Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Episodes
Nara Smith: “I have a real issue with people trying to put women in boxes” Influence and identity
Model and influencer Nara Smith is one of TikTok’s most recognisable faces. With over 15 million followers across social media, she’s become known for her aesthetic cooking videos and signature ASMR-style voice. Think making skittles from scratch, wearing haute couture.In this wide-ranging chat with Fearne, Nara talks about raising four young children alongside a flourishing career, pushing agains
Book Club Meets: Bringing back Miss Marple, with Lucy Foley
The iconic Miss Marple returns to the page with her first murder mystery in over fifty years. This time, it’s set against the mountaintop Grand Alpine Hotel. A guest has been killed. In the frame for their murder is a notorious actress, a high-flying politician, an inscrutable political wife, a reckless friend and a shrewd doctor… It’s up to Miss Marple to find the culprit before they get away…or
Will Mellor: “Wait another day, don’t give up” Fame, family and managing grief
Actor Will Mellor burst onto the nation’s screens as Jambo from Hollyoaks in 1995. Since then he’s tackled the ups and downs of fame, the heartbreak of loss and the joy of becoming a father. He and Fearne talk about going back 30 years (!), discuss the complex relationship he has with his dad and why Fearne thinks more dads should cry. They also talk about the tough journey of working through grie
Happy Place Hotline: Excruciating embarrassment and resisting rest
That moment you want the ground to swallow you whole - we’ve all been there! On this week’s Happy Place Hotline, Fearne helps listener Charlotte get an embarrassing moment off her chest, and shares some of her own red-faced experiences.We also hear from Olivia, who feels like she’s carrying the weight of friends, family and colleagues on her shoulders. Plus, Rosie asks Fearne a very relatable ques
Dr Sophie Bostock: “I think about rest as protection” Sleep, stress and feeling safe
When did you last look at the sky? Sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock takes Fearne from her windowless studio onto the streets of London to remind her what daylight looks like, before they delve into how we get good quality rest. Fearne unpacks her own longstanding battle with switching off her racing thoughts and getting good sleep, and gets some tips from Sophie on how to quieten a busy mind, and st
Happy Place Hotline: Ending friendships and embracing hibernation
The Happy Place Hotline is officially open… and we want to hear from YOU!This is a bonus dose of Happy Place, inspired by your stories.Whether you have a dilemma, or problem that needs solving, thoughts on a recent episode of Happy Place, or just want to get something off your chest - Fearne is here to listen!We have a shiny new email address hello@happyplaceofficial.com, where you can send all yo
Gemma Cairney: “We need mischief in our lives” Sisterhood and challenging the status quo
How do you find joy in the darkest of times? Broadcaster, writer and DJ Gemma Cairney has some ideas. She joins Fearne in the Happy Place studio to talk about sisterhood, shame and subverting the status quo.Fearne and Gemma go way back. From their heady days on Radio 1, to trudging through the fields of Glastonbury, they reflect on the industry that tried to mould them as young women.Gemma opens u
Chris Olsen: “Addiction is so complicated because there’s no right answer”
TikToker Chris Olsen shot to stardom during the pandemic. But while all eyes were on his viral videos, he was struggling to forgive himself for the challenges of his past.In this candid conversation, Chris sits down with Fearne in New York City to talk about fame, recovery, and his journey to self-forgiveness.He talks about the addiction that consumed his late teenage years, and the life-changing
Jesse Tyler Ferguson: “If things don’t scare you, what’s the point?” Facing fear head-on
Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson spent 11 years on our screens as Mitchell Pritchett in the hit series, Modern Family. But when the opportunity presented itself to be alone on stage, in front of a sell-out audience, a different feeling started to creep in.In this chat with Fearne, Jesse opens up about the fear that drives him. He reflects on how he’s learned to work through it, and what he does to lean
“I know I’m safe but my body doesn’t!” Megan McKenna is coping with PTSD and sleep paralysis
Entertainment personality Megan McKenna was once advertised in a straitjacket. She was nicknamed Mental Megan, branded mouthy, and edited down to her worst moments on camera. Now, she can see that none of that was who she really was.In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Megan explores how she’s learnt to live more authentically. For her, that means less drinking and more ho
Stephen Graham and Orly Klein: "Consent, compassion, condom!" The advice teenage boys need
What part do male role models need to play in young boys’ lives? How do we raise young men with empathy and love? What should masculinity even mean? Adolescence’s Stephen Graham has teamed up with psychology researcher Orly Klein to answer these questions.In this chat with Fearne, Stephen and Orly explore what they’ve learnt about manhood, fatherhood, and generational trauma through asking lots of
Book Club Meets: Murder mysteries and naming emotions, with Susie Dent
When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt, and tensions intensify when further graffiti is found near the body of a university lecturer...Countdown’s Susie Dent has written Death Writ Large, a murder mystery that cleverly weave
Miquita Oliver: "I thought I hated you Fearne, I was actually scared!" Debunking female rivalry
Back in the noughties, Miquita Oliver thought Fearne Cotton was an irritatingly gorgeous, successful presenter – everything she wasn’t. Fearne was jealous Miquita was part of the TV cool gang. In reality? Fearne worried she was an unsophisticated nerd, and Miquita was feeling like the fat, ugly sidekick. In this episode, live from the Happy Place Festival, Fearne and Miquita chat for the firs
Am I too old to run?! Fearne on why movement is vital for mental health
There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s not realistic guys. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her (and you lot) feel great, and what’s making us all feel completely rubbish.This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, i
Tom Read Wilson: “My quirks are my superpower!” Be ok with people not liking you
We’ve all got quirks. Tom Read Wilson realised early on that no one else was going to celebrate his differences if he didn’t own them himself. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Tom explains how he learnt to honour his eclectic personality.Fearne and Tom both have a history of extreme people pleasing, so they share what they’ve learnt about self-advocating and getting go
Fearne: “There are good eggs out there!” How to ignore the tw*ts and stay positive
What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s really not floating your boat? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit heavier too.This is our space to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this
Caitlin Moran: "I’m two years anxiety-free!” How I finally calmed my nervous system
Writer Caitlin Moran's anxiety started when she was 13, when she accidentally let a family secret slip. That anxiety kept her wired for the next 30 years.In this chat with Fearne, Caitlin explains how choosing to be hopeful and see the good in life means she’s now two years anxiety-free.They also talk about how social media has drastically altered our perception of reality, and just how unkind (or
Fearne: Why your 40s are ace and how to cope with imposter syndrome
There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her (and you lot) feel great, and what’s making us all feel completely rubbish.This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, i
What if the universe is trying to tell you something? How to trust your intuition
Do you ever feel like the universe is trying to tell you something? Call it spirituality, intuition, or science... we’ve all had moments that feel like a bit of a sign – a gentle nudge in a certain direction.In this episode, Fearne looks at the Happy Place moments that have explored the things we can't always explain… This is a curious dive into what happens when we leave a little room for mystery
Monty Don: Get out of your bubble! Immerse yourself in a new culture on holiday
What does a truly restful holiday look like to you? Do you want novelty or routine? Horticulturalist Monty Don relaxes most when he knows the drill: same Greek island, same terrace for breakfast, same collapsable travel kettle packed!Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Monty explains the difference between all the gl
“I did things I’d never do sober” Consent concerns and social anxiety, with Millie Gooch
How do you feel the morning after drinking the night before? For Millie Gooch the hangxiety was huge, so she stopped drinking and founded Sober Girl Society.In this chat, Fearne and Millie explore how to recognise when the silly, lols-in-the-group-chat stories from nights out have morphed into moments that are risky, dangerous, and not really you.For Millie, she had to be honest with herself about
Book Club Meets: Holiday romance and friendship in your 40s, with Chloe Ashby
For 20 years Maggie and Will have spent idyllic summers in the south of France with their friends Lydia and Roland. This year though, tension is brewing and loyalties are being tested. Their young kids are all there too, and they might end up stumbling upon secrets that were being kept from them...August’s Happy Place Book Club read is Family Friends. In this chat with Fearne, author Chloe Ashby e
Joe Lycett: "Nerves and excitement are the same!" How to reframe anxiety
Do you find yourself cringing at your younger self? Did you lose yourself in the early part of parenthood? Do you wonder if who you’re being is who you really are? It’s check, check, and check for comedian and future celebrity traitors contestant Joe Lycett.In this chat with Fearne, Joe reflects on how much of his stage persona has become who he actually is, why paternity leave triggered a lot of
“Wear the OTT dress!” Fearne’s got wardrobe and dating advice
What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit heavier.This is our space to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this chat
My OCD gave me existential dread! Finding meaning in difficult times, with poet & actor Lucas Jones
We’re all looking for meaning in life in our own way. Poet and actor Lucas Jones reckons it doesn’t really matter whether we call it God, The Universe, spirituality, or science, we all want to believe in the wonder in our world.In this chat, Fearne and Lucas bond over not being able to do small talk, instead wanting to deeply connect over their big feelings. They also both share their different ex
Chris McCausland: “Dependence is exhausting!” Holidaying with a disability
What ratio of planned activities to spontaneity do you love when you travel? Comedian Chris McCausland has to know some top tier activities have been booked ahead of time.Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Chris explains how holidays have changed since he lost his sight. He thinks hard about everything from communic
Ruby Wax: “I was addicted to rage!” How to respond instead of reacting
Have you noticed that your memory and rational thinking disappear when you’re anxious? Ruby Wax wants you to retrain your focus and attention in a digital world that’s always trying to steal it.In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Ruby explains the difference between mental health and mental illness, and why she calls meditation ‘mind gym’. She also explores why laughing
Feeling stressed? You’re probably dehydrated! Make hydration a habit, with Phizz
You know how your mood dips when you’re hangry? Well, being thangry is a thing too! Thirst – being dehydrated – can have a very real impact on everything from your stress levels to cognitive function and physical performance.We’re heading back to this year’s Happy Place Festival, where the Talk Stage was sponsored by Phizz, the UK’s number-one selling hydration brand.In this chat with Fearne, Dan
Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams
This month in the Happy Place Book Club, we’ve been reading Queenie Is Working On It, by Candice Carty-Williams. This is the much anticipated follow up to 2019’s Queenie.... and this time, Queenie Jenkins is questioning whether she wants kids, being priced out of the housing market in the place she grew up, and coping with horrible heartbreak too.In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Plac
Making sense of big feelings and busy brains, with Paul Whitehouse & Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE
Are you aware of what can trigger big emotions in you? How to do you act on those difficult emotions? Comedian Paul Whitehouse and his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE – who has a PhD in neuroscience – talk about learning to emotionally regulate.In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Mine explains what led to her late ADHD diagnosis, and the childhood trauma that plays into her
Sam Thompson: "My mind doesn’t switch off!" People pleasing and ADHD hyperfocus
Sam Thompson has made a career out of making people laugh, but behind the pranks and infectious energy, there’s a lot of panic and overthinking.In this chat with Fearne, Sam shares how anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD shaped everything from his relationships to his self-confidence, and why it took years of therapy before he understood the patterns he kept repeating. Who do you call in a crisis? Sam ha
Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I want my kids to be intrepid!” How to make your holiday magical
Sophie Ellis-Bextor is playing over 20 festivals around the world this summer. Given she travels so much for work, it’s even more important to make family holidays properly magical.Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Sophie explains that she and her husband have meetings to discuss the travel itinerary. They share th
"Little Joe would’ve watched Heartstopper in secret!" Joe Locke: queer representation matters
Joe Locke was doing his A levels on the Isle of Man when Heartstopper came out on Netflix. Two days later he had 3 million new Instagram followers.In this chat, Fearne and Joe both share their experiences of being thrust into the spotlight as teenagers, and how it’s affected them mentally. He explores his fear that his success might just be a fluke, and why he's so keen to prove he belongs in the
Fearne on the loneliness of chronic pain and why she likes breaking rules
There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her (and you lot) feel great, and what’s making us all feel completely rubbish. This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us d
My work makes me a better parent! Coping with mum guilt and taking the pressure off
We’re heading into the summer holidays. Hands up if you’re already a bit anxious about any mum guilt creeping in...?Fearne definitely is, so she’s reflecting on the Happy Place episodes that explore how different women are choosing to navigate working and parenting. No judgement here gang – we all need to take the pressure off being perfect in every area of our lives!In this episode –-Entrepreneur
Overwhelmed and exhausted? Decompress with this breathwork session from Self Space
Is your nervous system exhausted today? Perhaps you’ve been holding everything together, holding everything inside for a little bit too long? Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, and join Jodie Cariss for a little decompression session.Jodie’s a psychotherapist and the founder of Self Space, a mental health service offering straightforward access to flexible therapy. She’ll guide you through some
Are you ditching your values to fit in? Todd Rose on avoiding peer pressure
Smoking and going to that cool gig... think you left caving to peer pressure behind at high school? Scientist and social entrepreneur Todd Rose says we’re still desperately doing our best to fit in, whether we realise it or not!In this chat with Fearne, Todd explains that it feels important to hold the ‘correct’ opinions in the eyes of our social group. Why? As humans we’re wired to want to belong
I love chatting to strangers! Fearne’s being spontaneous and sleeping better on holiday
Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne gets into what she and Team Happy Place absolutely love about a holiday, and which bits can be a bit rubbish. (No one wants to pack to go home when the swimsuits are still wet...)How do you take your holidays more seriously? Join the chat on Instagram @happyplaceofficial and @britishair
Adam Kay: "I was told to man up!" Coping with PTSD and mental health stigma
Just man up. This is essentially what Adam Kay was told when a traumatic day at work left him with PTSD.In this chat with Fearne, former doctor Adam explains why he made the decision to leave the medical profession, and puts a spotlight on the poor mental health of our NHS workers. Adam talks about how, in his case, the job left him feeling paranoid and overcautious, and how he turned to diary wri
Book Club Meets: I wrote a loveable psychopath! Race and female rage, with Imani Thompson
Yrsa really doesn’t intend to kill anyone... but the Cambridge professor sitting opposite her has manipulated her friend and stolen her research. So, when she flicks a bee into his drink, she just thinks he’ll get a nasty little sting... but now he’s dead. And it’s a sweet, sweet feeling for Yrsa: finally having some control...Honey, written by Imani Thompson, was our Happy Place Book Club read fo
Are you a witch? Believe in your magic and the power of ritual, with Poppy Jamie
Did you listen when your gut told you to turn down that job... and did you seize a better opportunity after?What about when you were tired but something told you to go to the party anyway? Did you meet your partner there?Entrepreneur and author Poppy Jamie says there’s no such thing as a coincidence.In this chat with Fearne, Poppy explains why our collective exhaustion comes down to trusting logic
“Outrageous, saucy behaviour!” What’s going down in Fearne’s WhatsApp groups?
What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit heavier.This is our space to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this chat
"Life's too short for bad sex!" Grace Campbell is speaking up about pleasure and shame
Comedian Grace Campbell used to call herself crazy before anyone else could get in there first. Now, Grace wonders whether telling herself this story was affecting how other people interacted with her...In this chat, Fearne and Grace explore how your inner self-talk will impact how others perceive you. So, how has Grace re-framed her ADHD, OCD, and anxieties? And given Grace has spent a lot of tim
Yoga! Shopping! Talks! DJs! How the Happy Place Festivals come to life
Are you coming to one of the Happy Place Festivals this year? We hope so! Have you been before and wondered how it all comes together? Maybe you’re unsure about coming and want to know what the vibe’s like...Fearne’s joined by Team Happy Place’s Nicky Darling – she heads up all the live events – to get the behind the scenes goss on what it takes to make sure you have a gorgeous time at the festiva
Ashley Roberts: If you don’t scream your body will! Anxiety, insomnia, and Pussycat Dolls' comeback
For Ashley Roberts, dance was her self-expression and meditation. Then, at the height of her Pussycat Dolls fame the art she loved became tangled up in extreme burnout and body shaming.In this chat with Fearne, Ashley explains how discovering breathwork brought her back to herself after a period of intense anxiety and physical ill-health. Now, the Pussycat Dolls are making a comeback in their 40s,
Book Club Meets: Tradwives and the manosphere, with Caro Claire Burke
Natalie Heller is a tradwife influencer online. She’s got the perfect life: a brood of beautiful children and a handsome cowboy husband who eat her homemade bread and jams in their gorgeous red barn. What her millions of followers don’t know is that she’s got a whole army of hidden staff and industrial kitchen appliances helping her out.Then, one day... she wakes up in the 1800s, and is forced to
Mary Berry: "I didn't want to leave the house!" How gardening helped me through grief
Mary Berry has been married for 60 years and says she and her husband have never had a cross word. Her secret? Do a lap of the garden before saying the thing you might regret.In this chat with Fearne, Mary shares the simple principles that have guided her life: be kind, contribute to community, and prioritise time in nature.Mary’s 91, and her mum lived to 105. She believes a busy mind makes a happ
Alan Cumming: “I allow people to be abusive!” How to build self-worth and say no
Alan Cumming's dad told him he was worthless, and his mum told him he was precious. Figuring out how he feels about himself has been a life’s work.In this chat with Fearne, Alan’s open about the ways he’s allowed people to treat him badly, and how he’s learnt to get comfortable with confrontation and setting boundaries. He also explains why the rage in the script of his new TV show triggered painf
"Why does criticism hurt so much?" Dr Julie on triggers and behaviour patterns
Ever looked in the mirror and told yourself “I am enough” ...and not believed a word of it? Psychologist Dr Julie Smith reckons affirmations only work to boost confidence if – deep down – you already believe them.In this chat with Fearne, Julie explains why your brain needs evidence, not mantras, to change your critical inner voice and build self-worth. She also talks through why criticism from ot
Dr Louise Newson: Anxiety! Joint pain! The perimenopause symptoms you’re ignoring
One in six women arriving at Dr Louise Newson's menopause clinic have suicidal thoughts. 92% see those thoughts reduce with natural hormones, so why are women still being prescribed antidepressants instead?In this chat with Fearne, Louise explains why women are being misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety when the root cause is hormonal. Fearne admits she's the woman with her head in the sand abo
Fear can be wonderful or destructive! How to negotiate with doubt, with Joseph Fiennes
Without something creative to pour himself into, actor Joseph Fiennes says he'd eat himself alive.In this chat with Fearne, Joseph thinks about why if he doesn't have a challenge to wear him out, restlessness and doubt will take over entirely. They also explore the strange duality of loving your craft... but dreading the judgment that comes with it.Joseph has played England football manager Gareth
I still get triggered! Fearne on how to heal, cope with hangxiety, and having an empty nest
Fearne isn’t a massive fan of the relentless pressure to reach a definitive state of happiness. It’s just not realistic, so she’s dropping into your feed every week for some chat about what’s making her – and you! – feel great, and what’s making us feel completely crap.This is the cosy corner where there’s no judgement allowed! All of us can explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us
Sex scenes are liberating! Nafessa Williams on Rivals, racism, and self-belief
Sex scenes involve a lot more padding and tape than you might expect! Rivals actress Nafessa Williams has found being at the centre of one of TV’s sexiest shows both nerve-wracking and incredibly liberating.In this chat with Fearne, Nafessa explores what it means to play the only black woman in a white man's world in 1980s Britain, and why she sees her acting as her contribution to activism and re
Play therapy rewires the brain! Facing childhood traumas, with The King’s Trust
Everyone deserves the chance at a fulfilling life. Shauna Tiffany grew up in foster care, feeling ashamed of and responsible for her parents’ choices. Creative play therapy helped her work through her childhood trauma, and now – with the support of The King’s Trust – she’s built her own business doing the same thing for other children and families.In this chat with Fearne, Shauna explains how she’
Nicole LePera: "Your nervous system is screaming at you!" Healing anxiety and panic
Were you praised as a child for being ‘good’, for keeping quiet, or not making a fuss? Psychologist Dr Nicole LePera reckons that praise may have taught you to disconnect from your emotions entirely.In this chat with Fearne, Nicole explains how even well-intentioned parenting can leave us with patterns that run our adult lives on autopilot. She talks through the practical process of reparenting yo
Book Club Meets: Rekindling intimacy in marriage, with Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees
Adam and Jules have been married for 25 years and are stuck in a bit of a rut. Adam stumbles across some old mixtapes he and Jules made for each other when they were young and falling in love, and when they play them... they get to travel back in time to different moments in their relationship. Will remembering the passion they used to have get the future of their relationship back on track, or wi
"You can't be a people pleaser and a leader!" Emma Grede on self-belief and female ambition
When was the last time you told someone exactly how much you earn? Entrepreneur Emma Grede - who co-founded Good American with Khloe Kardashian - says that when women avoid talking about money, money avoids them.In this chat with Fearne, Emma explains why ambition isn't a dirty word, and why she wants every determined woman to know her worth. Fearne and Emma also explore why you can't be a people
“I was overweight and unhappy!” Liz Earle’s perimenopause and midlife reinvention
What if your best decade is still ahead of you? At 62, broadcaster and healthy aging expert Liz Earle is fitter, stronger, and happier than ever.In this chat with Fearne, Liz shares how she went from overwhelmed, overweight, and exhausted during perimenopause, to thriving in her 60s. She shares the small lifestyle shifts that transformed her health, and why women in midlife shouldn’t feel selfish
Philippa Perry: Why everyone has an inner critic, and how to stop believing yours
Should you give your inner critic have a name? Psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry reckons giving that nagging voice in your head a silly name is the first step to stopping it running your life.In this chat with Fearne, Philippa explains why not feeling ‘good enough’ is often less about truth and more about habit. She shares how to tell the difference between a helpful critical inner voice a
I don’t identify as middle aged! Fearne's talking hormones and single parenting
What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit heavier.This is our space to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!In this chat
Bryony Gordon: How people pleasing fuelled my OCD, alcoholism, and eating disorder
You’ve heard of fight or flight, but what about fawn – the idea of appeasing others to stay safe? Author and mental health advocate Bryony Gordon thinks there’s a reason so many women feel under pressure to people please.In this chat with Fearne, Bryony explores how she feels people pleasing has fuelled parts of her OCD, alcoholism, and eating disorders over the years.Fearne and Bryony also chat a
Women spend HOW MUCH on period products? Mooncups, AI slop, and joining a choir
There’s way too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness, and it’s just not realistic, so Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel completely crap.This is the cosy corner where there’s no judgement allowed! All of us can explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, inspiring us, and m
Jimmy Carr: “Men half-arse things!” My thoughts on feminism, parenting, and success
What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? It’s a question comedian Jimmy Carr reckons will help direct your life path.In this chat with Fearne, Jimmy explains how he strives for greatness for himself, without falling into the trap of comparing himself to others. He talks about how to define success for yourself, why talent without hard work means very little, and why he doesn’t fear cancel
“I had to say ‘c*ck’ at The Royal Albert Hall!” Fearne’s talking about sex and being more creative
What’s going on for you? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chatter about what’s putting her and the Happy Place team in a good mood this week, and what can bugger off.This is the space for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial! In this chat,
Carol Vorderman: My ‘facelift’ became folklore! Can women have beauty and brains?
It’s an age-old question: can women have both brains and beauty? (Spoiler: obviously yes!) Broadcaster Carol Vorderman says the more people comment on her body... the more thigh high boots and tight skirts she’ll wear!In this chat with Fearne, Carol charts her early life, from her family running away with the circus, to living out of a car, to being one of the first girls to read engineering at Ca
“I wish I was chic-er!” Fearne on personal style and learning new skills
What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her and the Happy Place team in a good mood, and what’s feeling a bit rubbish ...and Fearne has really really been feeling rubbish this week...This is a comforting space for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send
Ruth Langsford: “We all go through sh*t!” My life with divorce and dementia
How do you cope when you’re going through a really rough time? Broadcaster Ruth Langsford has needed a balance of big cries, therapy, and just choosing to dust herself off and get to work.In this chat with Fearne, Ruth talks through the ways counselling and female friendships are moving her through the grief of her divorce. She also shares what she’s learnt about caring for parents with dementia,
“Why are we always rushing?” Slowing down by writing by hand and lying in
There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s not realistic gang! So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some candid chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel completely rubbish ...and this episode is brought to you by new original Paramount Plus show The Madison.This is the cosy little corner where all
Break free from people pleasing, with Keisha Buchanan, Megan Barton-Hanson, and Jade Scott
Have you ever changed yourself to fit in with other people? Or dulled your character so they don’t think you’re ‘too much’? Do you compare yourself a lot or sacrifice your own needs so not to cause a fuss?Fearne has done all these things and more over the years in a bid to be more likeable. But it’s time to stop shapeshifting to make ourselves palatable to others!Sugababes Keisha Buchanan, Love Is
“Give people pleasing the finger!” Fearne’s no longer trying to be liked
Are you a bit of a people pleaser? Wish you could care a little less what people think about you? To celebrate her new book, Likeable: How I Broke Free From The Need To Please, Fearne’s looking at all the ways she sacrificed her needs and self-expression in order to be more palatable to others... In this chat, Fearne covers:-The real personal impact of people pleasing-How exhausting it is sho
Radio 1's Matt and Mollie: I’m finding my voice! Back yourself like you back your mate
You wouldn’t talk to your best mate in the critical way you talk to yourself. For Radio One DJs Matt Edmondson and Mollie King, their friendship has made them both believe in themselves more.In this chat with Fearne, Matt and Mollie talk about the insecurities they have, and how freeing it is to realise no one else thinks those things about you. For Mollie, having children has helped her be a lot
Book Club Meets: “I was burnt out!” Live a slower life, with Emma Gannon
Sometimes the braver thing isn’t trying to keep going. Writer Emma Gannon hit real burnout, admitted she was overwhelmed, and embarked upon a year of doing... nothing.A Year of Nothing was our Happy Place Book Club pick for February. In it, Emma charts stepping away from the noise and rediscovering joy in life’s simplest pleasures, from dog borrowing and dopamine dressing to relearning how to swim
Boy George: “I love fame!” Star signs, sexuality, and writing songs with ChatGPT
It’s time to stop being filled with jealousy and judgement of others! Boy George admits he used to love hating people, but now actively chooses compassion and kindness.In this chat with Fearne, Boy George explains how this philosophy has helped him celebrate his own and other peoples’ successes more fully. He also talks about why he loves fame now, but would have done his early fame differently, a
“I skied and got trashed with James Blunt!” How to not care what people think
There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel completely rubbish.This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, inspiring us, and
Poorna Bell: "Women want more, not more to do!" How to put yourself first
What more do you want from life? What more do you want for yourself? Award-winning journalist and author Poorna Bell reckons it’s time to start really asking ourselves these questions.In this chat with Fearne, Poorna explains why it’s important to aim for goals you set for yourself, not the ones set by society. They talk about why challenging the narrative that women become invisible as they age i
“I hugged a very girthy tree!” Get off screens, write letters, and paint
How are we feeling gang? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s back with more chatter about what’s putting her and the Happy Place team in a good mood this week, and what can absolutely get in the bin.This is a lovely little space for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceof
Even the Kardashians have insecurities! Reinvent your identity, with Chris Appleton
Why do we change our hair when we want to start over? Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton knows that when someone sits in his chair, he has their future confidence in his hands.In this chat with Fearne, Chris explains that everyone from the Kardashians to cancer patients have opened up to him about their insecurities, and he’s seen the profound impact that looking more like yourself on the outsi
“Just try one new thing!” Fearne’s going boxing and to her cervical screening
Fed up of constantly striving for ultimate happiness? Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some far more realistic chat about what’s making her feel great, and what’s making her feel rubbish.This is a safe space for all of us to get stuff off our chests. No judgement here! Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial!So, what’s putting us i
Ashley James: You’re a bimbo! Mumsy! Bossy! How we shrink confidence out of girls
You’re a bimbo. A nag. Too mumsy. Too bossy. Ever had any of those labels put on you? Far from harmless words, Ashley James is clear they all work to shrink women and girls.In this chat with Fearne, Ashley recalls her first experiences of street harassment, and the way she victim blamed herself.They also explore the shame that keeps women silent about their altered bodies after giving birth; Ashle
Book Club Meets: Grief, women in history, and Elizabethan magic, with Maggie O’Farrell
You might have recently seen Hamnet at the cinema, but did you read the book along with the Happy Place Book Club in January?In this chat, Fearne and author Maggie O’Farrell talk about how Jessie Buckley’s award-winning performance brought Agnes to life in the film, why it’s vital to remember women’s place in history, and why Maggie chose not to name Shakespeare in the book.Maggie uses her intuiti
