Catherine Gray

Do you want to make 2025 the year you start therapy? Maybe you’re still a bit hesitant because you’re not completely sure how it works or what it might feel like...Fearne has pulled together a load of Happy Place chats that will help you get a clearer idea of the benefits of therapy, and in turn make you feel bold enough to send that first booking email. Plus, she talks through the ways therapy has really helped her be more at peace with the past, and stop being so horrible to herself too.You’ll hear from Dr Julie and Owen O’Kane on what the point of therapy is (and isn’t!). Leigh-Anne Pinnock has learnt the importance of finding the right therapist for you, and her Little Mix band mate Perrie Edwards explains why she now brings her therapist to work.Then, MMA fighter Molly McCann has used therapy to unlock more sporting and career success after a difficult childhood, and DJ Fat Tony shares how he’s changed as a result of trauma therapy...Listen to Dr Julie’s episodeListen to Owen O’Kane’s episodeListen to Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s episodeListen to Perrie Edwards’ episodeListen to Molly McCann’s episodeListen to DJ Fat Tony’s episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 Jan 35min

When does a coping mechanism become a problem? Millie Mackintosh talks through the big moments she realised her drinking was affecting both her own health and the people she loves. In this chat Fearne and Millie cover panic attacks and intrusive thoughts, which can both get particularly bad when secrecy and shame are driving risky behaviours. Then, how do you start to forgive yourself for the things you’re not proud of? And how can you talk to yourself kindly when you fall back into old patterns of behaviour? Plus, Millie explains how ADHD can interact with addiction, and what small lifestyle changes have made a huge difference to her physical and mental health. Do you want to drink less? Fearne and Millie chat about how they learnt to enjoy social events without alcohol.Millie's book, Bad Drunk, is out now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Lucinda Miller Brene Brown Vicky Pattison CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains conversations about sexual assault Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Jan 1h 3min

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 Perrie Edwards Paloma Faith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Jan 54min

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 Ashley CainRoman Kemp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Jan 1h 6min

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 Lucinda Miller Radhi Devlukia-Shetty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Jan 46min

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 Listen to Book Club Meets: Miranda July Listen to Book Club Meets: Gillian Anderson Listen to Book Club Meets: Patric Gagne Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Jan 28min

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 Listen to Perrie Edwards’ episode Listen to Patric Gagne’s episode Listen to Kate Silverton’s episode Listen to Paloma Faith’s episode Listen to Zayn’s episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Dec 202446min

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 Dawn French Matt Lucas Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Dec 202448min