Happy Place

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&hvd

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

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.