As GrownUpLand ends its run on the BBC, time to reflect on the final two series with Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan, Ned Sedgwick, Steve Ali and Deborah Frances-White. We revisit Queen Sophie's message to serial daters, Ned's problematic sitcom adaptation, Heidi's fact-finding meltdown and one of Steve Ali's most poignant perspectives. Plus, Deborah Frances-White introduces her favourite picks from the 'new era' of the podcast, including chats with Sara Pascoe and Travis Alabanza. Co-created by Debor...
Aug 06, 2020•56 min
GrownUpLand's time on the BBC is at an end, feeling nostalgic? Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by former host Mae Martin to talk about the good old days. Sophie warns of the negatives of revelling in too much nostalgia, Ned shows us his best bits, Heidi tells us why the Swiss tried to outlaw nostalgia and Steve Ali pops by to offer up his final perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell. Music by Mark Ho...
Jul 30, 2020•55 min
Plenty of food for thought in this episode. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by perma-hungry comedian Ed Gamble to discuss yeast-based spreads, drinking in parks and how lockdown has changed their cooking habits. Sophie dissects the brunch phenomenon, Heidi thinks cooking is a waste of time, Ned's been unlocking the secrets of vegan kebabs and Steve Ali pops by to tell us about his instant noodle habit. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Rad...
Jul 23, 2020•47 min
Managing money is hard in the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Maisie Adam and money guru Iona Bain to discuss everyday money worries and how best to navigate a looming recession. Sophie feels short changed by billionaires, Heidi worries about the financial future and Ned's been digging in the dirt for shiny bottle-tops. Steve Ali pops in (virtually) to give us his perspective on losing your livelihood due to som...
Jul 16, 2020•56 min
The official GrownUpLand advice for lockdown is: Keep calm > don't lose hope > listen to podcasts. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian and writer Isy Suttie to catch up on their lockdown experiences. Sophie wrecks the myth that the virus is 'the great equaliser', Heidi brings us some much needed good news, Ned has been curating curious creativity and Dr Kat McClenaghan checks in to describe life on the forefront of the virus fight. Steve Ali pops in (virtually...
May 21, 2020•1 hr
Finding and keeping lifelong love is one heck of a challenge. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian, author and Guilty Feminist Deborah Frances-White to discuss whether there is such a thing as a soulmate, 'the one' and romantic fate. Sophie espouses the benefits of being alone, Heidi explains why she proposed to her fiancée with a Lord of the Rings ring, Ned puts true love to the test and Steve Ali drops by to explain how your local MP can improve your love life. Co-...
Apr 23, 2020•59 min
Self-esteem is mysterious, fleeting and vital to every decision we make. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by activist and writer Ellen Jones to talk all things imposter syndrome, confidence, self-worth and yoyo tricks. Sophie tackles your inner (non-existent) fraudster, Heidi ponders the mysteries of confidence, Ned shows off his jingle making skills and Steve Ali puts a listener's dilemma into perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC...
Apr 16, 2020•48 min
It's easy to get tangled in a world wide web of your own making when arguing online. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian and activist Grace Campbell to discuss trolls, the grim underbelly of internet culture and how to pick your battles. Sophie thinks we should feed the trolls, Ned chats to a meme lord, Heidi talks about how to deal with online criticism and Steve Ali solves a listener's dilemma. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC R...
Apr 09, 2020•52 min
We're all stuck indoors to help protect ourselves and others. How can we stay happy, healthy and safe? Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by special guests to help us power through the pandemic. Sophie has advice for those concerned about staying productive during lockdown, Heidi busts some coronavirus myths, Ned gives us his top tips for podcasting in a time of crisis and Steve Ali gives us his perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC ...
Apr 02, 2020•1 hr
As we get older, going out and getting lit sinks lower on the priority list. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Michael Odewale to discuss drinking, dancing, dining and D&D. Sophie thinks we all need a release, Heidi busts some alcohol myths, Ned raps (!) and Steve Ali puts everything into perspective with tales from the Calais refugee camp. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell. Music by Mark Hodge...
Mar 26, 2020•37 min
The gang wonders how to avoid passive aggression, fights and cheese theft in a house share. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian and veteran housemate Alex Edelman to talk about flat 'pre-nups', annoying pranks and 'friendly' notes of complaint. Sophie wants to decriminalise communal food theft, Heidi researches whether living alone is a healthy pursuit and Ned puts some newly devised house rules to his significant other. Luckily, Steve Ali is here to put everything ...
Mar 19, 2020•52 min
The gang discuss whether they feel pressure to tie the knot, or not. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian and married man Bobby Mair to talk about the best time to get married, the weirdest weddings and how getting hitched can change you. Sophie delivers her inaugural 'kweens speech', Ned marries somebody (now that's commitment) and Heidi researches whether divorce is simply an inevitability. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio ...
Mar 12, 2020•46 min
Series four is here and we've shaken things up a bit. Expect sillier challenges, more time with brilliant guests, fact finding fun and even a weekly 'kweens speech'. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan, Ned Sedgwick and Steve Ali want to tell you all about the series to come.
Mar 05, 2020•5 min
Pod bless us, everyone! Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Rachel Parris to talk all things festive; the things we love, the things we can't stand and the responsibility-free times we miss. Steve Ali drops by a little earlier than usual to offer his perspective AND there's a special interview with Dame Emma Thompson. Oh, and Father Christmas makes a surprise appearance with a sack full of secret Santa gifts. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity S...
Dec 25, 2019•1 hr
Life is a continuous adjustment to ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Sara Pascoe to discuss big change and small change and how best to deal with it. Sophie talks about coming out as bi, Heidi investigates how modern job insecurity make us feel uneasy, Ned interviews someone who has changed the world, Sara opens up about the changes a new puppy brings and Steve Ali drops in to put everything into perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-Whit...
Dec 19, 2019•49 min
From avant-garde paint splatters to sculpture to how to chat someone up in a gallery. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by art historian and curator Katy Hessel to discuss whether art is really as inaccessible as it can sometimes seem. Sophie tries to define art better than the dictionary, Heidi wonders whether her phone is a piece of art, Ned interviews comedian and art fanatic Hannah Gadsby and Steve Ali has a solution to a listener who lost his childhood comic books. Co-cr...
Dec 12, 2019•47 min
There is little worse than heartbreak. Those who know, know. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Lauren Pattison to share stories of those loved, lost and ghosted. Sophie's just been to visit her ex, Heidi wonders how social media has warped our love lives, Ned writes the world's greatest heartbreak song and Steve Ali drops by to put everything in perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell. Music...
Dec 05, 2019•54 min
Download to hear a bunch of snowflakes talk about their feelings and opinions. Typical. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Evelyn Mok to discuss the surprising pros and damaging cons of stereotyping people. Sophie wonders how comedy benefits from stereotypes, Heidi investigates how even babies get stereotyped, Ned meets a muslim drag queen to create his drag alter-ego and Steve Ali swings by to dismantle the negative stereotypes of refugees. Co-created by Deborah F...
Nov 28, 2019•53 min
We've all had a bad hair day. We shall overcomb. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by actor and writer Temi Wilkey to discuss how hair can encapsulate culture and become our greatest insecurity. Sophie explores the issues society has with black hair, Heidi investigates the link between body hair and feminism, Ned gets an intimate waxing and Steve Ali discusses his hair care regime in the Calais Jungle refugee camp. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop ...
Nov 21, 2019•49 min
Some say the creative adult is the child who survived. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by performance artist Travis Alabanza to discuss what it means to be creative and how we can be better at it. Sophie reveals how working on a lesbian cruise inspired her, Heidi investigates how changing routine can turbo-charge the brain, Ned perfects Shakespeare and Steve Ali offers his perspective on writer's block. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Ra...
Nov 14, 2019•54 min
'Don't worry be happy'? It's really not as easy as that. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by actress, writer and ukulele whizz Amy Booth-Steel to talk about how feelings of anxiety can be understood and overcome. Sophie investigates imposter syndrome, Heidi looks at how we can deal with the day-to-day worries that hold us back, Ned faces his anxieties in the swimming pool and Steve Ali swings by to put everything into perspective. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The ...
Nov 07, 2019•48 min
Delving into our complicated relationships with drink and drugs. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Jacob Hawley to talk honestly about their experiences in the murky world of drugs and the lost nights spent in pubs. Sophie investigates why some people choose weed over alcohol, Heidi has been tracking her drinking habits, Ned gets drunk and records it (and this somehow constitutes entertainment) and Steve Ali examines the drinking habits of Brits. Co-created by Deb...
Oct 31, 2019•54 min
The world will end eventually. So what's the point of anything? Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Gemma Arrowsmith to discuss the climate crisis, asteroids and nuclear war. Sophie wonders wether we should just throw in the towel, Heidi worries if 'deepfakes' could start a third world war, Ned tries to interview an eel and Steve Ali offers a kidney to David Attenborough. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Ri...
Oct 24, 2019•46 min
We're living in the golden age of television, apparently. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Eleanor Tiernan to talk about the good, the bad and the overrated. Sophie wonders if traditional TV is dead, Ned writes 'GrownUpLand: The Sitcom' to mixed reviews, Heidi picks apart toxic reality TV and Steve Ali explains why not all superheroes wear capes. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell. Music by Mark Ho...
Oct 17, 2019•42 min
What does body image really mean and how can we develop a healthy one? Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by body positivity advocate Stephanie Yeboah to discuss their own insecurities and how we can all feel better when we look in the mirror. Sophie looks at the origin of diet fads, Ned meets a naked life model, Heidi rebuts the accusation that body positivity is rooted in narcissism, and Steve Ali gives us his top-tips for keeping fit in a refugee camp. Co-created by Deborah...
Oct 10, 2019•48 min
The political scene has never been more entertaining but the country has never been so divided. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Tez Ilyas to talk about the mess the country finds itself in and what might happen in the future. Sophie wonders whether funny politicians make good politicians, Heidi doubts everything ever thanks to malign algorithms, Ned invents his perfect country and Steve Ali solves a listener’s bedroom-related issue. Co-created by Deborah Frances...
Oct 03, 2019•40 min
Reading books can open doors to other worlds and reflect the one we live in. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Helen Bauer to discuss the books that have inspired them, the books they hate and the books they pretend to hate. Sophie talks-up choose your own adventure novels, Ned tells us why he wasn't allowed to join a bookclub, Heidi deconstructs unhelpful self-help books and Steve Ali dreams up potential titles for his autobiography. Co-created by Deborah Frances...
Sep 26, 2019•47 min
Now that we're grown ups, it may seem like there's less magic in the world. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by magician Pete Firman to explore whether this is indeed the case. Sophie gets through a whole episode without a rant about Harry Potter, Ned gets tricked, Heidi investigates a ye olde magic trick involving a dead criminal's hand and Steve Ali demonstrates the magic of human memory. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produce...
Sep 19, 2019•41 min
Misplaced and superficial perceptions of class can affect your life in important ways. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Suzie Ruffell to talk about the myths and realities of class in Britain today. Sophie talks about the importance of checking your privilege, Ned attempts to master a northern accent, Heidi explains how weird this 'class' thing seems to Aussies and Steve Ali talks about code-switching in a refugee camp. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The...
Sep 12, 2019•46 min
Uni is the place to go for friendships, essays, booze and near-bankruptcy. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Joe Sutherland to share stories of their turbulent times in tertiary education. Sophie tells us about the 'weird' Oxford experience, Ned interviews a best mate who dropped out, Heidi wonders whether degrees are completely meaningless and Steve Ali gives us his top tips for surviving freshers' week. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Sho...
Sep 05, 2019•40 min
