How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

Danny O’Donoghue, lead singer of The Script, opens up about grief, alcohol abuse, therapy, and faith after losing his bandmate Mark Sheehan. He shares his failures, including music struggles and self-care neglect. The podcast explores emotions, mentorship, childhood, and spirituality, providing insight into overcoming challenges and finding success.

Experienced authors Sara Collins, Sharmaine Lovegrove, and Nelle Andrew discuss where book ideas come from and how to know if they're worth pursuing. They share insights on developing ideas, creating characters, and crafting successful novels. The podcast touches on evaluating the value of ideas, creating engaging book pitches, and the importance of arrogance and ethics in storytelling.

Broadcaster and author Sara Cox discusses her upbringing, career setbacks, and successes. From being a 'ladette' to hosting radio and TV shows, she shares her journey with humor and honesty. Topics include her farming roots, failures in controlling Sacha Baron Cohen, and the media's treatment of her. Cox reflects on learning from her parents' divorce, embracing her talents, and overcoming self-doubt. A candid and entertaining conversation about failures and triumphs.

Actor Danny Dyer discusses his challenging childhood, acting career, drug addiction, and resilience. He shares stories about forgetting lines on stage after smoking crack, psychic experiences, concerns about fame for his daughter, and his royal heritage. The conversation also touches on his struggles with smoking, fame, social media, and choosing love over hate.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson opens up about his struggles in sports, sexuality, and reading reviews. He shares poignant moments from his journey to fatherhood through surrogacy and his dedication to early morning workouts. The discussion also touches on representation in the entertainment industry and his experiences with meditation.

Former Labour Cabinet Minister and three-time Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, shares personal failures and experiences facing racism, systemic biases, and prioritizing authenticity in politics. He discusses the challenges of political leadership, family sacrifices, mental health struggles, and the importance of environmental awareness. Reflecting on his father's values, Khan aims to make him proud despite the challenges of his career.

Vogue Williams talks about transitioning from the building industry to TV, her challenges with anxiety, friendship failures, and husband Spencer giving up drinking. They discuss family dynamics, running marathons, maintaining friendships, and the impact of fame on relationships. The conversation is lighthearted, honest, and insightful.

Angel Strawbridge, known for 'Escape to the Chateau', opens up about her leaked rant, dyslexia struggles, and finding love late. She discusses societal pressures, facing fears, and reflections on past regrets. The podcast delves into resilience, challenging confrontations, and embracing hard work.

Salman Rushdie, the acclaimed author who survived a violent attack, shares insights on love triumphing over hatred, his new book 'Knife', advice on creativity, childhood struggles, failed acting aspirations, and lessons from early writing rejections. He also reveals what Margaret Thatcher was really like, offering a glimpse into his remarkable journey and wisdom for embracing imperfections.

Former Made in Chelsea star and fitness influencer, Louise Thompson, shares her harrowing experience with birth trauma and PTSD after giving birth. She discusses her failure to advocate for herself, the challenges of her body failing her, and turning her pain into inspiration. The episode focuses on resilience, self-care, and the importance of honesty in addressing trauma and mental health struggles.