Happy Place

Fearne Cotton
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS
Happy Place

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Afua Hirsch: “Nobody gets to police our bodies!” How to reject beauty trends

    1 DAY AGO

    Afua Hirsch: “Nobody gets to police our bodies!” How to reject beauty trends

    Do you get rid of your body hair? Do you hate your periods? Are you debating a nose job? Why? Writer and broadcaster Afua Hirsch has been tracing how we’ve become so loathing of our bodies.   In this chat with Fearne, Afua explains where our modern, Western notions of beauty come from, and why she’s advocating for us to celebrate how powerful our bodies are.   She’s rediscovering and reclaiming rituals her ancestors will have done before Western ideals became the norm, and points out that wanting to change your facial features to conform to beauty trends will erase your ancestry.   Fearne and Afua chat about a desire for more fluidity around sexuality and identity, as well as why we should respect the wisdom that comes with age rather than fearing it.   Plus, how to dig deep and ask yourself: “Do I think this, or have I been taught this?”   Afua’s book, Decolonising My Body, is out now.   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Emma Dabiri   Adele Roberts   Rebel Wilson   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 6m
  2. Chiwetel Ejiofor: Trauma and success can coexist! Re-learning what being strong means

    17 FEB

    Chiwetel Ejiofor: Trauma and success can coexist! Re-learning what being strong means

    Are you able to balance being resilient with being vulnerable? Actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has spent time figuring out when to keep moving forward, and when to let painful emotions wash over him.   In this chat with Fearne, Chiwetel reflects on how a childhood trauma has shaped his character – everything from his fierce ambition to his optimistic outlook. He also reveals the moments self-doubt has almost proved insurmountable (including when he first got the script for 12 Years A Slave...!)   Plus, is ‘acceptance’ of your past ever truly possible, or is the simple realisation that life WILL go on regardless good enough? And, do you worry you’ve let your own life pass in a blur? Chiwetel explains how he’s learnt to live in the present. Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is out in UK cinemas now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Lenny Henry David Tennant Norah Jones Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min
  3. Is your routine a strait-jacket? How to enact change, with Donna Ashworth

    10 FEB

    Is your routine a strait-jacket? How to enact change, with Donna Ashworth

    Do you dream of pivoting your career or lifestyle later in life? Poet Donna Ashworth did just that. She began to question the busy, fast-paced, perfectionist lifestyle she assumed was the norm, and decided to start posting and performing her beautiful poetry in her 40s...   In this chat with Fearne, Donna explains how she copes with the nerves that come with doing something so new, including hypnotherapy and simply admitting out loud that she’s anxious. She also reflects on how she realised she’d been living with depression and eating disorders for a long time.   If you’re not happy it’s up to you to apply change or you can’t expect different outcomes. Donna talks through how to work out if your routine is deliciously comforting for you, or if it’s become a strait-jacket that’s holding you back. Plus, she shares why it’s helpful for others if you’re able to disclose your own ugly truths and flaws.   Donna’s latest book of poetry, To The Women, is out on the 13th of February.   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Naomi Watts   Poppy Delbridge   Kate Silverton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  4. 7 FEB

    Book Club Meets: Choose to be happy, with David Larbi

    What is happiness to you? And do you think you deserve to be happy? Our Happy Place Book Club pick for January was Frequently Happy, by author and poet David Larbi. In his book, he combines poetry and journal prompts to help you find the glimmers in your lovely, ordinary life.     We’ll have objectively terrible days, and days that are clearly the best ever, but most days fall somewhere in between... In this chat with Fearne, David explains that while not every day is good, there’s something good in every day if you choose to look for it.   They also chat about how to stop falling back into negative thought patterns, and why the journal prompts in Frequently Happy could be helpful if you’re not sure where to start with acknowledging and getting clarity on how you feel.   Plus, there’s advice on how to move past your fear of criticism so you can share your creativity with the world, because ultimately you’ll never be able to please everyone anyway!   Listen to Book Club Meets: Dame Harriet Walter   Listen to Book Club Meets: Liane Moriarty   Listen to Book Club Meets: Miranda July    Listen to Book Club Meets: Gillian Anderson    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    22 min
  5. Naomi Watts talks menopause: “Women grin and bear it”

    3 FEB

    Naomi Watts talks menopause: “Women grin and bear it”

    Actor Naomi Watts went through early menopause at 36. She was experiencing symptoms she couldn’t explain, like itchy skin, night sweats, and anxiety, but struggled to find any real information or stories about this midlife transition.   In this chat with Fearne, Naomi explains why she’s become passionate about shining a spotlight on previously taboo topics like fertility, menopause, and sex. She talks about how it felt to be told she was peri-menopausal while she was in the middle of her fertility journey, and how she’s changed her lifestyle to help manage her symptoms.   Fearne and Naomi chat about the way women are told that simply being a woman means you have to suffer and your body will be a place of pain. How can we re-write the narrative to celebrate the beauty of our bodies and cycles?   Plus, how to fight back against the ingrained idea that older women aren’t of great use or value to society...   Naomi’s book, Dare I Say It, is published by Happy Place Books and it’s out now.   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Gillian Anderson   Anastacia   Caroline Hirons   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  6. 31 JAN

    What REALLY happens at therapy?

    Do you want to make 2025 the year you start therapy? Maybe you’re still a bit hesitant because you’re not completely sure how it works or what it might feel like... Fearne has pulled together a load of Happy Place chats that will help you get a clearer idea of the benefits of therapy, and in turn make you feel bold enough to send that first booking email. Plus, she talks through the ways therapy has really helped her be more at peace with the past, and stop being so horrible to herself too. You’ll hear from Dr Julie and Owen O’Kane on what the point of therapy is (and isn’t!). Leigh-Anne Pinnock has learnt the importance of finding the right therapist for you, and her Little Mix band mate Perrie Edwards explains why she now brings her therapist to work. Then, MMA fighter Molly McCann has used therapy to unlock more sporting and career success after a difficult childhood, and DJ Fat Tony shares how he’s changed as a result of trauma therapy... Listen to Dr Julie’s episode Listen to Owen O’Kane’s episode Listen to Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s episode Listen to Perrie Edwards’ episode Listen to Molly McCann’s episode Listen to DJ Fat Tony’s episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  7. Millie Mackintosh: “I would drink to forget” Self-esteem, shame, and sobriety

    27 JAN

    Millie Mackintosh: “I would drink to forget” Self-esteem, shame, and sobriety

    When does a coping mechanism become a problem? Millie Mackintosh talks through the big moments she realised her drinking was affecting both her own health and the people she loves.   In this chat Fearne and Millie cover panic attacks and intrusive thoughts, which can both get particularly bad when secrecy and shame are driving risky behaviours. Then, how do you start to forgive yourself for the things you’re not proud of? And how can you talk to yourself kindly when you fall back into old patterns of behaviour?   Plus, Millie explains how ADHD can interact with addiction, and what small lifestyle changes have made a huge difference to her physical and mental health.   Do you want to drink less? Fearne and Millie chat about how they learnt to enjoy social events without alcohol. Millie's book, Bad Drunk, is out now.   If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Lucinda Miller   Brene Brown   Vicky Pattison   CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains conversations about sexual assault Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
  8. Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I’m a healthy amount of delusional!” How to sustain career success

    20 JAN

    Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I’m a healthy amount of delusional!” How to sustain career success

    How loud are the voices in your head that tell you you’re definitely going to screw up that big opportunity? Sophie Ellis-Bextor is trying to make a point of talking to herself more kindly.   In this chat, Fearne and Sophie talk about reminding yourself that your thoughts aren’t facts; sometimes you have to override the voice that says you’re not good enough and just get on with it to prove yourself wrong.   Sophie explains why being dropped by her label at 20 encouraged her to take responsibility for her own career, and offers advice on how not to get distracted by what other people are doing with their lives. What should you tell yourself when you think you’re going to give up on a passion?   They also chat about not worrying where an opportunity will lead you, instead enjoying it as an adventure in its own right. Plus, why was Sophie petrified her BAFTA performance would be awful?   Sophie has announced her biggest ever UK headline tour in May and June 2025! If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:   Natasha Bedingfield   Perrie Edwards   Paloma Faith   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
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Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Fearne Cotton
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    342
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Fearne Cotton 2020
  • Show Website
    Happy Place

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