Catherine Gray

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.

26 Elo 202457min

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.

19 Elo 202440min

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.

12 Elo 202458min

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.

5 Elo 202444min

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.

2 Elo 202438min

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.

29 Heinä 202437min

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.

26 Heinä 202437min

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.

22 Heinä 202448min