Happy Place

You’re more capable than you think you are. Footballer Leah Williamson has learnt that setbacks are often an opportunity to prove and strengthen your resilience. In this chat with Fearne, Leah explains how getting through a major injury has made her love the person she is now more than the one she was before because of the way she looks after herself. Leah talks about the importance of listening to your own body, and trusting what it’s trying to tell you rather than ignoring or overriding it. There’s also food for thought on why we shouldn’t feel guilty for taking proper time out from our relentless lives.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Sarina Wiegman Molly McCann Iwan Thomas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you A) assume everyone probably hates you? B) react impulsively to criticism? C) feel intense shame about the way your brain works? These are all things UNILAD founder Alex Partridge has felt across his life, but at 34 he was diagnosed with ADHD and his character started to make a little more sense...In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Alex explains how his diagnosis allowed him to reframe the characteristics he had previously been troubled by, turning shame into compassion.If you personally don’t have a neurodivergent brain, you probably work with someone, have a family member, or are in a relationship with someone who does, so Alex talks through ways you can help create an environment for them to thrive in.Plus, there are loads of really practical coping mechanisms you can enact yourself if you’re the anxious one, or the one with ADHD. Listen to Alex’s podcast, ADHD Chatter. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Gemma Styles Lucinda Miller Jordan Stephens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a Gary or an Emma? He thrives with a super social, demanding itinerary, and she’s all about lovely calm solitude. Gary Neville has had an ambitious drive instilled in him by his parents and his football career; his wife Emma is more reserved and serene, but they reckon opposites definitely attract. Fearne had two goals for this chat, live at the Happy Place Festival: to get Gary into wellness, and to marry the subjects of football and menopause... Emma experienced early menopause, and Gary admits to some of the errors he’s made in talking to her about her symptoms, but they also talk through the ways he’s helped her build her confidence along the way (spoiler: there were spreadsheets involved). Do you ever wonder if you’re selfish for putting yourself first? Emma explains how she found the self-belief to start a new career later in life after slightly losing her identity to motherhood. Meanwhile, Gary explains why his football career has made him into a solution-finder who wants to control problems in a practical way rather than dwelling on the emotional. What has he learnt about validating how his partner feels? Plus, has your relationship with alcohol changed as you age? Gary definitely can’t drink the way he used to... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your brain isn’t broken; this is the reassurance influencer Gemma Styles wants you to have. Your brain is doing its best to cope with modern society – we need to be fixing our systems not blaming our brains for poor mental health. In this chat with Fearne, Gemma – who’s an ambassador for MQ Mental Health Research – explains why understanding the science behind how her ADHD brain works helps her be kinder to herself. Do you compare and despair whenever you scroll through social media? Gemma has over 10 million followers on Instagram and offers advice for checking in with yourself on how being online is really making you feel. Plus, are you the type of person who leaves every social interaction convinced you’ve pissed someone off? Fearne and Gemma have some useful thoughts to make you feel less alone on that one... Gemma’s book, Why Am I Like This, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is your deepest sexual desire? Where do you think it comes from? Gillian Anderson has collected a series of anonymous fantasies in her new book, Want, and she wonders that at the heart of so many fantasies is the longing to be seen for who we really are. In this chat Fearne and Gillian explore why a lack of self-esteem might be affecting women’s experience of sex, and what a deeply personal fantasy might say about gender relations in wider society. Gillian offers advice about how to ‘act as if...’, that is, fake it ‘til you make it if you’re lacking confidence in the bedroom. She talks about how stepping into sexy, strong characters on screen has allowed her to embrace that power in her real life. Plus, learn how to think of fantasy as a creative and empowering act, one that allows you to literally write your own life story. Gillian’s book, Want, is our Happy Place Book Club pick for September, and it’s out now.Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing for the use of Want audiobook, read by Gillian Anderson and Anonymous. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you be a different version of you if you’d surrounded yourself with different people? This is something the plot of The Husbands, the Happy Place Book Club pick for August, explores. In this chat with Fearne, live at the Happy Place Festival, author Holly Gramazio explains why she wanted to examine the idea that different relationships could significantly impact your lifestyle and personality. She reckons there’s more than one way for you to be happy and for you to be yourself; there’s not necessarily a clear, correct choice about who you should date, what job you should have, or where you should live. Fearne and Holly also give advice about how to start writing a novel if you feel you have one in you, including finding a friend who’s rubbish at lying to read your drafts...Thank you to Penguin Audio for the use of The Husbands audiobook, read by Miranda Raison. Listen to Book Club Meets: Sofie Hagen Listen to Book Club Meets: Fearne Cotton Listen to Book Club Meets: Jo Cheetham Listen to Book Club Meets: Jennie Godfrey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucinda Miller, a naturopath and functional medicine practitioner, discusses her journey with ADHD and the transformative power of diet on brain health. She shares how neurodivergent brains process information differently, necessitating specific nutritional support. The conversation dives into the gut-brain connection, emphasizing the effects of antibiotics on gut health and children's behavior. Lucinda offers insights from her book, Brain Brilliance, on how dietary choices can enhance emotional regulation and cognitive function, making nutrition vital for everyone.

Join motivational speaker Gabby Bernstein, self-help author Roxie Nafousi, and relationship expert Paul C Brunson, among others, as they tackle self-limiting beliefs. They discuss the importance of aligning your behavior with your true values and the journey of becoming your best self. Lisa Snowdon shares insights on personal growth, while Will Young reflects on finding authenticity amid societal pressures. Dawn O’Porter emphasizes healing through storytelling, encouraging listeners to celebrate life even through grief.

Matt Haig, an acclaimed author known for his deep exploration of mental health, joins to discuss the interplay between happiness and sadness. He shares his journey of confronting trauma through nostalgia and how reflecting on past hardships can foster healing. The conversation touches on the paradox of self-criticism, the growing pressures of success, and the value of feeling like a failure. They also explore mindfulness as a tool for understanding dark thoughts and the importance of spontaneity in finding joy.

Jason Donovan, an accomplished artist known for his resilience and reinvention, shares insights on creating one's own luck through hard work. He discusses balancing single-minded pursuits with realistic backup plans while reflecting on fame's challenges and long-lasting relationships. Humor arises as Fearne reveals her teenage obsession with him, and they explore the joys of simple pleasures like swimming and flower picking. Jason's upcoming performances in 'The Rocky Horror Show' and his solo music tour are also highlighted.