How Do You Cope? …with Elis and John
BBC Radio 5 Live · BBC
Show overview
How Do You Cope? …with Elis and John has been publishing since 2019, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 54 episodes. That works out to roughly 60 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h 2m and 1h 16m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. Roughly 57% of episodes carry an explicit flag from the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Society & Culture show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 2.7 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2022, with 16 episodes published. Published by BBC.
From the publisher
Elis James and John Robins talk to a range of guests about the challenges and hurdles they've faced in their own lives, whilst asking the question... How Do You Cope?
Latest Episodes
View all 54 episodesS4 Listener Correspondence: ‘Thank you for creating a safe space and content that’s inclusive’
For the final episode of series four Elis and John read through some of your correspondence about the topics covered over the last few months. This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Shaun Murphy: ‘Even in the darkest of moments remember that you are actually in control’
In the final guest episode of this series Elis and John are joined by snooker player and broadcaster Shaun Murphy, who discusses his struggles with his weight and his relationship with religion.If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information and support at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Gabby Logan: ‘The grief never really leaves, you just learn to make friends with it’
EThis week Elis and John speak to broadcaster Gabby Logan about the loss of her brother Daniel at the age of 15, how she’s coped in her professional life, and witnessing the Bradford City stadium fire in 1985.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 James Cracknell: ‘The neurologist said “Where you are after three years will be where you are for the rest of your life”’
EThis week Elis and John are joined by double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell, who opens up about suffering a brain injury in 2010, his recovery, and how it has affected his life. This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 John McCarthy: ‘If I was still bitter I’d still be a hostage’
EThis week, Elis and John are joined by journalist John McCarthy who shares his experience of being held hostage for over five years during the Lebanon hostage crisis, and some of the coping mechanisms he developed in order to survive. This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Jordan Gray: ‘I wasn't bitten by a radioactive woman’
EOn this week’s episode of How Do You Cope Elis and John chat to comedian Jordan Gray about gender identity and transgender issues. This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Mohsin Zaidi: ‘We’re told to grow in a certain way and we acclimate’
EIn this week’s episode Elis and John are joined by author Mohsin Zaidi, who shares his experiences growing up queer in a devout Muslim family.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Iain Lee: 'Suddenly I was incredibly high, and this voice in my head said “Welcome back son”'
EBroadcaster Iain Lee shares his journey to becoming a counsellor, and retiring from his former profession.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Lady Unchained: ‘I don’t want somebody to think “Only when I get to prison I can be creative”’
EPodcaster and poet Lady Unchained discusses her time in prison, the prison system, and how discovering poetry has helped her cope.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Maria Romanenko: ‘We were just a peaceful country, living our life like you guys are’
Journalist Maria Romanenko talks about fleeing Ukraine due to the full-scale Russian invasion, how she has settled into life in the UK, and her plans to return.If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S4 Katie Piper: ‘Why don’t I let go of what I thought should happen and start living in what is happening?’
EIn the second episode of this series Elis and John chat to broadcaster and author Katie Piper about her story of recovery, and some of the things that have helped her cope.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.This podcast has been edited since publication.
S4 Stressed Elis and Sober John: ‘It was like the last light got switched off’
EIn the first episode of a new series of How Do You Cope Elis and John share what they’ve been through over the past year, including Elis’s experiences with stress and John addressing his relationship with alcohol.This episode contains strong language that some people might find offensive. If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode there’s more information at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
How Do You Cope - Series 4 teaser
Elis and John are back with a new series of How Do You Cope, and they’re here to share what they’ve got in store, including some of the guests that will be featuring.Remember, all previous episodes of How Do You Cope are available online, featuring the likes of Sir Brian May, Azeem Rafiq, George Ezra, Josie Long and Adam Kay.
S3 Listener Correspondence: 'You've made me feel less alone'
In the final episode of series three Elis and John read through a selection of your messages and reflect on some of the topics covered throughout the series.Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Elise Christie: ‘Replacing a negative habit with a positive one is the most important thing’
EIn this week's episode Elis and John are joined by former speed skater Elise Christie to discuss her mental health battles, her experiences as a professional athlete and her life post-retirement.Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Professor David Nutt: ‘If anyone ever criticises or comments on your drinking, take it seriously'
EIn this week’s episode Elis and John are joined by neuropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt to discuss the effect drugs and alcohol have on the body and mind.Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Gail Porter: ‘I had a great time, but with great times comes bad times’
In this week’s episode Elis James and John Robins are joined by broadcaster Gail Porter, where they discuss her mental health battles and her diagnosis with alopecia.This episode contains some strong language. Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Brian May: ‘My name’s Brian and I’m a depressive’
EThis week Elis and John are joined by Queen guitarist Brian May. They talk to him about living with depression, the grief that came from losing his father and bandmate in the same year and his experiences with therapy.Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Lemn Sissay: ‘I only knew the importance of family by not having it’
EThis week Elis and John are joined by poet and broadcaster Lemn Sissay to discuss growing up in the care system and the journey to his identity.This episode contains strong language. Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.
S3 Guvna B: ‘The toxic view of masculinity shouldn’t stop you from talking’
EIn this episode Elis and John are joined by rapper and author Guvna B to discuss toxic masculinity, his experience with counselling and how it’s helped him deal with grief.This episode contains strong language. Details of organisations that can provide help and support on some of the issues raised in this episode or the rest of the series are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline.