

Happy Place
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 41min
Sara Cox: I need to be left alone! How to take your holiday reading seriously
Are you obsessed with finding the best books – yes, multiple – to read on holiday? Broadcaster Sara Cox is!Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne and Sara share their thoughts on how to take your holiday reading more seriously. They natter about the joy of reading a novel set in the country you’re holidaying in, and whether the vivid descriptions of a location have inspired them to travel there themselves.They also swap their own experiences of writing books, and reveal the beautiful locations that have informed elements of their own novels. Plus, Sara explains why she’s trying to stop writing about characters who are useless and dysfunctional in her books, and why she’s re-living her party-girl days...You can find a list of all of Fearne and Sara’s recommended reads below!British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, offer a 24hr holiday helpline, and allow you to book with a low deposit. All holidays include a generous baggage allowance per person. Go to Ba.com/holidays to find out more.Fearne and Sara’s reading list:Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van PeltGirls – Kirsty CapesMemoirs of a Geisha – Arthur GoldenButter – Asako YuzukiThe Convenience Store Woman – Sayaka MurataThe Island – Victoria HislopDaisy Jones And The Six – Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins ReidCarrie Soto Is Back – Taylor Jenkins ReidGirl On A Train – Paula HawkinsThe Compound – Aisling RawleMa’am Darling – Craig BrownLady In Waiting – Anne GlenconnerChocolat – Joanne HarrisThe Thousand Lights Hotel - Emylia Hall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2025 • 58min
Why don’t you like yourself? Gabby Bernstein: How to stop numbing difficult emotions
Getting lost in anxiety, shame, or self-loathing? Spiritual leader Gabby Bernstein wants you to acknowledge all the messy parts of your true character. Spoiler: you’re not going suddenly to like yourself overnight, but acknowledging the uncomfortable bits will get you there sooner!In this chat with Fearne, Gabby explains how ‘protector parts’ like perfectionism, people pleasing, and numbing out can spiral into extreme self-soothing behaviours like drug or porn addiction if they’re not dealt with.Fearne and Gabby chat about anxiety as a protection mechanism, exploring why being focused on the heart palpitations and hyper-vigilance is stopping you dealing with your deeper wounds.Plus, Fearne notices that her OCD is back so Gabby takes a moment to help her check in with her current stress levels – you can follow along with this exercise too!Gabby’s latest book, Self-Help, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Mel RobbinsNatalie LueTell Self-Limiting Beliefs To Bugger Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 11, 2025 • 41min
Book Club Meets: I’m obsessed with romance scams! Gaslighting and misogyny, with Lisa Jewell
Do you love a true crime scam documentary? Our latest Happy Place Book Club read is for you! Iconic author Lisa Jewell has written Don’t Let Him In, a thriller about a perfect man... who’s a fraudulent liar.In this chat with Fearne, live from The Happy Place Festival, Lisa explains how she got into the mind of a psychopath despite being a very honest person herself. They explore how people fall for charming romance scammers, and how Lisa has become a relentlessly happy person.Plus, Lisa’s written 24 novels but has given up on trying to be a ‘professional’ kind of person – she explains how to sod the rules and build confidence in your own process.If you’re new to Happy Place Book Club episodes, don’t worry, there are no spoilers here! If you want to join the Book Club, we’re on Instagram @happyplacebookclub, and Book Club episodes are released the first Friday of every month!Thank you to Penguin Audio for the use of Don't Let Him In audiobook, narrated by Richard Armitage, Joanna Froggatt, Louise Brealey, Gemma Whelan and Tamryn Payne.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Emily Henry Book Club Meets: Lorna Tucker Book Club Meets: Clare Leslie Hall Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2025 • 45min
Clara Amfo: “I’m afraid of being bored!” How to take your holiday hobbies seriously
Are holidays for switching off... or for fun activities? Broadcaster Clara Amfo is big into travelling solo so she can unapologetically indulge her own passions, like live music and salsa dancing.Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne and Clara share their thoughts on how to take your holiday hobbies and passions more seriously, including signing up for local classes, and swapping partying for fitness retreats.They also reminisce on the moment Fearne passed the Radio 1 Live Lounge over to Clara, and chat about how to know when you’re ready to move on from a chapter in your life. Plus, do you find your personality getting lost so you’re more palatable to others? Clara has some advice to stop that happening...British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, offer a 24hr holiday helpline, and allow you to book with a low deposit. All holidays include a generous baggage allowance per person. Go to Ba.com/holidays to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 4, 2025 • 49min
Davina McCall: “What if I don’t make it?” Embracing life after a brain tumour
Are you living the life you want to live? Broadcaster Davina McCall’s recent health scare has shown her the importance of living boldly, with no regrets.In this chat, live from The Happy Place Festival, best pals Fearne and Davina share how having tumours removed within a few months of each other brought them closer together.Davina explains how you can turn fear into joy through mindset changes, and how to apologise so you’re not carrying the weight of guilt anymore. She also reflects on how being in Narcotics Anonymous finally enabled her to like herself, warts and all.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Mel RobbinsTrinny WoodallDannii Minogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 2025 • 45min
“I’m used to making mistakes!” Harriet Kemsley on how to stop worrying about being cringe
Harriet Kemsley, a comedian who uses her dyspraxia to embrace life's cringe-worthy moments, shares her journey of resilience. She discusses the chaotic reality of co-parenting and dating after divorce, revealing the humorous challenges of balancing comedy with motherhood. Harriet openly talks about the anxiety of small talk at social events and debunks the stereotype that men don’t appreciate funny women. With insights from the vibrant Happy Place Festival, this conversation celebrates the beauty in imperfection and the strength found in community.

Jul 25, 2025 • 46min
Release yourself from the male gaze: How to have more orgasms!
Emily Ratajkowski, a model and author of 'My Body', dives into breaking free from the male gaze to embrace personal sexuality. She discusses the societal pressures that often dictate women's desires, while Florence Bark, a sex educator, offers insights on understanding female anatomy for greater pleasure. They tackle the importance of self-empowerment, the complexity of female sexuality, and how to reclaim intimate experiences. Together, they encourage women to prioritize their own desires and redefine pleasure on their own terms.

Jul 24, 2025 • 37min
Richard E. Grant: Nigella recommends restaurants to me! Take your holiday food and drink seriously
Richard E. Grant, renowned actor and director, opens up about his unique travel philosophy where food plays a pivotal role. He shares how he seeks culinary recommendations from friends, like Nigella Lawson, and the joy of sampling local gastronomy. The discussion takes a humorous turn as they debate the merits of navigating foreign supermarkets versus local eateries. Richard also reflects on the bittersweet nature of grief, emphasizing how it can heighten our appreciation for life's simple pleasures. Tune in for delightful culinary adventures and inspiring insights!

Jul 21, 2025 • 1h 19min
How Trinny Woodall deals with rejection: Learning from failure and feedback
Trinny Woodall, entrepreneur and founder of Trinny London, candidly discusses her journey through rejection and resilience. She shares insights on backing one's ideas and the courage it takes to seek feedback without fear. Trinny opens up about personal challenges, including her time in rehab and the impact of grief on her life. The conversation dives into the importance of self-worth and personal presentation, as well as the unique challenges faced by women in business, offering listeners both inspiration and practical strategies for growth.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
Rita Ora: "It's all about what your body needs!" Body confidence starts with self-care
Rita Ora, a talented singer, songwriter, and actress, discusses body confidence and self-care amid societal pressures. She shares her insights on the damaging effects of the size zero trend and how Millennial women often equate self-worth with appearance. Rita emphasizes the importance of listening to our bodies’ needs over succumbing to harmful beauty standards. She also opens up about managing anxiety and the significance of creating self-care routines that promote genuine well-being. It's a powerful conversation about self-acceptance and celebrating individuality.