Happy Place

Jamie Laing, a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and author of 'Boys Don't Cry', shares his candid journey with body image and mental health. He reflects on the emotional complexities of becoming a father and the impact of his parents' divorce on his life. Jamie dives into his struggles with an eating disorder, revealing how reality TV intensified his insecurities. He emphasizes the importance of male vulnerability and discusses surprising conversations about loneliness among men. With newfound self-compassion, Jamie now advocates for openness and connection.

Charlie Mackesy, renowned illustrator and author of the heartwarming book, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, joins the conversation to explore the power of forgiveness and human connection. He discusses how shame can be physically felt and the importance of sharing vulnerabilities. Charlie emphasizes that blame is counterproductive and shares advice on navigating a polarized world with respectful disagreement. The chat touches on his new book, revealing how art can aid in healing and the importance of vulnerability, especially among men.

In this engaging conversation, Greg James, a former BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host, shares insights on rediscovering childlike playfulness and the importance of fun in adulthood. He discusses how adult responsibilities can overshadow joy and why it's crucial to challenge societal expectations about marriage and success. Greg reflects on overcoming panic and the impact of family mental health, while also emphasizing that true happiness comes from daily contentment and meaningful connections. His book, All The Best For The Future, is a call to reclaim joy.

In this engaging conversation, Aisha Muharrar, a former TV writer for Parks and Recreation and author of the novel Loved Ones, delves into themes of grief and relationships. She explores the intriguing dynamics of meeting an ex’s previous partners and the jealousy that can arise. Aisha shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from scriptwriting to crafting her novel and reflects on the importance of rewriting from her protagonist's perspective. With humor and depth, she invites listeners to consider how different people bring out various sides of us.

September always has a back-to-school feeling, so this episode is all about getting back into a successful work routine after the summer, without burning yourself out...In this episode –-Entrepreneur Grace Beverley chats through how to set boundaries to create a work life balance that works for you, and how to create new organisation habits so you can spend less time procrastinating-Researcher Brene Brown tackles perfectionism and how self-compassion can stop you putting so much pressure on yourself-UniLad founder Alex Partridge offers some practical tips if you’re feeling anxious at work, including asking for flexible hours and advocating for walking meetings-Fashion and beauty mogul Trinny Woodall explains how she’s built her professional confidence and how she deals with rejection-Olympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds gives relatable advice about how to know when it’s time to quit and find a new career passionListen to the full episodes here – Grace BeverleyBrene BrownAlex PartridgeTrinny WoodallEllie Simmonds  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lulu opens up about her turbulent journey from childhood fame to deep self-dislike. She shares how creating a public persona masked her true self and the emotional costs of that performance. A pivotal moment came when she recognized her alcoholism, leading to a transformative recovery. The conversation unfolds with insights on trusting intuition, the complexity of her relationship with David Bowie, and her courageous childhood decision to call the police on her father. Now, Lulu embraces authenticity and finds joy through family and self-acceptance.

Joanna Page, renowned for her roles in Gavin and Stacey and Love Actually, shares her unexpected journey into motherhood at 35. She recounts breastfeeding on set, her choice to balance family over career, and the challenge of accepting 'average' work. Joanna reflects on the growing self-worth of younger women in the industry and shares hilarious on-set stories, including a memorable moment with Johnny Depp. Her new memoir, Lush, delves into these themes, highlighting the unique blend of career and parenthood.

Men are starting to open up. Presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness used to work on building sites where vulnerability would have been seen as a weakness, but he’s seen things changing...In this chat with Fearne, Paddy talks about his own clinical depression, and what he’s learnt from therapy about keeping his mental health in check. He explains that understanding why you’re reacting a certain way will give you the power to change your behaviour.Paddy’s three children all have autism, and he’s frank about how he felt when he first got the news. He talks through the common misconceptions, and what he wishes more people understood about the realities of raising autistic children.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Kate SilvertonLucinda MillerMo Gilligan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cally Beaton spent much of her career in male-dominated board rooms. She, in her own words, was a ‘boring businessperson’. Now? She’s a stand up comedian!Namaste Motherfuckers was the Happy Place Book Club pick for August. It’s Cally’s manifesto for embracing the radical change that comes with midlife and menopause, proving it’s never too late to reinvent your life.In this chat with Fearne, Cally explains that she’s particularly passionate about better understanding perimenopause after being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is candid about being a single mum to an autistic child.Thank you to Headline Home for the use of Namaste Motherf*ckers audiobook, narrated by Cally Beaton. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Emily HenryBook Club Meets: Lorna TuckerBook Club Meets: Lisa Jewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you noticed your body changing with age? Vogue Williams has suddenly become aware that she needs to make a point of staying physically and mentally strong.In this chat with Fearne, Vogue explains why having a drink and having fun are just as important as exercising and sleeping well when it comes to feeling good. She talks through how her health anxieties have manifested in the past, and how she’s used medication and therapy to move her through difficult periods of heartbreak and grief.Vogue explores why she and husband Spencer Matthews are so good together. Plus, why she got kicked out of a yoga class, and why Big Brother’s Nasty Nick lives in her head rent free...Vogue’s memoir, Big Mouth, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Spencer MatthewsJoanne McNallyMillie Mackintosh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.