

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

Mar 12, 2025 • 46min
Erin Doherty - ‘Lean Into Your Truth’
In this engaging discussion, Erin Doherty, known for her roles as Princess Anne in The Crown and Mary Carr in A Thousand Blows, opens up about her journey from aspiring footballer to acclaimed actor. She candidly shares her struggles with social anxiety and how acting has become a therapeutic outlet for self-discovery. Erin also reflects on the complexities of friendships, her experiences with love and identity, and how overcoming personal challenges has shaped her artistic expression.

Mar 10, 2025 • 49min
How To Date: Taking it to the next level
Elizabeth and Mel dive deep into the nuances of modern relationships, discussing the leap from casual dating to commitment. They highlight the importance of open communication, navigating emotional baggage, and understanding deal breakers. The conversation touches on the significance of consent, addressing jealousy, and balancing personal desires with relationship dynamics. Humor and self-discovery play crucial roles as they provide practical advice for building strong, lasting connections.

Mar 5, 2025 • 46min
Gugu Mbatha-Raw - ‘Have I ever worked with an awful co-star? Maybe one or two’
Friendship advice: ‘Are you a radiator or a drain?’ To hear more from Gugu tackling your failures join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content
Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actor who firmly resists typecasting: her West End debut was as Ophelia in Hamlet; while on-screen she has tackled everything from Belle, to a victim of sexual assault in the hit drama The Morning Show. Her co-stars have included Jennifer Aniston, Matthew McConaughey, Kiefer Sutherland and Will Smith. Now, Mbatha-Raw returns to Apple TV+ with the second season of psychological thriller Surface. Although consistently a high-achiever, Gugu’s failures have shaped her in important ways - including one failure she shares in common with a former HTF guest, namely Mr Jamie Dornan…
✨ IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Intro
03:20 The Empathy Discussion
04:51 Navigating Fame and Criticism
06:54 Running Point and Glorious
12:56 The Fear of Failure
15:01 Music and Personal Growth
19:33 Relationships and Self-Discovery
28:12 Self-Validation and Personal Growth
28:28 Understanding and Processing Trauma
29:57 Therapy and Taking Breaks
30:57 Finding Love with Dani
34:00 The Importance of Family Values
40:19 Parenting Challenges and Lessons
46:49 Navigating Infertility and Step-Parenting
50:24 Business Failures and Lessons Learned
Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com
Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan
Studio and Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole & Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell
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

Mar 3, 2025 • 57min
How To Date: Red and Green Flags
Mel and Elizabeth look at the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that can help us understand whether a potential partner is right for us. That’s right, we’re exploring the red flags that should have us running for the hills, the green flags that signpost a healthy relationship and the amber or pink ones that lie somewhere in-between.We are joined by an expert in the field - social worker and bestselling author, LalalaLetMeExplain - to discuss how to spot these flags, what they really mean in the early stages of dating and how to embrace the positive signs when they appear… After you’ve listened, you can get all the resources and worksheets discussed at www.thepodclass.co.ukMel 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.ukYou can buy a copy of Lala’s book, Block, Delete, Move On: it’s not you, it’s them 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._______________________________________________________________________Morrisons terms & conditionsMore Card T&C’s: https://www.morrisons.com/more/terms-and-conditions/General T&C’s https://groceries.morrisons.com/content/terms-and-conditions?srsltid=AfmBOor2xSfFNVtu22I9z5plcQkO6kId8jZ3NSdAF4X4Mt8JQkhO_ylQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 26, 2025 • 59min
Kate Hudson - ‘Fame is a tumultuous machine’
Kate Hudson, acclaimed actress known for her roles in Almost Famous and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, chats about her comedic journey and her latest projects, including the Netflix film Running Point and her debut album, Glorious. She candidly discusses the emotional complexities of fame and the pressures women face in the entertainment industry. The conversation also touches on embracing vulnerability, navigating relationships, and redefining parenting, emphasizing the importance of honesty and personal growth.

Feb 25, 2025 • 53min
How To Date: Communication - dating dos and don’ts
Emma Reed-Turrell, a psychotherapist and author specializing in transactional psychology, joins the conversation about navigating early-stage dating communication. She emphasizes the crucial role self-esteem plays in how we connect. The discussion covers the pitfalls of people-pleasing and the blind spots that can affect relationships. Additionally, they explore the significance of authenticity and vulnerability in modern dating, while offering practical tips for clearer and kinder communication, all aimed at fostering genuine connections.

Feb 19, 2025 • 41min
Simon Callow: ‘Scottish reeling almost killed me.’
Simon Callow, a revered actor, director, and author known for iconic roles in films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, shares his journey through creative highs and lows. He candidly reflects on a childhood rejection that shaped him, and the critical failure of a play he directed. Callow discusses the challenges of coming out in a conservative era and the importance of collaborative creativity in theater. He emphasizes the need for impactful acting that resonates with audiences, while also grappling with the weight of his artistic legacy.

15 snips
Feb 17, 2025 • 52min
How To Date: The first date
Special guest Ryan Lanji, a cultural producer and winner of Netflix’s Big Flower Fight, dives into the exhilarating art of first dates. He shares hilarious personal stories and invaluable tips for navigating that nerve-wracking experience. The conversation explores the emotional rollercoaster of dating, focusing on the importance of authenticity, communication, and setting boundaries. Ryan also sheds light on queer dating dynamics, emphasizing the value of self-worth and support systems in forming meaningful connections.

Feb 12, 2025 • 51min
Jessel Taank - ‘Real Housewives? It’s like Game of Thrones’
Jessel Taank, the first South Asian housewife on The Real Housewives of New York, dives deep into her personal journey as a fashion publicist and brand consultant. She candidly discusses her struggles with IVF and the societal pressures of motherhood. With humor, she reflects on the challenges of balancing ambition with family life and navigating the reality TV landscape, likening it to Game of Thrones. Jessel also shares insights on identity, beauty standards, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny in a high-stakes environment.

15 snips
Feb 10, 2025 • 52min
How To Date: How to meet someone
In this episode, Sharmaine Lovegrove, an esteemed publisher and co-host of How To Write A Book, shares her journey of dating after a marital separation. She dives into the challenges of navigating both online dating and real-life interactions, emphasizing the importance of self-esteem and resilience amid rejection. Sharmaine also discusses the power of attraction, the emotional complexities of modern romance, and the significance of self-reflection in breaking negative dating patterns. Her candid anecdotes provide a refreshing perspective on finding love again.