Happy Place

David Tennant: Internal voices, LGBTQ+ activism, and 80s nostalgia

Oct 7, 2024

In a captivating chat, David Tennant, the critically acclaimed actor best known as the 10th Doctor Who, opens up about his personal anxieties and the importance of embracing vulnerability. He discusses the balance between performance pressure and creative joy, reflecting on his theatrical experiences. Tennant also shares his thoughts on LGBTQ+ activism and the role of celebrities in social causes. With a nostalgic nod to the 1980s, he recounts amusing anecdotes and highlights his new show, The Rivals, set to release on Disney+.

58:02

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Episode guests

David Tennant

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Quick takeaways

David Tennant discusses how the vulnerability of fame can lead to insecurities, prompting the need for support from others in similar situations.

The nostalgia for Doctor Who reflects the deep personal connections actors have with their early inspirations, shaping their careers and life choices.

Navigating activism in the public eye for marginalized communities can be challenging, requiring a balance between personal beliefs and potential backlash.

Deep dives

The Vulnerability of Fame

Gaining fame can evoke feelings of vulnerability rather than empowerment, as experienced by a successful actor. Although many believe that being the center of attention provides confidence, it often leads to insecurity and a sense of exposure. The sudden transition from anonymity to visibility can feel overwhelming, making one feel as if they are devoid of privacy. Such feelings can necessitate seeking support and understanding from others who have traversed similar paths.

Intro

3min

The Evolution of Names: A Nostalgic Reflection

2min

Nostalgia and Nicknames: The 1980s Revisited

7min

Theater vs. Television: Embracing Vulnerability

17min

Navigating Social Interactions and Early Acting Memories

4min

Navigating Fame and Parenthood

25min

Reflections on Joy, Nostalgia, and New Podcasts

2min

Do you get stage fright? You might not be an actor but perhaps you feel the fear when it comes to work presentations or small talk at parties... well, even critically acclaimed actor David Tennant has anxieties around performing under pressure. He reckons little bit of fear can be good to keep you from getting complacent though...

In this chat, Fearne and David talk through how to work through those moments when you feel your brain is going to give up on you.

The naivety of youth can give you a sense of self-confidence, but with age comes the security of having more concrete experiences of things going well to drawn on. This is a really useful coping mechanism to have in your back pocket for when anxiety starts to creep in.

Plus, LGBTQ+ ally David gives his take on whether celebrities like him should use their voice for social activism, and verifies some of the stories Fearne read online about him...

The Rivals is on Disney+ from October 18th.

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