Reign with Josh Smith

May the force be with you on this week’s episode as we are joined by Daisy Ridley. Many of you will know Daisy from her breakout role playing Rey in three blockbuster ‘Star Wars’ movies and now she’s back in the legendary Jerry Bruckheimer’s new movie, ‘Young Woman and The Sea’, playing Trudie Ederlee, the first woman to swim the English Channel who not only had to deal with life threatening situations, she had to face a host of 1920s misogyny too. It is already one of my favourite movies ever (bold statement but wait until you see it) and you are going to LOVE it too because it’s everything we love on Reign: sticking two fingers up at the patriarchy and proving the haters wrong! I LOVED talking to Daisy and she joins us post going out OUT (she’s a bit of us) to talk about the incredible physical and mental challenges the film presented her, the sexism she has faced in her own life and how creating her next movie ‘Magpie’ with her husband Tom Bateman was a huge moment of overcoming self doubt. Daisy also teases her return to ‘Star Wars’ but what I love most about this episode is Daisy’s words on how powerful finding your people and having the right people around you is. So I hope this inspires you to lean on those around you or to go out there and find your people! If you love this chinwag with Daisy or you head straight to watch ‘Young Woman and The Sea’ and wanna compare notes get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts - I always love talking to you. Love, Josh xP.S. You will also have heard me mention my book in this episode. ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ - you can pre-order it here: https://geni.us/GreatChat ahead of its release on 20th June. P.P.S. This episode is sponsored by Bicester Village which I am so excited about as it’s one of my favourite go-to day trips for great chats and great bonding time with my loved ones. If you need a little retail therapy with a pal, Bicester Village is home to more than 150 fashion and lifestyle boutiques, renowned restaurants and five star service - and we all deserve a bit of five star service don’t we?! But luxury doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, as Bicester Village offers up to 40% off the original retail prices ALL YEAR ROUND. Race you there? It’s only an hour from London Marylebone station if you are based in London!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is such a special episode as we are joined by the star of Baby Reindeer, Jessica Gunning, who shares her coming out story for the very first time publicly. I felt so honoured to be able to help Jessica tell her story, and I hope as we start Pride Month, no matter how you identify, or how you are currently feeling about your identity, Jessica’s story will inspire you to embrace yourself and celebrate YOU.As you will hear in this episode Jessica is every bit as incredible off screen as she is on screen and the entire world has now woken up to her talents in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer. If you are one of the few who hasn’t watched the show yet, it was created by, and stars Richard Gadd, who brings his own life story to screen as his character Donny is intensely stalked by Jessica’s character, Martha. It’s one of the best TV shows not just of the year, but ever, as it goes from comical to heartbreaking in just a few seconds. But this is no overnight success, as Jessica talks us through her epic career and the incredible lessons she has learnt along the way from her first big role in one of my favourite movies of all time, Pride, to playing the hilarious parole officer Dianne in the BBC comedy, The Outlaws, which is back for a third season. Along with our emotional chat about coming out, Jessica serves the comedy too as we talk about our failure to grasp the French language and her hilarious run in with The Outlaws co-star, Christopher Walken. If you love this chat as much as I do please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts - it is always great hearing from you. Love, Josh xP.S. You will also have heard me mention my book in this episode. ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ - you can pre-order it here: https://geni.us/GreatChat ahead of its release on 20th June! P.P.S. This episode is sponsored by Bicester Village which I am so excited about as it’s one of my favourite go-to day trips for great chats and great bonding time with my loved ones. If you need a little retail therapy with a pal, Bicester Village is home to more than 150 fashion and lifestyle boutiques, renowned restaurants and five star service - and we all deserve a bit of five star service don’t we?! But luxury doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag, as Bicester Village offers up to 40% off the original retail prices ALL YEAR ROUND. Race you there? It’s only an hour from London Marylebone station if you are based in London!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘The Witcher’ fans ASSEMBLE as today we are joined by royalty, Princess Ciri herself, Freya Allan. If you don’t already know about one of Netflix’s biggest shows, ‘The Witcher’ is a high octane adventure about the Witcher Geralt, a monster hunter played by Henry Cavill (who is being replaced by Liam Hemsworth for season four) who finds out humans tend to be more wicked than beasts. If you haven’t watched it yet, you have three epic seasons to catch up on - lucky you! I have wanted to talk to Freya on the podcast for a long time so it’s amazing to finally do it as she makes her big screen debut in one of the longest running and biggest franchises in Hollywood, ‘Planet of the Apes’. The latest installment, ‘Kingdom of Planet of the Apes’ is currently the biggest movie in the ENTIRE WORLD and follows Freya’s character Mae, a lone human who finds unlikely friendship in Noa, the ape and there is so much drama it's gonna blow your eyebrows off. Fun fact; the apes are played by real humans and it’s so emotional so take your tissues. Today Freya tells me about the power of proving people wrong - so get ready to feel VERY empowered - and about how she navigated a huge change in her life when she went from being in school to starring in a huge Netflix franchise at just 16 years old.I really respect Freya’s honesty as she talks about why she didn’t want to return to season four of ‘The Witcher’, and teases what you can expect from the final installment of the show. I hope you love this episode! If you do, please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts! Love, Josh xP.S. You will also have heard me mention my book in this episode. ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ - you can pre-order it here: https://geni.us/GreatChat ahead of its release on 20th June!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today by popular demand, Nicholas Galitzine finally joins the podcast and he does not disappoint! Many of you will know that Nicholas first burst onto our screens as the all-singing, all-charming Prince in Prime Video’s ‘Cinderella’ with Camila Cabello, and then he played a troubled marine in Netflix’s ‘Purple Hearts.’ However it was playing the closeted gay prince, Henry who falls for the son of the first female USA president, played by Taylor Zakhar Perez in ‘Red, White and Royal Blue’, that really captured imaginations! Not someone to shy away from intimate scenes, Nicholas recently played King James I’s lover in Sky’s TV show, ‘Mary and George’, whose game playing and thirst is only matched by his ambitious mother, played by Julianne Moore. Now Nicholas stars as a boyband member who falls for a fan’s mum, played by Anne Hathaway, in the new Prime Video movie, ‘The Idea of You’ and it’s the rom-com we have been waiting for! In this episode Nicholas talks about why we need more male allies for women, and how he wants to set a better example to younger men in society. He also chats about doing all *those* intimate scenes, overcoming imposter syndrome and finally feeling comfortable in who he is.What I love most is Nicholas’s words about becoming our own cheerleader which is what Reign is all about, so I hope you love this episode! If you do, please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts! Love, Josh xP.S. In this episode you will have heard me talking about my favourite SPF brand, Mecca Cosmetica. If you want to find out more about their products that not only protect your skin, but also contain amazing advanced skincare ingredients visit MeccaCosmetica.com And make sure you check out my favourite product, ‘To Save Face’ SPF 50+ Sunscreen’, which is the best SPF for wearing under makeup - thank me later! P.P.S You will also have heard me mention my book. ‘Great Chat: Seven Lessons for Better Conversation, Deeper Connections and Improved Wellbeing’ - you can pre-order it here: https://geni.us/GreatChat ahead of its release on 20th June! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Ferguson discusses her role in Dune: Part Two, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and the challenges of portraying Lady Jessica. The podcast explores her journey in the film industry, empowerment through assertiveness, and reflections on success and artistic integrity.

Today we are joined by two incredible women, Jodie Foster and Kali Reis, and I am not sure I will ever recover! Like me you may already be obsessed with them after watching the TV show, True Detective: Night Country, which is available to watch now on Sky Atlantic, streaming service NOW and available to download and own on digital platforms. on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. It is edge of your seat amazing! If you have already watched the whole series PLEASE DM me so we can debrief immediately. If, however, you have missed the action so far True Detective: Night Country is a murder thriller set in the high arctic of Alaska and follows two detectives, Danvers and Navarro who are on the case when scientists from a research facility go missing. The disappearance opens up a can of worms as it turns out the research facility is linked to a mine that is poisoning an indigenous community, and it’s also linked to a cold case of a woman from the community who was brutally murdered. The twists and the turns are incredible and you won’t see the ending coming! On today’s episode we have a proper debrief about the show and we also reflect on the pair’s game changing careers. We all know two time Oscar winner Jodie from the likes of Silence of The Lambs, Taxi Driver and Panic Room to name just a few (!!!) and Kali, before she recently started acting (this is only her THIRD acting role) achieved six world boxing titles, and you know how much we love a female athlete on this podcast (if this is your first time here, check out our two women in sports series!). We also talk about one of the show’s most important themes: violence against women, and why as a society we need to talk about it more.We chat about the power of feeling seen, and why comparing yourself to your younger self isn’t healthy. What I love about this episode is we are joined by two women who are, in their words, finally fully in their power after finding freedom in their life. That is something Reign is all about, so I hope you love this episode and if you do, please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts! And speaking of epic shows, if you missed it, check out last week’s episode with One Day star, Ambika Mod! See you next week, love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone else so emotionally invested in Netflix’s One Day to the point it’s all you can think about? Just me? Didn’t think so! Well, prepare yourself as today we are joined by the show’s star, Ambika Mod. In case you have missed the show of the year/ the best show ever, One Day is based on the best selling book by David Nicholls and follows Ambika’s Emma and Dexter (played by Leo Woodall) on the same day, for 20 years as they go from crush, to friendship and the rest is a plot spoiler so I’ll leave it to your imagination. (Note: there are plot spoilers in this episode,so consider yourself warned!)In today’s episode Ambika joins me to talk about her journey from stand up comedy to landing a role she had secretly manifested for decades in One Day. We also chat about the importance of representation, overcoming imposter syndrome, and Ambika tells me about her own journey with mental health after starring alongside Ben Wishaw in the heartbreaking BBC adaptation of Adam Kay’s This is Going To Hurt (which if you missed it, you need to add to your watch list right now!). This episode is also a mini reunion as it turns out that Ambika and I actually worked at Conde Nast together at the same time! But another reason I love this episode so much, and admire Ambika is because she is a symbol of what you can achieve if you work hard and stay so damn determined. So I hope you will be just as inspired as I am, to get out there and chase your dreams. If you love this episode as much as me please get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts as I would love a debrief on One Day with you! Love, Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the season of giving and receiving (oi oi) and this year I am clearly in a giving mood (oi oi x2) because I am gifting you an early Christmas present as today we are joined by the triple threat Queen, Hannah Waddingham. It’s been hard to miss Hannah Waddingham this year because she has been booked, busy and blessed and all over our screens. In 2023 Hannah has done more than most in their entire career. She presented the Olivier awards, before going on to become an overnight gay/national treasure presenting Eurovision and she reprised her Emmy award winning role as the football boss, Rebecca Welton in the final season of Ted Lasso. If you aren’t familiar with ‘Ted Lasso’ it’s one of the best feel good shows on the planet, as it follows American college Football coach, Ted (played and co-created by Jason Sudeikis) who takes over AFC Richmond and wins the sporting world over with his distinct positive penny outlook. As Hannah releases her very own all singing, all dancing, camp as christmas extravaganza on Apple TV+, ‘Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas’ she joins me for a jolly good chin wag and let me tell you on this show, during the season of giving, she is giving us RANGE let me tell you - Mariah Carey better watch her holiday season crown! Today Hannah chats to me about making her dreams happen later in life after treading the boards across the West End and Broadway before her big Hollywood break in ‘Ted Lasso’ after an iconic stint in ‘Game of Thrones’, too. I love Hannah’s words on choosing to be single, finding positivity in life even when it’s tough and never letting anyone dim her light again after men dimming her light in her 20s and 30s. Let this be a reminder to you, that you should NEVER dim your light for anyone babes and I hope this chat inspires you to shine brightly all year round babes. It has been the BEST sharing all the episodes of Reign with you in 2023, we have had some incredible guests from Lionesses to Christina Ricci and if you have missed any episodes treat yourself this holiday season by cracking open the Quality Street tin and taking some time out to listen to some empowering conversations so you make sure you make it reign in 2024 and beyond! Thank you from the bottom of my little gay heart for listening and making this podcast a real dream come true, I love you! See you next year, Love Josh xxxP.S If you ever want to get in touch, you can find me @joshsmithhosts across socials - I love talking to you so much so please reach out any time!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the iconic Geri Halliwell-Horner as she discusses her latest book inspired by Anne Boleyn, bullying experiences, and finding love in friendship. Explore themes of courage, unity, and perseverance, along with insights on authenticity, motherhood, and empowerment within the gay community. Delve into feminism, Tudor era fascination, and the writing process in this engaging episode.

We are in the studio today and the category is ICONS ONLY, as we are joined by Billy Porter, so prepare to experience ALL the emotions from laughter to tears. After years trying to make it in the entertainment industry on his own terms, Billy won a Tony for Kinky Boots, being his fabulous authentic self, heels and all. It was a turning point for Billy who then went on to win a Grammy, and then an Emmy for the hit TV show Pose, becoming the first black gay man to win that award in the process. In the spirit of being 100% himself, Billy drops his seventh studio album, Black Mona Lisa, and in this episode we talk about how this has been an album 30 years in the making, as Billy tells me all about his journey, including the bullying and discrimination he has had to deal with and overcome.Billy broke my heart when he cried talking about the lessons he has learnt from going to trauma therapy, the worst year of his life which saw him be diagnosed with HIV, diabetes and being declared bankrupt, and how he finally found love for himself. And in true Billy fashion, he will make us laugh too as shares his love for English rugby men! This is a really special conversation and I can’t wait to share it with you. If you love Billy as much as I do, get in touch with me via social media @joshsmithhosts and make sure you come back next week for another inspiring episode of Reign. Love, Josh xP.S. As someone who has experienced hate and cyberbullying online, I know how it can affect you offline, too. So I am beyond proud to be bringing you four special podcast episodes talking about our digital wellbeing in partnership with Urban Decay to mark their ongoing partnership with The Cybersmile Foundation. Their joint ‘Online Bullying Hurts IRL’ campaign hopes to educate people about how cyberbullying can affect mental health and offer support for those who need it. If you need help or know someone who does, head to https://bit.ly/CybersmilexUDEducationalModules to find Urban Decay and Cybersmile’s educational modules and their digital changemaker toolkit which are designed to allow us to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, responsibly intervene and positively change the conversation.Together we can build a safer online world by learning and talking about how we can make a positive impact through considered social media use. If you are struggling right now, we have got you and make sure you talk to people you trust. You are never alone offline, even if you feel it online. Love Josh x Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices