Happy Place

Are you conscious of where the pressures you feel are coming from? Are they external or internal? Diver Tom Daley has been meditating on these different types of pressures recently, so in this chat he and Fearne discuss the power of validating ourselves rather than waiting for others to tell us we’re doing well. Plus, he explains the process he and husband Lance had to go through to adopt as a same sex couple, and how having a son has changed his view on chasing perfection.Tom’s book is called Coming Up For Air, and it’s out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special episode, Fearne is joined by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes from The High Performance Podcast. They all share their favourite moments from Happy Place and High Performance in 2021, and discuss the impact those chats had on them, as well as reflecting on what their guests have taught them this year.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Reflecting on experiences from childhood can help us understand who we are today. Radio 1 presenter Matt Edmondson has been learning music production – an entirely new skill for him – and has been using it to explore feelings about his past.In this chat with Fearne, he opens up about being diagnosed with cyclothymia and how this new knowledge of his moods has changed his life for the better, and how he’s learnt to control his flow states, rather than them controlling him.Matt’s podcast, Not Another Love Song, is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank conversation about suicide and alcoholism, so do take care while listening.Click here to book your ticket for Fearne's book launch event at Cadogan Hall: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/fearne-cotton-bigger-than-us-book-launch/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Treating our soil differently could have a knock on effect on our physical and mental health, as well as the health of the environment. As one half of Groove Armada, Andy Cato travelled the world playing music, but for the last 15 years his MO has been revolutionising the way we grow food. In this chat with Fearne, he talks about the importance of re-connecting with nature and how we can all positively impact the planet via the food we eat. Discover more about Andy’s work at Wildfarmed: https://wildfarmed.co.uk/ and watch their short 7-minute film: "A Story About Bread" Click here to book your ticket for Fearne's book launch event at Cadogan Hall: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/fearne-cotton-bigger-than-us-book-launch/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There’s never going to be anything comfortable about facilitating change, but if we deeply care about a cause we should do it nonetheless. As well as entertaining the nation on TV, Jamie Oliver has spent decades learning about, and fighting for, healthier food policies. In this chat, Fearne and Jamie explore how failure can ignite more fire in your belly, and why a little optimistic naivety might initiate more ground-breaking change than a measured approach.Jamie’s new recipe book is called Together: Memorable Meals Made Easy, and is available to buy now.Click here to book your ticket for Fearne's book launch event at Cadogan Hall: https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/fearne-cotton-bigger-than-us-book-launch/  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How good are you at getting quiet and sitting with yourself? Jazz singer Gregory Porter feels that this is the place your most authentic, distinctive creativity will come from.In this chat with Fearne, Gregory explains why you don’t need to be an overnight success. It’s ok to take your time, indeed you’ll benefit from taking that time to learn, and hone your craft. He also talks through the false starts his career has seen, and why it was his vivacious mother who encouraged him to keep persevering.Gregory’s new album, Still Rising, is out now, and he’ll be on tour in the UK in May 2022.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s much more productive – and will ultimately make you happier – to strive for excellence rather than perfection. A research professor at the University of Houston, Brené Brown has spent 20 years studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She’s clear that perfectionism is actually a defence mechanism to shield us from failure and shame. In this chat with Fearne, Brené explains the difference between guilt and shame, as the former can be helpful in some situations, whereas the latter can be debilitating and define entire lifetimes. Plus, they explore why humility and self-compassion are needed for us to admit when we’re wrong. Brene is a prolific writer; her latest book, Atlas of The Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connections and the Language of Human Experience, is out on November 30th.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Although she keeps much of her life private, Leona Lewis has recently felt a real need to speak up. In this chat with Fearne, she talks through why she’s so passionate about issues including racism and animal welfare, as well as explaining where her impressive work ethic comes from. Leona is the UK’s Queen of Christmas; she’s all for embracing the magic the festive period brings because it’s so important for her to spend quality time with family. ‘Christmas, With Love Always’, a special repack of Leona’s 2013 festive album ‘Christmas, With Love’, is out now. Leona is also on a UK tour with Gary Barlow throughout November and December 2021.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are not living at a natural pace. The modern world forces us to move through life incredibly quickly; Shaman Jo Bowlby helps people slow down and embrace stillness. In this chat with Fearne, Jo explains why we should be pursuing wisdom rather than just intellect, why quieting our analytical mind can help us get back in touch with our human essence, and how to rid ourselves of self-limiting beliefs. A Book For Life: 10 Steps to Spiritual Wisdom, a Clear Mind and Lasting Happiness is out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s never too late to make a change; Annie Mac has left Radio 1 after 17 years of broadcasting and is ready to embrace parts of her identity she hasn’t had time to explore until now. In this chat with Fearne, Annie talks about feeling that we need to allow people to be more than one thing - that we need to embrace the sunshine and joy, but the darkness and sadness too. Fearne and Annie also think about the notion of having endless space out in front of you and why, although scary, it might be positive to allow time to exist without plans. Annie’s debut novel, Mother Mother, is out now, and her podcast Changes is available to listen to on your favourite podcast app.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You’ve achieved the goals you set yourself for your career and personal life; what’s next? That’s the question Holly Willoughby has found herself asking recently.When you’re used to excellence and achievement, how do you break the loop of constantly living in the future, looking ahead instead of existing in the present and thinking about what will bring joy right now? In this chat with Fearne, Holly explores her experience of detaching from herself in order to feel safe, and how she’s discovered ways to come back to herself.Reflections: Life Lessons on Finding Beauty – Inside and Out untangles topical and emotional issues and explores what it means to live a beautiful life in the modern world. The book is published by Century and out now: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/1445093/reflections/9781529135718.html  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It can at times feel like the cycle of negative news is endless, and living in fear can be debilitating, but ethologist and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, is able to turn despair into hope. In this chat, she and Fearne talk about why we might want to be in nature to heal when feeling low, and where science and spirituality can interact. The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide For an Endangered Planet is Jane’s new book, and it’s out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A person’s identity is not up for debate; drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash is on a mission to ensure everyone feels safe to express who they are without fear. In this chat, Fearne and Bimini explore how everyone can question and choose to reject societal rules that they don’t personally resonate with, as well as how to better understand and support others as they do the same.A sense of belonging can directly impact mental health, so they also discuss the benefits of social media in finding a community of likeminded people, and what we can learn about unleashing our inner confidence from drag queens.Bimini’s book is called Release the Beast: A Drag Queen’s Guide to Life, and it’s out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How kindly do you talk to yourself? TV host, author, and speaker Mel Robbins spent a lifetime caught in a loop of negative self-talk, but she’s now learnt how to validate herself in the way she champions others.In this chat with Fearne, she explains the importance of daily habits. There’s no silver bullet when it comes to building confidence; you have to be disciplined and put in the daily grind. Mel also explains what panic attacks actually are on a physiological level.Mel’s book, The High 5 Habit, is out now.CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of sexual abuse  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s often said that comparison is the thief of joy, and this proved to be true for Jesy Nelson. In this chat, she and Fearne talk through the fear of not being liked, and the freedom that’s come with reinventing herself as a solo artist.Jesy’s first solo single, Boyz, is out on Friday 8th October.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There’s adventure in not knowing what comes next, and having the confidence to throw yourself in anyway. Foo Fighters front man Dave Grohl has spent a lifetime doing just that. In this chat with Fearne he explains why he wants to grow old gracefully, but stay young at heart by embracing the spirit of exploration and curiosity.More of Dave’s stories from his energetic life can be found in his new book, The Storyteller, out 5th October.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gambling addictions are not well understood; former footballer Paul Merson is hoping to change that by sharing his own story. In this chat with Fearne, Paul explains why his having a gambling addiction really isn’t about the money. It’s about escapism, and experiencing extreme highs and lows.He also talks through the role that lying plays in addiction, and the relationships and practical coping mechanisms that now help him tackle one day at a time. It’s taken him many decades, but he now understands that addiction is an illness, and doesn’t make him a bad person.Paul’s book, Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery, is out now.CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicidal thoughts, as well as gambling, alcohol, and drug addiction, so do take care while listening.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

You are the sum of everyone who’s come before you in your family, and it can be useful to learn about your ancestors in order to understand how much of their character is in you. Actress Miriam Margolyes has a passion for genealogy and family trees; in this chat with Fearne, she discusses her own identity, and the parts of it that have made her feel like an outsider at times.We’re often scared to challenge things we don’t agree with, perhaps for fear of being disliked or cancelled, but Miriam explains how and why she’s always spoken her truth, even if it might be controversial.Miriam’s book, This Much Is True, is out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Psychosis is very rarely talked about, even within spaces dedicated to mental health. Actor David Harewood had an episode that saw him sectioned at 23 years old, and wonders that psychosis is still seen as the ‘scary’ mental health issue, a perception he’s now working hard to change.We often hear about post-traumatic stress, but in this chat with Fearne, David discusses the concept of post traumatic growth, and what that’s looked like for him. Plus, he explores how this journey of discovery has changed his perception of his father, who also had psychosis. David’s book, Maybe I Don’t Belong Here, is out now.CONTENT WARNING: as David recalls racist abuse, this episode contains offensive and distressing language.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We often write ourselves a story about the type of person we are, and the things we can do with our lives, but YouTuber, actor, and singer Joe Sugg doesn’t like to put limits on what he can achieve. In this chat with Fearne, he explains why he’s given himself opportunities to change as a person and not be limited by what his fans might expect of him. Plus, having grown up online, Joe talks through what he feels needs to be done to make the Internet a kinder place.Joe’s new single, Wild Things, is out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.