TW: discussions around anorexia and sexual abuse.

In an incredibly powerful episode (and a How To Fail first), Christine McGuinness speaks publicly about her sexuality for the first time. She reveals she had a long-term relationship with a woman before her marriage to comedian Paddy McGuinness and that she’s now dating women again. She refuses to label her sexuality - as she puts it: ‘I want love for me’. What an honour to be part of Christine’s journey to live her truth!

You will already know Christine as a TV personality, author, businesswoman and prominent autism advocate. The mother of three autistic children, she has made critically acclaimed documentaries including Our Family and Autism, with her then-husband, as well as penning a series of autism-inclusive children’s books and launching a range of sensory-positive clothing.

Despite serious adversity (her father was a heroin addict, she endured bullying at school and suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a family member), Christine is a total inspiration and has achieved so much.

She’s about to launch her first podcast, Situationships, in which she and her co-host Sophie Gravia delve into listeners’ dating and relationship dilemmas.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

00:52 An Inspiring Journey

02:30 Challenges and Triumphs of Motherhood

05:01 Raising Neurodivergent Children

08:03 The Importance of Asking for Help

12:52 Reflecting on Childhood and Autism

20:23 The Journey of Self-Discovery

23:41 Navigating Public Attention

24:35 Discussing Divorce and Public Perception

26:07 Challenges of Sexuality in the Public Eye

28:09 Living Authentically

31:13 Reflections on Relationships

41:40 Friendship and Trust Issues

43:28 Motherhood and Personal Growth

45:47 Concluding Thoughts and Future Hopes

Elizabeth and Christine answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content

Have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com

All episodes in June are brought to you by @arlalactoFREE - all the taste, easier to digest. Listen to our bonus episode brought to by ArlaLactoFREE with Vicky Pattison here: https://link.chtbl.com/VickyPattison

🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵

Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan

Mix Engineer: Matias Torres

Studio Engineer: Gulliver Tickell

Assistant Producer: Suhaar Ali

Senior Producer: Hannah Talbot

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.

Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts

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