Gary and Emma Neville: Menopause, anxiety attacks, and opposites attracting

Lulu shot to fame at 15, and she’s been playing that part, masking who she really is – Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie – for the six decades since.In this chat with Fearne, Lulu explains how she felt that everything from her real name and accent, to her personality and childhood weren’t good enough, so she created a character for the public to love. However, this kind of emotional suppression can have painful consequences, and she’s since learned to stop running from her messy parts.Lulu talks through the moment she realised she was an alcoholic, and how recovery has helped her truly like herself. They chat about how to trust your intuition, and reinvent yourself in every decade should you want to... but prepare for others to find your growth uncomfortable.Plus, there are revelations about her relationship with David Bowie that Lulu’s never publicised before, and details about how she put her father in jail as a child.Lulu’s new book, If Only You Knew, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Jon Bon JoviZandra RhodesJada Pinkett Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Sep 1h 1min

Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Page didn’t want kids, until she suddenly did at 35! In this chat with Fearne, Joanna explains how she had to bring her baby on set in order to keep working as a new mum, and why she ultimately decided to focus on family over career.They chat about why it’s ok to do average – or even shit – work sometimes, and why perfection doesn’t need to be the goal. Joanna’s noticed on set that younger women seem to have much higher self-worth than she had at their age; what can we learn from their assertiveness?Plus, which Hollywood actor did Joanna fart in front of, and how did the Love Actually sex scenes work behind the scenes?Joanna’s new book, Lush, is out on September 25th.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Sophie Ellis BexterColeen RooneyPerrie Edwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Sep 58min

Men are starting to open up. Presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness used to work on building sites where vulnerability would have been seen as a weakness, but he’s seen things changing...In this chat with Fearne, Paddy talks about his own clinical depression, and what he’s learnt from therapy about keeping his mental health in check. He explains that understanding why you’re reacting a certain way will give you the power to change your behaviour.Paddy’s three children all have autism, and he’s frank about how he felt when he first got the news. He talks through the common misconceptions, and what he wishes more people understood about the realities of raising autistic children.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Kate SilvertonLucinda MillerMo Gilligan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15 Sep 48min

Cally Beaton spent much of her career in male-dominated board rooms. She, in her own words, was a ‘boring businessperson’. Now? She’s a stand up comedian!Namaste Motherfuckers was the Happy Place Book Club pick for August. It’s Cally’s manifesto for embracing the radical change that comes with midlife and menopause, proving it’s never too late to reinvent your life.In this chat with Fearne, Cally explains that she’s particularly passionate about better understanding perimenopause after being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, and is candid about being a single mum to an autistic child.Thank you to Headline Home for the use of Namaste Motherf*ckers audiobook, narrated by Cally Beaton. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Emily HenryBook Club Meets: Lorna TuckerBook Club Meets: Lisa Jewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Sep 49min

Have you noticed your body changing with age? Vogue Williams has suddenly become aware that she needs to make a point of staying physically and mentally strong.In this chat with Fearne, Vogue explains why having a drink and having fun are just as important as exercising and sleeping well when it comes to feeling good. She talks through how her health anxieties have manifested in the past, and how she’s used medication and therapy to move her through difficult periods of heartbreak and grief.Vogue explores why she and husband Spencer Matthews are so good together. Plus, why she got kicked out of a yoga class, and why Big Brother’s Nasty Nick lives in her head rent free...Vogue’s memoir, Big Mouth, is out now.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:Spencer MatthewsJoanne McNallyMillie Mackintosh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Sep 46min

Can women have it all? Renowned restauranteur, cookery writer, and Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith doesn’t think so.In this chat with Fearne, Prue explains why she’s glad she built her career before having children, and why no one should feel ashamed of asking for help with their business or family in order to keep everything afloat.Prue – who had the confidence to found a restaurant when she’d never worked in one – gives advice on never letting a lack of knowledge get in the way of starting a new passion project.She also tells the story of finding love again at 70 after being widowed, and explains why she’s so passionate about legalising assisted dying.The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday 2nd September.If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Zandra Rhodes Davina McCall Richard E. Grant Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Sep 1h 2min

Fearne’s been loving the UEFA Women’s EUROS, so this episode celebrates the huge summer of sport we’re having by listening back to some brilliant sportspeople who’ve told their stories on Happy Place. Plus, if you’ve been inspired to move your own body more, how can you set your own fitness goals and – most importantly! – enjoy the process?In this episode – -Broadcaster Gabby Logan reflects on just how momentous it was when the Lionesses won the EUROs in 2023-UFC fighter Molly McCann explains what happens when you’re on your period as an athlete-Olympic rower Helen Glover chats about how motherhood made her even more ambitious for herself-DJ Adele Roberts inspires with her story of setting the world record as the fastest female to run the London Marathon with a stoma bag-Comedian Joel Dommett laughs about his own marathon attempts going tits up-Psychologist Pippa Grange shares what she knows about goal setting from working with England’s football teamListen to the full episodes here – Gabby LoganMolly McCannHelen GloverAdele RobertsJoel DommettPippa Grange Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Aug 44min

Do you notice your body telling you when your brain is struggling? We’re headed back to this year’s Happy Place Festival in Gunnersbury Park, where loads of our guest speakers took to the Talk Stage to talk about the power of the mind-body connection... In this episode – - Breath and mindset coach Richie Norton explores the mind-body connection and how you can always start over with your physical and mental health-Broadcaster Julia Bradbury explains how nature has a very real impact on how healthy our bodies are, and how she approached her cancer diagnosis-Rizzle Kicks Jordan Stephens and therapist Donna Lancaster team up to talk about the groundbreaking physical effect one of Donna’s retreats had on Jordan’s body-Midlife wellness author Liz Earle talks through the best immunity-boosting morning routine-Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes chats about how to set (and stick to!) physical goals that will influence your mind too Get your tickets for the Happy Place Festival in Tatton Park 2025 here!If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Seasons will change, so will youTell self-limiting beliefs to bugger offHow to stick two fingers up to beauty standards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 Aug 41min