Happy Place

There’s bravery in wanting to connect with people in a truly authentic way. Musician Johnny Marr has found that across his career the songs people resonate with most are his most vulnerable, autobiographical tracks. Outside of music, there are lessons to be learnt there about how we might all best connect with each other.In this chat with Fearne, Johnny explains why it’s more valuable to be an expert than be famous, and why his best creative work often comes in the moments he’s not putting any pressure on himself to write a masterpiece.Johnny’s new double album ‘Fever Dreams Pts 1-4’ is out on February 25th, and he'll tour UK arenas with Blondie beginning in April 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you try if you didn’t have to do it perfectly? Best-selling author, and the ‘High Priestess of creativity’ Julia Cameron feels perfectionism is a stalling device. When we deny ourselves the right to attempt something, we in turn deny ourselves pleasure and joy.In this chat with Fearne, Julia explains why jealousy tells you what you really want and care about, and how this can be positively harnessed to shape your future. Plus she talks through non-religious prayer, and how getting in touch with a benevolent higher power – you might call this God, the universe, or something else – can help focus your creative mind.Julia’s new book, Seeking Wisdom: A Spiritual Path to Creative Connection, is out now. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of her classic The Artist’s Way, which is published by Souvenir Press in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s often the case that fear is running the show. Dr Pippa Grange says it’s not always obvious that you’re afraid – you might be more familiar with the kind of fear you feel in the moment, like taking a driving test or giving a presentation – but it can in fact sneakily manifest as the chronic fear of not being good enough, and of being rejected.In this chat with Fearne, psychologist Pippa explains why you have to fail before you succeed. As the woman who supported the England football team during the 2018 World Cup, she explains when it’s important to set performance based goals, and when to let go of thinking you can control the outcome.Pippa’s book, Fear Less, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Twins Dave and Steve Flynn, founders of The Happy Pear, discuss their play-based fitness routines, the importance of community and connection, the impact of social media on loneliness, their journey to veganism and building a food revolution, and strategies for managing stress and finding stillness in their lives.

Audiobook exclusive: Bigger Than Us.Calm anxiety through connection. Find happiness through purpose. Feel comfort in the universal. Think bigger to unlock you.In her new book, Bigger Than Us, Fearne Cotton seeks out the insight and advice of wise minds to explore what they can teach us to achieve happiness, connection and hope. Here, Fearne exclusively shares the introduction and first chapter of the book with Happy Place listeners.Bigger Than Us is available as a hardback, an ebook, and an audiobook from the 20th of January: https://smarturl.it/biggerthanusbookYou can get your audiobook version on Audible, Apple Books, and Google Play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Freya North discusses trusting oneself and the importance of emotional well-being. They also talk about writing processes, navigating a breakdown, workplace cruelty, and the therapeutic nature of swearing. Additionally, they reflect on their experiences with physical challenges, healing after being ghosted, and their upcoming novel release.

Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Tara Brach discusses the power of challenging our thoughts and finding freedom from self-judgment. They explore the role of gratitude and compassion in alleviating suffering. They also touch on the lack of compassion in society and the misunderstood concept of happiness. Overall, they emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and connecting with others.

Are you conscious of where the pressures you feel are coming from? Are they external or internal? Diver Tom Daley has been meditating on these different types of pressures recently, so in this chat he and Fearne discuss the power of validating ourselves rather than waiting for others to tell us we’re doing well. Plus, he explains the process he and husband Lance had to go through to adopt as a same sex couple, and how having a son has changed his view on chasing perfection.Tom’s book is called Coming Up For Air, and it’s out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Fearne is joined by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes from The High Performance Podcast. They all share their favourite moments from Happy Place and High Performance in 2021, and discuss the impact those chats had on them, as well as reflecting on what their guests have taught them this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflecting on experiences from childhood can help us understand who we are today. Radio 1 presenter Matt Edmondson has been learning music production – an entirely new skill for him – and has been using it to explore feelings about his past.In this chat with Fearne, he opens up about being diagnosed with cyclothymia and how this new knowledge of his moods has changed his life for the better, and how he’s learnt to control his flow states, rather than them controlling him.Matt’s podcast, Not Another Love Song, is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank conversation about suicide and alcoholism, so do take care while listening.Click here to book your ticket for Fearne's book launch event at Cadogan Hall: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/fearne-cotton-bigger-than-us-book-launch/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.