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Reign with Josh Smith

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Mar 29, 2022 • 54min

Ep 39: Nicôle Lecky

I am BEYOND excited for you to hear this week’s episode with quadruple threat, Nicôle Lecky, who not only stars in the BBC hit show, Mood, she also wrote the script, wrote the songs and sings them too. The show which truly is like nothing you have ever seen before, and it’s based on her 2019 one woman theatre show, Superhoe which received incredible reviews at The Royal Court in London. Mood is a drama-musical that explores Only Fans culture and sex work through the main character, Sasha Clayton, an East London wannabe singer-songwriter who’s forced to fend for herself when she’s kicked out of her family home. After she meets party girl Carly, she’s introduced to the world of social media influencers, and the divide between becoming a singer and maintaining an online persona grows. Mood is an incredible look at mental health, sex, abuse, drinking culture, and the issue with ‘hidden homelessness.’ In this episode Nicôle talks about the stories she heard and experienced herself when she was researching the show, and reflects on the ‘grey area of sexual abuse,’ she witnessed at school - which I really think will have many of us looking back and questioning some of the things we saw and accepted as ‘normal.’Nicôle also talks about her own journey with mental health, antidepressants, and working out what is best for her mental wellbeing. AND, she shares some amazing tips for stepping into your power when pursuing your dreams and pitching your ideas - whether they are creative OR business ideas - which I know so many of you will love! I know I will be taking a lot of confidence tips from her! This is an incredibly open and honest conversation so I really hope you love this episode as much as I do. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS, KIEHL’S, FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN!I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships.In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 22, 2022 • 35min

Ep 38: Sophie Skelton

Outlander fans prepare yourselves as this week we are joined by the show’s star, Sophie Skelton! If you aren’t one of the MANY Outlander Fans already, it is part period drama, a little sci-fi, with some time travelling, and there is some seriously hot and heavy romance, too - wink wink! The hit show follows Claire Randall - played by Caitrona Balfe - a World War Two nurse who time travels back to Scotland in the 1700s where she meets a HOT AF highland warrior, Jamie played by Sam Heaghan, and their daughter, Brianna - a fellow time traveller - played by Sophie herself. If that doesn’t entice you to watch - Sophie shares her very entertaining Sparknote version of what you have missed so far in this episode! As the show heads into its sixth season on Starz Player, Sophie joins me to chat about the plot spoiler in season six that shook her *you have been warned - SPOILERS* and reflects back on the show’s powerful and nuanced exploration of sexual abuse, and the mental health impact on victims. Sophie also shares the eye opening research she did and how filming a rape scene in season four affected her own mental health. Sophie also talks about the need for messy sex scenes on screen - we all know sex is not always glossy, and the internet lies! How being a ballerina from the age of two has affected her body image, and the everyday sexism she faces, most notably when she’s walking her Great Dane. I think so many of you will find what Sophie has to say so relatable - especially about appreciating our bodies in a new way post-Covid - so I think this episode will speak to all of us! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS KIEHL’S FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN! I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships. In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 15, 2022 • 29min

Ep 37: Louisa Jacobson

After a little mini break we are BACK BABES with some super empowering episodes for YOU! This week is all about shutting down your imposter syndrome and learning to be a little more present, as I am joined by the star of my new fave TV show, The Gilded Age: it’s Louisa Jacobson. If you haven’t watched The Gilded Age yet (new episodes drop every Tuesday on Sky Atlantic and NowTV), it follows Louisa’s character, Marian Brook, a rural gal who moves to New York after her father's death to live with her aunts, Ada played by Cynthia Nixon, and Agnes - who is the queen of a one line put down - played by Christine Baranski. It’s costume drama is at it’s best from the creator of Downton Abbey, Jullien Fellows. Bustles get rustled by the new money family on the block, The Russels. Drama ahoy! In this episode Louisa talks about her very first TV gig in The Gilded Age, the perils of wearing a corset all day long (especially after spending so long in lockdown in joggers - I think we can all relate in our own way!) and how she rebelled against her family by choosing a life in advertising before finally taking the risk of pursuing a career in acting. Louisa also shares some amazing advice for remaining present and dealing with imposter syndrome - which I know, like me, so many of you suffer from - so I hope Louisa’s words of wisdom help YOU as much as they did me! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives and if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxxP.S I AM SO EXCITED THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SKINCARE BRANDS KIEHL’S FOR THIS SERIES OF REIGN! I created Reign to celebrate women and start important conversations about equality and I am proud to partner with Kiehl’s who have done the same for over 170 years by supporting local communities through multiple charity partnerships. In the spirit of feeling like our best selves, Kiehl’s have introduced a new cream formulation of their best selling Midnight Recovery Oil! Say hello to the Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Cloud Cream, which will not only help your skin look plumped, nourished and radiant, it will empower you to feel FABULOUS and take on anything!It’s rich in Omegas 3 and 6 which help replenish and rejuvenate skin, and with it only taking 7 nights to younger looking skin - I’ll race you to the nearest Kiehl’s store! Or you can shop on kiehls.co.uk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 18, 2022 • 39min

Ep 36: Johannes Radebe

This week’s episode has it all: from tears to laughter as I am joined by the King of Joy and Strictly Come Dancing pro, Johannes Radebe. Born in the township Zamdela Sasolburg, South Africa, Johannes started dancing when he was 7, after discovering a love for sequins - who can blame him?! Johannes hit the big time on the dance floor after appearing on the debut season of South Africa’s Dancing with The Stars. From there, he headed to the UK in 2018 to feature in the pro line up for Strictly Come Dancing, and became a true game changer. After VOGUEING in heels, Johannes danced the first same-sex dance routine with fellow pro Graziano Di Prima and whilst some haters called Ofcom, it paved the way for the first all-male partnership in the show’s 19 year history, with baker, John Whaite. The pair not only came second but they won fans across the country and started important conversations in the process. Now as he is preparing for his first solo show, Johannes Radebe: Freedom, which will open on 16 March and run through to 1 May 2022 across the UK. It promises to be a celebration of music and dance, from African fusion to fiery Latin, classic dance arrangements and huge party anthems. So get your tickets NOW: https://www.johannes-live.com/I was obsessed with Johannes and John’s partnership on the most recent season of Strictly Come Dancing but get ready to fall a bit more in love with Johannes after listening to this episode as he opens up about how therapeutic the partnership was. He also talks about the tragic circumstances that led to him being honest about his sexuality with his mother, just a few years ago. Johannes is a true symbol of living truthfully as you - in spite of hate growing up and judgment even today - so I hope, like me, this chat inspires you to be more comfortable in your own skin. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 11, 2022 • 42min

Ep 35: Diane Kruger

This week’s episode is all about embracing and being empowered by the ‘f**k you moments’ in our lives as I am joined by Hollywood goddess, Diane Kruger! Diane has became one of our most respected actresses since breaking out as Helen of Troy in Troy (alongside Brad Pitt’s stunning bob), before going on to star in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, and later winning the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for In The Fade, where she played a woman widowed following a terrorist attack. Now Diane returns with the high-kicking all-female spy thriller, The 355, alongside Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz and Lupita Nyongo. The movie sees five international spies come together to save the world from a mysterious cyber threat. Think of it as James Bond meets The Spice Girls - it’s right up our street! But for all the success on screen there have been moments of deep disappointment for Diane. After training at the Royal Ballet School, Diane had to shelve her ballet career as a teenager following a knee injury. And even when she finally hit the big time in Troy, the role left her pigeon-holed and out of work. As Diane reveals in this episode, even winning her role in Inglourious Basterds came after Quentin Tarantino refused to audition her - becoming one of the greatest ‘f**k you moments’ of her life. But sometimes other people doubting us can be the greatest fuel for empowering ourselves - am I right? Also in this episode Diane talks about how training for The 355 six months after giving birth affected her body image and how heartbreak and grief in her mid-30's led to her being more open and honest about her mental health. Plus, she opens up about becoming a mother for the first time in her 40's with her partner, actor Norman Reedus and the ageism that has come with being a mother later in life. I love what Diane has to say about staying true to your own narrative and never giving up on YOU so I hope this inspires you to make the right decision for your own life, be that in your career, or even decisions around parenting! I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jan 4, 2022 • 33min

Ep 34: Lucas Bravo

HAPPY NEW YEAR BABES! I am back with a brand new series which hopefully will inspire you to start the new year by looking after yourself and your mental health, and in this episode Emily In Paris star Lucas Bravo joins me to motivate you. Lucas Bravo first got pulses racing when he landed on our screens playing Gabriel in the hit Netflix show back in 2020. In case you aren’t familiar with the show - FIRSTLY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! - it follows social media exec Emily (played by the first ever queen to join Reign, Lily Collins) who moves to Paris to chase likes, love and sample some french delicacies namely, Gabriel and his dishes - wink wink! Now it’s back for a second season and it’s better than ever as it serves us the escapism we need so badly right now. If you have already binged the entire second season and you are missing Lucas already, don’t worry he’s going to be back on the big screen ASAP. This year he will star alongside Julia Roberts and George Clooney in Ticket to Paradise, Borat star, Maria Bakalova in The Honeymoon, AND Isabelle Huppert in Mrs Harris Goes to Paris. In this episode Lucas joins us from Australia where he is currently filming. He shares some wild stories from the set of Emily in Pairs - we all need a big night out out Ashley Park style (clearly) - and he also opens up about the life changing solo trip he took during a dark period of his life, where he travelled to Alaska and lived alone in the famous camper van from Into The Wild. Lucas also discusses how overnight fame and being ‘objectified’ has affected his body image and wellbeing. I always think it’s so incredible to hear a man in the public eye talk so honestly about his mental health - these are the kind of chats I have needed in my life for a long time. I truly think there couldn’t be a better way to kick off this series which celebrates looking after ourselves and our wellbeing so I hope you love this episode as much as I do. I hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 21, 2021 • 44min

Ep 33: Claire Foy

I am beside myself because we are joined by real life royalty… well almost… on this special episode, it’s the OG queen from Netflix’s The Crown, Claire Foy! I have been OBSESSED with Claire since she played my all-time favourite queen, Anne Boleyn in the BBC adaption of Wolf Hall but it was her iconic turn as Elizabeth II in The Crown that made her an international star. After starring in the first two seasons alongside previous Reign guest, Vanessa Kirby, Claire went on to win two Emmys, two SAG awards and a Golden Globe before turning her attention to the big screen, where she later won the prestigious Critics Choice ‘See Her’ award for pushing boundaries for women on screen. Now, after a three year break from the spotlight, Claire returns with the BBC Drama, A Very British Scandal which follows the 1950s divorce of Ian, the Duke of Argyll and Margaret, the Duchess of Argyll which became one of the brutal legal cases of the 20th century. During the case a double sexual standard was seen between the Duke and Duchess. Despite the Duke having numerous affairs, Margaret was vilified - in court and in the press - for her sexual appetite. And after the Duke forcefully accessed the Duchess’ private papers, he used an image of Margaret performing a sex act on a ‘headless man’ against her- becoming one of the first examples of modern day ‘slut shaming.’ The story is FASCINATING and if, like me, you wanted to know more immediately after watching the first episode, you can read about Margaret’s fascinating life here: https://www.tatler.com/article/mary-killen-on-the-duchess-of-argyll. Claire is also about to star in the new movie, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain which follows the life and mental health of Victorian cat artist, Louis, played by Benedict Cumberbatch. Claire plays Emily Richardson who enters Louis’ life as the governess to his five sisters before they fall in love and marry, defying society standards at the time. What may seem like a cute biopic is anything but, it’s a beautiful and at times dark look at our mental health. Plus, Reign favourite, Aimee Lou-Wood also stars in the movie, so I thoroughly recommend you go and see it! I loved talking to Claire so much about her two latest projects in this episode, Claire opens up about her own mental health journey and how therapy helped her following a breakdown in her mid twenties. Claire also reflects on how becoming ill as a teenager - she had an operation to remove a tumour from her eye, and also suffered with arthritis meaning she spent long periods of time on crutches - has shaped the person she has become today. Plus Claire shares a very relatable sexist experience involving removal men and how she felt like she didn’t deserve the success she received for The Crown. I love what Claire has to say about the power of opening up to those around you and being your true self in front of friends (including the good, the bad and the ugly) so I hope this inspires you to talk honestly with the people you care about, because we all need each other more than ever, right?!? I really hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. We will be back in the new year with a new season celebrating all things wellness! And if you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 25, 2021 • 30min

Ep 32: Drag Race Finalist Krystal Versace

Don’t say I don’t treat you to an audience with real life queens on this podcast because this week I have dropped three special episodes of Reign with the finalists of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK 2021! And for our final special episode we are joined by the fashion queen with the name to match, Krystal Versace! Krystal started doing drag at just 17 years-old, and now at still only 19, she finds herself as a finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. And what a series it’s been for Krystal after multiple Ru Peter Badge wins and looks to make Naomi Campbell quake on the runway! In this episode Krystal opens up about the reverse ageism she has faced for being a queen at 19 and how the bullies who tormented her at school have ultimately empowered her to be the fierce queen who stands before us today. As someone who was bullied at school for my sexuality, so much of what Krystal said really stuck with me so if you are being bullied or have experienced bullying in your past I hope this episode helps you feel less alone, too. I really hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. If you love this episode get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx P.S Make sure you tune into the final of Ru Paul’s Drag Race this Thursday. May the best drag queen win! P.P.S Make sure you sashay to my Instagram page @joshsmithhosts to see the FIERCE look Krystal served while we recorded this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 24, 2021 • 25min

Ep 31: Drag Race Finalist Ella Vaday

(Drag) QUEENS your engines must be well and truly revved this week because I am dropping three special episodes with the finalists of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK 2021! And for our second helping of camp we are joined by the drag beast from the east, it's Ella Vaday. Ella Vaday is the desperate housewife of Dagenham and your local yummy mummy who was created by West End star Nick Collier just over two years ago after he featured in The Book of Morman and Wicked. Now Ella finds herself as a finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK after a snatch game playing the queen of the microwave Nigella Lawson and roasting judge Alan Carr like a Christmas turkey with her now infamous line, ‘Alan your teeth are so gappy it’s like your tongue is in prison.” On. The. Floor. In this episode amongst a heavy helping of ‘dirty, dirty dishes’ Ella opens up about how drag has allowed them to embrace their ‘feminine’ side after years of repressing it to appear more ‘masculine’ in order to be accepted and what drag has taught them about gender. I hope you love this episode as much as I did - I totally related to what Ella said about the pressures to ‘act’ masculine - and I really hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. If you love this episode get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx P.S Make sure you tune into the final of Ru Paul’s Drag Race this Thursday. May the best drag queen win! P.P.S Make sure you sashay to my Instagram page @joshsmithhosts to see the boobtastic look Ella served while we recorded this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 23, 2021 • 28min

Ep 30: Drag Race Finalist Kitty Scott-Claus

(Drag) QUEENS start your engines because I am dropping three special episodes with the finalists of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK 2021 today and we are starting with the queen of the huns, Kitty Scott-Claus! And this queen has a ‘alot alot’ of impressions SO get ready to hear the GC, Cilla Black and even a bit of Princess Diana. Honestly my face ached from laughing after recording this episode!Kitty’s drag journey kicked off when she was growing up in Birmingham, and after going to Drama School to study musical theatre she wasn’t interested in doing the ‘boy parts’ she wanted to be sassy with the costumes to match! Cue a career playing a pantomime dame up and down the country before Kitty met fellow Drag Race alumni, Cheryl Hole and was invited to be part of their drag group, Gals Aloud. Now Kitty finds herself as a finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK after a snatch game playing Gemma Collins, winning the ‘Fugly but Fashionable’ runway and as a girl band goddess she has even got to perform in front of the likes of Emma Bunton, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and got to meet Steps (minus her heroine Lisa Scott Lee)! In amongst a LOT of laughter in this episode Kitty opens up about how drag has helped her mental health, changed her relationship with herself and asks WHY is everyone so interested in her body image! Why shouldn’t she be the body confident queen she is?!?I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did - and laugh along the way too - and I really hope you continue to listen and find the power to Reign in your own lives, too. If you loved this podcast, get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx P.S Make sure you tune into the final of Ru Paul’s Drag Race this Thursday - may the best drag queen win! P.P.S Make sure you sashay to my Instagram page @joshsmithhosts to see the high hair and high end look Kitty served while we recorded this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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