Changes with Annie Macmanus Annie Macmanus

Aged 24 in Ibiza, Matt Haig’s life changed forever when he had a breakdown. Now 49 he has returned to the island, facing his past head on, returning with a whole new perspective, more optimism, and now, a new book called ‘The Life Impossible’. 
Matt has sold over 9 million copies of his books worldwide, and they have been translated into 58 languages. His bestselling book ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ has touched millions of lives and was game changing for many people with depression and anxiety. Since then, his novel The Midnight Library has become a global phenomenon and spent over 50 weeks on the Sunday Times bestseller charts and over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller charts. 
In this episode, as well as talking about the new book, Matt discusses returning to Ibiza, hope and sobriety. He also talks about surprising early forays in writing, how an adult diagnosis of ADHD helped him look at his younger self differently and how his experience of social media and mental health has impacted his children's relationship with it too. It feels like a whole new chapter in Matt’s life and we’re delighted to have him on to talk about it. 
Vote for Changes at the British Podcast Awards! 
Voting is open until 29th August. Just click this link and search for Changes. 
https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello folks, for this episode I took myself into the rave shed and reflected on the big changes that have taken place in my life over the last year. 
It’s my birthday week, as I’m a Cancer I am trying to extend it into a whole month. I love any excuse for a party so there will be one of those happening for sure, but I also love, more and more, an opportunity to reflect and remember the events of my life, partly because my memory is so shite that if I don’t make the effort to remember, things disappear, but also because by understanding how I’ve evolved (or not) in the past, it gives me clarity on looking forwards. Reflection helps me to understand what I want and what I don’t want and this always feels settling, in a way. 
The episode holds quite the gamut of changes. I cover taking up old hobbies with surprising results, making new friends, internalised ageism, resolving body issues, loneliness, perimenopause, hopefulness and loads more. I hope you enjoy it. 
Also I’d love to hear about any changes YOU went through in the last year. Have a think and let me know by sending a short voice note to changespod@gmail.com 
Thanks, as always, for listening.
Vote for Changes at the British Podcast Awards! 
Voting is open until 29th August. Just click this link and search for Changes. 
https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation is astonishing. Prepare to be completely engrossed and moved beyond belief by the phenomenal Decca Aitkenhead. The Chief Interviewer at the Sunday Times, Decca talks so beautifully with a warmth and lightness that contrasts with what she has lived through. The love story between her and her late husband Tony is like nothing else you have ever heard before.
Tragically, in 2014, Decca Aitkenhead’s husband Tony died while they were on holiday in Jamaica with their two young sons. A life shattering change. Here, Decca talks about why Tony was the most interesting person she has ever met - himself transforming his life in very surprising ways and describes how, throwing all logic out of the window, he completely changed her life. She also reflects on that fateful day, suddenly being a single mum and magical thinking. 
Decca Aitkenhead’s top tier journalism has seen her interviewing the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Hilary Clinton and Johnny Depp. Her long list of writing achievements include the Catherine Pakenham Award, Interviewer of the year and the BBC’s Russell literary prize. Her memoir ‘All At Sea’ was nominated for the 2017 PEN Ackerley prize and tells her story with a raw vulnerability and depth.
Caution: this episode discusses sudden death, cancer and references drug addiction.
Buy Decca's book 'All At Sea' here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-at-Sea-Decca-Aitkenhead/dp/0008142149
Read Decca's articles for The Times here: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/decca-aitkenhead
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From inside Ruby Wax’s bedroom, Annie gets up close and personal about Ruby’s life changes - from her troubled childhood and creating a comic persona as a result, feeling like a freak when she became a mother to those famous interviews on ‘When Ruby Wax Met,’ which changed how she was perceived. 
Ruby’s latest book and touring one-woman play, ‘I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was’ saw Ruby trying to find meaning by going on life changing journeys but it ended with her being in a mental clinic again. Here, Annie and Ruby discuss the ups and downs of mental illness, the juxtaposition of that with being funny and how she really is now.
Ruby Wax was a fearless pioneer of the celebrity interview with her groundbreaking BBC series including interviews with Sharon Stone, Bette Midler, Madonna, Donald Trump, Bill Cosby and many more (each of which she reacts to here). Beyond her TV fame, Ruby is a prolific author with seven Sunday Times bestselling books including ‘Sane New World’, ‘A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled', and ‘How to be Human’. With a degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University, Ruby has bravely shared her own struggles with mental illness and her tireless efforts in this field have earned her an OBE. But, has mindfulness and her studies changed her life?
You can buy Ruby's books and book tickets to her tour ‘I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was’ here:
https://www.rubywax.net/books
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jack Rooke is the recent BAFTA winning comic genius behind the incredible multi award winning sitcom Big Boys. 
Jack won his BAFTA for Best Comedy Writer after using his own life experience of losing his Dad, when Jack was 15, to write and narrate Big Boys. The show follows Jack leaving his mum to go to University where he navigates making new friends and exploring being gay, something he hasn’t told his mum yet. 
Big Boys was adapted from Jack’s debut show Good Grief and his second show Happy Hour which was commissioned by Soho Theatre. Both received critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He’s also had a documentary on BBC 3 called Happy Man exploring alternatives to the male mental health crisis and published a memoir called Cheer the F**k Up. His work is both hilarious and sad with smart, spit your drink out laughing moments. This conversation is no exception. 
Now 30, Jack talks about success in your 20s, what losing a parent so young does to someone, how his grief has changed, why humour is so important to him and, in his opinion, in all life situations, Big Boys being seen as radical and new tattoos. 
You can watch both series of Big Boys on Channel 4 https://www.channel4.com/programmes/big-boys.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine being forced to leave your country for being gay or face death. This Refugee Week, we welcome Aderonke Apata, a Nigerian refugee who had to leave Nigeria under threat of persecution for being in love with a woman. When she reached the UK, she embarked on a 13-year battle through the UK immigration system including periods of homelessness, detention and near deportation. She was also accused of lying about her sexuality. Her lover in Nigeria was sadly killed. Today, Aderonke has trained to be a barrister and is an expert on immigration law helping others who are going through a similar experience to hers. She founded the African Rainbow Family in Manchester, highlighting the importance of providing support and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers. 
In this deeply moving and enlightening conversation Aderonke discusses her experience, the complexities of sexuality and asylum claims, the astounding and brave changes she has made in her life to live as a proud lesbian and her desire to make change for others. Aderonke’s story is a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Taking place every year in the week around World Refugee Day on 20th June, Refugee Week encourages understanding and solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers through arts, culture, and educational events. This Refugee Week, let’s stand in solidarity with those who have faced unimaginable hardships in their pursuit of safety and acceptance.
Warning this episode references homophobia, sexual abuse, violence and murder
For more information visit:
www.refugeeweek.org
www.africanrainbowfamily.org
GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at changespod@gmail.com with your emails and voice notes.
Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes
Please Note: The transcript is automatically generated in case you come across any typos or misquotes during your reading. Enjoy the episode.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.