The Life of Bryony

QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE (PRETTY PLEASE):We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3MY GUEST THIS WEEK: CALUM SCOTTWelcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to help with life’s tougher moments.This week, I’m joined by singer and songwriter Calum Scott, whose voice may be familiar but whose vulnerability and insight might just surprise you. Together, we talk about rejection, perfectionism, and why asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.CALUM’S NEW MUSIC – GOD KNOWSCalum’s got new music out now - https://calumscott.lnk.to/godknowsLET’S STAY IN TOUCH🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message withLOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Calum’s story helpful—it really makesa difference!Bryony xx⸻HELPLINESIf you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, you’re not alone.📞 Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org📱 Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support💬 Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk for advice and supportPlease reach out—you matter.CREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Calum Scott🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

QUICK SURVEY – TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE (PRETTY PLEASE):We’re running a short survey to get to know you better—so we can keep making the kind of episodes you actually want to hear. Takes 2 mins, promise: https://ex-plorsurvey.com/survey/selfserve/550/g517/250305?list=3MY GUEST THIS WEEK: CALUM SCOTTThis week, I’m joined by singer, songwriter and mental health advocate Calum Scott. You might know him from Britain’s Got Talent, but behind that viral moment is a powerful story of shame, self-worth, and survival. Calum opens up about coming out at 12, living with body dysmorphia, and how therapy—and his mum—helped him through his darkest moments. We talk about social media, self-acceptance, and what it meant to sing with Take That for the King. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong, this one’s for you.CALUM’S NEW MUSIC – GOD KNOWSCalum’s got new music coming out on Friday 4th April. You can pre-save it here: https://calumscott.lnk.to/godknowsLET’S STAY IN TOUCH🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Calum’s story helpful—it really makes a difference!Bryony xx⸻HELPLINESIf you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, you’re not alone.📞 Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org📱 Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 mental health support💬 Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or visit mind.org.uk for advice and supportPlease reach out—you matter.CREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Calum Scott🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments.This week, I’m joined once again by psychologist, best-selling author and social media favourite Dr Julie Smith. Her new book Open When is the kind of emergency toolkit we all need for those moments when life feels like a lot—and today, she’s here to help with some of yours.Together, we unpack your questions about moving on from break-ups, managing social media triggers, and dealing with self-critical thought spirals. Julie also shares her thoughts on anger at work, why it’s a last-resort emotion, and how unmet needs often lie beneath the surface.If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in regret, shame or the habit of scrolling your ex’s feed on a Tuesday night (we’ve all been there), this one’s for you.Today:💔 Dean can’t stop looking at his ex’s social media. How do you let go without suppressing your emotions?📱 Sharon wants to know how to set better boundaries with social media—and her own negative thoughts.🤯 Dawn regrets snapping at work and worries she’s becoming “that person.” What’s really going on underneath the anger?WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU🗣 Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.ukIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps!Bryony xxCREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Dr Julie Smith🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, I’m joined by Dr Julie Smith – clinical psychologist, best-selling author and one of the most trusted mental health voices online. With over 9 million followers across social media, Dr Julie has made it her mission to share no-nonsense advice for the moments when life gets overwhelming.We talk about how fear shows up in our lives – from catastrophic thinking and compulsive behaviours, to why you wake up feeling like everything is too much. Julie opens up about receiving a breast cancer diagnosis while writing her latest book, Open When, and how it forced her to practise what she preaches: facing fear head-on and taking action in the service of your own rescue.We also explore the tools that help us reclaim agency in difficult times – including mindfulness, emotional regulation, and learning to question that inner voice telling you you’re not good enough. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a spiral of fear or self-criticism, this conversation is packed with practical guidance and real-life hope.LET’S STAY IN TOUCH🗣 Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it. It really does help us reach more people.Bryony xxBOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE📚 Open When: A Companion for Life’s Twists and Turns by Dr Julie SmithA warm, practical guide to building resilience and emotional strength during the hardest moments of life.CREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Dr Julie Smith🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Life of YOU!The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share expert advice on navigating life’s trickier moments.This week, I’m joined by Clare Seal—finance writer, speaker, and founder of The Financial Wellbeing Forum. Clare rose to prominence with her Instagram account @myfrugalyear, where she openly shared her journey of getting out of £27,000 of debt. Since then, she’s become a leading voice in financial wellness, breaking down the emotional and psychological barriers that impact how we manage money.Together, we discuss the complex relationship between money, self-worth, and relationships, offering practical advice on how to overcome financial anxiety, communicate better with a partner about money, and build a healthier mindset around spending.Today’s Listener Questions:💸 Anon asks: “I’m a saver, but my partner is a spender. We keep fighting about finances—how do we stop money from becoming a constant source of stress?”💰 Marie asks: “I feel guilty when I spend money on myself, even when I can afford it. How do I change my mindset?”📉 Lisa asks: “Every time I check my bank account, I get a horrible sinking feeling. How can I break the habit of avoiding my finances?”WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU🗣 Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.ukIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps!Bryony xxCREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Clare Seal🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Money—it’s something we all have to deal with, yet so many of us feel ashamed, overwhelmed, or anxious about it. Whether it’s debt, emotional spending, or the way we tie our self-worth to financial success, these struggles can have a profound effect on our mental health.This week, I’m joined by Clare Seal, finance writer, speaker, and author, who became a leading voice in financial well-being after launching her Instagram account My Frugal Year, where she shared her journey out of £27,000 worth of personal debt.Together, we discuss:💰 Why money remains one of our biggest taboos.😨 How financial stress impacts mental health—and vice versa.🛍️ Emotional spending, the ‘ADHD tax,’ and why many of us sabotage ourselves financially.🔄 How to break out of shame cycles and build a healthier relationship with money.Whether you’ve ever felt out of control with money or just want confidence around finances, this episode is for you.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU🗣 Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB.📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it—it really helps!Bryony xxUSEFUL LINKSIf you’re struggling with debt or financial stress, these resources can help:🔹 StepChange Debt Charity – Free, expert debt advice and solutions:👉 https://www.stepchange.org🔹 National Debtline – Free and independent debt advice:👉 https://www.nationaldebtline.orgCREDITS🎙 Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙 Guest: Clare Seal🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Life of YOU!The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments.This week, I’m joined by Kate Silverton—broadcaster, child therapist, and bestselling author of There’s No Such Thing As ‘Naughty’. Drawing from years of research and real-life parenting experience, Kate helps us understand children’s emotions, why tantrums aren’t ‘bad behaviour’, and how we can build stronger connections with our kids.Together, we answer your questions about emotional resilience, big feelings, and how to parent with confidence—even in the toughest moments.Today:💬 Shannon struggles to stay calm when her toddler has a meltdown—how can parents stop their child’s emotions from triggering their own?💭 David’s 8-year-old shuts down when he’s upset—how can he encourage his child to open up without pushing too hard?🤯 Emma asks why her 5-year-old has explosive reactions over small things—what’s the best way to help children manage frustration?WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.ukIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps!Bryony xx CREDITS🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙️ Guest: Kate Silverton🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MY GUEST THIS WEEK: KATE SILVERTONThis week, I’m joined by Kate Silverton—journalist, broadcaster, and child therapist—who left the BBC newsroom to pursue her passion for children’s mental health. Now a qualified child counsellor, Kate is on a mission to help parents better understand their children’s emotional worlds.We talk about why there’s no such thing as a “naughty” child, how emotional regulation is the greatest gift we can give our kids, and why the perfect parent doesn’t exist (and never should). Kate explains how our brains are wired for connection, why our kids’ behaviour is often misunderstood, and how we can stop parenting from a place of guilt and shame.Kate also shares her fascinating analogy of the brain as a wise owl, a baboon, and a lizard, helping us see why children struggle with emotions and how we can lend them our own calm when they need it most.We explore why guilt can actually be useful, how parents can feel less overwhelmed, and why firm but fun is the best parenting approach of all.If you’ve ever worried about getting it wrong as a parent (or felt totally out of your depth), this episode will leave you feeling empowered, reassured, and maybe even a little less guilty.LET’S STAY IN TOUCH🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: Click here.📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Owen’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference!Bryony xxBOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE📚 There’s Still No Such Thing as Naughty by Kate SilvertonA practical, science-backed guide to understanding your child’s behaviour and strengthening your bond with them.CREDITS🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙️ Guest: Kate Silverton🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Life of YOU!The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments.This week, I’m joined once again by Owen O’Kane—psychotherapist, bestselling author, and anxiety expert. His book Addicted to Anxiety reveals why so many of us get stuck in worry loops—and more importantly, how to break free.Together, we answer your questions about overthinking, people-pleasing, and how to stop anxiety from taking over your life.Today:💬 Lucy constantly worries she’s upset people, even when she hasn’t—how can she break this exhausting habit?💭 Judi struggles to switch off, even when she’s relaxing—how can she stop her brain from ruining moments she’s meant to enjoy?🤯 Aaron asks why anxious thoughts feel more real than rational ones—why do they always seem so convincing?WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.ukIf this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps!CREDITS🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙️ Guest: Owen O’Kane🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Life of BryonyWhere we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments.MY GUEST THIS WEEK: OWEN O’KANEThis week, I’m joined by Owen O’Kane—psychotherapist, bestselling author, and former NHS clinical lead for mental health. His new book, Addicted to Anxiety, challenges everything we think we know about anxiety, arguing that it’s not just a feeling we experience, but a habit we’ve learned—and can unlearn.We talk about how anxiety isn’t just a mental state but a pattern of behaviour, how we unknowingly fuel it in our daily lives, and why so many of us are resistant to letting it go. Owen opens up about his own childhood growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the trauma that shaped his anxious self, and how he’s learned to navigate life without abandoning the most frightened parts of himself.We explore why we cling to our fears, how we mistake overthinking for problem-solving, and why true freedom from anxiety comes from sitting with discomfort rather than running from it.If you’ve ever struggled with spiralling thoughts, panic, or that constant feeling of “what if?”—this episode will change the way you see anxiety.LET’S STAY IN TOUCH🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB.💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: Click here.📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk.If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Owen’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference!Bryony xxBOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE📚 Addicted to Anxiety by Owen O’KaneA groundbreaking book that redefines anxiety as an addictive process—and offers a way out.Buy from WaterstonesSOME GREAT RESOURCES🧠 Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463💭 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.ukCREDITS🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon🎙️ Guest: Owen O’Kane🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley📢 Executive Producer: Mike WoollerA Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.