Happy Place podcast

Happy Place

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

 

#335

Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I’m a healthy amount of delusional!” How to sustain career success

How loud are the voices in your head that tell you you’re definitely going to screw up that big opportunity? Sophie Ellis-Bextor is trying to make a point of talking to herself more kindly. In this chat, Fearne and Sophie talk about reminding yourself that your thoughts aren’t facts; sometimes you have to override the voice that says you’re not good enough and just get on with it to prove yourself wrong. Sophie explains why being dropped by her label at 20 encouraged her to take responsibility for her own career, and offers advice on how not to get distracted by what other people are doing with their lives. What should you tell yourself when you think you’re going to give up on a passion? They also chat about not worrying where an opportunity will lead you, instead enjoying it as an adventure in its own right. Plus, why was Sophie petrified her BAFTA performance would be awful? Sophie has announced her biggest ever UK headline tour in May and June 2025! If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Natasha Bedingfield] (https://pod.fo/e/21ebf2) [Perrie Edwards] (https://pod.fo/e/279633) [Paloma Faith] (https://pod.fo/e/245bab) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

Yesterday

54 MINS

54:02

Yesterday


#334

“The shame was intense!” How Ben West coped with his brother’s suicide

Ben West was 17 when his younger brother died by suicide. He’s since gone on to become a mental health campaigner, and has found humour can help communicate deeply traumatic messages. In this chat with Fearne, Ben talks through what signs to look for if you’re concerned about someone’s mental health. Then, how do you break the awkward silence when you both know you need to talk about a big topic like poor mental health? You’ll be able to approach the conversation in a compassionate, rather than confronting, way. Or, maybe you’re the one keeping big thoughts and feelings inside but have become a master of masking your truth. Fearne shares her experience of feeling defensive and telling people she’s ‘fine’ when they asked concerned questions. Ben also takes a thorough look at the mental health system and explains the reality of what care looks like in the UK (and what he’s doing to change it for the better!) Plus, how have people like Andrew Tate affected boys’ mental health? And why is finding the right therapist is a bit like dating...? CONTENT WARNING: This episode is all about the reality of suicide. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Richard E. Grant] (https://pod.fo/e/147a1a) [Ashley Cain] (https://pod.fo/e/e3096) [Roman Kemp] (https://pod.fo/e/14b6fa) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

13 Jan 2025

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:51

13 Jan 2025


#333

Eat for energy not weight loss! Em the Nutritionist: food impacts mood

Making better food choices isn’t about changing who you are, but about making you the most energetic, vibrant version of you. Emily English, aka Em the Nutritionist, talks through how food directly impacts mood. In this chat Fearne and Em both share their experiences of having eating disorders. Was it more about weight and appearance or control and secrecy? They also offer advice for those trying to support a loved one who has a difficult relationship with food. So, how has Em gone from weighing out spinach leaves to piling plates with delicious nutritious foods? Her mindset is all about adding energising foods and movement into your life rather than restricting or taking away joy! Plus, Em explains that we’re all allowed to – and should – eat differently to each other (and to that person you follow online!), and they talk through how to build sustainable habits you’re actually going to be able to stick to. Emily’s recipe book, So Good, is out now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Ella Mills] (https://pod.fo/e/2527fe) [Lucinda Miller] (https://pod.fo/e/264d40) [Radhi Devlukia-Shetty] (https://pod.fo/e/22a550) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

06 Jan 2025

46 MINS

46:02

06 Jan 2025


#332

Book Club Meets: Women speaking their minds, with Dame Harriet Walter

Do you find yourself keeping quiet when you have plenty to say? Dame Harriet Walter – who has played 21 of Shakespeare’s female characters – has written She Speaks, which goes between the lines and imagines what Shakespeare’s women might really have wanted to say. She Speaks was our Happy Place Book Club read for December. In this chat with Fearne, Harriet explains why she felt it was so important to finally let these female characters speak their minds. Harriet also expands on the characters in order to comment on modern day issues like the way ageing women are treated. Fearne and Harriet chat about whether art mirrors the social hierarchy of its day, or perhaps offers an alternative worldview. Plus, Harriet reveals how female actors keep themselves in character when they’re waiting (often a long time) to speak on stage... Thank you to Little Brown Audio for the use of She Speaks audiobook, narrated by Harriet Walter. [Listen to Book Club Meets: Liane Moriarty] (https://pod.fo/e/28c79c) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Miranda July] (https://pod.fo/e/27b9a0) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Gillian Anderson] (https://pod.fo/e/26738b) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Patric Gagne] (https://pod.fo/e/23da85) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

03 Jan 2025

28 MINS

28:16

03 Jan 2025


#331

From panic attacks to psychopaths: Fearne takes you BTS at Happy Place

It’s been a big year on Happy Place! Who was Fearne “shitting her pants” to meet? Who does she want to go for a spicy marg with? And who is she surprised went viral? In this episode, Fearne reflects on the 2024 episodes that you really resonated with, and that have changed the way she lives her own life too. Plus, she’s got a lot of behind the scenes gossip to share! You’ll hear from Michelle Keegan about being a happy little hermit at home, Perrie Edwards about coping with panic attacks, and Patric Gagne about being a sociopath. Then, Kate Silverton chats about why kids aren’t ‘naughty’, Paloma Faith calls out the idea of women ‘having it all’, and Zayn explains why he’s not losing his Bradford accent any time soon... [Listen to Michelle Keegan’s episode] (https://pod.fo/e/211304) [Listen to Perrie Edwards’ episode] (https://pod.fo/e/279633) [Listen to Patric Gagne’s episode] (https://pod.fo/e/23da85) [Listen to Kate Silverton’s episode] (https://pod.fo/e/2281ae) [Listen to Paloma Faith’s episode] (https://pod.fo/e/245bab) [Listen to Zayn’s episode] (https://pod.fo/e/23b207) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

30 Dec 2024

46 MINS

46:40

30 Dec 2024


#330

Joanne McNally: “I’m problematically independent” Being an introverted extrovert

Sometimes you have to just power through the self-loathing. Doing stand up comedy has helped Joanne McNally build resilience, take responsibility, and not take things so personally. In this chat, Fearne and Joanne share experiences of being hyper-independent; but can trusting and relying on yourself go too far? They chat about learning to delegate and ask for help too. Joanne was adopted as a baby, and she opens up about the process of piecing her identity together when she met her birth parents. Are you able to find the funny in distressing periods of your life? Joanne points out that in taking the piss out of yourself you ultimately have to take accountability for your own part in a difficult situation. Plus, Fearne and Joanne make some big admissions about their own pelvic floor health... If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Spencer Matthews] (https://pod.fo/e/16dcf3) [Dawn French] (https://pod.fo/e/23125c) [Matt Lucas] (https://pod.fo/e/207f30) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

23 Dec 2024

48 MINS

48:14

23 Dec 2024


#329

Get fillers or age as you are! Caroline Hirons shares the skincare you NEED at every age

Do you feel pressured to look a certain way as you age? CEO and beauty expert Caroline Hirons reckons it’s no one else’s business if you want to get tweakments or simply wash your face at night. In this chat, Fearne and Caroline pivot looking after your face from something you do to look good... to something you do to feel good. Concerned about the texture or structure of your skin? Caroline clarifies when you might want to get tweakments, and when you just need a solid skincare routine. Caroline also talks through the effect hormones, diet, alcohol, and stress are having on the way you look, and explains why you should avoid washing your face in a hot shower! Plus, do you secretly love being busy and rushed off your feet? Fearne and Caroline bond over being ambitious women, but get real about how impossible it is to get any kind of work / life balance if you run a business... If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Olivia Atwood] (https://pod.fo/e/273edd) [Emma Dabiri] (https://pod.fo/e/2154cb) [Matt Haig] (https://pod.fo/e/261ec9) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

16 Dec 2024

52 MINS

52:30

16 Dec 2024


#328

Olly Alexander: “I couldn’t accept my identity” Queer joy and mental distress co-exist

There should be no shame in being who you are. Musician and actor Olly Alexander has felt first hand how grappling with your identity can lead to poor mental health. In this chat with Fearne, Olly explains why he feels there’s such a high level of mental distress in the queer community, and how acting in It’s A Sin helped him unpack his own lived experience. Both Fearne and Olly share their experiences of poor body image, wondering if bulimia felt like a helpful tool to regain control in an intimidating world. How can you go from disliking your body to recognising the brilliant things it can do for you? Plus, how to let yourself off the hook when you’ve messed up at work or in a social situation, and what to do when you don’t feel you’ve ‘achieved’ enough to be of value... Olly’s solo album, Polari, is out in February. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicide, self-harm, and bulimia, so take care while listening. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Perrie Edwards] (https://pod.fo/e/279633) [Rebel Wilson] (https://pod.fo/e/238d13) [YungBlud] (https://pod.fo/e/25cf34) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

09 Dec 2024

46 MINS

46:04

09 Dec 2024


#327

Book Club Meets: Fate, mortality, and psychics, with Liane Moriarty

Is your fate already pre-determined? Or do you feel you have true free will to dictate your own destiny? ...and if you could, would you want to find out when you’re going to die? These are the questions Liane Moriarty’s Here One Moment grapples with. Here One Moment was our Happy Place Book Club read for November, and Liane joins Fearne to chat about why she wanted to explore chaos, chance, mortality, and psychic abilities in this novel. Fearne and Liane talk about the importance of having ‘main character energy’ in your own life, while also acknowledging that others are living their own fully formed lives too. Plus, how good are you at expressing yourself creatively without worrying how your efforts will be received? They talk through how to find intrinsic motivation for creative pursuits rather than relying on external praise... Thank you to Penguin Audio for the use of Here One Moment audiobook, narrated by Caroline Lee. [Listen to Book Club Meets: Miranda July] (https://pod.fo/e/27b9a0) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Gillian Anderson] (https://pod.fo/e/26738b) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Patric Gagne] (https://pod.fo/e/23da85) [Listen to Book Club Meets: Holly Gramazio] (https://pod.fo/e/266632) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

06 Dec 2024

34 MINS

34:08

06 Dec 2024


#326

Scott Mills: “Doing nothing is ok!” Stop feeling guilty for resting

How quickly does your social battery drain? Do you know what you need to do to recharge it? Broadcaster Scott Mills admits he’s worked too hard and not relaxed enough in the past, but that’s all changing now... This episode is brought to you by British Airways Holidays, so Scott tells Fearne what he now does to take his holidays more seriously, including locking his phone away because – spoiler – nothing bad happens when you properly switch off from the world! Scott has advice if you feel like it’s too late to meet the love of your life... He reflects on his recent wedding, as well as revealing how the grand gesture of a helicopter ride in the early days of dating nearly ruined the whole relationship! How would you cope if you felt a relationship was moving a little too fast, or too slow, for you...? Plus, is it Fearne or Scott who reckons they were ‘The White Wine Queen’ during their chaotic Radio 1 days? They both think about when habitual drinking becomes problematic. If you’re ready to take your holidays more seriously, head to BA.com/holidays If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Rylan] (https://pod.fo/e/13fd36) [Jason Donovan] (https://pod.fo/e/25f871) [Will Young] (https://pod.fo/e/119646) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

54 MINS

54:06

05 Dec 2024


#325

You can’t be happy 24/7: Riley Keough on surrendering to grief and anger

How good are you at letting yourself feel your feelings? Actor Riley Keough thinks it’s important to embrace the sad and angry moments as much as the joyful, hopeful ones. In this chat with Fearne, Riley explains how her own grief at losing her brother and mum has taught her that fighting or repressing emotions only makes you more anxious in the long term. Riley’s mum was Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis Presley. Riley talks about Lisa’s ability to live in a place of truth – she’d never do anything that didn’t feel authentic to her. What can we all learn about how to lean into our own pleasure? It’s liberating to not care if others like you! Fearne and Riley also discuss how impactful it can be when divorced parents are able to co-parent with grace. Plus, Riley reveals why she thinks her mum and Michael Jackson had such a deep connection. Lisa Marie Presley’s memoir, which Riley finished, is called From Here To The Great Unknown, and it’s out now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Taylor Jenkins Reid] (https://pod.fo/e/1686f3) [Gabor Mate] (https://pod.fo/e/166b8a) [Ashely Cain] (https://pod.fo/e/e3096) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

02 Dec 2024

50 MINS

50:22

02 Dec 2024


#324

Saying no: more boundaries, less people pleasing!

How good are you at saying no to people, plans, and dynamics that don’t serve you...? Just in time for the festive season (A huge work load! Time with family! Social events!) Fearne is reflecting on Happy Place chats that’ll help you stop people pleasing and start setting boundaries... In this episode: Melissa Urban is the queen of boundaries – what are they, and how do we set them? Life coach Michelle Elman talks about why we’re often reluctant to set boundaries, and Kirsty Gallagher explains how to take ‘radical responsibility’ for our own lives. Plus, there’s LeAnn Rimes on navigating difficult family dynamics, Grace Beverley on setting boundaries for work life balance, and Michelle Keegan on saying no to social events because sometimes we just want to be happy little hermits at home! If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Melissa Urban] (https://pod.fo/e/172e47) [Michelle Elman] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGEERBBQ9Js) [Kirsty Gallagher] (https://pod.fo/e/226c97) [LeAnn Rimes] (https://pod.fo/e/20397f) [Grace Beverley] (https://pod.fo/e/24b043) [Michelle Keegan] (https://pod.fo/e/211304) [Tell self-limiting beliefs to bugger off] (https://pod.fo/e/263ecb) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

29 Nov 2024

40 MINS

40:42

29 Nov 2024


#323

“I have no interest in mediocrity!” Adam Pearson on having confidence to be extraordinary

Did you have dreams of being extraordinary when you were a kid? For many of us, adult life starts chipping away at those big hopes and goals, but actor and disability campaigner Adam Pearson has no interest in being ‘normal’ or ‘mediocre’. In this chat with Fearne, Adam explains how never having the luxury of being invisible – he was born with neurofibromatosis – has given him confidence to really stand out. So how did he go from being bullied at school to boldly starring on the big screen? They talk about systemic ableism within the film and TV industries, and Adam explains why it shouldn’t be the job of the disability community to fix a problem they didn’t create... but often is. Plus, why is it that it’s always the movie villains who are facially disfigured, never the heroes? Plus, the three types of people you need in your life: a truth teller, a confidant, and a ride or die... If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Jono Lancaster] (https://pod.fo/e/189485) [Samantha Renke] (https://pod.fo/e/132092) [Sophie Morgan] (https://pod.fo/e/112ccd) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

25 Nov 2024

46 MINS

46:55

25 Nov 2024


#322

Helen Glover on progress over perfection: shift your perspective on success

You’ve got to give new things a go and not give up when you’re a bit crap at first. Team GB Olympic rower Helen Glover is clear that a huge part of her success is thanks to her mindset that it’s better to try and fail than not try at all. In this chat with Fearne, Helen explains how to have the discipline to stick at stuff that feels important to you, even if it doesn’t always feel easy. By her own admission, Helen “couldn’t have been further from an Olympian” when she started training... At Tokyo 2020, Helen was the first mum to represent Great Britain in rowing at an Olympic Games. She’s passionate about pushing back on the perception that age or parenthood should be a barrier in anything you’re trying to achieve. She and Fearne unpick the narrative that says women probably won’t be all that ambitious once they’ve had kids! Plus, what’s the weirdest place you’ve found yourself breastfeeding in? Fearne and Helen share theirs... If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Molly McCann] (https://pod.fo/e/240297) [Leah Williamson] (https://pod.fo/e/26e9fe) [Adele Roberts] (https://pod.fo/e/22e78e) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

18 Nov 2024

55 MINS

55:00

18 Nov 2024


#321

Coleen Rooney: Marriage takes work! Coping with the press and raising four kids

How good are you at being honest with other people? Go on, be honest with yourself about that one! Coleen Rooney would always rather tell the truth before a situation escalates. In this chat with Fearne, Coleen explains how she’s instilling that honesty is the best policy in her four sons, as well as why she’s so grateful to have a village around her to help raise her boys. With four children, Coleen is in a lot of school gate WhatsApp groups, so she and Fearne spill what really goes down in those wild group chats... They also chat about how she and husband Wayne prioritise time as a couple, especially after so many years together, and what it was really like being thrust into the public eye as a teenager just because her boyfriend was a footballer. Plus, Coleen has dealt with some incredibly stressful situations in her life, so what does she do to make sure it doesn’t overwhelm her? Coleen is an ambassadorfor the protein, vitaminsand collagenbrand Applied Nutrition. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: [Lemn Sissay] (https://pod.fo/e/22c47d) [Ashley John Baptiste] (https://pod.fo/e/242b68) [Gary and Emma Neville] (https://pod.fo/e/26c21b) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

11 Nov 2024

55 MINS

55:17

11 Nov 2024