age and Career Pressure | Ann Russell
In part three, Ann Russell shares why you don’t need to know your purpose in order to lead a fulfilling life, discusses how to deal with societal norms around success and age, and why the most important thing in life is to do your best in everything you do. Plus, Ann and Dr Alex George unpack the concept of having a ‘dream job’ and discuss whether we need to diminish the amount of importance we place on work in our lives… Follow @annrussell03 and preorder her book ‘How to be an Adult: Everything you need to know about being a grown up, from bills to breakups’ out 28th August 2025. 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.
Jul 29, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 2: How to Live a Life Without Regrets (and Let Go of Ones You Do Have) | Ann Russell
In part two, Ann Russell tells you everything you’ve ever needed to know about cleaning! How often should you hoover your flat? And how often should you really change your bedding? Ann reveals all… Plus, Ann and Dr Alex George discuss the key things to look for in a partner and how to reframe regrets so they no longer burden you. Follow @annrussell03 and preorder her book ‘How to be an Adult: Everything you need to know about being a grown up, from bills to breakups’ out 28th August 2025. 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.
Jul 28, 2025 · 38 min
Pt 1: Adulting, Heartbreak and the Joy of the In-between | Ann Russell
There’s always been a lot of discourse about what it means to grow up, but what does being a ‘proper adult’ actually look like? In today’s episode Dr Alex George is joined by Ann Russell, a TikTok superstar who built a huge online following through sharing helpful advice on all things adulting: from hack to tackle your laundry to learning how to live with grief. In part one, Ann unpacks how she got started on social media, shares tips on how to deal with heartbreak and reveals why we need to focus on living a satisfying life, as opposed to a purely happy one… Plus, the pair discuss what they believe happens when you die, and why you need to focus more on the ‘inbetween moments’ of life, rather than the big problems. Follow @annrussell03 and preorder her book ‘How to be an Adult: Everything you need to know about being a grown up, from bills to breakups’ out 28th August 2025. 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.
Jul 23, 2025 · 21 min
Pt 3: How Stress Wrecks Your Gut (and What to Do About It) | Dr Emily Leeming
In part 3, Dr Emily Leeming discusses the impact that stress has on our gut microbiome, why movement is vital for improving your gut health and reveals why you need to drink more water and ditch the fizzy drinks… Plus, Emily and Dr Alex George share why eating fermented foods is so important for maintaining a healthy gut and unpack why the most basic actions are the ones that have the biggest impacts on our health. Follow @dremilyleeming and buy her book ‘Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science of Eating for Your Second Brain’ through 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.
Jul 22, 2025 · 24 min
Pt 2: 3 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Gut Health | Dr Emily Leeming
In part two, Dr Emily Leeming unpacks how the gut-brain connection influences our everyday lives, why eating beans, greens and grains is so important, and shares her top three tips to help you transform your gut health… Plus, Emily and Dr Alex George discuss the importance of spending time in nature and interacting with others, and the surprising effects this can have on your gut microbiome! Follow @dremilyleeming and buy her book ‘Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science of Eating for Your Second Brain’ through 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.
Jul 21, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 1: Why Fibre is the Secret Superpower to Transform Your Gut Health | Dr Emily Leeming
Dr Emily Leeming is a leading expert on gut health and the gut-brain connection. She’s also a registered dietician, research fellow at Kings College London and author of ‘Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science of Eating for Your Second Brain’. In part one, Emily joins Dr Alex George to unpack what a healthy gut microbiome actually looks like, how your diet impacts your gut health and why fibre is the secret superpower to transforming your gut microbiome… Plus, Emily outlines the link between gut health and conditions like depression, and reveals why it’s so important to look in the toilet bowl to figure out how healthy your gut is. Follow @dremilyleeming and buy her book ‘Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science of Eating for Your Second Brain’ through 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.
Jul 16, 2025 · 28 min
Pt 3: Why Building Your Wealth Isn’t Selfish - It’s Smart | Abigail Foster
In part three, Abigail Foster unpacks the different types of ISAs, why wanting to build your wealth isn’t greedy and reveals why your investment portfolio shouldn’t look identical to anyone else’s… Plus, Abigail and Dr Alex George discuss how to find a bank that works for you and why you should proceed with caution when investing into cryptocurrency. Follow @abigailrosefoster and buy her book ‘The Money Manual: Everything You Actually Need to Know About Personal Finance’ through 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.
Jul 15, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 2: Why We Can’t ‘Just Print More Money’ | Abigail Foster
In part two, Abigail Foster discusses why we have different currencies worldwide, answers the age-old question ‘why can’t we just print more money?’ and outlines the key differences between money and finance. Plus, Abigail and Dr Alex George dive deep into inflation rates and interest rises and reveal why buying a house isn’t the only route to financial success… Follow @abigailrosefoster and buy her book ‘The Money Manual: Everything You Actually Need to Know About Personal Finance’ through 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.
Jul 14, 2025 · 26 min
Pt 1: The Biggest Mistake You’re Making with Your Personal Finances | Abigail Foster
Abigail Foster is a financial expert, chartered accountant and advocate for making finance accessible to everyone. She released her debut book ‘The Money Manual: Everything You Actually Need to Know About Personal Finance’ in May 2025. Money can have such a negative impact on our mental health, and learning to understand our personal finances can help to loosen its grip on our wellbeing. In part one, Abigail joins Dr Alex George to unpack the three key things you need to understand in order to make sense of your finances, what different tax codes mean (and how to know if you’re on the right one) and why your payslip is more important than you might realise… Plus, Abigail discusses the importance of understanding your gross vs take-home pay and provides some useful insight on national insurance and state pensions. Follow @abigailrosefoster and buy her book ‘The Money Manual: Everything You Actually Need to Know About Personal Finance’ through 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.
Jul 9, 2025 · 37 min
Pt 3: The Surprising Joys of Alcohol Free Living | Lauren McQuistin
In part three, Lauren McQuistin and Dr Alex George discuss the joys of alcohol-free living, how to combat loneliness when first becoming sober and why you don’t have to give up fun when giving up alcohol. Plus, Lauren shares the importance of realising that there is no ‘ideal’ version of yourself and reveals why we need to stop demonising boredom. Follow @brutalrecovery and pre-order Lauren’s book ‘No Lost Causes Club: An Honest Guide to Recovery, and How To Find Your Way Through It’ 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.
Jul 8, 2025 · 29 min
Pt 2: What No One Tells You About Getting Sober | Lauren McQuistin
TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and self-harm. In part two, Lauren McQuistin and Dr Alex George discuss how sobriety can unmask underlying issues, how to address untreated trauma and why the pain of getting sober is so worth it. Plus, Lauren discusses the importance of having the bravery to be uncomfortable and the importance of living authentically. Follow @brutalrecovery and pre-order Lauren’s book ‘No Lost Causes Club: An Honest Guide to Recovery, and How To Find Your Way Through It’ 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.
Jul 7, 2025 · 39 min
P1: Why You Don’t Need to Hit Rock Bottom to Stop Drinking | Lauren McQuistin
TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and self-harm. Lauren McQuistin is a musician and writer, who runs the popular instagram account Brutal Recovery. Lauren has been sober for seven years and is releasing her debut book ‘No Lost Causes Club: An Honest Guide to Recovery and How to Find Your Way Through It’. More and more of us are reconsidering our relationship with alcohol, but sobriety can often be overwhelming, and it can feel difficult to ask for help. In part one, Lauren joins Dr Alex George to take us through her personal story with alcohol, describes how alcohol impacted her closest relationships and why you need both willingness and opportunity to become sober. Plus, Lauren discusses whether regret is inevitable when first in recovery and reveals why you don’t need to wait for your drinking to get ‘bad enough’ to stop. Follow @brutalrecovery and pre-order Lauren’s book ‘No Lost Causes Club: An Honest Guide to Recovery, and How To Find Your Way Through It’ 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.
Jul 2, 2025 · 21 min
Pt 3: Stressed, Wired and Wide Awake: How Modern Life Is Stealing Your Sleep | Oli Patrick
In part three, Oli unpacks the impact sleep has on your energy levels, how our everyday micro-stresses have damaged our collective mental health, and how becoming a more hypervigilant society has impacted our sleep patterns… Plus, Oli and Dr Alex George discuss the impact of caffeine on your sleep and why ditching alcohol can scientifically transform your sleep. Follow @_olipatrick and listen to his podcast ‘The Energy Equation’ 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.
Jul 1, 2025 · 42 min
Pt 2: Ditch the Biohacks and Get the Basics of Energy Right! | Oli Patrick
In part two, Oli unpacks how to understand (and boost!) your energy score, the benefit of improving your cardiovascular fitness on your overall health and why you should place more importance on getting the basics right than trying popular biohacks… Plus, Oli and Dr Alex George discuss the concept of ‘wellbeing burnout’ and debate when it’s actually beneficial to measure and track various health metrics. Follow @_olipatrick and listen to his podcast ‘The Energy Equation’ 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.
Jun 30, 2025 · 36 min
Pt 1: Tired All the Time? A Physiologist’s Guide to Boosting Your Energy | Oli Patrick
Oli Patrick is a renowned physiologist, wellbeing expert and host of the brilliant podcast ‘The Energy Equation’. So many different lifestyle factors influence our energy levels. From sleep, nutrition and exercise, it can be difficult to stay on top of everything - which can lead us to feeling like we’re not at our optimum performance. In part one, Oli joins Dr Alex George to discuss what energy actually is, dives deep into the different factors impacting our energy and shares a useful exercise to help you understand your energy levels. Plus, Oli discusses his path into physiology and how physiologists can work in tandem with other health professionals to create a more holistic approach to health care. Follow @_olipatrick and listen to his podcast ‘The Energy Equation’ 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.
Jun 25, 2025 · 24 min
Pt 3: 3 Tips to Start Running (and Actually Enjoy It) | Parkrun Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE
In part three, Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE shares how running can improve your longevity and provides some helpful tips and tricks on how to get started with running. Plus, Paul and Dr Alex George discuss the importance of making small incremental changes when embarking on a running journey and how you can make running enjoyable, even when it feels challenging. Follow @paulsintonhewitt and buy his book ‘One Small Step: The incredible story of parkrun’ through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! 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.
Jun 24, 2025 · 21 min
Pt 2: Can Running Help You Process Grief and Trauma? | Parkrun Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE
In part two, Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE joins Dr Alex George to discuss how running can help you process difficult emotions and heal from trauma, and the pair share stories about how running has transformed their lives. Plus, Paul shares why walking isn’t a lesser form of running and why it’s important to remember that there are no rules when it comes to running - every speed and distance is acceptable! Follow @paulsintonhewitt and buy his book ‘One Small Step: The incredible story of parkrun’ through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! 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.
Jun 23, 2025 · 23 min
Pt 1: Is This the Most Positive Running Movement in the World? Inside Parkrun with Founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE
Paul Sinton-Hewitt CBE is the founder of parkrun. Parkrun began in 2004 with just 13 runners, and has since turned into a worldwide phenomenon with over 10 million runners across multiple continents! Running has so many physical and mental benefits, but it also has the ability to forge friendships and create communities you never thought possible. In part one, Paul joins Dr Alex George to discuss the story behind parkrun, how the cultural movement of running has changed in the past five years and why regularly running with others has the power to change your life. Plus, Paul shares why you should never compare yourself to other runners and reveals the surprising backlash parkrun received when it first launched… Follow @paulsintonhewitt and buy his book ‘One Small Step: The incredible story of parkrun’ through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! 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.
Jun 18, 2025 · 25 min
Pt 3: 3 Tips to Boost Your Immune Health | Professor Daniel M. Davis
In part three, Professor Daniel M. Davis discusses the importance of improving the public’s understanding of the immune system and shares some useful tips and tricks on how to best support your immune health. Plus, Dan and Dr Alex George unpack why it’s important to not believe the hype when it comes to immune health and why we shouldn’t try to over-optimise our lives. Buy Dan’s latest book ‘Self Defence: A Myth-busting Guide to Immune Health’ through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too! 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.