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

Jada Pinkett Smith: Adversity, validation, and unchecking boxes

What other people think about you is their own business. Actress, musician, and talk show host Jada Pinkett Smith looks internally for her self-worth. In this chat with Fearne, Jada explains why it’s so important to take responsibility for how you feel about yourself. They also talk about why we’re sometimes just as afraid to embrace our own light as we are to acknowledge the shadow parts of ourselves. Plus, Jada details the difference between trauma and adversity, and makes it clear the latter ...

Nov 13, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 23Ep. 7

Sarina Wiegman: Leadership, failing, and puffer jackets

Sport should unite people; that’s what England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman believes, and it’s something she achieved when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022. In this chat with Fearne, Sarina explains that succeeding at a high level is important because it provides a platform to drive meaningful cultural change. She also talks about why a good leader should be empathetic to the individual characters of those they’re managing, and why clarity – being clear and honest in communication – ...

Nov 06, 202353 minSeason 23Ep. 6

Major Tim Peake: Perspective, risk, and 3D printed organs

In moments of worry, it can be useful to zoom out and see the bigger picture. As an astronaut, Major Tim Peake is one of the few people who’s been able to physically gain this kind of perspective, looking back at the planet from space. In this chat with Fearne, Tim explains how his experiences have built resilience that he can bring back into his everyday life back on Earth, as well as how he analyses and compartmentalises risk in a potentially dangerous job. He also talks about coming to the re...

Oct 30, 202352 minSeason 23Ep. 5

Sir Lenny Henry: Truth telling, support networks, and bad handwriting

Have you spoken to your parents and grandparents about their own life experiences? For Sir Lenny Henry, it’s been important to document his family’s stories. In this chat with Fearne, Lenny talks about his community’s culture of overcoming big life events as a collective, explains how his humour won him allies when he was being bullied, and thinks about what still needs to be done to tackle racism in the UK. You can catch episode one of Three Little Birds on ITVX now, and episode two will be on ...

Oct 23, 202353 minSeason 23Ep. 4

Take That: Families, imposter syndrome, and Pinterest

The band is 34 years old, but Take That feel they’re just getting started. In this chat with Fearne, Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, reveal if they can see themselves on stage well into their 70s and 80s... Plus, they chat about how much of a positive impact having children has had both on their own characters, and on the logistics of being in a band. They also explain what it takes to be physically capable of performing huge live shows – the gym and nutrition both play a part. Take T...

Oct 16, 202356 minSeason 23Ep. 3

Ellie Goldstein: Confidence, being underestimated, and Gucci hairbands

Can you look at yourself and say ‘I am happy’? Supermodel Ellie Goldstein, who was born with Down’s Syndrome, says she can. In this chat with Fearne, Ellie and her mum Yvonne talk about the obstacles she’s overcome to grace the covers of Vogue and Glamour, as well as become the UK ambassador for a Barbie doll based on a person with Down’s Syndrome. They chat about the importance of making sure kids feel a part of a community. It doesn’t matter how quickly they pick up a hobby, or how good they a...

Oct 09, 202334 minSeason 23Ep. 2

Rick Astley: Generational trauma, gut instincts, and village halls

There’s beauty in letting go and not having your life mapped out for you. That’s something musician Rick Astley has learnt in the years after calling it quits on his successful music career when he was just 27. In this chat with Fearne, Rick gives some brilliant insights into what the music industry was like thirty years ago, how it’s changed, and how it hasn’t. Plus, he reflects on who his parents were and how, despite a difficult childhood, he’s able to see them as multifaceted humans rather t...

Oct 02, 202349 minSeason 23Ep. 1

Vicky Pattison

Parenting your parent isn’t something any child thinks they’ll need to do, but TV personality, podcaster, and author Vicky Pattison found herself looking after her alcoholic dad. This in turn made her reassess her own relationship with alcohol. In this chat, live from the Happy Place Festival, Fearne and Vicky talk about everything from social anxiety, to PMDD, to cultivating a positive body image. They also explore the idea that we often think we have to wait until we’re a ‘better version’ of o...

Sep 25, 202348 minSeason 22Ep. 11

Vex King

Do you notice yourself reacting to situations, rather than taking the time to respond with a clear mind? Visionary writer Vex King explains why consciously responding rather than quickly reacting can have a positive effect on your mental health. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Vex talks about the significance of gratitude, and why it’s important to sit with our feelings. Plus, he explains the difference between pain and suffering, as well as how to allow yourself to...

Sep 18, 202346 minSeason 22Ep. 10

Nick Grimshaw

What happens after you’ve ticked achieving your big dream off the to do list? Broadcaster Nick Grimshaw had always wanted to present the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, which he did, extremely successfully. Then in 2021, he left the station, and has had to carve out new goals. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Nick talks about how he’s created a new routine – and reveals the slightly misguided wellness hacks he tried out along the way... They also explore why it’s useful to m...

Sep 11, 202352 minSeason 22Ep. 9

Billy Porter

Fabulousness and seriousness can co-exist. In fact performer Billy Porter is clear that it’s important that they do co-exist. In this chat with Fearne, Billy explains why he feels artists have an obligation to speak truth to power if they can, and together they explore why art in all its forms can be such a powerful medium for all of us when we feel we have something to say. Plus, he explains why his singing voice – his greatest gift – became his armour against an often cruel world. Billy’s sing...

Sep 04, 202341 minSeason 22Ep. 8

Ruby Wax

Have you noticed yourself repeating negative patterns of behaviour throughout your life? Comedian and best-selling author Ruby Wax has become aware she was doing this in order to feel safe after a tumultuous childhood. In this chat with Fearne, Ruby acknowledges that her depression will most likely always come back, but working to understand it means she has the tools to cope a little better each time it does. They also talk about why it’s so important for mental health that we allow people to b...

Aug 28, 202351 minSeason 22Ep. 7

Tom and Giovanna Fletcher

How many times have you looked at a couple and labelled them ‘goals’? Couple goals is a phrase Tom and Giovanna Fletcher are keen to steer clear of, because they acknowledge all relationships go through their highs and lows, and that’s ok. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival in Chiswick, Tom and Gi explain how they manage family time alongside thriving creative careers, as well as why it’s so important to be aware of your own difficult behaviours in a relationship. Plus ...

Aug 21, 202344 minSeason 22Ep. 6

Tan France

If outward accomplishment is coupled with great internal distress, is that really success? It’s a question Tan France had to ask himself when his business was doing brilliantly, but his mental health wasn’t. In this chat, Fearne and Tan swap thoughts about the realities of having a new born baby, and why it’s so important to establish what marriage means to you before you get married. They also chat about the power of using clothes to express creativity and identity. You can watch Tan on all-new...

Aug 14, 202347 minSeason 22Ep. 5

Tom Grennan

More exercise, more therapy, and less alcohol: these are some of the things artist Tom Grennan knows he needs in order to stay mentally well. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival in Chiswick, Tom explains how he’s learnt to ‘flip’ negative thoughts to positive ones using small language changes. They also share how anxiety manifests for each of them – from crying to trouble sleeping. Plus, how has Tom’s mum affected the way he interacts with crowds at his gigs? Tom’s album...

Aug 07, 202339 minSeason 22Ep. 4

Professor David Nutt

Psychedelics have been stigmatised and criminalised for over 50 years, but David Nutt, a professor of neuropsychopharmacology and a leading worldwide authority on drugs, feels we’re on the cusp of a major revolution in psychiatric medicine and neuroscience that could see psychedelics being used to treat mental health conditions. In this chat with Fearne, David explains the difference between the brain and the mind, and how psychedelics switch the latter off so the former can heal and lay down ne...

Jul 31, 202348 minSeason 22Ep. 3

Bronnie Ware

Engaging with death can help us live more in the present. That’s one of the many lessons Bronnie Ware, who worked in palliative care, has discovered over the years. In this chat, Fearne and Bronnie explore the idea of using death as a tool for living well. Bronnie’s collected stories about the most common regrets of the dying – everything from wishing they’d had the courage to express their feelings, to wishing they hadn’t worked so hard, and wishing they’d stayed in touch with friends. Bronnie’...

Jul 24, 202352 minSeason 22Ep. 2

Jason Derulo

Is success down to luck, or obsessive hard work? For chart-topping artist Jason Derulo routine and discipline are at the heart of his success. In this chat with Fearne, Jason explains why he feels it’s his obsession with his craft that’s helped him create the life he dreamed of as a kid. They also wonder when taking risks is reckless, and when it’s important in order to keep growing. Plus, why is it often the case that we grow most immediately after failure? Jason’s book, Sing Your Name Out Loud...

Jul 17, 202344 minSeason 22Ep. 1

Dua Lipa

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Artist Dua Lipa is definitely the latter, choosing to unwind by surrounding herself with old friends, going to galleries, and exploring new restaurants. In this chat Fearne and Dua talk about the role yoga, meditation, and boundaries play in their lives, and Dua wonders how her childhood moving between London and Kosovo shaped her resilient character. Service95 is the name of Dua’s newsletter – you can sign up for all her cultural recommendations, listen to ...

Jul 10, 202347 minSeason 21Ep. 10

Jono Lancaster

Born with a facial difference that meant he felt he didn’t fit in, Jono Lancaster has spent a lifetime practicing self-acceptance. Having been abandoned at birth, his adoptive mum provided immense support and care, but the confidence he felt at home was often chipped away at by the rest of the world. In this chat with Fearne, Jono talks about how severe lows have forced him to take control of his inner narrative, transforming those lows into strength. He also explains why representation of facia...

Jul 03, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 21Ep. 9

Your stories

It starts with you. Those are the words life coach Sam Adams lives by. She also likes to wonder how our lives would be different if we believed the universe was conspiring for us, not against us, as our paranoid minds might be telling us. In this episode, Fearne celebrates 100 million podcast downloads by meeting Sam, Matt, and Mel, Happy Place listeners who’ve all been through their own tough stuff, but have been open to learning about themselves along the way. While Sam shares the origins of h...

Jun 26, 202352 minSeason 21Ep. 8

Kirsty Gallagher

There’s a difference between routine, and real ritual. Kirsty Gallagher is a moon mentor, a soul alignment coach, and a yoga and meditation teacher; she says ritual is so important because it’s about being present. In this chat with Fearne, Kirsty explains why there’s also a difference between ritual and superstition. Kirsty’s work teaches us how to live back in alignment with an ancient cycle, a rhythm and flow guided by the moon, that aims to connect us back to our inner wisdom and purpose. Pl...

Jun 19, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 21Ep. 7

Beverley Knight

Getting older is something to be celebrated. Queen of British Soul, West End star, and Olivier winner Beverley Knight is celebrating turning 50 by releasing new music, and is clear that life has only continued to get better as she’s become more confident in her own skin over the years. In this chat, Fearne and Beverley talk about the importance of celebrating artistic expression, and why it’s freeing not to care what other people think about how we dress. Plus, Beverley describes the moment her ...

Jun 12, 20231 hr 13 minSeason 21Ep. 6

Fats Timbo

Do you have main character energy? Comedian, model, and social media megastar Fats Timbo reckons we should all have the confidence to play the main role in our own lives, but that being confident is a skill that needs to be learned. In this chat with Fearne, she explains why so much of life is how we choose to perceive it. We can choose whether to laugh or cry at a certain situation... and Fats’ family definitely taught her to laugh. She also talks about how, having been born with achondroplasia...

Jun 05, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 21Ep. 5

Florence Bark

Masturbation should be as big a part of your self care routine as your meditation, breathwork, or morning walk. Content creator and sex & relationships expert Florence Bark feels masturbation is central to our self-esteem and wellbeing. In this chat with Fearne, Florence explains why it’s so important to understand our own anatomy, and why masturbation should be prioritised as much as partnered sex. Plus, they chat about how to begin overcoming the shame society has made so many of us feel a...

May 29, 202349 minSeason 21Ep. 4

Kesha

Is it art if no one sees or hears it? In this chat, musician Kesha joins Fearne to talk about our sometimes obsessive relationship with feedback, and why your own opinion of your work is the only one that should really matter. As the artist behind pop track Tik Tok, Kesha had been known for being a burst of high energy for her fans, but more recently she’s been compelled to expose different sides of herself, including the ‘ugly’ emotions and behaviours, as she calls them. In this chat, she and F...

May 22, 202356 minSeason 21Ep. 3

Bob Waldinger

Are you aware of the importance of relationships and human connection to your happiness? Psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and Zen priest Robert ‘Bob’ Waldinger leads the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, and has found relationships to be crucial. In this chat, Bob tells Fearne how much of a role genetics plays in happiness, and how much we really do have control over. They also talk about the difference between being around people and really being present with them, as well as how to st...

May 15, 202353 minSeason 21Ep. 2

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Giving yourself permission to enjoy something is a discipline that requires practice. This is just one of the many lessons snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan has learnt as he’s changed his approach to the game over the years. In this chat with Fearne, Ronnie talks about how he would now always choose happiness over traditional markers of success, and how his challenging childhood made him incredibly resilient and able to cope with change, injustice, and adversity. In Ronnie's latest book, Unbreaka...

May 08, 202354 minSeason 21Ep. 1

Steve Barnabis

In this special episode in partnership with The National Lottery, Fearne speaks to East Londoner Steve Barnabis who's dedicated his life to saving children from knife crime. He’s spent his entire career working to improve the lives of young people, to tackle youth violence, and create safe spaces for children and teens to express themselves. After meeting the Royals at a Big Lunch event last year, Steve, together with his organisation Project Zero, and the local community, will be putting on his...

May 03, 202336 minSeason 20Ep. 10

Kate Ferdinand

Kate Ferdinand found herself with three step children when she fell in love and moved in with now-husband Rio six years ago. Since then, she’s become a supportive voice for others with blended families. In this chat, Fearne and Kate talk about how proud they both are of the relationships their step and biological children have, as well as why their fear of rejection is stronger with their step children than their biological children. Plus, Kate explains why she feels consistency and communicatio...

May 01, 202355 minSeason 20Ep. 9
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