How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, an amazing writer, discusses her experience with grief after her father and mother's deaths. She shares her struggles with fertility, frustration with writing speed, and even touches on Kim Kardashian. This emotional listen explores the depths of grief and the challenges of balancing creativity and parenthood.

Bestselling author and memoirist Maggie O'Farrell joins Elizabeth Day to discuss resurrecting untold women's stories, balancing writing and parenthood, and redefining success as a writer. O'Farrell shares her personal journey, reflecting on the impact of illness on her life and the physical repercussions she still faces. They delve into the emotional weight of losing a child, the importance of connecting with readers, and the joy of freely expressing oneself through writing.

Dolly Alderton, author of Everything I Know About Love, joins Elizabeth Day to discuss the disconnect between success and sensitivity, social media management, understanding her extreme personality, the concept of 'creative monogamy', and her failed attempts at baking birthday cakes.

Martine Wright, survivor of the 7/7 London terrorist bombings, shares her extraordinary story of resilience and transformation. Topics discussed include living with loss, finding resilience and strength, embracing failure, rehab and recovery, and choosing to live a fulfilling life beyond pain. A truly inspiring conversation.

Paris Lees, award-winning journalist and Contributing Editor for British Vogue, joins Elizabeth Day to discuss her memoir, toxic relationships, missed deadlines, and the power of compassion. They also delve into the significance of the book jacket's attention-seeking color and the importance of editing in writing. A fascinating conversation about identity and growth.

Christie Watson, a nurse turned bestselling author talks about failures in nursing, motherhood, and being diagnosed as peri-menopausal. She discusses the hero narrative for healthcare workers, the impact of the Me Too movement, and shares humorous stories about being a single parent. The chapter also explores her journey to becoming a nurse and the privilege of nursing.

Guvna B, MOBO-award winning rapper, discusses toxic masculinity, grief, and finding blessings in the struggle. They explore vulnerability, faith, identity, race, and inter-generational trauma. The conversation also touches on failures in exams, driving tests, and mobile phone storage, as well as approaching difficult conversations and expressing gratitude.

Ed Miliband, former leader of the Labour Party, discusses his failure to win the 2015 general election, anxiety, family history, therapy, and the power of big ideas and personal stories.

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is an Olympic heptathlon gold medallist and a three-time world champion. This is a woman who knows what it takes to succeed at the very highest levels, and who has learned to process failure when she doesn't win. I learned so much from her insight. And she's still only 35!We had a truly fascinating conversation about the psychology of competitiveness, the importance of loyalty and roots, how injury taught her the value of rest and how losing the 2011 World Championship to a woman who later turned out to be a drugs cheat fuelled Ennis-Hill's desire to do better.We also talk about the specific challenges facing female athletes - from dealing with heavy periods to suppressing menstrual cycles altogether in order to compete - and how the fact that these issues weren't really talked about has now motivated Ennis-Hill to make fitness more accessible to women. Plus she talks about making the difficult decision to return to athletics after the birth of her first child, and why she wishes she'd trusted her own instincts.Oh, and obviously I ask her about the London 2012 Olympics. Enjoy!*Ennis-Hill's fitness app for women, Jennis, is available here.*My new novel, Magpie, is out on 2nd September. I'd love it if you felt like pre-ordering as it really helps authors. You can do that here.*How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp. We love hearing from you! To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com*Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpod Jessica Ennis-Hill @jessicaennishill   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What better way to kick off a new season of interviews by interviewing one of the very best interviewers? INTIMIDATED, ME? Pahahahahaha.We open Season 11 of How To Fail with the peerless, hilarious and warm Graham Norton. Chat show host extraordinaire, bestselling author and beloved radio presenter, he joins me to talk about his failure to become an actor, to crack America and to throw a ball (no, really). We also talk about the art of the interview, his workaholic tendencies and, in an incredibly moving exchange, his near-death experience. Plus: what he learned from being a waiter and what happens when your lifelong dream *doesn't* come true. And I ask him whether he's jealous of James Corden.We laughed. We welled up. We chatted. What a gent he is. (Graham, that is, not James. I mean, I'm sure James is too, but...you know what I mean...ok I'm going now...byeeee!)*Graham Norton's latest novel, Home Stretch, is out now in paperback and available to order here.*My new novel, Magpie, is out on 2nd September. I'd love it if you felt like pre-ordering as it really helps authors. You can do that here.*How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp. We love hearing from you! To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com*Social Media:Elizabeth Day @elizabdayHow To Fail @howtofailpod Graham Norton @grahnort  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices