Happy Place

You might feel aware that the internet makes you feel strangely disconnected from others, but writer and podcaster Emma Gannon feels it makes us disconnect from ourselves too. In this chat, Emma and Fearne dissect cancel culture and why we’ve got to allow each other the space to learn and grow, as well as why our offline activity should take precedence, because actions speak louder than token words on a screen.They also talk about how the biggest crime now seems to be not having an opinion. Fearne and Emma believe it’s ok not to know, or have an opinion on, absolutely everything. In fact, that’s probably better both for the world and your own mental health.Emma’s book is called Disconnected: How to Stay Human in an Online World, and it’s out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Performer Will Young shares his struggle with comparing himself to others, the importance of connecting with others, and physically moving trauma out of his body. They discuss rejection and the negative impact of comparison. They also explore the power of storytelling, building self-esteem, sharing hopeful stories, managing anxiety, and listening to and honoring your body.

Dr Rangan Chatterjee explains the effect of chronic mental stress on our bodies and offers lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms. They discuss core happiness, embracing authenticity, and the power of perspective in changing reactions and relationships. They also explore the myth of success, recognizing trade-offs, and avoiding hero worship in society.

Actor Ruth Wilson discusses her belief in bringing authenticity to her roles and explores self-discovery through relationships. They explore how embodying different characters helps her be less judgmental. They discuss the challenges of falling in love and the madness it brings. The podcast also delves into the process of character building and finding balance in the acting world.

Why can it feel more difficult to talk about mental health with the people you’re related to? In this Mother’s Day special of Happy Place, Fearne and her mum Lin explore their shared ancestry, wondering how much of who they are and what they feel is down to nature, and how much is nurture.In this chat, Fearne hears about her maternal grandmother, who she’s always known suffered mentally, but has only recently learnt more of the details from her own mum. They also touch on how Lin inspired Fearne’s connection to spirituality and the idea that there’s something bigger at play in the universe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Clover Stroud and Fearne explore the transformative power of grief and the beauty found amidst the darkness. They discuss the importance of savoring small moments, accepting death as a liberating force, and the non-linear nature of grief. Clover's book, 'The Red of My Blood', delves into life and death.

TV presenter and disability advocate, Sophie Morgan, talks about her journey of adapting to her physical disability, embracing her situation, and testing the limits of her abilities. She shares her admiration for Frida Kahlo and discusses the liberating power of authenticity. Sophie reflects on her life-altering accident, the importance of celebrating life after paralysis, and confronting discrimination as a wheelchair user. She emphasizes personal growth and excitement for the future.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Actress Tuppence Middleton is very clear that as an introvert, she is overwhelmed by being around other people and needs time alone to recharge. In this chat with Fearne, Tuppence discusses her OCD. Mental counting, checking lights, and checking taps are all current manifestations of it, but she acknowledges that her panic has taken different forms across different periods of her life. They also explore the themes touched upon in her new ITV show Our House, such as the practical aftermath of a relationship breakdown, particularly when there are shared homes and children involved.Four-part series Our House starts on ITV and ITV Hub on the March 7th.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabby Bernstein, bestselling author and spiritual junkie, discusses trauma and how it manifests in our lives. She reveals how work, substances, and spirituality can be used to numb ourselves. Gabby shares her journey of healing from addiction and explores the power of therapy, including EMDR therapy. The speakers also discuss the joy of pets, friendship, and finding serenity in nature. They emphasize the importance of faith in overcoming challenges and express gratitude for the impact of spiritual principles.

For 17 years Björn Natthiko Lindeblad lived in Thailand’s jungle as a forest monk. He learnt how calm can encourage clarity of thought, that he preferred walking meditation to sitting, and that freedom can come from not being bound to material possessions.At the time of recording, Björn was very ill; he had ALS, a progressive nervous system disease. He knew that he would not be alive when this episode was released. In this chat with Fearne, he talks about how his time as a Buddhist monk helped him make peace with the idea of death.Björn’s book is called I May Be Wrong: And Other Wisdoms from Life as a Forest Monk, and it’s out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.