How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Sir Tony Robinson, famed actor and writer known for his role as Baldrick in Blackadder, shares his captivating journey with humor and wisdom. He reflects on fatherhood's transformative power and the daunting experience of writing his novel. The conversation delves into the impact of Blackadder, personal insecurities, and the emotional challenges of caregiving for a parent with Alzheimer's. Robinson candidly discusses lessons learned from failure, emphasizing vulnerability and the importance of meaningful connections in life.

In a candid conversation, stand-up comedian and author Fern Brady dives into her experiences with autism and the raw realities of her working-class upbringing. She shares how social masking affected her identity and recounts her time stripping to support her education. Fern also reflects on her success in comedy, the challenges of writing her memoir, and the pressure of fame in the entertainment industry. With her trademark humor, she addresses themes of feminism, authenticity, and the complexities of navigating university life as a neurodiverse individual.

Dorinda Medley, an author and former Real Housewife of New York, shares her journey of grief and identity after losing her husband. She candidly discusses feelings of anger and disillusionment following fame and her departure from the show. Addressing the challenges of authenticity in reality TV, Dorinda emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and self-acceptance. She reflects on unique friendships formed during filming, her nostalgic memories at Bluestone Manor, and how embracing 'no' can foster personal growth.

Vanessa Williams, a celebrated recording artist and actress, opens up about her journey from being the first African-American Miss America to achieving Grammy fame. She candidly discusses the challenges of her romantic relationships and her surprising regret about sending her daughter to boarding school. With charm and humor, Vanessa reflects on the significant influence of family, the emotional nuances of grief, and her recent return to the stage in 'The Devil Wears Prada,' celebrating resilience and personal growth along the way.

Comedian Suzi Ruffell, known for her sellout runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and appearances on Live at the Apollo, shares her journey of self-discovery. She reveals how iconic films like Titanic influenced her understanding of her sexuality. As she discusses the intersection of comedy and identity, Suzi reflects on the pressures of the stand-up scene, her experiences with anxiety, and the importance of genuine connections in her life. With humor and candor, she encourages embracing authenticity and individuality.

In a candid conversation, Pamela Anderson, actress, model, and author, shares her journey of self-acceptance and redefining beauty. She discusses the pressure of early 2000s beauty ideals and how she's reclaimed her narrative. Pamela emphasizes bravery over prettiness, exploring the importance of authenticity and self-discovery. She reflects on navigating fame as a sex symbol, the significance of familial bonds, and the shift toward a makeup-free lifestyle. This insightful dialogue highlights her evolution and the collective importance of self-worth.

Melinda French Gates, a leading philanthropist and advocate for women's power, shares her inspiring journey from Microsoft executive to heading Pivotal. She discusses the emotional challenges of divorce, parenting with responsibility, and the pain of friendship breakups. Delving into tech evolution, she emphasizes a cautious approach to AI and culture-centric health solutions. Through personal anecdotes, Melinda highlights the significance of empathy, vulnerability, and learning from failures in both personal and professional realms.

Monica Lewinsky, an activist and podcaster known for her role in a major political scandal, dives deep into her journey of reclaiming her narrative. She discusses the impact of public shaming and how it shaped her identity and purpose. Lewinsky shares insights on overcoming trauma and embracing transformation in her 50s, highlighting the importance of acceptance and resilience. The conversation also touches on the creative process and the lessons learned from failure, ultimately celebrating personal growth and wellness.

Rapping phenomenon and Tottenham Hotspur superfan AJ Tracey joins us this week to talk about supporting his mum through her cancer journey, the pressures of staying an independent artist and what football has taught him about failure. AJ Tracey has been rapping since the age of four. He dropped out of his Criminology degree at London Metropolitan University and started uploading tracks to SoundCloud in 2011, achieving five Platinum singles and over two billion Spotify plays as an independent artist. His first studio album debuted at number three in the UK Albums chart and his breakthrough hit, Ladbroke Grove, became the unofficial summer anthem of 2019. Now, after a three-year hiatus, marked by leaked songs and pandemic delays, Tracey has just released his third album, Don't Die Before You're Dead. It’s his most vulnerable and personal work yet and as well as being a love letter to the UK, the album fuses grime, garage, and R&B with themes of trauma, mental health, faith and love. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro 01:11 Early Life and Career 03:04 The Making of 'Don't Die Before You're Dead' 07:10 The British Influence in AJ's Music 09:00 School Days and Influential Teachers 12:34 The Challenges of Being an Independent Artist 18:18 Faith and Personal Mission 23:02 Family and Personal Struggles 24:52 Mom's Health Scare and Recovery 25:40 Proudest Moment: Buying Mom a House 27:44 Growing Up with Responsibility 30:53 Struggles and Sacrifices 33:46 Name Change and Fresh Start 38:12 Grenfell Tragedy and Community Impact 41:58 Reconciliation with Dad 43:43 Football, Family, and Life Lessons Elizabeth and AJ answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Have a failure you’re trying to work through for Elizabeth to discuss? 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 ⛵ I have an upcoming one-off show at Cadogan Hall on 21 Sep for my new novel One of Us. Full show details here: https://www.fane.co.uk/elizabeth-day 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 To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cynthia Nixon joins Elizabeth to answer YOUR questions and failures including: whose failures would you most like to hear (dead or alive) how to cope with a friendship break up and how to know when to have kids. Elizabeth then takes a moment to reflect on meeting Cynthia, and everything they covered. To hear Cynthia tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Do you have something to share of your own? Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Studio Engineer: Sam Bair 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 To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices