In this episode of Headstrong, Jake Graf joins Louis Strong for a deeply honest conversation about identity, resilience and protecting your mental health in a world that can feel increasingly hostile. Jake opens up about growing up trans with no language or representation, the isolation that shaped his early life and the coping mechanisms he turned to just to survive. He reflects on the mental toll of persistent transphobia, the exhaustion of public scrutiny and the fear that can exist in the most ordinary moments of daily life.

At the heart of this episode is hope. Jake speaks powerfully about fatherhood as an anchor for wellbeing, the joy and grounding he finds in family life and how vulnerability has become a source of strength rather than weakness. He also shares why representation in film and storytelling matters so deeply – not just for trans people but for anyone who has ever felt unseen.

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To mark World Mental Health Day, Louis is joined by garden designers James Alexander-Sinclair and Joe Swift for a bitesize conversation exploring how nature and gardening nurture our wellbeing. They discuss the power of fresh air, community and creativity in the garden - how getting your hands in the soil can bring calm, perspective, and healing. From small urban spaces to sprawling landscapes, this episode reminds us that connecting with nature helps us reconnect with ourselves.

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Be sure to check out The James & Joe Podcast show, James and Joe's brand new hit garden podcast: https://www.instagram.com/jamesandjoegarden/

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The James & Joe Garden Show is available now! Go check out the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pCPhPj4yIP9eL5NHDLLjm?si=0352718ff35a4348

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Actor, poet and performer Dan Whitlam joins me for a raw & gripping conversation about some of the defining moments of his life, including the traumatic event of being stabbed at the formative age of 16.

Dan opens up about meeting his attacker years later, redefining masculinity through vulnerability & transforming pain into powerful art.

We also discuss his brand new poetry collection I Don't Want To Settle: Words for a Lost Generation, out 4 September at all good book stores, and his upcoming UK tour this autumn.

This episode is sponsored by WPA Health Insurance.

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