Happy Place - podcast cover

Happy Place

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them.

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Episodes

"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 others can hit so hard, and why the discomfort felt is often an echo of a much older wound. Julie bre...

May 25, 202659 minSeason 43Ep. 6

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 about perimenopause, so Louise walks her through what the many (many!) different symptoms could look l...

May 21, 202657 minSeason 43Ep. 5

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 Southgate on stage, and now on TV; he draws parallels between their principles around negotiating...

May 18, 202650 minSeason 43Ep. 4

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 down, inspiring us, and making us laugh. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or commen...

May 14, 202615 minSeason 43Ep. 3

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 representation. Do you consider yourself to be ambitious and driven? Nafessa wonders if you rest as h...

May 11, 202648 minSeason 43Ep. 2

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’s learnt to believe in herself because of the way others have chosen to believe in her. Emotional s...

May 07, 202627 minSeason 43Ep. 1

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 your inner child, starting with something as simple as finding a childhood photograph. We hold our em...

May 04, 20261 hr 17 minSeason 42Ep. 10

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 will it just spark absolute chaos? You & Me, You & Me, You & Me was our Happy Place Book C...

Apr 30, 202639 minSeason 42Ep. 9

"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 pleaser and a leader, and why getting comfortable with failure and self-doubt is non-negotiable. As...

Apr 27, 20261 hr 5 minSeason 42Ep. 8

“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 moving themselves up the priority list. Fearne and Liz dig into the science of aging well, includin...

Apr 23, 20261 hrSeason 42Ep. 7

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 and a self-sabotaging one, and why negative thought patterns keep us stuck. Fearne and Philippa also...

Apr 20, 20261 hr 1 minSeason 42Ep. 6

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, Fearne explores: -Whether Instagram quotes are cringe or uplifting -Why midlife is about coming ...

Apr 16, 202612 minSeason 42Ep. 5

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 about body image, and both reveal some of the insecurities that have consumed them... that likely n...

Apr 13, 20261 hrSeason 42Ep. 4

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 making us laugh. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplace...

Apr 09, 202615 minSeason 42Ep. 3

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 culture. Jimmy also explains why feminism still doesn’t really serve mothers and matriarchs, and wh...

Apr 06, 20261 hrSeason 42Ep. 2

“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, Fearne covers: -Whether she looks more intelligent now she wears glasses -Reading a sexual fantasy out a...

Apr 02, 202616 minSeason 42Ep. 1

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 Cambridge University. She also reveals who wrote her first application to Countdown back in the day.....

Mar 30, 20261 hr 2 minSeason 41Ep. 10

“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 us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial! In this chat, Fearne explores: -W...

Mar 26, 202614 minSeason 41Ep. 9

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, without overwhelming yourself in the process. Fearne and Ruth compare their experiences of mum guil...

Mar 23, 20261 hr 2 minSeason 41Ep. 8

“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 of us can explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, inspiring us, and making u...

Mar 19, 202612 minSeason 41Ep. 7

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 Island’s Megan Barton-Hanson, and The Traitor’s Jade Scott join Fearne to reflect on their own exper...

Mar 16, 20261 hr 7 minSeason 41Ep. 6

“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 showing up as a performative version of yourself -Catching yourself feeling like a saintly martyr when you...

Mar 12, 202617 minSeason 41Ep. 5

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 kinder to herself too. Fearne is less bothered about ruffling feathers in the workplace than she us...

Mar 09, 202648 minSeason 41Ep. 4

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 and embracing a child-free life. In this chat with Fearne, she explains how to stop being so mean ...

Mar 05, 202643 minSeason 41Ep. 3

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, and about the solace he gets from talking to his late mum. Plus, he’s writing songs about everything...

Mar 02, 20261 hr 12 minSeason 41Ep. 2

“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 making us laugh. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplac...

Feb 26, 202614 minSeason 41Ep. 1

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 is so important, and why we should be turning to elders for life wisdom. Poorna also reflects on wha...

Feb 23, 20261 hr 4 minSeason 40Ep. 10

“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 @happyplaceofficial! In this chat, Fearne covers: -Feeling stupid when you’re with really clever people -Why we ...

Feb 19, 202617 minSeason 40Ep. 9

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 outside can have on how you feel about yourself on the inside. He’s also fascinated by the self-limiting...

Feb 16, 202655 minSeason 40Ep. 8

“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 in our happy place this week... and what things really are not? In this chat, Fearne covers: -Why c...

Feb 12, 202616 minSeason 40Ep. 7
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