

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

Apr 30, 2025 • 52min
Celeste Barber: the FUNNIEST woman on the internet
My guest today has been an integral part of my feminist awakening. Celeste Barber’s instagram posts - which parody the unattainable standards of the fashion and beauty industry - are both hilarious and revolutionary. Her work has helped a generation of women to feel better about their bodies - and made her a star in the process. (Plus she’s been blocked by a few celebrities. Lol.)
Barber began her account in 2015 as a jobbing actor. She now has almost 10 million followers, including Reese Witherspoon, Chelsea Handler and designer Tom Ford who ended up hiring her for a fashion campaign. We talk about imposter syndrome, ADHD, standing up to bullies and her Janet Jackson obsession.
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
01:54 Journey to Fame
04:30 The Tom Ford Campaign
05:47 Creating Relatable Instagram Content
14:25 Challenges of ADHD
17:57 Touring and Family Life
20:34 The Importance of Purpose and Resilience
27:47 Self-Hatred and Imposter Syndrome
28:32 Failing to Fit In
30:10 Family Dynamics and Meeting Her Husband
33:39 Being a Stepparent
36:55 Raising Sons as Feminists
40:04 The Janet Jackson Obsession
41:03 Meeting Janet Jackson
48:37 Final Thoughts and Listener Questions
Toxic relationships, dealing with a narcissist and how to come back from ‘rock bottom’ - Elizabeth and Celeste answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
🌎 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 ⛵
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Mix Engineer: Richie Lee
Producer: Hannah Talbot
Executive Producer: Carly Maile
Head of Marketing: Kieran Lancini
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

Apr 23, 2025 • 43min
Emma Dabiri - ‘We are still so obsessed with how we look’
Emma Dabiri, a broadcaster and historian, dives into society's obsession with appearance and beauty standards. She critiques the influence of social media on self-image and embraces a more holistic understanding of beauty. Emma shares personal stories about feeling like an outsider due to race and discusses the complexities of identity, especially in relation to parenting. The conversation also highlights the importance of embracing failure as a path to authenticity, encouraging listeners to redefine success and beauty in their lives.

Apr 16, 2025 • 50min
Sally Phillips - ‘I saw Colin Firth and thought - he’s mine!’
Sally Phillips, a beloved actress and comedian renowned for her roles in classics like Bridget Jones and Veep, chats about her career and advocacy for the neurodivergent community. She humorously reflects on her obsession with Clown School and her perception of success. Sally shares candid stories about motherhood and the joyful journey of raising her son, Olly, who has Down syndrome. The conversation also touches on red flags in relationships and her playful musings about Hugh Grant and Colin Firth, making for an engaging and heartfelt discussion.

7 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 51min
Mae Martin - 'Everything I do is about proving those high school bullies wrong.'
Mae Martin, a Canadian comedian and star of Netflix's Feel Good, shares candid insights into their journey through comedy, addiction, and self-acceptance. They chat about the importance of vulnerability in creativity and how personal experiences shape their art. Expect laughs as Mae reflects on high school bullies, their obsession with escape rooms, and navigating gender identity. The conversation blends humor with depth, focusing on the intricacies of mental health and the joy of being true to oneself.

Apr 2, 2025 • 48min
Jonathan Van Ness - 'I was one wrong thing away from losing everything'
Join Jonathan Van Ness, a hairstylist, author, and star of 'Queer Eye', as he opens up about navigating personal failures and the quest for self-acceptance. He candidly discusses the pressure of show cancellations and the importance of internal validation. Dive into his experiences with childhood bullying, the challenges of launching a hair product line, and the complexities of LGBTQ+ identity in America. Plus, find out what JVN would do to Donald Trump's hair and hear his thoughts on the Queer Eye makeover he still regrets!

Mar 31, 2025 • 40min
How To Date: BONUS EPISODE - Your dating questions answered…
Hosts tackle your hot dating questions with humor and insight! They explore how life's stages impact compatibility, introducing the 'Four Fs' for dating readiness. Same-sex relationship dynamics are discussed, highlighting the need for self-awareness and support. A generational perspective on modern dating shines light on the importance of openness. Plus, they offer tips on supporting single friends and emphasize the value of community and love in dating. Tune in for practical advice and uplifting conversation!

Mar 26, 2025 • 53min
Sam Ryder - ‘Fame is like giving a dog a treat every single day. You get used to it.’
Sam Ryder, the British singer-songwriter recognized for his Eurovision success, opens up about the complexities of fame and its challenges. He candidly discusses panic attacks and the journey of maintaining authenticity while in the spotlight. Ryder shares insights on gratitude's transformative power and his deep appreciation for genuine relationships. He humorously reveals his quirky habit of cutting toenails outdoors, while teasing tracks from his upcoming album like ‘White Lies’. Tune in for an engaging mix of personal growth and musical passion!

Mar 24, 2025 • 58min
How To Date: The most important relationship you’ll ever have
The hosts dive deep into the fundamental relationship we have with ourselves. They explore self-awareness, self-love, and the importance of recognizing personal worth in nurturing connections with others. A hilarious dinner with their husbands adds a light-hearted touch, revealing insights about partnerships. They tackle challenges like heartbreak and societal pressures, emphasizing emotional interdependence. Ultimately, the conversation celebrates personal growth and offers practical tools for cultivating healthy romantic relationships.

Mar 19, 2025 • 49min
Olivia Attwood - ‘It’s either vodka and a gay club until 5am, or hyperbaric oxygen’
Reality TV star Olivia Attwood brings her sharp wit and relatability to the table. She shares her journey from 'the ick' to empowerment, highlighting her battles with ADHD and the importance of supportive friendships. Olivia opens up about transitioning from party culture to wellness, discussing her evolving views on self-care and body image. With humor, she navigates emotional expression, touching on vulnerability and the complexities of grief, all while managing the fame that comes with being in the spotlight.

Mar 17, 2025 • 45min
How To Date: How to cope with heartbreak and rejection
Elizabeth and Mel face one of the most challenging parts of dating: heartbreak and rejection.
We are joined by life coach and author Michelle Elman who went through a devastating, public break-up after being notified via an Instagram DM that her fiance of 24-hours had been cheating on her. Michelle, Mel and Elizabeth explore the impact an experience like this can have and how best to cope with it. We discuss surviving rejection and the lessons that heartbreak can teach us, in time. Plus: how to feel hopeful again and embrace the ‘what next?’ stage of self-discovery.
After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.uk
Mel and Elizabeth are on a mission to revolutionise the world of dating! We want to make it a safe, fun and rewarding experience for everyone. If you’d like to join us, we’ve put together our very own How To Date Good Dating Pledge, consisting of 10 simple ‘Dating Commandments’. Have a look and sign up for free now at www.thepodclass.co.uk
You can find out more about Michelle Elman by visiting her website here.
If you don’t want to wait each week for new episodes join our wonderful community of subscribers where you can binge all episodes now, ad free, all at once. Follow the link to sign up:
https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/
A Daylight and Sony Music Entertainment Production.
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