How To Fail With Elizabeth Day
Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment
How To Fail with Elizabeth Day is a podcast that celebrates the things in life that haven’t gone right and what we might learn from them along the way. Every week, Elizabeth’s guest explores three failures, and what these failures have taught them about how to grow and succeed, better.
We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Elizabeth to share your failures, problems or questions - anonymously or otherwise. She'll go through these each week with the help of her very special guests. And remember: a fail shared is a fail halved. https://forms.sonymusicfans.com/campaign/how-to-fail-uk-2023/
An Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Original Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch with Elizabeth to share your failures, problems or questions - anonymously or otherwise. She'll go through these each week with the help of her very special guests. And remember: a fail shared is a fail halved. https://forms.sonymusicfans.com/campaign/how-to-fail-uk-2023/
An Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Original Production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 17, 2025 • 53min
Bella Freud - Learning To Trust Herself
Fashion designer Bella Freud shares her journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Known for her influential label and hit podcast, she reflects on the weight of her family legacy, being the daughter of Lucian Freud and great-granddaughter of Sigmund. Bella delves into her struggles with punctuality linked to childhood, her transformative experience with EMDR therapy, and her whimsical regret of never joining the circus. With candid insights on authenticity, she encourages embracing failures and finding joy in the later years of life.
Dec 15, 2025 • 24min
ON FRIENDSHIP… With Dawn French and Vogue Williams
Dawn French, the beloved English comedian known for her role in The Vicar of Dibley, shares impactful insights on friendships shaped by her RAF childhood. Vogue Williams, an Irish media personality, reflects on juggling family and friendships while grappling with feelings of guilt. Both discuss the complexities of defining meaningful connections, the significance of communication in ending friendships, and the beauty of platonic love. Together, they explore the delicate balance of navigating fame, personal growth, and the importance of generosity in sustaining relationships.
Dec 10, 2025 • 46min
Alex Hassell - Rivals, Rejection and Taking Acid at Alton Towers
Alex Hassell, an English actor known for his role in 'Rivals' and his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, shares candid stories about his journey in the arts. He talks about the unexpected challenges of his allium allergy and the absurdity of spray tanning his private parts. Alex opens up about therapy's impact on his self-confidence, the lessons from early career rejection, and his rebellious youth, including a wild experience at Alton Towers. He reflects on the dynamics of his acting roles and the joy of collaborating with a supportive cast.
Dec 8, 2025 • 12min
ON PERSPECTIVE… With Adeel Akhtar and Pat Cummins
In this engaging discussion, Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins candidly shares how his mother’s illness reshaped his priorities, emphasizing the importance of family over sport. Meanwhile, actor Adeel Akhtar reflects on a pivotal moment in his career when he lost perspective, revealing how fatherhood helped him reconnect with what truly matters. Both guests explore themes of mental health, authenticity, and the preciousness of family connections, making for a heartfelt and insightful conversation.
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 2min
Mo Gawdat - The 3 BIGGEST Mistakes We Make In Finding Love
Mo Gawdat, a former Google X executive and bestselling author, returns to explore the complex journey of finding and sustaining love. He discusses three common mistakes people make in relationships, emphasizing the distinction between falling in love and maintaining it. Gawdat introduces Emma, his new AI app designed to help individuals navigate love with compassion and insight. He highlights the pitfalls of current dating tools, the importance of honest self-reflection, and how AI can transform our approach to relationships.
Dec 1, 2025 • 36min
ON IVF… With Jessel Taank and Paloma Faith
Jessel Taank, a star from The Real Housewives of New York, shares her emotional three-year IVF journey, revealing the toll it took on her marriage and finances before the joyous arrival of twins. Singer Paloma Faith opens up about her haunting ectopic pregnancy and postpartum psychosis, navigating the complexities of motherhood while dealing with mental health struggles. Together, they discuss the often-hidden realities of IVF, societal pressures on women, and the balancing act between career aspirations and motherhood.
Nov 26, 2025 • 44min
Ruth Wilson - Be Challenged By What Disgusts You
Ruth Wilson, an acclaimed British actress and MBE, shares her journey from struggling to get into Oxford to taking on psychologically complex roles. She emphasizes the importance of confronting discomfort through art, inspired by her experiences with Emma Thompson. Wilson discusses the challenges of aging naturally in a demanding industry and opens up about her father's Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which has taught her to live in the moment. This candid conversation reveals the transformative power of vulnerability and creative risk-taking.
Nov 24, 2025 • 19min
ON REJECTION… With Mel B and Nicole Scherzinger
Mel B, a former Spice Girl, shares her journey from failing an audition for The Sound of Music to finding resilience through her mixed heritage and tough audition experiences. Nicole Scherzinger, former lead of the Pussycat Dolls, recounts years of rejection and perseverance, tracing her path from local bands to unexpected breakthroughs. Both women highlight the universal nature of rejection and how embracing setbacks shaped their careers. Their stories serve as powerful reminders that strength and determination can redefine our paths to success.
Nov 19, 2025 • 53min
Michelle Yeoh - On typecasting, fertility and THAT Oscars speech
Michelle Yeoh, the Academy Award-winning actress known for her roles in Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, shares her inspiring journey in film. She opens up about coping with infertility and redefining motherhood, feeling like a failure, and how failures build resilience. Yeoh discusses breaking typecasting in Hollywood, embracing her identity, and the importance of family. With warmth, she reflects on personal challenges, the thrill of performing stunts, and the roles that shaped her career while advocating for better representation in the industry.
Nov 17, 2025 • 14min
ON PARENTING…with Andy Cohen and Caitlin Moran
In a heartfelt discussion, Andy Cohen, a renowned television host known for the Real Housewives franchise, shares his relatable parenting struggles, including a moment of playground embarrassment. Caitlin Moran, a journalist and author, opens up about navigating her daughter's eating disorder and the early missteps she took in handling her child's emotions. Both reflect on the importance of acknowledging feelings and seeking proper guidance, reminding listeners that parenting is a journey filled with learning and growth.
