Radio presenter Gemma Oaten hosts new podcast on a train
Hull Trains has launched a new mental health podcast series recorded onboard its services between Hull and London King’s Cross.
The project, titled Moving Minds, is being positioned as a space for open discussion around wellbeing, using real train journeys on the East Coast Main Line as the setting for in-depth conversations with well-known guests.
The series is hosted by BBC radio presenter Gemma Oaten, who is known for her roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Holby City. Alongside her acting career, she is chief executive of eating disorder support service Seed and has spoken publicly about her own experiences of mental health challenges.
Episodes are filmed during live Hull Trains journeys, with guests joining the onboard studio at stations across East Yorkshire and London. The first series features contributors including Selby-based television personality Graeme Hall from Dogs Behaving Badly and Hull Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell.
The podcast launched to coincide with Time to Talk Day, which encourages people to speak more openly about mental health. Hull Trains said all frontline managers have completed mental health and wellbeing training, with ongoing support available to staff.
In the opening episode, Gemma travels with Graeme from Selby to Hull, discussing the role animals can play in supporting mental health and how he has managed changes brought about by television fame. Future episodes will also feature Luke Campbell and Selby charity founder John Venable.
Gemma said: “Mental health matters and I am super excited to be teaming up with the wonderful people at Hull Trains to celebrate the power of having a good chat about how you’re feeling.”
Moving Minds is available to watch on the Hull Trains YouTube channel and on podcast platforms.