A meditation for self-love, with Rob da Bank

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 questioning whether she wants kids, being priced out of the housing market in the place she grew up, and coping with horrible heartbreak too. In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Candice explains why she felt it was so important to write about big topics like medical racism and fertility pressures, as well as why for her characters come first and the plot is just a side quest. Also, we all think hen parties are the absolute worst, right?? Thank you to Trapeze for the use of the Queenie Is Working On It audiobook, narrated by Shvorne Marks. You can listen to the Queenie Is Working On It audiobook, from bookshop.org, here.   If you'd like to WIN a year's supply of audiobooks, enter our competition with bookshop.org here. Competition closes on August 22nd.    If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Book Club Meets: Caro Claire Burke Book Club Meets: Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees Book Club Meets: Imani Thompson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 shaped everything from his relationships to his self-confidence, and why it took years of therapy before he understood the patterns he kept repeating. Who do you call in a crisis? Sam has three people he goes to for very specific reasons when he’s spiralling. Sam and Fearne also debate the people-pleaser and non-people-pleaser ways to leave a party, and Sam reveals some of the (amazing!) BTS goss from his content creation with Pete Wicks. Plus, why was Sam willing to pay to go on I’m A Celeb...?? Sam’s book, You, Me, and ADHD is available now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Louise Thompson Jamie Laing Ant and Dec Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Holidays! In this chat with Fearne – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Sophie explains that she and her husband have meetings to discuss the travel itinerary. They share the joy of collecting stamps in your passport, and get deep into their recommendations for Paris, Puglia, Ibiza, and Japan. Fearne and Sophie also realise they both turn into a slightly different person on holiday... a more uninhibited version of themselves. There are more glam outfits and fewer routines! Plus, how does Sophie stay so chilled while packing for seven people in the family, and how does she feel about screens on holiday? British Airways Holidays are ATOL protected, offer a 24hr holiday helpline, and allow you to book with a low deposit. All holidays include a generous baggage allowance per person. Go to Ba.com/holidays to find out more. Listen to other episodes of The Happy Place Guide To Holidays: Richard E Grant Tess Daly Clara Amfo Sara Cox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 thrust into the spotlight as teenagers, and how it’s affected them mentally. He explores his fear that his success might just be a fluke, and why he's so keen to prove he belongs in the industry. They also chat about how vital it is to have LGBTQ+ representation like Heartstopper on TV, and why Joe came out twice. Plus, what can we all learn from Joe’s experience of having to grow up fast about giving ourselves permission to be young and messy? You can watch Joe in Heartstopper Forever on Netflix now. If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like: Olly Alexander Chris Appleton Julian Clary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 (and you lot) feel great, and what’s making us all feel completely rubbish.  This is a cosy little corner for all of us to explore what’s been on our minds, what’s been getting us down, inspiring us, and making us laugh. Want to join the chat? Send us a voicenote, DM, or comment on Instagram @happyplaceofficial! In this chat, Fearne explores: -Trying random new hobbies in midlife and actually being good at them -A bit of reminiscing about her 90s TV presenting days -Admiring nature through a camera lens -Going to the doctor and having your pain believed immediately -Why she’s not a fan of following rules (and what happened when she disobeyed them at The Vatican) -Taking time off work for poor mental health -Why wearing a bra in the heat is SO AWFUL -Why wearing clothes full stop is a mad concept Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.