Shoulder to Shoulder by With-you
Welcome to Shoulder to Shoulder
Shoulder to Shoulder is a podcast about the power of peer support and lived experience, and what happens when people who've been through tough times use that experience to help others.
But what is peer support? It's simple: people who've faced their own challenges offer understanding, connection, and hope to others going through similar challenges. That's the meaning of peer support, and it's at the heart of everything we do.
In a world that can make us feel alone when we're struggling, this podcast is a reminder that connection changes everything.
I'm Cate Munro, and each episode I talk with people who've faced real challenges - mental health struggles, addiction, trauma, grief, life-changing moments - and who now stand shoulder to shoulder with others on their own journeys.
My guests include peer support workers, people running peer support groups, and individuals whose lived experience has become their greatest strength.
They share their stories honestly: what happened, what helped, and how peer support made a difference.
Whether you're a peer support worker, thinking about becoming one, part of a peer support group, or simply believe in the power of human connection and shared experience, there's something here for you.
Before you listen: This podcast explores personal stories of growth, mental health and resilience. Some episodes include descriptions of trauma and distress. Please trust your instincts and look after yourself - it's always okay to pause or come back another time.
Thank you for being here.
Find out more about With-you Consultancy at www.with-you.co.uk
Shoulder to Shoulder by With-you
EP 33: From Trauma to Peer Support: José Argudo on Recovery, Resilience & Giving Back
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What happens when a car accident stops life in its tracks — leaving you facing pain, uncertainty, and a future you never imagined?
In this powerful episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with José Argudo — husband, new dad, volunteer, and trauma survivor. Just two weeks into a new job, having recently moved house and with a baby on the way, José’s life changed overnight when he was rear-ended by a van on the motorway. The crash left him not only with a broken back, but with ongoing back and knee injuries, daily pain, and the emotional toll of adjusting to a new reality.
While José didn’t formally access peer support at the time, he came to realise just how vital it could have been — and how much difference it makes to connect with someone who understands. That realisation led him to volunteer with Day One Trauma Support, turning his experience into hope for others.
We discuss:
~What it’s like when sudden trauma collides with everyday life — work, home, and family~Recovery, surviving, and the challenge of learning to live again~Guilt, resilience, and fatherhood in the middle of recovery~Why it can sometimes feel easier to open up to a stranger~The “dual purpose” of peer support — giving something back, and receiving in return~How sharing your story can help you heal, and inspire others along the way
Whether you’re at the start of your recovery, supporting a loved one, or working in health and trauma services — José’s story is a moving reminder of why peer support matters, and how hope can grow even in the hardest of times.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Show notes & resources:
With-you consultancy: www.with-you.co.uk
Day Once Trauma Support: https://dayonetrauma.org/
Catastrophic injury, resilience, and the role of Day One Trauma in helping survivors rebuild their lives.
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
With-you consultancy: www.with-you.co.uk