Podcasts · Health & Fitness · Society & Culture

Happy Place

Fearne Cotton

300 episodes

Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them.

More about the show

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Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. Dr Sophie Bostock: “I think about rest as protection” Sleep, stress and feeling safe

    · 1 h 06 min · S47 E10 · Explicit

    When did you last look at the sky? Sleep expert Dr Sophie Bostock takes Fearne from her windowless studio onto the streets of London to remind her what daylight looks like, before they delve into how we get good…

  2. Happy Place Hotline: Ending friendships and embracing hibernation

    · 21 min · S47 E9 · Explicit

    The Happy Place Hotline is officially open… and we want to hear from YOU! This is a bonus dose of Happy Place, inspired by your stories. Whether you have a dilemma, or problem that needs solving, thoughts on a recent…

  3. Gemma Cairney: “We need mischief in our lives” Sisterhood and challenging the status quo

    · 55 min · S47 E8 · Explicit

    How do you find joy in the darkest of times? Broadcaster, writer and DJ Gemma Cairney has some ideas. She joins Fearne in the Happy Place studio to talk about sisterhood, shame and subverting the status quo. Fearne…

  4. Chris Olsen: “Addiction is so complicated because there’s no right answer”

    · 1 h 05 min · S47 E7 · Explicit

    TikToker Chris Olsen shot to stardom during the pandemic. But while all eyes were on his viral videos, he was struggling to forgive himself for the challenges of his past. In this candid conversation, Chris sits down…

  5. Jesse Tyler Ferguson: “If things don’t scare you, what’s the point?” Facing fear head-on

    · 53 min · S47 E6 · Explicit

    Actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson spent 11 years on our screens as Mitchell Pritchett in the hit series, Modern Family. But when the opportunity presented itself to be alone on stage, in front of a sell-out audience, a…

  6. “I know I’m safe but my body doesn’t!” Megan McKenna is coping with PTSD and sleep paralysis

    · 51 min · S47 E5

    Entertainment personality Megan McKenna was once advertised in a straitjacket. She was nicknamed Mental Megan, branded mouthy, and edited down to her worst moments on camera. Now, she can see that none of that was who…

  7. Stephen Graham and Orly Klein: "Consent, compassion, condom!" The advice teenage boys need

    · 1 h 01 min · S47 E4

    What part do male role models need to play in young boys’ lives? How do we raise young men with empathy and love? What should masculinity even mean? Adolescence’s Stephen Graham has teamed up with psychology researcher…

  8. Book Club Meets: Murder mysteries and naming emotions, with Susie Dent

    · 39 min · S47 E3

    When mysterious symbols appear as graffiti around Oxford, lexicographer Martha Thornhill recognises them from an alphabet created by a deceased writer whose papers she once worked on. But this is no publicity stunt,…

  9. Miquita Oliver: "I thought I hated you Fearne, I was actually scared!" Debunking female rivalry

    · 58 min · S47 E2

    Back in the noughties, Miquita Oliver thought Fearne Cotton was an irritatingly gorgeous, successful presenter – everything she wasn’t. Fearne was jealous Miquita was part of the TV cool gang. In reality? Fearne…

  10. Am I too old to run?! Fearne on why movement is vital for mental health

    · 11 min · S47 E1

    There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s not realistic guys. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her…

  11. Tom Read Wilson: “My quirks are my superpower!” Be ok with people not liking you

    · 57 min · S46 E10

    We’ve all got quirks. Tom Read Wilson realised early on that no one else was going to celebrate his differences if he didn’t own them himself. In this chat with Fearne, live from the Happy Place Festival, Tom explains…

  12. Fearne: “There are good eggs out there!” How to ignore the tw*ts and stay positive

    · 11 min · S46 E9

    What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s really not floating your boat? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place, and you lot in a good mood, and…

  13. Caitlin Moran: "I’m two years anxiety-free!” How I finally calmed my nervous system

    · 1 h 16 min · S46 E8

    Writer Caitlin Moran's anxiety started when she was 13, when she accidentally let a family secret slip. That anxiety kept her wired for the next 30 years. In this chat with Fearne, Caitlin explains how choosing to be…

  14. Fearne: Why your 40s are ace and how to cope with imposter syndrome

    · 12 min · S46 E7

    There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her…

  15. What if the universe is trying to tell you something? How to trust your intuition

    · 48 min · S46 E6

    Do you ever feel like the universe is trying to tell you something? Call it spirituality, intuition, or science... we’ve all had moments that feel like a bit of a sign – a gentle nudge in a certain direction. In this…

  16. Monty Don: Get out of your bubble! Immerse yourself in a new culture on holiday

    · 45 min · S46 E5

    What does a truly restful holiday look like to you? Do you want novelty or routine? Horticulturalist Monty Don relaxes most when he knows the drill: same Greek island, same terrace for breakfast, same collapsable…

  17. “I did things I’d never do sober” Consent concerns and social anxiety, with Millie Gooch

    · 1 h 00 min · S46 E4

    How do you feel the morning after drinking the night before? For Millie Gooch the hangxiety was huge, so she stopped drinking and founded Sober Girl Society. In this chat, Fearne and Millie explore how to recognise…

  18. Book Club Meets: Holiday romance and friendship in your 40s, with Chloe Ashby

    · 35 min · S46 E3

    For 20 years Maggie and Will have spent idyllic summers in the south of France with their friends Lydia and Roland. This year though, tension is brewing and loyalties are being tested. Their young kids are all there…

  19. Joe Lycett: "Nerves and excitement are the same!" How to reframe anxiety

    · 55 min · S46 E2

    Do you find yourself cringing at your younger self? Did you lose yourself in the early part of parenthood? Do you wonder if who you’re being is who you really are? It’s check, check, and check for comedian Joe Lycett.…

  20. “Wear the OTT dress!” Fearne’s got wardrobe and dating advice

    · 14 min · S46 E1

    What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s…

  21. My OCD gave me existential dread! Finding meaning in difficult times, with poet & actor Lucas Jones

    · 1 h 02 min · S45 E10

    We’re all looking for meaning in life in our own way. Poet and actor Lucas Jones reckons it doesn’t really matter whether we call it God, The Universe, spirituality, or science, we all want to believe in the wonder in…

  22. Chris McCausland: “Dependence is exhausting!” Holidaying with a disability

    · 43 min · S45 E9

    What ratio of planned activities to spontaneity do you love when you travel? Comedian Chris McCausland has to know some top tier activities have been booked ahead of time. Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays!…

  23. Ruby Wax: “I was addicted to rage!” How to respond instead of reacting

    · 46 min · S45 E8

    Have you noticed that your memory and rational thinking disappear when you’re anxious? Ruby Wax wants you to retrain your focus and attention in a digital world that’s always trying to steal it. In this chat with…

  24. Feeling stressed? You’re probably dehydrated! Make hydration a habit, with Phizz

    · 39 min · S45 E7

    You know how your mood dips when you’re hangry? Well, being thangry is a thing too! Thirst – being dehydrated – can have a very real impact on everything from your stress levels to cognitive function and physical…

  25. Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams

    · 44 min · S45 E5

    This month in the Happy Place Book Club, we’ve been reading Queenie Is Working On It, by Candice Carty-Williams. This is the much anticipated follow up to 2019’s Queenie.... and this time, Queenie Jenkins is…

  26. Making sense of big feelings and busy brains, with Paul Whitehouse & Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE

    · 45 min · S45 E6

    Are you aware of what can trigger big emotions in you? How to do you act on those difficult emotions? Comedian Paul Whitehouse and his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir MBE – who has a PhD in neuroscience – talk about learning to…

  27. Sam Thompson: "My mind doesn’t switch off!" People pleasing and ADHD hyperfocus

    · 59 min · S45 E4

    Sam Thompson has made a career out of making people laugh, but behind the pranks and infectious energy, there’s a lot of panic and overthinking. In this chat with Fearne, Sam shares how anxiety and undiagnosed ADHD…

  28. Sophie Ellis-Bextor: “I want my kids to be intrepid!” How to make your holiday magical

    · 39 min · S45 E3

    Sophie Ellis-Bextor is playing over 20 festivals around the world this summer. Given she travels so much for work, it’s even more important to make family holidays properly magical. Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To…

  29. "Little Joe would’ve watched Heartstopper in secret!" Joe Locke: queer representation matters

    · 49 min · S45 E2

    Joe Locke was doing his A levels on the Isle of Man when Heartstopper came out on Netflix. Two days later he had 3 million new Instagram followers. In this chat, Fearne and Joe both share their experiences of being…

  30. Fearne on the loneliness of chronic pain and why she likes breaking rules

    · 12 min · S45 E1

    There’s probably a bit too much pressure on reaching a definitive state of happiness isn’t there? It’s just not realistic. So Fearne’s dropping into your feed every week for some honest chat about what’s making her…

  31. My work makes me a better parent! Coping with mum guilt and taking the pressure off

    · 47 min · S44 E10

    We’re heading into the summer holidays. Hands up if you’re already a bit anxious about any mum guilt creeping in...? Fearne definitely is, so she’s reflecting on the Happy Place episodes that explore how different…

  32. Overwhelmed and exhausted? Decompress with this breathwork session from Self Space

    · 11 min · S44 E9

    Is your nervous system exhausted today? Perhaps you’ve been holding everything together, holding everything inside for a little bit too long? Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, and join Jodie Cariss for a little…

  33. Are you ditching your values to fit in? Todd Rose on avoiding peer pressure

    · 1 h 19 min · S44 E8

    Smoking and going to that cool gig... think you left caving to peer pressure behind at high school? Scientist and social entrepreneur Todd Rose says we’re still desperately doing our best to fit in, whether we realise…

  34. I love chatting to strangers! Fearne’s being spontaneous and sleeping better on holiday

    · 13 min · S44 E7

    Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne gets into what she and Team Happy Place absolutely love about a holiday, and which bits can be a bit…

  35. Adam Kay: "I was told to man up!" Coping with PTSD and mental health stigma

    · 1 h 01 min · S44 E6

    Just man up. This is essentially what Adam Kay was told when a traumatic day at work left him with PTSD. In this chat with Fearne, former doctor Adam explains why he made the decision to leave the medical profession,…

  36. Book Club Meets: I wrote a loveable psychopath! Race and female rage, with Imani Thompson

    · 25 min · S44 E5

    Yrsa really doesn’t intend to kill anyone... but the Cambridge professor sitting opposite her has manipulated her friend and stolen her research. So, when she flicks a bee into his drink, she just thinks he’ll get a…

  37. Are you a witch? Believe in your magic and the power of ritual, with Poppy Jamie

    · 1 h 00 min · S44 E4

    Did you listen when your gut told you to turn down that job... and did you seize a better opportunity after? What about when you were tired but something told you to go to the party anyway? Did you meet your partner…

  38. “Outrageous, saucy behaviour!” What’s going down in Fearne’s WhatsApp groups?

    · 8:47 · S44 E3

    What’s been going on for you this week? What are you happy about, and what’s making you not so happy? Fearne’s here with more chat about what’s putting her, Team Happy Place team, and you lot in a good mood, and what’s…

  39. "Life's too short for bad sex!" Grace Campbell is speaking up about pleasure and shame

    · 1 h 06 min · S44 E2

    Comedian Grace Campbell used to call herself crazy before anyone else could get in there first. Now, Grace wonders whether telling herself this story was affecting how other people interacted with her... In this chat,…

  40. Yoga! Shopping! Talks! DJs! How the Happy Place Festivals come to life

    · 39 min · S44 E1

    Are you coming to one of the Happy Place Festivals this year? We hope so! Have you been before and wondered how it all comes together? Maybe you’re unsure about coming and want to know what the vibe’s like... Fearne’s…

  41. Ashley Roberts: If you don’t scream your body will! Anxiety, insomnia, and Pussycat Dolls' comeback

    · 59 min · S43 E10

    For Ashley Roberts, dance was her self-expression and meditation. Then, at the height of her Pussycat Dolls fame the art she loved became tangled up in extreme burnout and body shaming. In this chat with Fearne,…

  42. Book Club Meets: Tradwives and the manosphere, with Caro Claire Burke

    · 31 min · S43 E9

    Natalie Heller is a tradwife influencer online. She’s got the perfect life: a brood of beautiful children and a handsome cowboy husband who eat her homemade bread and jams in their gorgeous red barn. What her millions…

  43. Mary Berry: "I didn't want to leave the house!" How gardening helped me through grief

    · 49 min · S43 E8

    Mary Berry has been married for 60 years and says she and her husband have never had a cross word. Her secret? Do a lap of the garden before saying the thing you might regret. In this chat with Fearne, Mary shares the…

  44. Alan Cumming: “I allow people to be abusive!” How to build self-worth and say no

    · 51 min · S43 E7

    Alan Cumming's dad told him he was worthless, and his mum told him he was precious. Figuring out how he feels about himself has been a life’s work. In this chat with Fearne, Alan’s open about the ways he’s allowed…

  45. "Why does criticism hurt so much?" Dr Julie on triggers and behaviour patterns

    · 59 min · S43 E6

    Ever looked in the mirror and told yourself “I am enough” ...and not believed a word of it? Psychologist Dr Julie Smith reckons affirmations only work to boost confidence if – deep down – you already believe them. In…

  46. Dr Louise Newson: Anxiety! Joint pain! The perimenopause symptoms you’re ignoring

    · 57 min · S43 E5

    One in six women arriving at Dr Louise Newson's menopause clinic have suicidal thoughts. 92% see those thoughts reduce with natural hormones, so why are women still being prescribed antidepressants instead? In this…

  47. Fear can be wonderful or destructive! How to negotiate with doubt, with Joseph Fiennes

    · 50 min · S43 E4

    Without something creative to pour himself into, actor Joseph Fiennes says he'd eat himself alive. In this chat with Fearne, Joseph thinks about why if he doesn't have a challenge to wear him out, restlessness and…

  48. I still get triggered! Fearne on how to heal, cope with hangxiety, and having an empty nest

    · 15 min · S43 E3

    Fearne isn’t a massive fan of the relentless pressure to reach a definitive state of happiness. It’s just not realistic, so she’s dropping into your feed every week for some chat about what’s making her – and you! –…

  49. Sex scenes are liberating! Nafessa Williams on Rivals, racism, and self-belief

    · 48 min · S43 E2

    Sex scenes involve a lot more padding and tape than you might expect! Rivals actress Nafessa Williams has found being at the centre of one of TV’s sexiest shows both nerve-wracking and incredibly liberating. In this…

  50. Play therapy rewires the brain! Facing childhood traumas, with The King’s Trust

    · 27 min · S43 E1

    Everyone deserves the chance at a fulfilling life. Shauna Tiffany grew up in foster care, feeling ashamed of and responsible for her parents’ choices. Creative play therapy helped her work through her childhood trauma,…

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