We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection. From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us. Instagram: @needtotalk TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod

  1. How Drawing Saved Charlie Mackesy “Anxiety Made Me Feel Like I Was Dying”

    11 MIN AGO

    How Drawing Saved Charlie Mackesy “Anxiety Made Me Feel Like I Was Dying”

    Oscar-winning author and artist Charlie Mackesy opens up like never before - about anxiety, grief, loneliness, and the quiet power of kindness.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation.  Charlie is the creator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - the longest-running Sunday Times bestseller in history, translated into over 50 languages and embraced by millions around the world. In this rare and deeply personal conversation, Charlie reflects on the moments that shaped both his life and his work - from the loss that changed everything to the drawings that helped strangers feel less alone. He and Paul talk about anxiety, friendship, and the radical courage it takes to be vulnerable. Charlie shares: ◽ The moment grief changed the course of his life◽ The story behind the illustrations that helped strangers stay alive◽ How he sketched his way around the world◽ How bad the anxiety got - and the breathing trick that helped him survive◽ The path to The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse◽ The journey to his new book, Always Remember◽ What it took to create his Oscar-winning film◽ How shame isolates men - and why kindness is the antidote Charlie Mackesy, We Need To Talk.If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb Follow me here:https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Support Charlie here:Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/llwkLT0jrXb Always Remember: https://g2ul0.app.link/l0I8zRXjrXb  (00:00) Intro(02:38) Charlie's Upbringing in Northumberland(06:34) Changing Schools at 16(10:16) Why Charlie Started Drawing(19:02) Losing His Best Friend at 18(19:58) Moving to London and Starting His Career(23:12) Time in Manhattan(33:16) Picking Tea in Zimbabwe(35:13) Connection to Brixton(40:07) Adobe Express Ad(40:08) Adobe Express Ad(41:06) Love Better Tour Ad(42:06) Creating *The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse*(55:48) The Book’s Commercial Success(1:02:43) Behind the Scenes of *Love Actually*(1:06:25) Making the Film Adaptation(1:08:42) Winning an Oscar(1:12:36) Concept Behind *Always Remember*(1:14:47) Love Better Tour Ad(1:15:46) Facing Darker Periods in Life(1:19:51) Managing Anxiety(1:27:55) Attention Span(1:29:30) Creative Process Demo(1:30:56) Friendships Past and Present(1:38:19) Thoughts on Faith(1:43:13) What Paul and Charlie Are Grateful For(1:45:18) Drawing Mantra(1:48:36) Latest Drawing Reveal(1:50:20) Paul's TakeawaysSponsored by:Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL  Get Your Tickets to Paul’s Love Better Tour!Bristol - https://g2ul0.app.link/mt5I2RKhrXbCardiff - https://g2ul0.app.link/5mZIoBNhrXbGlasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXbBirmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXbManchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXbBrighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXbLondon - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 55m
  2. 7 OCT

    Lou Teasdale Reveals The Reality Of Being On Tour With One Direction!

    Beauty powerhouse Lou Teasdale opens up about life on the road with One Direction, her close friendship with Caroline Flack, and her mission to change the conversation around mental health. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of self harm and suicide. From styling the world’s biggest boyband to navigating the intense scrutiny of fame, Lou shares what life was really like behind the scenes with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne - from fans chasing cars to quiet one-to-one moments in the chair, where conversations often felt like therapy. Lou reflects on her friendship with Caroline Flack - from the qualities that made everyone adore her, to navigating mental health challenges under the eyes of the world. Today, Lou channels her pain into purpose through her work with suicide-prevention charity Body & Soul, determined to ensure others get the help they need and to show that kindness can truly save lives. Lou shares: ◽ How she became One Direction’s hair stylist ◽ Her favourite One Direction hairstyles ◽ The truth about working on The X Factor ◽ The reality TV transformations they weren’t allowed to do ◽ How mental health support is often left to “unqualified people” ◽ Insights from her close friendship with Caroline Flack◽ Why we need to do more on mental health awareness ◽ Her relationship with footballer Andy Carroll Lou Teasdale, We Need To Talk If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb  Body & Soul - https://g2ul0.app.link/yoNKZXDYeXb Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Lou here: Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/Wt22ItOYeXb TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/QmcImVJYeXb  (00:00) Intro (02:31) Why Lou wanted to join us (04:07) How Lou became a make-up artist at 16 (05:51) Lou's choice to work as a make-up artist for boybands (07:17) The role of a make-up artist outside aesthetics (10:57) Lou's time on X-Factor (15:20) How Lou met Caroline Flack (16:51) How Lou ended up working with One Direction (19:49) How did One Direction change as they found fame? (22:00) Life on the road with One Direction (25:52) Lou's most influential look whilst being with One Direction (28:00) Lou reflects on the year anniversary of Liam Payne's death (33:21) Adobe Express Ad (34:19) Love Better Tour Ad (35:27) The popularity of Caroline Flack (39:35) What was most misunderstood about Caroline? (42:27) The events in 2019 that impacted Caroline's life (48:06) Caroline’s mental health struggles and navigating media coverage (51:00) The role of friends and family in supporting Caroline’s well-being (56:20) The events leading up to Caroline’s passing (58:22) Lou's experience of discovering Caroline (01:01:45) The '#BeKind' social media movement (01:04:49) Lou's charity work with Body and Soul (01:09:09) Lou's relationship with Caroline's mother (01:11:34) Lou's relationship with Andy Carroll (01:14:55) The tabloid treatment of Andy Carroll (01:17:02) Who's the celebrity that's most surprised Lou? (01:17:54) Which celebrity currently has the best hairstyle? (01:18:54) Most memorable conversation (01:23:02) A letter from Lou's sister (01:26:35) Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 31m
  3. 30 SEPT

    Shirley Ballas on "Disastrous Relationships" And The Dark Side Of Strictly!

    Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge Shirley Ballas joins us for an exclusive conversation about her extraordinary life on and off the dance floor. She also reflects on the loss of her brother David, and why she now campaigns to raise awareness around men’s mental health and suicide prevention. From her early years on a Merseyside council estate to global fame, Shirley shares the resilience, heartbreak, and lessons that shaped her. She opens up about her family heritage, the bullying she endured through school years and beyond, and the sacrifices she made to rise to the top of the dance world. She speaks candidly about her relationships, turbulent love affairs and lifelong struggles with body image. Shirley also takes us behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing - from a “disastrous” first audition to navigating the highs and lows of being on one of the biggest shows on television. Shirley shares: ◽ How discovering her family heritage reshaped her identity ◽ The bullying that left lasting scars - and how she found strength through dance ◽ Walking away from a marriage at the peak of her career - and the regrets that followed ◽ The pressures of body image in the dance world and her experiences with surgery ◽ The moment her Strictly audition went wrong - and how she turned it around ◽ The toll of online trolling and public criticism as head judge ◽ Why championing men’s mental health is so important to her ◽ What happiness means today  Shirley Ballas, We Need To Talk If you’re struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ve included support charities below: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): https://g2ul0.app.link/npaQKXUV4Wb Samaritans - call on 116 123 or visit https://g2ul0.app.link/xghDmmYV4Wb  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Shirley: Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/EGAa8y0V4Wb TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/rAaQ8f3V4Wb  Best Foot Forward: https://g2ul0.app.link/So4hbb5V4Wb  (00:00) Intro (02:08) Otto and Shirley's Heritage (06:49) Shirley's Upbringing in the Wirral (09:15) Shirley's Experience of School (12:10) How Shirley Became Obsessed with Dance (15:06) Moving to London at 16 (18:40) Moving to Manchester and Starting Her Latin Dance Career (22:13) Class in the UK and How It Relates to the Dance Industry (29:56) How Shirley Met Corky Ballas (35:46) Does Shirley Regret Leaving Sammy for Corky? (44:42) Why Shirley and Corky's Relationship Came to an End (48:16) Tinder Ad (49:16) Adobe Express Ad (50:34) How Shirley Came to Be on Strictly Come Dancing (55:10) The Enduring Popularity of Strictly (01:00:37) Would Paul Go on Strictly? (01:01:41) Who Is Shirley's Fantasy Strictly Contestant? (01:03:05) Who Is the Biggest Surprise During Shirley's Time on Strictly? (01:04:32) The Importance of Shirley's Brother David to Her Life (01:14:41) Shirley's Battle With Body Image (01:22:12) Shirley Reads a Letter to Her Younger Self (01:25:44) Most Memorable Conversation (01:31:16) Shirley and Celebs Go Dating (01:37:38) Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB  Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL  Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour! Bristol - https://g2ul0.app.link/mt5I2RKhrXb Cardiff - https://g2ul0.app.link/5mZIoBNhrXb Glasgow - https://g2ul0.app.link/FMk3N4PhrXb Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 42m
  4. 23 SEPT

    Shakira Khan EXCLUSIVE: The Truth About Love Island & Growing Up Mixed Race

    Love Island star Shakira Khan breaks her silence in her first ever podcast interview. In this exclusive conversation, Shakira opens up about growing up mixed-race in Burnley, the beauty standards that shattered her confidence, and the behind-the-scenes reality of life inside the Love Island villa. For the first time, she spills the tea on her fellow islanders, lifts the lid on the villa “divide,” and reveals where things really stand with Harry today.Shakira reveals: ◽ How bullying and identity struggles forged her confidence ◽ The surprising truth about Love Island casting and how she got on the show ◽ Why she broke down in tears to her chaperone before entering the villa ◽ Her unfiltered take on Harry and the accusations of gaslighting inside the villa ◽ Why she won’t judge another Love Islander again ◽ The truth about the villa “divide” ◽ Why she now feels proud of her mixed-race identity  ◽ Where her relationship with Harry really stands - and if she sees a future with him Shakira Khan, We Need To Talk. Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod Follow Shakira: Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/XSsa2GZORWb TikTok: https://g2ul0.app.link/icWRTO7ORWb (00:00) Intro (02:16) Why is Shakira Ready to Tell Her Story Now? (02:53) Growing Up In Burnley (09:06) Shakira's Mixed Heritage (13:56) How Did Religion Impact Shakira's Upbringing? (19:04) Shakira's Young Social Circles (23:04) The P Word and Racism (25:54) When Did the Tide Change? (27:13) Romance and Racism (28:53) How Did Shakira Gain Self Worth? (31:50) Did Shakira Ever Have a Healthy Relationship? (34:20) Why Love Island? (40:04) How Did Shakira Get on Love Island? (52:41) Treatwell Ad (53:56) Tinder Ad (54:59) Shakira's Relationships on Love Island (01:00:57) Shakira Talks About Ben (01:04:27) Shakira Talks About Connor (01:07:28) Shakira Talks About Harry (01:13:08) Shakira Talks About Megan (01:14:54) The Divide in the Villa (01:22:49) Harry and Shakira's Mum (01:27:09) Perceptions of Shakira, Toni and Yasmin (01:31:11) What Did Shakira See in Harry? (01:37:30) What's Next for Shakira? (01:38:33) Most Memorable Conversation (01:40:29) Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Treatwell: http://Treatwell.co.uk with code PAUL20 - T&Cs apply Tinder: https://tinder.com/en-GB  Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 45m

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About

The most powerful conversations are the ones we usually avoid. Hosted by Paul C. Brunson, We Need To Talk is a show that empowers people to have the conversations they avoid by creating a safe, supportive, and insightful space that encourages vulnerability, self-discovery, and real-world connection. From breakups to breakthroughs, conflict to connection, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the human experiences and relationships that define us. Instagram: @needtotalk TikTok: @weneedtotalkpod

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