Being rejected isn't a nice feeling, but it shapes who we become. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Darren Harriott to share painful tales of rejection and to discuss the best ways to bounce back. Sophie reveals how to avoid feeling stung if someone doesn't want to kiss you, Ned has a go at stand-up, Heidi describes how years of rejection led to a career in comedy and Steve tells us why it was love at first sight when he came to the UK as a refugee. Co-created by ...
Aug 29, 2019•44 min
In our materialistic world, we surround ourselves with shiny things to make us happy. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Rhys James to talk about the stuff we couldn't live without, the stuff we don't need and the stuff that's killing our planet. Sophie describes the eclectic contents of her room, Ned goes on a pilgrimage for a kebab, Heidi wonders whether the 'internet of things' will make us any happier and Steve Ali tells us why material possessions lost their i...
Aug 22, 2019•42 min
Insecurities can turn even the kindest person into a green-eyed monster. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Jayde Adams to talk about the different types of jealousy and how we should deal with such an instinctive emotion. Sophie talks about the role of jealousy in an open relationship, Ned auditions for Love Island, Heidi investigates so-called 'JK Rowling envy' and Steve reminds us why we shouldn't be jealous of those younger than us. Co-created by Deborah France...
Aug 15, 2019•53 min
Language shapes the world around us and opens doors to far-flung cultures. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied to talk about how languages can be really hard to learn, but can make you see the world in a wholly new light. Sophie parle Francais (elle est tres bonne!), Ned has been teaching English on the other side of the world, Heidi brings some sci-fi dystopia to the episode, and Steve Ali tells us his favourite words in the Engli...
Aug 08, 2019•43 min
From tiffs to barneys to blazing rows, arguments are a staple of life. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by comedian Sadia Azmat to talk about the best and worst arguments they've had and how emotions and ego can get in the way of any constructive outcome. Sophie tells us why she loves a full-blooded debate, Ned asks a debating champion how to argue better, Heidi reveals why disagreeing is a bit like fencing, and Steve Ali has a take on a norm that spans all cultures: disappr...
Aug 01, 2019•45 min
It's the squishy thing in our head that makes us do brilliant (and stupid) things. Sophie Duker, Heidi Regan and Ned Sedgwick are joined by neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow to talk about your brain on drugs, the noise your thoughts make and whether free will is an illusion. Sophie wonders how we can hack the brain to make it work better, Ned gets a brain scan, Heidi investigates how dark chocolate might improve memory, and Steve Ali ponders how the brain copes with traumatic memories. Co-creat...
Jul 25, 2019•41 min
In a world that wants you to work work work, leisure time can feel elusive. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by journalist and writer Yomi Adegoke to talk about the best ways to revel in precious free time. Sophie talks about the dangers and blessings of monetising your hobby, Ned reveals his inner gaming nerd, Heidi investigates whether procrastination leads to creativity and Steve Ali workshops his refugee CV. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produc...
Jul 18, 2019•53 min
Siblings, the combination of a best friend and a pain in the neck. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by comedian Olga Koch to talk about the special place brothers and sisters occupy in our lives as best friends, worst enemies and distant acquaintances. Sophie highlights the fun of extended families, Ned brings a brotherly rivalry to the studio, Heidi looks at telepathy in twins, and Steve Ali swings by to talk about his family dynamics after his siblings also became refugees. Co-created by Debor...
Jul 11, 2019•45 min
New series, new voices: As GrownUpLand makes a new beginning, the gang explores the idea of starting points, debuts and second chances. Sophie, Heidi and Ned are joined by comedian Sarah Keyworth to talk about everything from the early beginnings of humanity to coming out for the first time. Sophie relives how her career got kick-started, Ned decides to become an influencer, Heidi looks at the 'second chance effect', and Steve Ali stresses the importance of claiming a shelf in the fridge. Co-cre...
Jul 04, 2019•46 min
It’s back! The only podcast that successfully encapsulates the fear, regret and bewilderment of an entire generation. New hosts Sophie Duker and Heidi Regan join Ned Sedgwick and Steve Ali to give a little taste of the series to come.
Jun 27, 2019•4 min
Some funny and frank moments from the GrownUpLand podcast. Mae Martin, Bisha K Ali and Ned Sedgwick navigate: 'emotions'. Bisha K Ali, Mae Martin, Bobby Friction, Ned Sedgwick If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity ...
Jun 06, 2019•57 min
Mae Martin, Bisha K Ali, Bobby Friction and Johnny Cochrane join Ned Sedgwick in this Best Of episode on ‘adventure’. If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Producer: Al Riddell...
May 30, 2019•57 min
Mae Martin is joined by Bisha K Ali, Ned Sedgwick, Ed Night and Cariad Lloyd in a compilation on the theme of ‘survival’. If GrownUpLand is a place, then we got a bit lost along the way. Each week on GrownUpLand, a special guest helps to answer listener questions and candidly shares their experiences, from failed dates and bizarre confrontations to guilty pleasures and worst nightmares. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Producer: Al Riddell...
May 23, 2019•58 min
The past should teach us how to do better in the future, but it's clear not everyone got that memo. Mae, Ned and guest host Catherine Bohart are joined by quizmaster and comedian Dr Paul Sinha to rewind the VHS tape of life, the universe and everything. Ned takes on a quizmaster at his own game, Catherine looks into the world's oldest scapegoat: women, and Steve Ali relives his most cringe-worthy moment. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al...
Mar 14, 2019•39 min
It usually happens in the bedroom, it's really nice to do it with a partner and we often don't get enough of it. Mae, Ned and guest host Sophie Duker are joined by comedy writer and actor Arnab Chanda to talk all things sleep! Hear a report from Ned's bed, Sophie investigates lucid dreaming, Mae just wants to be rocked to sleep by Jennifer Aniston and Steve Ali talks about life on the firefighting night shift. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced...
Mar 07, 2019•37 min
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... it was definitely the strangest of times. Mae, Ned and guest host Athena Kugblenu are joined by comedian Desiree Burch to cast their minds back and relive the horrors and highlights of the wild ride we call the education system. Ned has been a very naughty boy, Athena educates the gang with fab facts and Steve Ali explains why algebra is useless in a combat situation. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio...
Feb 28, 2019•38 min
With buzzing phones and shiny screens all around us, true relaxation is hard to achieve. Mae, Ned and guest host Catherine Bohart are joined by comedian Elf Lyons to take a deep breath, focus the mind and dissect the stresses of modern life. Ned has brain tingles, Catherine is mindful of being mindful and Steve Ali reveals how he made a small part of the Calais Jungle a slice of interior design heaven. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al R...
Feb 21, 2019•45 min
Everyone agrees podcasts are the best way to spend your free time, but films are good too. Mae, Ned and guest host Athena Kugblenu are joined by Radio 1's movie man Ali Plumb to talk best, worst, funniest and scariest. Ned has written an epic GrownUpLand thriller, Athena looks at the holy origins of Hollywood, Bisha is physically in Hollywood and Steve tells us how he dodged the movie ban in Syria. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Ridde...
Feb 14, 2019•52 min
If all else fails, there will always be dogs. Mae, Ned and guest host Sophie Duker are joined by wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly to talk all things furry and feathery. Ned is feline good, Sophie wants justice for black pets and Steve Ali tells us how tourists can make refugees feel like animals in a zoo. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell Music by Mark Hodge and Omahrose, produced by Nick Sheldon. Featured in this programme: You &a...
Feb 07, 2019•44 min
With pressure from all angles of society to exercise frequently and obtain the perfect body, it's just impossible to live up to those expectations. Mae, Ned and guest host Daniella Isaacs are joined by comedian Kae Kurd to figure out how exercise can make us healthier without a huge cost to our self esteem or bank balance. Ned takes on Mark Wahlberg, Daniella unpicks the myths of exercise consumerism, Bisha K Ali lifts 100kgs of rock solid truth and Steve Ali gives his flirting advice. Co-create...
Jan 31, 2019•42 min
With stories of injustice and suffering beamed directly to our devices, the news can make us feel powerless to help. Mae, Ned and guest host Daniella Isaacs are joined by Chi Chi Izundu from BBC News to figure out how to consume news media in a healthy and empowering way. Ned investigates fake news, Daniella tries to escape from an echo chamber, Bisha K Ali looks at the bright side and Steve Ali just wants to watch videos of cats doing cute things. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spo...
Jan 24, 2019•44 min
Selfishness is something we never want to be accused of, but without it, we might never get what we want. Mae, Ned and guest host Alison Spittle are joined by comedian Daliso Chaponda to try to figure out when selfishness is okay and when it can be damaging. Ned heads to hospital, Alison takes on selfish generations, Bisha K Ali says selfishness isn't all that bad and Steve Ali explains how a funny hat could have saved him a lot of hardship. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneit...
Jan 17, 2019•40 min
Whether we define ourselves by nationality, religion, sexuality or circumstance, we all like to feel unique. Mae, Ned and guest host Athena Kugblenu are joined by transfeminist neuroscientist Reubs Walsh, to try to get to the heart of what identity means. Ned discovers his heritage, Athena shares her experience of having parents from countries separated by an ocean, Bisha K Ali reports from LA and the one and only Steve Ali reveals which famous 'Steve' he is named after. Co-created by Deborah Fr...
Jan 10, 2019•42 min
At our highest and lowest moments, in da club or on the train, music is always there for us. Mae, Ned and guest host Camille Ucan are joined by comedian Gabriel Ebulue to discuss all things music. Ned (a.k.a. DJ No Nonsense) has written his own alternative GrownUpLand theme song, Camille has been researching the healing powers of music, Bisha K Ali chimes in from LA and Steve Ali considers his dream Glastonbury line-up. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4...
Jan 03, 2019•45 min
In a world of 'post-truth' politics and shiny Instagram lives, the GrownUpLand gang figure out who, or what, they can trust. Mae, Ned and guest host Kemah Bob are joined by impressionist Jess Robinson to discuss the difficulties of having faith in other people and believing in ourselves. Ned looks at whether we can trust politicians, Bisha K Ali beams in to share her issues around self-trust, and Steve Ali recounts the time he was labelled a 'blade wielding attacker' in a national newspaper. Co-...
Dec 27, 2018•47 min
Merry Podmas from your GrownUpLand pals! Mae, Ned and guest host Thanyia Moore are joined by actor and comedian Emily Lloyd-Saini, plus a very special visit from podcast legend Deborah Frances-White. In this extra-long, extra-festive, extra-silly episode, Ned has been to Santa school, Bisha K Ali is dreaming of a warm Christmas in LA, and Steve Ali wonders why we set fire to pudding on a yearly basis. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Ri...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Finally, the GrownUpLand podcast attempts to solve the meaning of life. Well, sort of. Mae, Ned and guest host Alison Spittle are joined by comedian London Hughes to discuss what it means to have a spiritual connection, and this inevitably ends up with the sharing of ghost stories. Ned ventures out of the studio and bumps into the head of The Satanic Temple, Bisha K Ali beams in from across the pond with her analysis of LA's spiritual scene, and Steve Ali admits he's a devout believer in David A...
Dec 13, 2018•49 min
From London to Paris to Milan, it's the must-have podcast this season. The very fashionable Mae, Ned and guest host Kemah Bob are joined by comedian Lou Sanders to figure out why high-street shops have the most unflattering mirrors. Bisha K Ali chimes in with her theory as to why tracksuits are big in LA, and Steve Ali tackles the age old controversy of double-denim. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell Music by Mark Hodge and Omahr...
Dec 06, 2018•44 min
They say friends are the family you choose, so you'd better choose wisely. Fun friends Mae, Ned and guest host Daniella Isaacs are joined by comedian Thanyia Moore to explore what being friends really means, how to make new ones and what to do when the lines between friendships and relationships get blurry. Ned asks old friends for their first impressions of him, old pal Bisha beams in from LA and Steve Ali reminisces about a memorable mate from the Calais Jungle. Co-created by Deborah Frances-W...
Nov 29, 2018•43 min
It's something we'd all like to be, but the more we try, the harder it is to achieve. The very cool Mae, Ned and guest host Kemah Bob are joined by comedian Tom Allen to explore this sought-after adjective. Oh, and Steve Ali sings his favourite lullaby, it literally doesn't get cooler than that. Co-created by Deborah Frances-White for The Spontaneity Shop and BBC Radio 4. Produced by Al Riddell Music by Mark Hodge and Omahrose, produced by Nick Sheldon. Clips: Thinking Allowed (23/06/2014) The K...
Nov 22, 2018•42 min
