Happy Place

Can you confidently say: “I like myself”? What would it take for you to get to that place? The Happy Place Festival Talk Stage hosted loads of speakers across the weekend at Chiswick House and Gardens, and Fearne wants to bring you in on the Festival magic! You’ll hear parts of the talks given by Gabby Bernstein, Roxie Nafousi, Lisa Snowdon, Paul C Brunson, Will Young, and Dawn O’Porter, and learn a little bit from each of them about how to unapologetically be yourself.During this episode, you’ll explore what limiting beliefs are holding you back, how to get clarity around who you want to be, and how to identify what values are important to you (not the ones you’re being told to value!) Then, how to align your behaviour with your values to make tangible change for your future self, and – of course – how to put boundaries in place with other people so your values aren’t compromised... Listen to Gabby Bernstein’s full episode Listen to Paul C Brunson’s full episode Listen to Will Young’s full episode Listen to Dawn O’Porter’s full episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bad times are intimately connected to the good. Author Matt Haig thinks happiness is only happiness because sadness exists. In this chat, Fearne and Matt talk about how hindsight can be an incredibly healing perspective shifter. He’s found closure, progress, and contentment by revisiting memories that were previously traumatising. How good are you at facing up to your traumas rather than running away? Matt explains how he stopped finding excuses and blaming external factors – people or places – when really there was internal work to do. Plus, by trying to avoid triggers, are we just making ourselves more anxious? Fearne and Matt also chat about our ever-shifting notions of success, and why it’s useful to feel like a failure sometimes. Matt’s novel, The Life Impossible, is out on August 29th. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicidal ideation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We don’t get lucky, we create our own luck. Jason Donovan has achieved great success, but has worked incredibly hard to actively create his happy lifestyle. In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Jason explains how we can choose to view moments of adversity as moments for change and reinvention. Are you completely single-minded in your pursuit of your dreams, or do you like to have a realistic plan B? Fearne and Jason wonder where the best balance lies. Plus, Fearne reveals the extent of her teenage obsession with Jason, and Jason reveals the secret to a long marriage... Jason is in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ on the West End in September 2024, and will be touring his solo music with ‘Doin’ Fine 25’ from February 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you think it’s uncool to be excited? Artist Yungblud wants us to marvel at the world; it’s life-affirming to be properly enthusiastic about stuff. In this chat, Fearne and Yungblud talk about why we need to be done with being cool and distant. Instead, they share how to make sure you’re not dulling yourself down or putting filters on your real character. Yungblud wears his heart – and his pain – on his sleeve, and explains why sharing dark thoughts can be a beautiful thing. Social media, he says, has helped us be more fearless because there will always be a tribe somewhere who will accept us. Plus, how did Yungblud change the way he plays gigs when he realised loads of his fans are socially anxious? You Need To Exist is published by Happy Place Books, and it’s out on August 15th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you get frustrated by everyone asking you “what’s next?” Presenter Alex Jones reckons there’s too much pressure to bypass being content in the moment, particularly when it comes to our careers. In this chat, live from the Happy Place Festival, Fearne and Alex say there’s no shame – in fact there’s real beauty – in sitting still and enjoying the moment. There’s also a nice bit of gossip about Dolly Parton, Jared Leto, Art Garfunkel, and Richard & Judy... Massive thanks to British Airways Holidays for sponsoring the Happy Place Festival Talk Stage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you having the sex you want? Comedian and author Sofie Hagen reckons there are loads of things standing in the way of pleasure – everything from gender identity and body image, to parenting and the cost of living crisis. In this Book Club episode – recorded live at the Happy Place Festival – Sofie tells Fearne why they haven’t had sex for 3000 days and counting... and why they’ve written about it in ‘Will I Ever Have Sex Again?’ What does sex mean to you? Sofie wonders if it’s about ‘enjoying bodies’, but how can you relax into desire if you have self-loathing around your body, or don’t trust that others will enjoy your body? Plus, do you think labels around gender and sexuality are restrictive or liberating? Fearne and Sofie chat about their thoughts, and Sofie also explains why your PTSD, anxiety, or OCD is trying to protect you. Will I Ever Have Sex Again is the Happy Place Book Club read for July, and is out now.Thank you to Bonnier for the use of the Will I Ever Sex Again audiobook, read by 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.

Do you have the confidence to speak up and say “no”? Rachel Stevens has learnt it’s ok to stand up for yourself and have a voice. In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Rachel talks about how emotions are messy, and they’re better spoken out loud imperfectly than not at all. They also chat about the early years of S Club 7; the band gave Rachel safety and structure when she needed to escape from a difficult family life. But over time it wore down her autonomy and independence; she explains how she found her voice so that you can too. Plus, are you a worrier? Fearne and Rachel both share what they’re anxious about every single day. Rachel’s book, Finding My Voice, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Petrified that your parenting is screwing your kid up? Crying out for support from people around you? Fearne’s pulled together some stories and advice from Happy Place guests who’ll make you feel more empowered and less alone in raising children. Not a parent? Not to worry! You’ll learn just as much about how to regulate your own emotions, how your childhood is affecting your behaviour today, and why feminism might have sold women an unrealistic dream... You’ll hear from Paloma Faith on the pressure for women to ‘have it all’, Kate Ferdinand on caring for her blended family, and Gabor Maté on why we all need wider community support. Kate Silverton asks: “are kids being ‘naughty’ or are they just really struggling to regulate their nervous system?” Alain De Botton explains how your childhood is still be affecting your actions, and Zayn reflects on how fatherhood has changed him for the better. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains some chat about suicide, so take care while listening  Listen to Paloma Faith’s episode Listen to Kate Ferdinand’s episode Listen to Gabor Maté’s episode Listen to Kate Silverton’s episode Listen to Alain de Botton episode Listen to Zayn’s episode  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you describe yourself as a workaholic? Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes has an insatiable sense of drive that’s fuelled her iconic career since the 1960s. In this chat with Fearne, Zandra is honest about how she threw herself into work as a way to cope with things like the death of the love of her life, and her own cancer diagnosis. Zandra is very clear that we need our own sense of creativity, colour, and vibrancy in life. She explains why it’s so vital to have self-belief, and how to make sure you’re not compromising your own values and style for other people. There’s also the story of when Zandra was carted away in a police car for growing marijuana... Zandra’s book, Iconic: My Life in 50 Objects, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you think of yourself as a victim of circumstance? Ella Mills – the founder of Deliciously Ella – used to live with a sense that life was unfair to her. Now, she knows that ultimately the only person in charge of your life is you. In this chat with Fearne, Ella talks about realising apathy was a symptom of depression, and explains why sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to acknowledge what needs to change. Ella and Fearne also talk about why the way we eat has become so emotive and divisive. They reckon we should be focusing on sharing joyful knowledge that will make us all healthier and more energetic, so chat through some simple ways to feel good about what you’re eating. Ella’s latest recipe book, Healthy Made Simple, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Make yourself comfy in a quiet space. Lie down if you can. Meditation teacher Rob da Bank is here to guide you through a Yoga Nidra practice. This is 20 minutes of uninterrupted time for you, to feel a little more self-love, and to move you into a deeply restful place through guided mental imagery, intention setting, and breathing exercises. Head back to the Happy Place feed to listen to Fearne’s chat with Rob da Bank. For even more of Rob’s Yoga Nidra practices, download the Happy Place app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re all so used to being in a constant fight or flight mode, you might not even realise that your body has the potential to be in a much calmer state. In this chat with Fearne, DJ and meditation teacher Rob da Bank explains how practicing Yoga Nidra is a way to help your body digest stress. He also talks about why we all need to slow down to combat burnout, and how sauna and cold water therapy can help with this. Plus, Fearne and Rob both share the stressful behind the scenes realities of organising big festivals – Happy Place Festival and Bestival respectively – as well as how they see their time as Radio One DJs now... Now you’ve heard about the benefits of Yoga Nidra, you can find a quiet space and do a practice yourself. Head back to the Happy Place feed and you’ll find another episode – Rob will guide you through a beautiful Yoga Nidra there. For even more of Rob’s Yoga Nidra practices, download the Happy Place app.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can feel awful when other people judge you, but it can be even worse when you judge yourself. Despite his immense achievements, Former European, Commonwealth and World Champion 400m medallist Iwan Thomas is no stranger to self-loathing. In this chat with Fearne, Iwan talks about the innate need to make our parents proud throughout our lives, as well as how becoming a dad himself has changed his outlook on life. They also try to figure out the balance of pushing your kid to believe in themselves, without stressing them out with too much pressure. Iwan is honest about the reality of feeling he couldn’t talk to even his closest friends about his mental health during his lowest moments, as well as how he’s learnt to open up. Iwan’s memoir, Brutal, is out on July 4th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer body ready? How about your summer skin and hair? Fearne knows you might be feeling the pressure to look a certain way – both right now, and across your lifetime – so she’s reflecting on Happy Place episodes that stick two fingers up to made up beauty standards and body ideals. You'll learn how to challenge all those social norms dictating how we should look, with some help from chair of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Foundation, Rob Wilson, broadcaster Amanda De Cadanet, and activist Emma Dabiri. Plus, hear some deeply personal stories of how things like age, race, disability, and weight all intersect with self worth from Beverley Knight, Jono Lancaster, Adele Roberts, and Emily Ratajkowski. They talk about the moments they personally saw through the cultural crap and embraced their bodies for themselves …and you can too!Watch 'What Is How To' on YouTube Listen to Amanda De Cadanet’s episode Listen to Emma Dabiri’s episode Listen to Beverley Knight’s episode Listen to Jono Lancaster’s episode Listen to Adele Roberts’ episode Listen to Emily Ratajkowski’s episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel burnt out, but also like you’re not achieving enough? Entrepreneur Grace Beverley believes implementing clear boundaries can be the secret to success. In this chat with Fearne, Grace talks through the hard and fast lifestyle rules she sticks to in order to keep her mental health in check, and why self-care needs to be reframed as a valid form of productivity. And stick around to the end, because there are some proper productivity hacks for your daily to do list! Grace also explains the various routes for businesses to get funding... and why they’re so often not available to women (only 2% of venture capital funding goes to female founders in the UK!) They chat about why it’s so dire for society that we’re not investing in women. Getting angry, she says, can have a positive effect in galvanizing change, especially around gender and diversity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s important to live without regrets, to try everything, but also to know when to quit. Jon Bon Jovi feels leaving a legacy isn’t about competing with others, but about being able to say you’ve been the best version of yourself. In this chat with Fearne, Jon talks about why he reckons being hard working trumps talent, and why he continues to demand excellence from himself, even 40 years into his career. Jon also opens up about the reality of working with a bandmate with addictions, and how he’s been able to steer clear of rock’n’roll excesses (for the most part) himself. Are you good at celebrating your successes? Between them, Fearne and Jon wonder if the Americans are better at boldly owning achievements than Brits... Bon Jovi’s new album, Forever, is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is the world ready for free women? Paloma Faith feels society grooms girls and women to make themselves smaller, to take up less space, and to dismiss their own needs... and she’s calling bullshit on it. In this chat Fearne and Paloma discuss the exhaustion that can come with being a nurturer – whether you’ve got children or not. They also talk about how over-achievers are often preoccupied with being seen as everything – smart, funny, caring, sexy, independent – and why it’s too much for one person to take on. How can we learn to ask for and accept help from others? Paloma opens up about why she chose to carry on working while miscarrying, and the pressure that miscarriage put on her relationship. Plus, why does Paloma really hate the expression “you’ve got this”? Paloma’s book – MILF: Motherhood, Identity, Love, and F*ckery – is published by Happy Place Books, and is out now.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about miscarriage, so do take care while listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne’s written a novel! It’s called Scripted, and it tells the story of Jade – a thirty-something who, out on a run, stumbles upon a script that seems to predict likely scenarios and relationship dynamics in her life. Having been given a sneak peek at her future, can Jade now speak up, and rewrite her own destiny? You’ve been DMing and voicenoting Fearne, asking her questions about the writing process, who inspired her characters, and whether she’s included her wealth of mental health knowledge in the novel... Plus, there’s an exclusive listen to the entire first chapter of the Scripted audiobook! Scripted is out now. The audiobook, read by Erin Doherty, and brought to you by Penguin is also available: https://adbl.co/3U7EP1P  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How big do you let yourself dream? BBC broadcaster Ashley John-Baptise grew up in care, and knows all too well that love can help cultivate aspiration. In this chat with Fearne, Ashley talks through his childhood, from being bounced between foster parents and care homes, to ending up with a history degree from Cambridge University. He explains how he became a colder and more detached child as protection against constant rejection. Ashley also talks about the very real impact not having access to touch and attachment to a primary care giver can have on a person’s future outcomes. Fearne and Ashley chat about the huge influence kind and persistent adults can have over a child’s life. You don’t have to be a parent to positively impact a child; teaching, mentoring, and community work will make a huge difference to an individual, and as a result, society too... Ashley’s memoir, Looked After, is out on June 13th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being deep in the middle of therapy can be draining. Ultimate Fighting Championship athlete Molly McCann has been working hard to understand her more toxic traits and behaviours, and her vulnerability has made her a stronger fighter. In this chat with Fearne, Molly talks about how she’s learnt not to fear failure, and how to overcome self-sabotage, as well as the very physical way her trauma has been released. She explains how she knew she wanted to break her family’s pattern of addiction too. Fearne and Molly also chat about the movement towards female athletes taking their menstrual cycle into consideration during training, and the fickleness of fandom – how we put people on a pedestal only to tear them down again. How can we learn to seek internal rather than external validation? Molly McCann returns to the Octagon for UFC® 304: Edwards vs Muhammad 2. Tickets for UFC® 304 go on sale at 10am BST on Friday, 7th June via Ticketmaster.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sociopathy should be understood as a spectrum disorder. It’s a disorder that affects roughly 5% of the population – similar to the number of people who have depression or anxiety. Patric Gagne is a sociopath. In this chat with Fearne, Patric explains the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath. Sociopaths have access to inherent emotions like sadness and happiness, but struggle with learned social emotions like remorse, guilt, empathy, and love. There’s also a huge feeling of apathy for Patric, which in the past led her to anti-social behaviours like stealing cars and breaking into houses. Fearne also points out the benefits of not caring what others think of you; while she people pleases a lot, she can see the freedom in having a lack of a filter. They chat about how to function in a relationship when you have to communicate any kind of mental disorder or illness too. Patric’s memoir, Sociopath, is this month’s Happy Place Book Club read. Come and be part of the Book Club discussions on Instagram @happyplacebookclub. Sociopath is out now. Listen to Book Club Meets: Jo Cheetham Listen to Book Club Meets: Jennie GodfreyThanks to Bluebird (an imprint of Pan Macmillan) for the Sociopath audiobook extract.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nobody’s worse off than you; everyone just experiences things differently. This is what 27 year old Ashleigh has come to understand about her own trauma. Previously, she minimised her own experiences, thinking it can’t be that bad, but learnt that until she acknowledged her own pain she couldn’t move forward. In this chat with Fearne, Ashleigh explains how PTSD led her to develop facial tics and a stammer, isolating her personally and professionally. They talk about how to cope when those around you don’t understand what you’re going through, plus, how the Prince’s Trust have given her game-changing support to start her own business helping others with mental health struggles. Fearne is a Goodwill Ambassador for Mental Health and Wellbeing for The Prince’s Trust. They help support young people aged 11-30, and believe that every single young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter their background, or their personal challenges. They offer support into education, training, and jobs; that’s exactly what they did for Ashleigh. As well as catching up on Ashleigh’s progress, Fearne has a very special surprise for her at the end of the episode... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How’s your mental health doing today? Do you ever wish people understood what was actually going on in your mind? As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Fearne looks back at some of the conversations she’s had on Happy Place that shine a light on particular mental health conditions. There’s OCD with Tuppence Middleton, cyclothymia with Matt Edmondson, and psychosis with David Harewood. Plus, neuroscientist TJ Power chats about how to increase serotonin levels, and sleep physiologist Stephanie Romiszewski talks through how to combat insomnia. Hopefully you’ll find a moment’s solace from connecting over stories you might recognise if you have any of these mental health conditions yourself, and if you don’t... you may well know someone who does... CONTENT WARNING: as David recalls racist abuse, this episode contains offensive and distressing language. Watch Stephanie Romiszewski Listen to Tuppence Middleton Listen to Matt Edmondson Listen to David Harewood Listen to TJ Power Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It can be tiring being anything but yourself. Musician Zayn has learnt to lean into what really makes him content. In this chat with Fearne, Zayn talks through the quiet lifestyle he loves in Pennsylvania: painting, being outdoors, spending time with his daughter, and staying off his phone. He also explains how fatherhood has changed him, whether he's the parent he thought he would be, and what impact the new depths of emotion he feels has had on his music. They chat about how to find the balance between sharing enough information with others to really connect on a deep level, while keeping some things private just for you. Plus, Zayn gives Fearne a very thoughtful gift... Zayn’s new album, ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you turn to food for comfort? Actor Rebel Wilson spent a lifetime using food to numb herself from difficult emotions. In this chat with Fearne, Rebel shares why she felt safe using her body as a barrier to true intimacy, not having sex until she was 35. Knowing that she was medically obese, Rebel made 2020 her ‘year of health’, but it was working through her trauma that made the most difference, not a specific diet or exercise plan. Fearne also shares the realities of her bulimia, including the secrecy and isolation that can come with shame. Rebel talks about feeling like a ‘loser’ at school and making a concerted effort to become popular through speaking to five new people each day, and being a part of theatre and sports teams for connection. Plus, Rebel explains why it felt so important to speak her truth about what happened on certain sets in her memoir... Rebel’s book, Rebel Rising, is out now.Listen to How To Laugh When You’ve Been To Hell And Back Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you choose uncertainty over unhappiness? Happy Place Book Club novel, The List of Suspicious Things, is the first book Jennie Godfrey has written. She was working in a corporate job before she had a moment of clarity and quit her job with no plan B to become a writer. In this chat with Fearne, Jennie explains why, having suffered with anxiety, she took control and chose an uncertain future over an unhappy present, with a little help from an episode of Happy Place...! The List of Suspicious Things centres around the murders of the Yorkshire Ripper. It sounds like a grim subject, but this story – told through the eyes of a young teenage girl – is incredibly warm and charming. Jennie also reveals her family’s own connection to Peter Sutcliffe, the man known at the time as the Yorkshire Ripper. Plus, you’ve been sending your voice notes, reminiscing about the teenage culture of the 1970s. Join the Happy Place Book Club on Instagram @happyplacebookclub – DM your messages and voicenotes about May’s read, Sociopath, to have your thoughts shared on the podcast! ...and don’t worry, there are no plot spoilers in this episode!Listen to Daisy May Cooper's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are you dreams trying to tell you about yourself? Neurosurgeon Rahul Jandial feels dreaming is a vital part of being human. In this chat with Fearne, Rahul explains that while our waking brain is generally ruled by the logical executive network... the dreaming brain liberates creative and divergent thinking. We dream, he says, to keep our minds open so they’re able to adapt if our world suddenly changes. They also talk about the role dreams play as our ‘nocturnal therapists’. Dreams allow us a safe space to rehearse real life scenarios we might be anxious or confused about. Sometimes our dreams can reflect what’s happening in our waking life, but what if what you’re experiencing in your dream life is flagging something that you haven’t even recognised about yourself yet? Rahul talks about how to use your dreams as a psychological thermometer. Rahul’s book, This Is Why You Dream, is out now. Listen back to Professor David Nutt’s episode about psychedelics Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry’, as the saying goes. These heightened emotions often sit very close to each other, and there’s a split second where we can decide whether to despair, or to see the funny side of a situation.  Today, Fearne revisits Happy Place conversations that highlight the crossroads where people have decided to cope with shitty incidents by laughing at them, or at themselves. Amongst other guests, Adele Roberts tells the absurd story of what happened to her stoma the night before running the London Marathon, and Dawn French chats about owning the moments you were a bit of a twat. ...and for a really good laugh, there are some behind the scenes outtakes as Fearne attempted to record some calming – and unexpectedly erotic – sleepy stories for the Happy Place app... Listen to Fats Timbo’s episode Listen to Adele Roberts’ episode Listen to Dawn French’s episode Listen to Vicky Pattison’s episode Download the Happy Place app Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time you enjoyed some silence? Musician Norah Jones appreciates the importance of silence – it allows us to tune into what our minds are trying to tell us. In this chat with Fearne, Norah explains that the rare moments of quiet are when creativity flows most freely. They talk about the feeling of being embarrassed by your work when you’re young, but that it’s important to be ever evolving and honing your craft just by getting on and doing it.Norah’s new album, Visions, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often do you connect with strangers? There’s something magical about those fleeting moments of intimacy and connection. Today, Fearne introduces an episode of Where Are You Going, a podcast that sees host Catherine Carr chatting to strangers and asking a simple question: “where are you going?” The stories people end up sharing with her go to all sorts of unexpected places – some are funny or loving, and others moving or shocking. In this episode, Catherine meets women who’ve been cold water swimming, and a group of childhood friends who’ve found solace and connection in fishing. New episodes of Where Are You Going? are released every Tuesday and Friday. You can listen back to over 100 episodes wherever you’re listening to this right now. Follow Where Are You Going? on Instagram at @whereareyougoingpodcast and get in touch with Catherine on X @catherineecarr. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Perfection has taken on a life of its own in recent years. Dawn French worries that the pursuit of perfection is stopping us from being who we are, and from making mistakes we can grow from. In this chat, Fearne and Dawn explore why when we have low tolerance for others making mistakes, we’re likely judging ourselves for our mistakes too. So, in order to have more self-compassion, we have to talk about the cringey times we’ve held inside for fear for being shamed. They also discuss the best ways to apologise when we’re in the wrong, and to allow space for robust debate that might just change our minds. Plus, why it’s so important to be able to say “I don’t know”. Dawn’s book, The Twat Files, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer, and having a stoma, has changed DJ and broadcaster Adele Roberts’ perception of her own body for the better. It’s shown her it’s ok to cry, and it’s ok to ask for help. In this chat with Fearne, Adele talks through the symptoms of bowel cancer, what the experience has taught her about positive mindset, as well as the realities of going through chemo. They also chat about why it’s never too late to embrace and practice a new passion later in life, and why it’s important not to write off the entire day just because it started a bit crap. Personal Best, Adele’s memoir, is out on the 11th of April. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don’t underestimate the power your voice has. This is the key message to come from Happy Place Book Club read, Killjoy, which tells the incredible true story of the No More Page 3 campaign, and the unlikely everyday women who made a generational change possible. Fearne chats to author Jo Cheetham about their early memories of Page 3, street harassment, and how cultural messages can affect the way we relate to our own bodies. They also talk about acknowledging anger and channelling that rage into something productive, and Jo shares how self-sabotage nearly stopped her writing this book in the first place. Join the Happy Place Book Club on Instagram @happyplacebookclub – DM your messages and voicenotes about April’s read, The List Of Suspicious Things, to have your thoughts shared on the podcast! ...and don’t worry, there are no Killjoy plot spoilers in this episode! This episode features extracts from the audiobook of Killjoy, narrated by Jo Cheetham, with thanks to Picador.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Am I mad, or did it happen?” This is a question that poet Lemn Sissay regularly finds himself asking. Having grown up in care, he has no family members to bear witness to his life experiences; is his understanding of his own identity correct? In this chat with Fearne, Lemn talks through why it’s important for us not to compare trauma, that everything’s relative, and no one deserves more or less empathy. He also exposes the reality of the care system in the UK, and offers practical ways for all of us to help those who’ve been in care better integrate into society. Between them, they suggest how to watch out for when you’re performing to a crowd, rather than being present – that’s where a true feeling of belonging lies – and how to mitigate the negative voices that want to knock your confidence. Lemn’s latest poetry collection is Let the Light Pour In and his memoir is My Name Is Why. Both are published by Canongate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A disciplined lifestyle isn’t restrictive, it’s freeing. That’s how dietician, nutritionist, and plant-based cook Radhi Devlukia-Shetty feels about the habits, boundaries, and guidelines she's implemented. They allow her to be in control, rather than outside factors controlling how she lives. In this chat with Fearne, Radhi explains why committing to something – and following through – increases self-worth as it proves you can trust yourself. Trusting your instincts is something she wants you to be doing more of when it comes to nourishing food in particular. They chat through some practical ways to transition into eating more plant-based food, especially by using spices that invigorate and give you energy. Plus, why is it important to check your own mental health when you realise you’re gossiping about other people...? Radhi’s recipe book, JoyFull, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can you support your child’s healthy brain development? How can you strengthen your connection with your children? And have you already messed them up too badly to make a change? These are all questions broadcaster-turned-child therapist Kate Silverton answers in her new book, There’s Still No Such Thing As Naughty. Kate joined Fearne on the podcast earlier this week to discuss how to help your child regulate their emotions, how screens affect development, neurodivergence, and more. Now, you can listen to an exclusive extract from Kate’s new book, all about separation anxiety. Listen to Kate’s Happy Place episode here. There’s Still No Such Thing As Naughty is out on March 28th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you learn to regulate your emotions as a child? Broadcaster turned child therapist Kate Silverton says our ability to regulate our emotions has been found to be the best indicator of future happiness. In this chat with Fearne, Kate definitively explains why it’s never too late to change your relationship with your kids regardless of how much you think you’ve already messed up. Kate talks through why it’s not about changing our children, it’s about changing their environment. Similarly, it’s not that you’re bad at parenting, it’s that you’re being expected to parent while under often more stress and with less community support. Fearne and Kate also chat about why all of these conversations are relevant even if you’re not a parent, because all these things – soothing anxiety, acknowledging emotions, cultivating resilience – also relate to our relationships with our own parents, and ourselves... Plus, Kate gives her take on how best to help children with neurodiversity, and how screens are really affecting our brains. Kate’s book, There’s Still No Such Thing As Naughty, is out on the March 28th.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often do you honour your emotions, and ask yourself “how are you, in this moment?” Spiritual coach and meditation teacher Kirsty Gallagher guides you through a meditation that helps you connect with your inner wisdom, and to get beneath the noise and chaos of the outside world. So, find yourself somewhere quiet and comfortable for this gorgeous 10 minute meditation. While you’re doing that, you can first listen to a chapter from Kirsty’s new book, The Goddess Path, which is published by Happy Place Books. It’s a powerful read that will help you reclaim your self-worth, establish boundaries, and cultivate your intuition. For more of Kirsty’s meditations, download the Happy Place app. Kirsty’s book, The Goddess Path is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some people are born driven; Zara Larsson is one of them. Sixteen years into her career, she’s still got huge ambitions for what she wants to achieve and what she expects of herself. In this chat, Fearne and Zara talk about how to make sure we’re content and satisfied in the moment, while acknowledging that we continuously want to evolve and grow. We have to be curious about our human potential by pushing our own boundaries. Plus, Fearne and Zara realise they’re the total opposite person – one being an introvert who craves time alone, the other being an extrovert who thrives on social interaction. Zara’s new album, Venus, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Change is scary but liberating. Grief has galvanised musician Jess Glynne, changing her outlook on life and making her more fearless. In this chat with Fearne, Jess explains why learning that life is short has helped her trust her gut and make decisions that really serve her personally and professionally, rather than internalising other people’s feedback. Fearne and Jess also talk through how to forgive both yourself and others for fucking up. We’re all going to make mistakes, so they chat about how we can give each other some grace and a space to learn, rather than creating a culture of fear. Jess’ new album – Jess – is out on April 26th, and her latest single, Enough, is out now.Listen to Glennon Doyle's episode of Happy Place here!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Distress can be transformed into growth. Having had breast cancer, a double mastectomy, and Crohn’s, music icon Anastacia knows all too well how to be resilient through health scares. In this chat, Fearne and Anastacia discuss how mindset and perspective can make a huge difference to our reality, especially for someone like Anastacia, who says she’s both an anxious and an optimistic person. Plus, given the voices in her head that often told her she wasn’t pretty enough, Anastacia also gives advice on how to be ok with not looking like everyone else on the internet, and how to resist the urge to always use filters when posting online. Anastacia’s new album, Our Songs, is out now. It celebrates the music Anastacia fell in love with while in Germany and presents 12 English-language interpretations of German top hits from the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you want to say that you’re not saying? After decades in the music industry Natasha Bedingfield has learnt from experience that being true to ourselves has to be more important than being liked. In this chat, Fearne and Natasha explore practical ways to speak up and assert yourself, with Natasha drawing inspiration from the way legends like Tina Turner physically take control of their voice in order to be seen and heard. Plus, not concerned by prescriptive parenting guidelines, they share their own unique techniques, proving every family should feel able to live by the rules that make most sense to all the individual characters in the mix.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Playboy mansion was supposed to be a place of freedom, expression and empowerment for Crystal Hefner, but it turned out to be the total opposite. As one of the girlfriends – and then wife – of Hugh Hefner, she had to be seen and not heard. In this chat with Fearne, Crystal explains how living in the Playboy mansion saw her pitted against other women and picked apart for her appearance. Recognising the financial abuse in particular, she began saving her own money, which eventually created a foundation from which to rebuild her life, and self-worth, when Hef died.  Fearne and Crystal also chat about how to start discovering what you like, and what makes you happy, after previously living for other people. Plus, how to move away from feeling your self worth hinges on your appearance.  Crystal’s book, Only Say Good Things: Surviving Playboy and Finding Myself, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A good life isn’t necessarily a comfortable, easy life. Neuroscientist Tj Power knows that an element of effort and challenge is vital in keeping our minds happy. In this chat with Fearne, Tj explains why it’s an issue for our mental health that the modern world enables us to get dopamine hits with zero effort. Similarly, he reckons being bored is a really solid antidote to being overstimulated and anxious. They talk through ways to naturally boost and balance brain chemicals like oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, using his science-backed DOSE method. Plus, Tj offers tips on how to reinforce positive behaviours and habits rather than dwelling on the shit parts of life. TJ’s book, The DOSE Effect, will be out later this year. Listen to the Happy Place episode about tackling the Shitty Committee in your mind here! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we making ourselves unhappy by setting unrealistic expectations for our relationships? Matchmaker Paul C Brunson thinks we might just be. In this chat, Fearne and Paul explore attachment theory, communication styles, and the idea that instead of looking for ‘the one’ we should prioritise doing more of the things that light us up. Plus, Paul explains why the biggest rule of dating is to find the person you want to break the rules with... Paul’s book, Find Love, is published by Happy Place Books on February 1st.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When judge ourselves less, we judge each other less too, and vice versa. Activist and broadcaster Emma Dabiri’s academic work critiques the image-conscious society we live in. In this chat, Fearne and Emma explore attitudes to everything from ageing, to weight, to race. Plus, Emma explains how much of our beauty culture is specific to the West, by comparing it to other cultures around the world. They also talk about how we can critique beauty culture while still loving the magic of self-expression and adornment and art. Emma’s book, Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fearne wants to f*ck Blue Monday and help you make it whatever kind of Monday you want! Today, she’s revisiting past podcast conversations (and some never heard before on the show!) to help you address the Shitty Committee in your mind. No matter how loud those rubbish voices in your heard are right now, these chats might just trigger a tiny mindset or perspective shift that’ll help you feel better able to cope when those shitty voices next pop up. If you’re in need of a real mood boost, head over to @happyplaceofficial on Instagram to watch the F*ck Blue Monday video, and join in the conversation. Watch Julia Samuel’s What Is How To video Listen to Vex King’s episode Listen to Ruby Wax’s episode Listen to Sonia Choquette’s episode Listen to Tim Peake’s episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The character trait you feel most tortured by is probably your best one too. Musician Tom Odell feels his perfectionism can make life challenging, but acknowledges it also plays a part in his success. In this chat, Tom talks about feeling fewer physical symptoms of anxiety since his last chat with Fearne in 2019, as well as how music helps him feel emotions more deeply, and understand them with more clarity. Plus, they talk about how a wedding day can bring out real tenderness in people. Tom's new album, Black Friday, is out on January 26th. His UK tour in March is sold out and final tickets are available for his headline shows at Alexandra Palace Park (July 19th), Dublin (June 26th) and Halifax Piece Hall (June 30th).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imposter syndrome is likely to affect all of us at some point in our life; Michelle Keegan still feels it every time she finishes an acting job. In this chat with Fearne, Michelle talks about her disciplined work ethic, as well as how she’s learnt to cope well with the amount of rejection in her industry. They also chat about why setting boundaries – especially drawing lines between personal and professional life – is so important. Plus, they wonder why it still feels important in adulthood to seek validation from our parents. Fool Me Once is available to watch on Netflix now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if instead of New Year New Me, we switched it to New Year More Me? ‘Tapping Queen’ Poppy Delbridge shares a simple way to unlock the potential we already have inside us. In this chat with Fearne, Poppy talks through the practice of tapping, and how it can help with everything from dealing with phobias, to breaking negative thought patterns, and visualising the future you want.  They also talk about why acknowledgement and acceptance are big parts of moving forward from your current difficult situation. Plus, there’s a live tapping session to help you go confidently into the new year. If you want to enjoy the benefits of tapping sign up to the Happy Place App today and discover a range of Poppy’s practices that can help with anything from anxiety to motivation or simply bringing a moment of happiness in your day!  Sign up through App Store or Google Play store.  https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/happy-place-fearne-cotton/id1635145849  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.