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. 6 DAYS AGO

    Ellie Goldstein on Strictly And The Hospital Conversation That Changed Everything

    Ellie Goldstein was once told she’d never walk or talk. Now she’s danced on Strictly and graced the cover of Vogue. Today, she shares how she proved them all wrong. Ellie is a model, dancer, and author. She’s worked with Vogue, Gucci, and Adidas, and made history on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. She’s now helping to change how people see learning disabilities in fashion and media. Her mum, Yvonne, shares the powerful beginning of Ellie’s story. She talks about how doctors broke the news, how they were left alone in a hospital room, and the moment a nurse said, “The last mother who had one of these left it here. Do you want to do that?” Together, they explain: ◽How Strictly changed Ellie’s life - and why she still trains with Vito  ◽How Vito became more than a dance partner - he’s now family ◽Being ignored by model agencies - to becoming cover star of Vogue ◽Why spray tans and dance became her happy place ◽What she tells young people with learning disabilities chasing their dreams ◽The biggest myths about Down syndrome - and how Ellie proves them wrong ◽ How it felt meeting Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo ◽The powerful moment she looked in the mirror and said “you’re perfect” Ellie Goldstein, We Need To Talk. If you want to learn more about learning disabilities, check out these resources from learning disability charity Mencap https://g2ul0.app.link/HGSUr97VyYb Mencap Mythbusters: https://g2ul0.app.link/xtvN8U4VyYb Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  Follow Ellie here: Instagram: https://g2ul0.app.link/bEaYsyOWyYb Portfolio: https://g2ul0.app.link/j1U27nSWyYb  (00:00) Intro (02:09) What Ellie Loved Most About Her Time on 'Strictly Come Dancing' (03:38) Ellie's Relationship With Her Dance Partner Vito (08:56) Paul, Ellie and Yvonne Watch Ellie's Cha Cha Cha (10:48) Paul Gives Ellie a Surprise Gift (13:21) The Reaction to Ellie Being on Strictly (14:40) How Ellie Dealt With Comments From the Judges (15:28) Support From the Strictly Production Team (16:09) Paul Shows Ellie a Message From Surprise Strictly Judge (18:42) Ellie's Favourite Dance on Strictly (19:09) Who Ellie Wants to Win Strictly (19:32) Ellie and Vito's Pre-Performance Rituals (20:39) Ellie's Advice to Anyone Facing Challenges (21:15) Aura Frames Ad (22:16) Shopify Ad (23:17) When Ellie First Felt Like a Model (23:47) Ellie's Statue on the Southbank (24:27) Ellie's Gucci Campaign (26:46) How Ellie Started Out in Modelling (28:46) Ellie's Vogue Cover (32:01) Meeting Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande (35:07) Ellie's Books (37:14) Yvonne Shares the Story of Ellie's Birth (45:33) Down Syndrome Statistics (45:59) Yvonne on How Her Experience Could Have Been Better (49:09) How Yvonne Told Ellie About Her Condition (50:18) What Yvonne and Ellie Appreciate About Each Other (52:15) Quick Fire Questions for Ellie (53:17) Ellie's Work as a Mencap Ambassador (55:16) Paul's Takeaways Sponsored by: Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk   Aura Frames - https://auraframes.co.uk 'PAUL' for £45 off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr
  2. 18 NOV

    Sam Vanderpump Champions Life Changing Organ Donation After Liver Disease Diagnosis

    Made in Chelsea star Sam Vanderpump opens up about life behind reality TV, the advice his aunt Lisa Vanderpump gave him, and the rare liver disease that now means he faces a life-saving transplant. For the first time, Sam reflects on growing up as part of the Vanderpump family, the pressure of living up to his father’s expectations, and the moment he nearly lost his life to sepsis. He also shares how reality TV unexpectedly helped him process trauma, why he’s determined to use his platform to raise awareness for organ donation, and how love and fatherhood have given him new purpose. Sam shares: ◽ The truth behind the Vanderpump family legacy  ◽ What his father’s death taught him about love, pride, and approval ◽ How Lisa Vanderpump became a father figure in his life ◽ The terrifying day he went into organ failure  ◽ How Made in Chelsea helped him confront his emotions for the first time ◽ The moment media headlines about his illness broke him ◽ Why he’s now fighting to raise awareness for organ donation and liver disease ◽ The message from his fiancée that left him in tears Sam Vanderpump. We Need To Talk. Register your decision to donate here: ⁠⁠https://g2ul0.app.link/gtfy87FcnYb⁠⁠ (00:00) Intro   (01:56) Sam Addresses Public Perception of the Vanderpumps   (04:45) What Sam Learned About Love From His Mum and Dad   (07:31) Sam's Complicated Relationship With His Father   (12:20) Coping With the Death of Sam's Father   (14:48) How Reality TV Helped Sam's Mental Health   (16:40) Why Sam Joined Made In Chelsea   (24:55) Paul Shows Sam a Childhood Photo   (29:45) How Authentic Is Made In Chelsea?   (34:44) Has Made In Chelsea Been Good for Sam's Relationships?   (37:54) Paul Shows a Message From Sam’s Fiancée Alice   (41:08) Aura Frames Ad (42:18) What Type of Father Sam Wants to Be   (45:11) Sam Explains His Current Health Condition   (54:37) Key Statistics About Sepsis   (57:04) Why Sam Needs a Liver Transplant   (01:01:13) Sam Addresses the Media Storm Around His Health   (01:04:36) How the Media Storm Affected Sam’s Family and Friends   (01:06:39) How Organ Donation Works and Why Sam Advocates for It   (01:14:54) Sam Reads a Letter From His Grandmother   (01:17:42) Yes I Donate Message (01:18:58) Liver Transplant Survival Rates Explained   (01:23:24) Sam’s Mum Shares Her Perspective   (01:29:42) A Letter From Sam’s Mother   (01:32:24) Most Memorable Conversation   (01:38:10) Paul’s Takeaways  Sponsored by: Aura Frames - https://auraframes.co.uk 'PAUL' for £45 off Register your decision to donate here: ⁠https://g2ul0.app.link/gtfy87FcnYb⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 43m
  3. 11 NOV

    Anna Saccone on The SACCONEJOLYs, Motherhood And Raising Her Trans Daughter in the Public Eye

    In her first ever solo interview, YouTube creator and mum of four Anna Saccone opens up about the truth behind The SACCONEJOLYs, the hidden pain behind her picture-perfect life, and the moments that almost broke her. Content warning: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders and miscarriage. For the first time, Anna shares the real story behind her marriage, her relationship with Jonathan, and the intense pressure of raising a family online while facing constant criticism and scrutiny. She also speaks candidly about her struggles with bulimia, body image, and identity - and how she’s finally learning to live life on her own terms. Anna shares: ◽ Why she wasn’t truly happy on her wedding day ◽ How her father’s obsession with appearance impacted her ◽ How she built a family-vlog channel that earned tens of thousands a month ◽ What it’s really like raising a trans child in the public eye ◽ How she feels about the negative comments ◽ How returning to school became her way of reclaiming her voice This conversation includes discussion of eating disorders and baby loss. We’ve included support links below, along with the organisation Anna mentions in the episode, which provides resources for transgender healthcare: Beat Eating Disorders - https://g2ul0.app.link/gHK6cjr3ZRb Tommy’s: https://g2ul0.app.link/yiLgVePdnVb Sands: https://g2ul0.app.link/1c7K7WVdnVb Anne Healthcare - https://g2ul0.app.link/BWEMiCQBbYb  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  (00:00) Intro (01:31) Why Anna Decided to Do This Podcast Without Jonathan (02:39) Anna's Experience Growing Up in Baltimore (05:46) How That Affected Anna's Relationship With Her Dad (05:47) Moving From Baltimore to Cork (12:15) The Beginnings of Anna's Eating Disorder (14:28) Meeting Jonathan & Quitting University (17:05) What Anna Initially Saw in Jonathan (23:43) How Anna and Jonathan Started on YouTube (28:05) Surprise Message From Jonathan (30:01) Anna's Struggle With Bulimia (32:48) Anna's Advice for Anyone Going Through an Eating Disorder (36:24) How the Growth of the YouTube Channel Affected Anna (42:44) Why Anna Thinks They’ve Been So Popular on YouTube (47:14) How Anna Deals With Online Criticism (58:03) Transgender Statistics in the UK and Anna’s View on the Current Climate (1:03:13) Shopify Ad (1:04:11) Adobe Express Ad (1:05:13) Anna’s Perspective on Featuring Her Children on Social Media (1:16:03) How Motherhood Impacted Anna (1:17:54) Struggling to Connect With Other Mums (1:22:57) Jonathan’s Gender Identity (1:25:54) How Anna Feels About the Negativity Directed Toward Jonathan (1:31:00) Dealing With Online Hate (1:33:30) Quick Fire Questions for Anna (1:39:05) Final Question: Anna’s Decision to Retrain in Nutrition (1:41:15) Most Memorable Conversation (1:45:32) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Shopify: https://www.shopify.co.uk/needtotalk  Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 51m
  4. 4 NOV

    The Shame That Silenced Me For 30 Years: Strictly’s Ore Oduba “I’m Sharing This To Save My Children”

    Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba opens up about addiction for the first time - and the secret he’s carried for over 30 years.Content warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and addiction. In this powerful and deeply moving conversation, Ore shares how he was first exposed at just nine years old - and the lifelong impact it had on his identity, confidence, and relationships. He also reflects on the emotional scars of growing up in fear, the silence he carried into adulthood, and the private battles behind his public success. Ore shares: ◽ Why he lived in fear of his father for years ◽ How his upbringing shaped his confidence, his career - and his silence ◽ The grief of losing his father and sister in such a short space of time ◽ How he felt like he was dying inside - while living what looked like a “perfect” life ◽ How Strictly Come Dancing became his awakening ◽ Why the West End reignited his joy and love for performing ◽ Why he struggled to open up, even to those closest to him ◽ How he’s learning to rewrite the story for himself, and for his children Ore Oduba, 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 Naked Truth Project: https://g2ul0.app.link/JPSkS5mNZXb  Follow me here: https://www.instagram.com/needtotalk  https://www.tiktok.com/@weneedtotalkpod  (00:00) Intro (03:03) Growing Up in Dorset (06:11) Black Identity in 1990s Dorset (11:18) Childhood and Family Dynamics (14:08) Did Ore Feel Loved? (16:35) Early Love for Performing (20:48) Starting Out in TV Presenting (28:17) Ore on Newsround (32:38) Handling Media Scrutiny (34:22) Winning Strictly Come Dancing (45:22) Life After Strictly (47:41) Hiding Behind a Facade (53:43) Relationship With His Brother (1:03:30) Losing His Sister (1:07:47) Mental Health and Identity (1:12:35) Learning of His Father’s Death (1:15:32) Ore’s 30-Year Addiction Struggle (1:32:43) Adult Content Use Among Young People (1:45:05) Message From Strictly’s Joanne Clifton (1:47:25) Childhood Photo Surprise (1:51:33) Most Memorable Moment (1:55:33) Paul’s Takeaways Sponsored by: Adobe Express: https://ADOBE.LY/PAUL Get Your Tickets to the Love Better Tour: https://bit.ly/lovebetter-YT Birmingham - https://g2ul0.app.link/pJIj4XShrXb Manchester - https://g2ul0.app.link/4SQwKDXhrXb Brighton - https://g2ul0.app.link/BO71HSZhrXb London - https://g2ul0.app.link/gm6iB91hrXb Sync-ID MB01SOP0ZYTDXBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 1m

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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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