How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Rick Edwards is a broadcaster, author and podcaster. He's the co-host of Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast Show and presents the podcast Eureka alongside the quantum physicist Dr Michael Brooks.He's also, as it happens, my ex-boyfriend. In this episode, we not only discuss Rick's past failures but we do a post-match analysis of our own break-up. It's not often you get a chance to pore over your former relationship with an ex and enough time has elapsed (20 years, but...y'know...who's counting?) for us to feel able to do it. We hope that anyone listening who is currently going through heartbreak takes some comfort from knowing this is possible. Shout out to our respective spouses for being thorouglhy excellent people (Hi Emer and Justin! Thank goodness we're with you).Also: there's a memorable anecdote involving Rick, a tube journey and a pair of underpants that has to be heard to be believed. You're welcome.--Rick’s podcast Eureka! Getting under the skin of science is available on all podcast platforms. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/eureka/id1612482633--How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com--Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpodRick Edwards @rickedwards1 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big Zuu is a double Bafta winning TV cook who presents Big Zuu’s Big Eats on Dave. His former guests have included Jimmy Carr, Katherine Ryan and Mel B. He's also a grime MC rapper who has released four albums. He joins me to talk about the impact of his upbringing - his mum arrived to a West London council estate from Sierra Leone when she was pregnant with him and it's an extraordinary story of resilience and survival over adversity. We also discuss his ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and how it's transformed his life, racism in football and how he learned to channel his energy into the right things. This was such an enlightening - and funny - chat.--How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com--Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpodBig Zuu @itsbigzuu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SPENCER MATTHEWS! I confess, I enjoyed this conversation SO MUCH. It's not just because I'm an unabashed viewer of Made in Chelsea from the early days.* It's also because I've watched Spencer transcend his (decidedly not great) reality TV persona to become a successful entrepreneur, broadcaster, husband and father. I've always had a soft spot for him even though I've never actually known him, partly because he's got a great sense of humour and real self-awareness. All of which makes him a delight to interview.He joins me to talk about his failures in reality TV, his realisation that alcohol was becoming a problem in his life, the subsumed grief he felt after his beloved older brother Mike died while climbing Everest and his own desire to pursue extreme sporting endeavours. Please listen, even if you have preconceptions. We got on so well, and I really valued his openneness - I truly felt I could ask Spencer anything: and I often did.*If you're also a die-hard MIC fan, I get him to talk about that iconic break-up scene with Louise by Putney Bridge. It's a riveting insight into how reality TV is made. You're welcome.--Spencer's podcast, Big Fish, is available to listen to hereClean Co non-alcoholic spirits are available to buy hereThe Michael Matthews Foundation, set up in memory of Spencer's late brother, is a charity which funds education projects in Africa and Asia. You can find out more, and donate, here.--How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com--Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpodSpencer Matthews @spencermatthews Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I can't find the right words to do enough justice to Yusra Mardini's story. I think it's best that you just listen to the episode. Suffice it to say, she's one of the most impressive people I've ever met. Yusra grew up in Damascus. When war broke out, she and her sister embarked on a perilous journey to Germany to seek asylum. En route, they nearly died when the dinghy they were using to cross the Aegean sea had an engine failure. Yusra and her sister Sara - both competitive swimmers - jumped overboard and helped to pull the boat to safety, saving all 18 people on board.Yusra went on to compete in the 2016 Olympics, to become the youngest ever UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and to publish a memoir that has now been made into a Netflix movie, The Swimmers.Listen now to hear Yusra telling her story. It's unbelievably powerful.--The Swimmers is available to watch on Netflix--Choose Love does amazing work for refugees. If you'd like to donate or learn more, please visit their website here.--How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted and produced by Elizabeth Day. To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com--Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpodYusra Mardini @yusramardini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alex Jones, co-host of BBC's The One Show and presenter of a documentary series on fertility, discusses her own experience of miscarriage, her training as a fertility assistant, and the emotional toll of IVF cycles. She also shares hilarious professional errors, including locking King Charles in a toilet, and talks about understanding mental health challenges faced by loved ones. This brave and authentic conversation provides insight into the realities of fertility and mental health.

Rick Astley, singing superstar from the 80s, talks about his difficult upbringing, failure to grow up, and love for good wine. He discusses his unexpected resurgence through Rick Rolling, connections on TikTok, and reflections on fame. He also shares surreal encounters with the Foo Fighters and how his music impacted a young boy's life.

Roman Kemp, Capital FM presenter and mental health advocate, discusses the impact of his best friend's suicide, destigmatizing mental health, failed driving tests, career moves, and having George Michael as a godfather in a moving and uplifting conversation.

Craig David, a singer-songwriter and musician, is the guest in this live podcast. They discuss topics such as racism, bullying, vulnerability, and the power of opening one's heart. They also touch on the importance of authentic connections, validation, menopause, identity, politics, and mental health awareness.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor discusses surviving ladette culture, toxic relationships, and finding a room of her own. Topics include being dropped by her record label, juggling multiple aspects of her life, and her thriving black market enterprise selling Blue Peter badges. The podcast also covers embracing authenticity, parenting approach, challenges of raising boys, and coping with rejection and failure.

Caitlin Moran, brilliant, witty, and generous, discusses her experience with her daughter's eating disorder, childhood insecurities, learning to love herself, and the joy of female solidarity. They also explore reclaiming sweat as women, supporting loved ones with mental illness, being a poisonous person, the power of being an interviewer, and embracing self-love and accepting compliments.