Happy Place

Are you aware of the importance of relationships and human connection to your happiness? Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest Robert ‘Bob’ Waldinger leads the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, and has found relationships to be crucial.In this chat, Bob tells Fearne how much of a role genetics plays in happiness, and how much we really do have control over. They also talk about the difference between being around people and really being present with them, as well as how to start prioritising relationships over other traditional markers of success.Bob’s book, co-authored with Marc Schulz, is called The Good Life and is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giving yourself permission to enjoy something is a discipline that requires practice. This is just one of the many lessons snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan has learnt as he’s changed his approach to the game over the years. In this chat with Fearne, Ronnie talks about how he would now always choose happiness over traditional markers of success, and how his challenging childhood made him incredibly resilient and able to cope with change, injustice, and adversity.  In Ronnie's latest book, Unbreakable, he shares what it takes to be the very best in your field. It's out on 11th May.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode in partnership with The National Lottery, Fearne speaks to East Londoner Steve Barnabis who's dedicated his life to saving children from knife crime. He’s spent his entire career working to improve the lives of young people, to tackle youth violence, and create safe spaces for children and teens to express themselves. After meeting the Royals at a Big Lunch event last year, Steve, together with his organisation Project Zero, and the local community, will be putting on his own Coronation Big Lunch over the bank holiday weekend. The Big Lunch, made possible by National Lottery Players, brings millions of people together annually to boost community spirit, whilst encouraging neighbours to share friendship, food and fun. In this chat with Fearne, Steve explains how understanding the root causes of knife violence – mental health, school performance, home life anxieties – is the key to reducing anti-social and offending behaviour, and promoting social inclusion. He also opens up about how knife crime has directly affected his family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Ferdinand found herself with three step children when she fell in love and moved in with now-husband Rio six years ago. Since then, she’s become a supportive voice for others with blended families.In this chat, Fearne and Kate talk about how proud they both are of the relationships their step and biological children have, as well as why their fear of rejection is stronger with their step children than their biological children. Plus, Kate explains why she feels consistency and communication have been the most important principles in creating a harmonious family. Kate’s book, How To Build A Family, is published by Happy Place Books and is out on May 11th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Self-compassion is vital in manifesting. Meditation teacher and mentor Joey Hulin knows we have to believe that we deserve good things in order to lean into going after them. In this chat with Fearne, Joey explains that manifesting means intentionally thinking about, and working hard towards the things we want in our lives. We have to really embody our desires if we’re to achieve our dreams. They also chat about where science and mysticism meet, the concept of luck, and whether we should be doing spells... Joey’s new book, ‘Your Manifesting Year’ is published by Happy Place Books, and is out now.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you conscious of the importance of connecting with nature? Does it help you better connect with yourself? That’s certainly the case for Charlotte Church. After years in the spotlight as a singer, Charlotte has now created The Dreaming – a wellness retreat in the heart of Wales. In this chat with Fearne, she explains how things like being outside, the power of sound, and generally having a slower pace of life have helped her heal from grief. They also talk about the importance of play as adults. You can book your stay at The Dreaming here: https://www.thedreaming.co.uk/Use Code "HAPPYPLACE" for 10% off a retreat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Setting boundaries might feel uncomfortable and sound callous, but best-selling author Melissa Urban believes setting boundaries is one of the kindest things you can do in any relationship. In this chat with Fearne, Melissa explains how to start small when it comes to learning to set boundaries – casually saying ‘no’ to another glass of wine, for example – before moving on to setting boundaries with people in your life who might be seriously draining your energy. Plus, she tells Fearne why over-explaining often makes our lives more difficult. Melissa’s book, ‘The Book of Boundaries: Set the limits that will set you free’, is out now from Vermilion.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Fearne chats to fellow podcaster and great friend Elizabeth Day about the episodes of both Happy Place and How To Fail that have changed their lives. Talking to Roman Kemp about mental health has made Fearne think about how she should chat to her own children about depression, and Elizabeth took a lot away from her episode on how to relieve your own suffering with Mo Gawdat. Having listened to a Happy Place episode with Rio and Kate Ferdinand, they both share their experiences of parenting step-children, as well as reflecting on episodes with Emily Ratajkowski, Phoebe-Waller Bridge, and Alexandra Burke. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you conscious of fear and shame driving your behaviour? Cyclist Bradley Wiggins feels those emotions have dictated a lot of his decision making across his life. In this chat with Fearne, Bradley explains that putting all his energy into become a great cyclist was a distraction from childhood traumas. In order to cope with the aftermath of being groomed by a coach as a teenager, and having an absent father, he created a larger than life public-facing character. Now, he’s figuring out who he really is, and what he really cares about. Find out more about NSPCC’s Listen Up Speak Up campaign: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/listen-up-speak-up/ Join Team Mind for Ride London: https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/donate-or-fundraise/take-on-an-active-challenge/cycle-for-mind/2023-ridelondon-essex-100/?bs=1 Content warning: This episode contains frank chat about child abuse, so do take care while listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spencer Matthews was 10 years old when his older brother Michael became the youngest Brit to reach the summit of Everest in 1999. On his descent, he encountered a number of unfortunate circumstances and was never seen again. Over two decades later, Spencer decided to retrace his brother’s steps in the hope of recovering his body, and in the process piece together an image of who his brother was. In this chat with Fearne, Spencer talks about the emotions that have surfaced for him as a result of this operation – thought to be the highest search and recovery mission in history. He also explores how he’s starting to understand how his alcoholism might have been linked to the feelings he hasn’t given voice to until now. Finding Michael is streaming now on Disney+. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PTSD, social anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and imposter syndrome are just some of the things Ian Redpath and Jeremy Chopra have experienced between them. Known collectively as All On The Board, Ian and Jeremy are the TFL customer service assistants who write the supportive, fun, moving words on tube station boards and post them on social media. In this chat with Fearne, Ian and Jeremy discuss the importance of being kind to one another, and the power of feeling less alone when you’re going through a rough time. They also talk through some of the overwhelming experiences of working on the Underground that have particularly stuck with them over the years – for better or for worse. All On The Board: Your Daily Companion is out now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Board-Companion-Inspiring-comforting/dp/1399705202/ref=asc_df_1399705202/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=570430330025&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5476132799832649149&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045987&hvtargid=pla-1643506561360&psc=1&th=1&psc=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How often do you cultivate quiet moments that are just for you? Best-selling author Katherine May believes being alone doesn’t necessarily mean feeling lonely. In this chat, Fearne and Katherine talk about how nature retreats and blooms across the seasons, and why it might be helpful for us to think of each of our own years in a similar way. Plus, they chat about why we find it harder to be wrong than we used to; how can we better cultivate community in order to keep being curious about different experiences and opinions? Katherine also talks about learning she’s autistic later in life. Katherine’s latest book, Enchantment, is out March 9th: https://linktr.ee/enchantmentbook   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For author Taylor Jenkins Reid, fame is a brilliant lens through which to examine societal expectations of women. The female celebrities in her glamourous novels all navigate the restrictions put on their behaviour in very different ways, in turn mirroring how all women – famous or not – might feel compelled to act. In this chat, Fearne and Taylor share how much of their own self-worth is wrapped up in their perception of what they’ve achieved, across both a day and an entire lifetime. Plus, Taylor explains why we don’t necessarily know who we are until we give a lot of activities and jobs a try, and why pure, unadulterated joy is just as good a reason as any to do something. Daisy Jones and The Six is available to stream on Amazon Prime from 3rd March.Carrie Soto is Back is out now in hardback:https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/441945/carrie-soto-is-back-by-reid-taylor-jenkins/9781529152128  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Women are often made to look after the emotional needs of their families, while simultaneously denying their own. Gabor Maté – who has decades of experience as a doctor working with mental illness, trauma, and addiction – says that’s having a very real physical effect on our bodies by way of autoimmune diseases.In this chat, Fearne and Gabor discuss the relationship between mental stress and physical outcomes, as well as the way in which the political systems we live in are having a huge impact on our personal mental health.The Myth Of Normal, the book that Gabor has written with his son Daniel, is available to buy now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We need to be intentional about finding, and keeping, love in our lives. #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose and Chief Purpose Officer of Calm Jay Shetty thinks the purpose of life is to understand how to love ourselves, each other, and the world. In this chat with Fearne, Jay talks about why he’s fascinated by the place where ancient wisdom meets modern science; it’s at this intersection that he believes the rules of love lie. They also talk about why we might have to put ourselves in uncomfortable situations in order to find the greatest self-love – we have to recognise the tough things we’ve experienced in order to find confidence and pride. Jay's second book, ‘8 Rules of Love’ is available to buy at 8RulesofLove.com and wherever books are sold. To catch Jay on his first ever world tour 'Love Rules', in Glasgow, Salford, Birmingham and London from May 19-24, go to JayShettyTour.com for tickets and VIP Packages.  Follow Jay on Instagram and subscribe to his podcast On Purpose.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Music can change your state of mind. Shania Twain, the best selling female artist in country music history, has been using songwriting as therapy as she works through a difficult period in her life.In this chat with Fearne, Shania explains how the repetition of words in the songs she writes can act like therapeutic mantras, both evoking and releasing emotions. Shania also talks about being resilient, and the relationship she’s had with fear and optimism across a tumultuous life. Plus, she shares her feelings about her changing body over time.Shania’s new album, Queen of Me, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does music have the power to emotionally transport you? It certainly does for actress Joanna Lumley and composer Stephen Barlow. Married for nearly 40 years, they share a huge passion for classical music in particular. In this chat with Fearne, Joanna and Stephen explain how music and performing are threads that have always woven their lives together, as well as wondering that sometimes external noise and chatter has to be quietened in order for us to be creative. Joanna & The Maestro is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.Listen on Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/joanna-lumley-the-maestro/id1663272172 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How does sexual harassment – both online and in real life – affect a person’s sense of self worth? This is one of the many questions actor and comedian Emily Atack has been asking herself and others in her new documentary, and as she campaigns for parliament to change the law around cyberflashing. In this chat, Emily and Fearne share their experiences of everything from catcalling and being sent unsolicited photos online, to the way the world has made them feel about their own bodies. Plus, they try to unravel why it is that society struggles to allow women to be sexy and smart at the same time. Emily Atack: Asking For It? will air on BBC Two and iPlayer at 9pm on Tuesday 31st January. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s important to let the down days happen, to acknowledge them as part of the human experience rather than trying to fight them. Clinical psychologist and online educator Dr Julie believes the goal of therapy shouldn’t be to make ourselves be constantly happy all the time. In this chat, Fearne and Dr Julie explore why anxieties and fears can sometimes serve us, and why it’s healthy to allow space in our lives for all emotions to come and go. Dr Julie also talks through some of the tools we can all try to use when we’re in distress that – if practiced regularly – could have a real impact on our mental health. Dr Julie’s book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, is out now. You can follow Dr Julie on Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@drjuliesmith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The human spirit is capable of enduring more than we might think. That’s something long distance walker and writer Raynor Winn discovered when she and her husband Moth became homeless the same week Moth was told he was terminally ill.In this chat with Fearne, Raynor talks about turning anger into positivity, the physically healing benefits of walking, and why we should leave space for the ‘magic’ or unexpected to happen in life.Raynor’s latest book, Landlines, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s great power in physical touch. Jambo Truong believes that self-touch is the greatest path to self-love, and holding others is where we’ll find real connection. In this chat with Fearne, Jambo explains the physical signs we can spot in ourselves and others when we’re truly connected to our deepest passions. They also explore practical ways we can all be kinder to ourselves.Find out more about Jambo’s meditation, yoga, and bodywork sessions, which he runs in person and online, on his website www.jambodragon.com.You can also try Jambo’s meditations for yourself, along with lots of other practices including yoga and tapping, on the Happy Place app. Head to the Happy Place website to find out more and start a free 14 day trial today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meditation is chaos – it’s ok if you can’t completely quiet your mind. In fact, meditator, poet, and New York Times best-selling author Yung Pueblo says that’s kind of the main point.In this chat with Fearne, he explains that while meditation isn’t a ‘click your fingers and all your problems go away’ solution, it can have a very powerful effect on how you react to your problems. They also discuss how acknowledging that everything is always changing can help us be more present and appreciate the moment now.‘Lighter’ by Yung Pueblo is out now, and is a guide to deep healing and self love.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel like you’re in your own way? Like the only obstacle stopping you achieving success is your own lack of self-belief? This is something pop icon and Queen front man Adam Lambert has spent a career navigating.In this chat with Fearne, Adam opens up about how he came to understand that he has anxiety. Looking back, he’s clear that having to supress his queer identity for a long time compounded his stress, and that while becoming famous alleviated some stresses, it created many others, including a huge pressure to constantly perform at a high level. They also talk about the positive impact Adam’s personally found taking medication has had on his mental health.Adam’s single, Ordinary World, is out now, and you can pre-order his album, High Drama’, now too.Britain Get Singing airs on ITV on Christmas Eve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When was the last time you impressed yourself by doing something you didn’t think you could? Bear Grylls reckons putting ourselves in slightly uncomfortable situations is where we grow.In this chat with Fearne, Bear explains why those who take on epic adventures or challenges have to be really good at being mindful and living in the present, and what lessons about mental resilience we can all learn there. They also talk about why being negative and being optimistic are both just habits, so positivity is a skill we can learn.Bear’s book, Mind Fuel, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kelsey’s husband, The Wanted’s Tom Parker, publicly announced in October 2020 that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. He died in March 2022. Since then, Kelsey’s been learning how to navigate her own grief as well as that of their small children. In this chat, she and Fearne explore the idea that we’re all allowed to be multiple things at once; Kelsey is clear she needs space to be strong and resilient, and fall apart at the same time. Kelsey’s new documentary, Kelsey Parker: Life After Tom, is out now on ITVBe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the 200th episode of Happy Place! To celebrate, Fearne replays some of her favourite moments from the show, revealing behind the scenes anecdotes and explaining why these conversations have been so important to her. Dave Grohl, Jada Pinkett Smith, and David Harewood all make an appearance. Plus, she hears from you about your favourite moments too. You’ve been sending voicenotes to Fearne and asking her your questions, including which guest she’s been most nervous to interview, and what advice she’d have for a woman heading into her 30s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you ever feel held back by shame or judgement? Not just from others but perhaps from yourself too? Do you default to self-deprecation? In this chat with Fearne, comedian, musician, and producer Tim Minchin talks about how he’s learnt to let himself appreciate his own talents. They also chat about their own parenting choices, knowing full well that their children’s characters will be shaped by them, and the importance of a diagnosis for neurodivergence. Plus, Tim has some interesting thoughts about why we shouldn’t necessarily be seeking happiness. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, which Tim wrote the original music and lyrics for, is in UK cinemas on the 25th of November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Model, NY Times best-selling author of My Body, and host of new podcast “High Low with EmRata,” Emily Ratajkowski has spent a lot of time thinking deeply about being a woman working in an industry that wants to commodify and objectify you. In this chat, Fearne and Emily explore female sexual empowerment, implicit gender roles, choosing to expose or cover up your body, and the tricky complexities and hypocrisies within all of those areas. High Low with EmRata is available to listen to wherever you’re listening to Happy Place right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stereotypes – the cat lady, the mother, the wife – can make us feel we need to play a part to fit the role others have cast us as. Broadcaster and author Dawn O’Porter wonders whether, far from being an entirely negative thing, sometimes that’s a necessary survival method.In this chat, Fearne and Dawn share their experiences of grief after losing their cats, as well as their thoughts on making a point of crying when they’re alone. Dawn says she has a bit of a rebellious spirit, and explores how she’s very much a product of her early years.Dawn’s novel, Cat Lady, is available now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ok? It’s a question that’s often worth repeating with the people we love. Capital Breakfast Show host Roman Kemp lost his best friend and radio producer to suicide in 2020, and is now more adamant than ever that we must keep asking our friends and family if they’re really ok.In this chat with Fearne, Roman explains why he feels it’s important to share both his ongoing grief, and stories of his own mental health with the nation each day. They also talk about why it’s important to be bold about using the word suicide; in naming it, we’re more able to do something about it.Roman’s book, Are You Really Ok? is out now.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicide throughout, so do take care while listening.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We don’t just feel grief after a bereavement, we can feel it as a result of many different types of loss: loss of health, loss of a childhood, loss of the creative part of yourself. Coach and therapist Donna Lancaster explains why grief is valid in all these scenarios, and how to work through the heart break both mentally and physically.In this chat, Fearne and Donna explore how to be an emotional detective – how to be curious and search for the things in your past that have made you who you are – and how to recognise what your personal boundaries are.‘The Bridge: A nine step crossing into authentic and wholehearted living’ by Donna Lancaster is available now (Penguin Life, £16.99). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When others share their grief, it gives us permission to feel it ourselves. That’s what Richard E Grant has learnt over the last year as he’s shared every part of his own grieving process online. His wife Joan died in 2021, but before she did she told Richard he must try to find a ‘pocketful of happiness’ in each day. In this chat with Fearne, he explains why being given permission to be happy was so powerful. They also talk about how to set boundaries with family members, especially during difficult times, and how a trauma can show who your friends really are. Richard’s memoir, A Pocketful of Happiness, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been an incredible few months for sport, and broadcaster Gabby Logan has been at the heart of it, reporting as the Lionesses made history. In this chat with Fearne, she talks about how we now need to capitalise on successes like these for the future of women in sport.Gabby also shares her experience of watching someone she loves go through addiction, the impact that having a devoted mentor has had on her career, and what intense breathwork has taught her about emotion.Gabby’s book, The First Half, is out on October 13th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unrelenting positivity isn’t always healthy. Over a career spanning decades, best-selling artist Craig David has learnt that sometimes it’s best to lean into pain in order to validate how you’re feeling. In this chat with Fearne, Craig explains why his desire to people please was ultimately hurting him, and explores the childhood experiences that led to an addiction to exercise.Craig’s book, published by Happy Place Books, is called What’s Your Vibe: Tuning Into Your Best Life, and it’s out on October 6th.His new album, 22, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nerves and excitement are very closely related, but following a stratospheric rise to fame thanks to Eurovision, Sam Ryder makes a point to choose to feel the excitement. In this chat with Fearne, he reveals the truth about those glitzy afterparties and why he’d rather be at home playing with Lego... They also talk about how to understand what your purpose is, and why cool is the enemy. Sam’s album, ‘There’s Nothing But Space, Man!’ is out on November 18th, and you can get your tickets for his world tour here: https://www.sam-ryder.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How good are you at being alone, both with your thoughts, and physically in public places? Rylan says that last year was the first time he really had to confront his own mental health, but doing so has helped him appreciate the joy in spending time alone.In this chat with Fearne, Rylan talks about how he’s been able to manifest what he wanted his life to look like, and not seek permission from others when it comes to deciding what he can and can’t do. They also share experiences of whether they’ve personally found it more helpful to stop or continue working during difficult times.Rylan’s new book, TEN: The Decade That Changed My Future, is published by Seven Dials on the 29th September in Hardback, Audio and Ebook.You can join Rylan in his first exclusive event to celebrate the launch of TEN on the 21st September at Royal Festival Hall. Buy tickets here https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/literature-poetry/evening-rylan?eventId=907414 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you personally express love? Author, philanthropist, and award winning producer Olivia Harrison has a lifetime of memories with late husband George Harrison, the intricacies of which she felt compelled to write about in poetry.In this chat with Fearne, Olivia recounts stories from her life with George – including how important practices like meditation and gardening were to them – as well as talking about the undulating nature of grief.Olivia’s beautiful book of poetry, Came The Lightening, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Addiction has dictated much of Matt Willis’ life, but the musician and actor has since learnt how to take responsibility for his actions and reactions. In this chat, Fearne and Matt explore the concept of shame, and how it can keep you suffering in silence, as well as why we need to be careful of celebrating addiction of any kind, even if it’s something society fundamentally values like work or exercise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our body’s stress response is cleverly designed to keep us safe, but the trouble now is that it’s being triggered by every day life – emails, caring commitments, social media, loneliness. Dr Rangan Chatterjee explains what the stress response is, and how using your physically body can often be the best way to calm your mind. In this chat, Fearne and Rangan also talk in great detail about the importance of sleep, and how to trust your own feelings rather than always needing science to back up your lived experience.Rangan is the host of the Feel Better Live More podcast and author of 5 Sunday Times bestselling books including his latest Happy Mind Happy Life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DJ Fat Tony has spent time actively learning what love is after being in abusive relationships and being an addict. Having done trauma therapy, he’s not only begun to understand what healthy relationships with others look like, but also how it feels to love himself, to have self-worth and self-compassion, and not be forced into silence by shame.In this chat, Fearne and Tony talk about the power and freedom that comes with saying out loud that you need help, as well as how much of a challenge it is to unlearn and re-learn behaviours.Tony’s memoir, I Don’t Take Requests, is available now at all major book retailers.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about child abuse and suicide, so do take care while listening.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when busy people stop being busy? Like everyone else, singer songwriter Tom Walker was forced to pause during the pandemic, and he’s clear that it did affect both his songwriting and the pace he lives at day to day.In this chat with Fearne, Tom explains how despite the music industry wanting to measure success by numbers, he’s able to measure his success by his own inner satisfaction. They also talk about the emotional power of epic songs, how even if they weren’t written about whatever we’re personally going through, they can deeply resonate and be genuinely life changing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fail fast. That’s the advice entrepreneur Steven Bartlett has for those who ultimately want to be successful, because the biggest risk isn’t failing, it’s procrastinating. In this chat with Fearne, Steven talks about how he’s seen first hand the damage being paralysed by decision making can do both in business and on a personal level.They also chat about why you’re already enough, that no matter what outward markers of success you achieve your fundamental value won’t change. That, Steven says, should be liberating. It doesn’t mean you can’t be ambitious for your future, but it means you’ll choose to be ambitious about things you care about, not what you think will impress others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time, money, and attention turned out to be a difficult combination for Jordan Stephens to cope with at the height of his Rizzle Kicks fame. In this chat with Fearne, Jordan opens up about his social anxiety, body dysmorphia, and the way he used to self-medicate ADHD. They also discuss when anger can be an incredibly useful emotion, and discover they have a shared core fear of getting things wrong.Jordan’s children’s book, The Missing Piece, is out on August 18th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Happy Place is made in partnership with The National Lottery.We’re in the midst of The Commonwealth Games, and thanks to National Lottery Players over £40million has been raised to support the 2022 Games. To mark the event, The National Lottery have launched a campaign celebrating some of the incredible athletes, including wheelchair racer Melanie Woods.In this chat with Fearne, Melanie talks about how her own journey coming to terms with being disabled has encouraged her to see the excitement in trying new things. Getting started, she says, is often the hardest part, but there are always opportunities to gain new skills and confidence. They also chat about how to deal with pressure, especially when doubts creep in, and why it’s so important to lean in to hard work and persistence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your spirit is fully equipped to take care of you. Your brain and your body might struggle but spiritual teacher and intuitive guide Sonia Choquette is clear that your sixth sense – your spirit, your intuition – can take care of you no matter what.In this chat with Fearne, Sonia explains how to tune into and trust your intuition, which will in turn open you up to a more fun, loving, and spontaneous life. Fearne and Sonia both share experiences of feeling a physical urge to trust their gut, even though they weren’t entirely sure why, and their guts were giving them a feeling for very good reasons...A new, revised version of Sonia’s book, Trust Your Vibes, is out now, and you can join her Good Vibe Tribe here: https://soniachoquette.net/join-our-tribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Constantly being subjected to micro-aggressions can feel like death by a thousand paper cuts; Samantha Renke is an actor, broadcaster, writer, and disability rights campaigner who has the confidence to call out ableism.In this chat, Fearne and Samantha explore where her innate sense of self-worth comes from, how we can all learn to become more confident, and how we can’t talk about an individual’s mental health without also talking about politics and systemic issues. They also cover risk-taking, cats, and nipple hair...Samantha’s book, You Are The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, is published by Happy Place Books, part of Ebury, and is out on July 21st. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patience is a bit of a lost art, but it’s something that ‘Birdgirl’ Mya-Rose Craig is well practiced in. Mya-Rose is an ornithologist, an environmentalist, a diversity activist as well as a writer, speaker and broadcaster. Having been a twitcher – someone who travels to specific locations to spot birds – since she was days old, she revels in patiently waiting to see the next beautiful bird on her list.In this chat, Fearne and Mya-Rose talk about the connection between nature and mental health, as well as how activities that get you outside are vital in making and maintaining relationships with loved ones through sharing a lived experience rather than a digital one.Mya-Rose’s book, Birdgirl, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes recently announced publicly that she is gay. Although she’s acknowledged this truth privately for a number of decades, it’s only now that she’s felt able to begin living publicly her authentic self. Having served in the British military at a time when homosexuality was banned, Kelly had always feared serious repercussions, which only intensified when she became a celebrated world class athlete.In this chat with Fearne, Kelly talks through the painful – and hopeful – journey that’s brought her to a place where she feels confident to live entirely authentically, as well as delving into the mental, emotional, and physical stress of hiding such a huge part of her identity for so long.Kelly Holmes: Being Me is available to watch back on ITV Hub.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about self harm, so take care while listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you tend to doubt yourself, do you know why? Psychotherapist, best-selling author, and former NHS lead for Mental Health Owen O’Kane has spent a lifetime unpicking his own past as a gay Irish Catholic child who was bullied and surrounded by bombs and bullets in the hope of understanding where his fear and shame in adulthood came from.In this chat, he and Fearne talk about why therapy isn’t just about talking – that’s just one part – it’s actually about so much more, like who you surround yourself with, how you set boundaries, and the types of choices you make. Owen also explores what he’s learnt about living a full life from working with people who are dying in palliative care.Owen’s new book, How To Be Your Own Therapist, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have open conversations at work when you’re in pain emotionally or physically? After going through numerous rounds of IVF, as well as having a miscarriage, broadcaster, writer, and author Emma Barnett wants to re-brand pain as weakness into pain as strength, especially at work.In this chat with Fearne, she talks through the worries she had that she might be seen as greedy for wanting a second child through IVF when she’d already had a wonderful son by IVF, and how she’s put this shame to bed. They also explore the often cruel language around infertility, and the difference between sympathy and empathy when it comes to difficulties conceiving.You can sign up to Emma’s new newsletter, ‘Trying’, here: https://emmabarnett.substack.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.