Begin Again with Davina McCall

This show is dedicated to empowering people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet. Davina’s guests will share stories of growth and rediscovery, letting you in on their own life journeys - many of which have challenged outdated narratives and ideas. Whether it's through expert insights, candid discussions, or real-life inspiration, Begin Again will be a supportive community for everyone to explore the revitalising second act of life. Davina wants everyone to know that midlife is not the start of the end; instead, it's the perfect opportunity and time to Begin Again. Instagram: @beginagain LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davina-mccall-82204a19b/

  1. When I Thought I Was Going To Die… I Realised I’d Never Lived For Myself | Dearbhla Mescal

    14 HR AGO

    When I Thought I Was Going To Die… I Realised I’d Never Lived For Myself | Dearbhla Mescal

    One mother’s journey to self-love, resilience, and reinvention. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Dearbhla Mescal, mother of Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal and singer-songwriter Nell Mescal, shares how a life dedicated to her children’s dreams transformed into a life of self-discovery and strength after a life-changing cancer diagnosis. For over three decades, Dearbhla prioritised her children's needs, guiding them through their own ambitions while silently putting herself last. But when cancer entered her life, everything shifted. Through her personal battle, Dearbhla explains how facing mortality became the catalyst for her to finally embrace herself, her body, and her own dreams. From navigating motherhood with three children chasing their dreams, to witnessing the highs and lows of a 30-year marriage, Dearbhla reflects on the lessons of love, sacrifice, and resilience that have shaped her journey. This episode reveals the profound transformation that can happen when we start prioritising ourselves , even after years of putting others first. This is a beautiful testament to the power of reinvention, the strength of family, and the importance of loving yourself, no matter what life throws your way. 🌟 Comment, and follow us for more inspiring stories of strength, transformation, and growth. Finding Joy out now: https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-joy/dearbhla-mescal/steve-doogan/9781804442876 Follow Dearbhla:https://www.instagram.com/dearbhlam/ Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod  (01:32) Intro to Dearbhla Mescal, Her New Book and Her Kids(03:46) How to Finding Joy in the Everyday(08:11) Dearbhla on Her Time in the Police Force and Finding Her Voice(11:40) Authenticity and Finding Joy in the Small Moments(15:25) Becoming a Parent and Facilitating Your Kids’ Dreams(27:59) Airbnb Ad(29:00) Lind Ad(30:06) The Turning Point(30:53) Discovering Her Cancer Diagnosis(38:24) Telling Her Kids About Her Diagnosis(42:54) Facing Cancer and Having Deep Gratitude for Life and Love(47:07) How Cancer Brought Loneliness, Grief, and a Gift(53:00) Beginning Again After Cancer(55:58) The Greatest Gift We Can Give Our Children(01:02:25) Learning to Take Up Space and Pursue Your Passions(01:05:23) Discovering Anxiety in Midlife(01:07:12) Paul, Nell and Donnacha's Reaction to Her Book(01:09:12) An Emotional Rendition of 'The Kiss' by Her Daughter Nell(01:13:46) A Special Gift for Dearbhla Sponsored by: Airbnb: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host  Lint: Discover Lindt Excellence… Expect Delicious. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 19m
  2. Is Your Purpose Written in the Stars? How the Universe Can Guide You | Dame Maggie Aderin

    12 FEB

    Is Your Purpose Written in the Stars? How the Universe Can Guide You | Dame Maggie Aderin

    One big dream could be all it takes to begin again. In this awe-inspiring episode, Dame Maggie Aderin shares how growing up as a dyslexic Black girl in 1970s London, at a time when racism was overt and dreams were small, sparked her wildest ambition: to reach for the stars, literally. A world-renowned space scientist, Maggie opens up about the personal journey behind the lab coat, from watching the moonlight with her father as a child, to falling in love with astronomy through cartoons, to dreaming of becoming the first woman named Maggie to walk on the moon. She explains how science gave her purpose, how curiosity became a lifeline, and why believing in something bigger than yourself, like the universe, can change your life on Earth. From working on some of the world’s most powerful telescopes to inspiring over 650,000 children through her talks, Dame Maggie shows us what purpose really looks like. Whether you're searching for meaning, battling self-doubt, or trying to find your place in the cosmos, this conversation will leave you inspired to dream bigger, and keep looking up. 💫 Like, comment, and subscribe for more fearless stories of growth and purpose. Tap the bell to stay connected. Follow Magge: https://www.instagram.com/scienceinnovationmea/ Pre Order “Starchild”: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/468362/starchild-by-aderin-maggie/9781785949449 Follow us here:📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod 00:00 Intro 00:09 Who Is Dame Maggie Aderin and Why She Matters 00:46 What Sparked Maggie’s Passion for Science 02:04 How the Moon Secretly Shapes Our Lives 08:07 How Maggie Makes Complex Science Feel Simple 09:07 Why Having a Dream Can Change Everything 13:07 What Ikigai Teaches Us About Purpose and Balance 17:57 What Telescopes Reveal About the Universe—and Ourselves 22:04 Could Life Exist Beyond Earth? Here's the Scientific Take 23:12 Why the Future of Space Exploration Is Both Thrilling and Terrifying 26:06 How Far Can Humanity Really Go in Space? 29:27 What Breakthroughs Are Coming in the Next Decade of Space Discovery 32:57 Airbnb Ad 34:01 How Maggie’s Complicated Childhood Shaped Her Strength 42:07 Why Maggie Wrote 'Starchild'—And What It Means to Her 50:39 Maggie Opens Up About Facing Racism in the UK 54:44 What It’s Like to Find Purpose in the Public Eye 57:22 What It Meant to Be Made Into a BarbieSponsored by: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 7m
  3. Seann Walsh: Why I Had to Get Sober to Start My Life Again

    5 FEB

    Seann Walsh: Why I Had to Get Sober to Start My Life Again

    This is what it takes to begin again when you feel like you’ve lost everything. In this powerful episode, comedian Seann Walsh opens up about the reality behind the laughs, his turbulent childhood, addiction, and public shaming, and how hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild his entire life from scratch. Seann shares how sobriety became the turning point that reconnected him with the version of himself he lost in the chaos: the ten-year-old boy who just wanted to make people laugh. He talks honestly about feeling like a failure at the height of success, the deep shame that followed and how he slowly found his way back, not to who he was, but to someone stronger. From becoming a father to falling in love with Grace, Seann reveals the real moments that brought him peace, purpose, and a new path forward. Whether you’re navigating addiction, public failure, or just trying to start over, this episode will show you what it really means to heal. Seann Walsh will be on tour across the UK with his brand-new show This Is Torture from 13th February, with tickets on sale now at https://www.seannwalsh.com 💚 Comment and follow for more honest conversations. Follow Seann: https://www.instagram.com/seannwalsh/ Follow us here:📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod (00:00) INTRO (02:15) Seann on His Chaotic Childhood and His Dad’s Heroin Addiction(07:20) The Moment That Brought Seann and His Dad Together(12:55) Seann on Family Dysfunction (15:30) Seann on Setting Boundaries and Finding Sobriety(19:36) How Comedy Liberated Seann From a Young Age(22:25) Overcoming Expectations and Dealing with Feelings of Failure(30:11) Lindt Chocolate Ad(31:20) Airbnb Ad(32:25) Seann on Moving Forward After Controversy (36:02) Seann on Meeting Grace and the Proposal Story(43:44) Seann on the Joy He Finds in Parenthood(48:18) Seann on the Life-Changing Advice From His Father(52:02) Seann’s Vision for the Next 10 Years(54:53) A Special Letter From Grace Sponsored by: Discover Lindt Excellence… Expect Delicious. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 3m
  4. 29 JAN

    How I Healed My Nervous System (and changed my life)

    What if asking for help is the one thing you’ve been avoiding that could change everything? Reset Month 5: HAPPINESS This month, we dive deep into a powerful and often overlooked tool for healing: asking for help. In this episode of Reset Month, Nadia and Katia, renowned for their work on nervous system regulation and self-care, share how the simple act of vulnerability can be life-changing. Many of us are stuck in “fight or flight,” constantly feeling like we’re running on empty and unable to truly connect with ourselves or others. Nadia and Katia explain why you are not broken, you just need to learn how to reset your nervous system, and that starts by letting go of the need to do it all alone. Through personal stories, including their journey to self-awareness and the profound lessons learned from their own relationship dynamics, they reveal how co-regulation, the act of supporting and being supported by others, can bring us back to a place of safety, connection, and peace. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How to recognise the signs of an overwhelmed nervous system - Why asking for help is the first step to healing - The surprising benefits of co-regulation and how it transforms your relationships - How to embrace vulnerability without fear or guilt - The simple daily practices that reset your nervous system and bring you back to balance - How tiny moments can change your life Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional overwhelm, or simply want to live a more connected and fulfilling life, this episode will guide you to a path of self-compassion and mutual support. Nadia and Katia’s insights are a must-watch for anyone wanting to break free from constant tension and start living with ease and love again. Like, comment, and subscribe for more Reset Month episodes. Tap the bell to stay updated! 💚 🎁 Don’t miss our RESET giveaway! Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for exclusive tools and a chance to win over £750 in wellness prizes: http://beginagainshow.com?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=reset Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod   (00:00) INTRO(01:31) What is the Nervous System & Why It Matters(05:58) Signs of an Unregulated Nervous System(08:27) The Importance of Safety, Asking for Help, & Letting Go(20:20) Shared Experience & the Power of Co-Regulation(29:18) Lindt Chocolate (Ad)(30:27) AirBnB (Ad)(31:35) Ancient & Brave (Ad)(32:43) What Are Glimmers & How to Spot Them(41:39) Journaling & Self-Assessment(43:27) Navigating New Relationships & Understanding Love(46:53) How Your Nervous System Shapes Relationships(50:06) How Noticing Glimmers Transforms Your Life(53:44) Navigating Life Changes in Midlife(58:56) Nadia on Finding Love Later in Life(01:04:35) Embracing Aging with Self-Awareness(01:07:33) Setting Boundaries in Tough Relationships(01:09:57) Prioritising Yourself(01:14:56) Glimmer Check-In Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 20m
  5. 25 JAN

    BONUS Episode: The 5-Minute Daily Routine That Rewires Your Habits with Shahroo Izadi

    Rewire your habits in just 5 minutes a day 📝✨ This is your invitation to stop fighting impulses and start understanding them. In this Reset Month bonus episode, award-winning psychologist Shahroo Izadi shares a simple daily practice for building impulse control, breaking self-sabotaging patterns, and creating lasting change. No willpower battles. No self-punishment. Just a short morning and evening routine that helps you understand your triggers, plan kinder responses, and gather real data on who you are, not who you think you “should” be. 🌱 This episode is for you if: You keep falling back into the same habits You feel stuck in all-or-nothing thinking You want change that actually lasts You’re tired of beating yourself up when you slip ✨ Shahroo’s method teaches you how to: Identify your daily impulse triggers in minutes Check your emotional “bandwidth” each morning Re-route cravings into healthier reward choices Make conscious decisions instead of automatic reactions Track patterns without shame or failure Over time, you’ll build a personal record of your behaviour — so change becomes predictable, repeatable, and compassionate. 🎁 Don’t miss our RESET giveaway! Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for exclusive tools and a chance to win over £750 in wellness prizes: http://beginagainshow.com 🎥 This episode is part of our RESET MONTH series, your invitation to simplify, understand yourself, and begin again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min

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About

This show is dedicated to empowering people to embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet. Davina’s guests will share stories of growth and rediscovery, letting you in on their own life journeys - many of which have challenged outdated narratives and ideas. Whether it's through expert insights, candid discussions, or real-life inspiration, Begin Again will be a supportive community for everyone to explore the revitalising second act of life. Davina wants everyone to know that midlife is not the start of the end; instead, it's the perfect opportunity and time to Begin Again. Instagram: @beginagain LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davina-mccall-82204a19b/

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