The Life of Bryony

Daily Mail
  • 4.7 (102)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY
The Life of Bryony

Ever feel like life is just a bit... much? You’re not alone, and Bryony Gordon is here to prove it. Welcome to The Life of Bryony, the podcast that ditches the shame and dives headfirst into life’s messier bits. Each week, Bryony takes you on a refreshingly honest journey through the ups, downs, and WTFs of everyday life, joined by experts, friends, and sometimes even YOU. Whether it's laughing through awkward encounters, tackling taboos, or sharing confessions, this is your go-to space for real talk and all things mental health. Think of it as your weekly dose of therapy, minus the couch. Got a question? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.com

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    45. Kate Silverton: The Secret to Raising Happy, Emotionally Strong Kids

    MY GUEST THIS WEEK: KATE SILVERTON This week, I’m joined by Kate Silverton—journalist, broadcaster, and child therapist—who left the BBC newsroom to pursue her passion for children’s mental health. Now a qualified child counsellor, Kate is on a mission to help parents better understand their children’s emotional worlds. We talk about why there’s no such thing as a “naughty” child, how emotional regulation is the greatest gift we can give our kids, and why the perfect parent doesn’t exist (and never should). Kate explains how our brains are wired for connection, why our kids’ behaviour is often misunderstood, and how we can stop parenting from a place of guilt and shame. Kate also shares her fascinating analogy of the brain as a wise owl, a baboon, and a lizard, helping us see why children struggle with emotions and how we can lend them our own calm when they need it most. We explore why guilt can actually be useful, how parents can feel less overwhelmed, and why firm but fun is the best parenting approach of all. If you’ve ever worried about getting it wrong as a parent (or felt totally out of your depth), this episode will leave you feeling empowered, reassured, and maybe even a little less guilty. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: Click here. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Owen’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 There’s Still No Such Thing as Naughty by Kate Silverton A practical, science-backed guide to understanding your child’s behaviour and strengthening your bond with them. CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Kate Silverton 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    57 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    44. The Life of YOU: Why Upsetting People Can Be a Good Thing

    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. This week, I’m joined once again by Owen O’Kane—psychotherapist, bestselling author, and anxiety expert. His book Addicted to Anxiety reveals why so many of us get stuck in worry loops—and more importantly, how to break free. Together, we answer your questions about overthinking, people-pleasing, and how to stop anxiety from taking over your life. Today: 💬 Lucy constantly worries she’s upset people, even when she hasn’t—how can she break this exhausting habit? 💭 Judi struggles to switch off, even when she’s relaxing—how can she stop her brain from ruining moments she’s meant to enjoy? 🤯 Aaron asks why anxious thoughts feel more real than rational ones—why do they always seem so convincing? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Owen O’Kane 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    11 min

  3. 3 MAR

    43. Could You Be Addicted to Anxiety? Psychotherapist Owen O’Kane Explains How

    Welcome to The Life of Bryony Where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: OWEN O’KANE This week, I’m joined by Owen O’Kane—psychotherapist, bestselling author, and former NHS clinical lead for mental health. His new book, Addicted to Anxiety, challenges everything we think we know about anxiety, arguing that it’s not just a feeling we experience, but a habit we’ve learned—and can unlearn. We talk about how anxiety isn’t just a mental state but a pattern of behaviour, how we unknowingly fuel it in our daily lives, and why so many of us are resistant to letting it go. Owen opens up about his own childhood growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, the trauma that shaped his anxious self, and how he’s learned to navigate life without abandoning the most frightened parts of himself. We explore why we cling to our fears, how we mistake overthinking for problem-solving, and why true freedom from anxiety comes from sitting with discomfort rather than running from it. If you’ve ever struggled with spiralling thoughts, panic, or that constant feeling of “what if?”—this episode will change the way you see anxiety. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: Click here. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Owen’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Addicted to Anxiety by Owen O’Kane A groundbreaking book that redefines anxiety as an addictive process—and offers a way out. Buy from Waterstones SOME GREAT RESOURCES 🧠 Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 💭 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.uk CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Owen O’Kane 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    55 min

  4. 28 FEB · BONUS

    42. The Life of YOU: OCD & Overthinking – How to Break Free from Your Thoughts

    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Tuppence Middleton—actress and author of Scorpions, her powerful memoir about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Together, we answer your questions about OCD, intrusive thoughts, and how to navigate relationships while living with anxiety. Today: 💬 Katie worries that her OCD is exhausting for her supportive partner—how can she balance honesty with not feeling like a burden? 💭 Rachel struggles with intrusive thoughts—how can she stop them from taking over? If you’ve ever felt trapped by your thoughts, remember: You are not your thoughts—you are just the person who hears them. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Tuppence Middleton 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    11 min

  5. 24 FEB

    41. Tuppence Middleton: The Dark Truth About OCD & Fear That Controlled Her Life

    Welcome to The Life of Bryony Where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: TUPPENCE MIDDLETON This week, I’m joined by Tuppence Middleton—actor and author of Scorpions. In her book, Tuppence explores her lifelong experience with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and emetophobia (a debilitating fear of vomiting). We discuss how OCD isn’t just about cleanliness or order—it’s about fear, control, and mental gymnastics that can take over your life. Tuppence opens up about her constant battle with intrusive thoughts, the exhausting need for reassurance, and how her emetophobia has shaped so many aspects of her life—from acting, to motherhood, to even deciding what foods to eat. She shares how OCD and phobias can make everyday experiences—like travelling, touching objects, or even interacting with people—deeply distressing, and how she’s learned to live with what she calls the ‘scorpions’ in her mind. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or an overwhelming fear that controls parts of your life, this episode is a must-listen. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Tuppence’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Scorpions by Tuppence Middleton A deeply personal and powerful exploration of OCD, emetophobia, and intrusive thoughts, and how they shape our lives. Buy from Waterstones SOME GREAT RESOURCES 🧠 Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 💭 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.uk CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Tuppence Middleton 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    46 min

  6. 14 FEB · BONUS

    40. The Life of YOU: Why You Cancel Plans Last Minute – The Hidden Cost of Anxiety

    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr Alexandra Shaker, psychologist, researcher, and author of The Narrowing, for an insightful Q&A on anxiety, mental health, and breaking the cycle of overthinking. Today: 💬 Simon struggles with anxiety making him socially withdrawn—cancelling plans, avoiding messages, and feeling guilty. 💔 Niamh can’t stop seeking reassurance in relationships—how can she break the habit? WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Dr Alexandra Shaker 🎧 Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    13 min

  7. 10 FEB

    39. Why You’re Not a Mad Woman – and Why Everything You Know About Anxiety Is Wrong

    Welcome to The Life of Bryony Where we explore life’s messy, beautiful, and challenging moments. MY GUEST THIS WEEK: DR ALEXANDRA SHAKER This week, I’m joined by Dr Alexandra Shaker—psychologist, researcher, and author of The Narrowing. Alexandra’s work rethinks our understanding of anxiety, not as a weakness, but as a strength—something we can learn from rather than fight against. We discuss how anxiety manifests in the body, why quick fixes don’t work, and how we can reframe our relationship with mental health. LET’S STAY IN TOUCH 🗣️ Got something to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut: https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB. 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone who might find Alexandra’s insights helpful—it really makes a difference! Bryony xx BOOKS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE 📚 Mad Woman by Bryony Gordon Bryony’s latest memoir, now available in paperback, offers an insightful and fearless reflection on mental health. Buy from Waterstones 📚 The Narrowing by Dr. Alexandra Shaker A transformative exploration of anxiety, examining the connections between our emotional, psychological, and physical lives. Buy from Waterstones SOME GREAT RESOURCES Mind UK – Mental health support and information: www.mind.org.uk | Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 Anxiety UK – Support and resources for anxiety and panic: www.anxietyuk.org.uk CREDITS 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Dr Alexandra Shaker 🎧 Content Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 🎥 Audio & Video Editor: Luke Shelley 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    52 min

  8. 7 FEB · BONUS

    38. The Life of YOU: Is Monogamy for Everyone?

    Welcome to The Life of YOU! The bonus series where we tackle your dilemmas and share advice to navigate life’s trickier moments. Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Ruby Rare, sex educator and author of The Non-Monogamy Playbook, for a candid Q&A session on love, relationships, and exploring non-monogamy with confidence. Today: 💬 Jealous Jo wonders how people in open relationships find the time for it all. 💔 Ben fears his monogamous relationship is at risk as his partner considers opening things up. 🤔 Tom asks how to explore non-monogamy without reducing it to just sex. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️ Got a question or a story to share? Text or send a voice note on 07796657512—just start your message with LOB. 💬 Use the WhatsApp shortcut - https://wa.me/447796657512?text=LOB 📧 Prefer email? Drop me a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might need it—it really helps! CREDITS: 🎙️ Presenter: Bryony Gordon 🎙️ Guest: Ruby Rare 🎧 Producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan 📢 Executive Producer: Mike Wooller A Daily Mail production. Seriously Popular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    13 min
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4.7
out of 5
102 Ratings

About

Ever feel like life is just a bit... much? You’re not alone, and Bryony Gordon is here to prove it. Welcome to The Life of Bryony, the podcast that ditches the shame and dives headfirst into life’s messier bits. Each week, Bryony takes you on a refreshingly honest journey through the ups, downs, and WTFs of everyday life, joined by experts, friends, and sometimes even YOU. Whether it's laughing through awkward encounters, tackling taboos, or sharing confessions, this is your go-to space for real talk and all things mental health. Think of it as your weekly dose of therapy, minus the couch. Got a question? Drop us a line at lifeofbryony@dailymail.com

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